Liquid Ejecting Head Sidewall Integration for Close Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting head technologies fail to effectively arrange multiple heads side by side to form a line head unit, leading to difficulties in closely packing heads and preventing ink splashing during wiping, which requires complex assembly and additional components.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of liquid ejecting heads with first and second sidewalls, where head chips are positioned between the first sidewall formed by a holder and the second sidewall formed by a fixed plate, allowing for close side-by-side arrangement and preventing ink splashing without additional spacers or complex assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple liquid ejecting heads are arranged side by side to form a head unit, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional components and complex assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The holder and fixed plate are merged into a single integrated component that provides both structural support and liquid supply functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and simplifies the assembly process while enabling close arrangement of multiple head chips side by side.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mounting structure for head chips, provides liquid supply channels, and forms the second sidewall for defining the arrangement space. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If additional components are added to prevent ink splashing during wiping, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply function and sidewall structure are merged into the fixed plate and holder components. The liquid supply channels are integrated within the fixed plate structure, eliminating the need for separate liquid supply components and preventing ink splashing through the integrated design.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex assembly procedures are used to arrange head chips, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder and fixed plate are designed as an integrated component with pre-formed liquid supply channels and mounting structures. This integration simplifies the assembly process by reducing the number of parts to be assembled while maintaining precise positioning of head chips through the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed plate is designed with pre-formed liquid supply channels and mounting features before assembly. This preliminary preparation of the structure allows for easier and more precise assembly of head chips without requiring complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and head chips. The head chips are arranged side by side between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Each of the head chips has nozzles configured to discharge a liquid. The first sidewall is formed by a portion of a holder from which the liquid is to be supplied to the head chips, whereas the second sidewall is formed by a portion of a fixed plate to which the head chips are fixed. The fixed plate has an aperture through which the nozzles are exposed.