Liquid Ejecting Head Upper Surface Edge Configuration for Electrical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, securing sufficient installation space for electrical coupling portions on the surface opposite to the ejection surface can be challenging due to the parallelogram shape of the ejection surface, leading to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting head is designed with an upper surface having a specific edge configuration that allows for an electrical coupling portion to be disposed at a first end portion, orthogonal to the ejection surface, with edges inclined to accommodate the electrical components without overlapping acute-angled portions of a virtual parallelogram, thereby optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ejection surface is formed as a parallelogram to arrange nozzle rows obliquely, then the nozzle arrangement efficiency is improved, but the installation space for electrical coupling portions becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the upper surface in the first direction (orthogonal to the ejection surface direction) to create additional installation space for electrical coupling portions. This dimensional extension transforms the limited parallelogram-shaped space into a larger area by utilizing the space beyond the obtuse-angled portion, effectively resolving the space constraint without altering the nozzle arrangement configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper surface is designed with an asymmetric shape that extends beyond the obtuse-angled portion of the virtual parallelogram while maintaining the parallelogram ejection surface. This asymmetric extension creates dedicated space for electrical coupling portions without affecting the symmetric nozzle arrangement, allowing both functions to coexist optimally.
2Area of stationary object
If the upper surface is extended to accommodate electrical coupling portions, then the installation space is increased, but the risk of ink suction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different regions of the upper surface. The region beyond the obtuse-angled portion is specifically designed for electrical coupling portions with higher reliability requirements, while the main parallelogram area maintains the nozzle arrangement function. This local differentiation allows the electrical coupling portion to be positioned in an area that provides installation space while implementing targeted protective measures against ink suction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective structure (such as a cover or barrier) as an intermediary element between the electrical coupling portion and the liquid ejection system. This intermediary prevents direct contact between ink and electrical components, thereby eliminating the ink suction risk while maintaining the extended upper surface configuration for electrical component installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A head includes an upper surface opposite from an ejection surface; and an electrical coupling portion disposed at a first-end portion of the upper surface in a Y-direction, an outer shape of the upper surface has first and second edges separated from each other in an X-direction, a third-edge disposed at the first-end portion, and a fourth-edge disposed at a second-end portion opposite from the first-end portion in the Y-direction, along a V-direction, and when viewed in a normal direction, the upper surface is not overlapped with an acute-angled portion of a virtual parallelogram having a first-virtual side contacting the first-edge, a second-virtual side contacting the second-edge, a third-virtual side contacting the third-edge, and a fourth-virtual side contacting the fourth-edge, and projects beyond an obtuse-angled portion of the virtual parallelogram in the X-direction.