Liquid Ejecting Unit Single Fixing Member Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of liquid ejecting apparatuses is complicated due to individual fixing of members such as the carriage and flexible wiring to the recording head, leading to increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting unit with a liquid ejecting head, a holding portion, a coupling member, and a first fixing member that passes through a through-hole, allowing the coupling member to be supported on the holding portion, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs by using a single fixing member for both the liquid ejecting head and the coupling member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If members such as the carriage and flexible wiring are individually fixed to the recording head, then the liquid ejecting apparatus can be assembled, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixing functions for the carriage and flexible wiring into a single fixing member. The carriage is fixed to the liquid ejecting head via a first fixing member, and the flexible wiring is fixed to the same carriage using the same first fixing member. This consolidation reduces the number of fixing operations and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining proper assembly of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The first fixing member serves multiple functions: it simultaneously fixes the carriage to the liquid ejecting head and secures the flexible wiring to the carriage. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate fixing members for each component, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and improving ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If multiple fixing members are used to fix the liquid ejecting head and coupling member, then each component can be securely fixed, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fixing of the liquid ejecting head and the coupling member into a single integrated fixing operation using one fixing member. This fixing member simultaneously secures both components, reducing the total number of parts needed and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining secure fixation of both the liquid ejecting head and coupling member.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fixing member is designed to perform multiple fixing functions: it fixes the liquid ejecting head to the carriage and also secures the coupling member to the carriage. This universal fixing approach reduces component count and manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable fixation of all critical components.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple fixing members are used for the liquid ejecting head and coupling member, then each component can be fixed, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple fixing members into a single fixing member that simultaneously secures the liquid ejecting head and the coupling member to the carriage. This reduction in part count simplifies the assembly process, reduces inventory requirements, and improves manufacturing efficiency while maintaining proper fixation of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fixing member is designed with multi-functionality to secure both the liquid ejecting head and the coupling member. By making one component perform the work of what would traditionally require multiple separate fixing members, the patent reduces the total quantity of parts needed while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting unit includes: a liquid ejecting head configured to eject a liquid; a holding portion holding the liquid ejecting head; a coupling member; and a first fixing member fixing the liquid ejecting head to the holding portion, in which the coupling member is provided with a first coupling portion and a first through-hole, the liquid ejecting head is provided with a second coupling portion that is configured to be coupled to the first coupling portion, and the first fixing member passes through the first through-hole in a state in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are coupled to each other.