Liquid Ejecting Head Cover Deformation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cover of liquid ejecting heads, such as those in inkjet printers, can deform due to collisions or other causes, leading to printing defects.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejecting head with a cover that includes a detection element to detect deformation, allowing for the notification of anomalies based on detection signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a cover is added to protect the droplet ejection face, then protection is improved, but deformation occurs leading to printing defects

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidprinting quality

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection element is installed on the cover before operation to preliminarily detect deformation. When deformation is detected, the system can take preventive actions before printing defects occur, thus maintaining both protection and printing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection element provides real-time feedback on cover deformation status. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor the cover's condition and respond to deformation, preventing printing defects while maintaining the protective function of the cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the cover is made thinner to reduce deformation, then deformation resistance is improved, but structural strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation resistanceVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed as a thin-walled structure that is lightweight and resistant to deformation. By optimizing the thin-walled design, the cover achieves good deformation resistance while maintaining adequate structural strength for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The detection element is pre-installed on the thin-walled cover to monitor deformation. This allows the system to detect and respond to deformation early, compensating for the reduced structural strength of the thin-walled design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If a detection element is added to detect cover deformation, then anomaly detection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A strain gauge (detection element) is used to detect cover deformation by measuring strain. This replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a simpler electrical sensing approach, achieving accurate deformation detection while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection element serves multiple functions: it detects deformation, provides feedback for anomaly notification, and enables preventive maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Accurate detection of cover deformation enables timely identification and correction of anomalies, preventing printing defects and improving the reliability of the liquid ejecting apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a first detection element that detects a deformation of the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation detection: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4624165A1Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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AI summary

A liquid ejecting head includes a head chip (Hc), a cover (160) to which the head chip is fixed, and a detection element (200) configured to detect a deformation of the cover.