Liquid Jet Head Thermal Conduction for Ink Temperature Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid jet recording devices face challenges in accurately detecting the temperature of ink ejected from nozzle holes, which affects ejection speed due to viscosity changes, and current solutions may incur high costs or material limitations.

Innovation Solution

A liquid jet head with a flow channel member featuring a high heat conduction part and a temperature detection element attached to its outer surface, allowing for accurate temperature detection of ink without direct contact, using a thermistor and adhesives to enhance sensitivity and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is placed in direct contact with ink to accurately detect temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to corrosion from ink contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an ink contact member as an intermediary between the ink and the temperature sensor. This member has high heat conductivity to efficiently transfer temperature information while being corrosion-resistant to protect the sensor from direct ink contact, thus resolving the contradiction between accurate temperature detection and sensor durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ink contact member is made from a composite material or specific alloy that combines high heat conductivity with excellent corrosion resistance. This composite material property allows it to serve dual functions: efficiently conducting thermal energy from the ink while resisting degradation from prolonged ink exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a temperature sensor is isolated from ink contact to prevent corrosion, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reduced heat conduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor durabilityVSAvoidtemperature detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ink contact member serves as a thermal intermediary that bridges the gap between the isolated sensor and the ink. It maintains thermal coupling through high heat conductivity while providing physical isolation, allowing the sensor to be protected from corrosion without sacrificing temperature measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ink contact member has differentiated local properties: its inner surface in contact with ink is optimized for corrosion resistance, while its material composition throughout is optimized for heat conduction. This local quality differentiation allows it to simultaneously satisfy both protection and thermal coupling requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If a high heat conduction material is used for the ink contact member, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to material selection constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The use of composite materials or specially developed alloys for the ink contact member provides a practical solution that balances heat conduction requirements with manufacturing feasibility. These materials can be produced using standard manufacturing processes while achieving the necessary thermal and corrosion-resistant properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables precise temperature management of ink, stabilizing ejection speed and quality while reducing costs and preventing corrosion, with improved sensitivity and freedom in material selection for the temperature detection system.

Implementation Method 1

a high heat conduction part; and a temperature detection element attached to an outer surface of the high heat conduction part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3480017B1Liquid jet head and liquid jet recording device
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 SII PRINTEK INC
  • EP3480017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3480017B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3480017B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A liquid jet head and a liquid jet recording device capable of accurately detecting the temperature of the ink are provided. A liquid jet head according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a flow channel member(42a,42b) provided with a flow channel (440) of a liquid, and having a high heat conduction part (422) disposed so as to have contact with the liquid flowing inside the flow channel, and a low heat conduction part (421) having lower thermal conductivity than thermal conductivity of the high heat conduction part, a temperature detection element (43) disposed outside the flow channel, and attached to the high heat conduction part, and a liquid jet section (41,44) from which the liquid is jetted.