Print Element Substrate Pad Alignment for Long Nozzle Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print element substrates face challenges in elongating the nozzle array length while maintaining high operating frequency due to interference between flexible boards connected to adjacent pad arrays, which are orthogonal to the nozzle array direction.
Innovation Solution
The print element substrate is designed with a pad array extension direction aligned with the energy generation element array, drive element array, logical circuit array, and shift register array, and positioned to intersect with these arrays, allowing for closer arrangement of multiple substrates without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the nozzle array length is increased to improve print speed, then the printable length increases, but the operating frequency decreases due to longer wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple smaller substrates arranged in a matrix, with each substrate containing a portion of the nozzle array. This segmentation reduces the wiring length within each substrate while maintaining the overall virtual nozzle array length, thereby preserving high operating frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The pad array extension direction is changed from being orthogonal to the nozzle array direction (conventional) to being aligned with the nozzle array direction. This dimensional change allows flexible boards to be routed without interfering with adjacent substrates, enabling closer substrate arrangement and longer virtual nozzle array length while maintaining short wiring paths
2Length of moving object
If multiple print element substrates are arranged closely together to increase virtual nozzle array length, then the printable length increases, but interference occurs between flexible boards connected to adjacent pad arrays
Solution Approach 1:
The pad array is positioned asymmetrically at a corner of the substrate rather than at the center or along the edge orthogonal to the nozzle array. This asymmetric positioning, combined with aligning the pad array extension direction with the nozzle array direction, allows flexible boards to be routed in a direction that does not interfere with adjacent substrates, enabling closer arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible board connection direction is changed from being orthogonal to the nozzle array direction to being aligned with the nozzle array direction. This allows multiple substrates to be arranged closely in the direction intersecting the nozzle array direction without flexible board interference
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
This configuration enables longer virtual nozzle array length and maintains high operating frequency by reducing wiring length and preventing interference between flexible boards, facilitating efficient inkjet printing.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal inkjet method, which uses the ink bubbling phenomenon induced by thermal energy produced by a heater energized for roughly several microseconds
Implementation Method 2
uses the ink bubbling phenomenon induced by thermal energy produced by a heater
Data Source
AI summary
To increase the virtual length of a nozzle array while maintaining a high operating frequency, provided is a print element substrate having an energy generation element array including a plurality of energy generation elements each configured to apply energy to liquid in a corresponding pressure chamber and a pad array including a plurality of pads for inputting, from outside, a plurality of signals for driving the plurality of energy generation elements. The extension direction of the pad array has a component in the same direction as the extension direction of the energy generation element array.