Print Head Light Guide Tube for Defect Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing devices, such as ink jet printers, face issues with deteriorating image quality due to defects in the print head, and notification systems for inspection results are often external, leading to potential unnoticed defects.
Innovation Solution
A print head configuration that includes a driving element, a flow path member, a circuit board, and a light emitting element with a light guide tube to guide light externally, enabling internal inspection and notification of defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a notification device is provided outside the print head, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of defect notification deteriorates because the notification device may not acquire the inspection result
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device is integrated into the print head, merging the inspection function and notification function into a single unit. This ensures that the notification device reliably receives inspection results directly from the print head's own sensors, eliminating the risk of communication failure between separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated notification device provides immediate feedback about the print head's inspection status. When a defect is detected by the inspection circuit, the notification device within the same unit can immediately alert the user, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures reliable defect notification.
2Measurement precision
If the light emitting element is disposed between the circuit board and flow path member, then the measurement precision of defect detection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting element is nested within the print head structure, specifically positioned between the circuit board and flow path member. This nested arrangement allows the optical inspection components to be integrated into the existing print head architecture without requiring separate external inspection devices, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through efficient spatial utilization.
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 allows for accurate acquisition and notification of print head defects, reducing the likelihood of unnoticed issues and improving image quality by integrating inspection and notification within the print head.
Implementation Method 1
the flow path member is provided with a light guide tube that guides light emitted by the light emitting element to an outside of the flow path member
Data Source
AI summary
A print head includes a head portion that includes a driving element driven by a drive signal and ejects a liquid in response to the drive of the driving element, a flow path member provided with a liquid flow path for supplying a liquid to the head portion, a circuit board provided with a supply circuit for supplying the drive signal to the driving element and disposed between the head portion and the flow path member, and a light emitting element disposed between the circuit board and the flow path member, in which the flow path member is provided with a light guide tube that guides light emitted by the light emitting element to an outside of the flow path member.