Print Head Terminal Arrangement for Ink Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, the removal of tubes for ink supply during maintenance can lead to ink leakage, causing short circuits and operational instability due to the close proximity of signal cables and ink tubes, especially in miniaturized head units.
Innovation Solution
The head unit is designed with a configuration where the power supply terminal is located between the control signal terminal and the ink supply port, allowing for separate placement and reducing the likelihood of ink leakage affecting the control signal terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cable and tube are coupled close to the connector for miniaturization, then the head unit size is reduced, but the risk of ink leakage affecting the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional arrangement by positioning the power supply terminal in a different spatial dimension (between the control signal terminal and liquid supply port in a direction intersecting the cable arrangement direction). This creates a three-dimensional separation that reduces the risk of ink leakage affecting the control signal terminal while maintaining miniaturization
2Ease of repair
If the tube is removed during maintenance, then the head unit can be serviced, but ink may leak and cause short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function into a separate terminal that is spatially separated from the liquid supply port. This extraction creates a protective barrier that prevents ink leakage from the liquid supply port from affecting the power supply terminal and control signal terminal during maintenance operations
3Device complexity
If the control signal terminal and liquid supply port are placed close together, then the device structure is simplified, but ink adherence to the terminal may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by arranging terminals and ports in multiple dimensions. The power supply terminal is positioned between the control signal terminal and liquid supply port in an intersecting direction, creating a protective spatial arrangement that prevents ink adherence while maintaining structural efficiency
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 minimizes the risk of ink adherence to the control signal terminal, enhancing the operational stability of the liquid ejecting apparatus by separating the ink supply port from the control signal input.
Implementation Method 1
driving a piezoelectric element provided in a print head of a head unit using a drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head unit that includes a nozzle that ejects a liquid, a control circuit that outputs a control signal that controls an operation of the head unit, a power supply circuit that supplies a power supply voltage to the head unit, and a liquid container that stores the liquid. The head unit includes a first terminal to which the control signal is input, a second terminal to which the power supply voltage is supplied, and a liquid supply port to which the liquid is supplied, the first terminal and the second terminal are located side by side along a first direction, and the second terminal is located between the first terminal and the liquid supply port in a second direction intersecting the first direction.