Multi-part Printhead Assembly Datum Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The position stability of printhead assemblies in inkjet printers is compromised due to environmental and operational stresses when a plastic manifold is used between metal upper and lower body parts, leading to unwanted displacement of datum points.
Innovation Solution
The printhead assembly body structure is modified by directly joining the metal upper and lower body parts without an intervening plastic manifold, ensuring no disparate material is between them, thus stabilizing the datum points and maintaining cost-effectiveness by preserving the plastic manifold's location between the metal parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic manifold is used between metal upper and lower body parts, then cost is reduced, but position stability of datum points deteriorates under environmental and operational stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The body is divided into separate upper and lower body parts that are joined together, with the manifold integrated into one of the body parts. This segmentation allows the use of cost-effective plastic manifolds while maintaining metal body structures for datum point stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold is merged with either the upper or lower body part, eliminating the need for separate plastic manifold components sandwiched between metal parts. This reduces material interfaces and improves positional stability while keeping manufacturing costs low through integrated design.
2Measurement precision
If datum points are located on different parts of the printhead assembly, then distance between datum points is maximized for precision, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Datum points are positioned in three-dimensional space across different planes and orientations of the upper and lower body parts. This spatial arrangement maximizes the effective distance between datum points for precision positioning while distributing the structural complexity across multiple dimensions rather than requiring complex planar arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a printhead assembly includes a plurality of printheads and a printing fluid flow structure including an upper body part comprising a number of flow regulators to regulate the flow of printing fluid through the printing fluid flow structure; a lower body part comprising a number of printing fluid passages to carry the printing fluid to the plurality of printheads; and a manifold placed between the upper body and lower body to carry the printing fluid from the upper body part to the lower body part.