Resin Flow Channel with Local Metal Sensor for Ink Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in quickly and accurately measuring the temperature of the liquid within the flow channel, leading to delayed temperature stabilization and increased weight and cost due to the use of metal flow channel members.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head unit with a flow channel member made of resin, featuring a substrate-mounted temperature measurement device facing an opening through the flow channel member, allowing for quick and accurate temperature measurement, and optionally using a metal heat-transfer member or thermally-conductive adhesive for enhanced protection and anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a metal flow channel member is used to reduce temperature difference between the member and liquid, then measurement accuracy is improved, but weight increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel member is divided into two materials: a resin base structure for weight reduction, and a localized metal portion only where the temperature sensor contacts the liquid. This segmentation allows accurate temperature measurement at the contact point while keeping the overall structure lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal portion is applied locally only at the sensor contact area rather than throughout the entire flow channel member. This local quality approach provides high thermal conductivity where needed for accurate measurement while maintaining resin material properties elsewhere for weight reduction.
2Measurement precision
If a metal flow channel member is used to reduce temperature difference between the member and liquid, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel member is segmented into resin and metal portions, allowing each material to be manufactured separately using optimal processes (molding for resin, machining or bonding for metal) and then assembled, simplifying overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel member uses a composite structure combining resin and metal materials. This allows leveraging the manufacturing advantages of resin (easy molding, low cost) for the main structure while adding metal only where thermal properties are critical.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature measurement device is placed in direct contact with the liquid, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device degrades due to liquid exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The metal portion acts as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the liquid. It provides the thermal contact needed for accurate measurement while protecting the sensor from direct liquid exposure, thus maintaining both accuracy and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal portion serves as a thermal copy or proxy that transfers liquid temperature to the sensor without requiring the sensor itself to contact the liquid, thereby preserving sensor integrity while enabling accurate measurement.
4Stability of the object's composition
If heat is transferred through metal to reach set temperature, then temperature stabilization is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal portion is strategically placed only at the sensor contact area where rapid thermal equilibrium is needed for measurement, rather than heating the entire flow channel. This localized approach achieves temperature stabilization where critical while minimizing overall heating time.
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 rapid and precise temperature measurement of the liquid, preventing degradation of the temperature measurement device, reducing weight and cost, and stabilizing ink viscosity for improved recording head reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the liquid within the flow channel is measured by the temperature measurement device that is provided facing the opening
Implementation Method 2
a metal heat-transfer member that makes contact with the liquid within the flow channel is inserted into the opening; and that the metal heat-transfer member and the temperature measurement device make contact with each other
Implementation Method 3
the temperature measurement device and the metal heat-transfer member are joined by a thermally-conductive adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head unit includes: a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid through nozzles by driving a pressure generation element to cause the pressure within a pressure chamber to fluctuate; a flow channel member in which is formed a flow channel that supplies the liquid to a head flow channel of the liquid ejecting head; a substrate, mounted to a side surface of the flow channel member, on which is mounted an electrical component for supplying power to the pressure generation element; and a temperature measurement device provided on the surface of the substrate that faces the flow channel member. Here, the flow channel member includes an opening that passes therethrough toward the flow channel; and the temperature of the liquid within the flow channel is measured by the temperature measurement device that is provided facing the opening.