Thermal Head Cover Layer Local Quality for Corrosion Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal heads in printers face issues with corrosion and wear due to exposure of electrical components, leading to potential damage from water and dust, which affects their reliability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The thermal head design incorporates a cover layer with a first portion and a second portion of varying thickness, where the second portion is placed on the pad and the joining member is connected to the exposed portion of the pad, enhancing protection against corrosion and wear while maintaining efficient heat transfer and electrical connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pad is fully exposed to connect the joining member, then electrical connectivity is ensured, but the pad becomes vulnerable to corrosion and water damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer is designed with varying thickness: a first thickness in most areas and a second, smaller thickness over the pad region. This creates local differences in protection level, allowing the pad to remain partially exposed for electrical connection while being partially protected from corrosion and water damage.
2Reliability
If a thick cover layer is used to protect components, then anti-corrosion and anti-wear characteristics improve, but heat transfer efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer thickness is optimized locally: thicker in areas requiring maximum protection and thinner over the pad area to maintain heat transfer efficiency. This localized variation allows the system to achieve both protection and thermal performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal head includes a substrate; a heat generating section disposed on the substrate; an electrode electrically connected to the heat generating section; a cover layer which covers part of the electrode; a pad electrically connected to the electrode; and a joining member electrically connected to the pad. The cover layer includes a first portion and a second portion which is smaller in thickness than the first portion. The second portion is placed on the pad. The pad has a convexity which exposes from the second portion. The joining member is connected to the convexity.