Thermal Head Insulating Layer Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal heads face issues with heat dissipation, leading to unintended heating of non-print regions during high-speed printing, resulting in unclear or unwanted images due to inefficient heat management.
Innovation Solution
A thermal head design incorporating a substrate with a heat accumulating layer, a heat generating portion, an electrode, a protective layer, and an insulating layer with thermal conductivity, where the insulating layer extends over the heat accumulating layer to efficiently dissipate heat and prevent unwanted heating of non-print regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a heat accumulating layer is used to increase heat generating portion temperature quickly, then printing speed is improved, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient causing unintended heating of non-print regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatial variation in thermal properties across the thermal head structure. The heat accumulating layer is positioned only beneath the heat generating portion, while heat dissipation layers are positioned in non-print regions. This localized differentiation allows rapid heat accumulation where needed for high-speed printing while simultaneously providing heat dissipation pathways in non-print regions to prevent unintended heating and image degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heat dissipation layers as intermediary thermal management components between the heat generating portion and the surrounding structure. These layers act as thermal mediators that selectively conduct heat away from non-print regions without interfering with the heat accumulation function beneath the print elements, thus resolving the contradiction between rapid heating and heat dissipation.
2Productivity
If heat accumulation is enhanced for high-speed printing, then printing performance is improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal head structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a heat accumulating layer positioned beneath the heat generating portion for rapid temperature increase, and heat dissipation layers positioned in non-print regions for thermal management. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific thermal function independently, achieving effective thermal control without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by designing a layered structure where different layers serve different thermal purposes within a single integrated component. The heat accumulating layer provides rapid heating for high-speed printing, while the heat dissipation layers simultaneously prevent thermal buildup in non-print regions. This multi-functional design improves printing performance without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 design enhances heat dissipation, ensuring clear printing by effectively managing heat accumulation and transfer, reducing the risk of unintended image formation during high-speed printing.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generating portion disposed on the heat accumulating layer; an electrode electrically connected to the heat generating portion
Implementation Method 2
a heat accumulating layer disposed on part of the substrate; The heat accumulating layer has a function of accumulating heat generated from the heat generating portion to increase the temperature of the heat generating portion for a short time
Implementation Method 3
an insulating layer having thermal conductivity, the insulating layer covering part of a region of the electrode which region is not covered with the protective layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A thermal head capable of dissipating heat accumulated in a heat accumulating layer efficiently and achieving clear printing, and a thermal printer including the thermal head are provided. A thermal head includes a substrate (7), a heat accumulating layer (13) disposed on part of the substrate (7), a heat generating portion (9) disposed on the heat accumulating layer (13), an electrode electrically (17, 19, 21) connected to the heat generating portion, a protective layer (25) that covers the heat generating portion (9) and part of the electrode (17, 19), and an insulating layer (27, 29) having thermal conductivity, the insulating layer (27, 29) covering part of a region of the electrode (17, 19, 21) which region is not covered with the protective layer (25). The insulating layer (27, 29) covers part of the protective layer (25) and extends over the heat accumulating layer (13).