Thermal Head Connector Movable Pins Prevent Electrode Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermal heads face a risk of electrode breakage due to contact with conductors embedded in the base layer, which can lead to electrical connection failures.
Innovation Solution
The thermal head design incorporates a connector with movable pins that protrude beyond the fixing pins, allowing the substrate to make contact with the movable pins first, reducing the likelihood of electrode breakage and ensuring reliable electrical connections by creating a clearance between the fixing pins and the substrate during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the substrate is inserted between the base layer and conductors to electrically connect electrodes to the connector, then electrical connection is achieved, but the electrodes may be broken due to contact with conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses movable pins that can move in the insertion direction to make contact with the electrodes. This dynamic design allows the pins to move during substrate insertion, preventing excessive stress on the electrodes while ensuring reliable electrical connection after insertion is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable pins are positioned to make contact with the electrodes before the substrate fully inserts between the base layer and conductors. This preliminary contact allows the connector to accommodate the substrate insertion process without transmitting excessive force to the electrodes, preventing breakage.
2Ease of manufacture
If the connector is fitted on the substrate in a state where conductors are made contact with electrodes, then electrical connection is established, but the risk of electrode breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable pins enable the connector to be assembled with the substrate while accommodating the insertion process. The pins move during assembly to prevent damage to electrodes, making the manufacturing process easier while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
There is provided a thermal head capable of ensure electrical connection to the outside. A thermal head (X1) includes a substrate (7); a heat generating section (9) disposed on the substrate (7); an electrode (17, 19) which is disposed on the substrate (7) and is electrically connected to the heat generating section (9); and a connector (31) including a fixing ping (8a) electrically connected to the electrode (17, 19), a movable pin (8b) which holds the substrate (7) between the movable pin and the fixing pin (8a), and a connection pin (8c) which connects the fixing pin (8a) and the movable pin (8b). The movable pin (8b) includes a movable section (8b1) which is bent or curved and a contact section (8b2) making contact with the substrate. The movable pin (8b) is disposed so as to protrude from the connection pin (8c) beyond the fixing pin (8a). The contact section (8b2) is located closer to a connection pin (8c) side than a tip end of the fixing pin (8a). Thereby, the thermal head (X1) is capable of ensuring electrical connection to the outside.