Wind Tunnel Cooling Layout for Stable Liquid Discharge Heads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid discharge apparatuses, the increase in distance from the drive circuit to the head leads to inductance issues, affecting discharge stability and potentially causing short circuits due to ink mist blown onto the drive circuit.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a first and second drive circuit within separate wind tunnels, with discharge sections outside these tunnels, and a blowing section generating airflow to guide cooling air through distinct paths, preventing ink mist from reaching the drive circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive circuit is disposed immediately above the head to reduce inductance influence, then discharge stability is improved, but the drive circuit is exposed to ink mist blown by airflow, causing short circuit risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling airflow into multiple separate paths using first and second wind tunnels. Each drive circuit is placed in a dedicated wind tunnel, creating segmented airflow paths that prevent ink mist from reaching the drive circuits while maintaining cooling efficiency and discharge stability
Solution Approach 2:
The wind tunnels act as intermediary structures that guide cooling airflow away from the head and discharge sections. By introducing these intermediate airflow channels, the patent protects the drive circuits from ink mist exposure while still providing necessary cooling
2Temperature
If air cooling is used for the drive circuit, then temperature control is improved, but ink mist is blown onto the drive circuit, causing short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different airflow characteristics to different regions. The first and second wind tunnels provide directed cooling airflow to the drive circuits, while the airflow paths are specifically designed to avoid the head and discharge sections, creating localized cooling zones with different airflow properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the cooling airflow by using three-dimensional wind tunnel structures. The airflow is guided through specific three-dimensional paths that separate the cooling function from the harmful airflow that would blow ink mist onto the drive circuits
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 configuration maintains discharge stability and prevents short circuits by isolating the drive circuits from ink mist, ensuring reliable operation and high-definition image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing section generating an airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus including: a first drive circuit generating a first drive signal; a second drive circuit generating a second drive signal; a first discharge section discharging a liquid onto a medium based on the first drive signal; a second discharge section discharging a liquid onto the medium based on the second drive signal; a blowing section generating an airflow; a first wind tunnel guiding the airflow to a first path; and a second wind tunnel guiding the airflow to a second path different from the first path, wherein the first drive circuit is disposed inside the first wind tunnel, the second drive circuit is disposed inside the second wind tunnel, and the first discharge section and the second discharge section are disposed outside the first wind tunnel and the second wind tunnel.