WO2022015307A1

WO2022015307A1 - Fluidic die assemblies with living hinges

Info

Publication number: WO2022015307A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/042245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mida LORENZ; Si-Lam J. Choy; Jeffrey S. Obert
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2020-07-16
Filing date: 2020-07-16
Publication date: 2022-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-16
Also published as: TW202206296A

Abstract

In example implementations, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a fluidic die assembly slot portion to eject printing fluid, an electrical connection portion to provide electrical connections to corresponding electrical connections in a carriage of a printer, and a living hinge. The living hinge is to connect the fluidic die assembly slot portion to the electrical connection portion. The fluidic die assembly slot portion, the living hinge portion, and the electrical connection portion are formed as a single piece.

Description

FLUIDIC DIE ASSEMBLIES WITH LIVING HINGES

BACKGROUND

[0001] Printers can be used to dispense printing fluid onto print mediums to generate an image. A printer can be controlled by a computer to direct where the printing fluid should be dispensed, which colors of the printing fluid should be dispensed, and the like.

[0002] Some printers use fluid ejection devices, such as inkjet print cartridges. For instance, a printer may include multiple inkjet cartridges with different colored printing fluid. The inkjet cartridges may include various electrical connections that are used to help with alignment and control of printheads that dispense the printing fluid. In addition, different model printers may use different inkjet cartridges with different sized fluidic die assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example printing apparatus with a fluid ejection device that includes a fluidic die assembly with a living hinge of the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example isometric view of various sized fluidic storage tanks of fluid ejection devices with the fluidic die assemblies with the living hinge of the present disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of top view of the fluidic die assembly with the living hinge of the present disclosure before being bent;

[0006] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an isometric view of the fluidic die assembly with the living hinge of the present disclosure after being bent;

[0007] FIG. 5 is a block diagram different examples of the living hinge of the present disclosure; and

[0008] FIG. 6 is an example method of fabricating the fluidic die assembly with the living hinge of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Examples described herein provide a fluidic die assembly and method for producing the same that includes a living hinge. As discussed above, some printers may use inkjet printer cartridges. The fluidic die assembly on some fluid ejection devices may include multiple components that are connected by a flexible circuit. The multiple components are fit together for a particular sized fluidic storage tank.

[0010] In addition, some fluidic storage tanks include some of the electrical connections and/or mechanical datums used for alignment on the storage tank itself. This adds complexity to the design of the fluidic storage tank.

[0011] The present disclosure provides a single piece fluidic die assembly that includes a living hinge. The fluidic die assembly may be formed with an over-molded wireframe process or design that also forms the living hinge. The fluidic die assembly can then be bent to approximately 90 degrees and coupled to the fluidic storage tank.

[0012] In some examples, the fluidic die assembly may include the electrical connections to control the nozzles of the fluidic die and a connection for fluidic die assembly alignment in a printer. This may allow the electrical connections and alignment connections from the fluidic storage tank to be removed and simplify the design of the fluidic storage tank.

[0013] In addition, the fluidic die assembly with the living hinge of the present disclosure can be coupled to various sized fluidic storage tanks. Thus, overall inventory and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example printing device 100 that includes a fluid ejection device 106 (e.g., a printing fluid cartridge) that includes a fluidic die assembly 108 with living hinges of the present disclosure. In an example, the printing device 100 may be an inkjet printer that ejects printing fluid to print an image on a print media (e.g., paper). The ejection of print fluid may be controlled by a processor (not shown) of the printing device 100 in accordance with a print file transmitted from a computing device (not shown) to the printing device 100.

[0015] In an example, the fluid ejection device 106 may be inserted into a carriage 104. The carriage 104 may be modified to include electrical connections 110 that match to the corresponding electrical connections of the fluidic die assembly 108 (discussed in further details below). The carriage 104 may be moved along a rail 112 inside of a body 102 of the printing device 100 to eject printing fluid on desired locations of the print media as the print media is moved through the printing device 100.

[0016] Although a single fluid ejection device 106 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , it should be noted that a plurality of fluid ejection devices 106 may be deployed in the printing device 100. In addition, the carriage 104 may be sized to accommodate multiple fluid ejection devices 106. The carriage 104 may include electrical connections 110 for the corresponding connections on each fluidic die assembly 108.

[0017] As discussed in further details below, the fluidic die assembly 108 may be fabricated as a single piece that can be bent. The fluidic die assembly 108 may then be coupled to a fluidic storage tank to form the fluid ejection device 106. The fluidic die assembly 108 may be coupled to a variety of differently sized fluidic storage tanks. In some instances, the fluidic die assembly 108 may be slightly modified in size to accommodate different fluidic storage tanks. Said another way, each differently sized fluidic storage tank may not use a differently sized fluidic die assembly 108. As a result, a single fluidic die assembly 108, or a couple of different fluidic die assemblies 108, may be used for many differently sized fluidic storage tanks, thereby reducing production costs and inventory costs.

[0018] In addition, the fluidic die assembly 108 may contain the electrical connections that may have been previously fabricated on the fluidic storage tank. Thus, the fabrication of the fluidic storage tanks can be simplified, and the cost to produce the fluidic storage tanks may also be reduced.

[0019] In addition, the fluidic die assembly 108 may contain the alignment connections (e.g., mechanical datums). As a result, alignment connections from the fluidic storage tank can be removed.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example isometric view of various sized fluidic storage tanks with the fluidic die assembly 108. FIG. 2 illustrates example fluidic storage tanks 202, 204, and 206. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the fluidic storage tanks 202, 204, and 206 may include various dimensions. For example, the length of the fluidic storage tank 202 may be shorter than the length of the fluidic storage tank 206. The height of the fluidic storage tank 204 may be shorter than the heights of the fluidic storage tanks 202 and 206.

[0021] However, the same fluidic die assembly 108 may be used for the fluidic storage tanks 202 and 206. In an example, the fluidic die assembly 108 may be slightly modified to accommodate for the shorter dimensions of the fluidic storage tank 204.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a top view of the fluidic die assembly 108 with a living hinge 304 before the living hinge 304 is bent. In an example, the fluidic die assembly 108 may include a first portion 302, a second portion 306, and the living hinge 304 that may form a third portion that connects the first portion 302 to the second portion 306. The first portion 302, the second portion 306, and the living hinge 304 may be formed from a single continuous piece of material.

[0023] In an example, the material may be a plastic or polymer that is used to create the fluidic die assembly 108. The fluidic die assembly 108 may be formed via an over-molded wire frame as part of an over-molded wire frame process. For example, a wire frame may be constructed that includes various wires and electrical connections (as described below). The plastic or polymer may be poured over the wire frame within a mold to form the fluidic die assembly 108 and allowed to cool. The material may be a thermoplastic that can be bent or manipulated to allow the living hinge 304 to be bent, as discussed in further details below. Examples of the thermoplastic may include polysulfones, polyphenylene sulfides, and the like.

[0024] In an example, the first portion 302 may be a fluidic die assembly slot portion that includes a plurality of slots 308i to 308_n (hereinafter also referred to individually as a slot 308 or collectively as slots 308). The number slots 308 may correspond to a number of different printing fluids that can be ejected from a fluidic storage tank. The slots 308 may correspond to nozzles located on a fluidic die that includes nozzles. The fluidic die can be electrically controlled to eject droplets of print fluid in accordance with an image that is to be printed by the printing device 100. The print fluid ejected from the nozzles may flow through the corresponding slot or slots 308.

[0025] In an example, the openings of the fluidic storage tanks 202, 204, and 206 may be formed to correspond to the dimensions of the slots 308. Thus, a single design of the first portion 302 may be used to accommodate the different sized fluidic storage tanks 202, 204, and 206.

[0026] The first portion 302 may include hinge locking features 318 and 322. The hinge locking features 318 and 322 may include a slot or opening 314 that may mate with a corresponding feature in the second portion 306 when the fluidic die assembly 108 is bent. The hinge locking features 318 and 322 may provide a mechanical support to maintain the bend of the living hinge 304. Although an example of a mechanical design of the hinge locking features 318 and 322 is illustrated in FIG. 3, it should be noted that other mechanical designs may be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0027] In an example, the second portion 306 may be an electrical connection portion that includes electrical connections 310i to 310_m (hereinafter also referred to individually as an electrical connection 310 or collectively as electrical connections 310) and a datum 312. The electrical connections 310 may be electrically connected via wires (not shown) that run through the living hinge 304 and to connection points of the slots 308. The electrical connections 310 may allow electrical signals to be sent from the processor of the printing device 100 to the slots 308.

[0028] In an example, the datum 312 may provide alignment information to the printing device 100. For example, the datum 312 may connect to a corresponding datum on the carriage 104. The datum 312 may provide registration information to the printing device 100. The datum 312 may also provide a distance of the electrical connections 310 on the second portion 306 to electrical connections 110 in the carriage 104 illustrated in FIG. 1. Previous print fluid cartridge designs were fabricated into the fluidic storage tank.

However, moving the datum 312 to the fluidic die assembly 108 may simplify the design and production of the fluidic storage tank, as noted above, to reduce production costs.

[0029] In an example, the second portion 306 may include tabs 316 and 320. The tab 316 may fit into the slot 314 of the hinge locking feature 318. The tab 320 may fit into the slot 314 of the hinge locking feature 322. The tabs 316 and

320 may be the same shape or different shapes as shown in FIG. 3.

[0030] In an example, the living hinge 304 may be formed to allow the living hinge 304 to be bent at approximately 90 degrees. For example, after the living hinge 304 is bent, a plane of the first portion 302 and a plane of the second portion 306 may be positioned to be approximately perpendicular to one another, or at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Said another way, the living hinge 304 may be bent such that the first portion 302 is positioned horizontally and that the second portion 306 is positioned vertically relative to the first portion 302. The tabs 316 and 320 and the hinge locking features 318 and 322 may be mated such that the first portion 302 and the second portion

306 may be held in position after the living hinge 304 is bent.

[0031] The bent fluidic die assembly 108 may then be coupled to a fluidic storage tank. In an example, the first portion 302 may be positioned over a first side of a fluidic storage tank and the second portion 306 may be positioned on a second side of the fluidic storage tank that is approximately perpendicular to the first side of the fluidic storage tank.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example of the fluidic die assembly 108 after the living hinge 304 is bent. As shown in FIG. 4, the tab 316 may be mated with the hinge locking feature 318. The tab 320 may be mated with the hinge locking feature 322. In an example, the hinge locking features 318 and 322 may have a respective raised portion 325 and 326 to provide additional support and to prevent the second portion 306 from moving towards a flat position (e.g., the position illustrated in FIG. 3). [0033] In an example, after the living hinge 304 is bent, the fluidic die assembly 108 may be coupled to a fluidic storage tank. The combined fluidic die assembly 108 and fluidic storage tank may form the fluid ejection device 106 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0034] The living hinge 304 may include wiring or electrical connections that connect the electrical connections 310 to the slots 308. The living hinge 304 may have various features that may protect the wiring during bending of the living hinge 304 and during operation of the fluid ejection device 106 within the printing device 100.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a few examples of the living hinge 304. FIG. 5 illustrates three examples 502, 504, and 506 of the living hinge 304. In the example 502, the living hinge 304 may include a plurality of structures 330i to 330i (hereinafter also referred to individually as a structure 330 or collectively as structures 330). The structures 330 may form the living hinge 304 and be the part of the fluidic die assembly 108 that is bent. The structures 330 may be formed between the first portion 302 and the second portion 306. In other words, rather than a solid piece as illustrated in FIG. 3, the living hinge 304 may be formed by a portion that has openings that form the structures 330. The structures 330 may be formed from the same material that the first portion 302 and the second portion 306 are formed from.

[0036] In an example, the structures 330 may be hollow to allow wires 324i to 324_o (hereinafter also referred to individually as a wire 324 or collectively as wires 324) to pass through the structures 330 (see, e.g., the example 502). In an example, a single wire 324 may pass through each structure 330 or multiple wires 324 may pass through each structure 330. The structures 330 may have a length (as measured in a direction as shown by a line 350) of approximately 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters.

[0037] In the example 504, the living hinge 304 may include the plurality of structures 330. However, in contrast to the example 502, wires 326i to 326_p (hereinafter also referred to individually as a wire 326 or collectively as wires 326) may be passed through the living hinge 304 and located between the structures 330. In other words, the plurality of structures 330 may be located between the wires 326. An encapsulant 332 may be poured over the living hinge 304 to encapsulate the wires 326 between the structures 330.

[0038] The encapsulant may be a liquid polymer that can be cured to form a flexible solid material. In an example, the liquid polymer may be poured on both sides of the living hinge 304 to encapsulate the wires 326, and the liquid polymer may then be cured. In an example, the liquid polymer may be poured over a single side of the living hinge 304. The liquid polymer may flow between the structures 330 to the opposite side of the living hinge and then cured.

[0039] In an example, the geometry of the structures 330 may be modified to allow the liquid polymer to flow between the structures 330 and fully encapsulate the wires 326. In an example, the structures 330 may be rectangular columns with a curved side (e.g., an arch shape when viewed from a side of the structures 330). The curvature may also provide strain relief and hinge bending so that the hinge does not bend during bending and bends in the right location. The curvature may also remove some surface area on the sides of the structures 330 to reduce surface tension and allow the liquid polymer to flow easily between the structures 330 from one side to the other.

[0040] In addition, the structures 330 may be spaced apart a particular distance. Increasing the distance between the structures 330 may minimize the surface tension between the structures 330 and help the liquid polymer to flow between the structures 330.

[0041] In the example 506, the living hinge 304 may include the plurality of structures 330. In contrast to the example 502 (but similar to the example 504), wires 328i to 328_r (hereinafter referred to individually as a wire 328 or collectively as wires 328) may be passed through the living hinge 304 and located between the structures 330. However, in contrast to the example 504, the wires 328 may be exposed between the structures 330. In other words, the wires 328 may be located in the open spaces between the structures 330 without any encapsulant. As shown in FIG. 5, the wires 328 are shown as a solid line between the structures 330 and then dashed lines as the wires 328 pass into the first portion 302 and the second portion 306.

[0042] In an example, the living hinge 304 may be fabricated from a thermoplastic, as discussed above. The living hinge 304 may be heated to a melting temperature or near melting temperature of the thermoplastic. In an example, a hot pin may be placed against the living hinge 304 to locally heat the thermoplastic where the bend may occur. The living hinge 304 may be bent to allow the tabs 316 and 320 to mate with the hinge lock features 318 and 322, respectively. The living hinge 304 may be allowed to cool until the thermoplastic is solidified and set into the bent position (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4). The living hinge 304 may be bent as described above for examples 502 and 506 that do not use an encapsulant 332.

[0043] In the example 504, the encapsulant 332 may be poured over the structures 330 as described above (e.g., either over a single side or both sides of the living hinge 304). The encapsulant 332 may be cured to allow the encapsulant 332 to be solidified. The thermoplastic may then be heated to a temperature that is near a melting temperature of the thermoplastic, but below the melting temperature of the encapsulant. For example, a hot pin may be placed against the living hinge 304 to locally heat the thermoplastic where the bend may occur. The living hinge 304 may be bent, as shown in FIG. 4. The living hinge 304 may be allowed to cool and re-solidify to set the position of the first portion 302 and the second portion 306 at an approximate right angle.

[0044] In an example, the living hinge 304 may be bent after the encapsulant 332 is poured over the structures 330. The encapsulant 332 may be cured after the living hinge is bent.

[0045] In an example, the living hinge 304 may be bent first. Then, the encapsulant 332 may be poured over the living hinge 304 that is bent (e.g., over a single side or over both sides). The encapsulant 332 may then be cured to encapsulate the wires 326.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 600 for fabricating the fluidic die assembly with the living hinge of the present disclosure. The method 600 may be an example of an over-molded wire frame process. In an example, the method 600 may be performed by various different equipment in a manufacturing facility.

[0047] At block 602, the method 600 begins. At block 604, the method 600 forms slots on a first portion of a wire frame to correspond with nozzles on a die to eject printing fluid. The wire frame may be formed to include openings where the thermoplastic may form the slots around the openings. For example, the slots may correspond to nozzles that are formed on sliver dies (e.g., using silver). The die may be a component of the fluid ejection device where the nozzles may be formed. The nozzles on the die may be electrically controlled to control ejection of printing fluid from the fluidic storage tank. The die may be coupled between the fluidic storage tank and the first portion of the fluidic die assembly of the present disclosure. The first portion may be coupled to the die such that the nozzles on the die and the slots are aligned. The printing fluid may then be ejected out of the nozzles and through the slots.

[0048] At block 606, the method 600 may form electrical connections on a second portion of the wire frame. The electrical connections may be formed or stamped on a frame. The electrical connections may be connected to corresponding electrical connections on a printer carriage to control the nozzles to eject printing fluid.

[0049] At block 608, the method 600 may provide a mold for a living hinge between the first portion and the second portion. For example, a mold with the desired shape and features of the structures to be formed in the living hinge may be provided between the first portion and the second portion.

[0050] At block 610, the method 600 pours a thermoplastic over the wire frame and mold to form a fluidic die assembly. The thermoplastic may be a material such as polysulfones, polyphenylene sulfides, and the like. The thermoplastic may be poured to encapsulate the wire frame and the mold to form the living hinge.

[0051] In an example, depending on the design of the living hinge, an encapsulant may be poured over the living hinge. The encapsulant may be poured on a single side or may be poured over both sides of the living hinge. The encapsulant may be cured to encapsulate wires that may be located in exposed openings between the structures formed in the living hinge. For example, the encapsulant may encapsulate both sides of the exposed wiring by being poured on a single side or both sides of the living hinge. [0052] In an example, after the thermoplastic is poured and the fluidic die assembly is formed, a die may be mounted to the first portion of the fluidic die assembly. Then, the method 600 may proceed to block 612.

[0053] At block 612, the method 600 bends the living hinge such that the first portion is approximately perpendicular to the second portion to be coupled to a fluidic storage tank. For example, heat may be applied to the living hinge such that the thermoplastic at the living hinge is heated to a melting temperature or near a melting temperature. The heat may be applied via a heat pin. The living hinge may be bent and allowed to cool to set the shape of living hinge.

[0054] In an example, the living hinge may have corresponding hinge locking features on the first portion and the second portion. The living hinge may be bent until the corresponding hinge locking features mate and are locked into position. The hinge locking features may help maintain the bend.

[0055] The fluidic die assembly may be coupled to the fluidic storage tank to form a fluidic die assembly. The fluidic die assembly may be coupled to the fluidic storage tank such that the first portion rests against a bottom side of the fluidic storage tank where print fluid is ejected. The second portion of the fluidic die assembly may rest against a front side of the fluidic storage tank. The fluidic die assembly may be coupled to the fluidic storage tank with an adhesive. The fluidic die assembly may be inserted into a printing device to eject print fluid, as described above. At block 614, the method 600 ends.

[0056] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, or variations therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a fluidic die assembly slot portion to eject printing fluid; an electrical connection portion to provide electrical connections to corresponding electrical connections in a carriage of a printer; and a living hinge to connect the fluidic die assembly slot portion to the electrical connection portion, wherein the fluidic die assembly slot portion, the living hinge, and the electrical connection portion are formed as a single piece.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection portion is bent at approximately 90 degrees relative to the fluidic die assembly slot portion via the living hinge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluidic die assembly slot portion, the living hinge, and the electrical connection portion are formed as the single piece via an over-molded wire frame process.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the single piece comprises a thermoplastic.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection portion comprises a mechanical datum to perform alignment.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluidic die assembly slot portion and the electrical connection portion comprise corresponding hinge locking features.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein electrical wiring of the electrical connection portion is encased by the living hinge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein electrical wiring of the electrical connection portion is encapsulated and exposed in the living hinge.

9. An apparatus, comprising: a fluidic storage tank; a fluidic die assembly slot portion of a fluidic die assembly positioned over a first side of the fluidic storage tank with openings to eject printing fluid; and an electrical connection portion of the fluidic die assembly positioned on a second side of the fluidic storage tank that is approximately perpendicular to the first side, wherein the fluidic die assembly slot portion and the electrical connection portion are bent via a living hinge, wherein the fluidic die assembly slot portion, the electrical connection portion, and the living hinge are formed as a single piece.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the living hinge comprises a plurality of structures between wires that connect the electrical connection portion to the fluidic die assembly slot portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a length of the plurality of structures is between 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fluidic die assembly slot portion comprises a slot on a side connected to the living hinge, and the electrical connection portion comprises a tab that is to fit into the slot when the living hinge is bent.

13. A method, comprising: forming slots on a first portion of a wire frame to correspond with nozzles on a die to eject printing fluid; forming electrical connections on a second portion of the wire frame; providing a mold for a living hinge between the first portion and the second portion; pouring a thermoplastic over the wire frame and mold to form a fluidic die assembly; and bending the living hinge such that the first portion is approximately perpendicular to the second portion to be coupled to a fluidic storage tank.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: pouring an encapsulant over a single side of the living hinge to encapsulate an exposed wiring that run between a plurality of structures of the living hinge; and curing the encapsulant.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the bending, comprises: mating corresponding hinge lock features of the first portion and the second portion.