Auxiliary Passage Unit for Ink Jet Head Pressure Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet heads face issues with air bubbles entering the reservoir, causing nozzle clogging and ink leakage due to uneven pitch between ink supply and ejection ports, and the attachment's large size and rigidity limitations.
Innovation Solution
A compact auxiliary passage unit with annular projections and flexible films is attached to the ink jet head, allowing for balanced pressure absorption and reduced load on ports, preventing deformation and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the area of the annular projection and film is increased to enhance damper function, then pressure absorption capability is improved, but rigidity of the passage component is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The passage component is divided into multiple regions: a first region with a large-area annular projection and film for pressure absorption, and a second region with ribs for rigidity reinforcement. This segmentation allows each region to specialize in its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the passage component have different structural characteristics: the first region has a large annular projection area for damper function, while the second region has ribs for rigidity. This local differentiation optimizes each region for its specific purpose.
2Ease of operation
If two passages (ink supply and ink ejection) are mounted on a single detachable attachment, then connection operation is simplified, but the attachment size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment is designed with a thin plate-like structure that utilizes the thickness dimension efficiently. By arranging passages and components in the planar direction rather than extending in the thickness direction, the attachment achieves functional complexity without increasing overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink supply passage and ink ejection passage are integrated into a single attachment body, allowing both passages to be connected to the ink jet head in one operation. The passages share common structural elements and mounting interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If there is unevenness between the pitch of ports in the ink jet head and connection portions in the attachment, then connection cannot be carried out normally, but increasing port area to compensate increases attachment size
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment includes a flexible film that can deform to accommodate pitch mismatches between ports. This dynamic flexibility allows the attachment to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and alignment variations without requiring larger port areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible film is used as part of the passage structure, allowing the attachment to flex and accommodate pitch differences between the ink jet head ports and attachment connection portions. This flexibility compensates for manufacturing tolerances.
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
The solution effectively prevents deformation and ink leakage by balancing pressure and reducing load on ports, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of ink jet printing.
Implementation Method 1
A film is adhered to the tip end of the annular projection, and a spacing surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the annular projection and the film forms a part of the ink passage. Therefore, a radical fluctuation in pressure of ink in the reservoir unit can be absorbed by flexing of the film.
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary passage apparatus, an attachment, a liquid discharge head, and a ink jet head are provided. The auxiliary passage apparatus is detachably attached to a liquid discharge head and includes a main body portion including, a first surface, a second surface, a supply passage formed in the first surface and through which liquid passes to a discharge head, and an ejection passage formed in the second surface and through which liquid which is ejected from the discharge head passes. A part of the supply passage includes a first annular projection formed so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the first surface and a first flexible film adhered to a distal end of the first annular projection. A part of the ejection passage crosses an area on the second surface which is opposed to an area surrounded by the first annular projection.