Common Flow Path Unit for Liquid Ejecting Head Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting head modules are large due to the presence of individual pressure adjustment devices in each unit head, which hinders downsizing and increases the height of the module.
Innovation Solution
A common flow path unit supplies liquid to multiple unit heads through a shared flow path, with a pressure control section and flexible valve that switches liquid supply, reducing the need for individual pressure adjustment devices and allowing for surface contact between porous members for liquid transfer, thereby minimizing module height and width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual pressure adjustment devices are provided in each unit head, then liquid supply pressure can be controlled for each unit head, but the head module becomes large and its height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual pressure adjustment devices into a single common pressure adjustment device that serves multiple unit heads. The common pressure adjustment device includes a pressure control chamber with a flexible membrane that responds to pressure changes and controls liquid supply to multiple unit heads simultaneously, thereby reducing the overall height and size of the head module while maintaining pressure control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The common pressure adjustment device is designed to perform the pressure control function for multiple unit heads universally. The pressure control chamber and flexible membrane mechanism can regulate liquid supply pressure for all connected unit heads through a shared flow path, eliminating the need for separate pressure adjustment devices in each unit head.
2Length of stationary object
If a common flow path unit is used to supply liquid to multiple unit heads, then the head module size is reduced, but individual pressure control for each unit head may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The common pressure adjustment device is segmented into multiple pressure control chambers, with each chamber corresponding to a specific unit head. Each pressure control chamber has its own flexible membrane that can independently respond to pressure changes and control liquid supply to its associated unit head, thereby maintaining individual pressure control capability within the common device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking of individual pressure adjustment devices (height dimension) to a horizontal arrangement of pressure control chambers within a common device (planar dimension). This dimensional change allows multiple pressure control functions to be integrated in a compact footprint, reducing head module height while preserving individual control capability.
3Ease of operation
If porous members are used for liquid transfer between common flow path unit and unit heads, then surface contact improves liquid distribution, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous members at the connection interfaces between the common flow path unit and unit heads. These porous members enable liquid to be distributed through surface contact rather than point contact, improving liquid distribution efficiency and ensuring uniform supply to multiple unit heads through capillary action and porous flow characteristics.
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 reduces the overall height and width of the head module by sharing the pressure control section and using surface contact between porous members, improving operational responsiveness and simplifying filter replacement, while maintaining positional accuracy of nozzles.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member that opens and closes the valve by being displaced in response to a pressure change inside the pressure control section
Implementation Method 2
Supplying and receiving of the liquid are performed by surface contact between the second porous member and the third porous member and by surface contact between the first porous member and the fourth porous member
Data Source
AI summary
A unit head has an inlet section that introduces ink from a side of a sub-tank through a porous member. The sub-tank has a pressure control section corresponding to each unit head, individually, and has an outlet section that delivers the ink from the pressure control section through a porous member. The pressure control section has a valve and a film that is displaced in response to a pressure change. The film is provided in an upper surface of the sub-tank. A frame has an inlet-side connection section to which the outlet section of the sub-tank is connected, an outlet-side connection section to which the inlet section of the unit head is connected, and a communication flow path that communicates with both connection sections. Both of the connection sections include porous members, and supply and receive the ink by a surface contact of the porous members with each other.