Liquid Discharge Head Bridge Structure for Stable Meniscus Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge heads experience instability in discharge properties due to deformation and vibration of the common chamber substrate, leading to variations in meniscus vibration among nozzles, which can deteriorate image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of rigid bridges between the sidewalls of the supply-side and collection-side common chambers to stabilize the common chamber substrate, preventing deformation and vibration, thereby maintaining consistent discharge properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the common chamber substrate is made flexible to allow pressure changes, then the liquid discharge function is enabled, but the substrate deforms and vibrates during discharge, deteriorating discharge properties
Solution Approach 1:
The common chamber substrate is segmented into multiple regions by introducing partition walls that divide the chamber into separate compartments. This segmentation allows different regions to have different functional characteristics - some regions can deform to accommodate pressure changes while others remain stable to prevent vibration propagation
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the common chamber substrate are given different mechanical properties through the partition walls. The partition walls create localized rigid structures that prevent deformation in specific areas while allowing controlled deformation in other areas, thus stabilizing the overall discharge properties
2Reliability
If the common chamber substrate is made rigid to prevent deformation, then discharge properties are stabilized, but the substrate cannot accommodate pressure changes from piezoelectric elements
Solution Approach 1:
The common chamber substrate is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, creating a segmented structure where pressure changes can be localized to specific regions while other regions maintain structural stability. This allows the chamber to accommodate pressure variations without causing overall deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls extend in the thickness direction (Z-axis) of the substrate, creating a three-dimensional structure that adds structural support without restricting the necessary flexibility for pressure accommodation. This dimensional approach allows simultaneous rigidity and adaptability
3Ease of manufacture
If no partition walls are introduced in the common chamber substrate, then the structure remains simple and manufacturing is easier, but meniscus vibration varies among nozzles due to substrate deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Partition walls are introduced to segment the common chamber substrate into multiple regions. This segmentation prevents deformation propagation between regions, ensuring consistent meniscus vibration across all nozzles while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls are strategically positioned to create localized rigid structures only where needed to prevent deformation, rather than making the entire substrate rigid. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired precision in meniscus vibration consistency
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 implementation of bridges with high rigidity between the common chamber sidewalls ensures stable discharge properties by minimizing meniscus vibration, resulting in improved image quality and consistent liquid discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure of a chamber in the channel substrate is changed by the piezoelectric element
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid discharge head (404) includes a nozzle plate (1), a common chamber substrate (20), a channel substrate (2), a first bridge (51), and a second bridge (51). The nozzle plate (1) has multiple nozzles from each of which a liquid is dischargeable. The common chamber substrate (20) has a supply-side common chamber (10) having a first supply sidewall and a second supply sidewall, and a collection-side common chamber (40) adjacent to the supply-side common chamber (10). The collection-side common chamber (40) has a first collection sidewall and a second collection sidewall. The channel substrate (2) is laminated over the common chamber substrate (20). The first bridge (51) is disposed between the first supply sidewall and the second supply sidewall to bridge the supply-side common chamber (10). The second bridge (51) is disposed between the first collection sidewall and the second collection sidewall to bridge the collection-side common chamber (40).