Liquid Discharge Head Reservoir Passage Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid discharge heads experience variations in discharge characteristics due to temperature differences along their longitudinal direction, leading to inconsistent ink viscosity and pressurizing section characteristics, and existing designs with single reservoir passages lack sufficient damping effect for multi-color ink discharge.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge head with multiple reservoir passages extending along its length, where each passage has a broad and narrow section to enhance damping, and a heat transfer section to minimize temperature variations, along with a branch passage system for stable liquid supply and reduced pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single reservoir passage is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damping effect is insufficient for multi-color ink discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereservoir passage structureVSAvoiddamping effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir passage is divided into multiple segments (first reservoir passage and second reservoir passage) that extend in different directions from the branch passage. This segmentation allows each passage to serve specific color channels while maintaining adequate damping volume, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and sufficient damping effect for multi-color discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the reservoir passage width is reduced to fit multiple passages, then the quantity of liquid stored is reduced, but the damping effect becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid storage capacityVSAvoiddamping effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reducing passage width to accommodate multiple reservoir passages, the design extends passages in the longitudinal direction from the branch passage. This dimensional change allows sufficient liquid storage capacity and damping volume without compromising the width needed for adequate damping effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If liquid is supplied from one end of the long liquid discharge head, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure loss increases and discharge characteristics vary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid supply systemVSAvoiddischarge characteristic consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid supply system is segmented into multiple supply paths originating from different positions along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation creates multiple liquid supply routes that distribute ink more evenly across the discharge holes, reducing pressure loss and ensuring consistent discharge characteristics without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If a heater is added to stabilize temperature, then the reliability of discharge characteristics is improved, but the device complexity and heat radiation losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge characteristic stabilityVSAvoidtemperature control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir structure itself serves the temperature stabilization function through its insulated design and liquid volume thermal mass, eliminating the need for active heating systems. The liquid in the reservoir naturally maintains temperature stability, and the reservoir geometry minimizes heat radiation losses, achieving reliability improvement without adding complex temperature control equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design achieves improved damping and reduced temperature variations, resulting in more consistent ink discharge characteristics and enhanced printing accuracy by stabilizing the liquid supply and minimizing pressure loss.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric actuator for pressurizing liquid so as to discharge the liquid from a passage member having a discharge hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a reservoir passage... with a damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2716460B1Liquid discharge head and recording device using same
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP2716460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2716460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2716460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A long liquid discharge head of the present invention includes a passage member 4 in one direction having a plurality of discharge holes 8 and a plurality of pressurizing chambers 10; a plurality of pressurizing sections 30 for pressurizing liquid in a plurality of the respective pressurizing chambers 10; and a long reservoir 540 in the one direction bonded along the passage member 4 and having a reservoir passage 42 for supplying the liquid to a plurality of the pressurizing chambers 10, and when viewed in the direction in which the reservoir 540 and the passage member 4 are bonded, the reservoir 540 includes a plurality of heat insulating sections (the reservoir passage 42 and a space 541a-4) extending in the one direction and a heat transfer section 541a-3 provided between a plurality of the heat insulating sections.