Liquid Discharge Head Dummy Channel Through Hole

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge heads experience uneven discharge characteristics due to adhesive overflow into pressure and dummy pressure chambers, leading to increased internal pressure and inconsistent liquid discharge, as the dummy channel often becomes a closed space without proper air release.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a through hole in the diaphragm that communicates with the dummy channel and the atmosphere, preventing the dummy channel from becoming a closed space and allowing for air release, thus maintaining consistent internal pressure and reducing adhesive overflow into the pressure chambers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the dummy channel is configured as a sealed place without air release, then the structure is simpler, but the internal pressure increases and discharge characteristics become uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedummy channel structureVSAvoiddischarge characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy channel is segmented into multiple sections with through-holes at different positions, dividing the sealed space into controlled segments that allow pressure equalization while maintaining the overall dummy channel function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Through-holes are introduced as intermediary elements between the dummy channel interior and exterior, enabling pressure equalization and air release without compromising the sealed nature of the dummy channel for liquid isolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If adhesive is applied extensively to bond components, then bonding strength is improved, but adhesive overflows into pressure chambers and dummy channels causing internal pressure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidadhesive overflow

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of adhesive overflow is extracted and managed by providing through-holes in the dummy channel that allow excess adhesive and trapped air to escape, preventing pressure buildup while maintaining bonding strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The through-holes in the dummy channel convert the harmful adhesive overflow into a beneficial pressure equalization mechanism, allowing the adhesive to be applied generously without compromising the liquid discharge system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the dummy channel is completely sealed, then liquid contamination is prevented, but air cannot be released leading to inconsistent discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid contaminationVSAvoiddischarge consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy channel structure is given local quality variations through strategically positioned through-holes, creating zones of different permeability that allow air release at specific locations while maintaining overall liquid containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11273643B2Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle from which a liquid is discharged, a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle, to which the liquid is supplied, a dummy channel not communicating with the nozzle and adjacent to the pressure chamber, the dummy channel being a sealed place to which the liquid is not supplied, and a diaphragm configured to define a displaceable wall of the pressure chamber and a wall of the dummy channel. The wall of the dummy channel defined by the diaphragm includes a through hole.