Dual-Filter Liquid Ejecting Head Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting heads, such as ink jet type recording heads, face issues with clogging due to foreign matter in the ink, leading to ejection failures, as both fine and coarse filters have limitations in capturing and preventing the flow of contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A dual-filter system is implemented, where a first filter with smaller liquid supply ports and a second filter with larger ports are used in tandem, capturing foreign matter at different sizes, and the second filter is positioned close to the first filter to minimize clogging, with the first filter potentially formed from the vibration plate to reduce costs and the second filter supported by a beam to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fine filter is provided in the flow path, then the filter can capture small foreign matter, but clogging occurs due to foreign matter and ejection failure is likely to occur due to poor supply of ink
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into two distinct filters with different pore sizes. The first filter (vibration plate) has fine pores to capture small foreign matter, while the second filter (protective substrate) has larger pores to capture large foreign matter. This segmentation allows each filter to specialize in capturing different size ranges, preventing the single filter from being overwhelmed by all sizes of contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The second filter with larger pores acts as an intermediary that captures large foreign matter before it reaches the first filter. This intermediary filter protects the finer first filter from being clogged by large particles, allowing the first filter to continue functioning effectively for smaller particles.
2Device complexity
If a coarse filter is provided in the flow path, then the filter structure is simpler, but large foreign matter flows downstream without being captured and ejection failure is likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering function is segmented into two stages with different pore sizes. The first filter (vibration plate) provides fine filtration, while the second filter (protective substrate) provides coarse filtration. This segmentation ensures that both large and small foreign matter are captured, improving reliability without requiring a single complex filter structure.
3Reliability
If a two-stage filter system is provided, then foreign matter capture is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two filters are merged into a single integrated structure where the vibration plate and protective substrate form a unified filter assembly. Both filters are formed simultaneously during the substrate manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing overall system complexity despite the dual-filter functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the piezoelectric device, a vibration element for ink ejection, and a filter with fine pores. The protective substrate also serves as both a structural protective layer and a filter with larger pores. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated filter components.
4Ease of manufacture
If the first filter is formed from the vibration plate, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the vibration plate structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first filter structure is merged with the vibration plate, eliminating the need for a separate filter component. Both the vibration function and filtration function are integrated into a single element, reducing the total number of parts and manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration plate is designed to serve dual purposes: generating vibration for ink ejection and filtering foreign matter through its porous structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated filter components, lowering manufacturing costs despite the increased complexity of the vibration plate itself.
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 effectively inhibits clogging by capturing foreign matter at multiple sizes, reducing the risk of ejection failures and allowing for continuous operation with improved filter durability and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element that is provided on the vibration plate at a position corresponding to the first pressure generation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head including a flow path forming substrate on which a pressure generation chamber and a first liquid supply chamber communicating with the pressure generation chamber are formed, a vibration plate that is formed on one surface side of the flow path forming substrate, a piezoelectric element that is provided on the vibration plate at a position corresponding to the first pressure generation chamber, a first filter that is provided on the one surface side of the flow path forming substrate and in which a plurality of first liquid supply ports communicating with the first liquid supply chamber are formed, and a second filter that is provided on an upstream side of the first filter and provided with a plurality of second liquid supply ports, in which an inner diameter of the second liquid supply port is an inner diameter or larger of the first liquid supply port.