Liquid Ejecting Head Bypass Outlets for Bubble Expulsion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink jet recording heads face challenges in efficiently expelling bubbles from the upstream chamber upstream of the filter, leading to reduced effective filter area and variations in ink droplet discharge properties.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a liquid ejecting head with a plurality of outlets leading from the upstream chamber to the collection opening, allowing for improved bubble expulsion and stabilization of pressure in the upstream chamber, thereby reducing the occurrence of stagnant ink areas and enhancing the ease of bubble removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single bypass is provided to couple the upstream chamber and collection opening, then bubbles can be expelled, but the ease of bubble expulsion is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of bubble expulsionVSAvoidbubble removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single bypass channel is divided into multiple separate bypass channels. Each bypass channel provides an independent pathway for bubble expulsion, allowing bubbles to be removed more efficiently through multiple simultaneous exit points rather than a single bottleneck channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass channels are configured to extend in multiple spatial directions from the upstream chamber to the collection opening. This multi-dimensional arrangement increases the surface area for bubble attachment and provides multiple geometric pathways, enhancing bubble expulsion ease compared to a single linear bypass.

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

2Reliability

If the filter effective area is reduced due to clogging, then foreign matter is captured, but the ink flow is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign matter captureVSAvoidink flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path is segmented into multiple parallel channels including bypass channels that can operate independently. When the filter becomes clogged, ink can still flow through the bypass channels, maintaining overall flow rate while the filter continues to capture foreign matter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass channels act as intermediary pathways that provide an alternative route for ink flow when the main filtered path is obstructed. This mediator structure allows the system to maintain productivity even when the filter is heavily loaded with captured foreign matter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If bubbles accumulate in the upstream chamber, then the chamber pressure varies, but the filter effective area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure stabilityVSAvoidfilter effective area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple bypass channels provide multiple independent pathways for bubble escape from the upstream chamber. This segmentation of the expulsion path prevents bubble accumulation and stabilizes chamber pressure while maintaining clear access to the filter surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass channels enable continuous bubble expulsion from the upstream chamber, preventing intermittent pressure variations. This continuous action maintains stable chamber pressure and ensures the filter surface remains consistently accessible for capturing foreign matter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution effectively expels bubbles and stabilizes pressure in the upstream chamber, reducing variations in ink droplet discharge properties and maintaining the filter's effective area, ensuring stable ink supply and improved printing quality.

Implementation Method 1

a bypass is provided that couples an ink collection opening and an upstream chamber disposed upstream of a filter together so that bubbles in the upstream chamber are expelled to the ink collection opening through the bypass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11130345B2Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting system
Publication Date: 2021.09.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • US11130345B2 patent drawing
  • US11130345B2 patent drawing
  • US11130345B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A liquid ejecting head has a supply opening toward which a liquid is supplied, a collection opening through which the supplied liquid is collected, a nozzle that ejects the liquid supplied from the supply opening, and a filter disposed at an intermediate point in a flow path that couples the supply opening and the nozzle together. The liquid ejecting head further has a plurality of outlets leading from an upstream chamber disposed upstream of the filter to the collection opening.