Liquid Ejecting Head Partition Wall Thickness Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording heads experience variations in discharge properties due to structural crosstalk caused by the flexural deformation of thin partition walls in the drain-side flow passages, leading to inconsistencies in ink droplet weight and discharge rate, especially as nozzle density increases.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a liquid ejecting head with thicker second partition walls separating drain-side individual flow passages, which are differently oriented or positioned relative to the nozzle surface, to reduce structural crosstalk and maintain consistent discharge properties by equalizing pressure changes across pressure generating chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the partition walls of drain-side individual flow passages are made thin to accommodate denser nozzle arrangements, then nozzle density increases, but the rigidity of partition walls decreases causing structural crosstalk and variations in ink droplet weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thickness values to different partition walls based on their location and function. Specifically, the partition wall separating drain-side individual flow passages (second partition wall) is made thicker than partition walls separating supply-side individual flow passages (first partition wall). This local differentiation allows denser nozzle arrangements while maintaining sufficient rigidity in critical areas to prevent structural crosstalk.
2Quantity of substance
If the path length of drain-side individual flow passages is increased, then flow passage cross-sectional area can be increased, but the rigidity of partition walls decreases making structural crosstalk more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent differentiates the thickness of partition walls based on their location. The second partition wall separating drain-side individual flow passages is made thicker to compensate for the increased path length and larger cross-sectional area, thereby maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent structural crosstalk while allowing adequate flow passage dimensions.
3Strength
If thicker partition walls are used to prevent structural crosstalk, then rigidity of partition walls increases, but the flow passage cross-sectional area decreases increasing flow passage resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selectively thickens only the second partition wall separating drain-side individual flow passages, while keeping the first partition walls separating supply-side individual flow passages thinner. This localized approach ensures sufficient rigidity to prevent structural crosstalk in the drain-side passages while minimizing the impact on overall flow passage cross-sectional area and maintaining adequate flow characteristics.
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 reduces variations in discharge properties, improves print quality by minimizing landing misregistration, and allows for denser nozzle arrangements without increasing flow passage resistance, enhancing the overall performance and resolution of the ink jet recording head.
Implementation Method 1
The energy generating element effects a pressure change in the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge the liquid from the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the partition walls of the individual flow passages on the drain-side flexurally deform to cause variations in weight of ink droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes a flow passage member and an energy generating element. The flow passage member includes an individual flow passage including a nozzle and a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle, a supply-side common flow passage, and a drain-side common flow passage. The energy generating element effects a pressure change in the liquid in the pressure generating chamber to discharge the liquid from the nozzle. The individual flow passage includes a supply-side individual flow passage between the supply-side common flow passage and the nozzle and a drain-side individual flow passage between the nozzle and the drain-side common flow passage. A second partition wall that separates a plurality of the drain-side individual flow passages from each other is thicker than a first partition wall that separates a plurality of the supply-side individual flow passages from each other.