Liquid Ejection Head Block Member Positioning for Ink Backflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems face inefficiencies in ink ejection due to backflow caused by bubble generation, leading to increased energy consumption and larger heat-generating elements, which in turn increase power requirements and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head with a block member that surrounds the effective bubble-generating region of the heat-generating element, positioned to minimize backflow and optimize bubble pressure, reducing energy consumption and heat-generating element size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If blocks are arranged around the heat-generating element to suppress backflow, then ink ejection efficiency is improved and energy consumption is reduced, but the position of the block is not specified leading to possible inefficiency in bubble utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise positional parameters for the block member relative to the heat-generating element, defining the distance between the block's inner end part and the effective bubble-generating region's outer end part as +2 μm or less. This parameter optimization ensures efficient bubble utilization while preventing backflow, thereby maintaining high ink ejection efficiency without excessive power consumption.
2Productivity
If blocks are arranged around the heat-generating element to suppress backflow, then ink ejection efficiency is improved, but the size of the heat-generating element increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines precise dimensional parameters for the block member, specifying that the distance from the inner end part of the block member to the outer end part of the effective bubble-generating region should be +2 μm or less. This optimized sizing allows the block to effectively suppress backflow and improve ink ejection efficiency while minimizing the increase in heat-generating element size and associated manufacturing costs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the block member is positioned too far from the effective bubble-generating region, then backflow suppression is reduced, but bubble generation efficiency decreases requiring larger heat-generating element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the distance between the inner end part of the block member and the outer end part of the effective bubble-generating region should be +2 μm or less. This precise parameter setting ensures the block member is positioned optimally to suppress backflow caused by bubble generation, while maintaining efficient bubble utilization that prevents excessive heat generation requirements.
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 solution enables efficient ink ejection with reduced energy consumption, downsizing the heat-generating element, and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining high ejection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-generating element capable of heating a liquid inside the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
bubbles are generated within the ink, thereby ink droplets being ejected through an ejection port
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head capable of more efficiently ejecting ink and an inkjet printing apparatus are provided. The liquid ejection head has a block member which surrounds at least a part of an effective bubble-generating region involved with heat generation in a heat-generating element and which is formed so as to protrude from the heat-generating element in a direction in which a liquid is ejected. The block member is arranged in a position where a distance of a position of an inner end part from an outer end part of the effective bubble-generating region is +2 μm or less, with an outward direction being set to be positive.