Liquid Ejection Head Damper Film Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejection heads with pressure chambers and common channels have a thin film portion that is too small to achieve sufficient damping effect on the circulating channel, leading to inadequate ink circulation and potential issues with air bubbles and viscosity.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a damper film positioned opposite to the second common channel, creating a larger damper chamber that enhances damping by either being open to atmospheric pressure or having a pressure lower than the return portion, preventing foreign matter from passing through and improving ink circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a thin film portion is provided between the supply channel and the circulating channel, then the structure is compact, but the damping effect on the circulating channel is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional thin film portion to a three-dimensional damper chamber by extending the damping structure in the depth direction (third direction). The damper chamber is formed between the circulating channel and the support substrate, utilizing the third dimension to increase damping volume without expanding the planar footprint between supply and circulating channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible damper film as one wall of the damper chamber. This flexible film can deform under pressure changes in the circulating channel, providing effective damping. The damper film is positioned to face the circulating channel and forms part of the damper chamber boundary, allowing compact integration while maintaining sufficient damping volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the damper chamber is made larger to improve damping, then the damping effect increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the damper chamber structure with the existing support substrate and channel structure. The damper chamber is formed by utilizing the space between the circulating channel and the support substrate, with the damper film serving as a boundary. This integration approach increases damping volume without adding separate, complex damping components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support substrate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the channel structure and simultaneously forms one boundary of the damper chamber. The damper film also serves dual purposes as a structural element defining the chamber and as the active damping component that deforms to absorb pressure fluctuations.
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 increases the damping effect, reduces air bubbles, and prevents ink viscosity increase by ensuring efficient ink circulation and stirring of settling ingredients, thereby improving the performance of the liquid ejection head.
Implementation Method 1
The damper film is located to a side of the second portion of the second common channel opposite in the third direction to the first common channel
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers arranged in a first direction, first communicating portions, a first common channel extending in the first direction, second communicating portions, a second common channel extending in the first direction, and a damper film. The second common channel includes a first portion and a second portion connecting the first portion and the second communicating portions. The second portion extends from the first portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction toward the pressure chambers and is located to a side of the first common channel opposite to the pressure chambers in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The damper film is located to a side of the second portion opposite in the third direction to the first common channel.