Liquid Ejection Head Damping via Extended Supply Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face challenges in reducing size while maintaining effective damping of supply channels, as the damper chamber size becomes too small to achieve sufficient damping when the head is miniaturized.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a damper chamber that spans across the supply and return channels, with specific supply and return portions arranged to enhance damping, allowing for a larger damper chamber size without increasing the supply channel width, and utilizing damper films with different Young's moduli and protrusions to prevent sticking and ensure effective ink circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the liquid ejection head is reduced in size in the width direction of the supply channel, then the overall device size is reduced, but maintaining the width of the supply channel becomes difficult and the damper chamber size becomes too small to attain sufficient damping effect
Solution Approach 1:
The supply channel is configured to extend in the sheet conveyance direction (length dimension) rather than only in the width direction. The first supply portion extends in the conveyance direction, and the second supply portion connects it to pressure chambers, creating a longer flow path that provides sufficient damping volume without increasing width. This dimensional shift resolves the contradiction by maintaining damping effectiveness while reducing overall head width.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply channel and return channel are arranged in a nested configuration where they extend alongside each other in the conveyance direction. The damper chamber is formed by the space between these channels, effectively nesting the damping function within the channel structure itself. This allows the damper chamber to maintain sufficient size along the length dimension while keeping the width compact.
2Reliability
If the supply channel width is maintained for sufficient damping, then the damping effect is adequate, but the head size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damping function is achieved by extending the supply channel in the conveyance direction (length dimension) rather than increasing its width. The first supply portion has a sufficient length to provide adequate damping volume, allowing the width to be reduced for miniaturization while maintaining damping effectiveness through the extended length dimension.
3Reliability
If damper films with different Young's moduli are used, then film breakage is prevented and reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different damper films are used at different locations: a first damper film with a first Young's modulus is positioned between the supply channel and pressure chambers, while a second damper film with a second Young's modulus is positioned between the return channel and pressure chambers. This local differentiation allows each film to be optimized for its specific function, preventing breakage while managing complexity through targeted material selection rather than uniform design.
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 maintains a larger damper chamber size, achieving enhanced damping effects while preventing damper film breakage and ensuring reliable ink circulation and air bubble reduction, even when the head is miniaturized.
Implementation Method 1
a first damper film extending along a longitudinal direction of the supply channel and having a first Young's modulus, a second damper film extending along a longitudinal direction of the return channel and having a second Young's modulus different from the first Young's modulus
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers arranged in a first direction, supply communicating portions, a supply channel, return communicating portions and a return channel. The supply channel includes a first and a second supply portion. The return channel includes a first and a second return portion. The second return portion extends from the first return portion toward the pressure chambers in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and is located to a side of the supply channel opposite to the pressure chambers in a third direction orthogonal to both the first and the second direction. The second supply portion extends from an end portion of the first supply portion in the third direction toward the pressure chambers in the second direction. The supply communicating portions are located adjacent to the second supply portion in the third direction.