Liquid Ejection Head Groove Design for Single-Test Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing leaks in liquid supply openings of a liquid ejection head require multiple tests and are complicated, especially when the spacing between openings is small, as they fail to detect leaks effectively in all openings simultaneously due to pressure fluctuations and the need for alternating connections to a leak testing device.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design featuring grooves that extend between the ends of liquid supply openings and intersect the substrate's edge, allowing compressed air to escape and measure pressure fluctuations in all openings during a single test, eliminating the need for test grooves between each opening and simplifying the testing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test grooves are provided between each liquid supply opening to test for leaks, then all liquid supply openings can be tested for leaks in one test, but smaller spacing between liquid supply openings makes it difficult to form the groove between the openings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement of test grooves from a traditional between-opening configuration to an extended configuration that reaches from outermost openings toward the center. This dimensional reorganization allows grooves to be formed more easily while still enabling comprehensive leak detection across all openings, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The test grooves are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide leak detection pathways for multiple liquid supply openings simultaneously, and their extended configuration allows them to be formed more easily during manufacturing. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same structure serve both detection and manufacturability needs.
2Reliability
If multiple tests are conducted to detect leaks in all liquid supply openings, then comprehensive leak detection is achieved, but the testing process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the leak detection capability for multiple liquid supply openings into a single integrated test by extending grooves from outermost openings toward the center. This allows all openings to be tested simultaneously in one operation, combining what would otherwise require multiple separate tests into a single unified process, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The test grooves are pre-configured in the substrate during manufacturing to extend from outermost openings toward the center. This preliminary arrangement of test pathways enables comprehensive leak detection in a single test without requiring complex sequential operations, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive detection and process simplicity.
3Area of stationary object
If liquid supply openings are arranged with small spacing to reduce board size, then the liquid ejection board becomes more compact, but it becomes difficult to form test grooves between the openings for leak testing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reorganizes the test groove configuration from traditional between-opening placement to an extended configuration reaching from outermost openings toward the center. This dimensional reorganization allows grooves to be formed even when openings are closely spaced, enabling compact board design without sacrificing manufacturability of test features.
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
Enables the detection of leaks in all liquid supply openings during a single test, even with small spacing, without the complexity of multiple tests and without requiring test grooves between each opening, thus improving the efficiency and simplicity of the leak testing process.
Implementation Method 1
a constant pressure is applied to the test groove to measure a pressure fluctuation in the groove, thereby testing the two liquid supply openings for leaks
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes an ejection-port defining member and a substrate having at least three liquid supply openings arranged in an array direction. The substrate has at least one groove in a region between ends of the liquid supply openings and an edge of the substrate. The groove extends from and communicates with the end of at least one of two outermost liquid supply openings of the liquid supply openings in the array direction. The groove extends at least to a position where the groove is superposed on the liquid supply opening next to the liquid supply opening communicating with the groove in an extending direction in which the liquid supply openings extend.