Liquid Ejection Head Manifold Layout for Uniform Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face challenges with high-speed printing due to increased heating near the ejection portion, leading to temperature variations that affect printing performance and potential size and cost issues with complex cooling structures.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design featuring a manifold with multiple flow paths, including a first liquid flow path above a common chamber, a first cooling flow path above another common chamber, and a second liquid flow path connected to the first by a confluence portion, which enhances cooling efficiency and uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling structures are added to improve cooling performance, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and head size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply path is designed to serve dual purposes: supplying ink to the pressure chambers and simultaneously functioning as a cooling flow path that passes through the heat generating region. This multi-functional design improves cooling efficiency without adding separate cooling structures, thereby avoiding increased device complexity and head size.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink flowing through the supply path automatically performs the cooling function as it passes through the heat generating region near the ejection portion. The system uses its own operational fluid (ink) to provide cooling, eliminating the need for external cooling systems and reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If ink supply path is provided along a fixed direction, then manufacturing is simplified, but temperature variation in ink occurs causing deterioration in printing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply path is divided into multiple segments: a first supply path extending in the first direction, a second supply path extending in the second direction perpendicular to the first, and a confluence portion connecting them. This segmented configuration allows the ink to be supplied from multiple directions to different regions, ensuring uniform temperature distribution while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular path design.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink supply path transitions from a single-direction (one-dimensional) configuration to a two-dimensional network by adding the second supply path extending in a perpendicular direction. This dimensional expansion enables the ink to reach heat generating regions from multiple directions, uniformizing temperature distribution without complicating the manufacturing process.
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 design achieves improved cooling performance, maintaining stable ink ejection and print quality by uniformly distributing heat across the head, reducing temperature differences and preventing printing defects.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling flow path above the second common chamber in the third direction and extending lengthwise along the first direction
Implementation Method 2
providing a cooling flow path near the heat generating units
Implementation Method 3
the ink will carry heat from the ink supply side towards the ink discharge side, the temperature will of the ink will thus differ depending on distance from an ink supply point
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes an actuator with pressure chambers, a first common chamber on a first side of the pressure chambers, a second common chamber on a second side of the pressure chambers, and a manifold providing a first liquid flow path above the first common chamber, a first cooling flow path above the second common chamber, and a second liquid flow path above the first cooling flow path. The second liquid flow path is connected to the first liquid flow path by a confluence portion at a confluence position between a first end of the first liquid flow path and a midpoint of the first liquid flow path.