Liquid Ejection Head Oblique Groove Crack Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection heads, reducing the number or size of partition portions in the flow path forming member to increase ejection speed leads to adjacent ejection ports being damaged by cracks, as there are no partitions to stop the crack from spreading between them.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating obliquely extending groove portions between adjoining ejection ports in the flow path forming member, which redirects the crack's path and reduces the likelihood of damage to adjacent ports by concentrating stress and controlling the crack's direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the number or size of partition portions is reduced to increase ejection speed, then ejection speed is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because cracks can spread between adjacent ejection ports without partition barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the flow path forming member into multiple independent flow paths using partition portions, where each flow path contains a single ejection port. This segmentation prevents crack propagation from spreading between adjacent ejection ports, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling higher ejection speeds through reduced partition complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The groove portions act as intermediary stress concentration features that redirect crack propagation paths. By strategically positioning grooves between adjacent ejection ports, the crack path is forced to follow a different trajectory that avoids reaching adjacent ports, thus protecting the overall system reliability
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 oblique groove portions effectively redirect cracks, minimizing damage to adjacent ejection ports and maintaining the ejection head's performance by preventing the spread of cracks, thus reducing the likelihood of both adjacent ports being damaged.
Implementation Method 1
energy generating elements that generate energy with which a liquid is ejected
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes a substrate and a flow path forming member. Energy generating elements that generate energy with which a liquid is ejected are formed on the substrate. The flow path forming member is disposed on the substrate and a flow path which encloses the energy generating elements is formed using the flow path forming member. Plural ejection ports that are in communication with the flow path are formed in the flow path forming member. A groove portion extending obliquely with respect to an X direction in which adjoining ejection ports are arranged is formed between the adjoining ejection ports in the flow path forming member.