Liquid Ejection Head Overlapping Recording Element Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face challenges in reducing the distance between adjacently located recording element boards, leading to unevenness in recorded images due to large displacement and gaps between ejection ports, which affects printing quality, especially in high-speed commercial printing applications.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design where the edge of one recording element board projects towards the adjacent board, supported by a flow channel forming member, allowing for closer alignment without being limited by the processing accuracy of support members, thereby reducing the inter-element distance and minimizing image unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple recording element boards are arranged side by side to increase printing width, then the printing capability and speed are improved, but the distance between adjacently located recording element boards becomes large due to low processing accuracy of support members, causing displacement and gaps in ejection ports that result in unevenness in recorded images
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional arrangement (recording element boards placed side by side on a support plate) to three-dimensional arrangement (recording element boards arranged in layers with overlapping edges). This vertical stacking with overlap allows multiple boards to be positioned closer together in the longitudinal direction while maintaining adequate spacing for support, thereby reducing the distance between adjacently located boards and minimizing displacement and gaps in ejection ports without compromising printing width capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a nested arrangement where recording element boards are positioned in overlapping configurations, with edges of adjacent boards extending beyond the edges of their support members. This nesting-like overlapping structure allows boards to be arranged more compactly in the longitudinal direction, reducing the inter-board distance while maintaining structural integrity and proper spacing for support members
2Manufacturing precision
If the distance between recording element boards is reduced to minimize displacement and gaps, then image quality is improved, but the processing accuracy and mounting position alignment accuracy of support members become more critical and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging recording element boards in layers with overlapping edges rather than strictly side-by-side, the invention reduces the critical dependency on support member positioning accuracy. The overlapping configuration provides inherent alignment tolerance, allowing boards to be positioned closer together without requiring extremely high processing accuracy from support members, thus improving image quality while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping edge design inherently provides a cushioning effect against positioning errors. When recording element boards are arranged with overlapping edges, minor variations in support member positioning or board dimensions do not directly translate to gaps or misalignment between ejection ports, as the overlapping region absorbs these variations. This beforehand cushioning allows for reduced inter-board distance while maintaining image quality without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes first and second recording element boards having recording elements for generating energy to be utilized for ejection of liquid, first and second support members for respectively supporting the first and second recording element boards, and a flow channel forming member carrying thereon the first and second support members arranged side by side. The edge of the first recording element board located at the side of the second recording element board projects toward the second recording element board from the edge of the first support member located at the side of the second support member.