Liquid Ejection Head Partitioned Supply Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads with independently formed liquid supply ports lead to biased consumption of ink, causing premature depletion in one tank while others remain filled, and modifying the configuration to allow communication among supply ports compromises the substrate's strength and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design featuring a substrate with partitioned liquid supply ports that include non-contact and contact portions, allowing adjacent ports to communicate laterally while maintaining structural integrity through a supporting member and adhesive bonding, thus preventing biased ink consumption and ensuring substrate strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple liquid supply ports are independently formed in the substrate, then each ejection port can be supplied with liquid independently, but liquid is consumed biasedly through specific liquid supply ports causing premature depletion in one ink tank while others remain filled
Solution Approach 1:
The partition between liquid supply ports is divided into multiple sections: a first partition section that isolates adjacent liquid supply ports in the lateral direction, and a second partition section that allows communication between liquid supply ports in the longitudinal direction. This segmentation enables selective isolation and communication, preventing biased liquid consumption while maintaining independent supply capability.
2Quantity of substance
If partitions between liquid supply ports are removed by etching to communicate among multiple liquid supply ports, then liquid can be supplied through other liquid supply ports when one is heavily consumed, but the strength of the substrate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the partition are given different properties: the first partition section (lateral direction) is removed to enable communication and balance liquid consumption, while the second partition section (longitudinal direction) is retained to maintain substrate strength and structural integrity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between communication need and strength requirement.
3Quantity of substance
If partitions between liquid supply ports are completely removed to allow communication, then biased liquid consumption is prevented, but the rigidity of the substrate decreases which may cause cracks in the printing element substrate when external stress is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The partition is differentially removed in specific directions: lateral partitions are removed to enable liquid communication and prevent biased consumption, while longitudinal partitions are retained to maintain substrate rigidity and prevent cracks under external stress. This directional differentiation simultaneously achieves both objectives.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes an ejection-port formed member including liquid ejection ports, a substrate including liquid supply ports for supplying liquid to the ejection ports and a partition between the liquid supply ports, and a substrate supporting member. The liquid supply ports extend along the longitudinal direction of the substrate when viewed from a position facing the main surface of the substrate. The liquid supply ports are arrayed along the lateral direction of the substrate when viewed from the position facing the main surface. The partition includes a non-contact portion that is not in contact with the supporting member and a contact portion that is in contact with the supporting member. Of the liquid supply ports, adjacent liquid supply ports communicate with each other in the lateral direction through a gap between the non-contact portion and the supporting member, and liquid flows through the gap.