Liquid Ejection Head Groove Structure for Splash-Free Resin Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing a cover member around the nozzle surface of a liquid ejection head to prevent wearing and damage are prone to issues such as non-ejection due to air bubbles, nozzle plate splashing, and resin pooling, which degrade printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design featuring grooves and resin pooling portions on the printing element substrate, where liquid resin is applied and cured to form a protective structure that protrudes across the nozzle surface, minimizing resin contact and ensuring uniform application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover member is formed by applying curable resin using a dispenser, then the nozzle surface is protected from wearing and damage, but air bubbles may enter the liquid resin container causing non-ejection, resin may splash onto the nozzle plate, and resin pools may form at the start or end of application
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid resin container is pre-filled with liquid resin before the manufacturing process begins. The container includes a reservoir chamber that stores the liquid resin and a dispensing mechanism that controls its release. This preliminary preparation ensures that the resin is ready for application without introducing air bubbles during the process, as the resin is contained in a sealed reservoir until dispensing begins.
Solution Approach 2:
A capillary channel is introduced as an intermediary structure between the reservoir chamber and the external environment. This narrow channel uses capillary action to control the flow of liquid resin, allowing it to be delivered steadily to the nozzle surface without splashing or pooling. The capillary channel acts as a mediator that regulates the resin flow, preventing the harmful effects of uncontrolled dispensing while maintaining the protective function.
2Reliability
If resin is applied around the nozzle surface to form a protective structure, then the nozzle surface is protected from contact with the printing medium, but resin may pool in portions where application starts or ends, degrading printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary channel serves as an intermediary that controls resin flow through capillary action. This narrow channel ensures that resin is delivered in a controlled manner, preventing pooling at the start or end of application. The capillary forces regulate the resin flow rate, maintaining uniform distribution around the nozzle surface without creating harmful pools that would degrade printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual or mechanical dispensing process is replaced with a capillary-based delivery system. Instead of relying on mechanical control of resin flow, the invention uses capillary action—a physical phenomenon—to automatically regulate the resin flow. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical positioning and control, preventing resin pooling caused by variations in application speed or pressure.
3Strength
If a cover member is provided around the nozzle surface, then wearing and damage of the nozzle surface is suppressed, but air bubbles in the liquid resin container may cause non-ejection and reduce printing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid resin container is pre-filled with liquid resin in a controlled environment, ensuring that air bubbles are excluded from the reservoir chamber before the manufacturing process begins. The resin is stored in a sealed container that prevents air ingress, and the dispensing system is designed to minimize air entrapment. This preliminary preparation ensures that the resin delivered to the nozzle surface is free of air bubbles, maintaining both the protective function and printing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary channel acts as an intermediary that filters out air bubbles from the resin flow. Due to its narrow dimensions, the capillary channel allows only liquid resin to pass through via capillary action, while air bubbles are excluded. This intermediary structure ensures that the resin applied to form the protective cover member is free of air bubbles, preventing non-ejection issues and maintaining printing 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
This design prevents resin splashing and non-ejection issues, maintaining nozzle integrity and enhancing printing quality by providing a robust protective structure.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid resin flows from the liquid resin pooling portion to the groove
Implementation Method 2
the viscosity of the liquid resin is reduced, and after leaving for three to ten minutes, the liquid resin flows
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head is a liquid ejection head including a printing element substrate including a plate provided with an ejection port from which ink is ejected, including: a first groove that is provided around the plate of the printing element substrate; a second groove that is provided on the printing element substrate and in communication with the first groove through a communication portion; and a resin portion that is provided in the first groove, the communication portion, and in the second groove and protrudes from the plate in a direction crossing a surface of the plate.