Liquid Ejection Head Sealing via Support Protrusion and Adhesive Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face challenges in preventing deformation of compact element substrates due to external forces from sealing materials, which are used to fill small gaps, leading to increased production costs and component count.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a support member with recesses and protrusions that accommodate the element substrate, using adhesive to fill the space between the protrusions and the substrate, and applying a sealing material to prevent the sealing material from flowing and exerting external forces on the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a low-viscous sealing material is used to quickly fill small spaces, then the sealing material can rapidly fill gaps in the electrically connected portion, but the sealing material expands or contracts due to environmental changes and exerts external force on the element substrate, causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealing space into two distinct regions: a first sealing space for the low-viscous sealing material that quickly fills gaps, and a second sealing space for the high-viscous sealing material that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each material to perform its specialized function without interfering with the other, preventing substrate deformation while maintaining efficient gap filling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing structure are assigned different material properties: the first sealing space uses low-viscous material for rapid gap filling, while the second sealing space uses high-viscous material for stable, deformation-free sealing. This local differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between fast filling and deformation prevention.
2Reliability
If another adhesive is applied to form a wall preventing sealing material from flowing into side surfaces, then the sealing material spreading is prevented, but the component count increases and production cost increases due to additional applying and curing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sealing function with the containment function into a single integrated structure. The protrusion formed by the support member itself serves as the barrier wall, eliminating the need for separate adhesive walls. This integration reduces component count and production steps while maintaining reliable sealing material containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member's protrusion structure serves its own dual function: providing mechanical support and preventing sealing material flow. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional separate components, reducing both device complexity and production costs while maintaining 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 approach allows for effective sealing of the liquid ejection head without adding separate components or production steps, maintaining substrate integrity and reducing the influence of sealing material expansion and contraction on the element substrate.
Implementation Method 1
providing adhesive on a bottom surface of the recess, positioning the element substrate in the recess and pressing the adhesive to introduce a portion of the adhesive into a space between the protrusion and the element substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing a liquid ejection head includes preparing an element substrate including energy generating elements for generating energy and connecting terminals electrically connected to the energy generating elements, an electrical wiring member including lead wires electrically connected to the connecting terminals, and a support member supporting the element substrate and has a recess for accommodating the element substrate and a protrusion protruding inward from an inner surface of the recess; providing adhesive on a bottom surface of the recess, positioning the element substrate in the recess and pressing the adhesive to introduce a portion of the adhesive into a space between the protrusion and the element substrate, and sealing a connected portion of the connecting terminals and the lead wires with a sealing material, the sealing material being prevented from flowing by a portion of the adhesive filling the space between the protrusion and the element substrate.