Liquid Ejection Head Temperature Distribution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection heads with multiple ink types, temperature distribution across ejection openings leads to variations in ink ejection amounts, affecting printing quality due to temperature differences between ink flowing into and being ejected from the print element board.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head configuration with a pressure chamber, a heater, and a temperature sensor along the ejection opening row, where the heater's operation is controlled based on temperature readings to maintain consistent ink temperature, suppressing temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a plurality of openings for guiding liquid to the passage are arranged in a direction in which the passage extends, then the passage can be supplied with liquid, but a temperature difference occurs between liquid ejected from ejection openings around the opening and liquid ejected from ejection openings in a region separated from the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is divided into multiple sections with separate openings positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows independent liquid supply to different regions of the passage, enabling localized temperature control and preventing temperature gradients that would otherwise form along the extended passage direction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the passage are supplied with liquid from locally positioned openings rather than from a single distant opening. This local quality approach ensures that each region receives liquid at a consistent temperature, eliminating the temperature difference between ejection openings around the opening and those in separated regions.
2Volume of moving object
If the liquid ejection head is designed with multiple types of ink in one print element board, then the size of the print element board can be set to be small, but temperature distribution is generated in liquid ejected from multiple ejection openings
Solution Approach 1:
The compact print element board is segmented into multiple independent passage regions, each with its own opening for liquid supply. This segmentation allows the small board to accommodate multiple ink types while maintaining uniform temperature distribution by preventing long liquid flow paths that would cause temperature gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending passages linearly along one dimension, the liquid supply system utilizes multiple dimensions by positioning openings at different locations around the compact board. This multi-dimensional arrangement reduces the effective flow path length and eliminates temperature distribution issues while maintaining a small overall board size.
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 configuration effectively reduces temperature variations along the ejection opening row, ensuring consistent ink ejection amounts and improving printing quality by maintaining optimal ink temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a heater provided around the opening
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor provided in a region along the ejection opening row
Implementation Method 3
a pressure generation element generating a pressure used for ejecting the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
In a liquid ejection head, it is possible to suppress generation of a temperature distribution of liquid in a direction in which ejection openings are arranged in a print element board. Specifically, a liquid ejection head, which is provided with an ejection opening row in which a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting a liquid are arranged, includes a pressure chamber that communicates with the ejection openings and includes a pressure generation element, a passage which is provided with an opening and extends along the ejection opening row to supply the liquid flowing into the passage through the opening to the pressure chamber, a heater provided around the opening, and a temperature sensor provided in a region along the ejection opening row.