Liquid Ejection Head Wiring Hydrogen Embrittlement Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejection heads face issues with hydrogen embrittlement during the cleaning process, leading to disconnection of the opposing electrode wiring and premature degradation, which affects the reliability and longevity of the printing apparatus.
Innovation Solution
Heating the opposing electrode wiring during the cleaning operation to suppress hydrogen embrittlement, ensuring stable ejection characteristics and extended lifespan of the liquid ejection head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opposing electrode wiring is heated during cleaning operation, then hydrogen embrittlement is suppressed and wiring integrity is maintained, but additional energy consumption and structural complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the existing opposing electrode wiring by forming the wiring layer with a material that has inherent heating capability through electrochemical reaction. The same wiring structure serves dual purposes: electrical conduction and thermal generation to prevent hydrogen embrittlement, eliminating the need for separate heating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The opposing electrode wiring generates heat through its own electrochemical reaction during the cleaning operation. The wiring material itself (with lower electrochemical potential than the upper electrode) serves as the heat source by dissolving electrochemically, providing the necessary thermal energy to suppress hydrogen embrittlement without requiring external heating mechanisms.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the opposing electrode wiring is heated during cleaning operation, then hydrogen embrittlement is suppressed and cleaning stability is extended, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the electrochemical dissolution of the opposing electrode wiring material itself as the energy source for heating. The chemical energy stored in the wiring material is converted to thermal energy during the cleaning process, eliminating the need for separate power consumption and extending cleaning operation stability through self-sustained thermal generation.
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
The proposed solution effectively prevents hydrogen embrittlement, allowing for reliable and high-quality image recording by maintaining the integrity of the opposing electrode wiring and extending the cleaning operation's stability and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an opposing electrode wiring connected to the opposing electrode, the opposing electrode wiring being located at a periphery of the opposing electrode so as to be in contact with the liquid; a unit configured to heat the opposing electrode wiring
Implementation Method 2
an upper electrode covering at least a heat generation portion of the protective layer, which is heated by the first electrothermal conversion portion, and being formed of a material containing a metal to be dissolved through an electrochemical reaction with the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
When cleaning is performed to remove kogation, which is deposited on a heat acting portion, by causing an electrochemical reaction through application of a voltage between an upper electrode and an opposing electrode, a wiring located at a periphery of the opposing electrode occludes hydrogen generated during the cleaning, thereby causing hydrogen embrittlement. A unit configured to heat the wiring connected to the opposing electrode is provided, and is driven during the cleaning or after the cleaning, to thereby force hydrogen out of the wiring. Thus, the hydrogen embrittlement of the wiring is suppressed.