Filter Unit Protrusion Design for Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording heads face issues with bubble retention in filter chambers during pressurized filling, leading to nozzle clogging and discharge problems due to the inability of bubbles to pass through tapered filter portions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A filter unit design with a protruding portion between the supply and discharge ports in the filter chamber, allowing the liquid to bypass and flow around it, reducing bubble retention and clogging risks, and incorporating a sealant to fill gaps and prevent bubble intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a tapered filter chamber is used to suppress flow speed reduction, then bubble discharge is improved, but bubble retention occurs at the edges during pressurized filling
Solution Approach 1:
The filter chamber is segmented into multiple flow paths by adding protrusions that divide the chamber into several regions. This segmentation creates multiple discharge routes for bubbles, preventing them from being trapped at the edges while maintaining efficient flow through the filter medium.
Solution Approach 2:
Protrusions are added to the filter chamber to create a three-dimensional flow path structure. These protrusions extend into the chamber volume, creating additional flow channels and ensuring that pressurized liquid flows through all regions of the filter, including edge areas that previously trapped bubbles.
2Reliability
If the filter chamber is simply formed wider than the flow path, then bubble discharge is improved, but flow speed decreases in the proximity of the circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The filter chamber incorporates localized protrusions that create regions of different flow characteristics. The protrusions are strategically positioned to maintain narrow flow paths in critical areas (preserving flow speed) while creating expansion zones that facilitate bubble discharge in other regions.
3Manufacturing precision
If bubbles remain pushed against the edges of the tapered portion, then filtration efficiency is maintained, but nozzle clogging occurs due to bubble passage through the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions extract bubbles from the edge regions where they would otherwise be trapped and pushed against the filter medium. By creating alternative flow paths through the protrusions, bubbles are actively directed toward designated discharge ports, preventing their accumulation and subsequent passage into the nozzle system.
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 design effectively suppresses bubble retention in the filter chamber during pressurized filling, reducing the likelihood of nozzle clogging and enhancing the reliability of the ink jet recording head by ensuring smooth ink flow and efficient bubble removal.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a sealant to fill gaps and prevent bubble intrusion
Implementation Method 2
the liquid flows through the filter chamber so as to bypass the protruding portion which is provided in the filter chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A filter unit including a liquid flow path through which ink flows and a filter chamber which forms a portion of the liquid flow path and is filled with a pressurized ink includes a filter unit main body and a second cover member which include the liquid flow path and form the filter chamber; and a filter which is disposed within the filter chamber, the second cover member being provided with a protruding portion in a region which opposes the filter, and the protruding portion being provided between a supply port of the ink which is supplied to the filter chamber and a discharge port of the ink which is discharged from the filter chamber in plan view in relation to the filter.