Flow Channel Member Air Chamber for Inkjet Head Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting heads, such as ink jet type recording heads, air infiltration into the ink flow channel due to temperature changes and adhesive curing can cause bubbles, leading to poor ink ejection, and the need for meandering outward open channels increases device size.
Innovation Solution
A flow channel member design with a first and second member joined by adhesive and seal members, forming an air chamber with a communication channel allowing air to equalize with external pressure, preventing air infiltration and eliminating the need for meandering channels, thus reducing device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a meandering outward open channel is formed to increase diffusion resistance, then excessive evaporation of moisture in the ink is suppressed, but the flow channel member increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diffusion resistance function from the outward open channel itself and relocates it to a separate diffusion resistance member. This allows the outward open channel to be straight and compact, while the diffusion resistance member provides the necessary resistance to moisture evaporation through its porous structure or meandering path.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffusion resistance member acts as an intermediary component between the outward open channel and the external environment. It mediates the airflow and moisture evaporation process, providing diffusion resistance without requiring the channel itself to be meandering or large.
2Reliability
If air infiltration into the ink flow channel is prevented using adhesive sealing, then bubble formation is reduced, but air expansion due to temperature changes can still infiltrate through the adhesive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air sealing function from the adhesive layer and relocates it to a dedicated seal member. This seal member provides reliable sealing against air infiltration while being less susceptible to temperature-induced expansion and adhesive degradation, thus preventing bubble formation more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member acts as an intermediary between the adhesive and the environment, providing a specialized barrier against air infiltration. It mediates the sealing function with properties specifically suited for preventing air passage, while the adhesive focuses on bonding the components together.
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 suppresses bubble formation in the ink flow channel, ensuring reliable ink ejection and reduces the overall size of the liquid ejecting head by eliminating the need for diffusion-resistant meandering channels.
Implementation Method 1
the opposing surfaces on the periphery of the ink flow channel are bonded to each other with an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
due to a cured adhesive or changes in an environmental temperature, air inside the closed space may expand and infiltrate into the ink flow channel by passing through the adhesive
Implementation Method 3
an air chamber accumulating air between the first joining section and the second joining section, in which a communication channel allowing the air chamber to communicate outward is disposed
Data Source
AI summary
The flow channel member includes an attachment member having a first flow channel to be connected to an ink cartridge; a flow channel plate having a second flow channel to be connected to a head main body ejecting an ink; an adhesive arranged on a first joining surface and a second joining surface where the attachment member and the flow channel plate are opposing each other, and enclosing openings of the first flow channel and the second flow channel; a seal member arranged on the joining surfaces, enclosing an outer side of the adhesive; and an air chamber between the adhesive and the seal member, in which a communication channel allowing the air chamber to communicate outward is disposed in the attachment member, and the communication channel is capable of communicating with an outward open channel of the ink cartridge.