Thermoplastic-Ceramic Flow Passage Member for Liquid Ejecting Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow passage members in liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with adhesive clogging of filters and limited material options due to the need for thermoplastic resin for welding, which restricts the enhancement of structural reliability.
Innovation Solution
A flow passage member design incorporating a supply flow passage with a filter and a fixing member made of thermosetting resin, metal, or ceramic, where the fixing member is made of thermoplastic resin and bonded to other members using adhesives, and the filter is fixed without adhesives, either by welding or insert molding, to prevent adhesive clogging and enhance structural reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the filter is fixed to the flow passage member using adhesive, then the filter can be easily assembled, but the adhesive may flow into the filter mesh and cause clogging
Solution Approach 1:
A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary between the adhesive and the filter mesh. The resin layer absorbs excess adhesive through capillary action, preventing the adhesive from reaching and clogging the filter mesh while still allowing the adhesive to bond the filter to the flow passage member.
2Strength
If thermosetting resin is used for the flow passage member to enhance rigidity, then structural reliability is improved, but welding becomes impossible and adhesive bonding becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The resin layer serves as a bonding intermediary that enables adhesive bonding between the thermosetting resin flow passage member and the thermoplastic resin filter. This allows the use of high-rigidity thermosetting resin while maintaining the ability to join components through adhesive bonding.
3Ease of manufacture
If the flow passage member is made of thermoplastic resin to enable welding, then welding is possible, but the rigidity and liquid resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage member uses a composite structure combining thermosetting resin (for rigidity and liquid resistance) with thermoplastic resin components (for welding capability). The resin layer acts as a bonding medium that enables thermoplastic resin parts to be joined to the thermosetting resin body, creating a composite structure that achieves both high rigidity and joinability.
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 prevents adhesive clogging, enhances the rigidity and liquid resistance of the flow passage member, and allows for the use of more reliable materials, improving the overall reliability and performance of the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the mesh of the filter member might become clogged with the adhesive flowing into the mesh due to capillary action
Implementation Method 2
the fixing member and the first member are fixed to each other with an adhesive
Implementation Method 3
a filter provided on a path of the supply flow passage, the liquid being configured to pass through the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A flow passage member includes: a supply flow passage through which liquid flows; a filter provided on a path of the supply flow passage, the liquid being configured to pass through the filter; a fixing member which constitutes a part of the supply flow passage and to which the filter is fixed; and a first member which constitutes a part of the supply flow passage and to which the fixing member is fixed; wherein the fixing member is made of thermoplastic resin, and the first member is made of any of thermosetting resin, metal, and ceramic.