Flow Path Member Abutting Units for Uniform Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads, such as ink jet recording heads, face issues with uneven crushing of sealing members, leading to excessive oil exudation and blockage of meandering paths due to uneven sealing pressure.
Innovation Solution
A flow path member design with a base unit and cover unit, featuring aligned flow path grooves and elastic sealing members, along with abutting units on both sides of the grooves to ensure uniform fastening and reduce uneven crushing, is implemented.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the two cover members are fastened to hold the flow path member, then the flow path member is securely fixed, but the sealing member experiences uneven crushing leading to oil exudation and blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces abutting units with specific geometric shapes (protrusions and corresponding recesses) at critical locations on the cover members. These local structural features concentrate and distribute the fastening force uniformly across the sealing member, preventing uneven crushing while maintaining secure fixation. The abutting units create localized contact points that ensure even pressure distribution without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the sealing member is crushed to seal the meandering path, then sealing is achieved, but excessive crushing causes oil exudation and blockage of the path
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the geometric parameters of the abutting units (protrusion height, recess depth, contact surface area) to precisely control the crushing degree of the sealing member. By optimizing these parameters, the sealing force is sufficient to seal the meandering path effectively, while avoiding excessive crushing that would cause oil exudation. The abutting units transform the fastening force into controlled, uniform compression of the sealing member.
3Manufacturing precision
If the abutting units are provided on both sides of the flow path groove, then uniform crushing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cover members into functional segments: base units for structural support and abutting units for precise force application. The abutting units are segmented into protrusions on one cover member and corresponding recesses on the other, creating a modular structure that achieves uniform crushing through simple geometric elements rather than complex integrated mechanisms.
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 achieves uniform crushing of the sealing member, preventing oil exudation and blockage, thereby ensuring consistent performance and reliability of the liquid ejecting head.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic sealing member which is arranged between the facing faces, and configures a part of a flow path wall face by covering the flow path grooves
Data Source
AI summary
A flow path member includes a cover divided into a base unit and a cover unit. Flow path grooves are provided on one side of faces of the cover unit and the base unit which face each other. The flow path grooves extend in a first direction and are aligned in a second direction. An elastic sealing member is arranged between the facing faces and configures a part of a flow path wall face by covering the flow path grooves. An abutting unit is provided on one side of the base unit and the cover unit, protrudes toward the other side, and comes into contact with the other side. The abutting unit may be provided on both sides of the flow path groove in any one direction and may be extended along the other direction. The base unit and the cover unit may be fixed using a fastening member.