Liquid Ejecting Head Flow Path Structure Miniaturization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in miniaturization due to the placement of supply and discharge ports on side surfaces, which limits their size reduction, especially when multiple flow paths or branches are involved.

Innovation Solution

A flow path structure with supply ports on one surface and discharge ports on the other, utilizing film-like sealing portions to form the flow path, allowing for a thinner and more compact design, and incorporating a substrate with grooves and through-holes for communication, which facilitates easier manufacturing and mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If supply ports and discharge ports are formed on side surfaces of the substrate with protruding tubes, then the flow path structure is simpler to manufacture, but the size of the liquid ejecting head increases when viewed perpendicular to the substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsize of liquid ejecting head

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from forming flow paths using protruding tubes on side surfaces to forming flow paths within the plane of the substrate using grooves and sealing portions. This dimensional change from three-dimensional protruding structures to two-dimensional planar structures reduces the size of the liquid ejecting head when viewed perpendicular to the substrate while maintaining manufacturability through standard substrate processing techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of flow paths or branches are formed, then the liquid distribution capability is improved, but the size of the liquid flow path increases when viewed perpendicular to the wiring substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid distribution capabilityVSAvoidsize of liquid flow path

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the flow path structure into multiple independent grooves and sealing portions formed on the substrate. Each groove can be independently configured to create separate flow paths or branches, enabling complex liquid distribution patterns while maintaining a compact planar structure that does not increase the vertical size of the liquid flow path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses planar grooves and sealing portions on the substrate surface to create multiple flow paths and branches, transitioning from vertical stacking to horizontal spreading. This allows a large number of flow paths to be accommodated within the substrate plane without increasing the size when viewed perpendicular to the wiring substrate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11235575B2Flow path structure, liquid ejecting head, and liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A flow path structure includes: a substrate that includes a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface; a supply port formed on the first surface; a plurality of discharge ports formed on the second surface; grooves that are formed on the first surface so as to extend in an X direction and communicate with the supply ports and with the plurality of discharge ports via through-holes formed on the substrate; and a sealing portion that is disposed on the first surface and seals each groove.