Flow Path Unit Laser Welding Pressure Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flow path units for liquid ejecting apparatuses, the location of coupling pipes from a surface opposite to the flow path base material increases pressure loss due to longer flow paths, making it difficult to stabilize the welding process and maintain the apparatus effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flow path unit design where a flow path base material absorbent to laser light is combined with a transparent laser light plate material, with welding regions on the base material surfaces, allowing coupling pipes to extend from the opposite surface of the flow path member, reducing pressure loss and improving welding stability by maintaining a shorter flow path length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the coupling pipe is located to extend from a surface opposite to the surface defining a portion of the flow path in the flow path base material, then it is easier to weld the flow path member, but the flow path becomes longer and pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by having the coupling pipe extend from the opposite surface of the flow path member rather than from the same surface as the flow path. This spatial reconfiguration in the third dimension (depth/thickness direction) allows the coupling pipe to be positioned optimally for welding while maintaining a short flow path length, thereby resolving the contradiction between welding ease and pressure loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling pipe is located to extend from a surface opposite to the surface defining the flow path, then the flow path length increases, but this location is necessary when a portion of the flow path is defined by a film
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dimensionality change to resolve the conflict between adaptability to film-based flow paths and flow path length. By extending the coupling pipe from the opposite surface of the flow path member, the design accommodates film-defined flow paths while keeping the coupling pipe positioned in a different spatial dimension, thus avoiding unnecessary lengthening of the flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow path structure into distinct components: the flow path base material, the flow path member (which may include a film), and the coupling pipe. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the film can define the flow path portion where needed, while the coupling pipe extends from the opposite surface to maintain short overall length.
3Loss of energy
If the coupling pipe extends from the surface defining the relay flow path, then pressure loss is reduced, but it becomes difficult to stabilize the welding process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between pressure loss reduction and welding stability by extending the coupling pipe from the opposite surface of the flow path member. This positional change in the depth dimension allows the coupling pipe to align with the relay flow path (reducing pressure loss) while providing a stable welding surface on the opposite side of the flow path member.
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 reduces pressure loss in the flow path and enhances the stability of the welding process, allowing for efficient liquid flow and easier maintenance by ensuring the coupling pipes extend from the surface defining the relay flow path, thus shortening the flow path and improving the overall performance of the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a flow path base material absorbent to laser light
Implementation Method 2
a flow path member that is a plate material transparent to laser light
Data Source
AI summary
the flow path unit including: a flow path base material absorbent to laser light; and a flow path member that is transparent to laser light and is welded to the flow path base material, the flow path base material has a first surface and a second surface, a welding region to be welded to the flow path member is formed at the first surface, a relay flow path that is a portion of a flow path is defined by welding the flow path member to the welding region, the flow path member has a welding surface welded to the welding region, an opposite surface that is a surface opposite to the welding surface, and a coupling pipe that extends from the opposite surface, a coupling flow path that is a portion of the flow path opens in the coupling pipe, the coupling flow path communicates with the relay flow path.