Forked Sealing Portion for Fragile Nozzle Plate Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fragile nature of photo-imageable nozzle plates in inkjet printheads often results in damage during tape removal due to high tape adhesion and removal speeds, which is not effectively addressed by conventional sealing methods.
Innovation Solution
A sealing portion with a forked configuration, where the second portion has higher adhesion to the inkjet printhead surface than the first portion, is used to slow down the tape removal speed, comprising a top layer of pearlescent polypropylene and a bottom layer of polyethylene terephthalate with adhesive, ensuring controlled peeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low tack tape is used to seal the nozzle plate, then the ink can be prevented from drying out and leaking, but the fragile photo-imageable nozzle plate is damaged upon removal of the tape
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion is divided into multiple segments: a first portion with lower adhesion for initial sealing, and a second portion with higher adhesion for controlled removal. This segmentation allows different adhesion characteristics in different regions of the same sealing structure, enabling both effective sealing and safe removal without damaging the fragile nozzle plate
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sealing portion have different adhesion properties tailored to their specific functions. The first portion has lower adhesion suitable for initial sealing, while the second portion has higher adhesion that forces controlled slow removal. This local differentiation of adhesion quality allows the sealing structure to serve multiple protective functions
2Productivity
If the tape is removed quickly, then the sealing process is efficient, but the probability of damage to the nozzle plate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion transitions from a static uniform adhesion structure to a dynamic multi-adhesion structure. The first portion allows quick initial removal, while the second portion creates a controlled deceleration point that dynamically adjusts the removal speed, forcing the user to slow down and preventing damage to the nozzle plate
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 reduces the probability of nozzle plate damage by forcing a slower tape removal speed, as demonstrated by reduced peel speeds in comparative studies, maintaining print quality.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom layer of polyethylene terephthalate with adhesive
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet printhead (101) includes a packaging label (50) including a first label portion (52) adapted for adhesion to a first surface (181) of the inkjet printhead (101), and a second label portion (54) adapted for adhesion to a second surface (221) of the inkjet printhead (101). The second label portion (54) has a forked configuration including a first outer portion (56), a second outer portion (58) and a central portion (60) disposed between the first and second outer portions (56,58) and adapted for adhesion to a packaging tape (11) adhered to a nozzle plate (21) of the inkjet printhead (101). The adhesion between the second label portion (54) and the second surface (221) of the inkjet printhead (101) is higher than the adhesion between the first label portion (52) and the first surface (181) of the inkjet printhead (101).