Multi-Row Filter Chamber Layout for Inkjet Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet type recording heads face challenges in maintaining a large filter area and volume while minimizing the size of the flow channel member, leading to increased flow channel resistance and frequent cleaning requirements, which result in wasteful ink consumption and supply failures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flow channel member with a plurality of liquid chambers and filter chambers arranged in two rows, where the first filter chambers directly communicate with inlets and second filter chambers communicate via a flow channel, allowing for maximum filter area and volume while minimizing the size of the flow channel member, and the use of laminated flow channel members for cost-effective manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter area is widened and the volume of the filter chamber is increased, then the flow channel resistance is decreased and bubble trapping is improved, but the size of the flow channel member is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a single-row filter chamber arrangement to a multi-row (two-row) arrangement. This allows the filter chambers to be organized in multiple rows with inlets arranged in one row, directly opening to first filter chambers, while second filter chambers are accessed via communicating flow channels. This multi-dimensional spatial organization increases the total filter area and volume without proportionally increasing the overall footprint of the flow channel member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing communicating flow channels within the structure of the filter chamber assembly. The communicating flow channels are integrated into the space between and around the filter chambers, effectively nesting the flow channel structure within the filter chamber volume. This allows the system to accommodate both large filter volume and compact overall size by efficiently utilizing internal space.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of the flow channel member is decreased, then the size of the ink jet type recording head is decreased, but the filter area is decreased and the volume of the filter chamber is decreased, leading to increased flow channel resistance and frequent cleaning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by organizing filter chambers in multiple rows with inlets positioned in one row. This dimensional reorganization allows the system to pack more filter volume into a compact footprint by utilizing the third dimension (depth/layering) rather than only expanding in the horizontal plane. The multi-row configuration with staggered inlet positions maximizes filter area within the constrained size of the flow channel member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the filter chamber into multiple independent filter chamber units arranged in rows. Each filter chamber can be independently configured with its own inlet connection (direct or via communicating flow channel). This segmentation allows the system to achieve large total filter area through the aggregation of multiple smaller filter units, maintaining high filtering performance while keeping the overall structure compact and manageable.
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 configuration ensures consistent liquid supply characteristics, reduces the frequency of cleaning operations, and minimizes ink consumption by maintaining maximum filter volume and area without increasing the size of the flow channel member, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the liquid ejecting head.
Implementation Method 1
a filter chamber which communicates with each liquid chamber and in which a filter is provided, the liquid passing through the liquid chamber and the filter chamber is supplied to the head main body
Data Source
AI summary
An liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head main body which ejects liquid and a flow channel member to which the head main body is fixed, the flow channel member includes a plurality of liquid chambers to which the liquid is supplied, and a filter chamber which communicates with each liquid chamber and in which a filter is provided, the liquid passing through the liquid chamber and the filter chamber is supplied to the head main body, inlets which are opened to the liquid chamber and communicate with each filter chamber, the filter chamber includes a plurality of first filter chambers which are juxtaposed in a first row and a plurality of second filter chambers which are juxtaposed in a second row, the first filter chambers directly communicate with the inlet, and the second filter chambers communicate with the inlet through the communicating flow channel.