Inkjet Head Filter Sealant Gap Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dust and other contaminants can easily pass through filters in existing inkjet heads and enter the minute ink flow paths, making it difficult to prevent their entry into the flow path unit.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet head design that incorporates a flow path unit, actuator unit, filters, reservoir unit, flexible flat cable, cover member, and sealant, where filters are placed between the flow path unit and reservoir unit, and a sealant is applied to gaps between filters to prevent ink mist and contaminants from reaching the actuator unit, allowing for miniaturization of the inkjet head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is placed in the reservoir to remove dust, then dust removal is improved, but dust can still pass through and enter the minute individual ink flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet head is divided into separate functional units: the reservoir unit with its own filter, and the flow path unit with individual ink flow paths. This segmentation allows the filter to be positioned in the reservoir without interfering with the minute individual flow paths, effectively preventing dust from reaching them while maintaining independent functionality of each unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary component placed between the ink storage reservoir and the flow path unit. It mediates the ink flow by removing dust particles before the ink enters the individual ink flow paths, thus protecting the sensitive internal structures without blocking the necessary ink supply.
2Reliability
If filters are placed between the flow path unit and reservoir unit, then dust entry into individual ink flow paths is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is merged with the reservoir unit structure, forming an integrated assembly where the filter is positioned within or as part of the reservoir. This combining approach allows the filter to perform its dust removal function while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the need for separate complex filtering mechanisms in the flow path unit.
3Volume of moving object
If the inkjet head is miniaturized, then compactness is improved, but space for filters and sealing structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is nested within the reservoir unit structure, with the reservoir, filter, and flow path unit arranged in a compact nested configuration. This nesting allows the filter to be housed within the existing structural envelope of the inkjet head, achieving miniaturization without requiring additional external space for filtering components.
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
Effectively suppresses the entry of dust and ink mist into individual ink flow paths, preventing damage to the actuator unit and enabling miniaturization of the inkjet head by using a simple configuration with strategically placed filters and sealant application.
Implementation Method 1
The sealant for preventing the ink from passing through the gap between two adjacent filters and reaching the actuator unit can be easily applied to the gap between the side faces of the two filters
Implementation Method 2
The filters are joined to the inflow-port face of the flow path unit. The filters cover the ink inflow ports. The reservoir unit supplies the ink in the ink reservoir into the flow path unit through the filters
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet head includes a flow path unit, an actuator unit, a flat flexile cable, a cover member and plural filters. The actuator unit is joined to an inflow-port face of the flow path unit. The reservoir unit supplies ink in an ink reservoir thereof into the flow path unit through the filters against which a region of the reservoir unit at least partially abuts. A side face of the reservoir unit defines a recess reaching the region of the reservoir unit between adjacent two filters. A sealant is applied to a gap between side faces of the two adjacent filters on the inflow-port face of the flow path unit and applied to the recess.