Inkjet Head Flow Path Segmentation for Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
In inkjet heads with a dense array of nozzles, the limited space for individual discharge flow paths makes it difficult to increase pressure loss sufficiently, leading to decreased image quality due to pressure waves and the presence of bubbles and foreign substances in the ink storage.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet head design includes a configuration with multiple precedent stage individual discharge flow paths of varying lengths and cross-section areas, which join into a subsequent stage individual discharge flow path, increasing pressure loss while maintaining a compact size, allowing for effective suppression of image quality degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the individual discharge flow path is made longer to increase pressure loss, then pressure wave transmission is suppressed, but the available space in the inkjet head is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge flow path is divided into multiple segments (first discharge flow path, second discharge flow path, third discharge flow path) with different cross-sectional areas. This segmentation allows each segment to contribute differently to pressure loss while fitting within the limited space constraints of the inkjet head.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the discharge flow path have different cross-sectional areas tailored to their specific functions. The first discharge flow path has a smaller cross-sectional area to generate higher pressure loss, while subsequent paths have progressively larger areas, optimizing both space utilization and pressure wave suppression.
2Loss of energy
If the cross-section area of the individual discharge flow path is made smaller to increase pressure loss, then pressure wave transmission is suppressed, but the ability to discharge bubbles and foreign substances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge flow path is segmented into multiple sections with progressively increasing cross-sectional areas. The initial segment has a smaller area to maximize pressure loss for suppressing pressure waves, while later segments have larger areas to accommodate and discharge bubbles and foreign substances effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Each segment of the discharge flow path is designed with a specific cross-sectional area optimized for its location in the flow path. The smaller cross-section at the inlet maximizes pressure loss, while the progressively larger cross-sections downstream provide increasing capacity for bubble and contaminant discharge.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple individual discharge flow paths are connected to one ink storage, then bubbles and foreign substances can be discharged more easily, but pressure waves affect other ink emitters causing image quality decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The common discharge flow path is segmented into multiple individual discharge flow paths, each with different cross-sectional areas. This segmentation creates sufficient pressure loss in each path to suppress pressure wave transmission to other ink emitters, while collectively providing adequate capacity for bubble and contaminant discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
Each individual discharge flow path is designed with a specific cross-sectional area optimized for its position in the array. Paths with smaller cross-sectional areas provide higher pressure loss to suppress pressure waves, while the variety of cross-sectional areas across different paths ensures sufficient total capacity for discharging bubbles and foreign substances from the shared ink storage.
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 effectively suppresses image quality reduction by increasing pressure loss and enabling the discharge of larger bubbles and foreign substances, maintaining image quality despite the dense nozzle arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure loss of ink in the first precedent stage individual discharge flow path and the second precedent stage individual discharge flow path, and a subsequent stage individual discharge flow path in which the first precedent stage individual discharge flow path and the second precedent stage individual discharge flow path join
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet head may include the following. A plurality of ink emitters, each including, an ink storage, a pressure changer which changes pressure in the ink stored in the ink storage, a nozzle which is connected to the ink storage and which emits ink according to a change in pressure in the ink in the ink storage, a plurality of precedent stage individual discharge flow paths which are connected to one ink storage and through which ink discharged without being supplied from the ink storage to the nozzle passes, and a subsequent stage individual discharge flow path to which, the plurality of precedent stage individual discharge flow paths join. A common discharge flow path may be connected to the plurality of subsequent stages individual discharge flow paths included in the plurality of ink emitters, and the ink which passes through the plurality of subsequent stage individual discharge flow paths flows.