Inkjet Head Nozzle Plate Irregularity Structure Wiping Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printer nozzles suffer from image defects due to solidified ink blocking the nozzle openings, and existing solutions like water-repellent film layers deteriorate quickly when wiped with rubber or cloth-based members, requiring improved durability against wiping.
Innovation Solution
An irregularity structure is formed on the ink discharge surface of the nozzle plate, preventing ink particles and wiping members from getting caught, with specific dimensions ensuring the water-repellent film's durability and maintaining water repellency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water-repellent film layer is formed on the ink discharge surface, then water repellency of the ink discharge surface is improved, but the film layer is worn as the number of times of wiping increases, causing durability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ink discharge surface is segmented into multiple protrusions and recesses, creating an irregularity structure that distributes the wiping force across multiple small protrusions rather than concentrating it on a flat surface. This segmentation allows the water-repellent film to maintain its integrity while still providing water repellency, as the wiping action is distributed across many small contact points rather than concentrating wear on a single film layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional flat ink discharge surface to a three-dimensional surface with protrusions and recesses. By adding the vertical dimension of height (protrusions rising from the surface), the design creates a irregularity structure that prevents ink particle accumulation while maintaining water repellency. The protrusions create a dimensional change that allows wiping members to pass over the surface without concentrating wear on a flat film layer.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If protrusions and recesses are provided on the ink discharge surface to improve durability, then water-repellent structure is provided, but special technique and labor are required for forming the protrusions and recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies particular parameter ranges for the protrusions and recesses (height of protrusions, width of recesses, pitch between protrusions) that can be achieved through standard manufacturing processes. By defining these parameters within certain ranges, the design becomes manufacturable using conventional techniques rather than requiring special labor-intensive processes. The parameters are optimized to balance durability with manufacturability.
3Strength
If a fluorine-containing DLC film with irregularity structure is formed to improve mechanical strength, then strength is improved, but special technique and labor are required for forming the protrusions and recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The irregularity structure (protrusions and recesses) is formed on the ink discharge surface before applying the fluorine-containing DLC film coating. This preliminary action of creating the surface geometry first allows the subsequent coating process to uniformly deposit the fluorine-containing material over the irregular surface. By preparing the substrate structure before coating, the process avoids the need for special techniques to form complex structures after coating, as the coating simply follows the pre-formed surface geometry.
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 irregularity structure enhances the durability of the water-repellent film, preventing damage from wiping and maintaining the ink discharge surface's water repellency, thus improving the nozzle's resistance to wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
a water-repellent film layer is formed on the ink discharge surface to improve water repellency of the ink on the ink discharge surface
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an inkjet head, an inkjet image forming apparatus, a nozzle plate manufacturing method, and an inkjet head manufacturing method capable of improving durability against wiping on an ink discharge surface. The inkjet head includes a nozzle substrate including nozzle holes from which ink is discharged. The nozzle substrate has an irregularity structure formed on an ink discharge surface such that neither ink particles contained in the ink nor a wiping member that wipes the ink discharge surface get caught by the irregularity structure.