Inkjet Head Nozzle Density via Opposite-Side Chamber Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet heads face challenges in achieving high nozzle density and compact design due to the limited space for nozzle arrangement, leading to inefficiencies in image quality and printer design.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a common liquid chamber and pressure chambers, where the actuator is positioned across from the pressure chambers, allowing the nozzles and common liquid chamber to be on opposite sides, enabling a larger nozzle arrangement area and reducing fluid crosstalk through increased surface area and attenuated pressure wave propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the nozzles and common liquid chamber are disposed on the same side in relation to the actuator, then the structure is simpler, but the region for nozzle arrangement is limited and nozzle density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar arrangement where nozzles and common liquid chamber are on the same side to a three-dimensional configuration where they are positioned on opposite sides of the actuator. This spatial reorganization across different dimensions allows the nozzles to be arranged in a larger region without increasing the overall footprint, thereby resolving the contradiction between nozzle arrangement area and structural simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the common liquid chamber surface area is increased to suppress fluid crosstalk, then pressure wave propagation is attenuated, but the apparatus height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes the common liquid chamber volume across a larger surface area by positioning it on the opposite side of the actuator, effectively using the horizontal plane rather than increasing vertical height. This dimensional redistribution suppresses fluid crosstalk through increased surface area while maintaining a compact overall apparatus height.
3Productivity
If the nozzles are arranged at higher density, then image quality improves and head size is reduced, but the available region for nozzle arrangement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables higher nozzle density by reconfiguring the liquid channel system in three-dimensional space, allowing nozzles to be arranged in a larger effective region when viewed from multiple dimensions. The actuator positioned between the common liquid chamber and nozzles creates vertical stacking possibilities that increase nozzle arrangement capacity without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint.
4Ease of operation
If the actuator is positioned to cover the pressure chambers, then ejection control is simplified, but the nozzle arrangement region is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains simple ejection control by keeping the actuator positioned to cover the pressure chambers, while simultaneously expanding the nozzle arrangement region by placing nozzles on the opposite side of the actuator from the common liquid chamber. This creates a linear arrangement along the vertical dimension that preserves control simplicity while increasing horizontal nozzle spacing options.
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 allows for higher nozzle density, improved ejection characteristics, and a more compact design by reducing fluid crosstalk and minimizing actuator contact with the liquid, while maintaining efficient drive voltage application.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator which is disposed across from or so as to face the plurality of pressure chambers to selectively vary a volume of the plurality of pressure chambers
Implementation Method 2
the common liquid chamber is disposed in a region which overlaps the nozzles and the pressure chambers... the volume of the common liquid chamber can be larger, which effectively attenuates pressure wave propagation from the pressure chambers to the common liquid chamber, and suppresses crosstalk
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet head includes a common liquid chamber, a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of nozzles which eject ink, a plurality of individual ink channels communicating with the common liquid chamber, the pressure chambers and the nozzles, and a piezoelectric actuator which selectively varies the volume of the plurality of pressure chambers. The common liquid chamber is disposed on the side opposite to the nozzles with respect to the piezoelectric actuator. A through-hole which forms a part of the individual ink channels is formed in the piezoelectric actuator. This structure ensures a large region in which the nozzles can be disposed, and allows the nozzles to be arranged at higher density.