Inkjet Head Manifold Plate Bubble Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet heads face inefficiencies in discharging bubbles from manifold flow paths, leading to ink wastage as bubbles get trapped and require significant ink discharge to remove them.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flow path unit with at least four stacked manifold plates, including island-shaped partial plates and support members that cross the common liquid flow path, increasing the distance between adjacent support pieces to prevent bubble entrapment and facilitate efficient bubble discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support pieces are placed close to each other to maintain structural integrity, then the structural stability is improved, but bubbles are trapped between adjacent support pieces and cannot be discharged efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the discharge port, creating a directional gradient in the discharge chamber. This dimensional change in surface geometry guides bubbles along the incline toward the discharge port, preventing them from becoming trapped between support pieces while maintaining structural integrity.
2Productivity
If the distance between adjacent support pieces is increased to allow bubble passage, then bubble discharge efficiency is improved, but the structural support for partial plates is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface creates a sloped pathway that allows bubbles to pass through the discharge chamber without requiring increased horizontal spacing between support pieces. The downward slope provides a clear passage for bubbles while the support pieces maintain their positions for structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface acts as an intermediary element between the support pieces and the discharge port. It provides a guiding pathway for bubbles to travel from the region between support pieces to the discharge port, enabling bubble passage without compromising the structural support function of the pieces.
3Device complexity
If bubbles remain trapped in manifold flow paths, then the flow path structure remains simple, but ink is consumed wastefully to discharge trapped bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface in the discharge chamber creates a gravitational gradient that actively guides trapped bubbles toward the discharge port. This simple geometric modification enables automatic bubble removal without complex mechanisms, preventing ink waste while maintaining flow path simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface converts the harmful effect of trapped bubbles into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. Bubbles that would normally accumulate and waste ink are instead guided by the incline to discharge automatically, turning a potential problem into a self-resolving condition.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharging head includes a flow path unit having a common liquid flow path; an individual liquid flow path; and a plurality of plates that are stacked to form the common liquid flow path and the individual liquid flow path. The plurality of plates includes at least four manifold plates that include partial plates and support members, wherein the at least four manifold plates comprise: a first manifold plate that includes a first partial plate and a first support member that supports the first partial plate; a second manifold plate that includes a second partial plate and a second support member that is adjacent to the first support member in a direction in which the common liquid path extends, the second support member supporting the second partial plate; and at least one manifold plate that is interposed between the first manifold plate and the second manifold plate.