Laminated Filter Member for Low-Pressure Liquid Ejection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting heads face increased flow path resistance and pressure loss due to finer mesh filters, which are common across various liquid types, including ink and other substances, leading to inefficiencies in the filtration process.

Innovation Solution

A filter member design with laminated filter plates featuring overlapping through-holes, including a penetrating portion and recessed sections, which allows for efficient filtration while maintaining low resistance and pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mesh of the filter member is made finer by laminating multiple filter plates with overlapping through-holes, then the filtration effectiveness is improved and small foreign substances are captured, but the flow path resistance increases and pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional filter structure to a three-dimensional structure by adding recessed portions that extend into the filter plate. This dimensional change creates additional flow passages that relieve pressure loss while maintaining the fine mesh filtration capability of the overlapping through-holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed portions create a porous-like flow path structure within the filter plate. By forming cavities and channels within the filter material itself, the invention increases the effective flow area without compromising the filtration mesh density, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If the mesh of the filter member is made finer by laminating multiple filter plates with overlapping through-holes, then the filtration effectiveness is improved and small foreign substances are captured, but the flow path resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidflow path resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional filter structure to a three-dimensional structure by adding recessed portions that extend into the filter plate. This dimensional change creates additional flow passages that relieve pressure loss while maintaining the fine mesh filtration capability of the overlapping through-holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed portions create a porous-like flow path structure within the filter plate. By forming cavities and channels within the filter material itself, the invention increases the effective flow area without compromising the filtration mesh density, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If laminated filter plates are used to create finer mesh, then small foreign substances are captured, but the liquid flow becomes restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign substance removalVSAvoidliquid flow

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the flow path into multiple regions by creating recessed portions within the filter plate. This segmentation divides the flow into several channels, increasing the total flow area and reducing restriction, while the overlapping through-holes maintain fine mesh filtration for foreign substance removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional filter structure to a three-dimensional structure by adding recessed portions that extend into the filter plate. This dimensional change creates additional flow passages that relieve pressure loss while maintaining the fine mesh filtration capability of the overlapping through-holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 proposed filter member design effectively reduces flow path resistance and pressure loss, enhancing the efficiency of liquid ejection by allowing for smoother liquid flow and effective foreign substance removal.

Implementation Method 1

a filter member including a plurality of filter plates laminated in a first direction and having a plurality of filter holes through which a liquid supplied to the nozzle passes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12552174B2Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and filter member

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A filter member including filter plates laminated in a first direction and having filter holes is included. The filter member includes a first filter plate at which a first through-hole is formed and a second filter plate at which a second through-hole is formed. The filter hole includes a penetrating portion that is a portion where a part of the first through-hole overlaps with a part of the second through-hole when viewed in the first direction and that penetrates from a first surface to a second surface, and a first portion adjacent to the penetrating portion and recessed by more than half a thickness of the filter member from a second surface to a first surface when viewed in the first direction.