Liquid Discharge Head Bubble Removal via Inverted Channel Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in reliably discharging air bubbles from the inlet and outlet chambers, leading to inefficient fluid circulation due to bubble accumulation at the ends far from the opening connections.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge head design featuring a first channel member with individual channel rows and common channels, a second channel member with a communication opening, and a third channel member with connection channels that facilitate ink flow to discharge air bubbles by connecting to the ends of the second common channel, ensuring effective bubble removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air bubbles accumulate at the end of the second common channel far from the connection opening, then the fluid circulation path is blocked, but adding more connection openings increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble discharge reliabilityVSAvoidchannel structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of connecting channels to the middle or beginning of the second common channel, the invention connects one of the connection channels to the end of the second common channel. This inverted connection approach allows air bubbles that naturally accumulate at the end to be directly discharged through the connected channel, solving the bubble discharge problem without requiring additional complex structures throughout the channel system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If connection channels are positioned to connect to the middle of the second common channel, then the structure is simpler, but air bubbles cannot be effectively discharged from the end of the channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel structure simplicityVSAvoidfluid circulation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional connection approach by connecting to the end of the second common channel rather than the middle or beginning. This ensures that air bubbles, which naturally accumulate at the end due to fluid flow patterns, are directly accessible to the connection channel and can be effectively discharged, thereby maintaining high fluid circulation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the second common channel is made longer to accommodate more connection channels, then more air bubbles can be discharged, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble discharge capabilityVSAvoidsecond common channel length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the second common channel length to add more connection points, the invention achieves effective air bubble discharge by strategically connecting to the existing end of the channel. This approach maintains compact device dimensions while ensuring reliable air bubble removal through the inverted connection strategy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design ensures reliable discharge of air bubbles accumulated at the ends of the channels, enhancing the flow velocity and preventing bubble accumulation, thus improving the efficiency of fluid circulation and discharge.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid inflowing into the inlet chamber through an opening provided in the inlet chamber flows from the inlet chamber into channels of the fluid discharge module via the channels formed in the interposer assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the fluid flowing through the channels of the fluid discharge module flows into the outlet chamber via the channels formed in the interposer assembly and flows out of the outlet chamber through an opening provided in the outlet chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12030315B2Liquid discharge head

Publication Date: 2024.07.09 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

There is provided a liquid discharge head, including: a first channel member including individual channel rows and first common channels that correspond to the respective individual channel rows; a second channel member including a second common channel provided in common to the first common channels; and a third channel member including at least parts of connection channels connected to the second common channel. One of the connection channels is connected to an end in a longitudinal direction of the second common channel. The liquid discharge head further comprises a communication opening disposed at any other part of the second common channel except the end in the longitudinal direction, the second common channel communicating with the outside through the communication opening.