Liquid Discharge Head Channel Geometry for Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharge systems face a decrease in efficiency when dealing with the flow of two liquids, as the length of the channel increases, leading to higher flow resistance and reduced liquid supply efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge head is designed with a configuration that includes a plurality of liquid discharge modules, each with a pressure generating element and a flexible printed circuit board, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, and a specific channel and pressure chamber structure that adjusts the flow rates and viscosities of two liquids to maintain a stable laminar flow, reducing channel length and flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two-type liquids are supplied to channels on a substrate, then the discharge medium and bubbling medium can be brought into contact to form bubbles, but the channel length increases leading to higher flow resistance and decreased liquid supply efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid discharge head is divided into multiple independent liquid discharge modules, each handling the supply and discharge of two-type liquids separately. This segmentation allows optimization of the channel structure within each module to reduce flow resistance while maintaining the bubble formation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by stacking multiple liquid discharge modules in the depth direction. This allows the system to maintain adequate channel lengths for proper liquid mixing and bubble formation while reducing the horizontal channel length, thereby decreasing flow resistance and improving liquid supply efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the channel length increases to supply two-type liquids, then the discharge medium and bubbling medium can be properly supplied, but the flow resistance increases reducing liquid supply efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the liquid supply system into multiple modules with separate supply channels for each liquid type, the patent optimizes the channel geometry within each segment to minimize flow resistance while ensuring stable supply of both discharge medium and bubbling medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by designing the channel structure and flow paths to optimize liquid flow dynamics, reducing turbulence and pressure losses, thereby decreasing energy loss due to flow resistance while maintaining stable liquid supply.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple liquid discharge modules are provided, then faulty modules can be easily replaced improving manufacturing yields, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid discharge head is segmented into multiple identical, independent modules that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This modular architecture simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized production of individual modules, easy replacement of faulty units, and improved manufacturing yields despite the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each liquid discharge module is designed as a universal, interchangeable unit with standardized interfaces and functions. This universality allows any module to replace any other, simplifying manufacturing processes and inventory management, and improving manufacturing yields through standardized production methods.
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 effectively suppresses the decrease in liquid supply efficiency while maintaining a stable interface between the two liquids, ensuring efficient discharge performance and improved manufacturing yields by allowing for easy replacement of faulty modules.
Implementation Method 1
pressure chambers are formed for each recording element and liquid is discharged from discharge orifices
Implementation Method 2
a flow from the liquid supply channel through the pressure chambers to the liquid recovery channel is generated
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A liquid discharge head (1) includes a substrate (15), pressure chambers (18), a pressure generating element (12), a discharge port (11), and a liquid channel (13). First and second communication supply channels (20, 21) and first and second communication collecting channels (25, 26) are formed in the substrate. A central axis of a first communication supply opening (50) is located closer to the corresponding pressure chamber than a central axis of a first common supply opening (54), or a central axis (60) of a second communication supply opening (51) is located closer to the corresponding pressure chamber than a central axis (60) of a second common supply opening (55), or a central axis of a first communication collecting opening (52) is located closer to the corresponding pressure chamber than a central axis of a first common collecting opening (56), or a central axis (60) of a second communication collecting opening (53) is located closer to the corresponding pressure chamber than a central axis (60) of a second common collecting opening (57).