Liquid Discharge Head Common Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharge heads require multiple channels on the substrate to stabilize the interface between discharge and bubbling media, leading to increased substrate size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge head design that uses a modular configuration with shared common channels and flexible printed circuit boards to reduce substrate size while maintaining interface stability, allowing for easy replacement of faulty modules and improved manufacturing yields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If four channels are formed in the substrate to stabilize the interface between discharge medium and bubbling medium, then the interface stability is improved, but the substrate size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple element substrates, each containing a pressure chamber with integrated channels. This segmentation allows each substrate to have fewer channels while maintaining overall system functionality, reducing the area required per substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple channels (first supply channel, second supply channel, first collecting channel, second collecting channel) are merged and integrated within a single pressure chamber structure. This consolidation allows all four channels to share common regions and boundaries, significantly reducing the total substrate area required compared to having separate channels for each function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple channels are formed in the substrate, then the interface stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The four channels are merged within a single pressure chamber, sharing common walls and regions. This integration reduces the number of discrete structural elements and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to forming four separate channels in the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure chamber structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the discharge medium, contains the bubbling medium, provides pathways for supply channels, and provides pathways for collecting channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures for each function.
3Area of stationary object
If a modular configuration with shared common channels is used, then the substrate size is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Channels are merged within the pressure chamber structure, which can be formed as an integrated component using standard microfabrication techniques. This approach balances area reduction with manufacturability by utilizing well-established fabrication processes for creating multi-channel structures in a single step.
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 effectively suppresses substrate size growth, enhances manufacturing efficiency, and ensures stable interface formation between discharge and bubbling media, enabling efficient liquid discharge operations.
Implementation Method 1
discharges the discharge medium as a result of the growth of a bubble generated in the bubbling medium by application of thermal energy
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A liquid discharge head (1) includes: a substrate (15); pressure chambers (18) provided on a surface of the substrate and through which a first liquid and a second liquid flow; a pressure generating element (12) configured to pressurize the first liquid; and a discharge port (11) communicating with at least one pressure chamber and through which the second liquid is discharged. First and second supply channels (3, 4), first and second collecting channels (5, 6), third and fourth supply channels (41, 42), and third and fourth collecting channels (43, 44) are formed on the substrate. A common channel (28; 29) is formed between a first pressure chamber row and a second pressure chamber row. The common channel communicates with the first supply channel and the third supply channel, or communicates with the second supply channel and the fourth supply channel, or communicates with the first collecting channel and the third collecting channel, or communicates with the second collecting channel and the fourth collecting channel.