Liquid Discharge Head Ring Traces Intercept Ink Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ink-jet recording heads, unsatisfactory joining between substrates can lead to ink flowing out and potentially reaching the piezoelectric element, compromising the device's functionality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge head design featuring a first substrate with pressure chambers and nozzles, a second substrate with ink channels, and ring-shaped traces surrounding holes that connect the channels to the pressure chambers, intercepting any outflowed ink and preventing it from reaching the piezoelectric actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ink supply channel and ink exhaust channel are formed in a separate substrate joined to the pressure chamber substrate, then the ink circulation function is improved, but the risk of ink leakage reaching the piezoelectric element increases due to potential joining failure
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof coating is applied as an intermediary layer between the ink channels and the piezoelectric element. This coating acts as a protective barrier that prevents ink from reaching the piezoelectric element even when joining failures occur, thus resolving the contradiction by maintaining ink circulation functionality while eliminating the harmful effect of ink leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof coating is applied in advance to the ink channels and connection parts before assembly, providing pre-protection against potential ink leakage. This prior cushioning measure ensures that even if joining failures occur during operation, the ink cannot reach the piezoelectric element, thus resolving the reliability-harmful factors contradiction.
2Volume of moving object
If the piezoelectric element is arranged close to the pressure chamber for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the damage risk from ink leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof coating serves as an intermediary protective layer between the ink channels and the piezoelectric element, allowing compact arrangement while preventing direct contact between ink and the piezoelectric element. This resolves the contradiction by enabling close positioning for compactness while maintaining protection through the coating barrier.
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 reduces the likelihood of ink reaching the piezoelectric element, enhancing the reliability and performance of the liquid discharge head by ensuring ink is contained within the intended flow paths.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element applying discharge energy to the ink inside the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of first ring-shaped traces which are connected to the piezoelectric actuator, and each of which surrounds one of the first holes on the second surface of the first substrate; and a plurality of second ring-shaped traces which are connected to the piezoelectric actuator, and each of which surrounds one of the second holes on the second surface of the first substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head includes: a first substrate having pressure chambers, the first substrate having a first surface in which nozzles communicating with the pressure chambers are open and a second surface in which first holes and second holes communicating with the pressure chambers are open; a piezoelectric actuator arranged on the second surface of the first substrate and configured to apply discharge energy to liquid inside the pressure chambers; a second substrate joined to the second surface of the first substrate and having first channels and second channels, the first channels communicating with the pressure chambers via the first holes, the second channels communicating with the pressure chambers via the second holes; first ring-shaped traces connected to the piezoelectric actuator and each surrounding one of the first holes; and second ring-shaped traces connected to the piezoelectric actuator and each surrounding one of the second holes.