Liquid Discharge Head Upstream Structure Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharge head configurations, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,156,262, fail to ensure sufficient flow of non-thickened liquid to the discharge port, leading to increased viscosity and potential recording quality issues and malfunctions due to insufficient replacement of thickened liquid.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge head design featuring a discharge port member with a structure that generates a flow path for liquid circulation between the inside and outside of a pressure chamber, including a substrate with a structure arranged upstream of the discharge port to direct liquid flow towards the discharge port, ensuring the replacement of thickened liquid with non-thickened liquid, with specific height and angle configurations to optimize liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a discharge port member with a two-tier configuration is used, then liquid circulation between inside and outside of pressure chamber is improved, but sufficient flow of non-thickened liquid to the discharge port is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a structure extending in the liquid discharge direction (z-direction) from the substrate, creating a three-dimensional flow guidance feature. This structure causes liquid to flow along its surface toward the discharge port, adding a vertical dimension to the liquid flow path that enhances the replacement of thickened liquid with non-thickened liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is positioned specifically on the upstream side of the discharge port center and has specific dimensional relationships (height ≥0.1 times liquid flow path thickness) to create localized flow control. This localized structural feature directs liquid flow precisely where needed without affecting the entire system uniformly.
2Reliability
If liquid circulation is enhanced, then replacement of thickened liquid is improved, but liquid flow velocity and flow amount to the discharge port may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The structure creates a curved flow path along its surface, guiding liquid smoothly toward the discharge port. This curved surface flow mechanism enhances liquid circulation while maintaining adequate flow velocity by reducing turbulence and flow resistance compared to sharp-edged configurations.
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 design effectively prevents the increase in viscosity of liquid inside the discharge port by ensuring a consistent flow of non-thickened liquid, thereby maintaining recording quality and preventing malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid flow path in which the liquid flows toward the pressure chamber, and a structure that is arranged on the substrate on an upstream side of a center of the discharge port in the pressure chamber or the liquid flow path and that is configured to generate a flow of the liquid toward the discharge port
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head includes a discharge port member including a discharge port, a flow path member including a pressure chamber and a liquid flow path, a substrate, and a structure that is arranged on the substrate on an upstream side of a center of the discharge port and that is configured to generate a flow of the liquid toward the discharge port. The liquid in the pressure chamber circulates. A position corresponding to a portion of the structure having a greatest height from a surface of the substrate is located on the upstream side of the center of the discharge port in a flow direction of the liquid. A thickness of the structure in a discharge direction of the liquid is 0.1 times or greater than a thickness of the liquid flow path in the discharge direction of the liquid.