Liquid Discharge Head Vibration Absorber Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge heads face challenges in maintaining stable discharge properties due to vibration transmission between the holding substrate and the common-liquid-chamber substrate, leading to improper pressurization timing and potential liquid leakage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a vibration absorber, such as an elastic adhesive, between the holding substrate and the common-liquid-chamber substrate, along with rib projections on the frame substrate to absorb and decay vibrations, ensuring stable discharge by reducing vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the holding substrate is bonded directly to the common-liquid-chamber substrate, then the structural strength and bonding reliability are improved, but vibration is transmitted between the substrates causing unstable discharge properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoiddischarge stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration absorber is introduced as an intermediary layer between the holding substrate and the common-liquid-chamber substrate. This mediator absorbs vibrations from the holding substrate before they can be transmitted to the common-liquid-chamber substrate, thereby preventing discharge instability while maintaining the bonding structure's integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding structure is designed as a composite system combining the holding substrate, vibration absorber material, and common-liquid-chamber substrate. This composite structure leverages the different properties of each layer - the rigid substrates for structural support and the vibration-absorbing material for damping - to achieve both strength and discharge stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If rigid bonding is used between substrates, then bonding strength is improved, but vibration transmission increases leading to improper pressurization timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidpressurization timing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration absorber serves as a mediator that decouples the mechanical vibration transmission path while maintaining the bonding connection. This allows the bonding structure to remain strong for structural integrity while the intermediary layer filters out high-frequency vibrations that would otherwise disrupt the precise pressurization timing required for accurate liquid discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If strong bonding is applied between holding substrate and common-liquid-chamber substrate, then structural stability is improved, but vibration transmission causes liquid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidliquid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration absorber acts as a protective intermediary that preserves the bonding structure's stability while preventing the harmful transmission of vibrations to the common-liquid-chamber substrate. By absorbing vibrations in the intermediate layer, the system maintains structural integrity without allowing vibration-induced liquid leakage to occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively prevents vibration transmission, ensuring stable liquid discharge with proper pressurization timing and preventing liquid leakage, thereby maintaining consistent discharge properties.

Implementation Method 1

The vibration absorber is disposed at at least a part of a bonded portion of the common-liquid-chamber substrate and the holding substrate, to absorb vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating a vibration absorber, such as an elastic adhesive, between the holding substrate and the common-liquid-chamber substrate, along with rib projections on the frame substrate to absorb and decay vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9962939B2Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.05.08 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid discharge head includes an actuator substrate, a holding substrate, a common-liquid-chamber substrate, and a vibration absorber. The actuator substrate includes a plurality of individual liquid chambers and a plurality of pressure generating elements. The individual liquid chambers are communicated with a plurality of nozzles to discharge liquid. The pressure generating elements are arrayed to pressurize liquid in the individual liquid chambers. The holding substrate includes a recessed portion to accommodate the pressure generating elements. The common-liquid-chamber substrate includes a common liquid chamber to supply the liquid to the individual liquid chambers. The common-liquid-chamber substrate is bonded to the holding substrate. The vibration absorber is disposed at at least a part of a bonded portion of the common-liquid-chamber substrate and the holding substrate, to absorb vibration. The holding substrate has an opening as a channel communicating the individual liquid chambers with the common liquid chamber.