Liquid Discharge Head Suction Holes for Stable Ink Landing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge heads experience deviations in ink landing positions due to interference from airflow, particularly in large printing gaps, leading to uneven images and streaks, which existing image processing techniques may complicate or fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating suction holes around nozzles to counteract airflow by creating a suction direction opposite to the discharge direction, thereby canceling out airflow disturbances and stabilizing ink landing positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If suction holes are added around nozzles to counteract airflow, then ink landing position stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink landing position accuracyVSAvoidnozzle plate structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction holes are integrated directly into the nozzle plate structure, merging the suction function with the existing nozzle assembly. This eliminates the need for separate suction components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining ink landing position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A suction member is introduced as an intermediary component that works in conjunction with the nozzle plate. This intermediary structure facilitates the suction function without directly complicating the core nozzle assembly, allowing for modular integration and easier maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If suction holes are integrated into the nozzle plate, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of separate componentsVSAvoidhole positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle plate is segmented into functional regions with suction holes positioned at specific locations around the nozzles. This segmentation allows for precise positioning of suction holes relative to nozzles, ensuring proper airflow counteraction while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized drilling patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Prevents ink deflection and stabilizes landing positions, reducing deviations and improving image quality by canceling airflow effects on discharged ink, especially at nozzle ends.

Implementation Method 1

multiple suction holes to suck gas in a suction direction opposite to the discharge direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20250296318A1Liquid discharge head, head module, and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle plate having multiple nozzles to discharge a liquid in a discharge direction and multiple suction holes to suck gas in a suction direction opposite to the discharge direction.