Liquid Discharging Head Pressure Stabilization via Unified Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers experience instability in liquid discharge due to differences in negative pressure between first and second pressure chambers, leading to variations in actuator deformation and potential disturbances in liquid discharge.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharging head design where a common channel communicates with both pressure chambers, minimizing pressure differences and ensuring consistent actuator deformation by configuring individual channels with nozzles, pressure chambers, and connecting channels in a specific layout that reduces the length and complexity of common channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate common channels are used for first and second pressure chambers, then liquid circulation is enabled, but difference in negative pressure causes deformation amount variation in actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first common channel and second common channel into a single common channel that serves both pressure chambers. This unification allows both the first and second pressure chambers to communicate with the same common channel, equalizing the negative pressure conditions and ensuring that actuators deform by the same amount when the same waveform is applied, thereby eliminating discharge instability caused by pressure differences.
2Volume of moving object
If common channel length is reduced, then device size is minimized, but pressure equalization effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the common channel in a spatial arrangement that optimizes both length and pressure equalization. Specifically, the common channel is configured to extend in a direction that allows it to communicate with both pressure chambers at strategically chosen locations, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently to achieve pressure equalization while minimizing the overall head size.
3Speed
If actuators are positioned closer to nozzles, then response time is improved, but pressure distribution uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by having each pressure chamber (first and second) communicate with the common channel at its own optimal location. The first pressure chamber communicates at a first position along the common channel, while the second pressure chamber communicates at a second position, allowing each actuator to be positioned optimally for its corresponding nozzle while maintaining overall pressure distribution through the unified common channel.
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 stabilizes the discharge process by minimizing pressure differences between actuators, enhancing discharge efficiency and reducing the complexity and size of the liquid discharging head.
Implementation Method 1
a first actuator and a second actuator which are provided on the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharging head includes: individual channels aligned in a first direction; and a first common channel and a second common channel extending in the first direction. Each of the individual channels includes a nozzle, a first pressure chamber and second pressure chamber arranged side by side in the first direction, and a connecting channel connecting the nozzle, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber to one another. A first actuator and a second actuator are provided on the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, respectively. The first common channel communicates with the first and second pressure chambers; and the second common channel communicates with the connecting channel.