Liquid Droplet Ejection Device With Low-Loss Bubble Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid droplet ejection devices face challenges in effectively suppressing gas bubble-related defects while minimizing pressure loss due to high channel resistance in degassing devices or channels.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet ejection device with a filter having a mesh diameter smaller than the nozzle aperture, combined with a communicating channel branching off from the supply channel upstream of the filter, and a liquid feeder that controls the pressure loss to be less than the meniscus break pressure, ensuring efficient liquid flow direction and buoyancy to prevent gas bubble floatation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a degassing device is provided to remove gas bubbles, then gas bubble defects are suppressed, but pressure loss increases due to high channel resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the degassing function from a separate degassing device and integrates it into the liquid supply channel itself by providing a discharge channel that branches off from the supply channel. Gas bubbles are discharged through this integrated discharge channel directly to the outside of the liquid droplet ejection head, eliminating the need for additional degassing equipment and reducing overall channel resistance and pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the degassing function with the liquid supply channel by making the discharge channel branch off from the supply channel upstream of the filter. This integration allows the same channel structure to serve both liquid supply and gas discharge functions simultaneously, reducing the total channel resistance compared to having separate dedicated degassing devices.
2Reliability
If a degassing channel is provided to discharge gas bubbles, then gas bubble defects are suppressed, but pressure loss increases due to increased inflow volume requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow itself serves the dual purpose of supplying liquid to nozzles and carrying gas bubbles to the discharge channel. The system uses the kinetic energy and flow velocity of the liquid to naturally transport gas bubbles to the discharge outlet without requiring additional pumping power or increasing inflow volume beyond what is needed for normal ejection operations.
3Loss of energy
If channel resistance is lowered to reduce pressure loss, then ejection stability improves, but gas bubble removal capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel system into distinct supply channel and discharge channel pathways that branch from common upstream sections. This segmentation allows the supply channel to be optimized for low resistance liquid flow while the discharge channel provides a dedicated low-resistance path for gas bubble removal, enabling both functions to operate independently without compromising either liquid supply efficiency or gas removal capability.
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 suppresses gas bubble defects and reduces pressure loss, enabling stable liquid ejection with improved image quality and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a filter which is provided in the supply channel and through which the liquid running through the supply channel passes
Implementation Method 2
the liquid feeder performs the liquid feeding operation in such a way that a pressure loss in the filter is smaller than a first meniscus break pressure at which a meniscus of the liquid ruptures in the filter
Implementation Method 3
ensuring efficient liquid flow direction and buoyancy to prevent gas bubble floatation
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet ejection device including: a liquid droplet ejection head including a nozzle, a supply channel, a discharge channel, a filter, and a communicating channel; and a liquid feeder that performs a liquid feeding operation causing the liquid in the supply channel and the discharge channel to flow in the liquid feeding direction. A mesh diameter of the filter is smaller than an aperture diameter of the nozzle, and the liquid feeder performs the liquid feeding operation in such a way that a pressure loss in the filter is smaller than a first meniscus break pressure at which a meniscus of the liquid ruptures in the filter.