Liquid Ejecting Head Central Inlet Outlet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting heads, such as ink jet recording heads, face variations in flow channel resistance due to the placement of inlet and outlet portions near the longitudinal ends of the flow channel member, leading to inconsistent ink distribution and ejection performance among head units.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting head is designed with inlet and outlet portions positioned near the center of the flow channel member, reducing variations in flow channel resistance by optimizing the layout of supply and collection flow channels, and incorporating a retention member to maintain the head's slanted orientation for improved ink distribution and ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inlet portion and outlet portion are disposed near a longitudinal end portion of the flow channel member, then the structure is simplified and ease of manufacture is improved, but the flow channel resistance varies significantly among the flow channels leading to respective head units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the inlet and outlet portions at the center of the flow channel member rather than at the longitudinal ends. This central positioning creates a symmetric flow distribution pattern where flow channels to head units on both sides have equal or balanced path lengths, thereby reducing variations in flow channel resistance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
2Device complexity
If the inlet portion and outlet portion are disposed near a longitudinal end portion of the flow channel member, then device complexity is reduced, but ink distribution uniformity among head units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric positioning of the inlet and outlet portions at the center of the flow channel member, which creates balanced flow paths to head units on both sides. This central positioning ensures that ink is distributed uniformly across all head units by equalizing the flow channel resistance, thereby improving ink distribution uniformity without increasing device complexity
3Device complexity
If the inlet portion and outlet portion are disposed near a longitudinal end portion of the flow channel member, then the structure is simpler, but ejection performance consistency among head units worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the asymmetry principle by centrally positioning the inlet and outlet portions of the flow channel member. This central positioning creates symmetric flow distribution patterns that equalize the flow path lengths and resistances to all head units, thereby ensuring consistent ejection performance across all head units while maintaining structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head configured to eject a liquid in a first direction includes: head units arranged side by side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a flow channel member having a first supply flow channel through which the liquid is supplied to the head units, a first collection flow channel through which the liquid is collected from the head units, a first inlet portion through which the liquid is let into the first supply flow channel from the outside, and a first outlet portion through which the liquid is let out to the outside from the first collection flow channel. The first inlet portion and the first outlet portion are disposed near the center of the flow channel member in the second direction.