Liquid Ejecting Head Chip Plating Quality via Raise-and-Cut Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies for forming electrodes in liquid ejecting heads face challenges with the formation of not-precipitated places or plating lumps in the plating film, particularly due to variations in catalyst removal during the plating process, especially when dealing with channels of different shapes and increased nozzle density, leading to issues like cracks or chipping.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates channels with extension and raise-and-cut portions on the actuator plate, where the in-channel electrodes are formed with a plating film, ensuring a common shape for channels to uniformly adjust catalyst conditions, reducing the occurrence of not-precipitated places and plating lumps, and includes a cover plate with a through-hole for connecting the common electrode to external wiring, avoiding corrosion and improving structural robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If channels are formed with different shapes to accommodate various nozzle configurations, then nozzle density and functionality are improved, but plating quality deteriorates due to inconsistent catalyst removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a specific raise-and-cut portion structure at the bottom of channels where plating occurs. This localized structural modification ensures that the channel bottom has a uniform geometry that facilitates consistent catalyst removal and plating, while the rest of the channel can maintain shape variations needed for different nozzle configurations. The raise-and-cut portion creates a standardized plating region that overrides the effects of different channel shapes upstream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the channel bottom by introducing the raise-and-cut portion with specific dimensions (width W1 and depth D1). This parameter change standardizes the critical plating region, ensuring that regardless of the overall channel shape, the bottom surface maintains consistent characteristics that enable uniform catalyst removal and plating deposition, thereby resolving the plating quality issue while preserving nozzle density improvements.
2Manufacturing precision
If channels have uniform shape to ensure consistent plating, then plating quality is improved, but adaptability to different nozzle configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel into two functional zones: the upper portion that can vary in shape to accommodate different nozzle configurations, and the bottom portion (raise-and-cut portion) that maintains a standardized geometry for consistent plating. This segmentation allows each zone to independently fulfill its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between plating quality and configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by adding a vertical dimension to the channel structure through the raise-and-cut portion. While the horizontal dimensions of channels can vary to accommodate different configurations, the vertical structure at the bottom is standardized, creating a multi-dimensional solution where shape flexibility in one dimension coexists with geometric consistency in another dimension.
3Manufacturing precision
If catalyst rinsing is intensified to remove all catalyst, then plating uniformity is improved, but not-precipitated places occur due to insufficient catalyst remaining
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized raise-and-cut portion structure serves itself by providing a consistent geometric template that naturally guides uniform catalyst distribution and plating deposition. The uniform bottom geometry ensures that catalyst is evenly distributed during rinsing without requiring excessive mechanical agitation or chemical treatment, allowing the structure itself to facilitate consistent plating while maintaining adequate catalyst presence for film continuity.
4Reliability
If catalyst rinsing is reduced to maintain catalyst presence, then plating film continuity is improved, but plating lumps form due to excessive catalyst remaining
Solution Approach 1:
The raise-and-cut portion creates a localized zone with enhanced catalyst removal characteristics. The specific geometry of this region promotes efficient catalyst evacuation during rinsing, preventing catalyst accumulation that would lead to plating lumps. This local quality enhancement at the channel bottom ensures uniform plating without requiring intensive overall rinsing that might compromise film continuity elsewhere.
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 the formation of not-precipitated places and plating lumps, enhances the structural integrity of the actuator plate, and reduces corrosion risks, while allowing for more flexible wiring arrangements and improved reliability in the liquid ejecting head.
Implementation Method 1
The in-channel electrode is formed on an inner surface of each of the channels with a plating film
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a liquid ejecting head chip includes an actuator plate and an in-channel electrode. In the actuator plate, a plurality of channels are arranged at a distance in an X-direction. Each of the channels includes an extension portion and a raise-and-cut portion. The extension portion extends in a Z-direction. The raise-and-cut portion continues from the extension portion toward one side of the Z-direction and has a groove depth which is gradually reduced toward the one side of the Z-direction. The in-channel electrode is formed on an inner surface of each of the channels, with a plating film.