Liquid Ejecting Head Dual Compliance Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in effectively absorbing pressure changes, particularly when miniaturized, due to insufficient compliance mechanisms, leading to performance deficiencies and potential ink leakage.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting head incorporates a dual compliance unit configuration, with a flexible first compliance unit on the flow path substrate and a flexible second compliance unit on the housing, which effectively absorbs pressure changes in both the first and second spaces, while also reducing the size and height of the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only a single compliance sheet is provided on the communicating substrate, then the structure remains simple, but the performance of absorbing pressure change is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The compliance mechanism is divided into two separate compliance units: a first compliance unit on the communicating substrate and a second compliance unit on the housing. Each compliance unit independently absorbs pressure changes in different spaces, collectively providing sufficient pressure change absorption performance without requiring a single large complex compliance mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure change absorption function is distributed across different spatial dimensions and locations. The first compliance unit handles pressure changes in the communicating substrate area, while the second compliance unit handles pressure changes in the housing area, effectively utilizing spatial distribution to enhance overall performance.
2Volume of moving object
If the liquid ejecting head is miniaturized by reducing the communicating substrate or compliance sheet size, then miniaturization is achieved, but the pressure change absorption performance becomes seriously deficient
Solution Approach 1:
The compliance absorption function is segmented into two separate compliance units located at different positions. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its local space, enabling effective pressure change absorption even when the overall device size is reduced through miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compliance unit is positioned to address pressure changes in its local area - the first compliance unit on the communicating substrate and the second on the housing. This local quality approach ensures that pressure changes are absorbed at their source, maintaining performance despite reduced overall dimensions.
3Length of stationary object
If the housing height is reduced for miniaturization, then compactness is improved, but the space available for compliance mechanisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The compliance units are positioned on different surfaces and orientations - the first compliance unit on the communicating substrate and the second compliance unit on the exterior wall face of the housing. This spatial distribution across different dimensions allows effective pressure change absorption without requiring increased housing height.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliance units utilize flexible membrane structures that can effectively absorb pressure changes within limited space. These thin flexible elements provide the necessary compliance function without occupying significant volume, enabling miniaturization while maintaining pressure absorption performance.
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 enhances the absorption of pressure changes, reduces the risk of ink leakage, and allows for miniaturization of the liquid ejecting head while maintaining mechanical strength, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the device.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible first compliance unit which is provided on the second face of the flow path substrate, and seals the communicating hole and the first space
Implementation Method 2
a flexible second compliance unit which seals the opening portion of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head (100) includes a pressure chamber substrate (34) on which pressure chamber spaces (342) are formed; a flow path substrate (32) which includes a first face (F1) on which the pressure chamber substrate (34) is provided, and a second face (F2) on a side opposite to the first face (F1), and on which a space (R1), a supply hole (322) which causes the space (R1) and the pressure chamber space (342) to communicate, and a communicating hole (324) which communicates with the pressure chamber space (342) are formed; a nozzle plate (52) which is provided on the second face (F2), and on which nozzles (N) which communicate with the communicating hole (324) are formed; a housing (40) which is provided on the first face (F1), and in which a space (R2) which communicates with the space (R1) of the flow path substrate (32), and an opening portion (422) which communicates with the space (R2) are formed; a flexible compliance unit (54) which is provided on the second face (F2), and seals the communicating hole (324) and the space (R1); and a flexible compliance unit (46) which seals the opening portion (422).