Liquid-Ejecting Head Cured Layer for High-Definition Orifices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to create a high-definition ejection orifice for inkjet recording heads with high liquid repellency and durability, as existing methods struggle to pattern water-repellent compounds using photolithography, which is necessary for achieving both high-definition and durable ink ejection.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-ejecting head is developed with a cured layer containing a mixture of hydrolyzable silane compounds with 20 or more fluorine atoms, a fluorine atom-containing nonionic surfactant, and an epoxy resin, applied and patterned using photocationically polymerizable resins to form a high-definition ejection orifice with enhanced liquid repellency and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a water-repellent compound is subjected to pattern formation by photolithography, then high-definition ejection orifice can be obtained, but the water-repellent compound cannot be patterned due to difficulty in subjecting it to photolithography
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of a water-repellent compound combined with a photopolymerizable resin. This composite allows the water-repellent compound to be incorporated into a photoresist matrix that can be patterned by photolithography, thereby enabling high-definition ejection orifice formation while maintaining the water-repellent properties of the original compound
Solution Approach 2:
The photopolymerizable resin acts as an intermediary that bridges the water-repellent compound and the photolithography process. The resin enables the water-repellent compound to be subjected to photolithographic patterning by forming a photosensitive composite material, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining water-repellency and achieving patternability
2Manufacturing precision
If the periphery of the ejection orifice is subjected to liquid-repellent treatment, then ink ejection accuracy is improved, but the liquid-repellent treatment requires additional durability against ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite liquid-repellent layer that combines the water-repellent compound with the photopolymerizable resin and epoxy resin. This composite structure provides both the liquid-repellent properties needed for accurate ink ejection and enhanced durability through the additional resin components that resist ink penetration and degradation
3Manufacturing precision
If an ejection orifice structure with high definition is desired, then photolithography technology is used, but high mask reproducibility is required which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The composite photoresist material incorporating the water-repellent compound provides good mask reproducibility and high-definition patterning capabilities. The resin matrix ensures uniform photoresist behavior during exposure and development, reducing process complexity while achieving the desired high-definition ejection orifices
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
The solution results in a liquid-ejecting head with high liquid repellency and durability, enabling high-definition ink ejection and improved mask reproducibility, while preventing agglomeration and precipitation of fluorine-containing components, thus ensuring high printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
a condensate of hydrolyzable silane compounds containing a hydrolyzable silane compound having 20 or more fluorine atoms and a hydrolyzable silane compound having a cationically polymerizable group
Implementation Method 2
a condensate of hydrolyzable silane compounds containing a hydrolyzable silane compound having 20 or more fluorine atoms and a hydrolyzable silane compound having a cationically polymerizable group
Implementation Method 3
forming, on or above the substrate, a coating layer containing a photocationically polymerizable resin; subjecting the coating layer and the applied film to pattern exposure; heating the coating layer and the applied film to cure exposed portions thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid-ejecting head, including a member having opened therein an ejection orifice configured to eject a liquid, in which the liquid-ejecting head has, on a side being positioned on the member and having opened therein the ejection orifice, a cured layer of a mixture containing: (a) a condensate of hydrolyzable silane compounds containing a hydrolyzable silane compound having 20 or more fluorine atoms and a hydrolyzable silane compound having a cationically polymerizable group; (b) a fluorine atom-containing nonionic surfactant; and (c) an epoxy resin.