Liquid Ejecting Head Asymmetric Filter Chamber Air Bubble Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting heads face inefficiencies in air bubble discharge due to asymmetrical inclinations of linear sections in the downstream chamber, leading to uneven air bubble flow and potential deterioration in air discharging performance.

Innovation Solution

The liquid ejecting head incorporates a filter chamber with elongated outlets along specific sides, and the entire head is held inclined relative to the horizontal plane, ensuring uniform air bubble discharge by optimizing the flow paths through asymmetrical chamber design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the linear sections of the downstream chamber are asymmetrical (different inclination angles), then the recording head size can be reduced, but air bubble discharge performance deteriorates due to uneven flow paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording head sizeVSAvoidair bubble discharge performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by making the outlet elongated along one specific side (first side or second side) rather than being symmetrical. This asymmetric outlet configuration, combined with the asymmetric linear sections, creates optimized flow paths that maintain effective air bubble discharge performance while allowing the chamber to be more compact. The outlet's elongation direction is specifically chosen to compensate for the asymmetrical inclinations of the linear sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the outlet is elongated along a specific side in the asymmetrical chamber, then air bubble discharge performance is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble discharge performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the outlet elongated along a specific side (first side or second side) rather than being uniformly shaped. This localized geometric modification optimizes the flow path for air bubbles in the asymmetrical chamber, ensuring that the outlet shape is specifically adapted to the local flow conditions created by the asymmetrical linear sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 air bubble discharge performance by ensuring air bubbles flow promptly into outlets, reducing the size of the recording head while maintaining effective air bubble removal, even when the linear sections have different inclinations.

Implementation Method 1

a filter chamber that accommodates a filter, and through which liquid flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a holding section that holds the liquid ejecting head such that the filter is inclined relative to a horizontal plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11801683B2Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting head includes a nozzle configured to eject ink, a filter chamber accommodating a filter, and a nozzle introduction port through which the ink flows out of the filter chamber. The filter chamber includes a first side and a second side that extend toward the nozzle introduction port in plan view in a direction perpendicular to the filter, and the nozzle introduction port is elongated along the first side in plan view in the direction perpendicular to the filter.