Liquid Ejecting Head Flow Passage Structure for Sealing and Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in maintaining sealing properties while effectively absorbing pressure fluctuations in the liquid storage chamber, leading to potential ejection failures due to increased air resistance in communication passages and compromised sealing when trying to widen these passages for better airflow.
Innovation Solution
A flow passage structure that includes a flexible film supported by a support portion within the communication passage, allowing the flexible film to move freely while maintaining sealing by reducing air resistance through strategic design features such as island portions and rail projections, which facilitate airflow without compromising sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the width of the communication passage is increased to reduce air resistance, then the airflow improves and the flexible film can move more freely, but the flexible film exposed into the communication passage bends easily and the sealing property between the flow passage member and the flexible film deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A support portion is introduced as an intermediary element within the communication passage to support the flexible film. This mediator prevents the flexible film from bending into the communication passage while maintaining the wide passage width needed for low air resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between airflow efficiency and sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion is strategically positioned only in the communication passage region where the flexible film is exposed, providing localized support exactly where needed. This local intervention maintains sealing property in the critical area while preserving the overall wide communication passage design for efficient airflow
2Reliability
If the width of the communication passage is narrowed to maintain sealing property, then the sealing between flow passage member and flexible film is maintained, but the air resistance increases and the flexible film becomes difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion acts as a mediator that enables the communication passage to maintain both wide width and good sealing. By providing structural support within the passage, it eliminates the need to narrow the passage for sealing purposes, thus reducing air resistance while maintaining sealing integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of controlling sealing by adjusting the width (one dimension) of the communication passage, the invention introduces a vertical support structure (another dimension) within the passage. This dimensional approach allows the passage to remain wide for low air resistance while the vertical support maintains sealing by preventing flexible film deformation
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 design enhances the absorption of pressure fluctuations, reduces air resistance, and maintains the sealing integrity between the flow passage member and the flexible film, preventing ejection failures and ink leaks.
Implementation Method 1
the ejection failure is suppressed by absorbing the pressure fluctuation of the liquid storage chamber by bending the flexible film
Implementation Method 2
since the flexible film is supported by the support portion in the communication passage formed in the region around the liquid storage chamber that seals the flow passage member and the flexible film in the sealing body, even if the width of the communication passage is increased, it is difficult to bond the flow passage member with the flexible film exposed into the communication passage bends so that the deterioration of the sealing property can be suppressed
Data Source
AI summary
A flow passage structure includes a flow passage member that constitutes a portion of a wall surface of a liquid storage chamber; a flexible film that is laminated on the flow passage member and constitutes a portion of the wall surface of the liquid storage chamber; a sealing body that is laminated on a side opposite to the flow passage member with the flexible film interposed therebetween and forms a space in which the flexible film is exposed; communication passages that are formed in a region around the liquid storage chamber in the sealing body and causes the space to communicate with an atmosphere in a case where the sealing body is seen in a plan view from a direction in which the flow passage member and the flexible film are laminated; and a support portion that supports the flexible film in the communication passage.