Liquid Ejecting Head Flow Path Segmentation for Pressure Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in efficiently disposing a large number of nozzles at high density due to suboptimal flow path arrangements, leading to issues with pressure loss and crosstalk between adjacent flow paths.

Innovation Solution

The liquid ejecting head employs a configuration with alternating first and second nozzle rows, each with unique flow path structures that balance inertance and resistance, ensuring equal pressure loss across nozzles and minimizing crosstalk through strategically positioned and oriented flow paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large number of nozzles are disposed at high density, then the productivity and resolution of the liquid ejecting system are improved, but the pressure loss and crosstalk between adjacent flow paths increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle densityVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path is divided into multiple segments including a first flow path extending in a first direction and a second flow path extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This segmentation allows pressure compensation between adjacent nozzles by creating separate flow routes that can be independently optimized, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining high nozzle density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow paths are arranged in multiple dimensions with the first flow path extending in one direction and the second flow path extending in a perpendicular direction. This two-dimensional arrangement creates a more efficient space utilization and allows for better pressure distribution across adjacent nozzles, reducing crosstalk while maintaining high density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a large number of nozzles are disposed at high density, then the productivity and resolution of the liquid ejecting system are improved, but the crosstalk between adjacent flow paths increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle densityVSAvoidcrosstalk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path is divided into multiple segments including a first flow path extending in a first direction and a second flow path extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This segmentation allows pressure compensation between adjacent nozzles by creating separate flow routes that can be independently optimized, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining high nozzle density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow paths are arranged in multiple dimensions with the first flow path extending in one direction and the second flow path extending in a perpendicular direction. This two-dimensional arrangement creates a more efficient space utilization and allows for better pressure distribution across adjacent nozzles, reducing crosstalk while maintaining high density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of energy

If the flow path is designed to reduce pressure loss, then the ejection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure lossVSAvoidflow path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path is divided into multiple segments including a first flow path extending in a first direction and a second flow path extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This segmentation allows pressure compensation between adjacent nozzles by creating separate flow routes that can be independently optimized, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining high nozzle density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple flow paths are merged into a unified structure where the first flow path and second flow path are integrated within the same substrate. This merging approach reduces the overall device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single component while still achieving pressure compensation and reducing crosstalk between adjacent nozzles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ejection efficiency and reduces errors in ejection characteristics between nozzles, while also reducing crosstalk and flow path resistance, allowing for a higher nozzle density without compromising ink ejection performance.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid from a nozzle communicating with a pressure chamber by varying a pressure of a liquid in the pressure chamber using a piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3831609B1Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting system

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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AI summary

A liquid ejecting head (1) including: an individual flow path row in which a plurality of individual flow paths (Pa, Pb) communicating with a nozzle that ejects a liquid in a first axis direction (Z) are arranged in parallel along a second axis (Y) orthogonal to a first axis, and a first common liquid chamber (R1) communicating with the plurality of individual flow paths, in which each of the plurality of individual flow paths has a pressure chamber (Ca, Cb) that stores a liquid.