Liquid Ejecting Head 3D Manifold Stacking for Compact Ink Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet type recording heads face challenges in reducing the size of the liquid ejecting head while minimizing variations in ejection properties due to differing manifold positions and flow-path lengths, leading to inconsistent ink discharge.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting head design aligns multiple manifolds in the same plane, with bifurcation flow paths and introduction flow paths arranged to reduce flow-path resistance and allow for effective air bubble discharge, enabling a compact size and improved ejection properties by managing back-pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple manifolds are arranged in the same plane, then variation in ejection properties is reduced, but the in-plane size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked arrangement of manifolds. Multiple manifolds are positioned at different heights (Z-direction) rather than spread out in the same plane, allowing compact in-plane dimensions while maintaining consistent flow path lengths through vertical stacking with intermediate connection portions.
2Area of stationary object
If manifolds are positioned at different heights, then in-plane size is reduced, but variation in flow-path resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple sections: introduction flow paths from different heights, intermediate connection portions that bridge different manifold levels, and distribution flow paths to nozzle openings. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized independently, maintaining consistent total flow path length despite vertical manifold positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical stacking of manifolds at different heights (Z-direction) combined with intermediate connection portions to equalize flow path lengths. The three-dimensional arrangement with controlled path lengths in each vertical segment resolves the contradiction between compact in-plane size and flow resistance consistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flow paths are extended to connect manifolds at different heights, then manifold positioning flexibility is improved, but flow-path resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension (Z-direction) for manifold positioning, allowing flexible three-dimensional arrangement. Intermediate connection portions are designed to provide direct vertical or near-vertical flow paths between manifolds at different heights, minimizing horizontal flow components and reducing overall flow path length and resistance while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a liquid ejecting head which includes a head main body which ejects ink from a liquid ejection surface and has a plurality of manifolds which store the ink, and a flow-path member in which a first distribution flow path and a second distribution flow path is provided to supply ink to the head main body, in which the plurality of manifolds are arranged on the same plane and the plurality of manifolds, the first distribution flow path, and the second distribution flow path are not disposed in the same plane.