Liquid Ejecting Head Mold Crack Prevention via Peripheral Edge Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting heads, such as those used in inkjet printers, the exposure of molds to ink can lead to mist attachment and crack formation, causing deterioration and liquid ingress, which compromises the reliability of the device.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head design featuring a nozzle plate, a fixing plate, and a compliance substrate, where the peripheral edge of the opening portion is positioned between the nozzle plate and the compliance substrate, preventing direct exposure and reducing the likelihood of mold cracking by increasing the distance between the mold surface and bonded areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mold is exposed inside the opening of the fixing plate to allow nozzle exposure, then the nozzle can eject liquid properly, but the mold is attached by mist and cracks may be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective structure (the specifically positioned peripheral edge of the opening portion) that mediates between the nozzle's need for exposure and the mold's need for protection. The peripheral edge acts as a barrier that prevents direct mist contact with the mold while still allowing the nozzle to function, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional exposure problem to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. By carefully positioning the peripheral edge of the opening portion between the second substrate and the nozzle plate in the thickness direction, the design creates a spatial configuration that simultaneously achieves nozzle exposure and mold protection, effectively using dimensional positioning to resolve the apparent conflict.
2Productivity
If the mold is exposed to liquid components, then liquid can be supplied to nozzles, but components penetrate the mold causing deformation and cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral edge of the opening portion serves as an intermediary barrier that allows liquid to reach the nozzles through proper channels while preventing liquid components from directly contacting and penetrating the mold. This intermediary structure maintains the necessary liquid flow for productivity while protecting mold structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary protection by positioning the peripheral edge of the opening portion to preemptively block liquid component penetration before it can reach the mold. This preventive spatial arrangement ensures that liquid supply functionality is maintained while the mold is protected from deformation and cracking before they can occur.
3Ease of operation
If the opening of the fixing plate is large enough to expose the nozzle plate, then liquid ejection is enabled, but the mold becomes vulnerable to mist attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional spatial positioning to resolve the contradiction. By positioning the peripheral edge of the opening portion between the second substrate and the nozzle plate in the thickness direction, the design creates a spatial barrier that prevents mist from reaching the mold while maintaining adequate nozzle exposure for liquid ejection, thus protecting against harmful factors without sacrificing operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral edge structure acts as an intermediary protective element that allows the opening to remain large enough for nozzle exposure while preventing mist attachment to the mold. This intermediary structure effectively blocks the harmful mist pathway while maintaining the necessary exposure for operation.
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 effectively prevents mold cracking and liquid ingress, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the liquid ejecting head by maintaining channel integrity and reducing pressure fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element that causes pressure fluctuations in a liquid in a pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes a first substrate, a nozzle plate that is laminated on the first substrate and includes nozzles configured to eject a liquid in a first direction, a second substrate that is laminated on the first substrate at a position different from the nozzle plate, a fixing plate that is laminated on the second substrate to cover the second substrate when viewed in a second direction opposite to the first direction and includes an opening portion through which the nozzle plate is exposed to an outside, and a mold that closes a gap between the nozzle plate and the fixing plate, and the opening portion has a peripheral edge that is disposed between the second substrate and the nozzle plate when viewed in the second direction.