Liquid Ejecting Head Nozzle Density Crosstalk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in efficiently disposing a large number of nozzles at high density due to limitations in the efficient disposition of flow paths, leading to issues with ejection characteristic errors and crosstalk between flow paths.

Innovation Solution

The liquid ejecting head employs a configuration with alternating first and second individual flow paths, each comprising specific portions with varying inertance and flow path resistances, and a circulation mechanism to equalize pressure losses across nozzles, ensuring uniform ejection characteristics and reducing crosstalk by optimizing flow path resistance and inertance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large number of nozzles are disposed at high density, then the productivity and nozzle density are improved, but the flow path disposition becomes inefficient leading to ejection characteristic errors and crosstalk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle densityVSAvoidejection characteristic uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path is divided into multiple segments including a common flow path section and individual flow path sections. Each individual flow path section has different inertance characteristics (first, second, and third inertances) to independently control pressure distribution to specific nozzles, enabling high-density nozzle arrangement while maintaining uniform ejection characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the flow path are given different inertance properties. The common flow path section has a first inertance, while individual flow path sections have second and third inertances. This local differentiation allows precise control of pressure distribution to each nozzle, preventing crosstalk and ensuring uniform ejection characteristics even at high nozzle density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If flow paths are arranged to accommodate many nozzles, then the nozzle density is improved, but pressure loss varies across nozzles causing ejection characteristic errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle densityVSAvoidejection characteristic precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inertance parameter is varied across different flow path sections to compensate for pressure loss variations. By setting specific inertance values (first, second, third inertances) in different portions of the flow path, the system equalizes pressure at each nozzle outlet, ensuring uniform ejection characteristics across all nozzles regardless of their position in the high-density arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If flow paths are closely spaced to achieve high density, then the productivity is improved, but crosstalk between flow paths increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle densityVSAvoidcrosstalk between flow paths
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path system is segmented into a common section and multiple individual sections with distinct inertance characteristics. This segmentation isolates pressure variations in individual flow paths, preventing crosstalk between closely spaced flow paths while maintaining high nozzle density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common flow path section acts as an intermediary with a specific first inertance that buffers and equalizes pressure before distribution to individual flow paths. This intermediary structure prevents direct pressure coupling between individual flow paths, reducing crosstalk even when flow paths are closely spaced for high density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for a high-density nozzle arrangement with reduced ejection characteristic errors and crosstalk, enhancing the efficiency and performance of the liquid ejecting head by ensuring uniform ink pressure across all nozzles.

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

PatentEP3831605B1Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting system
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3831605B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831605B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3831605B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

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