Liquid Ejecting Head Dummy Flow Channel Adhesive Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in reducing the number of nozzles while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as manufacturing without dummy nozzles requires new nozzle plates, increasing costs and potentially compromising suction cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head design that includes a liquid flow channel with nozzles, a dummy flow channel with dummy nozzles, and a closing section formed by an adhesive to seal the dummy flow channel, allowing for reduced nozzle counts without increasing manufacturing costs and enhancing suction cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a new nozzle plate without dummy nozzles is manufactured to close the dummy flow channel, then the number of nozzles is reduced, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy flow channel is closed in advance during the assembly process by forming an adhesive section between the flow channel formation substrate and the nozzle plate, rather than manufacturing a completely new nozzle plate without dummy nozzles. This preliminary closing action allows the use of existing standardized nozzle plates while still achieving the reduction of functional nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
An adhesive section is introduced as an intermediary element to close the dummy flow channel. This adhesive section acts as a mediator between the flow channel formation substrate and the nozzle plate, providing a cost-effective way to seal the dummy channel without requiring a completely new nozzle plate design.
2Quantity of substance
If a new nozzle plate without dummy nozzles is manufactured to close the dummy flow channel, then the number of nozzles is reduced, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing of the dummy flow channel is performed as a preliminary action during the assembly process, integrating the sealing step into the existing manufacturing workflow. This approach avoids the need for entirely separate manufacturing processes and maintains compatibility with current production lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive section formation is merged with the existing assembly process between the flow channel formation substrate and the nozzle plate. By combining the closing action with the standard assembly steps, the manufacturing process complexity is minimized while still achieving nozzle reduction.
3Ease of manufacture
If the dummy flow channel is closed using adhesive, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical sealing method (requiring precise mechanical structures or additional sealing components) is replaced with an adhesive-based sealing system. This substitution maintains sealing reliability while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, as the adhesive provides effective sealing without complex mechanical mechanisms.
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
The solution enables the production of liquid ejecting heads with reduced nozzle counts at lower costs and maintains effective suction cleaning by using an adhesive to close dummy flow channels, thereby improving printing efficiency and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a closing section formed by an adhesive and closing the dummy flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes a liquid flow channel including nozzles constituting a nozzle row configured to eject a liquid, a dummy flow channel including dummy nozzles constituting a dummy nozzle row not configured to eject liquid, and a closing section formed by an adhesive and closing the dummy flow channel.