Liquid Ejecting Head Overlapping Compliance Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size of liquid ejecting heads increases due to the disposition of compliance portions in liquid ejecting apparatuses, leading to a larger apparatus size when liquid circulates between the head and storage portion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating overlapping first and second compliance portions in the liquid ejecting head's flow paths, which deform in response to pressure changes, to suppress size increase and efficiently manage pressure oscillations during liquid ejection, with the second compliance portion having larger compliance than the first and positioned closer to nozzles to reduce oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compliance portions are disposed on both the outward path and return path in the liquid circulation system, then pressure oscillation is effectively suppressed, but the size of the liquid ejecting head increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first and second compliance portions at different locations along the liquid flow path (one on the outward path from liquid storage portion, another on the return path), utilizing the temporal and spatial separation of liquid circulation to achieve pressure oscillation suppression without requiring both compliance portions to occupy the same physical space simultaneously, thereby controlling the overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the compliance portions into the existing flow path structure by forming them as part of the common flow path or by positioning them within the available space between the liquid storage portion and pressure chambers, effectively nesting the compliance function within the circulation system rather than adding separate external components.
2Productivity
If the liquid circulation system is implemented to enable continuous ejection, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of managing pressure oscillations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces compliance portions as intermediary elements between the liquid storage portion and the pressure chambers, and between the pressure chambers and nozzles. These compliance portions act as mediators that absorb and dampen pressure oscillations generated during continuous ejection, simplifying the overall pressure management without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliance portions utilize the elastic deformation of their material to automatically respond to pressure changes in the liquid flow path. When pressure oscillations occur during continuous circulation and ejection, the compliance portions passively deform to absorb the oscillations and then return to their original shape, providing self-regulating pressure management without external control.
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 effectively reduces the size of the liquid ejecting head and apparatus while maintaining reliable ink ejection at higher drive frequencies by efficiently absorbing pressure oscillations, ensuring consistent ejection characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a compliance portion that deforms in response to a pressure change in the liquid inside the first common flow path
Implementation Method 2
a compliance portion provided with a flexible member that deforms in response to pressure changes in the liquid inside the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head capable of suppressing an increase in size in a configuration in which a liquid circulates between the liquid ejecting head and a liquid storage portion and a liquid ejecting apparatus are provided. Pressures chambers communicating with nozzles that eject a liquid, a first common flow path through which the liquid is supplied to the pressure chambers side, a second common flow path through which the liquid is led out from the pressure chambers side, a first compliance portion that deforms in response to a pressure change in the liquid inside the first common flow path, and a second compliance portion that deforms in response to a pressure change in the liquid inside the second common flow path are provided. The first compliance portion and the second compliance portion overlap each other when viewed in a thickness direction of at least one of the compliance portions.