Liquid Ejecting Head Pressure Chamber Rigidity via Hole Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
As nozzle density increases in liquid ejecting heads, the rigidity of the pressure chamber structure decreases, leading to crosstalk issues that affect the landing position of ink droplets and degrade printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting head is designed with a flow path substrate and a pressure chamber substrate laminated in a specific configuration, where the communication holes do not overlap with the active section of the actuator, allowing for increased rigidity of the pressure chamber partition walls by offsetting the communication holes and active section, and incorporating inclined surfaces to facilitate smooth liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nozzle density is increased to improve printing quality, then productivity is improved, but the rigidity of the pressure chamber structure decreases leading to crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is divided into multiple separated chambers by partition walls, with each chamber independently supporting liquid ejection. This segmentation prevents crosstalk between adjacent nozzles while maintaining high nozzle density, as each pressure chamber can be optimized independently for rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls are designed with varying thicknesses and structural characteristics at different locations. Specifically, the partition walls have increased rigidity in regions where they need to prevent crosstalk, while maintaining thinner sections where space is constrained by high nozzle density requirements. This local optimization of structural quality resolves the contradiction between overall rigidity and nozzle density.
2Productivity
If partition wall thickness is reduced to increase nozzle density, then productivity is improved, but the structural strength decreases causing crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are pre-reinforced with rib structures or increased thickness in specific critical regions before the liquid ejection process occurs. This preliminary structural strengthening ensures that even with reduced overall partition wall thickness for high nozzle density, the critical areas maintain sufficient rigidity to prevent crosstalk and ensure reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls utilize composite structural designs combining different materials or material densities. For example, the partition walls may incorporate stiffening ribs, hollow structures, or composite materials that provide high rigidity-to-weight ratios, enabling thinner partition walls that maintain structural strength while allowing higher nozzle density.
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 enhances the structural strength of the pressure chamber, reducing crosstalk and improving the control over ink droplet placement, thereby enhancing printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator for applying pressure to ink inside each pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head in which a flow path substrate having a communication hole communicating with a nozzle and a pressure chamber substrate having a space that is a pressure chamber are at least laminated includes: an actuator having an active section that is interposed between electrodes and applies pressure to the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber substrate has a first space positioned in a region corresponding to the active section and a second space positioned nearer to the nozzle than the first space and communicating with the first space among the spaces. The communication hole does not overlap with the first space and overlaps with at least a part of the second space in a lamination direction.