Liquid Ejecting Head Seal Member Retaining Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting head units, such as ink jet recording head units, face issues with seal member deformation causing repelling forces that can lead to separation of components and warping of the liquid ejection surface, resulting in ink leakage and misalignment of droplets on the medium.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head unit configuration with a first and second flow path member, where the second flow path member applies a force normal to the seal member, and a retaining part controls the seal member's expansion to maintain adhesion and prevent leakage, allowing for a simple assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member made of elastic material is interposed between upstream and downstream flow path members to hermetically seal connecting parts, then liquid leakage is suppressed, but the seal member generates repelling forces that cause separation of components and warping of the liquid ejection surface
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the seal member and the downstream flow path member. The support member receives and distributes the repelling force generated by the elastic seal member, preventing this force from being transmitted to the liquid ejection surface. This mediator structure maintains the sealing function while eliminating the harmful warping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameter distribution by introducing a support member with specific structural properties (rigidity, geometry) that alter how forces are transmitted through the assembly. The support member's design parameters are optimized to absorb radial expansion forces while maintaining proper sealing pressure, thus changing the force distribution parameters to prevent component separation and surface warping.
2Ease of manufacture
If a tubular seal member is used to press the first flow path radially and the second flow path perpendicularly, then assembly is simplified, but the seal member may expand under pressure causing decreased adhesion and ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a control part that actively manages the expansion parameter of the seal member under pressure. By designing the control part with specific geometric constraints and mechanical properties, the seal member's radial expansion is limited to acceptable levels, preventing adhesion loss and leakage while maintaining the simple assembly process enabled by the tubular seal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control part acts as a mediator between the pressurized liquid and the seal member structure. It provides a controlled interface that allows necessary sealing pressure transmission while restraining excessive radial expansion, thus maintaining reliable adhesion between the seal member and flow paths during operation.
3Reliability
If the seal member applies force vertically to the liquid ejection surface, then connecting parts are sealed, but the liquid ejection surface becomes warped causing misalignment of ink droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that intercepts the vertical force from the seal member before it reaches the liquid ejection surface. This intermediate structure transforms the force transmission path, allowing sealing to occur without transmitting warping forces to the precision-critical ejection surface, thereby maintaining droplet placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the force transmission function from the ejection function by introducing a dedicated support member. The seal member's sealing function is separated from its unintended warping effect, with the support member handling the mechanical force transmission while the liquid ejection surface remains isolated from these forces, preserving its flatness and precision.
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 configuration reduces the risk of ink leakage and allows for precise alignment of droplets, maintaining the integrity of the liquid ejection surface and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a seal member made of an elastic material, such as a rubber sheet, is interposed between the upstream and downstream flow path members in order to suppress the ink from leaking from the connecting parts of the upstream and downstream flow paths
Implementation Method 2
a retaining part that controls expansion of the seal member in the normal direction by a force
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head unit includes a first flow path member with a first flow path and a second flow path member with a second flow path which is stacked on the first flow path member. A seal member connects the first and second flow paths and has a first seal part and a second seal part. The first flow path member applies a force to the first seal part in a stacking direction of the first and second flow path members. The second flow path member applies a force to the second seal part in a direction from the center of the second flow path to the outside and normal to the stacking direction. A retaining part controls expansion of the seal member in the normal direction with a control part. A drive element ejects liquid supplied through the first and the second flow paths through nozzles.