Liquid Ejecting Head Throttle Flow Path Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting technologies face challenges in securing a sufficient region for the piezoelectric element within a vibration plate and achieving high precision in flow path characteristics, such as flow path resistance, due to limitations in the design and manufacturing methods of the ink supply path and throttle flow path.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head configuration that includes a pressure chamber, a nozzle, a vibration plate with a piezoelectric element, and a throttle flow path formed along the vibration plate, where the throttle flow path is created on a flow path substrate with a projecting section that opposes the vibration plate, allowing for precise formation and reducing the risk of damage from vibration-induced stress. This configuration also includes a pressure chamber with multiple spaces to increase capacity and control pressure variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a piezoelectric element is formed so as not to overlap with the ink supply path in planar view, then the ink supply path can be formed, but the region where the piezoelectric element is formed within the vibration plate is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply path is configured to extend in the thickness direction (perpendicular to the vibration plate surface) rather than only in the planar direction. This vertical arrangement allows the piezoelectric element to occupy the full active area of the vibration plate in planar view while the ink supply path passes through the thickness direction, effectively resolving the spatial conflict between these two components.
2Ease of manufacture
If a through hole is formed using a punch method, then the throttle flow path can be formed, but errors occur at the position and inner diameter of the through hole
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical punch method is replaced with a laser drilling method to form the through hole in the throttle flow path. Laser drilling provides superior positioning accuracy and diameter control compared to mechanical punching, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward single-step process. This substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving both manufacturability and high precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If the throttle flow path is formed perpendicular to the vibration plate, then the flow path can be created, but flow path characteristics cannot be realized with high precision
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle flow path is configured to extend in the planar direction parallel to the vibration plate surface rather than perpendicular to it. This dynamic reorientation allows for precise control of the flow path length and cross-sectional area, enabling accurate realization of the desired flow path resistance characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard fabrication techniques.
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 enhances the precision of flow path characteristics, increases the amount of ink ejection, and reduces the risk of damage to components by forming the throttle flow path between the flow path substrate and the vibration plate, allowing for more precise and efficient ink ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element is formed where the pressure inside the pressure chamber is varied
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head is equipped with a pressure chamber which is filled with ink, a nozzle which is linked to the pressure chamber, a vibration plate which includes an active section where a piezoelectric element is formed where the pressure inside the pressure chamber is varied, and a throttle flow path where at least a portion of which opposes the vibration plate while ink flows in the Y direction along the vibration plate.