Liquid Ejecting Head Vortex Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting systems, such as ink jet recording heads, face challenges in efficiently collecting and maintaining liquid near nozzles, leading to issues like increased viscosity and settling of components, which affect discharge efficiency and stability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pressurization chamber with a first flow path extending in one direction and a second flow path intersecting it, featuring a downstream first flow path close to the nozzle and an upstream first flow path closer to the pressurization chamber, with the central axis of the downstream flow path positioned further in the opposite direction than the upstream flow path, creating a vortex to efficiently direct ink flow and prevent retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a branched flow path is provided in the vicinity of the nozzles to circulate liquid, then viscosity increase caused by drying is suppressed, but liquid collection efficiency in the vicinity of the nozzles is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The first flow path is configured with a curved or inclined structure where the central axis of the downstream first flow path is positioned further in the third direction (opposite to the second direction) than the central axis of the upstream first flow path. This curvature creates a vortex flow that enhances liquid collection efficiency near the nozzles while maintaining viscosity stability through continuous circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path design introduces a three-dimensional configuration by positioning the central axes of the upstream and downstream first flow paths at different positions in the third direction. This dimensional change creates a vortex flow pattern that improves liquid collection efficiency without compromising viscosity stability.
2Reliability
If liquid is retained in the vicinity of the nozzles, then discharge stability is compromised due to increased viscosity and component settling, but improving liquid collection may disrupt flow stability
Solution Approach 1:
The curved configuration of the first flow path generates a vortex flow that continuously moves liquid through the nozzle vicinity, preventing retention and component settling. This vortex flow maintains discharge stability while efficiently collecting and replacing liquid, thus resolving the contradiction between collection efficiency and discharge stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path design ensures continuous liquid circulation through the nozzle area by creating a vortex flow pattern. This continuous action prevents liquid retention and maintains consistent discharge properties, achieving both high collection efficiency and stable discharge performance.
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 ink collection near the nozzles, reduces viscosity-related issues, and improves discharge stability and efficiency by ensuring continuous ink flow and replacement, preventing clogging and displacement of droplet landing positions.
Implementation Method 1
the first flow path includes a downstream first flow path close to the nozzle and an upstream first flow path closer to the pressurization chamber than the downstream first flow path, and a central axis of the downstream first flow path is positioned further in a third direction, which is an opposite direction from the second direction, than a central axis of the upstream first flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head having a supply port to which a liquid is supplied and a discharge port from which the liquid is discharged includes a pressurization chamber communicating with one of the supply port and the discharge port, a nozzle for discharging the liquid pressurized in the pressurization chamber, a first flow path extending in a first direction between the pressurization chamber and the nozzle, and a second flow path communicating with the other of the supply port and the discharge port, branching from the first flow path, and extending in a second direction that intersects the first direction. The first flow path includes a downstream first flow path close to the nozzle and an upstream first flow path closer to the pressurization chamber than the downstream first flow path, and a central axis of the downstream first flow path is positioned further in a third direction, which is an opposite direction from the second direction, than a central axis of the upstream first flow path.