Liquid Ejection Head Separation Wall Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection systems face challenges in separating and collecting different liquids flowing through a liquid flow passage, as the interface between these liquids is often displaced during ejection operations, making it difficult to manage the flow of each liquid through separate outflow ports.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a liquid ejection head with multiple liquid ejection modules and a control system that allows for the separation and collection of different liquids by using a separation wall and controlling the flow rates and viscosities of the liquids to maintain laminar flows and stable interfaces within the pressure chamber, ensuring that each liquid is directed to its respective outflow port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple types of liquids are flowed through a liquid flow passage with a single outflow port, then the ejection function is achieved, but the separation and collection of different liquids becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single outflow port is divided into multiple outflow ports, with each port dedicated to a specific liquid type. This segmentation allows different liquids to be ejected through separate ports while maintaining their flow paths through the liquid flow passage, thus achieving both ejection functionality and liquid separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the liquid flow passage are assigned different functions: the main passage handles mixed liquid flow for ejection, while separate collection passages handle the collection of specific liquids. The outflow ports are positioned and configured with local quality differences to direct specific liquids to specific ports based on their flow characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the interface between different liquids is allowed to move during ejection operations, then the ejection flexibility is improved, but the stability of liquid separation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the interface between different liquids to move dynamically during ejection operations to maintain ejection flexibility. The liquid flow passage and collection passages are configured to accommodate this interface movement while ensuring that each liquid type still reaches its designated collection port through separate flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Separate collection passages act as intermediaries between the main liquid flow passage and the collection containers. These intermediary passages receive specific liquids from the main passage and transport them to collection containers, ensuring stable separation even when the liquid interface moves during ejection.
3Productivity
If separate outflow ports are provided for different liquids, then the collection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple collection passages are merged into a single liquid flow passage system, allowing different liquids to be collected through separate ports while sharing common structural elements. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity compared to providing completely separate collection systems for each liquid type.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid flow passage serves multiple functions: it acts as both the ejection channel and the collection channel for different liquids. The same passage structure is used for both ejection and collection operations, reducing the need for additional dedicated passages and thereby lowering device complexity.
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 approach enables efficient separation and collection of liquids, improving the yield and reducing costs by allowing for the replacement of faulty modules, while maintaining stable ejection performance and preventing mixing of liquids during the ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
cause the bubbling medium to generate a bubble by using a heat generation element
Implementation Method 2
controlling the flow rates and viscosities of the liquids to maintain laminar flows
Data Source
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AI summary
In a case where a direction of ejection of a second liquid (32) is a direction from bottom to top, the second liquid (32) flows above a first liquid (31) in a pressure chamber (18). A substrate (15) includes a first outflow port (25) located downstream of the pressure chamber (18) in a direction of flow of the first liquid (31) and configured to allow the first liquid to flow out of a liquid flow passage (13). There is provided a wall (41) located in the liquid flow passage (13) and on a section of the substrate (15) on a side opposite to the pressure chamber (18) across the first outflow port (25), the wall (41) including a portion located higher than a surface of a section of the substrate (15) where the pressure chamber (18) is located on a side opposite to the wall across the first outflow port.