Liquid Ejection Head With Discharge-Side Thermal Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face issues with thermal deformation due to temperature differences between the supply and discharge sides of the flow path, leading to potential image quality deterioration, and existing solutions like heat sinks and heat pipes increase size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design with a support member featuring a supply port near one end and a discharge port near the other end, allowing for thermal deformation compensation through movable fixation points, without additional heat radiation components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat radiation members (heat sink, heat pipe) are added to prevent thermal deformation, then image quality deterioration is suppressed, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid circulation system performs thermal management functionally through its own operation. The liquid absorbs heat from the drive element and transports it to the discharge port, utilizing the existing circulation mechanism rather than requiring separate heat radiation components. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional heat sink or heat pipe members.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat generated by the drive element, which was previously considered harmful causing thermal deformation, is converted into a beneficial cooling effect. The liquid absorbs this heat and transports it away from the element substrate, utilizing the harmful thermal energy to prevent overheating of other components.
2Volume of moving object
If the liquid ejection head is designed with compact structure, then device size is reduced, but thermal deformation compensation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with movable fixation parts that can dynamically adjust their position. The first fixation part can move in the first direction (length direction) and the second fixation part can move in the second direction (width direction), allowing the structure to compensate for thermal deformation while maintaining a compact overall size.
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 design suppresses image quality deterioration by allowing thermal deformation compensation, maintaining print quality without increasing size or cost through additional components.
Implementation Method 1
the heat generated in the print element substrate and a drive element is transferred to the liquid flowing in the flow paths and transferred to the flow paths via the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the temperature on the discharge side of the flow path member is higher than that on the supply side. As a result, there has been a risk that the printed image quality will deteriorate due to thermal deformation of a member in the liquid ejection head
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration in image quality without adding a member for heat radiation is to be provided. Therefore, in the liquid ejection head that ejects a circulating liquid, the second engagement part formed on the discharge port side has an elongated hole shape extending in the arrow B direction so as to support the liquid ejection unit support member in such a manner capable of allowing the thermal deformation.