Liquid Ejection Head Substrate With Dummy Arrays for Droplet Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face challenges in maintaining uniform droplet volume and high-definition printing due to variations in the dimensions and shapes of functional elements at the end portions of the element arrays, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a liquid ejection head substrate with a plurality of element arrays and dummy functional element arrays arranged along the array direction, where the dummy functional elements are not electrically driven, helping to maintain uniformity in the dimensions and shapes of functional elements, thereby enhancing printing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If functional elements are arranged into arrays at both end portions of element arrays, then the functional elements are affected by circulation of etchant, but the shapes of functional elements become non-uniform, causing decrease in printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
A dummy functional element is introduced as an intermediary between the etchant circulation path and the actual functional elements. This dummy element absorbs the harmful effect of etchant circulation, protecting the real functional elements from shape distortion while maintaining the benefits of having functional elements at both ends of the array for etchant circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
A dummy functional element that replicates the structure and position of a real functional element is placed at the end portion of the element array. This copy serves the same protective function without being electrically driven, preventing etchant from affecting the actual functional elements' shapes while maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If dummy functional elements are arranged at end portions of element arrays, then uniformity of functional elements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy functional element is designed to be homogeneous in structure with the real functional elements, using the same materials and geometric configuration. This ensures that the dummy element provides effective protection against etchant circulation while maintaining manufacturing precision, and the structural uniformity simplifies the fabrication process despite the increased number of elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head substrate is installed in a liquid ejection head that has a plurality of ejection nozzles for ejecting liquid. The liquid ejection head substrate includes: a plurality of element arrays configured with a plurality of functional elements which correspond to the ejection nozzles and are arranged into the plurality of element arrays placed side by side in an arrangement direction (the X direction) which intersects with an array direction (the Y direction) of the functional elements; and a dummy functional element array configured with a plurality of dummy functional elements which are not electrically driven and are arranged into the dummy functional element array along the array direction (the Y direction). The dummy functional element array is arranged at a side of the plurality of element arrays with respect to the arrangement direction (the X direction).