Liquid Discharge Head Positioning Structure for Nozzle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharge heads face issues with positional shifts between the nozzle plate and the channel member, leading to deteriorated sealability and discharge performance due to concentricity shifts between the needle valve and the nozzle, which are exacerbated by thermal expansion during diffusion bonding.
Innovation Solution
A positioning structure is implemented using a positioning member and fixing member to secure the nozzle plate to the channel member through diffusion bonding, ensuring a predetermined gap and alignment, thereby preventing positional shifts and maintaining concentricity between the needle valve and nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If diffusion bonding is performed to join the nozzle plate and channel member, then bonding strength is improved, but thermal expansion causes concentricity shifts and positional misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning holes are formed in the nozzle plate and channel member before diffusion bonding to establish precise alignment. The positioning structure is prepared in advance to guide the relative positioning of components during assembly, ensuring concentricity is maintained before the bonding process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning structure consisting of positioning holes and positioning pins acts as an intermediary element between the nozzle plate and channel member. This positioning structure mediates the alignment during assembly and bonding, preventing thermal expansion from causing concentricity shifts by constraining the relative movement of the two components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the nozzle plate is firmly fixed to the channel member, then positional stability is improved, but thermal expansion during bonding causes deformation and sealability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning structure is segmented into multiple positioning holes distributed across the nozzle plate and channel member. This segmentation allows for controlled positioning at multiple points, maintaining stability while accommodating thermal expansion forces without causing concentrated stress that would lead to deformation and sealability issues.
3Manufacturing precision
If positioning holes are formed in the nozzle plate and channel member, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning holes are merged with the existing nozzle plate and channel member structures during diffusion bonding. The positioning structure is integrated into the bonded assembly rather than being a separate component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining alignment precision through the unified positioning system.
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 enhances the sealing performance and discharge consistency by maintaining precise alignment, reducing variations in droplet speed and amount, and preventing deformation during thermal expansion, thus ensuring reliable liquid discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a positioning member inserted through a first positioning hole and a second positioning hole in a first direction to position the nozzle plate relative to the channel member; and a fixing member inserted through the communication hole in a second direction, the fixing member pressing, in the second direction, an outer peripheral surface of the positioning member into contact with an inner peripheral surface of at least one of the first positioning hole or the second positioning hole
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle plate is joined to the channel member
Implementation Method 3
concentricity shifts between the needle valve and the nozzle, which are exacerbated by thermal expansion during diffusion bonding
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head includes: a nozzle from which a liquid is dischargeable in a first direction; and a first positioning hole in the first direction; a channel member on the nozzle plate having: a channel communicating with the nozzle; a second positioning hole in the first direction; and a communication hole on an outer peripheral surface of the channel member, the communication hole in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a positioning member inserted through the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole in the first direction to position the nozzle plate relative to the channel member; and a fixing member inserted through the communication hole in the second direction.