Liquid Discharge Head Common Chamber Layout for Nozzle Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge heads face challenges in maintaining uniform liquid temperature across nozzles due to heat generation from drive circuits, leading to variations in discharge amounts and potential crosstalk between pressure chambers.
Innovation Solution
The liquid discharge head incorporates a common chamber substrate with extension portions that facilitate heat transfer in the Y direction, reducing temperature differences between short-distance and long-distance pressure chambers, and includes a circulation system to uniformize liquid temperature and prevent crosstalk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a drive circuit is provided at one end of the pressure chamber substrate, then the drive circuit can be integrated with the liquid discharge head, but temperature differences occur in the common chamber causing non-uniform liquid discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common chamber into multiple regions (first region near the drive circuit, second region at the center, third region at the other end) and introduces separate liquid supply paths for each region. This segmentation allows independent temperature control and liquid supply for each region, compensating for the temperature gradient caused by the drive circuit's heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different liquid supply paths with different liquid temperatures to different regions of the common chamber. Specifically, the first liquid supply path provides liquid at a first temperature to the first region, the second liquid supply path provides liquid at a second temperature to the second region, and the third liquid supply path provides liquid at a third temperature to the third region. This localized temperature control compensates for the non-uniform temperature distribution caused by the drive circuit.
2Power
If heat is generated in the common chamber, then the drive circuit can operate, but liquid discharge amounts vary across nozzles due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the supplied liquid for different regions of the common chamber. By adjusting the liquid temperature in each region (first temperature for the first region, second temperature for the second region, third temperature for the third region), the system compensates for the temperature rise caused by drive circuit operation, thereby maintaining uniform liquid discharge amounts across all nozzles.
3Device complexity
If liquid is supplied to a single common chamber, then the structure is simple, but crosstalk occurs between pressure chambers due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid supply system into multiple independent paths (first liquid supply path, second liquid supply path, third liquid supply path) that feed different regions of the common chamber. This segmentation prevents pressure waves and temperature variations from propagating uniformly across the entire common chamber, thereby reducing crosstalk between adjacent pressure chambers while maintaining the integrated common chamber structure.
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 ensures consistent liquid discharge amounts across nozzles by minimizing temperature variations and preventing crosstalk, enhancing printing quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an extension portion extending from a first region to a second region in the first direction in the common chamber
Implementation Method 2
a heat generator at one side of the common chamber in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head includes: a nozzle plate having multiple nozzles to discharge a liquid, the multiple nozzles arrayed in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; a pressure chamber substrate on the nozzle plate, the pressure chamber substrate having multiple pressure chambers respectively communicating with the multiple nozzles; multiple actuators, respectively disposed at the multiple nozzles, in the nozzle plate, the multiple actuators to respectively discharge the liquid in the multiple pressure chambers from the multiple nozzles; and a common chamber substrate on the pressure chamber substrate, the common chamber substrate having a common chamber communicating with each of the multiple pressure chambers; a heat generator at one side of the common chamber in the first direction; and a first region in a vicinity of the heat generator in the common chamber in the first direction.