Liquid Jet Head Communication Path for Air Bubble Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid jet heads face issues with air bubbles adhering to the slits of the liquid supply chamber, preventing consistent liquid supply and ejection, as the flow path resistance of the ejection channels is high, making it difficult to discharge air bubbles effectively.

Innovation Solution

A liquid jet head design incorporating a communication path with lower flow path resistance than the ejection channels, positioned near the channel ends, allows air bubbles to be carried towards the supply chamber and removed through the discharge chamber, preventing adhesion and facilitating maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid is supplied through slits in the liquid supply chamber, then liquid can be distributed to multiple channels, but air bubbles adhere to the slits and block liquid supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid supply efficiencyVSAvoidejection consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the air bubble removal function from the main liquid supply path by providing a separate communication path. Air bubbles are taken out from the liquid supply chamber through this dedicated path before they can adhere to the slits and block liquid supply, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication path acts as an intermediary between the liquid supply chamber and the liquid discharge chamber. It provides a separate route that allows air bubbles to be removed without interfering with the main liquid supply function through the slits, resolving the conflict between liquid distribution efficiency and ejection consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If ejection channels have high flow path resistance to control liquid flow, then liquid ejection can be precisely controlled, but air bubbles cannot be discharged effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid ejection control precisionVSAvoidair bubble discharge ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the flow path into two distinct functions: the ejection channels maintain high flow path resistance for precise liquid ejection control, while the communication path provides a separate route with lower resistance specifically for air bubble discharge. This segmentation allows both precision control and easy air bubble removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the system have different flow path resistance characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The ejection channels have high resistance localized to them for precision control, while the communication path has lower resistance localized to it for easy air bubble discharge, resolving the contradiction between control precision and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If air bubbles are not removed, then liquid circulation continues, but nozzle clogging occurs and maintenance frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid circulation continuityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The communication path provides a preliminary action for air bubble removal before the air bubbles can travel to and clog the nozzles. By removing air bubbles early in the circulation path, the system maintains continuous liquid circulation while preventing nozzle clogging, thereby reducing maintenance frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ejection by preventing air bubble adhesion and easy removal, improving the ejection characteristics and reducing maintenance costs by minimizing liquid consumption and clogging.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric element (30) that deforms in accordance with an applied voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a communication path for bypassing the liquid from the liquid supply chamber to the liquid discharge chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS9085164B2Liquid jet head and liquid jet apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.07.21 SII PRINTEK INC

AI summary

A liquid jet head includes a flow path member having a supply port through which liquid is supplied and a discharge port through which the liquid is discharged, and a cover plate having a liquid supply chamber that communicates with the supply port and a liquid discharge chamber that communicates with the discharge port. An actuator substrate has a plurality of parallel channels that extend between the liquid supply chamber and the liquid discharge chamber and the channels communicate with respective nozzles formed in a nozzle plate. The flow path member, cover plate, actuator substrate and nozzle plate constitute a laminated structure. A communication path is provided in one or both of the cover plate and flow path member for bypassing the liquid from the liquid supply chamber to the liquid discharge chamber so that air bubbles trapped in the liquid can be effectively discharged to the outside.