Liquid-jet Head Compliance Plate Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet recording heads face challenges in reducing size while maintaining ink ejection characteristics, as compliance issues arise from pressure-generating chamber interactions and ink storage introduction, which deteriorate ink ejection and prevent efficient mounting of drive circuits.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a passage-forming substrate with pressure-generating chambers, a protection plate, a compliance plate, and a flexible portion to reduce compliance and size, with the compliance plate sealing the reservoir and covering the introducing path to minimize stress fluctuations during ink ejection, and allows for the drive circuit to be mounted separately from the protection plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the communicating portion is provided on the ends of pressure-generating chambers in the longitudinal direction, then the reservoir is formed, but the size of the ink-jet recording head becomes large in the longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
The communicating portion is configured to extend in the shorter-side direction rather than the longitudinal direction, changing the orientation of the fluid communication path from longitudinal to transverse, thereby reducing the longitudinal footprint while maintaining reservoir functionality
2Length of stationary object
If the reservoir is provided on a region facing the piezoelectric element holding portion, then the size is reduced in the longitudinal direction, but ink ejection characteristics are deteriorated by compliance from adjacent pressure-generating chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The communicating portion is divided into multiple separate segments, each communicating with individual pressure-generating chambers, preventing compliance propagation between adjacent chambers while maintaining independent ink supply to each chamber
3Volume of stationary object
If the reservoir is compactly arranged, then size is reduced, but compliance occurs during ink introduction from storage, negatively influencing ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The communicating portion is designed with localized flexibility or compliance characteristics in specific regions to accommodate volume changes during ink introduction, while other regions maintain rigidity to prevent compliance during ejection, creating spatially differentiated mechanical properties
4Adaptability or versatility
If the drive circuit is mounted on the reservoir forming plate, then integration is improved, but a compliance plate cannot be arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The drive circuit is separated from the reservoir forming plate and mounted on a separate substrate or carrier, allowing the compliance plate to be independently positioned and configured between the reservoir and pressure-generating chambers without interference from circuit mounting
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 configuration enhances ink ejection properties by reducing compliance and size, improving liquid jet performance and simplifying manufacturing processes by eliminating the need for ink-resistant adhesives and bonding wires.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure-generating element is provided in a region facing the pressure-generating chamber on the side of a first surface of the passage-forming substrate
Implementation Method 2
The flexible portion is provided in a region, facing the reservoir, of the compliance plate, which region covers at least from a part facing the through hole to a part surrounding the introducing path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid-jet head has a passage-forming substrate with an individual path including a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle orifice which ejects a liquid. The head also has a pressure-generating element, a protection plate, a reservoir, a compliance plate, a through hole, an introducing path, and a flexible portion with flexibility in a region of the compliance plate, the region facing the reservoir, which region covers at least from a part facing the through hole to a part surrounding the introducing path.