Liquid Jet Head Single Inflow Port Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inkjet printer configurations face challenges in reducing the size of the jet module while maintaining efficient ink supply and heat management, as they require separate inflow ports for each head chip, leading to increased component count and pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A liquid jet head configuration where a single inflow port supplies ink to multiple head chips through a communication flow channel, with the first flow channel member supporting both head chips and the drive board, allowing for heat radiation and temperature control, thus reducing the overall size and component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate inflow ports are provided for each head chip, then independent ink supply is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inflow ports are merged into a single common inflow port, and multiple separate ink supply paths are combined into a shared flow channel system. The manifold is designed with a common inlet that distributes ink to multiple head chips through shared flow channels, reducing the number of separate inflow ports and associated components while maintaining independent supply capability to each head chip.
2Reliability
If separate inflow ports are provided for each head chip, then ink supply independence is maintained, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate components (inflow ports, manifolds, flow channels) are merged into an integrated manifold assembly. The design combines what would traditionally be separate ink supply systems into a unified structure where a single manifold with a common inlet serves multiple head chips, thereby reducing the total number of components while maintaining the functional independence of each head chip's ink supply.
3Ease of operation
If separate inflow ports are provided for each head chip, then individual ink flow control is achieved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate flow paths are merged into a shared flow channel system within the manifold. By consolidating the ink supply paths, the total length of flow channels is reduced, and fewer connections are required, which minimizes pressure loss while the manifold internal structure maintains the ability to distribute ink to each head chip as needed.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple head chips are mounted on one jet module, then high-resolution printing is enabled, but the jet module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple head chips are arranged in a compact three-dimensional configuration on the jet module. The shared flow channel system allows the head chips to be positioned closely together in multiple dimensions, enabling high-resolution printing capability through multiple nozzles while maintaining a compact overall module size by utilizing spatial efficiency in the flow distribution design.
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 enables a compact design with reduced pressure loss, improved heat management, and consistent inkjet characteristics across head chips, enhancing print quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first flow channel member supports a drive board adapted to drive any of the first head chip and the second head chip
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided a liquid jet head and a liquid jet device capable of achieving reduction in size. There are included a first head chip and a second head chip stacked on one another in the Y direction, a first flow channel member disposed on the -Y direction side of the first head chip, and having an inflow port communicated with an ink tank, and a first ink flow channel adapted to communicate the inflow port and the first head chip with each other, a second flow channel member disposed on the +Y direction of the second head chip, and having a second ink flow channel communicated with the second head chip, and a communication flow channel located between the first flow channel member and the second flow channel member, and adapted to communicate the first ink flow channel and the second ink flow channel with each other.