Liquid Jet Head Parallel Cooling Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid jet systems require complex assembly and multiple components for cooling, including dedicated cooling liquids and tubes, which complicates the setup and increases the number of components needed for efficient heat management, particularly for the IC drive chip and PZT substrate.
Innovation Solution
The liquid jet head incorporates a dual flow path system where the supplied liquid is divided into a supply flow path and a cooling flow path, allowing the liquid to flow through both paths in parallel, with the cooling flow path integrated into the circuit board and substrate, using the ejection liquid for cooling without additional dedicated cooling liquids or tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If dedicated cooling liquid and cooling tubes are used to cool the head portion, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid circulation system performs dual functions: it supplies liquid to be ejected and simultaneously cools the head portion. The single liquid circulation tube carries liquid that is divided into a supply flow path and a cooling flow path, eliminating the need for separate cooling tubes and dedicated cooling liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the cooling function with the liquid supply function by using the same liquid circulation tube for both purposes. The cooling flow path and supply flow path are integrated within the head portion, combining what would traditionally be separate systems into one unified structure.
2Temperature
If multiple cooling tubes and coupling portions are used, then cooling capability is improved, but ease of operation and assembly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooling tubes are merged into a single liquid circulation tube that serves both cooling and liquid supply functions. The coupling portions are reduced to a single connection point, simplifying the assembly process and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid circulation tube performs multiple functions simultaneously: it supplies liquid to be ejected, provides cooling to the head portion, and provides cooling to the circuit portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate tubes and coupling portions.
3Temperature
If separate cooling systems are used for head portion and circuit portion, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow is segmented into different paths within the head portion: a supply flow path that supplies liquid to be ejected and a cooling flow path that cools the head portion. This segmentation allows precise temperature control while using a single liquid circulation tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The single liquid circulation system serves multiple temperature control needs: it cools the head portion through the cooling flow path and cools the circuit portion through the circuit cooling flow path, maintaining temperature control precision without requiring separate cooling systems.
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 simplifies the assembly and reduces the number of components required, efficiently cooling the circuit portion while using the ejection liquid for both cooling and operation, thereby stabilizing the head portion's temperature and improving the accuracy of pressure control.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling flow path 11 which allows liquid to flow therethrough; liquid flows through the cooling flow path 11... efficiently cooling the circuit portion
Implementation Method 2
a driver element which drives the pressure chamber... generates pressure waves in liquid filled in the pressure chamber using a piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric body
Implementation Method 3
heats a heat generator provided in the pressure chamber to generate air bubbles in liquid filled in the pressure chamber and ejects liquid droplets by pressure waves generated along with the generation of the air bubbles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A liquid jet head includes: a head portion including a supply flow path configured to allow liquid supplied from the outside to flow therethrough, a pressure chamber communicating with the supply flow path, a driver element configured to drive the pressure chamber, and a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber, the head portion being configured to eject liquid droplets through the nozzle; a circuit portion configured to supply a drive waveform to the driver element; and a cooling portion including a cooling flow path configured to allow the liquid to flow therethrough, the cooling portion being coupled and fixed to the circuit portion, wherein the liquid flows through the supply flow path and through the cooling flow path in parallel.