Needle Valve Sealing Member Deformation for Liquid Discharge Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge heads face challenges with sealing members, such as O-rings, which generate sliding resistance and are difficult to assemble due to axial misalignment and inclination, leading to fluctuating discharge performance.
Innovation Solution
The liquid discharge head incorporates a sealing member held by the needle valve and the housing, with a design that allows for deformation and compression, reducing sliding resistance and enhancing sealing performance by maintaining stability during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member such as an O-ring is disposed between the needle valve and the liquid chamber to prevent ink from flowing into the nozzle opening-closing driver, then sealing performance is improved, but sliding resistance increases and assembly becomes difficult due to axial misalignment and inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the needle valve assembly and integrated into the housing structure. The groove for receiving the sealing member is formed directly in the housing, separating the sealing function from the moving needle valve components, which eliminates assembly alignment issues while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-formed with a groove structure that guides and positions the sealing member before assembly. This preliminary structuring of the housing ensures proper alignment and reduces assembly difficulty by providing built-in positioning features that prevent axial misalignment.
2Reliability
If a sealing member such as an O-ring is disposed between the needle valve and the liquid chamber to prevent ink from flowing into the nozzle opening-closing driver, then sealing performance is improved, but sliding resistance increases during needle valve movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing interface is extracted from the moving needle valve and relocated to the stationary housing. The groove in the housing provides a fixed sealing surface that does not move with the needle valve, eliminating the sliding friction that would occur between a sealing member on the moving valve and the liquid chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the sealing member on the moving needle valve (traditional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the sealing groove in the stationary housing. This reversal of the sealing location transforms the sealing interface from a sliding contact to a stationary contact, reducing friction.
3Ease of operation
If the needle valve is made movable to control liquid discharge, then discharge control is improved, but axial misalignment and inclination occur leading to fluctuating discharge performance
Solution Approach 1:
The mover acts as an intermediary component that provides a precise guiding mechanism for the needle valve. By introducing this intermediate guiding structure, the needle valve's movement is constrained and controlled, preventing axial misalignment and inclination while maintaining the necessary movability for discharge control.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding structure in the mover is pre-configured to establish proper alignment of the needle valve before movement occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that the needle valve moves along the correct trajectory, preventing inclination and maintaining consistent discharge performance throughout operation.
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 stabilizes the needle valve's movement, reduces axial misalignment, and improves discharge performance by minimizing sliding resistance and ensuring consistent sealing, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the liquid discharge process.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing member is deformable in the discharge direction in accordance with the movement of the needle valve
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle plate, a needle valve, a mover, a housing, and a sealing member. The needle valve includes a first part having a diameter and a second part having a diameter smaller than the first part. The second part has a leading end contactable with a nozzle to close the nozzle. The needle valve is movable between a position to open the nozzle and a position to close the nozzle. The mover moves the needle valve. The housing has a side wall, a bottom wall, and a liquid chamber communicating with the nozzle. The side wall and the bottom wall define a container containing the mover. The sealing member is disposed between the first part of the needle valve and the bottom wall to seal the container from the liquid chamber. The sealing member is deformable in accordance with the movement of the needle valve.