Fluid Ejection Die Nozzle Arrangement for Air Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid ejection dies face challenges in achieving accurate drop trajectory and placement due to air flow patterns generated by nozzle arrangements, which can disperse particles and reduce drop placement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of nozzles across the length and width of the die, with specific spacing and orientation, such as staggered and offset configurations, to control air flow patterns and minimize air disturbance during fluid drop ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If nozzles are arranged in a conventional configuration, then fluid ejection can occur, but air flow patterns are generated that disperse particles and reduce drop placement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting alternating rows of nozzles relative to each other, creating an asymmetric nozzle arrangement that disrupts the formation of coherent air flow patterns. This asymmetric configuration causes air flows from adjacent nozzles to interact in a way that reduces overall air flow disturbance and minimizes particle dispersion, thereby improving drop placement accuracy without requiring a complete redesign of the ejection system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful air flow disturbance into a beneficial effect by carefully designing the nozzle spacing and offset patterns. The air flows from offset nozzles are made to interact constructively, creating regions of reduced net air flow disturbance. This transforms what would normally be a harmful dispersing effect into a benefit that stabilizes the ejection environment and improves placement precision
2Quantity of substance
If nozzles are spaced closely to increase density, then more nozzles can fit on the die, but air flow disturbance increases and affects drop trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the contradiction by introducing a spatial offset dimension between alternating rows of nozzles. Instead of simply increasing nozzle density in a conventional grid pattern, the offset arrangement adds a dimensional variation that allows closer spacing while maintaining air flow stability. This dimensional approach enables higher nozzle counts without proportionally increasing air flow disturbance, as the offset pattern creates beneficial interference that mitigates the cumulative air flow effects
3Manufacturing precision
If nozzles are arranged in offset and staggered configurations, then air flow patterns are controlled and drop placement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the nozzle array into alternating rows with different offset patterns. Each row is segmented and positioned relative to its neighbors in a systematic way, creating manageable segments that can be independently optimized. This segmented approach to nozzle arrangement allows complex air flow control to be achieved through relatively simple, repeatable patterns, reducing the overall complexity compared to a completely customized nozzle layout
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Examples include a fluid ejection die having a die length and a die width. The fluid ejection die may include a plurality of nozzles arranged along the die length and a die width. The plurality of nozzles is arranged such that at least one pair of neighboring nozzles are positioned at different die width positions along the width of the fluid ejection die. The example fluid ejection die further includes a plurality of ejection chambers including a respective ejection chamber fluidically coupled to each respective nozzle. The fluid ejection die further includes an array of fluid feed holes. The array of fluid feed holes includes a first respective fluid feed hole fluidically coupled to each respective ejection chamber, and the array of fluid feed holes includes a second respective fluid feed hole fluidically coupled to each respective ejection chamber.