Nozzle Outlet Offset Layout for Accurate Ink Droplet Landing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge heads suffer from landing position deviations of ink droplets due to manufacturing errors and airflow interference, particularly in the end regions of nozzle arrays, leading to image quality issues such as white or black streaks.
Innovation Solution
The nozzle design incorporates a shift in the center lines of the nozzle inlet and outlet cross-sections, with increasing shift amounts from the central nozzles to the end nozzles, aligning with a continuous and symmetrical configuration to minimize pressure deviations and airflow interference, thereby correcting landing position deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle center lines are aligned without shift, then the manufacturing process is simple, but landing position deviations occur due to manufacturing errors and airflow interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally introducing a controlled shift between the nozzle inlet center line and outlet center line. This asymmetric configuration compensates for manufacturing errors and airflow interference, improving landing position accuracy. The shift amount varies depending on the nozzle's position in the array, with end nozzles having larger shifts than central nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different shift amounts to different nozzles based on their positions in the array. Central nozzles have smaller or zero shifts, while end nozzles have larger shifts. This localized differentiation optimizes landing position accuracy for each specific nozzle location without uniformly complicating the entire nozzle structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the shift amount increases from central to end nozzles, then landing position deviations are corrected, but the nozzle design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the shift amount parameter across different nozzle positions. The shift amount is changed from zero or small values at central nozzles to larger values at end nozzles. This controlled parameter variation corrects discharge accuracy while maintaining a systematic design that can be manufactured using standardized processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If symmetric nozzle configuration is used, then manufacturing is easier, but airflow interference causes landing position deviations at end regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry into the otherwise symmetric nozzle array configuration. By shifting the outlet center line relative to the inlet center line, particularly for end nozzles, the design compensates for airflow interference patterns that would otherwise cause landing position deviations. This controlled asymmetry maintains ease of manufacture while improving precision.
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 design enhances discharge accuracy by reducing landing position deviations, maintaining consistent dot pitches, and preventing image quality deterioration, such as white or black streaks, while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator element is disposed on the diaphragm to deform the diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle substrate, an actuator substrate, a diaphragm, and an actuator element. The nozzle substrate has multiple nozzles arrayed in an array direction on a nozzle face to discharge a liquid from the multiple nozzles. Each of the multiple nozzles has a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet downstream of the nozzle inlet. The nozzle inlet has a first cross-sectional area and a first center line at a center of the nozzle inlet. The nozzle outlet has a second cross-sectional area and a second center line at a center of the nozzle outlet. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second center line is shifted from the first center line in the array direction for a shift amount that gradually increases from a center of the multiple nozzles toward each end of the multiple nozzles.