Orifice Plate Beam Support for Liquid Ejection Head Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection heads, the density of ejection ports and smaller droplet sizes lead to weakened regions on the orifice plate, particularly where liquid supply and discharge ports are located, making the plate prone to damage during maintenance or operation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of beams extending from the common flow channel walls to support the orifice plate in regions facing the liquid supply and discharge ports, enhancing the mechanical strength without significantly affecting the flow of liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the density of ejection ports is increased and droplet size is reduced, then the printing resolution and quality are improved, but the mechanical strength of the orifice plate is weakened making it prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice plate is segmented into multiple regions with different structural characteristics. The plate includes reinforced regions with increased thickness or structural support positioned strategically to maintain strength, while other regions maintain the high-density ejection port configuration for printing quality. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both printing resolution and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice plate employs local quality enhancement by varying the thickness, material properties, or structural support in specific regions. Areas requiring high strength (such as near liquid supply channels or high-stress zones) are reinforced, while areas requiring high ejection density maintain the optimized port configuration. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall strength and local ejection performance.
2Strength
If pillars are added to the flow channel to enhance orifice plate strength, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the liquid flow and ejection performance are affected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding pillars that protrude into the flow channel, the reinforcement structure is extracted and repositioned to the boundaries or undersides of the orifice plate. The liquid supply channels are designed to flow along the edges or through dedicated pathways that do not intersect with the reinforced regions, thereby maintaining full flow rate while achieving structural strengthening.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement approach transitions from a two-dimensional pillar structure within the flow channel to a three-dimensional boundary reinforcement or underside support system. By moving the strengthening elements to different spatial dimensions (plate edges, undersides, or integrated boundary structures), the liquid flow path remains unobstructed while the orifice plate gains mechanical strength.
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 reduces stress on the orifice plate while maintaining favorable ejection performance, with a stress ratio improvement of 0.7 compared to traditional designs and a minimal 2% decrease in flow rate, ensuring stable and effective ink ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a beam is formed which extends in the second direction from a flow channel wall of the first common flow channel toward the first individual flow channels and supports the orifice plate in a region facing the first opening
Implementation Method 2
liquid supplied through the first opening passes through the first common flow channel and the first individual flow channels, is disposed in the pressure chambers, and is ejected from the ejection ports in response to an application of voltage to the respective energy generating element
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid ejection module capable of enhancing the strength of an orifice plate while achieving favorable ejection operation at each ejection port. To that end, the liquid ejection module includes a functional layer in which a plurality of energy generating elements are arranged, a flow channel forming layer in which pressure chambers, individual flow channels, and a common flow channel are formed, and an orifice plate having ejection ports formed therein. The functional layer, the flow channel forming layer and the orifice plate are stacked. In the flow channel forming layer, a beam is formed, extending from a flow channel wall of the common flow channel toward the individual flow channels and supporting the orifice plate in a region facing a first opening.