Plasma Accelerated Liquid Ejecting Head for Airflow Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with airflow from the medium deflecting ink away from the target landing position, resulting in lower image quality due to the ejection of smaller droplets being more affected by transportation airflow.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejecting head incorporating a plasma generator with a first and second electrode, where an alternating voltage is applied to the first electrode to generate atmospheric-pressure plasma, accelerating the ink ejected through nozzles and improving landing accuracy by increasing ejection speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the liquid ejecting apparatus operates with conventional ejection methods, then the structure remains simple, but the image quality deteriorates due to airflow deflection of ejected liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical ejection methods with plasma-based acceleration. The plasma generator creates atmospheric-pressure plasma that accelerates liquid droplets without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for complex mechanical ejection mechanisms while improving landing accuracy by reducing airflow deflection effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the ejection environment by introducing plasma. By altering the medium from ordinary air to atmospheric-pressure plasma, the system achieves better liquid acceleration and reduced airflow interference, thereby improving manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If smaller droplets are ejected to improve resolution, then the image quality may improve, but the droplets are more affected by transportation airflow resulting in lower landing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding accuracyVSAvoidairflow impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plasma generator applies preliminary acceleration to the liquid droplets before they are affected by transportation airflow. By using plasma to pre-accelerate the droplets in a controlled environment, the system counteracts the subsequent harmful effect of airflow, ensuring better landing accuracy even for smaller droplets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The atmospheric-pressure plasma acts as an intermediary between the ejection source and the liquid droplets. This plasma medium facilitates controlled acceleration of the droplets, shielding them from direct airflow interference during the critical acceleration phase, thereby improving landing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional ejection is used without plasma, then the device complexity is lower, but foreign substances may enter the system and tailing phenomenon occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign substance preventionVSAvoidplasma generator components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical ejection systems with plasma-based acceleration. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact points that could allow foreign substance entry, while the plasma generator components, though added, operate without moving parts that could introduce contamination, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The atmospheric-pressure plasma creates a controlled environment around the ejection zone that prevents foreign substance contamination. The plasma field acts as a protective barrier, preventing external contaminants from entering the ejection system while maintaining device functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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

The plasma generator enhances ink ejection speed, reducing the impact of airflow on ink droplets, thereby improving landing accuracy and image quality while also potentially reducing foreign substance entry and preventing the 'tailing phenomenon'.

Implementation Method 1

an alternating voltage is applied to at least the first electrode to generate an atmospheric-pressure plasma around the first electrode. The atmospheric-pressure plasma accelerates the liquid ejected through the nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtmospheric-pressure plasma: Plasma

Data Source

PatentUS11787177B2Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting head includes a plasma generator which includes a first electrode and a second electrode and in which an alternating voltage is applied to at least the first electrode to generate an atmospheric-pressure plasma around the first electrode. The atmospheric-pressure plasma accelerates the liquid ejected through the nozzle. The first electrode is disposed on a surface of the nozzle substrate in the ejection direction. The second electrode is disposed opposite the first electrode in the ejection direction.