Single Printhead Die With Columnar Fluid Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems require separate printhead dies for black and color inks due to differing throughput requirements, leading to increased costs and complexity, as well as potential alignment and servicing challenges.
Innovation Solution
A single printhead die with a columnar arrangement of fluid slots, where the black fluid slot covers approximately 90% of the printhead die length and color fluid slots are shorter, allowing for efficient ink ejection and reduced material usage, while maintaining structural integrity and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate black and color printhead dies are employed, then throughput requirements for each color can be optimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines black and color ink ejection capabilities into a single printhead die. The printhead die includes a black fluid slot and color fluid slots arranged in a columnar configuration, allowing both black and color inks to be ejected through the same printhead assembly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining optimized throughput for each color.
Solution Approach 2:
The single printhead die is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both black and color fluid slots. This universal printhead can handle different ink types (black and color) through its columnar arrangement of fluid slots, eliminating the need for separate specialized printheads for each ink type.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate black and color printhead dies are used, then each can be optimized for its specific ink type, but alignment issues and servicing challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
By merging black and color ejection capabilities into one printhead die, the patent eliminates alignment issues between separate printheads. The columnar arrangement of fluid slots within a single die ensures precise spatial relationship between black and color nozzles, simplifying both manufacturing and servicing operations.
3Productivity
If color swath heights are shorter than black swath heights, then color throughput requirements are met, but material usage and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different fluid slot lengths within the same printhead die. The black fluid slot extends across a greater length of the printhead die compared to the color fluid slots, allowing each slot type to be optimized for its specific throughput requirements while using material efficiently only where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A printhead assembly is provided, the printhead assembly including a printhead die, a black fluid slot formed in the printhead die to deliver black printing fluid, and a color fluid slot formed in the printhead die to deliver color printing fluid.