Inkjet Printhead Flared Outlets for Air Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed monochrome printing with Memjet printheads faces issues such as ink starvation and air bubble trapping due to labyrinthine ink pathways and stiff hydrostatic pressure management in the LCP manifold, leading to de-priming and inadequate ink flow.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printhead with an elongate fluid manifold featuring a truss structure and laterally flared outlets that facilitate high ink flow rates and bubble venting, along with a flexible film for dynamic pressure regulation, ensuring stable chip attachment and efficient ink distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If labyrinthine ink pathways are used in the LCP manifold, then multi-color printing capability is achieved, but ink flow rate decreases and air bubbles are trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is divided into separate dedicated channels for each color (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) rather than using shared labyrinthine pathways. Each color has its own direct ink supply channel from the reservoir to the printhead chips, eliminating cross-contamination and flow restrictions while maintaining multi-color capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension with stacked reservoirs positioned above the printhead chips, with ink flowing downward through direct vertical channels. This dimensional reorganization replaces the horizontal labyrinthine paths with direct vertical pathways, significantly reducing flow resistance and eliminating bubble trapping while preserving all color channels
2Stability of the object's composition
If air boxes are used for hydrostatic pressure management, then pressure fluctuations are dampened, but the system becomes too stiff to respond dynamically to high ink flow demand
Solution Approach 1:
The air boxes are completely removed from the system. Instead of using compressed air cushions for pressure management, the patent employs direct gravitational feed from vertically stacked reservoirs, allowing the ink column weight itself to provide stable yet dynamically responsive pressure without the compliance limitations of air boxes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure management mechanism from air-compliance-based (air boxes) to gravity-based (vertical ink columns). This parameter change allows the system to maintain stable hydrostatic pressure through the weight of the ink column while remaining dynamically responsive to flow demands, eliminating the stiffness problem inherent in air box systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple labyrinthine ink pathways are used, then five-color printing is enabled, but air bubbles are trapped and printhead chips become starved of ink
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is segmented into five independent vertical channels, one for each color, with dedicated reservoirs and direct pathways to the printhead chips. This segmentation eliminates the interconnected labyrinthine pathways where bubbles become trapped, ensuring reliable continuous supply to each color channel independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of vertical orientation (which could allow bubbles to rise and block channels) into a benefit by designing the channels with downward flow direction and strategic outlet positioning. The vertical channels with downward flow and outlets positioned at the bottom actually push bubbles away from the printhead chips, turning the gravity effect that could cause problems into a solution that actively removes bubbles from the system
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 solution provides a stable and efficient ink supply to printhead chips, minimizing de-priming and air bubble issues, while dynamically managing hydrostatic pressure for high-speed printing.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible film for dynamic pressure regulation, ensuring stable chip attachment and efficient ink distribution
Implementation Method 2
laterally flared outlets that facilitate high ink flow rates and bubble venting
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printhead includes: a fluid manifold having a base defining a plurality of fluid outlets and printhead chips attached to the base. Each printhead chip receives printing fluid from a set of the fluid outlets. All fluid outlets are flared with a respect to a width dimension of the printhead chips for facilitating removal of air bubbles.