Inkjet Printhead Flared Outlets and Flexible Film
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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 fluid 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 bubble trapping increases
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, eliminating cross-contamination and flow restrictions while maintaining multi-color capability
Solution Approach 2:
The ink pathways are redesigned to extend in the longitudinal dimension of the manifold rather than using tortuous lateral paths. This dimensional change allows direct, short ink supply routes that maintain high flow rates while still distributing ink to all printhead locations
2Stability of the object's composition
If air boxes are used for hydrostatic pressure dampening, then pressure fluctuations are reduced, but system compliance decreases and dynamic response becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible diaphragm membrane is introduced as a new component to provide hydrostatic pressure compliance. The diaphragm acts as a flexible barrier that can dynamically expand and contract to absorb pressure surges while maintaining system responsiveness, replacing the stiff air box structure with a compliant flexible element
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrostatic compliance parameter is changed from fixed (air boxes) to variable (flexible diaphragm). The diaphragm's compliance can dynamically adjust based on pressure conditions, providing optimal balance between stability and response speed by changing its physical state rather than relying on fixed-volume air compression
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple labyrinthine ink pathways are used, then ink distribution to multiple colors is achieved, but ink starvation occurs at high print speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The ink distribution system is segmented into independent dedicated channels for each color, eliminating the shared tortuous pathways that cause flow competition. Each color receives ink through its own optimized channel with controlled resistance, ensuring reliable supply even at high print speeds when demand fluctuates
Solution Approach 2:
Each ink channel is locally optimized with specific geometric characteristics (width, length, curvature) tailored to its color's requirements. This local quality adjustment ensures that each color pathway has appropriate flow characteristics for its specific demand pattern, preventing starvation while maintaining multi-color capability
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 inkjet printhead configuration that minimizes ink starvation, effectively vents air bubbles, and dynamically manages hydrostatic pressure, enhancing print quality and speed in high-speed monochrome printing.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible film for dynamic pressure regulation
Implementation Method 2
laterally flared fluid outlets that facilitate high ink flow rates and bubble venting
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printhead including: an elongate fluid manifold having a base defining a plurality of fluid outlets; and printhead chips attached to the base, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from a plurality of the fluid outlets. All fluid outlets are laterally flared towards a side of a respective printhead chip.