Printing Element Intermediate Layer Segmentation for Strength and Filtration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of intermediate layer filters in liquid printing apparatuses can reduce liquid flow resistance but may compromise the strength of the intermediate layer, and when combined with beam structures and slits, can cause manufacturing issues.
Innovation Solution
A printing element design featuring a substrate, intermediate layer, and channel forming member with specific opening portions that allow communication between liquid chambers and channels, and between slit portions and liquid chambers, along with beam structures for stress dispersion, is implemented. The manufacturing process involves forming these structures to enhance bond strength and prevent contamination while maintaining ejection performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an intermediate layer filter is used to collect contamination particles, then particle collection capability is improved, but the strength of the intermediate layer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is divided into multiple regions: a filter portion with openings for particle collection and a beam structure portion without openings for structural support. This segmentation allows the filter to collect particles while the beam structures maintain the overall strength of the intermediate layer.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the intermediate layer have different properties: the filter portion has openings to enable particle collection, while the beam structure portions are solid to provide mechanical strength. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between filtration and strength.
2Productivity
If the intermediate layer is made thinner to reduce liquid flow resistance, then liquid flow performance is improved, but the strength of the intermediate layer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is segmented into thin filter portions for low resistance and thicker beam structure portions for strength. This allows the overall layer to be thin for good liquid flow while maintaining structural integrity through the beam structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer has varying thickness and density locally: thinner and more porous in filter regions for low resistance, and thicker and solid in beam regions for strength. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between flow performance and strength.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an intermediate layer filter is combined with beam structures and slits, then particle collection and stress dispersion are improved, but manufacturing issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is segmented into distinct filter portions and beam structure portions, allowing each to be optimized independently for its function while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the complexity of integrating multiple functions into a single continuous structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing element includes a substrate, an intermediate layer, and a channel forming member layered in this order. The substrate has a common liquid chamber. The channel forming member has a second surface that is a surface facing the substrate via the intermediate layer, and a first surface that is an opposite surface to the second surface. The first surface is formed with a plurality of ejection ports that eject liquid from the common liquid chamber. The second surface is formed with a plurality of channels that allow each of the plurality of ejection ports and the common liquid chamber to communicate with each other, and a plurality of substantially parallel beam structures, the plurality of beam structures forming a slit portion therebetween.