Reinforced Liquid Chamber for Inkjet Printhead Nozzle Blockage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Particulate contamination in inkjet printing systems can cause nozzle blockages, leading to reduced quality and reliability, especially in continuous printing systems where all nozzles must operate simultaneously for high-quality image production.
Innovation Solution
A liquid chamber with a structure spanning its width is positioned between the nozzle plate and a filter, allowing liquid to flow around it, and includes ports for efficient filtration and particle removal, reducing the risk of blockages by maintaining pressure and flow consistency across the nozzle array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid is supplied under high pressure to jet individual streams from nozzles, then printing speed and quality are improved, but nozzle blockage from particulate contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is positioned upstream in the liquid supply path to remove particulate contamination before the liquid reaches the nozzles. This preliminary filtration action prevents blockages before they can occur, allowing high-pressure liquid supply to continue without interruption and maintaining both printing speed and reliability.
2Reliability
If filtration is added to the liquid supply system, then nozzle blockage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is integrated into the existing liquid supply system by positioning it within the liquid chamber, merging the filtration function with the liquid distribution structure. This combination approach reduces device complexity by eliminating separate filtration components while still providing effective particle removal to prevent nozzle blockages.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a structure is added to the liquid chamber for flow management, then pressure consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A structure is added to the liquid chamber at specific locations where pressure distribution needs improvement. This structure creates localized flow management zones that ensure consistent pressure delivery to different sections of the nozzle array, maintaining pressure stability without requiring complete redesign of the entire liquid chamber.
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 effectively prevents nozzle blockages and ensures consistent drop formation across the printhead, enhancing printing quality and reliability by maintaining pressure and flow integrity, even at high flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold... The filter can include a rib structure
Implementation Method 2
A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter... liquid flowing through the liquid chamber flows around the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and spaced apart from the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.