Liquid Ejection Head Substrate with Segmented Repellent Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection devices face instability in ink repellent performance due to variations in hydrophilization treatments, leading to inconsistent ejection performance.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing an element substrate with a liquid repellent treatment followed by a liquid repellent region removal step, ensuring a stable ejection performance by defining a non-liquid repellent region on the substrate surface, and using a protective member to prevent breakage during cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid repellent treatment is performed on the ejection port surface to prevent droplet deposition, then the ejection performance is improved, but the liquid repellent performance becomes unstable and varies
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection port surface is divided into two distinct regions: a liquid repellent region for preventing droplet deposition and a non-liquid repellent region for stable ejection. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interference, resolving the contradiction between improving ejection performance and maintaining stable liquid repellent performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface properties are applied to different locations on the ejection port surface. The liquid repellent region has high contact angle properties to repel droplets, while the non-liquid repellent region has low contact angle properties for stable ejection. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate surface properties in each specific location.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the liquid repellent region is expanded to maximize droplet prevention, then the protection against deposition is improved, but the risk of nozzle breakage during cleaning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle surface is segmented into a liquid repellent region for droplet prevention and a non-liquid repellent region that serves as a cleaning access area. This segmentation allows the liquid repellent region to provide maximum protection while the non-liquid repellent region provides a mechanically robust area for cleaning operations, resolving the contradiction between droplet prevention and nozzle durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-liquid repellent region acts as an intermediary zone between the liquid repellent region and the external cleaning environment. It provides a transition area that protects the fragile liquid repellent region from direct mechanical stress during cleaning while still allowing effective cleaning access, thus resolving the contradiction between droplet prevention and cleaning safety.
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
Stabilizes ink repellent performance and prevents breakage of the nozzle, resulting in a stable ejection performance and improved durability of the liquid ejection device.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid repellent treatment has been conventionally performed on the vicinity of the ejection port on the surface in which the ejection port is formed
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for manufacturing an element substrate for use in a liquid ejection head for ejecting a liquid to a recording medium. The element substrate, includes: a substrate having a nozzle including an ejection port, and a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle, and subjected to a liquid repellent treatment on a part of a surface on a side opposed to the recording medium; and a generating element for generating an energy for ejecting the liquid. The method for manufacturing an element substrate includes: a liquid repellent treatment step of performing the liquid repellent treatment on the substrate; and a liquid repellent region removing step of removing a part of a liquid repellent region subjected to the liquid repellent treatment so that a non-liquid repellent region not subjected to the liquid repellent treatment is exposed at a surface of the substrate opposed to the recording medium.