Staggered Liquid Discharge Head Connecting Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet heads face challenges in achieving a balance between nozzle density and miniaturization, as decreasing nozzle diameter increases channel resistance, making it difficult to maintain desired channel resistance in connecting channels while ensuring stable ink flow and preventing the ink-jet head from becoming overly large.
Innovation Solution
The design features a liquid discharge head with staggered pressure chamber arrays and connecting channels that intersect with the common ink chamber, allowing for alternately arranged first and second connecting channels to extend beyond the common ink chamber's plan view contour, thereby lengthening the connecting channels and facilitating the establishment of desired channel resistance while minimizing the head's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle diameter is decreased to improve resolution, then the nozzle density is increased, but the channel resistance of the nozzle is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a throttle channel with a specifically designed small cross-sectional area at a particular location within the connecting channel. This localized restriction allows the rest of the channel to maintain larger dimensions while still achieving the desired overall resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between small nozzle diameter and manageable channel resistance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the connecting channel is arranged to extend in the direction perpendicular to the common ink chamber to lengthen the channel, then the channel resistance is increased, but the head size in the extending direction of the common ink chamber is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the spatial arrangement from a perpendicular extension (one-dimensional growth) to an intersecting configuration where the connecting channel passes through the common ink chamber. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the channel to achieve sufficient length and resistance without proportionally increasing the head's external dimensions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the pressure chamber array is arranged while being deviated in the extending direction of the common ink chamber to incline the connecting channel, then the channel resistance is increased, but the channel unit becomes large-sized in the direction of arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connecting channel with the common ink chamber by having the connecting channel intersect through the common ink chamber. This integration allows the connecting channel to achieve the necessary length and resistance characteristics while utilizing the existing space within the common ink chamber, thereby avoiding an increase in the overall channel unit area.
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
This configuration enables the stabilization of ink flow and miniaturization of the ink-jet head, allowing for a highly densified nozzle arrangement without increasing the head's size, while effectively managing channel resistance and reducing the risk of crosstalk phenomena.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator allows the pressure wave to act on the ink contained in the pressure chamber. Accordingly, the ink contained in the pressure chamber is discharged from the nozzle.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of pressure chambers are arranged in two arrays in a direction intersecting an extending direction of a common liquid chamber. First pressure chambers of one array and second pressure chambers of the other array are disposed in a staggered arrangement. First and second connecting channels extend, in the intersection direction, from the first and second pressure chambers through areas located between the second and first pressure chambers up to areas outside the common liquid chamber to make communication with the common liquid chamber, respectively. The first and second connecting channels are arranged alternately in relation to the extending direction. Accordingly, both of the insurance of the length of the connecting channel and the small sizing of a head are satisfied.