Variable Thickness Flow Path Forming Member for Inkjet Head Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection heads with high-density ejection openings, reinforcing ribs can obstruct the flow of ink between the ink flow path and the liquid supply port, leading to reduced ejection performance due to narrowed passages and potential ink thickening.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design where the flow path forming member has increased thickness from the area facing the liquid supply port to the area facing the pressure chamber, without using ribs, thereby enhancing the structural strength without obstructing the ink flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcing ribs are provided to extend from the beam-shaped protrusion toward the flow path, then the strength of the flow path forming member is increased, but the communicating passage between the ink flow path and liquid supply port is narrowed, obstructing liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path forming member is designed with variable thickness, where the thickness varies in the direction from the liquid supply port toward the ejection opening. Specifically, the portion near the liquid supply port has greater thickness to provide strength, while the thickness gradually decreases toward the ejection opening to maintain open communicating passages and prevent obstruction of liquid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding reinforcing ribs in the planar direction that would obstruct flow passages, the invention transitions to a three-dimensional solution by varying the thickness of the flow path forming member in the vertical dimension. This allows strength enhancement without interfering with the horizontal liquid flow paths.
2Productivity
If ejection openings are arranged with high density, then the productivity of the liquid ejection head is improved, but the space for reinforcing ribs is reduced, making it difficult to ensure sufficient strength
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path forming member is designed with variable thickness, where the thickness varies in the direction from the liquid supply port toward the ejection opening. Specifically, the portion near the liquid supply port has greater thickness to provide strength, while the thickness gradually decreases toward the ejection opening to maintain open communicating passages and prevent obstruction of liquid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding reinforcing ribs in the planar direction that would obstruct flow passages, the invention transitions to a three-dimensional solution by varying the thickness of the flow path forming member in the vertical dimension. This allows strength enhancement without interfering with the horizontal liquid flow paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head for ejecting a liquid includes a substrate provided with an energy generating element and a liquid supply port; a flow path forming member including an ejection opening for ejecting a liquid; and a pressure chamber communicating with the ejection opening and including the energy generating element therein and a flow path through which the pressure chamber and the liquid supply port communicate with each other, the pressure chamber and the flow path being provided between the substrate and the flow path forming member. A portion of the flow path forming member which extends from an area facing the liquid supply port to an area facing a part of the flow path extending from the liquid supply port to the pressure chamber has a thickness greater than that of a portion of the flow path forming member which faces the pressure chamber.