초록
This paper presents a lumped model to predict crosstalk characteristics of thermally driven inkjet print heads. Using the lumped R-C model, heating characteristics of the head are predicted to be in agreement with IR temperature measurements. The inter-channel crosstalk is simulated using the lumped R-L network. The values of viscous flow resistance, R and flow inertance, L of connecting channels are adjusted to accord with the 3-D numerical simulation results of three adjacent jets. The crosstalk behaviors of a back shooter head as well as a top shooter head have been investigated. Predictions of the proposed lumped model on the meniscus oscillations are consistent with numerical simulation results. Comparison of the lumped model with experimental results identifies that abnormal two-drop ejection phenomena are related to the increased meniscus oscillations because of the more severe crosstalk effects at higher printing speeds. The degree of crosstalk has been quantified using cross-correlations between neighboring channels and a critical channel dimension for acceptable crosstalk has been proposed and validated with the numerical simulations. Our model can be used as a design tool for a better design of thermal inkjet print heads to minimize crosstalk effects.