Acoustic Streaming Fluid Ejector for Non-Water Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet printing technologies, such as thermal and piezoelectric designs, are limited by their inability to handle non-water solvents, high costs, printing speed, and droplet size constraints, which restrict their applications in industrial and medical fields.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic streaming fluid ejector system utilizing a fluid-filled chamber with a selectively vibrating flow generator having a sharp edge, driven by a piezoelectric stack or coil, to create a streaming fluid flow, enabling efficient ejection of droplets across a wide range of fluids and solvents, including viscous materials, with tunable droplet sizes and increased printing speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If thermal design is used to eject droplets, then droplet ejection is achieved, but it works only with water as a solvent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating element) with an acoustic field (vibrating element) to eject droplets. The vibrating element creates acoustic streaming that propels droplets without thermal heating, enabling compatibility with non-water solvents while maintaining reliable droplet ejection through acoustic radiation pressure and streaming effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from thermal (temperature-based) to acoustic (vibration frequency and amplitude-based). By controlling the vibration frequency and amplitude of the element, the system can eject droplets of various fluids including non-water solvents, expanding fluid compatibility while maintaining ejection reliability through precise parameter control.
2Productivity
If piezoelectric design is used, then droplet ejection is achieved, but printing speed and droplet size are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically vibrating element that can adjust its vibration frequency and amplitude in real-time. This dynamic control enables the system to vary droplet size and ejection speed independently, achieving both high printing speed and precise droplet size control by optimizing the vibration parameters for different printing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic vibration of the element at controlled frequencies to eject droplets. By adjusting the vibration frequency and duty cycle, the system can control both the speed of printing (through frequency) and the size of droplets (through amplitude and pulse duration), resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If piezoelectric diaphragms are used, then droplet ejection is achieved, but device cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex piezoelectric diaphragm assembly and associated chamber volume control mechanisms. Instead, it uses a simpler vibrating element that can be integrated directly into the nozzle structure, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining droplet ejection functionality through acoustic streaming rather than mechanical diaphragm deformation.
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 system enhances printing reliability and robustness, allows for the use of non-water soluble fluids, and achieves higher printing speeds with customizable droplet sizes, including sub-micron droplets, making it suitable for various industrial and medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
A driving device is provided to vibrate the flow generator to create a streaming fluid flow. In use, the flow generator is vibrated to eject a droplet of fluid from the chamber and out of the opening.
Implementation Method 2
the driving device is configured to vibrate the flow generator at the resonance frequency of the flow generator
Implementation Method 3
the driving device is a piezoelectric stack
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic streaming fluid ejector includes a fluid filled chamber having an opening, a selectively vibrating flow generator having a sharp edge pointed toward the opening, and a driving device configured to vibrate one of the flow generator and the chamber to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the opening. Methods are also disclosed.