Piezoelectric Ejection Head Chamber Layout for Uniform Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads face issues with pressure loss variation among pressure chambers due to the presence of dummy pressure chambers, leading to uneven liquid ejection and increased energy consumption from driving piezoelectric elements in these chambers.
Innovation Solution
A laminated structure is implemented with pressure chambers and dummy pressure chambers, where the dummy pressure chambers are shallower and not driven by piezoelectric elements, reducing pressure loss variation by optimizing the depth and arrangement of these chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a dummy pressure chamber is provided adjacent to the end portion pressure chamber to reduce pressure loss variation, then pressure loss uniformity is improved, but the adjacent pressure chamber experiences greater diaphragm deformation and partition wall deformation, causing variation in pressure loss between the end portion pressure chamber adjacent to the dummy chamber and the center pressure chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the dummy pressure chamber shallower than the active pressure chambers. This creates a localized structural difference that reduces the overall deformation of the partition wall and diaphragm in the end portion, thereby minimizing the pressure loss variation between adjacent chambers while maintaining the dummy chamber's function in equalizing pressure distribution.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a piezoelectric element is provided in the dummy pressure chamber and driven during liquid ejection to cause pressure fluctuation, then pressure loss variation among pressure chambers is reduced, but wiring and control circuits become complex and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the piezoelectric element from the dummy pressure chamber, leaving only the structural dummy chamber without the active driving component. This eliminates the complexity of wiring and control circuits associated with driving the dummy piezoelectric element while maintaining the dummy chamber's structural function in reducing pressure loss variation through its shallower depth design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a passive dummy pressure chamber structure that does not require expensive piezoelectric elements and control circuits. The dummy chamber achieves its pressure equalization function through its geometric design (shallower depth) rather than through active actuation, thereby reducing device complexity and energy consumption while maintaining effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a piezoelectric element is provided in the dummy pressure chamber and driven to cause pressure fluctuation, then pressure loss variation is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the piezoelectric element and driving mechanism from the dummy pressure chamber, eliminating the energy consumption associated with operating dummy piezoelectric elements while preserving the dummy chamber's structural function in reducing pressure loss variation through its shallower depth design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the energy-consuming active piezoelectric driving mechanism with a passive structural design. The dummy chamber achieves pressure equalization through its geometric configuration (shallower depth) without requiring electrical energy, thereby significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining the desired pressure loss uniformity.
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 minimizes pressure loss variation, enhances liquid ejection uniformity, and reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for driving piezoelectric elements in dummy chambers, thereby improving the consistency and efficiency of the ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element; a diaphragm that vibrates by being driven by the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head has a piezoelectric element, a diaphragm, and a pressure chamber substrate having a pressure chamber coupled to a nozzle and contributing to ejection of a liquid by applying pressure on the liquid through vibration of the diaphragm and a dummy pressure chamber not contributing to ejection of the liquid. Each of the pressure chamber and the dummy pressure chamber opens on a surface opposite to a surface facing the diaphragm of the pressure chamber substrate, and is a recess having a depth in a direction toward the diaphragm along the lamination direction. Furthermore, the pressure chamber and the dummy pressure chamber are arranged in an arrangement direction perpendicular to the lamination direction, and a first depth as the depth of the dummy pressure chamber is shallower than a second depth as the depth of the pressure chamber.