Liquid Ejection Head Resizing Piezoelectric Actuator via Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejection devices, such as inkjet printer heads, face challenges in installability and ejection performance due to the fragility and size limitations of piezoelectric actuators, which lead to issues like crosstalk and delayed ink refilling, necessitating increased common chamber capacity without increasing the size of the piezoelectric body.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head is designed with a piezoelectric member having grooves and piezoelectric elements, a substrate with wiring, and a support member made of resin material between the substrate and piezoelectric elements, allowing for improved installability and ejection performance by securing the height dimension and expanding the common chamber capacity without increasing the piezoelectric body size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the dimension in the direction of height of the piezoelectric member is increased to increase the common chamber capacity, then the common chamber capacity is improved, but the piezoelectric body increases in size which increases costs and makes processing more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a support member that extends in the height direction (Z-axis) to form a stepped structure, allowing the common chamber to be expanded vertically without increasing the piezoelectric body dimensions. The support member creates additional height dimension for the common chamber while maintaining the original piezoelectric element footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary structure between the piezoelectric member and the common chamber. It provides mechanical support and creates the necessary height dimension for the common chamber without requiring the piezoelectric body itself to be larger, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements.
2Volume of stationary object
If actuator members are arranged at a substrate and a common chamber is arranged between the substrate and the pressure chambers, then the common chamber capacity can be increased, but the height of the piezoelectric body limits the common chamber height
Solution Approach 1:
The support member introduces an additional height dimension by creating a stepped structure. The first region of the support member provides height for the common chamber, while the second region maintains the proper spacing for piezoelectric elements, effectively adding vertical dimension without compromising other requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If the piezoelectric element is made fine-shaped to reduce size, then costs are reduced, but it becomes fragile and difficult to secure installability
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that provides mechanical support to the fine-shaped piezoelectric elements. It creates a stable mounting structure that enhances installability and reliability without requiring the piezoelectric elements themselves to be larger, thus protecting the fragile components.
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 solution enhances installability and ejection performance by securing the height dimension of the actuator unit and expanding the common chamber capacity without increasing the nozzle face size, thus improving the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the liquid ejection device.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric member formed of a piezoelectric material and comprising a plurality of grooves and a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged via the grooves
Data Source
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AI summary
An objective is to provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection device that can achieve improvement in installability and ejection performance. A liquid ejection head according to an embodiment includes a piezoelectric member, a substrate, an electrode, and a support member. The piezoelectric member is formed of a piezoelectric material and includes a plurality of grooves and a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged via the grooves. A wiring is formed on the substrate. The support member is arranged between the substrate and the piezoelectric elements and is formed of a resin material. The electrode is formed on a surface of the piezoelectric member.