Liquid Ejection Head Chip Electrode Layout for Wider Jet Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head chips in inkjet printers face challenges in effectively transferring elastic energy to the ink in ejection channels, particularly when increasing the width of the channels, leading to insufficient pressure generation during ink ejection.
Innovation Solution
The head chip design incorporates a configuration with actuator plates featuring alternating jet and non-jet channels, side-surface and bottom-surface common electrodes, and individual electrodes that generate potential differences in both the shear and bend modes, allowing for efficient deformation of the actuator plate and effective energy transfer to the ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the width of the ejection channel is increased while keeping the width of the drive walls, then the channel capacity is improved, but the elastic energy transfer to the ink becomes insufficient, resulting in inadequate pressure generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of actuation by applying voltage in the thickness direction (bend mode) in addition to the conventional in-plane shear mode. This dual-mode deformation allows the drive walls to effectively transfer elastic energy to the ink even when the ejection channel width is increased, resolving the contradiction between channel capacity and pressure generation
2Device complexity
If only shear mode deformation is used in the drive walls, then the structure is simple, but the elastic energy transfer to the ink is insufficient for effective jetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode configuration into multiple independent components: side-surface common electrodes, bottom-surface common electrodes, first individual electrodes, and second individual electrodes. This segmentation allows independent control of shear mode and bend mode deformation, enabling effective elastic energy transfer while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds actuation in the thickness direction (bend mode) as a new dimension beyond the conventional in-plane shear mode. This dual-dimensional actuation approach enables sufficient pressure generation for effective jetting while maintaining a manageable electrode configuration
3Volume of moving object
If the drive wall width is reduced to increase channel width, then the channel capacity is improved, but the structural integrity and energy storage capacity of the drive walls are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing bend mode actuation in the thickness direction, the patent enables effective pressure generation without requiring reduction of drive wall width. The dual-mode deformation compensates for the reduced leverage arm effect, maintaining structural integrity while increasing channel capacity
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 design enhances the pressure generated in the ejection channels, ensuring desired ejection performance while increasing manufacturing efficiency and yield by allowing wider channels and easier electrode material introduction.
Implementation Method 1
by generating the potential difference in the second direction between the side-surface common electrode and the first individual electrode, it is possible to deform the actuator plate in the second direction in the shear mode
Implementation Method 2
by generating the potential difference in the thickness direction between the bottom-surface electrode and the second individual electrode, it is possible to deform the actuator plate in the thickness direction in the bend mode
Implementation Method 3
by deforming the actuator plate in both of the second direction and the thickness direction, it is easy to ensure the elastic energy of the actuator plate when applying the voltage
Implementation Method 4
it is easy to effectively transfer the elastic energy to the liquid located inside the jet channel to ensure the pressure generated in the jet channel when jetting the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Head chips, liquid jet heads, and liquid jet recording devices capable of effectively transferring the elastic energy to ink in ejection channels to obtain desired ejection performance are provided. A head chip includes an actuator plate in which jet channels and non-jet channels are alternately arranged, a side-surface common electrode formed on inner side surfaces opposed to each other in a second direction out of inner surfaces of the jet channel, a bottom-surface common electrode formed on a bottom surface facing to a first side in a thickness direction out of the inner surfaces of the jet channel, a first individual electrode formed on inner side surfaces opposed to each other in the second direction out of inner surfaces of the non-jet channel, and a second individual electrode disposed on an opposite surface facing to a second side in the thickness direction out of the actuator plate.