Ink Jet Head Insulating Layer Protects Piezoelectric Actuator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing apparatuses of the piezoelectric element type face issues with ink damaging the driving elements and altering ink properties due to direct contact, which can lead to equipment damage and print quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet head design incorporating a pressure chamber, a vibrating plate, and an insulating layer between the driving element and the nozzle, preventing ink contact and ensuring effective ink discharge while protecting the driving elements from corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the nozzle is positioned close to the driving element for efficient ink discharge, then the ink discharge performance is improved, but the driving element is damaged by ink contact
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the nozzle and the driving element. This layer prevents direct contact between the ink and the driving element while allowing the ink to pass through the nozzle efficiently, thus resolving the contradiction between discharge performance and element durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: the nozzle opening for ink discharge, the insulating layer for protection, and the driving element for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering negatively with others.
2Ease of operation
If the driving element is exposed to ink for actuation, then the ink discharge control is achieved, but the ink property changes and damages the driving element
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer serves as a mediator that allows the driving element to control ink discharge through vibration while preventing the harmful chemical interaction between the ink and the driving element materials.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin insulating film is applied over the driving element, providing protection against ink corrosion while maintaining the flexibility and responsiveness of the driving element for precise ink discharge control.
3Ease of manufacture
If the nozzle structure is simplified without additional protective layers, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the driving element is damaged by ink contact
Solution Approach 1:
A thin insulating film is formed over the driving element using conventional thin film deposition techniques, providing protection against ink corrosion while adding minimal structural complexity and maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle structure uses composite materials including an insulating layer made of materials such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, which can be deposited using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while adding protective functionality.
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 effectively prevents ink contact with driving elements, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining ink quality, allowing for reliable and high-quality printing with various ink types, including conductive inks.
Implementation Method 1
a driving element (actuator) that causes ink to be discharged through the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet head includes a pressure chamber formed to hold ink, and a nozzle plate including a vibrating plate forming a bottom wall of the pressure chamber, a driving element that is provided on a surface of the vibrating plate and configured to cause a volume of the pressure chamber to be changed by deforming the vibrating plate upon application of voltage to the driving element, an opening through which the ink held in the pressure chamber is discharged in response to the change of the volume of the pressure chamber, and an insulating layer disposed between the driving element and the opening.