Inkjet Diaphragm Structure for Stable Ejection Under Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet devices face issues with stress concentration on the diaphragm, leading to potential damage and instability in ink ejection due to the deformation of the diaphragm's projecting portions.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet device design includes a pressure chamber, a piezoelectric element positioned away from the chamber, and a diaphragm with a pressure receiving portion that has a top portion in contact with the piezoelectric element, where the width of the top portion is smaller than the piezoelectric element, and a base portion with a tapered or curved surface to distribute stress uniformly, reducing concentration points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piezoelectric element deforms a diaphragm to eject ink, then ink ejection is achieved, but stress concentrates on the diaphragm causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is designed with a non-uniform thickness distribution, featuring a thinner central region and thicker peripheral region. This local quality variation allows the thinner center to deform effectively for ink ejection while the thicker periphery provides structural support and stress distribution, preventing diaphragm damage during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm incorporates a curved or domed surface geometry rather than a flat structure. This curvature distributes the stress from piezoelectric element deformation more evenly across the diaphragm surface, reducing stress concentration at specific points and preventing material failure while maintaining effective ink ejection capability
2Ease of operation
If the diaphragm is deformed to press the pressure chamber, then ink ejection is enabled, but the diaphragm may be damaged due to stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm features localized thickness variation with a thinner central region for deformation and a thicker peripheral region for support, enabling the structure to undergo necessary deformation for ink ejection while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The thicker peripheral region of the diaphragm acts as a pre-designed stress buffer zone that absorbs and distributes concentrated stresses before they can reach critical levels that would cause damage, providing beforehand protection against diaphragm failure during repeated deformation cycles
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 stabilizes diaphragm deformation and ink ejection, reducing the risk of damage and improving print quality by alleviating stress concentration on the diaphragm.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element (PZT: lead zirconate titanate) deformed by application of a voltage deforms a diaphragm, and presses a pressure chamber to eject ink
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet device includes a pressure chamber that stores ink, a piezoelectric element that is away from the pressure chamber in a first direction, and a diaphragm that is disposed between the pressure chamber and the piezoelectric element in the first direction. The diaphragm includes a pressure receiving portion. The pressure receiving portion includes a top portion and a base portion. The top portion is in contact with the piezoelectric element. The base portion is connected to a body of the diaphragm. A width of the base portion is larger than a width of the top portion in a second direction that is at least one direction perpendicular to the first direction.