Piezoelectric Inkjet Head Dividing Wall for Dense Nozzle Bonding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording devices face challenges in achieving high-resolution printing with densely arranged nozzles while maintaining compactness and low cost, due to limitations in nozzle arrangement density and inadequate component joining during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet ejecting head with a channel substrate, piezoelectric element substrate, and upper substrate configuration, where a dividing wall component is used to facilitate close proximity of pressure chambers and ensure adequate bonding, allowing for high-density nozzle arrangements and improved manufacturing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nozzles are arranged densely to achieve high-resolution printing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is divided into multiple sub-chambers by partition walls, with each sub-chamber containing a separate piezoelectric element. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured and tested independently, improving overall manufacturing reliability while enabling dense nozzle arrangements for high-resolution printing.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple piezoelectric elements are arranged in a nested configuration within the pressure chamber structure, with elements positioned at different depths and angles. This nesting approach maximizes the use of available space, enabling high-density nozzle arrangements without significantly increasing the overall device footprint.
2Measurement precision
If nozzles are arranged densely to achieve high-resolution printing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple piezoelectric elements are integrated into a single pressure chamber assembly with shared structural components and common liquid supply channels. This merging approach reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby reducing device complexity despite the high density of nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure chamber structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the liquid, provides mechanical support for piezoelectric elements, creates individual chambers for each nozzle, and facilitates liquid distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall device design.
3Measurement precision
If drive IC is mounted on FPC with minute pitch wiring to support dense nozzles, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drive IC is extracted from the traditional FPC mounting approach and directly integrated with the piezoelectric element array. This extraction eliminates the need for complex minute-pitch FPC wiring, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining support for dense nozzle arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
A simplified intermediate connection structure is introduced between the drive IC and piezoelectric elements, replacing the complex FPC wiring system. This intermediary approach maintains electrical connectivity while dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and improving ease of assembly.
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
Enables high-resolution image recording with densely arranged nozzles and a compact device design, while ensuring reliable bonding and manufacturing feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element 206 (i.e., an actuator that converts electric energy into mechanical energy) is provided in a pressure chamber 204
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet ejecting head including a channel substrate in which a nozzle and a pressure chamber, which is partitioned off by a pressure chamber dividing wall, are formed; a piezoelectric element substrate having a diaphragm that forms a part of the pressure chamber and a piezoelectric element that displaces this diaphragm; a liquid pool chamber that is formed opposite from the pressure chamber with the piezoelectric element substrate being disposed therebetween an upper substrate disposed opposite from the pressure chamber with the piezoelectric element substrate being disposed therebetween so as to be separated from and face the piezoelectric element substrate; and a dividing wall component provided, when viewing the channel substrate in plane view, along a position corresponding to the pressure chamber dividing wall between the piezoelectric element substrate and the upper substrate so as to contact the piezoelectric element substrate and the upper substrate.