Inkjet Head Electrode Planar Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity in manufacturing inkjet heads with piezoelectric elements, where the lamination of common and individual electrodes on a base material requires an insulating film for electrical separation, complicates the process and increases manufacturing difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet head design separates the first and second energization patterns on an insulating layer without overlapping, allowing for electrical connection without an insulating film, simplifying the manufacturing process by using a common first energization pattern for all first electrodes and individual second energization patterns for each second electrode, which are separated on the same rear surface of the vibrating plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulating film is interposed between conductor patterns connected to common electrodes and individual electrodes, then electrical separation is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking (3D lamination requiring insulating films) to planar separation (2D arrangement on the same surface). The first and second energization patterns are arranged side-by-side on the rear surface of the vibrating plate without overlapping, eliminating the need for insulating films while maintaining electrical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating film layer is completely removed from the structure. By extracting this unnecessary component and redesigning the electrode arrangement to be planar rather than laminated, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process while preserving the essential function of electrical separation between common and individual electrodes.
2Reliability
If conductor patterns are laminated in the thickness direction to connect to common and individual electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but an exclusive insulating film must be formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from thickness-direction lamination to surface-level planar distribution. The energization patterns extend along the rear surface of the vibrating plate in the lateral direction, allowing electrical connections to be made without vertical stacking and insulating film formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of electrical connection and electrical separation into a single planar configuration. The first and second energization patterns are formed on the same surface without requiring separate insulating layers, merging what were previously separate manufacturing steps into one integrated process.
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 configuration simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for an insulating film, ensuring electrical separation without short-circuits and allowing for accurate operation of the actuators, thereby enhancing the manufacturing efficiency and reliability of the inkjet head.
Implementation Method 1
When an electric field is applied from the driving circuit to the piezoelectric elements via the common electrodes and the individual electrodes, the piezoelectric elements are deformed to pressurize ink.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes actuators configured to pressurize ink. The actuators include piezoelectric elements provided on an insulating layer, first electrodes electrically connected to the piezoelectric elements, and second electrodes connected to the piezoelectric elements and configured to hold the piezoelectric elements in cooperation with the first electrodes. The first electrodes of all the actuators are electrically connected to a common first energization pattern. The second electrodes of all the actuators are individually electrically connected to second energization patterns. The first energization pattern and the second energization patterns are separated from each other without overlapping each other on the insulating layer.