Liquid Jet Head Chip Actuation for High-Density Nozzle Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head chips face challenges in effectively transferring elastic energy to the ink in pressure chambers due to reduced rigidity of partition walls, leading to insufficient pressure generation and increased manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

The head chip design includes an actuator plate with drive electrodes generating electric fields in both the thickness and crossing directions, allowing for deformation in both shear and bend modes, and incorporating grooves to facilitate partition wall deformation, ensuring efficient energy transfer to the ink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the width of the partition wall is narrowed to increase nozzle density, then the nozzle density increases, but the rigidity of the partition wall decreases causing elastic energy absorption and insufficient pressure generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle densityVSAvoidrigidity of partition wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces deformation in a second dimension (crossing direction) in addition to the traditional thickness direction deformation. By applying electric fields that cause deformation in both the thickness direction and the crossing direction, the system compensates for the reduced rigidity of narrow partition walls while maintaining high nozzle density. This multi-dimensional deformation approach allows effective energy transfer to ink despite the weakened partition wall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the partition wall width is reduced, then more nozzles can be accommodated, but the elastic energy from actuator plate deformation is absorbed by partition wall deformation instead of being transferred to ink

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle densityVSAvoidelastic energy transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses energy loss by enabling deformation in an additional dimension (crossing direction). The electric field configuration causes the actuator plate to deform not only in the thickness direction but also in the crossing direction, which redirects the elastic energy toward the ink in the pressure chamber rather than allowing it to be absorbed by the partition wall deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the deformation parameters by applying electric fields in specific configurations (first and second directions) to control the deformation mode. By adjusting the electric field orientation and magnitude, the system optimizes the deformation characteristics to ensure effective energy transfer to ink while accommodating high nozzle density through narrow partition walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional single-direction actuation is used, then the structure is simple, but pressure generation is insufficient due to energy absorption by partition walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator structureVSAvoidpressure in pressure chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent increases pressure generation by introducing a second dimension of deformation (crossing direction) in addition to the traditional thickness direction actuation. This multi-dimensional deformation approach ensures that elastic energy is effectively transferred to the ink, generating sufficient pressure even when partition walls are narrow and would otherwise absorb the energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances pressure generation in the pressure chamber, improves manufacturing efficiency, and reduces costs by effectively transferring elastic energy, resulting in improved jet performance and quality.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator plate formed of a piezoelectric material which closes one surface of each of the pressure chambers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a drive electrode which is configured to generate an electric field in the actuator plate, the electric field in the thickness direction and a crossing direction crossing the thickness direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP4385741B1Head chip, liquid jet head, and liquid jet recording device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SII PRINTEK INC
  • EP4385741B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385741B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4385741B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A head chip, a liquid jet head, and a liquid jet recording device which effectively transfer elastic energy to ink in a pressure chamber to increase pressure to be generated in the pressure chamber are provided. The head chip (50) includes an actuator plate (53) provided with a pressure chamber (61) in which a liquid is contained, a jet hole plate (51) which has a jet hole (71) communicated with the pressure chamber, and which is overlapped on the actuator plate in a thickness direction of the actuator plate, and a drive electrode (81, 82) which is configured to generate an electric field in the actuator plate to thereby deform the actuator plate in the thickness direction and a crossing direction crossing the thickness direction to expand or contract a volume of the pressure chamber.