Liquid Discharge Head With Frame Sealing for Piezoelectric Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge heads in inkjet printers face challenges in miniaturization and integration of piezoelectric elements due to the use of individual sealing members around each element, which hinders efficient space utilization and increases the risk of defects and thermal stress.

Innovation Solution

A frame-shaped sealing member surrounds multiple piezoelectric elements, reducing the space required for individual seals and enhancing integration, while using metals like gold alloys or benzocyclobutene resin to improve resistance and connection reliability, and grounding the sealing member to prevent charge accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual sealing members are used around each piezoelectric element, then protection from liquid leakage and moisture is improved, but device area and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from liquid leakage and moistureVSAvoiddevice area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual sealing members are merged into a single frame-shaped sealing member that collectively surrounds multiple piezoelectric elements. This integration reduces the total number of sealing components and minimizes the area occupied by sealing structures while maintaining protective functionality against liquid leakage and moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame-shaped sealing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects multiple piezoelectric elements from liquid leakage and moisture, provides structural support, and reduces overall device area. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing components for each element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If individual sealing members are used around each piezoelectric element, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from liquid leakage and moistureVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual sealing members are merged into a single frame-shaped sealing member that collectively surrounds multiple piezoelectric elements. This integration reduces the total number of sealing components and minimizes the area occupied by sealing structures while maintaining protective functionality against liquid leakage and moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame-shaped sealing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects multiple piezoelectric elements from liquid leakage and moisture, provides structural support, and reduces overall device area. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing components for each element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If multiple piezoelectric elements are integrated closely, then miniaturization is improved, but thermal stress and defects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidthermal stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frame-shaped sealing member acts as an intermediary structure between multiple piezoelectric elements, providing thermal management and stress distribution. The frame structure facilitates heat dissipation and reduces thermal stress concentration, enabling closer integration of elements without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 promotes miniaturization, improves integration, reduces thermal stress, and enhances the reliability of the sealing member, ensuring efficient operation and reduced defects in the liquid discharge head.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of piezoelectric elements are positioned on the second surface and respectively overlap the plurality of pressure chambers in plan view

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250326225A1Liquid discharge head and recording device

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A liquid discharge head includes a vibration plate, a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of piezoelectric elements, and a sealing member. The vibration plate includes a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface. The plurality of pressure chambers face the first surface and are positioned side by side in one direction. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are positioned on the second surface and respectively overlap the plurality of pressure chambers in plan view. The sealing member is a sealing member having a frame shape, the sealing member being positioned on the second surface and surrounding the plurality of piezoelectric elements.