Liquid Discharge Apparatus Spacer Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid jetting heads face issues where gas generated from adhesives can cause pressure increases, leading to separation of bump electrodes and reduced displacement of piezoelectric elements, affecting liquid jetting efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus design where the spacer between the bump electrode and piezoelectric element is opened on both sides, preventing gas from reaching the piezoelectric element and reducing pressure, thus maintaining electrode connection and element displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the piezoelectric element is disposed outside the closed space surrounded by the spacer, then gas generated from the adhesive is suppressed from reaching the piezoelectric element, but the pressure of the closed space is raised and the bump electrode may be separated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas exposure to piezoelectric elementVSAvoidbump electrode connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is divided into multiple parts with openings, creating segmented closed spaces that allow pressure equalization while maintaining gas barrier function. The openings in the spacer divide the original closed space into multiple regions, enabling gas to be contained in specific areas away from the piezoelectric element while allowing pressure to equalize across the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The openings in the spacer act as intermediary passages that mediate between gas containment and pressure equalization. These openings allow pressure to transmit through the spacer structure without allowing gas to directly reach the piezoelectric element, thus serving as a mediator between conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the piezoelectric element is stored in the closed space surrounded by the spacer, then the element is protected from gas, but the pressure rise in the closed space inhibits displacement of the piezoelectric element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas exposure to piezoelectric elementVSAvoidpiezoelectric element displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is divided into multiple parts with openings, creating segmented closed spaces that allow pressure equalization while maintaining gas barrier function. The openings in the spacer divide the original closed space into multiple regions, enabling gas to be contained in specific areas away from the piezoelectric element while allowing pressure to equalize across the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The openings in the spacer act as intermediary passages that mediate between gas containment and pressure equalization. These openings allow pressure to transmit through the spacer structure without allowing gas to directly reach the piezoelectric element, thus serving as a mediator between conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the spacer completely surrounds the bump electrode, then gas is contained away from the piezoelectric element, but the pressure rise causes separation of the bump electrode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas exposure to piezoelectric elementVSAvoidpressure in closed space

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is divided into multiple parts with openings, creating segmented closed spaces that allow pressure equalization while maintaining gas barrier function. The openings in the spacer divide the original closed space into multiple regions, enabling gas to be contained in specific areas away from the piezoelectric element while allowing pressure to equalize across the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The openings in the spacer act as intermediary passages that mediate between gas containment and pressure equalization. These openings allow pressure to transmit through the spacer structure without allowing gas to directly reach the piezoelectric element, thus serving as a mediator between conflicting requirements.

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 suppresses pressure rises and gas exposure to the piezoelectric element, preventing separation and ensuring consistent liquid discharge from nozzles.

Implementation Method 1

piezoelectric element constituting the actuator substrate is disposed outside the closed space surrounded by the spacer... the piezoelectric element is displaced to cause a pressure variation of liquid in a pressure chamber formed in the actuator substrate, such that the liquid is jetted from a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10328698B2Liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a channel substrate; a first substrate; a piezoelectric element; a spacer, which is provided on a surface of the first substrate on which the piezoelectric element is disposed; a second substrate; and a bump electrode, wherein the spacer is provided between the bump electrode and the piezoelectric element and attached to at least one of the first and second substrates by an adhesive, and wherein both a space on a side of the piezoelectric element with respect to the spacer and a space on a side of the bump electrode with respect to the spacer are opened by at least one of a portion other than a portion of the spacer positioned between the piezoelectric element and the bump electrode and an opening provided in at least one of the first and second substrates.