Piezoelectric Inkjet Ejector Rigid Pusher Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Designing piezoelectric inkjet printheads with dense orifice arrays and smaller firing chamber dimensions poses a challenge in generating sufficient pressure differentials for effective ink expulsion and refill.
Innovation Solution
The use of a piezoelectric actuator with cantilever plates coupled to a flexible membrane and a rigid pusher plate, which maximizes volume change in the firing chamber through controlled deformation, ensuring adequate pressure differentials for ink expulsion and refill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the orifice array density is increased and firing chamber dimensions are reduced, then the printhead achieves higher resolution and compactness, but the pressure differential generated becomes insufficient for adequate ink expulsion and refill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a piezoelectric actuator that dynamically changes the volume of the firing chamber through electrical activation. The actuator material deforms in response to applied voltage, creating rapid volume changes that generate sufficient pressure differentials even in miniaturized chambers. This dynamic volume modulation allows small chambers to achieve the necessary pressure swings for ink ejection and refill.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and volume parameters of the firing chamber through piezoelectric deformation. By applying electrical fields to the piezoelectric actuator, the chamber volume is dynamically adjusted, transforming the pressure conditions within the chamber. This parameter change enables adequate pressure differentials to be generated despite the reduced chamber dimensions associated with higher orifice density.
2Volume of moving object
If the firing chamber volume is reduced to enable denser orifice arrays, then the printhead size is reduced, but the volume change achievable by piezoelectric deformation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the volume change limitation by introducing a third dimension through the piezoelectric actuator's deformation capability. Rather than relying solely on lateral expansion in the plane of the chamber, the actuator creates volume change through thickness deformation and radial expansion, effectively utilizing multiple spatial dimensions to maximize volume modulation within the constrained chamber size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures combining the piezoelectric actuator material with the firing chamber walls and ink channels. This composite design allows the actuator to efficiently couple its deformation to the chamber volume, maximizing the volume change response. The composite structure ensures that the piezoelectric material's deformation is effectively transmitted to the ink volume, achieving adequate pressure differentials despite the small overall chamber size.
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 allows for the design of printheads with more dense orifice arrays and smaller firing chamber dimensions while maintaining sufficient pressure differentials for efficient ink expulsion and refill, enhancing the performance of piezoelectric inkjet printheads.
Implementation Method 1
In a piezoelectric type inkjet printhead, the deformation of a piezoelectric element coupled to one wall of the firing chamber alternately contracts and expands the volume of the firing chamber
Implementation Method 2
a rigid pusher plate operatively coupled to the piezoelectric element and configured to maximize deformation of the flexible membrane
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a fluid ejector structure includes: a chamber for containing a fluid; a flexible membrane forming one wall of the chamber; a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a backing operatively connected to the piezoelectric elements such that an expansion and/or contraction of a piezoelectric element causes the piezoelectric element to bend; a rigid plate overlaying a center portion of the membrane; a post coupling the piezoelectric elements to the plate through the backing such that a movement of each piezoelectric element toward the chamber is transmitted to the plate through the post. The plate is configured to transmit movement of the post to the membrane in a rigid, or substantially rigid, piston-like manner.