Piezoelectric Actuator Electrode Routing for Compact Jetting Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piezoelectric actuators face challenges in achieving a compact design while maintaining strength and preventing arching deformation, especially when increasing the number of nozzles for higher recording speed and resolution, due to limitations in electrode connection design and ceramic sheet size.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stacked configuration of ceramic sheets with individual and common electrodes, along with connection electrodes that are arranged in a dispersing manner to enhance the connection between surface electrodes and inner electrodes, allowing for a compact structure without compromising strength and enabling efficient calcination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to achieve higher recording speed and resolution, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for more extensive electrode connections and larger ceramic sheet size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces connection electrodes on a separate ceramic sheet layer, transitioning from planar electrode arrangements to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. This allows multiple surface electrodes to be connected to inner electrodes through vertical through-holes, enabling compact routing of electrical connections without increasing the horizontal footprint or complexity of the electrode pattern design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode system is divided into distinct functional layers: surface electrodes on the top ceramic sheet, connection electrodes on an intermediate ceramic sheet, and inner electrodes on the bottom ceramic sheet. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer and simplifies the connection process by localizing through-holes to specific vertical alignment points rather than requiring complex interconnections across the entire electrode array.
2Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to achieve higher recording speed and resolution, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain due to arching deformation and warpage of ceramic sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate ceramic sheet with connection electrodes acts as a structural mediator between the top and bottom ceramic sheets. By distributing connection points through this intermediate layer and using vertical through-holes that penetrate only this intermediate sheet rather than all layers, the patent reduces stress concentration and minimizes arching deformation during the high-temperature calcination process, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision even with increased nozzle density.
3Ease of manufacture
If through holes are arranged in one row to connect electrodes, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength of ceramic sheets decreases at through hole positions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging all through-holes in a single planar row, the patent distributes them vertically across multiple ceramic sheet layers at different horizontal positions. The intermediate ceramic sheet contains through-holes at positions that do not align with the surface electrodes, allowing connections to be made through vertical paths while maintaining structural integrity in the horizontal plane. This three-dimensional distribution of connection points preserves ceramic sheet strength.
4Reliability
If surface electrodes are arranged with spacing to prevent interference, then the reliability of electrical connections is improved, but the area occupied by electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spacing requirement by moving connections to a third dimension. Surface electrodes can be placed close together on the top ceramic sheet without electrical interference because the connection electrodes on the intermediate sheet provide isolated vertical connection paths. This three-dimensional routing allows compact electrode arrangement while maintaining reliable electrical connections, as each surface electrode connects to its corresponding inner electrode through a dedicated through-hole path without requiring large horizontal spacing.
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 a compact and reliable piezoelectric actuator with improved connection strength and reduced deformation, enabling higher nozzle density without the need for extensive electrode connections, thus supporting increased recording speed and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator which has active portions (energy-generating mechanism) corresponding to the pressure chambers respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric actuator includes individual inner-electrodes arranged between stacked ceramic sheets, individual surface-electrodes arranged in a row in a row-direction on a top surface of the stacked ceramic sheets, and connection electrodes connecting the individual inner-electrodes and the individual surface-electrodes respectively. The connection electrodes each have a size enough to cover one of the individual surface-electrodes respectively. The individual surface-electrodes and the connection electrodes are connected to each other via inner conduction electrodes filled through holes which are located at mutually different positions in a direction orthogonal to the row-direction of the individual surface-electrodes. With this, it is possible to make the contour of the piezoelectric actuator to be small, and to suppress the arching deformation or warpage of the piezoelectric actuator.