Piezoelectric Liquid Jet Head Groove Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid jet heads face challenges in achieving high-density channel arrangements and simplified manufacturing processes, particularly due to the need for protective films on conductive electrodes and complex manufacturing steps when using conductive ejection liquids.
Innovation Solution
A liquid jet head design featuring a piezoelectric substrate with alternating elongated ejection and non-ejection grooves, allowing for high-density arrangement of ejection grooves and simplified cover plate structure, where the grooves are cut using a dicing blade to overlap and separate in the thickness direction, reducing the distance between groove rows and eliminating the need for protective films.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If channels are arranged in a row perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (side shooter configuration), then liquid ejection is achieved, but the channel density and number of ejection grooves per unit area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-row perpendicular channel arrangement to a multi-row arrangement where channels extend in multiple directions (longitudinal and transverse). This dimensional expansion allows channels to be packed more densely throughout the head structure, increasing the total number of ejection grooves without proportionally increasing the head footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested channel structures where non-ejection grooves are positioned between adjacent ejection grooves in the longitudinal direction, and additional channel rows are arranged in the transverse direction. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and increases channel density within the available head area.
2Reliability
If protective films are added to prevent liquid contact with conductive electrodes, then electrode protection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and process steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the protective film layer from the manufacturing process by redesigning the electrode configuration. Non-conductive materials are used for components that would otherwise require protection, eliminating the need for additional protective film deposition and patterning steps while maintaining electrode integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of protecting conductive electrodes with additional protective layers, the patent inverts the approach by using non-conductive materials for structural components that contact liquid, thereby eliminating the need for protective films while simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Productivity
If conductive ejection liquid is used, then ejection performance is improved, but protective films are required on electrodes increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective film requirement from the system by using non-conductive structural materials that inherently prevent liquid contact with conductive electrodes, allowing conductive ejection liquid to be used without adding manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies non-conductive materials specifically at locations where liquid contact with conductive elements would occur, maintaining local electrical isolation where needed while allowing conductive liquid to be used in ejection channels for optimal performance.
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 design enables high-density ejection groove arrangement, increases the number of piezoelectric substrates from a single wafer, simplifies the cover plate structure, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, while preventing communication between grooves and maintaining efficient liquid flow and electrode separation.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric substrate 2 which has a first groove row 5a in which elongated first ejection grooves 3a and elongated first non-ejection grooves 4a are alternately arranged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
The liquid jet head is provided with a piezoelectric substrate having a plurality of groove rows in each of which elongated ejection grooves and elongated non-ejection grooves are alternately arranged in a reference direction. In adjacent ones of the groove rows, ends on a second side of ejection grooves included in a groove row located on a first side and ends on the first side of non-ejection grooves included in a groove row located on the second side are separated from each other, and overlap each other in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate.