Piezoelectric Actuator Sealing Plate Deformation Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet discharge apparatuses, such as ink-jet heads, face dispersion in discharge characteristics among nozzles due to differences in piezoelectric element characteristics and dimensional errors in flow passages, leading to uneven liquid droplet speeds and amounts.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet discharge apparatus with a deformation adjusting member that adjusts the deformation amount of the sealing plate or piezoelectric elements differently for each pressure chamber, allowing for tailored pressure application to each nozzle to uniformize discharge characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piezoelectric actuator with a sealing plate and piezoelectric layer is used to discharge liquid droplets from multiple nozzles, then liquid droplets can be discharged individually from each nozzle, but dispersion in discharge characteristics occurs among the nozzles due to variations in piezoelectric element thickness and deformation amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different deformation adjustment amounts to different portions of the sealing plate corresponding to different pressure chambers. Specifically, the deformation adjustment amount varies across the sealing plate to compensate for local variations in piezoelectric element characteristics, ensuring uniform discharge characteristics among all nozzles while maintaining individual discharge capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deformation adjustment amount parameter across different portions of the sealing plate. By adjusting this parameter locally to compensate for variations in piezoelectric element thickness and other manufacturing tolerances, the system achieves uniform discharge characteristics while maintaining the ability to discharge liquid droplets individually from each nozzle
2Ease of manufacture
If the piezoelectric layer thickness is kept uniform across all pressure chambers, then manufacturing is simplified, but discharge characteristics become dispersed due to other varying factors such as constraint conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring uniform piezoelectric layer thickness, the patent applies local quality by varying the deformation adjustment amount for each pressure chamber based on its specific constraint conditions and piezoelectric element characteristics. This allows each portion to be optimized independently, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving discharge characteristic consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-setting the deformation adjustment amount for each portion of the sealing plate before actual operation. This preliminary configuration compensates for manufacturing variations and constraint condition differences, ensuring uniform discharge characteristics without requiring complex real-time adjustments
3Manufacturing precision
If different deformation adjustment amounts are applied to different portions of the sealing plate, then discharge characteristics are uniformized among nozzles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the deformation adjustment function with the sealing plate itself, making the sealing plate serve dual purposes: sealing the pressure chambers and providing the deformation adjustment mechanism. This integration achieves uniform discharge characteristics without adding separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plate is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a seal for the pressure chambers and as a platform for applying varying deformation adjustment amounts. This universal component approach achieves uniform discharge characteristics among nozzles while avoiding the need for additional specialized adjustment devices
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 approach effectively suppresses the dispersion of discharge characteristics among nozzles, ensuring consistent liquid droplet speeds and amounts, thereby improving printing quality by allowing for precise control of deformation amounts.
Implementation Method 1
When a predetermined driving voltage is applied between the two types of electrodes corresponding to a certain pressure chamber, then the deformation (piezoelectric strain) arises in the piezoelectric layer portion interposed between the electrodes, and the vibration plate is deformed (vibrated).
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet discharge apparatus, which discharges liquid droplets of a liquid, includes: a flow passage unit which is formed with a plurality of nozzles for discharging the liquid droplets of the liquid and a plurality of liquid flow passages including a plurality of pressure chambers communicated with the plurality of nozzles respectively; an actuator which has a sealing plate joined to the flow passage unit for defining the plurality of pressure chambers and which applies a pressure to the liquid contained in each of the plurality of pressure chambers by changing a volume of each of the plurality of pressure chambers by deforming the sealing plate; and a deformation adjusting member which adjusts a deformation amount of the sealing plate.