Piezoelectric Valve for High-Frequency Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve technologies are inadequate for small, high-frequency applications such as air valve arrays in fluid dispensers, particularly in ink jet printers, as they fail to provide efficient and precise control over fluid flow at high operational frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A valve design incorporating a plurality of piezoelectric elements supported by a stiff material, such as silicon, which changes length linearly in response to voltage, allowing for the blocking and unblocking of orifices to control fluid flow, enabling high-frequency operation and precise control in small dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional valve technologies are used, then the valve can operate at basic frequencies, but it cannot achieve high-frequency operation required for ink jet printers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical valve actuation mechanisms with piezoelectric elements that convert electrical signals directly into mechanical displacement. This substitution enables high-frequency operation (up to several kHz) because piezoelectric materials can respond rapidly to voltage changes without the inertia and friction limitations of mechanical actuators, while maintaining precise control through electrical signal modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using piezoelectric materials with specific properties (high coupling coefficient, fast response time) and optimizing the valve geometry (orifice size, element dimensions) to achieve high-frequency operation. The piezoelectric elements are driven with voltage pulses of specific amplitude and duration to achieve the desired displacement and operating frequency.
2Volume of moving object
If the valve is made small for ink jet applications, then it can be integrated into compact devices, but conventional valves cannot provide sufficient control precision at this scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve into multiple independent piezoelectric elements, each controlling a separate orifice. This segmentation allows each element to be small yet maintain precise control, and enables independent actuation of individual orifices for high-resolution fluid control in ink jet applications.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical valve components with piezoelectric elements, the patent achieves precise control in a compact form factor. The piezoelectric effect provides direct coupling between electrical and mechanical domains, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages that would increase size and reduce precision at small scales.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple orifices are placed close together for high resolution, then printing resolution improves, but cross-talk between adjacent orifices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses individually addressable piezoelectric elements for each orifice, allowing precise independent control. This segmentation enables tight spacing of orifices for high resolution while preventing cross-talk through electrical isolation and independent actuation of adjacent elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving each orifice its own piezoelectric element with tailored characteristics. This allows optimization of each element's response to minimize interference with adjacent orifices, and enables selective activation patterns that reduce cross-talk while maintaining high spatial resolution.
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
The valve design enables efficient and precise control of fluid flow at high frequencies, suitable for applications like ink jet printers, achieving high resolution and minimizing cross-talk between orifices, thus enhancing printing quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each element 2 has electrodes (not shown) arranged in known manner relative to the polarity of the element to cause the length of the element 2 to change linearly in a direction perpendicular to the orifice plate 1 when a voltage is applied to the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A valve comprises an orifice plate (1) having one or more orifices (4) through which a fluid may flow, and one or more piezo-electric elements (2). Each element (2) has a face positioned to contact the orifice plate at an orifice. Each element has a first state in which it abuts the plate to prevent flow of fluid through the associated orifice and a second state in which the face is spaced from the plate to allow flow through the associated orifice. A controller (50) selectively applies a first voltage to an elements to cause it to adopt the first state and applies a second voltage to the one or more elements to cause the elements to adopt the second state.