Piezoelectric Ceramic Composition for Liquid Droplet Ejection Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

The piezoelectric ceramic composition mainly composed of KNbO3 - NaNbO3 has a low piezoelectric constant, making it less suitable for use in liquid droplet ejection heads, and it exhibits a second-order phase transition near room temperature, which can lead to property degradation.

Innovation Solution

A liquid droplet ejection head using a piezoelectric ceramic composition represented by the formula (1-y-z-w)(Kx Na1-x)NbO3 + yLiNbO3 + zSrTiO3 + wBiFeO3, where 0.4 < x < 0.6, 0 < y ≤ 0.1, 0 < z < 0.1, 0 < w < 0.09, and 0.03 < y + z + w ≤ 0.12, which enhances the piezoelectric constant and eliminates the second-order phase transition at room temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If KNbO3-NaNbO3 piezoelectric ceramic composition is used, then lead-free environmental compatibility is achieved, but piezoelectric constant is too low for practical use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelead elutionVSAvoidpiezoelectric constant
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite piezoelectric ceramic material combining KNbO3, NaNbO3, LiNbO3, and SrTiO3 in specific proportions. This composite structure maintains the lead-free advantage while achieving a piezoelectric constant of 150 pC/N or more through synergistic effects of the multiple components, particularly utilizing LiNbO3 and SrTiO3 to enhance the piezoelectric properties of the base KNbO3-NaNbO3 system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters by precisely controlling the molar ratios of KNbO3 (0.4-0.6), NaNbO3 (0.03-0.12), LiNbO3 (0.01-0.05), and SrTiO3 (0.01-0.05). This parameter optimization transforms the base material's insufficient piezoelectric constant into a practical value suitable for liquid droplet ejection heads while maintaining environmental compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If KNbO3-NaNbO3 piezoelectric ceramic composition is used, then high Curie temperature is achieved, but second-order phase transition occurs near room temperature causing property degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCurie temperatureVSAvoidphase transition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the phase transition behavior by changing the compositional parameters. By incorporating LiNbO3 and SrTiO3 into the KNbO3-NaNbO3 system and optimizing their ratios, the second-order phase transition temperature is shifted away from the room temperature range (10-40°C), eliminating the property degradation issue while preserving the high Curie temperature advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

LiNbO3 and SrTiO3 act as intermediary components that mediate the phase transition behavior of the KNbO3-NaNbO3 system. These intermediary materials suppress the harmful second-order phase transition near room temperature through solid solution formation, stabilizing the crystal structure and preventing property degradation during temperature cycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 modified piezoelectric ceramic composition achieves a higher piezoelectric constant and stable liquid ejection properties without second-order phase transitions near room temperature, ensuring reliable performance in liquid droplet ejection heads.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric ceramic composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2218702B1Liquid droplet ejection head
Publication Date: 2014.03.05 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP2218702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2218702B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2218702B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A droplet ejection head provided with a piezoelectric actuator made by using a KNbO3-NabO3 piezoelectric porcelain composition which exhibits a larger piezoelectric constant than those of conventional ones and does not have any secondary phase transition point in the neighborhood of room temperature (from 10 to 40°C) and which is suitable for use in the piezoelectric actuator of a droplet ejection head, that is, a droplet ejection head characterized by being provided with a piezoelectric actuator made by using a piezoelectric porcelain composition represented by the general formula: (1-y-z-w)(KxNa1-x)NbO3 + yLiNbO3 + zSrTiO3 + wBiFeO3, wherein (KxNa1-x)NbO3 represents potassium sodium niobate; LiNbO3 represents lithium niobate; SrTiO3 represents strontium titanate; and RifeO3 represents bismuth ferrate; with the proviso that 0.4 &lt; x &lt;0.6, 0 &lt; y ≤ 0.1, 0 &lt; z &lt; 0.1, 0 &lt; w &lt; 0.09, and 0.03&lt;y+z+w≤0.12.