Piezoelectric Liquid Ejection Head Reinforcing Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric liquid ejection heads suffer from poor energy efficiency and crosstalk due to the deformation of opposing walls and thin partition walls, leading to inadequate liquid ejection and increased size, which hinders high-density configurations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design featuring a reinforcing portion in the common liquid chamber to support the opposing wall, reducing deformation and enhancing energy efficiency, while maintaining high accuracy and preventing crosstalk by positioning the common liquid chamber to minimize interference with pressure chamber operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the common liquid chamber is positioned on the back of the opposing wall to allow piezoelectric actuator deformation, then the actuator can push the opposing wall to deform, but the opposing wall is not firmly supported and is easily deformed, decreasing the amount of reduction in pressure chamber capacities and reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple plate members (base plate, spacer plate, manifold plates, ejection port plate) that are joined together. The opposing wall is formed by the spacer plate and manifold plates, which are firmly supported by being joined to the base plate and ejection port plate, preventing unwanted deformation while allowing the piezoelectric actuator to effectively reduce pressure chamber capacities.
Solution Approach 2:
The opposing wall is designed with specific structural characteristics - it is formed by joined plate members that provide localized support strength where needed. The spacer plate and manifold plates have sufficient thickness and are firmly joined to prevent deformation, while still allowing the piezoelectric actuator to effectively push the opposing wall for liquid ejection.
2Device complexity
If adjacent pressure chambers are partitioned by a thin partition wall, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the pressure from piezoelectric actuator deformation can deform the thin partition wall, causing crosstalk between adjacent pressure chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are designed with optimized thickness and structural characteristics that provide sufficient strength to prevent deformation and crosstalk while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The partition walls are formed as integral parts of the joined plate members, providing localized strength where needed without requiring complex additional structures.
3Productivity
If the opposing wall is not firmly supported, then the piezoelectric actuator can deform the opposing wall to push liquid, but the opposing wall is easily deformed by pressure, decreasing energy efficiency and causing crosstalk through the common liquid chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into multiple firmly joined plate members that provide structural support to the opposing wall. This segmentation with firm joining prevents unwanted deformation of the opposing wall while still allowing controlled deformation for liquid ejection, improving energy efficiency by reducing energy loss to unwanted wall deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The common liquid chamber serves as an intermediary that transmits pressure from the piezoelectric actuator to the liquid in pressure chambers. By firmly supporting the opposing wall that bounds the common liquid chamber, the system prevents unwanted pressure transmission and crosstalk through the common liquid chamber while maintaining effective liquid ejection.
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 design achieves high-accuracy liquid ejection with improved energy efficiency by minimizing opposing wall deformation and reducing crosstalk, allowing for a more compact and efficient liquid ejection head.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric actuator having a structure in which piezoelectric layers are laminated is joined to a substrate so as to cover the openings of pressure chambers provided in the substrate... When the piezoelectric actuator is deformed, so that the capacities of the pressure chambers are reduced, the liquid in the pressure chambers is ejected from the ejection ports to the outside.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes a plurality of ejection ports, a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with each of the ejection ports, a piezoelectric actuator constituting part of walls of the pressure chambers, and a common liquid chamber containing liquid to be supplied to the pressure chambers. The pressure chambers and the common liquid chamber are opposed with an opposing wall interposed therebetween. The opposing wall faces the wall of the pressure chambers constituted by the piezoelectric actuator. A reinforcing portion that supports the opposing wall is provided in the common liquid chamber.