Piezoelectric Ejection Head Groove Structure for Actuator Mountability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piezoelectric actuators in liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges with insufficient mountability due to the fragility of piezoelectric materials and the difficulty in providing sufficient structural support for fine actuators.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head design featuring grooves in the piezoelectric member that separate piezoelectric elements, with deeper grooves on one side for individual electrodes and shallower grooves on the other side for a common electrode, allowing for connection to a substrate, enhancing mountability and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If grooves are formed in the piezoelectric body to create separate columnar piezoelectric elements, then individual actuators can be achieved with separate electrodes, but the piezoelectric material becomes more fragile and mountability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric body is divided into multiple columnar piezoelectric elements by forming grooves between them. This segmentation enables each element to function as an independent actuator with separate individual electrodes, allowing selective actuation of specific nozzles while maintaining structural integrity through the grooved design
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrode configuration uses asymmetric connection where different portions of the common electrode are connected to each other through conductive material in the grooves, creating an asymmetric electrical connection pattern that enables both individual and common electrode functionality without compromising mechanical strength
2Adaptability or versatility
If corners are cut off to separate individual electrodes, then electrical separation is achieved, but structural integrity and ease of manufacture worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cutting corners off the piezoelectric body, grooves are formed between the columnar elements to achieve electrical separation. This segmentation approach allows individual electrodes to be defined by the groove geometry rather than material removal, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive material is introduced as an intermediary substance within the grooves to connect different portions of the common electrode. This intermediary approach enables electrical connection without requiring complex corner-cutting operations, making the manufacturing process more straightforward and reliable
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 improves the mountability and structural stability of piezoelectric actuators, enabling reliable operation and efficient liquid ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric body such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) can be used for driving of a liquid ejecting apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head, includes a piezoelectric member having grooves extending lengthwise in a first direction. The grooves separate the piezoelectric member into piezoelectric elements spaced from each other in a second direction. A connection portion of the piezoelectric member is under a portion of the grooves in a third direction and connects the piezoelectric elements to each other. Individual electrodes are on a first surface of the piezoelectric member on a first side. A common electrode is on a second surface of the piezoelectric member on a second side. Each groove has a depth on the first side that is deeper than a depth in an end portion on the second side. The depth of each groove in the end portion on the first side reaches through the piezoelectric member to a substrate.