Piezoelectric Inkjet Printhead Integrated Temperature Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric inkjet printheads face challenges in accurately sensing ink temperature, leading to increased viscosity and reduced ink ejection performance, which affects printing quality.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, directly attached to the printhead, allowing for accurate temperature monitoring and compensation, with mounting elements formed from the same materials as piezoelectric actuators using a soldering process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is integrated directly onto the printhead, then temperature sensing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated directly onto the printhead by forming its electrodes on the same insulating layer as the piezoelectric actuator electrodes. This merging of sensor and actuator structures eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting components, thereby improving temperature sensing accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer serves multiple functions: it acts as the base for both the piezoelectric actuator electrodes and the temperature sensor electrodes. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to support both actuation and sensing operations, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If the ink temperature increases to compensate for viscosity changes, then ink ejection performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on the ink temperature within the printhead. This feedback enables the control system to actively monitor and respond to temperature-induced viscosity changes, allowing for precise compensation that improves ink ejection performance while minimizing unnecessary heating and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating parameters based on the temperature sensor readings to compensate for ink viscosity changes. By changing the temperature parameter in response to actual conditions rather than using fixed high-temperature operation, the system improves ink ejection performance while reducing overall energy consumption.
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
Enables improved ink ejection performance and printing quality by allowing active compensation for temperature-induced viscosity changes, eliminating the need for individual calibration of temperature sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric inkjet printhead, which operates through the shape transformation of a piezoelectric element and ejects ink using pressure applied to the ink by the transformation of the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor on the first electrode... for sensing the temperature of ink an ink channel
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric inkjet printhead having a channel forming plate including an ink channel having a pressure chamber coupled to a nozzle, a piezoelectric actuator including a lower electrode on the channel forming plate, a piezoelectric element on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric actuator corresponding to the pressure chamber, an insulation element on the lower electrode and spaced apart from the piezoelectric element, a first electrode on the insulation element, and a temperature sensor on the first electrode, and a method of making the same.