Print Head Sensor Substrate for High-Density Piezo Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density piezoelectric elements in print heads generate excessive heat, affecting both the physical properties of ink and the characteristics of the piezoelectric elements, particularly in print heads with 300 or more nozzles per inch, leading to challenges in accurate temperature measurement and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A print head configuration that includes a drive module with 600 or more piezoelectric elements at a density of 300 or more per inch, combined with a sensor substrate made of conductive metal and liquid crystal polymer, allowing for accurate temperature measurement and easy assembly, with the sensor substrate being bendable to accommodate the dense layout and provide precise output signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If piezoelectric elements are arranged at high density (300 or more per inch) to increase nozzle density, then the productivity and printing capability are improved, but excessive heat is generated which affects ink properties and piezoelectric element characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor substrate with temperature sensors is introduced as an intermediary component between the piezoelectric elements and the control system. This substrate measures the temperature generated by high-density piezoelectric elements and enables corrective actions to be taken, allowing the system to maintain high productivity while managing heat effects through temperature compensation of drive signals.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are mounted on the print head to measure temperature, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but the assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor substrate integrates multiple temperature sensors and their support structures into a single unified component that can be attached to the print head as one assembly unit. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts that need to be handled during assembly, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining accurate temperature measurement capabilities across multiple locations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor substrate is made rigid to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but the reaction force during bending increases making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor substrate is designed with flexible properties that allow it to be easily bent and positioned during assembly operations. Once positioned, the substrate maintains its shape adequately for functional operation. This dynamic approach allows the substrate to transition from a flexible state during assembly to a stable state during operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and shape stability.
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 accurate temperature measurement across a wide range, facilitates high-density assembly, and enhances the precision of ink ejection by correcting for temperature-induced changes in piezoelectric element characteristics and ink properties.
Implementation Method 1
Piezoelectric elements corresponding to each of a plurality of nozzles in a print head are provided, and each of them is driven according to a drive signal, whereby a predetermined amount of liquid (ink) is ejected from the nozzles at a predetermined timing to form dots
Implementation Method 2
a sensor substrate on which a temperature sensor is mounted and which is attached to the drive module
Data Source
AI summary
A print head includes a drive module having 600 or more piezoelectric elements aligned at a density of 300 or more per inch for ejecting liquid, and a sensor substrate on which a temperature sensor is mounted and which is attached to the drive module, in which the sensor substrate is formed by laminating a conductive metal for transmitting an output signal of the temperature sensor and a liquid crystal polymer which is a nonconductive resin.