Liquid Ejecting Head With Self-Orienting Upper Piezoelectric Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting heads with stacked thin-film piezoelectric bodies, achieving proper orientation control of the upper piezoelectric body is challenging due to interactions with materials like lead, leading to suboptimal ejection characteristics and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second orientation control layer, such as a composite oxide with a perovskite structure, between the second thin-film piezoelectric body and the individual electrode to self-orient the upper piezoelectric body, ensuring precise alignment and improved ejection performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single crystal of titanium or titanium oxide is used as an orientation control layer for the upper piezoelectric body, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the orientation control of the upper piezoelectric body is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite orientation control layer structure consisting of a lower orientation control layer (single crystal of titanium or titanium oxide) and an upper orientation control layer (PbTiOx). This composite structure combines the advantages of both materials: the lower layer provides a stable crystal foundation, while the upper layer forms PbTiOx nuclei that effectively orient the upper piezoelectric body. This resolves the contradiction by achieving precise orientation control without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.
2Power
If two thin-film piezoelectric bodies are stacked in layers, then the displacement amount per unit voltage is approximately doubled, but the orientation control of the upper piezoelectric body becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The upper orientation control layer acts as an intermediary between the individual electrode and the upper piezoelectric body. It forms PbTiOx nuclei that mediate the orientation process, enabling the upper piezoelectric body to achieve proper crystal orientation despite the complex stacked structure. This intermediary layer resolves the orientation control difficulty while maintaining the doubled displacement advantage of the stacked configuration.
3Manufacturing precision
If PbTiOx is formed as an orientation control layer, then crystal growth can be promoted, but the orientation of the upper piezoelectric body cannot be achieved well due to lack of self-orientation property
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials with different properties at different locations: the lower orientation control layer uses single crystal titanium or titanium oxide for stable foundation formation, while the upper orientation control layer uses PbTiOx for crystal growth promotion. This local differentiation of material properties allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between crystal growth control and orientation achievement.
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
Enhances ejection characteristics and reduces costs by achieving better orientation control of multiple piezoelectric bodies, resulting in improved liquid ejection efficiency and reduced material requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric method uses piezoelectric elements configured to cause a diaphragm constituting a part of wall surfaces of pressure compartments to vibrate. The liquid with which the pressure comparts are filled is ejected from nozzles by causing the diaphragm to vibrate by means of the piezoelectric elements.
Implementation Method 2
It is known to use an orientation control layer for orienting the crystal of the thin-film piezoelectric body in a predetermined direction under the thin-film piezoelectric body.
Implementation Method 3
a second orientation control layer for controlling an orientation of the second thin-film piezoelectric body and having a property of self-orienting itself in a predetermined plane orientation is provided between the second thin-film piezoelectric body and the individual electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes: a second orientation control layer for controlling an orientation of the second thin-film piezoelectric body and having a property of self-orienting itself in a predetermined plane orientation is provided between the second thin-film piezoelectric body and the individual electrode.