Source: https://russianpatents.com/patent/233/2337828.html
Timestamp: 2019-07-16 17:15:41
Document Index: 88238813

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 14', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 110']

Device for depositing drops
The present invention relates to a device for applying droplets, in particular to ink jet printers with the formation of drops on request, their components and their manufacture.
Inkjet printers with the formation of drops on request, in the typical case, fall into one of two broad categories: bubble jet or mechanical. Bubble jet printers emit drop by selective heating of the liquid and formation of a bubble, which creates sufficient force to eject drops. Mechanical printers emit drop by changing the volume of the chamber for the application of pressure to the liquid in the chamber and, thus, to eject drops. The present invention primarily relates to a mechanical inkjet printers with the formation of drops on request, and in particular to mechanical printers, which use a piezoelectric material. Therefore, the bubble-jet device will not be described in detail.
Piezoelectric material, usually used for ink jet printing, a ceramic material, the lead zirconate titanate (PZT). PZT is relatively fragile and is in the form of sheets of sintered material. Leaves semi-finished handle mechanical or other means for forming separate drives.
One particularly excellent Pho is my run of the actuator is the actuator, produced by the applicant company and available on the market under the product code XJ500. Channels propylene in the piezoelectric material in such a way that they are limited on each side wall. Applied covering plate for closing the upper surface of the channels, and to the open front side of the channel attached jet plate. Formed nozzle passing through the nozzle plate and communicating with the channels. Electric voltage supplied to the walls, causing the deviation of the walls shift. Deviation causes compression of the ink in the channel and the ejection of droplets through the nozzle.
It was proposed to produce a piezoelectric printhead, and proposed some design. One design proposed in document WO 00/16981 related to the round chamber having a lower wall of a piezoelectric material made by molding.
Although the manufacturer of the drive through the molding is carried out quickly, some precision is lost in comparison with the traditional methods of sawing. In particular, the piezoelectric material shrinks during firing is often up to 30%. This uneven shrinkage in length of the piezoelectric material, and it leads to drives having different channel separation along the length of the matrix.
The present invention is directed to recenetly and other problems.
According to one object of the present invention obtained drive component for an inkjet printer with the formation of drops on request, with the specified component includes a housing having a top surface, an aperture in the specified upper surface, passing in the specified body along the axis of the opening, the drive design, located essentially within the specified aperture, and electrode means; these electrode means are arranged in such a way that they can make a field to the specified drive design, causing the warp drive design.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the housing is substantially does not change size when exposed to temperature extremes. Preferably, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the housing similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the actuator, and in the case of a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive material is particularly preferred materials are silicon or aluminum oxide. Other suitable materials can be detected using conventional experiments. When material is silicon, the opening can be formed by reactive ion etching or deep reactive ion etching. If the material is aluminum oxide, will also fit other technologies, such as the manhole is Naya cutting or machining.
Preferably, the drive structures were isolated power structures, that is, to each design was separate from the adjacent actuating structures and was not part of the overall drive design. Drive design can not be isolated in this context if, for example, they consist of self-supporting sheets of actuating structures. However, isolated drive designs can be joined with a thin layer of material having the same properties as the drive structure.
The opening may extend from the top surface to the bottom surface opposite to the specified upper surface. An aperture passing into the housing from the top surface, may have sides that are perpendicular to the top surface. Alternatively, the surface of the opening may lie at a non-perpendicular angle to the upper surface, that is, the aperture may be inward or outward when passing from the upper surface.
The configuration of the aperture can be used to set the configuration of the drive element or the aperture can be made additional forming elements to set the configuration of the actuator, which is preferably generally convex or follows the shape of a truncated cone. The actuator may be called along the specified axis of the opening and also the soda is to press the flat part at the end of this narrowing; specified flat portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface; these upper and lower surfaces lie parallel to the specified upper and lower surfaces of the housing. The upper surface may lie in the plane specified upper surface of the housing. The bottom surface may lie within the specified aperture, and both said upper surface and the lower surface can move in the direction of the doorway.
Preferably, at least part of the body and parts of the forms that specify the configuration of the drive is removed when the drive is molded to provide a more free movement of the drive, although the drive can remain attached at least to the part of the body. The removal of this material can be performed by etching or by using any other technology with the surface of the housing, opposite the upper surface. The opening can in this case be carried through the housing, with the drive design forms an impenetrable barrier across it.
The opening may be round, but more preferably has an elongated shape. Through the housing can be many openings or linear group, or in the configuration matrix.
The electrodes, which are located so that they could make the field to the actuator, can be formed, e.g. the measures from aluminum or Nickel. Preferably, one of the electrodes is a ground electrode, and the other is an active electrode, and preferably so that they pass on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric structure.
Can be applied membrane, which passes over one or both surfaces of the enclosure. Drive design can affect the specified membrane, thereby deflecting at least part of the corresponding surface. When the covering plate is attached to the housing, thus forming the ejection chamber, the drive must be positioned so that it was caused by the pressure fluctuations of the liquid contained in the ejection chamber. The membrane can form a homogeneous wall of the base of the camera, as well as to protect the actuator from the chemical action of the ink.
Alternatively, the membrane or in addition thereto, any space between the drive design, the aperture and the plane of the top or bottom surface can be filled with a compressible material, such as silicone rubber.
Preferably, the material covering the plate corresponds to the case material in relation to the coefficient of thermal expansion, and the shape of each chamber preferably conforms to the shape opened the th, that is, if the aperture has an elongated shape, the channel has an elongated shape.
According to the second object of the present invention, the received component to eject droplets in a predetermined direction of flight of the droplets, and the specified component contains the drive design, shifting when the actuation specified in a given direction of flight of the droplets; the specified actuator forms a part of the ejection chamber and contains a window through which ejects the specified BLOB.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the guiding structure forms at least three walls of the ejection chamber. Camera, preferably generally convex or follows the shape of a truncated cone, and the window is located at the base. The actuator moves in a given direction of emission, thus throwing a drop.
The actuator may be located inside the opening in the supporting structure, or may be mounted on the top surface. The ink can be fed into the chamber at either end from the upper surface of the supporting structure, covering the camera, or through holes formed in the supporting structure.
Jet plate with nozzles can be placed on the surface of the actuator so that the nozzle had a message in a fluid environment with Windows.
Drive design, preferably Naples the s and form a relatively complex three-dimensional configuration, which have a generally convex shape or follow the shape of a truncated cone.
The drive structure can be formed, for example, by spraying, of a flexible sheet of piezoelectric material, the slurry containing the piezoelectric particles. The piezoelectric particles may be consumed in the matrix, in the typical case, from a thermoplastic material, although there may be other suitable materials, including thermosetting materials such as epoxy resin.
The opening is etched through the body, and spent the molding element located in the opening. It is used with a housing for forming the piezoelectric structure with the aid of known techniques injection molding of ceramic materials. Then the body is exposed to high temperature for sintering the piezoelectric material. When consumed molding element is a polymeric material, it is burned and removed during phase sintering.
In a particularly preferred form of implementation of this method spent molding element is a part of the body. Reactive ion etching forms a tapering hole, which can be used as the mold. After the step of sintering the case may be Vitruvian on the opposite side to release piezoelectric the koi design. As the reactive ion etching is the selective process, the silicon can be removed without removal of the piezoelectric structure.
This is the preferred technology can likewise be used when the piezoelectric material is then precipitated with thin layers of either one by one or many layers. Layers can be precipitated either by spraying or thin flexible layers, as described above.
According to a preferred method of carrying out the invention the body of silicon is subjected to reactive ion etching for forming the opening. The piezoelectric material used in the form of a flexible sheet which is laid on one side of the flat body. Then the sheet is subjected to the pressure differential between the opening and the opposite side of the sheet, and a lower pressure exists within Pragma. The molding element may be located inside the opening.
The flexible sheet can be thus formed in the form of three-dimensional structures and can be fired to sintering of the piezoelectric particles in the flexible sheet and for burning media matrix. The electrodes are precipitated on the inner and outer surfaces formed of the piezoelectric structure. For isolation of electrode material from ink, you can precipitate the membrane and/or polymer material.
According to the other object of the present invention is obtained a method of forming a component for an inkjet printhead, containing the steps of: a) receiving housing having a molding element, (b) forming a deformable drive design, and configuration of the specified drive design is defined, at least partially specified molding element, (C) removing at least part of the molding element and d) receiving electrode means; moreover, these electrode means positioned so that they could make the field to the specified drive design to warp the specified drive design, when the specified drive design attached to the specified case.
The housing provides support for the drive as in the manufacture and use and has features of the mold to partially set the configuration. Preferably, the actuator is non-planar and may be placed inside the openings made in the body.
According to another object of the present invention, obtained by the method of forming a component for an inkjet printhead, comprising stages of: a) perform a body having a top surface, (b) forming an aperture in a specified upper surface, passing in the specified case, and (C) forming within the specified opening drive design; however, the specified drive structure remains attached to the specified case when Pref is Denia in action.
According to another object of the present invention obtained grooved component of the inkjet printer with the formation of drops on request, containing the elongated walls of the channels, restricting a set of elongated channels for fluid, and each channel contains one wall, which can elastically deform in the desired direction of actuation, perpendicular to the channel length; the corresponding ejection nozzle connected to the channel at the point in the middle of its length; means for supplying fluid, creating a continuous flow of fluid at the specified channel; acoustic boundaries on the respective opposite sides of the channel serving to reflect acoustic waves in the fluid in the channel, and the separation of these acoustic boundaries between the channels is different from explode of these nozzles between channels.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the spacing of these acoustic boundaries between channels is less than explode these nozzles between channels. The channels may have a herringbone configuration with the angle of the Chevron becoming more acute with increasing distance from the channel having essentially straight form.
Preferably, essentially straight channel is located in the centre of the module, and having the opposite configuration of a series of channels the kid is Noi forms are located on opposite sides of him.
Preferably, the channels are located on the tile with a group of nozzles passing linearly across the tiles. Many of the same tiles can be costacabana along the corresponding edges, used in this group of nozzles with the same linear spacing of the nozzles across the width of the same tiles and across a joint.
Edge joint may be notched, and the corresponding teeth can alternate.
The driving component drives that has a configuration similar to the configuration of each of the channels of various configurations may be imposed layer on the grooved component for forming an inkjet printhead.
Can be applied to the chamber component that contains multiple ejection chambers having different sizes and contain ejectable liquid; a drive component containing multiple drives with different sizes, and the specified drive component connected to the specified chamber component such that the ejection chamber and the actuator are combined so that the drive could cause pressure fluctuations of the specified fluid for ejection of droplets of these cameras, and that these ejected droplets were essentially identical characteristics.
Now the invention will be described only as an example with reference to the following drawings, in which:
the IG. 1A, b and C - type inkjet component corresponding to the present invention.
Fig. 2A and b are views of an alternative implementation of the jet component corresponding to the present invention.
Fig. 3 - view the location of the channels in the module.
Fig. 4 is a view of an alternative arrangement of the channels in the module.
Fig. 5 is a view of the configuration in which the two modules are connected with each other.
Fig. 6 is a view of an alternative dock.
Fig. 7 is a view of the stacked modules with channels, rotated by 90°.
Fig. 8 is a view of an alternative configuration of the channels.
Fig. 9 is a view of the stacked modules with channels in a Chevron configuration.
Fig. 10 is a view of an alternative configuration of the docking modules containing channels herringbone configuration.
Fig. 11 is a view of the driving component corresponding to the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a view of the printhead, including the component shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 13A-13d - method of manufacturing a component corresponding to one variant embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 14a-14C - another method of manufacturing the component.
Fig. 15A-e - a method of manufacturing a drive component.
Fig. 16A-16C - another method of manufacturing the component.
Fig. 17A-17c is an alternative method of manufacture, according to which the body serves as the mold and end bearing comp is the component.
Fig. 18a and 18b is the alternative design of the drive.
Fig. 19a and 19b is the alternative design of the drive.
Fig. 20 is a view of an alternative design of the drive.
Fig. 21 is a view of another alternative construction of the drive.
In the figures the same parts are denoted by the same reference position.
As shown in Fig. 1(a) and 1(b), where Fig. 1(B) is a sectional view made along line x-X in Fig. 1(a), pulsed droplet printhead consists of a covering component 14 and the drive component 1, and between these components formed the ejection chamber 12.
Covering part 14 consists of a Nickel alloy, i.e. material, thermally corresponding to the material of the drive component 12, which consists mainly of silicon, but also contains an active part 8. Ejection chamber has an elongated shape and has an acoustic length defined by the distance between the Windows 3 for supplying ink is formed in the drive component. The depth of ink in the window for filing creates an acoustic boundary that effectively reflects the acoustic wave moving in the ink.
Window 3 for filing is intended to supply ink into the chamber and for circulating the liquid through the chamber, through the passage of fluid into the chamber through one window and outflow is ernil from the chamber through the second window. When necessary circulation of the fluid, the flow rate through the chamber, amounting to ten times or more the flow rate relative to the maximum volumetric flow rate through the nozzle. It is desirable that the window was held across the width of the channel, or at least a significant part of the channel.
When the active part 8 of the actuator moves or ejection chamber, or from it and creates a compression wave moving longitudinally in opposite directions through the channel. The compression wave is reflected acoustic boundaries, adjacent to the power Windows, and converge toward the nozzle, causing the ejection of a drop.
To generate moving in the longitudinal direction of the acoustic wave movement of the actuator in the channel must be fast, less than the value of AL/c, where c is the speed of sound in the ejectable liquid. Preferably, the time required for movement of the actuator to the camera and it is a maximum of half the value of the AL/c and even more preferably within less than AL/c. Distance traveled when moving an active part in the channel and it may not be large, and a sufficient force for ejection of the liquid can be generated when moving in the channel and out to a distance of 50 nm or less, and sometimes only 10 nm. This applies to channel length, preferably from 1 mm to 10 mm, a depth of from 30 to 60 μm and a width of from 30 to 100 μm. The value of AC is the same, accordingly, it may be less than 10-2and, moreover, 10-3the low measure ejection chamber.
Through actuation of the active part many times quickly and consistently, you can increase the amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle. Depending on the chosen mode can be or to allocate additional amounts of ink, despite the fact that the drop remains associated with the plate to allow, or to allocate additional amounts of ink in an additional separate drops. Due to the aerodynamic effects of these additional drops will usually move faster than thrown before a drop of ink. If the printhead operates in accordance with the second mode, the droplets ejected later, mixed with the previously ejected drop of the ink before it reaches the base or at the time of exposure. The technique of changing the volume of the ejected ink called "gray scale", and is described in more detail in the document EP-A-0422870 (included in this description) and therefore will not be described here in more detail.
The design shown in Fig. 1(a) and 1(b), collectively known as design "side selector", because the ink napylyaetsya through a nozzle located at an intermediate position along the length of the ejection chamber and in the direction in which the ejected droplet moves the I perpendicular to the direction of length of the camera. However, the design can be modified to form what is known in the art as "end the extractor, as shown in Fig. 1(C). As in the example shown in Fig. 1A, the print head contains a covering component 14 and the drive component 1. However, the nozzle is located in the end wall of the ejection chamber 12 so that the ejected droplet moving in a direction parallel to the direction of the length of the chamber.
The direction of movement of the active part 8 again is the direction of ejection of the camera or away from it. Just as this occurs in the construction side of the ejector, this movement creates an acoustic wave that travels the length of the camera and reflected acoustic boundary formed by the window for ink supply. The reflected wave converges to the nozzle, thus throwing a drop. This technique ejection liquid and forms waves, suitable for ejection of droplets, as described in document WO 95/25011 (included here as reference material).
For printhead type "grey scale", throwing out many drops in rapid succession to create the proper image tone on paper, the preferred length of the camera, which constitutes about 1-2 mm For the print head with a two-level representation of the image, throwing drops one is th size, the camera preferably has a length, which is about 1 cm
Another form of pulse printhead channels shown in Fig. 2(a) and (b). In this case, the drive component contains the active portion 8 that is installed on an inactive basis 1.
The active part to give effect to increase and reduce the volume of the ejection chamber 12. This creates an acoustic wave, which moves in the longitudinal direction inside the chamber and which is reflected acoustic boundaries, which are formed step changes the depth of the ejection chamber at each end of the active part 8.
What has been described above in relation to the operation of the device shown in Fig. 1(a) and 1(b)generally applies to the device shown in Fig. 2(a) and 2(b). You can also run the device with a mechanical extractor, shown generally in Fig. 1(C), with the active part 8 installed on an inactive basis.
Acoustic seal, described above, is one mechanism of ejection drops using a mechanical drive. Another mechanism is printing using full resistance. When you print using the full resistance of the large acoustic boundaries replace the narrow inlet holes for ink having a high impedance. When the actuation of the mechanical actuator of the disturbances is aetsa in the ejection chamber, and ink, which cannot leave the ejection chamber through an inlet for ink high-impedance, squeezed out of the nozzle as from a tube of toothpaste. Printheads using impedance require that the actuators are moved in the ejection chamber and out at a greater distance than in the acoustic HP printheads, and usually require a lower speed deviation. Ejection cameras also have smaller sizes.
Ejection camera feature next to each other group and form in the module. The module shown in Fig. 3, contains four groups of ejection channels placed on the tile parallel groups. The module is designed to scan the basis on which put the seal in the direction S of the scan. Each group has nozzles arranged with a constant pitch, and each group is offset from the other groups in the direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning.
The module shown in Fig. 3, contains 64 channels, arranged in four groups of 16 ejection chambers 12. Each group is able to print individually with a density of deposition of droplets comprising from 100 dpi to 360 dpi, and offset from the adjacent group in the direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning by the value of p/n, where p is the step they are situated the nozzles, and n is the total number of groups. This ensures that the print density module is n times greater than the density of the print group.
The module is formed as a parallelogram with vertical edges (when looking at the figure), tilted at an angle of about 120° relative to the upper and lower edges. This angle can be considered as the angle of the module. The channels are arranged so that the direction of their longitudinal extent parallel to the direction S of the scan. Each channel has a length, which is about 1 mm, and the width, which is about 60 microns.
In Fig. 4 channels is rotated by 90° so that the direction of their elongation perpendicular to the direction S of the scan. Group inclined to obtain the same density of the spray droplets, as in the variant shown in Fig. 3, however, you can find other angles to obtain different densities of the spray droplets. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the angle of inclination of the group with respect to the bottom edge of the tile may not be the same as the angle of the module.
The ratio between the channel length, angle, channel, angle group, the corners of the module and the desired print density for both parallel and perpendicularly oriented channels (relative to the direction of scan) must be chosen so as to be able to join the modules next to each other for receiving the head, which Shire is one module without noticeable changes explode drops across the width of the head. The relative distance between the nozzles define diversity drops.
In Fig. 5 shows two modules 50A, 50b, stacked next to each other and containing vertical channels. Channel separation is achieved by the constant density of deposition of drops on the width of each of the modules and interface. However, this may lead to unacceptably thin section of wall in the abutting edges of the modules. When the length of the channel is at an angle to the joint, the thickness of the cross section decreases along the length of the channel. As noted above, the acoustic device is generating droplets are channels of greater length than the device is generating droplets on the basis of the impedance. Thus, this problem is especially acute in the case of acoustic devices.
The damage to the walls in any of these points of minimum cross-section of the wall can lead at best to the presence of flowing ejection chamber and in the worst case, the presence of the idle ejection chambers in the printhead. Because the presence of one idle ejection chambers require rejection of the entire module, such damage is inflicted serious damage to the development of products.
It was found that the minimum wall thickness at the edge of the joint may be increased by moving the modules as shown in Fig. 6, where the neighboring module offset h is the distance equal to half the height of the module (as shown in the figure). Each of the outer channels may be moved inward from the edges of the respective modules, which gives more reliable printhead while maintaining a constant pitch of the nozzles across the width of the head.
By turning channels on 90° you can move the edge of the junction of the parts with tight tolerances from the edges of the channels to a more tolerant parts at the ends of the channels, as shown in Fig. 7. External wall external channels, so you can run thicker and more robust, without adversely affecting the step of nozzles in the direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning.
As noted above, the slope of the channel, the angle of the parallelogram (the angle of the module) and the length of the group is affected by the amount of available area for docking. In Fig. 8 shows another arrangement of the channels, providing a reliable docking modules. The previous figures shows the direct channels. The present applicant found that when the channels are formed in a manner different from sawing, for example, by etching or removal of material, you can use an alternative form of channels, which are particularly suitable for ejection of the liquid by using the above-mentioned principles of acoustic ejection.
The channels shown in Fig. 8, retreat in the form of a fan is t center channel with increasing severity of "chevrons". Thus, the constant pitch of the nozzles can be obtained, albeit with a slightly smaller step than if the channels were direct. External channels longer than the inner channel, and any apparent change in the characteristics of the ejection liquid can be eliminated by forming modifier boundary acoustic reflection or grooved component, or at the drive component. These modifiers can be insert or ledge, or any other characteristic in the cell.
Using one of the technologies of manufacture of the actuator, which is described below, it is possible to form the drive in the drive component, which is likewise formed in a Chevron configuration. These configure drives individually in the sense that they represent the chevrons with the growing point corresponding to the chevrons in the grooved component. The actuators can also be modified, for example, by changing their length or width to minimize any changes to the characteristics of the ejection of fluid from different channels.
With reference to Fig. 9 and 10 will be described the configuration in which connected two modules with channels herringbone shape. Preferably, the modules can be formed in the form of a square or rectangular tiles. Grooved component and the driving component have a relatively thick sections with Thor the eve of the wall along the greater part of the edges of the joint. The plot with the front wall is more durable and less prone to damage during docking modules.
The thickness of the sites with the front wall can be further increased with the use of the module described with reference to Fig. 10. Joined edges of the modules are notched shape, the teeth of which alternate with each other. Constant pitch of the nozzles across the width of the modules and between modules is achieved in spite of the adhesive 51 between the modules to provide additional support abutting edges and more durable joint.
With regard to the drive component, a typical device corresponding to the present invention, shown in Fig. 11.
Made of the silicon body 2, which has a number of elongated openings 4. Inside the opening formed structure 8 of the piezoelectric material. To facilitate the description shows only one opening 4, and one piezoelectric design.
Design 8 of the piezoelectric material, as you can see, contains a flat area 8A and sloping walls 8b, 8C, holding the opposite edge of the flat zone. With the orientation shown in the figure, the upper surface of the flat area lies in the same plane with the upper surface of the case.
Applied electrode material 7, which passes through the upper or outer surface of the piezoelectric design and also passes through the upper surface of the housing and connected to the adjacent piezoelectric structures located in the hull.
The other electrode 6 is located on the inner or lower surface of the piezoelectric structure. This electrode acts as an active electrode connected to the driving circuit and may be selectively operate in accordance with a drive signal.
The piezoelectric material is polarized by the application of polarizing field between the electrodes for polarization in the direction indicated by the arrows 5. Flat area 8A, preferably, not polarized. Formed so polarized drive design may deviate for ejection of droplets from the ejection chamber by application of voltage between the electrodes.
The accompanying field causes thinning and elongation of the walls 8b, 8C drive design or thickening and shortening, depending on the relative directions of polarization and the accompanying field. It gives the effect of exit flat surface drive design from the plane of the corps component 2. The angle of the walls provides a gear ratio, which improves the characteristics of the actuator for the ejection of the liquid.
As shown in Fig. 12, the housing can be attached membrane plate 10 for separating the ink chamber 12 of the piezoelectric structure 8. Between the outer surface of the piezoelectric is instrukcii and the membrane 10 is placed polymeric or rubber material 13, additionally, increasing the structural stability provided by the silicon body 2. The material should be relatively rigid to maintain the effectiveness of the membrane plate. Silicone rubber has been recognized as particularly suitable, since it has a low shear modulus and a large module of the volumetric strain. When silicone rubber is used without a membrane plate, it is possible to provide protection from chemical attack by the ink by applying a thin coating of parylene or any other passivator.
Covering plate 14 covers the opening and is used in conjunction with the corps for education ejection chamber 12. The application of voltage to the walls of the piezoelectric structure causes a deflection of the membrane in the chamber and causes the propagation of the compression wave that ejects a drop through the nozzle 16. The distance by which to move the membrane is in the range of 10 nm.
In Fig. 13A-d shows a method of manufacturing a component corresponding to the present invention. First, as shown in Fig. 13A, produce the housing 2 is made of silicon, preferably, a thickness of from 500 μm to 1 mm, which has made it the opening 4. The opening has an elongated shape and has relative dimension in the range 1 mm to 60 mm.
Use the insert 18, which serve to sod istia the molding process. They are made of plastic material, which will be removed after or during the forming of the piezoelectric structure, and, preferably, they are formed by injection molding. Next may require mechanical or ablative processes to obtain the required profile.
In the opening place the template 20 that is used to make the configuration of the piezoelectric structure, which is formed between him and removable inserts. The suspension of the piezoelectric material is injected into the cavity through holes (not shown) in the template. For closing the cavity apply plate 22. Remove the inserts 18 are wasted in the sense that they can be liquidated by the input of the following stage of processing.
Suspension of the piezoelectric material contains particles of the piezoelectric material suspended in a binder of epoxy material so that they are in contact. Epoxy material allow to harden in the cavity under the influence of heat (or, if it is curable by ultraviolet radiation epoxy, using ultraviolet radiation) to obtain the original design. The template 20 and the plate 22 are removed.
Case, the piezoelectric structure and remove the paste is then heated to the sintering of the piezoelectric particles and burning adalae what's inserts and epoxy binder. Since the body is made of silicon holds the piezoelectric design, each design is substantially isolated, and shrinkage of the piezoelectric structure across the width of the body during the sintering process can be controlled. The sintering process generates the drive design. In piezoelectric structures form the drive wall thickness, preferably from 15 to 70 microns.
Then on the inner and outer surfaces of the piezoelectric structure precipitated electrode material or by vacuum deposition, coating through chemical recovery, or any other suitable technique. Besieged electrodes is convenient to use for the creation of polarization fields in the course of manufacture, and to generate the driving fields when working drive design.
In Fig. 14a-C shows another method of manufacturing a component corresponding to the present invention. In Fig. 14a shows a silicon case, obtained by reactive ion etching. It creates an aperture having a natural narrowing, which can be increased by using any known technology.
The piezoelectric structure may be formed using molding technology, as described above with reference to Fig. 13, or by stacking many thin sheets p is isoelectrical material using vacuum forming or stamping, etc.
After sintering the piezoelectric structure for the formation of the final structure as shown in Fig. 14b, the body part etched to release the piezoelectric structure, as shown in Fig. 14C. Especially preferred method of etching is reactive ion etching. Reactive ion etching is the selective process in the sense that it will remove the silicon without damaging the drive design. The electrodes are re-imposed with the use of known techniques.
Accordingly, the component can also be formed using the technology of parallel processing to produce microelectromechanical systems. This method is described with reference to Fig. 15.
Produce the silicon wafer 100 shown in Fig. 15(a), which sprayed the bare plate 102 shown in Fig. 15(b). On the bare plate sprayed coating 104 of silicon dioxide, and the uncovered surface of the precipitated silicon layer 106 of silicon nitride, as shown in Fig. 15(C) and (d). Then on the layer of silicon nitride is applied to the photoresist 108 by way of centrifugation or similar manner, as shown in Fig. 15(e).
Part 110 of the photoresist mask 108 and exhibit, as shown in Fig. 15(f), and then show and delete, as shown in Fig. 15(g). The public portion of the silicon nitride 106 poisoned the La opening of the silicon surface 100, as shown in Fig. 15(h). Then the remaining photoresist 108 is removed, as shown in Fig. 15(i).
Precipitated a new layer of photoresist 112 and exhibit, as shown by the positions 114 and are as described above. Zone opened by the manifestation of photoresist, metal fill material 116 in any suitable way, at least as shown in Fig. 15(j)15(k)15(l) 15(m).
The undeveloped photoresist 112 is removed, as shown in Fig. 15(n), and form a layer 118 of silicon nitride covered with a layer of photoresist 120 as shown in Fig. 15(a). The photoresist exhibit 122 and are, as shown in Fig. 15(b). Uncovered part of the silicon nitride etched and the remaining photoresist is removed, as shown in Fig. 15(q).
On the basis of the sprayed metal coating 124, as shown in Fig. 15(r), resulting in between some of the underlying paths 116 is formed on the connection. Precipitated additional coating of photoresist 126, as shown in Fig. 15(s), and its exhibit and show. Open now part of the coating layer is etched, revealing the silicon surface, as shown in Fig. 15(t).
The remaining photoresist is removed, and the silicon is etched using a liquid etching, reactive ion etching or deep reactive ion etching for forming the groove 128, as shown in Fig. 15(u).
Then the mask of the metal is lifestage cover removed and put additional seed plate 130, passing along the inner surface of the etched groove, as shown in Fig. 15(v) 15(w). The seed plate may form an active electrode and a point of sticking a piezoelectric material 132, which precipitated the opening for forming the actuator having a concave cross-section, as shown in Fig. 15(x). The piezoelectric material is heated for forming a hard drive design, and then form an internal electrode 134, as shown in Fig. 15(u).
The internal electrode and the upper surface of the drive component is covered with a protective layer 136 of silicon nitride, as shown in Fig. 15(z). On the opposite lower side of the drive component, put a layer of photoresist 138, which then exhibit 140 and show. The mask used for etching the layer 104 of silicon dioxide, as shown in Fig. 15(AA), 15(ab) and 15(AU).
Then apply a new coating photoresist 142, exhibit 144 and show the opening part of the spray plate 102, which is then removed by etching, as shown in Fig. 15(ad)15(AE) and 15(af).
Then the silicon base etched from the bottom side to release the piezoelectric drive design. A layer of silicon dioxide is removed and attached flexible membrane plate 146, as shown in Fig. 15(ag), 15(ah), 15(ai).
In Fig. 16A-C shows another method of manufacturing a component is using flexible raw piezoelectric strips or sheets, currently available on the market. The flexible sheet 26 is freely placed on the bottom surface of the housing 2, and on the opposite side of the housing is placed covering the plate 28 with the window 30. The window is used to create in the opening 4 of the housing of low pressure, which causes deformation of the flexible piezoelectric sheet in the doorway, as shown in Fig. 16C. Alternatively, you can expose to high pressure the other side to deform the flexible sheet in a configuration forming element located in the opening.
The housing and the sheet is subjected to the operation of fixing the flexible sheet inside the opening and heat treatment for forming the drive design. The portion of the sheet remaining on the outside of the doorway, removed (for example by grinding) before the deposition of the electrode material.
Another variant embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 17A-17c. In this embodiment, the drive structure forming an enclosure as a reference and forming means during manufacture, as well as support when working drive design, when it is used to eject drops. First form a silicon body with protrusions 32, and the tabs are homogeneous of silicon or additional molding component. The piezoelectric material 26 is formed around the protrusions and then is sintered to the formation of the I the piezoelectric structure 24. In the case perform the openings 34 for the annealed piezoelectric design to release, and in this way remove the ledge. As noted above, the preferred method of removing the protrusion when the protrusion of the silicon is reactive ion etching.
When the molding tool is made from a material other than silicon, it can be obtained by depositing or forming. The material can be, for example, photoresist. Using such materials, you can release the actuator without removing the silicon material. Formed piezoelectric structure can be poltroncina and have open ends through which the photoresist wash.
One of the advantages of reactive ion etching used to remove silicon, is that this electoral process, which does not remove the piezoelectric structure.
Then attach the covering plate 14 with a nozzle 16 through which the camera 12 are ejected ink. Instead of using silicon body you can use the body of metal or other material. It can also be formed with deployme means through which the ejected liquid.
In all the above variants of the invention, the covering plate 14, the housing 2 and the piezoelectric structure 24 clicks the form ejection channel. In alternative embodiments, shown in Fig. 18a and 18b, ejection channel formed flat covering plate and the piezoelectric structure.
The piezoelectric structure 6 is formed as shown in Fig. 13-16, however ejection channel forms the inner surface of the piezoelectric structure, and not the outer surface.
Flat covering plate can be made of polyimide, held on a metal plate from one of polyimide, or may be a nozzle plate made by the method of the electrotype. It will be clear that on the inner surface of the drive structure may be located in passivator, thus protecting the electrodes from chemical corrosion.
The ejection chamber 12 has an elongated shape and has two Windows 11, 13 located at each end. When the work is created, the flow of ink, which passes into the channel through one window and out of the channel through another. The flow of the ink, preferably, sufficient to remove contaminants and air bubbles trapped in the channel. The flow may be continuous, when it passes through the chamber, as when the ink is ejected, and when the ink is thrown.
To the piezoelectric design makes the voltage that causes the movement of the basics of the channel to the nozzle 16 and from him. This creates in the well of the acoustic compression, along the channel up and down. In the position corresponding to the location of the Windows 11, 13 for supplying ink pressure wave is reflected acoustic boundary and moves back up the channel, converging nozzle and throwing a drop.
The design can also be modified, as shown in Fig. 19a and 19b. In this embodiment of the invention covering the plate shown in Fig. 18 replace the flexible membrane including a nozzle plate. Although the membrane and jet plate shown as separate components, they can be used as a single component.
When the piezoelectric design using deformed, the flexible membrane is also deformed. Ink can circulate through the channel, as described with reference to Fig. 7. Inlet and outlet ports is performed in a separate plate 15.
Of course, it is possible to form the drive-based design without its location in the opening, as shown in Fig. 20 and 21.
The configuration shown in Fig. 20, is close to that shown in Fig. 19 with the difference consisting in that the piezoelectric structure 6 formed on the flat housing, which serves as a covering plate 15, forming a window 11, 13; and that the jet plate 9 is held directly on the piezoelectric structure.
In the alternative construction shown in Fig. 21, p is astine 15, serving as a covering plate, and allow the plate to form semi-cylindrical piezoelectric structure 6. Structure 6 can be formed, for example, using one of the above technologies while holding in the manufacture of the photoresist or other consumable material, which is subsequently burned. The electrodes 7 and 8 formed on the external and internal surfaces of the piezoelectric structure, are used during manufacturing to polarize the piezoelectric material in the direction of the arrows shown, and are using for the application of drive field. The thickness of the piezoelectric structure, preferably, is about 15 μm, the channel width is about 200 microns, and the length is about 1 mm Thickness covering/allow plate may range from 25 to 125 microns, and the width of the nozzle 16 can be from 25 to 50 microns. If appropriate, the nozzle may be formed in a separate to allow the plate associated with a slightly thicker covering plate.
Using piezoelectric actuators possible number of different forms of actuation, including direct mode, shear or bending. In direct mode, use the modes d33 and d31 piezoelectric material, and the mode shift is d15.
what each sign, shown in the description and/or in the claims and in the drawings, may be obtained independently or in any appropriate combination. Any individual characteristic of a variant embodiment of the invention can be incorporated into other options. Any sign of the dependent claim may be included in the item from which it is independent.
In addition, any described grooved component and any of the described drive component can be used together.
1. The method of forming a component for an inkjet printhead, comprising stages of: a) perform a body having a top surface, (b) forming multiple openings in the specified upper surface passing into the housing, and (C) forming on the inside of each opening drive design; each guiding structure remains attached to the housing when the actuation.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the drive structure are isolated drive designs.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the opening is formed by etching material from the upper surface.
4. The method according to claim 3, in which case impose a mask to form the opening is narrowed with increasing depth.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of the housing contains the execution operation body having a molding ele is UNT, moreover, the configuration of the drive construction set, at least partially forming element.
6. The method according to claim 5, containing a deletion of at least part of the molding element.
7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said forming element is produced by adding material to the surface of the body.
8. The method according to claim 7, in which the specified material is a photoresist.
9. The method according to claim 5 or 6, in which the molding element is produced by removing material.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said material is removed by etching.
11. The method according to claim 1, also containing the runtime electrode means, which is positioned so that it is able to apply a field to drive the design to call its deformation when the drive structure is attached to the case.
12. The method according to claim 11, in which the step of forming the electrode means includes first operation of forming the first electrode layer and the second operation of forming the second electrode layer.
13. The method according to item 12, in which the first electrode layer is formed before the formation of the deformable drive design.
14. The method according to claim 11, in which at the stage of forming the drive electrode design tools are immersed in a suspension containing dispersed particles.
15. SPO is about on 14 in which dispersed particles contain a piezoelectric material.
16. The method according to 14 or 15, in which the suspension with electrode means immersed precipitating electrode for applying voltage between them and, thus, precipitation of dispersed particles on the electrode means.
17. The method according to 14, in which the besieged dispersed particles are heated for forming the drive design.
18. The method according to claim 6, in which the operation of removing at least part of the molding element is performed by etching.
19. The method according to claim 6, in which the operation of removing at least part of the molding element perform through leaching.
20. The method according to claim 6, in which the operation of removing at least part of the molding element is performed by heating.
21. The method according to claim 1, containing the submission of an emulsion containing particles, in an aperture, and the emulsion is at least partially corresponds to the configuration of the opening.
22. The method according to item 21, wherein the particles are particles of a piezoelectric material.
23. The method according to item 21 or 22, in which the suspension is subjected to heat treatment for forming the drive design.
24. The method according to claim 1, in which the inside of the opening is placed a flexible sheet of a piezoelectric material by the application thereto confused is Yes pressure; when this sheet at least partially corresponds to the configuration of the opening.
25. The method according to paragraph 24, in which the sheet is subjected to heat treatment for forming the specified drive design.
26. The method according to claim 1, in which inside the opening precipitated film of piezoelectric material using a sputtering method; in this film, at least partially corresponds to the configuration of the specified aperture.
27. The method according to p in which the film is subjected to heat treatment for forming the drive design.
28. The drive component of the inkjet printer with the formation of drops on request, comprising a housing having a top surface, an aperture in the upper surface passing into the housing along the axis of the opening, the convex drive design, located essentially inside the opening, and electrode means located so that they are able to make a field to drive the design so that the warp drive design.
29. Component p, which drive the design passes like an impenetrable wall across the doorway.
30. Component p or 29, in which aperture forms at least part of the ink ejection chambers.
31. Component p, which drive the design tapers along the axis of the opening.
32. Component p in which the specified item is Ivona design has a flat part at the end of the constriction; this flat portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface that are parallel to the specified upper and lower surfaces of the body.
33. Component p in which the specified upper surface of the bottom surface can move in the direction of the doorway.
34. Component p in which you have a lot of openings, each of which contains a corresponding drive design.
35. Component p, in which the opening is elongated in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the opening; and the specified opening is a channel.
36. Component p, in which the housing is formed of silicon or aluminum oxide.
Microinjector // 2146621