JP5134218B2 - Droplet ejection device and liquid transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid droplets and a liquid transport apparatus that transports liquid.

  In an ink jet head (droplet ejecting apparatus) that applies pressure to ink in a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle, ejects ink from the nozzle, and performs recording on a recording medium, vibration arranged to cover the pressure chamber with a piezoelectric actuator Some apply pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber by deforming the plate. For example, in the ink jet head described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-125743 (FIG. 3)), a piezoelectric layer is formed on the upper surface of the diaphragm, and a portion overlapping the pressure chamber on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer. The upper electrode (individual electrode) is formed. Then, by making the potential of the upper electrode higher than that of the diaphragm which is the lower electrode, the diaphragm is deformed so as to be convex toward the pressure chamber, and pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber to eject ink from the nozzles. , So-called strike.

  In the ink jet head described in Patent Document 1, in addition to the above-described pressing, so-called pulling can be performed. That is, the potential of the upper electrode is set higher than that of the diaphragm in advance, and the diaphragm is deformed so that it protrudes toward the pressure chamber side. After returning, ink can be ejected from the nozzles by deforming the diaphragm again at a predetermined timing. In such a striking operation, the negative pressure wave generated in the pressure chamber when the deformation of the vibration plate is returned to the original is reversed to a convex shape again to the pressure chamber side at the timing when the pressure wave is reversed. By superimposing, the pressure applied to the ink in the pressure chamber can be made larger than in the case where the pressure is applied. For this reason, it is possible to drive at a lower voltage when pulling than when pushing.

  On the other hand, the ink jet head described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-166463) is alternately arranged with a flow path unit in which a plurality of pressure chambers are formed, a plurality of piezoelectric sheets, and between them. And a piezoelectric actuator having a common electrode (drive electrode) and a common electrode (common electrode). The individual electrode and the common electrode overlap with the pressure chamber and have a pressure when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface of the piezoelectric sheet. It is formed in an annular shape along the edge of the chamber.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-125743 (FIG. 3) JP 2004-166463 A

  However, in order to perform striking in the inkjet head described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to keep the upper electrode at a higher potential than the diaphragm and continue to apply an electric field to the piezoelectric layer when ink is not ejected. There is. For this reason, there exists a possibility that the durability of a piezoelectric layer may fall. In addition, power consumption increases.

  On the other hand, in the piezoelectric actuator described in Patent Document 2, when a driving voltage is applied to the individual electrodes while the common electrode is held at the ground potential, a plurality of piezoelectric sheets are convex on the opposite side of the pressure chamber. It deforms as follows. Therefore, the above-described strike can be performed. In addition, in this case, the drive voltage may be applied to the individual electrodes only at the timing of ejecting ink. Therefore, an electric field is not applied to the piezoelectric layer other than the ink ejection timing, and polarization deterioration is unlikely to occur in the piezoelectric layer, so that there is an advantage that the durability of the actuator is increased.

  However, in the piezoelectric actuator of Patent Document 2, due to problems such as crosstalk, the wiring connecting each individual electrode and the driver IC is formed in a region that does not overlap with the individual electrode on the uppermost surface of the piezoelectric sheet. Here, since each individual electrode has a size that substantially overlaps the pressure chamber in plan view, the area where wiring can be formed on the uppermost surface of the piezoelectric sheet is substantially limited to an area that does not overlap the pressure chamber. . For this reason, when the pressure chambers are arranged with high density, it is very difficult to route the wirings connecting the individual electrodes and the driver IC. In particular, when the pressure chambers are arranged in multiple rows of three or more rows, the wiring of individual electrodes corresponding to the pressure chambers arranged in the inner row becomes a problem. Until now, in such cases, a method using a wiring member such as an FPC has been often employed, but the connection strength is very weak and the reliability of mechanical connection is lacking.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus and a liquid transfer apparatus capable of forming wiring corresponding to pressure chambers arranged at high density in addition to high durability and low power consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid droplets, the flow path unit including a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle, and one of the flow path units so as to cover the pressure chamber. A plate material disposed on the surface, and in a region overlapping the pressure chamber on the surface of the plate material opposite to the pressure chamber, the plate material is disposed so as to extend from one edge of the pressure chamber in a predetermined direction. A piezoelectric layer, an individual electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a common electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric layer, and changing the volume of the pressure chamber to change the pressure chamber A piezoelectric actuator that applies pressure to the liquid of the piezoelectric layer, and the length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is shorter than half of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction, A portion of the plate material facing the pressure chamber , Thickness than the other portion is thin walled portion is formed, the thin portion extends in the predetermined direction from the other edge in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber, and the piezoelectric layer and weight have a not not area, length in the predetermined direction of the thin portion, the piezoelectric layer of said prescribed long droplet jetting than a length in the direction is provided.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode, and an electric field is generated in a portion of the piezoelectric layer sandwiched between these electrodes, the piezoelectric material of the plate material (for example, a diaphragm) is obtained. The end of the portion where the layer is disposed is deformed so as to warp, and the volume of the pressure chamber increases. Therefore, the volume of the pressure chamber is increased by generating a potential difference between the individual electrode and the common electrode, and then the volume of the pressure chamber is restored by eliminating the potential difference between the individual electrode and the common electrode. The liquid can be ejected from the nozzle by applying pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber. As a result, in the case of performing the strike in which the droplet is ejected from the nozzle by once increasing the volume of the pressure chamber and then returning it to the original, a potential difference is previously generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode when the droplet is not ejected. It is not necessary to generate this, and the durability of the piezoelectric layer can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced. However, if the length of the piezoelectric layer in the predetermined direction is too long, the intermediate portion of the portion where the piezoelectric layer of the diaphragm is disposed is dented to the pressure chamber side, and the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced. The length in the predetermined direction is preferably shorter than half the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber.
Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the diaphragm is particularly easily deformed in the portion where the thin portion of the diaphragm is formed, and therefore when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode. In addition, the volume of the pressure chamber is greatly increased. In addition, the thin portion extends in the predetermined direction from the other edge in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber and has a region that does not overlap the piezoelectric layer, and the length of the thin portion in the predetermined direction is the piezoelectric layer. Longer than the length in a predetermined direction. According to this, the increase amount of the volume of the pressure chamber when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode can be further increased.

  In the droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the pressure chamber has a symmetric shape with respect to a straight line that passes through the center of gravity of the pressure chamber and is orthogonal to the predetermined direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface direction of the plate member. It may be. In this case, since the pressure chamber is symmetric with respect to a straight line passing through the center of gravity, the piezoelectric layer can be disposed on either side of the straight line, and the degree of freedom in arranging the piezoelectric layer is increased.

  In the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the pressure chamber may have an elongated shape, and the predetermined direction may be a short direction of the pressure chamber. In this case, the pressure chambers can be easily arranged at high density.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid droplets, the flow path unit including a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle, and one of the flow path units so as to cover the pressure chamber. One surface of the pressure chamber in a predetermined direction is disposed on the surface, the surface opposite to the pressure chamber is an insulating plate, and the surface of the plate opposite to the pressure chamber is overlapped with the pressure chamber. A piezoelectric layer disposed so as to extend from the edge of the piezoelectric layer in a predetermined direction, an individual electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a common electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric layer. A piezoelectric actuator for changing the volume of the pressure chamber to apply pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber, and the length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is the length of the pressure chamber Shorter than half of the length in the predetermined direction , Opposite to the surface with the pressure chamber of the plate, the the region where the piezoelectric layer is not disposed, connected to said individual electrode wires are formed in a portion facing the pressure chamber of the plate , thickness than the other portion is thin walled portion is formed, the thin portion, the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus that have a region which does not overlap with the piezoelectric layer.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, there is a portion where a piezoelectric layer is not formed in a region overlapping with a pressure chamber of a plate material such as a diaphragm, and the surface of the diaphragm opposite to the pressure chamber is Since it has insulation, wiring can be formed also in the part where the piezoelectric layer is not formed. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in arranging the wiring for applying a voltage to the individual electrode on the surface of the plate opposite to the pressure chamber is increased. That is, when there are a large number of individual electrodes (or pressure chambers), the wiring can be arranged with high density. In addition, by forming the wiring in a portion where the piezoelectric layer is not formed, it is possible to prevent an extra capacitance from being generated in the piezoelectric layer by the wiring and to reduce energy loss. Furthermore, since external wiring such as FPC is not used, the mechanical connection strength of the wiring can be increased.
Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the diaphragm is particularly easily deformed in the portion where the thin portion of the diaphragm is formed, and therefore when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode. In addition, the volume of the pressure chamber is greatly increased.

  In the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the pressure chamber has a symmetric shape with respect to a straight line that passes through the center of gravity of the pressure chamber and is orthogonal to the predetermined direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface direction of the plate member. May be. In the droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the pressure chamber may have an elongated shape, and the predetermined direction may be a short direction of the pressure chamber.

  In the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the plate member is formed on a plate-like conductive substrate disposed on one surface of the flow path unit, and a surface of the conductive substrate opposite to the pressure chamber. And an insulating layer. According to this, by forming the insulating layer on the surface of the conductive substrate made of a metal material or the like, it is possible to easily form an insulating plate on the surface opposite to the pressure chamber.

  In the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the plate material may be made of an insulating material. According to this, it is possible to easily form a plate material having an insulating surface.

  In the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is 1/12 to 1/3 of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction. 1 may be sufficient. According to this, when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode, the volume of the pressure chamber can be reliably increased.

  In the droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is ¼ of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction. There may be. According to this, the volume of the pressure chamber can be increased particularly greatly when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode.

  In the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the thin portion extends in the predetermined direction from the other edge in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber, and does not have to overlap the piezoelectric layer. According to this, the increase amount of the volume of the pressure chamber when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode can be further increased.

  In the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the length of the thin portion in the predetermined direction may be longer than the length of the piezoelectric layer in the predetermined direction. According to this, the increase amount of the volume of the pressure chamber when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode can be further increased.

  In the droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the length of the thin portion in the predetermined direction may be half or more of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction. According to this, the increase amount of the volume of the pressure chamber when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode can be further increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid transfer apparatus for transferring a liquid, a flow path unit including a pressure chamber, and a plate material disposed on one surface of the flow path unit so as to cover the pressure chamber, A piezoelectric layer arranged to extend in a predetermined direction from only one edge in a predetermined direction in a region facing the pressure chamber on a surface opposite to the pressure chamber of the plate member, and one surface of the piezoelectric layer A piezoelectric actuator for applying pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber by changing the volume of the pressure chamber, and an individual electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer, and a common electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric layer. And the length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is shorter than half the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction, and the portion of the plate material facing the pressure chamber , Thinner than other parts Parts are formed, the thin portion extends from the other edge in the predetermined direction in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber, and, have a region which does not overlap with the piezoelectric layer, wherein the thin portion A liquid transfer device is provided in which the length in the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the piezoelectric layer in the predetermined direction .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the liquid is transferred from the nozzle by once increasing the volume of the pressure chamber and then returning to the original, so-called striking is performed, when the liquid is not transferred, It is not necessary to generate a potential difference with the common electrode, so that the durability of the piezoelectric layer can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced. However, if the length of the piezoelectric layer in a predetermined direction is too long, the intermediate portion of the portion of the plate material where the piezoelectric layer is disposed is dented to the pressure chamber side, and the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced. The length in the predetermined direction is preferably shorter than half the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber.
Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the diaphragm is particularly easily deformed in the portion where the thin portion of the diaphragm is formed, a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode. In addition, the volume of the pressure chamber is greatly increased. In addition, the thin portion extends in the predetermined direction from the other edge in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber and has a region that does not overlap the piezoelectric layer, and the length of the thin portion in the predetermined direction is the piezoelectric layer. Longer than the length in a predetermined direction. According to this, the increase amount of the volume of the pressure chamber when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode can be further increased.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid transfer device for transferring a liquid, a flow path unit including a pressure chamber, and a plate material disposed on one surface of the flow path unit so as to cover the pressure chamber, A piezoelectric layer arranged to extend in a predetermined direction from only one edge in a predetermined direction in a region facing the pressure chamber on a surface opposite to the pressure chamber of the plate member, and one surface of the piezoelectric layer A piezoelectric actuator for applying pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber by changing the volume of the pressure chamber, and an individual electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer, and a common electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric layer. And the length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is shorter than half of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction, and the surface of the plate opposite to the pressure chamber The piezoelectric layer is not arranged To pass, connected to said individual electrode wires are formed in a portion facing the pressure chamber of the plate, the thin portion is thinner than other portions is formed, the thin portion, the liquid transfer device is provided that have a region which does not overlap with the piezoelectric layer.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is a portion where the piezoelectric layer is not formed in the region overlapping the pressure chamber of the plate material, and furthermore, the surface on the opposite side of the pressure chamber of the diaphragm is insulative. Wiring can also be formed in a portion where the piezoelectric layer is not formed. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in arranging the wiring for applying a voltage to the individual electrode on the surface of the plate opposite to the pressure chamber is increased. That is, when there are a large number of individual electrodes (or pressure chambers), the wiring can be arranged with high density. In addition, by forming the wiring in a portion where the piezoelectric layer is not formed, it is possible to prevent an extra capacitance from being generated in the piezoelectric layer by the wiring and to reduce energy loss.
Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the diaphragm is particularly easily deformed in the portion where the thin portion of the diaphragm is formed, and therefore when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode and the common electrode. In addition, the volume of the pressure chamber is greatly increased.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer that performs printing on recording paper by ejecting ink from nozzles.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet printer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet printer 1 includes a carriage 2 that can move in the scanning direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 1), a serial inkjet head 3 that is provided on the carriage 2 and that ejects ink onto recording paper P. The recording paper P is provided with a conveying roller 4 for conveying the recording paper P forward (in the paper feeding direction) in FIG. The ink jet head 3 performs printing by ejecting ink onto the recording paper P from the nozzles 15 (see FIG. 2) provided on the lower surface thereof while moving integrally with the carriage 2. Further, the recording paper P on which printing has been performed by the ink jet head 3 is discharged by the transport roller 4 in the paper feed direction.

  Next, the ink jet head 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inkjet head 3. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the inkjet head 3 includes a flow path unit 31 in which a plurality of individual ink flow paths including the pressure chamber 10 are formed, and a piezoelectric actuator 32 disposed on the upper surface of the flow path unit 31. have.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flow path unit 31 includes a cavity plate 20, a base plate 21, a manifold plate 22, and a nozzle plate 23, and these four plates 20 to 23 are joined in a stacked state. . Of these, the cavity plate 20, the base plate 21 and the manifold plate 22 are made of a metal material such as stainless steel, and the three plates 20 to 22 have an ink flow such as a pressure chamber 10 and a manifold 11 to be described later. The path is formed by a method such as etching. The nozzle plate 23 is made of a polymer synthetic resin material such as polyimide, and is bonded to the lower surface of the manifold plate 22. Alternatively, like the other three plates 20 to 22, the manifold plate 23 may be made of a metal material such as stainless steel.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cavity plate 20 is formed with a plurality of pressure chambers 10 (for example, 15) arranged in three rows in the paper feed direction. As shown in FIG. 3, each pressure chamber 10 is formed in a substantially oval shape that is long in the scanning direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) in plan view. Further, each pressure chamber 10 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a straight line L passing through the center of gravity of each pressure chamber 10 and parallel to the scanning direction. In the present embodiment, the short direction of the pressure chamber is set as a predetermined direction, and the width Wc (length in the predetermined direction) of the pressure chamber 10 is about 300 μm.

  Communication holes 12 and 13 are formed at positions where the base plate 21 overlaps both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 10 in plan view. A manifold 11 extending in the paper feeding direction is formed on the manifold plate 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the manifold 11 is formed so as to overlap the substantially right half of the pressure chambers 10 arranged in three rows. The manifold 11 communicates with an ink supply port 9 formed in a vibration plate 40 described later, and ink is supplied to the manifold 11 from the ink supply port 9. In the manifold plate 22, communication holes 14 communicating with the communication holes 13 are formed at the ends of the pressure chambers 10 in the longitudinal direction on the opposite side to the manifold 11 in a plan view.

  Furthermore, the nozzle 15 is formed in the nozzle plate 23 in the position which overlaps with the some communication hole 14 by planar view, respectively. When the nozzle plate 23 is made of a synthetic resin material, the plurality of nozzles 15 can be formed by excimer laser processing or the like, and when the nozzle plate 23 is made of a metal material, the plurality of nozzles 15 can be formed by a method such as press working.

  The manifold 11 communicates with each pressure chamber 10 via each communication hole 12. Further, the pressure chamber 10 communicates with the nozzle 15 via the communication holes 13 and 14, respectively. As described above, the flow path unit 31 is formed with a plurality of individual ink flow paths that communicate from the manifold 11 through the pressure chambers 10 to the nozzles 15.

  Next, the piezoelectric actuator 32 will be described. The piezoelectric actuator 32 includes a vibration plate 40 that is a plate material disposed on the upper surface of the flow path unit 31, a piezoelectric layer 41 disposed on the upper surface of the vibration plate 40 corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers 10, and a piezoelectric layer 41. Individual electrodes 45 disposed on the upper surface and a common electrode 44 disposed on the lower surface of the piezoelectric layer 41 are provided.

  The vibration plate 40 includes a conductive base material 42 that is a substantially rectangular plate having a thickness of about 20 μm, and an insulating layer 43 that is formed on the upper surface of the conductive base material 42 and has a thickness of about 2 μm. The upper surface of 40 has an insulating property. Here, the conductive substrate 42 is made of, for example, an iron alloy such as stainless steel, a copper alloy, a nickel alloy, or a titanium alloy. Further, the conductive base material 42 is disposed on the upper surface of the flow path unit 31 so as to cover the plurality of pressure chambers 10, and is joined to the cavity plate 20. Further, the lower surface of the conductive base material 42 has a center in the width direction (predetermined direction) of the pressure chamber 10 from a portion facing one edge (left edge in FIG. 5) in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber 10. A recess 42a extending to the side is formed. The thickness of the conductive base material 42 in the portion where the recess 42a is formed is thinner than the other portions (thin wall portion). The width Ws of the recess 42 a is about half of the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10. That is, the width Ws of the recess 42a is about 150 μm. Further, the conductive base material 42 is always held at the ground potential, and the common electrode 44 connected to the conductive base material 42 is held at the ground potential as described later.

  The insulating layer 43 is formed over the entire upper surface of the conductive base material 42. A through hole 43a penetrating the insulating layer 43 is formed in a part of the insulating layer 43 facing the pressure chamber 10, and the through hole 43a is filled with a conductive material 49.

  In the region of the upper surface of the diaphragm 40 that overlaps the pressure chamber 10 in plan view, the right edge of the pressure chamber 10 in FIG. 5 (the edge on the opposite side of the pressure chamber 10 from the side facing the recess 42a in a predetermined direction). A piezoelectric layer 41 is formed extending from the portion facing to the center in the short direction of the pressure chamber 10. The piezoelectric layer 41 is a solid solution of lead titanate and lead zirconate, and contains lead zirconate titanate (PZT) having ferroelectricity as a main component. The width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41 is preferably shorter than half of the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10 as will be described later. In this embodiment, the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41 is a quarter of the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10. 1, that is, about 75 μm. In addition, the piezoelectric layer 41 substantially covers the pressure chamber 10 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 10. The piezoelectric layer 41 can be formed by, for example, an aerosol deposition method (AD method) in which very small particles of a piezoelectric material are sprayed onto a substrate and collided at high speed to deposit the particles on the surface of the substrate. The piezoelectric layer 41 can also be formed by sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sol-gel, and hydrothermal synthesis. Alternatively, a piezoelectric sheet generated by firing a PZT green sheet can be cut into a predetermined size and attached to the upper surface of the diaphragm 40.

  A common electrode 44 and individual electrodes 45 are formed on the lower and upper surfaces of the piezoelectric layer 41 so as to substantially cover the piezoelectric layer 41, respectively. The common electrode 44 and the individual electrode 45 are made of a conductive material such as gold, copper, silver, palladium, platinum, or titanium. The common electrode 44 is electrically connected to the conductive base material 42 via a conductive material 49 filled in the through hole 43a, and is held at the ground potential.

  A wiring 50 connected to the individual electrode 45 is formed on a portion of the upper surface of the insulating layer 43 where the piezoelectric layer 41 is not formed. The wiring 50 extends from the right end in the longitudinal direction of the individual electrode 45 in FIG. 2 to the right in FIG. 2, and is connected to a driver IC (not shown). Then, the potentials of the plurality of individual electrodes 45 are controlled from the driver IC via the wiring 50.

  Next, the operation of the piezoelectric actuator 32 will be described with reference to FIG. When a potential is selectively applied to the individual electrode 45 by the driver IC, a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44, and an electric field in the thickness direction is generated in the piezoelectric layer 41 sandwiched therebetween. If the polarization direction of the piezoelectric layer 41 is the same as the direction of the electric field, the piezoelectric layer 41 contracts in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the thickness direction. Here, since the edge portion of the pressure chamber 10 of the diaphragm 40 is fixed to the cavity plate 20 and the deformation is restrained, the contraction causes the piezoelectric layer 41 of the diaphragm 40 to have a piezoelectric layer 41 as shown in FIG. The left end portion of the facing portion is deformed so as to bend upward to the side opposite to the pressure chamber 10 (upward). Along with this deformation, the portion on the left side of the piezoelectric layer 41 of the diaphragm 40 is also pushed upward. However, if the width of the piezoelectric layer 41 is too long, the intermediate portion in the width direction of the portion overlapping the piezoelectric layer 41 of the diaphragm 40 is lowered to the pressure chamber 10 side, and the volume of the pressure chamber 10 may be reduced. is there. Therefore, the width of the piezoelectric layer 41 is preferably shorter than half the width of the pressure chamber 10 as described above. Further, a concave portion 42a is formed in a portion of the conductive base material 42 that does not face the piezoelectric layer 41, and the thickness thereof is reduced, and the vibration plate 40 is easily deformed in the portion in which the concave portion 42a is formed. . The portion of the diaphragm 40 in which the concave portion 42 is formed is pushed upward largely compared to the case where the concave portion 42a is not formed. As a result, the volume in the pressure chamber 10 increases and the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber 10 decreases, so that ink flows from the manifold 11 into the pressure chamber 10.

  When the potential of the individual electrode 45 is returned to the ground potential at the timing when the negative pressure wave generated in the pressure chamber 10 when the diaphragm 40 is deformed is positively inverted, the deformation of the diaphragm 40 returns to the original state. The volume in the pressure chamber 10 is also restored. At this time, since the pressure wave generated when the diaphragm 40 is deformed and the pressure wave generated when the deformation of the diaphragm 40 is returned to the original state are superposed, the pressure in the pressure chamber 10 is increased. Ink is ejected onto the recording paper P from the nozzles 15 communicating with the chamber 10.

  As described above, when the potential difference is generated between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44, the amount of change in the volume of the pressure chamber 10 is the width of the pressure chamber 10, the width of the piezoelectric layer 41, and / or the recess. Depending on the width of 42a and the like, depending on how these widths are selected, when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44, the volume of the pressure chamber 10 may become smaller. Therefore, the relationship between the width of the pressure chamber 10, the width of the piezoelectric layer 41 and the width of the recess 42 a, and the increase in the volume of the pressure chamber 10 when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As a simulation model (hereinafter simply referred to as a model) for examining the relationship between the width of the pressure chamber 10 and the width of the piezoelectric layer 41 and the amount of increase in the volume of the pressure chamber 10, as shown in FIG. Cavity plate 20 in which pressure chamber 10 having a height of Hc and Wc is formed, conductive substrate 42 formed on the entire upper surface of cavity plate 20 and having a thickness Hv, and the entire upper surface of conductive substrate 42 The diaphragm 40 is formed of an insulating layer 43 having a thickness of Hi, and extends in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 from one edge in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10, and has a width of Wp and a thickness of Hp. The piezoelectric layer 41, the common electrode 44 (not shown in FIG. 7) formed on the entire lower surface of the piezoelectric layer 41 and the entire upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 41, and having a thickness of 0. Individual electrodes 45 (not shown in FIG. 7) Given the cross-section. In such a cross section, the amount of vertical displacement at each point on the lower surface of the diaphragm 41 when a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44 was obtained by simulation. FIG. 8 shows the result of the simulation. The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 indicates the position in the width direction of the pressure chamber with the center in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 as the origin, and the vertical axis indicates the amount of displacement of the diaphragm 40 in the vertical direction. The pressure chamber 10 used in the model has a width Wc of 300 μm and a height Hc of 50 μm, the conductive substrate 42 has a thickness Hv of 20 μm, the insulating layer 43 has a thickness Hi of 2 μm, and a piezoelectric layer 41 has a thickness Hp fixed at 10 μm, widths Wp of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 200 (or 175) μm, respectively, and the potential difference between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44 is 20 (V). Each graph of FIG. 8 shows the amount of vertical displacement of the diaphragm 40 with respect to the position in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 when the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer is set to any one of the above-described lengths. . By integrating the result shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 (left-right direction in FIG. 7), as shown in FIG. 9, the pressure chamber 10 in this cross section due to the deformation of the diaphragm 40 is obtained. The amount of increase in cross-sectional area can be determined. Here, the amount of increase in the volume of the pressure chamber 10 increases as the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area increases. Moreover, when the increase amount of the volume of the pressure chamber 10 is a negative value, the volume of the pressure chamber 10 is decreasing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41 becomes too large (Wp> 120 μm in this simulation pattern), the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area of the pressure chamber 10 becomes a negative value, and the pressure due to deformation of the diaphragm 40 Since the volume of the chamber 10 is reduced, it is not possible to perform striking in this case.

  Furthermore, from the simulation results shown in FIG. 9, when the width of the piezoelectric layer 41 is between 25 μm and 100 μm, that is, the width of the piezoelectric layer 41 is 1/12 to 1/3 of the width of the pressure chamber 10. When the interval is between, the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area is surely a positive value, and in this range, the volume of the pressure chamber 10 is reliably increased by the deformation of the diaphragm 40. Furthermore, among these, when the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41 is 75 μm, that is, when the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41 is a quarter of the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10, the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area is particularly large. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the piezoelectric layer 41 is formed so that the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41 is about one-fourth the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10.

  Next, in order to investigate the relationship between the width of the pressure chamber 10 and the amount of increase in the volume of the pressure chamber 10 and the recess 42a, the following simulation was performed. Assuming a diaphragm 40 having a recess 42a formed on the lower surface as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (h) in the same cross section as in FIG. The amount of change in the vertical direction of the lower surface of the diaphragm 41 when a potential difference was generated between the electrode 45 and the common electrode 44 was obtained by simulation. The result was integrated in the same manner as described above, and the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area of the pressure chamber 10 due to deformation of the diaphragm 40 was determined.

  In such a model, the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10 is 300 μm, the height Hc is 50 μm, the thickness Hv of the conductive substrate 42 is 20 μm, the thickness Hi of the insulating layer 43 is 2 μm, and the thickness Hp of the piezoelectric layer 41. 10 μm, the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41 is fixed to 75 μm, the depth Hs of the recess 42 a is fixed to 10 μm, and the width Ws of the recess 42 a and the formation position of the recess 42 a are changed as shown in FIGS. The simulation was performed with the potential difference between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44 set to 20 (V). Here, FIG. 10A shows a case where the recess 42 a is not formed on the lower surface of the conductive base material 42, and FIG. 10B shows the pressure chamber 10 on the lower surface of the conductive base material 42. 10 (c), (d), and (e) show the piezoelectric layer 41 on the lower surface of the conductive base material 42 in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10. FIG. 10 (f), (g), and (h) are the cases where the recess 42a is formed so that the width Ws is 75 μm, 150 μm, and 225 μm from the edge opposite to the overlapping side. In the width direction, a simulation model is shown in the case where the recess 42a is formed so that the width Ws becomes 75 μm, 150 μm, and 225 μm from the edge of the lower surface of the conductive base material 42 that overlaps the piezoelectric layer 41, respectively.

  (A) to (h) in FIG. 10 show the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area of the pressure chamber 10 in the simulation based on the models in FIGS. 9 (a) to (h), respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, in the models of FIGS. 9B to 9H except the model of FIG. 10F, the concave portion 42 a is not formed on the lower surface of the conductive base material 42. The amount of increase in the cross-sectional area of the pressure chamber 10 is larger than in the case of the model. That is, when the recess 42a is formed in a region where at least a part of the conductive base material 42 does not overlap the piezoelectric layer 41 in plan view, the volume of the pressure chamber 10 is larger than when the recess 42a is not formed. Increase amount becomes large.

  Further, among these, in the case of the models of FIGS. 10C, 10D, and 10E, the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area of the pressure chamber 10 is large. That is, the recess 42 a extends from the edge of the pressure chamber 10 in the width direction opposite to the side overlapping the piezoelectric layer 41 toward the center in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 on the lower surface of the conductive base material 42. And the concave portion 42a is formed on the lower surface of the conductive substrate 42 so as not to face the piezoelectric layer 41, the amount of increase in the volume of the pressure chamber 10 increases.

  Further, among these, particularly in the case of the models of FIGS. 10D and 10E, the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area of the pressure chamber 10 is large. That is, the recess 42a extends from the edge of the pressure chamber 10 in the width direction opposite to the side overlapping the piezoelectric layer 41 toward the center in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 on the lower surface of the conductive substrate 42, and When the width Ws of the recess 42a is more than half of the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10, the amount of increase in the volume of the pressure chamber 10 is particularly large. At this time, the width Ws of the recess 42 a is larger than the width Wp of the piezoelectric layer 41.

  In the result of FIG. 11, as in the model shown in FIG. 10B, when the concave portion 42 a is formed on the entire region of the lower surface of the conductive base material 42 that overlaps the pressure chamber 10 in plan view, The increase in the volume of the chamber 10 is the largest. However, in this case, since the strength of the diaphragm 40 is reduced, in the present embodiment, the concave portion 42 a is formed on the lower surface of the conductive base material 42 with the piezoelectric layer 41 in the short direction of the pressure chamber 10. It was formed so as to extend from the edge opposite to the overlapping side and have a width Ws that is about half the width Wc of the pressure chamber 10.

  According to the embodiment described above, the piezoelectric layer 41 extends from the region overlapping the one edge in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 on the upper surface of the vibration plate 40 toward the center in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10. Since the width of the piezoelectric layer 41 is a quarter of the width of the pressure chamber 10, if a potential difference is generated between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44, the portion sandwiched between these electrodes The piezoelectric layer 41 is deformed. The volume of the pressure chamber 10 increases due to the deformation of the diaphragm 40 associated therewith. In this case, since it is not necessary to generate a potential difference between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44 in advance in the inkjet head 3 in order to perform striking, the durability of the piezoelectric layer 41 is improved and the inkjet The power consumption of the head 3 can also be reduced.

  In addition, in the surface of the insulating layer 43 that overlaps with the pressure chamber 10, the wiring 50 can be formed in a portion where the piezoelectric layer 41 is not formed. Therefore, even when the plurality of pressure chambers 10 are formed in the flow path unit 31 on the surface of the insulating layer 43, the wirings 50 can be arranged with high density. In particular, when the pressure chambers are arranged in multiple rows of 3 or more, necessary wiring can be easily provided for the individual electrodes corresponding to the pressure chambers in the inner row. Furthermore, since the wiring 50 is not formed on the surface of the piezoelectric layer 41, it is possible to prevent the wiring 50 from generating an extra capacitance in the piezoelectric layer 41 and to reduce energy loss.

  Further, on the lower surface of the conductive base material 42 of the vibration plate 40, from the other edge in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10 (the edge on the side not overlapping the piezoelectric layer 43) toward the center in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10. Since the recessed portion 42a that extends and is half the width of the pressure chamber 10 is formed, the diaphragm 40 is easily deformed in the portion where the recessed portion 42a is formed, and the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44 are formed. When the potential difference is generated between the pressure chamber 10 and the volume of the pressure chamber 10 increases. In this case, the recess is not necessarily formed on the lower surface of the diaphragm 40, and for example, the recess may be formed on the upper surface of the diaphragm 40.

Next, reference embodiments of the present invention and modified embodiments in which various modifications are made to the above-described embodiment will be described. However, portions having the same configuration as in the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

< Reference form>
In the reference embodiment shown in FIG. 12, no recess is formed on the lower surface of the conductive substrate 62 of the vibration plate 60, the thickness of the conductive substrate 62 is Ru uniform der. Even in this case, according to the simulation results shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the diaphragm 60 is deformed by generating a potential difference between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44, and the volume of the pressure chamber 10. Therefore, it is possible to perform striking without causing a potential difference between the individual electrode 45 and the common electrode 44 to deform the diaphragm 60 in advance.

<Change form>
As shown in FIG. 13, the diaphragm 65 may be made of an insulating material. Even in this case, since the wiring 50 can be formed in a portion that does not overlap the piezoelectric layer 41 in the region overlapping the pressure chamber 10 on the surface of the vibration plate 65, the wiring 50 can be arranged with high density. In this case, in the region overlapping the pressure chamber 10 on the lower surface of the diaphragm 65, the width direction central side of the pressure chamber 10 from the edge opposite to the side overlapping the piezoelectric layer 41 in the width direction of the pressure chamber 10. A recessed portion 65a extending toward the surface is formed, and the portion where the recessed portion 65 is formed is easily deformed. Further, a through hole 65b is formed in a portion of the diaphragm 65 that overlaps the common electrode 44, and the common electrode 44 and the cavity plate 20 are electrically connected by a conductive material 69 filled in the through hole 65b. The common electrode 44 is held at the ground potential by holding the cavity plate 20 at the ground potential.

  In addition, the shape of the pressure chamber in plan view is not limited to the oval shape as in the embodiment, and may be a circle, an ellipse, a rhombus, a rectangle, a parallelogram, or the like.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer has been described. In addition, a liquid that ejects liquids other than ink, such as reagents, biological solutions, wiring material solutions, electronic material solutions, refrigerants, and fuels. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a droplet ejecting apparatus and a liquid transfer apparatus without a nozzle for transferring these liquids.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the inkjet head of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the piezoelectric actuator of FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation model for determining the width | variety of the piezoelectric layer of FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation result in the simulation model of FIG. It is a figure which shows the analysis result calculated | required from the simulation result of FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation model for determining the width | variety of the recessed part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation result in the simulation model of FIG. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 5 of a reference form. It is a cross-sectional view of FIG substantial change form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pressure chamber 15 Nozzle 31 Flow path unit 32 Piezoelectric actuator 40 Diaphragm 41 Piezoelectric layer 42 Conductive base material 42a Recess 43 Insulating layer 44 Common electrode 45 Individual electrode

Claims (15)

A droplet ejecting apparatus for ejecting droplets,
A flow path unit including a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle;
A plate member disposed on one surface of the flow path unit so as to cover the pressure chamber, and one of the pressure chambers in a predetermined direction in a region overlapping the pressure chamber on a surface opposite to the pressure chamber of the plate member. A piezoelectric layer disposed so as to extend from the edge of the piezoelectric layer in a predetermined direction, an individual electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a common electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric layer. A piezoelectric actuator that changes the volume of the pressure chamber to apply pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber;
The length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is shorter than half of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction,
In the portion of the plate material facing the pressure chamber, a thin portion having a thickness smaller than other portions is formed,
The thin portion extends from the other edge in the predetermined direction in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber, and, have a region which does not overlap with the piezoelectric layer,
The length of the thin part in the predetermined direction is a droplet ejecting apparatus that is longer than the length of the piezoelectric layer in the predetermined direction .
  2. The droplet according to claim 1, wherein the pressure chamber has a symmetric shape with respect to a straight line that passes through the center of gravity of the pressure chamber and is orthogonal to the predetermined direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface direction of the plate member. Injection device.   The droplet ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure chamber has an elongated shape, and the predetermined direction is a short direction of the pressure chamber. A droplet ejecting apparatus for ejecting droplets,
A flow path unit including a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle;
The pressure chamber is disposed on one surface of the flow path unit so as to cover the pressure chamber, and the surface opposite to the pressure chamber is an insulating plate, the pressure chamber on the surface opposite to the pressure chamber of the plate, and the pressure chamber In the overlapping region, the piezoelectric layer disposed so as to extend from one edge of the pressure chamber in a predetermined direction, the individual electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric layer, and the piezoelectric layer A common electrode disposed on the other surface, and a piezoelectric actuator that changes the volume of the pressure chamber to apply pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber,
The length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is shorter than half of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction,
A wiring connected to the individual electrode is formed in a region where the piezoelectric layer is not disposed on the surface of the plate opposite to the pressure chamber ,
In the portion of the plate material facing the pressure chamber, a thin portion having a thickness smaller than other portions is formed,
The thin portion, the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus that have a region which does not overlap with the piezoelectric layer.   The droplet according to claim 4, wherein the pressure chamber has a symmetric shape with respect to a straight line that passes through the center of gravity of the pressure chamber and is orthogonal to the predetermined direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface direction of the plate member. Injection device.   The droplet ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressure chamber has an elongated shape, and the predetermined direction is a short direction of the pressure chamber. The plate material is
A plate-like conductive substrate disposed on one surface of the flow path unit;
The droplet ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: an insulating layer formed on a surface of the conductive base material opposite to the pressure chamber.   The droplet ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plate member is made of an insulating material.   5. The length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is one third to one third of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction. Droplet ejector.   The droplet ejecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a length of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction is a quarter of a length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction. The droplet ejecting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the thin portion extends from the other edge of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction in the predetermined direction and does not overlap the piezoelectric layer. Wherein the length in the predetermined direction of the thin portion, the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus according to the longer claim than the length in the predetermined direction 1 1 of the piezoelectric layer. Wherein the length in the predetermined direction of the thin portion, the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 2 is more than half of the length in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber. In a liquid transfer device for transferring a liquid,
A flow path unit including a pressure chamber;
A plate material disposed on one surface of the flow path unit so as to cover the pressure chamber, and in a region facing the pressure chamber on the surface opposite to the pressure chamber of the plate material, from only one edge in a predetermined direction A piezoelectric layer disposed so as to extend in the predetermined direction, an individual electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a common electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric layer, and the pressure A piezoelectric actuator that changes the volume of the chamber and applies pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber;
The length of the predetermined direction of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber is shorter than half of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction,
In the portion of the plate material facing the pressure chamber, a thin portion having a thickness smaller than other portions is formed,
The thin portion extends from the other edge in the predetermined direction in the predetermined direction of the pressure chamber, and, have a region which does not overlap with the piezoelectric layer,
The length of the thin part in the predetermined direction is a liquid transfer device longer than the length of the piezoelectric layer in the predetermined direction .
In a liquid transfer device for transferring a liquid,
A flow path unit including a pressure chamber;
A plate material disposed on one surface of the flow path unit so as to cover the pressure chamber, and in a region facing the pressure chamber on the surface opposite to the pressure chamber of the plate material, from only one edge in a predetermined direction A piezoelectric layer disposed so as to extend in the predetermined direction, an individual electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a common electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric layer, and the pressure A piezoelectric actuator that changes the volume of the chamber and applies pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber;
The length of the predetermined direction of the portion of the piezoelectric layer facing the pressure chamber is shorter than half of the length of the pressure chamber in the predetermined direction,
A wiring connected to the individual electrode is formed in a region where the piezoelectric layer is not disposed on the surface of the plate opposite to the pressure chamber ,
In the portion of the plate material facing the pressure chamber, a thin portion having a thickness smaller than other portions is formed,
The thin portion, the liquid transporting apparatus that have a region which does not overlap with the piezoelectric layer.

Images