Abstract:
An inkjet print head for expelling a droplet of a fluid through a nozzle orifice comprises a fluid channel for holding a channel amount of fluid, the fluid channel comprising a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle orifice and a piezo actuator. The piezo actuator comprises an active piezo stack, which stack comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezo-material layer arranged between the first and the second electrode, and the piezo actuator comprises a membrane having a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite to the first side. The active piezo stack is provided at the first side and the pressure chamber at the second side such that the membrane forms a flexible wall of the pressure chamber. The fluid channel, when holding the channel amount of fluid, has a fluid compliance and the piezo actuator has an actuator compliance. In accordance with the present invention, the actuator compliance is larger than the fluid channel compliance such to have a high energy coupling efficiency and consequently a low power dissipation.
Abstract:
A print head comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle and an actuator structure in operative communication with the pressure chamber for generating a pressure wave in the pressure chamber. The actuator structure comprises a membrane, wherein a first surface of the membrane forms a flexible wall of the pressure chamber and a piezo actuator, wherein the piezo actuator is arranged on a second surface of the membrane, the second surface being opposite of the first surface, such that the membrane is deformed at the position of the piezo actuator upon actuation of the piezo actuator. In the print head, the membrane is pivotably clamped between a first structure layer and a second structure layer such that the membrane pivots at the location of clamping upon deformation of the membrane due to actuation of the piezo actuator.
Abstract:
A coating provides a wetting gradient to an orifice surface, the coating having a local coverage that decreases with increasing distance from an orifice. A method is provided for applying a wetting gradient on an orifice surface. The wetting gradient is formed by providing a compound for forming a coating and locally bonding this compound to the orifice surface. A print head is provided with an orifice surface, wherein the orifice surface has a wetting gradient provided around an orifice using the method for applying a wetting gradient on an orifice surface.
Abstract:
A MEMS chip having at least two chip components bonded together by means of an adhesive layer that is applied to at least one of two mating bonding surfaces of the two components, wherein a pattern of finely distributed micro-cavities is formed in at least one of the two mating bonding surfaces, said micro-cavities being arranged to accommodate a major part of the adhesive.
Abstract:
A droplet ejection device comprising a flow passage, a nozzle orifice formed in a wall of the flow passage, a circulation system for circulating a liquid through the flow passage, and an actuator system for generating a pressure wave in the liquid in the flow passage, wherein an obstruction member is arranged in the flow passage in a position opposite to the nozzle orifice and projecting towards the nozzle orifice.
Abstract:
A method of controlling a pressure of a fluid in a pressure chamber, which pressure chamber is delimited by an actuator membrane having a first piezoelectric portion arranged in a central zone of the actuator membrane and at least one second piezoelectric portion arranged in at least one peripheral zone of the actuator membrane; and an ink jet printing device. In a neutral stage, a first flexure state of the actuator membrane is provided by applying first and second voltages to respective piezoelectric portions. In an activation stage, the first and second voltages are temporarily varied, without reversing their polarity, such that a curvature of the central part of the actuator membrane and a curvature of the peripheral part of the actuator membrane are changed in opposite directions, in order to expell a droplet of fluid through a nozzle.
Abstract:
A droplet ejection device includes a pressure chamber; a nozzle orifice arranged in fluid connection with the pressure chamber; an actuator system for generating a pressure wave in a liquid present in the pressure chamber; and an obstruction member arranged in the pressure chamber in a position opposite to the nozzle orifice. The obstruction member comprises a first surface facing the nozzle orifice and rigidly coupled to a wall of the pressure chamber via a support. The support is arranged near the first surface of the obstruction member. The droplet ejection device according to the present invention may further comprise a structured nozzle inflow means which provides a gradual transition from the hollow shaped liquid passage to the nozzle orifice. The droplet ejection device prevents or at least mitigates air entrapment in dead volumes present in the interior of the droplet ejection device.
Abstract:
An ink jet printing device includes a pressure chamber, a first actuator membrane being arranged to form a first flexible wall of the pressure chamber, a first piezo-electric part being operatively connected to a surface of the first actuator membrane, a second actuator membrane being arranged to form a second flexible wall of the pressure chamber and a second piezo-electric part being operatively connected to a surface of the second actuator membrane, wherein the second flexible wall is mechanically decoupled from the first flexible wall.