Piezoelectric jetting system and method with amplification mechanism

A jetting dispenser, comprising:

• an actuator including:
• a piezoelectric unit that lengthens by a first distance in response to an applied voltage;
• an amplifier including a lever that extends from a first end to a second end opposite the first end;
• an armature positioned between the first end of the lever and the piezoelectric unit, the armature including a unitary and monolithically-formed flexural portion positioned between the lever and the armature and directly connecting the armature to the first end of the lever;
• and
• a movable shaft operatively coupled with the second end of the lever;
• and
• a fluid body including a fluid bore and an outlet orifice,
• wherein the flexural portion flexes when voltage is applied to the piezoelectric unit so as to cause movement of the lever, thereby moving the movable shaft to jet an amount of fluid from the fluid bore through the outlet orifice.

A jetting dispenser, comprising:

• an actuator including a piezoelectric unit that lengthens by a first distance in response to an applied voltage and an amplifier including a lever that extends from a first end to a second end opposite the first end and a unitary and monolithically-formed flexural portion coupled to the first end of the lever, wherein the flexural portion is positioned between the lever and the piezoelectric unit and operatively couples the first end of the lever to the piezoelectric unit;
• a movable shaft operatively coupled with the second end of the lever;
• and
• a fluid body including a fluid bore and an outlet orifice,
• wherein the flexural portion flexes when voltage is applied to the piezoelectric unit so as to cause rotation of the second end of the lever to oppose a resilient bias applied by the flexural portion, and the rotation of the second end of the lever as the voltage is applied to the piezoelectric unit moves the movable shaft downward to jet an amount of fluid from the fluid bore through the outlet orifice.