Nozzle Arrangement With A Movement Sensor For An Inkjet Printer

• US 20080094442A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,802,873 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04508 aiming at correcting other parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0451 for detecting failure, e.g. clogging, malfunctioning actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04541 Specific driving circuit
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04585 controlling heads based on thermal bent actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04588 using a specific waveform
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0459 Height of the driving signal being adjusted
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04591 Width of the driving signal being adjusted
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04596 Non-ejecting pulses
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/125 Sensors, e.g. deflection sensors nozzle clogging detection for cleaning reasons B41J2/16579; detection for compensation for failed nozzles B41J2/2139
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14346 Ejection by pressure produced by thermal deformation of ink chamber, e.g. buckling
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14354 Sensor in each pressure chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14435 Moving nozzle made of thermal bend detached actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8225 Position or extent of motion indicator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical

Abstract

The invention provides for a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining a chamber with an ink inlet and ejection port, said substrate having a micro-electromechanical drive layer. The arrangement also includes a paddle dividing said chamber into an ink chamber and a nozzle chamber, and an actuating arm coupled to the paddle. The arm includes an outer arm portion mechanically linked to an inner arm portion via posts electrically isolating the inner arm portion from said outer arm portion. The arm is pivotal with respect to the substrate during operative electrical thermal expansion of the inner arm portion displacing the paddle towards the ejection port. The nozzle arrangement also includes a microprocessor arrangement having amplifier elements defined within the drive layer, and a movement sensor having a moving contact element formed integrally with the inner arm portion and a fixed contact element formed integrally with the drive layer and connected to the amplifier elements. The moving contact is arranged to complete an electrical circuit when contacted with the fixed contact element when the arm pivots to a predetermined extent.

Claims

1. A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer, said arrangement comprising:

a wafer substrate defining a chamber with an ink inlet and ejection port, said substrate having a micro-electromechanical drive layer;

a paddle dividing said chamber into an ink chamber and a nozzle chamber;

an actuating arm coupled to the paddle, said arm having an outer arm portion mechanically linked to an inner arm portion via posts electrically isolating the inner arm portion from said outer arm portion, the arm being pivotal with respect to the substrate during operative electrical thermal expansion of the inner arm portion displacing the paddle towards the ejection port;

a microprocessor arrangement having amplifier elements defined within the micro-electromechanical drive layer; and

a movement sensor having a moving contact element formed integrally with the inner arm portion and a fixed contact element formed integrally with the micro-electromechanical drive layer and connected to the amplifier elements, the moving contact element completing an electrical circuit when contacted with the fixed contact element when the arm pivots to a predetermined extent.

2. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1, wherein the actuating arm is coupled to the paddle by means of a paddle extension portion and a bridging portion positioned on the wafer substrate.

3. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1, wherein the processor arrangement is configured to test the actuator arm by applying an electrical current to the inner arm portion for a predetermined duration, the moving contact contacting the fixed contact being indicative of a functional actuator arm.

4. The nozzle arrangement of claim 3, wherein the processor arrangement is configured to apply a current pulse, having an energy level significantly greater than that normally applied, to the inner arm portion in an attempt to clear any ink blockages in the ink chamber.

5. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1, wherein the processor arrangement is responsible for the electrical thermal expansion of the inner arm portion by applying an electrical pulse of a predetermined duration thereto.

6. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a silicon substrate, a metal oxide semiconductor layer, a passivation layer and a non-corrosive dielectric chamber-defining layer.

7. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1, wherein the actuating arm is formed from a titanium-aluminum-nitride (TiAl)N deposit.