Thermal-ink heater array using rectifying material
First Claim
1. A heater array for heating ink in an ink jet printhead comprising:
- an insulating substrate;
a first material layer atop the insulting substrate having a first predetermined pattern;
a first insulating layer atop the first material layer having a plurality of contact windows above the first material layer pattern in corresponding desired heating locations;
a second material layer atop the first insulating layer having a second predetermined pattern, the first and second material layers being in physical contact with each other through the contact windows in the first insulating layer;
means for contacting the first material layer; and
means for contacting the second material layer,wherein each physical contact region between the first and second material layers forms a merged resistive diode junction at each desired heating location, the physical contact region of the resistive diode junction transferring conductive heat directly to ink in an ink jet printhead.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heater array for an ink jet printhead includes an insulating substrate, which can be a layer of ceramic, flexible plastic, insulated flexible metal, polysilicon, or single crystalline silicon. A first material layer is deposited atop the insulating substrate and patterned in parallel stripes. A first insulating layer is deposited atop the first material layer and patterned with contact windows above the first material layer in corresponding desired heating locations, usually in a symmetrical grid. A second material layer is deposited atop the first insulating layer and pattern in parallel stripes orthogonal to those in the first material layer. The first and second material layers are in physical and electrical contact with each other through the contact windows in the first insulating layer to form a resistive diode junction at each desired heating location. The entire surface of the heating array is covered with a second insulating layer, with contacts provided to the first and second material layers.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A heater array for heating ink in an ink jet printhead comprising:
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an insulating substrate; a first material layer atop the insulting substrate having a first predetermined pattern; a first insulating layer atop the first material layer having a plurality of contact windows above the first material layer pattern in corresponding desired heating locations; a second material layer atop the first insulating layer having a second predetermined pattern, the first and second material layers being in physical contact with each other through the contact windows in the first insulating layer; means for contacting the first material layer; and means for contacting the second material layer, wherein each physical contact region between the first and second material layers forms a merged resistive diode junction at each desired heating location, the physical contact region of the resistive diode junction transferring conductive heat directly to ink in an ink jet printhead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification