Fluid supply mechanism

• US 6,350,023 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nghiem, Michael P.
• Application Number:
  US09/112,834
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 347/85, 347/86, 347/87, 347/93, 347/40, 347/43, 347/65, 347/104
• US Class Current: 347/85
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

An improved form of ink supply to ink ejection chambers is included on an ink jet print head for printing images. The supply is fabricated on a planar wafer, the supply being through wafer channels, wherein the through wafer channels each supply a plurality of fluid chambers. The through wafer channels can include etchant holes in one wall exposed to atmospheric conditions and the fluid chambers can each include a fluid filter in one wall.

Claims

1. An ink supply unit for a printhead, the ink supply unit comprising

a molded component which is engageable with a lid, wherein the molded component is shaped to define a plurality of vias for, respectively, cyan, yellow and magenta ink, the component defining a slot in which the printhead is receivable, so that the vias are in fluid communication with through wafer channels defined in the printhead to supply the printhead with ink;

wherein the molded component is also shaped to define a plurality of sub-channels for cyan, yellow and magenta ink, respectively, and three main channels, each main channel in fluid communication with the respective sub-channels for cyan, yellow and magenta ink, each main channel being of greater cross-sectional area than each respective sub-channel;

wherein each main channel has cross-sectional dimensions of approximately 1 mm×

1mm, each sub-channel has cross-sectional dimensions of approximately 20 μ

m×

100 μ

m and each via has cross-sectional dimensions of approximately 200 μ

m×

50 μ

m; and

wherein the molded component also defines three ink inlets, each ink inlet being in fluid communication with a respective main channel so that cyan, yellow and magenta ink can flow into the molded component.

2. An ink supply unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit is plastic injection molded.

3. An ink supply unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit is shaped to define a plurality of pit areas between each sub-channel and corresponding vias.

4. An ink supply unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit is shaped to define slots which are shaped to permit snap in insertion of rollers.

5. An ink supply unit for a printhead the ink supply unit comprising

a molded component which is engageable with a lid, wherein the molded component is shaped to define a plurality of vias for, respectively, cyan, yellow and magenta ink, the component defining a slot in which the printhead is receivable, so that the vias are in fluid communication with through wafer channels defined in the printhead to supply the printhead with ink;

wherein the molded component is also shaped to define a plurality of sub-channels for cyan, yellow and magenta ink, respectively, and three main channels, each main channel in fluid communication with the respective sub-channels for cyan, yellow and magenta ink, each main channel being of greater cross-sectional area than each respective sub-channel;

wherein the molded component defines slots which are shaped to permit snap in insertion of rollers; and

wherein the molded component also defines three ink inlets, each ink inlet being in fluid communication with a respective main channel so that cyan, yellow and magenta ink can flow into the molded component.