Printhead

• US 7,380,906 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THINH H
• Application Number:
  US11/084,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20050157042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 347/40, 347/48, 347/57, 347/59
• US Class Current: 347/40
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04553 detecting ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04571 detecting viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04585 controlling heads based on thermal bent actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1623 bonding and adhesion
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1628 dry etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1631 photolithography
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1632 machining
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1637 molding
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1639 sacrificial molding
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1642 thin film formation by CVD [chemical vapor deposition]
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1646 thin film formation by sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1648 Production of print heads with thermal bend detached actuators

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printhead for ejecting ink. The printhead comprises a first row of nozzle pods, and each nozzle pod comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged in rows and ranks. There is also provided a first ink supply for storing a first type of ink. The first ink supply is in fluid communication with the nozzles in the first row. The printhead also comprises a printhead controller for controlling the firing of the nozzles. In one embodiment, the printhead controller controls the firing order of the nozzles.

Claims

1. A printhead for ejecting ink, the printhead comprising:

a first row of nozzles;

a first ink supply for storing a first type of ink and being in fluid communication with each nozzle in the first row; and

wherein each nozzle comprises;

a nozzle chamber having a nozzle opening;

a shift register for accepting print data from a printhead controller;

a transfer register for receiving the print data from the shift register;

a drive transistor for supplying power to the actuator; and

an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening,

and wherein said actuator at least partially overlies said shift register, said transfer register and/or said drive transistor such that an area of printhead occupied by each nozzle is minimized.