Inkjet printhead with a wafer assembly having an array of nozzle arrangements
First Claim
1. A printhead for an inkjet printer, the printhead comprisinga wafer assembly defining a plurality of spaced apart groups of ink supply channels and a plurality of groups of ink ejection nozzle arrangements in fluid communication with respective ink supply channel groups, each ink ejection nozzle arrangement comprising:
- a nozzle chamber structure mounted to the wafer assembly and defining a nozzle chamber for receiving ink from an ink supply channel and a nozzle rim through which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected;
an anchor extending from the wafer assembly in a location external to the nozzle chamber; and
an elongate thermal actuator mechanism extending from the anchor and into the nozzle chamber, the thermal actuator mechanism comprising an elongate arm which terminates in a free end within the nozzle chamber and a pair of layers of conductive material located on either side of the elongate arm, one of the layers being connected to a current supply so that, in use, the free end of the arm can be moved to eject ink in the nozzle chamber through the nozzle rim as a result of differential thermal expansion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a wafer assembly defining a plurality of spaced apart groups of ink supply channels and a plurality of groups of ink ejection nozzle arrangements in fluid communication with respective ink supply channel groups. Each ink ejection nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber structure mounted to the wafer assembly. Each ink ejection nozzle arrangement also defines a nozzle chamber for receiving ink from an ink supply channel and a nozzle rim through which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected. An anchor extends from the wafer assembly in a location external to the nozzle chamber. An elongate thermal actuator mechanism extends from the anchor and into the nozzle chamber.
20 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A printhead for an inkjet printer, the printhead comprising
a wafer assembly defining a plurality of spaced apart groups of ink supply channels and a plurality of groups of ink ejection nozzle arrangements in fluid communication with respective ink supply channel groups, each ink ejection nozzle arrangement comprising: -
a nozzle chamber structure mounted to the wafer assembly and defining a nozzle chamber for receiving ink from an ink supply channel and a nozzle rim through which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected; an anchor extending from the wafer assembly in a location external to the nozzle chamber; and an elongate thermal actuator mechanism extending from the anchor and into the nozzle chamber, the thermal actuator mechanism comprising an elongate arm which terminates in a free end within the nozzle chamber and a pair of layers of conductive material located on either side of the elongate arm, one of the layers being connected to a current supply so that, in use, the free end of the arm can be moved to eject ink in the nozzle chamber through the nozzle rim as a result of differential thermal expansion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification