Printhead with a two-dimensional array of reciprocating ink nozzles

• US 7,562,967 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2007
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, McAvoy, Gregory John
• Primary Examiner(s): Do; An H
• Application Number:
  US11/865,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20080018711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 347/54, 347/56, 347/65
• US Class Current: 347/56
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1433 Structure of nozzle plates
• 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 2/1629 wet etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1631 photolithography
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1632 machining
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1635 dividing the wafer into individual chips
• 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 2/1648 Production of print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/041 Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14346 Ejection by pressure produced by thermal deformation of ink chamber, e.g. buckling
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14435 Moving nozzle made of thermal bend detached actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14475 characterised by nozzle shapes or number of orifices per chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/15 Moving nozzle or nozzle plate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49401 Fluid pattern dispersing device making, e.g., ink jet

Abstract

A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a two-dimensional array of ink nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes a wafer portion defining both a nozzle chamber for storing ink and an ink supply channel in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A cover covers the nozzle chamber and defines a nozzle rim from which a plurality of supports extends outwardly. The cover includes a plurality of actuators extending inwardly toward the nozzle rim between respective pairs of adjacent supports and terminates in free ends. The actuators include internal heating elements which can be actuated so that the free ends reciprocate into and out of the nozzle chamber to eject ink out through the nozzle rim.

Claims

1. A printhead for an inkjet printer, the printhead comprising a two-dimensional array of inkjet nozzle arrangements, each nozzle arrangement comprising:

a wafer portion defining both a nozzle chamber for storing ink and an ink supply channel in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber; and

a cover which covers the nozzle chamber and defines a nozzle rim from which a plurality of supports extends outwardly, the cover having a plurality of actuators extending inwardly toward the nozzle rim between respective pairs of adjacent supports and terminating in free ends, the actuators having internal heating elements which can be actuated so that the free ends reciprocate into and out of the nozzle chamber to eject ink out through the nozzle rim.

2. A printhead as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating elements are serpentine.

3. A printhead as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating elements are serially connected together.

4. A printhead as claimed in claim 1, wherein each nozzle chamber tapers inwardly towards the ink supply channel.

5. A printhead as claimed in claim 1, wherein each actuator has a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer and an associated heater element embedded in the (PTFE) layer.

6. A printhead as claimed in claim 1, wherein each actuator has a petal formation extending toward the nozzle rim.

7. A printhead as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink supply channel is in alignment with the nozzle rim.