Inkjet drop ejection apparatus with radially extending thermal actuators

• US 7,891,775 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): JACKSON, JUANITA DIONNE
• Application Number:
  US12/324,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 347/20, 347/44, 347/47, 347/54, 347/56, 347 62- 65, 347/67
• US Class Current: 347/54
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14314 Structure of ink jet print heads with electrostatically actuated membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/041 Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• 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: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• 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 inkjet drop ejection apparatus comprises an array of ink ejection nozzles; a chamber corresponding to each ink ejection nozzle and for storing ink; and a plurality of actuators provided on top of each chamber, the actuators radially extending out from a common center and defining an ink ejection port at the common center. Each actuator is comprised of first material of surrounding a conductive core of a second material. Each actuator is adapted to bend inward with respect to the chamber when heated.

Claims

1. An inkjet drop ejection apparatus comprising:

an array of ink ejection nozzles;

a chamber corresponding to each ink ejection nozzle and for storing ink; and

a plurality of actuators provided on top of each chamber, the actuators radially extending out from a common centre and defining an ink ejection port at the common centre, wherein

each actuator is comprised of first material surrounding a conductive core of a second material, and

each actuator is adapted to bend inward with respect to the chamber when heated.

2. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first material is polytetrafluoroethylene.

3. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second material is copper.

4. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive core has a serpentine shape.

5. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a central arm for supporting the plurality of actuators, the central arm being in substantially the same plane as the plurality of actuators.

6. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of each actuators increases with increasing distance from the common centre.