Ink jet printhead with active and passive nozzle chamber structures arrayed on a substrate

Patent 7470003 Issued on December 30, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 30, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventor

Silverbrook, Kia

Assignee

Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd

Application

No. 11442134 filed on 05/30/2006

US Classes:

347/61Thermal force generators

Examiners

Primary: Do, An H

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International Classes

B41J 2/05
B41J 2/04

Abstract

A printhead includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink inlet channels. A drive circuitry layer is positioned on the substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the support. Each nozzle arrangement includes a wall portion bounding a respective ink inlet channel. A crown portion defines an outlet through which ink can be ejected. A skirt portion depends from the crown portion so that the crown, skirt and wall portions define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the respective ink inlet channel and the outlet. An elongate actuator is connected to the crown portion at one end and anchored to the substrate at an opposite end, to receive electrical signals from the drive circuitry. The actuator is configured so that, on receipt of an electrical signal from the drive circuitry layer, the actuator is displaced towards and away from the substrate to reduce and subsequently enlarge the nozzle chamber so that ink is ejected from the outlet. The nozzle arrangement is arrayed on the substrate such that the outlets form a plurality of sets of parallel rows with each adjacent pair of sets spaced apart by a fixed distance.

Other References

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