CN106696465A

CN106696465A - Droplet deposition apparatus and method for depositing droplets of fluid

Info

Publication number: CN106696465A
Application number: CN201611139217.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 保罗·雷蒙德·德鲁里; 安格斯·康蒂; 阿萨纳西奥斯·卡纳里斯
Original assignee: Xaar Ltd
Current assignee: Seer Technology Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-08-10
Filing date: 2013-08-12
Publication date: 2017-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-12
Also published as: WO2014023981A1; EP2882594A1; CN104718081B; BR112015002961A8; IN2015DN01725A; CN104718081A; JP2015524361A; GB201214348D0; GB2504777A; BR112015002961A2; CN106696465B

Abstract

The invention relates to a droplet deposition apparatus and method for depositing droplets of fluid. A droplet ejection apparatus such as an inkjet printhead having improved productivity that includes: an array of elongate fluid chambers (2) with each chamber communicating with a nozzle (6) the array extending in an array direction; a common fluid inlet manifold (4); a common fluid outlet manifold (5); and a fluid supply that generates a through flow of fluid from the common fluid inlet manifold through each chamber in the array and into the common fluid outlet manifold; the two walls defining each chamber are formed from piezoelectric material so as to effect droplet ejection from the nozzle; this ejection flow occurs simultaneously with the through flow which may have a larger value than the maximum ejection flow; each nozzle may be elongate parallel to the length of its chamber and/or may have an outlet with an area conferring advantages in terms of productivity and temperature control.

Description

For the droplet deposition apparatus and method of the drop of deposits fluid

The application is the applying date on 08 12nd, 2013, and Application No. 201380052468.9 is entitled " to be used for The divisional application of the application of the droplet deposition apparatus and method of the drop of deposits fluid ".

Technical field

Droplet deposition apparatus and method the present invention relates to be used for the drop of deposits fluid.It can be found that being set in droplet deposition Particularly advantageous application in standby, droplet deposition apparatus include：The array of elongated fluid chamber, common fluid intake manifold with And common fluid issuing manifold and enter the inlet manifold, through each room in array and enter described for producing The device of the flowing of outlet manifold, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop.

Background technology

The example of such droplet deposition apparatus is provided by WO 00/38928, and Fig. 1,2,3 and 4 are achieved therefrom.Fig. 1, For example, it is illustrated that " page is wide " printhead 10, with two row nozzles 20,30 (each nozzle has circular profile), the spray of two rows Mouth 20,30 extend (in the direction indicated by arrow 100) width of a piece of paper and its allow it is whole across the page in one way Individual width deposits ink.Realized by the way that electric signal is applied to the drive device associated with fluid chamber's (fluid chamber connects with nozzle) From the injection of the ink of nozzle, such as example from EP-A-0 277 703, the and of EP-A-0 278 590, more particularly, WO 98/ It is known in 52763 and WO 99/19147.Manufacture and improve yield to simplify, " page is wide " row of nozzle can be by more Individual module composition, one of module shows at 40, each module have associated fluid chamber and actuation means and Associated drive circuit (integrated circuit (" chip ") 50) is connected to by means of such as flexible circuit 60.In by holding cap 90 Corresponding hole (not shown), ink supplies ink supplied to printhead and from printhead.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view from rear portion of the printhead of Fig. 1, and holds cap 90 to be removed to show the support knot of printhead Structure 200, supporting construction 200 includes the ink flow passage 210,220,230 for extending printing head width.By one wherein Hole (being omitted from the view of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) in the cap 90 of end, ink enters printhead and ink feed path 220, such as in Fig. 2 In shown in 215.When ink is along flow channels, it is pulled into corresponding ink chamber, and as shown in FIG. 3, Fig. 3 is Take from the sectional view of the bearing of trend printhead perpendicular to nozzle row.From path 220, ink is via the formation in structure 200 Hole 320 (being shown as shade) is flowed into the first and second parallel rows (being represented at 300 and 310 respectively) of ink chamber. The first row and the second row of ink chamber are flowed through, ink leaves to add along respective first ink via hole 330 and 340 The ink flowing of exit passageway and the second ink export path 210,230, such as represents at 235.These ink are in common oil Ink outlet (not shown) at merge, common ink export formed in edge cap and can be positioned at printhead with it The end of middle formation ingate is relative or identical end.

The room of the specific printhead being presented in Fig. 4 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 and the other details of nozzle, Fig. 4 It is the sectional view intercepted along the fluid chamber of module 40.Fluid chamber takes the form of passage 11, base of the passage 11 in piezoelectric To machine or otherwise be formed in portion's part 860, to define the piezoelectric channel walls for then being coated by electrode, so that with Conduit wall actuator is formed, it is such as example known from EP-A-0 277 703.The half part of each passage is by covering part 620 corresponding sections 820,830 along length 600,610 close, covering part 620 be also formed as have respectively with fluid The port 630,640,650 of the connection of manifold 210,220,230.The interruption at 810 in electrode is allowed by means of defeated by electricity It is operating independently in conduit wall of the electric signal in any one half part of passage for entering portion's (flexible circuit 60) applying.From each The ink of passage half part is ejected through opening 840,850, opening 840,850 passage and piezoelectricity base element with wherein Form the relative surface connection in the surface of passage.Nozzle 870,880 for ink injection is then being attached to piezoelectric part Nozzle plate 890 in formed.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the fluid of plurality of optional can be deposited by droplet deposition apparatus：Ink Drop can be marched to, for example, paper or other substrates, such as ceramic tile, to form image, as in ink jet printable application In situation；Alternatively, the drop of fluid can be used for building structure, such as electroactive fluid can be deposited to substrate, for example To make it possible the prototype of electric equipment on circuit board, or fluid or molten polymer containing polymer can be even Deposited in subsequent layers to produce the prototype model (such as in 3D printing) of object.Can use and constructively be printed with standard ink jet inks Similar module, some adaptations using the particular fluid made it possible to during treatment considers are suitable for so to provide Optional fluid droplet deposition apparatus.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are the decomposition of the printhead using the side-emitted formula construction of the similar double ended to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 Perspective view, but obtained from WO 01/12442.As can be seen, used in medium feed direction relative to that This two row of channels for separating, each of which row extends pagewidth in the direction for being transverse to medium feed direction.

Two row of channels are formed in corresponding bar 110a, 110b of piezoelectric, and corresponding bar 110a, 110b are bonded to The flat surfaces 120 of substrate 86.Electrode is arranged on the wall of passage so that electric signal can optionally apply to wall.Passage Wall accordingly acts as actuator means and drop can be caused to spray.Substrate 86 is formed with strip conductor 192, strip conductor 192 It is electrically connected to corresponding conduit wall electrode (such as by soldering joint portion) and extends to the edge of substrate, every a line of passage Corresponding drive circuit (integrated circuit 84a, 84b) the edge positioning.

As that can also see from Fig. 5 and 6, covering component of thing 130 is bonded to the top of conduit wall, so as to produce to hold " activity " passage length of the closing of the pressure wave that permission drop of receiving sprays.The nozzle bore for each having circular profile is covering Formed in cover material component 130, nozzle bore is with channel connection so that the injection of drop is possibly realized.

Substrate 86 is additionally provided with port 88,90 and 92, and it is communicated to inlet manifold and outlet manifold.As referring to figs. 1 to The structure of Fig. 4 descriptions, inlet manifold can be arranged between two outlet manifolds, and wherein inlet manifold is therefore via port 90 Ink is supplied to passage, and ink is removed via port 88 and 92 from two row of channels to corresponding outlet manifold.Such as Fig. 6 institutes Show, strip conductor 192 can be turned to around port 88,90 and 92.

Printhead disclosed in WO 00/38928 and WO 01/12442 can be with it is taken as that be to include elongated fluid The example of the droplet deposition apparatus of the array of room, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and the equipment has common Fluid intake manifold and with common fluid issuing manifold, and for produce enter the inlet manifold, through array In each room and enter the outlet manifold flow of fluid device.

The content of the invention

The present invention relates to the improvement in such droplet deposition apparatus.

In many industrial departments, in droplet deposition process, such as in print application and industry deposition, technique productions are improved Rate is crucial driving factors.Generally can be by improving the frequency that drop sprays from nozzle for putting forward large-duty this demand Rate meets alternately through the size for increasing each fluid drop.

Other method for increasing productivity ratio is to increase nozzle or aperture sum (more more oil of nozzle conveying Ink), this can be by producing the printhead or suitably right by using multiple for having more highdensity nozzle in array direction Accurate droplet deposition module (such as printhead) guides substrate to realize.

According to specific application, these methods can be combined so as to further improve productivity ratio.But, although these methods In each can according to circumstances be used to improve productivity ratio, but can have the actual folding to be considered in each case In.For specific method, it is also possible to carry large-duty physical limit with existing.

For example, the minimum dimension limitation that increase aperture density meeting passively activated component or fluid chamber can manufacture according to it. For example in those printheads for being shown in Fig. 1 to 5, can have according to the limit of its density that passage can be sawn into piezoelectric System.Additionally, increase aperture density can influence the size (particularly in the case where the encapsulation of device keeps constant) of actuating element And therefore actuating element can performance that is less strong and therefore can damaging device to a certain extent.

As noted above, multiple drop jet modules (such as printhead) can be used for improving productivity ratio.Including many The droplet deposition apparatus of individual module can reduce to constrain actuating element minimum dimension influence, it is contemplated that it include it is many The droplet deposition module of individual high cost, the cost of device may be too high.

Additionally, in some cases, improving productivity ratio using the droplet deposition module with bigger encapsulation is probably Suitably.This can significantly mitigate some limitations to the size of actuating element；However, bigger encapsulation may be with clear That spends is reduced to cost.According to concrete application, the reduction of such definition is probably unacceptable.

The present invention can improve some of these problems problem.In some specific embodiments, it can be improved The productivity ratio of droplet deposition apparatus, and different improvement can additionally or be instead experienced in other embodiments.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：The battle array of elongated fluid chamber Row, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and array extends in array direction；Common fluid intake manifold；Jointly Fluid issuing manifold；And for producing from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array and Into the through-flow (Q of the fluid of the common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；Each in wherein described fluid chamber is one Individual longitudinal end goes out with the common fluid intake manifold connection and in relative longitudinal end with the common fluid Mouth manifold connection；Wherein each room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture Penetrate, cause the jet flow of the fluid left from the room and from the aperture, the jet flow with it is described it is through-flow simultaneously Occur, the jet flow has maximum Q_E；Each phase in parallel to the fluid chamber in wherein described aperture The direction of the longitudinal axis of for answering is elongated.

Extension parallel to the aperture of the longitudinal axis of corresponding fluid chamber can enable the port size increase, without Inadequately influence the aperture density in array direction.Additionally, or otherwise, by the aperture parallel to longitudinal axis Extension can enable nozzle entrance be spaced apart with the wall of fluid chamber increasing port size.This can enable a device to be easier Ground manufacture because its aperture relative to room positioning in terms of more error margins for providing.Additionally, in the formation in aperture Period, spacing can be avoided or reduce the damage to wall, particularly in the case where aperture is formed by ablation.The increase in aperture Size can allow aperture spray have increase volume fluid drop, so as to improve the productivity ratio of equipment.

This specific orientation in aperture can have additional advantage.For example, due to fluid chamber a longitudinal end with The common fluid intake manifold is connected and connected with the common fluid issuing manifold in relative longitudinal end, institute Can guide through-flow along the longitudinal length of fluid chamber.Therefore, it can the direction of through-flow and aperture the extension of alignment.This can be with Equipment cause during use chip is particularly efficiently removed near aperture, such as air bubble and dust granules.So Removing chip can reduce the incidence that aperture during use blocks, so as to improve the reliability of equipment.

Additionally, this orientation in aperture can cause sound wave, and (it being produced in equipment by piezo-activator during use It is raw) near aperture than persistently there is the longer time using the aperture of circle.Generally, such sound wave will be in piezo-activator Actuating after produce and inwardly advanced towards aperture at each in the longitudinal end of room.Because aperture is thus in sound The direction of the traveling of ripple is elongated, so can persistently there is the relatively longer time at aperture in sound wave, so as to improve The efficiency of injection.

Preferably for each aperture in the aperture, the draw ratio of outlet can be smaller than the draw ratio of entrance.Shen Ask someone it has been found that being elongated aperture parallel to longitudinal axis, although with some advantages as discussed above, but at certain Relatively low direction accuracy may be experienced in the case of a little than circular aperture.However, applicant also found, direction accuracy This problem can be corrected by suitably shaping the outlet in aperture.Suitably, therefore, the length of the outlet in each aperture Footpath than can be less than entrance draw ratio.Such arrangement can still benefit from the advantage of above-described extension, because entering Mouth can be elongated in longitudinal direction.Preferably, the outlet in each aperture can have the draw ratio between 1.0 to 1.2 Also, in some embodiments, the outlet in each aperture can have about 1.0 draw ratio.This can also be it is suitable, often Individual aperture is tapered so that area (and draw ratio) of the area (and draw ratio) of jet expansion less than nozzle entrance.

Suitably, the key dimension of the entrance in each aperture in the aperture can be with the longitudinal axis pair of fluid chamber It is accurate.Alternatively, the key dimension of outlet can also be aligned with the longitudinal axis of fluid chamber.

Additionally, or otherwise, the outlet in the aperture and entrance can be approx oval also, suitably, The oval major axis can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of fluid chamber.Preferably, each aperture in the aperture goes out Mouth can be approx circular.

Preferably, each in the fluid chamber has width w in the array direction, so as to define theoretical circular face Product A_T=1/4TTW², the aperture exit of each room has area A_n, wherein 0.48A_T>A_n>0.2A_T。

It has been found that through-flow for cooling device and particularly cooling actuator.Additionally, jet flow can be used for Cooling device (particularly near actuator) because heat transfer to fluid and then slave unit with injection drop and It is removed.Therefore will be expected, as orifice area increases, by the cooling for improving equipment, because the size of the drop for spraying To increase and therefore more fluids will be removed by spraying from room.However, it has been discovered by the applicants that unexpectedly, having The aperture for having bigger area not necessarily provides the cooling of higher efficiency, and with the hole of the area in the specific scope The equipment that mouth possesses greater area of aperture than having is equipment, and particularly piezo-activator provides more effective cooling. This cooling effect is typically provided using through-flow only appropriate numerical value.

It is highly preferred that the through-flow value is so that Q_TF>0.25Q_E.It is through-flow using within the range, using such as above The aperture defined, can allow equipment, and particularly actuator is cooled to so that the fluid for passing through room is generally heated Only 2 degree or less of degree.This shows that the temperature difference can significantly increase the serviceable bife of equipment.

At this point it should be understood that the small rising of fluid temperature (F.T.) can indicate the temperature of equipment and particularly actuator Significantly rising.Estimation for equipment life can be based on Arrhenius relationship, and the chemical erosion of wherein component is equipment Failure in principal element.It will thus be appreciated that equipment life can be sensitive to the even less temperature difference.

It is also understood that the big temperature difference can cause the harmful effect to drop ejection characteristics.It has been discovered by the applicants that this Change in the characteristic of the sample temperature sensitive or even small to the rheology of fluid can interfere significantly on rheology.

Even more preferably, the through-flow value is so that Q_TF>Q_E.This can cause dramatically increasing for equipment dependability：Cause Be than flowing by the fluid more than aperture through aperture, even if in maximum injection period, so it is through-flow particularly effectively from Nozzle nearby washes away chip walk.

Alternatively, each in the fluid chamber has width w in the array direction, so as to define theoretical circular face Product A_T=1/4TTW², the aperture exit of each room has area A_n, and wherein 0.80A_T>A_n>0.20A_TAnd Q_TF>4Q_E。

It has been discovered by the applicants that through-flow using within the range, with possessing up to 0.80A_TArea aperture Equipment will generally have the temperature difference similar to the equipment with the aperture for possessing notable more small area.Specifically, with larger (those have up to 0.80A in aperture_TArea aperture) equipment in the temperature difference of experience will generally with smaller hole mouthful (those have more than 0.20A_TArea aperture) equipment in experience 0.2 the degree of the temperature difference it is interior.Because 0.2 degree is generally recognized For be in normal deviation range, so depend on environment its can be ignored, two equipment are in life-span and drop characteristics side The performance in face is generally identical.

Suitably, the longitudinal axis parallel of the fluid chamber is in passage bearing of trend.Preferably, the passage extension side To perpendicular to the array direction.

According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：The array of elongated fluid chamber, often Individual room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and array extends in array direction；Common fluid intake manifold；Common fluid Outlet manifold；And pass through each room in the array from the common fluid intake manifold and enter institute for producing State the through-flow (Q of the fluid of common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；Each in wherein described fluid chamber is an end Connected with the common fluid issuing manifold with the common fluid intake manifold connection and in relative end；Wherein Each room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture, causes from the room simultaneously The jet flow of the fluid left from the aperture, the jet flow with it is described it is through-flow simultaneously occur, the jet flow With maximum Q_E；Each in wherein described fluid chamber has width w in the array direction, so as to define theoretical circular Area A_T=1/4TTW², the aperture exit of each room has area A_n, wherein 0.48A_T>A_n>0.20A_T。

As discussed in detail above, with scope 0.48A_T>A_n>0.20A_TThe aperture of interior area can provide The especially small temperature difference between the fluid of entry manifold and the fluid at outlet manifold.This can correspond to equipment, And the particularly particularly efficient cooling of piezo-activator, without for through-flow big value.Such effect differs Surely the extension in above-described aperture is depended on.

Preferably, Q_TFValue be enough to ensure that be back to it is described outlet common manifold fluid temperature be generally kept in from Common inlet manifold enters in 0.2 degree of the fluid entered the room.

An a kind of other aspect of the invention, there is provided liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：The battle array of elongated fluid chamber Row, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and array extends in array direction；Common fluid intake manifold；Jointly Fluid issuing manifold；And for producing from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array and Into the through-flow (Q of the fluid of the common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；Each in wherein described fluid chamber is one Individual end connects with the common fluid intake manifold connection and in relative end with the common fluid issuing manifold It is logical；Wherein each room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture, causes certainly The room and the jet flow of the fluid left from the aperture, the jet flow with it is described it is through-flow simultaneously occur, it is described Jet flow has maximum Q_E；Each in wherein described fluid chamber has width w in the array direction, so as to define Theoretical circular area A_T=1/4TTW², the aperture exit of each room has area A_n, and wherein 0.80A_T>A_n>0.20A_TAnd Q_TF>4Q_E。

As discussed above, it has been discovered by the applicants that using being defined in Q_TF>4Q_EIn the range of it is through-flow, with possessing up to 0.80A_TThe equipment in aperture of area will generally have the temperature similar to the equipment with the aperture for possessing notable more small area Difference.Specifically, (there is up to 0.80A with larger aperture_TArea those) equipment in the temperature difference of experience will be logical Often (have and be more than 0.20A with less aperture_TArea those) equipment in experience 0.2 the degree of the temperature difference it is interior. Because 0.2 degree is typically considered in normal deviation range, it can ignore to depend on environment, and two equipment are in the longevity Performance in terms of life and drop characteristics is generally identical.

An a kind of aspect still further of the invention, there is provided liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：Elongated fluid chamber Array, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and array extends in array direction；Common fluid intake manifold；Altogether Same fluid issuing manifold；And for produce from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array simultaneously And enter the through-flow (Q of the fluid of the common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；In wherein described fluid chamber each One end is with the common fluid intake manifold connection and in relative end and the common fluid issuing manifold Connection；Wherein each room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture, causes The jet flow of the fluid left from the room and from the aperture, the jet flow with it is described it is through-flow simultaneously occur, institute Stating jet flow has maximum Q_E；Wherein described aperture is arranged in the orifice plates with t micron thickness, and each aperture is into cone Shape causes to define taper angle θ；Each in wherein described fluid chamber has w microns of width in the array direction, so that Define actual circular area A_P=1/4TT (w-e-2ttan θ)², wherein e takes 10 microns of value, the aperture exit of each room With area A_n, wherein 3A_P>A_n>1.25A_P。

Value e can correspond to the technique accuracy that room and aperture are formed by it.

In embodiments, taper angle θ can take value between 5 to 15 ° and can preferably take 10 to Value between 12 °.It should be appreciated that the reference to taper angle is not construed as implying that aperture will necessarily have at all positions There is identical taper.Therefore, suitably, taper angle θ can correspond to the average taper angle for aperture.

An a kind of aspect still further of the invention, there is provided liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：Elongated fluid chamber Array, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and array extends in array direction；Common fluid intake manifold；Altogether Same fluid issuing manifold；And for produce from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array simultaneously And enter the through-flow (Q of the fluid of the common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；In wherein described fluid chamber each One end is with the common fluid intake manifold connection and in relative end and the common fluid issuing manifold Connection；Wherein each room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture, causes The jet flow of the fluid left from the room and from the aperture, the jet flow with it is described it is through-flow simultaneously occur, institute Stating jet flow has maximum Q_E；Wherein described aperture is arranged in the orifice plates with t micron thickness, and each aperture is into cone Shape causes to define taper angle θ；Each in wherein described fluid chamber has w microns of width in the array direction, so that Define theoretical circular area A_P=1/4TT (w-e-2ttan θ)², wherein e takes the value between 5 to 10 microns, each room Aperture exit has area A_n, wherein 5A_P>A_n>1.25A_P, and Q_TF>4Q_E。

In embodiments, taper angle θ can take value between 5 to 15 ° and can preferably take 10 to Value between 12 °.

A kind of another other aspect of the invention, there is provided liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：Elongated fluid chamber Array, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and array extends in array direction；Common fluid intake manifold；Altogether Same fluid issuing manifold；And for produce from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array simultaneously And enter the through-flow (Q of the fluid of the common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；In wherein described fluid chamber each One end is with the common fluid intake manifold connection and in relative end and the common fluid issuing manifold Connection；Wherein each room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture, causes The jet flow of the fluid left from the room and from the aperture, the jet flow with it is described it is through-flow simultaneously occur, institute Stating jet flow has maximum Q_E；The aperture exit of wherein each room has area A_n, wherein 1600 μm²>A_n>650μm²。

A kind of another other aspect of the invention, there is provided liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：Elongated fluid chamber Array, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and array extends in array direction；Common fluid intake manifold；Altogether Same fluid issuing manifold；And for produce from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array simultaneously And enter the through-flow (Q of the fluid of the common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；In wherein described fluid chamber each One end is with the common fluid intake manifold connection and in relative end and the common fluid issuing manifold Connection；Wherein each room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture, causes The jet flow of the fluid left from the room and from the aperture, the jet flow with it is described it is through-flow simultaneously occur, institute Stating jet flow has maximum Q_E；The aperture exit of wherein each room has area A_n, and wherein 2700 μm²>A_n>650μm² And Q_TF>4Q_E。

An aspect still further of the invention, there is provided a kind of method of drop for deposits fluid, including with Lower step：Equipment according to any one in foregoing aspect is provided；It is described through-flow and described so as to provide to operate the equipment Jet flow.

Preferably, in terms of each in aspect provided above, each in aperture is tapered so that aperture Area of the area of outlet less than aperture entrance.Alternatively, aperture entrance entirely can be contained in fluid chamber so that it is not It is Chong Die with locular wall.Aperture entrance can be defined in towards in the surface of corresponding fluid chamber.The surface can surround corresponding stream The top of body room.Aperture exit can be defined in relative surface, its table that can be wherein defined parallel to aperture entrance Face.

Preferably, aperture can be arranged in orifice plates.The orifice plates can include two relative tables of flat Face.An entrance that the aperture can be provided in these surfaces, and another provides the outlet in the aperture.Boundary wherein The surface for being incorporated into mouth can be around the top of the array of fluid chamber.

Preferably, each in the elongated room is defined between two elongated locular walls, the top of the locular wall Edge jointly provides the surface of flat, and the orifice plates are attached to the surface.Each locular wall can include piezoelectricity Material also, alternatively, the piezoelectric can be polarized so that locular wall will be responsive to actuating signal and deform so as to V is presented Shape shape.Specifically, when activated, when being watched along the length of room, wall will be with V-arrangement shape.This can be by room Wall is divided into two half-unit point along its length, makes a half part in a direction polarization and another half part opposite Direction polarization and realize.

In order to produce drop to spray, two locular walls can activated simultaneously.Electrode can be on the two of locular wall sides Formed, two sides are towards two rooms separated by wall.In the case where locular wall includes piezoelectric, they can be in shear Deform in pattern.Can arrange that the direction polarization of the piezoelectric of electrode and wall deforms to realize locular wall.

Room can have for example between 20 to 150 microns, between 30 to 130 microns, between 40 to 110 microns, Width between 50 to 90 microns or between 60 to 70 microns.

Equipment can be it is activatable with operating speed v spray drop, wherein v between 2 to 20m/s, in 3 to 18m/s Between, between 4 to 16m/s, or between 5 to 14m/s.

The application further relates to following items：

(1) a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

The array of elongated fluid chamber, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and the array is in array side To extension；

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

Pass through each room in the array from the common fluid intake manifold and enter described common for producing Through-flow (the Q of the fluid of same fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；

Each in wherein described fluid chamber is connected simultaneously in a longitudinal end with the common fluid intake manifold And connected with the common fluid issuing manifold in relative longitudinal end；

Each of which room is associated with least one piezo-activator sprays for being produced from the drop in the aperture, Cause the jet flow of the fluid left from the room and from the aperture, the jet flow with described through-flow while occur, The jet flow has maximum Q_E；

The longitudinal axis of each the corresponding fluid chamber in parallel to the fluid chamber in wherein described aperture The direction of line is elongated.

(2) equipment according to project (1), wherein, the cause of each piezo-activator in the piezo-activator Generation sound wave at each in the longitudinal end of corresponding room is moved, the sound wave is advanced then towards the aperture.

(3) equipment according to project (1) or project (2), wherein, for each aperture in the aperture, institute State the draw ratio of the draw ratio less than the entrance of outlet.

(4) equipment according to project (3), wherein, the outlet in each aperture in the aperture is approximate Ground is circular.

(5) equipment according to any one of project (1) to (4), wherein, each in the fluid chamber is described Array direction has width w, so as to define theoretical circular area A_T=1/4TTW², there is area for the aperture exit of each room A_n, wherein 0.48A_T>A_n>0.2A_T。

(6) equipment according to project (5), wherein, Q_TFValue be enough to ensure that and be back to the outlet common manifold The temperature of fluid is generally kept in 2 DEG C of the fluid for entering the room from the common inlet manifold.

(7) equipment according to project (5) or project (6), wherein, the through-flow amount causes Q_TF>0.25Q_E, and Preferably wherein Q_TF>Q_E。

(8) equipment according to any one of project (1) to (4), wherein, each in the fluid chamber is described Array direction has width w, so as to define theoretical circular area A_T=1/4TTW², there is area for the aperture exit of each room A_n, and wherein 0.80A_T>A_n>0.20A_TAnd Q_TF>4Q_E。

(9) a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

For producing from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array and described in Through-flow (the Q of the fluid of common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；

Each in wherein described fluid chamber has width w in the array direction, so as to define theoretical circular area A_T=1/4TTW², there is area A for the aperture exit of each room_n, wherein 0.48A_T>A_n>0.20A_T。

(10) a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

The array of elongated fluid chamber, each room connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and the array is in array direction Extend；

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

Pass through each room in the array from the common fluid intake manifold and enter described common for producing Through-flow (the Q of the fluid in same fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；

Wherein described aperture is arranged in the orifice plates with t micron thickness, and each aperture is tapered so as to define cone Degree angle θ；

Each in wherein described fluid chamber has w microns of width in the array direction, so as to define actual circle Shape area A_P=1/4 π (w-e-2ttan θ)², wherein e takes the value between 5 to 10 microns, and the aperture for each room goes out Mouth has area A_n, wherein 3A_P>A_n>1.25A_P。

(11) a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

For producing from the common fluid intake manifold through each room in the array and described in Through-flow (the Q of the fluid in common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；

In wherein described fluid chamber each an end connected with the common fluid intake manifold and Relative end connects with the common fluid issuing manifold；

The aperture exit for being wherein used for each room has area A_n, wherein 1600 μm²>A_n>650μm²。

(12) equipment according to any one of project (9) to (11), wherein, Q_TFValue be enough to ensure that be back to it is described The temperature for exporting the fluid of common manifold is generally kept in 2 DEG C of the fluid for entering the room from the common inlet manifold It is interior.

(13) equipment according to any one of project (9) to (12), wherein the through-flow amount causes Q_TF> 0.25Q_E, and preferably wherein Q_TF>Q_E。

(14) a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

Each in wherein described fluid chamber has width w in the array direction, so as to define theoretical circular area A_T=1/4TTW², there is area A for the aperture exit of each room_n, and wherein 0.80A_T>A_n>0.20A_TAnd Q_TF>4Q_E。

(15) a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

Wherein described aperture is arranged in the orifice plates with t micron thickness, and each aperture is tapered so that defining cone Degree angle θ；

Each in wherein described fluid chamber has w microns of width in the array direction, so as to define theoretical circle Shape area A_P=1/4TT (w-e-2ttan θ)², wherein e takes the value between 5 to 10 microns, and the aperture for each room goes out Mouth has area A_n, wherein 5A_P>A_n>1.25A_P, and Q_TF>4Q_E。

(16) a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

The aperture exit for being wherein used for each room has area A_nAnd wherein 2700 μm²>A_n>650μm²And Q_TF>4Q_E。

(17) equipment according to any one of foregoing project, wherein, the aperture is arranged in orifice plates.

(18) equipment according to project (17), wherein, each in the elongated room is two elongated rooms Defined between wall, the top edge of the locular wall provides the surface of general planar jointly, the orifice plates are attached to the table Face.

(19) equipment according to any one of project (1) to (16), wherein, in the elongated room each Defined between two elongated locular walls.

(20) equipment according to project (18) or project (19), wherein, each edge in the piezo-activator The length for corresponding room extends.

(21) equipment according to project (20), wherein, each in the piezo-activator is generally from described The first end of room extends to the second end of the room.

(22) equipment according to any one of project (18) to (21), wherein, the locular wall includes piezoelectric, institute Each stated in piezo-activator includes corresponding one in the locular wall.

(23) equipment according to any one of foregoing project, wherein, the longitudinal axis parallel of the fluid chamber is in logical Road bearing of trend and preferably wherein described passage extends perpendicularly to the array direction.

(24) equipment according to any one of foregoing project, wherein, each in the aperture is tapered so that Area of the area of the jet expansion less than the nozzle entrance.

(25) a kind of method of drop for deposits fluid, comprises the following steps：

Equipment according to any one of foregoing project is provided；

The equipment is operated to provide described through-flow and described jet flow.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to the drawings, in the accompanying drawings：

Fig. 1 illustrates prior art ink-jet printer；

Fig. 2 is the perspective view from rear portion of the printhead of Fig. 1, and its middle-end cap is removed to show by the ink of printhead Flowing；

Fig. 3 is the sectional view of the direction interception of the extension perpendicular to nozzle row of the printhead of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2；

Fig. 4 is the sectional view of the fluid chamber's interception along module of the ink-jet printer of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3；

Fig. 5 illustrates an other example of the printhead of prior art, employs similar double to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 End sides emission-type is constructed；

Fig. 6 is the decomposition diagram of the printhead of Fig. 5, it illustrates for electric signal to be applied leading to actuator component Electric rail；

Fig. 7 shows the decomposition diagram of printhead according to the first embodiment of the invention, and it has in room extension The nozzle of direction extension；

Fig. 8 be the perspective view along the length of the room of ink jet-print head and show tapered nozzle relative to beating Print the size of the size of the fluid chamber of head；

Fig. 9 shows that printhead sprays drop with the speed of 6m/s, with different spray nozzles area with through-flow different value Printhead on implement a series of tests result；

Figure 10 show to figure 9 illustrates a series of similar tests of those results result, but wherein print Head sprays drop with the speed of 12m/s.

Figure 11 shows that the directionality in the direction in the longitudinal axis perpendicular to fluid chamber of a series of printhead is accurate The test result of degree, this series of printhead has the jet expansion for possessing different major diameter ratios, and printhead all possesses tool There is the nozzle entrance that draw ratio is 1.8；

Figure 12 show its result figure 11 illustrates same train printhead in the longitudinal axis parallel to fluid chamber The test result of the directionality accuracy in the direction of line；

Figure 13 depict figure 11 illustrates value with figure 12 illustrates value ratio, in contrast to its result in Figure 11 With the value of the jet expansion draw ratio of each in the serial printhead shown in Figure 12；

Figure 14 (A) -14 (C) is the plan of a series of other embodiments of the invention, is which used Figure 7 illustrates those printheads optional nozzle geometric configuration；And

Figure 15 (A) -15 (B) is the plan of a series of yet another embodiment of the invention, wherein using Figure 7 illustrates those printheads optional room geometry.

Specific embodiment

The present invention can be implemented in ink-jet printer.According to the first embodiment of the invention Fig. 7 thus illustrates The ink jet-print head in ink-jet printer exploded view.As can be seen from the figure, ink jet-print head includes fluid The single array of room 2, each fluid chamber defines between a pair of elongated locular wall 3.Each fluid chamber 2 is in passage extension side It is elongated to C, locular wall 3 is also elongated in the direction.Array extends in the array direction D perpendicular to room bearing of trend C.Such as In the figure 7 shown in arrow 7, in equipment during use, a longitudinal end of the fluid in room enters from common inlet manifold 4 Each room, flows by aperture 6 (aperture 6 is provided towards the middle part relative to its longitudinal end of room) along the length of room, And in its another longitudinal end room is left to be back to common outlet manifold 5.One or more streams can be also provided Body canal is recycled to common inlet manifold (not shown) with ink from common outlet manifold.

Ink-jet printer can have to those the similar architectural features described above with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, for example exist Two arrays of the port for being connected with common inlet manifold and common outlet manifold respectively are set in the surface of substrate.Such as exist Shown in Fig. 1 to 3, manifold can also be arranged in the housing of single generic cylindrical.

In order to provide by the flowing 7 of room 2, ink supply system can apply constant first pressure to common Ink in inlet manifold 4, while constant relatively low second pressure is applied to the oil in common outlet manifold 5 Ink.Can be as the reservoir as known to from WO 00/38928 relative to aperture offset of vertical, or simply by corresponding fluid Pressurizer provides such constant pressure.Also as known to from WO 00/38928, fluid feed system can be applied at nozzle 6 Plus negative pressure (relative to atmospheric pressure).Those skilled in the art will recognize that, this may be required in first pressure and second The difference of the value between pressure is negative.This negative pressure can prevent the fluid during non-ejection period from being dripped from nozzle (6).

Locular wall 3 can be formed by piezoelectric, and as discussed above concerning Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 descriptions, wherein electrode (not shown) is in room Formed in a part for wall so that actuating signal can apply to locular wall.However, those skilled in the art will recognize that, can To utilize optional piezo-activator, wherein room is defined in non-piezoelectric material.For example, room can be using photoetching process in non-depressed Defined in electric material, as needed, it is indoor that stage of the piezo-activator after earlier or relatively is arranged on these.

As represented by the figure 7, the relative face for defining the locular wall 3 of each room is separated by width w so that room 2 it may be said that It is that there is the width equal to w.Using circular nozzle 6, such as the construction of Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, nozzle is remaining in the same of interior When the theoretic maximum area that can possess will therefore be equal to value A_T=1/4TTW²。

It should be appreciated that because the width defines the scope of fluid chamber 2, wherein locular wall 3 includes one or more coatings (for example Electrode and/or passivation layer), so should be wide to the outmost Coating measurement of another wall from an outmost coating for wall Degree.

However, in fact, be reliably formed the circular nozzle with this theoretic maximum area be probably can not Can, because this will require that nozzle 6 accurately matches the width and shape of room 2 with a hundred per cent accuracy.Therefore may be required The usual source of foozle is taken into account so that it is determined that the actual attainable maximum area of nozzle.

First source of such error is to form nozzle 6 technique of itself by it.Come boundary usually using optical technology Determine the shapes and sizes of nozzle 6；It is, for example possible to use photoetching forms complete nozzle plate 8 from Other substrate materials, or photoresist can The shape of nozzle bore is defined for use as egative film, wherein metallic nozzle plate 8 carries out electroforming around photoresist post, such as from WO 2005/ It is known in 014292.Likewise it is possible in the interior directly ablation nozzle 6 of nozzle plate 8, nozzle plate 8 can be by metal, polymer Or combination is formed.Although such optical technology is more accurate, they will be still incorporated into about a few micrometers Uncertainty.

One other source of foozle is the technique by its forming chamber 2.For example, as discussed above concerning Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 Description, this can be included in sawing conduit in the strip of piezoelectric, but can also include the molding and burning of piezoelectric Knot, or, in the case of using non-piezoelectric material to define conduit, then optical means can be used.Not only room 2 size and Will be with uncertainty in shape, and also will be with uncertainty in the spacing of each room in array.

Additionally, the combination of two techniques, specifically, the alignment of each nozzle room corresponding relative to its or alignment also will be to Uncertainty is introduced in manufacturing process.

Use in combination, these errors can be about 10 microns.Therefore, the edge of nozzle 6 is made to be marked from corresponding locular wall 3 The distance at 5 microns of ground interval is claimed generally to be probably necessary.Under the damage situation that the technique for forming nozzle may cause locular wall, This especially this kind of situation.For example, in the case where nozzle is formed using laser ablation, then wall and their covering may occur Layer burn.

Such incidence (such as disclosed in WO 2012/017248 those) damaged is reduced although having been proposed that Technique, but these can only protect the interior wall of room, be unable to protect the top edge of locular wall, including any coating. As discussed in WO 2012/017248, to coating, the damage of such as electrode and passivation layer can interfere significantly on the property of equipment Energy：To electrode layer damage can the room of making there is the activity lower than other rooms in array, it is or even completely sluggish； The chemical erosion to following layer can be caused to the damage of passivation layer, this can influence the life-span of equipment.Therefore, even if available In the case of protectiveness technique, such as those techniques instructed in the WO 2012/017248, nozzle entrance 6b from locular wall every It can be still important for holding.

Although the big I of nozzle entrance 6b is relevant with the size of room, it has however been found that the big I of jet expansion 6a Productivity ratio to equipment is related.Specifically, for the nozzle entrance 6b for giving, the area of jet expansion 6a is considered as equipment spray The limiting factor of the size of the drop penetrated.

But, because it has been found that (this can make at nozzle to desirably form the nozzle with taper in some cases Into the improved stability of fluid meniscus), thus the area of jet expansion 6a can with and then with nozzle entrance 6b area phase Close also, specifically, its can be less than nozzle entrance 6b area.Even if however, applicant have determined that thering are these to limit Applicable some methods, can optimize the size of jet expansion 6a in these methods.

Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the length along the room 2 of ink jet-print head, show relative to the size of fluid chamber 2 this The size of the conical nozzle 6 of sample.As can be seen, the entrance of nozzle is connected with the fluid chamber with width w.Nozzle towards its Outlet is gradually reduced, and outlet is formed in the relative surface of nozzle plate.

As that can see from Fig. 8, it is w-e that the width of nozzle entrance 6b is taken, and wherein e is selected to generally increase spray Mouth entrance 6b is by entirely within the numerical value of the possibility in the width of room 2.Therefore numerical value e is chosen to discussed above The various sources of the error in nozzle 6 and room 2 are formed are taken into account, and can therefore take suitable numerical value, such as 10 Micron, 7 microns or 5 microns.

The width of jet expansion 6a followed by even more small, used as the result of the taper of nozzle, it is defined by angle, θ. As figure 8 illustrates taper angle θ can be defined at such, in the point, parallel to array direction and through nozzle The central line of entrance 6b intersects with the circumference of nozzle entrance.As shown in also in fig. 8, taper angle can be relative to such side To defining, the direction is not only perpendicular to array direction but also perpendicular to room bearing of trend.In common ink jet-print head, the cone of nozzle Between degree angle can be spent 5 to 15, and in some instances can be between 10 to 12 degree.

Such as it is further illustrated by Fig. 8, the nozzle plate 8 that nozzle 6 is formed wherein has thickness t.In common inkjet printing In head, the thickness of nozzle plate 8 can be in 50 to 150 microns of scope, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that many Other numerical value can be suitable.

Diagram such as in Fig. 8 is it will be evident that the difference of the width between nozzle entrance 6b and jet expansion 6a is 2ttan θ so that nozzle entrance 6b has the width of (w-e-2ttan θ).Therefore jet expansion 6a has what is defined by following relation Area：

A_P=1/4 π (w-e-2ttan θ)²

Therefore, in the case where expecting that nozzle entrance 6b is included in the width of fluid chamber, circular jet expansion 6a exists The maximum that can be taken in practice can be A_P, as defined in the equation.It will be understood by those of skill in the art that In the case that the different part of nozzle has different taper angles, it is contemplated that this only represents the approximation of design constraint, can be with The average value of taper angle is used in the equation above.

For common droplet deposition apparatus, particularly ink jet-print head, for the actual maximum of circular nozzle Area can be in 530 square microns or so.This is based on 65 microns of room width w, it is contemplated that 5 microns on each locular wall Coating (therefore the spacing between locular wall itself is 75 microns).

By contrast, in such devices, the theoretic maximum (A of circular nozzle_T=1/4TTW²) can be because This is based on these numerical value, and it is for about 3320 square microns to calculate, and it is significantly significantly more than A_PNumerical value.

The embodiment of Fig. 7 is back to, as noted above, nozzle is elongated in room bearing of trend C.Therefore, they Area relative to theoretical maximum and both actual maximums increases, because these maximums are based on circular nozzle.Such as It is indicated above, nozzle, particularly jet expansion 6a's, increased area can cause the increasing of the volume of each drop for spraying Plus, so as to improve the productivity ratio of printhead.Additionally, because nozzle with fluid through the flowing identical direction of room be elongated , thus through room flowing can particularly effectively rinse chip away from nozzle near.This can cause printhead The improvement of reliability.This improvement of reliability can also be by without departing from actual maximum area A_PNozzle experience, but should Understand, such printhead will not necessarily benefit from the improvement of productivity ratio.

In order to obtain considerable effect in the productivity ratio of printhead, it has been found that, this will be generally necessary, The area of each nozzle increases by 25%.In order to improve the productivity ratio of printhead, 1.25A can be applied to the area of nozzle_PUnder Limit.In above-described ink jet-print head, the lower limit can correspond to about 650 square microns.

Additionally, because the area of nozzle 6 increases and therefore more ink spray from room 2, it is anticipated that room will more be had The cooling of effect ground.From equipment, and the heat of particularly actuator component 3 will be transmitted to ink during use, wherein this The injection of kind fluid thus be accordingly used in and heat is removed from the neighbouring room 2 in actuator component 3.Therefore, because the area of nozzle 6 increases Plus, and therefore also increased by the amount of flow of nozzle 6 with drops, heat should increase away from the speed that actuator is passed Plus, so as in addition to improving productivity ratio, the cooling for also resulting in equipment is improved.

In order to quantify this cooling effect, test is implemented to a series of printhead, wherein different printheads is each Nozzle 6 with particular area.Each printhead tested in these printheads with the different rates through the flowing of room 2 Ruuning situation.Figure 9 illustrates these experimental results.

The room 2 of printhead has the identical representative value for room width discussed above, i.e., 65 microns of room width w. The actual maximum of jet expansion 6a takes 530 square microns, also as discussed above.

Printhead includes the array of elongated room 2, and as shown in FIG. 7, each room is defined in a pair of elongated pressure Between the locular wall 3 of electricity, wherein providing from common inlet manifold 4 to common outlet manifold 5 along every during use The flowing of the length of individual room.This through-flow injection with drop from nozzle 6 simultaneously occurs, its, although drop is undoubtedly fluid Discontinuous volume, but can be considered as equivalent to other jet flow.For each printhead, with through the stream of room 2 Dynamic various values, measure the ink at inlet manifold 4 and the temperature difference between the ink at outlet manifold 5.

The through-flow speed of printhead is shown on the abscissa of Fig. 9.Due to injection, the flow rate of printhead is relative Expressed in the maximum stream flow through nozzle 6 for being attributed to injection.This corresponds to the room of maximum injection frequency printed droplets, wherein Printhead is the speed that each drop assigns 6m/s.Value 1 on the horizontal scale is therefore corresponded to through each room and reached out The flowing equal to maximum jet flow of mouth manifold.Because jet flow and it is through-flow simultaneously occur, in maximum injection period Between will have the fluid for being back to outlet manifold with the equal quantities sprayed from nozzle 6.

The value shown on the coordinate of Fig. 9 is represented between the ink of entry manifold and the ink at outlet manifold Temperature difference Δ T in degrees celsius.This temperature difference can be used to indicate that the cooling effect in printhead under discussion.

Therefore each line on the chart of Fig. 9 represents the different printhead with respective exit area of nozzle.The figure Legend therefore show these respective nozzle areas for the room, the area ratio using characteristic area ratio AR It is nozzle area under discussion and actual maximum nozzle area A_pRatio.It is as noted above, actual maximum nozzle area A_p's Value is 530 square microns.

As that can see from table below 1, as expection, the increase of nozzle area result in the raising of productivity ratio. Form illustrates the measured value of the droplet size for each area ratio AR values.

Form 1

Although this raising (by the increase of the volume of drop) of productivity ratio is it is contemplated that still unexpectedly sending out Existing, bigger nozzle area does not most effectively remove heat from room, as can with it is seen from figure 9 that.In fact, being fitted with through-flow The value of degree, their performance is significantly inferior to 3A_POr the nozzle of more small area.

It is also contemplated that the through-flow amount in room is also by the cooling for improving room.Therefore especially it was unexpected that with bigger The nozzle of area has the worse performance in similar through-flow value, because relative to jet flow, and therefore through-flow value is The through-flow value of identical of bigger nozzle area corresponds to the further a greater amount of flowing for pressing absolute value calculating.

But result shows really, for more than 3A_PArea nozzle 6, the validity of cooling is greatly lowered. Therefore, as a result show have less than 3A_PThe nozzle 6 of area can be especially efficient on cooling device.Therefore, using with 1.25A_P-3A_PIn the range of the equipment of nozzle 6 of area the raising of productivity ratio can be provided, while also allowing equipment especially effective Ground cooling.The scope area can also be according to the theoretical maximum area A of room_TExpression, its room width value meter for being based on 65 microns Calculate (according to formula A_T=1/4TTW²) it is for about 3320 square microns.Therefore, the scope of jet expansion 6a areas can be set fourth as again 0.48A_T>A_n>0.20A_T.Alternatively, according to absolute value, the scope can be set fourth as 1600 μm²>A_n>650μm²。

It should be understood that, although figure 9 illustrates test result seem to indicate that in 3A_PFlex point, but can in the value There can be some uncertainties.Therefore, the favourable upper limit of nozzle area can be taken less than 3A_PValue, such as 2.5,2.6, 2.7th, 2.8 or 2.9A_P, it corresponds respectively to 0.40,0.42,0.43,0.45 and 0.46A_T, or about 1330,1380,1430, The absolute value of 1487 and 1540 square microns.Similarly, the favourable upper limit can be taken more than 3A_PValue, such as 3.1,3.2, 3.3rd, 3.4 or 3.5A_P, it corresponds respectively to 0.50,0.51,0.53,0.54 and 0.56A_T, or about 1650,1700,1750, The absolute value of 1810 and 1860 square microns.

Similarly, although due to productivity ratio reason, 1.25A_PLower limit can be suitable, but compare in some conditions Larger lower limit can be suitable, to provide the considerable raising of productivity ratio.Therefore, 1.30,1.35,1.40, 1.45 and 1.50A_PLower limit can be it is gratifying, its respectively correspond to 0.21,0.22,0.22,0.23 and 0.24A_T, Or 690,720,740,770 and 800 square micron absolute value.

As can see from Figure 9, when through-flow amount increases, the difference between different printheads reduces.Especially It is, when through-flow value more than 4 times of jet flow, in 5A_PPrinthead (corresponds to 0.8A_TOr about 2655 square microns) in experience The temperature difference it is interior at 0.2 the degree of value of the temperature difference experienced in other printheads.Because it has been generally acknowledged that 0.2 degree is normal inclined Difference scope in, so depend on environment its can be ignored, two equipment life-span and the aspect of drop characteristics performance substantially It is upper identical.

Figure 10 illustrates the result of the similar test of another set, but wherein printhead sprays liquid with the speed of 12m/s Drop.Can also see in Fig. 10 with figure 9 illustrates bigger nozzle area more inefficient cooling same types.

It is believed that it is to spray relatively bigger drop to be deteriorated by the cooling that the printhead with bigger nozzle area is provided Caused by needs more high driving voltage.Specifically, in order to reach the identical speed of the injection of bigger drop, it is necessary to a greater amount of energy Measure to overcome the relatively bigger inertia of drop.Therefore this greater amount of energy can cause to increase the heating of ink indoors Plus.For through-flow representative value, this heating effect show as having dominated be attributed to bigger jet flow from room 2 out The flowing of the increase of heat.

It will therefore be appreciated that using various nozzle geometries, and not necessarily using elongated nozzle it is contemplated that phase As effect.

More specifically, although can have the advantages that it is related to the extension of nozzle entrance 6b, but above-described effect, With the shape contrast of outlet 6a, mainly the area to jet expansion 6a is related.Therefore can particularly advantageous be to provide this The structure of sample, the in the structure shown here side of the longitudinal axis of a corresponding fluid chamber of the nozzle entrance 6b in parallel to fluid chamber To being elongated, and wherein jet expansion 6a has the area of in scope discussed above, and the area is being provided Temperature controlled productivity ratio improvement aspect with aspiration level provides benefit.

Again more specifically, it has been discovered by the applicants that can be it is advantageous to provide such nozzle, i.e., wherein entrance 6b be long (specifically, the direction of the corresponding longitudinal axis of in parallel to fluid chamber) of shape and with than jet expansion 6a The big draw ratio of draw ratio.Figure 11 to Figure 13 therefore illustrates of the number range using the draw ratio with jet expansion The result of the test that the printhead of series is carried out, but all printheads have nozzle entrance, and nozzle entrance has identical 1.8 Draw ratio.Both jet expansion and nozzle entrance are all in shape approx oval.

Each point on chart (therefore noted that arriving, uses jet expansion corresponding to the result from specific printhead Draw ratio numerical value 1.0 and 1.4 in each numerical value, test two printheads).

Figure 11 shows the drop point position in X-direction (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of fluid chamber) of the drop produced by printhead The error of the respective value of the jet expansion draw ratio of the contrast printhead in putting.Specifically, error amount is measured in microns 3- σ values.As noted above, for all printheads, the draw ratio of nozzle entrance keeps identical, is 1.8.

As can be seen from, the increase of the numerical value of adjoint jet expansion draw ratio, with drop in X-direction drop point The visible trend of error increase (is noticed and have recorded two printheads with jet expansion draw ratio numerical value 1.4, with X The substantially the same drop landing error in direction).It will therefore be appreciated that when the draw ratio of jet expansion reduces and therefore sprays When mouth outlet becomes more round shape, also reduce in the landing error of X-direction.

Figure 12 shows the drop point site in the Y direction (parallel to the longitudinal axis of fluid chamber) of the drop that printhead is produced In the jet expansion draw ratio compared to printhead respective value error.Again, error amount is measured in microns 3- σ values, and the draw ratio of nozzle entrance keeps identical for all of printhead, is 1.8.

With figure 11 illustrates trend compared with, landing error in the Y direction is test for jet expansion for all of The numerical approximation ground of draw ratio keeps constant.Data therefore imply jet expansion is fabricated to it is more rounded off to falling in the Y direction Point tolerance is without significantly affecting.

Figure 13 shows the error in X-direction of the numerical value compared to jet expansion draw ratio and the ratio of error in the Y direction Rate.As that can see from figure, due to reducing jet expansion draw ratio numerical value, reduce obviously with error ratio value Trend.It will therefore be appreciated that when jet expansion is fabricated to more rounded off, the direction accuracy of equipment is improved.

Therefore the data shown in Figure 11 to Figure 13 clearly illustrate that the draw ratio with jet expansion compares nozzle entrance The low nozzle of draw ratio can have the accuracy of the raising of drop positioning.If additionally, nozzle entrance is in the longitudinal direction of fluid chamber The direction of axis is elongated, then it can also provide discussed further in manufacture and the benefit of operating aspect above.

It is special that chart is also shown that the nozzle with approx circular jet expansion (corresponding to 1.0 draw ratio) has The accuracy of high-caliber drop positioning.Therefore, it can it will be particularly beneficial that it is long to provide with the longitudinal direction in fluid chamber The nozzle entrance (and particularly oval nozzle entrance, wherein oval major axis is aligned with the longitudinal axis of room) of shape and It is the nozzle of approx circular jet expansion.Additionally, jet expansion has the area of in scope discussed above, The area provides benefit in terms of the temperature controlled productivity ratio raising with aspiration level is provided.

It is further noted that the essence between the jet expansion with draw ratio 1.0 and the jet expansion with draw ratio 1.2 Exactness difference is small.Therefore, for the aperture with the draw ratio between 1.0 to 1.2, can experience in terms of accuracy Similar advantage.

Figure 14 (A) -14 (C) and Figure 15 (A) -15 (B) are illustrated to be had for nozzle and is also used for the selectable of room The yet another embodiment of geometry, it can experience similar in productivity ratio side to those that reference picture 9 and 10 is discussed The raising in face, in combination with good thermal control.

Figure 14 (A), and above-described for example, there is provided circular nozzle, the embodiment referring for example to Fig. 7 is compared, The entrance 20a of round nozzle has the diameter of the width w of the room 11 communicated therewith more than them.Such nozzle can pass through " ex situ method " technique is manufactured, wherein before the edge of locular wall is attached to surrounded chamber, nozzle is formed in nozzle plate component. By this way, almost the risk of locular wall will be damaged without nozzle forming process.

Although nozzle entrance 20a has the width bigger than the room 11 that nozzle entrance 20a is communicated therewith, and therefore has big In above-cited theoretical maximum A_T=1/4TTW²Area, but jet expansion 20b still have in model discussed above The area of one in enclosing, the area is provided and carried in terms of the temperature controlled productivity ratio raising for having using aspiration level is provided For benefit.For example, jet expansion 20b can have is defined in 0.48A_T>A_n>0.20A_TIn the range of area, or alternatively, In terms of absolute value, 1600 μm²>A_n>650μm²。

Figure 14 (B) illustrates the embodiment similar to Figure 14 (A), but with being long with fluid chamber's identical direction The nozzle of shape.This can provide improvement in terms of reliability as discussed above.

Figure 14 (C) shows an other embodiments, and the outlet 20b of wherein nozzle is elongated, and entrance 20a is Circular.Such as the embodiment of Figure 14 (A), the width with diameter greater than room 11 of entrance 20a.

Figure 15 (A) illustrates a yet another embodiment, and wherein locular wall is tapered along their length, wherein boring The direction of shape alternately changes between adjacent locular wall.This causes the room 11 with less constant width, but it is not that This is parallel.More specifically, the length of each room angularly offsets from relative to array direction, wherein the direction of angle skew is in phase Alternately change between adjacent room 11.

Figure 15 (B) illustrates a yet another embodiment, wherein, such as the embodiment of Figure 14 (A), there is provided circle The nozzle of shape.However, room is included in the part of the vicinity of nozzle in this embodiment, the part has the remainder than room Relatively big width.Specifically, the part of the vicinity in room of room follows the profile similar to nozzle itself, and it can be aided in Ensure that entrance is constrained between locular wall.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that teachings above content can apply to the droplet deposition apparatus of wide scope, Rather than specific to printer.Accordingly, with respect to printer and/or the disclosure of printhead, it will be appreciated that unless otherwise indicated, more It is generally applicable to droplet deposition apparatus.Specifically, the disclosure on printhead, it will be appreciated that unless otherwise indicated, it is adaptable to Other droplet deposition apparatus, it includes：The array of elongated fluid chamber, wherein each room connect with the aperture for drop injection It is logical, and array is in array direction extension；Common fluid intake manifold；Common fluid issuing manifold；And for producing From the common fluid intake manifold is through each room in the array and enters the common fluid issuing manifold Fluid through-flow device.

Claims

1. a kind of liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including：

The array of elongated fluid chamber, each elongated fluid chamber connects with the aperture sprayed for drop, and the array exists Array direction extends, and each aperture has entrance and exit；

Common fluid intake manifold；

Common fluid issuing manifold；And

Pass through each the elongated fluid chamber in the array from the common fluid intake manifold and enter for producing Enter the through-flow (Q of the fluid of the common fluid issuing manifold_TF) device；

Each in wherein described elongated fluid chamber is in an end longitudinal end and the common fluid intake manifold Connect and connected with the common fluid issuing manifold in relative longitudinal end；

The elongated fluid chamber of each of which is associated with least one piezo-activator for being produced from the liquid in the aperture Drop injection, causes the jet flow of the fluid left from the elongated fluid chamber and from the aperture, the jet flow with It is described through-flow while occurring, the jet flow has maximum Q_E；

Wherein described aperture is arranged in the orifice plates with t micron thickness, and each aperture is tapered so as to define taper angle Area of the area of θ, wherein jet expansion less than nozzle entrance；And

Each in wherein described elongated fluid chamber has w microns of width in the array direction, so as to define reality Circular area A_P=1/4 π (w-e-2ttan θ)², wherein e takes the value between 5 and 10 microns, for the hole of each room Mouth outlet has area A_n, wherein 3A_P>A_n>1.25A_P。

2. equipment according to claim 1, wherein, each piezo-activator in the piezo-activator is actuated at Sound wave is produced at each in the longitudinal end of corresponding elongated fluid chamber, the sound wave is then towards the aperture row Enter.

3. equipment according to claim 1, wherein, for each aperture in the aperture, the major diameter of the outlet Than the draw ratio less than the entrance.

4. equipment according to claim 3, wherein, the outlet in each aperture in the aperture is approx to justify Shape.

5. the equipment according to any one of claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein, Q_TFValue be enough to ensure that be back to it is described go out The temperature of the fluid of the common manifold of mouth is generally kept in from the common inlet manifold and enters the elongated fluid chamber 2 DEG C of fluid in.

6. the equipment according to any one of claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein the through-flow amount causes Q_TF>0.25Q_E。

7. equipment according to claim 6, wherein the through-flow amount causes Q_TF>Q_E。

8. the equipment according to any one of claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein, each in the elongated fluid chamber Defined between two elongated locular walls.

9. equipment according to claim 8, wherein, the locular wall includes piezoelectric, every in the piezo-activator One corresponding included in the locular wall.

10. equipment according to claim 8, wherein, the top edge of the locular wall provides the table of general planar jointly Face, the orifice plates are attached to the surface.