EP1165432B1 - Thermal bend actuator and paddle structure for ink jet nozzle - Google Patents
Thermal bend actuator and paddle structure for ink jet nozzle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1165432B1 EP1165432B1 EP00904720A EP00904720A EP1165432B1 EP 1165432 B1 EP1165432 B1 EP 1165432B1 EP 00904720 A EP00904720 A EP 00904720A EP 00904720 A EP00904720 A EP 00904720A EP 1165432 B1 EP1165432 B1 EP 1165432B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- arm
- actuator
- paddle
- illustrates
- nozzle chamber
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
- B41J2/14427—Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices such as ink jet printers.
- the present invention will be described herein with reference to Micro Electro Mechanical Inkjet technology. However, it will be appreciated that the invention does have broader applications to other micro mechanical or micro electromechanical devices, e.g. micro electromechanical pumps or micro electromechanical movers.
- Micro mechanical and micro electromechanical devices are becoming increasingly popular and normally involve the creation of devices on the ⁇ m (micron) scale utilizing semi-conductor fabrication techniques.
- micromechanical devices For a recent review on micromechanical devices, reference is made to the article "The Broad Sweep of Integrated Micro Systems" by S. Tom Picraux and Paul J. McWhorter published December 1998 in IEEE Spectrum at pages 24 to 33.
- micro electro-mechanical devices in which ink is ejected from an ink ejection nozzle chamber. Many forms of ink jet devices are known.
- MEMJET Micro Electro Mechanical Inkjet
- ink is ejected from an ink ejection nozzle chamber utilizing an electro mechanical actuator connected to a paddle or plunger which moves towards the ejection nozzle of the chamber for ejection of drops of ink from the ejection nozzle chamber.
- the present invention concerns improvements to a mechanical bend actuator for use in the MEMJET technology or other micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices.
- EP-A-0512521 discloses a valve actuated by a pair of legs, each leg being comprised of two layers of material with differing coefficients of thermal expansion.
- thermo actuator as specified in Claim 1.
- a thermal actuator for micro electro-mechanical devices comprising a supporting substrate, an actuation portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, whereby the first and second arm define a gap between them; and wherein, in use, the first arm is arranged to undergo thermal expansion when conductively heated, thereby causing a force to be applied to the actuation portion.
- the operational characteristics of the actuator such as e.g. its operation temperature can be less dependent on a material of the actuation portion when compared with conventional thermal actuators.
- the actuation portion is typically located, in part, between the arms of a thermal actuator (tri-layer actuator). Furthermore, if the actuation portion is located, in part, between the arms, shear stresses are, in use, induced in that part of the actuation portion, which can reduce the efficiency of the actuator.
- the actuator may be arranged in a manner such that a heating current can be applied to the first arm through the supporting substrate.
- the first and second arms are preferably formed from substantially the same material.
- the actuator can be manufactured by the steps of: depositing and etching a first layer to form the first arm; depositing and etching a second layer to form a sacrificial layer supporting structure over the first arm; and depositing and etching a third layer to form the second arm, and etching the second layer to form the gap between the first and second arms.
- the first arm can comprise two elongated flexible strips conductively interconnected at the second end.
- the second arm can comprise two elongated flexible strips.
- the actuation portion can comprise a paddle structure. Accordingly, the actuator may be used inside a liquid ejection chamber, the paddle structure being movable for the ejection of liquid from the chamber.
- the first arm can be formed from titanium nitride and the second arm can also be formed from titanium nitride.
- a paddle for ejecting liquid from within a nozzle chamber out through a liquid ejection nozzle defined in one wall of the nozzle chamber comprising a first portion being configured to, in use, provide a substantially planar plunger surface opposite to and spaced apart from the nozzle, and a second portion formed on the plunger surface in the periphery of the first portion for providing structural support for the first portion, whereby, in use, during actuation of the plunger to eject liquid through the nozzle the second portion acts as a spacer preventing the plunger surface from reaching the nozzle.
- Having the plunger surface spaced apart form the nozzle is important to reduce the likelihood of a meniscus of the liquid at the nozzle making contact with the plunger surface, which could affect the operational characteristics of such an arrangement. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that accordingly the size of a chamber embodying the present invention can be reduced for the same ejection volume, when compared with a paddle having a constant thickness, previously thought to be required for structural soundness.
- the second portion may be configured to define a continuous wall structure around a center portion of the plunger surface, the center portion, in use, being substantially aligned with the nozzle.
- the center portion may preferably be of the same dimensions as the nozzle.
- the first portion can have a circular circumference and the second portion can comprise an annulus around the circumference of the paddle.
- the paddle can be substantially symmetrically arranged around the liquid ejection nozzle and can be formed by: depositing and etching a first layer to form the first paddle portion; depositing and etching a second layer to form a sacrificial layer supporting structure over the first paddle portion; and depositing and etching a third layer to from the third paddle portion.
- a mechanical actuator for micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices comprising a supporting substrate, an actuation portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, whereby the first and second arm define a gap between them, at least one rigid member interconnecting the first and second arms between the first and second ends thereof, and wherein, in use, the first arm is arranged to undergo expansion, thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the actuation portion.
- the first arm preferably can comprise: a first main body formed between the first and second ends of the first arm; at least one tab body connected to the first main body; a first one of the at least one rigid members interconnecting the tab with the second arm.
- the second arm preferably can comprise: a second main body formed between the first and second end of the second arm; at least one corresponding tab body connected to the second main body; the first one of the at least one rigid members interconnecting the corresponding tabs of the first and second arms.
- the tab body may be connected to the first main body via a first thinned neck portion.
- the corresponding tab body may be connected to the second main body via a second thinned neck portion.
- the first arm can comprise a conductive layer whereby the first arm is conductively heatable to cause, in use, the first arm to undergo thermal expansion relative to the second arm thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the actuation portion.
- the first and second arms are preferably substantially parallel and the rigid member can be substantially perpendicular to the first and second arm.
- the actuator may be arranged in a manner such that a current can be supplied to the conductive layer through the supporting substrate.
- the first and second arm are preferably formed from substantially the same material.
- the actuator can be manufactured by the steps of: depositing and etching a first layer to form the first arm; depositing and etching a second layer to form a sacrificial layer supporting structure over the first arm; depositing and etching a third layer to form the second arm, and etching the sacrificial layer to form the gap between the first and second arms.
- the first arm can comprise two elongated flexible strips conductively interconnected at the second end.
- the second arm also can comprise two elongated flexible strips.
- the actuation portion can comprise a paddle structure. Accordingly, the actuator may be used inside a liquid ejection chamber, the paddle structure being movable for the ejection of liquid from the chamber.
- the first conductive arm can be formed from titanium nitride and the second arm can be formed from titanium nitride.
- a thermal actuator for micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices comprising a supporting substrate, an actuator extension portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the extension portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the extension portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, the first arm being arranged , in use, to undergo thermal expansion, thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the extension portion, and wherein the first arm comprises at least one heat sink element substantially at a point of maximum heating of the first arm, being the point where, in use, maximum heating of the first arm would occur.
- the provision of the heat sink element can improve the operational characteristics of the thermal bend actuator in that the maximum temperature in the first arm can be reduced, and in that a more uniform temperature profile can be achieved throughout the first arm. This can maximise the thermal expansion induced in the first arm.
- the heat sink element can be located substantially in the middle of the first arm.
- the heat sink element may be arranged to interconnect the first and second arm.
- the heat sink element can comprise at least one tab body connected to a main body of the first arm.
- the tab body may be connected to the main body via a first thinned neck portion.
- the first arm can comprise a conductive layer whereby the first arm is conductively heatable.
- the first and second arms are preferably formed from substantially the same material.
- the extension portion can comprise a paddle structure. Accordingly, the actuator may be used inside a liquid ejection chamber, the paddle structure being movable for the ejection of liquid from the chamber.
- the first conductive arm can be formed from titanium nitride and the second arm can be formed from titanium nitride.
- a liquid ejection device comprising: a nozzle chamber having a first aperture in one wall thereof for the ejection of the liquid and a second aperture in a wall thereof through which an actuator arm extends, the actuator arm being attached to a substrate located outside the nozzle chamber and being connected to a paddle inside the nozzle chamber, the paddle being operable by way of the actuator arm to eject the liquid through the first aperture; the system further comprising a first raised rim formed around the second aperture, the first raised rim being arranged in a manner such that, during operation of the actuator arm, a liquid meniscus is being formed along an outer surface of the liquid between the first raised rim and the actuator arm.
- the actuator preferably can include a planar portion adjacent the first raised rim, the planar portion being generally parallel to and spaced apart from the substrate.
- the first raised rim preferably can include an edge portion substantially parallel to the planar portion.
- the first raised rim may comprise a raised lip.
- the device may further comprise a second raised rim formed on the actuator arm adjacent the first raised rim formed around the second aperture.
- the second raised rim may assist in the prevention of spreading of the liquid outside of the nozzle chamber through the second aperture.
- the first raised rim can be formed from deposition of a layer which also forms a portion of the actuator arm.
- At least on of the first and second raised rims can be formed from titanium nitride.
- a liquid ejection device comprising a nozzle chamber, an ejection paddle located within the nozzle chamber for ejecting liquid from the nozzle chamber though an aperture in one wall of the nozzle chamber when the paddle is moved from a first state into an ejection state, a liquid supply port arranged in a manner such that it is substantially closed by the paddle when the paddle is in the first state, and wherein the nozzle chamber comprises an internal protrusion on a wall structure thereof which is aligned closely adjacent to a rim of the paddle when the paddle is in the first state, and wherein, in the ejection state, at least a portion of the rim of the paddle is spaced apart from the protrusion, thereby forming a liquid refill channel defined between the wall structure and the portion of the rim of the paddle.
- the internal protrusion may have a staircase-like cross-sectional profile.
- the paddle and the internal protrusion are preferably formed in one deposition step.
- the internal protrusion may be formed using a lower aspect ratio deposition step when compared to a high aspect ratio deposition step for forming the wall structure of the nozzle chamber.
- the paddle may be substantially planar.
- a compact form of liquid ejection device which utilizes a thermal bend actuator to eject ink from a nozzle chamber.
- an ink ejection arrangement 1 which comprises a nozzle chamber 2 which is normally filled with ink so as to form a meniscus 3 around an ink ejection nozzle 4 having a raised rim.
- the ink within the nozzle chamber 2 is resupplied by means of ink supply channel 5.
- the ink is ejected from a nozzle chamber 2 by means of a thermal actuator 7 which is rigidly interconnected to a nozzle paddle 8.
- the thermal actuator 7 comprises two arms 10, 11 with the bottom arm 11 being interconnected to a electrical current source so as to provide conductive heating of the bottom arm 11.
- the bottom arm 11 is heated so as to cause the rapid expansion of this arm 11 relative to the top arm 10.
- the rapid expansion in turn causes a rapid upward movement of the paddle 8 within the nozzle chamber 2.
- the initial movement is illustrated in Fig. 2 with the arm 8 having moved upwards so as to cause a substantial increase in pressure within the nozzle chamber 2 which in turn causes ink to flow out of the nozzle 4 causing the meniscus 3 to bulge.
- the nozzle chamber comprises a profile edge 15 which, as the paddle 8 moves up, causes a large increase in the channel space 16 as illustrated in Fig. 2.
- This large channel space 16 allows for substantial amounts of ink to flow rapidly into the nozzle chamber 2 with the ink being drawn through the channel 16 by means of surface tension effects of the ink meniscus 3.
- the profiling of the nozzle chamber allows for the rapid refill of the nozzle chamber with the arrangement eventually returning to the quiescent position as previously illustrated in Fig. 1.
- the arrangement 1 also comprises a number of other significant features. These comprise a circular rim 18, as shown in Fig. 1 which is formed around an external circumference of the paddle 8 and provides for structural support for the paddle 8 whilst substantially maximising the distance between the meniscus 3, as illustrated in Fig. 3 and the paddle surface 8. The maximising of this distance reduces the likelihood of meniscus 3 making contact with the paddle surface 8 and thereby affecting the operational characteristic. Further, as part of the manufacturing steps, an ink outflow prevention lip 19 is provided for reducing the possibility of ink wicking along a surface eg. 20 and thereby affecting the operational characteristics of the arrangement 1.
- a thermal bend actuator attached to a substrate 22 which comprises an actuator arm 23 on both sides of which are activating arms 24, 25.
- the two arms 24, 25 are preferably formed from the same material so as to be in a thermal balance with one another.
- a pressure P is assumed to act on the surface of the actuator arm 23.
- the bottom arm 25 is heated so as to reduce the tensile stress between the top and bottom arm 24, 25. This results in an output resultant force on the actuator arm 23 which results in its general upward movement.
- the portion 26 of the actuator arm 23 between the activating portion 24, 25 will be in a state of shear stress and, as a result, efficiencies of operation may be lost in this embodiment. Further, the presence of the material 26 can resulted in rapid thermal conductivity from the arm portion 25 to the arm portion 24.
- the thermal arm 25 must be operated at a temperature which is suitable for operating the arm 23.
- the operational characteristics are limited by the characteristics, eg. melting point, of the portion 26.
- Fig. 9 there is illustrated an alternative form of thermal bend actuator which comprises the two arms 24, 25 and actuator arm 23 but wherein there is provided a space or gap 28 between the arms.
- the arm 25 bends upward as before.
- the arrangement of Fig. 10 has the advantage that the operational characteristics eg. temperature, of the arms 24, 25 may not necessarily be limited by the material utilized in the arm 23. Further, the arrangement of Fig. 10 does not induce a sheer force in the arm 23 and also has a lower probability of delaminating during operation.
- These principals are utilized in the thermal bend actuator of the arrangement of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 so as to provide for a more energy efficient form of operation.
- a thermal actuator relies on conductive heating and, the arrangement utilized in the preferred embodiment can be schematically simplified as illustrated in Fig. 11 to a material 30 which is interconnected at a first end 31 to a substrate and at a second end 32 to a load.
- the arm 30 is conductively heated so as to expand and exert a force on the load 32.
- the temperature profile will be approximately as illustrated in Fig. 12.
- the two ends 31, 32 act as "heat sinks" for the conductive thermal heating and so the temperature profile is cooler at each end and hottest in the middle.
- the operational characteristics of the arm 30 will be determined by the melting point 35 in that if the temperature in the middle 36 exceeds the melting point 35, the arm may fail.
- the graph of Fig. 12 represents a non optimal result in that the arm 30 in Fig. 11 is not heated uniformly along its length.
- a more optimal thermal profile as illustrated in Fig. 14, can be achieved.
- the profile of Fig. 14 has a more uniform heating across the lengths of the arm 30 thereby providing for more efficient overall operation.
- FIG. 15 further efficiencies and reduction in buckling likelihood can be achieved by providing a series of struts to couple the two actuator activation arms 24, 25.
- a series of struts eg. 40, 41 are provided to couple the two arms 24, 25 so as to prevent buckling thereof.
- a 1 micron grid as illustrated in Fig. 17 is utilized as a frame of reference.
- Figures 55 to 62 illustrate various views of the preferred embodiment, some illustrating the embodiments in operation.
- Fig. 63 to Fig. 56 which illustrate various print head array views.
- the presently disclosed ink jet printing technology is potentially suited to a wide range of printing systems including: colour and monochrome office printers, short run digital printers, high speed digital printers, offset press supplemental printers, low cost scanning printers, high speed pagewidth printers, notebook computers with in-built pagewidth printers, portable colour and monochrome printers, colour and monochrome copiers, colour and monochrome facsimile machines, combined printer, facsimile and copying machines, label printers, large format plotters, photograph copiers, printers for digital photographic 'minilabs', video printers, PhotoCD printers, portable printers for PDAs, wallpaper printers, indoor sign printers, billboard printers, fabric printers, camera printers and fault tolerant commercial printer arrays.
- MEMS principles outlined have general applicability in the construction of MEMS devices.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to the field of micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices such as ink jet printers. The present invention will be described herein with reference to Micro Electro Mechanical Inkjet technology. However, it will be appreciated that the invention does have broader applications to other micro mechanical or micro electromechanical devices, e.g. micro electromechanical pumps or micro electromechanical movers.
- Micro mechanical and micro electromechanical devices are becoming increasingly popular and normally involve the creation of devices on the µm (micron) scale utilizing semi-conductor fabrication techniques. For a recent review on micromechanical devices, reference is made to the article "The Broad Sweep of Integrated Micro Systems" by S. Tom Picraux and Paul J. McWhorter published December 1998 in IEEE Spectrum at
pages 24 to 33. - One form of micro electro-mechanical devices in popular use are ink jet printing devices in which ink is ejected from an ink ejection nozzle chamber. Many forms of ink jet devices are known.
- Many different techniques on ink jet printing and associated devices have been invented. For a survey of the field, reference is made to an article by J Moore, "Non-Impact Printing: Introduction and Historical Perspective", Output Hard Copy Devices, Editors R Dubeck and S Sherr, pages 207 to 220 (1988).
- Recently, a new form of ink jet printing has been developed by the present applicant, which is referred to as Micro Electro Mechanical Inkjet (MEMJET) technology. In one form of the MEMJET technology, ink is ejected from an ink ejection nozzle chamber utilizing an electro mechanical actuator connected to a paddle or plunger which moves towards the ejection nozzle of the chamber for ejection of drops of ink from the ejection nozzle chamber.
- The present invention concerns improvements to a mechanical bend actuator for use in the MEMJET technology or other micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices.
- International Patent Specification No. WO99/03681 discloses various thermally actuated inkjet nozzles comprising a pair of arms spaced apart and configured to bend by thermal expansion of one arm relative to the other.
- European Patent Specification No. EP-A-0512521 discloses a valve actuated by a pair of legs, each leg being comprised of two layers of material with differing coefficients of thermal expansion.
- According to an aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a thermal actuator as specified in
Claim 1. - In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal actuator for micro electro-mechanical devices, the actuator comprising a supporting substrate, an actuation portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, whereby the first and second arm define a gap between them; and wherein, in use, the first arm is arranged to undergo thermal expansion when conductively heated, thereby causing a force to be applied to the actuation portion.
- Accordingly, the operational characteristics of the actuator such as e.g. its operation temperature can be less dependent on a material of the actuation portion when compared with conventional thermal actuators. In conventional thermal actuators, the actuation portion is typically located, in part, between the arms of a thermal actuator (tri-layer actuator). Furthermore, if the actuation portion is located, in part, between the arms, shear stresses are, in use, induced in that part of the actuation portion, which can reduce the efficiency of the actuator.
- The actuator may be arranged in a manner such that a heating current can be applied to the first arm through the supporting substrate.
The first and second arms are preferably formed from substantially the same material. The actuator can be manufactured by the steps of: depositing and etching a first layer to form the first arm; depositing and etching a second layer to form a sacrificial layer supporting structure over the first arm; and depositing and etching a third layer to form the second arm, and etching the second layer to form the gap between the first and second arms. - The first arm can comprise two elongated flexible strips conductively interconnected at the second end.
The second arm can comprise two elongated flexible strips. - The actuation portion can comprise a paddle structure. Accordingly, the actuator may be used inside a liquid ejection chamber, the paddle structure being movable for the ejection of liquid from the chamber.
- The first arm can be formed from titanium nitride and the second arm can also be formed from titanium nitride.
- In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel form of manufacture of an ink jet printing system.
- In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a paddle for ejecting liquid from within a nozzle chamber out through a liquid ejection nozzle defined in one wall of the nozzle chamber, the paddle comprising a first portion being configured to, in use, provide a substantially planar plunger surface opposite to and spaced apart from the nozzle, and a second portion formed on the plunger surface in the periphery of the first portion for providing structural support for the first portion, whereby, in use, during actuation of the plunger to eject liquid through the nozzle the second portion acts as a spacer preventing the plunger surface from reaching the nozzle.
- Having the plunger surface spaced apart form the nozzle is important to reduce the likelihood of a meniscus of the liquid at the nozzle making contact with the plunger surface, which could affect the operational characteristics of such an arrangement. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that accordingly the size of a chamber embodying the present invention can be reduced for the same ejection volume, when compared with a paddle having a constant thickness, previously thought to be required for structural soundness.
- The second portion may be configured to define a continuous wall structure around a center portion of the plunger surface, the center portion, in use, being substantially aligned with the nozzle.
- The center portion may preferably be of the same dimensions as the nozzle.
- The first portion can have a circular circumference and the second portion can comprise an annulus around the circumference of the paddle.
- The paddle can be substantially symmetrically arranged around the liquid ejection nozzle and can be formed by: depositing and etching a first layer to form the first paddle portion; depositing and etching a second layer to form a sacrificial layer supporting structure over the first paddle portion; and depositing and etching a third layer to from the third paddle portion.
- In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanical actuator for micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices, the actuator comprising a supporting substrate, an actuation portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, whereby the first and second arm define a gap between them, at least one rigid member interconnecting the first and second arms between the first and second ends thereof, and wherein, in use, the first arm is arranged to undergo expansion, thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the actuation portion.
- It has been found by the applicant that the provision of the rigid member between the first and second arms can prevent buckling of the arms when the first arm undergoes expansion.
- The first arm preferably can comprise: a first main body formed between the first and second ends of the first arm; at least one tab body connected to the first main body; a first one of the at least one rigid members interconnecting the tab with the second arm.
- The second arm preferably can comprise: a second main body formed between the first and second end of the second arm; at least one corresponding tab body connected to the second main body; the first one of the at least one rigid members interconnecting the corresponding tabs of the first and second arms.
- The tab body may be connected to the first main body via a first thinned neck portion.
- The corresponding tab body may be connected to the second main body via a second thinned neck portion.
- The first arm can comprise a conductive layer whereby the first arm is conductively heatable to cause, in use, the first arm to undergo thermal expansion relative to the second arm thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the actuation portion.
- The first and second arms are preferably substantially parallel and the rigid member can be substantially perpendicular to the first and second arm.
- The actuator may be arranged in a manner such that a current can be supplied to the conductive layer through the supporting substrate.
- The first and second arm are preferably formed from substantially the same material.
- The actuator can be manufactured by the steps of: depositing and etching a first layer to form the first arm; depositing and etching a second layer to form a sacrificial layer supporting structure over the first arm; depositing and etching a third layer to form the second arm, and etching the sacrificial layer to form the gap between the first and second arms.
- The first arm can comprise two elongated flexible strips conductively interconnected at the second end. The second arm also can comprise two elongated flexible strips.
- The actuation portion can comprise a paddle structure. Accordingly, the actuator may be used inside a liquid ejection chamber, the paddle structure being movable for the ejection of liquid from the chamber.
- The first conductive arm can be formed from titanium nitride and the second arm can be formed from titanium nitride.
- In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal actuator for micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices, the actuator comprising a supporting substrate, an actuator extension portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the extension portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the extension portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, the first arm being arranged , in use, to undergo thermal expansion, thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the extension portion, and wherein the first arm comprises at least one heat sink element substantially at a point of maximum heating of the first arm, being the point where, in use, maximum heating of the first arm would occur.
- It has been found by the applicant that the provision of the heat sink element can improve the operational characteristics of the thermal bend actuator in that the maximum temperature in the first arm can be reduced, and in that a more uniform temperature profile can be achieved throughout the first arm. This can maximise the thermal expansion induced in the first arm.
- The heat sink element can be located substantially in the middle of the first arm.
- The heat sink element may be arranged to interconnect the first and second arm.
The heat sink element can comprise at least one tab body connected to a main body of the first arm. - The tab body may be connected to the main body via a first thinned neck portion.
- The first arm can comprise a conductive layer whereby the first arm is conductively heatable.
- The actuator may be arranged in a manner such that a current can be supplied to the conductive layer through the supporting substrate.
- The first and second arms are preferably formed from substantially the same material.
- The extension portion can comprise a paddle structure. Accordingly, the actuator may be used inside a liquid ejection chamber, the paddle structure being movable for the ejection of liquid from the chamber.
- The first conductive arm can be formed from titanium nitride and the second arm can be formed from titanium nitride.
- In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejection device comprising: a nozzle chamber having a first aperture in one wall thereof for the ejection of the liquid and a second aperture in a wall thereof through which an actuator arm extends, the actuator arm being attached to a substrate located outside the nozzle chamber and being connected to a paddle inside the nozzle chamber, the paddle being operable by way of the actuator arm to eject the liquid through the first aperture; the system further comprising a first raised rim formed around the second aperture, the first raised rim being arranged in a manner such that, during operation of the actuator arm, a liquid meniscus is being formed along an outer surface of the liquid between the first raised rim and the actuator arm.
- Accordingly, spreading of the liquid outside of the nozzle chamber through the second aperture may be prevented.
- The actuator preferably can include a planar portion adjacent the first raised rim, the planar portion being generally parallel to and spaced apart from the substrate.
- The first raised rim preferably can include an edge portion substantially parallel to the planar portion.
- The first raised rim may comprise a raised lip.
- The device may further comprise a second raised rim formed on the actuator arm adjacent the first raised rim formed around the second aperture. In this embodiment, the second raised rim may assist in the prevention of spreading of the liquid outside of the nozzle chamber through the second aperture.
- The first raised rim can be formed from deposition of a layer which also forms a portion of the actuator arm.
- At least on of the first and second raised rims can be formed from titanium nitride.
- Adjacent the first raised rim there is preferably formed a pit to assist in reducing wicking.
- In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejection device comprising a nozzle chamber, an ejection paddle located within the nozzle chamber for ejecting liquid from the nozzle chamber though an aperture in one wall of the nozzle chamber when the paddle is moved from a first state into an ejection state, a liquid supply port arranged in a manner such that it is substantially closed by the paddle when the paddle is in the first state, and wherein the nozzle chamber comprises an internal protrusion on a wall structure thereof which is aligned closely adjacent to a rim of the paddle when the paddle is in the first state, and wherein, in the ejection state, at least a portion of the rim of the paddle is spaced apart from the protrusion, thereby forming a liquid refill channel defined between the wall structure and the portion of the rim of the paddle.
- The internal protrusion may have a staircase-like cross-sectional profile.
- The paddle and the internal protrusion are preferably formed in one deposition step.
- The internal protrusion may be formed using a lower aspect ratio deposition step when compared to a high aspect ratio deposition step for forming the wall structure of the nozzle chamber.
- The paddle may be substantially planar.
- Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 illustrate schematically the operation of the preferred embodiment;
- Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 illustrate schematically a first thermal bend actuator;
- Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 illustrate schematically a second thermal bend actuator;
- Fig. 9 to Fig. 10 illustrate schematically a third thermal bend actuator;
- Fig. 11 illustrates schematically a further thermal bend actuator;
- Fig. 12 illustrates an example graph of temperature with respect to distance for the arrangement of Fig. 11;
- Fig. 13 illustrates schematically a further thermal bend actuator;
- Fig. 14 illustrates an example graph of temperature with respect to distance for the arrangement of Fig. 13;
- Fig. 15 illustrates schematically a further thermal bend actuator;
- Fig. 16 illustrates a side perspective view of the CMOS layer of the preferred embodiment;
- Fig. 17 illustrates a 1 micron mask;
- Fig. 18 illustrates a plan view of a portion of the CMOS layer;
- Fig. 19 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the sacrificial Polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 20 illustrates a plan view of the sacrificial Polyimide mask;
- Fig. 21 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the sacrificial Polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 22 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the first level Titanium Nitride Layer;
- Fig. 23 illustrates a plan view of the first level Titanium Nitride mask;
- Fig. 24 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the first level Titanium Nitride Layer;
- Fig. 25 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the second level sacrificial Polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 26 illustrates a plan view of the second level sacrificial Polyimide mask;
- Fig. 27 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the second level sacrificial Polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 28 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the second level Titanium Nitride Layer;
- Fig. 29 illustrates a plan view of the second level Titanium Nitride mask;
- Fig. 30 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the second level Titanium Nitride Layer;
- Fig. 31 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the third level sacrificial Polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 32 illustrates a plan view of the third level sacrificial Polyimide mask;
- Fig. 33 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the third level sacrificial Polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 34 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the conferral PECVD SiNH Layer;
- Fig. 35 illustrates a plan view of the conformal PECVD SiNH mask;
- Fig. 36 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the conformal PECVD SiNH Layer;
- Fig. 37 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the conformal PECVD SiNH nozzle tip etch Layer;
- Fig. 38 illustrates a plan view of the conferral PECVD SiNH nozzle tip etch mask;
- Fig. 39 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the conformal PECVD SiNH nozzle tip etch Layer;
- Fig. 40 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the conformal PECVD SiNH nozzle roof etch Layer;
- Fig. 41 illustrates a plan view of the conformal PECVD SiNH nozzle roof etch mask;
- Fig. 42 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the conformal PECVD SiNH nozzle roof etch Layer;
- Fig. 43 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the sacrificial protective polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 44 illustrates a plan view of the sacrificial protective polyimide mask;
- Fig. 45 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the sacrificial protective polyimide Layer;
- Fig. 46 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the back etch Layer;
- Fig. 47 illustrates a plan view of the back etch mask;
- Fig. 48 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the back etch Layer;
- Fig. 49 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the stripping sacrificial material Layer;
- Fig. 50 illustrates a plan view of the stripping sacrificial material mask;
- Fig. 51 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the stripping sacrificial material Layer;
- Fig. 53 illustrates a plan view of the package, bond, prime and test mask;
- Fig. 54 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment with the package, bond, prime and test;
- Fig. 55 illustrates a side perspective view in section of the preferred embodiment ejecting a drop;
- Fig. 56 illustrates a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment when actuating;
- Fig. 57 illustrates a side perspective view in section of the preferred embodiment ejecting a drop;
- Fig. 58 illustrates a side plan view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment when returning;
- Fig. 59 illustrates a top plan view of the preferred embodiment;
- Fig. 60 illustrates an enlarged side perspective view showing the actuator arm and nozzle chamber;
- Fig. 61 illustrates an enlarged side perspective view showing the actuator paddle rim and nozzle chamber;
- Fig. 62 illustrates an enlarged side perspective view showing the actuator heater element;
- Fig. 63 illustrates a top plan view of an array of nozzles formed on a wafer;
- Fig. 64 illustrates a side perspective view in section of an array of nozzles formed on a wafer; and
- Fig. 65 illustrates an enlarged side perspective view in section of an array of nozzles formed on a wafer.
- In the preferred embodiment, a compact form of liquid ejection device is provided which utilizes a thermal bend actuator to eject ink from a nozzle chamber.
- Turning initially to Fig. 1 - 3 there will now be explained the operational principals of the preferred embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, there is provided an
ink ejection arrangement 1 which comprises anozzle chamber 2 which is normally filled with ink so as to form ameniscus 3 around anink ejection nozzle 4 having a raised rim. The ink within thenozzle chamber 2 is resupplied by means ofink supply channel 5. - The ink is ejected from a
nozzle chamber 2 by means of athermal actuator 7 which is rigidly interconnected to anozzle paddle 8. Thethermal actuator 7 comprises twoarms 10, 11 with thebottom arm 11 being interconnected to a electrical current source so as to provide conductive heating of thebottom arm 11. When it is desired to eject a drop from thenozzle chamber 2, thebottom arm 11 is heated so as to cause the rapid expansion of thisarm 11 relative to the top arm 10. The rapid expansion in turn causes a rapid upward movement of thepaddle 8 within thenozzle chamber 2. The initial movement is illustrated in Fig. 2 with thearm 8 having moved upwards so as to cause a substantial increase in pressure within thenozzle chamber 2 which in turn causes ink to flow out of thenozzle 4 causing themeniscus 3 to bulge. Subsequently, the current to theheater 11 is turned off so as to cause thepaddle 8 as shown in Fig. 3 to begin to return to its original position. This results in a substantial decrease in the pressure within thenozzle chamber 2. The forward momentum of the ink outside thenozzle rim 4 results in a necking and breaking of the meniscus so as to formmeniscus 3 and abubble 13 as illustrated in Fig. 3. Thebubble 13 continues forward onto the ink print medium. - Importantly, the nozzle chamber comprises a
profile edge 15 which, as thepaddle 8 moves up, causes a large increase in thechannel space 16 as illustrated in Fig. 2. Thislarge channel space 16 allows for substantial amounts of ink to flow rapidly into thenozzle chamber 2 with the ink being drawn through thechannel 16 by means of surface tension effects of theink meniscus 3. The profiling of the nozzle chamber allows for the rapid refill of the nozzle chamber with the arrangement eventually returning to the quiescent position as previously illustrated in Fig. 1. - The
arrangement 1 also comprises a number of other significant features. These comprise acircular rim 18, as shown in Fig. 1 which is formed around an external circumference of thepaddle 8 and provides for structural support for thepaddle 8 whilst substantially maximising the distance between themeniscus 3, as illustrated in Fig. 3 and thepaddle surface 8. The maximising of this distance reduces the likelihood ofmeniscus 3 making contact with thepaddle surface 8 and thereby affecting the operational characteristic. Further, as part of the manufacturing steps, an inkoutflow prevention lip 19 is provided for reducing the possibility of ink wicking along a surface eg. 20 and thereby affecting the operational characteristics of thearrangement 1. - The principals of operation of the
thermal actuator 7 will now be discussed initially with reference to Fig. 4 to 10. Turning initially to Fig. 4, there is shown, a thermal bend actuator attached to asubstrate 22 which comprises anactuator arm 23 on both sides of which are activatingarms arms actuator arm 23. When it is desired to increase the pressure, as illustrated in Fig. 5, thebottom arm 25 is heated so as to reduce the tensile stress between the top andbottom arm actuator arm 23 which results in its general upward movement. - Unfortunately, it has been found in practice that, if the
arms arm 25. This buckling state reduces the operational effectiveness of theactuator arm 23. The opportunity for the buckling state as illustrated in Fig. 6 can be substantially reduced through the utilisation of a smaller thermal bendingarms thermal arm 25 as illustrated in Fig. 8, theactuator arm 23 bends in a upward direction and the possibility for the system to enter the buckling state of Fig. 6 is substantially reduced. - In the arrangement of Fig. 8, the
portion 26 of theactuator arm 23 between the activatingportion arm portion 25 to thearm portion 24. - Further, the
thermal arm 25 must be operated at a temperature which is suitable for operating thearm 23. Hence, the operational characteristics are limited by the characteristics, eg. melting point, of theportion 26. - In Fig. 9, there is illustrated an alternative form of thermal bend actuator which comprises the two
arms actuator arm 23 but wherein there is provided a space orgap 28 between the arms. Upon heating one of the arms, as illustrated in Fig. 10, thearm 25 bends upward as before. The arrangement of Fig. 10 has the advantage that the operational characteristics eg. temperature, of thearms arm 23. Further, the arrangement of Fig. 10 does not induce a sheer force in thearm 23 and also has a lower probability of delaminating during operation. These principals are utilized in the thermal bend actuator of the arrangement of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 so as to provide for a more energy efficient form of operation. - Further, in order to provide an even more efficient form of operation of the thermal actuator a number of further refinements are undertaken. A thermal actuator relies on conductive heating and, the arrangement utilized in the preferred embodiment can be schematically simplified as illustrated in Fig. 11 to a
material 30 which is interconnected at afirst end 31 to a substrate and at asecond end 32 to a load. Thearm 30 is conductively heated so as to expand and exert a force on theload 32. Upon conductive heating, the temperature profile will be approximately as illustrated in Fig. 12. The two ends 31, 32 act as "heat sinks" for the conductive thermal heating and so the temperature profile is cooler at each end and hottest in the middle. The operational characteristics of thearm 30 will be determined by themelting point 35 in that if the temperature in the middle 36 exceeds themelting point 35, the arm may fail. The graph of Fig. 12 represents a non optimal result in that thearm 30 in Fig. 11 is not heated uniformly along its length. - By modifying the
arm 30, as illustrated in Fig. 13, through the inclusion ofheat sinks arm 30 thereby providing for more efficient overall operation. - Turning to Fig. 15, further efficiencies and reduction in buckling likelihood can be achieved by providing a series of struts to couple the two
actuator activation arms arms bottom arm 25 is heated, it is more likely to bend upwards causing theactuator arm 23 also to bend upwards. - One form of detailed construction of a ink jet printing MEMS device will now be described. In some of the Figures, a 1 micron grid, as illustrated in Fig. 17 is utilized as a frame of reference.
- 1 & 2. The starting material is assumed to be a
CMOS wafer 100, suitably processed and passivated (using say silicon nitride) as illustrated in Fig. 16 to Fig. 18. - 3. As shown in Fig. 19 to Fig. 21, 1 micron of spin-on
photosensitive polyimide 102 is deposited and exposed using UV light through theMask 104 of Fig. 20. Thepolyimide 102 is then developed.
Thepolyimide 102 is sacrificial, so there is a wide range of alternative materials which can be used. Photosensitive polyimide simplifies the processing, as it eliminates deposition, etching, and resist stripping steps. - 4. As shown in Fig. 22 to Fig. 24, 0.2 microns of magnetron sputtered
titanium nitride 106 is deposited at 300°C and etched using theMask 108 of Fig. 23. This forms a layer containing theactuator layer 105 and paddle 107. - 5. As shown in Fig. 25 to Fig. 27, 1.5 microns of
photosensitive polyimide 110 is spun on and exposed using UV light through theMask 112 of Fig. 26. Thepolyimide 110 is then developed. The thickness ultimately determines thegap 101 between the actuator and compensator Tin layers, so has an effect on the amount that the actuator bends.
As withstep 3, the use of photosensitive polyimide simplifies the processing, as it eliminates deposition, etching, and resist stripping steps. - 6. As shown in Fig. 28 to Fig. 30, deposit 0.05 microns of conformal PECVD silicon nitride (SixNyHz) (not shown because of relative dimensions of the various layers) at 300°C. Then 0.2 microns of magnetron sputtered
titanium nitride 116 is deposited, also at 300 °C. ThisTiN 116 is etched using theMask 119 of Fig. 29. ThisTiN 116 is then used as a mask to etch the PECVD nitride.
Good step coverage of theTiN 116 is not important. The top layer ofTiN 116 is not electrically connected, and is used purely as a mechanical component. - 7. As shown in Fig. 31 to Fig. 33, 6 microns of
photosensitive polyimide 118 is spun on and exposed using UV light through theMask 120 of Fig. 32. Thepolyimide 118 is then developed. This thickness determines the height to the nozzle chamber roof. As long as this height is above a certain distance (determined by drop break-off characteristics), then the actual height is of little significance. However, the height should be limited to reduce stress and increase lithographic accuracy. A taper of 1 micron can readily be accommodated between the top and the bottom of the 6 microns ofpolyimide 118. - 8. As shown in Fig. 34 to Fig. 36, 2 microns (thickness above polyimide 118) of
PECVD silicon nitride 122 is deposited at 300°C. This fills the channels formed in the previousPS polyimide layer 118, forming the nozzle chamber. No mask is used (Fig. 35). - 9. As shown in Fig. 37 to Fig. 39, the
PECVD silicon nitride 122 is etched using themask 124 of Fig. 38 to a nominal depth of 1 micron. This is a simple timed etch as the etch depth is not critical, and may vary up to ± 50%.
The etch forms thenozzle rim 126 andactuator port rim 128. These rims are used to pin the meniscus of the ink to certain locations, and prevent the ink from spreading. - 10. As shown in Fig. 40 to Fig. 42, the
PECVD silicon nitride 122 is etched using themask 130 of Fig. 41 to a nominal depth of 1 micron, stopping onpolyimide 118. A 100% over-etch can accommodate variations in the previous two steps, allowing loose manufacturing tolerances.
The etch forms theroof 132 of the nozzle chamber. - 11. As shown in Fig. 43 to Fig. 45, nominally 3 microns of
polyimide 134 is spun on as a protective layer for back-etching (No Mask - Fig. 44). - 12. As shown in Fig. 46 to Fig. 48, the
wafer 100 is thinned to 300 microns (to reduce back-etch time), and 3 microns of resist (not shown) on the back-side 136 of thewafer 100 is exposed through themask 138 of Fig. 47. Alignment is tometal portions 103 on the front side of thewafer 100. This alignment can be achieved using an IR microscope attachment to the wafer aligner.
Thewafer 100 is then etched (from the back-side 136) to a depth of 330 microns (allowing 10% over-etch) using the deep silicon etch "Bosch process". This process is available on plasma etchers from Alcatel, Plasma-therm, and Surface Technology Systems. The chips are also diced by this etch, but the wafer is still held together by 11 microns of the various polyimide layers. - 13. As illustrated with reference to Fig. 49 to Fig. 51, the
wafer 100 is turned over, placed in a tray, and all of the sacrificial polyimide layers 102, 110, 118 and 134 are etched in an oxygen plasma using no mask (Fig. 60). - 14. As illustrated with reference to Fig. 52 to Fig. 54, a package is prepared by drilling a 0.5mm hold in a standard package, and gluing an ink hose (not shown) to the package. The ink hose should include a 0.5 micron absolute filter to prevent contamination of the nozzles from the
ink 121. - Figures 55 to 62 illustrate various views of the preferred embodiment, some illustrating the embodiments in operation.
- Obviously,
large arrays 200 ofprint heads 202 can be simultaneously constructed as illustrated in Fig. 63 to Fig. 56 which illustrate various print head array views.
The presently disclosed ink jet printing technology is potentially suited to a wide range of printing systems including: colour and monochrome office printers, short run digital printers, high speed digital printers, offset press supplemental printers, low cost scanning printers, high speed pagewidth printers, notebook computers with in-built pagewidth printers, portable colour and monochrome printers, colour and monochrome copiers, colour and monochrome facsimile machines, combined printer, facsimile and copying machines, label printers, large format plotters, photograph copiers, printers for digital photographic 'minilabs', video printers, PhotoCD printers, portable printers for PDAs, wallpaper printers, indoor sign printers, billboard printers, fabric printers, camera printers and fault tolerant commercial printer arrays. - Further, the MEMS principles outlined have general applicability in the construction of MEMS devices.
- It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. The preferred embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
Claims (13)
- A thermal actuator for micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices, the actuator comprising:a supporting substrate,an actuator extension portion (8),a first arm (30) attached at a first end (31) thereof to the substrate and at a second end (32) to the extension portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable,a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the extension portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm,the first arm (30) being arranged , in use, to undergo thermal expansion, thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the extension portion, andcharacterized in that the first arm (30) comprises at least one heat sink element (38,39) substantially located at a point of maximum heating of the first arm, said point being the point where, in use, maximum heating of the first arm would occur.
- An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat sink element (38,39) is located substantially in the middle of the first arm.
- An actuator as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the heat sink element (38,39) is arranged to interconnect the first and second arm.
- An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat sink element (38,39) comprises at least one tab body connected to a main body of the first arm (30).
- An actuator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tab body is connected to the main body via a first thinned neck portion.
- An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first arm (30) comprises a conductive layer whereby the first arm is conductively heatable.
- An actuator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the actuator is arranged in a manner such that a current can be supplied to the conductive layer through the supporting substrate.
- An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first and second arms are preferably formed from substantially the same material.
- An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the extension portion comprises a paddle structure.
- An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first arm (30) is formed from titanium nitride.
- An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second arm is formed from titanium nitride.
- An inkjet nozzle comprising an actuator as claimed in any of claims 1-11.
- A printhead comprising a plurality of nozzles as claimed in claim 12.
Applications Claiming Priority (13)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPP8688A AUPP868899A0 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-02-15 | A method and apparatus(IJ46P1C) |
AUPP8691A AUPP869199A0 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-02-15 | A method and apparatus(IJ46P1F) |
AUPP8690A AUPP869099A0 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-02-15 | A method and apparatus(IJ46P1E) |
AUPP869099 | 1999-02-15 | ||
AUPP8689A AUPP868999A0 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-02-15 | A method and apparatus(IJ46P1D) |
AUPP868699 | 1999-02-15 | ||
AUPP868899 | 1999-02-15 | ||
AUPP8686A AUPP868699A0 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-02-15 | A method and apparatus(IJ46P1A) |
AUPP8687A AUPP868799A0 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-02-15 | A method and apparatus(IJ46P1B) |
AUPP868799 | 1999-02-15 | ||
AUPP868999 | 1999-02-15 | ||
AUPP869199 | 1999-02-15 | ||
PCT/AU2000/000095 WO2000048938A1 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 2000-02-11 | Thermal bend actuator and paddle structure for ink jet nozzle |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1165432A1 EP1165432A1 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
EP1165432A4 EP1165432A4 (en) | 2005-01-19 |
EP1165432B1 true EP1165432B1 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
Family
ID=27542973
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00904720A Expired - Lifetime EP1165432B1 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 2000-02-11 | Thermal bend actuator and paddle structure for ink jet nozzle |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1165432B1 (en) |
JP (2) | JP4732588B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE344214T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60031658D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000048938A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US7022250B2 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2006-04-04 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Method of fabricating an ink jet printhead chip with differential expansion actuators |
US6513908B2 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2003-02-04 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Pusher actuation in a printhead chip for an inkjet printhead |
US6648453B2 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2003-11-18 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Ink jet printhead chip with predetermined micro-electromechanical systems height |
AUPP398798A0 (en) | 1998-06-09 | 1998-07-02 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Image creation method and apparatus (ij43) |
US6652074B2 (en) | 1998-03-25 | 2003-11-25 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Ink jet nozzle assembly including displaceable ink pusher |
US6792754B2 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 2004-09-21 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Integrated circuit device for fluid ejection |
AUPP922399A0 (en) * | 1999-03-16 | 1999-04-15 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | A method and apparatus (ij46p2) |
AUPP993199A0 (en) * | 1999-04-22 | 1999-05-20 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | A micromechanical device and method (ij46p2a) |
AUPQ130799A0 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 1999-07-22 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | A method and apparatus (IJ47V13) |
US6550895B1 (en) * | 2000-10-20 | 2003-04-22 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Moving nozzle ink jet with inlet restriction |
US6561627B2 (en) | 2000-11-30 | 2003-05-13 | Eastman Kodak Company | Thermal actuator |
GB0106343D0 (en) | 2001-03-14 | 2001-05-02 | Avecia Ltd | Compounds compositions and processes |
GB0207655D0 (en) | 2002-04-02 | 2002-05-15 | Avecia Ltd | Compositions and processes |
GB0401540D0 (en) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-02-25 | Avecia Ltd | Process |
KR101030152B1 (en) * | 2006-12-04 | 2011-04-18 | 실버브룩 리서치 피티와이 리미티드 | Inkjet nozzle assembly having thermal bend actuator with an active beam defining substantial part of nozzle chamber roof |
GB0719083D0 (en) | 2007-09-29 | 2007-11-07 | Fujifilm Corp | Magenta dyes and inks for use in ink-jet printing |
KR20110044872A (en) | 2008-08-22 | 2011-05-02 | 후지필름 이미징 컬러런츠 리미티드 | Its use in azaphthalocyanine and inkjet printing |
GB201021603D0 (en) | 2010-12-21 | 2011-02-02 | Fujifilm Imaging Colorants Ltd | Inks & printing process |
CN108349723B (en) * | 2015-07-13 | 2024-03-01 | 勇愿公司 | System and method for micro-cantilever actuation by base excitation |
DE102019203914B3 (en) | 2019-03-21 | 2020-07-30 | BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg | MEMS with a large fluidically effective surface |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPH041051A (en) * | 1989-02-22 | 1992-01-06 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Ink-jet recording device |
JPH02277642A (en) * | 1989-04-19 | 1990-11-14 | Seiko Epson Corp | Ink jet head |
JPH02310055A (en) * | 1989-05-25 | 1990-12-25 | Seiko Epson Corp | Ink jet head |
US5058856A (en) * | 1991-05-08 | 1991-10-22 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Thermally-actuated microminiature valve |
JPH06241781A (en) * | 1993-02-17 | 1994-09-02 | Canon Inc | Cantilever, cantilever type probe using this, scanning tunneling microscope using cantilever type probe, information processing device |
JPH10216238A (en) * | 1997-02-05 | 1998-08-18 | Mitsubishi Cable Ind Ltd | Bending mechanism |
JPH1126830A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 1999-01-29 | Denso Corp | Laminated actuator |
WO1999003681A1 (en) * | 1997-07-15 | 1999-01-28 | Silverbrook Research Pty. Limited | A thermally actuated ink jet |
AUPP922399A0 (en) * | 1999-03-16 | 1999-04-15 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | A method and apparatus (ij46p2) |
-
2000
- 2000-02-11 WO PCT/AU2000/000095 patent/WO2000048938A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-02-11 JP JP2000599685A patent/JP4732588B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-02-11 DE DE60031658T patent/DE60031658D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-02-11 EP EP00904720A patent/EP1165432B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-02-11 AT AT00904720T patent/ATE344214T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2010
- 2010-03-17 JP JP2010061220A patent/JP2010173327A/en active Pending
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DE60031658D1 (en) | 2006-12-14 |
WO2000048938A1 (en) | 2000-08-24 |
EP1165432A1 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
EP1165432A4 (en) | 2005-01-19 |
JP2010173327A (en) | 2010-08-12 |
ATE344214T1 (en) | 2006-11-15 |
JP4732588B2 (en) | 2011-07-27 |
JP2002537132A (en) | 2002-11-05 |
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