EP1652671B1 - Tintenstrahldüse mit zwei Flüssigkeitsausstossdüsen und einer beweglichen Paddelschaufel - Google Patents

Tintenstrahldüse mit zwei Flüssigkeitsausstossdüsen und einer beweglichen Paddelschaufel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1652671B1
EP1652671B1 EP05109763A EP05109763A EP1652671B1 EP 1652671 B1 EP1652671 B1 EP 1652671B1 EP 05109763 A EP05109763 A EP 05109763A EP 05109763 A EP05109763 A EP 05109763A EP 1652671 B1 EP1652671 B1 EP 1652671B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink jet
fluid
paddle vane
ink
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP05109763A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1652671A1 (de
Inventor
Kia Silverbrook
Gregory Mcavoy
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Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
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Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
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Publication date
Priority claimed from AUPO8033A external-priority patent/AUPO803397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7933A external-priority patent/AUPO793397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8006A external-priority patent/AUPO800697A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7941A external-priority patent/AUPO794197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7937A external-priority patent/AUPO793797A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7952A external-priority patent/AUPO795297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8078A external-priority patent/AUPO807897A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8007A external-priority patent/AUPO800797A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7943A external-priority patent/AUPO794397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8062A external-priority patent/AUPO806297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7945A external-priority patent/AUPO794597A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8074A external-priority patent/AUPO807497A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8050A external-priority patent/AUPO805097A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8038A external-priority patent/AUPO803897A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8037A external-priority patent/AUPO803797A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7946A external-priority patent/AUPO794697A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8011A external-priority patent/AUPO801197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7948A external-priority patent/AUPO794897A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8051A external-priority patent/AUPO805197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8042A external-priority patent/AUPO804297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8043A external-priority patent/AUPO804397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8039A external-priority patent/AUPO803997A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8040A external-priority patent/AUPO804097A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8046A external-priority patent/AUPO804697A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7951A external-priority patent/AUPO795197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8064A external-priority patent/AUPO806497A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8057A external-priority patent/AUPO805797A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8056A external-priority patent/AUPO805697A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7947A external-priority patent/AUPO794797A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO7944A external-priority patent/AUPO794497A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8068A external-priority patent/AUPO806897A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8008A external-priority patent/AUPO800897A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8079A external-priority patent/AUPO807997A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8010A external-priority patent/AUPO801097A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8034A external-priority patent/AUPO803497A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8052A external-priority patent/AUPO805297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8045A external-priority patent/AUPO804597A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8001A external-priority patent/AUPO800197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8002A external-priority patent/AUPO800297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8503A external-priority patent/AUPO850397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO9393A external-priority patent/AUPO939397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO9391A external-priority patent/AUPO939197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO9392A external-priority patent/AUPO939297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO9389A external-priority patent/AUPO938997A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO9390A external-priority patent/AUPO939097A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0875A external-priority patent/AUPP087597A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0893A external-priority patent/AUPP089397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0890A external-priority patent/AUPP089097A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0894A external-priority patent/AUPP089497A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0874A external-priority patent/AUPP087497A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0891A external-priority patent/AUPP089197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0873A external-priority patent/AUPP087397A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0892A external-priority patent/AUPP089297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0872A external-priority patent/AUPP087297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0889A external-priority patent/AUPP088997A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP0882A external-priority patent/AUPP088297A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP1398A external-priority patent/AUPP139898A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP1396A external-priority patent/AUPP139698A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP2591A external-priority patent/AUPP259198A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP2592A external-priority patent/AUPP259298A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3984A external-priority patent/AUPP398498A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3985A external-priority patent/AUPP398598A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3990A external-priority patent/AUPP399098A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3989A external-priority patent/AUPP398998A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3987A external-priority patent/AUPP398798A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3991A external-priority patent/AUPP399198A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3983A external-priority patent/AUPP398398A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPP3986A external-priority patent/AUPP398698A0/en
Application filed by Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd filed Critical Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Priority claimed from EP98933352A external-priority patent/EP0999934B1/de
Publication of EP1652671A1 publication Critical patent/EP1652671A1/de
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Publication of EP1652671B1 publication Critical patent/EP1652671B1/de
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters 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
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/14Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of ink jet printing systems.
  • US Patent 3596275 by Sweet also discloses a process of a continuous ink jet printing including the step wherein the ink jet stream is modulated by a high frequency electro-static field so as to cause drop separation. This technique is still utilised by several manufacturers including Elmjet and Scitex (see also US Patent No. 3373437 by Sweet et al )
  • Piezo-electric ink jet printers are also one form of commonly utilised ink jet printing device. Piezo-electric systems are disclosed by Kyser et. al. in US Patent No. 3946398 (1970 ) which utilises a diaphragm mode of operation, by Zolten in US Patent 3683212 (1970 ) which discloses a squeeze mode of operation of a piezo electric crystal, Stemme in US Patent No. 3747120 (1972 ) discloses a bend mode of piezo-electric operation, Howkins in US Patent No. 4459601 discloses a Piezo electric push mode actuation of the ink jet stream and Fischbeck in US 4584590 which discloses a sheer mode type of piezo-electric transducer element.
  • the ink jet printing techniques include those disclosed by Endo et al in GB 2007162 (1979 ) and Vaught et al in US Patent 4490728 . Both the aforementioned references disclosed ink jet printing techniques rely upon the activation of an electrothermal actuator which results in the creation of a bubble in a constricted space, such as a nozzle, which thereby causes the ejection of ink from an aperture connected to the confined space onto a relevant print media.
  • Printing devices utilising the electro-thermal actuator are manufactured by manufacturers such as Canon and Hewlett Packard.
  • JP-A-58116165 is an example of an inkjet nozzle having two ejection apertures.
  • a printing technology should have a number of desirable attributes. These include inexpensive construction and operation, high speed operation, safe and continuous long term operation etc. Each technology may have its own advantages and disadvantages in the areas of cost, speed, quality, reliability, power usage, simplicity of construction operation, durability and consumables.
  • esoteric techniques are also often utilised. These can include electroforming of nickel stage ( Hewlett-Packard Journal, Vol. 36 no 5, pp33-37 (1985 )), electro-discharge machining, laser ablation ( U.S. Patent No. 5,208,604 ), micro-punching, etc.
  • a sacrificial material to build up a mechanical system, within the sacrificial material being subsequently etched away so as to release the required mechanical structure.
  • a suitable common sacrificial material includes silicon dioxide which can be etched away in hydrofluoric acid.
  • MEMS devices are often constructed on silicon wafers having integral electronics such as, for example, using a multi-level metal CMOS layer.
  • the CMOS process includes the construction of multiple layers which may include the utilization of materials which can be attacked by the sacrificial etchant. This often necessitates the construction of passivation layers using extra processing steps so as to protect other layers from possible unwanted attack by a sacrificial etchant.
  • the invention provides a nozzle arrangement as in claim 1 with advantageous embodiments provided in the dependent claims.
  • a printhead according to claim 13 is also provided.
  • the preferred embodiments and other embodiments will be discussed under separate headings with the heading including an IJ number for ease of reference.
  • the headings also include a type designator with T indicating thermal, S indicating shutter type and F indicating a field type.
  • an inkjet printing system for the projection of ink from a series of nozzles.
  • a single paddle is located within a nozzle chamber and attached to an actuator device.
  • the nozzle is actuated in a first direction, ink is ejected through a first nozzle aperture and when the actuator is activated in a second direction causing the paddle to move in a second direction, ink is ejected out of a second nozzle.
  • Fig. 452 to Fig. 456 there will now be illustrated in a schematic form, the operational principles of an embodiment.
  • a nozzle arrangement 3701 of an embodiment when in its quiescent state In the quiescent state, ink fills a first portion 3702 of the nozzle chamber and a second portion 3703 of the nozzle chamber. The ink fills the nozzle chambers from an ink supply channel 3705 to the point that a meniscus 3706, 3707 is formed around corresponding nozzle holes 3708, 3709.
  • a paddle 3710 is provided within the nozzle chamber 3702 with the paddle 3710 being interconnected to a actuator device 3712 which can comprise a thermal actuator which can be actuated so as to cause the actuator 3712 to bend, as will be become more apparent hereinafter.
  • the actuator 3712 which can comprise a thermal actuator, is activated so as to bend as illustrated in Fig. 453 .
  • the bending of actuator 3712 causes the paddle 3710 to rapidly move upwards which causes a substantial increase in the pressure of the fluid, such as ink, within nozzle chamber 3702 and adjacent to the meniscus 3707. This results in a general rapid expansion of the meniscus 3707 as ink slows through the nozzle hole 3709 with result of the increasing pressure.
  • the rapid movement of paddle 3710 causes a reduction in pressure along the back surface of the paddle 3710. This results in general flows as indicated 3717, 3718 from the second nozzle chamber and the ink supply channel.
  • the actuator 3712 is deactivated resulting in the return of the paddle 3710 to its quiescent position as indicated in Fig. 454 .
  • the return of the paddle 3710 operates against the forward momentum of the ink adjacent the meniscus 3707 which subsequently results in the breaking off of the meniscus 3707 so as to form the drop 3720 as illustrated in Fig. 454 .
  • the drop 3720 continues onto the print media. Further, surface tension effects on the ink meniscus 3707 and ink meniscus 3706 result in ink flows 3721 - 3723 which replenish the nozzle chambers.
  • the paddle 3710 returns to its quiescent position and the situation is again as illustrated in Fig. 452 .
  • the actuator 3712 is activated as illustrated in Fig. 465 .
  • the actuation 3712 causes the paddle 3710 to move rapidly down causing a substantial increase in pressure in the nozzle chamber 3703 which results in a rapid growth of the meniscus 3706 around the nozzle hole 3708.
  • This rapid growth is accompanied by a general collapse in meniscus 3707 as the ink is sucked back into the chamber 3702. Further, ink flow also occurs into ink supply channel 3705 however, hopefully this ink flow is minimised.
  • the actuator 3712 is deactivated resulting in the return of the paddle 3710 to is quiescent position.
  • the return of the paddle 3710 results in a general lessening of pressure within the nozzle chamber 3703 as ink is sucked back into the area under the paddle 3710.
  • the forward momentum of the ink surrounding the meniscus 3706 and the backward momentum of the other ink within nozzle chamber 3703 is resolved through the breaking off of an ink drop 3725 which proceeds towards the print media.
  • the surface tension on the meniscus 3706 and 3707 results in a general ink inflow from nozzle chamber 3705 resulting, in the arrangement returning to the quiescent state as indicated in Fig. 452 .
  • FIG. 452 to Fig. 456 describes a system where a single planar paddle is actuated so as to eject ink from multiple nozzles.
  • nozzle arrangement 3701 can be constructed on a silicon wafer base 3728 through the construction of large arrays of nozzles at one time utilising standard micro electro-mechanical processing techniques.
  • An array of nozzles on a silicon wafer device and can be constructed from the utilising semiconductor processing techniques in addition to micro machining and micro fabrication process technology (MEMS) and a full familiarity with these technologies is hereinafter assumed.
  • MEMS micro machining and micro fabrication process technology
  • MEMS micro-electro mechanical system
  • CMOS processing layer 3729 On top of the silicon wafer 3728 is first constructed a CMOS processing layer 3729 which can provide for the necessary interface circuitry for driving the thermal actuator and its interconnection with the outside world.
  • the CMOS layer 3729 being suitably passivated so as to protect it from subsequent MEMS processing techniques.
  • the walls eg. 3730 can be formed from glass (SiO 2 ).
  • the paddle 3710 includes a thinned portion 3732 for more efficient operation.
  • a sacrificial etchant hole 3733 is provided for allowing more effective etching of sacrificial etchants within the nozzle chamber 3702.
  • the ink supply channel 3705 is generally provided for interconnecting an ink supply conduit 3734 which can be etched through the wafer 3728 by means of utilisation of a deep anisotropic trench etcher such as that available from Silicon Technology Systems of the United Kingdom.
  • the arrangement 3701 further includes a thermal actuator device eg. 3712 which includes two arms comprising an upper arm 3736 and a lower arm 3737 formed around a glass core 3738.
  • Both upper and lower arm heaters 3736, 3737 can comprise a 0.4 ⁇ m film of 60% copper and 40% nickel hereinafter known as (Cupronickel) alloy. Copper and nickel is used because it has a high bend efficiency and is also highly compatible with standard VLSI and MEMS processing techniques.
  • the bend efficiency can be calculated as the square of the coefficient of the thermal expansion times the Young's modulus, divided by the density and divided by the heat capacity. This provides a measure of the amount of "bend energy" produced by a material per unit of thermal (and therefore electrical) energy supplied.
  • the core can be fabricated from glass which also has many suitable properties in acting as part of the thermal actuator.
  • the actuator 3712 includes a thinned portion 3740 for providing an interconnect between the actuator and the paddle 3710.
  • the thinned portion 3740 provides for non-destructive flexing of the actuator 3712.
  • a current is passed down through the top cupronickel layer causing it to be heated and expand. This in turn causes a general bending due to the thermocouple relationship between the layers 3736 and 3738.
  • the bending down of the actuator 3736 also causes thinned portion 3740 to move downwards in addition to the portion 3741.
  • the paddle 3710 is pivoted around the wall 3741 which can, if necessary, include slots for providing for efficient bending.
  • the heater coil 3737 can be operated so as to cause the actuator 3712 to bend up with the consequential movement upon the paddle 3710.
  • a pit 3739 is provided adjacent to the wall of the nozzle chamber to ensure that any ink outside of the nozzle chamber has minimal opportunity to "wick" along the surface of the printhead as, the wall 3741 can be provided with a series of slots to assist in the flexing of the fulcrum.
  • the printheads can then be inserted in an ink chamber moulding, tab bonded and a PTFE hydrophobic layer evaporated over the surface so as to provide for a hydrophobic surface.
  • Fig. 476 there is illustrated a portion of a page with printhead including a series of nozzle arrangements as constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment.
  • the array 3760 has been constructed for three colour output having a first row 3761 a second row 3762 and a third row 3763.
  • a series of bond pads, eg. 3764, 3765 are provided at the side for tab automated bonding to the printhead.
  • Each row 3761, 3762, 3763 can be provided with a different colour ink including cyan, magenta and yellow for providing full colour output.
  • the nozzles of each row 3761 - 3763 are further divided into sub rows eg. 3768, 3769.
  • a glass strip 3770 can be provided for anchoring the actuators of the row 3763 in addition to providing for alignment for the bond pad 3764, 3765.
  • the CMOS circuitry can be provided so as to fire the nozzles with the correct timing relationships. For example, each nozzle in the row 3768 is fired together followed by each nozzle in the row 3769 such that a single line is printed.
  • an embodiment provides for an extremely compact arrangement of an inkjet printhead which can be made in a highly inexpensive manner in large numbers on a single silicon wafer with large numbers of printheads being made simultaneously. Further, the actuation mechanism provides for simplified complexity in that the number of actuators is halved with the arrangement of an embodiment.
  • An embodiment of the present invention includes an inkjet arrangement wherein a single actuator drives two output nozzles.
  • a single actuator drives two output nozzles.
  • ink is ejected out of a first nozzle and when the actuator is driven in a second direction, ink is ejected out of a second nozzle.
  • the paddle actuator is interconnected via a slot in the nozzle chamber wall to a rigid thermal actuator which can be actuated so as to cause the ejection of ink from the ink ejection holes.
  • the nozzle arrangement 3801 includes two ink ejection ports 3802, 3803 for the ejection of ink from within a nozzle chamber.
  • the nozzle chamber further includes first and second chamber portions 3805, 3806 in addition to an etched cavity 3807 which, during normal operation, are normally filled with ink supplied via an ink inlet channel 3808.
  • the ink inlet channel 3808 is in turn connected to an ink supply channel 3809 etched through a silicon wafer.
  • an actuator paddle 3810 which is interconnected through a slot 3812 in the chamber wall to an actuator arm 3813 which is actuated by means of thermal actuators 3814, 3815 which are in turn connected to a substrate 3817 via an end block portion 3818 with the substrate 3817 providing the relevant electrical interconnection for the heaters3814, 3815.
  • the actuator arm 3813 can be actuated by the thermal actuators 3814, 3815 to move up and down so as to eject ink via the nozzle holes 3802 or 3803.
  • a series of holes eg. 3820 - 3822 are also provided in top of the nozzle plate.
  • the holes 3820 - 3822 assist in the etching of sacrificial layers during construction in addition to providing for "breathing" assistance during operation of the nozzle arrangement 3801.
  • the two chambers 3805, 3806 are separated by a baffle 3824 and the paddle arm 3810 includes a end lip portion 3825 in addition to a plug portion 3826.
  • the plug portion 3826 is designed to mate with the boundary of the ink inlet channel 3808 during operation.
  • FIG. 495 there will now be explained the operation of the nozzle arrangement 3801.
  • FIG. 495 there is shown the nozzle arrangement 3801 when in its quiescent position. In this state, the paddle 3810 is idle and ink fills the nozzle chamber so as to form menisci 3829 - 3833 and 3837.
  • the two heaters 3814, 3815 can be constructed from the same material and normally exist in a state of balance when the paddle 3810 is in its quiescent position. As noted previously, when it is desired to eject a drop out of nozzle chamber 3803, the heater 3815 is actuated which causes a rapid upwards movement of the actuator paddle 3810. This causes a general increase in pressure in the area in front of the actuator paddle 3810 which further causes a rapid expansion in the meniscus 3830 in addition to a much less significant expansion in the menisci 3831 - 3833 (due to their being of a substantially smaller radius).
  • the substantial decrease in pressure around the back surface of the paddle 3810 causes a general inflow of ink from the nozzle chamber 3808 in addition to causing a general collapse in the meniscus 3829 and a corresponding flow of ink 3835 around the baffle 3824.
  • a slight bulging also occurs in the meniscus 3837 around the slot in the side wall 3812.
  • the heater 3815 is merely pulsed and turned off when it reaches its maximum extent.
  • the paddle actuator 3810 rapidly begins to return to its quiescent position causing the ink around the ejection port 3803 to begin to flow back into the chamber.
  • the forward momentum of the ink in the expanded meniscus and the backward pressure exerted by actuator paddle 3810 results in a general necking of the meniscus and the subsequent breaking off of a separate drop 3839 which proceeds to the print media.
  • the menisci 3829, 3831, 3832 and 3833 each of a generally concave shape exert a further force on the ink within the nozzle chamber which begins to draw ink in from the ink inlet channel 3808 so as to replenish the nozzle chamber.
  • the nozzle arrangement returns to the quiescent position which is as previously illustrated in respect of Fig. 495 .
  • Fig. 498 when it is desired to eject a droplet of ink out of the ink ejection port 3802, the thermal actuator 3814 is actuated resulting in a general expansion of the thermal actuator 3814 which in turn causes a rapid downward movement of the actuator paddle 3810.
  • the rapid downward movement causes a substantial increase in pressure within the cavity 3807 which in turn results in a general rapid expansion of the meniscus 3829.
  • the end plug portion 3826 results in a general blocking of the ink supply channel 3808 stopping fluid from flowing back down the ink supply channel 3808. This further assists in causing ink to flow towards the cavity 3807.
  • the heater 3814 is merely pulsed, which as illustrated in Fig. 499 results in a rapid return of the paddle 3810 to its quiescent position.
  • the return of the paddle 3810 results in a general reduction in pressure within the cavity 3807 which in turn results in the ink around the nozzle 3802 beginning to flow 3843 back into the nozzle chamber.
  • the forward momentum of the ink around the meniscus 3829 in addition to the backflow 3843 results in a general necking of the meniscus and the formation of an ink drop 3842 which separates from the main body of the ink and continues to the print media.
  • the return of the actuator paddle 3810 further results in plugging portion 3826 "unplugging" the ink supply channel 3808.
  • the general reduction in pressure in addition to the collapsed menisci 3840, 3837 and 3829 results in a flow of ink from the ink inlet channel 3808 into the nozzle chamber so as to cause replenishment of the nozzle chamber and return to the quiescent state as illustrated in Fig. 496 .
  • each nozzle eg. 3802, 3803, 3820, 3821, 3822, 3812 etc. includes a nozzle rim around its outer periphery.
  • the nozzle rim acts to stop wicking of the meniscus formed across the nozzle rim.
  • the actuator arm 3813 is provided with a wick minimisation protrusion eg. 3844 in addition to a series of pits eg. 3845 which were again shaped so as to minimise wicking along the surfaces surrounding the actuator arms 3813.
  • the nozzle arrangement of an embodiment can be formed on a silicon wafer utilising standard semi-conductor fabrication processing steps and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) construction techniques.
  • MEMS micro-electromechanical systems
  • MEMS micro-electro mechanical system
  • a large wafer of printheads is constructed at any one time with each printhead providing a predetermined pagewidth capabilities and a single printhead can in turn comprise multiple colors so as to provide for full color output as would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • CMOS processed silicon wafer 3850 which can include a standard CMOS layer 3851 of the relevant electrical circuitry etc.
  • the processing steps can then be as follows:
  • the printheads can then be washed and inserted in an ink chamber moulding for providing an ink supply to the back of the wafer so to allow ink to be supplied via the ink supply channel.
  • the printhead can then have one edge along its surface TAB bonded to external control lines and preferably a thin anti-corrosion layer of ECR diamond-like carbon deposited over its surfaces so as to provide for anti corrosion capabilities.
  • Fig. 520 there is illustrated a portion 3880 of a full colour printhead which is divided into three series of nozzles 3881, 3882 and 3883. Each series can supply a separate color via means of a corresponding ink supply channel. Each series is further subdivided into two subrows 3886, 3887 with the relevant nozzles of each subrow being fired simultaneously with one subrow being fired a predetermined time after a second subrow such that a line of ink drops is formed on a page.
  • the actuators a formed in a curved relationship with respect to the main nozzle access so as to provide for a more compact packing of the nozzles.
  • the block portion (3 818) of Fig. 495 is formed in the wall of an adjacent series with the block portion of the row 3883 being formed in a separate guide rail 3890 provided as an abutment surface for the TAB strip when it is abutted against the guide rail 3890 so as to provide for an accurate registration of the tab strip with respect to the bond pads 3891, 3892 which are provided along the length of the printhead so as to provide for low impedance driving of the actuators.
  • an embodiment provides for a compact form of manufacture of an inkjet printhead which includes a dual nozzle single actuator system.

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  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung, umfassend:
    eine Düsenkammer mit mindestens zwei Fluidausstoßöffnungen (3708, 3709), die in einer Wand der Kammer gebildet sind, und
    gekennzeichnet durch:
    einen bewegbaren Paddelflügel (3710), der in der Kammer angeordnet ist; und
    einen Aktuatormechanismus (3712), der am bewegbaren Paddelflügel angebracht ist, wobei der Aktuatormechanismus dazu ausgelegt ist, den Paddelflügel in eine erste Richtung zu bewegen, um das Ausstoßen von Fluid aus einer ersten Fluidausstoßöffnung herbeizuführen, und den Paddelflügel darüber hinaus in eine zweite, alternative Richtung zu bewegen, um das Ausstoßen von Fluid aus einer zweiten Fluidausstoßöffnung herbeizuführen.
  2. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Paddelflügel zwischen den Fluidausstoßöffnungen angeordnet ist.
  3. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Paddelflügel und der Aktuator an einem Abstützungsschwenkpunkt verbunden sind, wobei der Abstützungsschwenkpunkt einen dünner ausgelegten Abschnitt der Düsenkammerwand umfasst.
  4. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, darüber hinaus umfassend:
    einen Fluidzufuhrkanal, der die Düsenkammer mit einem Fluidvorrat verbindet, um der Düsenkammer Fluid zuzuführen, wobei die Verbindung in einer Wand der Kammer im Wesentlichen angrenzend an die Ruheposition des Paddelflügels vorliegt.
  5. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Verbindung einen in der Wand der Kammer gebildeten Durchbruch umfasst, wobei der Durchbruch einem Querschnittsprofil des Paddelflügels ähnliche Abmessungen hat.
  6. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Paddelflügel in einer Ebene angrenzend an einen Rand einer ersten der Fluidausstoßöffnungen angeordnet ist.
  7. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach Anspruch 6, darüber hinaus umfassend:
    eine Scheidewand, die zwischen der ersten und zweiten Fluidausstoßöffnung angeordnet ist,
    wobei eine Bewegung des Paddelflügels in der ersten Richtung eine Erhöhung des Drucks des Fluids in dem Fassungsraum angrenzend an die erste Öffnung herbeiführt und eine gleichzeitige Abnahme des Drucks des Fluids in dem Fassungsraum angrenzend an die zweite Öffnung.
  8. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach Anspruch 6, wobei eine Bewegung des Paddelflügels in der zweiten Richtung eine Erhöhung des Drucks des Fluids in dem Fassungsraum angrenzend an die zweite Öffnung herbeiführt und eine gleichzeitige Abnahme des Drucks des Fluids in dem Fassungsraum angrenzend an die erste Öffnung.
  9. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Paddelflügel und der Aktuator so verbunden sind, dass sie um eine Wand der Kammer schwenken, und die Vorrichtung darüber hinaus umfasst:
    einen Fluidzufuhrkanal, der die Düsenkammer mit einem Fluidvorrat verbindet, um der Düsenkammer Fluid zuzuführen, wobei die Verbindung in einer Wand der Kammer im Wesentlichen angrenzend an den Schwenkpunkt des Paddelflügels vorliegt.
  10. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Aktuator einen thermischen Aktuator mit zumindest zwei Heizelementen umfasst, wobei ein erstes der Elemente betätigt wird, um eine Bewegung des Paddelflügels in eine erste Richtung herbeizuführen, und ein zweites Heizelement betätigt wird, um eine Bewegung des Paddelflügels in eine zweite Richtung herbeizuführen.
  11. Tintenstrahldüsenanordnung nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Heizelemente an entgegengesetzten Seiten eines zentralen Arms angeordnet sind, der eine geringe Wärmeleitfähigkeit hat.
  12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, wobei der zentrale Arm im Wesentlichen aus Glas besteht.
  13. Tintenstrahldruckkopf mit einer Vielzahl von Tintenstrahldüsenanordnungen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.
EP05109763A 1997-07-15 1998-07-15 Tintenstrahldüse mit zwei Flüssigkeitsausstossdüsen und einer beweglichen Paddelschaufel Expired - Lifetime EP1652671B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (70)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO7946A AUPO794697A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS10)
AUPO8002A AUPO800297A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ20)
AUPO8006A AUPO800697A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS02)
AUPO7941A AUPO794197A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM24)
AUPO7937A AUPO793797A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM03)
AUPO7952A AUPO795297A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM29)
AUPO8078A AUPO807897A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM09)
AUPO8007A AUPO800797A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS03)
AUPO7943A AUPO794397A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS01)
AUPO8062A AUPO806297A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ22)
AUPO7945A AUPO794597A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS08)
AUPO8074A AUPO807497A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM23)
AUPO8050A AUPO805097A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM19)
AUPO8038A AUPO803897A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ18)
AUPO8037A AUPO803797A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ27)
AUPO8045A AUPO804597A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM28)
AUPO8011A AUPO801197A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS06)
AUPO7948A AUPO794897A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM21)
AUPO8051A AUPO805197A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM27)
AUPO8042A AUPO804297A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ29)
AUPO8043A AUPO804397A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ28)
AUPO8039A AUPO803997A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ24)
AUPO8040A AUPO804097A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ03)
AUPO7933A AUPO793397A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation_apparatus (IJM10)
AUPO7951A AUPO795197A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM22)
AUPO8064A AUPO806497A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ30)
AUPO8057A AUPO805797A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ09)
AUPO8056A AUPO805697A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ10)
AUPO7947A AUPO794797A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS07)
AUPO7944A AUPO794497A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS09)
AUPO8068A AUPO806897A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ21)
AUPO8008A AUPO800897A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS04)
AUPO8079A AUPO807997A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM18)
AUPO8010A AUPO801097A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A device (MEMS05)
AUPO8034A AUPO803497A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ23)
AUPO8052A AUPO805297A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM20)
AUPO8033A AUPO803397A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ19)
AUPO8001A AUPO800197A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ17)
AUPO8046A AUPO804697A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM30)
AUPO8503A AUPO850397A0 (en) 1997-08-11 1997-08-11 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (ijm30a)
AUPO9393A AUPO939397A0 (en) 1997-09-23 1997-09-23 A device and method (MEMS11)
AUPO9391A AUPO939197A0 (en) 1997-09-23 1997-09-23 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ32)
AUPO9392A AUPO939297A0 (en) 1997-09-23 1997-09-23 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM32)
AUPO9389A AUPO938997A0 (en) 1997-09-23 1997-09-23 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ31)
AUPO9390A AUPO939097A0 (en) 1997-09-23 1997-09-23 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM31)
AUPP0874A AUPP087497A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM38)
AUPP0893A AUPP089397A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ37)
AUPP0890A AUPP089097A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ35)
AUPP0894A AUPP089497A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 An interconnection system (MEMS13)
AUPP0875A AUPP087597A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 A device (MEMS12)
AUPP0891A AUPP089197A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ34)
AUPP0873A AUPP087397A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ36)
AUPP888897 1997-12-12
AUPP0892A AUPP089297A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ38)
AUPP0872A AUPP087297A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 Image creation method and apparatus (IJM36)
AUPP0889A AUPP088997A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM35)
AUPP0882A AUPP088297A0 (en) 1997-12-12 1997-12-12 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (IJM37)
AUPP1398A AUPP139898A0 (en) 1998-01-19 1998-01-19 An image creation method and apparatus (ij39)
AUPP1396A AUPP139698A0 (en) 1998-01-19 1998-01-19 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (ijm39)
AUPP2591A AUPP259198A0 (en) 1998-03-25 1998-03-25 Image creation method and apparatus (IJM41)
AUPP2592A AUPP259298A0 (en) 1998-03-25 1998-03-25 Image creation method and apparatus (IJ40)
AUPP3984A AUPP398498A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (ijm44)
AUPP3985A AUPP398598A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 Image creation method and apparatus (ij44)
AUPP3990A AUPP399098A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 A method of manufacture of image creation apparatus (ijm42)
AUPP3989A AUPP398998A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (ijm40)
AUPP3987A AUPP398798A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 Image creation method and apparatus (ij43)
AUPP3991A AUPP399198A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 Image creation method and apparatus (ij42)
AUPP3983A AUPP398398A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 Image creation method and apparatus (ij45)
AUPP3986A AUPP398698A0 (en) 1998-06-09 1998-06-09 A method of manufacture of an image creation apparatus (ijm43)
EP98933352A EP0999934B1 (de) 1997-07-15 1998-07-15 Thermisch betätigter tintenstrahl

Related Parent Applications (1)

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EP98933352A Division EP0999934B1 (de) 1997-07-15 1998-07-15 Thermisch betätigter tintenstrahl

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EP1652671B1 true EP1652671B1 (de) 2008-05-14

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