Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead is provided including a substrate, and a chamber layer, which is stacked on the substrate. The chamber layer includes an ink chamber that is filled with ink supplied from an ink feed hole. The printhead includes a heater inside the ink chamber that heats the ink, an island, which is formed on the substrate at an ink inlet port of the ink chamber, and a nozzle layer, which is stacked on the chamber layer, including a nozzle for ejecting the ink. The walls of the ink chamber and the island that face each other are symmetrical with respect to the center of the nozzle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 12, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 29, 2011
Assignee:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Inventors:
Moon-chul Lee, Yong-seop Yoon, Yong-won Jeong, Dong-sik Shim, Sung-joon Park, Jong-seok Kim
Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current, a shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers, the shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal, a transfer register for latching data in one of the registers of the shift register; a control gate for outputting a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register, and a drive transistor for providing an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse. The nozzle assembly covers an area of less than 20,000 square microns.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid droplet spraying apparatus and method. The liquid droplet spraying apparatus of the present invention includes a chamber containing a fluid; a nozzle body having a nozzle for spraying the fluid in the chamber to one side of a material to be printed; an electrostatic spray module which is arranged in the vicinity of the chamber or the nozzle, and which forms an electrostatic field for the fluid contained in the chamber to provide a first spray force for spraying the fluid via the nozzle to form a liquid droplet; a physical spray module which is arranged in the chamber and opposite the nozzle, and which provides a second spray force for assisting the first spray force when the first spray force is generated; and a control unit for controlling the electrostatic spray module and the physical spray module such that the first spray force and the second spray force can be provided in a specific pattern.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 11, 2009
Publication date:
November 24, 2011
Applicant:
KONKUK UNIVERSITY INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION CORP.
Abstract: A method of configuring a printhead to eject ink droplets of a predetermined volume. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing a printhead having a plurality of bend-actuated nozzles assemblies; (ii) varying a bulk hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to the printhead so as to vary a volume of ejected ink droplets; (iii) determining an optimal bulk hydrostatic ink pressure corresponding to the predetermined volume; and (iv) configuring an ink supply system to supply ink to the printhead at the optimal bulk hydrostatic ink pressure.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 7, 2011
Publication date:
November 24, 2011
Inventors:
Gregory John McAvoy, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Kia Silverbrook
Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection heads and methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads are provided, including those that use a non-conventional substrate and methods for making large array micro-fluid ejection heads. One such ejection head includes a substrate having a device surface with a plurality of fluid ejection actuator devices and a pocket disposed adjacent thereto. A chip associated with the plurality of fluid ejection actuator devices is attached in the chip pocket adjacent to the device surface of the substrate. A conductive material is deposited adjacent to the device surface of the substrate and in electrical communication with the chip.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 22, 2011
Assignee:
Lexmark International, Inc.
Inventors:
Frank Edward Anderson, Jeanne Marie Saldanha Singh, Carl Edmond Sullivan, Sean Terrence Weaver
Abstract: An ejection nozzle arrangement is provided having a fluid chamber having a wall and a fluid port, an arm extending through an aperture in the wall, a dynamic structure cantilevered from the wall adjacent the aperture, a static structure cantilevered from the wall adjacent the dynamic structure. The arm is connected to the dynamic and static structures at a point distal from the aperture such that thermal expansion of the dynamic structure moves the arm upwards in the chamber to eject fluid from the chamber through the port.
Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes ejection energy generating elements for ejecting ink, flow passages for supplying the ink from an ink supply port to the ejection energy generating elements through a common liquid chamber, a partition wall formed between adjacent two flow passages, a member disposed between the partition wall and the ink supply port, and an opening formed between the partition wall and the member. A flow resistance in the opening from one of the adjacent two flow passages to the other flow passage is different from that in the opening from the other flow passage to the one of the adjacent two flow passages.
Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current, a shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers, the shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal, a transfer register for latching data in one of the registers of the shift register; a control gate for outputting a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register, and a drive transistor for providing an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse. The nozzle is spaced from other nozzles ejecting ink of a same color by less than 32 microns in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of a print media upon which ink is ejected.
Abstract: The invention provides, between a discharge element substrate and a supply member, a support member containing a mixture that contains: a material having an affinity for a material forming the supply member; and another material.
Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate including a recording element that generates energy for discharging liquid from a discharge port, a base plate including a mounted surface on which the recording element substrate is mounted, an electric wiring substrate including a portion disposed on another surface of the base plate different from the mounted surface, adjacent to the mounted surface, and configured to be electrically connected to the recording element substrate, and an shield member having electric conductivity and configured to shield the portion.
Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate including an energy generating element, a wiring substrate including wiring, a support substrate for supporting the recording element substrate and the wiring substrate so that a side end portion of the recording element substrate and a side end portion of the wiring substrate are adjacent to each other, and a sealing member, wherein the side end portion of the wiring substrate has a step portion, a distance between a second portion of the step portion on the side opposite to the support substrate and the side end portion of the recording element substrate is larger than a distance between a first portion of the step portion on the side of the support substrate and the side end portion of the recording element substrate, and a part of the wiring is formed in the first portion.
Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate having a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid, and a plurality of recording elements for generating energy to discharge liquid, and an electric wiring substrate electrically connecting the recording element substrate and a driving circuit substrate having a circuit for driving the plurality of recording elements, the electric wiring substrate having a plurality of first electrical contact groups including a plurality of electrical contacts, for electrically connecting with the driving circuit substrate, provided along a disposed direction in which the plurality of discharge ports are disposed. The plurality of first electrical contact groups are detachably attached to a plurality of second electrical contact groups electrically connected with the driving circuit substrate, such that adjacent first electrical contact groups do not overlap each other in the disposed direction and in a direction orthogonal to the disposed direction.
Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator includes applying a low power multi-pulse waveform having at least two drive pulses and at least one intermediate portion to the actuator. The method further includes alternately expanding and contracting a pumping chamber coupled to the actuator in response to the at least two drive pulses and the at least one intermediate portion. The method further includes causing the droplet ejection device to eject one or more droplets of a fluid in response to the pulses of the low power multi-pulse waveform. In some embodiments, at least one intermediate portion has a voltage level greater than zero and less than or equal to a threshold voltage level in order to reduce the power needed to operate the droplet ejection device.
Abstract: The invention provides for a micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement on a substrate with motion conversion coupling structures. The structures operatively link a thermal actuator and a roof structure of the nozzle arrangement. The roof structure defines an ejection port therein. The coupling structure includes a connecting member connected to the thermal actuator, and a tongue and rod assembly located on the substrate, said assembly configured to convert an arcuate displacement of the connecting member into a linear displacement of the roof structure towards the substrate.
Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers is also included. The shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal. A transfer register latches data in one of the registers of the shift register. A control gate outputs a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse.
Abstract: An approach applying a semiconductor manufacturing process in the manufacturing of an electrostatic actuator, such as for a droplet discharging head, liquid supply cartridge, inkjet recording apparatus and/or liquid jet apparatus, is provided. Such electrostatic actuator has high-reliability and less variation in characteristics.
Abstract: Size reduction and high integration of each of the laminated substrates are achieved, while forming an excellent wiring which electrically connects the substrates to each other. A conductive ink, i.e., an ink, containing a conductive material is used, and in a state where a voltage is applied between a print head and a substrate unit, an ink droplet of the conductive ink is discharged from the print head, while relatively shifting the substrate unit and the print head substantially parallel to at least the upper surface of the substrate. Thus, a conductive layer which electrically connects electrodes to each other between the substrates is formed.
Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes an ejection outlet for ejecting ink; an energy generating element, provided on a silicon substrate, for generating energy for ejecting the ink from the ejection outlet; an ink flow passage, provided correspondingly to the energy generating element, communicating with the ejection outlet; a through hole passing through the silicon substrate; and an ink supply port for supplying the ink supplied into the through hole to the ink flow passage. The ink supply port is formed with an extended member which contacts a bottom of a flow passage wall constituting the ink flow passage and extends into an opening of the through hole.
Abstract: A heater stack includes first strata configured to support and form a fluid heater element responsive to energy from repetitive electrical activation and deactivation to fire repetitive cycles of heating and ejecting fluid from an ejection chamber above the fluid heater element and second strata overlying the first strata and contiguous with the ejection chamber to provide protection of the fluid heater element. The first strata includes a substrate and a heater substrata overlying the substrate and including a resistive layer having lateral portions spaced apart, a central portion extending between the lateral portions and defining the fluid heater element, and transitional portions interconnecting the central portion and lateral portions and elevating the central portion relative to the lateral portions and above the substrate to form a gap between the lateral portions and between the central portion and substrate insulating the substrate from the fluid heater element.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Lexmark International, Inc.
Inventors:
Yimin Guan, Burton Lee Joyner, II, Zachary Justin Reitmeier
Abstract: A dispenser unit for dispensing ink to refill a supply of printing fluid in a printing unit includes a body assembly; a plurality of ink outlets provided on a bottom side of the body assembly, the plurality of ink outlets each for engaging with respective ink inlets of the printing unit; a compressible ink storage volume provided within the body assembly, the compressible ink storage volume having a sealed end and an outlet end connected to no more than one of the plurality of ink outlets; a plunger provided within the housing and abutting the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume; and a compressing actuator for compressing the plunger against the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume, thereby facilitating a dispensing of ink from within the compressible ink storage volume into the printing unit via the ink outlet to which the outlet end of the compressible ink storage volume is connected.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 9, 2010
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Inventors:
Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian Mackey, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson
Abstract: A liquid dispenser head includes nozzles, pressure chambers, an energy generator, a shared chamber, a vibration member, and a specific wall portion. The nozzles discharge liquid. Each of the pressure chambers communicates with a corresponding one of the nozzles. The energy generator, provided for each of the pressure chambers, generates energy for pressurizing liquid in the pressure chamber. The shared chamber supplies liquid to the pressure chambers. The vibration member, forming a wall of each one of the pressure chambers, includes an energy-transmitting area configured to transmit the energy generated by the energy generator to each one of the pressure chambers. The specific wall portion, constituting at least a part of the same wall, or a different wall, of each of the pressure chambers, has a structural compliance set greater than a compression compliance of liquid in the pressure chamber.
Abstract: Provided is a continuous-type charge deflection liquid ejection head that is suitable for higher-density and multiple nozzles. This liquid ejection head includes: an orifice plate having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a two-dimensional manner; a charging electrode plate having a charging electrode to charge ink droplets from each of the plurality of nozzles; and first and second deflection electrode plates each having a deflection electrode to deflect each of the ink droplets charged by the charging electrode, in which each of the charging member, the first deflection member, and the second deflection member has through-holes that ink droplets pass through, and the charging member, the first deflection member, and the second deflection member are laminated in this order in an ejecting direction of the ink droplets.
Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 21, 2011
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Kodak Company
Inventors:
Yonglin Xie, Michael J. Piatt, Joseph Jech, Jr., Qing Yang
Abstract: The invention provides for an inkjet printhead having a plurality of micro-electromechanical vapor bubble generators. Each bubble generator includes a nozzle in fluid communication with an ink chamber, and a heater positioned in thermal contact with ink in the chamber. Each generator also includes drive circuitry configured to provide a modulated pulse to the heater to generate a vapor bubble in the ink in said chamber, the pulse comprising a pre-heat series of a predetermined number of pulses separated by a predetermined period, followed by a trigger pulse of a period twice that of said predetermined period.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 26, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2011
Assignee:
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Inventors:
Angus John North, Samuel James Myers, Kia Silverbrook
Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 21, 2011
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Kodak Company
Inventors:
Yonglin Xie, Michael J. Piatt, Joseph Jech, Jr., Qing Yang
Abstract: An inkjet head includes a plurality of nozzles through which ink is dischargeable out of the inkjet head, a pressure chamber plate that is made of metal, a plurality of pressure chambers that are groove portions formed in the pressure chamber plate for applying to the ink a pressure that is necessary in order to discharge the ink from the plurality of nozzles, an actuator that faces a first face of the pressure chamber plate and that includes a plurality of pressure generating portions, and a pressure chamber support member that supports the pressure chamber plate from a second face of the pressure chamber plate, the second face being an opposite face to the first face, and that is made from a material that has a Young's modulus that is greater than a Young's modulus of a material from which the pressure chamber plate is made.
Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating an ink jet nozzle. The method includes the steps of depositing and etching a passivation layer on a silicon substrate having drive circuitry and an interlayer dielectric interconnect to form a first sacrificial scaffold. Also included are the steps of depositing heater material over the first sacrificial scaffold and etching said heater material to define a heater element, and depositing and developing a layer of photoresist to define a second sacrificial scaffold defining sidewalls for a nozzle chamber. The method also includes the steps of depositing silicon nitride onto the second sacrificial scaffold to form a roof over the nozzle chamber, and etching a nozzle aperture through the roof down to the second sacrificial scaffold.
Abstract: A liquid droplet transporting apparatus includes a first electrode which is arranged on a surface of a substrate, a second electrode which is arranged apart from the first electrode on the surface of the substrate, an insulating layer which is arranged to cover each of the first electrode and the second electrode, and a liquid repellent property on a surface of the insulating layer changes according to an electric potential difference between the electrode and an electroconductive liquid droplet on the surface, and a third electrode which cooperates with the second electrode to detect the liquid droplet on the second electrode. Consequently, it is possible to transport a liquid droplet between two areas, and also to detect as to in which area out of the two areas, the liquid droplet exists.
Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet; a nozzle defining an opening through which ink is ejected, the nozzle including a crown portion and a skirt portion depending from the crown portion; wall portion extending from the substrate towards the nozzle and bounding the ink inlet; thermal bend actuator assembly mounted to the substrate assembly; and a lever arm extending from the thermal bend actuator to the nozzle, the lever arm supporting the nozzle above the wall portion. The thermal bend actuator assembly is adapted to actuate the lever arm such that the crown portion of the nozzle is displaced with respect to the wall portion, whereby ink contained in the nozzle is ejected out through the opening.
Abstract: An inkjet printhead having an array of ink chambers is disclosed. Each ink chamber has a nozzle and a heater element for generating vapour bubbles to eject ink through the nozzle. The heater element has multiple current paths connected in parallel. Each current path has at least one portion with a reduced cross-section relative to the remainder of the current path. A cross bracing structure is also provided for connecting intermediate portions of the current paths.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 8, 2010
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Assignee:
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Inventors:
Matthew Taylor Worsman, Mehdi Azimi, Kia Silverbrook
Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects droplets of high viscosity ink. A liquid droplet of an electrically conductive liquid in the liquid droplet ejection head is ejected from the head, which is provided with difference in potential between the head and an opposing medium, toward the medium. Electricity is conducted between the head and the medium through a tail of the liquid droplet.
Abstract: A printhead is provided having chambers for fluid, ejection ports defined in the chambers, and ejection arms positioned in the chambers, each arm having a displacement area which is displaced against fluid in the respective chamber to eject the fluid from the respective ejection port. Each displacement area is greater than half an area of the respective ejection port and less than twice the area of that ejection port.
Abstract: A micro-electromechanical ejection mechanism is disclosed for ejecting an ink droplet. The mechanism has a wafer substrate and an ink chamber formed on the wafer substrate. The ink chamber has an ink ejection nozzle formed in a roof thereof and an ink inlet port formed in a floor thereof. A paddle device is arranged inside the ink chamber between the inlet port and the ejection nozzle A bi-layer thermal actuator coil is also included with a first end thereof fast with the substrate and a second end connected to the paddle device. Heating of the thermal actuator coil displaces the paddle device, causing ejection of an ink droplet through the ink ejection nozzle.
Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection heads and methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads are provided, including those that use a non-conventional substrate and methods for making large array micro-fluid ejection heads. One such ejection head includes a substrate having a device surface with a plurality of fluid ejection actuator devices and a pocket disposed adjacent thereto. A chip associated with the plurality of fluid ejection actuator devices is attached in the chip pocket adjacent to the device surface of the substrate. A conductive material is deposited adjacent to the device surface of the substrate and in electrical communication with the chip.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 22, 2010
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Assignee:
Lexmark International, Inc.
Inventors:
Frank Edward Anderson, Jeanne Marie Saldanha Singh, Carl Edmond Sullivan, Sean Terrence Weaver
Abstract: Concave portions are provided at both side faces of the reinforcing plate in the juxtaposition direction of the actuators on a discharge face side in which the nozzle orifices are opened. Second exposed portions, in which corner portions that include the discharge face sides of convex portions formed by the concave portions and the side faces of the reinforcing plate are exposed, are provided at both side faces of the case in the juxtaposition direction of the actuators.
Abstract: A capacitive load driving device includes a drive waveform generator adapted to generate a drive waveform signal, a subtraction section adapted to output a differential signal between the drive waveform signal and two feedback signals, a modulator adapted to perform pulse modulation on the differential signal to obtain a modulated signal; a digital power amplifier adapted to power-amplify the modulated signal to obtain an amplified digital signal, a low pass filter including an inductor and a capacitor, and adapted to smooth the amplified digital signal to obtain a drive signal of a capacitive load, a first feedback circuit adapted to feedback the drive signal to the subtraction section as a first feedback signal, and a second feedback circuit adapted to set forward a phase of the drive signal and to feed back the drive signal to the subtraction section as a second feedback signal.
Abstract: A flow path regulating member for regulating an ink flow path leading into the channels is formed on the rear side of the head chip by exposure and development through lamination of the photo masks having an opening of a predetermined pattern, after a photosensitive resin film has been bonded on the rear side of the head chip by heat and pressure without using an adhesive; this head chip being characterized in that the channels, and drive walls made up of piezoelectric elements are arranged alternately, the apertures of the channels are arranged on the front side and rear side, respectively, and drive electrodes are formed in channels.
Abstract: An inkjet printhead with a resistive heaters for vaporizing ink to eject drops through respective nozzles. The heater is formed from a TiAlX alloy where Ti contributes more than 40% by weight, Al contributes more than 40% by weight and X contributes less than 5% by weight and comprises zero or more of Ag, Cr, Mo, Nb, Si, Ta and W.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2008
Date of Patent:
September 27, 2011
Assignee:
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Inventors:
Angus John North, Jennifer Mia Fishburn, Lakshmi Channarayapatna
Abstract: A MEMS integrated circuit comprises: a silicon substrate having a passivated CMOS layer, a MEMS layer disposed on the passivated CMOS layer, and a polymer layer disposed on the MEMS layer. The CMOS layer comprises drive circuitry for actuating actuator devices in the MEMS layer and the polymer layer comprises a polymerized siloxane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 11, 2010
Date of Patent:
September 27, 2011
Assignee:
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Inventors:
Gregory John McAvoy, Kia Silverbrook, Emma Rose Kerr, Misty Bagnat, Vincent Patrick Lawlor
Abstract: An inkjet printhead for an inkjet printer includes a wafer substrate defining an ink supply channel therethrough; side wall portions extending away from a surface of the wafer substrate; a nozzle layer supported on the side wall portions and extending parallel to the surface of the wafer substrate, the nozzle layer and the side wall portions defining an array of nozzle chambers, the nozzle layer defining ink ejection ports and etchant holes, the etchant holes being of sufficient diameter to retain ink in the nozzle chamber by surface tension; and a plurality of thermal actuators cantilevered on the wafer substrate, each thermal actuator being respectively positioned in a nozzle chambers to partition the nozzle chamber. A portion of each thermal actuator facing away from a respective ink ejection port is hydrophobic to facilitate the forming of an air bubble between the thermal actuator and the wafer substrate.
Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer that has a printhead integrated circuit with nozzles for ejecting ink, and a support structure for supporting the printhead IC. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the nozzles with ink and a fluidic damper containing gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink within the ink conduits to dissipate the pressure pulse. Damping pressure pulses using gas compression can be achieved with small volumes of gas. This preserves a compact design while avoiding any nozzle flooding from transient spikes in the ink pressure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 21, 2007
Date of Patent:
September 27, 2011
Assignee:
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Inventors:
Brian Robert Brown, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Paul Timothy Sharp, John Douglas Peter Morgan, Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Michael John Hudson, Christopher Hibbard, Samuel George Mallinson, Paul Justin Reichl
Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by discharging a liquid droplet from a nozzle hole to the sheet, includes a voltage applying part that applies a voltage to an electrostatic attraction member to cause the electrostatic attraction member to attract the sheet, and acts as an electrically charging part that causes the liquid droplet to be electrically charged; and a checking part that detects an electrical charge or an induced electric current of the liquid droplet that has been electrically charged, for checking a state of the liquid droplet being discharged from the nozzle hole, wherein an electric potential applied by the voltage applying part is different between at a time when the liquid droplet is separating from the nozzle hole and at a time when the liquid droplet is flying.
Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a ceramic nozzle plate having a plurality of movable portions defined therein and a polymeric material covering the nozzle plate and the plurality of movable portions.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 30, 2011
Publication date:
September 22, 2011
Inventors:
Gregory John McAvoy, Kia Silverbrook, Emma Rose Kerr, Misty Bagnat, Vincent Patrick Lawlor
Abstract: A printhead has a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining a nozzle chamber, said chamber having a roof wall with an ink ejection port defined therein and an ink supply channel defined through the substrate for supplying the chamber with ink; a magnetic coil arrangement positioned around the inlet of the nozzle chamber; bridge members spanning over the magnetic coil arrangement, the bridge members being supported on support posts protruding from the magnetic coil arrangement and having a resilient characteristic; and a magnetic paddle supported from the bridge members over the inlet, the magnetic paddle for ejecting ink from the chamber via the ejection port.
Abstract: To improve a space factor of a liquid jet head to improve flexibility in designing a liquid jet recording apparatus, and to improve the ability to collect excess liquid to prevent contamination with excess liquid and stabilize jetting of liquid after the liquid is filled, provided is a liquid jet head including a nozzle guard (24) formed so as to cover a nozzle plate (31), the nozzle guard (24) including a top plate portion (24a), the top plate portion being disposed away from a surface of the nozzle plate (31) and having a slit (24c) formed therein so as to be opposed to a nozzle column (31c), and an airtight portion (24) for hermetically sealing space between a peripheral portion of the top plate portion (24a) and the nozzle plate (31), and in which an absorber (60) for absorbing excess ink (Y) which overflows from nozzle holes (31a) is disposed between the top plate portion (24a) of the nozzle guard (24) and the nozzle plate (31).
Abstract: The present invention provides an inkjet recording head and inkjet recording device which can eject a high viscosity ink at ordinary temperature. The inkjet recording head has a nozzle portion ejecting an ink drop; an ink flow path member including the nozzle portion; and a driving section moving the ink flow path member in an ink drop ejecting direction and an opposite direction. The driving section moves the ink flow path member in the ink drop ejecting direction, and applies inertia in the ejecting direction to internal ink by one of suddenly stopping the ink flow path member and moving the ink flow path member in the opposite direction, and makes the ink drop be ejected from the nozzle portion.
Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a plurality of inkjet nozzles arranged in nozzle rows. Each nozzle row has a respective row of drive transistors. Drive transistors corresponding to one nozzle row are interleaved with drive transistors corresponding to an adjacent nozzle row.
Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for ejecting droplets of a fluid material, comprising: a reservoir for storing the material, a channel connected with the reservoir, which is provided with at least one outflow opening from which, in use, flows a jet of the material breaking up into droplets, a pump for pressurizing the fluid material in the reservoir, so as to pass the material under pressure through the channel in the direction of the outflow opening, and a movable member provided in the reservoir, the member formed by a plurality of surfaces shaped to induce a pressure variation in the fluid material upstream of the outflow opening, for the purpose of obtaining the jet breaking up into droplets; the movable member mounted to have each opposed surface receiving identical hydrostatic pressure, to generate a net resulting zero force exerted on the movable member by the hydrostatic pressure. Accordingly, a simple mechanism is provided for providing multiple printing nozzles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 12, 2009
Publication date:
September 1, 2011
Applicant:
Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast- natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
Inventors:
Frederikus Johannes Maria de Vreede, Antonius Paulus Aulbers, Rene Jos Houben
Abstract: A micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement for a printhead integrated circuit the nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber bounded by a distal sidewall and a proximal sidewall, and capped by a roof defining an ink ejection port; a paddle located in the nozzle chamber below the ink ejection port; an actuator arm positioned outside of the nozzle chamber in the vicinity of the proximal sidewall, the actuator arm having a fixed end fixed to a substrate of the nozzle arrangement and a working end displaceable towards and away from the substrate; and a motion transmitting structure interconnecting the working end of the actuator arm and the paddle. The motion transmitting structure defines part of the proximal sidewall.
Abstract: A printhead is provided having a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles defined therethrough and a plurality of adjacently arranged structures on which the nozzle plate is formed. The structures have a plurality of passages for distributing fluid to the nozzles and each structure has elongate apertures to the passages. The long dimension of the elongate apertures in the abutting sides of adjacent structures are angled relative to each other.