Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection heads and methods for extending the life of micro-fluid ejection heads. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having a plurality of thermal ejection actuators. Each of the thermal ejection actuators has a resistive layer and a protective layer thereon. A flow feature member is adjacent the substrate and defines a fluid feed channel, a fluid chamber associated with at least one of the actuators and in flow communication with the fluid feed channel, and a nozzle. The nozzle is offset to a side of the chamber opposite the feed channel. A polymeric layer having a degradation temperature of less than about 400° C. overlaps a portion of the at least one actuator associated with the fluid chamber and positioned less than about five microns from at least an edge of the at least one actuator opposite the fluid feed channel.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided herein, such as those that use non-conventional substrates. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having first and second glass layers disposed adjacent to a surface thereof and a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed adjacent to the second glass layer. The first glass layer is thicker than the second glass layer and the second glass layer has a surface roughness of no greater than about 75 ? Ra.

Abstract: A MEMS vapor bubble generator with a chamber for holding liquid and a heater positioned in the chamber for heating the liquid above its bubble nucleation point to form a vapor bubble; wherein, the heater has a microstructure with a grain size less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A method of making a micro-fluid ejection head structure and micro-fluid ejection heads made by the method. The method includes applying a tantalum oxide layer to a surface of a fluid ejection actuator disposed on a device surface of a substrate so that the tantalum oxide layer is the topmost layer of a plurality of layers including a resistive layer, and a protective layer selected from a passivation layer, a cavitation layer, and a combination of a passivation layer and a cavitation layer. The tantalum oxide layer has a thickness (t) that satisfies an equation t=(¼*W/n), wherein W is a wavelength of radiation from a radiation source, and n is a refractive index of the tantalum oxide layer. A photoimageable layer is also applied to the substrate. The photoimageable layer is imaged with the radiation source and then developed.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit having a monolithic wafer substrate supporting an array of droplet ejectors for ejecting drops of printing fluid onto print media. Each drop ejector has a nozzle and an actuator for ejecting a drop of printing fluid through the nozzle. The array has more than 10000 of the droplet ejectors so that it provides a high nozzle pitch and the printhead has a very high ‘true’ print resolution—i.e. the high number of dots per inch is achieved by a high number of nozzles per inch.

Abstract: An ink jet nozzle assembly is provided having a wafer substrate defining an ink supply passage, a drive circuitry layer formed on the wafer substrate, an ink chamber structure on the drive circuitry layer, the ink chamber structure defining an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply passage and an ink ejection port, and a layered actuator having a first layer electrically coupled to the drive circuitry layer so that the drive circuitry layer can electrically actuate the actuator to thereby eject ink from the ink ejection port.

Abstract: A recording head configured to discharge ink from a nozzle includes a cantilever and a liquid chamber. The cantilever has a free end and a fixed end and bends to generate a pressure for discharging ink. The liquid chamber communicates with the nozzle. The cantilever is disposed in the liquid chamber. The cantilever has a stepped portion on or in a surface facing the nozzle and in the vicinity of the free end.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes a wafer substrate defining an inlet channel; a nozzle chamber wall and a roof wall positioned on the wafer substrate to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the inlet channel, the roof wall defining an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber; a paddle positioned in the nozzle chamber and reciprocally displaceable to eject ink from the ejection port; and an actuating arm extending through the nozzle chamber wall and connected to the paddle, the actuating arm comprising an actuating portion having a pair of actuating members, one of the actuating members including a heating circuit. On receipt of an electrical signal to the exclusion of the other actuating member, the actuating arm is displaced in a first direction. The actuating arm is comprised of a resiliently flexible material, whereby on cessation of the electrical signal, the actuating arm is displaced in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit (IC) with a planar array of droplet ejectors, each having data distribution circuitry, a drive transistor, a printing fluid inlet, an actuator, a chamber and a nozzle, the chamber being configured to hold printing fluid adjacent the nozzle so that the drive transistor activates the actuator to eject a droplet of the printing fluid through the nozzle. The array has more than 700 of the droplet ejectors per square millimeter. With a high density of droplet ejectors fabricated on a wafer substrate, the nozzle array has a high nozzle pitch and the printhead has a very high ‘true’ print resolution—i.e. the high number of dots per inch is achieved by a high number of nozzles per inch.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement ejects ink through apertures that each have an externally projecting peripheral rim. The nozzle arrangement has a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet passage and including heater element drive circuitry, a nozzle chamber structure formed on the substrate assembly, the nozzle chamber structure defining nozzle chambers in fluid communication with the ink inlet passage and apertures through which ink in each of the nozzle chambers can be ejected, and heater elements positioned between the drive circuitry and the apertures. The heater elements are connected to the drive circuitry and are individually supplied with current to eject ink from one of the apertures respectively.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for preventing oxidation or contamination during a circuit printing operation. The circuit printing operation can be directed to OLED-type printing. In an exemplary embodiment, the printing process is conducted at a load-locked printer housing having one or more of chambers. Each chamber is partitioned from the other chambers by physical gates or fluidic curtains. A controller coordinates transportation of a substrate through the system and purges the system by timely opening appropriate gates. The controller may also control the printing operation by energizing the print-head at a time when the substrate is positioned substantially thereunder.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead has a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement comprises an ink chamber having an ink supply channel and an ink ejection port; an ink spreading prevention rim provided around and spaced apart from the ink ejection port to define a pit between the ink ejection port and the ink spreading prevention rim; and a thermal actuator mechanism configured to operatively eject ink from the chamber via the ejection port. The plurality of nozzle arrangement are grouped into pods, each pod having two rows of nozzle arrangements spatially staggered with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink jet recording ink containing a self-dispersion pigment having a lactone group and a carboxyl group, an organic carboxylic acid salt, water and a water-soluble substance having a coefficient of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity of 0.37 or more as defined by the following equation (A), and having a surface tension of 34 mN/m or less.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet print head having plural types of nozzles arranged on the same substrate and through which ink droplets of different sizes are ejected, the ink jet print head exhibiting acceptable ejection performance regardless of the type of the nozzle. Thus, according to the present invention, each of the plural types of nozzles includes a bubbling chamber having an ejection energy generating element allowing an ink droplet to be ejected to a position located opposite an ejection port and an ejection port portion allowing the ejection port and the bubbling chamber to communicate with each other. Ratio of opening area of the ejection port portion at a position where the ejection port portion and the bubbling chamber communicate with each other, to the opening area of the ejection port is higher for the nozzle with a smaller ejection amount.

Abstract: A nozzle device for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink supply; a chamber-defining layer defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle opening and the ink supply; an actuating arm coupled to the substrate assembly and terminating in a paddle separating the ink supply and nozzle chamber, the actuating arm configured to pivot during actuation to cause ink within the nozzle chamber to be ejected out through the nozzle opening; and a movement sensor configured to determine the degree or rate of pivotal movement of the actuating arm. The actuating arm further includes a bridge between the paddle and the thermal bend portion which supports a portion of the chamber-defining layer.

Abstract: A printing head, an ink jet printing apparatus, and an ink jet printing method can achieve high-speed printing while realizing a high-quality image. An ejection port face where an ejection port of the printing head is located is formed so that the normal line thereof intersects with an axis line of a nozzle at a predetermined angle. The ejection port face inclines in a relative moving direction of the printing head with a printing medium as a reference.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead and a manufacturing method thereof include a substrate on which a space portion is formed, a passage plate installed on the substrate in which an ink chamber is formed to store ink, a nozzle plate installed at a top surface of the passage plate in which a nozzle is formed to eject the ink, and a vibration plate disposed between the substrate and the passage plate to generate a pressure for ejecting the ink by changing a volume of the ink chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a micro-electromechanical fluid ejection mechanism. The mechanism includes a substrate defining an ink passage in fluid communication with a tapered ink chamber having an ink ejection port, as well as a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator arranged within the chamber. The actuator is configured to straighten when heated and to return to a bent state upon subsequent cooling to facilitate ejection of ink via the ejection port.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having corresponding nozzles, chambers and heaters. Each heater has a heater element and electrodes connecting current from a power source to the heater elements to heat, and form gas bubbles in, liquid within the chambers which causes ejection of the liquid from the nozzles. Each heater element has a cross section with a lateral dimension at least triple that of the thickness of that heater element and different than a lateral dimension of each other heater element of the corresponding chamber. The thickness of each heater element is less than 0.3 microns. The heater elements and associated electrodes are arranged so that the electrodes are non-coincident with the electrodes of the other heater elements.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with planar thermal actuators, with contacts directly deposited onto the CMOS electrodes and suspended heater element, which avoids hotspots caused by vertical or inclined surfaces so that the contacts can be much smaller structures without acceptable increases in resistive losses. Low resistive losses preserves the efficient operation of a suspended heater element and the small contact size is convenient for close nozzle packing on the printhead.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having nozzles and heaters having heater elements and electrodes connecting current from a power source to the heater elements to heat, and form gas bubbles in, liquid within the nozzles which causes ejection of the liquid from the nozzles. The heaters are formed of layers of a single material. A first layer of the single material has portions of different thickness respectively defining the heater elements and electrodes. A second layer of the single material overlaying and spaced from the first layer has a single thickness defining the electrodes.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead including a substrate, a plurality of heaters, multiple pairs of leads, an ink chamber layer, and a nozzle plate is provided. The substrate has a top surface and a plurality of ink channels through the substrate in the direction substantially vertical to the top surface. The heaters, the multiple pairs of leads, and the ink chamber layer are disposed on the surface of the substrate. The multiple pairs of leads are electrically coupled to the corresponding heaters respectively, and the heaters are respectively adjacent to the corresponding ink channels. The ink chamber layer has a plurality of ink chambers which respectively expose the corresponding heaters and the corresponding ink channels. The nozzle plate is disposed on the ink chamber layer and has a plurality of nozzles through the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead includes a printhead controller; a wafer substrate defining a plurality of inlets; and a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements on the wafer substrate and under control of the controller. Each nozzle arrangement includes side walls disposed on the wafer substrate with a roof portion attached to said side walls to define a printing fluid chamber in fluid communication with one inlet, the roof portion defining an ejection port; and at least two heater elements suspended between the side walls in the fluid chamber for forming a vapour bubble in response to electrical actuation energy being applied thereto, whereby a pressure increase in the chamber is effected and fluid in the fluid chamber ejected therefrom via the ejection port. The controller is configured to actuate the at least two heater elements individually to facilitate ejection of weighted ink drop volumes from the nozzle arrangement.

Abstract: A thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of elements, is provided. The actuator includes a first active element for connection to drive circuitry a second passive element mechanically cooperating with the first element. When a current is passed through the first element, the first element expands relative to the second element, resulting in bending of the actuator. The second element includes a material having negative thermal expansion.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles, a bubble forming chamber corresponding to each of the nozzles respectively, the bubble forming chambers adapted to contain a bubble forming liquid; and at least one looped heater element disposed in each of the bubble forming chambers respectively, the heater elements configured for thermal contact with the bubble forming liquid; wherein heating of the looped heater element to a temperature above the boiling point of the bubble forming liquid forms a gas bubble that causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid through the nozzle corresponding to that heater element.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with an array of nozzles and corresponding actuators for ejecting ink through the nozzles, the nozzles being arranged in rows such that the nozzle centres are collinear; wherein, the nozzle pitch along each row is greater than 1000 nozzles per inch. By configuring the components of the unit cell (the repeating chamber, nozzle and actuator unit) such that the overall width of the unit is reduced, the same number of nozzles can be arranged into a single row instead of two staggered and opposing rows without sacrificing any print resolution (d.p.i.). One row of drive circuitry simplifies the CMOS. fabrication and connection to a print engine controller for receiving print data. Alternatively, the unit cell configuration used in the present invention can be arranged into opposing rows that are staggered with respect to each other to effectively double the print resolution—in the case of the preferred embodiment, to 3200 d.p.i.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has an array of nozzles arranged in adjacent rows, each nozzle having an ejection aperture and a corresponding actuator for ejecting printing fluid through the ejection aperture, each actuator having electrodes spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the rows. It also has drive circuitry for transmitting electrical power to the electrodes. The electrodes of the actuators in adjacent rows have opposing polarities such that the actuators in adjacent rows have opposing current flow directions. By reversing the polarity of the electrodes in adjacent rows, the punctuations in the power plane of the CMOS can be kept to the outside edges of the adjacent rows. This moves one line of narrow resistive bridges between the punctuations to a position where the electrical current does not flow through them. This eliminates their resistance from the actuators drive circuit.

Abstract: For providing a base for a liquid discharge head having an internal surface of a liquid flow path and a discharge port, suppressed in swelling by liquid and having high precision and high reliability, the base including a base member, an energy generating element for discharging a liquid, formed on the base member, and a resin structure having a liquid discharge port for discharging the liquid and disposed on the base member so as to cover the energy generating element, is provided with a protective layer. The protective layer is formed by a catalytic chemical vapor deposition on a surface of the resin structure in which the liquid discharge port is opened.

Abstract: A heater stack includes first strata configured to support and form a fluid heater element responsive to repetitive electrical activation and deactivation to produce cycles of fluid ejection and second strata overlying the first strata to protect the heater element. A decomposed sacrificial layer of a preselected polymer between the substrate and a heater substrata containing the heater element provides a decoupled relationship between them which, during a heat-up period of each cycle, results in the heater element buckling out of physical contact with substrate enabling the heater element to transfer heat energy for producing fluid ejection into the fluid without transferring any into the substrate whereas the decoupled relationship, during the next following cool-down period of each cycle, results in the heater element de-buckling back into physical contact with the substrate enabling the heater element transfer residual heat energy to the substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle arrangement is provided having a wafer defining an ink chamber for holding ink and a chamber roof covering the ink chamber. The chamber roof has an ink ejection port supported by a plurality of outwardly extending bridge members and a plurality of elongate heater elements interleaved between the bridge members for causing ejection of ink held in the ink chamber through the ink ejection port.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit comprising a substrate having a plurality of nozzle assemblies. A nozzle plate has a plurality of nozzles openings defined therein and each nozzle opening corresponds to a respective nozzle assembly. Each nozzle assembly havs a respective nozzle chamber and a heater element positioned in the nozzle chamber. Each heater element is suspended in the nozzle chamber and parallel with a plane of the nozzle plate. The integrated circuit includes drive circuitry for controlling actuation of the heater elements. Each heater element includes solid material having a thickness of at least 0.25 microns and a mass of less than 10 nanograms.

Abstract: An aqueous ink to be used in an ink jet recording method that an ink is ejected from a recording head by the action of thermal energy, wherein the ink contains a pigment, a polymer and a water-soluble organic solvent, the hydrophilicity ?m of the pigment falls within a range of from 21.5 or more to 23.5 or less, and the content (mass %) of the water-soluble organic solvent is from 5.0 mass % or more to 17.5 mass % or less with respect to the whole mass of the aqueous ink.

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.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a chamber, a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel each communicated with the chamber, a first peninsula extended along the first fluid channel and a second peninsula extended along the second fluid channel, and a first sidewall extended between the first peninsula and the chamber, and a second sidewall extended between the second peninsula and the chamber. The first sidewall is oriented at a first angle to the chamber and the second sidewall is oriented at a second angle to the chamber such that the second angle is different from the first angle.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has a nozzle layer defining an array of nozzle apertures and a substrate for supporting the nozzle layer, the substrate defining a flow path for an ejectable liquid to each nozzle. Each nozzle aperture has an associated heater element positioned for heating the ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a vapor bubble to eject a drop of the ejectable liquid through the nozzle aperture. The nozzle aperture is less than 5 microns thick in the drop ejection direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a plurality of liquid ejecting portions arrayed in a flat region on a substrate. The liquid ejecting portions each include a liquid chamber that accommodates liquid to be ejected, a heater element arranged in the liquid chamber, the heater element generating bubbles in liquid in the liquid chamber when heated, and a nozzle for ejecting liquid in the liquid chamber in accordance with generation of bubbles by the heater element.

Abstract: A highly reliable, compact, and inexpensive ink jet recording head, includes a liquid discharge substrate having on a front surface side a discharge port for discharging a liquid, and having, on a back surface side, a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid to be discharged from the discharge port, and an electrode for transmitting and receiving a signal to drive energy generation means for discharging the liquid from the discharge port; a film-like electrical wiring member joined to the back surface of the liquid discharge substrate, the film-like electrical wiring member including a liquid supply hole communicating with the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge substrate, and an electrical connection portion connected to the electrode; and a retaining member for retaining the liquid discharge substrate with the electrical wiring member interposed therebetween, the retaining member including a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge substrate.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition, including: an epoxy resin (A) represented by Formula (1); an epoxy resin (B) having an epoxy equivalent of 220 or less and having twice or more epoxy groups in a molecule than epoxy groups of the epoxy resin (A); and a photocationic polymerization initiator (C), in which: the epoxy resins (A) and (B) constitute main components; and a weight of the epoxy resin (A) is 40% or more and a weight of the epoxy resin (B) is 30% or more with respect to a total weight of the epoxy resins (A) and (B): where: R represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, or a t-butyl group; represents an integer of 0 or more and 4 or less; and m represents an integer of 1 or more and 3 or less.

Abstract: Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining an ink passage and a nozzle plate supported on said substrate by side walls to define an ink chamber operatively supplied with ink via said ink passage, the nozzle plate defining an ink ejection port surrounded by a nozzle rim. The arrangement also includes a heater element bonded to the nozzle plate about said ejection port inside the chamber for thermal ejection of ink from the chamber, wherein the heater element is bonded to the nozzle plate by means of a low thermal product layer to reduce thermal losses from the heater element to the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A composite ceramic substrate for receiving an ejection head chip for a micro-fluid ejection head and a method for making the composite ceramic substrate. The substrate includes a high temperature previously fired ceramic base having a substantially planarized first surface and at least one fluid supply slot therethrough. A low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) tape layer bundle having at least two LTCC tape layers is attached to the ceramic base at an interface between the LTCC tape layer bundle and the first surface of the ceramic base. The LTTC tape layer bundle has at least one chip pocket therein and at least one of the LTCC tape layers includes a plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an element substrate having thereon a plurality of heaters for generating energy for ejecting liquid; a plurality of liquid chambers provided on the element substrate and having ejection outlets for ejecting the liquid, wherein a plurality of the heaters are disposed in each of the liquid chambers, and wherein one part of the heaters and the other part of the heaters are switchably operable; and a switching unit for switching between a mode in which the one part of the heaters is actuated as main heaters, and the other part of the heaters stands by as stand-by heaters, and a mode in which the other part of the heaters is actuated as main heaters, and the one part of heaters stands by as stand-by heaters. A center of gravity of the one part of heaters and a center of gravity of the other part of heaters are aligned with each other in a plane of the element substrate, and surfaces of the heaters are protected by an anti-cavitation film comprising metal.

Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection devices, methods for making micro-fluid ejection heads, and micro-fluid ejection heads, including a micro-fluid ejection head. One such micro-fluid ejection head has relatively high resistance thin film heaters adjacent to a substrate. The thin film material comprises silicon, metal, and carbon (SiMC wherein M is a metal). Each thin film heater has a sheet resistance ranging from about 100 to about 600 ohms per square and a thickness ranging from about 100 to about 800 Angstroms.

Abstract: A discharge control unit controls discharge from a discharge electrode at low voltage, has a high density mounting based on downsizing of the discharge control portion eliminates electric leakage and has excellent discharge stability. The discharge control unit includes: a heating portion including at least one heat-generating body and driver ICs electrically connected to the heat-generating bodies and caused to generate heat by flowing an electric current to an optional point of one heat-generating body or selectively flowing the same to a plurality of heat-generating bodies; and a heat generation portion insulating film covered on at least the heat-generating bodies; and discharge electrodes, to which voltage is applied, disposed at the heat generation portion insulating film so as to correspond to the heat-generating bodies; wherein discharge is carried out from discharge portions of the discharge electrodes selectively heated by the heat-generating bodies.

Abstract: A nozzle device is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle device includes a substrate assembly defining an ink supply. A chamber-defining layer defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle opening and the ink supply. An actuating arm is coupled to the substrate assembly and terminates in a paddle separating the ink supply and the nozzle chamber. The arm includes a thermal bend portion proximal to the substrate assembly, and is configured to bend during actuation so that the paddle moves and causes ink within the nozzle chamber to be ejected out through the nozzle opening.

Abstract: A ink drop ejection device that has a nozzle and a bubble forming chamber for holding ejectable liquid. At least one heater element is suspended in the bubble forming chamber to heat the ejectable liquid to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble therein. The generation of the bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid (such as ink) through the nozzle to effect printing. The heater element is configured such that the strain of thermal expansion is not relieved by bending about its thinnest cross sectional dimension.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having a plurality of bubble forming chambers, ejection nozzles defined in the chambers, and heaters disposed in the chambers for heating bubble forming liquid in the chambers. Each heater has a bubble nucleation section of a smaller cross section than the rest of that heater. The bubble nucleation section is heated faster that the rest of the heater to cause formation of a gas bubble in the liquid and ejection of the bubbled liquid through the corresponding nozzle. The bubble nucleation section is co-planar with the rest of that heater and remains co-planar when the heater is heated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing head which ejects ink in response to generation a bubble in the ink accompanying the action of heat from a heater, and which preferably allows ejection energy to be effectively used, and desired attachment accuracy of a movable valve to be secured and maintained. To this end, employed is a two-body structure formed of a substrate including the heater; and a valve retaining member having the movable valve. Then, the effective use of ejection energy is achieved by appropriately selecting the shape and dimensions of the movable valve. Furthermore, the desired attachment accuracy is secured and maintained by attaching the valve retaining member to the substrate by applying a photolithography process without using an adhesive agent.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head, a liquid supply apparatus, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a liquid supply method can enable the channel resistance and pressure loss of liquid in the liquid ejection head to be reduced to increase the speed at which liquid is supplied to the nozzles. To achieve this, an ink supply chamber is placed so as to be laminated on a main ink supply chamber. A filter interposed between the main ink supply chamber and the ink supply chamber extends along a surface substantially parallel to a nozzle arrangement plane on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle chamber having a floor and a roof, the roof having a nozzle opening defined therein. A moving portion defines part of the roof so that the moving portion is moveable towards the floor. A thermal actuator defines part of the moving portion. The thermal actuator comprises a first active beam for connection to drive circuitry and a second passive beam mechanically cooperating with the first beam, such that when a current is passed through the first beam, the first beam expands relative to the second beam resulting in bending of the actuator. The first active beam is disposed on an upper surface of the passive beam relative to the floor.

Abstract: A droplet discharge head includes: a liquid reservoir which holds a liquid; a channel through which the liquid is guided to the liquid reservoir; and a driving element which changes the pressure in the liquid reservoir so as to discharge droplets of the liquid contained in the liquid reservoir through a nozzle, in which wall surfaces of the liquid reservoir and of the nozzle are arranged in a continuous line at a side opposite the channel with respect to the center of the nozzle as seen in a cross-sectional view through a central axis of the nozzle.