Printhead structure
View Patent ↗This invention relates to an ink supply arrangement for a printhead of an print engine. The printhead has an array of MEMS ink ejection devices mounted on a surface of a wafer and an ink supply passage extending through the wafer from an opposed surface of the wafer to each ink ejection device. The ink ejection devices are arranged in groups. Accordingly, the ink supply arrangement includes a block of silicon material mountable on the opposed surface of the wafer. The block has a plurality of channels defined therein which open out into a first surface of the block in abutment with the opposed surface of the wafer. Ink supply inlet openings are in communication with each channel. These inlet openings open out into a second surface of the block.
1. A print engine comprising:
a plurality of ink reservoirs;
a plurality of first passages each in fluid flow communication with a respective reservoir;
a plurality of second passages, each corresponding with a respective one of said first passage, the second passages being spaced from the first passages;
a plurality of third passages, each connecting, in fluid flow communication, a first passage with its corresponding second passage; and
a plurality of microelectromechanical (MEMS) ink ejection devices connected in fluid flow communication with each second passage,
wherein a first silicon wafer defines at least part of each second and each third passage.
2. An elongate printhead structure comprising:
a plurality of first parallel ink passages extending longitudinally relative to the printhead;
a plurality of second parallel ink passages, spaced from the first passages and extending longitudinally relative to the printhead, each second passage corresponding with a respective one of said first passages;
a plurality of third passages, each connecting in fluid flow communication, a first passage with its corresponding second passage, wherein each third passage extends substantially transversely relative to the printhead;
a plurality of fourth passages opening into each second passage, each fourth passage extending substantially transversely relative to the printhead; and
a plurality of individual microelectromechanical (MEMS) ink ejection devices, each device being connected with a respective fourth passage,
wherein a first silicon wafer defines at least part of each second and each third passage.
3. The structure of claim 2 wherein each second passage is of smaller width than the respective corresponding first passage.
4. The structure of claim 2 further comprising an ink distributor moulding defining a plurality of channels, each channel corresponding with, and opening into, a respective first passage.
5. The structure of claim 4 wherein each channel is connected with an end of the respective first passage.
6. The structure of claim 4 wherein each channel is connected in fluid flow communication with an ink supply reservoir.
7. The structure of claim 2 further comprising a second silicon wafer which is superposed on the first wafer and which defines said fourth passage.
8. The structure of claim 7 wherein the second silicon wafer defines part of each second passage.
9. The structure of claim 7 wherein each second passage extends along, and opens through, a face of the first wafer, the second wafer being joined to said face.
10. The structure of claim 2 further comprising a pair of elongate printhead components, one of said components defining a plurality of longitudinal recesses and the other of said components covering said recesses so that the recesses constitute said first passages.
11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said one component defines at least a part of each third passage.