Printer nozzle for ejecting ink
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a printer nozzle for ejecting ink. The printer nozzle includes a body defining a chamber in which the ink can be provided. The body has an ejection aperture through which ink can be ejected. Additionally, the printer nozzle includes a flexible diaphragm for extending across a diaphragm aperture in the body. In use, ink is ejected through the aperture when the diaphragm flexes into the chamber.
1. A printer nozzle for ejecting ink, the printer nozzle comprising:
a body defining a chamber, the body having an ejection aperture through which ink can be ejected; and
a flexible diaphragm for extending across a diaphragm aperture in the body, the diaphragm comprising a plurality of corrugations, wherein ridges and troughs of said corrugations extend in a first linear direction across said aperture; the diaphragm further comprising a plurality of conductors which, in use, extend through a magnetic field, the diaphragm flexing when current flows through the conductors, the conductors extending along said diaphragm substantially transverse to said corrugations; the diaphragm being sized so that at least one gap is provided between the diaphragm and the body;
wherein, in use, ink supplied to the chamber through the gap is ejected through the ejection aperture when the diaphragm flexes into the chamber.
2. A printer nozzle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ejection aperture is located on an opposing side of the body with respect to the diaphragm aperture.
3. A printer nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in use, opposing ends of the diaphragm are attached to the body.
4. A printer nozzle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conductors extend to over said body.
5. A printer nozzle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conductors are arranged parallel to each other.
6. A printer nozzle assembly comprising:
a printer nozzle as claimed in claim 1 ; and
a magnet for providing the magnetic field.
7. A printer nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gap is formed between said diaphragm and said body at an end of said corrugations.
8. A printer nozzle as claim in claim 7 wherein a gap is formed between said diaphragm and said body at each end of said corrugations.