Inkjet nozzle comprising a motion-transmitting structure
An inkjet nozzle is provided. The nozzle comprises a displaceable actuator arm; a paddle for ejecting ink through an aperture defined in a roof of the nozzle; and a motion-transmitting structure interconnecting the actuator arm and the paddle. The motion-transmitting structure comprises: an effort formation; a lever arm formation; and a load formation, wherein the lever arm formation is interposed between the effort formation and the load formation.
1. An inkjet nozzle comprising:
a displaceable actuator arm;
a paddle for ejecting ink through an aperture defined in a roof of the nozzle; and
a motion-transmitting structure interconnecting the actuator arm and the paddle, wherein the motion-transmitting structure comprises:
an effort formation;
a lever arm formation; and
a load formation,
wherein the lever arm formation is interposed between the effort formation and the load formation.
2. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the effort formation extends from a working end of the actuator arm.
3. The inkjet nozzle of claim 2 , whereby upon reciprocal movement of the working end of the actuator arm, the lever arm formation pivots.
4. The inkjet nozzle of claim 3 , whereby the pivotal movement of the lever arm formation results in angular displacement of the paddle.
5. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the load formation extends from an end portion of the paddle.
6. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the lever arm formation is pivotally connected by connectors to the nozzle arrangement.
7. The inkjet nozzle of claim 6 , wherein the connectors are opposed flexural connectors.
8. The inkjet nozzle of claim 7 , wherein the flexural connectors are torsionally distorted upon pivotal movement of the lever arm formation.
9. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the load formation forms part of an end wall of the nozzle.
10. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the load formation and the effort formation are composite formations with a primary layer and secondary layer.
11. The inkjet nozzle of claim 10 , wherein the primary layer is formed from TiAIN and the secondary layer is formed from titanium.
12. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the paddle is fixed to the load formation.
13. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the paddle extends towards a distal end wall.
14. The inkjet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the paddle has corrugations.