Inkjet nozzle incorporating a cleaning structure
View Patent ↗An inkjet nozzle comprises a substrate defining an ink supply channel. A wall is mounted to the substrate and surrounds the ink supply channel. A support is mounted to the substrate and an actuator arm extends from the support. A movable cover is fast with the actuator arm and defines an ink outlet. The cover and the wall together define an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply. Upon actuation of the actuator arm in use, the cover can move along the wall so as to reduce the volume of the ink chamber and thereby force ink through the outlet.
1. An inkjet nozzle comprising:
a substrate defining an ink supply channel;
a wall mounted to the substrate and surrounding the ink supply channel;
a support mounted to the substrate;
an actuator arm extending from the support; and
a movable cover fast with the actuator arm and defining an ink outlet, the cover and the wall together defining an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply, such that, upon actuation of the actuator arm in use, the cover can move along the wall to reduce the volume of the ink chamber and thereby force ink through the outlet.
2. An inkjet nozzle as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a bridge extending across the ink supply channel.
3. An inkjet nozzle as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising a post extending from the bridge toward the outlet.
4. An inkjet nozzle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wall defines a recess in which ink can collect.
5. An inkjet nozzle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cover defines a funnel extending into the ink chamber with the outlet at its apex.
6. An inkjet nozzle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outlet is in register with the ink supply channel.
7. An inkjet nozzle as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a ledge defining a boundary between the ink supply channel and the ink chamber.