Inkjet printhead with reciprocating actuator
View Patent ↗An inkjet printhead integrated circuit includes a substrate defining an ink supply channel. An ink chamber structure is arranged on the substrate to define an ink chamber into which ink from the ink supply channel can be supplied and an ink ejection port from which ink can be ejected from the ink chamber and an internal rim interposed between the ink supply channel and the ink chamber. A support extends from the substrate outside the ink chamber. A thermal bend actuator extends from the support and terminates in a paddle within the ink chamber. The thermal bend actuator is configured to move the paddle towards and away from the ink ejection port upon actuation to eject ink in the ink chamber through the ink ejection port. A periphery of the paddle and the internal rim are shaped to limit flow of ink from the ink chamber back into the ink supply channel when the paddle is displaced towards the ink ejection port.
1. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit that comprises:
a substrate defining an ink supply channel;
an ink chamber structure arranged on the substrate to define an ink chamber into which ink from the ink supply channel can be supplied, an ink ejection port from which ink can be ejected from the ink chamber and an internal rim interposed between the ink supply channel and the ink chamber;
a support extending from the substrate outside the ink chamber; and
a thermal bend actuator which extends from the support and terminates in a paddle within the ink chamber, the thermal bend actuator being configured to move the paddle towards and away from the ink ejection port upon actuation to eject ink in the ink chamber through the ink ejection port, a periphery of the paddle and the internal rim being shaped to limit flow of ink from the ink chamber back into the ink supply channel when the paddle is displaced towards the ink ejection port.
2. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1 , in which the periphery of the paddle and the internal rim define complementary portions turned towards the ink ejection port.
3. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the paddle is corrugated to inhibit the flow of ink around the paddle during displacement of the paddle.
4. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the corrugated paddle defines a plurality of alternating peaks and troughs with each peak having any one of the following shapes: truncated pyramidal, elliptical, circular and arcuate.
5. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the paddle is linearly corrugated.
6. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the paddle is concentrically corrugated.
7. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the paddle defines a planar portion from which a peripheral lip extends toward the rim so as to form a recess that faces the rim.
8. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermal bend actuator comprises a pair of spaced arms with one of the arms being conductive and coupled to a current source such that the actuator experiences thermal differential expansion and contraction.