Nozzle arrangement with inlet covering cantilevered actuator
View Patent ↗A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel. A nozzle extends from the substrate assembly. The nozzle defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel and a ink ejection port in fluid communication with the chamber. A cantilevered actuator extends into the ink inlet chamber and terminates in a paddle at its free end that can cover the ink inlet channel. The actuator includes a heater element which can be activated to bend the actuator so that the paddle ejects ink in the nozzle chamber through the ink ejection port.
1. A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle arrangement comprising:
a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel;
a nozzle extending from the substrate assembly, and defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the chamber; and
a cantilevered actuator extending into the nozzle chamber and terminating in a paddle at its free end which is configured to completely cover the ink inlet channel, the actuator comprising a heater element which can be activated to bend the actuator so that the paddle ejects ink in the nozzle chamber through the ink ejection port.
2. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the substrate assembly incorporates a drive circuitry layer coupled to the heater element.
3. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the heater element is arranged to define a pair of opposed and elongate serpentine portions extending, side by side, along the actuator.
4. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzle chamber tapers inwardly and linearly from the ink inlet channel to the ink ejection port.
5. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the substrate assembly incorporates a substrate, a drive circuitry layer positioned on the substrate, and a passivation layer positioned on the drive circuitry layer.
6. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is generally box shaped, and comprises a continuous rectangular wall and a substantially flat roof supported by the wall.
7. A inkjet printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle arrangements as claimed in claim 6 , wherein each adjacent pair of nozzle arrangements share a common portion of the wall.