Nozzle arrangement incorporating a thermal actuator mechanism with ink ejection paddle
View Patent ↗A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an ink supply channel. A nozzle chamber structure extends from the substrate assembly. The nozzle chamber structure defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel and a nozzle rim through which ink from the nozzle chamber can be ejected. A thermal actuator mechanism is anchored to the substrate assembly. The thermal actuator mechanism includes an ink ejection paddle extending across the nozzle chamber between the ink inlet channel and the nozzle rim so that, upon actuation, the paddle moves to eject ink in the nozzle chamber out through the nozzle rim.
1. A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle arrangement comprising:
a substrate assembly defining an ink supply channel;
a nozzle chamber structure extending from the substrate assembly, and defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel and a nozzle rim defining an ink ejection port; and
a thermal actuator mechanism anchored to the substrate assembly, and having an ink ejection paddle extending across the nozzle chamber between the ink supply channel and the nozzle rim, wherein
the thermal actuator mechanism includes a post anchored to the substrate assembly with the ink ejection paddle pivotally mounted to the post, and
the thermal actuator mechanism further comprises two conductive layers disposed on opposite sides of the ink ejection paddle in the vicinity of the post, the two conductive layers terminating before the nozzle chamber.
2. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the paddle is circular in plan.
3. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzle chamber structure defines an ink spread prevention pit around the nozzle rim.