IP Library Granted Patent US 7,416,284
Granted Patent B2
US 7,416,284 · App. 11/829,941 · Granted Aug 26, 2008

Inkjet unit cell with dual heater elements

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,416,284
App. No.
11/829,941
Granted
Aug 26, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A unit cell is provided for an inkjet printhead. The unit cell includes a multilayered substrate defining an ink inlet passage. Walls extend from the substrate. A nozzle plate is supported by the walls to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet passage. The nozzle plate further includes a nozzle rim bounding an aperture in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. Dual looped and elongate heater elements are suspended within the nozzle chamber which, when heated, cause ink in the nozzle chamber to be output through the aperture.

Claims (12)

1. A unit cell for an inkjet printhead, the unit cell comprising:

a multilayered substrate defining an ink inlet passage;

walls extending from the substrate;

a nozzle plate supported by the walls to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet passage, the nozzle plate having a nozzle rim defining an aperture in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber; and

dual looped and elongate heater elements suspended within the nozzle chamber which, when heated, cause ink in the nozzle chamber to be output through the aperture,

wherein the nozzle plate defines a well surrounding the rim to impede the spread of any spilled ink.

2. A unit cell as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the heater elements are of different sizes relative to each other and are electrically connected together in series.

3. A unit cell as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each heater element terminates in a pair of electrodes which are thicker than the element so that more electrical resistance is provided by the element than the electrodes.

4. A unit cell as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each heater element is connected to a current supply configured to generate pulse currents.

5. A unit cell as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each heater element is embedded in the walls.

6. A unit cell as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each heater element extends substantially entirely across the nozzle chamber.

7. A unit cell as claimed in claim 6 , wherein each heater element has a plurality of concentric portions.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2014
From: ZAMTEC LIMITED
To: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033244/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028568/0757 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2007
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA; NORTH, ANGUS JOHN
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 019619/0564 →