Inkjet drop ejection apparatus with radially extending thermal actuators
View Patent ↗An inkjet drop ejection apparatus comprises an array of ink ejection nozzles; a chamber corresponding to each ink ejection nozzle and for storing ink; and a plurality of actuators provided on top of each chamber, the actuators radially extending out from a common center and defining an ink ejection port at the common center. Each actuator is comprised of first material of surrounding a conductive core of a second material. Each actuator is adapted to bend inward with respect to the chamber when heated.
1. An inkjet drop ejection apparatus comprising:
an array of ink ejection nozzles;
a chamber corresponding to each ink ejection nozzle and for storing ink; and
a plurality of actuators provided on top of each chamber, the actuators radially extending out from a common centre and defining an ink ejection port at the common centre, wherein
each actuator is comprised of first material surrounding a conductive core of a second material, and
each actuator is adapted to bend inward with respect to the chamber when heated.
2. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first material is polytetrafluoroethylene.
3. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second material is copper.
4. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive core has a serpentine shape.
5. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a central arm for supporting the plurality of actuators, the central arm being in substantially the same plane as the plurality of actuators.
6. The inkjet drop ejection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a width of each actuators increases with increasing distance from the common centre.