IP Library Granted Patent US 7,976,130
Granted Patent B2
US 7,976,130 · App. 12/627,997 · Granted Jul 12, 2011

Printhead micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement with motion-transmitting structure

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,976,130
App. No.
12/627,997
Granted
Jul 12, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement for a printhead integrated circuit featuring a nozzle chamber capped by an ink ejection port includes a paddle located in the nozzle chamber below the ink ejection port; an actuator arm having a fixed end fixed to the substrate and a working end displaceable towards and away from the substrate; and a motion transmitting structure interconnecting the working end of the actuator arm and a proximal end of the paddle. The actuator arm and the paddle are formed of the same material.

Claims (11)

1. A micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement for a printhead integrated circuit featuring a nozzle chamber capped by an ink ejection port, the nozzle arrangement comprising:

a paddle located in the nozzle chamber below the ink ejection port;

an actuator arm having a fixed end fixed to the substrate and a working end displaceable towards and away from the substrate; and

a motion transmitting structure interconnecting the working end of the actuator arm and a proximal end of the paddle, wherein

the actuator arm and the paddle are formed of the same material.

2. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the material is TiAlN.

3. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the motion-transmitting structure includes an effort formation extending from the working end of the actuator arm, and a load formation that extends from the proximal end portion of the paddle.

4. The nozzle arrangement of claim 3 , further comprising a lever arm formation interconnecting the effort and load formations, the lever arm formation pivotally connected between sidewalls of the chamber.

5. The nozzle arrangement of claim 4 , further comprising opposed flexural connectors for connecting the lever arm between opposed sidewalls of the nozzle chamber, the flexural connectors adapted to experience torsional distortion upon pivotal movement of the lever arm formation.

6. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the motion-transmitting structure and a roof of the nozzle chamber define a slotted opening for accommodating relative movement of the motion transmitting structure and the roof.

7. The nozzle arrangement of claim 6 , wherein the slotted opening is interposed between a pair of ridges extending from the motion-transmitting structure and the roof, said ridges dimensioned to effect formation of a fluidic seal between the ridges.

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 10, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028524/0036 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2009
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 023581/0821 →