IP Library Granted Patent US 10,124,593
Granted Patent B2
US 10,124,593 · App. 15/373,123 · Granted Nov 13, 2018

Fluidic dispensing device

Inventors: Steven R. Komplin (Lexington, KY); James D. Anderson, Jr. (Harrodsburg, KY)
Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
B41J2/17513B41J2/17556
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,124,593
App. No.
15/373,123
Granted
Nov 13, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fluidic dispensing device for dispensing a fluid has a body having a chamber with a perimetrical end surface. An ejection chip is attached to the body in fluid communication with the chamber. A diaphragm has a dome portion and a perimeter sealing surface. The perimeter sealing surface of the diaphragm is in sealing engagement with the perimetrical end surface of the chamber to define a fluid reservoir that contains the fluid. The diaphragm has a deflection axis that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the perimeter sealing surface. The diaphragm has a cross-section profile that controls a deflection of the dome portion to collapse along the deflection axis in a direction that is at least one of toward or away from a plane of the perimeter sealing surface as the fluid is depleted from the fluid reservoir.

Claims (25)

1. A fluidic dispensing device, comprising:

a body having a chamber with a perimetrical end surface;

an ejection chip attached to the body in fluid communication with the chamber; and

a diaphragm having a dome portion and a perimeter sealing surface, the perimeter sealing surface of the diaphragm being in sealing engagement with the perimetrical end surface of the chamber to define a fluid reservoir that contains the fluid, the diaphragm having a deflection axis that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the perimeter sealing surface, the diaphragm having a cross-section profile that controls a deflection of the dome portion,

wherein the dome portion includes a dome side wall, and the diaphragm includes a dome deflection portion having a curved S-shape in cross-section that transitions between the dome side wall and the continuous perimeter sealing surface.

2. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome deflection portion provides an undulated transition between the dome side wall and the continuous perimeter sealing surface.

3. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome side wall in cross-section has a tapered wall thickness.

4. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and wherein in cross-section the dome side wall tapers such that a wall thickness of the dome side wall increases in a direction toward the dome transition portion.

5. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and the dome transition portion has a substantially uniform thickness in cross-section.

6. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and the dome transition portion has a curved S-shaped configuration in cross-section.

7. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein with the plane of the perimeter sealing surface in a horizontal orientation, in the cross-section profile of the diaphragm both the dome side wall and the dome transition portion are angularly displaced from vertical.

8. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and the dome crown has a substantially uniform thickness in cross-section.

9. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and the dome crown has a planar extent that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the perimeter sealing surface.

10. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm is formed of elastomeric material and the dome side wall is a tapered dome side wall, and wherein a thickness of the tapered dome side wall is selected based at least in part on a durometer of the elastomeric material.

11. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm is formed of elastomeric material and the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and wherein at least one of a thickness of the dome side wall and a shape of the dome transition portion is selected based at least in part on the durometer of the elastomeric material.

12. A fluidic dispensing device for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

a body having a chamber with a perimetrical end surface;

an ejection chip attached to the body in fluid communication with the chamber;

a lid attached body that covers the chamber; and

a diaphragm interposed between the lid and the body, the diaphragm having a dome portion and a perimeter sealing surface, the perimeter sealing surface of the diaphragm being in sealing engagement with the perimetrical end surface of the chamber to define a fluid reservoir that contains the fluid, the diaphragm having a deflection axis that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the perimeter sealing surface, the diaphragm having a cross-section profile that controls a deflection of the dome portion at a given backpressure in the fluid reservoir,

wherein the dome portion includes a dome side wall, and wherein the diaphragm includes a dome deflection portion having a curved S-shape in cross-section that transitions between the dome side wall and the continuous perimeter sealing surface.

13. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 12 , wherein the dome portion includes a dome side wall has a tapered wall thickness in cross-section.

14. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 12 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and wherein in cross-section the dome side wall tapers such that a wall thickness of the dome side wall increases in a direction toward the dome transition portion and the dome transition portion has a substantially uniform thickness.

15. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 12 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein the dome transition portion transitions from the dome side wall to the dome crown, and wherein in cross-section the dome side wall tapers such that a wall thickness of the dome side wall increases in a direction toward the dome transition portion and the dome transition portion has a curved S-shape.

16. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 12 , wherein the dome portion includes the dome side wall, a dome transition portion, and a dome crown, wherein with the plane of the perimeter sealing surface in a horizontal orientation, in the cross-section profile of the diaphragm both the dome side wall and the dome transition portion are angularly displaced from vertical.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2025
From: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: BRADY WORLDWIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 070724/0545 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2016
From: KOMPLIN, STEVEN R.; ANDERSON, JAMES D., JR.
To: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 040604/0944 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180162128A1 · Jun 14, 2018