IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,866,797
Granted Patent B2
US 7,866,797 · App. 12/368,993 · Granted Jan 11, 2011

Inkjet printhead integrated circuit

Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,866,797
App. No.
12/368,993
Granted
Jan 11, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inkjet printhead integrated circuit includes a substrate. A drive circuitry layer is positioned on the substrate, the substrate and the drive circuitry layer defining a plurality of ink inlet channels. Nozzle chamber walls and roofs spanning the nozzle chamber walls are positioned on the substrate to define nozzle chambers in fluid communication with respective ink inlet channels, the roofs defining respective ink ejection ports. Ink ejection members are positioned in respective nozzle chambers and are displaceable with respect to the roofs to eject ink from the ink ejection ports. Fulcrum formations are fast with the substrate and each fulcrum formation has an effort formation arranged on one side and a load formation on an opposite side. Each ink ejection member is fast with a respective load formation. Thermal actuators are outside of and associated with respective nozzle chambers and are connected to the drive circuitry layer to move with respect to the substrate on receipt of electrical signals from the drive circuitry layer. Each effort formation is fast with a respective thermal actuator such that reciprocal movement generated by the thermal actuators results in reciprocal movement of the ink ejection members and subsequent ink drop ejection from the ink ejection ports.

Claims (9)

1. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit that comprises:

a substrate;

a drive circuitry layer positioned on the substrate, the substrate and the drive circuitry layer defining a plurality of ink inlet channels;

nozzle chamber walls and roofs spanning the nozzle chamber walls are positioned on the substrate to define nozzle chambers in fluid communication with respective ink inlet channels, the roofs defining respective ink ejection ports;

ink ejection members positioned in respective nozzle chambers and displaceable with respect to the roofs to eject ink from the ink ejection ports;

fulcrum formations fast with the substrate, each fulcrum formation having an effort formation arranged on one side and a load formation on an opposite side, each ink ejection member fast with a respective load formation; and

thermal actuators outside of and associated with respective nozzle chambers and connected to the drive circuitry layer to move with respect to the substrate on receipt of electrical signals from the drive circuitry layer, each effort formation being fast with a respective thermal actuator such that reciprocal movement generated by the thermal actuators results in reciprocal movement of the ink ejection members and subsequent ink drop ejection from the ink ejection ports.

2. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1 , in which the load formations define at least one of the walls of respective nozzle chambers.

3. An inkjet printhead integrated circuit as claimed in claim 2 , in which the fulcrum formations are resiliently deformable to permit pivotal movement of the fulcrum formations relative to the substrate.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028516/0910 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2009
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 022238/0321 →
Priority Claims (2)
AU PO7991 · Jul 15, 1997 · national
AU PP2592 · Mar 25, 1998 · national
Continuity (10)
Continuation 1186042000 · Sep 24, 2007
Continuation 1158461900 · Oct 23, 2006
Continuation 1132914300 · Jan 11, 2006
Continuation 1114481500 · Jun 6, 2005
Continuation 1094934700 · Sep 27, 2004
Continuation 1071309500 · Nov 17, 2003
Continuation 1030255600 · Nov 23, 2002
Continuation 1012034600 · Apr 12, 2002
Continuation In Part 0911276700 · Jul 10, 1998
Related Publication 20090141088A1 · Jun 4, 2009