CN101119850B - Single-use droplet ejection module - Google Patents

Abstract

A printhead module includes a printhead body (102), a nozzle plate (110) and one or more piezoelectric actuators (120). The printhead body includes one or more pumping chambers (104), where each pumping chamber includes a receiving end to receive a printing liquid from a printing liquid supply and an ejecting end for ejecting the printing liquid from the pumping chamber. The nozzle plate includes one or more nozzles (112) formed through the nozzle plate. Each nozzle can be in fluid communication with a pumping chamber and receive printing liquid from the ejecting from the nozzle. The one or more piezoelectric actuators are connected to the nozzle plate. A piezoelectric actuator is positioned over each pumping chamber and includes a piezoelectric material configured to deflect and pressurized the pumping chamber, so as to eject printing liquid from a corresponding nozzle in fluid communicaiton with the ejecting end of the pumping chamber.

Description

Single-use droplet ejection module

Technical field

The present invention relates to have the print head assembly of one or more nozzle.

Background technology

Ink-jet printer generally includes the ink from black source to inkjet component, and this inkjet component comprises that ink droplet is via the nozzle of its ejection.By utilizing actuator to the China ink in ink pressurization, can control ink droplet and spray, this actuator can be for example piezoelectric deflector, thermal bubble jet generator or electrostatic deflection element.Typical printhead has delegation's nozzle and corresponding ink array and corresponding actuator, and the ink droplet of each nozzle sprays can be by independent control.In so-called " drop-on-demand " printhead, when printhead and print media relatively move, activate each actuator and spray ink droplet with the specific pixel location at image optionally.In high performance priniheads, nozzle has the diameter of 50 microns or less (for example, 25 microns), with the interval of a per inch 100-300 nozzle separately and approximate 1 to 70 skin liter (pl) or the less amount of dripping be provided usually.Drop ejection frequency is generally 10kHz or larger.

Printhead can comprise semiconductor printhead body and piezo-activator, and for example, Hoisington etc. are at the printhead described in the U.S. Patent No. 5265315.Print head body can be made by silicon, and this silicon of etching is to limit black chamber.Nozzle can be limited by the single nozzles plate that is connected with silicon body.Piezo-activator has one deck can change in response to the voltage that applies geometry or crooked piezoelectric.The bending of piezoelectric layer is to the pressurization of the China ink in the pumping chamber that arranges along ink.

Printing precision is subject to being permitted multifactorial impact, and these factors comprise between the interior a plurality of nozzles of printhead and the size of the ink droplet that sprays between a plurality of printheads in the printer and the uniformity of speed.The uniformity of ink drop size and drop velocity is subject to again the impact of many factors, for example, and the uniformity of the pressure pulse that the pollution in the dimensional uniformity of ink, acoustic interference effects, the black stream and actuator generate.In black stream, use one or more filter, can reduce pollutant or chip in the China ink stream.

Summary of the invention

A kind of print head assembly with one or more nozzle is described.Generally, in one aspect, the invention is characterized in a kind of droplet (droplet) ejection assemblies.This use droplet ejection module comprises liquid supply assembly, housing and droplet ejection body.Liquid supply assembly comprises self-supporting liquid container (self-contained liquidreservoir) and liquid outlet.Housing is configured to forever be connected with liquid supply assembly, and comprises the fluid passage that is configured to also this liquid is delivered to from the liquid outlet reception liquid of liquid supply assembly droplet ejection body.Droplet ejection body forever is connected with housing, and comprises one or more liquid inlet and one or more nozzle that is configured to selective droplet ejection that is configured to receive from housing liquid.

Embodiments of the invention can comprise one or more following characteristics.Liquid supply assembly also comprises be used to preventing the seal of liquid via liquid outlet trickle container.Housing can be connected with liquid supply assembly in primary importance, in primary importance, seal prevents the outlet of liquid trickle and enters fluid passage, and housing can be connected with liquid supply assembly in the second place, in the second place, seal does not prevent the outlet of liquid trickle and enters fluid passage.Housing can be configured to be connected with liquid supply assembly in the first and second positions via the connection (snap-fitconnection) that is clasped.

Liquid supply assembly also comprises the feed flow housing, and vacuum chamber can be formed in this feed flow housing, and this feed flow housing comprises for the aperture that vacuum is provided to this vacuum chamber.Liquid container can be the flexible container that is suitable for accommodating liquid, and here, this flexible container is arranged in the vacuum chamber of feed flow housing.

Generally, on the other hand, the invention is characterized in a kind of use droplet ejection module that comprises housing, is installed in droplet ejection body, flexible circuit and liquid supply assembly in this housing.Droplet ejection body has the nozzle face of the nozzle that comprises that at least one is used for atomizing of liquids and has the back side (back face) of at least one fluid passage.Flexible circuit is installed on the nozzle face of housing and droplet ejection body.Flexible circuit is electrically connected to be provided for controlling the driving signal that sprays from the liquid of at least one nozzle with droplet ejection body.Flexible circuit can be connected with processor or integrated circuit directly or indirectly, drives signal and derives from this processor or integrated circuit.Liquid supply assembly is installed on the housing and is communicated with (fluid communication) with the backside fluid of droplet ejection body.Liquid supply assembly comprises self-supporting liquid container and outlet, the liquid path of the fluid passage in this outlet provides from liquid supply assembly to the back side that is formed on print head body.

Embodiment can comprise following one or more.Droplet ejection body also comprises and is formed on on-chip one or more pumping chamber, and here, each pumping chamber comprises and is configured to receive the receiving terminal of liquid and be used for ejection end from pumping chamber's atomizing of liquids from liquid activity.Nozzle plate can be connected with substrate and comprise and pass one or more nozzle that nozzle plate forms, here, nozzle be communicated with each pumping chamber's fluid and from the ejection end reception liquid of pumping chamber to spray from nozzle.One or more piezo-activator can be connected with nozzle plate, here, piezo-activator is positioned in each pumping chamber and comprises piezoelectric, and this piezoelectric is configured to deflection pumping chamber and pressurizes with the corresponding nozzle atomizing of liquids from being communicated with the ejection end fluid of this pumping chamber to pumping chamber.

Liquid supply assembly can comprise the feed flow housing, be formed on to have the vacuum chamber in the feed flow housing in aperture of vacuum and the bag that is suitable for accommodating liquid to vacuum chamber are provided, and this bag is arranged in the vacuum chamber of liquid supply housing.

Carry out the present invention and can realize following one or more advantage.Provide a kind of and can effectively adopt the print head assembly with lesser amt nozzle, it is used for a small amount of printed liquid ideally.Self-supporting printing fluid container can easily be filled and is connected with a small amount of printing fluid, with the printhead housing and for printing.A kind ofly expect that the embodiment of little printing fluid amount is the printing fluid test operation.Self-supporting printing fluid container is filled with test printing liquid and is installed on the printhead housing to carry out test operation.Whole assembly is processed behind test operation, avoids having to washing print head assembly between test.Carry out buckle and connect (snap connection) with in the installation component that print head assembly is packed into, thus realize simultaneously being electrically connected with being connected of vacuum source.

The details of one or more embodiment is set forth in the following drawings and explanation.Further feature and advantage can be apparent from this explanation and accompanying drawing and claims.

Description of drawings

Describe these and other aspect in detail now with reference to the following drawings.

The use droplet ejection module of (self contained liquid supply assembly) that Figure 1A-E represents to have self-supporting liquid supply assembly.

Fig. 1 F-H represents to be included in the enlarged drawing of the part of the sealing mechanism in the use droplet ejection module shown in Fig. 1 C and the D.

Fig. 2 A-D represents to have another embodiment of the use droplet ejection module of self-supporting liquid supply assembly.

Fig. 3 A-B represents to comprise the droplet ejection body of 10 nozzles.

Fig. 4 A-B represents to comprise alternative droplet ejection body of 10 nozzles.

Fig. 5 A-C represents the flexible circuit that is connected with housing with droplet ejection body.

Fig. 6 A represents the use droplet ejection module that is connected with outside flexible circuit.

Fig. 6 B represents a plurality of use droplet ejection module of being connected with installation component.

Fig. 7 A-E represents to have a kind of available embodiment of the use droplet ejection module of self-supporting liquid supply assembly.

In institute's drawings attached, same reference numeral all refers to similar elements.

The specific embodiment

Shown use droplet ejection module comprises pressurization pumping chamber, optionally to spray liquid from nozzle.Typical liquid is China ink, and for illustrative purpose, referring to the print head assembly that adopts China ink as printing fluid use droplet ejection module is described.Yet it should be understood that also and can adopt other liquid, for example, the liquid metal that uses in the electroluminescent material that uses when making liquid crystal display or the circuit board fabrication.

Print head assembly generally comprises the print head body with a plurality of nozzles, and described a plurality of nozzles are communicated with to allow continuous printing with outside black source fluid.In some applications, wish to use less China ink amount effectively to operate print head assembly and carry out for example China ink detection operation.Be configured to accommodate have the lesser amt nozzle for example the print head assembly of the print head body of one to ten nozzle be applicable to this operation, and comprise the black feeding assembly that is designed for less printing liquid measure.In one embodiment, the black feeding assembly that can not recharge can be connected with print head body, for example, disposable (single-use) printing fluid supply box, thus avoid when detecting different printing fluid, need to washing this China ink feeding assembly.

Figure 1A represents to have theprint head assembly 100 of theblack feeding assembly 102 that is connected with printhead housing 104.Print head body 106 is connected with printhead housing 104.Chinaink feeding assembly 102 comprises being configured to accommodate for example detect uses a small amount of black self-supporting ink container.

Figure 1B is the cross-sectional perspective view ofprint head assembly 100 shown in Figure 1A of getting of 1B-1B along the line.Fig. 1 C is the cross-sectional perspective view of theprint head assembly 100 got of 1C-1C along the line, and expression is in theprint head assembly 100 of detent position.Fig. 1 D is the same cross-sectional perspective view ofprint head assembly 100, but expression is in theprint head assembly 100 of release position.Fig. 1 E is the amplification view of a part that comprises theprinthead housing 104 ofprint head body 106.

With reference to Figure 1B,black feeding assembly 102 comprises be used to the self-supportingcontainer 108 of accommodating a small amount of China ink especially.In the embodiment shown, self-supportingcontainer 108 is to be similar to the flexible container of bag and should to be called the China ink bag, but also can adopt the self-supporting container of other form.Self-supporting container can be to be full of China ink and sealed container, and China ink remains in this container until be used.Without any the outside black source that is connected to provide continuous black source with container; On the contrary, employed China ink is exactly the China ink that is housed in the self-supporting container.Be connected toprinthead housing 104 atblack feeding assembly 102 and go forward, make Chinaink bag 108 be full of China ink.Seal 110 for example O shape ring generates sealing betweenblack feeding assembly 102 andprinthead housing 104.

With reference to Fig. 1 C and 1D, illustrated embodiment comprises that the double card button is connected (double snap-fitconnection) especially, connects whereby, andblack feeding assembly 102 can be that detent position (Fig. 1 C) is connected withprinthead housing 104 at position A at first.At detent position, Chinaink bag 108 is not communicated withprint head body 106 fluids.Before the beginning printing,black feeding assembly 102 inflow location B are release position (Fig. 1 D).In the release position, Chinaink bag 108 is communicated withprint head body 106 fluids via being formed onprinthead housing 104 interiorblack entrances 124.

For at detent position Ablack feeding assembly 102 being connected on theprinthead housing 104, the user makes themale connector 115 that stretches out from this Chinaink feeding assembly 102 aim at the correspondingfemale connector 117 in being formed onprinthead housing 104, and apply enough power so that thismale connector 115 andfemale connector 117 mesh at position A, but this power is not even as big as meshingfemale connector 117 at position B.The user should receive whenblack feeding assembly 102 cooperates withprinthead housing 104 that enough tactile feedback are to determine when in-position A.

For with respect toprinthead housing 104black feeding assembly 102 being moved into release position B, the user applies extra power so thatmale connector 115 meshes at position B and female connector 117.Male connector 115 has enough flexibility with crooked under pressure, thereby is clasped at position A disengagingfemale connector 117 and at position B.Inclined plane shown infemale connector 117 is configured to have is with auxiliary this motion, and this inclined plane impels themale connector 115 of similar inclination to skid off engagement with thisfemale connector 117 when being subject to downward force.A kind of embodiment that the double card button is connected has more than been described.Also can adopt other structure that the double card button is connected and allow detent position to be connected other type with the release position and connect.

By further specifying the structure of theblack entrance 124 that in Fig. 1 E, represents more in detail, can understand better the stream that is formed betweenblack feeding assembly 102 and the print head body 106.The finger (finger) 132 of utilizinggroove 134 to separate is positioned at the end of black entrance 124.When there was China ink in the end ofblack entrance 124, flow throughgroove 134 and entering of this China ink was formed in theblack road 126 in the middle of theblack entrance 124.

With reference to Fig. 1 C, 1D and 1F-H,black feeding assembly 102 comprises the discharge head (outlet head) 118 that also hasfinger 136, and thisfinger 136 is radial from center hub (central hub) 139 stretches out and separate via stream 138.Fig. 1 F represents the bottom view ofdischarge head 118;Stream 138 provides from the fluid path of China ink bag 108.Fig. 1 G representsdischarge head 118,seal 110 and theblack entrance 124 when print head assembly is in detent position shown in Fig. 1 C.In this position, seal contacts andshutoff stream 138 with the bottom surface ofdischarge head 118; The Chinaink finger 136 of can not flowing through.Spring 114 in thedischarge head 118 imposes on the downward force ofseal 110 pressurizations.Fig. 1 H representsdischarge head 118,seal 110 and theblack entrance 124 when print head assembly is in release position shown in Fig. 1 D.In this position, the bottom ofdischarge head 118 contacts withblack entrance 124, and this China inkentrance 124 can compress the spring 114 (Fig. 1 D) in the discharge head 118.Seal 110 is oriented to cross the terminal ofblack entrance 124 and do not contact with the bottom ofdischarge head 118;Stream 138 is no longer byseal 110 shutoff.Thereby China ink can flow via thestream 138 between thefinger 136 that is formed ondischarge head 118 from Chinaink bag 108, and flows into theblack road 126 that is formed in this China inkentrance 124 via thegroove 134 that is formed in theblack entrance 124.

Fig. 1 E represents a kind of embodiment ofprint head body 106, and thisprint head body 106 has opening 142 along the one side to receive China ink.Enter the fluid path that makes thechamber 144 that fluid is communicated with opening 142 viablack road 126 and allow China ink to flow intoprint head body 106 from Chinaink bag 108, to spray this China ink from the nozzles that are included in thisprint head body 106.

Chinaink feeding assembly 102 comprises be used to thevacuum chamber 128 of accommodating China ink bag 108.Utilize thevalve 130 that is connected with vacuum source, keepvacuum chamber 128 interior vacuum.Keepvacuum chamber 128 interior vacuum and just apply negative pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure of nozzle outside to Chinaink bag 108, this can produce pressure so that China ink does not spill from nozzle at the meniscus place of spray orifice.At this moment, the pressure at meniscus place is not introduced pumping chamber so that air does not return.

In one embodiment,black feeding assembly 102 forever is connected withprinthead housing 104, in case the China ink that is contained in the Chinaink bag 108 is finished, just abandons print head assembly 100.Go forwardblack feeding assembly 102 is connected toprinthead housing 104, fill with China ink for Chinaink bag 108 via discharge head 118.Thus,print head assembly 100 provides the self-supporting disposable test that only uses a small amount of test liquid unit.Becauseprint head assembly 100 only uses once, need between test, not wash print head assembly so can test.

With reference to Fig. 2 A-D, the second embodiment of expressionprint head assembly 200, it adopts the print head body with lesser amt nozzle.With reference to Fig. 2 A,print head assembly 200 comprises theblack feeding assembly 202 that is connected withprinthead housing 204 especially.Print head body 206 is connected withprinthead housing 204.

Fig. 2 B is the cross-sectional perspective view ofprint head assembly 200 shown in Fig. 2 A of getting of 2B-2B along the line.Fig. 2 C is the cross-sectional perspective view of theprint head assembly 200 got of 2C-2C along the line.Chinaink feeding assembly 202 comprises be used to the self-supportingcontainer 208 of accommodating a small amount of China ink.In the embodiment shown, self-supportingcontainer 208 is a kind ofly to be similar to the flexible container of bag and should to be called China ink bag, but also can adopt the self-supporting container of other form.Before or afterblack feeding assembly 202 is installed on theprinthead housing 204, make Chinaink bag 208 fill China ink.China ink injects this Chinaink bag 208 via theaperture 209 that is positioned at Chinaink bag 208 tops.In one embodiment, the sealing ofaperture 209 usefulness self-sealing materials, this self-sealing material is pierced through and adopts the syringe holder China ink to inject Chinaink bag 208 by needle-like piece.One example of self-sealing material is moldable elastomer, for example, from Wilmington, the ALCRYN that the Advanced Polymer Alloys of Delaware obtains.In case Chinaink bag 208 is filled with, needle-like piece just withdraws from and these material self sealss, thus sealorifice 209 again.

Preferably, beforeblack feeding assembly 202 is installed on theprinthead housing 204, fill China ink bag 208.Especially with reference to Fig. 2 D, whenblack feeding assembly 202 is installed on theprinthead housing 204, theblack entrance 215 that is included in thisprinthead housing 204 pierces through for the next door (septum) 217 that seals Chinaink bag 208 bottoms, thereby allows China ink fromblack bag 208 toward print head bodies 206.In the embodiment shown,print head body 206 comprises and is formed on the back side to receive theblack road 228 of China ink, and then, this China ink is drawn towards the nozzle on the another side that is formed onprint head body 206.

Especially with reference to Fig. 2 B,black feeding assembly 202 connects 218 and is connected withprinthead housing 204 via being clasped.Optionally, adopt the double card button (not shown) that is connected, be similar to above described with reference to Figure 1A-E.That is to say, the first buckle can be installed toblack feeding assembly 202 on theprinthead housing 204 and not pierce throughnext door 217,, is in detent position that is.The second buckle can push throughnext door 217 withblack entrance 215, generates from China ink bag 216 streams to printhead body 206,, is in the release position that is.

Chinaink feeding assembly 202 comprises be used to thevacuum chamber 220 of accommodating China ink bag 208.Utilize thevalve 230 that is connected with vacuum source, keepvacuum chamber 220 interior vacuum.Keepvacuum chamber 220 interior vacuum and just apply negative pressure with respect to the atmosphere of nozzle outside to Chinaink bag 208, this can produce pressure so that China ink does not spill from nozzle at the meniscus place of spray orifice.At this moment, the pressure at meniscus place is not introduced pumping chamber so that air does not return.

As above described with reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1A-H,black feeding assembly 202 can forever be connected withprinthead housing 204, in case the China ink that is contained in the Chinaink bag 208 is finished, just abandons print head assembly 200.Thus,print head assembly 200 provides and only uses for example self-supporting disposable unit of test liquid of a small amount of liquid.Becauseprint head assembly 200 only uses once, need between test, not wash print head assembly so can test.Optionally, can recharge Chinaink bag 208 for the printing of carrying out subsequently viaaperture 209, however because Chinaink bag 208 is not easy to clean, so this do not recommend, unless recharge identical China ink.

In a kind of alternative embodiment, cancellation aperture 209.Next door 217 is formed by self-sealing material, and China ink injected in the Chinaink bag 208 via thisnext door 217 beforeblack feeding assembly 202 is installed on the printhead housing 204.Optionally, China ink can inject in the Chinaink bag 208 beforenext door 217 is installed; In case Chinaink bag 208 is filled with, andnext door 217 just is installed to seal this Chinaink bag 208, then should be installed on theprinthead housing 204 by the China ink bag.

Above-mentionedprint head assembly 100 and 200 can adopt any suitable print head body.Fig. 3 A and 3B have represented a kind of embodiment that comprises theprint head body 300 of 10 nozzles.Print head body 300 bysubstrate 301 for example silicon chip form.Nozzle 312 is formed on (Fig. 3 B) on the nozzle face, and PZT (piezoelectric transducer) is formed on (Fig. 3 A) on the back side.Chinaink entrance 302 leads to the pumping chamber (not shown) corresponding with each nozzle 312.Contact-actuating (drive contact) 304 can be used for receiving the signal for each nozzle 312.This signal produces voltage viadrive electrode 306, and describeddrive electrode 306 produces different voltages at the piezoelectric 308 that is positioned under the drive electrode.Piezoelectric 308 deflections are positioned at the pumping chamber below this piezoelectric 308 and make ink droplet fromcorresponding nozzle 312 ejections thereby directly press to.Flexible circuit is connected with the optionally startup of Control Nozzle 312 with drive electrode 306.In one embodiment, flexible circuit directly or indirectly is connected with processor or integrated circuit (for example, via external flexible circuits), and the driving signal of Control Nozzle 312 derives from this processor or integrated circuit.

Referring again to Fig. 1 E, shown inprint head body 106 in theprinthead housing 104 comprise the black entrance that forms along a side of thisprint head body 106, be similar to theprint head body 300 shown in Fig. 3 A-B.Fig. 1 E represents a kind of embodiment of the ink fromprinthead housing 104 to print head body, and this print head body has side China ink entrance asprint head body 300.

Shownexemplary printhead body 300 comprises 10 nozzles, yet also can comprise more or less nozzle.In one embodiment,print head body 300 comprises single-nozzle.Print head body 300 can be used in that on October 8th, 2004 submitted to and name is called the technology described in the U.S. Patent application No.10/962378 of " printhead with film " and/or submit to and name is called the technology described in the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/621507 of " for etched sacrificial substrates " and makes on October 21st, 2004, is incorporated herein the full contents of two applications for your guidance.

Another embodiment of print head body 400 is illustrated among Fig. 4 A and the 4B.In this embodiment, contact-actuating 420 anddrive electrode 422 are formed on the nozzle face.Print head body 402 with 10 nozzles is formed bysubstrate 401,nozzle plate 410 and piezoelectric layer 416.Ten nozzles 412 are formed in the nozzle plate 410.Ground electrode layer 417 is formed on the end face ofnozzle plate 410, and contact-actuating 420 anddrive electrode 422 are formed on the segmentation piezoelectric layer 416.The back gauge ofprint head body 402 is shown among Fig. 4 B and comprises two black roads 428.Ten pumping chamber's fluids in thesubstrate 401 of China inkroad 428 below being formed on the piezoelectric section are communicated with; Each pumping chamber's delivered ink is to corresponding nozzle 412.Illustrated embodiment comprises thesnake shape heater 427 on theback side 426 that is formed onprint head body 402, and it can be used for warming the ink to the expection operating temperature.

Shownexemplary printhead body 402 comprises 10 nozzles, yet thisprint head body 402 also can forming by more or less nozzle.In one embodiment,print head body 402 comprises single-nozzle.

Print head assembly also comprises for the contact face that is electrically connected with signal source (contact face), and be configured to be installed in and be ejected on the matrix with the printing fluid that will accommodate in the inner in the PRN device, this signal source is provided for the optionally signal of starting nozzle.The structure of contact face is different according to the structure of print head body.

For example, Fig. 3 A and 3B represent to have on the back side (i.e. the face relative with nozzle face)print head body 300 of contact-actuating 304.With reference to Fig. 5 A-C,print head body 300 with have lead-in wire 502flexible circuit 500 and be connected, this goes between and 502 is electrically connected with contact-actuating 304 onprint head body 300 back sides.Every the lead-in wire 502 provide signal to contact-actuating 304 optionally to start corresponding nozzle 312.Lead-in wire 502 is electrically connected withcontact 504 on thecontact face 506 that is formed onflexible circuit 500.

Flexible circuit 500 is configured to shown in Fig. 5 C the one side around printhead housing 508.Contact 504 is electrically connected with the external circuit of startingnozzle 312 optionally with signal is provided.For example, with reference to Fig. 6 A, the externalflexible circuits 600 withconnector 602 is connected with thecontact face 506 of flexible circuit 500.Fig. 6 B represents to be configured to receive theinstallation component 604 of five print head assemblies.Each print head assembly comprisescontact face 506, and thiscontact face 506 has thecontact 504 that is connected with external flexible circuits 600.For illustrative purpose, only the print head assembly of end is represented as with externalflexible circuits 600 and is connected, yet it should be understood that a plurality of or all print head assemblies can be connected with external flexible circuits simultaneously.Exemplary installation component 604 comprises with vacuum port in the print head assembly and is connected to provide as mentioned above the meniscus vacuum bar 606 of vacuum pressure to the China ink bag.

In another embodiment, print head assembly is configured to utilize the box installation component to install, described in the annex A that is called " fluid deposition device " in name, be introduced into this specification at this.

In one embodiment, print head assembly is connected with installation component and finishes in the single Connection Step and the electrical connection of print head assembly and being connected from vacuum source to vacuum port.For example, if print head assembly is positioned at installation component, then utilize the one-time positioning step, the contact that is positioned on the contact face of this print head assembly is electrically connected (for example being used for transmitted signal with starting nozzle) with external flexible circuits and/or external equipment, and vacuum port and vacuum source for example meniscus vacuum bar 606 be connected.External flexible circuits is connected with processor or integrated circuit, and the driving signal of nozzle derives from this processor or integrated circuit.

With reference to another embodiment of the contact face of Figure 1A and 4A-B explanation print head assembly, when being configured to have, print head body uses this contact face when being positioned at contact-actuating on the same face with nozzle.Especially with reference to Fig. 4 A,print head body 402 comprises with nozzle 412 and is positioned at contact-actuating 420 on the same face.With reference to Figure 1A, theflexible circuit 160 withcontact face 162 be connected with the one side ofprinthead housing 104 and around the bottom surface of thisprinthead housing 104 to contact with contact-actuating 420 on the nozzle face that is formed on print head body 402.Flexible circuit 160 comprises that otch or opening are to expose nozzle 412.

Be similar to above-mentionedflexible circuit 500 ground and formflexible circuit 160, wherein, thisflexible circuit 160 comprises that the lead-in wire that is connected to contact-actuating 420 is to be provided for optionally starting the signal of corresponding nozzle 412.Flexible circuit 160 comprises that the contact face 164 withcontact 166 is to be electrically connected with the external circuit that drives signal is provided to nozzle.For example, referring again to Fig. 6 A, the externalflexible circuits 600 withconnector 602 is connected with thecontact face 162 of flexible circuit 160.Print head assembly 100 can be installed in theinstallation component 604 shown in Fig. 6 B and with externalflexible circuits 600 and be connected.

With reference to Fig. 7 A-E, a kind of alternative embodiment of expression print head assembly 700.This embodiment is similar to print head assembly shown in Figure 1 substantially.In theprint head assembly 700 shown in Fig. 7 A-E,black entrance 724 and Mo Dao 726 are included in the Mo Zhu 702, and this Chinaink post 702 is formed withprinthead housing 704 and separates.Hole 706 is formed in the bottom of theprinthead housing 704 that is configured to receiveblack post 702.

Be similar to reference to theprint head assembly 100 described inks shown in Figure 1A-H from self-supporting container (China ink bag) 708 inks to print head body 706.That is to say, Mo Zhu 702 comprises finger 732 and groove 734.Chinaink feeding assembly 703 comprises the discharge head 718 that also hasfinger 736, and thisfinger 736 is radial fromcenter hub 739 stretches out and separate via stream 738.Stream 738 provides from the ink of China ink bag 708.At detent position,seal 710 contacts andshutoff stream 738 with the bottom surface of discharge head 718; The Chinaink finger 736 of can not flowing through.Finger 714 in the discharge head 718 applies for the downward force to seal 710 pressurizations.

In the release position, the bottom of discharge head 718 contacts withblack entrance 724, and this Chinaink entrance 724 can compress thespring 714 in the discharge head 718.Seal 710 is oriented to cross the terminal ofblack entrance 724 and do not contact with the bottom of discharge head 718; Stream 738 is no longer byseal 710 shutoff.Thereby China ink can flow via thestream 738 between thefinger 736 that is formed on discharge head 718 from Chinaink bag 708, and flows into theblack road 726 that is formed in this China inkentrance 724 via the groove 734 that is formed in theblack entrance 724.

Especially with reference to Fig. 7 C and 7D, Mo Zhu 702 can be connected with flexible circuit withprint head body 706 and be connected.Flow throughblack road 726 and enter thisprint head body 706 via the hole that forms corresponding to the pumping chamber in theprint head body 706 of China ink, as shown.In the embodiment shown, the part of flexible circuit 730 is between the end face of black base for post section 705 and print head body 706.Flexible circuit 730 provides for the actuator in theprint head body 706 and drives signal to activate nozzle.The second portion 740 of flexible circuit is positioned on the end face of black base for post section 705.In one embodiment, heating element heater 742 and thermistor (not shown) are included on the bottom surface of second portion 740 of the flexible circuit that contacts with black base for post section 705.Optionally, electrostatic releaser also can be included on the second portion 740 of flexible circuit.Themain part 744 of flexible circuit 730 is connected with the outer surface ofprinthead housing 704 shown in Fig. 7 E.With reference to the described similar fashion of other embodiment, flexible circuit 730 is connected with external flexible circuits according to as above, and this external flexible circuits provides the processor or the integrated circuit that drive signal to be connected directly or indirectly with to the nozzle in theprint head body 706.

Print head assembly 700 also can be installed in the installation component shown in Fig. 6 B, perhaps in the box installation component described in annex A, perhaps in other structure of erecting device.Similarly,print head assembly 700 is connected with installation component to finish to be electrically connected in the single step and is connected with vacuum, as above described with reference to other embodiment.

As mentioned, China ink only is an example of printing fluid.It should be understood that to claim that China ink only is for illustrative purpose for printing fluid, and utilize adjective " China ink " to represent that the parts in the above-mentioned print head assembly also are schematic.That is to say, claim that passage or feeding assembly are for illustrative purpose for " black entrance " or " black feeding assembly ", also can adopt and more generally call for example " printing fluid entrance " or " printing liquid supply assembly ".In addition, as mentioned, for illustrative purpose, use droplet ejection module is called as print head assembly, yet its purposes is wider than in itself printing and can be used for spraying any type droplet for various purposes.

In whole specification and claims, term for example the use of " front " and " afterwards " and " top " and " end " only for illustrative purpose, with various assemblies and other element of distinguishing print head assembly described here.The use at " front " and " afterwards " and " top " and " end " does not hint the specific orientation of print head assembly.

Although more than describe some embodiment in detail, other distortion also is possible.Other embodiment drops in the scope of following claims.

The application requires to enjoy and submitted on December 17th, 2004, name be called " single-use droplet ejection module " and sequence number be submit in unsettled U.S. Provisional Application and on July 13rd, 2005 of No.60/637254, name is called " single-use droplet ejection module " and sequence number is the priority of the unsettled U.S. Provisional Application of No.60/699134, is incorporated herein two full contents of applying for for your guidance.The application relates to by Andreas Bibl and Melvin L.Biggs and submitting to simultaneously and name is called the U. S. application of " print head assembly ".

Claims (20)

1. use droplet ejection module comprises:

Liquid supply assembly comprises self-supporting liquid container and liquid outlet;

Housing comprises being configured to the bindiny mechanism that forever is connected with described liquid supply assembly, and comprises and be configured to receive liquid and described liquid is delivered to the fluid passage of droplet ejection body from the described liquid outlet of described liquid supply assembly; And

Droplet ejection body, with described housing, be connected, and comprise and only be configured to one or more liquid inlet that directly receives described liquid and be connected with one or more fluid nozzle via described housing from described liquid supply assembly, described droplet ejection body comprises and being configured to optionally from one or more actuator of described one or more nozzle ejection droplet be used to receiving one or more signal of telecommunication to drive one or more electric contact of described one or more actuator

Wherein, described housing can be connected with liquid supply assembly in the primary importance of sealing, and when being in the primary importance of described sealing, liquid is prevented from entering described fluid passage from described liquid outlet outflow;

Described housing can be connected with liquid supply assembly in the open second place, and when being in the second place of described opening, liquid is not prevented from entering described fluid passage from described liquid outlet outflow; And

In case described housing is connected with described liquid supply assembly in the primary importance of described sealing, described housing can not separate with described liquid supply assembly with regard to only moving into the second place of described opening.

2. use droplet ejection module according to claim 1, wherein, described liquid supply assembly also comprises:

Seal is used for preventing that described liquid from flowing out described liquid container via described liquid outlet.

3. use droplet ejection module according to claim 2, wherein:

In the primary importance of described sealing, described seal prevents that described liquid from flowing out described liquid outlet and entering described fluid passage;

In the second place of described opening, described seal does not prevent that described liquid from flowing out described liquid outlet and entering described fluid passage.

4. use droplet ejection module according to claim 1, wherein:

Described housing is configured to be connected via the double card button and is connected with described liquid supply assembly in described the first and second positions.

5. use droplet ejection module according to claim 4, wherein, described housing also comprises elongated tip spare, described elongated tip spare is configured to pierce through described seal when described housing when the described second place is connected with described liquid supply assembly.

6. use droplet ejection module according to claim 4, wherein, described liquid supply assembly also comprises spring-actuated mechanism, and described spring-actuated mechanism is configured to keep described sealing and remove described sealing when described housing when the described second place is connected with described liquid supply assembly when described primary importance is connected with described liquid supply assembly when described shell.

7. use droplet ejection module according to claim 1, wherein, described liquid supply assembly also comprises:

The feed flow housing; And

But evacuated chamber is formed in the described feed flow housing and is connected with the aperture that makes fluid leave described chamber.

8. use droplet ejection module according to claim 7, wherein, but described liquid container comprises and is suitable for the described evacuated chamber of accommodating the flexible container of described liquid and being arranged in described feed flow housing.

9. use droplet ejection module according to claim 7 wherein, also comprises:

Flexible circuit, be electrically connected to be provided for controlling the driving signal that uses droplet ejection from described one or more nozzle with described one or more electric contact in the described droplet ejection body, described flexible circuit comprises and is configured to the contact face that is electrically connected with the external circuit that described driving signal is provided.

10. use droplet ejection module according to claim 9, wherein, but the described aperture that is connected with described evacuated chamber be connected the described contact face of flexible circuit and be formed at during the single of installation component is connected, described aperture is communicated with the vacuum source fluid and described contact face is electrically connected with external circuit.

11. use droplet ejection module according to claim 1, wherein, described liquid container comprises the flexible container that is suitable for accommodating liquid.

12. use droplet ejection module according to claim 1, wherein, described liquid supply assembly also comprises the aperture that is connected and is configured to receive described liquid with described liquid container fluid.

13. use droplet ejection module according to claim 12, wherein, described aperture is self-packing.

14. use droplet ejection module according to claim 1 wherein, is connected in case form fluid between described housing and described liquid supply assembly, described housing just forever is connected with described liquid supply assembly, and is inseparable.

15. a use droplet ejection module comprises:

Liquid supply assembly comprises self-supporting liquid container and liquid outlet, and described liquid outlet is the liquid path of the fluid passage in liquid carrying supplies from described liquid supply assembly to the back side that is formed on described use droplet ejection module;

Housing, this housing is configured to:

Primary importance in sealing is connected with liquid supply assembly, and when described housing was in the primary importance of described sealing, liquid was prevented from entering described fluid passage from described liquid outlet outflow; And

Be connected with liquid supply assembly in the open second place, when described housing was in the second place of described opening, liquid was not prevented from entering described fluid passage from described liquid outlet outflow;

In case described housing is connected with described liquid supply assembly in the primary importance of described sealing, described housing can not separate with described liquid supply assembly with regard to only moving into the second place of described opening

Droplet ejection body, forever be connected with described housing, comprise the nozzle face with at least one nozzle, described droplet ejection body comprises and only is configured to directly to receive described liquid and one or more liquid inlet that is connected with described at least one fluid nozzle, be configured to optionally from least one actuator of described at least one nozzle ejection droplet and be used for receiving one or more signal of telecommunication to drive at least one electric contact of described at least one actuator via described housing from described liquid supply assembly, also comprises the back side with at least one fluid passage; And

Flexible circuit, be installed on the described nozzle face of described housing and described droplet ejection body, there, described flexible circuit is electrically connected with described droplet ejection body, described one or more signal of telecommunication that sprays from the liquid of described at least one nozzle in order to control being provided for described at least one actuator, and at least one electric contact is arranged on the described nozzle face.

16. use droplet ejection module according to claim 15, wherein, described droplet ejection body also comprises:

One or more pumping chamber is formed on the substrate, and there, each pumping chamber comprises and is configured to receive the receiving terminal of liquid and be used for ejection end from described pumping chamber atomizing of liquids from liquid activity.

17. use droplet ejection module according to claim 16, wherein, described droplet ejection body also comprises:

Nozzle plate is connected with described substrate and comprises and pass one or more nozzle that described nozzle plate forms, here, each nozzle is communicated with the pumping chamber fluid and from the described ejection end reception liquid of described pumping chamber to spray from described nozzle.

18. use droplet ejection module according to claim 17, wherein, described at least one actuator that is included in the described droplet ejection body has:

One or more piezo-activator, be connected with described nozzle plate, here, piezo-activator is positioned in each pumping chamber and comprises piezoelectric, and this piezoelectric is configured to the described pumping chamber of deflection and pressurizes with the corresponding nozzle atomizing of liquids from being communicated with the described ejection end fluid of described pumping chamber to described pumping chamber.

19. use droplet ejection module according to claim 15, described liquid supply assembly also comprises:

The feed flow housing;

But evacuated chamber is formed in the described feed flow housing, and described feed flow housing is connected with the aperture that makes fluid leave described chamber; And

Bag is suitable for accommodating liquid, but described bag is positioned at described evacuated chamber.

20. use droplet ejection module according to claim 19, wherein:

Described flexible circuit also comprises and is configured to the contact face that is electrically connected with the external circuit that described one or more signal of telecommunication is provided;

The described aperture that is connected with described chamber be connected the described contact face of flexible circuit and be formed at during the single of installation component is connected, described aperture is connected with the vacuum source fluid and described contact face is electrically connected with external circuit.

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