• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    FLUID EJECTION SET AND METHOD FOR CIRCULAR FLUID. A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid groove, formed on the first substrate, and a channel formed in a chamber layer arranged on top of a second substrate. The base surface of the second substrate is glued to the base surface of the first substrate, and fluid feed holes are formed between the fluid groove and the channel. A fluid ejection element and the channel. A fluid ejection element is located at a first end of the channel, and a pump element is located at a second end of the channel, to circulate the fluid horizontally through the channel, and vertically through the fluid supply holes.
    公开号:BR112013000372B1
    申请号:R112013000372-3
    申请日:2010-07-28
    公开日:2020-11-03
    发明作者:Alexander Govyadinov；Erik D. Torniainen；Robert Messenger
    申请人:Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    History of the Invention
    Ink ejection devices on inkjet printers provide on-demand drop ejection, "Drop-On-Demand" (DOD). In general, inkjet printers print images by ejecting ink droplets through a plurality of nozzles on a print media, i.e. a sheet of paper. Nozzles are typically arranged in one or more arrangements, so that an appropriately sequenced ejection of ink droplets from nozzles produces characters or images in a print arrangement as the print head and print media move in relation to one another. the other. In a specific example, a thermal inkjet print head ejects ink droplets from a nozzle when an electric current is passed through a heating element to generate heat and vaporize a small amount of fluid in a firing chamber. In another example, a piezoelectric inkjet printhead uses a piezoelectric material actuator to generate pulses of pressure, expelling drops of fluid from a nozzle.
    Although inkjet printers provide high quality printing at reasonable costs, improvements are being continuously implemented to overcome several challenges that persist in their development. For example, air bubbles have been a persistent problem in inkjet print heads. During printing, the air contained in the ink itself is released, forming bubbles, which can migrate from the firing chamber to other locations on the print head, and causing problems, such as blocking the ink flow, degrading the print quality, and making that full cartridges appear empty, and in addition, leaking ink. In addition, a pigment-ink vehicle (PIVS) remains a problem when pigment inks are used. Pigment-based inks are preferred in inkjet printing, because they tend to be more durable and permanent than dye-based inks. However, in longer periods of storage or non-use, pigment particles can settle or separate from the ink carrier (PIVS), preventing or completely blocking the flow of ink to the firing chambers and nozzle in the print head. . Other factors, such as water evaporation (in aqueous inks), and solvents (for non-aqueous inks), also contribute to PIVS and / or increased ink viscosity, and the formation of a viscous plug, which prevents printing after a longer period of non-use. Brief Description of Drawings
    The present configurations will be described, for example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an example of an inkjet pen, suitable for incorporating a fluid ejection assembly, according to a configuration; Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, according to a configuration; Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a fluid ejection assembly during a drop ejection event, according to a configuration; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, having two fluid supply holes adjacent to either side of an ejection element, and a fluid supply hole adjacent to the side. away from a pumping element, according to a configuration; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly having two fluid supply holes adjacent to either side of an ejection element, and a fluid supply hole adjacent to the nearby side. a pumping element, according to a configuration; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly having two fluid supply holes, a hole adjacent to a pump element and a hole adjacent to an ejection element, and both the holes at opposite ends of a fluid channel, according to a configuration; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly having two fluid supply holes, a hole adjacent to a pump element and a hole adjacent to an ejection element, and both towards the center of a fluid channel, according to a configuration; Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly having three fluid supply holes, two holes adjacent to a pump element, and a hole adjacent to a side ejection element. away from a fluid channel, according to a configuration; Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, having three fluid supply holes, two holes adjacent to a pump element, and a hole adjacent to an ejection element, towards the center of a fluid channel, according to a configuration; Figure 9 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly having pumping elements paired with ejection elements, and fluid channels oriented orthogonally with respect to the length of the assembly, according to a configuration; Figure 10 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, having pumping elements paired with ejection elements and fluid channels oriented along the length with respect to the length of the assembly, according to a configuration; Figure 11 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, having pumping elements paired with ejection elements, and U-shaped fluid channels, according to one configuration; Figure 12 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, having pumping elements paired with ejection elements, and diagonally oriented fluid channels with respect to the length of the fluid ejection assembly, according to a configuration; Figure 13 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, having droplet generators paired, with unbalanced circulation channels, according to a configuration; Figure 14 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly, having a pumping element shared between a number of surrounding droplet generators via circulation channels, according to a configuration; and Figure 15 shows a block diagram of a basic ink ejection device, according to a configuration. Detailed Description Overview of the Problem and Solution
    As noted above, several challenges remain to be overcome in the development of inkjet printing systems. For example, inkjet print heads, used in such systems, continue to experience problems with ink blocking / clogging. Previous solutions to this problem primarily involved maintaining the print head before and after use. For example, print heads are typically protected with a cover during non-use, to prevent nozzles from clogging when ink dries. Before using them, the nozzles must be primed, ejecting paint through them. Drawbacks to these solutions include the inability to print immediately due to the need for maintenance, which requires a certain amount of time, and an increase in the total cost of ownership due to the significant amount of ink consumed for maintenance. Therefore, blocking / clogging ink in printing systems remains a fundamental problem, which degrades the overall print quality, and increases costs.
    There are a number of causes for ink blocking / clogging on a print head. When the ink is exposed to air, such as when the ink is stored in an ink reservoir, an additional amount of air dissolves in the ink. The subsequent action of ejecting ink droplets from the print head firing chamber releases excess ink air, which then accumulates in the form of air bubbles. The bubbles pass from the firing chamber to other areas of the print head, where they can block the flow of ink to the print head inside the print head.
    Pigment-based inks can also cause ink blocking / clogging of the print heads. Inkjet printing systems use inks based on either pigment or dyes, and while there are advantages and disadvantages in using both types of ink, pigment-based inks are generally preferred. In dye-based inks, the dye particles are dissolved in a liquid, so that the ink tends to penetrate deeper into the paper, which makes them less efficient, and reduces image quality as the ink blurs at the edges of image. Pigment-based inks, in contrast, consist of a paint vehicle with a high concentration of insoluble pigment particles coated with a dispersant, which causes the particles to remain suspended in the paint vehicle, which helps pigment inks to remain more on the surface, instead of penetrating the paper. Pigment ink, therefore, is more efficient than dye-based ink, because it requires less ink to create the same color intensity in a printed image. Pigment inks tend to be more durable and permanent than dye-based inks, because they smudge less than dye-based inks in the presence of water. A drawback with pigment-based inks, however, refers to the fact that there may be a blockage / obstruction of ink in the print head, after packaging, after a prolonged period of time, which provides performance outside the precarious box of pens of inkjet. Ink pens have a print head attached to one end, which is internally attached to an ink reservoir. The ink source can be contained in the pen body or installed in a place on the printer outside the pen, and be attached to the print head by the pen body. In longer periods of storage, the effect of gravity on large particles of pigment and / or the degradation of the dispersant can cause pigment to settle or separate, known as PIVS ("Pigment Ink-Vehicle Separation"). The deposition or separation of the pigment particles can prevent or completely block the flow of ink to the firing chambers and nozzles in the print head, which results in poor print head performance outside the box and poor print image quality.
    Other factors, such as water evaporation and ink solvent, can contribute to PIVS and / or increase ink viscosity and form a viscous plug, which prevents immediate printing after a longer period of non-use.
    Configurations of the present invention help to overcome the problem of blocking / clogging inkjet printheads generally using a fluid ejection assembly with a fluid circulation pump. The pump is formed in a membrane over a fluid groove in an underlying substrate, and asymmetrically located along the length of a fluid channel (ie towards an end of the channel) to create a fluid flow (ie fluidic diodicity) . During idle time, when the fluid ejection assembly is not operating, the pump circulates the fluid horizontally through the fluid channel and trigger chamber (in the plane of the pump and trigger chamber). The pump also simultaneously circulates the fluid vertically, through fluid supply holes formed between the channel and the fluid groove. During normal operation of the fluid ejection assembly, a fluid ejection element also creates a pumping action, which makes the fluid circulate horizontally through the channel and vertically between the channel and the fluid groove. Fluid circulation during idle time and active operation of the fluid ejection assembly, helps prevent ink blocking / obstruction in the print heads.
    In an exemplary configuration, the fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid groove formed on a first substrate. The top surface of the first substrate is glued to the base surface of a membrane or second substrate. A channel is formed in a chamber layer arranged on top of the second substrate, and fluid feed holes are formed through the second substrate, between the fluid groove and the channel. A fluid ejection element is located close to the first end of the channel, and a pump element is located close to the second end of the channel to circulate fluid horizontally through the channel, and vertically through the fluid feed holes. In another exemplary configuration, a fluid ejection assembly includes a first and second substrate with a top surface of the first substrate glued to a base surface of the second substrate. A fluid groove is formed on the first substrate, and a chamber layer including a channel is arranged on the top surface of the second substrate. Fluid feed holes formed through the second substrate provide fluid communication between the fluid groove and the channel. An ejection element and a pumping element are arranged in the channel to provide a horizontal fluid circulation, through the channel, between the pumping element and the ejection element, and a vertical fluid circulation through the fluid supply holes between the channel and the fluid groove.
    In another exemplary configuration, a method for circulating a fluid in a fluid ejection assembly includes pumping fluid horizontally through a fluid channel between a pump element and an ejection element, and pumping a fluid vertically between the fluid channel and fluid groove through fluid feed holes, which extend between the fluid channel and the fluid groove. Illustrated Settings
    Figure 1 shows an example of an inkjet pen 100 suitable for incorporating a fluid ejection assembly 102, described therein, according to a configuration. In this configuration, the fluid eject assembly 102 is described as a fluid drop ejection print head 102. The inkjet pen 100 includes a pen cartridge body 104, print head (fluid eject assembly ) 102, and electrical contacts 106. Individual drop generators 222 (see Figure 2) in the fluid ejection assembly 102 are energized by electrical signals provided in the contacts 106, to eject drops of fluid from selected nozzles 106, and circulate the fluid inside the set 102. Individual pumping elements 224 (see Figure 2) in the fluid ejection set 102 are also energized by electrical signals provided in the contacts 106, to make the fluid circulate within the set 102. The fluid can be any suitable fluid , used in printing processes, such as various fluids, inks, pre-treatment compositions, printable fasteners. In some instances, the fluid may be a fluid other than a printable fluid. The pen 100 can include its own fluid source in the cartridge body 104, or receive the fluid from an external source (not shown), such as a fluid reservoir, connected to the pen 100, via a tube, for example. Pens 100, which include their own fluid source, are generally discarded when the fluid is used up.
    Figure 2A shows a cross-sectional view and a top-down view of the fluid ejection assembly 102 (print head 102), according to a configuration of the present invention. The fluid ejection assembly 102 includes a first substrate 200, including a fluid groove 202. The elongated fluid groove 202 extends towards the plane of Figure 2, in fluid communication with a source (not shown), such as a fluid reservoir. The fluid groove 202 is a channel formed on the first substrate 200, so that the side walls 206 of the groove 202 are formed on the substrate 200. The top wall 208 of the fluid groove 202 is formed by a portion of the base surface of a second substrate or overlapping membrane 210. The second substrate 210 is glued, for the rest of its base surface 208, to the top surface 212 of the first substrate 200. The first and second substrates 200, 210 are formed from Silicon Wafers in SOI insulator ("Silicon On Insulator") in microfabrication processes, well known to those skilled in the art (electroforming, laser ablation, anisotropic erosion, spraying, wet erosion, photolithography, casting, molding, stamping, and machining). Layers of silicon dioxide (SiO2) 214 in SOI substrates provide a mechanism to obtain accurate depths in erosion during manufacturing, forming aspects and components, such as the fluid groove 202.
    A chamber layer 216 disposed on the second substrate 210 includes a fluid channel 218 within the layer 216. Fluid supply holes 220 (220A, 220B) extend through the second substrate 210 (which forms the top portion 208 of the fluid 202), and provides fluid communication between fluid groove 202 and fluid channel 218. Fluid channel 218 includes a drop generator 222 disposed toward one end of channel 218, and a fluid pumping element 224 disposed towards the other end of channel 218. The drop generator 210 includes a nozzle 226 formed in a nozzle plate 228 (top-hat layer), firing chamber 230, and ejection element 232 disposed in the firing chamber 230. The firing chamber is an extension or part of fluid channel 218. The widths of firing chamber 230 and fluid channel 218 are specified independently to optimize fluid ejection and pumping. The ejection element 232 can be a device capable of operating to eject drops of ink through the corresponding nozzle 226, such as thermal resistor or piezo-electric actuator. In the illustrated configuration, ejection element 232 is a thermal resistor formed from a film stack applied to the second substrate 210. The thin film stack generally includes an oxide layer, metallic layer, defining ejection element 232, tracks conductive, and passivation layer (not shown individually).
    The pumping element 224 is also disposed on the top surface of the second substrate 210. The fluid element 224 can be any device capable of operating to generate a movement of the fluid, and create a circulation of fluid, as discussed herein, such as a thermal resistor. Although pumping element 224 has been discussed in the form of a thermal resistor element in other configurations, pumping element 224 can be any of several types of pumping elements, which can be properly applied to a channel 218 of an ejection assembly fluid flow 102. For example, in different configurations, the fluid pumping element could be implemented as a piezo-electric actuator pump, electrostatic pump, electro-hydrodynamic pump or peristaltic pump. In the illustrated configuration, similar to the ejection element 232, the pump element 224 is a thermal resistor formed of a thin film stack, applied to the top of the second substrate 210. In configurations where the fluid pump 224 is a thermal resistor, the Fluid pumping action is achieved by energizing the pump element 224 (ie thermal resistor) with an electric current. The current causes the resistive pump element 224 to heat up rapidly, which in turn overheats and vaporizes a thin layer of fluid in contact with the pump element 224. The expanding vapor bubble forces the fluid from pump 224 in both directions in channel 218. As discussed above, however, the asymmetrical placement of pump 224, with respect to the length or center of channel 218, produces a liquid flow of fluid to the length side of channel 218.
    The exact placement of the fluid pumping element 224 in the fluid channel 218 can vary to a certain extent, but in any case, it can be asymmetrically located with respect to the central point of the length of the fluid channel 218. For example, assuming that the length of the fluid channel 218 in Figure 2A extends from the fluid supply hole 220B, shown on the far left side of Figure 2A, to the fluid supply hole 220A on the far right side of Figure 2A, then the Approximate center of channel 218 is located halfway between the right and left side fluid supply holes. Thus, the fluid pumping element 224 is located asymmetrically with respect to the center of channel 218, towards the fluid supply hole 220A on the right most side of channel 218. The asymmetric location of the fluid pumping element 224 creates a short side of channel 218, between pump 224 and fluid groove 202, and a long side of channel 218, which extends towards the center of channel 218 and drop generator 222.
    The asymmetric location of the fluid pumping element 224 within the fluid channel 218 is the basis for the unidirectional flow of the fluid flow (fluidic diodicity). The gray arrows 234 in Figure 2A illustrate the general direction of fluid flow and fluid circulation, created by the pumping action of pumping element 224- Asymmetric placement of pump 224 towards the short side of channel 218 produces a flow of fluid towards the center or long side of channel 218 (ie towards drop generator 222). As generally indicated, by the gray directional arrows 234, the pumping element 224 circulates fluid vertically upward from the fluid slot 202 to channel 218 through fluid supply holes 220A. The fluid is then pumped horizontally through channel 1218 towards the drop generator 222 (ie at the pump plane 224 and ejection element 232 / firing chamber 230), and then back to fluid slot 202, at vertical direction through the 220B fluid feed holes. Figure 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 during a drop ejection event, according to a configuration of the present invention. During normal operation of the fluid ejection assembly, a drop of fluid 236 is ejected from a chamber 230 by the corresponding nozzle 226, activating the corresponding ejection element 232. The chamber 230 is then refilled with a fluid that flows vertically upwards from fluid slot 202 via fluid supply holes 220B, in preparation for ejecting the subsequent fluid drop. More specifically, the electrical current that passes through the thermal resistor ejection element 232 produces rapid heating of the element 232, and a thin layer of fluid adjacent to the element 232 is overheated. The superheated fluid vaporizes and creates a vapor bubble. In the corresponding firing chamber 230, the rapidly expanding vapor bubble forces the fluid drop 236 through the corresponding nozzle 226. When the ejection element 232 cools, the vapor bubble quickly collapses, sucking more fluid vertically upward through the fluid supply holes 220B, from fluid slot 202 to firing chamber 230, in preparation for ejecting a subsequent drop of fluid from nozzle 226.
    Thus, in normal drop ejection events, it should be apparent that the ejection element 232 acts with dual capability to eject drops of fluid through nozzle 226, and circulate the fluid in the fluid ejection assembly 102. The gray arrows 234 in Figure 2B illustrate the general direction of fluid flow and fluid circulation created by the pumping action of the ejection element 232, during a drop ejection event. First, as the bubbles expand rapidly, the drop of fluid 236 is expelled through nozzle 226, and the fluid in channel 218 flows horizontally from generator 222 to the center or long side of channel 218, in a similar way, but in the direction opposite to that described, with respect to pumping element 224. When the steam bubble collapses, the fluid circulates vertically upward through the fluid supply holes 220B to chamber 230 and channel 218, to fill the void left by the fluid drop ejected 236. Thus, during the ejection of the fluid drop, the ejection element 232 also acts as a pumping element, to make the fluid circulate in both directions - horizontal and vertical - within the fluid ejection assembly 102, very similar to the pumping element 224. As noted above, the dimensions of the firing chamber 230 and the fluid channel 218 are independently specified, to optimize both - fluid ejection and pumping.
    Figures 3 to 14 show various views of fluid ejection assembly 102 with variations in the structure and / or layout of fluid channels 218, fluid feed holes 220, which extend between fluid grooves 202 and channels 218, and pumping elements 224 and ejection elements 232, according to configurations of the present invention. Figure 3 shows, for example, a cross-sectional and top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102, having two fluid supply holes 220B, which are adjacent to either side of the fluid element 232, as in configuration of Figure 2, but only one fluid supply hole 220A being adjacent to the distant side of the pumping element 224, according to a configuration of the present invention. As shown by directional arrow 234, the pumping action of pump element 224 in the configuration of Figure 3 circulates fluid vertically upward from fluid slot 202 to channel 218, through a single fluid feed hole 220A and horizontally through the channel 218 towards the center or long side of channel 218 (ie towards the drop generator 222). Although not shown, in a normal fluid drop ejection event, the ejection element 232 acts with dual capacity, to eject drops of fluid through the nozzle 226, and circulate the fluid in the fluid ejection assembly 102. As in In the configuration of Figure 2, the ejection element 232 circulates the fluid in channel 218 horizontally, from the drop generator 222 to the center or long side of channel 218, and then vertically upward, through the fluid feed holes 220B , for chamber 230 and channel 232, to fill the void left by the ejected fluid drop 236, when the ejection element 232 cools, and the bubbles shrink.
    Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional and top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 having two fluid feed holes 20B, which are adjacent to either side, the ejection element 232, as in the configuration of Figure 2, but only a fluid supply hole 220A being adjacent to the side next to the pumping element 224, according to the configuration of the present invention. As shown in the gray directional arrow 234, the pumping action of pump element 224 in the configuration of Figure 4 causes the fluid to flow vertically upward, from fluid slot 202 to channel 218, through the single fluid supply hole 220A, and horizontally through channel 218 towards the center of the long side of channel 218 (ie towards the drop generator 222), again during normal drop ejection events, the ejection element 232 ejects drops of fluid through the nozzle 226, and circulates the fluid in channel 218 horizontally from the drop generator 222 to the center or long side of channel 218, and then vertically upward through 10 of the fluid feed holes 220B, into chamber 230 and channel 218, to fill the void left by the ejected fluid drop 236.
    Figures 5 to 8 show additional exemplary configurations of fluid channels 218, fluid supply holes 15, pumping elements 224, and ejection elements 232 in a fluid ejection assembly 102, and the general direction of the generated fluid circulation by the respective pumping elements 224, according to configurations of the invention. In the configuration of Figure 5, 20 a fluid ejection assembly 102 has two fluid supply holes 220A, 220B, a fluid supply hole adjacent to the pumping element on the right most side of channel 218 and another fluid supply hole. fluid adjacent to ejection element 232 on the left side 25 of channel 218. In the configuration of Figure 6, a fluid ejection assembly 102 also has two fluid supply holes 220A, 220B. One fluid supply hole 220A is adjacent to the pumping element 224 and the other fluid supply hole 30 220B is adjacent to the ejection element 232, and both fluid supply holes are arranged between the pumping element 224 and the ejection element 232, towards the center of channel 218. In the configuration of Figures 7 and 8, fluid ejection assemblies 102 have three fluid supply holes 220, two fluid supply holes 220A being adjacent to either side of the pumping element 224. In Figure 7, the third fluid supply hole 220B is adjacent to the ejection element 232 on the left most side of channel 218, and in Figure 8, the third fluid supply hole 220B it is adjacent to the ejection element 232, towards the center of channel 218.
    Figures 9 and 10 show top-down views of fluid ejection assemblies 102, where the fluid supply elements 234 are paired with ejection elements 232 in a fluid channel 218, according to configurations of the invention. In the configuration of Figure 9, the lengths of the fluid channels 218 are oriented orthogonally to the length of the fluid ejection assembly 102 and the underlying fluid groove 202 (not shown). In the configuration of Figure 10, the lengths of the fluid channels 218 are oriented to correspond to the length of the fluid ejection assembly 102 and underlying fluid groove 202 (not shown). In both cases, the asymmetrical location of the pumping element 224 and the ejection element 232 in each fluid channel 218 makes the fluid circulate back and forth between the pumping element 224 and the ejection element 232, from / to the underlying fluid groove 202 by the supply holes 220. For example, in the configuration of Figure 9, the pumping element 224 causes the fluid to flow vertically upwards (ie out of the plane) from the underlying fluid groove 202 through holes fluid supply 220A, and then horizontally through the fluid channel 218 of the pumping element 224, to the ejection element 232 (ie within the plane of the pump element 224, ejection element 232, etc.) and vertically to down (ie to the plane) back to fluid slot 202, through feed holes 220B. When the ejection element 232 is activated to eject drops of fluid, the pumping effect of the ejection element 232 causes the fluid to circulate mainly in the reverse direction. The fluid circulates similarly in the configuration in Figure 10.
    Figures 11 and 12 show top-down views of fluid ejection assemblies 102, where pumping elements 224 are paired with ejection elements 232 in fluid channels 218, having different shapes, according to configurations of the invention. In the configuration of Figure 11, fluid channels 218 are U-shaped, where pump element 224, where fluid supply holes 220A are on one side of the U, and ejection element 232 and supply holes 220B they are on the other side of the U. The pumping element 224 causes the fluid to flow vertically upwards (ie out of the plane), from the underlying fluid groove 202, through fluid supply holes 220A, and then horizontally through the fluid channel U 218 of the pumping element to the ejection element 232 (ie within the plane of the pumping element 224, ejection element 232, etc.), and vertically upwards (ie to the plane) back to fluid slot 202 through feed holes 220B. When the ejection element 232 is activated to eject the drops of fluid, the pumping effect of the ejection element 232 causes the fluid to circulate mainly in the reverse direction. The configuration in Figure 12 includes fluid channels 218, oriented diagonally with respect to the length of the fluid ejection assembly 102 and the underlying fluid ejection groove 202. The fluid circulation in the configuration in Figure 12 is similar to the configuration in Figure 11 .
    Figure 13 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 with paired drop generators 222 with unbalanced circulation channels 218, according to a configuration of the invention. As in the previous configurations, the asymmetric location of the fluid pumping element 224 in the fluid channel 218 is the basis for a unidirectional flow (i.e. fluidic diocity). Asymmetric placement of the pump element 224 towards one end of the channel 218 produces a flow of liquid fluid to the long side of the channel 218. Thus, in the configuration of Figure 13, the pump element 224 operates to make the fluid circulate horizontally from right to left in channel 218 (ie inside the piano of pump 224) ejection element 232 etc., and vertically upwards (ie out of the plane) through feed holes 220 on the right side of channel 218 and vertically to down (ie to the plane) through the feed holes 220 on the left side of channel 218.
    Figure 14 shows a top-down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 including a pumping element shared between a number of surrounding drop generators 322, via circulation channels 218, according to a configuration of the present invention. The central location of the pumping element 224 between the four drop generators 222 causes the fluid to flow vertically upwards (out of the plane) through fluid supply holes 220 adjacent to pump 224, horizontally through channels 218 to each of the drop generators 222 (ie within the plane of pump 224, and ejection elements 232, etc.), and vertically downward (to the plane) through fluid supply holes 220, on either side of the ejection elements 232.
    Figure 15 shows a block diagram of a basic fluid ejection assembly, according to a configuration of the present invention. The ink eject device 1500 includes electronic controller 1502, and fluid eject assembly 102. Fluid eject assembly 102 can have any configuration of a fluid eject assembly 102, as described, illustrated, and / or contemplated by present invention. The electronic controller 1502 includes a processor, firmware, and other electronic components to communicate with the fluid ejection assembly 102, and control it to accurately eject drops of fluid. In one configuration, the 1500 ink ejection device is an inkjet printing device. Thus, the ink ejection device 1500 may also include a fluid / ink source, and assembly 1504 for supplying fluid to the fluid eject assembly 102, a media transport assembly 1506 to provide a medium for receiving drop arrangements of ejected fluid, and a 1508 power supply. In general, an electronic controller 1502 receives data 1510 from a host system, such as a controller. The data 1510 represents, for example, a document and / or file to be printed, and form a print job, including one or more print job commands and / or command parameters. From data 1510, electronic controller 1002 defines an array of drops, to eject ink to form characters, symbols, and other images.
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [0001]
    1. Fluid ejection assembly (102) characterized by the fact that it comprises: - a fluid groove (202), formed on a first substrate (200); - a chamber layer (216) arranged on top of a second substrate (210), wherein a base surface of the second substrate (210) is glued to a top surface of the first substrate (200); - a nozzle plate (228) formed on the chamber layer (216); - a channel (218) formed in the chamber layer (216) between the nozzle plate (228) and the second substrate (210); - fluid supply holes (220A, 220B) formed between the fluid groove (202) and the channel (218); - fluid ejection element (232), at a first end of the channel (218); and - a pump element (224) formed on the second substrate (210) within the channel (218) at a second end of the channel, to circulate the fluid horizontally through the channel (218), and vertically through the feed holes. fluid (220A).
    [0002]
    2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid supply holes (220A, 220B) comprise: a first fluid supply hole (220B), adjacent to the fluid ejection element (232); a second fluid supply hole (220A), adjacent to the pump element (224).
    [0003]
    3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first fluid supply hole (220B) is located between the fluid ejection element (232) and the first end of the channel (218).
    [0004]
    4. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the second fluid supply hole (220A) is located between the pump element (224) and the second end of the channel (218).
    [0005]
    5. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid supply holes (220A, 220B) comprise: - first and second fluid supply holes (220B), adjacent to, and on either side of the fluid ejection element (232); and a third fluid supply hole (220A), adjacent to the pump element (224).
    [0006]
    6. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid supply holes (220A, 220B) comprise: - first and second fluid supply holes (220A), adjacent to, and on either side of the pump element (224); and a third fluid feed hole (220B) adjacent to the fluid ejection element (232).
    [0007]
    7. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid supply holes comprise: - first and second fluid supply holes (220B), adjacent to, and on either side of the fluid ejection element ( 232); and - third and fourth fluid supply holes (220A), adjacent to, and on either side of the pump element (224).
    [0008]
    8. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (218) is U-shaped.
    [0009]
    9. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (218) is diagonally oriented in relation to the dimension of the length of the fluid groove (202).
    [0010]
    10. Fluid ejection assembly (102) characterized by the fact that it comprises: - first and second substrates (200, 210), a top surface of the first substrate (200) glued to a base surface of the second substrate (210); - a fluid groove (202) formed on the first substrate (200); - a chamber layer (216), formed on a top surface of the second substrate (210) and having a channel (218) defined there; - a nozzle plate (228) formed on the chamber layer (216); - fluid feed holes (220A, 220B) formed through the second substrate (210), to provide fluid communication between the fluid groove (202) and the channel (218); - an ejection element (232) disposed in the channel (218); and - a pump element (224) formed on the second substrate (210) within the channel (218), to provide a horizontal fluid circulation through the channel (218), between the pump element (224) and the ejection element ( 232), and vertical fluid circulation through the fluid supply holes (220A, 220B) between the channel (218) and the fluid groove (202).
    [0011]
    11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the channel (218) comprises multiple channels, which intersect at a first end, in which the pump element (224) is arranged at the intersection of the channels, and a the ejection element (232) is disposed at a second end of each channel, the pump element (224) providing a horizontal fluid circulation through the channels between the pump element (224) and each ejection element (232), and a vertical fluid circulation through the fluid supply holes (220A, 220B) between the channels and the fluid groove (202).
    [0012]
    12. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the pump element (224) is located asymmetrically in relation to a central point along the channel (218).
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    TW201408499A|2014-03-01|Fabricating a fluid ejection device
    TWI579149B|2017-04-21|Fluid Ejection Device and Related Method
    US9707754B2|2017-07-18|Fluid ejection device with particle tolerant layer extension
    EP2598334B1|2020-05-06|Fluid ejection assembly with circulation pump
    TWI568597B|2017-02-01|Fluid ejection device with ink feedhole bridge
    US9895885B2|2018-02-20|Fluid ejection device with particle tolerant layer extension
    CN109070595B|2021-01-05|Fluid ejection device
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    JP2013532594A|2013-08-19|
    US8757783B2|2014-06-24|
    US20130083136A1|2013-04-04|
    CN103025530B|2015-06-10|
    TWI458645B|2014-11-01|
    BR112013000372A2|2016-06-07|
    KR101694577B1|2017-01-09|
    JP5746342B2|2015-07-08|
    TW201210846A|2012-03-16|
    KR20130050344A|2013-05-15|
    WO2012015397A1|2012-02-02|
    CN103025530A|2013-04-03|
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    法律状态:
    2019-01-15| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|
    2019-04-24| B06T| Formal requirements before examination|
    2020-06-23| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2020-11-03| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 10 (DEZ) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 03/11/2020, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    PCT/US2010/043480|WO2012015397A1|2010-07-28|2010-07-28|Fluid ejection assembly with circulation pump|
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