FLUID EJECTION ASSEMBLY WITH CIRCULATION PUMP

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Fluid ejection devices in inkjet printers provide drop-on-demand ejection of fluid droplets. In general, inkjet printers print images by ejecting ink droplets through a plurality of nozzles onto a print medium, such as a sheet of paper. The nozzles are typically arranged in one or more arrays, such that properly sequenced ejection of ink droplets from the nozzles causes characters or other images to be printed on the print medium as the printhead and the print medium move relative to each other. In a specific example, a thermal inkjet printhead ejects droplets from a nozzle by passing electrical current through a heating element to generate heat and vaporize a small portion of the fluid within a firing chamber. In another example, a piezoelectric inkjet printhead uses a piezoelectric material actuator to generate pressure pulses that force fluid droplets out of a nozzle.

[0002] Although inkjet printers provide high print quality at reasonable cost, continued improvement relies on overcoming various challenges that remain in their development. For example, air bubbles are a continuing problem in inkjet printheads. During printing, air from the ink is released and forms bubbles that can migrate from the firing chamber to other locations in the printhead and cause problems such as blocking ink flow, degrading the print quality, causing partly full print cartridges to appear empty, and ink leaks. In addition, pigment-ink vehicle separation (PIVS) remains a problem when using pigment-based inks. Pigment-based inks are preferred in inkjet printing as they tend to be more durable and permanent than dye-based inks. However, during periods of storage or non-use, pigment particles can settle or crash out of the ink vehicle (i.e., PIVS) which can impede or completely block ink flow to the firing chambers and nozzles in the printhead. Other factors such as evaporation of water (for aqueous inks) and solvent (for non-aqueous inks) can also contribute to PIVS and/or increased ink viscosity and viscous plug formation which prevent immediate printing after periods of non-use.

[0003] US 5 764 258 A discloses a print head consisting of an ink chamber with heater elements and orifices. Connected to the ink chamber is a pump chamber which is supplied with ink through an ink supply opening. The ink chamber and the pump chamber are enclosed between a first and a second end plate. The pump element is integrated within the pump chamber which forms part of the print head and there are divider elements and valve elements arranged lengthways along both sides of the pump element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The present embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of an inkjet pen suitable for incorporating a fluid ejection assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a fluid ejection assembly during a drop ejection event, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having two fluid feed holes adjacent to either side of an ejection element and one fluid feed hole adjacent to the far side of a pumping element, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having two fluid feed holes adjacent to either side of an ejection element and one fluid feed hole adjacent to the near side of a pumping element, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having two fluid feed holes, one adjacent to a pump element and one adjacent to an ejection element and both at opposite ends of a fluid channel, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having two fluid feed holes, one adjacent to a pump element and one adjacent to an ejection element and both toward the center of a fluid channel, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having three fluid feed holes, two adjacent to a pump element and one adjacent to an ejection element at the far side of a fluid channel, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having three fluid feed holes, two adjacent to a pump element and one adjacent to an ejection element toward the center of a fluid channel, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 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 an embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having pumping elements paired with ejection elements and fluid channels oriented length-wise with respect to the length of the assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 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 an embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having pumping elements paired with ejection elements and fluid channels oriented diagonally with respect to the length of the fluid ejection assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having paired drop generators with unbalanced circulation channels, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly having a pumping element shared between a number of surrounding drop generators via circulation channels, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of a basic fluid ejection device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview of Problem and Solution

[0005] As noted above, various challenges have yet to be overcome in the development of inkjet printing systems. For example, inkjet printheads used in such systems continue to have troubles with ink blockage and/or clogging. Previous solutions to this problem have primarily involved servicing the printheads before and after their use. For example, printheads are typically capped during non-use to prevent nozzles from clogging with dried ink. Prior to their use, nozzles are also primed by spitting ink through them. Drawbacks to these solutions include the inability to print immediately due to the servicing time, and an increase in the total cost of ownership due to the significant amount of ink consumed during servicing. Accordingly, ink blockage and/or clogging in inkjet printing systems remains a fundamental problem that can both degrade overall print quality and increase costs.

[0006] There are a number of causes for ink blockage or clogging in a printhead. One cause of ink blockage is an excess of air that accumulates as air bubbles in the printhead. When ink is exposed to air, such as while the ink is stored in an ink reservoir, additional air dissolves into the ink. The subsequent action of firing ink droplets from the firing chamber of the printhead releases excess air from the ink which then accumulates as air bubbles. The bubbles move from the firing chamber to other areas of the printhead where they can block the flow of ink to the printhead and within the printhead.

[0007] Pigment-based inks can also cause ink blockage or clogging in printheads. Inkjet printing systems use pigment-based inks and dye-based inks, and while there are advantages and disadvantages with both types of ink, pigment-based inks are generally preferred. In dye-based inks the dye particles are dissolved in liquid so the ink tends to soak deeper into the paper. This makes dye-based ink less efficient and it can reduce the image quality as the ink bleeds at the edges of the image. Pigment-based inks, by contrast, consist of an ink vehicle and high concentrations of insoluble pigment particles coated with a dispersant that enables the particles to remain suspended in the ink vehicle. This helps pigment inks stay more on the surface of the paper rather than soaking into the paper. Pigment ink is therefore more efficient than dye ink because less ink is needed to create the same color intensity in a printed image. Pigment inks also tend to be more durable and permanent than dye inks as they smear less than dye inks when they encounter water.

[0008] One drawback with pigment-based inks, however, is that ink blockage can occur in the inkjet printhead after shipping and prolonged storage, resulting in poor out-of-box performance of inkjet pens. Inkjet pens have a printhead affixed at one end that is internally coupled to a supply of ink. The ink supply may be self-contained within the pen body or it may reside on the printer outside of the pen and be coupled to the printhead through the pen body. Over long periods of storage, gravitational effects on the large pigment particles and/or degradation of the dispersant can cause pigment settling or crashing, which is known as PIVS (pigment-ink vehicle separation). The settling or crashing of pigment particles can impede or completely block ink flow to the firing chambers and nozzles in the printhead which can result in poor out-of-box performance by the printhead and reduced image quality.

[0009] Other factors such as evaporation of water and solvent from the ink can also contribute to PIVS and/or increased ink viscosity and viscous plug formation which prevent immediate printing after periods of non-use.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure help to overcome the problem of ink blockage or clogging in inkjet printheads, generally through the use of a fluid ejection assembly having a fluid circulation pump. The pump is formed on a membrane over a fluid slot in an underlying substrate, and is asymmetrically located along the length of a fluid channel (i.e., toward one end of the channel) in order to create a directional fluid flow (i.e., fluidic diodicity). During idle time when the fluid ejection assembly is not operating, the pump circulates fluid horizontally through the fluid channel and a firing chamber (i.e., in the plane of the pump and firing chamer). The pump also simultaneously circulates fluid vertically through fluid feed holes formed between the channel and the fluid slot. During normal operation of the fluid ejection assembly, a fluid ejection element in the firing chamber ejects fluid droplets through a nozzle. The action of the fluid ejection element also creates a pumping action that circulates fluid horizontally through the channel and vertically between the channel and the fluid slot. The circulation of fluid during both idle time and active operation of the fluid ejection assembly helps to prevent ink blockage or clogging in inkjet printheads.

[0011] In one example embodiment, a fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot formed in a first substrate. The top surface of the first substrate is adhered to the bottom surface of a membrane, or second substrate. A channel is formed in a chamber layer disposed on top of the second substrate, and fluid feed holes are formed through the second substrate between the fluid slot and the channel. A fluid ejection element is located near a first end of the channel, and a pump element is located near a second end of the channel to circulate fluid horizontally through the channel and vertically through the fluid feed holes.

[0012] In another example embodiment, a fluid ejection assembly includes first and second substrates, with a top surface of the first substrate bonded to a bottom surface of the second substrate. A fluid slot is formed in the first substrate, and a chamber layer having a channel formed therein is disposed on a top surface of the second substrate. Fluid feed holes formed through the second substrate provides fluid communication between the fluid slot and the channel. An ejection element and pumping element are disposed in the channel to provide horizontal fluid circulation through the channel between the pumping element and the ejection element and vertical fluid circulation through the fluid feed holes between the channel and fluid slot.

[0013] In another example embodiment a method of circulating fluid in a fluid ejection assembly includes pumping fluid horizontally through a fluid channel between a pump element and an ejection element, and pumping fluid vertically between the fluid channel and a fluid slot through fluid feed holes that extend between the fluid channel and the fluid slot.

Illustrative Embodiments

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an example of an inkjet pen 100 suitable for incorporating a fluid ejection assembly 102 as disclosed herein, according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the fluid ejection assembly 102 is disclosed as a fluid drop jetting printhead 102. The inkjet pen 100 includes a pen cartridge body 104, printhead (fluid ejection assembly) 102, and electrical contacts 106. Individual fluid drop generators 222 (e.g., see FIG. 2) in the fluid ejection assembly 102 are energized by electrical signals provided at contacts 106 to eject droplets of fluid from selected nozzles 108 and to circulate fluid within the assembly 102. Individual pumping elements 224 (e.g., see FIG. 2) in fluid ejection assembly 102 are also energized by electrical signals provided at contacts 106 to circulate fluid within the assembly 102. The fluid can be any suitable fluid used in a printing process, such as various printable fluids, inks, pre-treatment compositions, fixers, and the like. In some examples, the fluid can be a fluid other than a printing fluid. The pen 100 may contain its own fluid supply within cartridge body 104, or it may receive fluid from an external supply (not shown) such as a fluid reservoir connected to pen 100 through a tube, for example. Pens 100 containing their own fluid supplies are generally disposable once the fluid supply is depleted.

[0015] FIG. 2A shows both a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 (printhead 102), according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Fluid ejection assembly 102 includes a first substrate 200 with a fluid slot 202 formed therein. The elongated fluid slot 202 extends into the plane of FIG. 2A and is in fluid communication with a fluid supply (not shown), such as a fluid reservoir. The fluid slot 202 is a trench formed in the first substrate 200 such that sidewalls 206 of the slot 202 are formed by the substrate 200. The top wall 208 of the fluid slot 202 is formed by a portion of the bottom surface of an overlying second substrate or membrane 210. The second substrate 210 is adhered by the remainder of its bottom surface 208 to the top surface 212 of the first substrate 200. The first and second substrates 200, 210, are formed from SOI (silicon on insulator) wafers in standard micro-fabrication processes that are well-known to those skilled in the art (e.g., electroforming, laser ablation, anisotropic etching, sputtering, dry etching, photolithography, casting, molding, stamping, and machining). Silicon dioxide (SiO2) layers 214 in the SOI substrates provide a mechanism for achieving accurate etch depths during fabrication while forming features such as the fluid slot 202.

[0016] A chamber layer 216 disposed on top of the second substrate 210 includes a fluid channel 218 formed within the layer 216. Fluid feed holes 220 (220A and 220B) extend through the second substrate 210 (which forms the top 208 of the fluid slot 202) and provide fluid communication between the fluid slot 202 and the fluid channel 218. The fluid channel 218 includes a drop generator 222 disposed toward one end of the channel 218 and a fluid pumping element 224 disposed toward the other end of the channel 218. The drop generator 210 includes a nozzle 226 formed in a nozzle plate 228 (or top hat layer), a firing chamber 230, and an ejection or firing element 232 disposed in the firing chamber 230. The firing chamber 230 is an extension of, and part of, the fluid channel 218. The firing chamber 230 and the fluid channel 218 widths can be specified independently to optimize fluid ejection and pumping. Ejection element 232 can be any device capable of operating to eject fluid drops through a corresponding nozzle 226, such as a thermal resistor or piezoelectric actuator. In the illustrated embodiment, ejection element 232 is a thermal resistor formed of a thin film stack applied on top of the second substrate 210. The thin film stack generally includes an oxide layer, a metal layer defining the ejection element 232, conductive traces, and a passivation layer (not individually shown).

[0017] Fluid pumping element 224 is also disposed on the top surface of the second substrate 210. Pump element 224 can be any device capable of operating to generate motion in the fluid and create fluid circulation as discussed herein, such as a thermal resistor. Although the pumping element 224 is discussed as a thermal resistor element, in other embodiments it can be any of various types of pumping elements that may be suitably deployed in a channel 218 of a fluid ejection assembly 102. For example, in different embodiments fluid pumping element 224 might be implemented as a piezoelectric actuator pump, an electrostatic pump, an electro hydrodynamic pump, or a peristaltic pump. In the illustrated embodiment, like ejection element 232, the pump element 224 is a thermal resistor formed of a thin film stack applied on top of the second substrate 210. In embodiments where the fluid pump 224 is a thermal resistor, a fluid pumping action is achieved by energizing the pump element 224 (i.e., thermal resistor) with an electrical current. The current causes the resistive pump element 224 to heat rapidly, which in turn superheats and vaporizes a thin layer of fluid in contact with the pump element 224. The expanding vapor bubble forces fluid away from the pump 224 in both directions within the channel 218. As discussed below, however, the asymmetric placement of the pump 224 with respect to the length or center of the channel 218 results in a net flow of fluid toward the long side of the channel 218.

[0018] The exact location of the fluid pumping element 224 within the fluid channel 218 may vary somewhat, but in any case will be asymmetrically located with respect to the center point of the length of the fluid channel 218. For example, assuming the length of a fluid channel 218 in FIG. 2A extends from the fluid feed hole 220B shown at the far left side of FIG. 2A to the fluid feed hole 220A at the far right side of FIG. 2A, then the approximate center of the channel 218 is located midway between these far left and far right fluid feed holes. Thus, the fluid pumping element 224 is located asymmetrically with respect to the center of the channel 218 toward the fluid feed hole 220A at the far right side of the channel 218. The asymmetric location of the fluid pumping element 224 creates a short side of the channel 218 between the pump 224 and the fluid slot 202, and a long side of the channel 218 that extends toward the center of the channel 218 and the drop generator 222.

[0019] The asymmetric location of the fluid pumping element 224 within the fluid channel 218 is the basis for a uni-directional flow of fluid (i.e., fluidic diodicity). The grey arrows 234 in FIG. 2A illustrate the general direction of fluid flow and fluid circulation created by the pumping action of the pumping element 224. The asymmetric placement of the pump 224 toward a short side of the channel 218 results in a net fluid flow in a direction toward the center or long side of the channel 218 (i.e., toward drop generator 222). As generally indicated by the grey directional arrows 234, the pumping element 224 circulates fluid vertically upward from the fluid slot 202 into the channel 218 through fluid feed holes 220A. The fluid is then pumped horizontally through the channel 218 toward drop generator 222 (i.e., in the plane of the pump 224 and ejection element 232 / firing chamber 230), and then back into the fluid slot 202 in a vertical direction through fluid feed holes 220B.

[0020] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 during a drop ejection event, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. During normal operation of the fluid ejection assembly, a fluid droplet 236 is ejected from a chamber 230 through a corresponding nozzle 226 by activating a corresponding ejection element 232. The chamber 230 is then refilled with fluid circulating vertically upward from fluid slot 202 through fluid feed holes 220B in preparation for ejecting another fluid droplet. More specifically, electric current passed through the thermal resistor ejection element 232 results in rapid heating of the element 232, and a thin layer of fluid adjacent to the element 232 is superheated. The superheated fluid vaporizes, creating a vapor bubble in the corresponding firing chamber 230, and the rapidly expanding bubble forces a fluid droplet 236 out of the corresponding nozzle 226. When the ejection element 232 cools, the vapor bubble quickly collapses, drawing more fluid vertically upward through fluid feed holes 220B from fluid slot 202 and into the firing chamber 230 in preparation for ejecting another drop from the nozzle 226.

[0021] Thus, during normal drop ejection events it is apparent that the ejection element 232 acts in a dual capacity to eject fluid drops through nozzle 226 as well as circulate fluid within the fluid ejection assembly 102. The grey arrows 234 in FIG. 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. At first, as the rapidly expanding bubble forces a fluid droplet 236 out of the nozzle 226, fluid in channel 218 circulates horizontally away from the drop generator 222 toward the center or long side of the channel 218, in a manner similar to, but in the opposite direction of, that described above regarding the pumping element 224. As the vapor bubble collapses, fluid circulates vertically upward through fluid feed holes 220B into the chamber 230 and channel 218 to refill the void left by the ejected fluid drop 236. Thus, during fluid drop ejection, the ejection element 232 also acts as a pumping element to circulate fluid in both vertical and horizontal directions within the fluid ejection assembly 102, in much the same way as the pumping element 224. As noted above, the firing chamber 230 and the fluid channel 218 dimensions are independently specified to optimize both fluid ejection and pumping.

[0022] FIGs. 3 - 14 show varying views of a fluid ejection assembly 102 with variations in the structure and/or layout of the fluid channels 218, the fluid feed holes 220 that extend between the fluid slots 202 and channels 218, and the pumping elements 224 and ejection elements 232, according to embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3, for example shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 having two fluid feed holes 220B that are adjacent to either side of the ejection element 232 as in the FIG. 2 embodiment, but only one fluid feed hole 220A adjacent to the far side of the pumping element 224, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown by the grey directional arrow 234, the pumping action of pump element 224 in the FIG. 3 embodiment circulates fluid vertically upward from the fluid slot 202 into the channel 218 through the single fluid feed hole 220A, and horizontally through the channel 218 toward the center or long side of the channel 218 (i.e., toward drop generator 222). Although not illustrated, during normal drop ejection events the ejection element 232 acts in a dual capacity to eject fluid drops through nozzle 226 as well as circulate fluid within the fluid ejection assembly 102. As in the FIG. 2 embodiment, the ejection element 232 circulates fluid in channel 218 horizontally away from the drop generator 222 toward the center or long side of the channel 218, and then vertically upward through fluid feed holes 220B into the chamber 230 and channel 218 to refill the void left by an ejected fluid drop 236 as the ejection element 232 cools and the vaporization bubble shrinks.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view and a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 having two fluid feed holes 220B that are adjacent to either side of the ejection element 232 as in the FIG. 2 embodiment, but only one fluid feed hole 220A adjacent to the near side of pumping element 224, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown by the grey directional arrow 234, the pumping action of pump element 224 in the FIG. 4 embodiment circulates fluid vertically upward from the fluid slot 202 into the channel 218 through the single fluid feed hole 220A, and horizontally through the channel 218 toward the center or long side of the channel 218 (i.e., toward drop generator 222). Again, during normal drop ejection events the ejection element 232 ejects fluid drops through nozzle 226 as well as circulates fluid within the fluid ejection assembly 102. The ejection element 232 circulates fluid in channel 218 horizontally away from the drop generator 222 toward the center or long side of the channel 218, and then vertically upward through fluid feed holes 220B into the chamber 230 and channel 218 to refill the void left by an ejected fluid drop 236.

[0024] FIGs. 5 - 8 show additional example configurations of fluid channels 218, fluid feed holes, pumping elements 224 and ejection elements 232, within a fluid ejection assembly 102, and the general direction of fluid circulation generated by the respective pumping elements 224, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In the FIG. 5 embodiment, a fluid ejection assembly 102 has two fluid feed holes 220A and 220B, one adjacent to pumping element 224 and at the far right side of channel 218 and the other adjacent to ejection element 232 and at the far left side of channel 218. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, a fluid ejection assembly 102 also has two fluid feed holes 220A and 220B. One fluid feed hole 220A is adjacent to pumping element 224 and the other fluid feed hole 220B is adjacent to ejection element 232, and both are between the pumping element 224 and ejection element 232 toward the center of the channel 218. In the FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 embodiments, fluid ejection assemblies 102 have three fluid feed holes 220 with two fluid feed holes 220A adjacent to either side of the pumping element 224. In FIG. 7, the third fluid feed hole 220B is adjacent to the ejection element 232 at the far left side of channel 218, and in FIG. 8, the third fluid feed hole 220B is adjacent to the ejection element 232 toward the center of channel 218.

[0025] FIGs. 9 and 10 show top down views of fluid ejection assemblies 102 where pumping elements 224 are paired with ejection elements 232 within a fluid channel 218, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In the FIG. 9 embodiment, the lengths of the fluid channels 218 are oriented orthogonal to the length of the fluid ejection assembly 102 and underlying fluid slot 202 (not shown). In the FIG. 10 embodiment, the lengths of the fluid channels 218 are oriented such that they correspond with the length of the fluid ejection assembly 102 and underlying fluid slot 202 (not shown). In both cases, the asymmetric location of the pumping element 224 and ejection element 232 in each fluid channel 218 results in fluid circulation back and forth between the pumping element 224 and ejection element 232 and to and from the underlying fluid slot 202 through fluid feed holes 220. For example, in the FIG. 9 embodiment, pumping element 224 circulates fluid vertically upward (i.e., out of the plane) from the underlying fluid slot 202 through fluid feed holes 220A, then horizontally through the fluid channel 218 from the pumping element 224 to the ejection element 232 (i.e., within the plane of the pump element 224, ejection element 232, etc.), and vertically downward (i.e., into the plane) back into the fluid slot 202 through fluid feed holes 220B. When the ejection element 232 activates to eject fluid drops, the pumping effect of the ejection element 232 causes fluid to circulate mostly in a reverse direction. Fluid circulates in a similar manner in the FIG. 10 embodiment.

[0026] FIGs. 11 and 12 show top down views of fluid ejection assemblies 102 where pumping elements 224 are paired with ejection elements 232 within a fluid channels 218 having different shapes, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In the FIG. 11 embodiment, the fluid channels 218 are u-shaped with the pump element 224 and fluid feed holes 220A on one side of the "u", and the ejection element 232 and fluid feed holes 220B on the other side of the "u". The pumping element 224 circulates fluid vertically upward (i.e., out of the plane) from the underlying fluid slot 202 through fluid feed holes 220A, then horizontally through the u-shaped fluid channel 218 from the pumping element 224 to the ejection element 232 (i.e., within the plane of the pump element 224, ejection element 232, etc.), and vertically downward (i.e., into the plane) back into the fluid slot 202 through fluid feed holes 220B. When the ejection element 232 activates to eject fluid drops, the pumping effect of the ejection element 232 causes fluid to circulate mostly in a reverse direction. The FIG. 12 embodiment has fluid channels 218 that are oriented diagonally with respect to the length of the fluid ejection assembly 102 and underlying fluid ejection slot 202. Fluid circulation in the FIG. 12 embodiment is similar to the FIG. 11 embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 13 shows a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 having paired drop generators 222 with unbalanced circulation channels 218, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As in previous embodiments, the asymmetric location of the fluid pumping element 224 within the fluid channel 218 is the basis for a uni-directional flow of fluid (i.e., fluidic diodicity). The asymmetric placement of the pump element 224 toward one end of the channel 218 results in a net flow of fluid toward the long side of the channel 218. Thus, in the FIG. 13 embodiment, pump element 224 operates to circulate fluid horizontally from right to left within channel 218 (i.e., within the plane of the pump 224, ejection element 232,etc.), and vertically upward (i.e., out of the plane) through the fluid feed holes 220 on the right side of the channel 218 and vertically downward (i.e., into the plane) through the fluid feed holes 220 on the left side of the channel 218.

[0028] FIG. 14 shows a top down view of a fluid ejection assembly 102 having a pumping element shared between a number of surrounding drop generators 222 via circulation channels 218, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The central location of the pumping element 224 between the four drop generators 222 results in fluid circulating vertically upward (i.e., out of the plane) through the fluid feed holes 220 adjacent to the pump 224, horizontally through the cannels 218 to each of the drop generators 222 (i.e., within the plane of the pump 224, ejection elements 232,etc.), and vertically downward (i.e., into the plane) through the fluid feed holes 220 on either side of the ejection elements 232.

[0029] FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of a basic fluid ejection device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The fluid ejection device 1500 includes an electronic controller 1502 and a fluid ejection assembly 102. Fluid ejection assembly 102 can be any embodiment of a fluid ejection assembly 102 described, illustrated and/or contemplated by the present disclosure. Electronic controller 1502 typically includes a processor, firmware, and other electronics for communicating with and controlling fluid ejection assembly 102 to eject fluid droplets in a precise manner.

[0030] In one embodiment, fluid ejection device 1500 may be an inkjet printing device. As such, fluid ejection device 1500 may also include a fluid/ink supply and assembly 1504 to supply fluid to fluid ejection assembly 102, a media transport assembly 1506 to provide media for receiving patterns of ejected fluid droplets, and a power supply 1508. In general, electronic controller 1502 receives data 1510 from a host system, such as a computer. The data 1510 represents, for example, a document and/or file to be printed and forms a print job that includes one or more print job commands and/or command parameters. From the data 1510, electronic controller 1002 defines a pattern of drops to eject which form characters, symbols, and/or other graphics or images.

Claims

1. A fluid ejection assembly (102) comprising:

a first substrate (200), a second substrate (210) and a chamber layer (216);

a fluid slot (202) formed in the first substrate (200);

a channel (218) formed in the chamber layer (216) disposed on top of the second substrate (210), wherein a bottom surface of the second substrate (210) is adhered to a top surface of the first substrate (200);

fluid feed holes (220A, 220B) formed between the fluid slot (202) and the channel (218);

a fluid ejection element (232) at a first end of the channel (218); and

a pump element (224) at a second end of the channel (218) to circulate fluid horizontally through the channel (218) and vertically through the fluid feed holes (220A, 220B),
characterized in that the fluid feed holes (220A, 220B) comprise:

a first fluid feed hole (220B) adjacent to the fluid ejection element (232); and

a second fluid feed hole (220A) adjacent to the pump element (224).

2. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein the first fluid feed hole (220B) is between the fluid ejection element (232) and the first end of the channel (218).

3. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein the second fluid feed hole (220A) is between the pump element (224) and the second end of the channel (218).

4. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein there are provided a plurality of first fluid feed holes (220A) adjacent to and on either side of the fluid ejection element (232).

5. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein there are provided a plurality of second fluid feed holes (220A) adjacent to and on either side of the pump element (224)

6. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein there are provided a plurality of first fluid feed holes (220B) adjacent to and on either side of the fluid ejection element (232), and a plurality of second fluid feed holes (220A) adjacent to and on either side of the pump element (224).

7. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein the channel (218) is u-shaped.

8. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein the channel (218) is diagonally oriented with respect to a long dimension of the fluid slot (202).

9. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 1, wherein
the fluid feed holes (220A, 220B) are formed through the second substrate (210) to provide fluid communication between the fluid slot (202) and the channel (218);
the fluid ejection element is disposed in the channel (218); and
the pump element (224) disposed in the channel (218) to provide horizontal fluid circulation through the channel (218) between the pump element (224) and the fluid ejection element (232) and vertical fluid circulation through the fluid feed holes (220A, 220B) between the channel (218) and fluid slot (202).

10. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 9, wherein the channel (218) comprises multiple channels (218) that intersect at a second end, and wherein the pump element (224) is disposed at the intersection of the channels (218) and an fluid ejection element (232) is disposed at a first end of each channel (218), the pump element (224) to provide horizontal fluid circulation through the channels (218) between the pump element (224) and each fluid ejection element (232) and vertical fluid circulation through the fluid feed holes (220A, 220B) between the channels (218) and fluid slot (202).

11. A fluid ejection assembly (102) as in claim 9, wherein the pump element (224) is located asymmetrically with respect to a central point along the channel (218).

12. A method of circulating fluid in a fluid ejection assembly (102) according to claim 1, comprising:

by the pump element (224), pumping fluid horizontally through the channel (218) between the pump element (224) and the fluid ejection element (232); and

by the pump element (224), pumping fluid vertically between the channel (218) and the fluid slot (202) through the fluid feed holes (220A, 220B) that extend between the channel (218) and the fluid slot (202).

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein the pumping comprises activating the pump element (224) to push fluid through the channel (218) and fluid feed holes (220A, 220B).

14. A method as in claim 12, wherein the pumping comprises activating the fluid ejection element (232) to eject fluid through a nozzle (226) and to push fluid through the channel (218) and fluid feed holes (220A, 220B).

Ansprüche

1. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102), umfassend:

ein erstes Substrat (200), ein zweites Substrat (210) und eine Kammerschicht (216);

einen Fluidschlitz (202), der in dem ersten Substrat (200) ausgebildet ist;

einen Kanal (218), der in der auf der Oberseite des zweiten Substrats (210) angeordneten Kammerschicht (216) ausgebildet ist, wobei eine untere Fläche des zweiten Substrats (210) an einer oberen Fläche des ersten Substrats (200) anhaftet;

Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B), die zwischen dem Fluidschlitz (202) und dem Kanal (218) ausgebildet sind;

ein Fluidausstoßelement (232) an einem ersten Ende des Kanals (218); und

ein Pumpenelement (224) an einem zweiten Ende des Kanals (218), um Fluid horizontal durch den Kanal (218) und vertikal durch die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B) zirkulieren zu lassen,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B) Folgendes umfassen:

ein erstes Fluidzufuhrloch (220B) neben dem Fluidausstoßelement (232); und

ein zweites Fluidzufuhrloch (220A) neben dem Pumpenelement (224).

2. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich das erste Fluidzufuhrloch (220B) zwischen dem Fluidausstoßelement (232) und dem ersten Ende des Kanals (218) befindet.

3. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich das zweite Fluidzufuhrloch (220A) zwischen dem Pumpenelement (224) und dem zweiten Ende des Kanals (218) befindet.

4. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei mehrere erste Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A) neben und auf jeder Seite des Fluidausstoßelements (232) vorgesehen sind.

5. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei mehrere zweite Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A) neben und auf jeder Seite des Pumpenelements (224) vorgesehen sind.

6. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei mehrere erste Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220B) neben dem und auf jeder Seite des Fluidausstoßelements (232) vorgesehen sind, und wobei mehrere zweite Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A) neben dem und auf jeder Seite des Pumpenelements (224) vorgesehen sind.

7. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Kanal (218) u-förmig ausgebildet ist.

8. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Kanal (218) diagonal in Bezug auf eine lange Abmessung des Fluidschlitzes (202) ausgerichtet ist.

9. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, wobei
die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B) durch das zweite Substrat (210) hindurch ausgebildet sind, um eine Fluidverbindung zwischen dem Fluidschlitz (202) und dem Kanal (218) herzustellen;
das Fluidausstoßelement in dem Kanal (218) angeordnet ist; und
das Pumpenelement (224) in dem Kanal (218) angeordnet ist, um eine horizontale Fluidzirkulation durch den Kanal (218) zwischen dem Pumpenelement (224) und dem Fluidausstoßelement (232) und eine vertikale Fluidzirkulation durch die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B) zwischen dem Kanal (218) und dem Fluidschlitz (202) bereitzustellen.

10. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Kanal (218) mehrere Kanäle (218) umfasst, die sich an einem zweiten Ende schneiden, und wobei das Pumpenelement (224) an der Schnittstelle der Kanäle (218) angeordnet ist und ein Fluidausstoßelement (232) an einem ersten Ende jedes Kanals (218) angeordnet ist, wobei das Pumpenelement (224) eine horizontale Fluidzirkulation durch die Kanäle (218) zwischen dem Pumpenelement (224) und jedem Fluidausstoßelement (232) und eine vertikale Fluidzirkulation durch die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B) zwischen den Kanälen (218) und dem Fluidschlitz (202) bereitstellen soll.

11. Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 9, wobei das Pumpenelement (224) asymmetrisch in Bezug auf einen zentralen Punkt entlang des Kanals (218) angeordnet ist.

12. Verfahren zum Zirkulierenlassen von Fluid in einer Fluidausstoßanordnung (102) nach Anspruch 1, Folgendes umfassend:

durch das Pumpenelement (224), horizontales Pumpen von Fluid durch den Kanal (218) zwischen dem Pumpenelement (224) und dem Fluidausstoßelement (232); und

durch das Pumpenelement (224), vertikales Pumpen von Fluid zwischen dem Kanal (218) und dem Fluidschlitz (202) durch die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B), die sich zwischen dem Kanal (218) und dem Fluidschlitz (202) erstrecken.

13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei das Pumpen das Aktivieren des Pumpenelements (224) dahin gehend umfasst, Fluid durch den Kanal (218) und die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 2208) zu drücken.

14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei das Pumpen das Aktivieren des Fluidausstoßelements (232) dahin gehend umfasst, Fluid durch eine Düse (226) auszustoßen und Fluid durch den Kanal (218) und die Fluidzufuhrlöcher (220A, 220B) zu drücken.

Revendications

1. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) comprenant :

un premier substrat (200), un second substrat (210) et une couche chambre (216) ;

une fente à fluide (202) formée dans le premier substrat (200) ;

un canal (218) formé dans la couche chambre (216) disposée au sommet du second substrat (210), une surface de fond du second substrat (210) étant collée à une surface du dessus du premier substrat (200) ;

des trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B) formés entre la fente à fluide (202) et le canal (218) ;

un élément d'éjection de fluide (232) situé à une première extrémité du canal (218) ; et

un élément de pompage (224) situé à une seconde extrémité du canal (218) servant à faire circuler le fluide horizontalement à travers le canal (218) et verticalement à travers les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B),

caractérisé en ce que les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B) comprennent :

un premier trou d'alimentation en fluide (220B) adjacent à l'élément d'éjection de fluide (232) ; et

un second trou d'alimentation en fluide (220A) adjacent à l'élément de pompage (224).

2. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier trou d'alimentation en fluide (220B) est situé entre l'élément d'éjection de fluide (232) et la première extrémité du canal (218).

3. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le second trou d'alimentation en fluide (220A) est situé entre l'élément de pompage (224) et la second extrémité du canal (218).

4. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel est fournie une pluralité de premiers trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A) adjacents à l'élément d'éjection de fluide (232) et de chaque côté de celui-ci.

5. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel est fournie une pluralité de seconds trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A) adjacents à l'élément de pompage (224) et de chaque côté de celui-ci.

6. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel est fournie une pluralité de premiers trous d'alimentation en fluide (220B) adjacents à l'élément d'éjection de fluide (232) et de chaque côté de celui-ci, et une pluralité de seconds trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A) adjacents à l'élément de pompage (224) et de chaque côté de celui-ci.

7. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le canal (218) est en forme de U.

8. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le canal (218) est orienté en diagonale par rapport à une dimension longue de la fente à fluide (202).

9. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B) sont formés à travers le second substrat (210) afin d'assurer une communication fluidique entre la fente à fluide (202) et le canal (218) ;
l'élément d'éjection de fluide est disposé dans le canal (218) ; et
l'élément de pompage (224) disposé dans le canal (218) sert à assurer une circulation horizontale du fluide à travers le canal (218) entre l'élément de pompage (224) et l'élément d'éjection de fluide (232) et une circulation verticale du fluide à travers les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B) entre le canal (218) et la fente à fluide (202).

10. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le canal (218) comprend de multiples canaux (218) qui se coupent au niveau d'une seconde extrémité, et dans lequel l'élément de pompage (224) est disposé à l'intersection des canaux (218) et un élément d'éjection de fluide (232) est disposé au niveau d'une première extrémité de chaque canal (218), l'élément de pompage (224) servant à assurer une circulation horizontale du fluide à travers les canaux (218) entre l'élément de pompage (224) et chaque élément d'éjection de fluide (232) et une circulation verticale du fluide à travers les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B) entre les canaux (218) et la fente à fluide (202).

11. Ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 9, dans lequel l'élément de pompage (224) est situé asymétriquement par rapport à un point central le long du canal (218).

12. Procédé de circulation de fluide dans un ensemble d'éjection de fluide (102) selon la revendication 1, comprenant :

par l'élément de pompage (224), le pompage horizontal de fluide à travers le canal (218) entre l'élément de pompage (224) et l'élément d'éjection de fluide (232) ; et

par l'élément de pompage (224), le pompage vertical de fluide entre le canal (218) et la fente à fluide (202) à travers les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B) qui s'étendent entre le canal (218) et la fente à fluide (202).

13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le pompage comprend l'activation de l'élément de pompage (224) afin de pousser du fluide à travers le canal (218) et les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B).

14. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le pompage comprend l'activation de l'élément d'éjection de fluide (232) afin d'éjecter du fluide par le biais d'une buse (226) et de pousser du fluide à travers le canal (218) et les trous d'alimentation en fluide (220A, 220B).

Drawing