Patent ID: 6089700
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet printer head, comprising:a substrate;an oxidized layer formed on said substrate;a plurality of individual electrodes each formed as a discrete layer on top of said oxidized layer, each of said electrodes having a middle region exposed to an electrically conductive ink, and side regions;a plurality of electrical insulation layers covering said side regions;a nozzle plate serving as a common electrode, said nozzle plate spaced-apart and electrically insulated from said plurality of individual electrodes and perforated by a plurality of orifices through which ink particles may be sprayed onto print media;a plurality of ink chamber barriers interposed between said electrical insulation layers and said nozzle plate to form a plurality of distinct ink chambers, said ink chamber barriers and electrical insulation layers electrically isolating said plurality of individual electrodes from said nozzle plate;said ink chambers being bounded by said ink chamber barriers and said electrical insulation layers, each ink chamber temporarily storing a separate quantity of the ink, and accommodating a formation of bubbles of the ink generated by a difference of density in electric current between the plurality of individual electrodes and said nozzle plate;said electrical insulation layers preventing current leakage to said plurality of individual electrodes through ink not contained in said ink chambers; anda plurality of electrical connectors connecting said nozzle plate to said plurality of individual electrodes to furnish electric energy to selected ones of said plurality of individual electrodes and said nozzle plate to print an image upon media exposed to the ink selectively projected through said plurality of orifices.