Patent Description:
In certain examples, it may be desirable to reduce the width of a semiconductor die or device including fluid actuation devices (e.g., a fluid ejection die) to reduce costs and improve manufacturability. In other examples, the design of the die may also be configured to operate with reduced logic power delivery. In one example, a device is provided with a contact pad arrangement that enables such relatively thin die and/or reduced logic power delivery. That said, the devices and contact pad arrangements discussed in this disclosure may be associated with other effects, which may or may not be addressed in this disclosure.

Accordingly, described herein is a device to enable fluid ejection, including contact pads arranged longitudinally with respect to the device. A first column of six contact pads may be arranged at one end of the device and a second column of six contact pads may be arranged at the other end of the device and aligned with the first column of contact pads. A column of fluid actuation devices may be arranged between the first column of contact pads and the second column of contact pads.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a fluid ejection die <NUM> and <FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of the ends of fluid ejection die <NUM>. Die <NUM> includes a first column <NUM> of contact pads, a second column <NUM> of contact pads, and a column <NUM> of fluid actuation devices <NUM>. The second column <NUM> of contact pads is aligned with the first column <NUM> of contact pads and at a distance (i.e., along the Y axis) from the first column <NUM> of contact pads. The column <NUM> of fluid actuation devices <NUM> is disposed longitudinally to the first column <NUM> of contact pads and the second column <NUM> of contact pads. The column <NUM> of fluid actuation devices <NUM> is also arranged between the first column <NUM> of contact pads and the second column <NUM> of contact pads. In one example, fluid actuation devices <NUM> are nozzles or fluidic pumps to eject fluid drops.

In one example, the first column <NUM> of contact pads includes six contact pads. The first column <NUM> of contact pads may include the following contact pads in order: a data contact pad <NUM>, a clock contact pad <NUM>, a logic power ground return contact pad <NUM>, a multipurpose input/output contact pad <NUM>, a first high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM>, and a first high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM>. Therefore, the first column <NUM> of contact pads includes the data contact pad <NUM> at the top of the first column <NUM>, the first high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM> at the bottom of the first column <NUM>, and the first high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM> directly above the first high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM>. While contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are illustrated in a particular order, in other examples the contact pads may be arranged in a different order.

In one example, the second column <NUM> of contact pads includes six contact pads. The second column <NUM> of contact pads may include the following contact pads in order: a second high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM>, a second high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM>, a logic reset contact pad <NUM>, a logic power supply contact pad <NUM>, a mode contact pad <NUM>, and a fire contact pad <NUM>. Therefore, the second column <NUM> of contact pads includes the second high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM> at the top of the second column <NUM>, the second high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM> directly below the second high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM>, and the fire contact pad <NUM> at the bottom of the second column <NUM>. While contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are illustrated in a particular order, in other examples the contact pads may be arranged in a different order.

Data contact pad <NUM> may be used to input serial data to die <NUM> for selecting fluid actuation devices, memory bits, thermal sensors, configuration modes, etc. Data contact pad <NUM> may also be used to output serial data from die <NUM> for reading memory bits, configuration modes, etc. Clock contact pad <NUM> may be used to input a clock signal to die <NUM> to shift serial data on data contact pad <NUM> into the die or to shift serial data out of the die to data contact pad <NUM>. Logic power ground return contact pad <NUM> provides a ground return path for logic power (e.g., about <NUM> V) supplied to die <NUM>. In one example, logic power ground return contact pad <NUM> is electrically coupled to the semiconductor (e.g., silicon) substrate <NUM> of die <NUM>. Multipurpose input/output contact pad <NUM> may be used for analog sensing and/or digital test modes of die <NUM>.

First high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM> and second high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM> may be used to supply high voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V) to die <NUM>. First high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM> and second high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM> may be used to provide a power ground return (e.g., about <NUM> V) for the high voltage power supply. The high voltage power ground return contact pads <NUM> and <NUM> are not directly electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate <NUM> of die <NUM>. The specific contact pad order with the high voltage power supply contact pads <NUM> and <NUM> and the high voltage power ground return contact pads <NUM> and <NUM> as the innermost contact pads may improve power delivery to die <NUM>. Having the high voltage power ground return contact pads <NUM> and <NUM> at the bottom of the first column <NUM> and at the top of the second column <NUM>, respectively, may improve reliability for manufacturing and may improve ink shorts protection.

Logic reset contact pad <NUM> may be used as a logic reset input to control the operating state of die <NUM>. Logic power supply contact pad <NUM> may be used to supply logic power (e.g., between about <NUM> V and <NUM> V, such as <NUM> V) to die <NUM>. Mode contact pad <NUM> may be used as a logic input to control access to enable/disable configuration modes (i.e., functional modes) of die <NUM>. Fire contact pad <NUM> may be used as a logic input to latch loaded data from data contact pad <NUM> and to enable fluid actuation devices or memory elements of die <NUM>.

Die <NUM> includes an elongate substrate <NUM> having a length <NUM> (along the Y axis), a thickness <NUM> (along the Z axis), and a width <NUM> (along the X axis). In one example, the length <NUM> is at least twenty times the width <NUM>. The width <NUM> may be <NUM> or less and the thickness <NUM> may be less than <NUM> microns. The fluid actuation devices <NUM> (e.g., fluid actuation logic) and contact pads <NUM>-<NUM> are provided on the elongate substrate <NUM> and are arranged along the length <NUM> of the elongate substrate. Fluid actuation devices <NUM> have a swath length <NUM> less than the length <NUM> of the elongate substrate <NUM>. In one example, the swath length <NUM> is at least <NUM>. The contact pads <NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically coupled to the fluid actuation logic. The first column <NUM> of contact pads may be arranged near a first longitudinal end <NUM> of the elongate substrate <NUM>. The second column <NUM> of contact pads may be arranged near a second longitudinal end <NUM> of the elongate substrate <NUM> opposite to the first longitudinal end <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a portion of a fluid ejection device <NUM>. In one example, fluid ejection device <NUM> is a printhead assembly for ejecting fluid of a single color (e.g., black). Fluid ejection device <NUM> includes a carrier <NUM> and a fluid ejection die <NUM>. As previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>, fluid ejection die <NUM> includes a plurality of first contact pads arranged in a first column <NUM> and a plurality of second contact pads arranged in a second column <NUM> aligned with the first column <NUM>. Fluid ejection die <NUM> may be embedded in or adhered to carrier <NUM>. Carrier <NUM> may be a rigid carrier including an epoxy or another suitable material.

Carrier <NUM> may include a first conductive line <NUM> electrically coupling a first contact pad (e.g., first high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM>) to a second contact pad (e.g., second high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM>). Carrier <NUM> may also include a second conductive line <NUM> electrically coupling a first contact pad (e.g., first high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM>) to a second contact pad (e.g., second high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM>).

The first conductive line <NUM> may be electrically coupled to a first electrical interconnect pad <NUM>, and the second conductive line <NUM> may be electrically coupled to a second electrical interconnect pad <NUM>. Electrical interconnect pads <NUM> and <NUM> may be used to electrically couple fluid ejection device <NUM> to a fluid ejection system, such as a printer. The electrical interconnect pads <NUM> and <NUM> may be used to supply high voltage power from a fluid ejection system to fluid ejection die <NUM>. Additional conductive lines and additional electrical interconnect pads (not shown) may be electrically coupled to the other contact pads of first column <NUM> and second column <NUM> to provide electrical connections between fluid ejection die <NUM> and a fluid ejection system.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a fluid ejection device <NUM>. In one example, fluid ejection device <NUM> is a printhead assembly for ejecting fluid of three different colors (e.g., cyan, magenta, and yellow). Fluid ejection device <NUM> includes a carrier <NUM> and a plurality of fluid ejection dies 100a-100c. As previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>, each fluid ejection die 100a-100c includes an elongate substrate 140a-140c, respectively. The plurality of elongate substrates 140a-140c are arranged parallel to each other on the carrier <NUM>. Each of the plurality of elongate substrates 140a-140c may include a single color substrate and each single color substrate may be of a different color. Elongate substrates 140a-140c may be embedded in or adhered to carrier <NUM>. Carrier <NUM> may be a rigid carrier including an epoxy or another suitable material.

Carrier <NUM> includes electrical routing (e.g. conductive lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> described below) to electrical interconnect pads (e.g., electrical interconnect pads <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> described below) to connect a fluid ejection system circuit (e.g., a printer circuit) to the contact pads of the elongate substrates 140a-140c. In one example, the electrical routing may be arranged between the elongate substrates 140a-140c.

Carrier <NUM> may include a first conductive line <NUM> electrically coupling a first contact pad of each elongate substrate 140a-140c (e.g., the first high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM> of each elongate substrate 140a-140c) to a second contact pad of each elongate substrate 140a-140c (e.g., the second high voltage power supply contact pad <NUM> of each elongate substrate 140a-140c). Carrier <NUM> may also include a second conductive line <NUM> electrically coupling a first contact pad of each elongate substrate 140a-140c (e.g., first high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM> of each elongate substrate 140a-140c) to a second contact pad of each elongate substrate 140a-140c (e.g., second high voltage power ground return contact pad <NUM> of each elongate substrate 140a-140c).

The first conductive line <NUM> may be electrically coupled to a first electrical interconnect pad <NUM>, and the second conductive line <NUM> may be electrically coupled to a second electrical interconnect pad <NUM>. Electrical interconnect pads <NUM> and <NUM> may be used to electrically couple fluid ejection device <NUM> to a fluid ejection system, such as a printer. The electrical interconnect pads <NUM> and <NUM> may be used to supply high voltage power from a fluid ejection system to elongate substrates 140a-140c. Additional conductive lines and additional electrical interconnect pads (e.g. conductive line <NUM> and electrical interconnect pad <NUM>) may be electrically coupled to the other contact pads of elongate substrates 140a-140c to provide electrical connections between elongate substrates 140a-140c and a fluid ejection system. The orientation of the contact pads of elongate substrates 140a-140c enables the multiple dies to be bonded in parallel with fewer flex wires and connections.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating one example of a fluid ejection system <NUM>. Fluid ejection system <NUM> includes a fluid ejection assembly, such as printhead assembly <NUM>, and a fluid supply assembly, such as ink supply assembly <NUM>. In one example, printhead assembly <NUM> may include a fluid ejection device <NUM> of <FIG> or a fluid ejection device <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated example, fluid ejection system <NUM> also includes a service station assembly <NUM>, a carriage assembly <NUM>, a print media transport assembly <NUM>, and an electronic controller <NUM>. While the following description provides examples of systems and assemblies for fluid handling with regard to ink, the disclosed systems and assemblies are also applicable to the handling of fluids other than ink.

Printhead assembly <NUM> includes at least one printhead or fluid ejection die <NUM> previously described and illustrated with reference to <FIG>, which ejects drops of ink or fluid through a plurality of orifices or nozzles <NUM>. In one example, the drops are directed toward a medium, such as print media <NUM>, so as to print onto print media <NUM>. In one example, print media <NUM> includes any type of suitable sheet material, such as paper, card stock, transparencies, Mylar, fabric, and the like. In another example, print media <NUM> includes media for three-dimensional (3D) printing, such as a powder bed, or media for bioprinting and/or drug discovery testing, such as a reservoir or container. In one example, nozzles <NUM> are arranged in at least one column or array such that properly sequenced ejection of ink from nozzles <NUM> causes characters, symbols, and/or other graphics or images to be printed upon print media <NUM> as printhead assembly <NUM> and print media <NUM> are moved relative to each other.

Ink supply assembly <NUM> supplies ink to printhead assembly <NUM> and includes a reservoir <NUM> for storing ink. As such, in one example, ink flows from reservoir <NUM> to printhead assembly <NUM>. In one example, printhead assembly <NUM> and ink supply assembly <NUM> are housed together in an inkjet or fluid-jet print cartridge or pen. In another example, ink supply assembly <NUM> is separate from printhead assembly <NUM> and supplies ink to printhead assembly <NUM> through an interface connection <NUM>, such as a supply tube and/or valve.

Carriage assembly <NUM> positions printhead assembly <NUM> relative to print media transport assembly <NUM>, and print media transport assembly <NUM> positions print media <NUM> relative to printhead assembly <NUM>. Thus, a print zone <NUM> is defined adjacent to nozzles <NUM> in an area between printhead assembly <NUM> and print media <NUM>. In one example, printhead assembly <NUM> is a scanning type printhead assembly such that carriage assembly <NUM> moves printhead assembly <NUM> relative to print media transport assembly <NUM>. In another example, printhead assembly <NUM> is a non-scanning type printhead assembly such that carriage assembly <NUM> fixes printhead assembly <NUM> at a prescribed position relative to print media transport assembly <NUM>.

Service station assembly <NUM> provides for spitting, wiping, capping, and/or priming of printhead assembly <NUM> to maintain the functionality of printhead assembly <NUM> and, more specifically, nozzles <NUM>. For example, service station assembly <NUM> may include a rubber blade or wiper which is periodically passed over printhead assembly <NUM> to wipe and clean nozzles <NUM> of excess ink. In addition, service station assembly <NUM> may include a cap that covers printhead assembly <NUM> to protect nozzles <NUM> from drying out during periods of non-use. In addition, service station assembly <NUM> may include a spittoon into which printhead assembly <NUM> ejects ink during spits to ensure that reservoir <NUM> maintains an appropriate level of pressure and fluidity, and to ensure that nozzles <NUM> do not clog or weep. Functions of service station assembly <NUM> may include relative motion between service station assembly <NUM> and printhead assembly <NUM>.

Electronic controller <NUM> communicates with printhead assembly <NUM> through a communication path <NUM>, service station assembly <NUM> through a communication path <NUM>, carriage assembly <NUM> through a communication path <NUM>, and print media transport assembly <NUM> through a communication path <NUM>. In one example, when printhead assembly <NUM> is mounted in carriage assembly <NUM>, electronic controller <NUM> and printhead assembly <NUM> may communicate via carriage assembly <NUM> through a communication path <NUM>. Electronic controller <NUM> may also communicate with ink supply assembly <NUM> such that, in one implementation, a new (or used) ink supply may be detected.

Electronic controller <NUM> receives data <NUM> from a host system, such as a computer, and may include memory for temporarily storing data <NUM>. Data <NUM> may be sent to fluid ejection system <NUM> along an electronic, infrared, optical or other information transfer path. Data <NUM> represent, for example, a document and/or file to be printed. As such, data <NUM> form a print job for fluid ejection system <NUM> and includes at least one print job command and/or command parameter.

Claim 1:
A fluid ejection die (<NUM>) comprising:
a first column (<NUM>) of contact pads;
a second column (<NUM>) of contact pads aligned with the first column (<NUM>) of contact pads; and
a column (<NUM>) of fluid actuation devices (<NUM>),
characterised in that the column of fluid actuation devices is disposed longitudinally to the first column (<NUM>) of contact pads, and in that the column (<NUM>) of fluid actuation devices (<NUM>) is arranged between the first column (<NUM>) of contact pads and the second column (<NUM>) of contact pads.