An Improved Obturator and Method of Fabrication Thereof

摘要

An obturator device 1 for a printhead comprises an obturator assembly 3 having a valve surface 6 movable along at least one direction of displacement X between a first position, in which the valve surface 6 is at a distance from a reference surface A, and a second position, in which the valve surface 6 is in contact with the reference surface A. An actuator 2 is secured to the obturator assembly 3 and is operable to displace the obturator assembly 3 between the first position and second position. The obturator assembly 3 comprises an adjustable coupling 11 configured to allow the valve surface 6 to align its orientation relative to the reference surface A, thereby ensuring improved engagement between the surfaces. There is also provided a method for adjusting the orientation of the valve surface 6 by means of the adjustable coupling 11. The actuator 2 may comprise a piezoelectric element.