Support structure for large channel plates of an ink jet printhead

摘要

An ink jet printhead includes an ink reservoir having an fluid inlet for receiving ink, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A channel plate structure that is etched from silicon defines a plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the reservoir for directing ink from the reservoir. Support structure is provided near the top portion of the reservoir and extending within the reservoir. The support structure is formed to divide the reservoir into at least a pair of reservoir regions and to provide support to the channel plate structure while permitting substantially unobstructed fluid flow to all of the channels at the bottom portion of the reservoir. In addition to forming printheads for ink jet printers, the invention may be applied to other microchannel fluidic devices.