| 摘要 |
<p>A thermal ink jet print cartridge (24) that integrates pressure regulation, ink filtration, and melt-on-demand and quick turn-on, temperature regulation heaters into a monolithic print head. Heat spreading is accomplished by thermally-conductive elements (33) within the pen body and heaters adapted to heat the ink (32) prior to ejection. A quick-on, temperature regulating heater (44) is disposed adjacent to an ink drop generator. Melt on-demand heaters (45, 45a) may also be employed that are disposed in contact with heat spreading elements (33) to heat the phase-change ink (32) to a temperature above its melting point to allow it to flow to the drop ejection chambers (52). Pressure regulation is accomplished by a bubble generator (46) having an orifice acting together with a flexible bladder (30). The bladder (30) has a vent (31) to the outside of the cartridge (24) for maintaining a relatively constant partial vacuum as the air in the cartridge expands and contracts due to heating and cooling. Pressure regulation and ink filtration components are integrated into a substrate (41) containing the print engine. Individual filters (70) in the substrate (41) for each drop generator (40) comprising an array of holes takes the place of a single feed-through hole in conventional printers thereby integrating the ink filtration and ink supply functions. The print head uses a freezing mechanism to secure and seal the bubble generator orifice (46) to maintain a subatmospheric internal pressure within the ink cartridge. The phase change of hot-melt ink (32) seals the bubble generator (46) when the print cartridge (24) is in standby mode or when it is removed from the printer. Removal of an active print cartridge (46) from the printer is delayed until the bubble generator orifice (46) freezes. This is accomplished by turning off the temperature regulating heater (44) that maintains the ink (32) in the vicinity of the bubble generator (46) in a liquid state, and dissipating the heat of fusion to form a solid plug or skin within or over the bubble generator (46). <IMAGE></p> |
