Droplet ejector

Abstract

A droplet ejector for a printhead comprises: a substrate having a mounting surface and an opposite nozzle surface; at least one electronic component integrated with the substrate; a nozzle-forming layer formed on at least a portion of the nozzle surface of the substrate; a fluid chamber defined at least in part by the substrate and at least in part by the nozzle-forming layer, the fluid chamber having a fluid chamber outlet defined at least in part by a nozzle portion of the said nozzle-forming layer; a piezoelectric actuator formed on at least a portion of the nozzle portion of the nozzle-forming layer; and a protective layer covering the piezoelectric actuator and the in nozzle forming layer. The piezoelectric actuator comprises a piezoelectric body provided between first and second electrodes. At least one of the said first and second electrodes is electrically connected to the at least one electronic component. The piezoelectric body comprises one or more piezoelectric materials processable at a temperature below 450° C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.