US 5,479,684 A · Method of manufacturing ink jet printheads by induction heating of low melting point metal alloys

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an ink jet printhead comprising the steps of: (1) coating a substantially flat lower surface of an upper piezoelectric member with a first conductive coating, (2) coating a substantially flat upper surface of a lower piezoelectric member with a second conductive coating, (3) depositing a conductive metal over the first conductive coating, (4) forming a first elongated indentation in the lower surface, the first indentation extending through the first coating and into the upper member, (5) joining the metal with the second conductive coating by placing the upper piezoelectric member over the lower piezoelectric member, (6) inducing a current in the metal with an electromagnetic field having a specified frequency to thereby melt the metal and (7) cooling the metal, the metal electrically and mechanically joining the first coating to the second coating, the first indentation and the upper surface thereby forming the channel, the channel capable of containing ink and capable of ejecting ink therefrom when an electric current distorts the upper and lower piezoelectric members. The specified frequency allows the electromagnetic field to melt the metal completely without unduly heating the piezoelectric members.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric assembly, comprising the steps of:

providing an intermediate body portion having a substantially flat lower surface, said intermediate body portion being constructed of a piezoelectric material;
providing a main body portion having a substantially flat upper surface;
depositing a first conductive metal over said lower surface, said first conductive metal having a first melting point less than each of the respective Curie points of said intermediate and main body portions;
joining said first conductive metal with said upper surface by placing said intermediate body portion over said main body portion;
inducing a first current in said first conductive metal with a first electromagnetic field to thereby melt said first conductive metal without unduly heating said intermediate and main body portions;
and
cooling said first conductive metal, said first conductive metal electrically and mechanically joining said intermediate body portion to said main body portion, thereby forming the piezoelectric assembly.

4 more elements

A method of manufacturing an ink jet printhead having a channel defined therein, comprising the steps of:

coating a substantially flat lower surface of an intermediate body portion with a first conductive coating, said intermediate body portion being made of a piezoelectric material;
coating a substantially flat upper surface of a main body portion with a second conductive coating;
depositing a first conductive metal over said first conductive coating;
joining said first conductive metal with said second conductive coating by placing said intermediate body portion over said main body portion;
inducing a first current in said first conductive metal with a first electromagnetic field to thereby melt said first conductive metal without unduly heating said intermediate and main body portions;
cooling said first conductive metal, said first conductive metal electrically and mechanically joining said first conductive coating to said second conductive coating;
forming a groove extending through said intermediate body portion, said first conductive coating, said first conductive metal, and said second conductive coating;
and
mounting a top body portion to said intermediate body portion, thereby forming the ink jet printhead.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of manufacturing ink jet printheads by induction heating of low melting point metal alloys

Life of this patent

Method of manufacturing ink jet printheads by induction heating of low melting point metal alloys

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18