Method of forming an inkjet printhead with trench and backward peninsulas

Abstract

A means is provided to eliminate ink trajectory errors when an inkjet printhead is fabricated as described below. In a preferred embodiment, a nozzle member containing an array of orifices is affixed to a barrier layer formed on a substrate, the substrate having heater elements formed thereon. The nozzle member is affixed to the barrier layer using heat and pressure. Each orifice in the nozzle member is associated with a single heating element formed on the substrate. The back surface of the nozzle member extends beyond the outer edges of the substrate. During the heating and pressure step used to affix the nozzle member to the barrier layer, the nozzle member undesirable bends over the outer edges of the barrier layer, causing the nozzles to be tilted outward. Disclosed is a method and design wherein the barrier layer is formed with one or more trenches parallel to the long edges of the barrier layer and with backward peninsulas formed in the barrier layer and extending into the trenches to cause the nozzle member to dip and bend over the trenches and backward peninsulas in an mount approximately equal to the bend into the ink channels on the outer edge of the substrate. The nozzles are located at the crest of the bent nozzle member and thus remain normal to the surface of the printhead.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.