Ink jet print cartridge having active cooling cell

Details Ink jet print cartridge having active cooling cell Ink jet print cartridge having active cooling cell

1997-06-18

2001-02-27

Barlow, John (Department: 2853)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Ink jet

Controller

Reexamination Certificate

active

06193349

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to ink jet print cartridges having a cooling cell for cooling a heater chip forming part of the cartridge printhead and/or ink provided in the cartridge container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Drop-on-demand ink jet printers use thermal energy to produce a vapor bubble in an ink-filled chamber to expel a droplet. A thermal energy generator or heating element, usually a resistor, is located in the chamber on a heater chip near a discharge orifice. A plurality of chambers, each provided with a single heating element, are provided in the printer's printhead. The printhead typically comprises the heater chip and a plate having a plurality of the discharge orifices formed therein. The printhead forms part of an ink jet print cartridge which also comprises an ink-filled container.
Heater chips need to be maintained within a reasonably small temperature range for proper operation. Many techniques have been developed for transferring heat away from the heater chip so as to maintain the chip within the desired temperature range. However, as ink jet technology advances, heater chips are being populated with ever increasing numbers of heating elements. Further, heating element firing frequencies are increasing. Hence, alternative cooling techniques which are more effective and/or less costly than conventional cooling techniques are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an ink jet print cartridge is provided for use in an ink jet printer. The cartridge comprises a printhead including a heater chip. The printhead is adapted to generate ink droplets in response Lo the heater chip receiving energy pulses from a printer energy supply circuit. A peltier effect cooling cell is associated with the heater chip for cooling the heater chip, The cooling cell may directly contact the heater chip. Alternatively, it may be spaced from the heater chip. In the latter embodiment, a thermally conductive material extends between the heater chip and the cooling cell and provides a path for energy in the form of heat to move from the heater chip to the cooling cell. The thermally conductive material may also extend into the flow path of the ink. A heat sink may be provided to transfer heat to air outside of the cartridge. The cooling cell preferably receives current from the printer energy supply circuit as a function of energy flow to the heater chip. Alternatively, a temperature. sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater chip may be provided and signals from the sensor may be used to control the amount of current provided to the cooling cell from the printer energy supply circuit.


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