Droplet deposition head and actuator component therefor

Abstract

actuator component for a droplet deposition head made up of a number of patterned layers, each layer extending in a plane normal to a layering direction, with the layers being stacked one upon another in said layering direction. A row of fluid chambers is formed within the layers, with the row extending in a row direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the layering direction. Each fluid chamber is provided with a respective nozzle and a respective actuating element, which is actuable to cause the ejection of fluid from the chamber in question through the corresponding one of the nozzles. A row of inlet passageways is also formed within the layers of the actuator component, with the row extending in the row direction. Each inlet passageway is fluidically connected so as to supply fluid to a respective one of said fluid chambers. In some embodiments, either a row of outlet passageways or a second row of inlet passageways is additionally formed within the layers; in either case, such row extends in the row direction. Where outlet passageways are present, each is fluidically connected so as to receive fluid from a respective one of said fluid chambers. At least one of the rows of passageways is staggered, whereby at least some of the members of the staggered row in question are offset from their neighbours in an offset direction for the staggered row in question that is perpendicular to the row direction. The row of fluid chambers may also be staggered.