Printhead assembly with electrical connection arrangement

• US 20050073553A1
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,032,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/50
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/706 using a cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/044 Cassettes or cartridges containing continuous copy material, tape, for setting into printing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16 Production of nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16552 using cleaning fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/202 Air convective hinge
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 : Architecture adapted for a particular function

Abstract

A printhead assembly includes an elongate printhead mounted along a spine. A conductive film is provided in electrical contact along the printhead. Power and data from a flexible circuit bearer are conveyed to the conductive film, and hence the printhead, by pressing the flexible circuit bearer against the film. The flexible circuit bearer is forced against the film by an angled member arranged to bias the flexible circuit bearer towards the spine thereby pressing the intermediately located flexible circuit bearer into abutment with the conductive film.

Claims

1. A printhead assembly including:

an elongate printhead located along a first surface of a spine;

a first conductive film in electrical contact along the printhead a flexible circuit bearer abutting the first film; and

an angled member braced against the first surface and cooperating with a further surface of the spine to press the flexible circuit bearer into abutment with the first film.

2. A printhead assembly according to claim 1, including a casing cooperating with the spine to define a number of elongate ink feed conduits therebetween.

3. A printhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive film comprises a TAB film.

4. A printhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit bearer comprises a flexible PCB.

5. A printhead assembly according to claim 4, wherein the flexible circuit bearer supports busbars to provide power to the printhead.

6. A printhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein an air gap is formed in the spine alongside the elongate printhead.

7. A printhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spine, elongate printhead and angled member are mounted upon a support member.

8. A printhead assembly according to claim 7, wherein the support member includes a wing portion upon which the flexible support member is mounted.

9. A printhead assembly according to claim 8, wherein the support member houses a printhead capping mechanism.

10. A printhead assembly according to claim 9, wherein a portion of the support member and the angled member define a print media entry slot.