Ink jet module

• US 20050185018A1
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,182,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/40
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14 Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/145 Arrangement thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16505 Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14362 Assembling elements of heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14491 Electrical connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/19 Assembling head units
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/20 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49083 Heater type

Abstract

An ink jet module is provided. The ink jet module comprises: (a) a first micromolding having a first inner face and a first outer face, the first inner face defining a plurality of elongate grooves, each groove being in fluid communication with a respective first inlet in the first outer face; (b) a second micromolding having a second inner face opposing the first inner face, the second inner face having a plurality of arrays of second inlets, each array of second inlets corresponding to each elongate groove, the second inlets in each array being positioned to receive fluid flowing tortuously from its respective first inlet, through its respective elongate groove to each of the second inlets; and (c) a film sandwiched between the first inner face and the opposing second inner face, the film having a plurality of arrays of openings therethrough, each array of openings being positioned to allow fluid flow from each elongate groove to each corresponding array of second inlets.

Claims

1. An ink jet module comprising:

a first micromolding having a first inner face and a first outer face, the first inner face defining a plurality of elongate grooves, each groove being in fluid communication with a respective first inlet in the first outer face;

a second micromolding having a second inner face opposing the first inner face, the second inner face having a plurality of arrays of second inlets, each array of second inlets corresponding to each elongate groove, the second inlets in each array being positioned to receive fluid flowing tortuously from its respective first inlet, through its respective elongate groove to each of the second inlets; and

a film sandwiched between the first inner face and the opposing second inner face, the film having a plurality of arrays of openings therethrough, each array of openings being positioned to allow fluid flow from each elongate groove to each corresponding array of second inlets.

2. The ink jet module of claim 1, wherein the film includes a layer of inert polymer.

3. The ink jet module of claim 1, wherein the film includes a layer of polyimide.

4. The ink jet module of claim 1, wherein the film includes adhesive on at least one surface thereof.

5. The ink jet module of claim 1, wherein the film includes a layer of adhesive on at least one surface thereof.

6. The ink jet module of claim 1, wherein the film includes adhesive on both surfaces thereof.

7. The ink jet module of claim 1, wherein the film includes a layer of adhesive on both surfaces thereof.

8. The ink jet module of claim 1, wherein one of the micromoldings includes an alignment pin, the alignment pin being aligningly engaged in a complementary recess in the other ink manifold and an alignment aperture in the film

10. The ink jet module of claim 1, comprising ink inlets and at least one air inlet.

11. A printhead module comprising the ink jet module of claim 1 and a printhead in fluid communication with an array of outlets on a second outer face of the second micromolding.

12. An inkjet printer comprising the ink jet module of claim 1.

9. The ink jet module of claim 9 comprising a plurality of alignment pins.