PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY WITH CHANNELLED PRINTHEAD MODULES

• US 20080192087A1
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, McAvoy, Gregory John, North, Angus John
• Granted Patent: US 7,874,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/42
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1412 Shape
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1601 Production of bubble jet print heads B41J2/1606, B41J2/162 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1628 dry etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1631 photolithography
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1639 sacrificial molding
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1642 thin film formation by CVD [chemical vapor deposition]
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1645 thin film formation by spincoating
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1646 thin film formation by sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/1437 Back shooter
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14475 characterised by nozzle shapes or number of orifices per chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14491 Electrical connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/03 Specific materials used
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/20 Modules

Abstract

The invention provides for a printhead assembly for a pagewidth printer. The assembly includes a substrate channel, an ink hose, a support plate, an extrusion and a cover plate. The substrate channel operatively positions a plurality of printhead modules to form a pagewidth printhead module assembly. The ink hose is positioned within the substrate channel to supply the printhead modules with ink, and the support plate encloses the ink hose within the substrate channel. The extrusion houses bus bars operatively providing electrical power to the printhead modules, and the cover plate secures a flex printed circuit board (PCB) in the assembly, the PCB forming a data bus to the printhead modules.

Claims

1. A printhead assembly for a pagewidth printer, said assembly comprising:

a substrate channel;

a plurality of printhead modules positioned in the channel to form a pagewidth printhead module assembly;

an ink hose positioned within the substrate channel to supply the printhead modules with ink;

a support plate enclosing the ink hose within the substrate channel;

an extrusion for housing bus bars operatively providing electrical power to the printhead modules; and

a cover plate securing a flex printed circuit board (PCB) in the assembly, the PCB forming a data bus to the printhead modules.

2. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate channel is in the form of a bent metal plate with notches for receiving corresponding tabs of the support plate.

3. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel includes twist tabs which extend through the notches in the plate when assembled, the tabs twisted through approximately 45 degrees to prevent them from being withdrawn through the notches.

4. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate channel defines a series of groups of seven holes each to supply the printhead modules with differently colored inks.

5. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the ink hose is an extruded flexible hose glued into place in the substrate channel, the hose having holes formed therein by melting the hose with a hot wire structure after the hose is glued in the channel.

6. The printhead assembly of claim 4, wherein the hose defines parallel channels extending a length of the hose which is connected to ink containers at one end and sealed with a channel extrusion cap at the other end.

7. The printhead assembly of claim 1, having compressible conductive strips between the busbars abutting contacts on an upper side of parts of the flex PCB.