Method of assembling an inkjet printhead assembly

• US 6,905,194 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THINH H
• Application Number:
  US10/893,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20040250421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 347/19, 347/42, 347/49, 347/65, 347/85
• US Class Current: 347/42
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14 Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1433 Structure of nozzle plates
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/145 Arrangement thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/21 for multi-colour printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14362 Assembling elements of heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14419 Manifold
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14459 Matrix arrangement of the pressure chambers
• 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: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49401 Fluid pattern dispersing device making, e.g., ink jet

Abstract

A method of assembling an inkjet printhead assembly includes the step of mounting printhead segments on each of a number of printhead segment carriers. The printhead segment carriers are sequentially secured within their respective slots. The printhead segments are installed in the printhead segment carriers to be positioned longitudinally relative to each other before being secured and immobilized within the slot.

Claims

1. A method of assembling an inkjet printhead assembly that includes a hollow elongate member of substantially constant cross-section along its length having a base wall, two sidewall sections extending from the base wall, and at least one internal web extending inwardly from said base wall, said sidewall sections and webs defining a plurality of ink supply channels each in fluid communication with a slot extending along the elongate member, and free edges of said sidewall sections and said at least one internal web defining a periphery of a slat extending along the member, a plurality of printhead segment carriers positioned in the slot, at least one printhead segment mounted to each printhead segment carrier and means for connection of each of said ink supply channels to a respective ink supply source, the method comprising the steps of:

mounting at least one printhead on each printhead segment carrier; and

a first printhead segment carriers within the slot;

locating a second printhead segment carrier within the slot;

adjusting the position of the second printhead segment carrier to align the at least one printhead of the second segment carrier with the at least one printhead segment of the first printhead segment carrier;

securing the second printhead segment carrier within the slot.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of mounting the at least one printhead segment on each printhead carrier precedes the step of securing that printhead segment carrier within the slot.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the printhead segments are tested for correct operation between installation in their respective printhead segment carriers and installation of their respective printhead segment carriers in the slot.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting the position of the second printhead segment carrier to align the at least one printhead of the second segment carrier with the at least one printhead segment of the first printhead segment carrier uses one or more alignment marks on the printhead segments.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein securing the printhead segment carriers comprises using a slow-setting glue that allows the printhead segment carriers to be located in the slot and adjusted for alignment of the printhead segments before setting of the glue.