Pagewidth inkjet printhead assembly with data and power supply mounted on ink distribution assembly

• US 7,101,020 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LAMSON D
• Application Number:
  US11/298,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20060092220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 347/42, 347/50, 347/48, 347/49
• US Class Current: 347/42
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04528 aiming at warming up the head
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04541 Specific driving circuit
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04543 Block driving
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04553 detecting ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04563 detecting head temperature; Ink temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04573 Timing; Delays
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04585 controlling heads based on thermal bent actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04588 using a specific waveform
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04591 Width of the driving signal being adjusted
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04596 Non-ejecting pulses
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04598 Pre-pulse
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1623 bonding and adhesion
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1626 etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1628 dry etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1631 photolithography
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1632 machining
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1635 dividing the wafer into individual chips
• 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 2/1646 : thin film formation by sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1648 : Production of print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 : Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 : Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 : Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14491 : Electrical connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 : Line printing

Abstract

A pagewidth printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution manifold that defines a longitudinally and centrally oriented printhead integrated circuit recess and longitudinal rows of transverse slots that converge towards and open into, the recess. An elongate printhead integrated circuit incorporating a plurality of micro-electromechanical ink ejecting mechanisms is positioned in the recess to receive ink from the slots. An ink storage assembly is mounted on the manifold and defines ink storage chambers in fluid communication with respective rows of slots. Busbars are mounted on the ink storage assembly opposite the printhead integrated circuit. Flexible TAB films interconnect the busbars with the printhead integrated circuit. The TAB films extend around sides of the ink storage assembly. A cover is mounted on the ink storage assembly. A securing mechanism secures the busbars and TAB films in position.

Claims

1. A pagewidth printhead assembly which comprises

an elongate ink distribution manifold that defines a longitudinally and centrally oriented printhead integrated circuit recess and longitudinal rows of transverse slots that converge towards and open into the recess;

an elongate printhead integrated circuit incorporating a plurality of micro-electromechanical ink ejecting mechanisms positioned in the recess to receive ink from the slots;

an ink storage assembly mounted on the manifold and defining ink storage chambers in fluid communication with respective rows of slots;

busbars mounted on the ink storage assembly opposite the printhead integrated circuit;

flexible TAB films interconnecting the busbars with the printhead integrated circuit, the TAB films extending around sides of the ink storage assembly;

a cover mounted on the ink storage assembly; and

a securing mechanism to secure the busbars and TAB films in position.

2. A pagewidth printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the elongate printhead integrated circuit is secured in the recess with a resilient adhesive.

3. A pagewidth printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the ink storage assembly defines the ink storage chambers to each extend along a length of the ink storage assembly, the ink storage assembly having a pair of opposed end walls, one of which includes three piercable portions to permit ink to be fed into the ink storage chambers.

4. A pagewidth printhead assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the other of the opposed end walls defines air inlets in fluid communication with respective chambers to permit the ingress and egress of air to accommodate the flow of inks into and out of the chambers.

5. A pagewidth printhead assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the ink storage assembly includes baffles positioned in each chamber to inhibit excessive acceleration of ink due to movement of the printhead assembly.

6. A pagewidth printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the ink storage assembly includes a roof and locating members extending from the roof to be received through respective openings in the TAB films, thereby locating the TAB films in position.

7. A pagewidth printhead assembly as claimed in claim 6, in which the busbars have openings through which the locating members are received to ensure that the busbars are correctly positioned.

8. A pagewidth printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the securing mechanism is in the form of contacts interposed between the cover and the busbars to bear against the busbars when the cover is in position.