Ink jet printhead assembly with an ink distribution manifold

• US 7,152,944 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• 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): Do, An H.
• Application Number:
  US11/177,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 347/20, 347/40, 347/56, 347/61, 347/63
• US Class Current: 347/20
• 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

An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution manifold defining a plurality of sets of chambers. Each set is configured to receive a respective ink and each chamber has an outlet from which ink can be discharged. At least one printhead chip is mounted on, and downstream of the manifold. The, or each, printhead chip has inlets in fluid communication with respective outlets of the chambers. An ink supply assembly is arranged on, and upstream of the manifold to supply inks to respective sets of chambers.

Claims

1. An inkjet printhead assembly which comprises

an elongate ink distribution manifold defining a plurality of sets of chambers, each set being configured to receive a respective ink and each chamber having an outlet from which ink can be discharged;

at least one printhead integrated circuit mounted on, and downstream of the manifold, the, or each, printhead integrated circuit having inlets in fluid communication with respective outlets of the chambers; and

an ink supply assembly arranged on, and upstream of the manifold to supply inks to respective sets of chambers;

wherein each chamber tapers inwardly towards its respective outlet, and the chambers define ink paths that converge inwardly towards the, or each, printhead integrated circuit.

2. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the manifold is configured to define three sets of chambers in the form of a central row of chambers interposed between a pair of outer rows of chambers.

3. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the manifold defines a recess into which the outlets of the chambers open, the, or each, printhead integrated circuit being mounted in the recess.

4. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed 1, in which the ink supply assembly includes a baffle unit configured to receive the manifold, and a housing in which the baffle unit is received, the baffle unit and the housing defining a number of storage volumes in fluid communication with respective sets of chambers of the manifold, and the baffle unit having a plurality of baffles that inhibit excessive acceleration of the ink in the storage volumes.

5. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which the housing includes a roof and pair of sidewalls depending from the roof and enclosing the baffle unit, power and ground busbars for the printhead integrated circuit being mounted on the roof.

6. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which a number of locating formations are positioned on the roof and are engageable with the power and ground busbars to locate the busbars correctly.

7. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 6, in which a tape automated bonding strip is mounted on one of the sidewalls of the housing and is connected to the, or each, printhead integrated circuit to provide power and control signals to the, or each, printhead integrated circuit.