Printhead assembly

• US 7,175,256 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THINH H
• Application Number:
  US11/082,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20050162467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 347/40
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14 Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1433 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

The present invention provides a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly comprises an elongate support aligned with a support axis. There is also provided a plurality of carriers which are mated together along the support. Each carrier is supported by the support and has complementary ends which provides for the mating of adjacent carriers together. In addition, each carrier has an elongate printhead which is aligned parallel to the support axis. In one embodiment, the printheads are alternately arranged on a pair parallel printhead axes along the length of the support, with the printhead axes being laterally displaced with respect to one another.

Claims

1. A printhead assembly comprising:

an elongate support aligned with a support axis;

a plurality of carriers which are mated together along, and each supported by, the support;

each carrier having complementary ends which provide for the mating of adjacent carriers together;

each carrier having an elongate printhead which is aligned parallel to the support axis; and

a shield plate for covering the carriers, the shield plate having a plurality of slots in register with respective printheads.

2. A printhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the printheads are alternately arranged on a pair parallel printhead axes along the length of the support, the printhead axes being laterally displaced with respect to one another.

3. A printhead assembly according to claim 2, wherein there is a lateral overlap between the ends of each adjacent printhead.

4. A printhead assembly according to claim 1. wherein each carrier has a like construction.

5. A printhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein each carrier comprises a flexible film for carrying control signals to a corresponding printhead.

6. A printead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises an elongate cradle for supporting the carriers.

7. A printead assembly according to claim 6, wherein the support further comprises an elongate spine for supporting the cradle.