Printhead assembly with end-to-end printhead integrated circuit carriers

• US 7,537,317 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Thinh H
• Application Number:
  US11/643,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20070097179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 347/49, 347/50, 347/58, 347/59, 347/67, 347/85
• US Class Current: 347/59
• 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 printhead assembly includes an elongate support structure. A series of side wall sections extend a length of the support structure and define ink supply channels. Edges of the walls delineate a gap. A plurality of carriers is positioned end-to-end in the gap and is supported by said edges of the walls. The carriers define a recess and ink supply passages in fluid communication with the recess and the ink supply channels. A printhead integrated circuit is mounted in each recess to receive ink from the ink supply channels.

Claims

1. A printhead assembly comprising:

an elongate support structure;

a series of side wall sections extending a length of the support structure and defining ink supply channels, edges of the walls delineating a gap;

a plurality of carriers positioned end-to-end in the gap and supported by said edges of the walls, the carriers defining a recess and ink supply passages in fluid communication with the recess and the ink supply channels; and

a printhead integrated circuit mounted in each recess to receive ink from the ink supply channels.

2. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the elongate support structure is a profile member of semi-open cross-section, the profile member having a peripheral, structured wall of substantially uniform thickness, the side wall sections being positioned on a base wall section of the structured wall.

3. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which free edges of the profile member and the free edges of the side wall sections define points on a semi-circle, such that the profile member and side wall sections define a semi-circular slot.