Inkjet printhead assembly incorporating a sealing shim with aperture sets

• US 7,901,042 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• 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): Luu; Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Seo; Justin
• Application Number:
  US12/043,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20080151003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 347/49
• 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

An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate chassis defining a plurality of ink supply channels. A sealing shim defines sets of apertures and is configured to be mounted in sealing engagement with the chassis so that the sets are aligned with respective channels. A plurality of printhead carriers is configured to be received on the shim. Each printhead carrier defines galleries configured to engage in fluid communication with respective sets and further defines a printhead recess terminating the galleries. Ink ejection printhead segments each define ink supply holes, and are configured to be received within respective printhead recesses so that ink can be supplied to the printhead segments through the holes via the galleries.

Claims

1. An inkjet printhead assembly comprising:

an elongate chassis defining a plurality of ink supply channels;

a sealing shim defining sets of apertures and configured to be mounted in sealing engagement with the chassis so that the sets are aligned with respective channels;

a plurality of printhead carriers configured to be received on the chassis, each printhead carrier defining galleries configured to engage in fluid communication with respective sets of apertures and further defining a printhead recess terminating the galleries; and

ink ejection printhead segments each defining ink supply holes and configured to be received within respective printhead recesses so that ink can be supplied to the printhead segments through the holes via the ink galleries;

wherein,

each printhead carrier has a substantially semi-circular profile and each printhead recess is eccentrically arranged.

2. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printhead carriers define complementary formations so that they can be engaged together along the shim.

3. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each carrier has a stepped formation on either side to facilitate engagement.

4. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein, when the printhead carriers are engaged together, the ink ejection printhead segments are laterally spaced apart and alternately disposed along the length of the chassis.

5. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the printhead segments overlap to enable continuous printing along the length of the chassis.

6. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis includes:

an extrusion defining the ink supply channels; and

a printed circuit board (PCB) which can be secured to the extrusion.

7. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 6, in which a plurality of tape automated bonded (TAB) films extend from respective printhead segments, around the chassis, and to the PCB.