Ink supply unit for ink jet printer

• US 7,938,524 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2009
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• 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:
  US12/541,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20090303297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 347 84- 87, 347/93
• US Class Current: 347/93
• 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 ink supply unit for a printhead includes a plurality of ink storage chambers; an ink distribution molding for supplying ink from the ink storage chambers to a back surface of the printhead, the ink distribution molding defining a series of slots for supplying ink via respective ink outlets to the back of the printhead; and a filter configured to fit around the ink distribution molding to filter ink passing through the ink distribution molding. The ink distribution molding and the filter are inserted within a baffle unit, the baffle unit including a number of spaced-apart baffles formed within ink channels of respective ink storage chambers to retard acceleration of ink in respective ink storage chambers. The ink distribution molding further defines a print head aperture within which the print head is attached.

Claims

1. An ink supply unit for a printhead, the ink supply unit comprising:

a plurality of ink storage chambers;

an ink distribution molding for supplying ink from the ink storage chambers to a back surface of the printhead, the ink distribution molding defining a series of slots for supplying ink via respective ink outlets to the back of the printhead; and

a filter configured to fit around the ink distribution molding to filter ink passing through the ink distribution molding, wherein

the ink distribution molding and the filter are inserted within a baffle unit, the baffle unit comprising a number of spaced-apart baffles formed within ink channels of respective ink storage chambers to retard acceleration of ink in respective ink storage chambers, and

the ink distribution molding defines a print head aperture within which the print head is attached.

2. The ink supply unit of claim 1, wherein the baffle unit comprises a series of pierceable end wall portions, the wall portions providing access into the ink storage chambers when pierced by a mating ink supply conduit.

3. The ink supply unit of claim 1, wherein the baffle unit is encased in a housing.

4. The ink supply unit of claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit comprises three storage chambers for supplying three colours of inks to the back surface of the printhead.

5. The ink supply unit of claim 1, wherein the printhead is a printhead integrated circuit.

6. The ink supply unit of claim 1, wherein the outlets have a width of approximately 100 microns.

7. The ink supply unit of claim 1, wherein the printhead is of an elongate structure and is attached to a printhead aperture in the ink distribution molding by a resilient adhesive.

8. The ink supply unit of claim 1, wherein the printhead is attached along the back surface and sides by applying adhesive to the internal sides of the printhead aperture.