Modular print engine controllers
View Patent ↗A page width print head assembly has a page width printhead comprising two or more printhead modules arranged end on end. A controller module is provided for each printhead module. The printhead modules and controller modules are arranged end on end and a printhead assembly may be made of suitable width by combining suitable numbers of printhead and controller modules.
1. A pagewidth inkjet printhead assembly including:
a first printhead including at least two printhead modules; and
at least two controller modules, each controller module associated with a respective one of the printhead modules, each controller module including a memory, a print engine controller that controls the respective printhead module and a data connector for direct connection to a data connector of an adjacent controller module via serial cable.
2. The assembly of claim 1 including a second printhead substantially identical to the first printhead.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein each controller module controls a printhead module of the first printhead and a printhead module of the second printhead.
4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least two printhead modules are arranged end on end.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller modules are arranged end on end.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein each controller module includes a discrete circuit board, each circuit board having the data connector for connection to the data connector of the circuit board of an adjacent controller module.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each controller module has two data connectors, each for connection to another controller module.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein each data connector is located at opposed ends of each controller module.
9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the printhead modules of the first printhead are mounted on a first housing.
10. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the printhead modules of the first printhead are mounted on a first housing and the printhead modules of the second printhead are mounted on a second housing.