Printhead assembly
View Patent ↗A printhead assembly arranged to impede printhead module nozzles from drying out. The printhead assembly comprises a plurality of the printhead modules arranged along an axis. Capping devices are provided to cap respective printhead modules. A positioning arrangement is also provided for positioning the capping devices relative to the printhead modules so that the capping can be moved between a printing position and a capped position. In the capped position, nozzles of the printhead modules are capped so as to impede the nozzles from drying out.
1. A printhead assembly for impeding nozzles of printhead modules from drying out, the printhead assembly comprising:
the printhead modules arranged along an axis of an elongate spine;
capping devices for capping respective printhead modules, each capping device having a clamp for clamping against respective printhead modules and the spine; and
a positioning arrangement for positioning the capping devices relative to the printhead modules so that the capping can be moved between: a printing position, and a capped position where the printheads are capped so as to impede the nozzles from drying out,
wherein the capping devices comprise apertures for positioning in register with nozzles of the printhead modules when the capping devices are positioned in the printing position and an internal onset molding for sealing the nozzles when the capping devices are positioned in the capped position.
2. A printhead assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning arrangement comprises:
a biasing arrangement for biasing each capping device to move away from a respective printhead module in a first axis; and
a pushing arrangement for pushing each capping device toward a respective printhead module in the first axis so that the capping devices can be positioned at a desired distance from the printhead modules.
3. A printhead assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the biasing arrangement comprises a spring attached to each capping device.
4. A printhead assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the pushing arrangement comprises an elongate camshaft which is eccentrically mounted adjacent to the spine.