Print assembly for a wide format printer
View Patent ↗A print assembly for a wide format printer includes a housing. An elongate chassis is positioned in the housing and is mountable on a support structure to be positioned above a substrate. A platen assembly is mounted on the chassis and is configured to extend substantially along a length of the chassis. A feed mechanism is mounted on the chassis to feed wide format print media along the feed path. An elongate carrier is mounted on the chassis to extend substantially along the length of the chassis. A plurality of printhead modules is mounted on the carrier. Each printhead module includes an ink distribution assembly and an elongate printhead integrated circuit mounted on the ink distribution assembly. The printhead modules are configured so that the printhead integrated circuits span the platen. A number of control circuitry units is mounted on the chassis. Each control circuitry unit is connected to at least one respective printhead integrated circuit to control operation of said at least one respective printhead integrated circuit.
1. A print assembly for a wide format printer, the print assembly comprising a housing;
an elongate chassis positioned in the housing and mountable on a support structure to be positioned above a substrate;
a platen assembly mounted on the chassis and configured to extend substantially along a length of the chassis;
a feed mechanism mounted on the chassis to feed wide format print media along the feed path;
an elongate carrier mounted on the chassis to extend substantially along the length of the chassis;
a plurality of printhead modules mounted on the carrier, each printhead module including an ink distribution assembly and an elongate printhead integrated circuit mounted on the ink distribution assembly, the printhead modules being configured so that the printhead integrated circuits span the platen; and
a number of control circuitry units mounted on the chassis, each control circuitry unit being connected to at least one respective printhead integrated circuit to control operation of said at least one respective printhead integrated circuit.
2. A print assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the platen assembly includes an upper platen and a lower platen, the feed mechanism being configured to drive a sheet of print media over, consecutively, an inner surface of the lower platen and an outer surface of the upper platen.
3. A print assembly as claimed in claim 2 , in which the feed mechanism is in the form of roller assemblies mounted on the chassis to engage and drive the print media through the platen assembly.
4. A print assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the elongate carrier is a channel member, the printhead modules being mounted, end to end, in the channel member such that the ink distribution members of the printhead modules are in fluid communication with each other and the print assembly includes an ink connector mounted on an endmost printhead module to permit ink conduits to feed ink to the ink distribution members.
5. A print assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which each printhead integrated circuit has a plurality of nozzle arrangements incorporating micro-electromechanical actuators for ejecting ink from respective ink chambers.
6. A print assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the control circuitry units are printed circuit boards that are mounted end-to-end on the chassis, each printed circuit board being connected to a plurality of printhead integrated circuits with flexible connectors that transmit data signals to the printhead integrated circuits via the flexible connectors.
7. A print assembly as claimed in claim 6 , in which busbars are mounted on the chassis and are configured to transmit electrical power to the print engine controllers and the printhead integrated circuits.
8. A print assembly as claimed in claim 7 , in which the busbars are interposed between the printed circuit boards and a side of the chassis.