Modular printhead assembly incorporating a capping device
View Patent ↗A modular printhead assembly includes an elongate support structure. An ink feed member is mounted on the support structure. The feed member defines a number of ink channels, the ink channels extending in the direction of the support structure and being in fluid communication with an ink supply, the ink feed member having a plurality of outlet openings from which ink can be fed. A plurality of printhead modules is mounted, in a releasable manner, on the support structure to be positioned along a length of the ink feed member. Each printhead module has an ink delivery assembly that defines a mounting formation for an elongate printhead integrated circuit and a plurality of ink inlets in fluid communication with respective outlet openings of the ink feed member and an elongate printhead integrated circuit mounted in said mounting formation. A capping device is operatively arranged with respect to the support structure and displaceable between a capped position in which the integrated printhead circuits are capped and an uncapped position. An actuating mechanism is engaged with the capping device to displace the capping device between the capped and uncapped positions.
1. A modular printhead assembly which comprises
an elongate support structure; and
an ink feed member mounted on the support structure, the feed member defining a number of ink channels, the ink channels extending in the direction of the support structure and being in fluid communication with an ink supply, the ink feed member having a plurality of outlet openings from which ink can be fed;
a plurality of printhead modules mounted, in a releasable manner, on the support structure to be positioned along a length of the ink feed member, each printhead module having an ink delivery assembly that defines a mounting formation for an elongate printhead integrated circuit and a plurality of ink inlets in fluid communication with respective outlet openings of the ink feed member and an elongate printhead integrated circuit mounted in said mounting formation;
a capping device operatively arranged with respect to the support structure and displaceable between a capped position in which the integrated printhead circuits are capped and an uncapped position; and
an actuating mechanism engaged with the capping device to displace the capping device between the capped and uncapped positions.
2. A modular printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the elongate support structure is a metal channel member, the ink feed member being positioned on a floor of the channel member.
3. A modular printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2 , in which the channel member is configured to retain, in a releasable manner, the printhead modules in the channel member.
4. A modular printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the ink feed member is an extrusion of an elastomeric material, the outlet openings of the ink feed member defining repeated patterns, each pattern comprised of at least one opening per channel.
5. A modular printhead assembly as claimed in claim 4 , in which an ink delivery manifold is fast with one end of the ink feed member to feed inks to respective channels.
6. A modular printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the ink delivery assembly of each printhead module defines a plurality of exit holes and tortuous ink flow paths from each ink inlet to a number of respective exit holes, the printhead integrated circuit being positioned so that the ink can be fed from the exit holes to the printhead integrated circuit.
7. A modular printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the actuating mechanism is a rotatable capper cam, the capping device and the capper cam being configured so that upon rotation of the capper cam, the capping device can be displaced between the capped and uncapped positions.