Print engine assembly with slotted chassis
View Patent ↗A print engine assembly includes an elongate chassis that defines a channel and a slot. A printhead assembly is fast with respect to the chassis and is configured to print upon print media fed through the chassis. A pair of bearing moldings is located within the channel and mounted on respective, opposite ends of the chassis. A print media feed mechanism is mounted between the bearing moldings and is arranged to feed the print media through the chassis in register with the printhead assembly and out through the slot.
1. A print engine assembly comprising;
an elongate chassis for mounting to a printer body, the chassis defining a channel and a slot;
a printhead assembly fast with respect to the chassis and configured to print upon print media fed through the chassis;
a pair of bearing moldings located within the channel and mounted on respective, opposite ends of the chassis; and
a print media feed mechanism mounted between the bearing moldings and arranged to feed the print media through the chassis in register with the printhead assembly and out through the slot, the feed mechanism comprising a stepper motor mounted to one of the bearing mouldings and a plurality of rollers driven by the stepper motor.
2. A print engine assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the chassis is fabricated from any one of the group of: pressed steel, aluminum, plastics and other like rigid material.
3. A print engine assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a pair of spacers, each spacer interconnecting a respective end of the printhead assembly with the chassis.
4. A print engine assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printhead assembly comprises an elongate printhead, the printhead comprising a plurality of elongate integrated circuits each disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the printhead with an overlap between each adjacent pair of integrated circuits to provide for continuous transmission of ink along the integrated circuits.
5. A print engine assembly as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the printhead assembly further comprises:
a printed circuit board (PCB) having mounted thereon electrical control components; and
one or more tape automated bond (TAB) films interconnected between the PCB and the integrated circuits so that the integrated circuits are electrically coupled to the electrical control components.
6. A print engine assembly as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the printhead assembly further comprises an ink distribution molding configured to distribute ink to the integrated circuits.
7. A print engine assembly as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising an ink cassette defining a plurality of ink supplies, and a plurality of hoses arranged to each interconnect a respective ink supply with the ink distribution molding.