Ink supply arrangement incorporating baffles in an ink distribution molding
View Patent ↗An ink supply arrangement is provided for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead. The ink supply arrangement includes an elongate ink distribution molding defining a printhead channel in which the printhead can be received and sets of passages for supplying respective types of ink to the printhead. A filter covers the ink distribution molding and is configured to filter ink supplied thereto. A baffle unit is configured to be engaged with the filter, and defines a plurality of elongate walls and a plurality of baffles extending from the walls. A housing can receive the baffle unit to define a plurality of ink storage chambers in fluid communication with respective sets of passages.
1. An ink supply arrangement for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead, the ink supply arrangement comprising:
an elongate ink distribution molding defining a printhead channel in which the printhead is bound with silicone gel or another like resilient adhesive, and sets of passages for supplying respective types of ink to the printhead;
a filter covering the ink distribution molding and configured to filter ink supplied to the ink distribution molding;
a baffle unit configured to be engaged with the filter, and defining a plurality of elongate walls and a plurality of baffles extending from the walls; and
a housing which can receive the baffle unit to define a plurality of ink storage chambers in fluid communication with respective sets of passages.
2. An ink supply arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , in which the baffle unit is bound to the filter with silicone gel or another like resilient adhesive.
3. An ink supply arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of said passages tapers inwardly toward the printhead.
4. An ink supply arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a triplet of said sets and a pair of said elongate walls.
5. An ink supply arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the baffle unit is ultrasonically welded to the housing.
6. An ink supply arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the baffle unit comprises a plurality of end wall portions which can be pierced so that ink can be supplied into respective ink storage chambers.
7. An ink supply arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a plurality of air holes to allow the ingress of air into the ink storage chambers responsive to the egress of ink from the ink storage chambers.