Printhead assembly with a pressurized air supply for an inkjet printer
View Patent ↗A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer includes an ink distribution molding having a laminated stack of ink distribution sheets, and a nozzle guard. The assembly also includes at least one printhead integrated circuit arranged in fluid contact with the molding such that a cavity is defined between the integrated circuit and the nozzle guard. The assembly has an air duct having a base defining a series of air passages. An air valve molding is formed as a channel with a series of apertures defined in a base thereof. A spacing of the apertures corresponds to the air passages. The air valve molding is movable longitudinally within the air duct to facilitate alignment of the apertures with the passages to allow pressurized air through the laminated stack to the cavity, or moved out of alignment to close off a supply of pressurized air to the cavity.
1. A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer, the printhead assembly comprising:
an ink distribution molding having a laminated stack of ink distribution sheets;
a nozzle guard;
at least one printhead integrated circuit arranged in fluid contact with the molding such that a cavity is defined between the integrated circuit and the nozzle guard;
an air duct having a base defining a series of air passages; and
an air valve molding formed as a channel with a series of apertures defined in a base thereof, a spacing of the apertures corresponding to the series of air passages, the air valve molding being movable longitudinally within the air duct to facilitate alignment of the apertures with the air passages to allow pressurized air through the laminated stack to the cavity, or moved out of alignment to close off a supply of pressurized air to the cavity.
2. The printhead assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle guard includes a rotatable platen configured to rotate between printing, capping and blotting positions depending on the operational status of the printer.
3. The printhead assembly of claim 2 , wherein the air valve molding has a cam follower extending from one end thereof and engaging an air valve cam surface on an end cap of the platen of the nozzle guard to selectively move the air valve molding longitudinally within the air duct according to a rotational position of the platen.
4. The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the cam follower holds the air valve in an open position to supply air to a print surface of the integrated circuit when the platen is in a printing position for printing.
5. The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the nozzle guard defines a plurality of micro-apertures in a surface thereof.
6. The printhead assembly of claim 5 , wherein the cam follower moves the air valve molding to a valve closed position when the platen is rotated to a non-printing position to cap off the micro-apertures of the nozzle guard.