Print engine cartridge incorporating a post mounted maintenance assembly
View Patent ↗A cartridge is provided for an inkjet print engine. The cartridge includes an elongate body, in turn, defining a plurality of partitions and a pair of mounting posts at either end. An ink storage module assembly includes a row of ink storage modules interleaved with the partitions. A printhead assembly is mounted to the body and includes at least one ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) connected to receive ink from the ink storage modules. An elongate maintenance assembly is mounted between the posts and is configured to cap and clean the IC.
1. A cartridge for an inkjet print engine, the cartridge comprising:
an elongate body defining a plurality of partitions and a pair of mounting posts at either end;
an ink storage module assembly including a row of ink storage modules interleaved with the partitions;
a printhead assembly mounted to the body and including at least one ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) connected to receive ink from the ink storage modules; and
an elongate maintenance assembly mounted between the posts and configured to cap and clean the IC.
2. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the maintenance assembly includes a channel structure having a pair of protruding tongue portions at its ends, each pair of tongue portions receiving a respective one of the posts.
3. A cartridge as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the maintenance assembly further includes:
a retainer element defining a slot and configured to be secured to the channel structure; and
a molding defining a protruding rim portion which can extend through the slot to engage and cap the printhead assembly.
4. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the maintenance assembly includes a wiper actuator which is configured to move fabric across the IC and wipe the IC clean.
5. A print engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the ink storage module assembly has interfaces to facilitate docking with a refill ink supply to replenish the ink storage modules.
6. A print engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printhead assembly defines a plurality of clips which engage with lugs of the body.
7. A print engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printhead assembly includes two elongate members adhered together, a first one of the members defining a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels, and a second one of the members defining feed tubes coupled to respective ink storage modules and for feeding ink to the ink channels.
8. A print engine as claimed in claim 7 , wherein a floor of each channel defines a series of spaced holes through which ink can be fed to the IC.
9. A print engine as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the IC is mounted to the first member by a polymer sealing film.