Inkjet printhead assembly incorporating a sealing shim with aperture sets
View Patent ↗An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate chassis defining a plurality of ink supply channels. A sealing shim defines sets of apertures and is configured to be mounted in sealing engagement with the chassis so that the sets are aligned with respective channels. A plurality of printhead carriers is configured to be received on the shim. Each printhead carrier defines galleries configured to engage in fluid communication with respective sets and further defines a printhead recess terminating the galleries. Ink ejection printhead segments each define ink supply holes, and are configured to be received within respective printhead recesses so that ink can be supplied to the printhead segments through the holes via the galleries.
1. An inkjet printhead assembly comprising:
an elongate chassis defining a plurality of ink supply channels;
a sealing shim defining sets of apertures and configured to be mounted in sealing engagement with the chassis so that the sets are aligned with respective channels;
a plurality of printhead carriers configured to be received on the chassis, each printhead carrier defining galleries configured to engage in fluid communication with respective sets of apertures and further defining a printhead recess terminating the galleries; and
ink ejection printhead segments each defining ink supply holes and configured to be received within respective printhead recesses so that ink can be supplied to the printhead segments through the holes via the ink galleries; wherein,
each printhead carrier has a substantially semi-circular profile and each printhead recess is eccentrically arranged.
2. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printhead carriers define complementary formations so that they can be engaged together along the shim.
3. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2 , wherein each carrier has a stepped formation on either side to facilitate engagement.
4. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein, when the printhead carriers are engaged together, the ink ejection printhead segments are laterally spaced apart and alternately disposed along the length of the chassis.
5. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the printhead segments overlap to enable continuous printing along the length of the chassis.
6. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes:
an extrusion defining the ink supply channels; and
a printed circuit board (PCB) which can be secured to the extrusion.
7. An inkjet printhead assembly as claimed in claim 6 , in which a plurality of tape automated bonded (TAB) films extend from respective printhead segments, around the chassis, and to the PCB.