PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A LAMINATED DUCTING ASSEMBLY
A printhead assembly has a plurality of printhead modules, each having a plurality of modular printhead tiles. Each printhead tile has a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium. A ducting assembly has a laminated stack of layers, each layer of the stack having a number of apertures which, when the layers are stacked, provide ducts whereby ink is able to flow from an ink reservoir to the nozzle assemblies. A number of electrical connector assemblies operatively connect the respective printhead tiles together. The printhead modules are arranged in a casing so as to be removably mounted in linearly aligned relationship through removable engagement of each printhead module with the casing.
1 . A printhead assembly comprising:
a plurality of printhead modules each having a plurality of modular printhead tiles each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium;
a ducting assembly having a laminated stack of layers, each layer of the stack having a number of apertures which, when the layers are stacked, provide ducts whereby ink is able to flow from an ink reservoir to the nozzle assemblies;
a number of electrical connector assemblies for operatively connecting the respective printhead tiles together; and
a casing in which the printhead modules are arranged so as to be removably mounted in linearly aligned relationship through removable engagement of each printhead module with the casing.
2 . A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which each printhead module has a support member and the casing has a support frame, the support member having a first tab received in a recess of the support frame and a second tab clamped between the support frame and a mounting element mounted to the support frame so as to allow constrained movement of the relevant printhead module relative to the casing.
3 . The printhead assembly of claim 2 , wherein the support member defines a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof, each printhead tile having electrical connecting strips which overlie the respective recessed portions, the assembly including a connecting member having a series of parallel spaced conducting strips, said connecting member being shaped and configured for fitment into a cavity defined by the raised and recessed portions of two abutting support members to connect the connecting strips of two tiles via said conducting strips.
4 . The printhead assembly of claim 3 , having a sealing adhesive provided at an interface of the support members.
5 . The printhead assembly of claim 4 , wherein the sealing adhesive is an epoxy.
6 . The printhead assembly of claim 3 , which includes a printhead controller integrated circuit for controlling operation of the printhead tiles via the connecting strips.
7 . The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the connecting member is a rectangular block having the series of conducting strips on each surface thereof.
8 . The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the connecting member is formed of a strip of silicone rubber printed to provide sequentially spaced conductive and non-conductive material strips.
9 . The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the conducting strips of the connecting member are provided in a 2:1 relationship with the connecting strips of the tiles.