PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING REMOVABLE PRINTHEAD MODULES
Provided is a printhead assembly having a number of printhead modules each having a plurality of support members and modular printhead tiles mounted thereon with each tile having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium. The assembly also includes 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. Also included is a casing having a support frame in which the printhead modules are arranged so as to be removably mounted in linearly aligned relationship through removable engagement of a support member of each printhead module with the support frame. Each support member has 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 to allow constrained movement of the relevant printhead module relative to the casing. The assembly further has a number of electrical connector assemblies for operatively connecting the respective printhead tiles to power and data.
1 . A printhead assembly comprising:
a number of printhead modules each having a plurality of support members and modular printhead tiles mounted thereon, each tile 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 casing having a support frame in which the printhead modules are arranged to be removably mounted in linearly aligned relationship through removable engagement of a support member of each printhead module with the 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 to allow constrained movement of the relevant printhead module relative to the casing; and
a number of electrical connector assemblies for connecting the respective printhead tiles to data and power.
2 . The printhead assembly of claim 1 , wherein each 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 connecting members each having a series of parallel spaced conducting strips provided in a 2:1 relationship with the connecting strips of the tiles, said connecting members being shaped and configured for fitment into a cavity defined by the raised and recessed portions of two respective abutting support members to connect the connecting strips of two tiles via said conducting strips.
3 . The printhead assembly of claim 2 , having a sealing adhesive provided at interfaces of the support members.
4 . The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the sealing adhesive is an epoxy.
5 . The printhead assembly of claim 2 , which includes a printhead controller integrated circuit for controlling operation of the printhead tiles via the connecting strips.
6 . The printhead assembly of claim 2 , wherein the connecting member is a rectangular block having the series of conducting strips on each surface thereof.
7 . The connector assembly of claim 2 , wherein the connecting member is formed of a strip of silicone rubber printed to provide sequentially spaced conductive and non-conductive material strips.