Printhead assembly having an encased printhead module
View Patent ↗A printhead assembly has a casing. A printhead module is positioned in the casing. The printhead module and the casing are configured so that the printhead module is removable from the casing. The printhead module includes a fluid channel member defining a number of ink ducts along its length and positioned in the casing. A number of printhead tiles are arranged on the fluid channel member. Each printhead tile has a printhead integrated circuit. The printhead tiles and the fluid channel member are configured so that ink can be supplied to the printhead integrated circuits from the fluid channel member.
1. A printhead assembly comprising:
a casing; and
a printhead module positioned in the casing, the printhead module and casing being configured such that the printhead module is removable from the casing, wherein the printhead module comprises:
a fluid channel member defining a number of ink ducts along a length thereof, and positioned in the casing, and
a number of printhead tiles arranged on the fluid channel member, each printhead tile having a printhead integrated circuit, the printhead tiles and the fluid channel member being configured to supply ink to the printhead integrated circuits from the fluid channel member.
2. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the casing is formed as a two-piece outer housing configured to mount the printhead assembly in a printing system.
3. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a support frame and a cover portion, the support frame defining a channel in which the fluid channel member and printhead module are positioned.
4. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fluid channel member is formed by an injection molding process.
5. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the fluid channel member has a body portion defining open channels and a lid portion that is positioned on the body portion to form ducts with the channels.
6. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the fluid channel member is of a liquid crystal polymer.
7. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each printhead integrated circuit is electrically connected to a printed circuit board with encapsulated connections.