Printhead assembly incorporating heat aligning printhead modules
View Patent ↗A printhead assembly for a printer comprises a support member having a silicon core mounted within a metal channel; a plurality of printhead modules mounted on the support member, each printhead module including an integrated circuit manufactured using micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS) techniques; and an elastomeric layer positioned between the core and the metal channel. The printhead modules and support members are configured to move into alignment with each other upon heating of the printhead assembly, and each printhead module is mounted to the silicon core with a neck portion.
1. A printhead assembly for a printer, the printhead assembly comprising:
a support member having a silicon core mounted within a metal channel;
a plurality of printhead modules mounted on the support member, each printhead module including an integrated circuit manufactured using micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS) techniques; and
an elastomeric layer positioned between the core and the metal channel, wherein
the printhead modules and support members are configured to move into alignment with each other upon heating of the printhead assembly, and
each printhead module is mounted to the silicon core with a neck portion.
2. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printhead modules and support member are configured to move into alignment with each other when the printhead assembly is at operating temperature.
3. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said operating temperature is about 50° C. above ambient temperature.
4. A printhead assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each printhead module further includes at least one fiducial for positioning the printhead modules along the support member.