Inkjet printhead with sealed shield plate
An inkjet printhead includes: a support structure having a plurality of printhead chips mounted thereto; and a shield plate bonded to the support structure, the shield plate having a slot aligned with the printhead chips, the slot having a perimeter edge. A sealant is disposed on all exposed portions of the support structure adjacent the perimeter edge of each slot.
1. An inkjet printhead comprising:
a support structure having a plurality of printhead chips mounted thereon; and
a shield plate bonded to the support structure, the shield plate having at least one slot aligned with one or more printhead chips, the slot having a perimeter edge, wherein:
a sealant is disposed on all exposed portions of the support structure adjacent the perimeter edge of each slot; and
an upper surface of the sealant tapers towards the support structure from an upper surface of the shield plate.
2. The inkjet printhead claim 1 , wherein the sealant extends continuously around an inner perimeter edge of each slot.
3. The inkjet printhead of claim 1 , wherein each printhead chip has a polymer encapsulant extending at least partially along a first longitudinal edge thereof, the sealant extending between a first longitudinal edge of each slot and the polymer encapsulant.
4. The inkjet printhead of claim 3 , wherein the polymer encapsulant encapsulates electrical connectors to the printhead chips.
5. The inkjet printhead of claim 3 , wherein each printhead chip has grout material extending at least partially along a second longitudinal edge thereof, the sealant extending between a second longitudinal edge of each slot and the grout material.
6. The inkjet printhead of claim 1 , wherein the sealant is comprised of an epoxy polymer.
7. The inkjet printhead of claim 1 , wherein the printhead chips are arranged in one or more rows, each slot being aligned with a respective row of printhead chips.
8. The inkjet printhead of claim 7 , wherein the printhead chips are arranged in first and second rows, the shield plate have first and second slots aligned with respective first and second rows of printhead chips.