IP Library Granted Patent US 7,152,949
Granted Patent B2
US 7,152,949 · App. 11/329,167 · Granted Dec 26, 2006

Wide-format print engine with a pagewidth ink reservoir assembly

Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,152,949
App. No.
11/329,167
Granted
Dec 26, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wide-format inkjet print engine includes an elongate chassis. A channel member is mounted on the chassis. The channel member and the chassis span a print zone. An ink reservoir assembly is mounted in the channel member and defines at least one ink reservoir that extends a length of the channel member and is connectable to an ink supply. A plurality of printhead modules is mounted on the ink reservoir assembly, each printhead module having a printhead integrated circuit mounted on a carrier, each printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of nozzle arrangements incorporating micro-electromechanical actuators for ejecting ink from respective ink chambers. A plurality of print engine controllers is mounted on the chassis. Each print engine controller is electrically connected to a number of the printhead integrated circuits and is configured to control operation of the number of the printhead integrated circuits.

Claims (12)

1. A wide-format inkjet print engine that comprises

an elongate chassis;

a channel member mounted on the chassis, the channel member and the chassis spanning a print zone;

an ink reservoir assembly mounted in the channel member and defining at least one ink reservoir that extends a length of the channel member and is connectable to an ink supply;

a plurality of printhead modules mounted on the ink reservoir assembly, each printhead module having a printhead integrated circuit mounted on a carrier, each printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of nozzle arrangements incorporating micro-electromechanical actuators for ejecting ink from respective ink chambers; and

a plurality of print engine controllers mounted on the chassis, each print engine controller being electrically connected to a number of the printhead integrated circuits and being configured to control operation of the number of the printhead integrated circuits.

2. A wide-format inkjet print engine as claimed in claim 1 , in which the ink reservoir assembly includes a plurality of ink reservoir members mounted end to end, each ink reservoir member defining a plurality of elongate channels extending through the member, so that the channels together define a plurality of ink reservoirs.

3. A wide-format inkjet print engine as claimed in claim 2 , in which an end cap is mounted on an endmost ink reservoir member, the end cap having a plurality of ink connectors in fluid communication with respective reservoirs to permit ink to be fed into the respective reservoirs.

4. A wide-format inkjet print engine as claimed in claim 1 , in which the print engine controllers form part of printed circuit boards that are mounted on the chassis, and in which the print engine includes a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards that interconnect each printed circuit board with each of said number of printhead integrated circuits.

5. A wide-format inkjet print engine as claimed in claim 4 , in which endmost printed circuit boards each include a serial connector and intermediate printed circuit boards each include a pair of serial connectors, the printed circuit boards being connected together with the serial connectors.

6. A wide-format inkjet print engine as claimed in claim 4 , in which bus bars are mounted on the chassis to provide the printed circuit boards with electrical power.

7. A wide-format inkjet print engine as claimed in claim 1 , in which the channel member is of Invar alloy.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2014
From: ZAMTEC LIMITED
To: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033244/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028549/0076 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2006
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA; LAPSTUN, PAUL
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LTD.; SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 017459/0619 →
Priority Claims (2)
AU PO7991 · Jul 15, 1997 · national
AU PO2592 · Mar 25, 1998 · national
Continuity (5)
Continuation 1107832100 · Mar 14, 2005
Continuation In Part 1074375900 · Dec 24, 2003
Continuation 1012035100 · Apr 12, 2002
Continuation 0911276700 · Jul 10, 1998
Related Publication 20060109307A1 · May 25, 2006