CN1906040A

CN1906040A - Printhead assembly and printhead module for same

Info

Publication number: CN1906040A
Application number: CNA200480040778XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卡·西尔弗布鲁克; 诺曼·迈克尔·伯里; 盖瑞·雷蒙德·杰克逊; 中泽晟; 保罗·查尔斯·奈特
Original assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-21
Filing date: 2004-01-21
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-21
Also published as: EP1706273B1; AU2004314459A1; ATE469765T1; JP2007534517A; CA2550804A1; JP4456609B2; EP1706273A4; CN100564042C; EP1706273A1; CA2550804C; WO2005070679A1; DE602004027544D1; AU2004314459B2

Abstract

A printhead module (30) for a printhead assembly is provided as a unitary arrangement of a support member (40), at least two printhead integrated circuits (50), each of which has nozzles (42) formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, at least one fluid distribution member mounting the at least two printhead integrated circuits to the support member, and an electrical connector for connecting electrical signals to the at least two printhead integrated circuits. The support member has at least one longitudinally extending channel (41) for carrying the printing fluid for the printhead integrated circuits, with a plurality of apertures extending through a wall thereof arranged so as to direct the printing fluid from the at least one channel to associated nozzles in the printhead integrated circuits. A printhead assembly is also provided comprising the printhead module and a casing to which the printhead module is removably mounted.

Description

Print head assembly and the printhead module that is used for this print head assembly

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used for the printhead unit that uses in print system.More specifically, the present invention relates to be installed on print unit and the print head assembly that can unload from it, the printhead module of this print head assembly and the method for assembling the parts like this and the various parts (comprising printed circuit board (PCB)) of this print head assembly.

The cross reference of common pending application

Below application is submitted to simultaneously by the applicant and the application:

PCT/AU＿/＿＿(WAL) PCT/AU＿/＿＿(RRA) PCT/AU＿/＿＿(SMA)

The disclosure of these common pending applications is incorporated herein by reference.More than application number identifies by its submission case, in case distributed application number, then will replace with corresponding application number.

Background technology

It is known being used at the page width printing head that print system is used.Such printhead is usually across the width of the print media of type information thereon, and the yardstick of printhead and configuration depend on the yardstick of the application of print system and print media and different.Thus, because the variation of the required yardstick of this printhead is big, be difficult to make such printhead to cater to this variational mode.

Therefore, the applicant once proposed to use the page width printing head of being made up of a plurality of replaceable printhead fragments (printhead tile) of arranging with end to end system.Each fragment all is equipped with the integrated circuit that combines printing nozzle, and described printing nozzle is ejected into for example black printing-fluid on the print media with known manner.The printhead that is arranged so that more or less freely manufacturing variable dimension like this, and can remove and change any defective fragment in the page width printing head and needn't discard whole printhead.

Yet except can removing and change any defective fragment, the previous printhead that proposes forms integral unit usually, and each parts of printhead all are attached to other parts regularly.Such setting makes assembling process become complicated and not easily-disassembled---and it need be changed other parts rather than just change defective fragment.Therefore, need a kind of like this printhead unit, it is easier to assemble and disassemble and is made up of so that form the printhead unit of variable dimension some discerptible unitary part.

Summary of the invention

In one embodiment of the invention, provide a kind of printhead module that is used for print head assembly, comprised single unit system: supporting member as lower member; At least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; At least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics,

Wherein supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid in described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or if plural printhead ic is arranged, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

The single unit system of this printhead module makes it be installed on print head assembly with removably.

Supporting member can be formed with a plurality of passages, its each be arranged to the different printing-fluid of carrying, so that direct into related nozzle sets in two printhead ics by means of the corresponding fluid allocation member in the fluid allocation member, or if plural printhead ic is arranged, then direct into the related nozzle sets in all printhead ics.Other passage can be provided, be used for air is sent to printhead ic, so that keep the nozzle of printhead ic not have impurity basically.

Use independent fluid allocation member each printhead ic in the printhead support integrated circuit and the printhead fragment is provided respectively.Each all can form at least three layers stacked in layers these fragments/fluid allocation member, comprises the lower floor of upper strata, the middle level of an association prints integrated circuit being installed on it and being attached to the supporting member upper surface.

Lower floor comprises: first dispensing orifice, and its respective aperture of being arranged in the hole with supporting member is aimed at; And, being in first in its upper surface and distributing passage, it is associated with corresponding first dispensing orifice in first dispensing orifice, and described first dispensing orifice has the diameter substantially the same with the hole in the supporting member.

The middle level comprises: second dispensing orifice, and it is arranged to distribute channel alignment with first of lower floor, and described second dispensing orifice has the diameter littler than first dispensing orifice.

The upper strata comprises: be in second in its lower surface and distribute passage, it is arranged to aim at second dispensing orifice in middle level; And the 3rd dispensing orifice, it distributes passage to be associated with second, and described the 3rd dispensing orifice has the diameter littler than second dispensing orifice.

Related printhead ic comprises the nozzle supply hole, it is arranged to aim at the 3rd dispensing orifice on upper strata and fluid is directed into respective nozzle in the nozzle, described nozzle supply hole has the diameter substantially the same with the 3rd dispensing orifice, wherein the hole of supporting member has the diameter of millimeter magnitude, and the diameter that the nozzle supply hole of described at least two printhead ics has micron dimension.

For the fluid allocation member is attached to supporting member, the lower surface of fluid allocation member can be attached to the upper surface of supporting member by jointing material.Each corresponding aperture in each hole by surrounding supporting member and the lower surface that is formed on the fluid allocation member deposits, and this jointing material can be used for forming the sealing between the respective aperture.

Become in the layout of row's formation of extending across supporting member with respect to supporting member longitudinal extension direction in the hole of supporting member, the deposit of two jointing materials can be deposited on each side of row both sides, hole, so that the stability of this mounting arrangements is provided.Described jointing material can be a curable resin.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of printhead module that is used for print head assembly, having comprised: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And the supporting member of printhead support integrated circuit,

Wherein supporting member has the passage of a plurality of longitudinal extensions, is used for the different printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and

Supporting member may be selected to be the particular requirement that meets at the number of the described printing-fluid that will be used to print.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of printhead module that is used for print head assembly, having comprised: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; The supporting member of printhead support integrated circuit; And at least two fluid allocation member, respectively the corresponding printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics is installed to described supporting member,

Wherein supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, is used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises and a plurality ofly extend through the hole of support member walls from described at least one passage, and

Each described fluid allocation member forms the stacked in layers of layer, is used for printing-fluid is directed into from the hole of supporting member the nozzle of an association prints integrated circuit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of printhead module that is used for print head assembly, it comprises: at least one printhead ic, and it has and is formed at wherein, is used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Supporting member, it supports the printing-fluid that also carrying is used for described at least one printhead ic; And at least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least one printhead ic, and printing-fluid is assigned to described printhead ic from supporting member,

The lower surface of wherein said at least one fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of described supporting member by jointing material.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method that provides a kind of assembling to be used for the printhead module of print head assembly, this method may further comprise the steps:

At least two printhead ics are installed on the upper surface of at least one fluid allocation member, and described at least two printhead ics respectively have and are formed on wherein, are used to transmit the nozzle of printing-fluid to the surface of print media; And

With jointing material the lower surface of described at least one fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of the supporting member of the fluid communication passageways with the nozzle that is used for described at least two printhead ics regularly, so that form the single unit system of described supporting member, at least two printhead ics and at least one fluid allocation member.

Described method can further comprise step: electric connector is adhered to the part of the upper surface of fluid allocation member, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to printhead ic.Employed jointing material can be a curable resin, and the attachment steps of described method further comprises step in the case: solidify described curable resin so that the fluid allocation member is fixed in supporting member.In addition, described attachment steps can comprise step: deposit curable resin around the hole that extends to fluid communication passageways on the supporting member upper surface.Further again, described attachment steps can comprise step: solidify described resin so that form liner on every side in the hole of supporting member and the associated apertures of fluid allocation member.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of print head assembly, it comprises:

At least one printhead module, it comprises the single unit system as lower member: supporting member; At least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; At least one fluid allocation member is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing, described at least one printhead module is installed in wherein with removably,

Wherein supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to will direct into two related nozzles in the printhead ic from the printing-fluid of described at least one passage by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the fluid allocation member, or if plural printhead ic is arranged, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

Comprise at print head assembly under the situation of single printhead module that the length of printhead module is predefined for provides selected page width to print with a plurality of printhead ics.

Comprise at print head assembly under the situation of two printhead modules that they are installed with the relation of linear alignment at least, making described assembly have to be predefined for provides the total length that selected page width prints and the quantity of printhead ic.In the case, each printhead module can be provided with the end of printhead module interconnection that allows linear alignment and the fluid connection that its passage is provided, and these ends are complementary female end portion and male end portions.Can be provided at such as the sealed binder of epoxy material interconnection printhead module at the interface to help fluid-encapsulated connection.

Printhead module is installed on described housing as follows, that is, the constraint printhead module on the printing-fluid direction of transfer from the nozzle to the print media at least with respect to the motion of housing.For helping this, supporting member can form and make its first side be slidably received within the longitudinal extension groove of housing and its second side is held on described housing by clamping device.Described clamping device is used to retrain the motion of printhead module.

Described housing can comprise the channel part of longitudinal extension, and printhead module is installed in it, and wherein said passage comprises first and second sidewalls that connected by lower wall.The first side wall comprises that longitudinal extension groove and this longitudinal extension groove are formed between the upper and lower longitudinal extension protuberance, and second sidewall has the upper surface of longitudinal extension, second side of described at least one printhead module has been installed on it, and the upper surface of this longitudinal extension is substantially equal to the outstanding height of following longitudinal extension of described the first side wall apart from the height of channel part lower surface.

This channel part of housing is combined in the support frame, and described clamping device engages with this support frame.The cover part that is used for covering support frame is also included within housing.

End for capping or sealing printhead module supporting member can provide cover member.Have at supporting member under the situation of complementary female end portion and male end portion, this cover member is set to each in capping female end portion and the male end portion.In addition, can be used on the cover member of interconnection and printhead module at the interface such as the sealed binder of epoxy material.

Receive the passage of printhead module for printing-fluid being transmitted flexible pipe from the printing-fluid supply company, at least one fluid connector can be arranged at least one vertical end place of printhead module.Have at supporting member under the situation of complementary female end portion and male end portion, fluid connector is arranged to and male end portion or the interconnection of female end portion.In addition, can be used on the fluid connector of interconnection and printhead module at the interface such as the sealed binder of epoxy material.

Be connected in order to transmit flexible pipe with fluid, fluid connector has at least one tubular portion, and it is arranged to be connected with passage (linearity) fluid of printhead module.Under the situation that two fluid connectors are provided, respectively connect one at each vertical end of printhead module, so that all provide fluid to supply with from the two ends of passage.

Be formed with at supporting member under the situation of a plurality of passages, described passage can be arranged to the different printing-fluid of carrying, so that direct into related nozzle sets in two printhead ics by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the fluid allocation member, or if plural printhead ic is arranged, then direct into the related nozzle sets in all printhead ics.Other passage can be provided, be used for air is sent to printhead ic, so that keep the nozzle of printhead ic not have impurity basically.

The use of the independent fluid allocation member of each printhead ic in the printhead support integrated circuit provides the printhead fragment.Each all can form at least three layers stacked in layers these fragments/fluid allocation member, comprises the lower floor of upper strata, the middle level of an association prints integrated circuit being installed on it and being attached to the supporting member upper surface.

Lower floor comprises: first dispensing orifice, and its respective aperture of being arranged in the hole with supporting member is aimed at; And be in first in its upper surface and distribute passage, it is associated with corresponding first dispensing orifice in first dispensing orifice, and described first dispensing orifice has the diameter substantially the same with the hole in the supporting member.

Become in being provided with that the row that extends across supporting member with respect to supporting member longitudinal extension direction forms in the hole of supporting member, the deposit of two described jointing materials can be deposited on each side of both sides of hole row, so that the stability of erecting device is provided.Described jointing material can be a curable resin.

Printhead module is by the support frame supports of housing.The cover part that is used for covering support frame is also included within housing.Support frame is the support drive electronic device also, and described drive electronics is provided for via electric connector and drives printhead ic.

Print head assembly also can comprise the print media guiding piece that is installed on housing.This print media guiding piece is arranged to guide print media through by the formed print surface of the printhead module that is installed on housing, clashes into the nozzle of each printhead ic so that prevent print media.This is to be set to form the gap by the print media guiding piece between the print media of the nozzle of printhead ic and process realize.

By in conjunction with at least one controller---it is connected at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics via electric connector, and described drive electronics can be controlled the printing of printhead ic.Described drive electronics is arranged at least one printed circuit board (PCB), and this printed circuit board (PCB) is supported by the support frame of housing again.For drive electronics is connected with electric connector, printed circuit board (PCB) carries at least one connectivity port, and it is aimed at electric connector.Each printhead ic can be connected with independent electric connector, so that described at least one controller is arranged to control the printing of selectable number printhead ic.

Comprise at printhead module under the situation of one or more groups that two printhead ics are arranged, can select single controller, be used for controlling the group that each has two printhead ics via electric connector.Comprise at printhead module under the situation of one or more groups that four printhead ics are arranged, can select single controller, be used for controlling the group that each has four printhead ics via electric connector.Comprise at printhead module under the situation of one or more groups that eight printhead ics are arranged, can select single controller, be used for controlling the group that each has eight printhead ics via electric connector.Comprise at printhead module under the situation of one or more groups that 16 printhead ics are arranged, can select single controller, be used for controlling the group that each has 16 printhead ics via electric connector.

The printed circuit board (PCB) that is used for controller is supported on the support frame of housing via at least one installation elements, and it combines the clamping device that is used for printhead module is held on housing.In addition, described printed circuit board (PCB) can have the connection strap that is arranged on its opposed edges zone, the connection strap adjacent with an end of support frame can be connected to the data input, and the connection strap adjacent with the other end of support frame stops to prevent the data-signal reflection way.

For power is sent to described drive electronics from power supply, described print head assembly comprises the electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions that are positioned at housing.Power is sent to drive electronics from this electric conductor via electric connector.In addition, power also is sent to printhead ic from electric conductor via electric connector.

For guaranteeing the electrical connection of various parts, load plate is provided, be used for loading the conductor part of electric connector with respect to the respective electrical conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors.Described load plate comprises the non-conductive part that is formed by for example elastomeric material, and it promotes electric connector with respect to electric conductor.

The end that described a plurality of electric conductor can be arranged in print head assembly is connected to power supply.Alternatively, described a plurality of electric conductors can be set to be connected at the respective end place of print head assembly respectively two groups of electric conductors of power supply, and the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of these two groups of electric conductors in the middle of the print head assembly end links together.For being convenient to this, the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

Described a plurality of electric conductor is carried easily by the installation elements that is installed on the housings support framework.This is owing to installation elements becomes easily, and described installation elements has the passage that is formed at a plurality of depressions wherein, is used for holding each electric conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors.

Print head assembly can comprise at least two installation elements that are provided with syntople along the housing longitudinal direction, and each all is arranged to support independent printed circuit board (PCB).With this set, each printed circuit board (PCB) is by the interconnection of the electrical connecting member between the installation elements that is positioned at adjacency (each).Electrical connecting member is arranged in the depression that the lateral areas by installation elements forms, and described lateral areas has projection and sunk part, and it is arranged to make the sunk part of the installation elements of adjacency to form described depression.Electrical connecting member comprises non-conducting material, and it is covered with bus, and wherein electrical connecting member is positioned to the array of spaced connection strap at the place, marginal zone of each printed circuit board (PCB) in each printed circuit board (PCB) of imbrication.

For guaranteeing reliable connection, at least one bus in two adjacent conductive bars of each connection strap of printed circuit board (PCB) and electrical connecting member engages, and the bus of electrical connecting member is the twice of the connection strap number of printed circuit board (PCB).

Installation elements can be in conjunction with the clamping device that is used for printhead module is held on support frame.This is to realize that by the installation elements that comprises at least one adjutage part described arm portion is arranged to the longitudinal extension protuberance of supporting member is held on the upper surface of second sidewall of support frame.In addition, the longitudinal extension protuberance of supporting member comprises a plurality of projections along its length arrangement, and these projections are spaced apart so that corresponding to the installation site of printhead ic.Described adjutage partly comprises depression section, and it is arranged to engage with one of a plurality of projections on the longitudinal extension protuberance that is held thus.

Carrying can be engaged by second printed circuit board (PCB) at an end place of support frame by (first) printed circuit board (PCB) of the drive electronics of the support frame supports of housing, and described drive electronics is connected to power to this second printed circuit board (PCB) and data are supplied with.For this reason, second printed circuit board (PCB) can comprise: the power terminal is used for via the bus of described longitudinal extension described electric connector being connected to power supply; Data terminal is used for via first printed circuit board (PCB) described drive electronics being connected to the data input; And fluid transfer port, be used for described at least one passage of supporting member being connected to fluid and supply with via the fluid dispatch tube.

In addition, first printed circuit board (PCB) can be engaged by the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) at the other end place of support frame, and the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) is arranged in that elasticity loads first printed circuit board (PCB) on the direction of second printed circuit board (PCB).The 3rd printed circuit can comprise and stop bindiny mechanism, is used to terminate from second printed circuit board (PCB), passes the data-signal of first printed circuit board (PCB).

In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of print head assembly, having comprised:

At least one printhead module, it comprises the integrated device as lower member: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And support and carrying is used for the supporting member of the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing is wherein installed described at least one printhead module with removably, so as the constraint printhead module on the printing-fluid direction of transfer from the nozzle to the print media at least with respect to the motion of housing.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And support and carrying is used for the supporting member of the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing is wherein installed described at least one printhead module by following structure with removably: make its first side be contained in the longitudinal extension groove of housing slidably and make its second side be held on housing by clamping device.

At least two printhead modules, respectively comprise: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for that printing-fluid is sent to the nozzle on the surface of print media and support and carrying is used for the supporting member of the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing, described therein at least two printhead modules are set to removably install with the relation of linear alignment,

Wherein, described assembly has total length and the printhead ic quantity that provides selected page width to print is provided.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of print head assembly, comprising:

At least two printhead modules respectively comprise: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And the supporting member that supports described at least two printhead ics; And

Wherein said supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, is used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and

Each printhead module all has the end that makes that the fluid of the passage that can interconnect and provide its supporting member of printhead module of linear alignment connects.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And support and carrying is used for the supporting member of the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics;

Housing is wherein installed described at least one printhead module with removably; And

Cover member, the end of the supporting member of described at least one printhead module of its capping.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And the supporting member that supports described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing is wherein installed described at least one printhead module with removably,

Wherein, described supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, is used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and

At least one vertical end at least one printhead module provides at least one fluid connector so that at least one printing-fluid transmission flexible pipe is received at least one passage from the printing-fluid supply company.

Provide at least two fluid connectors so that each is connected with vertical end of described at least one printhead module, each is arranged to described fluid connector at least one fluid transmission flexible pipe is received described at least one passage from the fluid supply company at the corresponding vertically end place of described at least one printhead module.

Housing comprises: support frame is used to support described at least one printhead module; And the cover part, it is attached to described support frame with removably.

Housing, described at least one printhead module is installed on wherein with removably, and

Be installed on the print media guiding piece of described housing, it is arranged to guide the print surface of print media through being formed by described at least one printhead module that is installed on described housing.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Supporting member is used to support the printing-fluid that also carrying is used for described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, this this at least one controller is connected at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector, is used for controlling the printing of at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing, described at least one printhead module and described drive electronics are installed on wherein with removably.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member of described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, it is used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, and this controller is arranged to the printing via the selectable number printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control; And

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics; Supporting member is used to support the printing-fluid that also carrying is used for described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, this at least one controller is connected at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector, is used for controlling the printing of at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing, described at least one printhead module and described drive electronics are installed on wherein with removably,

Wherein said drive electronics is arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), and this printed circuit board (PCB) supports via the support frame of at least one installation elements by housing.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support and deliver the supporting member of the printing-fluid that is used for described at least two printhead ics; And at least two flexible printed circuit boards, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, this at least one controller is connected at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics via corresponding flexible printed circuit board, is used for controlling the printing of at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics; And

Wherein said drive electronics is arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), and the carrying of this printed circuit board (PCB) is used for the corresponding connectivity port that is connected with flexible printed circuit board, and these connectivity ports are with flexible printed circuit board and printhead ic are directly aimed at accordingly.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support and deliver the supporting member of the printing-fluid that is used for described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Housing is used for supporting at least one installation elements with removably, and this installation elements is installed described drive electronics and combined the clamping device that is used for described at least one printhead module is held on described housing.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, is used for controlling the printing of at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics;

The electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is arranged to power is provided to described drive electronics and described at least two printhead ics from power supply; And

Housing, described at least one printhead module, described drive electronics and described a plurality of electric conductor are installed on wherein with removably.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of printhead system, having comprised:

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support and carrying is used for the supporting member that described at least two printhead ics and carrying are used for its printing-fluid; And at least two electric connectors, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to the corresponding printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics;

Drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, is used for controlling the printing of at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics; And

In wherein said at least two electric connectors each all is arranged to control signal is directed into corresponding printhead ic and power is directed into corresponding printhead ic and drive electronics from power supply from described at least one controller.

Load plate, it is used for loading with respect to the respective electrical conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors the conductor part of described electric connector.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

The electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions, be used for power is provided to described at least two printhead ics from power supply, it is set to be connected to respectively at the respective end place of described print head assembly two groups of electric conductors of described power supply, and the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of described two groups of electric conductors in the middle of described print head assembly end links together.

The electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is arranged to via described electric connector power is provided to described at least two printhead ics from power supply; And

Housing, comprise support frame, with the removably support described at least one printhead module and an installation elements are arranged on it, be formed with the passage of a plurality of depressions in this installation elements, be used for holding and installing each electric conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors with removably.

Drive electronics, it combines at least two controllers, is used for controlling via described electric connector the printing of at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics, described at least two controllers interconnection; And

Drive electronics, it combines at least two controllers, and each controller all is arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), so that control the printing of at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector;

Housing, comprise support frame, at least two installation elements that it supports described at least one printhead module and arranges with syntople along the housing longitudinal direction, each printed circuit board (PCB) in the described printed circuit board (PCB) is supported with removably by at least one installation elements in described two or more installation elements; And

Electrical connecting member comprises the non-conducting material coated with bus, and it is arranged between the installation elements of described adjacency, and some of marginal zone place that make described bus be positioned to each printed circuit board (PCB) in each printed circuit board (PCB) of imbrication are listed as isolated connection strap.

Drive electronics is arranged to the printing via at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control;

The electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions is used for power is provided to described drive electronics and described at least two printhead ics from power supply;

Housing comprises support frame, and it supports described at least one printhead module; And

At least one installation elements, it is by described support frame support, and described at least one installation elements is installed described drive electronics and electric conductor and is combined the clamping device that is used for described at least one printhead module is held on described support frame.

Drive electronics, it is arranged to the printing via at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control;

Housing comprises support frame, is provided with described at least one printhead module and a plurality of installation elements of described drive electronics are installed with removably on it;

Be positioned at first electrical connector of support frame one end, described drive electronics and described printhead ic are connected to power supply and data input; And

Be positioned at second electrical connector of the support frame other end, it carries out elasticity to described a plurality of installation elements and loads on the direction of described first electrical connector.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics from the two ends of print head assembly; And

Housing, described at least one printhead module is installed on wherein with removably.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Supporting member, it supports described at least two printhead ics and has the passage that at least one is used for the longitudinal extension of carrying printing-fluid; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described printhead ic;

Housing, comprise support frame, it installs described at least one printhead module and drive electronics with removably, and described drive electronics is arranged to control via described electric connector the printing of at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics; And

At least one electrical connector, its be installed on described support frame at least one vertically end and carrying be used for described electric connector be connected to power supply at least one power terminal, be used for that described drive electronics is connected at least one data terminal of data input and be used for described at least one passage of described supporting member being connected at least one fluid transfer port that fluid is supplied with via the fluid dispatch tube.

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing, it comprises: support frame, it installs described at least one printhead module with removably; And at least one clamping device, it is held on described support frame with described at least one printhead module,

Wherein, the printhead module that is held and described at least one clamping device roughly are independent of described housing on the position.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of printed circuit board (PCB) that comprises integrally formed elastic part.

The integrally formed elastic part of described printed circuit board (PCB) can form by a part of removing printed circuit board (PCB).

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of circuit unit, having comprised:

A plurality of first printed circuit board (PCB)s that are provided with in the linear alignment mode;

Be arranged on second printed circuit board (PCB) of an end of first printed circuit board (PCB) of linear alignment, be used for that the electronic device by described a plurality of first printed circuit board supports is connected to power and data are supplied with; And

Be arranged on the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) of the other end of first printed circuit board (PCB) of linear alignment, the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) comprises integrally formed elastic part.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of print head assembly, having comprised:

Above-described circuit unit, it is electrically connected to described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector; And

Housing comprises support frame, with removably described at least one printhead module and described circuit unit is installed on it.

Described print head assembly can be arranged to make described a plurality of first printed circuit board (PCB)s of described circuit unit to be installed on described support frame, so that linear alignment on its longitudinal direction, the second and the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) of described circuit unit is arranged on corresponding vertical end place of described support frame, and drive electronics is arranged on described a plurality of first printed circuit board (PCB), is used for the printing via at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control.

As the printed circuit board (PCB) that comprises elastic part, described the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) can comprise further that the terminal on the elastic part connects, and is used to stop from second printed circuit board (PCB), passes the data-signal of described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB).

In described print head assembly, described printhead module can form the integrated device of following structure: described at least two printhead ics, supporting member, electric connector and described at least two printhead ics are installed at least one fluid allocation member of described supporting member.In this device, supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid from described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or if plural printhead ic is arranged, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

Referring now to accompanying drawing these and other embodiment of the present invention and advantage are described by way of example.

Description of drawings

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates the stereogram of print head assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates the opposition side of the print head assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates the sectional view of the print head assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 A illustrates the part of the printhead module in the print head assembly that is combined in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 B illustrates the cover of the printhead module of Fig. 4 A;

Fig. 5 A illustrates the top view of the printhead fragment that forms Fig. 4 A printhead module part;

Fig. 5 B illustrates the bottom view of Fig. 5 A printhead fragment;

Fig. 6 illustrates the electric connector that is used for being installed on the printhead ic of printhead fragment shown in Fig. 5 A;

That carries out between the printhead module that Fig. 7 is illustrated in Fig. 4 A and the downside of the printhead fragment of Fig. 5 A and 5B is connected;

Fig. 8 illustrates " mother " end of the printhead module of Fig. 4 A;

Fig. 9 illustrates " public affairs " end of the printhead module of Fig. 4 A;

The fluid that Figure 10 illustrates the male end portion that is used for Fig. 9 transmits connector;

The fluid that Figure 11 illustrates the female end portion that is used for Fig. 8 transmits connector;

The fluid that Figure 12 illustrates Figure 10 of being connected to the fluid dispatch tube or 11 transmits connector;

Figure 13 illustrates the tubular portion setting of the fluid transmission connector of Figure 10 and 11;

Figure 14 A illustrates the female end portion that is used for Fig. 8 and 9 and the cover member of male end portion;

Figure 14 B illustrates the cover member of Figure 14 A of the printhead module that is applied to Fig. 4 A;

Figure 15 A illustrates cross section (skeleton) figure of support frame of the housing of Fig. 1 print head assembly;

Figure 15 B and 15C illustrate respectively and are in the stereogram of the support frame of Figure 15 A of orientation up and down;

Figure 16 illustrates the printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) that forms Fig. 1 print head assembly part and supports;

Figure 17 A, 17B and 17C illustrate the side view and the rear perspective view of the PCB support of Figure 16;

Figure 18 A illustrates the circuit block that is supported the PCB carrying of being supported by the PCB of Figure 16;

Figure 18 B illustrates the PCB of Figure 18 A and the opposition side stereogram of circuit block;

Figure 19 A illustrates the side view of the other parts that the PCB support that is attached to Figure 16 has been described;

Figure 19 B illustrates the lateral side view of the pressing plate that forms Fig. 1 print head assembly part;

Figure 20 illustrates the front view of the other parts of explanation Figure 19;

Figure 21 illustrates the stereogram of the other parts of explanation Figure 19;

Figure 22 illustrates the front view of the PCB support of Figure 16;

Figure 22 A illustrates the side cross-sectional view of being got along the line I-I among Figure 22;

Figure 22 B illustrates the zoomed-in view of the section A of Figure 22 A;

Figure 22 C illustrates the side cross-sectional view of being got along the line II-II among Figure 22;

Figure 22 D illustrates the zoomed-in view of the cross section B of Figure 22 C;

Figure 22 E illustrates the zoomed-in view of the cross section C of Figure 22 C;

Figure 23 illustrates the side view of the case lid part of Fig. 1 print head assembly;

The PCB that Figure 24 illustrates a plurality of Figure 16 in the modular assembly supports;

Figure 25 illustrates connecting elements, and its two adjacent PCB by Figure 24 support and carry and be used to interconnect by the PCB of described PCB support bearing;

Figure 26 illustrates Figure 25 connecting elements of two PCB of interconnection;

Figure 27 illustrates by the interconnection between two PCB of Figure 25 connecting elements;

Figure 28 illustrates the bonding pad of the bus that is arranged in Fig. 1 print head assembly;

Figure 29 illustrates the stereogram of the end of print head assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 30 illustrates the electrical connector of the end that is arranged in print head assembly shown in Figure 29;

Figure 31 illustrates and is contained in the end housing that forms a described print head assembly part and the electrical connector of the Figure 30 in the board component;

Figure 32 A and 32B illustrate the view of two opposite sides of the electrical connector of Figure 30;

The fluid that Figure 32 C illustrates the electrical connector of Figure 30 transmits the coupling part;

Figure 33 A illustrates and is arranged in the supporting member of print head assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

The supporting member that Figure 33 B illustrates Figure 33 A is positioned at the cutaway view of print head assembly wherein;

Figure 33 C illustrates the part of the print head assembly of Figure 33 B in more detail;

Figure 34 illustrates the end housing that is contained in Figure 31 and the electrical connector of the Figure 30 in the board component, and described end housing and board component are attached to the housing of described print head assembly;

Figure 35 A illustrates the end housing of Figure 31 and the exploded perspective view of board component;

Figure 35 B illustrates the end housing of formation Fig. 1 print head assembly part and the exploded perspective view of board component;

The stereogram that Figure 36 illustrates described print head assembly when taking to use the form of the end housing of Figure 35 A and 35B and board component;

Figure 37 illustrates the end housing that is contained in Figure 35 B and the electrical connector in the board component;

Figure 38 A and 38B illustrate the view of two opposite sides of the electrical connector of Figure 37;

End plate when Figure 39 illustrates the print head assembly that is attached to Figure 29;

Figure 40 illustrates data flow and the function of being carried out by the print engine controller integrated circuit that forms one of circuit block among Figure 18 A;

Figure 41 illustrates the print engine controller integrated circuit that is in the Figure 40 under the overall print system architecture environment;

Figure 42 illustrates the framework of the print engine controller integrated circuit of Figure 41;

Figure 43 illustrates the exploded view that the fluid distributing element that forms Fig. 5 A printhead fragment piles up;

Figure 44 illustrates the stereogram (broken section) of the nozzle system part of the printhead ic in the printhead module that is combined in Fig. 1 print head assembly;

Figure 45 illustrates the vertical cross-section figure that is in static (nozzle system shown in Figure 44) single-nozzle;

Figure 46 illustrates the vertical cross-section figure of Figure 45 nozzle that is in the initial activation state;

Figure 47 illustrates and is in the vertical section figure of Figure 46 nozzle of actuating state after a while;

Figure 48 is with the part vertical cross-sectional of three-dimensional icon source in Figure 45 of actuating state shown in Figure 46 nozzle;

Figure 49 illustrates the vertical cross section of having omitted black Figure 45 nozzle with stereogram;

Figure 50 illustrates the vertical cross-section figure of Figure 49 nozzle;

Figure 51 is with the part vertical cross-sectional of three-dimensional icon source in Figure 45 of actuating state shown in Figure 46 nozzle;

Figure 52 illustrates the plane of Figure 45 nozzle; And

Figure 53 illustrates the plane of Figure 45 nozzle that has omitted lever arm and removable nozzle segment.

The specific embodiment

Together with the method for this printhead module of assembling exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described with respect to print head assembly and the printhead module that is combined in this print head assembly.The printed circuit board (PCB) that is used for described print head assembly has also been described.

Summary

Print head assembly 10 shown in Fig. 1 and 2 is intended to as the page width printing head in the print system.That is, printhead extends across the width of the page or leaf of the print media of for example paper or extends along its length and prints.During printing, through out-of-date, print head assembly is ejected into China ink on it at print media, forms the information of printing thus thereon, wherein keeps inactive state at print media through out-of-date print head assembly.In other words, print head assembly and the anomaly inswept described page or leaf of mode of printhead.

As finding out from Fig. 1 and 2, print head assembly 10 comprises housing 20 and printhead module 30.Housing 20 holds special use (or driving) electronic device and power and the data input that is used for print head assembly, and is provided for print head assembly is installed to the structure of printer unit.Printhead module 30 is contained in the passage 21 of housing 20 and can be from wherein dismounting, this printhead module comprises the fluid passage member 40 of carrying printhead fragment 50, this printhead fragment has printhead ic 51, combines printing nozzle on the printhead ic.Print head assembly 10 further comprises the assembly and the end plate 111 of end housing 120 and plate 110, and they are attached to through the housing 20 of assembling and vertical end of printhead module 30.

To 14B printhead module 30 and associated member thereof are described now with reference to Fig. 1.

As shown in Figure 3, printhead module 30 comprises fluid passage member 40 and the printhead fragment 50 that is installed in member 40 upper surfaces.

As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2,16 printhead fragments 50 are arranged in the printhead module 30.Yet, as will understanding from following description, but the number change of printhead fragment and printhead ic mounted thereto, so that application-specific according to the invention.

As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, each printhead fragment 50 all has the stairstepping petiolarea, makes that printhead ic 51 mounted thereto is at this area overlapping when the adjacent print fragment 50 end-to-end time-outs that abut against.In addition, printhead ic 51 extends with respect to printhead fragment 50 longitudinal directions at angle so that overlapping between the printhead ic 51.Adjacent print integrated circuit 51 this overlapping provides the constant pitch between the printing nozzle (describing after a while) that is combined in the printhead ic 51, and this set has been avoided striding or discontinuous along the information of being printed by the print media (not shown) of print head assembly 10.This overlapping setting of printhead ic is described in applicant's No. 6,623,106, the mandate United States Patent (USP), and this patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 4 illustrates the fluid passage member 40 of printhead module 30, and it uses the supporting member that acts on printhead fragment 50.Fluid passage member 40 is configured to cooperate in the passage 21 of housing 20, and is used for stamping ink and other fluid are sent to printhead fragment 50.For with its realization, fluid passage member 40 comprises tunnel-shaped conduit 41, and its every end from fluid passage member 40 extends its whole length.Tunnel-shaped conduit 41 is used for via a plurality of outlet ports 42 stamping ink and other fluid being transported to printhead fragment 50 from (print system of print head assembly 10 is installed) fluid feed unit.

Fluid passage member 40 is by forming suitable material casting.Suitable material is the material with low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE), make the nozzle of printhead ic accurately remain under the condition of work (more detailed description after a while), and guide China ink and other fluid to have chemical inertness by passage relatively by fluid passage member 40.Suitably an example of material is liquid crystal polymer (LCP).Adopt the casting process to form the body part 44a that wherein has open channel or groove and be formed with microscler ridge part 44c so that be contained in cover 44b in the described open channel.Then, body part 44a and cover 44b are bonded together to form the tunnel-shaped conduit 41 shown in Fig. 3 and 4A with epoxy material.Yet, but can adopt the molding technique of alternative that fluid passage member 40 and tunnel-shaped conduit 41 are wherein formed single-piece.

The described a plurality of conduits 41 that are provided with corresponding outlet port 42 connections that are used for each printhead fragment 50 are used to carry China ink and other fluid of different colours or type.Different China inks can have the colorant of different colours, for example black, blue or green, fuchsin and Huang etc., and/or be selected for different print application, for example, as vision opaque ink, infrared opaque ink etc.In addition, spendable other fluid for example is: air is used to keep printhead ic 51 not have dust and other impurity and/or be used to prevent that print media from directly touching the printing nozzle that is arranged on the printhead ic 51; And fixative, be used for and then after China ink prints on the print media, China ink being fixed basically, particularly under the situation that flying print is used.

In assembly shown in Figure 4, seven conduits 41 are shown, be used for each and carry black, blue or green, fuchsin and yellow ink at conduit, in a conduit, carry infrared China ink, in a conduit, carry air, and in a conduit, carry fixative.Although show seven conduits, can provide more or less number to meet specific application.For example, because the black and white of higher proportion or gray level printing application usually can provide additional conduits to be used to carry tusche.

Fluid passage member 40 further comprises the protuberance of a pair of longitudinal extension along its side, is used for printhead module 30 is anchored on the passage 21 (more detailed description after a while) of housing 20.Yet should be understood that alternatively a series of independent protuberances can be used for this purpose.

Shown in Fig. 5 A; one of each printhead fragment 50 carrying printhead ic 51 of printhead module 30; the latter uses suitable contact method (closing as toe-in) to be connected to printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) 52, is packaged in the epoxy material packaging body 53 to wherein said connection protectiveness.PCB52 extends to the edge of printhead fragment 50 along the direction of placing part away from printhead ic 51, be directly connected to flexible printed circuit board (flexible PCB) 80 at this PCB 52, be used for power and data are provided to printhead ic 51 (more detailed description after a while).This is shown in Figure 6, and wherein each flexible PCB 80 extends or " suspension " from the edge of each printhead fragment 50.Flexible PCB 80 provides printhead ic 51, power supply 70 and has electrical connection (more detailed description after a while) between PCB 90 (see figure 3)s that are contained in the drive electronics 100 (seeing Figure 18 A) in the housing 20.

Fig. 5 B illustrates the downside of one of printhead fragment 50.Provide a plurality of ingress ports 54, and the corresponding outlet port that ingress port 54 is arranged to when printhead fragment 50 is installed on the fluid passage member 40 in a plurality of outlet ports 42 with its conduit 41 is communicated with.In other words, as shown, the outlet port 42 that seven ingress ports 54 are used for seven conduits 41 is set.Particularly, the entrance and exit port both all to be orientated with respect to being obliquely installed of printhead module longitudinal direction, make correct fluid, promptly by the fluid of particular catheter by the passage guiding, be sent to the correct nozzle (usually, one group of nozzle is used for every type China ink or fluid) of printhead ic.

As the typical printhead integrated circuit 51 realizing being adopted when of the present invention on, (for example 7680) individual independent printing nozzle can be provided more than 7000, it is spaced apart so that realize the printing of 1600 dpi (dots per inch)s (dpi) resolution ratio.This is by have 391 nozzle/mm on across 20mm (0.8 inch) print surface width ²Spray nozzle density realize that wherein each nozzle can transmit the drop volume of 1pl.

Therefore, nozzle is that microscopic dimensions (promptly has 10 ^-6The magnitude of rice) and thereby China ink stream and other fluid that can not receive macro-size that the ingress port 54 of printhead fragment 50 downsides provided (i.e. millimeter) flow.Therefore, each printhead fragment 50 all forms the fluid distribution and piles up 500 (seeing Figure 43), and it comprises a plurality of stacked layers, and printhead ic 51, PCB 52 and epoxy material 53 are provided with thereon.

Be reduced to the microscopic dimensions flow diameter at the nozzle place of printhead ic 51 by macro-size flow diameter, pile up 500 China ink and other fluid each nozzle from conduit 41 carryings of fluid passage member 40 to printhead ic 51 with ingress port 54 places.Provide this example structure of piling up that reduces to describe in more detail after a while.

The nozzle system that is applicable to print head assembly of the present invention can comprise the inkjet nozzle device of any kind, and it can be integrated on the printhead ic.In other words, can use such as continuous ink system, electrostatic system and drop-on-demand system---comprise thermal type and piezoelectric type.

Have adoptable polytype known thermal type drop-on-demand system, it generally includes the ink container adjacent with nozzle and the heating element of thermo-contact with it.Heating element is with China ink heating and produce bubble, bubble in China ink, produce pressure so that droplet by nozzle ejection to print media.Control by drive electronics to China ink amount and injection sequential on the print media by each nozzle ejection.Yet because China ink must be heat-resisting, such thermal type system has applied restriction to available black type.

Have adoptable polytype known piezoelectric type drop-on-demand system, it uses near piezo-electric crystal (being positioned at the ink container) usually, when electric current flows through this piezo-electric crystal, causes this piezo-electric crystal bending.This bending make black droplet in the mode that is similar to above-mentioned thermal type system from nozzle ejection.In such piezoelectric system, China ink needn't carry out heating and cooling between the cycle, the type of available inks in a big way is provided thus.The piezoelectric type system is difficult to be integrated in the drive integrated circult, and needs the connection of greater number usually between driver and nozzle actuators.

As alternative, can use the nozzle of MEMS (MEMS), such system comprises the thermal actuator that makes nozzle ejection China ink droplet.The example MEMS nozzle system that is applicable to print head assembly of the present invention is described after a while in more detail.

Turn back to the assembly of fluid passage member 40 and printhead fragment 50, each printhead fragment 50 so is attached to fluid passage member 40, that is, make each outlet port 42 and its corresponding ingress port 54 aim to allow effective fluid transmission therebetween.Adhesive as curable resin (for example epoxy resin), is used for printhead fragment 50 is attached to fluid passage member 40, and the upper surface of fluid passage member 40 is prepared in mode shown in Figure 7 in the tool.

That is, curable resin provides to form cushion member 60 when solidifying around each outlet port 42.This cushion member 60 provides the adhesive seal between fluid passage member 40 and the printhead fragment 50, and the sealing around the outlet port 42 and the ingress port 54 of each connection also is provided simultaneously.The fluid that the sealing device is convenient between the port flows with airtight.In addition, two curable resin deposits 61 are provided on each side of cushion member 60 both sides with symmetric mode.

Symmetrically arranged deposit 61 serves as locator, is used for being positioned at printhead fragment 50 on the fluid passage member 40 and is used to prevent that printhead fragment 50 is with respect to 40 distortions of fluid passage member.For additional bond strength is provided, especially before cushion member 60 and locator 61 solidifies and during, drops of adhesive 62 is provided in the free space of fluid passage member 40 upper surfaces.Deposit quick-acting adhesives, as cyanoacrylate adhesive etc., so that form locator 61 and prevent that printhead fragment 50 from moving with respect to any of fluid passage member 40 at the cured resin setting up period.

Utilize this setting, if will change the printhead fragment under the out of order situation of one or several nozzles of an association prints integrated circuit, then each single printhead fragment can easily be dismantled.Like this, handle as follows on the surface of fluid passage member and printhead fragment, that is, guarantee if the printhead fragment prizes from the fluid passage component surface by lever to be pulled down, and then epoxy material keeps being attached to the printhead fragment, rather than the fluid passage component surface.Therefore, the printhead fragment of being dismantled has stayed clean Surface, makes new epoxy material can easily be provided on the component surface of fluid passage so that the firm placement of new printhead fragment.

Above-mentioned printhead module of the present invention can be constructed with all lengths, holds the printhead fragment of the different numbers that are attached to the fluid passage member, and this depends on the application-specific of the print head assembly that is adopted.For example, print for the page width of the A3 size that print head assembly is provided for horizontal orientation, print head assembly can need 16 independent printhead fragments.This can be by providing four printhead modules that for example respectively have four printhead fragments, or two printhead modules that respectively have eight printhead fragments, or a printhead module (as in Fig. 1 and 2) or any other suitable combination with 16 printhead fragments realize.Basically, the standard print head module of selected number capable of being combined is realized the necessary width that specific print application is required.

For with easy and effective and efficient manner provides this modularity, it is modular that a plurality of fluid passages member of each printhead module is formed, and be configured to allow connect some fluid passages member in end-to-end mode.Advantageously, can provide connected mode easily and easily by each fluid passage member being configured to have complementary end.In one embodiment of the invention, each fluid passage member 40 have as shown in Figure 8 " mother " end 45 and " public affairs " end 46 of complementation as shown in Figure 9.

End

45,46 be arranged such that with the female end portion 46 of a printhead module 30 with; During male end portion 45 contact of another printhead module 30, two printhead modules 30 are under the situation that fluid is communicated with its corresponding conduit 40 and connect.This allows fluid interruptedly to flow between the printhead module 30 that is connected, the feasible printhead ic 51 that correctly and effectively is sent to each printhead module 30 such as the fluid of China ink.

Provide effective sealing in order to ensure being engaged between each printhead module 30 of female end portion 45 and male end portion 46, will put between the end of matching such as the sealed binder of epoxy material.

By such configuration is provided, the printhead module of obvious any number can be suitable for connecting so that the required total printhead length that increases in proportion is provided with end to end system.Those skilled in the art can understand, and are used for the print head assembly module linked together so that be in other configuration that fluid is communicated with and method also within the scope of the invention.

In addition, the end 45 of the fluid passage member 40 of printhead module 30 and this example arrangement of 46 fluid of also making it possible to be connected to easily the print system that this print head assembly has been installed is supplied with.That is, in one embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 10 and 11, provide fluid to transmit connector 47 and 48, it serves as conduit 41 and the mobile interface of the fluid between (inside) fluid dispatch tube 6 that is used for printhead module 30, as shown in figure 12.It is inner that fluid dispatch tube 6 is called, and this is because as more specifically describing after a while, these pipes 6 are contained in the external fluid dispatch tube of supplying with in order to the fluid that is connected to print system in the print head assembly 10.Yet such being provided with obviously only is China ink and other fluid can be supplied to one of possible mode of print head assembly of the present invention.

As shown in figure 10, fluid transmits connector 47 and has female coupling part 47a, and it can cooperate with the male end portion 46 of printhead module 30.Alternatively, or additionally, as shown in figure 11, fluid transmits connector 48 and has public coupling part 48a, and it can cooperate with the female end portion 45 of printhead module 30.In addition, fluid transmits connector 47 and 48 and comprises

tubular portion

47b and 48b respectively, and it can cooperate with the fluid dispatch tube 6 of

inside.Tubular portion

47b and 48b are configured to that to be in the ad hoc fashion that fluid is communicated with shown in Figure 12 with corresponding conduit 41.

Shown in Figure 10 to 13, provide seven

tubular portion

47b and 48b so that seven conduits 41 that provide corresponding to above-mentioned example embodiment according to the present invention.Therefore, seven fluid dispatch tubes 6 each be used to transmit above-mentioned seven kinds of fluids---black, blue or green, fuchsin and one of Huang Mo, IR China ink, fixative and air.Yet, as previously mentioned, understand with those skilled in the art know that, can in different application, use more or less fluid, and therefore more or less fluid dispatch tube, tubular portion and the conduit that fluid transmits connector can be provided.

In addition, this example arrangement of the end of the fluid passage member 40 of printhead module 30 also makes it possible to sealing duct 41 easily.For this reason, in one embodiment of the invention, containment member 49 provides as Figure 14 A, its two ends salable or capping printhead module 30.That is, containment member 49 comprises female coupling part 49a and public coupling part 49b, and it can cooperate with the male end portion 46 and the female end portion 45 of printhead module 30 respectively.Like this, although the configuration of the end of printhead module is different, can advantageously provide single containment member.Figure 14 B illustrates the containment member 49 of the conduit 41 of fluid-encapsulated channel component 40.The sealing of the interface of containment member 49 and fluid passage member 40 is further by realizing as above-mentioned applying such as the sealed binder of epoxy material.

For example in the work of the single printhead module 30 that is used for A4 size page width print application, the fluid that use is connected to one of them corresponding

end

45 and 46 transmits the combination of one of connector 47 and 48 and the containment member 49 that is connected to another corresponding end 45 wherein and 46, so that fluid is sent to printhead ic 51.On the other hand, in long especially at print head assembly, as to comprise a plurality of printhead modules 30 that the link together application (for example in wide format is printed), having necessary two ends from print head assembly provides fluid.Therefore, fluid transmits the

corresponding end

45 and 46 of each be connected to end printhead module 30 of connector 47 and 48.

The above-mentioned example arrangement of the end of printhead module of the present invention partly provides the modularity of printhead module.This modularity makes becomes possibility with the fluid passage member of making printhead module about the full-length of print head assembly minimum length application.The length of proportional increase print head assembly forms the print head assembly of Len req by making up some printhead modules then.For example, the full-length printhead module can manufacture and comprise eight printhead fragments, and it may be the minimum essential requirement of using for the A4 size marking.Like this, have the print application of the big printhead of the length that is equivalent to 32 printhead fragments for needs, can use four such full-length printhead modules.On the other hand, can make some various criterion length printhead modules, it is capable of being combined need to be used to the application of the printhead of variable-length.

Yet these only are the examples how modularity of print head assembly of the present invention realizes, and other combination and full-length may be utilized and fall within the scope of the invention.

Now with reference to Fig. 1 to 3 and 15A to 28 housing 20 and associated member thereof are described.

In one embodiment of the invention, housing 20 forms two piece enclosure, the structure that it holds the various parts of print head assembly and is provided for print head assembly, and this structure makes whole unit easily to be installed in the print system.As shown in Figure 3, shell is made up of support frame 22 and cover part 23.Each part in these parts 22 and 23 is all formed by suitable material in light weight and durable and that can easily push to form all lengths.Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, part 22 and 23 is formed by the metal such as aluminium.

To shown in the 15C, the support frame 22 of housing 20 has outside framework wall 24 and inner frame wall 25 (with respect to the outside and inside direction of print head assembly 10) as Figure 15 A, and wherein these two walls are separated by inner chamber 26.Passage 21 (also seeing Fig. 3) forms the extension of the upper wall 27 of support frame 22, and arm portion 28 be formed on support frame 22 inferior segment, extend along direction from inner frame wall 25 away from outside framework wall 24.Passage 21 extends and is configured to hold printhead module 30 along the length of support frame 22.Printhead module 30 is contained in the passage 21, and printhead ic 51 shown in Fig. 1 to 3, and should be gone up the print surface that the printhead ic surface defines print head assembly 10 towards last.

As described in Figure 15 A, passage 21 is formed with the

parallel sidewall

24a and 29 of two cardinal principles that is provided as the outer and inner sidewall (with respect to the outside and inward direction of print head assembly 10) along the extension of support frame 22 length by the upper wall 27 of support frame 22.Two sidewall 24a have different height with 29, wherein higher lateral wall 24a is defined as the top of outside framework wall 24, its upper wall that extends to support frame 22 is more than 27, and short madial wall 29 be set to be arranged essentially parallel to inner frame wall 25 upper wall 27 extend upward part.Lateral wall 24a comprises depression (groove) 24b that forms along its length.The basal surface 24c of depression 24b is arranged to be in the height identical with the top surface 29a of madial wall 29 with respect to the upper wall 27 of passage 21.Depression 24b also has upper surface 24d, and it forms the ridge (seeing Figure 15 B) that extends along the length of lateral wall 24a.

In this was provided with, one of longitudinal extension protuberance 43 of the fluid passage member 40 of printhead module 30 was contained among the depression 24b of lateral wall 24a so that remain between its lower surface 24c and the upper surface 24d.In addition, another longitudinal extension protuberance 43 that is provided on fluid passage member 40 opposite sides is positioned on the top surface 29a of madial wall 29.By this way, the printhead module 30 of assembling can be fastened on the appropriate location of housing 20, as described in more detail later.

In addition, lateral wall 24a also comprises the sloping portion 24e along its top boundary, and this sloping portion 24e is provided for print media guiding piece 5 is fixed in print head assembly 10, as shown in Figure 3.This print media guiding piece is fixing after the assembling of print head assembly, and is configured to help to guide such as the print media of paper through printhead ic with under the situation that the nozzle of printhead ic directly contacts not print.

Shown in Figure 15 A, the upper wall 27 and the arm portion 28 of support frame 22 comprise

projection

27a and 28a respectively, and its length along support frame 22 is extended (seeing Figure 15 B and 15C).

Projection

27a and 28a are positioned to toward each other basically with respect to the inner frame wall 25 of support frame 22, and are used for PCB support 91 (following descriptions) are anchored on support frame 22.

Figure 15 B and 15C illustrate the mode that outer and

inner frame wall

24 and 25 is extended at the length of housing 20, and the top surface 29a of passage 21, upper wall 27 and projection 27b thereof, outer and

inner sidewall

24a and 29, depression 24 and the end thereof and

top surface

24c and 24d, sloping portion 24e, madial wall 29 and arm portion 28 and projection 28a thereof and 28b, sunk part 28c and crooked end 28d (more detailed description after a while) are not always the case.

Describe PCB now with reference to Fig. 3 and 16 to 22E and support 91.In Fig. 3, illustrate and support 91 and be in its restraint location, extend to arm portion 28 along the inner frame wall 25 of support frame 22 from upper wall 27.Support 91 and be used to carry the PCB 90 (as described in more detail la) that drive electronics 100 is installed

As in 17C, specifically seeing at Figure 17 A, support 91 and comprise its upper and lower lip-deep projection 92, it is related with

projection

27a and 28a so that with respect to the inner frame wall 25 fastening supports 91 of support frame 22.Support 91 base part 93 and be set to extend, and be seated on being installed in support frame 22 time on the top surface of the projection 28a of arm portion 28 and 28b (seeing Figure 15 B) along the arm portion 28 of support frame 22.

Supporting 91 forms in housing 20 and places against the inner frame wall 25 of support frame 22.This can realize to engage with inner frame wall 25 by come moulded support 91 by the plastic material with intrinsic elastic characteristic.This also provides the necessary insulation characterisitic that is used to carry PCB 90 for supporting 91.For example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) (PBT) or Merlon can be used for supporting 91.

Base part 93 further comprises sunk part 93a and corresponding locator protrusions 93b, and it is used for PCB 90 is anchored on and supported for 91 (as described in more detail la).In addition, support 91 top and comprise upwardly extending arm portion 94, in case its setting and be configured as fluid passage member 40 with printhead module 30 be inserted into passage 21 then be matched with the madial wall 29 of passage 21 and the longitudinal extension protuberance 43 of printhead module 30 (being positioned on the top surface 29a of madial wall 29) on.This setting provides printhead module 30 fastening in the passage 21 of housing 20, as clearlying show that in Fig. 3.

In one embodiment of the invention, support 91 adjutage part 94 be configured to carry out on an edge of printhead module 30, along " clampings " or " clamping " action at this edge, this helps to prevent that printhead module 30 from shifting out or be shifted from the print head assembly of assembling fully 10.This is because clamp the fluid passage member 40 that action acts on printhead module 30 as follows: because two longitudinal extension protuberances 43 of fluid passage member 40 all are firmly held in position (with will be in following mode in greater detail), it has limited printhead module 30 basically from print head assembly 10 move up (promptly on z direction of principal axis as described in Figure 3), and limited moving of longitudinal direction (promptly on y direction of principal axis as described in Figure 3) across printhead module 30, this will describe in more detail following.

Thus, the fluid passage member 40 of printhead module 30 stand the direction upper edge y axle from madial wall 29 to lateral wall 24a point to by supporting 91 applied forces.This power is maintained between the lower and

upper surperficial

24c and 24d of sunk part 24b the longitudinal extension protuberance 43 of the fluid passage member 40 on the lateral wall 24a side of support frame 22.And remain on the top surface 29a of madial wall 29 and support another longitudinal extension protuberance 43 combinations of the fluid passage member 40 between 91 the adjutage part 94, this power is used for suppressing printhead module 30 moving (as described in more detail later) on the z direction of principal axis.

Yet at the print system duration of work, printhead module 30 still can adapt on the x direction of principal axis moving of the longitudinal direction of printhead module 30 (promptly along), and this is desirable under the situation of housing 20 experience thermal expansions and contraction.When housing usually when making such as the extrusion metal of aluminium because in the thermal change environment (as being present in the print unit), such material is easy to thermal expansion and contraction, it can experience dimensional variation.

Promptly, integrality and reliability in order to ensure print head assembly, the fluid passage member 40 of printhead module 30 is at first formed by following material (as LCP etc.), this material will can be owing to basic dimensional variation is experienced in environmental change, keep the position relation between each printhead fragment thus, and it is position independently (being that printhead module is on the longitudinal direction of the passage 21 of housing 20 " floating ") basically that printhead module 30 is arranged to respect to housing 20, wherein, printhead module 30 is installed in the described housing with removably.

Therefore, because printhead module does not suffer restraints on the x direction of principal axis, any thermal expansion force from housing on this direction will not be delivered to printhead module.In addition, because constraint on z axle and y direction of principal axis is flexible, tolerances are arranged for more mobile on these directions.Therefore, the private print head integrated circuit of printhead module is protected not being subjected to the influence of these power, and has kept the reliability of print head assembly.

In addition, only " unclamp " from housing by PCB is supported, described clamping is sent out to put and is also allowed easily to assemble and disassemble print head assembly.In example embodiment as shown in figure 16, provide a pair of adjutage part 94; Yet, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that more or less number also within the scope of the invention.

Refer again to Figure 16 to 17C, the channel part 95 during support 91 further comprises at an upper portion thereof.Shown in example embodiment in, channel part 95 comprises depression 95a, 95b and the 95c of three channelizings.The depression 95a of channelizing, 95b and 95c are provided as electric conductor or

bus

71,72 and 73 (see figure 2)s of holding three longitudinal extensions, and it forms power supply 70 (see figure 3)s and extends along the length of print head assembly 10.

Bus

71,72 and 73 is carrying operation printhead ic 51 and the conductor that is positioned at the required power of drive electronics 100 on the PCB 90 (see Figure 18 A and more detailed description) after a while, and it can for example utilize gold-plated copper to form.

In one embodiment of the invention, use three buses so that provide Vcc (for example via bus 71), the voltage of (Gnd) (for example via bus 72) and V+ (for example via bus 73).Particularly, Vcc and Gnd voltage are applied to drive electronics 100 and the associated circuit of PCB 90, and the voltage of Vcc, Gnd and V+ is applied to the printhead ic 51 of printhead fragment 50.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the bus that can use more or less number, and therefore can use the depression of the channelizing of more or less number in PCB supports, this depends on the power demand of specific print application.

Support 91 of the present invention further comprises and is positioned at channel part (descending) retaining clip 96 below 95.In example embodiment shown in Figure 16, provide a pair of retaining clip 96.Retaining clip 96 comprises the slot-open-section 96a on its basal surface, is used for helping PCB 90 is fixedly mounted in support 91.For this reason, shown in the example embodiment of Figure 18 A, (with respect to the installation of PCB 90) includes a pair of slot 97 to PCB 90 in its top side, and it is aimed at convenient with slot-open-section 96a when mounted and engages with retaining clip 96.

As shown in Figure 3, PCB 90 snugly is installed in the slot-open-section 96a of retaining clip 96 and supports between the above-mentioned sunk part 93a and locator protrusions 93b of 91 base part 93.This is provided with PCB 90 is firmly held in the position so that the drive electronics 100 of realization PCB 90 and the reliable of printhead ic 51 of printhead module 30 are connected.

Refer again to Figure 18 A, will describe the exemplary circuit setting of PCB 90 now.This circuit comprises the drive electronics 100 of print engine controller (PEC) integrated circuit form.When being installed on print unit, PEC integrated circuit 100 is used to drive the printhead ic 51 of printhead module 30 information is printed on the print media through print head assembly 10.The function of PEC integrated circuit 100 and structure will discuss in more detail after a while.

The exemplary circuit of PCB 90 is also included within four connectors 98 (seeing Figure 18 B) on its top, and it holds from following coupling part 81 (see figure 6)s of the flexible PCB 80 of each printhead fragment 50 extensions.Particularly, the corresponding end of four flexible PCBs 80 is connected between four connectors 98 of the PCB52 of four printhead fragments 50 and PCB 90.Connector 98 is connected to PEC integrated circuit 100 again, makes data communication can betide between the printhead ic 51 of PEC integrated circuit 100 and four printhead fragments 50.

In the above-described embodiments, select a PEC integrated circuit to control four printhead fragments, so that satisfy the necessary print speed requirement of print head assembly.By this way, for print head assembly, at as described in Fig. 1 and 2, need four PEC integrated circuits and therefore use four PCB to support 91 as above with 16 printhead fragments.Yet, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the number that is used to control the PEC integrated circuit of some printhead fragments can change, and thus, can adopt the combination of printhead fragment, PEC integrated circuit, PCB and the PCB support of different numbers, this depends on the application-specific of print head assembly of the present invention.In addition, can provide single PEC integrated circuit 100 to drive single printhead ic 51.In addition, more than one PEC integrated circuit 100 can be set on PCB 90, make and to use the different PCB that dispose 90 and support 91.

Should point out, adopt some supports be used for controlling the separation PEC integrated circuit that separates the printhead zone PCB modular approach to help easily to determine, dismounting and the defective circuit of changing print head assembly be favourable.

Above-mentioned to PCB 90 circuit and the power supply that is installed on the printhead ic 51 of printhead fragment 50 provide by flexible PCB 80.Particularly, flexible PCB 80 is used for two functions: provide the data between PEC integrated circuit 100 and the printhead ic 51 to connect, and provide the power between

bus

71,72 and 73, PCB 90 and the printhead ic 51 to connect.For necessary electrical connection is provided, flexible PCB 80 is arranged to extend to PCB 90 from printhead fragment 50.This can be by adopting being provided with and realizing as shown in Figure 3, wherein provides spring bearer plate 74 with respect to

bus

71,72 and 73 and urge flexible PCB 80.In this is provided with, suitably the electrical connection that is provided with is provided on the flexible PCB 80 power and the power from all

buses

71,72 and 73 (be Vcc, Gnd and V+) to the PCB 52 of printhead fragment 50 of its route from bus 71 and 72 (being Vcc and Gnd) to the connector 98 of PCB 90.

Pressing plate 74 illustrates in greater detail in Figure 19 A to 21.Pressing plate 74 comprises bossing (pressure elastomer) 75, it is arranged on the rear surface (with respect to the installation direction that supports on 91) of pressing plate 74, shown in Figure 19 B, so that when pressing plate 74 is installed in the support 91, aim at

bus

71,72 and 73, and flexible PCB 80 is therebetween.Pressing plate 74 is installed in the following way via its protuberance part 74c (seeing Figure 20) and supports 91: with hole 74a and the support 91 of stretching out from adjutage part 94 (seeing Figure 15 A) (on) corresponding retaining clip the retaining clip 99 engages, and with the corresponding retaining clip joint of hole 74b with (descending) retaining clip 96.Pressing plate 74 forms the elasticity with spring-like, and it urges flexible PCB 80 and electrically contacts with

bus

71,72 and 73, and wherein bossing 75 provides the insulation between pressing plate 74 and the flexible PCB 80.

As being clear that in Figure 21, pressing plate 74 further comprises crooked bottom 74d, and it is as helping pressing plate 74 from supporting 91 devices of removing.

Describe pressing plate 74 now with reference to Figure 22 and 22A to 22E comprehensively remain on and support on 91, and support the mode that 91 adjutage part 94 realizes above-mentioned clamping action so that urge the ad hoc fashion of flexible PCB 80 with respect to

bus

71,72 and 73.

Figure 22 illustrates the front-view schematic diagram of the support 91 of the example embodiment according to the present invention.Figure 22 A is the side cross-sectional view of being got along the line I-I among Figure 22, and wherein dash area illustrates the parts of the support 91 that is positioned on the line I-I.

Figure 22 A illustrates one of retaining clip 99 especially.The zoomed-in view of this retaining clip 99 is shown in Figure 22 B.Retaining clip 99 is configured to make the upper surface of one of hole 74a of pressing plate 74 can be against the upper surface 99a of retaining clip 99 and retaining part 99b and keep (seeing Figure 21).Because the elasticity of the spring-like of pressing plate 74, when pressing plate 74 was mounted thereto, upper surface 99a applied on pressing plate 74 slightly upwards and the power of outwards pointing to, so that the top butt retaining part 99b of pressing plate 74.

With reference now to Figure 22 C,, it is the side cross-sectional view of being got along the line II-H among Figure 22, shows down one of retaining clip 96.The zoomed-in view of this retaining clip 96 is shown in Figure 22 D.Retaining clip 96 is configured to make the protuberance part 74c of one of hole 74b of pressing plate 74 can be against the inner surface 96c of retaining clip 96 and keep (seeing Figure 20).Therefore and since above-mentioned by retaining clip 99 along the small power on the top that is applied to pressing plate 74 away from the direction that supports 91, the bottom of pressing plate 74 is able to load towards rightabout, for example along the inward direction with respect to support frame 22.Therefore, pressing plate 74 is forced to press to

bus

71,72 and 73, and it is used for again urging flexible PCB 80 via bossing 75 on same direction, so that realize and

bus

71,72 and 73 reliable the contact.

With reference to figure 22C, wherein show one of adjutage part 94.The zoomed-in view of this adjutage part 94 is shown in Figure 22 E.It is L shaped that adjutage part 94 is configured to be essentially, and wherein this L shaped foot is arranged to be matched with on the longitudinal extension protuberance 43 of fluid passage member 40 of the madial wall 29 of passage 21 and printhead module 30 disposed thereon.Shown in Figure 22 E, the end of L shaped foot has curved surfaces.This surface is corresponding to the edge that is provided at the sunk part 94a in each adjutage part 94, and its center is arranged on the line II-II place (seeing Figure 16 and 17C) of Figure 22 basically.The cornicult that sunk part 94a is arranged to uniformly-spaced to be provided with the length of the longitudinal extension protuberance 43 of longshore current body channel component 40 plays (angular lug) 43a and engages, so as on adjutage part 94 to be clamped at fluid passage member 40 time corresponding to the layout of printhead fragment 50.

In this position, the curved edge of sunk part 94a contacts (seeing Fig. 4 A) with the inclined surface that cornicult plays 43a, and this is only having point of contact of adjutage part 94 and longitudinal extension protuberance 43.Although not shown in Fig. 4 A, the longitudinal extension protuberance 43 on the opposite side of fluid passage member 40 has similar cornicult and plays 43a, wherein the upper surface 24d of the depression 24b on inclined surface and the support frame 22 contacts.

Mention indirectly as the front, because this specific setting at these contact point places, is applied on the fluid passage member 40 by adjutage part 94 with the power of inwardly pointing to downwards.Describe as early the time, this power of pointing to downwards helps on the z direction of principal axis printhead module 30 to be constrained in the passage 21.By the cornicult on the longitudinal extension protuberance 43 of relative fluid passage member 40 being risen among the depression 24b that 43a urges support frame 20, the power that should inwardly point to also helps printhead module 30 is constrained in the passage 21, and the upper surface 24d of the 24b that wherein caves in is also with opposite being applied on the member of fluid passage with the power of inwardly pointing to downwards.Thus, described opposite power is used to retrain the moving range of the fluid passage member 40 on the y direction of principal axis.Should be understood that shown in Fig. 4 A to play 43a only be the example setting that cornicult plays 43a for each sunk part 94a is provided with two cornicults.

In addition, cornicult plays 43a and is arranged to layout corresponding to the printhead fragment on the upper surface of fluid passage member 40, makes the following coupling part 81 of each flexible PCB 80 when mounted and corresponding connector 98 alignings (seeing Fig. 6 and 18B) of PCB 90.This realizes easily that by the flexible PCB 80 that wherein has hole 82 (Fig. 6) this hole holds the following retaining clip 96 of support 91.Therefore, flexible PCB 80 correctly is positioned at as under the above-mentioned pressing plate 74 by retaining clip 96 maintenances.

Further, also shown in Figure 22 C and 22E, support 91 (on) projection 92 has inner surface 92a, it is also along angled with the normal direction that supports 91 plane slightly away from supporting 91 direction.Shown in Figure 17 B and 17C, upper process 92 forms elastic component, utilizes the effect of spring-like, and it can do the hinge type rotation with respect to supporting 91.Therefore, when being installed on housing 20, the projection 27a of the top 27 of a small power antagonism support frame 22 and applying assists in the depression between the projection 28a of this bottom by (descending) projection 92 being biased into the lower surface 25 that is formed at support frame 22 and arm portion 28 and will support 91 support frames 22 that are anchored on housing 20.

The mode of the structure of a housing that example embodiment is finished 20 according to the present invention is described now with reference to Fig. 1,2,15A and 23.

As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, housing 20 comprises above-mentioned cover part 23, and it is provided with adjacent to support frame 22.Like this, support frame 22 and cover part 23 limit the two piece enclosure of print head assembly 10 together.The configuration of cover part 23 as shown in figure 23.

Cover part 23 is configured to be placed on the PCB 90 of exposure, and this PCB 90 is installed on PCB and supports 91, and this support 91 is installed on the support frame 22 of housing 20 again, and wherein the passage 21 of support frame holds printhead module 30.Like this, cover part 23 is enclosed in printhead module 30 in the housing 20.

Cover part 23 is included in the longitudinal extension protuberance 23a on its basal surface (with respect to the orientation of print head assembly 10), and it is housed inside among the projection 28b of the arm portion 28 that is formed on support frame 22 and the sunk part 28c between the crooked end 28d (seeing Figure 15 A).This setting is located cover part 23 and remain in the housing 20 with respect to support frame 22.Cover part 23 further is held in place in the following way: use screw to pass threaded portion 23b and through end plate 110 end plate 111 or end housing 120 are attached on its vertical side and (see Figure 23,29 and 39).Threaded portion 22a that end plate 110 and/or 111 also uses screw to pass to be provided in the

inner chamber

26 and 22b and on its arbitrary vertical side, be additional to support frame 22 (seeing Figure 15 A, 29 and 39).In addition, cover part 23 has configuration as shown in figure 23, and wherein the cavity segment 23c inner surface (with respect to the inward direction on the print head assembly 10) that is arranged on cover part 23 is located, and is installed on PCB and supports 91 pressing plate 74 so that hold.

In addition, described cover part also can comprise flank 23d (also seeing Fig. 3), and it is provided for and is dissipated in the heat that PEC integrated circuit 100 duration of works are produced by this PEC integrated circuit.For being convenient to this, the inner surface of cover part 23 also can provide thermal coupling material part (not shown), and when cover part 23 was attached to support frame 22, it contacted PEC integrated circuit 100 physically.Further, cover part 23 also can be used to the electromagnetic interference (EMI) of work that inhibition can be disturbed the special electronic device of print head assembly 10.

Describe now with reference to Figure 16 and 24 to 27 and to support 91 according to a plurality of PCB of one embodiment of the invention and be assembled in the support frame 22 so that provide each printhead module 30 that the mode of the PEC integrated circuit 100 of enough numbers is arranged.

As described in as early the time, in one embodiment of the invention, each supports 91 and is set to support one of PEC integrated circuit 100, and this PEC integrated circuit 100 drives four printhead ics 51 again.Therefore, for example in printhead module 30, need four PEC integrated circuits 100 and therefore need four to support 91 with 16 printhead fragments.For this reason, as shown in figure 24, so that prolong the length of housing 20, wherein each supports 91 and installs as discussed previouslyly and be clamped in support frame 22 and printhead module 30 with the end to end system assembling in support 91.By this way, the single printhead module 30 of 16 printhead fragments 50 is able to remain in housing 20 securely along its length.

As clearlying show that in Figure 16, support 91 further is included in the bossing 91a and the sunk part 91b of its every end.That is, each marginal zone of the end wall of support 91 comprises bossing 91a, and sunk part 91b forms along its outward flange.The adjacency that this configuration has obtained between the adjacent supports shown in Figure 24 91 is provided with.

The every side of sunk part 91b of this two adjacency has being provided with of a bossing 91a and has formed a chamber, can hold suitable electrical connecting member 102 in this chamber, shown in the cross section of Figure 25.Such setting can be electrically connected the adjacent PCB 90 that is carried in the support 91, make to be routed to required PEC integrated circuit 100, and so be routed to required printhead ic 51 from the data-signal of the data connector of appointing one or both ends, promptly providing (the describing after a while) input of a plurality of supports 91 of assembling via end at housing 20.

For this reason, connecting elements 102 provides the electrical connection between a plurality of pads at place, EDGE CONTACT district of the downside that is arranged on each PCB 90 (with respect to the installation direction that supports on 91).In these pads each is connected to the not same district of the circuit of PCB 90.Figure 26 illustrates the pad that the location is arranged on the PCB on the connecting elements 102.Particularly, as shown in figure 26, described a plurality of pads provide as a series of connection strap 90a and the 90b in the approximate centre district at PCB 90 each edge of downside.

As mentioned above, connecting elements 102 be arranged on adjacent supports 91 in the chamber that sunk part 91b forms (seeing Figure 25), make when PCB 90 is installed in the support 91, the connection strap 90a of a PCB90 contacts with same connecting elements 102 with the connection strap 90b of adjacent PCB 90, so that electrical connection therebetween is provided.

For this reason, connecting elements 102 can all form rectangular block as Figure 27, has to be arranged on its each lip-deep a series of bus 104.Alternatively, bus 104 can be formed on shown in Figure 25 and 26 on only surface of connecting elements 102.Such connecting elements is formed by the silicon rubber bar of printing usually, and making provides the conduction and the non-conducting material bar at interval successively.As shown in figure 27, the connection strap 90a of these bus 104 and

PCB

90 and 90b provide with 2: 1 relation.That is, the bus 104 that is provided is twices of

connection strap

90a and 90b, and the width of bus 104 is more half as large than the width of connection strap 90a and 90b.Therefore, any one

connection strap

90a or 90b can with one of two corresponding bus 104 or both contacts, minimize thus between the contact zone of connecting elements 104 and PCB 90 to alignment request.

In one embodiment of the invention,

connection strap

90a and 90b are about, and 0.4mm is wide, its interbody spacer 0.4mm, and making two, thin bus 104 can each

connection strap

90a and 90b contact reliably with only, simultaneously have enough spaces betwixt, to prevent short circuit.Can carry out

connection strap

90a and 90b and bus 104 gold-plated, so that reliable contact to be provided.Yet, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of the PCB support of connecting elements and suitably configuration only is a kind of by way of example of connection PCB 90, and the connection of other type is also within the scope of the invention.

In addition, the circuit of PCB 90 is arranged to make the PEC integrated circuit 100 of one of PCB 90 of the support 91 of having assembled to can be used for not only driving the printhead ic 51 that is directly connected to PCB 90, and drives the printhead ic of adjacent PCB 90 and further any non-adjacent PCB 90.Defectiveness still can work on that ability---although print speed reduces in the case even if such setting is advantageously for print head assembly 10 provides one of PCB 90 and/or PEC integrated circuit 100 to become.

The above-mentioned scalability of print head assembly 10 according to the present invention, owing to support 91 modularity, the end-to-end assembling of PCB support 91 can extend to the Len req of print head assembly 10.For this reason, need support 91 pattern length at a plurality of PCB and expand

bus

71,72 and 73, when the long relatively print head assembly 10 of needs, as in the wide format print application, this can cause being sent to being short of power of each PCB 90.

In order to make the power loss minimum, can use two power supplies, one at every end of print head assembly 10, and can adopt from every end and draw one group of bus 70.The connection of these two bus groups (for example basically at the center of print head assembly 10) is by providing

example bonding pad

71a, 72a and 73a and realizing easily as shown in figure 28.

Particularly,

bus

71,72 and 73 provides with being crisscross arranged relative to each other, and its petiolarea is configurable has joggle piece as shown in figure 28 to be used as

bonding pad

71a, 72a and 73a.Therefore, bonding pad 71a, the 72a of the

bus

71,72 of bonding pad 71a, the 72a of first group of

bus

70 and 73a and second group of

bus

70 and 73 corresponding bus and 73a is overlapping and engage.

Describe mode that bus is connected to power supply and hold these end plates that are connected 110 and 111 and the layout of end housing 120 now with reference to Fig. 1,2 and 29 to 39.

Figure 29 illustrates the end that is similar to the assembly of sample printing according to an embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1.In this end, end housing 120 is attached to the housing 20 of print head assembly 10 via end plate 110.

The assembly of end housing and plate hold be used for power supply to

bus

71,72 with 73 with the electronic device that is connected that data is supplied to PCB 90.The assembly of end housing and plate also holds and is used for being connected of external fluid dispatch tube (not shown) that internal flow dispatch tube 6 supplies with to the fluid of the print system of using this print head assembly 10.

These connections are arranged on as shown in figure 30 the electrical connector 115.Figure 30 illustrates the electrical connector 115 that is assemblied in end plate 110, and according to one embodiment of present invention, described end plate 110 is via screw as described earlier and be attached to an end of the housing 20 of print head assembly 10.As shown, electrical connector 115 comprises that power supply coupling part 116, data coupling part 117 and fluid transmit coupling part 118.The terminal of power supply coupling part 116 is connected to the corresponding screw among three

contact screw

116a, 116b, the 116c, and described contact screw is provided as each and contacts with a corresponding bus in the

bus

71,72 and 73.For this reason,

bus

71,72 and 73 each provide the screw thread hole so that engage at correct position with

contact screw

116a, 116b, 116c.In addition,

bonding pad

71a, 72a and 73a (seeing Figure 28) also can be provided at the

bus

71,72 that will contact with

contact screw

116a, 116b, 116c and 73 end, with make things convenient for

bus

71,72 and 73 with the engaging of electrical connector 115, as shown in figure 31.

In Figure 30,32A and 32B, three contact screws only are shown or are used for the place of three contact screws, one of each bus.Yet the use of the contact screw of different numbers also within the scope of the invention.That is, depend on the amount of power that is routed to bus,, may be necessary for each bus two or more contact screws (for example seeing Figure 33 B and 33C) are provided for enough power contactors are provided.In addition, as described earlier, can use the bus of greater or lesser number, and therefore can use the contact screw of greater or lesser number.Further, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that as this area is common, make the alternate manner of bus contact power supply via electrical connector, as welding, also within the scope of the invention.

Power supply coupling part 116 shown in Figure 32 A and the 32B and data coupling part 117 are attached to the mode of electrical connector 115.In addition, the connection protuberance 118a that fluid transmits coupling part 118 is attached to the hole 115a place of electrical connector 115, so that electrical connector 115 fluids are transmitted 118 imbrication data coupling parts 117 (seeing Figure 30 and 32C), coupling part.

As seeing in Figure 30 and 32C, seven inside and outside tube connector 118b are provided at fluid with 118c and transmit in the coupling part 118 with consistent with seven internal flow dispatch tubes 6.That is, as shown in figure 34, fluid dispatch tube 6 is connected in fluid and transmits between seven the

tubular portion

47b or 48b that the inner tube connector 118b of coupling part 118 and fluid transmit connector 47 or 48.As described earlier, understand, the present invention is not limited to such fluid dispatch tube number etc. with those skilled in the art know that.

Turn back to Figure 32 A and 32B, electrical connector 115 is formed with regional 115b and 115c, so that hold as follows: be convenient to

bus

71,72 and 73 and be connected to contact

screw

116a, 116b, the 116c of power supply coupling part 116, and the end PCB of being convenient to be arranged among a plurality of PCB 90 on the housing 20 90 is connected to data coupling part 117 via regional 115c via regional 115b by housing 20.

The regional 115c of electrical connector 115 advantageously provides the bonding pad (not shown) of data coupling part 117, it is corresponding to the connection strap 90a or the 90b at the place, EDGE CONTACT district that is arranged on end PCB 90 downsides, make that one of connecting elements 102 can be used for the data of data coupling part 117 are connected to end PCB 90, and be connected to all a plurality of PCB 90 via the connecting elements 102 that is arranged on therebetween thus.

This makes things convenient for realization by using the supporting member 112 shown in Figure 33 A, this supporting member has bossing 112a and sunk part 112b at an one edge, and it is arranged to respectively to support 91 projection and sunk

part

91a and 91b with end PCB and aims at (seeing Figure 24).By the slot zone 91c on the rear surface of protuberance 112c and end PCB support 91 is engaged, supporting member 112 is attached to end PCB supports 91 rear surface (seeing Figure 17 B and 17C), and the regional 115c of electrical connector 115 remains on its upper and lower side surface by the clamping part 112d of supporting member 112, make the bonding pad of regional 115c be in end PCB 90 downsides on substantially the same plane, EDGE CONTACT district.

Like this, when end plate 110 is attached to the end of housing 20, be formed at positioned adjacent between sunk part 112b and 91b, it is similar to the positioned adjacent between the sunk part 91b of the adjacent supports 91 that is formed on Figure 24.Therefore, connecting elements 102 can be contained between the regional 115c of end PCB90 and electrical connector 115 compactly.This positioned adjacent of the electrical connector with corresponding region 125c 125 that is used for another kind of type is shown in Figure 33 B and the 33C, and it is described at Figure 37,38A and 38B in more detail following.

This by way of example that data coupling part 117 is connected to end PCB 90 helps modularization of the present invention, because need not to provide the PCB 90 of different configurations to be arranged on vertical end of housing 20 and can to keep identical data connecting method in whole print head assembly 10.Yet it will be understood by those skilled in the art that provides additional or other parts are connected to end PCB 90 with coupling part 117 and also comprise within the scope of the invention.

Turn back to Figure 30, end plate 110 is configured as with the regional 115b and the 115c of electrical connector 115 and is consistent as can be seen, make these zones can reach in the housing 20 so that be connected to

bus

71,72 and 73 and end PCB 90, and make

bus

71,72 and 73 may extend into

contact screw

116a, 116b, the 116c that is arranged on the electrical connector 115.This given shape of end plate 110 illustrates at Figure 35 A, and the regional 110a of its

end plates

110 and 110b correspond respectively to the regional 115b and the 115c of electrical connector 115.In addition, the regional 110c of end plate 110 is arranged so that the fluid that can realize internal flow dispatch tube 6 and printhead module 30 transmits the connection between the connector 47 and 48.

End housing 120 also is shaped shown in Figure 35 A, so that keep power supply, data and fluid to transmit coupling part 116,117 and 118, make that its outside bonding pad---the exterior tube connector 118c of the fluid transmission coupling part 118 shown in Figure 32 C exposes from print head assembly 10, as shown in figure 29.

Figure 35 B illustrates the end plate 110 and the end housing 120 of the example embodiment according to the present invention, and it can be arranged on the other end of the housing 20 of print head assembly 10.Example embodiment shown in Figure 35 B for example is arranged on the two ends of housing so that provide power supply and/or fluid to transmit situation about connecting at the print head assembly two ends corresponding to end housing wherein.Such sample printing assembly illustrates at Figure 36, and is long relatively wide format print application corresponding to the wherein print head assembly of above-mentioned example for example.

For this reason, Figure 37 illustrates the end housing of the housing other end that is used for wherein accommodating electrical connector 125 and the assembly of plate.For illustrative purposes,

bus

71,72 and 73 is shown and is attached to electrical connector 125.As can be seen,

bus

71,72 and 73 provides

bonding pad

71a, 72a and 73a, so that engage with electrical connector 125, is similar to the situation shown in Figure 31 that is used for electrical connector 115.Electrical connector 125 illustrates in greater detail in Figure 38 A and 38B.

As seeing from Figure 38 A and 38B, be similar to electrical connector 115, electrical connector 125 holds power supply coupling part 116, and comprise the place that is used for following structure: be used for the contact screw that contacts with 73 with

bus

71,72, be used to keep the hole 125a of the anchor clamps 118a of fluid translator unit 118 (not shown), and be used for respectively regional 125b and 125c that regional 110a and 110b by end plate 110 extend to housing 20.Yet different with electrical connector 115, electrical connector 125 does not hold data coupling part 117, and comprises elastic part 125d on its position.

This be because, supply with differently with power during long relatively print head assembly is used and fluid, only need end input driving data from print head assembly.Yet,, be necessary data-signal is ended at the opposite end of data input pin for data-signal correctly being input to described a plurality of PEC integrated circuit 100.Therefore, the regional 125c of electrical connector 125 provides the termination environment (not shown), and it is corresponding to the EDGE CONTACT district on the downside of the end at clearing end place PCB 90.In the above described manner, these termination environments suitably are connected with the contact zone via connecting elements 102.

Even the purposes of elastic part 125d be housing 20 expand owing to variations in temperature as previously mentioned with the situation of shrinking under also keep these terminals to be connected, any influence of described situation all can aggravate in the print head applications of growing.The configuration of elastic part 125d shown in Figure 38 A and the 38B for example makes regional 125c be shifted from the body part 125e of bonding pad device 125 through a distance range, and is simultaneously biased on the normal orientation away from body portion 125e.By a part of removing the material of forming body part 125e elastic part is formed in the electrical connector 125.

Like this, when electrical connector 125 is attached to end plate 110, when this end plate has been attached to housing 20 again, zone 125c reach as follows with the neighboring edge of end PCB 90 in abutting connection with contacting, promptly, elastic part 125d stands the pressure on electrical connector 125 bodies, thus with regional 125c from its resting position to scheduled volume of body part 125e displacement.This setting is guaranteed to cause under the situation of any dimensional variation the still following end relative with the data-signal input that ends at a plurality of PCB 90 of data-signal at housing owing to its thermal expansion and contraction.

PCB supports 91 and remain thereon " floating " on the support frame 22 of housing 20, is similar to " float " mode on passage 21 of printhead module 30 as described earlier.Therefore, since support 91 and the fluid passage member 40 of printhead module 30 form by similar material (as LCP etc.), it has the same or analogous coefficient of expansion, so under the situation of any expansion of housing 20 and contraction, support 91 all by clamping the relative position that adjutage part 94 keeps itself and printhead module 30.

Therefore, each supports 91 and keeps its adjacent connections via connecting elements 102, the connection strap 90a of this connecting elements 102 by as shown in figure 27 and

PCB

90 and 90b relative big overlapping and realizing easily.Therefore, because PCB 90 and support 91 that they have been installed are biased to electrical connector 115 by the elastic part 125d of electrical connector 125, therefore, if housing 20 expands and shrinks, because the effect of elastic part 125d, prevented may

electrical connector

115 and 125 with end PCB 90 between any gap of formation.

By

bonding pad

71a, 72a and the 73a of employed two groups of buses 70 in long relatively print head assembly is used, for power supply, also promoted to regulate for the adaptability of any expansion and contraction.This be because, these

bonding pads

71a, 72a and 73a be configured to make two groups of overlay regions between the bus 70 allow to be attached with

bus

71,72 and 73 electrical connector 115 with 125 relatively move and keep simultaneously in this zone be connected overlapping.

In the example shown in Figure 30,33B, the 33C and 37, the end of

bus

71,72 and 73 is shown on the front surface (with respect to the direction that is installed to housing 20) of

electrical connector

115 and 125, is connected to electrical connector 115 and 125 (via

contact screw

116a, 116b, 116c).Alternatively,

bus

71,72 and 73 can be connected the rear surface of electrical connector 115 and 125.In but such alternative is provided with, even the bus that is thus connected 71,72 and 73 may cause

electrical connector

115 and 125 23 displacements towards the cover part slightly, but, because the cause of the clamping part 112d of the supporting member 112 of the upper and lower side surface of retaining

zone

115c and 125c,

electrical connector

115 and 125 regional 115c and 125c still remain in the plane substantially the same with the EDGE CONTACT district of end PCB 90.

Have the printed circuit board (PCB) that is printed on the bonding pad in the zone of dispersion and can be used as

electrical connector

115 and 125, so that the various above-mentioned electrical connection that provides thus is provided.

Figure 39 illustrates the end plate 111 of the example embodiment according to the present invention, and it can be attached to the other end of the housing 20 of print head assembly 10, to replace the end housing shown in Figure 35 A and the 35B and the assembly of plate.This is used for print head assembly does not have and need supply with under the situation of length of power and fluid from two ends.For example, in the print application of A4 size, can adopt and hold a print head assembly with printhead module of 16 printhead fragments.

Therefore under such situation, owing to needn't be specially provide electrical connector in end by the printhead module 30 of cover member 49 cappings, so can adopt so end plate 111, it is used for being firmly held in together via support frame 22 and the cover part 23 of the screw that is anchored on its threaded

portion

22a, 22b and 23b with housing 20 in the mode of having described (also seeing Fig. 2).

In addition, provide data signal terminals in this end of described a plurality of PCB 90 if necessary, then end plate 111 provides the socket portion (not shown) on the surface (with respect to the installation direction of housing 20) within it, it can support the PCB (not shown) with termination environment, this termination environment is similar to the regional 125c of electrical connector 125 corresponding to the EDGE CONTACT district of end PCB 90.Equally similarly, these termination environments can suitably be connected with the contact zone with connecting elements 102 via supporting member 112.In this was used, in the expansion of housing 20 with shrink and also can cause under the situation of connectivity problem, this PCB also can comprise the elastic part between termination environment and the end plate 111, is similar to the elastic part 125d of electrical connector 125.

Be attached to the two ends of housing 20 or the assembly of end housing 120 and plate 110 is attached to an end of housing 20 and end plate 111 is attached to the other end by assembly, finished structure according to print head assembly of the present invention with end housing 120 and plate 110.

Then, the print head assembly of assembling thus can be installed on the print unit that assembled length was suitable for of print head assembly.The sample printing unit that printhead module and print head assembly of the present invention was suitable for is as follows.

For the work-at-home print unit of printing on the paper of A4 and letter size, the print head assembly with the single printhead module that comprises 11 printhead ics can be used for providing the printhead width of 224mm.When nozzle velocity was about 20kHz, this print unit can be printed with the speed of approximate 60 ppm pages per minutes (ppm).With this speed, per second transmits maximum about 1690 * 10 for whole printhead ⁶Drip or the about China ink of 1.6896ml.This causes about 0.32ms ^-1Line print speed or about 0.07sqms ^-1The face print speed.Single PEC integrated circuit can be used for driving all 11 printhead ics, and wherein PEC integrated circuit per second calculates the individual point of about 1,800,000,000 (1.8billion).

For the print unit of printing on the paper of A3 or tabloid size, the print head assembly with the single printhead module that comprises 16 printhead ics can be used for providing the printhead width of 325mm.When nozzle velocity was about 55kHz, this print unit can be printed with the speed of approximate 120ppm.With this speed, for whole printhead, per second transmits maximum about 6758 * 10 ⁶Drip or the about China ink of 6.7584ml.This causes about 0.87ms ^-1Line print speed or about 0.28sqms ^-1The face print speed.Four PEC integrated circuits can be used for respectively driving four printhead ics, wherein the common individual point of about 7,200,000,000 (7.2billion) that calculates of PEC integrated circuit per second.

For the print unit of printing on the wallpaper volume, the print head assembly with one or more printhead modules that 36 printhead ics are provided can be used for providing the printhead width of 732mm.When nozzle velocity was about 55kHz, for whole printhead, per second transmitted maximum about 15206 * 10 ⁶Drip or the about China ink of 15.2064ml.This causes about 0.87ms ^-1Line print speed or about 0.64sqms ^-1The face print speed.Nine PEC integrated circuits can be used for respectively driving four printhead ics, wherein the common individual point of about 16,200,000,000 (16.2billion) that calculates of PEC integrated circuit per second.

For the wide format print unit of printing on the print media volume, the print head assembly with one or more printhead modules that 92 printhead ics are provided can be used for providing the printhead width of 1869mm.When nozzle velocity is in about 15 in the scope of 55kHz the time, for whole printhead, per second transmits maximum about 10598 * 10 ⁶To 38861 * 10 ⁶Drip or about 10.5984 to 38.8608ml China ink.This causes about 0.24 to 0.87ms ^-1Line print speed or about 0.45 to 1.63sqms ^-1The face print speed.Than low velocity the time, six PEC integrated circuits can be used for respectively driving 16 printhead ics (one of them PEC integrated circuit drives 12 printhead ics), wherein the common individual point of about 10,800,000,000 (10.8billion) that calculates of PEC integrated circuit per second.When fair speed, 23 PEC integrated circuits can be used for respectively driving four printhead ics, wherein the common individual point of about 41,400,000,000 (41.4billion) that calculates of PEC integrated circuit per second.

For " super wide " print unit of printing on the print media volume, the print head assembly with one or more printhead modules that 200 printhead ics are provided can be used for providing the printhead width of 4064mm.When nozzle velocity was about 15kHz, for whole printhead, per second transmitted maximum about 23040 * 10 ⁶Drip or the about China ink of 23.04ml.This causes about 0.24ms ^-1Line print speed or about 0.97sqms ^-1The face print speed.13 PEC integrated circuits can be used for respectively driving 16 printhead ics (one of them PEC integrated circuit drives eight printhead ics), wherein the common individual point of about 23,400,000,000 (23.4billion) that calculates of PEC integrated circuit per second.

For above-mentioned sample printing unit application, can provide required print head assembly by the full-length printhead module of correspondence or the combination of several full-length printhead modules.Certainly, any above-mentioned sample printing unit application can comprise and have the bi-directional printing of duplex printing simultaneously, makes use respectively have above two print head assemblies of printhead segments purpose that provide.In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these application only are examples, and the association prints ability of the number of printhead ic, nozzle velocity and print head assembly depends on specific print unit application.

Print engine controller

The function and the structure of the PEC integrated circuit that is applicable to the print head assembly according to the present invention are discussed now with reference to Figure 40 to 42.

In above-mentioned example embodiment of the present invention, the printhead ic 51 of print head assembly 10 is controlled by the PEC integrated circuit 100 of drive electronics 100.Provide one or more PEC integrated circuits 100 so that the page width that is implemented on the page or leaf of various different sizes is printed.As described earlier, support 91 each PCB 90 that supports by PCB and have a PEC integrated circuit 100, this PEC integrated circuit docks with four printhead ics 51, and wherein PEC integrated circuit 100 drives printhead ic 51 basically and with the form that is suitable for printing the print data that is received is delivered to wherein.

Be suitable for driving the common pending U.S. Patent Application 09/575th, 108 of the example PEC integrated circuit of printhead ic of the present invention the applicant; 09/575,109; 09/575,110; 09/606,999; Be described in 09/607,985 and 09/607, No. 9990, its disclosure is all incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to Figure 40, will be suitable for driving at PEC integrated circuit 100 and describe data flow and the function of carrying out by PEC integrated circuit 100 under the situation of print head assembly with a plurality of printhead modules 30.As mentioned above, the printhead module 30 of one embodiment of the invention has utilized six fluid passages to print.They are:

Green grass or young crops, fuchsin and the Huang (CMY) that are used for conventional colour print;

Be used for black text and other black or black (K) gray level printing;

Be used to enable infrared (IR) of the application of label; And

The fixative that makes it possible at full speed print (F).

As shown in figure 40, document offers PEC integrated circuit 100 by the computer system with raster image processor (RIP) etc. usually, and described processor is programmed to carry out before document is transferred to PEC integrated circuit 100 and relates to the various treatment steps 131 to 134 of printing document.These steps generally include in the storage buffer that receives document data (step 131) and these data are stored in computer system (step 132), can produce page layout therein and can add any required object.From storage buffer the page or leaf by RIP rasterisation (step 133), before being transferred to PEC integrated circuit 100, be compressed (step 134) then.When receiving page data, PEC integrated circuit 100 is handled these data so that drive printhead ic 51.

Because the page width characteristic of print head assembly of the present invention must be printed to avoid producing visible non-natural phenomena with constant speed for every page.This means that print speed can not change mates input data rate.Therefore, document rasterisation and document are printed decoupling to guarantee that print head assembly has constant data and supplies with.In this was provided with, just one page is printed till its complete rasterisation, and in order to realize high constant print speed, the compressed version of each rasterisation page or leaf image was stored in the memory.When the simple page or leaf of rasterisation, this decoupling also makes RIP move before printer, thus the comparatively complicated page or leaf of the time rasterisation of staying.

Because the continuous tone color image reproduces by colour combination (dithering) at random, but black text and bargraphs directly use a little and reproduce, thereby the page or leaf picture format of compression has comprised, and the prospect two-value of separating is deceived layer and background continuous tone color layers.After with continuous tone layer colour combination, will deceive laminated be formed in (although this continuous tone layer has optional black composition) on the continuous tone layer.If desired, final label layer (with IR or tusche) randomly adds described page or leaf to so that printout.

Colour combination matrix in page or leaf is described selects the district to be rasterized into continuous tone resolution ratio bitonal bitmap, and it nondestructively is compressed into insignificant size, and forms the part of page compression image.The IR layer of the page or leaf of being printed randomly comprises the code tag with density able to programme.

As mentioned above, the RIP software/hardware to each page description carry out rasterisation and the compression through rasterisation the page or leaf image.The page or leaf image of each compression is passed to PEC integrated circuit 100, then, at this place it is stored in the storage buffer 135.Then, the page or leaf image of compression is retrieved and is fed in page image spreader 136, and the page or leaf image is resumed therein.If desired, arbitrarily colour combination can put on any continuous tone layer by colour combination device 137, and the black layer of two-value can be synthesized on the continuous tone layer by synthesizer 138 arbitrarily, together with any infrared tags that can be reproduced by transcriber 139.Turn back to the description of process steps, PEC integrated circuit 100 drives printhead ic 51 then so that print through synthetic page data in step 140, to produce type face 141.

Thus, can think that PEC integrated circuit 100 performed processes comprise some different stages.Phase I has the continuous tone CMYK layer that launches the JPEG compression, the two-value colour combination matrix of group's 4 fax (Group 4 Fax-) compressions is selected the ability of the black layer of two-value of mapping and group's 4 fax compressions, all walks abreast.Parallel therewith, can be from the page or leaf image of the compression two-value IR label data of encoding.Second stage uses the colour combination matrix of selecting mapping to select by the colour combination matrix to come continuous tone CMYK is carried out colour combination, adds black laminated being formed on the resulting two-value K layer and with the IR layer of two-value to this page or leaf.The fixative layer also results from each some position, as long as need C, M, Y, K or IR passage any one here.Final stage is printed two-value CMYK+IR data by print head assembly.

Figure 41 is illustrated under the environment of overall system architecture, comprises an example embodiment of the print head assembly of the present invention of PEC integrated circuit 100.As shown, the various parts of described print head assembly comprise:

PEC integrated circuit 100, its page or leaf image of being responsible for receiving compression are carried out page or leaf and are launched, deceive laminated one-tenth and point data is sent to printhead ic 51 to be stored in the storage buffer 142.PEC integrated circuit 100 also can guarantee that (QA) integrated circuit 143 communicates by letter with (removable) print cartridge QA integrated circuit 144 with principal mass, and provides retrieval print head assembly feature to guarantee the optimum device of printing;

Storage buffer 142 is used for the page or leaf image of store compressed and is used for temporary use (scratch use) during printing given page or leaf.The structure of storage buffer and work are known to those skilled in the art, and the scope of the technology of its use and standard integrated circuit can be used in the use of PEC integrated circuit 100; And

Master integrated circuit 143, itself and changeable ink box QA integrated circuit 144 mate.The structure of QA integrated circuit and work are known to those skilled in the art, and the scope of known QA process can be used in the use of PEC integrated circuit 100.

As mentioning with top, PEC integrated circuit 100 of the present invention is carried out four basic functionality ranks basically:

Receive the page or leaf of compression via serial line interface such as IEEE 1394;

With acting on the print engine that produces page or leaf from compressed format.The functional expansion page or leaf image that comprises of this print engine carries out colour combination to the continuous tone layer, will deceive laminated being formed on the continuous tone layer, randomly adds infrared tags, and resulting image is sent to printhead ic;

As print control unit, be used to control the stepper motor of printhead ic and print system; And

As two standard low-speed serial ports, be used for communicating by letter with described two QA integrated circuits.Thus, two ports rather than single port have been used so that the strong security in the standard authentication process.

With reference now to Figure 42, describe these functions in more detail, this figure provides the more specifically diagram to according to one example embodiment PEC integrated circuit architecture.

PEC integrated circuit 100 combines simple microcontroller core cpu 145 and carries out following function:

Between type face, carry out QA integrated circuit authentication protocol via serial line interface 146;

The stepper motor that during printing, moves print system via parallel interface 147 with the transmission of control principal direction printhead ic 51 so that print (stepper motor needs the 5KHz design);

During printing, make the various parts of PEC integrated circuit 100 synchronous;

The device that docks with external data request (register is programmed etc.) is provided;

The device that docks with the low speed data request (as read characteristic vector and write distribution of pulses) of corresponding printhead module is provided; And

The device of the vertical and horizontal label construction being write outside DRAM 148 is provided.

Launch and print procedure in order to carry out page or leaf, PEC integrated circuit 100 comprises HSSI High-Speed Serial Interface 149 (as IEEE 1394 interfaces of standard), standard jpeg decoder 150, standard group 4 fax decoder devices 151, customization halftoning device/synthesizer (HC) 152, custom tag encoder device 153, row loader/formatter (LLF) 154 and print head interface 155 (PHI), and it is communicated by letter with printhead

ic 51.Decoder

150 and 151 and label coder 153 be buffered to HC 152.According to depending on the agreement which kind of application page or leaf will carry out, label coder 153 is set up infrared tags for this page or leaf.

Print engine functionality is worked in the double buffering mode.That is, one page is loaded into the outside DRAM 148 via DRAM interface 156 and data/address bus 157 from HSSI High-Speed Serial Interface 149, and the previous page or leaf that loads is read and process print engine process from DRAM 148.In case this page or leaf has been finished printing, the page or leaf that has then just loaded becomes the page or leaf of printing, and new page or leaf loads via HSSI High-Speed Serial Interface 149.

In the above-mentioned phase I, described process is launched continuous tone (CMYK) layer of any JPEG compression, and launches in the two-value data stream of two groups, 4 fax compressions any.These two streams are black layers (although in fact PEC integrated circuit 100 is unknowable colors, and this two-value layer can point to any output China ink) and are used for selecting to be used for the assorted limit (matte) to the continuous tone colour combination between the colour combination matrix.With parallel second stage of phase I, all labels are encoded so that reproduce with IR or tusche later on.

At last, in the phase III, the continuous tone layer is by colour combination, and location tags and two-value point (spot) layer are synthesized on resulting two-value colour combination layer.Data flow is conditioned seamlessly transitting on the overlay segment of setting up in the print head assembly ideally, and ideally, it is conditioned the bad nozzle that compensates in the print head assembly.Nearly six two-value data passages have been produced from this stage.

Yet, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that not all six passages all need to be provided on the printhead module 30.For example, printhead module 30 can only be provided for CMY, and shifts onto K in the CMY passage and ignore IR.Alternatively, if IR China ink unavailable (or the purpose in order to test), location tags can be printed with K.Resulting two-value CMYK-IR point data facilitates the use printhead ic 51 via one group of line buffer (not shown) buffering and format and prints.Great majority can be stored on the outside DRAM148 ideally in these line buffers.In the end the stage, six two-value point data passages are printed via PHI 155.

HC 152 has made up following function: with continuous tone (usually CMYK) layer halftone is its two-value version, and with on the laminated continuous tone layer that is formed in suitable halftone of two-value spot1.If there is not the K China ink, then in due course, HC 152 can be mapped to K the CMY point.Also select the respective value in the mapping between two colour combination matrixes, selecting by on the basis of pixel based on the colour combination matrix.To the input of HC 152 be via buffer 158 the continuous tone layer (from jpeg decoder 146) through launching, via the two-value spot1 layer through launching of buffer 159, via buffer 160 usually with the colour combination matrixes selection bitmap through launching of continuous tone layer equal resolution and via the label data of the full point resolution of buffer (FIFO) 161.

HC 152 uses nearly two the colour combination matrix that reads from outside DRAM 148.From the output of HC 152 to LLF 154 is that nearly one group of printer resolution bianry image six look planes is capable.Usually, the continuous tone layer is CMYK or CMY, and two-value spot1 layer is K.Once you begin, HC 152 just before carried out, and detected " page footing " condition up to it, perhaps clearly stopped via its control register (not shown) up to it.

LLF 154 is from HC 152 acceptance point information, the point that will be used for given print line is loaded into suitable buffer storage, and (some are at the integrated circuit (not shown), and some are externally among the DRAM148), and they are formatted as the required state of printhead ic 51.Particularly, be effectively (DataValid) position of 32 words of hexad and data to the input of LLF 154, all produce by HC 152.The output of LLF 154 is one group of 190 position, the maximum of 15 printhead ics of six kinds of colors of its expression.Not all carry-out bit can be effectively, and this depends in print head assembly reality and has used the how many kinds of color.

The row that be placed as two biasings of the nozzle of an example embodiment of the present invention on print head assembly this means that the odd and even number point of same color is used for two different row.The even number point is used for row L, and odd point is used for row L-2.In addition, between the point of a kind of point of color and another kind of color, there are several rows.Calculate simultaneously by HC 152 owing to be used for six look planes of same point position, therefore need be arranged under the suitable chromatic nozzle up to same point for each look plane postpones point data.The size of each buffering row depends on the width of print head assembly.Be used for the nearly point of 15 printhead ics 51 because single PEC integrated circuit 100 can produce, therefore single odd number or even number buffering row are 15 groups of 640 points, 9600 altogether (1200 byte).For example, the required buffer of the odd point of six colors almost is 45Kbyte altogether.

PHI 155 is devices like this, and by this device, PEC integrated circuit 100 loads point to be printed for printhead ic 51, and control actual point print procedure.It obtains input and data is outputed to printhead ic 51 from LLF 154.PHI 155 can tackle various print head assembly length and form.The internal structure of PHI 155 allows maximum six kinds of colors, eight printhead ics 51 of each transmission, and the group of maximum two printhead ics 51, this is enough for the print head assembly with 15 printhead ics 51 (8.5 inches) print system that can print on A4/ letter paper at full speed.

The assemblage characteristic vector of print head assembly 10 can read back via serial line interface 146.Characteristic vector can comprise bad nozzle information and relative printhead module aligned data.Each printhead module can be via its low-frequency serial bus 162 inquiries to return the characteristic vector of this printhead module.During printing,, and allow the defective nozzle of PEC integrated circuit 100 compensation from the nozzle defect tabulation that is configured to whole print head assembly capable of being combined of the characteristic vector of a plurality of printhead modules.As long as the number of defectiveness nozzle is low, described compensation just can produce and the indiscriminate result of result who does not have the print head assembly of defective nozzle.

The fluid distribution is piled up

The fluid of describing the printhead fragment now with reference to Figure 43 distributes the example structure of piling up.

Figure 43 illustrates the fluid distribution and piles up 500 decomposition view, wherein also shows printhead ic 51 with respect to piling up 500.In example embodiment shown in Figure 43, pile up 500 and comprise three layers, upper strata 510, middle level 520 and lower floor 530, and further comprise channel layer 540 and plate 550, they are set in sequence in the top on upper strata 510 with this.Each of layer 510,520 and 530 forms stainless steel or little moulding of plastics materials sheet.

Printhead ic 51 is attached to and piles up on 500 the upper strata 510, so that cover the array of the hole 511 that is etched in upper strata 510, and therefore is provided with adjacent to channel layer 540 and piling up of plate 550.Printhead ic 51 itself forms the multiple-level stack of silicon, has the fluid passage (not shown) among its bottom 51a.When printhead ic 51 is installed in when piling up on 500, these passages are aimed at hole 511.In one embodiment of the invention, printhead ic 51 is approximately width 1mm and length 21mm.This length is determined by the field width of the stepper that is used to make printhead ic 51.Therefore, hole 511 is arranged to meet these yardsticks of printhead ic 51.

Upper strata 510 has the passage 512 (as the details of hiding, Figure 43 only illustrates some of them passage 512) that is etched on its downside.Passage 512 extends as shown, makes its end aim at the hole 521 in middle level 520.Different aligned in different passages in the passage 512 and the hole 521.Hole 521 is aimed at the passage 531 in the lower floor 530 again.

Except last passage with reference number 532 expressions, the respective color that each passage 531 carrying is different or the China ink or the fluid of type.Last passage 532 is air ducts, and aims at the other hole 522 in middle level 520, and described other hole 522 is aimed at the other hole 513 on upper strata 510 again.Other hole 513 is aimed at the inboard 541 of slot 542 in being formed on channel layer 540, makes these inboard 541 aim at air duct 532, and so with its fluid flow communication, shown in dotted line 543.

Lower floor 530 comprises the ingress port 54 of printhead fragment 50, and each opening leads in the respective channel of

passage

531 and 532.

For air being fed to the printhead ic surface, enter air duct 532 from the compression filtered air of the air source (not shown) ingress port 54 by correspondence, and, be respectively the slot 542 in middle level 520, upper strata 510 and the channel layer 540 then by hole 522 and 513.Air enters the side surface 51b of printhead ic 51 in the direction of arrow A, and discharges from printhead ic 51 in the direction of arrow B basically then.Nozzle guard device 51c can further be arranged on the top surface of printhead ic 51, and partly covering nozzles is so that help to keep nozzle not have the print media dust.

For China ink and other fluid (not shown) with different colours or type are fed to nozzle, different China inks and fluid are by the respective channel in ingress port 54 admission passages 531, corresponding hole 521 by middle level 520,510 downside flows on the upper strata along respective channel 512, corresponding hole 511 by upper strata 510, the slot 542 that finally passes through channel layer 540 then arrives printhead ics 51, as described earlier.

Pass through this path, the flow diameter of China ink and fluid is reduced to the microscopic dimensions flow diameter at the nozzle place of printhead ic 51 gradually from the macro-size flow diameter of ingress port 54.

Fluid shown in Figure 43 distributes the example embodiment of piling up to be arranged to seven kinds of different fluids are assigned to printhead ic, comprises air, and the example embodiment of this conduit of the fluid passage member of description with early the time is consistent.Yet, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that to depend on specific print application, can use the fluid of greater or lesser number, and therefore can come fluid to distribute as required and pile up.

Nozzle and actuator

The example spray nozzle device that is suitable for print head assembly of the present invention awaits the reply jointly and describes in the authorized application the applicant following:

U.S.Patent Nos.6,188,415；6,209,989；6,213,588；6,213,589；6,217,153；6,220,694；6,227,652； 6,227,653；6,227,654；6,231,163；6,234,609；6,234,610；6,234,611；6,238,040；6,338,547；6,239,821； 6,241,342；6,243,113；6,244,691；6,247,790；6,247,791；6,247,792；6,247,793；6,247,794；6,247,795； 6,247,796；6,254,220；6,257,704；6,257,705；6,260,953；6,264,306；6,264,307；6,267,469；6,283,581； 6,283,582；6,293,653；6,302,528；6,312,107；6,336,710；6,362,843；6,390,603；6,394,581；6,416,167， 6,416,168；6,557,977；6,273,544；6,299,289；6,299,290；6,309,048；6,378,989；6,420,196；6,425,654； 6,439,689；6,443,558；and 6,634,735，U.S.Patent Application No.09/425,420，U.S.Patent Nos.6,623,101；

6,406,129；6,457,809；6,457,812；6,505,916；6,550,895；6,428,133；6,305,788；6,315,399；6,322,194； 6,322,195；6,328,425；6,328,431；6,338,548；6,364,453；6,383,833；6,390,591；6,390,605；6,417,757； 6,425,971；6,426,014；6,428,139；6,428,142；6,439,693；6,439,908；6,457,795；6,502,306；6,565,193； 6,588,885；6,595,624；6,460,778；6,464,332；6,478,406；6,480,089；6,540,319；6,575,549；6,609,786； 6,609,787；6,612,110；6,623,106；6,629,745；6,652,071；6,659,590，U.S.Patent Application Nos.09/575,127； 09/575,152；09/575,176；09/575,177；09/608,780；09/693,079；09/693,135；09/693,735；10/129,433, 10/129,437；10/129,503；10/407,207；and 10/407,212，Filing Docket Nos.JUM003 and JUM004，U.S.Patent Application Nos.10/302.274；10/302,297；10/302,577；10/302,617；10/302,618；10/302,644；10/302,668； 10/302,669；10/303,312；10/303,348；10/303,352；and 10/303,433，and Filing Docket Nos.MTB01 to MTB14，

Its disclosure is all incorporated herein by reference.In the above-mentioned application some are submitted the file number sign to by it, in case distributed application number, they will replace to corresponding application number.

The spray nozzle device of example wherein, is described now with reference to Figure 44 to 53.A spray nozzle device that is installed in institute's combination in each printhead ic 51 on the printhead fragment 50 (seeing Fig. 5 A) comprises nozzle and corresponding actuator.Figure 44 illustrates the array of the spray nozzle device 801 that is formed on the silicon substrate 815.Spray nozzle device is identical, but in one embodiment, different spray nozzle devices is fed with the China ink of different colours and fixative.To notice that the row of spray nozzle device 801 is relative to each other interlocked, thereby it allows can realize ink dot spacing more closely during printing compared to single row of nozzles.Many row's nozzles also allow redundancy (if desired), allow predetermined every nozzle fault rate thus.

Each spray nozzle device 801 all is the product of ic manufacturing technology.As shown, spray nozzle device 801 is made of MEMS (MEMS).

Easily describe for clear, describe the structure and the operation of single-nozzle device 801 with reference to Figure 45 and 53.

Each printhead ic 51 all comprises silicon wafer substrate 815.0.42 12 volts of CMOS micro-processor interface circuits of micron 1P4M are arranged on the silicon wafer substrate 815.

Silica (or alternatively, glass) layer 817 is arranged on the wafer substrate 815.Silicon dioxide layer 817 limits the CMOS dielectric layer.The CMOS top-level metallic limits the aluminium electrode contact layer 830 that is arranged on a pair of aligning on the silicon dioxide layer 817.Both are all etched to limit black access road 814 for silicon wafer substrate 815 and silicon dioxide layer 817, and this China ink access road has circular substantially cross section (on plane).The aluminium diffusion barrier 828 of CMOS metal 1, CMOS metal 2/3 and CMOS top-level metallic is arranged in black access road 814 silicon dioxide layer 817 on every side.Diffusion barrier 828 is used to suppress the diffusion of hydroxyl ion by the CMOS oxide skin(coating) of drive circuit layer 817.

The passivation layer of silicon nitride layer 831 forms is arranged on al contact layer 830 and the silicon dioxide layer 817.Each part that is arranged on the passivation layer 831 on the contact layer 830 has the opening 832 that is limited to wherein so that the access to contact layer 830 to be provided.

Spray nozzle device 801 comprises the nozzle box 829 that is limited by nozzle ring wall 833, and it ends at nozzle top 834 and radially inner nozzle edge 804 in the upper end, and it is circular in plane.China ink access road 814 is communicated with nozzle box's 829 fluids.In the lower end of nozzle wall, be provided with removable edge 810, it comprises removable seal lip 840.Surrounding wall 838 is around removable nozzle, and comprises standstill seal antelabium 839, and when nozzle is in when static as shown in figure 45, it is adjacent with mobile edge 810.Owing to the surface tension of the China ink of institute's collection between standstill seal antelabium 839 and the hydrodynamic reciprocating sealing antelabium 840 has formed fluid sealing 811.This has prevented China ink from indoor leakage, and the coupling of the lower resistance between surrounding wall 838 and the nozzle wall 833 is provided simultaneously.

As best illustrating among Figure 52, a plurality of depressions 835 of radially extending are limited in the top 834 around nozzle edge 804.Depression 835 is used to hold the radially China ink stream that causes owing to the black nozzle edge 804 that escaped.

Nozzle wall 833 forms the part of leverage, and this leverage is installed on has the carrier 836 of U-shaped profile substantially, and wherein pedestal 837 is attached to silicon nitride layer 831.

Leverage also comprises lever arm 818, and it is from the nozzle wall extension and combine side direction buttress brace 822.Lever arm 818 is attached to a pair of passive beam 806, and this passive beam forms and be arranged on the either side of spray nozzle device by titanium nitride (TiN), as best illustrating in Figure 48 and 51.The other end of passive beam 806 is attached to carrier 836.

Lever arm 818 also is attached to that actuator beam 807---it is formed by TiN.To notice, actuator beam this be adhered to the point that adheres to high little and critical distance that is at the passive beam 806 of comparison carries out.

As best illustrating in Figure 48 and 51, actuator beam 807 is essentially U-shaped in plane, define the current path between electrode 809 and the comparative

electrode 841.Electrode

809 and 841 each be electrically connected on respective point in the contact layer 830.Except via contact 809 and electric coupling, actuator beam also mechanical anchor in anchor 808.Anchor 808 is configured to when spray nozzle device at work the time, the motion on the left side of constraint actuator beam 807 to Figure 45-47.

TiN in the actuator beam 807 is an electric conductivity, but has sufficiently high resistance, and it experiences from heating through time between the

electrode

809 and 841 at electric current.There is not electric current to flow through passive beam 806, so they do not expand.

In use, be in static device and be filled China ink 813, it is shaped as meniscus 803 at the capillary lower limit that influences.This China ink is remained in the chamber 829 by meniscus, and will not spill usually under the situation of certain other physical influence not having.

As shown in figure 46, for from nozzle China ink being launched, electric current is process between

contact

809 and 841, by actuator beam 807.Certainly the heating of the beam 807 that causes owing to its impedance is expanded this beam.The yardstick of actuator beam 807 and design mean most the expansion along the horizontal direction with respect to Figure 45-47.This expansion is constrained to the left side by anchor 808, makes that the end adjacent to the actuator beam 807 of lever arm 818 is pushed to the right.

The horizontal relatively inflexibility of passive beam 806 has prevented that them from move horizontally lever arm 818 significantly.Yet passive beam and actuator beam move respectively at the distortion that causes lever arm 818 is totally moved down relative to displacement of the attachment point of lever arm.Should move in fact is that pivot or hinge transhipment are moving.Yet, do not have true pivotal point to mean that this rotation is the pivot region that limits around the bending by passive beam 806.

Move down (with slight rotation) of lever arm 818 amplified apart from the distance of passive beam 806 by nozzle wall 833.The pressure that causes in the chamber 29 that moves down on nozzle wall and top increases, thereby meniscus is protruded as shown in figure 46.To notice that the surface tension of China ink means that fluid sealing 811 obtains stretching by this motion, and does not allow China ink to spill.

As shown in figure 47, in due course between, drive current stops and actuator beam 807 cooling and shrinking rapidly.This contraction makes lever arm begin to return its static position, and this causes the pressure in the chamber 829 to reduce again.The interaction of the negative pressure of protruding the momentum of China ink and intrinsic surface tension thereof and being caused by moving up of nozzle box 829 causes protruding that meniscus attenuates and it is prominent disconnected finally to cause, formed ink droplet 802 thereby limit, this ink droplet continues upwards, up to the adjacent print media of its contact.

And then after dripping 802 disengaging, meniscus forms spill as shown in figure 45.Surface tension makes the pressure in the chamber 829 keep low relatively, 814 is upwards aspirated by entering the mouth up to China ink, and this turns back to as shown in figure 45 static case with spray nozzle device and China ink.

As best illustrating in Figure 48, spray nozzle device also combines mechanism for testing, and it both can use after manufacturing, also can regularly use after print head assembly is installed.This mechanism for testing comprises a pair of contact 820 that is connected to the test circuit (not shown).Bridge joint contact 819 is arranged on from the finger piece 843 of lever arm 818 extensions.Because bridge joint contact 819 is on the opposite side of passive beam 806, to the actuating of nozzle the bridge joint contact is moved up, thereby with contact 820 and contacts.Test circuit can be used for confirming to activate this closure that causes by

contact

819 and 820 circuit that form.Ifs circuit is suitably closed, can suppose that usually nozzle can work.

The exemplary method of assembling parts

Exemplary method according to the various above-mentioned modular members of one embodiment of the invention assembling print head assembly will be described now.Should be understood that the method for the following stated only represents to assemble an example of particular print assembly of the present invention, and can adopt distinct methods to assemble print head assembly or other sample printing assembly of the present invention of this example.

Printhead ic

51 and 50 assemblings of printhead fragment are as follows:

A. at first come ready-to-print head integrated circuit 51 by 7680 nozzles of surface formation thereon, described nozzle is partitioned into can be with the resolution printing of 1600dpi;

B. fluid being distributed and pile up 500 (printhead fragment 50 is formed by it) to be configured to have by intermetallic spreads and three layer 510 of being made by the stainless steel that is combined together to form monomer in vacuum drying oven, 520 and 530, channel layer 540 and plate 550, wherein the surface of the inner surface of lower floor 530 and middle level and upper strata 520 and 510 is etched into passage and

hole

531 and 532 is provided respectively, 521 and 522 and 511 to 513, so that CYMK and IR China ink and fixative can be transported to each nozzle of printhead ic 51 and deliver air to the surface of printhead ic 51, as early the time as described in.In addition, the outer surface of lower floor 530 is etched into the port 54 that provides access;

C. then, will be applied to fluid such as the adhesive of silicone adhesive agent and distribute and to pile up 500 upper surface, and be used for printhead ic 51 and (pitch) PCB 52 are attached to it with the degree of approach closely;

D. by pick and place machine device people printhead ic 51 and PCB 52 being picked up, be combined between two parties, then in advance fluid distributes and piles up on 500 the upper surface;

E. then, this assembly is placed in the baking box, thereby adhesive is solidified, so that printhead ic 51 and PCB 52 is fixing on the throne;

F. then, close machine by toe-in and print connection between an integrated circuit 51 and the PCB 52, make alloy, gold or the aluminum steel of 25 micron diameters be combined between the bond pad and the conductive welding disk on the PCB 52 on the printhead ic 51;

G. then, toe-in is closed in the epoxy material adhesive that the zone is encapsulated in automatic double end dispenser institute dispensing.At first apply full-bodied non-collection and deposit (non-sump) adhesive, fill this partition wall with low viscosity adhesive then, be encapsulated under the adhesive fully so that toe-in is closed the zone with the coiling calmodulin binding domain CaM partition wall that draws;

H. then, this assembly is placed on the leveling board in the baking box, and heat cure and form epoxy material packaging body 53.Described leveling board guarantees during curing do not have packaging body to flow out from assembly; And

I. utilize suitable fluid that printhead fragment 50 and the printhead ic 51 that forms thus carried out " wetting " test such as pure water, to guarantee reliable performance, and then it is carried out drying, so they are ready for assembling on fluid passage member 40.

The unit quasi of being made up of printhead fragment 50 and printhead ic 51 is ready for use on and is assembled into fluid passage member 40, and is as follows:

J. preparing (expansion) flexible PCB 80 is connected with power with 73 data to printhead ic 51 with

bus

71,72 to provide from PCB 90;

K. flexible PCB 80 is aimed at and is used hot bar bonding machine attaching with PCB 52.

Fluid passage member 40 and housing 20 following formation and assemblings:

L. have by elongate body part 44a being injection molded each fluid passage member 40 formed: extend through its seven independent grooves (passage) and in its both sides along two longitudinal extension protuberances 43 of its extension.(microscler) cover 44b also is molded as and can surrounds body part 44a to separate each passage.Described body part and cover both are molded as has the end, and it forms female and

male end portion

45 and 46 when fitting together.Then, cover 44b and body part 44a utilize epoxy material to be bonded together and solidify to form seven conduits 41;

M. then, be formed on (microscler) support frame 22 and (microscler) cover part 23 on its upper wall 27, by aluminium extrusion to required configuration and length formed housing 20 by separately forming passage 21;

N. end plate 110 utilizes screw by being formed on one (the first) end that threaded portion 22a in the

support frame

22 and 22b are attached to housing 20, and end plate 111 utilizes screw to be attached to another (second) end of housing 20 by threaded

portion

22a and 22b;

O. by controlled dispenser epoxy material is applied to mother or public connector 47 or 48 and the appropriate area of female or the public coupling part 49a or the 49b of cover member 49 (that is, make do not cover passage);

P. by controlled dispenser epoxy material is applied to and will be fitted together so that corresponding to the mother of described a plurality of fluid passages member 40 of Len req and the appropriate area of male end portion 45 and 46 (that is, make do not cover passage) by end-to-end;

Q. then mother or public connector 47 or 48 are attached to public affairs or

female end portion

46 or 45 of the fluid passage member 40 of first end that will be in described a plurality of fluid passages member 40, and public affairs or

female end portion

46 or 45 that the female or public coupling part 49a or the 49b of cover member 49 is attached to the fluid passage member 40 of second end that will be in described a plurality of fluid passages member 40;

R. then each fluid passage member 40 is placed in the passage 21 one by one.At first, (first) fluid passage member 40 that is in first end is in first end is positioned over passage 21, and support 91 fastening on the thronely by means of clip to PCB in the support frame 22 in described mode early, make the

end

45 or 46 that does not connect that stays fluid passage member 40 expose the epoxy material on it.Then, second member 40 is placed in the passage 21, and utilizes its PCB support 91 to press from both sides then to be set to the position so that by its

corresponding end

45 or 46 and therebetween epoxy material and cooperating with first fluid channel component 40.Can repeat such step then, fluid passage member 40 to the last puts in place at the second end place of passage 21.Certainly, can use only fluid passage member 40, can make connector 47 or 48 be attached to an

end

46 or 45 and cover member 49 is attached to another

end

45 or 46 in the case;

S. then this device is placed in the pressure clamping device (compression jig), make with respect to the end of assembly exert pressure with help each fluid passage member 40 of sealing and its end connector 47 or 48 and cover member 49 between be connected.In about 100 ℃ temperature whole assembly and clamping device are placed on predetermined amount of time in the baking box then, for example about 45 minutes, to strengthen the curing that adhesive connects.Yet, also can adopt other curing, as cold curing.

T. after solidifying, to this device carry out pressure test with guarantee each fluid passage member 40, connector 47 or 48 and cover member 49 between the integrality of sealing; And

U. then the upper surface of the exposure of this assembly being carried out oxygen plasma cleans so that each printhead fragment 50 is attached to it.

The printhead fragment 50 following fluid passage members 40 that are attached to:

V. before on the upper surface that each printhead fragment 50 is placed on fluid passage member 40, the lower surface of printhead fragment 50 is carried out argon plasma clean to strengthen combination.Then, the adhesive of epoxy material form is applied to the upper surface of fluid passage member 40, is on the upper surface, lays out in mouthful port 42 and the key position about this outlet port symmetry by the robot dispenser.For helping, before printhead fragment 50 is placed on it, apply quick-acting adhesives at the residue free space of described upper surface, as cyanoacrylate adhesive, as drops of adhesive 62 with printhead fragment 50 fix in position;

W. then, by pick and place machine device people with each carefully aims at and be placed on the upper surface of fluid passage member 40 in each printhead fragment 50, make to limit continuous print surface, and also make and guaranteed that the outlet port 42 of fluid passage member 40 aims at the ingress port 54 of each printhead fragment 50 along the length of printhead module 30.After placing, pick and place machine device people exerts pressure on printhead fragment 50 and continues about 5 to 10 seconds, with help cyanoacrylate adhesive solidify and printhead fragment 50 is fixing on the throne.Each printhead fragment 50 is repeated this process.

X. with about 100 ℃ this assembly was placed in the baking box about 45 minutes then, to solidify described epoxy material, thereby be formed for the cushion member 60 and the locator 61 of each printhead fragment 50, the fluid that its sealing respectively exports between port 42 and the ingress port 54 connects.Thus printhead fragment 50 is fixed on the appropriate location on the fluid passage member 40, so that limit print surface; And

After solidifying, check and test this assembly to guarantee the correct aligning and the location of printhead fragment 50.

Print head assembly 10 assemblings are as follows:

Z. supporting member 112 is attached to end PCB and supports 91 so that aim at the sunk part 91b of end portion supports 91;

AA. connecting elements 102 is placed on respectively adjacent PCB support between 91 in sunk part 91b and supporting member 112 and end PCB support 91 in sunk part 112b and 91b;

BB. then with PCB 90 along the length of housing 20 be installed in that PCB supports on 91 and support the sunk part 93a of 91 base part 93 at the slot-open-section 96a of retaining clip 96 and PCB and locator protrusions 93b between be held in place, wherein, PEC integrated circuit 100 and associated circuit thereof have been assembled on each PCB.Described as early the time, PCB 90 can be changed to and make the PEC integrated circuit 100 of a PCB90 drive the printhead ic 51 of four printhead fragments 50 or eight printhead fragments 50 or 16 printhead fragments 50.Each PCB 90 is included in connection strap 90a and the 90b on its inner face, it is communicated by letter with connecting elements 102, thereby allows data between the PEC of each PCB 90 integrated circuit 100, transmit between the printhead ic 51 of each PCB 90 and the PEC integrated circuit 100 and between the data coupling part 117 of electrical connector 115;

CC. electrical connector 115 utilizes screw to be attached to end plate 110, make that the regional 115c of electrical connector 115 is clipped among the clamping part 112d of supporting member 112, wherein, power supply, data and fluid transmit coupling part 116,117 and 118 and are attached to electrical connector 115;

DD.

bus

71,72 and 73 is inserted among respective channel depression 95a, the 95b and 95c of described a plurality of PCB supports 91, and is connected to

corresponding contact screw

116a, 116b and the 116c of the power supply coupling part 116 of electrical connector 115 at its place,

end.Bus

71,72 and 73 provides power distribution to print head assembly path everywhere;

EE. then by slot zone 81 is arranged in the connector 98, will be connected to the connector 98 of corresponding PCB 90 from each flexible PCB 80 that each printhead fragment 50 is extended;

FF. engage with the retaining

clip

99 and 96 of PCB support 91 by protuberance part 74c then hole 74a and hole 74b, pressing plate 74 is clipped to PCB to be supported on 91, make the bossing of pressing plate 74 that the contact of the power of flexible PCB 80 is urged with each

bus

71,72 and contact, be provided for the path of the transmission of power between

bus

71,72 and 73, PCB 90 and the printhead ic 51 thus with 73;

GG. then internal flow dispatch tube 6 is attached to the corresponding tubular portion 47b or the 48b of mother or public connector 47 or 48; And

HH. be placed on the microscler aluminium cover part 23 of housing 20 on the assembly then and enter by the residue hole that screw is passed

end plate

110 and 111 screw among the threaded portion 23b of cover part 23 on the throne, and end housing 120 is placed on the electrical connector 115, and it is on the throne by screw being entered screw in the end plate 110, finish the shell of print head assembly thus, thereby and provide electricity and fluid communication between print head assembly and the printer unit.Then, can assemble external fluid pipe or flexible pipe so that China ink and other fluid are supplied to passage catheter.If the cover part is provided with flank 23d, then the radiator that is used for PEC integrated circuit 100 also can be served as in cover part 23, protects the circuit of print head assembly 10 thus.

Carry out the test of print head assembly is following:

II. the print head assembly 10 that will assemble thus moves to test zone and is inserted in the final printing test machine---and this test machine comes down to the print unit of work, carries out from print head assembly 10 to fluid with being connected manually of power supply thus;

JJ. print and analytical test page or leaf and it is carried out suitable adjustment to finish the printhead electronic device; And

KK. when passing through,, and apply the plastic seal film with protection print head assembly 10, till product is installed with the print surface capping of print head assembly 10.

Although illustrate and described the present invention with reference to its example embodiment, yet in the spirit and scope of claims, various modifications are significantly to those skilled in the art and are to carry out easily.Therefore, be not to want the scope of claims is limited to description given herein, and opposite, answer these claims of interpreted in its broadest sense, ie.

Claims

1. a printhead module that is used for print head assembly comprises the single unit system as lower member: supporting member; At least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; At least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics,

Wherein supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid in described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, and having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then directing into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

2. according to the printhead module of claim 1, wherein said printhead module is arranged to be installed on described print head assembly with removably.

3. according to the printhead module of claim 1, wherein said supporting member is formed with a plurality of described passages, its each be arranged to the different printing-fluid of carrying, so that direct into related nozzle sets in two printhead ics by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member, and having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then directing into the related nozzle sets in all printhead ics.

4. according to the printhead module of claim 3, wherein said supporting member is formed with other passage, be used for air is sent to described at least two printhead ics, so that keep the nozzle of described at least two printhead ics not have impurity basically.

5. according to the printhead module of claim 1, wherein said printhead ic is supported on separately the described fluid allocation member individually.

6. according to the printhead module of claim 5, wherein:

Each described fluid allocation member forms at least three layers stacked in layers, comprises the lower floor of upper strata, the middle level of an association prints integrated circuit being installed on it and being attached to the supporting member upper surface;

Described lower floor comprises: first dispensing orifice, and its respective aperture of being arranged in the hole with supporting member is aimed at; And be in first in its upper surface and distribute passage, it is associated with corresponding first dispensing orifice in first dispensing orifice, and described first dispensing orifice has the diameter substantially the same with the hole in the supporting member;

Described middle level comprises: second dispensing orifice, and it is arranged to distribute channel alignment with first of lower floor, and described second dispensing orifice has the diameter littler than first dispensing orifice;

Described upper strata comprises: be in second in its lower surface and distribute passage, it is arranged to aim at second dispensing orifice in middle level; And the 3rd dispensing orifice, it distributes passage to be associated with second, and described the 3rd dispensing orifice has the diameter littler than second dispensing orifice; And

The described printhead ic that is associated comprises the nozzle supply hole, and it is arranged to aim at the 3rd dispensing orifice on upper strata and fluid is directed into respective nozzle in the described nozzle, and described nozzle supply hole has the diameter substantially the same with the 3rd dispensing orifice.

7. according to the printhead module of claim 6, the hole of wherein said supporting member has the diameter of millimeter magnitude, and the diameter that the nozzle supply hole of described at least two printhead ics has micron dimension.

8. according to the printhead module of claim 1, the lower surface of wherein said at least one fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of described supporting member by jointing material.

9. printhead module according to Claim 8, wherein said jointing material surround each hole of supporting member and are formed on each corresponding aperture in the lower surface of described at least one fluid allocation member and deposit, so that form the sealing between the respective aperture.

10. according to the printhead module of claim 9, wherein:

The hole of described supporting member becomes the longitudinal extension direction with respect to supporting member to form across the row of this supporting member extension; And

The deposit of two described jointing materials is deposited on arrange in described hole provides mounting arrangements on each side of both sides stability.

11. according to the printhead module of claim 10, wherein said jointing material is a curable resin.

12. a printhead module that is used for print head assembly comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And the supporting member that supports described printhead ic,

Wherein said supporting member has the passage of a plurality of longitudinal extensions, is used for the different printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and

Described supporting member can be chosen as the particular requirement that meets at the number of the described printing-fluid that will be used to print.

13. according to the printhead module of claim 12, wherein:

Described supporting member and described at least two printhead ics with form single unit system as lower member: at least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

Described supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid in described a plurality of channel lead to two printhead ic, and having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics, be used for printing.

14. according to the printhead module of claim 13, wherein said printhead module is arranged to be installed on described print head assembly with removably.

15. printhead module according to claim 13, wherein said supporting member is formed with other passage, be used for air is sent to described at least two printhead ics, be used to keep the nozzle of described at least two printhead ics not have impurity basically.

16. according to the printhead module of claim 13, wherein said printhead ic is supported on separately the described fluid allocation member individually.

17. according to the printhead module of claim 16, wherein:

Each described fluid allocation member forms at least three layers stacked in layers, and it comprises the lower floor of upper strata, the middle level of an association prints integrated circuit being installed on it and being attached to the supporting member upper surface;

18. according to the printhead module of claim 17, the hole of wherein said supporting member has the diameter of millimeter magnitude, and the diameter that the nozzle supply hole of described at least two printhead ics has micron dimension.

19. according to the printhead module of claim 13, the lower surface of wherein said fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of described supporting member by jointing material.

20. printhead module according to claim 19, wherein said jointing material deposition and the liner that forms each hole that surrounds supporting member and be formed on each corresponding aperture in the lower surface of described at least one fluid allocation member are so that form sealing between the respective aperture.

21. according to the printhead module of claim 20, wherein:

22. according to the printhead module of claim 21, wherein said jointing material is a curable resin.

23. a printhead module that is used for print head assembly comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member of described printhead ic; And at least two fluid allocation member, respectively the corresponding printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics is installed to described supporting member,

Wherein said supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, is used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and described supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls from described at least one passage, and

24. printhead module according to claim 23, wherein said at least two printhead ics, described supporting member and described at least two fluid allocation member and electric connector form single unit system, and this electric connector is used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics.

25. printhead module according to claim 24, wherein each stacked in layers comprises at least three layers, it comprises the lower floor of upper strata, the middle level of an association prints integrated circuit being installed on it and being attached to the supporting member upper surface, so that printing-fluid is directed into the nozzle of an association prints integrated circuit from the hole of described supporting member.

26. according to the printhead module of claim 25, wherein:

Related printhead ic comprises the nozzle supply hole, and it is arranged to aim at the 3rd dispensing orifice on upper strata and fluid is directed into respective nozzle in the described nozzle, and described nozzle supply hole has the diameter substantially the same with the 3rd dispensing orifice.

27. according to the printhead module of claim 26, the hole of wherein said supporting member has the diameter of millimeter magnitude, and the diameter that the nozzle supply hole of described at least two printhead ics has micron dimension.

28. according to the printhead module of claim 24, wherein said printhead module is arranged to be installed on print head assembly with removably.

29. printhead module according to claim 24, wherein said supporting member is formed with a plurality of passages, its each be arranged to the different printing-fluid of carrying, so that direct into related nozzle sets in two printhead ics by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle sets in all printhead ics.

30. printhead module according to claim 29, wherein said supporting member is formed with other passage, be used for air is sent to described at least two printhead ics, be used to keep the nozzle of described at least two printhead ics not have impurity basically.

31. according to the printhead module of claim 24, the lower surface of wherein said fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of described supporting member by jointing material.

32. according to the printhead module of claim 31, wherein said jointing material deposition and the liner that forms each hole that surrounds supporting member and be formed on each corresponding aperture in the lower surface of described fluid allocation member are so that form sealing between the respective aperture.

33. according to the printhead module of claim 32, wherein:

The hole of described supporting member becomes the longitudinal extension direction with respect to supporting member to form across the row of supporting member extension; And

34. according to the printhead module of claim 33, wherein said jointing material is a curable resin.

35. a printhead module that is used for print head assembly comprises: at least one printhead ic, it has and is formed at wherein, is used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Supporting member, it supports the printing-fluid that also carrying is used for described at least one printhead ic; And at least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described at least one printhead ic described supporting member and printing-fluid is assigned to described printhead ic from supporting member,

The lower surface of wherein said at least one fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of supporting member by jointing material.

36. according to the printhead module of claim 35, comprise at least two printhead ics, wherein:

Described at least two printhead ics, described supporting member and described at least one fluid allocation member and electric connector form single unit system, and this electric connector is used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

Described supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for described at least two printhead ics, and described supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid in described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

37. printhead module according to claim 36, wherein said jointing material deposition and the liner that forms each hole that surrounds supporting member and be formed on each corresponding aperture in the lower surface of described at least one fluid allocation member are so that form sealing between the respective aperture.

38. according to the printhead module of claim 37, wherein:

The deposit of two described jointing materials is deposited on each side of row both sides, described hole and the stability of mounting arrangements is provided.

39. according to the printhead module of claim 38, wherein said jointing material is a curable resin.

40. according to the printhead module of claim 36, wherein said printhead module is arranged to be installed on described print head assembly with removably.

41. printhead module according to claim 36, wherein said supporting member is formed with a plurality of passages, its each be arranged to the different printing-fluid of carrying, so that direct into related nozzle sets in two printhead ics by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle sets in all printhead ics.

42. printhead module according to claim 41, wherein said supporting member is formed with other passage, be used for air is sent to described at least two printhead ics, be used to keep the nozzle of described at least two printhead ics not have impurity basically.

43. according to the printhead module of claim 36, wherein said printhead ic is supported on separately the described fluid allocation member individually.

44. according to the printhead module of claim 43, wherein:

Described upper strata comprises: be in second in its lower surface and distribute passage, it is arranged to aim at second dispensing orifice in middle level; And the 3rd dispensing orifice, distribute passage to be associated with second, described the 3rd dispensing orifice has the diameter littler than second dispensing orifice; And

45. according to the printhead module of claim 44, the hole of wherein said supporting member has the diameter of millimeter magnitude, and the diameter that the nozzle supply hole of described at least two printhead ics has micron dimension.

46. an assembling is used for the method for the printhead module of print head assembly, this method may further comprise the steps:

With jointing material the lower surface of described at least one fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of the supporting member of the fluid communication passageways with the nozzle that is used for described at least two printhead ics regularly, so that form the single unit system of described supporting member, described at least two printhead ics and described at least one fluid allocation member.

47., further comprise step: electric connector is adhered to the part of the upper surface of described at least one fluid allocation member, in order to the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics according to the method for claim 46.

48. according to the method for claim 46, wherein said jointing material is a curable resin.

49. according to the method for claim 47, wherein said attachment steps further comprises step: solidify described curable resin so that described at least one fluid allocation member is fixed in described supporting member.

50. according to the method for claim 47, wherein said attachment steps comprises step: the hole on the upper surface of the supporting member that extends to fluid communication passageways deposits curable resin.

51. according to the method for claim 48, wherein said attachment steps further comprises step: solidify described curable resin so that form liner around the hole of described supporting member and the associated apertures of described at least one fluid allocation member.

52. a print head assembly comprises:

The printhead module of at least one claim 1; And

53. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, comprise single described printhead module, it has a plurality of printhead ics and predetermined length, prints so that selected page width to be provided.

54. according to the print head assembly of claim 53, wherein said printhead module has 16 printhead ics.

55. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, comprise at least two described printhead modules, it is installed with relation of linear alignment, described assembly has total length and the printhead ic number that provides selected page width to print is provided.

56. according to the print head assembly of claim 55, wherein said printhead module has 16 printhead ics.

57. according to the print head assembly of claim 55, each printhead module in wherein said at least two printhead modules has the end of printhead module interconnection that allows linear alignment and the fluid connection that its passage is provided.

58. according to the print head assembly of claim 57, the end of each comprises complementary female end portion and male end portion in the wherein said printhead module.

59., wherein provide sealed binder at the interface at the printhead module of interconnection according to the print head assembly of claim 57.

60. according to the print head assembly of claim 59, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

61. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, wherein said at least one printhead module is installed on described housing as follows,, retrains printhead module motion with respect to housing on the printing-fluid direction of transfer from the nozzle to the print media that is.

62. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, wherein said supporting member forms and makes its first side slidably be contained in the longitudinal extension groove of housing and its second side is held on described housing by clamping device.

63. according to the print head assembly of claim 62, wherein said clamping device is used to retrain printhead module motion with respect to housing on the printing-fluid direction of transfer from the nozzle to the print media.

64. according to the print head assembly of claim 62, wherein:

Described housing comprises the channel part of longitudinal extension, and described at least one printhead module is installed in it, and described passage comprises first and second sidewalls that connected by lower wall;

Described the first side wall comprises that longitudinal extension groove and this longitudinal extension groove are formed between the upper and lower longitudinal extension protuberance; And

Described second sidewall has the upper surface of longitudinal extension, second side of described at least one printhead module is installed on it, and the upper surface of this longitudinal extension is substantially equal to the outstanding height of following longitudinal extension of described the first side wall apart from the height of the lower surface of channel part.

65. according to the print head assembly of claim 64, wherein:

Described housing comprises support frame and the cover part that combines described channel part; And

Described clamping device engages with this support frame.

66. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, further comprise cover member, be arranged to the end of the supporting member of described at least one printhead module of capping.

67. according to the print head assembly of claim 66, wherein:

Described supporting member has complementary female end portion and male end portion; And

Described cover member is set to each in this female end portion of capping and the male end portion.

68., wherein provide sealed binder at the interface at the cover member of interconnection and printhead module according to the print head assembly of claim 67.

69. according to the print head assembly of claim 68, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

70. print head assembly according to claim 52, further comprise at least one fluid connector, its at least one vertical end that is arranged in described at least one printhead module transmits flexible pipe with at least one printing-fluid and receives described at least one passage from the printing-fluid supply company.

71. according to the print head assembly of claim 70, wherein:

Described at least one fluid connector is arranged to and this male end portion or the interconnection of female end portion.

72., wherein provide sealed binder at the interface at described at least one fluid connector of interconnection and printhead module according to the print head assembly of claim 70.

73. according to the print head assembly of claim 72, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

74. print head assembly according to claim 70, wherein said at least one fluid connector has at least one tubular portion, be used for transmitting flexible pipe and be connected, and described at least one tubular portion is arranged to be connected with described at least one passage fluid of described printhead module with described at least one fluid.

75. according to the print head assembly of claim 74, wherein said at least one tubular portion is set to form with the linear fluid of described at least one first passage and is connected.

76. according to the print head assembly of claim 70, wherein provide two fluid connectors, described at least one printhead module each vertically end connect one, be used for all providing fluid to supply with from the two ends of described at least one passage.

77. print head assembly according to claim 52, wherein said supporting member is formed with a plurality of passages, its each be arranged to the different printing-fluid of carrying, so that direct into related nozzle sets in two printhead ics by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle sets in all printhead ics.

78. according to the print head assembly of claim 77, wherein said supporting member is formed with other passage, is used for that air is sent to described at least two printhead ics and keeps the nozzle of described at least two printhead ics not have impurity basically.

79. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, each printhead ic in the wherein said printhead ic is supported on separately the described fluid allocation member individually.

80. according to the print head assembly of claim 79, wherein:

81. 0 print head assembly according to Claim 8, the hole of wherein said supporting member has the diameter of millimeter magnitude, and the diameter that the nozzle supply hole of described at least two printhead ics has micron dimension.

82. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, the lower surface of wherein said at least one fluid allocation member is attached to the upper surface of described supporting member by jointing material.

83. 2 print head assembly according to Claim 8, wherein said jointing material are deposited as each hole that surrounds supporting member and are formed on each corresponding aperture in the lower surface of described at least one fluid allocation member, so that form the sealing between the respective aperture.

84. 2 print head assembly according to Claim 8, wherein:

The deposit of two described jointing materials is deposited on each side of row both sides, described hole, so that the stability of mounting arrangements is provided.

85. 4 print head assembly according to Claim 8, wherein said jointing material is a curable resin.

86. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, wherein said housing comprises: support frame is used to support described at least one printhead module; And the cover part, it is attached to described support frame with removably.

87. 6 print head assembly according to Claim 8, wherein:

Be provided with drive electronics, be used for driving described at least two printhead ics of described at least one printhead module via described electric connector; And

The described drive electronics of wherein said support frame supports.

88. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, further comprise the print media guiding piece, it is installed on described housing and is arranged to guide the print media process by the formed print surface of described at least one printhead module that is installed on this housing.

89. 8 print head assembly according to Claim 8, wherein said print media guiding piece are arranged to prevent each the nozzle in described at least two printhead ics of described print media bump basically.

90. 8 print head assembly according to Claim 8, wherein said print media guiding piece be set in described at least two printhead ics each nozzle and the print media of process between the gap is provided.

91. print head assembly according to claim 52, wherein said drive electronics combines at least one controller, this at least one controller via described electric connector be connected to described at least two printhead ics at least one of them, be used to control the printing of one of them at least of described at least two printhead ics.

92. according to the print head assembly of claim 91, wherein said drive electronics is arranged at least one printed circuit board (PCB), this at least one printed circuit board (PCB) is supported by the support frame of housing.

93. according to the print head assembly of claim 92, wherein said at least one printed circuit board (PCB) carries at least one connectivity port, is used for being connected with described electric connector.

94. according to the print head assembly of claim 93, wherein said at least one connectivity port is aimed at described electric connector.

95. according to the print head assembly of claim 94, wherein each printhead ic is connected with independent described electric connector.

96. according to the print head assembly of claim 95, wherein said at least one controller is arranged to control the printing of the selectable number printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics.

97. print head assembly according to claim 96, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that two printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has two printhead ics via described electric connector.

98. print head assembly according to claim 97, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that four printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has four printhead ics via described electric connector.

99. print head assembly according to claim 96, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that eight printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has eight printhead ics via described electric connector.

100. print head assembly according to claim 96, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that 16 printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has 16 printhead ics via described electric connector.

101. according to the print head assembly of claim 92, described at least one printed circuit board (PCB) that wherein is used for described at least one controller is supported on the support frame of housing via at least one installation elements.

102. according to the print head assembly of claim 101, wherein said installation elements combines the clamping device that is used for described at least one printhead module is held on described housing.

103. according to the print head assembly of claim 92,

Wherein in the opposite edges zone of described printed circuit board (PCB) connection strap is set, the connection strap adjacent with an end of support frame can be connected to the data input, and

The connection strap adjacent with the other end of support frame stops to prevent the data-signal reflection way.

104. according to the print head assembly of claim 91, wherein the electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions is positioned at described housing and is provided for power is sent to described drive electronics from power supply.

105. according to the print head assembly of claim 104, wherein the power from described a plurality of electric conductors is sent to described drive electronics via described electric connector.

106. according to the print head assembly of claim 105, wherein the power from described a plurality of electric conductors is sent to described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector.

107. according to the print head assembly of claim 104, wherein provide load plate, be used for loading the conductor part of described electric connector with respect to the respective electrical conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors.

108. according to the print head assembly of claim 107, wherein said load plate comprises non-conductive part, it urges described electric connector with respect to described a plurality of electric conductors.

109. according to the print head assembly of claim 108, wherein said non-conductive part is formed by elastomeric material.

110. according to the print head assembly of claim 104, the end that wherein said a plurality of electric conductors are arranged in print head assembly is connected to power supply.

111. print head assembly according to claim 104, wherein said a plurality of electric conductor is set to be connected in the respective end of print head assembly respectively two groups of electric conductors of described power supply, and the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of these two groups of electric conductors in the middle of the print head assembly end links together.

112. according to the print head assembly of claim 111, wherein the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

113. according to the print head assembly of claim 104, wherein said a plurality of electric conductors are by the installation elements carrying that is installed on the housings support framework.

114. according to the print head assembly of claim 113, be formed with the passage of a plurality of depressions in the wherein said installation elements, be used for holding each electric conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors.

115. print head assembly according to claim 52, wherein said housing comprises support frame and is installed at least one installation elements of described support frame, be used to support printed circuit board (PCB) with drive electronics, described drive electronics combines the controller that is connected to described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector, is used to control described at least two printhead ics.

116. according to the print head assembly of claim 115,

In the wherein said installation elements at least two along the housing longitudinal direction with the syntople setting, each all is arranged to support independent printed circuit board (PCB), and

Each printed circuit board (PCB) that installation elements supported by adjacency in the described installation elements interconnects by the electrical connecting member between the installation elements of adjacency.

117. according to the print head assembly of claim 116, wherein each described installation elements comprises that it has the projection and the lateral areas of sunk part, is arranged to make the sunk part of the installation elements of adjacency to form a depression, described electrical connecting member is placed in this depression.

118. according to the print head assembly of claim 117, wherein said electrical connecting member comprises non-conducting material, it is covered with bus, and described electrical connecting member is arranged to be matched with in the depression that forms between the installation elements of adjacency.

119. according to the print head assembly of claim 118, wherein said bus is positioned to be overlapped in the connection strap that a series of intervals at the place, marginal zone of each printed circuit board (PCB) in each printed circuit board (PCB) are provided with.

120. according to the print head assembly of claim 119, the bus of wherein said electrical connecting member is the twice of the connection strap number of described printed circuit board (PCB), makes each connection strap of printed circuit board (PCB) to engage with in two adjacent conductive bars at least one.

121. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, wherein:

Described housing comprises the cover part that is used to support the support frame of described at least one printhead module and is attached to described support frame with removably, described support frame is installed at least one installation elements, described installation elements is installed drive electronics, be used for driving described at least two printhead ics of described at least one printhead module via described electric connector, the electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions also is installed, and being used in the future, the ultromotivity power supplied is sent to described drive electronics and described at least two printhead ics; And

Described installation elements combines the clamping device that is used for described at least one printhead module is held on described support frame.

122. according to the print head assembly of claim 52,

Wherein said supporting member is included in the longitudinal extension protuberance on two parallel sides,

Described housing comprises the support frame that is used to support described supporting member, and this support frame has: the first side wall, and it has the groove of longitudinal extension; With second sidewall, it is arranged essentially parallel to described the first side wall, and

Longitudinal extension protuberance on a side of described supporting member is contained in the longitudinal extension groove of described support frame, and is contained at the longitudinal extension protuberance on the opposite side of described supporting member on the upper surface of second sidewall of described support frame.

123. according to the print head assembly of claim 122, wherein said support frame is installed at least one installation elements, is used for the support drive electronic device so that drive described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector.

124. according to the print head assembly of claim 123, wherein said at least one installation elements comprises at least one adjutage part, it is arranged to the longitudinal extension protuberance of supporting member is held on the upper surface of second sidewall of support frame.

125. according to the print head assembly of claim 124, wherein:

The longitudinal extension protuberance of described supporting member comprises a plurality of projections along its length arrangement, and described protruding distance setting is so that corresponding to the installation site of described at least two printhead ics; And

Described at least one adjutage partly comprises depression section, and it is arranged to engage with a plurality of one of give prominence on the longitudinal extension protuberance that is held thus.

126. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, wherein:

Described housing comprises the support frame that supports at least one first printed circuit board (PCB), and described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB) carrying is used for driving via described electric connector the drive electronics of described at least two printhead ics; And

Described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB) is engaged by second printed circuit board (PCB) at an end of support frame, and the described drive electronics on first printed circuit board (PCB) is connected to power to this second printed circuit board (PCB) and data are supplied with; And the other end at support frame is engaged by the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB), and the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) is arranged in that elasticity loads first printed circuit board (PCB) on the direction of second printed circuit board (PCB).

127. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, wherein said the 3rd printed circuit comprises that terminal connects, be used to stop from from described second printed circuit board (PCB), pass the data-signal of described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB).

128. according to the print head assembly of claim 52, wherein:

Described housing comprises the support frame that supports first printed circuit board (PCB), and described first printed circuit board (PCB) carrying drive electronics is used for driving described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector; And

At least one second printed circuit board (PCB) is installed at least one end of described support frame, and this second printed circuit board (PCB) comprises:

The power terminal is used for via the bus of a plurality of longitudinal extensions described electric connector being connected to power supply;

Data terminal is used for via described first printed circuit board (PCB) described drive electronics being connected to the data input; And

Fluid transfer port is used for via the fluid dispatch tube described at least one passage of described supporting member being connected to fluid and supplies with.

129. a print head assembly comprises:

At least one printhead module comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And support and carrying is used for the supporting member of the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing wherein is equipped with described at least one printhead module with removably, so that retrain the motion with respect to housing on the printing-fluid direction of transfer from the nozzle to the print media at least of described at least one printhead module.

130. print head assembly according to claim 129, wherein said housing comprises the longitudinal extension groove, and first side of described at least one printhead module slidably is contained in wherein and second side of described at least one printhead module is held on described housing by clamping device.

131. according to the print head assembly of claim 130, wherein:

Described the first side wall comprises the longitudinal extension groove, and this longitudinal extension groove is formed between the upper and lower longitudinal extension protuberance; And

Described second sidewall has the upper surface of longitudinal extension, second side of described at least one printhead module is mounted thereto, and the upper surface of this longitudinal extension is substantially equal to the outstanding height of following longitudinal extension of described the first side wall apart from the height of channel part lower surface.

132. according to the print head assembly of claim 131, wherein:

Described housing comprises in conjunction with the support frame of channel part and cover part; And

Described clamping device engages with described support frame.

133. according to the print head assembly of claim 129, wherein:

Described at least one printhead module forms the single unit system as lower member: as described at least two printhead ics; Described supporting member; At least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

Described supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid from described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

134. a print head assembly comprises:

Housing slidably is contained in the longitudinal extension groove of this housing and makes its opposite side be held on this housing by clamping device described at least one printhead module is installed in this housing with removably by first side that makes described at least one printhead module.

135. according to the print head assembly of claim 134, wherein said clamping device is used to retrain the motion with respect to housing on the printing-fluid direction of transfer from the nozzle to the print media of described printhead module.

136. according to the print head assembly of claim 135, wherein:

Described second sidewall has the upper surface of longitudinal extension, second side of described at least one printhead module is mounted thereon, and the upper surface of this longitudinal extension is substantially equal to the outstanding height of following longitudinal extension of described the first side wall apart from the height of channel part lower surface.

137. according to the print head assembly of claim 136, wherein:

Described clamping device engages with described support frame.

138. according to the print head assembly of claim 134, wherein:

139. a print head assembly comprises:

At least two printhead modules respectively comprise: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And support and carrying is used for the supporting member of the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing, described at least two printhead modules are set to be installed on wherein with removably with the relation of linear alignment,

Wherein said assembly has total length and the printhead ic number that provides selected page width to print is provided.

140. according to the print head assembly of claim 139, wherein each described printhead module has 16 printhead ics.

141. according to the print head assembly of claim 139, wherein:

Described at least two printhead modules respectively form the single unit system as lower member: as described at least two printhead ics; Described supporting member; At least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

142. according to the print head assembly of claim 140, each printhead module of wherein said at least two printhead modules all has the end of printhead module interconnection that allows linear alignment and the fluid connection that its passage is provided.

143. according to the print head assembly of claim 142, wherein the end of each described printhead module comprises complementary female end portion and male end portion.

144., further comprise the sealed binder at the interface of the printhead module that is provided at interconnection according to the print head assembly of claim 142.

145. according to the print head assembly of claim 144, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

146. a print head assembly comprises:

The end that each printhead module all has the interconnection of the printhead module that allows linear alignment and provides the fluid of the passage of its supporting member to connect.

147. according to the print head assembly of claim 146, wherein the end of each described printhead module comprises complementary female end portion and male end portion.

148., wherein provide sealed binder at the interface at the printhead module of interconnection according to the print head assembly of claim 147.

149. according to the print head assembly of claim 148, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

150. according to the print head assembly of claim 146, wherein:

Each supporting member has by support member walls, from a plurality of holes that described at least one passage extends, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid from described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

151. a print head assembly comprises:

Housing, described at least one printhead module is installed on wherein with removably; And

152. according to the print head assembly of claim 151, wherein:

Described cover member is arranged to each in capping described female end portion and the male end portion.

153., wherein provide sealed binder at the interface at the cover member of interconnection and printhead module according to the print head assembly of claim 152.

154. according to the print head assembly of claim 153, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

155. according to the print head assembly of claim 151, wherein:

156. a print head assembly comprises:

Housing, described at least one printhead module is installed on wherein with removably,

At least one end of the vertical extension at described at least one printhead module provides at least one fluid connector, receives described at least one passage so that at least one printing-fluid is transmitted flexible pipe from the printing-fluid supply company.

157. according to the print head assembly of claim 156, wherein:

Described at least one fluid connector is arranged to and female end portion or the interconnection of male end portion.

158., wherein provide sealed binder at the interface at least one fluid connector of interconnection and printhead module according to the print head assembly of claim 157.

159. according to the print head assembly of claim 158, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

160. print head assembly according to claim 157, wherein said at least one fluid connector has at least one tubular portion, be used for transmitting flexible pipe and be connected, and described at least one tubular portion is arranged to be connected with described at least one passage fluid of described printhead module with described at least one fluid.

161. according to the print head assembly of claim 160, wherein said at least one tubular portion is set to form with the linear fluid of described at least one passage and is connected.

162. according to the print head assembly of claim 156, wherein provide two fluid connectors, described at least one printhead module each vertically end connect one, be used for all providing fluid to supply with from the two ends of described at least one passage.

163. according to the print head assembly of claim 156, wherein:

Described supporting member has a plurality of holes of the support member walls of extending through, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid from described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, and having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then directing into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

164. a print head assembly comprises:

Provide at least two fluid connectors to be connected with vertical end of described at least one printhead module respectively, each described fluid connector is arranged to that at the corresponding vertically end place of described at least one printhead module at least one fluid is transmitted flexible pipe and is received described at least one passage from the fluid supply company.

165. according to the print head assembly of claim 164, wherein:

Described supporting member has complementary female end portion and male end portion;

In described two fluid connectors first is arranged to and this female end portion interconnection; And

Be arranged to and this male end portion interconnection for second in described two fluid connectors.

166., wherein provide sealed binder at the interface at the fluid connector of interconnection and printhead module according to the print head assembly of claim 165.

167. according to the print head assembly of claim 166, wherein said sealed binder is an epoxy material.

168. print head assembly according to claim 165, wherein said fluid connector has at least one tubular portion, be used for transmitting flexible pipe and connect, and each tubular portion is arranged to be connected with described at least one passage fluid of described printhead module with at least one related fluid.

169. according to the print head assembly of claim 166, wherein each tubular portion is set to form with the linear fluid of described at least one first passage and is connected.

170. according to the print head assembly of claim 164, wherein:

Described supporting member has a plurality of holes of the support member walls of extending through, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid from described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

171. a print head assembly comprises:

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; And support and carrying are used for the supporting member of the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And

Housing, it comprises: support frame is used to support described at least one printhead module; And the cover part, it is attached to described support frame with removably.

172. according to the print head assembly of claim 171, wherein:

Drive electronics is set, is used for driving described at least two printhead ics of described at least one printhead module via described electric connector; And

Described support frame further supports described drive electronics.

173. according to the print head assembly of claim 172, wherein said cover part is arranged to described drive electronics and described printhead ic are shielded from electromagnetic interference.

174. according to the print head assembly of claim 172, wherein said cover part comprises the fin part, it is arranged on the outer surface of the cover part for described support frame and contiguous described drive electronics.

175. according to the print head assembly of claim 174, wherein said cover part further comprises thermal coupling material part, it is arranged on the inner surface for described support frame and between described fin part and described drive electronics.

176. according to the print head assembly of claim 171, wherein:

177. a print head assembly comprises:

Be installed on the print media guiding of described housing, be arranged to guide the print media process by the formed print surface of described at least one printhead module that is installed on described housing.

178. according to the print head assembly of claim 177, wherein said print media guiding piece is arranged to prevent basically each the nozzle in described at least two printhead ics of print media bump.

179. according to the print head assembly of claim 177, wherein said print media guiding piece be set in described at least two printhead ics each nozzle and the print media of process between the gap is provided.

180. according to the print head assembly of claim 177, wherein:

181. a print head assembly comprises:

Housing, described at least one printhead module and described drive electronics are installed on wherein removably.

182. according to the print head assembly of claim 181, wherein said drive electronics is arranged at least one printed circuit board (PCB) that is supported by the housings support framework.

183. according to the print head assembly of claim 182, wherein said at least one printed circuit board (PCB) carries at least one connectivity port, is used for being connected with described electric connector.

184. according to the print head assembly of claim 183, wherein said at least one connectivity port is aimed at described electric connector.

185. according to the print head assembly of claim 181, wherein:

Described at least one printhead module forms the single unit system as lower member: as described at least two printhead ics; Described supporting member; Described electric connector; And at least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And

186. a print head assembly comprises:

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member of described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, and this at least one controller is arranged to control via described electric connector the printing of the selectable number printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics; And

187. print head assembly according to claim 186, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that two printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has two printhead ics via described electric connector.

188. print head assembly according to claim 186, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that four printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has four printhead ics via described electric connector.

189. print head assembly according to claim 186, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that eight printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has eight printhead ics via described electric connector.

190. print head assembly according to claim 186, wherein said at least one printhead module comprises one or more groups that 16 printhead ics are arranged, and selects single controller to control the group that each has 16 printhead ics via described electric connector.

191. according to the print head assembly of claim 186, wherein:

192. a print head assembly comprises:

193. according to the print head assembly of claim 192, at least one printed circuit board supports that wherein is used for described at least one controller is at an installation elements.

194. according to the print head assembly of claim 192, at least one printed circuit board supports that wherein is used for described at least one controller is at more than one installation elements.

195. according to the print head assembly of claim 192, wherein:

196. a print head assembly comprises:

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And at least two flexible printed circuit boards, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Wherein said drive electronics is arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), and the carrying of this printed circuit board (PCB) is used for the corresponding connectivity port that is connected with flexible electric circuit board, and it is with flexible printed circuit board and printhead ic are directly aimed at accordingly.

197. according to the print head assembly of claim 196, the printed circuit board (PCB) of wherein said drive electronics is supported by the support frame of housing.

198. print head assembly according to claim 197, the electric conductor that further comprises a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is installed on described support frame with removably and is arranged to power is provided to described drive electronics and described at least two printhead ics from power supply.

199. according to the print head assembly of claim 196, its medium power is sent to described drive electronics and described printhead ic from described a plurality of electric conductors via corresponding flexible printed circuit board.

200. according to the print head assembly of claim 196, wherein:

Described at least one printhead module forms the single unit system as lower member: as described at least two printhead ics; Described supporting member; Described at least two flexible printed circuit boards; And at least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And

201. a print head assembly comprises:

At least one printhead module comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics;

Housing supports at least one installation elements with removably, and this installation elements is installed described drive electronics and combined the clamping device that is used for described at least one printhead module is held on described housing.

202. according to the print head assembly of claim 201, wherein:

Described supporting member is included in the longitudinal extension protuberance on two parallel sides;

Described housing comprises the support frame that is used to support described at least one installation elements, and this support frame comprises: the first side wall, and it has the groove of longitudinal extension; With second sidewall, it is arranged essentially parallel to described the first side wall; And

The described supporting member wherein longitudinal extension protuberance on the side is contained in the longitudinal extension groove of described support frame, and the longitudinal extension protuberance on the opposite side of described supporting member is contained on the upper surface of second sidewall of described support frame.

203. according to the print head assembly of claim 202, wherein said clamping device comprises locking component, is used for the haunched member interlocking with described printhead module.

204. according to the print head assembly of claim 203,

Wherein said haunched member is provided with along the longitudinal extension protuberance of described supporting member, and is spaced apart the installation site of being arranged to corresponding to described at least two printhead ics, and

The locking component of described clamping device is set to sunk part, and it engages with haunched member on the longitudinal extension protuberance of clamping.

205. print head assembly according to claim 204, the clamping device of wherein said at least one installation elements comprises at least one adjutage part, and it is arranged to the longitudinal extension protuberance of described supporting member is clamped to the upper surface of second sidewall of described support frame.

206. according to the print head assembly of claim 205, wherein said at least one adjutage partly comprises at least one sunk part of described clamping device.

207. according to the print head assembly of claim 201, wherein:

208. a print head assembly comprises:

209. according to the print head assembly of claim 208, its medium power is sent to described drive electronics and described at least two printhead ics from described a plurality of electric conductors via described electric connector.

210. according to the print head assembly of claim 209, wherein said electric connector comprises at least two flexible printed circuit boards, it is connected to the corresponding printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics.

211. print head assembly according to claim 210, wherein said drive electronics is arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), this printed circuit board (PCB) carries corresponding connectivity port, and it is directly aimed at printhead ic with corresponding flexible printed circuit board and is connected with it.

212. print head assembly according to claim 208, the electric conductor of wherein said a plurality of longitudinal extensions is set to be connected in the respective end of print head assembly respectively two groups of electric conductors of power supply, and the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of these two groups of electric conductors in the middle of the print head assembly end links together.

213. according to the print head assembly of claim 212, wherein the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

214. according to the print head assembly of claim 208, wherein:

215. a printhead system comprises:

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for the printing-fluid of described at least two printhead ics; And at least two electric connectors, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to the corresponding printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics;

In wherein said at least two electric connectors each is arranged to control signal is directed into corresponding printhead ic and power is directed into corresponding printhead ic and drive electronics from power supply from described at least one controller.

216. according to the print head assembly of claim 215, each comprises flexible printed circuit board wherein said at least two electric connectors, it is connected to the corresponding printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics.

217. print head assembly according to claim 216, wherein said drive electronics is arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), this printed circuit board (PCB) carries corresponding connectivity port, and it is directly aimed at printhead ic with corresponding flexible printed circuit board and is connected with it.

218. according to the print head assembly of claim 215, further comprise the electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is arranged to the described power supply of power is provided to described at least two electric connectors.

219. according to the printhead system of claim 215, wherein:

Described at least one printhead module forms the single unit system as lower member: as described at least two printhead ics; Described supporting member; Described at least two electric connectors; And at least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And

220. a print head assembly comprises:

Load plate is used for loading with respect to the respective electrical conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors the conductor part of described electric connector.

221. according to the print head assembly of claim 220, further comprise housing, described at least one printhead module, described drive electronics, described a plurality of electric conductors and described load plate are installed on wherein with removably.

222. according to the print head assembly of claim 221, wherein said load plate comprises non-conductive part, it urges described electric connector with respect to described a plurality of electric conductors.

223. according to the print head assembly of claim 222, wherein said non-conductive part is formed by elastomeric material.

224. according to the print head assembly of claim 220, wherein:

Described at least one printhead module forms the single unit system as lower member: supporting member; At least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; At least one fluid allocation member, it is installed to described supporting member with described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

225. a print head assembly comprises:

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Support the supporting member that also carrying is used for described at least two printhead ics; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

The electric conductor of a plurality of longitudinal extensions, be used for power is provided to described at least two printhead ics from power supply, the electric conductor of described a plurality of longitudinal extensions is set to two groups of electric conductors, its respective end at described print head assembly is connected respectively to described power supply, and the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of described two groups of electric conductors in the middle of described print head assembly end links together.

226. according to the print head assembly of claim 225, further comprise housing, described at least one printhead module and described a plurality of electric conductor are installed in wherein with removably.

227. print head assembly according to claim 226, further comprise drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, is used for the printing via at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control;

Its medium power is provided to described drive electronics via described electric connector by described electric conductor.

228. according to the print head assembly of claim 225, wherein the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

229. according to the print head assembly of claim 225, wherein:

230. a print head assembly comprises:

Housing, it comprises support frame, described at least one printhead module and at least one installation elements are installed on this support frame, are formed with the passage of a plurality of depressions in this at least one installation elements, are used for holding and installing with removably each electric conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors.

231. according to the print head assembly of claim 230, further comprise load plate, be used for loading the conductor part of described electric connector with respect to the respective electrical conductor of described a plurality of electric conductors.

232. according to the print head assembly of claim 231, wherein said load plate is installed on described housing by described at least one installation elements with removably.

233. according to the print head assembly of claim 232, wherein said load plate comprises non-conductive part, it urges described a plurality of electric connector with respect to described a plurality of electric conductors.

234. according to the print head assembly of claim 233, wherein said non-conductive part is formed by elastomeric material.

235. print head assembly according to claim 234, further comprise drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, be used for the printing via at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control, described drive electronics is installed on described housing by described at least one installation elements with removably.

236. according to the print head assembly of claim 235, wherein the power by described a plurality of electric conductor carryings also is sent to described drive electronics by the electric connector that is loaded.

237. according to the print head assembly of claim 230, wherein:

238. a print head assembly comprises:

Drive electronics, it combines at least two controllers, is used for the printing via at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control; And

239. according to the print head assembly of claim 238, wherein:

Described housing comprises support frame, is provided with at least two installation elements along the housing longitudinal direction with syntople thereon; And

Described at least two controllers respectively are arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), and each printed circuit board (PCB) is installed with removably by at least one installation elements in two or more installation elements and interconnected by the electrical connecting member between the installation elements of adjacency.

240. print head assembly according to claim 239, wherein each described installation elements comprises the lateral areas with projection and sunk part, it is arranged to make the sunk part of the installation elements of adjacency to form a depression, and described electrical connecting member can be placed in this depression.

241. according to the print head assembly of claim 240, wherein said electrical connecting member comprises non-conducting material, it is covered with bus, and described electrical connecting member is arranged to be matched with in the depression that forms between the installation elements of adjacency.

242. according to the print head assembly of claim 241, wherein said bus is positioned to be overlapped in the connection strap that each a series of intervals at marginal zone place in each printed circuit board (PCB) are provided with.

243. print head assembly according to claim 244, the bus of wherein said electrical connecting member is the twice of the connection strap number of described printed circuit board (PCB), makes each connection strap of printed circuit board (PCB) to engage with at least one bus in two adjacent conductive bars.

244. according to the print head assembly of claim 239, a printed circuit board (PCB) that wherein has a controller on it is supported by more than one installation elements.

245. according to the print head assembly of claim 238, wherein:

246. a print head assembly comprises:

Drive electronics, it combines at least two controllers, these at least two controllers respectively are arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB), so that control the printing of at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector;

Housing, it comprises support frame, at least two installation elements that support described at least one printhead module and arrange with syntople along the housing longitudinal direction, each printed circuit board (PCB) in the described printed circuit board (PCB) is supported with removably by at least one installation elements in described two or more installation elements; And

Electrical connecting member, it comprises the non-conducting material that is covered with bus, it is arranged between the installation elements of described adjacency and makes described bus be positioned to be overlapped in the connection strap that each a series of intervals at place, marginal zone in each printed circuit board (PCB) are provided with.

247. print head assembly according to claim 246, wherein each described installation elements comprises the lateral areas with projection and sunk part, it is arranged to make the sunk part of the installation elements of adjacency to form a depression, and described electrical connecting member can be placed in this depression.

248. according to the print head assembly of claim 247, wherein said electrical connecting member is arranged to be matched with in the depression that forms between the installation elements of adjacency.

249. print head assembly according to claim 248, the bus of wherein said electrical connecting member is the twice of the connection strap number of described printed circuit board (PCB), makes each connection strap of printed circuit board (PCB) to engage with at least one bus in two adjacent conductive bars.

250. according to the print head assembly of claim 246, a printed circuit board (PCB) that wherein has a controller is thereon supported by more than one installation elements.

251. according to the print head assembly of claim 246, wherein:

The connection strap of the printed circuit board (PCB) that is supported by described installation elements at an end of described support frame is connected in the data input; And

The connection strap of the printed circuit board (PCB) that is supported by described installation elements at the other end of described support frame is terminated.

252. according to the print head assembly of claim 246, wherein:

253. a print head assembly comprises:

By at least one installation elements that described support frame is supported, described at least one installation elements is installed described drive electronics and electric conductor and is combined the clamping device that is used for described at least one printhead module is clamped to described support frame.

254. according to the print head assembly of claim 253, wherein:

Described support frame comprises: the first side wall, and it has the groove of longitudinal extension; With second sidewall, it is arranged essentially parallel to described the first side wall; And

Described supporting member wherein the longitudinal extension protuberance on the side be contained in the longitudinal extension groove of described support frame, and be contained at the longitudinal extension protuberance on the opposite side of described supporting member on the upper surface of second sidewall of described support frame.

255. according to the print head assembly of claim 254, wherein said clamping device comprises locking component, is used for the haunched member interlocking with described printhead module.

256. according to the print head assembly of claim 255, wherein:

Described haunched member is provided with along the longitudinal extension protuberance of described supporting member, and is arranged to the installation site corresponding to described at least two printhead ics at interval, and

The locking component of described clamping device is provided as sunk part, and it engages with haunched member on the longitudinal extension protuberance of clamping.

257. print head assembly according to claim 256, the clamping device of wherein said at least one installation elements comprises at least one adjutage part, and it is arranged to the longitudinal extension protuberance of described supporting member is clamped to the upper surface of second sidewall of described support frame.

258. according to the print head assembly of claim 257, wherein said at least one adjutage partly comprises one of them sunk part of described clamping device.

259. according to the print head assembly of claim 253, wherein:

260. a print head assembly comprises:

Housing comprises support frame, described at least one printhead module is set and a plurality of installation elements of described drive electronics are installed with removably on it;

Be positioned at first electrical connector of support frame one end, it is connected to power supply and data input with described drive electronics and described printhead ic; And

261. according to the print head assembly of claim 260, wherein

Described drive electronics combines at least one controller, this at least one controller is arranged at least one first printed circuit board (PCB), be used for controlling the printing of at least one printhead ic of described printhead ic, described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB) with removably be installed on described installation elements at least one of them;

Described first electrical connector is that second printed circuit board (PCB) and described second electrical connector are the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB)s; And

Described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB) is engaged by described second printed panel at an end of described support frame, and is engaged by the elastic part that is formed in described the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) at the described other end of described support frame.

262. according to the print head assembly of claim 261, wherein said the 3rd printed circuit comprises that terminal connects, and is used to stop from described second printed circuit board (PCB), passes the data-signal of described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB).

263. according to the printhead system of claim 262, wherein said second printed circuit board (PCB) carrying is used for power terminal that is connected with described power supply and the data terminal that is used for being connected with described data input.

264. printhead system according to claim 263, the electric conductor that further comprises a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is connected to described second printed circuit board (PCB), is used for via described electric connector power being sent to described drive electronics and printhead ic from described power supply.

265. according to the printhead system of claim 263, the carrying of wherein said the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) is used for the power terminal that is connected with described power supply.

266. printhead system according to claim 265, the electric conductor that further comprises a plurality of longitudinal extensions, the electric conductor of described a plurality of longitudinal extensions is set to two groups of electric conductors, its respective end at described print head assembly is connected respectively to the described second and the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB), be used for via described electric connector power being provided to described drive electronics and printhead ic from power supply, the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of described two groups of electric conductors in the middle of described print head assembly end links together.

267. according to the print head assembly of claim 266, wherein the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

268. according to the print head assembly of claim 260, wherein:

Described supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid from described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.

269. a print head assembly comprises:

270. print head assembly according to claim 269, the electric conductor that further comprises a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is arranged in the described housing and is provided to described at least two printhead ics in order to the two ends from described print head assembly via described electric connector ultromotivity power supplied in future.

271. print head assembly according to claim 270, the electric conductor of wherein said a plurality of longitudinal extensions is set to two groups of electric conductors, it is connected to power supply in the respective end of print head assembly respectively, and the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of these two groups of electric conductors in the middle of the print head assembly end links together.

272. according to the print head assembly of claim 271, wherein the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

273. according to the print head assembly of claim 269, further comprise drive electronics, it combines at least one controller, is used for controlling the printing of at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics.

274. print head assembly according to claim 273, the electric conductor that further comprises a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is arranged in the described housing and is provided to described at least two printhead ics and described drive electronics in order to the two ends from described print head assembly via described electric connector ultromotivity power supplied in future.

275. print head assembly according to claim 274, the electric conductor of wherein said a plurality of longitudinal extensions is set to two groups of electric conductors, it is connected to power supply in the respective end of print head assembly respectively, and the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of these two groups of electric conductors in the middle of the print head assembly end links together.

276. according to the print head assembly of claim 275, wherein the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

277. according to the print head assembly of claim 269, wherein:

278. a print head assembly comprises:

At least one printhead module, it comprises: at least two printhead ics, its each have and be formed at wherein, be used for printing-fluid is sent to nozzle on the surface of print media; Supporting member supports described at least two printhead ics and has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension that is used for the carrying printing-fluid; And electric connector, be used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described printhead ic;

Housing, comprise support frame, it installs described at least one printhead module and drive electronics with removably, and described drive electronics is arranged to the printing via at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control; And

At least one electrical connector, at least one that is installed on described support frame vertically end and carrying be used for described electric connector be connected to power supply at least one power terminal, be used for that described drive electronics is connected at least one data terminal of data input and be used for described at least one passage of described supporting member being connected at least one fluid transfer port that fluid is supplied with via the fluid dispatch tube.

279. according to the print head assembly of claim 278, wherein provide two electrical connectors, having comprised: be positioned at first electrical connector of vertically holding of support frame, it carries described power and data terminal and fluid transfer port; And being positioned at another second electrical connector of vertically holding of support frame, it carries out elasticity at least one first printed circuit board (PCB) that has carried described drive electronics on it and loads on the direction of described first electrical connector.

280. according to the print head assembly of claim 279, wherein:

Described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB) is engaged by described second printed panel at an end of described support frame, and is engaged by the elastic part that is formed in described the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) at the other end of described support frame.

281. according to the printhead system of claim 280, wherein said second printed circuit board (PCB) carries described power and data terminal and described fluid transfer port.

282. printhead system according to claim 281, the electric conductor that further comprises a plurality of longitudinal extensions, it is connected to described second printed circuit board (PCB), is used for via described electric connector power being provided to described drive electronics and printhead ic from power supply.

283. according to the printhead system of claim 281, another power terminal in described at least one the power terminal of wherein said the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) carrying and another fluid transfer port in described at least one fluid transfer port.

284. printhead system according to claim 283, the electric conductor that further comprises a plurality of longitudinal extensions, the electric conductor of described a plurality of longitudinal extensions is set to two groups of electric conductors, its respective end at described print head assembly is connected respectively to the described second and the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB), be used for via described electric connector power being provided to described drive electronics and printhead ic from power supply, the adjacent area of the respective electrical conductor in the electric conductor of described two groups of electric conductors in the middle of described print head assembly end links together.

285. according to the print head assembly of claim 284, wherein the adjacent area of each electric conductor is with the overlapping relation setting.

286. according to the print head assembly of claim 283, wherein said the 3rd printed circuit comprises that terminal connects, and is used to stop from described second printed circuit board (PCB), passes the data-signal of described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB).

287. according to the print head assembly of claim 278, wherein:

288. a print head assembly comprises:

The printhead module that wherein is held and described at least one clamping device are independent of described housing substantially on the position.

289. according to the print head assembly of claim 288, wherein said at least one clamping device comprises locking component, is used for the haunched member interlocking with described printhead module.

290. according to the print head assembly of claim 289,

Wherein said haunched member is provided with along the longitudinal extension protuberance of described supporting member, and is arranged to the installation site corresponding to described at least two printhead ics at interval, and

The locking component of described at least one clamping device is provided as sunk part, its each engage with haunched member on the longitudinal extension protuberance of clamping.

291. according to the print head assembly of claim 290, wherein:

Longitudinal extension protuberance on one side of described supporting member is contained in the longitudinal extension groove of described support frame, and the longitudinal extension protuberance on the opposite side of described supporting member is contained on the upper surface of second sidewall of described support frame.

292. according to the print head assembly of claim 291, wherein said at least one clamping device comprises at least one adjutage part, is used for the longitudinal extension protuberance of described supporting member is clamped to the upper surface of second sidewall of described support frame.

293. according to the print head assembly of claim 292,

Described at least one adjutage partly comprises one of them sunk part of described at least one clamping device.

294. according to the print head assembly of claim 288, wherein:

Described at least one printhead module further comprises electric connector, is used for the signal of telecommunication is connected to described at least two printhead ics; And

Described print head assembly further comprises drive electronics, it is installed on described support frame by described clamping device with removably, and described drive electronics is arranged to the printing via at least one printhead ic in described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control.

295. according to the print head assembly of claim 288, wherein:

296. printed circuit board (PCB) that comprises integrally formed elastic part.

297. according to the printed circuit board (PCB) of claim 296, wherein said integrally formed elastic part forms by a part of removing printed circuit board (PCB).

298. a circuit unit comprises:

Be arranged on second printed circuit board (PCB) of an end of first printed circuit board (PCB) of linear alignment, be used for that the electronic device that described a plurality of first printed circuit board (PCB)s are supported is connected to power and data are supplied with; And

Be arranged on the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) of the other end of first printed circuit board (PCB) of linear alignment, the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) is the printed circuit board (PCB) according to claim 296.

299. a print head assembly comprises:

According to the circuit unit of claim 298, it is electrically connected to described at least two printhead ics via described electric connector; And

300. according to the print head assembly of claim 299, wherein:

Described a plurality of first printed circuit board (PCB)s of described circuit unit are installed on described support frame, so as on its longitudinal direction linear alignment, the second and the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) of described circuit unit is arranged on corresponding vertical end place of described support frame; And

Drive electronics is arranged on described a plurality of first printed circuit board (PCB), is used for the printing via at least one printhead ic of described at least two printhead ics of described electric connector control.

301. according to the print head assembly of claim 300, wherein said the 3rd printed circuit board (PCB) comprises that the terminal on the described elastic part connects, and is used to stop from second printed circuit board (PCB), passes the data-signal of described at least one first printed circuit board (PCB).

302. according to the print head assembly of claim 299, wherein:

Described at least one printhead module forms following single unit system: described at least two printhead ics, described supporting member, described electric connector and described at least two printhead ics are installed at least one fluid allocation member of described supporting member;

And described supporting member has the passage of at least one longitudinal extension, be used for the printing-fluid that carrying is used for printhead ic, and this supporting member comprises a plurality of holes that extend through support member walls, it is arranged to by means of the corresponding fluids allocation member in the described fluid allocation member the related nozzle of printing-fluid from described at least one channel lead to two printhead ic, or having under the situation of plural printhead ic, then direct into the related nozzle in all printhead ics.