# US 2008/0186357 A1 · Printhead Assembly Having Electrical Connector Assemblies

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- Number: US 2008/0186357 A1
- Document ID: US20080186357A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/101,152
- Filed: 2008-04-11
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2004-01-21
- Assignees: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Kia Silverbrook; Norman Micheal Berry; Garry Raymond Jackson; Akira Nakazawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080186357A1

## CPC

- B41J 2/155: for line printing
- B41J 2002/14435: {Moving nozzle made of thermal bend detached actuator}
- B41J 2002/14491: {Electrical connection}
- B41J 2202/19: Assembling head units
- B41J 2202/20: Modules
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

The invention relates to a printhead assembly. The assembly includes a printhead module having a plurality of modular printhead tiles each tile having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium. Also included are printhead controller integrated circuits for controlling operation of the printhead tiles. The printhead assembly further includes a number of electrical connector assemblies for operatively connecting the printhead tiles. Each tile is mounted to a modular support defining a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof, the tile having electrical connecting strips which overlie the respective recessed portions. Each connector assembly includes a connecting member having a series of parallel spaced conducting strips, said member shaped and configured for fitment into a cavity defined by the raised and recessed portions of two abutting supports to connect the connecting strips of two tiles via said conducting strips.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A printhead assembly comprising:
a printhead module having a plurality of modular printhead tiles each tile having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium;
printhead controller integrated circuits for controlling operation of the printhead tiles; and
a number of electrical connector assemblies for operatively connecting the printhead tiles, each tile mounted to a modular support defining a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof, the tile having electrical connecting strips which overlie the respective recessed portions, the connector assembly comprising a connecting member having a series of parallel spaced conducting strips, said member shaped and configured for fitment into a cavity defined by the raised and recessed portions of two abutting supports to connect the connecting strips of two tiles via said conducting strips.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The printhead assembly of claim 1, which includes a ducting assembly having a laminated stack of layers, each layer of the stack having a number of apertures which, when the layers are stacked, provides ducts whereby ink is able to flow from an ink reservoir to the nozzle assemblies.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The printhead assembly of claim 2, wherein a curable resin is used as a seal between the ducting assembly and the printhead tiles.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein each modular printhead tile has male and female end portions shaped and configured to complementarily receive a respective end portion of another printhead tile.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a rectangular block having the series of conducting strips on each surface thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is formed of a strip of silicone rubber printed to provide sequentially spaced conductive and non-conductive material strips.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the conducting strips of the connecting member are provided in a 2:1 relationship with the connecting strips of the tiles.