Cradle unit having printhead maintenance and wiping arrangements for a print engine

A cradle unit for a print engine having an inkjet printhead and a PCB controller, the cradle unit configured to receive a cartridge unit having a printhead assembly of the print engine with a controller on a flex PCB, said cradle unit comprising:

• a cover assembly movable between a closed position where the cartridge unit is mechanically secured in the cradle unit and the PCB controller of the print engine electrically contacts the flex PCB controller such that power and data signals can be transferred therebetween, and an open position, where the electrical contact is broken and allows the cartridge unit to be removed from the cradle unit;
• a maintenance drive assembly having a motor operatively connected to a maintenance gear and maintenance actuator arrangement and to a wiper gear and wiper actuator arrangement, the maintenance drive assembly operated by the PCB controller;
• and
• having a main body including a frame structure with two end plates connected by a base plate, with a drive roller and an exit roller mounted between the end plates at opposite ends thereof, such that when the cartridge unit is retained within the main body, the cartridge unit rests between the drive roller and exit roller.