# US 7,744,201 B2 · Printhead assembly with an ink cassette having an air filter

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- Number: US 7,744,201 B2
- Document ID: US7744201B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/147,453
- Filed: 2008-06-26
- Published: 2008-10-23
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2005-06-20
- Assignees: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Kia Silverbrook
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744201B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection}
- B41J 2/155: for line printing
- B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor}
- B41J 2/17546: {electronically}
- B41J 2002/14362: {Assembling elements of heads}
- B41J 2002/14419: {Manifold}
- 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

A printhead assembly that includes a chassis and a printhead assembly mounted on the chassis and having printhead integrated circuits each with a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for ejecting ink. Also included is an ink distribution assembly supporting the integrated circuits, said distribution assembly defining a plurality of converging ink passages in fluid communication with respective ink nozzle arrangements. The assembly also includes an ink cassette defining a number of ink reservoirs operatively arranged in fluid communication with the ink distribution assembly via a number of ink hoses, such that inks from the respective reservoirs are ductable from the reservoirs to respective groups of the nozzle arrangements. The cassette also includes an air filter for filtering air pumped to the nozzle arrangements.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A printhead assembly that comprises:
a chassis;
a printhead assembly mounted on the chassis and having printhead integrated circuits each with a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for ejecting ink;
an ink distribution assembly supporting the printhead integrated circuits, said ink distribution assembly defining a plurality of converging ink passages in fluid communication with respective ink nozzle arrangements, and
an ink cassette defining a number of ink reservoirs operatively arranged in fluid communication with the ink distribution assembly via a number of ink hoses, such that inks from the respective reservoirs are ductable from the reservoirs to respective groups of the nozzle arrangements, the cassette having an air filter for filtering air, by an air pump, pumped to the nozzle arrangements.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The printhead assembly of claim 1, having a paper feed mechanism for feeding paper past said printhead, and a printed circuit board (PCB) having electronic components for controlling the feed mechanism and the printhead integrated circuits.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The printhead assembly of claim 2, wherein the paper feed mechanism includes a feed roller, feed idler rollers, a platen, exit rollers and a pin wheel assembly all driven by a stepper motor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The printhead assembly of claim 2, wherein the paper feed components are mounted between a pair of bearing moldings in turn mounted to the chassis at respective ends thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The printhead assembly of claim 2, wherein Tape Automated Bond (TAB) films interconnect the printed circuit board and the printhead integrated circuits.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The printhead assembly of claim 2, wherein the electronic components on the PCB include a memory, controller integrated circuitry, quality assurance circuitry and motor driver circuitry.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The printhead assembly of claim 2, in which the paper feed mechanism includes a platen for supporting the paper and roller assemblies for driving the paper over the platen.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the printhead assembly is mounted to the chassis by means of printhead spacers mounted to the chassis.