Binary array inkjet printhead

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12145366-B2
Application number	US-202217575013-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2022
Priority date	Mar 31, 2014
Publication date	Nov 19, 2024
Grant date	Nov 19, 2024

Abstract

A binary array ink jet printhead assembly includes a cavity for containing ink, nozzle orifices in fluid communication with the cavity for passing the ink from the cavity to form droplets, the nozzle orifices extending along a length of the cavity, and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a front face configured to be disposed generally parallel to a plurality of droplet paths of droplets from the nozzle orifices. A plurality of charge electrodes are disposed on the front face, each charge electrode corresponding to a droplet path and disposed parallel to the droplet path. Circuitry is disposed on the electrode assembly, wherein each electrode is electrically connected to the circuitry. The circuitry is further in electrical connection to a connector for connecting the electrode assembly to a controller for the printhead.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A print assembly for a continuous stream ink jet printer comprising:
a printhead, the printhead comprising:
a plurality of fluid connectors providing fluid communication to fluid sources, wherein the plurality of fluid connectors comprise an ink feed connector, an ink purge connector, a gutter line connector, and a cleaning channel connector; and
at least one electrical connector for the printhead that comprises electrical connections for providing print data, power, sensors, ground, and modulation signals; and

a print module configured for releasable connection to the printhead, the print module comprising:
at least one electrical connector for the print module that comprises a number of electrical connections for connection to the at least one electrical connector of the printhead;
a plurality of fluid connectors, wherein the plurality of fluid connectors comprise an ink feed connector, an ink purge connector, a gutter line connector, and a cleaning channel connector, for connection to the plurality of fluid connectors of the printhead;
a droplet generator;
an actuator assembly;
a charge electrode assembly, comprising a plurality of charge electrodes, disposed adjacent the actuator assembly for charging droplets ejected from the actuator assembly, wherein the number of electrical connections is less that the number of charge electrodes, and the at least one electrical connector that comprises the number of electrical connections is configured to connect the charge electrode assembly to a controller for the printhead;
a deflection electrode assembly for deflecting charged droplets;
a plurality of sensor electrodes to measure the phase and/or velocity of the droplets; and
a gutter for collecting unprinted droplets;

wherein the plurality of fluid connectors and the at least one electrical connector on the printhead are complementary connectors for connecting the plurality of fluid connectors and the at least one electrical connector on the print module to the printhead respectively such that the print module is easily removable from the printhead in a single step, and wherein the at least one electrical connector and the plurality of fluid connectors are provided on a single face of the print module, and
wherein each of the number of change electrodes are positioned on the single face of the charge electrode assembly, wherein a driver circuitry is positioned on a back portion of the charge electrode assembly behind the single face of the change electrode assembly, wherein the driver circuitry is configured to generate drive signals to control the number of charge electrodes based on a control signal from the controller and via the number of electrical connections.

2. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluid connectors are configured to engage with complementary connectors in the printhead.

3. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the print module comprises a plurality of mechanical connectors for mechanically connecting the print module to the printhead.

4. A print assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one electrical connector, the plurality of fluid connectors and the plurality of mechanical connectors are provided on a single face of the print module.

5. A print assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the print module includes a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall; and
wherein the plurality of fluid connectors, the at least one electrical connector and the plurality of mechanical connectors are arranged on the back wall.

6. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a wall of the print module comprises a slot for ejecting ink.

7. A system comprising:
a print assembly according to claim 1 ;
a fluid source; and
a fluid line,
wherein the fluid line is connected to the fluid source and the print assembly and is configured to provide fluid communication between the fluid source and the print assembly.

8. A print assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fluid connectors comprise a spigot.

9. A print assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the complementary connectors comprise a spigot.

10. A print module according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of mechanical connectors comprise a post.

11. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein there is no flexible connection between the printhead and the print module.

12. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the print module is in the general shape of a rectangular solid.

13. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead further comprises a controller.

14. A print assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the print module through the at least one electrical connector.

15. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the droplet generator and the charge electrodes are pre-aligned in the print module.

16. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead does not comprise an actuator assembly, a charge electrode, a deflection electrode, and a gutter.

17. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the print module includes a cavity for containing ink.

18. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the gutter is downstream of the charge electrode assembly and the deflection electrode assembly.

19. A print assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the posts have threaded bores that accept screws.

20. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the number of electrical connectors is less than 50% of the number of charge electrodes.

21. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the driver circuitry and the number of charge electrodes is less than 10 millimeters.

22. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the driver circuitry and the number of charge electrodes is less than 5 millimeters.

23. A print assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the driver circuitry and the number of charge electrodes is less than 20 millimeters.

Assignees

• Videojet Technologies Inc

Inventors

• Sherman Nigel
• Horsnell David
• Smith Robert
• Doswell David
• Harris Steven

Classifications

• B41J2002/14491

  Electrical connection · CPC title

• B41J2/085

  Charge means, e.g. electrodes · CPC title

• B41J2/025 Primary

  by vibration · CPC title

• B41J2/09

  Deflection means · CPC title

• B41J2/095

  electric field-control type · CPC title