Printhead assembly, ink cartridge, and image forming device

Abstract

The present application relates to an inkjet printer, and discloses a printhead assembly, an ink cartridge, and an image forming device. The printhead assembly comprises: a nozzle unit, comprising a first nozzle chip and a second nozzle chip; and a contact unit, arranged on a circuit board and used for being electrically connected to the nozzle unit; the contact unit comprises a first electrical contact group and a second electrical contact group which are spaced apart from each other; the first electrical contact group and the second electrical contact group each comprise a plurality of electrical contacts; the first nozzle chip comprises a first nozzle array; the second nozzle chip comprises a second nozzle array; in a width direction of the printhead assembly, the center line of the first nozzle array is located between the center line of the first electrical contact group and the center line of the second nozzle array; and in the width direction, the center line of the second nozzle array is located between the center line of the second electrical contact group and the center line of the first nozzle array. The printhead assembly, the ink cartridge, and the image forming device of the present application can achieve miniaturization of image forming devices.

Description

Printhead assembly, ink cartridge, and image forming apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410882326.5, filed on July 02, 2024, with the Chinese Patent Office, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present application relate to an inkjet printer, in particular to a printhead assembly, an ink cartridge, and an image forming apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] As a common office equipment, the inkjet printer is applied more and more widely in people's life and work. The printing method of the inkjet printer is usually to provide ink source by an ink container such as an ink cartridge, to transport the ink to a nozzle via a corresponding ink flow channel, and then to spray the ink from the nozzle to a recording medium such as paper under the driving of a printing signal, so as to complete the recording of characters or graphics. According to the structure of the nozzle, the common inkjet printer on the market can be divided into a piezoelectric inkjet printer and a bubble inkjet printer.

[0004] In order to save space and manufacturing cost, users and manufacturers hope that the printer is as small as possible. How to realize the miniaturization of the inkjet printer is a problem that attracts much attention. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a printhead assembly, an ink cartridge, and an image forming apparatus, which can realize the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a printhead assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a circuit board; a nozzle unit arranged on the circuit board, the nozzle unit comprising a first nozzle chip and a second nozzle chip; a contact unit arranged on the circuit board and used for electrical connection with the nozzle unit, the contact unit comprising a first electrical contact group and a second electrical contact group arranged at intervals, the first electrical contact group and the second electrical contact group each comprising a plurality of electrical contacts; the first nozzle chip comprises a first nozzle array, the first nozzle array being used for ejecting ink of at least one color; the second nozzle chip comprises a second nozzle array, the second nozzle array being used for ejecting ink of at least another color; in a width direction of the printhead assembly, a center line of the first nozzle array is located between a center line of the first electrical contact group and a center line of the second nozzle array; in the width direction, the center line of the second nozzle array is located between the center line of the second electrical contact group and the center line of the first nozzle array.

[0007] The embodiment of the present application also provides an ink cartridge, comprising: the printhead assembly as described above; a housing comprising an ink chamber and an ink channel, wherein the ink chamber is used for storing ink of at least two colors, and the ink channel is used for connecting the ink chamber with the first nozzle chip and the second nozzle chip.

[0008] The embodiment of the present application also provides an image forming device, comprising: the ink cartridge as described above; a carriage used for carrying the ink cartridge to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the printing medium; and a control unit used for controlling the carriage to reciprocate and sending a control signal to the contact unit in the ink cartridge, and the first nozzle chip and the second nozzle chip in the ink cartridge are used for spraying the first ink and the second ink to the printing medium based on the control signal.

[0009] Compared with the related art, the embodiment of the present application offsets the first nozzle array and the second nozzle array to the center of the printhead assembly, so that the width of the circuit board required can be reduced, the printhead assembly can be miniaturized, the necessary value of the ink cartridge in the width direction can be reduced, the space size of the ink cartridge provided on the side of the printer can be reduced, and the printer can be miniaturized.

[0010] In addition, when the nozzle unit and the contact unit are unfolded to be in the same plane, in the width direction, the center line of the black nozzle chip is located between the first extension line corresponding to the center of the first electric contact group and the center line of the color nozzle chip; and in the width direction, the center line of the color nozzle chip is located between the second extension line corresponding to the center of the second electric contact group and the center line of the black nozzle chip. Since the black nozzle chip and the color nozzle chip are arranged on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge, they affect the size of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge, and further affect the size of the ink cartridge, and at the same time, the printhead assembly can be miniaturized, for example, the area of the corresponding circuit board can be reduced to a certain extent, and the cost of the printhead assembly can be reduced. In color printing, color superposition needs to superimpose black ink and color ink, therefore, each position for printing on the printing medium should be covered by the nozzles in the two nozzle chips, and then the two nozzle chips are offset to the center, when printing on the two edges of the printing medium, compared with the case where the nozzle chips are not offset to the center and close to each other, the ink cartridge of the embodiment can move a smaller distance, and thus the printing speed is improved.

[0011] In addition, the maximum distance between two adjacent electric contacts in the first electric contact group is smaller than the minimum distance between the first electric contact group and the second electric contact group, and the maximum distance between two adjacent electric contacts in the second electric contact group is also smaller than the minimum distance.

[0012] In addition, the first electric contact group comprises at least one first special contact, and the at least one first special contact is used for transmitting a special signal of the first nozzle chip; and the second electric contact group comprises at least one second special contact, and the at least one second special contact is used for transmitting a special signal of the second nozzle chip.

[0013] In addition, the plurality of first dedicated contacts are disposed on one side of the center line of the contact unit, and the plurality of second dedicated contacts are disposed on the other side of the center line of the contact unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the figures that are part of this disclosure and which are illustrative, but not restrictive, of the embodiments, wherein elements having the same reference number designates like elements throughout the various figures, like in the exemplary illustrations of the figures of the drawing, the figures of the drawing do not necessarily bear a proportional relationship to each other.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Fig. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Fig. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Fig. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Fig. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Fig. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to a second embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Fig. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to a third embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Fig. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Fig. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Fig. 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Fig. 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Fig. 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a print head assembly according to a seventh embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] To make the objects, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will be a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art can understand that in the embodiments of the present application, many technical details are presented in order to make the readers better understand the present application. However, the technical solutions claimed by the present application can be implemented even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments. The following division of the embodiments is for the convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation on the specific implementation of the present application, and the embodiments can be combined and referenced with each other without contradiction.

[0032] In a related color inkjet printer, black ink and color ink are stored in different ink cartridges and printed by different print heads, so that the black ink can be replaced individually when it is used up. However, in fact, in a color printing scenario, the actual use rates of black ink and color ink are similar, and after the black ink is used up, a black printing pattern can still be obtained by superimposing color ink. In addition, if an ink tank is additionally provided outside the ink cartridge to store more ink, and when the ink in the ink cartridge is used up, the ink can be added from the ink tank to the ink cartridge, then the use rate of black ink and color ink does not need to be considered. Therefore, if black ink and color ink are stored in the same ink cartridge, correspondingly, one print head can be used for this ink cartridge, reducing the number of ink cartridges and print heads used, thereby reducing the cost of the ink cartridge.

[0033] The first embodiment of the present application relates to a print head assembly 1000, as shown in FIG. 1, comprising:

[0034] a circuit board 1200a;

[0035] a nozzle unit 1100a disposed on the circuit board 1200a, the nozzle unit 1100a comprising a first nozzle chip 1110a and a second nozzle chip 1120a;

[0036] a contact unit 1300a disposed on the circuit board 1200a and electrically connected to the nozzle unit 1100a, the contact unit 1300a comprising a first set of electrical contacts 1310a and a second set of electrical contacts 1320a arranged in a spaced manner, the first set of electrical contacts 1310a and the second set of electrical contacts 1320a each comprising a plurality of electrical contacts 1301a;

[0037] The first nozzle chip 1110a includes a first nozzle array 1111a for ejecting ink of at least one color;

[0038] The second nozzle chip 1120a includes a second nozzle array 1121a for ejecting ink of at least another color;

[0039] In the width direction W of the printhead assembly 1000, a center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a is located between a center line C3a of the first electrical contact group 1310a and a center line C2a of the second nozzle array 1121a;

[0040] In the width direction W, the center line C2a of the second nozzle array 1121a is located between a center line C4a of the second electrical contact group 1320a and the center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a.

[0041] In the present application, the relationship between the components in the printhead assembly 1000 is described with the printhead assembly 1000 unfolded so that the nozzle unit 1100a and the contact unit 1300a are in the same plane, as shown in FIG. 1. The first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a are rectangular or substantially rectangular, but they can also be other shapes as long as the nozzles of different colors are arranged on the chips. The lengths of the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a can be the same or different, where the length refers to the extension of the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a in the direction perpendicular to the width direction W. In one possible implementation, the length of the first nozzle chip 1110a is set to be longer than the length of the second nozzle chip 1120a, so that there are more positions on the first nozzle chip 1110a that can be used to arrange the first nozzle array 1111a, thereby improving the jetting efficiency of the first nozzle chip 1110a. The first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a are arranged on the circuit board 1200a, which means that the circuit board 1200a has arrangement positions for the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a. The arrangement positions can be spaces of corresponding sizes on the circuit board 1200a, so that the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a can communicate with the contact unit 1300a through the circuit board 1200a, thereby realizing communication with the printer. The ink jetting method of the two nozzle chips can be thermal bubble jetting or piezoelectric jetting. In one possible implementation, the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a can be directly connected without spacing. In another possible implementation, as shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement positions of the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a are spaced apart, that is, the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a are separated by a part of the circuit board. By spacing the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a, the reliability of mounting the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a on the circuit board 1200a can be improved, and direct contact between the two nozzle chips to conduct heat and affect the ink jetting performance can be avoided.

[0042] The first nozzle chip 1110a is provided with at least one first nozzle array 1111a for ejecting ink of at least one color, such as any one or more of black, magenta, yellow, cyan, etc. The second nozzle chip 1120a is provided with at least one second nozzle array 1121a for ejecting ink of at least another color, such as any one or more of black, magenta, yellow, cyan, etc. In one possible implementation, each first nozzle array 1111a ejects ink of a different color, and each second nozzle array 1121a ejects ink of a different color. In another possible implementation, some first nozzle arrays 1111a eject ink of different colors, and some first nozzle arrays 1111a eject ink of the same color, and some second nozzle arrays 1121a eject ink of different colors, and some second nozzle arrays 1121a eject ink of the same color.

[0043] It should be noted that the nozzle chip, i.e., the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a in the present application, can be understood as a highly integrated small circuit system for performing ink ejection actions based on control signals, which can include a nozzle module, an ink supply module, and ink flowing from the ink supply module to the nozzle module and being ejected outward by the nozzle in the nozzle chip. The nozzle module can include a nozzle array, a control module, an inkjet driver, and a sensor. The nozzle array can include a plurality of nozzle groups, each nozzle group consisting of a plurality of micro nozzles. The control module can be a circuit structure integrating various electronic elements, mainly used for receiving signals sent by an image forming device, coordinating the actions of various components of the printhead unit 200, and ensuring that the corresponding nozzles in the nozzle array accurately eject ink according to a predetermined pattern and time, or perform other printing operations. The ink supply module is used to transport ink from the ink cartridge 1001 to the corresponding micro ink cavity of each nozzle, which is usually composed of a plurality of micro channels. The ink is mainly ejected onto the printing medium through the nozzles, and the inkjet driver (such as a piezoelectric element or a heating element) is used to generate the power (such as deformation or heat) for ink ejection based on the received electrical signals, thereby realizing on-demand ink ejection. The sensor can be used to monitor the working state and environmental parameters of the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a, such as temperature, ink level, state of the nozzle array, etc., to ensure the stability of the inkjet performance and the reliability of the work.

[0044] In the drawings of the present application, each group of nozzles is composed of at least one row of nozzles, but those skilled in the art understand that the group of nozzles can also have other compositions. In one possible implementation, the nozzles 111a of the first nozzle array 1111a and the nozzles 121a of the second nozzle array 1121a can be of the same size, and in another possible implementation, the nozzles 111a of the first nozzle array 1111a and the nozzles 121a of the second nozzle array 1121a are of different sizes. When a large-diameter nozzle is used, more ink can be sprayed at one time, thereby reducing the number of ink spraying times required to cover the same area, improving the ink spraying efficiency. Therefore, those skilled in the art can improve the ink spraying efficiency and thus improve the printing efficiency by setting the size of the nozzles 111a, 121a of different colors or the same color ink on the first nozzle chip 1110a and / or the second nozzle chip 1120a.

[0045] A center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a is a line that passes through the center of the first nozzle array 1111a in the width direction W of the printhead assembly 1000 and is perpendicular to the width direction W, wherein the center of the first nozzle array 1111a in the width direction W means the midpoint of the positions of the two most edge nozzles in the width direction W of the first nozzle array 1111a, if there is only one nozzle position in the width direction W, the midpoint is the position of the nozzle. Similarly, the center line C2a of the second nozzle array 1121a is also calculated in the same way. The width direction W of the printhead assembly 1000 is the direction of reciprocating movement of the ink carriage carrying the ink cartridge. In one possible implementation, the first nozzle array 1111a includes a plurality of nozzles 111a for ejecting ink outward, the plurality of nozzles 111a are arranged in a row or a plurality of parallel rows, or form a long annular or rectangular shape. The arrangement shape of the plurality of nozzles 111a extends in parallel with the center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a. For example, when the plurality of nozzles 111a are arranged in a row, the center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a extends along the arrangement direction of the plurality of nozzles 111a (i.e. the extension direction of the single row structure), and passes through the center of each nozzle 111a. For another example, when the plurality of nozzles 111a are arranged in two parallel rows, the center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a extends along the arrangement direction of the plurality of nozzles 111a and is located in the middle of the two rows of nozzles 111a, i.e. the distance from the two rows of nozzles 111a to the center line C1a is the same. For another example, when the plurality of nozzles 111a form a long annular or rectangular shape, the center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a is the center line that extends along the length direction of the annular or rectangular shape. The second nozzle array 1121a includes a plurality of nozzles 121a for ejecting ink outward, similar to the plurality of nozzles 111a, the plurality of nozzles 121a are arranged in a row, a ring or a rectangle, and the center line C2a of the second nozzle array 1121a is determined in the same way as the center line C1a of the first nozzle array 1111a, which will not be described here. If other small holes similar to the shape of the nozzles 111a and 121a are provided on the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a, if these small holes are not used for ejecting ink, these small holes do not belong to the nozzles, and these small holes do not belong to the first nozzle array 1111a and the second nozzle array 1121a. The first nozzle array 1111a and the second nozzle array 1121a are exposed on the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a respectively, and when the printhead assembly is installed on the ink cartridge, the first nozzle array 1111a and the second nozzle array 1121a are also exposed on the bottom of the ink cartridge.In order to meet the need of inkjet, the first nozzle array 1111a and the second nozzle array 1121a need to have certain length and pitch, so the arrangement optimization of the first nozzle array 1111a and the second nozzle array 1121a can benefit the miniaturization of the printhead assembly and the ink cartridge.

[0046] The circuit board can be a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPC), wherein the two nozzle chips are arranged on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge facing the printing medium, so the part of the circuit board 1200a where the first nozzle chip 1110a and the second nozzle chip 1120a are arranged is on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge. The part where the contact unit 1300a is arranged can be on the bottom surface or the side surface of the ink cartridge, and is generally arranged on the side surface of the ink cartridge, which refers to the surface adjacent to the bottom surface of the ink cartridge. The circuit board 1200a can be one circuit board or composed of multiple circuit boards. For example, composed of two circuit boards 1200 arranged on the bottom surface and the side surface of the ink cartridge. Preferably, in the present embodiment, the circuit board 1200 is arranged as an FPC.

[0047] The printing medium is generally paper, but can also be cloth or other medium. The position of the electrical contact 1301a is opposite to the position of the stylus arranged on the side of the printer, so that the signal emitted from the side of the printer can be transmitted to each nozzle chip through the electrical contact 1301a to realize the control of ink ejection. Each color nozzle in each nozzle chip can have one column, two columns or more columns, and the nozzles in different columns can be aligned or staggered. In particular, the positions of the nozzles in two columns can be staggered rather than aligned, which can have higher inkjet resolution.

[0048] The electrical contact 1301a, also referred to as a contact, is a part of the connection terminal 1301b on the circuit board that has direct physical contact with the stylus. The connection terminal 1301b on the circuit board is a conductive metal sheet that serves as an interface or contact surface between two conductors through which an electric current can pass, and is used to supply power and transmit data between the printer side and the ink cartridge, and the stylus is generally provided on the ink carriage of the printer side. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection terminal 1301b is shown in dashed lines and can be any one or more of a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, or an irregular shape, and the electrical contact 1301a can be located at the center or other position of the connection terminal 1301b, and the electrical contact 1301a can be circular, rectangular, or any other shape, and the part of the connection terminal 1301b that has direct physical contact with the stylus is taken as the example of a circular shape for illustration, but is not limited to a circular shape. Even if the shape of the connection terminal changes, the actual contact area and position with the stylus do not change, and it is considered to be the same electrical contact. The first electrical contact group 1310a and the second electrical contact group 1320a are respectively located on both sides of the circuit board 1200a, and there is a gap between the first electrical contact group 1310a and the second electrical contact group 1320a, for example, the first electrical contact group 1310a and the second electrical contact group 1320a can be respectively arranged on both sides of the center line C5 of the contact unit. The center line C3a of the first electrical contact group 1310a is a line perpendicular to the width direction W passing through the midpoint between the two electrical contacts of the most edge of the first electrical contact group 1310a in the width direction W, and the center line C4a of the second electrical contact group 1320a is a line perpendicular to the width direction W passing through the midpoint between the two electrical contacts of the most edge of the second electrical contact group 1320a in the width direction W. The center line C5 of the contact unit 1300a is a line perpendicular to the width direction W passing through the midpoint between the two electrical contacts of the most edge of the contact unit 1300a in the width direction W.

[0049] Preferably, each electrical contact in the first electrical contact group 1310a has a corresponding one in the second electrical contact group 1320a at a position symmetrical about the center line C5, that is, the second electrical contact group 1320a includes a number of electrical contacts symmetrical about the center line C5 of the contact unit 1300a with each electrical contact in the first electrical contact group 1310a, that is, the number of electrical contacts in the second electrical contact group 1320a is greater than or equal to that in the first electrical contact group 1310a, and there is an electrical contact at a position symmetrical about the center line C5 of the first electrical contact group 1310a. Alternatively, each electrical contact in the second electrical contact group 1320a has a corresponding one in the first electrical contact group 1310a at a position symmetrical about the center line C5, that is, the first electrical contact group 1310a includes a number of electrical contacts symmetrical about the center line C5 of the contact unit 1300a with each electrical contact in the second electrical contact group 1320a. By providing more electrical contacts, more signals can be transmitted at the same time, and therefore, the first electrical contact group 1310a and the second electrical contact group 1320a can be preferably provided as two symmetrical groups of electrical contacts, where the symmetry means that there is an electrical contact at a position symmetrical about the center line C5 of the two groups of electrical contacts, but the signals transmitted by the two symmetrical electrical contacts do not have to have the same function. In order to improve design robustness, the signals transmitted by the two symmetrical electrical contacts can also have the same function. In this application, the first electrical contact group 1310a and the second electrical contact group 1320a can also be provided on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the width direction W, and the corresponding terminals 1301b and contact pins can be provided as needed. There are various ways to achieve electrical contact between the circuit board 1200a and the electrical contacts 1301a, such as welding, conductive adhesive connection, spring probe connection, etc.

[0050] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one specific embodiment of the printhead assembly 1000 shown in Figure 1, which includes:

[0051] a circuit board 1200;

[0052] a nozzle unit 1100 provided on the circuit board 1200, the nozzle unit 1100 including a first nozzle chip 1110 and a second nozzle chip 1120;

[0053] a contact unit 1300 provided on the circuit board 1200 for electrical connection with the nozzle unit 1100, the contact unit 1300 including a first electrical contact group 1310 and a second electrical contact group 1320 arranged at intervals, the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 each including a plurality of electrical contacts 1301;

[0054] the first nozzle chip 1110 including a first nozzle array 1111 for ejecting ink of at least one color;

[0055] The second nozzle chip 1120 includes a second nozzle array 1121 for ejecting at least another color of ink;

[0056] In the width direction W of the print head assembly 1000, the center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111 is located between the center line C3 of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121.

[0057] In the width direction, the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121 is located between the center line C4 of the second electrical contact group 1320 and the center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, there is a space between the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320. The first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 are electrical contacts used for transmitting control signals of the printer side and the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120, such as power supply contacts for supplying power to the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120, and contacts for transmitting working signals. In addition, the contact unit 1300 can also include other electrical contacts other than the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320, such as electrical contacts for ink cartridge installation detection, etc. that do not act on the working of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120, which are not electrical contacts in the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320. In FIG. 2, the electrical contacts 1301 and 1333 in the contact unit 1300 are arranged in an array symmetrically, but those skilled in the art can know that the electrical contacts can be arranged in any manner, which can be regular or irregular, symmetric or asymmetric, etc., and is not limited to this illustration.

[0059] The print head assembly 1000 of the embodiment is used in an integrated ink cartridge of a color inkjet printer, the ink cartridge has ink chambers storing at least two colors of ink, and the ink cartridge is equipped with a print head assembly 1000, at least two colors of ink are ejected onto a print medium through the same print head assembly 1000. The print head assembly 1000 is provided with a first nozzle chip 1110 and a second nozzle chip 1120. When at least two colors of ink are stored in two ink cartridges and are changed to be stored in one ink cartridge, the area of the print head assembly 1000 can be reduced by arranging the nozzle chips, and the nozzles for ejecting at least two colors are often arranged in the same nozzle chip. Therefore, the process equipment related to the nozzle chip needs to be updated and iterated synchronously, which will bring expensive iteration cost. In order to consider the related print head assembly 1000 manufacturing equipment, the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 are arranged on the print head assembly 1000, and the nozzle chip does not need to be newly manufactured by using the old process and equipment. The nozzle chip manufactured by using the old process and equipment can realize the color printing ink cartridge integrating black and color, and the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge is reduced. Since the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 are arranged on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge, they affect the size of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge, and further affect the size of the ink cartridge. In order to print the edge of the medium and maintain the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 before and after ejecting ink, the ink cartridge needs to be moved to a position outside the printing area of the medium, and therefore, the space size for accommodating the ink cartridge needs to be arranged on the side of the printer. The center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111 is arranged between the center line C3 of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121 in the width direction W of the print head assembly 1000, and the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121 is arranged between the center line C4 of the second electrical contact group 1320 and the center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111 in the width direction W, so that the positions of the first nozzle array 1111 and the second nozzle array 1121 are close to the center of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 in the width direction W. Further, the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 can be arranged at the center of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 in the width direction W, the width occupied by the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 is reduced, the width required by the circuit board 1200 is reduced, the print head assembly 1000 is miniaturized, the size of the ink cartridge in the width direction W is reduced, the ink cartridge is miniaturized, the space size for accommodating the ink cartridge arranged on the side of the printer is reduced, the printer is miniaturized, and the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge and the printer is further reduced. At the same time, the ink cartridge can move a smaller distance, and the printing speed is improved.In addition, the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 can be arranged to have their leads routed from opposite sides, so as to reduce interference between the leads of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 during transmission, and improve the reliability of signal transmission.

[0060] In the present application, the interval between the first electric contact group 1310 and the second electric contact group 1320 can be set to be as large as possible, so as to arrange the leads for signal connection between the contact unit 1300 and the nozzle unit 1100 in the interval between the first electric contact group 1310 and the second electric contact group 1320. In another possible embodiment, the interval between the first electric contact group 1310 and the second electric contact group 1320 can be set to be as small as possible, so as to arrange the leads for signal connection between the contact unit 1300 and the nozzle unit 1100 on both sides of the first electric contact group 1310 and the second electric contact group 1320.

[0061] In different embodiments, the length of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the length of the second nozzle chip 1120 can be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the length of the first nozzle chip 1110 is longer than the length of the second nozzle chip 1120. The length of the two nozzle chips is the dimension of the chip in the direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the ink cartridge during printing. If the usage frequency of the first ink is higher than that of the second ink, the first nozzle chip 1110 can be made longer, and more nozzles can be arranged in the first nozzle chip 1110 to improve printing efficiency. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the length of the first nozzle chip 3110 and the length of the second nozzle chip 3120 can also be the same. However, when the usage amount of the first color ink is large, in order to improve the efficiency of printing, it is recommended to arrange the number of nozzles in each nozzle group in the first nozzle array 1111 to be greater than the number of nozzles in each nozzle group in the second nozzle array 1121. Correspondingly, the length of the column in which the first nozzle array 1111 is arranged in the first nozzle chip 1110 is longer than the length of the column in which the second nozzle array 1121 is arranged in the second nozzle chip 1120, and the length of the chip can be designed freely.

[0062] In order to better design the superimposed fusion of the first ink and the second ink, the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 can be designed to be aligned at one end, and at least one column of the first nozzle array 1111 and the second nozzle array 1121 is designed to be aligned. For example, the first nozzle array 1111 and the second nozzle array 1121 can be arranged to be aligned near one end of the contact unit. By arranging the first nozzle array 1111 and the second nozzle array 1121 to be aligned, the jet timing of the first nozzle array 1111 and the second nozzle array 1121 can be easily arranged, and generally, the contact unit side of the ink cartridge is in contact with the carriage of the printer, so the side of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 close to the contact unit is away from the paper head. Therefore, the jet timing of the nozzle is arranged as a standard for alignment, which meets the sequence of paper movement in the printing process, and can simplify the setting of the jet timing of the nozzle to a certain extent. In some possible embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the first nozzle chip 4110 and the second nozzle chip 4120 can be arranged to be aligned away from one end of the contact unit. Or as shown in FIG. 5, the first nozzle chip 5110 and the second nozzle chip 5120 can be arranged to be aligned with the center line perpendicular to the width direction W.

[0063] In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the maximum distance A1 between two adjacent electrical contacts in the first electrical contact group 1310 in the width direction can be less than the minimum distance H1 between the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320, and the maximum distance B1 between two adjacent electrical contacts in the second electrical contact group 1320 can also be less than the minimum distance H1. The minimum distance H1 between the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 is the minimum value of all values between any electrical contact in the first electrical contact group 1310 and any electrical contact in the second electrical contact group 1320. In FIG. 2, the minimum distance H1 is the distance between the rightmost electrical contact in the first electrical contact group 1310 and the leftmost electrical contact in the second electrical contact group 1320. That is, in the embodiment, the distance between the electrical contacts in the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 is short, and the distance between the electrical contacts of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 is long, so that the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 can be distinguished significantly. By distinguishing the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320, and designing the two electrical contact groups to be far apart, the interference between the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 can be reduced, the stability of signal transmission can be improved, and when the ink cartridge is installed on the ink carriage, the stylus can be prevented from being concentrated on a certain area of the printhead assembly 1000, thereby reducing stress concentration and improving heat dissipation performance, maintaining the flatness and transmission performance of the circuit board on the printhead assembly 1000. In addition, since the nozzle unit includes the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120, the significant distinction between the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 can facilitate the corresponding association design of the signals transmitted by the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 and the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120, and improve the robustness of the design. In particular, when the function of the electrical contacts needs to be changed during the design and development process, or the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 are changed to other color derivative designs, since the signals transmitted by the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 and the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 have certain relevance, standardized and regular changes can be made, the design efficiency is improved, and the design cost is reduced.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first electric contact group 1310 includes at least one first dedicated contact 1301 for transmitting a dedicated signal of the first nozzle chip 1110, and the second electric contact group 1320 includes at least one second dedicated contact 1302 for transmitting a dedicated signal of the second nozzle chip 1120. By setting the dedicated contacts of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the dedicated contacts of the second nozzle chip 1120, the robustness of the contact design can be improved. In addition, by setting the dedicated contacts of the first nozzle chip 1110 in the first electric contact group 1310 and the dedicated contacts of the second nozzle chip 1120 in the second electric contact group 1320, the distance between each dedicated contact and the corresponding nozzle chip can be minimized, facilitating the design of the lead line between the dedicated contact and the nozzle chip and reducing the length of the lead line, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the dedicated signal.

[0065] Further, when the distance A1 between two adjacent electric contacts in the first electric contact group 1310 is less than the minimum distance H1 between the first electric contact group 1310 and the second electric contact group 1320, and the distance B1 between two adjacent electric contacts in the second electric contact group 1320 is also less than the minimum distance H1, by setting the at least one first dedicated contact 1301 in the first electric contact group 1310 and the at least one second dedicated contact 1302 in the second electric contact group 1320, a larger distance between the first dedicated contact 1301 and the second dedicated contact 1302 can be ensured, thereby improving the transmission stability of the dedicated signals of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120.

[0066] In order to reduce the number of electric contacts, the first electric contact group 1310 and / or the second electric contact group 1320 described in the present application can have a plurality of common contacts, and the plurality of common contacts are used to transmit common signals of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120. By setting the common signals, the first electric contact group 1310 and the second electric contact group 1320 can reuse the same electric contact, thereby reducing the number of electric contacts that need to be set on the print head assembly 1000, thereby reducing the area of the circuit board required by the print head assembly 1000, and thereby reducing the cost of the print head assembly 1000.

[0067] In the contact unit 1300, the control signals to the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 can be arranged in the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320, and in the first electrical contact group 1310 and / or the second electrical contact group 1320, a plurality of power contacts 1303 for supplying power to the first nozzle chip 1110 and / or the second nozzle chip 1120 can also be included. The plurality of power contacts 1303 can be designed in any area on the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320, for example, near the middle of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320, or away from the nozzle chip end of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320. In some possible embodiments, in order to better design and manage the plurality of power contacts 1303, the plurality of power contacts 1303 can be arranged on both sides of the center line C5 of the contact unit, and symmetric about the center line C5. For example, the power contacts 1303 of the first nozzle chip 1110 can be on the same side as the first nozzle chip 1110, and the power contacts 1303 of the second nozzle chip 1120 can be on the same side as the second nozzle chip 1120.

[0068] Since the power contacts 1303 supply power to the nozzle chip, the voltage transmitted by the power contacts 1303 will be higher than the contacts transmitting control signals in the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320. It is preferable to arrange the power contacts 1303 at a position corresponding to the position at which the contact pins are in contact with the terminals when the ink cartridge is installed. For example, if most ink cartridges are installed in the ink car from top to bottom, the power contacts 1303 can be arranged on the lower side of the contact unit 1300. In this application, the minimum distance D1 between the plurality of power contacts 1303 and the nozzle unit 1100 can be less than the minimum distance D2 between the first dedicated contact 1301 and the nozzle unit 1100, and the minimum distance D1 can be less than the minimum distance D3 between the second dedicated contact 1302 and the nozzle unit 1100. The distances of the power contacts 1303, the first dedicated contact 1301, and the second dedicated contact 1302 to the nozzle unit 1100 are calculated in a direction perpendicular to the width direction W, i.e., the distance between the power contacts 1303, the first dedicated contact 1301, and the second dedicated contact 1302 and the nearest nozzle. Therefore, D1 is the distance corresponding to the power contact 1303 closest to the nozzle unit 1100, D2 is the distance corresponding to the first dedicated contact 1301 closest to the nozzle unit 1100, and D3 is the distance corresponding to the second dedicated contact 1302 closest to the nozzle unit 1100. By arranging the power contacts in this way, the transmission distance of the power supply signal can be shortened, the voltage drop of the power supply signal on the transmission line can be reduced, and the interference in the transmission path can be reduced.

[0069] In order to ensure signal transmission safety, a ground contact can be arranged near the power contact 1303 in the first and second electric contact groups 1310 and 1320, so as to reduce the problem that a high-voltage signal affects the components connected by the contacts of a low-voltage signal.

[0070] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the pins 1103 of the first and second nozzle chips 1110 and 1120 are arranged on the two wide sides (the sides parallel to the width direction W) of the two nozzle chips, i.e., near one end of the contact unit and away from the other end of the contact unit. Those skilled in the art can know that the pins 1103 can also be designed in other ways, for example, can be designed on the long sides (the sides perpendicular to the movement direction of the ink cartridge) of the two nozzle chips. The pins 1103 can be arranged on the nozzle chips and electrically connected to the lead wires on the circuit board after the nozzle chips are mounted on the circuit board, or can be directly arranged on the circuit board and electrically connected to the corresponding positions of the nozzle chips after the nozzle chips and the circuit board are mounted.

[0071] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the printhead assembly 1000 of the present application can be fixed on a cover plate 6400, and the cover plate is fixed on the ink cartridge. The cover plate 6400 includes the end of the ink passage of the ink cartridge, and the ink jetted by the first nozzle array 1111 and the ink jetted by the second nozzle array 1121 pass through the ink passage and flow from the ink cartridge to the ink passage in the first nozzle chip 1110 or the second nozzle chip 1120, and then flow into the nozzle through the ink passage and are jetted out through the ejection orifices of the nozzle. The circuit board 1200 is fixed on the cover plate 6400 by means of adhesion, fasteners or other means. In FIG. 6, the first nozzle array 1111 and the second nozzle array 1121 are represented by one and three vertical line segments, respectively. In fact, the first nozzle array 1111 and the second nozzle array 1121 are composed of a plurality of ejection orifices, and each vertical line segment is an ejection orifice group.

[0072] The second embodiment of the present application relates to a printhead assembly 1000. The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and the main difference is that in the second embodiment, the first nozzle array 1111 further includes a first ejection orifice group 1111-1, and the second nozzle array 1121 includes a second ejection orifice group 1121-2, a third ejection orifice group 1121-3 and a fourth ejection orifice group 1121-4. The first ejection orifice group 1111-1 is used to jet ink of a first color, the second ejection orifice group 1121-2 is used to jet ink of a second color, the third ejection orifice group 1121-3 is used to jet ink of a third color, and the fourth ejection orifice group 1121-4 is used to jet ink of a fourth color.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, at least one row of nozzles can be arranged in the first nozzle group 1111-1, the second nozzle group 1121-2, the third nozzle group 1121-3 and the fourth nozzle group 1121-4 corresponding to the ink colors. In other possible embodiments, two rows or more of nozzles can be arranged in the first nozzle group 1111-1, the second nozzle group 1121-2, the third nozzle group 1121-3 and the fourth nozzle group 1121-4.

[0074] Further, the width W21 of the second nozzle array 1121 can be greater than the width W11 of the first nozzle array 1111 in the width direction W, and the distance L1 between the center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111 and the center line C5 of the contact unit 1300 and the distance L2 between the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121 and the center line C5 of the contact unit 1300 in the width direction W, wherein L1 is greater than L2. That is, the center line C1 of the second nozzle array 1121 is more offset to the center. The width W21 and the width W11 refer to the distance between the two edge rows of nozzles in the width direction W (measured by the center of the nozzle), and the width is 0 if there is only one row of nozzles. Since three colors of ink need to be ejected in the second nozzle array 1121, and one color of ink needs to be ejected in the first nozzle array 1111, the width of the chip required by the second nozzle array 1121 is greater, and the greater offset can promote the miniaturization of the printhead assembly 1000 to a greater extent.

[0075] In some embodiments, 0.76 < L1 / L2 < 1.6 and L1 / L2 is not equal to 1 can be specifically set. When L1 / L2 = 1, the offset values of the two nozzle chips are the same, and when L1 / L2 = 1.6 or L1 / L2 = 0.76, the width of the circuit board 1200 of the two nozzle chips reaches the minimum critical value, at this time, the area of the circuit board 1200 is just enough to set the lead of the two nozzle chips, and when one of the two nozzle chips is offset to both sides, a circuit board 1200 with a larger width is required, thereby leading to an increase in cost. In particular, when L1 / L2 = 1.23, the leads can be better arranged on the circuit board 1200.

[0076] The first color can be black, the second color can be cyan, the third color can be magenta, and the fourth color can be yellow, or the first color can be yellow, the second color can be cyan, the third color can be magenta, and the fourth color can be black.

[0077] Preferably, the first nozzle group 1111 can be used to eject black ink, and the second nozzle group 1121 can be used to eject magenta, yellow and cyan ink. In this way, the first nozzle chip 1110 is a black nozzle chip, and the second nozzle chip 1120 is a color nozzle chip, thereby realizing color printing required by most users.

[0078] The third embodiment of the present application relates to a print head assembly 1000, the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, the main difference is that in the third embodiment of the present application, the first nozzle array 1111 includes the first nozzle group 1111-1 and the second nozzle group 1111-2, and the second nozzle array 1121 includes the third nozzle group 1121-3 and the fourth nozzle group 1121-4; wherein the first nozzle group 1111-1 is used to eject ink of the first color, the second nozzle group 1111-2 is used to eject ink of the second color, the third nozzle group 1121-3 is used to eject ink of the third color, and the fourth nozzle group 1121-4 is used to eject ink of the fourth color.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, at least one row of nozzles can be provided in the first nozzle group 1111-1, the second nozzle group 1111-2, the third nozzle group 1121-3, and the fourth nozzle group 1121-4 corresponding to the color of the ink, or two or more rows of nozzles can be provided in the first nozzle group 1111-1, the second nozzle group 1111-2, the third nozzle group 1121-3, and the fourth nozzle group 1121-4.

[0080] Further, the width W22 of the second nozzle array 1121 is less than the width W12 of the first nozzle array 1111; and in the width direction, the distance between the center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111 and the center line C5 of the contact unit is L3, and the distance between the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121 and the center line C5 of the contact unit is L4, L3 is less than L4. The width W22 and the width W12 refer to the distance between the two most edge rows of nozzles in the width direction W, if there is only one row of nozzles, the width is 0.

[0081] The first nozzle array 1111 can be used to eject black ink and ink of any one of magenta, yellow, and cyan, and the second nozzle array 1121 can be used to eject two colors of colored ink, for example, any one of magenta, yellow, and cyan, and ink of a color different from the color ejected by the first nozzle array 1111. Thus, color printing required by most users is achieved. For example, the first color can be set as black, the second color as cyan, the third color as magenta, and the fourth color as yellow.

[0082] The fourth embodiment of the present application relates to a print head assembly 1000, the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, the main difference is that in the fourth embodiment of the present application, the circuit board is a split type circuit board, the print head assembly 1000 of the present embodiment includes:

[0083] In the circuit board 9200, as shown in FIG. 9, the first nozzle chip 1110 and the first electrical contact group 1310 are arranged on the first circuit board 9201, the second nozzle chip 1120 and the second electrical contact group 1320 are arranged on the second circuit board 9202, and the first circuit board 9201 and the second circuit board 9202 are electrically connected through the third circuit board 9203, or are connected through bonding, jumper wire, etc. In particular, when the first nozzle array 1111 sprays black ink and the second nozzle array 1121 sprays magenta, yellow, and cyan ink, the first nozzle chip 1110 and the electrical contact corresponding thereto are the components of the black print head, and the second nozzle chip 1120 and the electrical contact corresponding thereto are the components of the color print head. By using the two components and connecting through the third circuit board, the related print head manufacturing equipment and process can be considered, and the low-cost color printing demand can be met without increasing the print head manufacturing equipment. Further, the special signals of the first nozzle chip 1110 can be transmitted through the first electrical contact group 1310 arranged on the first circuit board 9201, and the special signals of the second nozzle chip 1120 can be transmitted through the second electrical contact group 1320 arranged on the second circuit board 9202. The third circuit board 9203 can be arranged on the side of the ink cartridge, i.e., between the first circuit board 9201 and the second circuit board 9202 and the ink cartridge, or can be arranged on the side of the printer, i.e., between the first circuit board 9201 and the second circuit board 9202 and the printer stylus. In addition, the third circuit board 9203 can be integrated, and in other embodiments, the third circuit board 9203 can also be split. In the figure, each column of ejection holes is simplified as a vertical line.

[0084] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, in the circuit board 10200, the nozzle unit 1100 is arranged on the first circuit board 10201, and the contact unit 1300 is arranged on the second circuit board 10202, and the signals are connected and transmitted through the third circuit board 10203.

[0085] In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the features listed in the second embodiment and the first embodiment can be combined and referred to each other without contradiction.

[0086] The fifth embodiment of the present application relates to a print head assembly 1000, which is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and the main difference is that in the fifth embodiment of the present application, the area of the two nozzle chips is increased, but the actual number of nozzles and the corresponding ejection holes arranged therein does not change, and therefore the center line C7 of the first nozzle array 1111 and the center line C8 of the second nozzle array 1121 are the same as C1 and C2 in the first embodiment.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 11, the first nozzle chip 1110 includes a first part 1110-1 provided with the first nozzle array 1111 and a second part 1110-2 not provided with the nozzle array, and the second nozzle chip 1120 includes a first part 1110-1 provided with the second nozzle array 1121 and a second part 1120-2 not provided with the nozzle array. Although the area of the nozzle chip is increased, the arrangement of the nozzle array and the center line is still the same as in the first embodiment.

[0088] Similarly, the area of the first nozzle chip 1110 is expanded to the other side without changing the arrangement of the first nozzle array 1111 therein, and the area of the second nozzle chip 1120 is also expanded to the other side without changing the arrangement of the second nozzle array 1121 therein, which does not cause a change in the center line.

[0089] In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the features listed in the fifth embodiment and the first to fourth embodiments can be combined and referred to each other without contradiction.

[0090] The sixth embodiment of the present application relates to a print head assembly 1000, which is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and the main difference is that in the present embodiment, the connection terminal 1301b is of a special shape.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 12, taking the 6 connection terminals 1301b and the electrical contacts 1301a as an example, the connection terminal 1301b can be of a shape that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom or wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, and the part of the terminal 1301b that has direct physical contact with the stylus is still the electrical contact 1301a. Therefore, it is believed that such a special-shaped terminal does not affect the first electrical contact group and the second electrical contact group. Correspondingly, the positions of the center line C3 of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the center line C4 of the second electrical contact group 1320 do not change.

[0092] In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the features listed in the sixth embodiment and the first to fifth embodiments can be combined and referred to each other without contradiction.

[0093] The seventh embodiment of the present application relates to a print head assembly 1000, which is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and the main difference is that in the present embodiment, the electrical contacts in the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 are asymmetric.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 13, when the electrical contacts in the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 are not a complete array, since the midpoint between the two electrical contacts at the most edge of the first electrical contact group 1310 in the width direction W does not change, the center line C3 of the first electrical contact group 1310 does not change, and since the midpoint between the two electrical contacts at the most edge of the second electrical contact group 1320 in the width direction W does not change, the center line C4 of the second electrical contact group 1320 does not change. The center line C5 of the contact unit 1300 does not change.

[0095] In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the sixth embodiment can be combined with the features listed in the first to fifth embodiments and can be mutually referred to without contradiction.

[0096] The eighth embodiment of the present application relates to an ink cartridge 9000, comprising:

[0097] a printhead assembly 1000;

[0098] a housing 2000 comprising an ink chamber and an ink channel, wherein the ink chamber 2000 is used to store at least two colors of ink, and the ink channel 3000 is used to connect the ink chamber and the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120.

[0099] Wherein the printhead assembly is as described in the above first to seventh embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 14, which is an example diagram of an ink cartridge, in which the ink cartridge is inverted compared to the printing process, with the bottom surface of the fixed nozzle chip facing upwards. The ink chamber and the ink channel are internal structures of the housing 2000 and are not shown in FIG. 14. The ink cartridge comprises a printhead assembly 1000, which is in an unfolded form as shown in FIG. 2, comprising:

[0100] a nozzle unit 1100 disposed on the circuit board 1200, the nozzle unit 1100 comprising a first nozzle chip 1110 and a second nozzle chip 1120;

[0101] a contact unit 1300 disposed on the circuit board 1200 and used to electrically connect with the nozzle unit 1100, the contact unit 1300 comprising a first electrical contact group 1310 and a second electrical contact group 1320 arranged at intervals, and the first electrical contact group 1310 and the second electrical contact group 1320 each comprising a plurality of electrical contacts 1301;

[0102] the first nozzle chip 1110 comprising a first nozzle array 1111 used to eject at least one color of ink;

[0103] the second nozzle chip 1120 comprising a second nozzle array 1121 used to eject at least another color of ink;

[0104] In the width direction W of the printhead assembly, the center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111 is located between the center line C3 of the first electrical contact group 1310 and the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121.

[0105] In the width direction, the center line C2 of the second nozzle array 1121 is located between the center line C4 of the second electrical contact group 1320 and the center line C1 of the first nozzle array 1111.

[0106] The ink cartridge can further include a cover plate 9400 on which the printhead assembly is fixed, the cover plate 9400 including the ends of the ink channels through which the ink of each color, for example, black ink and the other three color inks (i.e., color inks) flows from the ink cartridge to the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120. The circuit board is fixed to the cover plate 9400 by adhesion, fasteners, or other means.

[0107] In some embodiments, the ink cartridge includes at least four ink chambers to store black ink and color inks, where the color inks can be magenta ink, yellow ink, and cyan ink. Ink channels, also referred to as ink flow paths, ink flow channels, etc., connect the ink chambers to the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120, where each color of ink has its corresponding ink channel through which the ink flows to the corresponding nozzle chip to be ejected by the nozzle chip onto the print medium.

[0108] It can be found that the present embodiment is an embodiment of an ink cartridge that mounts a printhead assembly corresponding to the first to seventh embodiments, and the present embodiment can be implemented in cooperation with the first to seventh embodiments. The technical details mentioned in the first to seventh embodiments are still valid in the present embodiment, and thus will not be described again in order to reduce repetition. Correspondingly, the technical details mentioned in the present embodiment can also be applied to the first to seventh embodiments.

[0109] The ninth embodiment of the present application relates to an image forming apparatus 10000, comprising:

[0110] an ink cartridge 1001;

[0111] a carriage 1006 that carries the ink cartridge 1001 to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement V of the print medium (i.e., the W direction);

[0112] a control unit 1007 that controls the carriage to reciprocate and sends a control signal to the contact unit 1300 in the ink cartridge, and the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 in the ink cartridge eject black ink and color inks to the print medium based on the control signal.

[0113] The image forming device can be an inkjet printer, an inkjet copier, or the like. The ink cartridge is as shown in the fifth embodiment. The carriage is a carrying device of the ink cartridge, which carries the ink cartridge to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the print medium, and based on the print medium and the carriage driving the ink cartridge to move, the ink can be sprayed to any position on the print medium. The control unit can be a control chip of the printer, or a system for control in the printer, which can control the reciprocation of the carriage, the ink spraying timing of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120, and the movement of the print medium, so that the movement of the print medium, the reciprocation of the carriage, and the ink spraying timing of the first nozzle chip 1110 and the second nozzle chip 1120 are matched, and the printing of the print pattern received by the image forming device on the print medium is realized.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 15, it is a schematic diagram of an inkjet printer of the embodiment, which includes an ink cartridge 1001, a paper tray 1002, a paper outlet 1003, an upper cover 1004, a button 1005, a carriage 1006, and a control unit 1007. The inkjet printer can be provided by the paper tray 1002, the paper outlet 1003, and an internal paper feeding mode, so that the print medium (paper is taken as an example in the present application) enters from the paper tray 1002 and is discharged from the paper outlet 1003. The inkjet printer can set the internal paper feeding mode as “C” type, or “S” type. The upper cover 1004 can be a cover, and in some cases, a scanning device can be arranged in the upper cover 1004, so that a copying function is realized. The button 1005 is in communication connection with the control unit of the inkjet printer, and a user can send a print instruction to the inkjet printer through the button 1005. The carriage and the control unit are not shown in FIG. 10. In the inkjet printer, when the ink in the ink cartridge 1001 is used up, the ink cartridge 1001 needs to be replaced to obtain ink for continuous printing.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 16, it is a schematic diagram of another inkjet printer of the embodiment, which includes an ink cartridge 1101, a paper tray 1102, a paper outlet 1103, an upper cover 1104, a button 1105, an ink tank 1106, an ink pipe 1107, a carriage 1108, and a control unit 1109. The paper tray 1102, the paper outlet 1103, the upper cover 1104, and the button 1105 are the same as those in FIG. 10. The inkjet printer stores more ink in the ink tank 1106, and when one or more colors of ink in the ink cartridge 1101 is used up, the corresponding color of ink can be supplemented from the ink tank 1106 to the ink cartridge 1101, and the ink is transported from the ink tank 1106 to the ink cartridge 1101 through the ink pipe 1107, so that the ink cartridge 1101 can be used for a longer time.

[0116] It can be found that the present embodiment is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus installed with the ink cartridge of the eighth embodiment, and the present embodiment can be implemented in cooperation with the eighth embodiment. The technical details mentioned in the eighth embodiment are still valid in the present embodiment, and are not repeated here to avoid repetition. Accordingly, the technical details mentioned in the present embodiment can also be applied to the eighth embodiment.

[0117] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above embodiments are specific embodiments for implementing the present application, and in actual application, various changes can be made in form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A printhead assembly (1000) comprising: The application relates to a printhead assembly (1000), comprising: a circuit board (1200); a nozzle unit (1100) arranged on the circuit board (1200), the nozzle unit (1100) comprising a first nozzle chip (1110) and a second nozzle chip (1120); a contact unit (1300) arranged on the circuit board (1200) and electrically connected to the nozzle unit (1100), the contact unit (1300) comprising a first group of electrical contacts (1310) and a second group of electrical contacts (1320) arranged at intervals, the first group of electrical contacts (1310) and the second group of electrical contacts (1320) each comprising a plurality of electrical contacts (1301); the first nozzle chip (1110) comprises a first nozzle array (1111) for ejecting ink of at least one color; the second nozzle chip (1120) comprises a second nozzle array (1121) for ejecting ink of at least another color; in a width direction (W) of the printhead assembly (1000), a center line (C1) of the first nozzle array (1111) is located between a center line (C3) of the first group of electrical contacts (1310) and a center line (C2) of the second nozzle array (1121); in the width direction (W), the center line (C2) of the second nozzle array (1121) is located between a center line (C4) of the second group of electrical contacts (1320) and the center line (C1) of the first nozzle array (1111).

2. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 1, wherein, in the width direction (W), a maximum distance (A1) between two adjacent electrical contacts in the first group of electrical contacts (1310) is less than a minimum distance (H1) between the first group of electrical contacts (1310) and the second group of electrical contacts (1320), and a maximum distance (B1) between two adjacent electrical contacts in the second group of electrical contacts (1320) is also less than the minimum distance (H1).

3. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 1 or 2, wherein, the first nozzle chip (1110) and the second nozzle chip (1120) are arranged at intervals on the circuit board (1200).

4. The printhead assembly (1000) of any of claims 1-3, wherein, the first group of electrical contacts (1310) comprises at least one first dedicated contact (1301-1) for transmitting a dedicated signal of the first nozzle chip (1110); the second group of electrical contacts (1320) comprises at least one second dedicated contact (1301-2) for transmitting a dedicated signal of the second nozzle chip (1120).

5. The printhead assembly (1000) of any of claims 1-4, wherein, the first group of electrical contacts (1310) and / or the second group of electrical contacts (1320) can comprise a plurality of common contacts for transmitting common signals of the first nozzle chip (1110) and the second nozzle chip (1120).

6. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 4, wherein, The plurality of first dedicated contacts (1301-1) are arranged on one side of a center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300), and the plurality of second dedicated contacts (1301-2) are arranged on the other side of the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300).

7. The printhead assembly (1000) of any of claims 1-6, wherein, The first nozzle array (1111) comprises at least one nozzle group, and the second nozzle array comprises at least one nozzle group.

8. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 7, wherein, The first nozzle array (1111) comprises a first nozzle group (1111-1), and the second nozzle array (1121) comprises a second nozzle group (1121-2), a third nozzle group (1121-3) and a fourth nozzle group (1121-4); wherein the first nozzle group (1111-1) is used for ejecting ink of a first color, the second nozzle group (1121-2) is used for ejecting ink of a second color, the third nozzle group (1121-3) is used for ejecting ink of a third color, and the fourth nozzle group (1121-4) is used for ejecting ink of a fourth color.

9. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 8, wherein, The first color is black, the second color is cyan, the third color is magenta, and the fourth color is yellow; or the first color is yellow, the second color is cyan, the third color is magenta, and the fourth color is black.

10. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 8 or 9, wherein, In the width direction (W), a width (W21) of the second nozzle array (1121) is greater than a width (W11) of the first nozzle array (1111); and in the width direction (W), a distance between a center line (C1) of the first nozzle array (1111) and a center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300) is L1, and a distance between a center line (C2) of the second nozzle array (1121) and the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300) is L2, and L1 is greater than L2.

11. The printhead assembly (1000) of any of claims 1-10, wherein, The first nozzle array (1111) comprises a first nozzle group (1111-1) and a second nozzle group (1111-2), and the second nozzle array (1121) comprises a third nozzle group (1121-3) and a fourth nozzle group (1121-4); wherein the first nozzle group (1111-1) is used for ejecting ink of a first color, the second nozzle group (1111-2) is used for ejecting ink of a second color, the third nozzle group (1121-3) is used for ejecting ink of a third color, and the fourth nozzle group (1121-4) is used for ejecting ink of a fourth color.

12. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 11, wherein, The first color is black, the second color is cyan, the third color is magenta, and the fourth color is yellow.

13. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The width (W22) of the second nozzle array (1121) is less than the width (W12) of the first nozzle array (1111); and in the width direction (W), the distance between the center line (C1) of the first nozzle array (1111) and the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300) is L3, and the distance between the center line (C2) of the second nozzle array (1121) and the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300) is L4, L3 is less than L4.

14. The printhead assembly (1000) of any of claims 1-13, wherein, The second electric contact group (1320) includes a plurality of electric contacts (1301) which are symmetrical with each electric contact (1301) in the first electric contact group (1310) about the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300).

15. The printhead assembly (1000) of any of claims 1-14, wherein, The first electric contact group (1310) includes a plurality of electric contacts (1301) which are symmetrical with each electric contact (1301) in the second electric contact group (1320) about the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300).

16. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 4, wherein, The first electric contact group (1310) and / or the second electric contact group (1320) further includes a plurality of power supply contacts (1301-3) for supplying power to the first nozzle chip (1110) and / or the second nozzle chip (1120).

17. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 15, wherein, The plurality of power supply contacts (1301-3) are disposed on both sides of the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300) and are symmetrical about the center line (C5) of the contact unit (1300).

18. The printhead assembly (1000) of claim 15, wherein, The minimum distance (D1) between the plurality of power supply contacts (1301-3) and the nozzle unit (1100) is less than the minimum distance (D2) between the first dedicated contact (1301-1) and the nozzle unit (1100), and the minimum distance (D1) is less than the minimum distance (D3) between the second dedicated contact (1301-2) and the nozzle unit (1100).

19. The printhead assembly (1000) of any of claims 1-18, wherein, The circuit board (1200) includes a first circuit board (1200) and a second circuit board (1200); The first nozzle chip (1110) and the first electric contact group (1310) are disposed on the first circuit board (1200), and the second nozzle chip (1120) and the second electric contact group (1320) are disposed on the second circuit board (1200); Alternatively, the nozzle unit (1100) is disposed on the first circuit board (1200), and the contact unit (1300) is disposed on the second circuit board (1200).

20. An ink cartridge (1001) characterized by, Comprising: The printhead assembly (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 19; The housing (2000) includes an ink chamber for storing at least two colors of ink and an ink channel for connecting the ink chamber and the first nozzle chip (1110) and the second nozzle chip (1120).

21. An image forming apparatus (10000) characterized by comprising: Comprising: The ink cartridge (1001) according to claim 20; a carriage (1006) for carrying the ink cartridge to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction (V) of a print medium; a control unit (1007) for controlling the carriage (1006) to reciprocate and sending a control signal to a contact unit (1300) in the ink cartridge (1001), and the first nozzle chip (1110) and the second nozzle chip (1120) in the ink cartridge to spray the first ink and the second ink to the print medium based on the control signal.

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