Removable printhead assembly

Abstract

A removable printhead assembly for a single-pass inkjet printer. The printhead assembly comprises: an elongate body adapted for removal and insertion in a cradle of the printer; an ink manifold assembly having a mounting surface defining a plurality of ink outlets; a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface; one or more pressure regulator assemblies for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a predetermined backpressure; and a plurality of electrical terminals positioned along a length of the body for establishing electrical connection with a printer controller of the printer. The electrical terminals extend along one side of the elongate body, which is perpendicular to the mounting surface.

1 . A removable printhead assembly for a single-pass inkjet printer, the printhead assembly comprising:
 an elongate body adapted for removal and insertion in a cradle of the printer;   an ink manifold assembly having a mounting surface defining a plurality of ink outlets;   a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface of the ink manifold assembly, each printhead chip receiving ink from at least one ink outlet;   one or more pressure regulator assemblies for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a predetermined backpressure, each pressure regulator assembly being mounted on the ink manifold assembly and in fluidic communication with one or more of said ink outlets, each pressure regulator assembly being positioned above the ink manifold assembly when mounted in the printer; and   a plurality of electrical terminals positioned along a length of the body for establishing electrical connection between the printhead chips and a printer controller of the printer when the printhead assembly is inserted in the cradle of the printer,   
       wherein the electrical terminals extend along one side of the elongate body, which is perpendicular to the mounting surface. 
     
     
         2 . The printhead assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each pressure regulator assembly comprises an ink reservoir and a pressure regulator. 
     
     
         3 . A single-pass inkjet printer comprising a cradle for receiving a removable printhead assembly, the printhead assembly comprising:
 an elongate body adapted for removal and insertion in the cradle of the printer;   an ink manifold assembly having a mounting surface defining a plurality of ink outlets;   a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface of the ink manifold assembly, each printhead chip receiving ink from at least one ink outlet;   one or more pressure regulator assemblies for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a predetermined backpressure, each pressure regulator assembly being mounted on the ink manifold assembly and in fluidic communication with one or more of said ink outlets, each pressure regulator assembly being positioned above the ink manifold assembly when mounted in the printer; and   a plurality of electrical terminals positioned along a length of the body for establishing electrical connection between the printhead chips and a printer controller of the printer when the printhead assembly is inserted in the cradle,   
       wherein the electrical terminals extend along one side of the elongate body, which is perpendicular to the mounting surface. 
     
     
         4 . The printer of  claim 3 , wherein each pressure regulator assembly comprises an ink reservoir and a pressure regulator.