SEALED FLUIDIC INTERFACES FOR AN INK SOURCE REGULATOR FOR AN INKJET PRINTER

摘要

A method of assembling a print head that includes the steps of: (a) providing a print head base including a nozzle and at least one ink channel; (b) mounting in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base an ink regulator (10) that includes: (i) a pressurized chamber (16) including an ink inlet (18) in fluid communication with an ink source (12), an ink outlet (14) in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base, and an exterior flexible wall (22) having an inner surface facing an interior of the pressurized chamber (16), (ii) a valve (24,32) biased to restrict fluid communication between the ink source (12) and the pressurized chamber (16), where the exterior flexible wall (22) actuates the valve (24,32) to overcome the bias in response to a predetermined pressure differential across the exterior flexible wall (22) to provide fluid communication between the ink source (12) and the pressurized chamber (16), where the fluid communication between the pressurized chamber (16) and the ink source (12) decreases the pressure differential across the exterior flexible wall (22) and, where the valve (24,32) restricts fluid communication between the ink source (12) and the pressurized chamber (16) when the pressure differential across the exterior flexible wall (22) is less than the predetermined pressure differential; and, (c) positioning an ink filter (122) in fluid communication with the ink regulator (10) and the at least one ink channel (14') of the print head base (34).