EP0775586A1 - Minimalisierung der Breite des Tintenstrahlkopfwagens - Google Patents

Minimalisierung der Breite des Tintenstrahlkopfwagens Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0775586A1
EP0775586A1 EP96302190A EP96302190A EP0775586A1 EP 0775586 A1 EP0775586 A1 EP 0775586A1 EP 96302190 A EP96302190 A EP 96302190A EP 96302190 A EP96302190 A EP 96302190A EP 0775586 A1 EP0775586 A1 EP 0775586A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
printheads
printhead
carriage
edge
resolution
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP96302190A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
David E. Hackleman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HP Inc
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Co filed Critical Hewlett Packard Co
Publication of EP0775586A1 publication Critical patent/EP0775586A1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
    • B41J2/2103—Features not dealing with the colouring process per se, e.g. construction of printers or heads, driving circuit adaptations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/34—Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to inkjet printer construction, and more particularly to inkjet pen, print element and carriage assembly construction for inkjet printers having multiple pens.
  • a conventional black inkjet printer include an inkjet pen which scans which across a media sheet.
  • the pen is held in a shuttle carriage which moves along a rail.
  • the inkjet nozzles at the pen's printhead emit ink onto the media sheet.
  • Typical resolutions are 300 dots per inch and more recently 600 dots per inch (“dpi").
  • each pen prints ink of a different color.
  • one pen prints black ink
  • 3 additional pens print cyan, magenta and yellow inks, respectively.
  • the multiple pens are located side by side in an enlarged shuttle carriage. As with the black inkjet printer embodiment, the multiple pen carriage moves along a rail to scan the media sheet to receive ink. With the four pens positioned side by side, the shuttle carriage holding multiple pens is wider than the shuttle carriage for the black inkjet printer. Also, the shuttle carriage path spans a longer distance due to its relatively longer width, (e.g., by approximately 3 inkjet pen widths).
  • print carriage path length is minimized for a multiple-pen print carriage shuttling pens printing at differing resolution.
  • the carriage holds a 600 dpi black ink pen and three 300 dpi colored ink pens.
  • the printheads for each pen are the same, but only a subset of nozzles are active for printing at lower resolution.
  • the printhead for each lower resolution pen has active nozzles aligned in a single row, while the printhead for the higher resolution pen has active nozzles aligned in multiple (e.g., two) rows.
  • the single row of active nozzles for the lower resolution pens are either centered or offset toward one edge.
  • the higher resolution pen takes an inner position within the shuttle carriage.
  • the pens are aligned side-by-side within the shuttle carriage.
  • an inkjet print carriage including multiple inkjet pens, a shuttle carriage and a rail.
  • the pens are carried in the shuttle carriage along the rail to print onto a media sheet while scanning the sheet.
  • the multiple pens including a first set of pens (e.g., colored pens) printing at one resolution and at least one other pen (e.g., black pen) printing at a higher resolution.
  • Each one of the first set of pens has a first printhead of inkjet nozzles.
  • the nozzles are arranged in a single row. The row is centered across the width of the printhead and runs lengthwise along the first printhead. Alternatively, the row is off-center toward an edge.
  • the higher resolution printhead(s) include multiple rows.
  • the printheads of all pens are arranged side by side in the shuttle carriage.
  • all the printheads are permanent printheads.
  • Permanent printheads as used herein means printheads that are not replaced each time ink runs lows, but which instead last the life of the printer or are replaced less often than ink re-filling.
  • the outer printheads among the arrangement of side by side printheads are first printheads having a single row of active nozzles.
  • the higher resolution printhead(s) with the multiple rows of active nozzles occupy intermediary positions relative to the outer printheads. Inkjet carriage path is minimized by having a single row of active nozzles.
  • Fig. 1 shows a conventional inkjet print carriage assembly 10.
  • the print carriage assembly 10 is part of an inkjet printer, fax machine, or copy machine.
  • the assembly 10 includes four inkjet pens 12, 14, 16, 18.
  • Pen 12 prints black ink K, while pens 14, 16 and 18 print respective colored inks C1, C2, C3, (e.g., cyan, magenta and yellow).
  • Each pen includes a printhead 20, 21 of inkjet nozzles.
  • a shuttle carriage 22 carries the pens along a rail 30.
  • the shuttle carriage 22 is driven along the rail 30 in response to a drive signal received from a carriage controller 32.
  • the respective printheads 20, 21 print markings onto the media sheet under the control a printhead controller 34.
  • a drive roller 40 including multiple elastomeric "tires" 42 and a rotating shaft 44.
  • the drive roller 40 is driven by a motor 46 based on commands from a media transport controller 48.
  • the various controllers 32, 34, 48 are in communication with a print processor 50 and memory 52.
  • Fig. 2 shows the printheads 20, 21 of the pens 12-18 for a higher-resolution black pen 12 (e.g., 600 dpi) and three lower-resolution colored pens 14-18 (e.g., 300 dpi).
  • the black pen 12 includes multiple rows 23, 24, 25, 26 of nozzles 27.
  • the colored pens, 14, 16, 18 include two rows 28, 29 of nozzles 27.
  • the black pen 12 is positioned at one end of the row of side-by-side pens 12-18.
  • Fig. 3 shows an alternative printhead layout for alternative pens 62-68.
  • the layout includes a higher resolution black pen 62 adjacent to multiple lower resolution colored pens 64, 66, 68.
  • the black pen prints with 600 dpi resolution, while three colored pens (e.g., cyan, magenta and yellow) print with 300 dpi resolution.
  • the black pen 62 includes a printhead 70.
  • the printhead 70 includes multiple rows 72, 74 of nozzles 76. In a preferred embodiment there are two rows 72, 74 of nozzles 76.
  • the colored pens 64, 66, 68 include respective printheads 71. Each printhead 71 includes a single row 78 of nozzles 76.
  • the nozzle layout differs for the higher resolution pen 62 relative to the lower resolution pens 64, 66, 68.
  • the higher resolution pen includes multiple rows 72, 74 running the length of printhead 70. In the preferred 2-row embodiment each row 72, 74 is offset from its closest elongated pen edge 80, 82 by a distance d 3 .
  • the lower resolution pens 64, 66, 68 each include a single row 78 running the length of the respective printheads. The single rows 78 are generally centered across the width of the printhead 71. Each nozzle 78 on printhead 71 has a distance d 4 from nozzle center to elongated pen edges 84, 86.
  • printhead 70 is narrower having a width w 3 which is less than the printhead 20 width w 1 .
  • the outermost rows 23, 26 of conventional printhead 20 are offset by a distance, d 1 , as measured from nozzle center to nearest elongated pen edge 31, 33.
  • the printhead 70 has its outermost rows 72, 74 offset by a distance d 3 , as measured from nozzle center to nearest elongated pen edge 80, 82.
  • Distance d 3 is any of shorter, longer or equal to distance d 1 .
  • printhead 71 is narrower having a width, w 4 which is less than printhead 21 width, w 2 .
  • the rows 28, 29 of printhead 21 are each offset by a distance d 2 , as measured from nozzle center to nearest elongated pen edge 35, 37.
  • the printhead 71 single row 78 is centered having an offset d 4 , as measured from nozzle center to each elongated pen edge 35, 37.
  • Fig. 4 shows a preferred arrangement of pens 62, 64, 66, 68 in which the higher resolution pen 62 has an inner position among the arrangement of pens 62-68.
  • the higher resolution pen(s) are located in intermediary positions, as distinguished from outer positions.
  • the two outer positions in a row of pens including higher resolution and lower resolution pens are lower resolution pens.
  • the two outer positions in a row of pens are occupied by pens having a single row of nozzles, regardless of resolution. Each nozzle in the single row being centered across the width of its printhead.
  • the single rows are off-center, instead of being centered.
  • Fig. 5 shows an alternative preferred embodiment in which a four pens 92, 94, 96 and 98 are arranged side by side.
  • Each pen 92-98 includes a printhead 100 having two or more sets of columns. Each set includes one or more columns of nozzles 27.
  • the outer pens 92 and 98 print at a lower resolution than at least one of the intermediary pens 94, 96. To do so, the outer pen 92 prints using the set 104.
  • Set 102 is not used for lower resolution printing of pen 92.
  • the outer pen 98 prints using the set 102.
  • Set 104 is not used for lower resolution printing of pen 98.
  • the higher resolution pen e.g., pen 94
  • the lower resolution pen (e.g., 96) prints using either one, but not both of sets 102 and 104.
  • Figs. 6-9 show the minimum carriage path widths for the pen arrangements of Figs. 2-5, respectively.
  • Fig. 6 shows the minimum carriage path width for pens 12-18 of Fig. 2.
  • P a the minimum carriage path width
  • Fig. 7 shows the minimum carriage path width for pens 62-68 as arranged in Fig. 3.
  • the minimum carriage path width, P b is given below:
  • Fig. 8 shows the minimum carriage path width for pens 62-68 as arranged in Fig. 4.
  • the minimum carriage path width, P c is given below:
  • This preferred Fig. 4 arrangement gives a minimum carriage path distance which is 4 to 5.5 mm better than the Fig. 3 arrangement and 9 to 16 mm better than the Fig. 2 arrangement of the conventional printheads 20, 21. By positioning the higher-resolution pen in an inner position the minimum carriage path is reduced by 4.5 mm. The remaining reduction is due to achieving narrower pens.
  • Fig. 9 shows the minimum carriage path width for pens 92-98 as arranged in Fig. 5.
  • P c the minimum carriage path width
  • this minimum carriage width of 291.9 to 297.9 mm also applies for a configuration of pens 62-68 in which the rows are off center to correspond to the position of the active rows (e.g., sets) 102, 104 among pens 92, 96 and 98 of Figs. 5 and 9. Accordingly, the desired 300 mm minimum distance is met by the configuration of Fig. 9.
  • print carriage path is minimized by positioning the higher resolution pen(s) in intermediary positions.
  • Print carriage path is further reduced by (i) narrowing pen width to approximately 12 mm or less, (ii) incurring print margin minimums (e.g., totaling approximately 6.9 mm for the combined left and right margins), (iii) using only a set of nozzles for low resolution printing and strategically selecting which set (e.g., left set or right set) to use, or (iv) for a single row of nozzles printing at lower resolution, positioning the nozzles off center to one side for one outer pen and off-center toward the opposite side for the other outer pen.
  • print margin minimums e.g., totaling approximately 6.9 mm for the combined left and right margins
  • One advantage of the invention is that smaller lightweight portable color-ink devices are achieved. Another advantage is that portable color-ink devices of smaller length can be achieved which fit within a conventionally-sized briefcase.
  • inkjet pens having permanent printheads, (i.e., printheads that are not replaced each time ink runs low, but which instead last the life of the printer or are replaced periodically, but less often than ink re-filling.)
  • printheads i.e., printheads that are not replaced each time ink runs low, but which instead last the life of the printer or are replaced periodically, but less often than ink re-filling.
  • the relative positioning of the pens is accurate to fine tolerance levels. This allows designers to avoid accounting for spacing between pens and play in the pen positioning when determining minimum carriage path length.

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
EP96302190A 1995-11-21 1996-03-28 Minimalisierung der Breite des Tintenstrahlkopfwagens Ceased EP0775586A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US56024595A 1995-11-21 1995-11-21
US560245 2000-04-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0775586A1 true EP0775586A1 (de) 1997-05-28

Family

ID=24236970

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96302190A Ceased EP0775586A1 (de) 1995-11-21 1996-03-28 Minimalisierung der Breite des Tintenstrahlkopfwagens

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP0775586A1 (de)
JP (1) JPH09174826A (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4535081B2 (ja) * 2007-03-26 2010-09-01 セイコーエプソン株式会社 印刷装置および記録媒体
JP5811317B2 (ja) * 2011-03-14 2015-11-11 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置、プログラム、画像形成方法
JP5979296B2 (ja) * 2015-09-14 2016-08-24 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置、プログラム、画像形成方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4540996A (en) * 1982-05-11 1985-09-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus
WO1991008902A1 (en) * 1989-12-15 1991-06-27 Spectra, Inc. Bidirectional hot melt ink jet printing
JPH06198917A (ja) * 1993-01-07 1994-07-19 Canon Inc カラーインクジェット記録装置
JPH0725026A (ja) * 1993-06-24 1995-01-27 Canon Inc インクジェット記録装置
JPH07186451A (ja) * 1994-11-17 1995-07-25 Ricoh Co Ltd インクジェット記録装置

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4540996A (en) * 1982-05-11 1985-09-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus
WO1991008902A1 (en) * 1989-12-15 1991-06-27 Spectra, Inc. Bidirectional hot melt ink jet printing
JPH06198917A (ja) * 1993-01-07 1994-07-19 Canon Inc カラーインクジェット記録装置
JPH0725026A (ja) * 1993-06-24 1995-01-27 Canon Inc インクジェット記録装置
JPH07186451A (ja) * 1994-11-17 1995-07-25 Ricoh Co Ltd インクジェット記録装置

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 554 (M - 1691) 21 October 1994 (1994-10-21) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 95, no. 001 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 95, no. 007 *

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Publication number Publication date
JPH09174826A (ja) 1997-07-08

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