EP1301348B1 - A capping mechanism for a print engine - Google Patents
A capping mechanism for a print engine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1301348B1 EP1301348B1 EP00938316A EP00938316A EP1301348B1 EP 1301348 B1 EP1301348 B1 EP 1301348B1 EP 00938316 A EP00938316 A EP 00938316A EP 00938316 A EP00938316 A EP 00938316A EP 1301348 B1 EP1301348 B1 EP 1301348B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- printhead
- capping
- torsion bar
- print engine
- capping mechanism
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 28
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
- B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
-
- 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
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/66—Applications of cutting devices
- B41J11/70—Applications of cutting devices cutting perpendicular to the direction of paper feed
- B41J11/706—Applications of cutting devices cutting perpendicular to the direction of paper feed using a cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating carrier
-
- 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
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
- B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
- B41J2/16511—Constructions for cap positioning
-
- 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
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16585—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
Definitions
- This invention relates to a print engine.
- the invention has particular application in a print engine for use in an instantaneous print, digital camera. More particularly, the invention relates to a capping mechanism for such a print engine.
- the power source will be a battery pack and to reduce the size of the battery pack, for example by using fewer batteries, would result in a more compact camera.
- US 5,610,640 describes a maintenance apparatus for maintaining an ink jet printhead.
- the maintenance apparatus includes a maintenance station having a first member, a translation apparatus connected to the maintenance station which generates a translation force to translate the maintenance station along a path, and a displacement apparatus connected to the translation apparatus and operatively coupled to the first member for displacing the first member with respect to the translation apparatus.
- the maintenance apparatus minimizes system complexity by using the energy which translates the maintenance station for extending and retracting the capping member which seals the area around the front nozzle face of an ink jet printhead during periods of non-use.
- a lead screw and a motor move the maintenance station in a direction towards an ink jet printhead for maintenance operations and a actuating lever and cam system move the capping member into contact with the front face of the ink jet printhead.
- a capping mechanism fur a print engine including a capping means mounted in alignment with a printhead of the print engine, the capping means comprising a rib of a resiliently flexible material supported on a carrier and being displaceable into and out of abutment with the printhead for capping and uncapping the printhead, respectively; a torsion bar arrangement which acts on the carrier for displacing the capping means; and a mechanical displaceable element which co-operates with the torsion bar such that, when the element is in a parked position, the element engages the torsion bar to cause the capping means to be displaced into abutment with the printhead to cap the printhead and, when the displaceable element is out of its parked position, the capping means is urged by the urging means out of abutment with the printhead, and characterised in that the mechanical displaceable element is a separating means including:
- the printhead is preferably a page width printhead.
- the capping mechanism preferably comprises a biasing means acting on the torsion bar arrangement for biasing the capping means to an uncapped position.
- the mechanical displaceable element is a separating means, such as a cutter wheel, which separates a piece of print media, after printing of an image by the print engine on the piece of print media, from a supply of the print media.
- the separating means may be displaceable in a direction parallel to the printhead and the separating means includes an engaging means which engages one of the arms of the torsion bar arrangement, when the separating means is in its parked position, to urge the arm against the action of the biasing means to drive the capping mechanism into its capped position.
- the engaging means may be a cam member carried by the separating means. More particularly, the cutter wheel may be carried on a mounting block, which is driven by a worm gear to traverse the printhead. Then the mounting block may include the cam member such that, when the mounting block is moved to its parked position, the cam member engages the arm of the torsion bar arrangement for displacing the torsion bar arrangement, against the action of the biasing means, such that the capping mechanism is urged into abutment with the printhead.
- reference numeral 500 generally designates a print engine, in accordance with the invention.
- the print engine 500 includes a print engine assembly 502 on which a print roll cartridge 504 is removably mountable.
- the print cartridge 504 is a receptacle containing consumables such as a supply of print media and various types of ink.
- the print cartridge 504 is described in greater detail in our co-pending applications entitled "A Print Cartridge” (docket number CAO 2 ) and “An Ink Cartridge” (docket number CAO 4 ) filed simultaneously herewith as International Patent Application numbers PCT/AUoo/ 00741 and PCT/AUoo/ 00742 respectively.
- the print engine assembly 502 comprises a first sub-assembly 506 and a second, printhead sub-assembly 508.
- the sub-assembly 506 includes a chassis 510.
- the chassis 510 comprises a first molding 512 in which ink supply channels 514 are molded.
- the ink supply channels 514 supply inks from the print cartridge 504 to a printhead 516 ( Figures 5 to 7) of the printhead sub-assembly 508.
- the printhead 516 prints in four colors or three colors plus ink which is visible in the infrared light spectrum only (hereinafter referred to as 'infrared ink').
- four ink supply channels 514 are defined in the molding 512 together with an air supply channel 518.
- the air supply channel 518 supplies air to the printhead 516 to inhibit the build up of foreign particles on a nozzle guard of the printhead 516.
- the chassis 510 further includes a cover molding 520.
- the cover molding 520 supports a pump 522 thereon.
- the pump 522 is a suction pump, which draws air through an air filter in the print cartridge 504 via an air inlet pin 524 and an air inlet opening 526. Air is expelled through an outlet opening 528 into the air supply channel 518 of the chassis 510.
- the chassis 510 further supports a first drive motor in the form of a stepper motor 530.
- the stepper motor 530 drives the pump 522 via a first gear train 532.
- the stepper motor 530 is also connected to a drive roller 534 ( Figure 5) of a roller assembly 536 of the print cartridge 504 via a second gear train 538.
- the gear train 538 engages an engagable element 540 ( Figure 2) carried at an end of the drive roller 534.
- the stepper motor 530 thus controls the feed of print media 542 to the printhead 516 of the sub-assembly 508 to enable an image to be printed on the print media 542 as it passes beneath the printhead 516.
- the pump 522 is only operational to blow air over the printhead 516 when printing takes place on the print media 542.
- the molding 512 of the chassis 510 also supports a plurality of ink supply conduits in the form of pins 544 which are in communication with the ink supply channels 514.
- the ink supply pins 544 are received through an elastomeric collar assembly 546 of the print cartridge 504 for drawing ink from ink chambers or reservoirs 548 ( Figure 5) in the print cartridge 504 to be supplied to the printhead 516.
- a second motor 550 which is a DC motor, is supported on the cover molding 520 of the chassis 510 via clips 552.
- the motor 550 is provided to drive a separating means in the form of a cutter arm assembly 554 to part a piece of the print media 542, after an image has been printed thereon, from a remainder of the print media.
- the motor 550 carries a beveled gear 556 on an output shaft thereof.
- the beveled gear 556 meshes with a beveled gear 558 carried on a worm gear 560 of the cutter assembly 554.
- the worm gear 560 is rotatably supported via bearings 562 in a chassis base plate 564 of the printhead sub-assembly 508.
- the cutter assembly 554 includes a cutter wheel 566, which is supported on a resiliently flexible arm 568 on a mounting block 570.
- the worm gear 560 passes through the mounting block 570 such that, when the worm gear 560 is rotated, the mounting block 570 and the cutter wheel 566 traverse the chassis base plate 564.
- the mounting block 570 bears against a lip 572 of the base plate 564 to inhibit rotation of the mounting block 570 relative to the worm gear 560.
- the cutter wheel 566 bears against an upper housing or cap portion 574 of the printhead sub-assembly 508.
- This cap portion 574 is a metal portion. Hence, as the cutter wheel 566 traverses the capped portion 574, a scissors-like cutting action is imparted to the print media to separate that part of the print media 542 on which the image has been printed.
- the sub-assembly 506 includes an ejector mechanism 576.
- the ejector mechanism 576 is carried on the chassis 510 and has a collar 578 having clips 580, which clip and affix the ejector mechanism 576 to the chassis 510.
- the collar 578 supports an insert 582 of an elastomeric material therein.
- the elastomeric insert 582 defines a plurality of openings 584.
- the openings 584 close off inlet openings of the pins 544 to inhibit the ingress of foreign particles into the pins 544 and, in so doing, into the channels 514 and the printhead 516.
- the insert 584 defines a land or platform 586 which closes off an inlet opening of the air inlet pin 524 for the same purposes.
- a coil spring 588 is arranged between the chassis 510 and the collar 578 to urge the collar 578 to a spaced position relative to the chassis 510 when the cartridge 504 is removed from the print engine 500, as shown in greater detail in Figure 3 of the drawings.
- the ejector mechanism 576 is shown in its retracted position in Figure 4 of the drawings.
- the printhead sub-assembly 508 includes, as described above, the base plate 564.
- a capping mechanism 590 is supported displaceably on the base plate 564 to be displaceable towards and away from the printhead 516.
- the capping mechanism 590 includes an elongate rib 592 arranged on a carrier 593.
- the carrier is supported by a displacement mechanism 594, which displaces the rib 592 into abutment with the printhead 516 when the printhead 516 is inoperative. Conversely, when the printhead 516 is operational, the displacement mechanism 594 is operable to retract the rib 592 out of abutment with the printhead 516.
- the printhead sub-assembly 508 includes a printhead support molding 596 on which the printhead 516 is mounted.
- the molding 596 together with an insert 599 arranged in the molding 596, defines a passage 598 through which the print media 542 passes when an image is to be printed thereon.
- a groove 700 is defined in the molding 596 through which the capping mechanism 590 projects when the capping mechanism 590 is in its capping position.
- An ink feed arrangement 702 is supported by the insert 599 beneath the cap portion 574.
- the ink feed arrangement 702 comprises a spine portion 704 and a casing 706 mounted on the spine portion 704.
- the spine portion 704 and the casing 706, between them, define ink feed galleries 708 which are in communication with the ink supply channels 514 in the chassis 510 for feeding ink via passages 710 ( Figure 7) to the printhead 516.
- An air supply channel 711 ( Figure 8) is defined in the spine portion 704, alongside the printhead 516.
- TAB film 712 which is held captive between the insert 599 and the ink feed arrangement 702.
- the molding 596 includes an angled wing portion 714.
- a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) 716 is supported on and secured to the wing portion 714.
- the flex PCB 716 makes electrical contact with the TAB film 712 by being urged into engagement with the TAB film 712 via a rib 718 of the insert 599.
- the flex PCB 716 supports busbars 720 thereon.
- the busbars 720 provide power to the printhead 516 and to the other powered components of the print engine 500.
- a camera print engine control chip 721 is supported on the flex PCB 716 together with a QA chip (not shown) which authenticates that the cartridge 504 is compatible and compliant with the print engine 500.
- the PCB 716 includes contacts 723, which engage contacts 725 in the print cartridge 504.
- the printhead itself includes a nozzle guard 722 arranged on a silicon wafer 724.
- the ink is supplied to a nozzle array (not shown) of the printhead 516 via an ink supply member 726.
- the ink supply member 726 communicates with outlets of the passages 710 of the ink feed arrangement 702 for feeding ink to the array of nozzles of the printhead 516, on demand.
- the displacement mechanism 594 includes a torsion bar arrangement 728 comprising a bar 730 and a pair of arms 732. One arm 732 extends from each end of the bar 730 at right angles to the bar 730.
- the displacement mechanism further includes a biasing means in the form of a leaf spring 734. As shown in greater detail in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings, the leaf spring 734 projects from, and is secured to, a securing member 736 forming part of the molding 596.
- the bar 730 of the torsion bar is held captive by clips 738 in the carrier 593 of the capping mechanism 590. It is also to be noted that the carrier 593, itself, is held slidably captive with respect to the molding 596 by means of clip 742.
- the torsion bar arrangement 728 is further located in position with reference to the metal base plate 564 by having free ends of the arm 732 received in openings 740 in the base plate 564.
- the mounting block 570 of the cutter assembly 554 carries a cam member or cam profile 744 having a ramped region 746.
- the mounting block 570 of the cutter assembly 554 moves to its parked position, as shown in Figure 11 of the drawings, one of the arms 732 of the torsion bar arrangement 728 is received within the cam profile 744 and is urged upwardly, against the action of the leaf spring 734, such that the rib 592 of the capping mechanism 590 is urged into abutment with the printhead 516.
- the mounting block 570 is moved in the direction of arrow 748 ( Figure 11) so that the arm 732 of the torsion bar arrangement 728 moves out of the cam profile 744.
- the leaf spring 734 then acts on the bar 730 of the torsion bar arrangement 728 urging the rib 592 of the capping mechanism 590 out of abutment with the printhead 516. This allows the print media 542 to pass through the slot 598 beneath the printhead 516 so that printing can take place.
- the displacement mechanism 594 is entirely mechanical in operation. Accordingly, it is not a drain on a power source of a camera in which the print engine 500 is used.
- the size of the print engine assembly 502 is such that most of the components are received within a footprint of an end of the print cartridge 504.
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a print engine. The invention has particular application in a print engine for use in an instantaneous print, digital camera. More particularly, the invention relates to a capping mechanism for such a print engine.
- It is desirable to make digital cameras as compact as possible so that it is easier to carry such cameras around. One of the ways of making the camera compact is to reduce the size of the power source. It will be appreciated that, normally, the power source will be a battery pack and to reduce the size of the battery pack, for example by using fewer batteries, would result in a more compact camera.
- In order to do so, it is desirable to omit high power consumption components from the camera and, more particularly, its print engine.
- US 5,610,640 describes a maintenance apparatus for maintaining an ink jet printhead. The maintenance apparatus includes a maintenance station having a first member, a translation apparatus connected to the maintenance station which generates a translation force to translate the maintenance station along a path, and a displacement apparatus connected to the translation apparatus and operatively coupled to the first member for displacing the first member with respect to the translation apparatus. The maintenance apparatus minimizes system complexity by using the energy which translates the maintenance station for extending and retracting the capping member which seals the area around the front nozzle face of an ink jet printhead during periods of non-use. A lead screw and a motor move the maintenance station in a direction towards an ink jet printhead for maintenance operations and a actuating lever and cam system move the capping member into contact with the front face of the ink jet printhead.
- US 5,733,055 describes a capping mechanism according to the preamble of
claim 1. - According to the invention, there is provided, a capping mechanism fur a print engine, the capping mechanism including
a capping means mounted in alignment with a printhead of the print engine, the capping means comprising a rib of a resiliently flexible material supported on a carrier and being displaceable into and out of abutment with the printhead for capping and uncapping the printhead, respectively;
a torsion bar arrangement which acts on the carrier for displacing the capping means; and
a mechanical displaceable element which co-operates with the torsion bar such that, when the element is in a parked position, the element engages the torsion bar to cause the capping means to be displaced into abutment with the printhead to cap the printhead and, when the displaceable element is out of its parked position, the capping means is urged by the urging means out of abutment with the printhead,
and characterised in that
the mechanical displaceable element is a separating means including: - a cutter wheel for cutting print media, and
- engaging means which engages an arm of the torsion bar arrangement, when the separating means is in its parked position, to urge the arm into its capped position.
- The printhead is preferably a page width printhead.
- The capping mechanism preferably comprises a biasing means acting on the torsion bar arrangement for biasing the capping means to an uncapped position.
- The mechanical displaceable element is a separating means, such as a cutter wheel, which separates a piece of print media, after printing of an image by the print engine on the piece of print media, from a supply of the print media. The separating means may be displaceable in a direction parallel to the printhead and the separating means includes an engaging means which engages one of the arms of the torsion bar arrangement, when the separating means is in its parked position, to urge the arm against the action of the biasing means to drive the capping mechanism into its capped position.
- The engaging means may be a cam member carried by the separating means. More particularly, the cutter wheel may be carried on a mounting block, which is driven by a worm gear to traverse the printhead. Then the mounting block may include the cam member such that, when the mounting block is moved to its parked position, the cam member engages the arm of the torsion bar arrangement for displacing the torsion bar arrangement, against the action of the biasing means, such that the capping mechanism is urged into abutment with the printhead.
- The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-
- Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of a print engine, including components in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 2 shows a three dimensional, exploded view of the print engine;
- Figure 3 shows a three dimensional view of the print engine with a removable print cartridge used with the print engine removed;
- Figure 4 shows a three dimensional, rear view of the print engine with the print cartridge shown in dotted lines;
- Figure 5 shows a three dimensional, sectional view of the print engine;
- Figure 6 shows a three dimensional, exploded view of a printhead sub-assembly of the print engine;
- Figure 7 shows a partly cutaway view of the printhead sub-assembly;
- Figure 8 shows a sectional end view of the printhead sub-assembly with a capping mechanism in a capping position;
- Figure 9 shows the printhead sub-assembly with the capping mechanism in its uncapped position;
- Figure 10 shows a three dimensional, exploded view of part of the printhead sub-assembly showing the capping mechanism in greater detail;
- Figure 11 shows a three dimensional, schematic view of part of the capping mechanism, in its capping position;
- Figure 12 shows a three dimensional view, from above, of part of the printhead sub-assembly with the capping mechanism in its capping position;
- Figure 13 shows a three dimensional view, from above, of the part of the printhead sub-assembly with the capping mechanism in its uncapped position;
- Figure 14 shows a three dimensional view, from below, of the part of the printhead sub-assembly with the capping mechanism in its capping position; and
- Figure 15 shows a three dimensional view, from below, of the part of the printhead sub-assembly with the capping mechanism in its uncapped position.
- In the drawings,
reference numeral 500 generally designates a print engine, in accordance with the invention. Theprint engine 500 includes aprint engine assembly 502 on which aprint roll cartridge 504 is removably mountable. - The
print cartridge 504 is a receptacle containing consumables such as a supply of print media and various types of ink. Theprint cartridge 504 is described in greater detail in our co-pending applications entitled "A Print Cartridge" (docket number CAO2) and "An Ink Cartridge" (docket number CAO4) filed simultaneously herewith as International Patent Application numbers PCT/AUoo/ 00741 and PCT/AUoo/ 00742 respectively. - The
print engine assembly 502 comprises afirst sub-assembly 506 and a second,printhead sub-assembly 508. - The
sub-assembly 506 includes achassis 510. Thechassis 510 comprises afirst molding 512 in whichink supply channels 514 are molded. Theink supply channels 514 supply inks from theprint cartridge 504 to a printhead 516 (Figures 5 to 7) of theprinthead sub-assembly 508. Theprinthead 516 prints in four colors or three colors plus ink which is visible in the infrared light spectrum only (hereinafter referred to as 'infrared ink'). Accordingly, fourink supply channels 514 are defined in themolding 512 together with anair supply channel 518. Theair supply channel 518 supplies air to theprinthead 516 to inhibit the build up of foreign particles on a nozzle guard of theprinthead 516. - The
chassis 510 further includes acover molding 520. Thecover molding 520 supports apump 522 thereon. Thepump 522 is a suction pump, which draws air through an air filter in theprint cartridge 504 via anair inlet pin 524 and anair inlet opening 526. Air is expelled through an outlet opening 528 into theair supply channel 518 of thechassis 510. - The
chassis 510 further supports a first drive motor in the form of astepper motor 530. Thestepper motor 530 drives thepump 522 via afirst gear train 532. Thestepper motor 530 is also connected to a drive roller 534 (Figure 5) of aroller assembly 536 of theprint cartridge 504 via asecond gear train 538. Thegear train 538 engages an engagable element 540 (Figure 2) carried at an end of thedrive roller 534. Thestepper motor 530 thus controls the feed ofprint media 542 to theprinthead 516 of the sub-assembly 508 to enable an image to be printed on theprint media 542 as it passes beneath theprinthead 516. It also to be noted that, as thestepper motor 530 is only operated to advance theprint media 542, thepump 522 is only operational to blow air over theprinthead 516 when printing takes place on theprint media 542. - The
molding 512 of thechassis 510 also supports a plurality of ink supply conduits in the form ofpins 544 which are in communication with theink supply channels 514. The ink supply pins 544 are received through anelastomeric collar assembly 546 of theprint cartridge 504 for drawing ink from ink chambers or reservoirs 548 (Figure 5) in theprint cartridge 504 to be supplied to theprinthead 516. - A
second motor 550, which is a DC motor, is supported on thecover molding 520 of thechassis 510 viaclips 552. Themotor 550 is provided to drive a separating means in the form of acutter arm assembly 554 to part a piece of theprint media 542, after an image has been printed thereon, from a remainder of the print media. Themotor 550 carries abeveled gear 556 on an output shaft thereof. Thebeveled gear 556 meshes with abeveled gear 558 carried on aworm gear 560 of thecutter assembly 554. Theworm gear 560 is rotatably supported viabearings 562 in achassis base plate 564 of theprinthead sub-assembly 508. - The
cutter assembly 554 includes acutter wheel 566, which is supported on a resilientlyflexible arm 568 on amounting block 570. Theworm gear 560 passes through the mountingblock 570 such that, when theworm gear 560 is rotated, the mountingblock 570 and thecutter wheel 566 traverse thechassis base plate 564. The mountingblock 570 bears against alip 572 of thebase plate 564 to inhibit rotation of the mountingblock 570 relative to theworm gear 560. Further, to effect cutting of theprint media 542, thecutter wheel 566 bears against an upper housing orcap portion 574 of theprinthead sub-assembly 508. Thiscap portion 574 is a metal portion. Hence, as thecutter wheel 566 traverses the cappedportion 574, a scissors-like cutting action is imparted to the print media to separate that part of theprint media 542 on which the image has been printed. - The sub-assembly 506 includes an
ejector mechanism 576. Theejector mechanism 576 is carried on thechassis 510 and has acollar 578 havingclips 580, which clip and affix theejector mechanism 576 to thechassis 510. Thecollar 578 supports aninsert 582 of an elastomeric material therein. Theelastomeric insert 582 defines a plurality ofopenings 584. Theopenings 584 close off inlet openings of thepins 544 to inhibit the ingress of foreign particles into thepins 544 and, in so doing, into thechannels 514 and theprinthead 516. In addition, theinsert 584 defines a land orplatform 586 which closes off an inlet opening of theair inlet pin 524 for the same purposes. - A
coil spring 588 is arranged between thechassis 510 and thecollar 578 to urge thecollar 578 to a spaced position relative to thechassis 510 when thecartridge 504 is removed from theprint engine 500, as shown in greater detail in Figure 3 of the drawings. Theejector mechanism 576 is shown in its retracted position in Figure 4 of the drawings. - The
printhead sub-assembly 508 includes, as described above, thebase plate 564. Acapping mechanism 590 is supported displaceably on thebase plate 564 to be displaceable towards and away from theprinthead 516. Thecapping mechanism 590 includes anelongate rib 592 arranged on acarrier 593. The carrier is supported by adisplacement mechanism 594, which displaces therib 592 into abutment with theprinthead 516 when theprinthead 516 is inoperative. Conversely, when theprinthead 516 is operational, thedisplacement mechanism 594 is operable to retract therib 592 out of abutment with theprinthead 516. - The
printhead sub-assembly 508 includes aprinthead support molding 596 on which theprinthead 516 is mounted. Themolding 596, together with aninsert 599 arranged in themolding 596, defines apassage 598 through which theprint media 542 passes when an image is to be printed thereon. Agroove 700 is defined in themolding 596 through which thecapping mechanism 590 projects when thecapping mechanism 590 is in its capping position. - An
ink feed arrangement 702 is supported by theinsert 599 beneath thecap portion 574. Theink feed arrangement 702 comprises aspine portion 704 and acasing 706 mounted on thespine portion 704. Thespine portion 704 and thecasing 706, between them, defineink feed galleries 708 which are in communication with theink supply channels 514 in thechassis 510 for feeding ink via passages 710 (Figure 7) to theprinthead 516. - An air supply channel 711 (Figure 8) is defined in the
spine portion 704, alongside theprinthead 516. - Electrical signals are provided to the
printhead 516 via aTAB film 712 which is held captive between theinsert 599 and theink feed arrangement 702. - The
molding 596 includes anangled wing portion 714. A flexible printed circuit board (PCB) 716 is supported on and secured to thewing portion 714. Theflex PCB 716 makes electrical contact with theTAB film 712 by being urged into engagement with theTAB film 712 via arib 718 of theinsert 599. Theflex PCB 716 supportsbusbars 720 thereon. Thebusbars 720 provide power to theprinthead 516 and to the other powered components of theprint engine 500. Further, a camera printengine control chip 721 is supported on theflex PCB 716 together with a QA chip (not shown) which authenticates that thecartridge 504 is compatible and compliant with theprint engine 500. For this purpose, thePCB 716 includescontacts 723, which engagecontacts 725 in theprint cartridge 504. - As illustrated more clearly in Figure 7 of the drawings, the printhead itself includes a
nozzle guard 722 arranged on asilicon wafer 724. The ink is supplied to a nozzle array (not shown) of theprinthead 516 via anink supply member 726. Theink supply member 726 communicates with outlets of thepassages 710 of theink feed arrangement 702 for feeding ink to the array of nozzles of theprinthead 516, on demand. - Referring now to Figure 10 of the drawings, the
displacement mechanism 594 for thecapping mechanism 590 is described in greater detail. Thedisplacement mechanism 594 includes atorsion bar arrangement 728 comprising abar 730 and a pair ofarms 732. Onearm 732 extends from each end of thebar 730 at right angles to thebar 730. The displacement mechanism further includes a biasing means in the form of aleaf spring 734. As shown in greater detail in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings, theleaf spring 734 projects from, and is secured to, a securingmember 736 forming part of themolding 596. Also, as shown most clearly in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings, thebar 730 of the torsion bar is held captive byclips 738 in thecarrier 593 of thecapping mechanism 590. It is also to be noted that thecarrier 593, itself, is held slidably captive with respect to themolding 596 by means ofclip 742. - The
torsion bar arrangement 728 is further located in position with reference to themetal base plate 564 by having free ends of thearm 732 received inopenings 740 in thebase plate 564. - The mounting
block 570 of thecutter assembly 554 carries a cam member orcam profile 744 having a rampedregion 746. When the mountingblock 570 of thecutter assembly 554 moves to its parked position, as shown in Figure 11 of the drawings, one of thearms 732 of thetorsion bar arrangement 728 is received within thecam profile 744 and is urged upwardly, against the action of theleaf spring 734, such that therib 592 of thecapping mechanism 590 is urged into abutment with theprinthead 516. - Conversely, when it is desired to print using the printhead, the mounting
block 570 is moved in the direction of arrow 748 (Figure 11) so that thearm 732 of thetorsion bar arrangement 728 moves out of thecam profile 744. Theleaf spring 734 then acts on thebar 730 of thetorsion bar arrangement 728 urging therib 592 of thecapping mechanism 590 out of abutment with theprinthead 516. This allows theprint media 542 to pass through theslot 598 beneath theprinthead 516 so that printing can take place. - It will be appreciated that the
displacement mechanism 594 is entirely mechanical in operation. Accordingly, it is not a drain on a power source of a camera in which theprint engine 500 is used. - It is also to be noted that, in order to make the
print engine 500 more compact, the size of theprint engine assembly 502 is such that most of the components are received within a footprint of an end of theprint cartridge 504. - It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Claims (3)
- A capping mechanism for a print engine, the capping mechanism including
a capping means (590) mountable in alignment with a printhead of the print engine, the capping means comprising a rib (592) of a resiliently flexible material supported on a carrier (593) and being displaceable into and out of abutment with the printhead for capping and uncapping the printhead, respectively;
a torsion bar arrangement (728) which acts on the carrier (593) for displacing the capping means (590); and
a mechanical displaceable element which co-operates with the torsion bar such that, when the element is in a parked position, the element engages the torsion bar to cause the capping means to be displaced into abutment with the printhead to cap the printhead and, when the displaceable element is out of its parked position, the capping means is urged by the urging means out of abutment with the printhead, the mechanical displaceable element including engaging means (746) which engages an arm (732) of the torsion bar arrangement (728), when the element is in its parked position, to urge the arm (732) to drive the capping means into its capped position,
and characterised in that
the mechanical displaceable element is a separating means (554) including:a cutter wheel (566) for cutting print media. - The capping mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a biasing means (734) acting on the torsion bar arrangement (728) for biasing the capping means to an uncapped position.
- The capping mechanism of claim 1in which the engaging means (746) is a cam member carried by the separating means (554).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2000/000743 WO2002002332A1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-06-30 | A capping mechanism for a print engine |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1301348A1 EP1301348A1 (en) | 2003-04-16 |
EP1301348A4 EP1301348A4 (en) | 2004-09-29 |
EP1301348B1 true EP1301348B1 (en) | 2007-04-11 |
Family
ID=3700824
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00938316A Expired - Lifetime EP1301348B1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-06-30 | A capping mechanism for a print engine |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1301348B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4434578B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1191939C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE359179T1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU2000253733B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60034376D1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL153725A (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200210019B (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2008522861A (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2008-07-03 | シルバーブルック リサーチ ピーティワイ リミテッド | 2-stage capping mechanism for inkjet printer |
CN111137018A (en) * | 2019-12-31 | 2020-05-12 | 绍兴市越生彩印有限公司 | Dye supply system for dyeing machine |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4893137A (en) * | 1986-12-10 | 1990-01-09 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording apparatus and ink cartridge |
DE69222994T2 (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1998-04-02 | Canon Kk | Gearboxes for recording devices |
US5682186A (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1997-10-28 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Protective capping apparatus for an ink-jet pen |
US5610640A (en) * | 1995-02-10 | 1997-03-11 | Xerox Corporation | Maintenance apparatus using translation forces to move cap member for ink jet printheads |
JP3234906B2 (en) * | 1996-03-12 | 2001-12-04 | シャープ株式会社 | Inkjet printer |
AU5373300A (en) * | 2000-06-30 | 2002-01-14 | Silverbrook Res Pty Ltd | A capping mechanism for a print engine |
-
2000
- 2000-06-30 CN CNB008197008A patent/CN1191939C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-30 JP JP2002518139A patent/JP4434578B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-30 AU AU2000253733A patent/AU2000253733B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-06-30 AT AT00938316T patent/ATE359179T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-06-30 IL IL15372500A patent/IL153725A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-06-30 DE DE60034376T patent/DE60034376D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-06-30 EP EP00938316A patent/EP1301348B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2002
- 2002-12-11 ZA ZA200210019A patent/ZA200210019B/en unknown
-
2004
- 2004-07-15 AU AU2004203193A patent/AU2004203193B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2000253733B2 (en) | 2004-04-22 |
IL153725A0 (en) | 2003-07-06 |
JP2004504967A (en) | 2004-02-19 |
EP1301348A1 (en) | 2003-04-16 |
EP1301348A4 (en) | 2004-09-29 |
IL153725A (en) | 2005-05-17 |
CN1454151A (en) | 2003-11-05 |
JP4434578B2 (en) | 2010-03-17 |
AU2000253733A1 (en) | 2002-04-11 |
ATE359179T1 (en) | 2007-05-15 |
DE60034376D1 (en) | 2007-05-24 |
CN1191939C (en) | 2005-03-09 |
AU2004203193A1 (en) | 2004-08-12 |
AU2004203193B2 (en) | 2005-07-21 |
ZA200210019B (en) | 2003-07-30 |
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