Fixtureless, accurate system and assembly method for controlling pen-to-paper spacing in an inkjet printer
US6027264A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J25/308
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Both a printing-medium support (such as a platen) and a printhead-carriage slide-rod are supported and located in common from a single chassis. Preferably a pair of positive stops is used to locate the slide-rod, and a biasing retainer forcibly abuts the rod against, selectively, either stop of the pair of positive stops. Alternatively the two positive stops are instead used to locate the print-medium support--or separate pairs of such stops are used to locate both the slide-rod and the print-medium support respectively. A respective biasing retainer forcibly engages each located support element against one or the other of its stops. In another facet of the invention, an accurate system establishes and adjustably controls printhead-to-print-medium spacing without an assembly fixture. An adjustable mechanism (such as the biasing retainer mentioned above), distinct from both support elements, locates one of the two supports relative to the other. The mechanism includes components that enable adjustment to control the spacing between the printhead and the printing medium--but these adjustment-enabling components contribute zero uncertainty to the spacing. The assembly method includes …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.