Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for accurately positioning inkjet printheads

US6568787B1 · kind B1 · utility

16Cited by
3References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 17, 2000
Grant dateMay 27, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 17, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J29/393
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

To accurately position printheads (C,M,Y,K) of an inkjet printer 100 in the capping area of their service station (130), the position of service station insert members (e.g. 130K) is determined by an optical sensor (117) detecting a through hole (132K) in the cartridge lid (131), and the separation (j) of the optical sensor and the printheads (e.g. K) is precisely determined. The separation (j) is determined by using the printhead nozzles to print lines (144,146) in the directions of the scan and media axes, scanning the lines with the optical sensor (117), and calculating from the results the separation (j). The results of locating the four reference holes (132C, 132M, 132Y, 132K) of the service station insert members may be averaged.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.