IP Library Granted Patent US 7,284,816
Granted Patent B2
US 7,284,816 · App. 11/014,720 · Granted Oct 23, 2007

Printer with motor driven maintenance station

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,284,816
App. No.
11/014,720
Granted
Oct 23, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inkjet printer is provided having a printhead with an array of nozzles, a maintenance assembly for moving between a capped position where the assembly covers the array of nozzles, and an uncapped position spaced from the array of nozzles and a motorized drive for moving the maintenance assembly between the capped position and the uncapped position. The maintenance assembly has a capper for covering the array and a cleaner for wiping the array, such that the motorized drive uses a cam shaft arrangement for moving the cleaner relative to the capper.

Claims (24)

1. An inkjet printer comprising:

a printhead with an array of nozzles;

a maintenance assembly for moving between a capped position where the assembly covers the array of nozzles, and an uncapped position spaced from the array of nozzles; and,

a motorized drive for moving the maintenance assembly between the capped

position and the uncapped position; wherein

the maintenance assembly has a capper for covering the array and a cleaner positioned between opposing sides of the capper for wiping the array, such that the motorized drive uses a cam shaft arrangement for moving the cleaner relative to the capper.

2. An inkjet printer according to claim 1 wherein both the capper and the cleaner are independently movable relative to the array of nozzles.

3. An inkjet printer according to claim 2 wherein the cleaner wipes across the nozzles as the maintenance assembly moves from

the capped position to the uncapped position.

4. An inkjet printer according to claim 3 wherein the printhead is a pagewidth printhead, the array of nozzles is elongated and the cleaner is likewise elongated; wherein,

the motorized drive wipes the cleaner longitudinally across the nozzles.

5. A printer according to claim 1 , further comprising a printhead maintenance assembly for the printhead, the printhead having a nozzle plate with an array of nozzles formed therein, the printhead maintenance assembly comprising:

a capper to cover the array of nozzles when the printhead is not in use; and,

a cleaner for engaging the nozzle plate and wiping across the nozzles,

wherein the cleaner is positioned between opposing sides of the capper.

6. A printer according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an outer casing with a hingedly mounted panel for access its interior; and

a cradle housed within the outer casing for supporting an ink cartridge, the cradle having a hingedly mounted lid that opens to allow the ink cartridge to be inserted and removed,

wherein the hinge axis of the lid and the hinge axis of the panel are parallel, and

the lid and the panel both open in the same direction.

7. A printer according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a replaceable pagewidth printhead with an array of nozzles and printhead contacts for transmitting power and print data to the nozzles;

corresponding contacts for supplying the power and print data to the printhead contacts; and

a selective biasing mechanism, such that the printhead contacts and the corresponding contacts are biased into engagement during printing and released from biased engagement when installing or removing the printhead.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2014
From: ZAMTEC LIMITED
To: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033244/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028558/0664 →