Printhead capping arrangement
View Patent ↗Microelectromechanical pagewidth printheads include a very large number of ink ejection nozzles fabricated upon a silicon wafer. Ink stored in the printhead subsequent to a printing operation is vulnerable to becoming undesirably viscous thereby causing inconsistent printing. In order to address this problem the present invention provides a printhead recapping mechanism. The mechanism includes a base portion, that includes a solenoid coil and a movable capping portion which incorporates magnetically attractive material responsive to the coil. A spring biases the capping portion to a quiescent capping position when the printhead is not in use. During printing operations a current is applied to the solenoid coil to overcome the biasing spring and draw the capping portion from the capping position.
1. A printer assembly including:
a pagewidth printhead; and
a recapping mechanism arranged to cap the pagewidth printhead during periods of non-use, the recapping mechanism including:
a base portion;
at least one solenoid coil fast with the base portion; and
a capping portion arranged to cap and uncap the pagewidth printhead in response to operations of the solenoid coil;
wherein the at least one solenoid coil comprises a single elongate coil disposed on a surface of the base portion.
2. A printer assembly including:
a pagewidth printhead; and
a recapping mechanism arranged to cap the pagewidth printhead during periods of non-use, the recapping mechanism including:
a base portion;
at least one solenoid coil fast with the base portion; and
a capping portion arranged to cap and uncap the pagewidth printhead in response to operations of the solenoid coil;
wherein the capping portion assumes a printhead capping position in response to cessation of current through the solenoid coil and wherein the capping portion includes a biasing member arranged to force the capping portion to the capping position upon cessation of the current through the solenoid coil.
3. A printer assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the capping portion includes magnetically attractive material that is drawn to the solenoid coil upon application of current to the coil.
4. A printer assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the capping portion includes an elastomeric member arranged to form a seal about the pagewidth printhead in the capping position.