Inkjet apparatus and a method of controlling an inkjet mechanism
View Patent ↗A method of controlling an inkjet mechanism having an inkjet head movable between a capped position and a print position comprises the steps of receiving a first switch signal indicative of the inkjet head moving into the vicinity of one of the positions of the inkjet head as the inkjet head is moving towards the one of the positions of the inkjet head, and moving the inkjet head a learned amount towards the one of the positions of the inkjet head after the first switch signal has been received. The method may further comprise the steps of receiving a second switch signal indicative of the inkjet head moving into the vicinity of the other one of the positions of the inkjet head as the inkjet head is moving towards the other one of the positions of the inkjet head, and moving the inkjet head another learned amount towards the other one of the positions of the inkjet head after the second switch signal has been received. The learned amounts may be substantially the same.
1. An inkjet apparatus comprising:
an inkjet head assembly and a capping assembly movable relative to each other between a first position in which the inkjet head assembly is capped and a second position in which the capping assembly is clear of the inkjet head assembly;
an activatable first switch for, when activated, providing a first signal indicative of the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly approaching one of the first and second positions;
an actuatable stepper motor for (i) moving the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly toward the first position when the stepper motor is actuated to operate in a first direction, and (ii) moving the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly toward the second position when the stepper motor is actuated to operate in a second direction which is opposite the first direction; and
a controller for (i) detecting presence of the first signal from the first switch, and (ii) controlling the stepper motor such that the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly continue to move relative to each other a first previously learned distance towards the one of the first and second positions upon the first signal from the first switch being detected.
2. An inkjet apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an activatable second switch for, when activated, providing a second signal indicative of the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly approaching the other one of the first and second positions.
3. An inkjet apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the controller detects presence of the second signal from the second switch, and controls the stepper motor such that the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly continue to move relative to each other a second previously learned distance towards the other one of the first and second positions of the inkjet head upon the second signal from the second switch being detected.
4. An inkjet apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the second previously learned distance and the first previously learned distance are substantially the same.
5. A method of generating learned distances for later use in accurately positioning an inkjet head assembly and a capping assembly relative to each other between a print position and a capped position, the learned distances being generated each time power is turned on for operation of the inkjet assembly and the capping assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
moving one of the assemblies in a first direction towards the print position until a first switch signal is provided;
continue moving the one of the assemblies in the first direction until the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the first direction;
moving the one of the assemblies in a second direction which is opposite the first direction after the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the first direction;
continue moving the one of the assemblies in the second direction until a second switch signal is provided;
tracking a first distance taken from when the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the first direction until the second switch signal is provided; and
storing the tracked first distance as a first learned distance for later use in accurately positioning the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly relative to each other in the print position.
6. A method according to claim 5 , further comprising:
moving the one of the assemblies in the second direction towards the capped position until a third switch signal is provided;
continue moving the one of the assemblies in the second direction until the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the second direction;
moving the one of the assemblies in the first direction which is opposite the second direction after the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the second direction;
continue moving the one of the assemblies in the first direction until a fourth switch signal is provided;
tracking a second distance taken from when the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the second direction until the fourth switch signal is provided; and
storing the tracked second distance as a second learned distance for later use in accurately positioning the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly relative to each other in the capped position.
7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the first and second learned distances are substantially the same.
8. A method of generating learned distances for later use in accurately positioning an inkjet head assembly and a capping assembly relative to each other between a print position and a capped position, the learned distances being generated each time power is turned on for operation of the inkjet assembly and the capping assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
moving one of the assemblies in a first direction towards the capped position until a first switch signal is provided;
continue moving the one of the assemblies in the first direction until the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the first direction;
moving the one of the assemblies in a second direction which is opposite the first direction after the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the first direction;
continue moving the one of the assemblies in the second direction until a second switch signal is provided;
tracking a first distance taken from when the one of the assemblies is unable to move further in the first direction until the second switch signal is provided; and
storing the tracked first distance as a first learned distance for later use in accurately positioning the inkjet head assembly and the capping assembly relative to each other in the capped position.