Printer with printhead assembly, clutch assembly, and printer ribbon transport assembly
View Patent ↗A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.
1. A printhead assembly for use in a printing apparatus, comprising:
a printhead; and
a printhead support bracket comprising:
an opposed ramp surface configured for engagement by a biasing ramp of the printing apparatus; and
a ribbon peel surface configured to receive a ribbon force;
wherein the opposed ramp surface is configured to receive a biasing force from the biasing ramp, wherein the biasing force at least partially counteracts the ribbon force.
2. The printhead assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opposed ramp surface defines an angle between 10 and 25 degrees relative to the printhead support bracket.
3. The printhead assembly of claim 1 , wherein the printing apparatus comprises a printhead biasing assembly comprising a biasing element configured to bias the biasing ramp into contact with the opposed ramp surface of the printhead support bracket.
4. The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the printhead biasing assembly further comprising a guide member configured to guide the biasing ramp on a guide path.
5. The printhead assembly of claim 4 , wherein the guide path is configured to direct the biasing ramp toward a platen.
6. The printhead assembly of claim 3 , wherein the biasing ramp comprises a removable wedge.
7. The printhead assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a heat sink, wherein the heat sink is coupled between the printhead support bracket and the printhead.
8. The printhead assembly of claim 7 , wherein the biasing assembly is configured to bias the heat sink into contact with a stop member.
9. The printhead assembly of claim 8 , wherein the stop member is defined by a base structure.
10. The printhead assembly of claim 1 , wherein the printhead assembly is a replaceable component of the printing apparatus.
11. A method of aligning a printhead, comprising:
receiving a ribbon force at a peel surface of a printhead support bracket; and
generating a biasing force at the printhead support bracket to at least partially counteract the ribbon force;
wherein the biasing force is directed by a biasing ramp of a biasing assembly engaging an opposed ramp surface of the printhead support bracket.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the biasing force is directed at an angle between 10 degrees and 25 degrees relative to the printhead support bracket.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising engaging a stop member with a heat sink coupled to the printhead.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising maintaining a substantially consistent ribbon force with a first clutch mechanism configured to engage a ribbon supply spool and a second clutch mechanism configured to engage a take-up spool.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising guiding the biasing ramp on a guide path with a guide member of the biasing assembly.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising directing the biasing ramp toward a platen with the guide member.
17. A system for printing, comprising:
a printing apparatus configured to print on media;
a printhead; and
a printhead support bracket comprising:
an opposed ramp surface configured for engagement by a biasing ramp of the printing apparatus; and
a ribbon peel surface configured to receive a ribbon force;
wherein the opposed ramp surface is configured to receive a biasing force from the biasing ramp, wherein the biasing force at least partially counteracts the ribbon force, and
wherein the printing apparatus comprises a printhead biasing assembly comprising a biasing element configured to bias the biasing ramp into contact with the opposed ramp surface of the printhead support bracket.
18. The printhead assembly of claim 17 , wherein the printhead biasing assembly further comprising a guide member configured to guide the biasing ramp on a guide path.
19. The printhead assembly of claim 18 , wherein the guide path is configured to direct the biasing ramp toward a platen.
20. The printhead assembly of claim 17 , wherein the biasing ramp comprises a removable wedge.