1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to performing printhead maintenance in an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus that reduces the amount of noise generated during printhead maintenance.
2. Description of the Related Art
An imaging apparatus, such as an ink jet printer, includes a maintenance station that performs maintenance operations to preserve the life of the associated printhead. For example, an ink jet printer includes an ink jet printhead having a plurality of ink jetting nozzles formed in a nozzle plate. Such a maintenance station for an ink jet printer includes a printhead wiper and a printhead capping mechanism. The printhead wiper is used for wiping residual ink from the nozzles of the ink jet printhead after completion of printing and the capping mechanism is used to cap the ink jet printhead for storage. The wiping and capping operations prevent the nozzles from becoming blocked with contaminants, such as dried ink and accumulated paper dust, thereby extending the life of the ink jet printhead.
One such maintenance station is configured to minimize the occupied space. The maintenance station includes a movable maintenance sled that supports the wiper and capping mechanism. A maintenance housing surrounds the maintenance sled and includes guide slots for receiving corresponding guide pins of the maintenance sled. When the printhead carrier that carriers the ink jet printhead engages an engaging member of the maintenance sled, the guide pins are caused to ride along the guide slots, enabling the movable maintenance sled to be shifted from a lowered position to a raised position, where the printhead cap engages the ink jet printhead. However, when the movable maintenance sled is moved from a lowered position to the raised position, an unacceptable amount of noise may be generated, for example, due to the impact of the printhead carrier with the engaging member of the maintenance sled, the printhead carrier impacting a hard stop at the capping position, and/or as the guide pins of the maintenance sled contact a surface of the respective guide slots in the maintenance housing, such as the rigid end-stops of the respective guide slots of the maintenance housing.
What is needed in the art is an imaging apparatus that reduces the amount of noise generated during printhead maintenance.
The present invention provides an imaging apparatus that reduces the amount of noise generated during printhead maintenance.
The invention, in one form thereof, relates to an imaging apparatus including a frame and a maintenance sled movable coupled to the frame. The maintenance sled includes a carrier engagement member. A printhead carrier is coupled to the frame. A carrier motor is drivably coupled to the printhead carrier. A controller is coupled to the carrier motor. The controller controls the carrier motor to drive the printhead carrier at least at the first velocity and at a second velocity. The second velocity is lower than first velocity. The printhead carrier is controlled to move at the first velocity toward the maintenance sled, wherein prior to the printhead carrier contacting the carrier engagement member of the maintenance sled, the printhead carrier is decelerated from the first velocity to the second velocity.
The invention, in another form thereof, relates to an imaging apparatus including a frame and a printhead carrier coupled to the frame. A maintenance sled is movably coupled to the frame. The maintenance sled includes a carrier engagement member having a contact surface that is shaped to establish a single line of contact with the printhead carrier.
In another form thereof, the invention relates to an imaging apparatus including a frame and a maintenance housing coupled to the frame. A maintenance sled is movable mounted to the maintenance housing. A sled latch mechanism has a pivot pin that is pivotable mounted to the maintenance sled along a pivot axis, and has an arm portion extending from the pivot pin. A pivot stop member is positioned near the pivot axis. The pivot stop member engages the arm portion of the sled latch mechanism to limit an amount of rotation of the sled latch mechanism about the pivot axis.
In still another form thereof, the invention relates to a method of effecting noise reduction in an imaging apparatus having a movable printhead carrier and a maintenance station. The maintenance station includes a movable maintenance sled having a carrier engagement member. The method includes the steps of controlling the printhead carrier to travel at least at a first velocity and at a second velocity, the second velocity being lower than the first velocity; moving the printhead carrier toward the maintenance station at the first velocity; and prior to the printhead carrier contacting the carrier engagement member of the maintenance sled, decelerating the printhead carrier from the first velocity to the second velocity.
In still another form thereof, the invention relates to an imaging apparatus including a frame defining a carrier hard stop position. A printhead carrier is coupled to the frame. A carrier motor is drivably coupled to the printhead carrier. A controller is coupled to the carrier motor. The controller controls the carrier motor to drive the printhead carrier at least at a first velocity. The printhead carrier is controlled to move toward the carrier hard stop position, wherein prior to the printhead carrier contacting the carrier hard stop position the printhead carrier is controlled to achieve a carrier soft stop position spaced apart from the carrier hard stop position.
An advantage of the present invention is that the noise associated with the maintenance station is reduced without increasing the part count of the maintenance station.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several view. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
Computer 12 is typical of that known in the art, and includes a monitor to display graphics or text, an input device such as a keyboard and/or mouse, a microprocessor and associated memory, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM) and a mass storage device, such as CD-ROM or DVD hardware. Resident in the memory of computer 12 is printer drive software. The printer drive software places print data and print commands in a format that can be recognized by ink jet printer 14.
Ink jet printer 14 includes a printhead carrier system 18, a feed roller unit 20, a mid-frame 22, a media source 24, a controller 26 and a maintenance station 28. Printhead carrier system 18, feed roller unit 20, mid-frame 22, media source 24, controller 26 and maintenance station 28 are coupled, e.g., mounted, to imaging apparatus frame 29.
Media source 24 is configured and arranged to supply from a stack of print media a sheet of print media 30 to feed roller unit 20, which in turn further transports the sheet of print media 30 during a printing operation.
Printhead carrier system 18 includes a printhead carrier 32 that carries, for example, one or more printhead cartridges, such as a monochrome printhead cartridge 34a and/or a color printhead cartridge 34b, that is mounted thereto. Monochrome printhead cartridge 34a includes a monochrome ink reservoir 36a provided in fluid communication with a monochrome ink jet printhead 38a. Color printhead cartridge 34b includes a color ink reservoir 36b provided in fluid communication with a color ink jet printhead 38b. Alternatively, ink reservoirs 36a, 36b may be located off-carrier, and coupled to respective ink jet printheads 38a, 38b via respective fluid conduits.
Printhead carrier 32 is guided by a pair of guide members 40. Either, or both, of guide members 40 may be, for example, a guide rod, or a guide tab formed integral with imaging apparatus frame 29. The axes 40a of guide members 40 define a bi-directional scanning path 52 of printhead carrier 32. Printhead carrier 32 is connected to a carrier transport belt 42 that is driven by a carrier motor 44 via a carrier pulley 46. In this manner, carrier motor 44 is drivably coupled to printhead carrier 32, although one skilled in the art will recognize that other drive coupling arrangements could be substituted for the example given, such as for example, a worm gear drive. Carrier motor 44 can be, for example, a direct current motor of a stepper motor. Carrier motor 44 has a rotating motor shaft 48 that is attached to carrier pulley 46. Carrier motor 44 is coupled, e.g., electrically connected, to controller 26 via a communications link 50.
At a directive of controller 26, printhead carrier 32 is transported in a controlled manner along bi-directional scanning path 52, via the rotation of carrier pulley 46 imparted by carrier motor 44. During printing, controller 26 controls the movement of printhead carrier 32 so as to cause printhead carrier 32 to move in a controlled reciprocating manner, back and forth along guide members 40. In order to conduct printhead maintenance operations, controller 26 controls the movement of printhead carrier 32 to position printhead carrier in relation to maintenance station 28.
Ink jet printheads 38a, 38b are electrically connected to controller 26 via a communications link 54. Controller 26 supplies electrical address and control signals to ink jet printer 14, and in particular, to the ink jetting actuators of ink jet printheads 38a, 38b, to effect the selective ejection of ink from ink jet printheads 38a, 38b.
During a printing operation, the reciprocation of printhead carrier 32 transports ink jet printheads 38a, 38b across the sheet of print media 30 along bi-directional scanning path 52, i.e., a scanning direction, to define a print zone 56 of ink jet printer 14. Bi-directional scanning path 52, also referred to as scanning direction 52, is parallel with axes 40a of guide members 40, and is also commonly known as the horizontal direction. The sheet of print media 30 is transported through print zone 56 by the rotation of feed roller 58 of feed roller unit 20. A rotation of feed roller 58 is effected by drive unit 60. Drive unit 60 is electrically connected to controller 26 via a communications link 62.
During each scan of printhead carrier 32, the sheet of print media 30 is held stationary by feed roller unit 20. Feed roller unit 20 includes a feed roller 58 and a drive unit 60.
Maintenance station 28 is provided for performing printhead maintenance operations on the ink jet nozzles of ink jet printheads 38a, 38b. Such operations include, for example, a printhead spit maintenance operation, a printhead wiping operation and a printhead maintenance capping operation. Other services, such as for example, printhead priming and suction, may also be performed if desired by the inclusion of a vacuum device (not shown) of the type well known in the art.
Maintenance station 28 includes a sled latch mechanism 66, a maintenance housing 68 and a movable maintenance sled 70. Maintenance housing 68 supports movable maintenance sled 70. Maintenance sled 70 is configured for movement in the directions depicted by double-headed arrow 72.The directions generally depicted by double-headed arrow 72 include both horizontal and vertical Components. Sled latch mechanism 66 is pivotably mounted so maintenance sled 70. Sled latch mechanism 66 cooperates with maintenance housing 68 and maintenance sled 70 to releaseably latch maintenance sled 70 at a predefined elevation, such as for example, an intermediate, or wiping, elevation.
Maintenance sled 70 includes a carrier engagement member 74. Maintenance sled 70 is biased by biasing spring 76 in a direction toward printhead carrier 32. The spring force exerted by biasing spring 76 must be sufficient to accelerate maintenance sled 70 and its associated components to the lowered (resting) position so that they are clear of printhead carrier 32 and ink jet printheads 38a, 38b as printhead carrier 32 returns to print zone 56. In one embodiment of the invention, biasing spring 76 is attached at one end thereof to sled latch mechanism 66.
With the orientation of components as shown in
Based on a leftward movement in direction 52a of printhead carrier 32 along bi-directional scan path 52, carrier positions P1 represents the position at which controller 26 has commanded carrier motor 44 to begin deceleration of printhead carrier 32 from a printhead carrier velocity V1 toward a printhead carrier velocity V2. The deceleration rate may be, for example, 1.5 g's. Carrier position P2 represents the position at which printhead carrier 32 achieves printhead carrier velocity V2. Velocity V2 may be selected to be significantly lower than velocity V1, such as for example, wherein velocity V1 is about 10 times, or more, higher than velocity V2, e.g., V1+10V2. In one embodiment, for example, velocity V1 was selected to be about 500 millimeters (20 inches) per second and velocity V2 was selected to be about 38 millimeters (1.5 inches) per second. It has been found that as velocity V2 is reduced, the relative amount of noise generated upon contact between printhead carrier 32 and carrier engagement member 74 of maintenance sled 70 is reduced as well.
Carrier position P3 is the position at which printhead carrier 32 contacts carrier engagement member 74 of maintenance sled 70. Carrier position P3 is separated by a distance D1 from carrier position P2, so as to insure that the speed of printhead carrier 32 has achieved a steady state velocity at velocity V2 prior to printhead carrier 32 contacting carrier engagement member 74, and so as to minimize the noise that will accompany such contact. The actual separation distance D1 between carrier position P2 and carrier position P3 may be selected empirically so as to account for component tolerances, and may be, for example, in a range of 0.1 millimeters (mm) to 1.0 mm, and in one embodiment, was selected to be about 0.8 mm.
Carrier position P4 is the soft stop position for printhead carrier 32. Soft stop carrier position P4 is separated by a distance D2 from carrier hard stop position H1, so as to avoid an impact between printhead carrier 32 and side frame 29a of imaging apparatus frame 29, and accordingly, to avoid the noise that would accompany such an impact. For example, assuming a printhead capping operation, following the reaching of carrier position P3 printhead carrier 32 continues the leftward movement in direction 52a toward carrier position P4, thereby driving maintenance sled 32 to the capping elevation. If printhead carrier 32 overshoots carrier position P4, then an impact between printhead carrier 32 and side wall 29a of imaging apparatus frame 29 may occur if the separation distance D2 is not sufficient. Thus, the separation distance D2 between soft stop carrier position P4 and carrier hard stop position H1 may be selected empirically, and may be selected to be greater than the minimum movement increment of printhead carrier 32, including any component tolerances. Such a separation distance for distance D2 may be, for example, about 1.0 mm or greater, and in one embodiment, was selected to be about 1.5 mm. Upon arrival of printhead carrier 32 at carrier position P4, controller 26 controls carrier motor 44 in an active brake/hold state for 50 milliseconds, so as to ensure that the printhead caps are seated over their respective printheads.
The components and operational details for maintenance house 28 will now Be described in further detail with respect to
As shown in
Maintenance sled 70 is positioned between first end portion 78 and second end portion 80, and is positioned between first side 82 and second side 84. Maintenance sled 70 has a plurality guide members, referenced herein individually and collectively with element number 88. Each of the plurality of guide members 88 is positioned to slidably travel in a corresponding one of plurality of guide slots 86. Thus, maintenance sled 70 is movably mounted to maintenance housing 68 via the interaction between guide slots 86 and guide members 88.
Referring again to
Referring to
A proximal end 122 of release extension arm 110 is connected to pivot shaft 108. Release head 116 is formed at a distal end 124 of release extension arm 110. Release head 116 is positioned by release extension arm 110, when fully biased by biasing spring 76, to engage printhead carrier 32 so as to release maintenance sled 70 from the wiping elevation as printhead carrier 32 leaves maintenance station 28.
A proximal end 126 of latch extension arm 112 is connected to pivot shaft 108. Latch head 118 is formed at a distal end 128 of latch extension arm 112.
Spring extension arm 114 has a proximal end 130 that is connected to latch extension arm 112. Spring extension arm 114 has a distal end 132. In the embodiment shown, spring extension arm 114 extends from latch extension arm 112 toward distal end 132 in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the extent of latch extension arm 112. A spring hook 134 for receiving one end of biasing spring 76 is formed on distal end 132 of spring extension arm 114.
Referring to
Referring again to
As can be best seen in
Referring now to
By configuring carrier engagement member 74 to establish a single line of contact 170 with printhead carrier 32, thereby defining a line-to-plane contact with printhead carrier 32, when printhead carrier reaches carrier position P3 (see
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/461,981, entitled “MAINTENANCE STATION FOR AN IMAGING APPARATUS ”, filed Jun. 13, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No 7,140,715.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10461981 | Jun 2003 | US |
Child | 11464312 | US |