Patent Grant
9193196
The present disclosure relates generally to printer head shuttle and printer head assemblies for supporting and operating a printer head. In particular, printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies configured to control contact pressure of printer head assemblies against a printing substrate are described.
Printers (e.g., thermal printers, toner-based printers, liquid inkjet printers, solid ink printers, dye-sublimation printers, etc.) are peripheral computer devices that are used to create a printed graphic or text on a printing substrate (e.g., paper, plastic sheets, etc.). In general, a printer includes a printer head for transfer of the printed graphic or text on the substrate. Position and/or operation of the printer head is controlled by a printer head assembly and a printer head shuttle, which move the printer head across the printing substrate.
Known printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. In one example, existing printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies can propagate “waves” in the printing substrate as they move across the substrate surface. In other words, a small fold may form in the substrate and the printer head shuttle and/or printer head assembly may sustain and/or increase the fold across the substrate causing a blank space on the final printed surface.
In another example, conventional printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies provide uneven pressure of the printer head on the substrate, causing uneven coloration (i.e., saturation) in the printed graphic and/or text. Additionally, known printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies have high power requirements that are often subject to overheating, which can cause misprinting.
Thus, there exists a need for printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies that improve upon and advance the design of known printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies. Examples of new and useful printer head shuttle and printer head assemblies relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of references relevant to printer head shuttles and printer head assemblies include U.S. Patent Reference: patent publication 20020033874. The complete disclosures of the above patent application is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present disclosure is directed to printer head shuttles configured to control contact pressure of one or more printer head assemblies against a printing substrate and an underlying platen during a printer operation. The printer head shuttles include a shuttle guide and a shuttle main body, configured for backward and forward movement across the shuttle guide, the shuttle main body having one or more printer head assemblies. Each printer head assembly includes an axel attached to the shuttle main body, an assembly main body pivotably attached to the axel, a mounting plate attached to the assembly main body, a printer head attached to the mounting plate, and a drive mechanism for pivoting the head assembly between a substrate compressing position and a substrate non-compressing position. The assembly main body is configured to provide at least a first compressing force on the printing substrate and the underlying platen when the at least one printer head assembly is in the substrate compressing position. In some examples, the mounting plate provides a second compressing force on the printing substrate. In some examples, a print head cartridge cover provides a third compressing force on the printing substrate.
The disclosed printer head shuttle and printer head assemblies will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various printer head shuttle and printer head assemblies are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
With reference to
Printing system 100 addresses many of the shortcomings existing with conventional printing systems. For example, one or more of the compressive forces can prevent the formation of folds in the printing substrate during a printing operation. In another example, a stable pressure can be applied on the printing substrate during a printing operation so that the printed graphic and/or text can have a substantially even a coloration, saturation, and/or tone. In even another example, printing system 100 can have lower power requirements and thereby be resistant to overheating and/or misprinting caused by overheating.
As can be seen in
In
The shuttle main body is configured for backward and forward movement across the shuttle guide. During a printing operation, the lid is in the closed position and the printer head shuttle moves forward and backward along the shuttle guide. The printer head assemblies are proximal to and/or contact the printing substrate and move across the surface of the printing substrate as the shuttle guide moves forward and backward along the shuttle guide. The printing substrate is incrementally fed through the feed space as it is printed upon and the printing substrate is supported by the platen.
In alternate examples, the guide sleeve can be discontinuous with the shuttle main body (e.g., be a separate piece attached via attachment members) and/or the shuttle roller supports can be continuous with the shuttle main body. In other alternate embodiments, the shuttle main body can have a different configuration and/or be moveable via a different mechanism. For example, the shuttle main body can be attached to a robotic arm for moving the printer head shuttle forward and backward or side to side across the printing substrate surface. In even other alternate embodiments, the printer head shuttle can include more or fewer printer head assemblies.
Also shown in
As depicted in
Vertical wall 304 and a printer head assembly horizontal plate 306 substantially comprise a printer head assembly main body 308. Axel 310 is extended through a lateral hole 312 in rounded top end 302. Assembly main body 308 is pivotably attached to the axel. Opposing ends of axel 310 are configured to be retained within an axel receiving groove 238 in shuttle main body 202 in order to mount the axel to the shuttle main body. Each of end of axel 310 is mounted on one of a pair of springs 240 (shown in the exploded view of
As depicted in
In tightened position 252 shown in
In alternate examples, the fastening member can be in an intermediate position. It will be appreciated that the fastening member can be adjusted for a desired amount of pressure on the axel and/or allowance of tilt of a printer head assembly around a longitudinal axis of the shuttle main body. In general, the springs, axel, and fastening member are a “balance feature” to assist in allowing a printer head assembly to have constant contact and even pressure with the printing substrate against the platen during use in a printing operation. Adjustment of the fastening member can adjust the fulcrum position of the associated printer head assembly and the printer head assembly edge contact pressure on the printing substrate and the platen. In even other alternate examples, one or more of the printer head assemblies can be attached to the shuttle main body via a different mechanism that is stationary or adjustable.
Returning to
The drive mechanism is configured to pivot the printer head assembly. In the present example, drive mechanism 218b is a pull-type electromagnetic solenoid having a retractable leg member 242 with a foot member 244 and a spring 246. An electrical cord 248 is electrically coupled to the solenoid and a power source (not shown) to provide power to the solenoid. In alternate examples, the drive mechanism can be a push-type electromagnetic solenoid. In even other alternate examples, the drive mechanism can be a cam mechanism. Further, in some examples, a position of the associated printer head assembly is detected an optical sensor (i.e., a photo-coupler senor) and the drive mechanism is operated according the position of the printer head assembly.
As shown in
Spring 246 biases leg member 242 toward an extended position. Thus, the spring member biases the printer head assembly toward the substrate non-compressing position. Further, as depicted in
In alternate examples, the printer head shuttle system and the printer head assembly can include more or fewer springs and/or other mechanisms for biasing the assembly main body towards the substrate non-compressing position. In other alternate examples, the shuttle system and/or the printer head assembly can include one or more mechanisms for biasing the assembly main body towards the substrate compressing position.
The solenoid is operatively connected to the leg member 242 to retract the leg member. Accordingly, as shown in
As described above, printer head assembly 300b includes assembly main body 308 comprised of horizontal plate 306 and vertical wall 304 having rounded top end 302 with a central channel 322, axel 310 laterally disposed through hole 312 in rounded top end 302 of vertical wall 304, and attachment plate 314 having leg receiving space 316. As depicted in
Printer head 326 is configured to be retained between mounting plate 324 and printer head cover 326. Printer head mounting plate 324 is pivotably attached to horizontal plate 306 via an axel 330. Axel 330 is disposed within axel receiving tabs 332, which project upwardly from horizontal plate 306, and axel receiving tabs 334, which project upwardly from mounting plate 324. Axel receiving tabs 332 and 334 are located on and/or proximal to a first side 354 of horizontal plate 306 and mounting plate 324. Thus, the mounting plate is pivotably attached to the horizontal plate at the first side.
In examples where the printer head assembly includes an optical sensor, the axel can be a “trigger bar”. The trigger bar can be used to interrupt the optical sensor when the mounting and horizontal plates are moved upwards by the solenoid (i.e., the printer head assembly is in the substrate non-compressing position). As stated above, the optical sensor is configured to determine and/or detect a position of the associated printer head assembly. For example, the optical sensor can determine if the printer head assembly is in the substrate non-compressing positon or the substrate compressing position.
Returning to
A mounting plate stop mechanism 340 is attached to a top of spring housing 338 via an attachment member 342. More specifically, stop mechanism 340 includes a horizontal plate 344 having a hole 346 for alignment with a hole 348 on the top of spring housing 338 and insertion of fastening member 342 through the aligned holes. Stop mechanism 340 further includes a vertical wall 350 having a flange 352 that is configured to retain and/or abut mounting plate 324 on second side 356.
As depicted in
As shown in
When the printer head assembly is in the substrate non-compressing position (i.e., the horizontal plate of the printer head assembly is rotated away from the printing substrate), the mounting plate is in the open position. When the printer head assembly is rotated into the substrate compressing position (i.e., the drive mechanism is operated to move the horizontal plate of the printer head assembly toward the printing substrate), a force is applied on the mounting plate as the mounting plate is pressed against the printing substrate and the platen. In one specific example, 0.98 kg to 1.47 kg of pressure is exerted on the printer head assembly in the substrate compressing position. Accordingly, the biasing force of the spring may be overcome or partially overcome so that the mounting plate is moved into the closed position or a partially closed position. The spring continues to press the mounting plate away from the horizontal plate. Therefore, in the substrate compressing position, the mounting plate provides a second compressing force on the printing substrate.
Returning to
Printer head cover 328 is configured to fit over printer head 326 and releasably attach to horizontal plate 306. A pair of receiving cut outs 368 in side walls 370 (i.e., one of cut outs 368 being in each side wall 370) are each configured to receive a peg 372 extended outwardly from a side of horizontal plate 306. Additionally or alternatively, the printer head cover can be attached to the horizontal plate via one or more attachment members (e.g., threaded attachment members inserted through aligned holes in sides of the cover and the mounting plate). A bottom wall 374 of cover 328 includes a window 376 that print transferring mechanism 366 extends through so that the printer transferring mechanism can contact the printing substrate (when the printer head assembly is in the substrate compressing position).
As depicted in
The depressable sled surface is on an opposing side of the printer head cover relative to the window. Further, the depressable sled surface is configured to project beyond the stationary sled surface in the substrate non-compressing position, as the springs are configured to bias the depressable sled body away from the depressable sled body housing. In the substrate compressing position, depressable sled surface is configured to contact the printing substrate and the biasing force of the springs is overcome such that the depressable sled surface is substantially flush with the stationary sled surface. Thus, the depressable sled surface is configured to provide a third compressing force on the printing substrate when the printer head assembly is in the substrate compressing position (i.e., during a printing operation). In some examples, during a printing operation, 200 g to 300 g of pressure is applied to the sled from the drive mechanism.
As stated above, it will be appreciated that although only printer head assembly 300b is described in detail, printer head assembly 300a has a substantially identical configuration. During a printing operation both printer head assemblies are driven across the printing substrate by the printer head shuttle. In one example, the printer head assemblies are alternately operated during a printing operation (i.e., duty cycle operation). In this example, power is sent to one of the printer head assemblies and it is maintained the substrate compressing positon, while power is restricted to the other printer head assembly and it is maintained in the substrate non-compressing position. Further, the first printer head assembly prints a first half of the printing substrate, and alternates printing with the second printer head assembly printing a second half of the printing substrate during the printing operation. In this example, power consumption and overheating can be reduced, and time required for printing can be reduced.
In alternate examples, both printer head assemblies can receive power and be in the substrate compressing position simultaneously. In these alternate examples, the first printer head assembly can print a first half of the printing substrate, while the second printer head assembly simultaneously prints the second half of the printing substrate. Simultaneous operation of the first and second printer head assemblies can have the advantage of even faster printing times. In other alternate examples, the printing system can include more or fewer printer head assemblies that are alternately or simultaneously operated (i.e., powered and in a substrate compressing position) during a printing operation.
In the present example, the shuttle and the printer head assemblies are comprised of aluminum. More specifically, the shuttle and the printer head assemblies can be manufactured via aluminum die-casting. In this example, the aluminum acts as a heat sink and limits overheating of the printing system. In alternate examples, one or more of the shuttle and the printer head assemblies can be comprised of machined aluminum, stamped steel, composite materials, plastics, or any other material known or yet to be discovered that is durable enough to act as a mounting structure for the various printing hardware described above. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the shuttle and the printer head assemblies can be manufactured via casting, machine tooling, molding, and/or any other manufacturing method known or yet to be discovered.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5065169 | Vincent et al. | Nov 1991 | A |
| 5808647 | Kurata et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
| 6550907 | Uchida | Apr 2003 | B2 |
