In printers, a set of printheads are located in a carriage, and are provided to contact a pen pocket base wherein such printhead is to remain in a fix position. In order to make the position of the printhead unique, accurate and repeatable, the printhead should be mechanically connected to reference surfaces called datum surfaces. This is particularly relevant wherein the printer is a wide-format printer.
To ensure this mechanical connection in the vertical (longitudinal) direction, a latch may be provided to exert a vertical force on the printhead towards the base of the carriage, to ensure a mechanical a physical connection between the printhead and the datum surfaces. In the transversal direction, the electrical connectors often take the role of maintaining the printhead on its position.
Forces exerted on a printhead may have negative effects on the carriage and/or on its internal elements such as, e.g., the electric connections or electric pins. Therefore, mechanical protectors of such electric connections may be provided in order to prevent the insertion/removal forces exerted on printheads from damaging the electrical connectors within the carriage. In addition, external forces that may occur during printing such as, e.g., the printhead colliding with an obstacle on the print substrate, may move the printhead away from the datum surfaces and, in consequence, disconnect or bend at least some of the electrical connections.
Mechanical protectors that protect electric connections and dampen unwanted movements of the printhead away from the datum surfaces within the carriage may be provided.
Furthermore, the carriage 1 may comprise electric connections 10 to communicate with the printhead 3. Such electric connections 10 are often flexible pins that project from a first wall 100 of the carriage 1. The flexible pins are often bent copper strips that are biased away from the first wall 100 of the carriage 1 so that, upon insertion of the printhead 3 in an insertion direction 30, the flexible pins exert a connecting force towards another electrical connector, such as a set of electric pads, provided on the printhead.
These electric connectors 10 can be easily damaged since they are often fragile metallic strips. Also, their protrusion from the side wall may make them vulnerable to mechanical forces due to incorrect insertion/removal of the print head 3 or a deformation of the printhead, e.g., due to temperature or a collision. These protruding connectors are also susceptible to dust or liquids that may enter the carriage through the input opening.
In the example of mechanical protector 12 of
In another example, the mechanical protector 12 may be an elongated element that extends over at least part of the electrical connector 10 and substantially parallel to it. Such elongated element may be, e.g., an element that deforms or compresses upon the presence of a printhead 3 on the carriage 1 like a foam or a plastic.
Furthermore, the mechanical protector 12 may be made from a flexible material and/or may comprise a spring-like element biased in a direction with a perpendicular component to the first wall 100.
The provision of a printhead 3 within the pocket 13 causes the mechanical protector 12 to deform and, given the elastic properties of the mechanical protector, an elastic force is exerted on the printhead pushing it towards the second wall 200. Furthermore, the mechanical protector occupies a space between the first wall 100 and the printhead 3 thereby protecting the electrical connectors and, also, helping maintain the printhead in contact with datum surfaces on the carriage and keeping it in a stable position within the pocket.
Also, in an example, the mechanical protector may be provided as to exert an elastic force on the printhead in the printing direction 31 of the printing system. In this particular example, a printhead 3 and/or a carriage 1 may collide with elements, such so as an obstacle on the printing substrate or another element the printing system, while moving along a print direction. The mechanical protector may dampen the effect of such collisions over the carriage and, in particular, over the electric connectors 10 by acting as an intermediate element between the obstacle and the electric connectors 100.
In essence, a printhead carriage is disclosed, wherein such carriage comprises:
In an example, the mechanical protector is a sheet and the elastic member is a bend performed on the sheet forming an acute angle with the first wall. The mechanical protector may be a metallic sheet.
In a further example the mechanical protector is provided over, at least, a part of the first wall comprising the electrical connectors. Alternatively, the mechanical protector may extend along, at least, 50% of the width of the first wall.
The mechanical protector may extend from the first wall with a component (a vectorial component of a vector describing the direction of extension) in a printing direction in order to provide a dampening effect to collisions in the printing direction such as, e.g., hitting an obstacle on the substrate or other parts of a printing system
Furthermore, the second wall comprises at least one datum surface to contact with a printhead wherein the printhead comprises counterpart surfaces to contact such datum surfaces.
In another example, the pocket may be adapted to receive a printhead by sliding it along the length of the first and/or the second wall into the pocket. Also, the mechanical protector is located on top of the first wall thereby helping to guide the printhead away from the electrical connectors.
On the other hand, a printing system is disclosed, such printing system being adapted to receive a printhead in a carriage wherein the carriage further comprises:
In an example, the mechanical protector may be a sheet and may comprise an elastic member biased in a direction away from the first wall. Alternatively, the mechanical protector may be a flexible sheet bent as to form an acute angle with the first wall.
Furthermore, the mechanical protector may comprise a spring-like element biased in a direction away from the first wall.
In another example, the mechanical protector may comprise a push element to push the printhead in a direction towards the second wall.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2017/035382 | 6/1/2017 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2018/222194 | 12/6/2018 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200061999 A1 | Feb 2020 | US |