摘要:
In a printer having P+X printing elements for printing pixels with a vertical center-to-center spacing R.sub.1 during a plurality of line scans, and a stepper motor for moving a record medium in increments R.sub.2 where R.sub.2 is greater than R.sub.1, all points addressable printing is obtained by a combination of movement of the record medium orthogonal to the line scan direction and shifting address signals applied to the print elements. The stepper motor moves the record medium a distance k.sub.2 R.sub.2 between successive line scans and address signals are applied to (n+k.sub.1)th . . . (n+k.sub.1 +P-1)th print elements to cause a shift k.sub.1 R.sub.1 such that the sum of the distance the record medium is moved before a line scan and the shift caused by the address signals during a scan is equal to PR.sub.1 where P is the number of print elements active during the preceding line scan, or equal to any desired integral multiple of R.sub.1 in other print modes. With a print head capable of printing pixels on 1/300 inch centers, and a stepper motor capable of moving the record medium in minimum increments of 1/150 inch, all points addressable printing with a pixel resolution of 1/300 inch is achieved with increased accuracy. This same arrangement also permits printing in the character mode with a line-to-line spacing of exactly 1/6 inch. In a second embodiment the line-to-line spacing differs from 1/2 inch by a distance that has minimal impact on print quality.
摘要:
An ink-jet printer is provided with a printhead maintenance system which is capable of providing optimum maintenance for different types of color or monochrome printheads. Dummy heaters are provided in each printhead as a way of identifying the different types of printheads. A maintenance controller is provided in the printer for executing a maintenance program comprising first and second maintenance algorithms for controlling maintenance of monochrome and color type printheads. The controller includes an E.sup.2 PROM memory into which descriptor records are downloaded from a data processor to which the printer is connected. Each descriptor record contains a head detection pattern and various parameters specifying the number and time of wipes, the number of nozzle fires, etc. necessary to maintain a head of the type corresponding to the head detection pattern. When the printer is turned on, or a new printhead is installed, the pattern of heaters is sensed, compared to the head detection patterns in the descriptor records, and the parameters in the descriptor record having a head detection pattern best matching the sensed pattern of heaters are used in executing the maintenance program. The memory may be updated with new descriptor records thereby permitting proper maintenance of printheads developed subsequent to the design of the maintenance system.
摘要:
A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. Users orient a housing to deplete the ink in a direction of gravity toward a bottom of the interior. The imaging device has a rotating latch. The latch mates with a top of the supply item to keep in place the supply item. Fluid exit and air venting ports reside on a side of the housing that gets inserted first into a container slot of the imaging device. A space separates the ports so a biasing member can push against the housing to assist in ejecting the supply item upon users activating the latch. The ports are separated a maximum distance to facilitate the ejection, while the exit port remains near a bottom to minimize stranding ink. Further embodiments note arrangements, distances and consumer features, to name a few.
摘要:
A printer includes a print mechanism for performing printing operations and a print medium feeding mechanism for feeding a print medium past the print mechanism so that printing operations can be performed on the print medium. The print medium feeding mechanism includes a forward feed apparatus located downstream of the print mechanism for feeding the print medium in the forward direction past the print mechanism and a print medium tensioning apparatus. The tensioning apparatus includes at least one pair of pressure wheels rotatably mounted on the frame and located on opposite sides of a print medium being fed by the forward feed apparatus and means for restricting the rotation of at least one of the pressure wheels, whereby the pressure wheels exert a retarding force on the print medium tending to tension the print medium. Each pressure wheel is constructed so that it is flexible in the axial direction so as to permit lateral movement of a print medium as it passes between the pair of pressure wheels.The print medium feeding mechanism also includes drive means for rotating at least one of the pressure wheels in the reverse direction so as to provide for reverse feed of the print medium. This drive means is coupled through a one way coupling so as not to affect the ability of the pressure wheel to rotate during forward feed of the print medium.
摘要:
A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. Users orient a housing to deplete the ink in a direction of gravity toward a bottom of the interior. The imaging device has a rotating latch. The latch mates with a top of the supply item to keep in place the supply item. Fluid exit and air venting ports reside on a side of the housing that gets inserted first into a container slot of the imaging device. A space separates the ports so a biasing member can push against the housing to assist in ejecting the supply item upon users activating the latch. The ports are separated a maximum distance to facilitate the ejection, while the exit port remains near a bottom to minimize stranding ink. Further embodiments note arrangements, distances and consumer features, to name a few.
摘要:
An imaging apparatus includes a print engine having a print zone. A print media feed system transports a sheet of print media in a media feed direction along a media feed path through the print zone. The print media feed system includes a plurality of exit rollers positioned across a width of the media feed path. Each of a plurality of pressure rollers engages a respective one of the plurality of exit rollers to define a plurality of exit nips. A support structure mounts the plurality of exit rollers and the plurality of pressure rollers. The support structure positions the plurality of exit nips in an arrangement to define a transverse path across the width of the media feed path in the direction transverse to the media feed direction, the transverse path having a central portion and elevated portions on each side of the central portion.
摘要:
An automatic edge guide assembly comprises a sheet feeding mechanism, a slide housing mounted within the sheet feeding mechanism and an edge guide slidably connected to the slide housing. The edge guide is biased by a first biasing force and a second biasing force, wherein the first force is greater than the second force, allowing for automatic edge alignment within a predetermined range of widths.
摘要:
A wiper for an ink jet printhead comprises a monolithic body having a mounting portion and a head portion, the head portion including a wiper portion and a beam portion for supporting the wiper portion on the mounting portion. The mounting portion has a bottom surface and a slot centered in the bottom surface where the slot extends toward the head portion from the bottom surface and receives a mounting beam that is movable. The wiper is characterized in that the wiper portion has two non-parallel side surfaces which diverge from the beam portion and intersect a flat top surface of the wiper portion at acute angles so as to form two parallel wiping edges which may alternately wipe the printhead as the printhead moves back and forth relative to the wiper. Because the side surfaces of the head portion form angles of less than 90.degree. with the top surface there is less tendency for the head to trap and ride on ink wiped from the printhead. The beam portion has a hole extending through it thus making it more flexible. This permits a harder material to be used in the wiper without causing damage to the printhead. The wiper is normally supported on the opposite side of the plane of record feed from the printhead and may be raised into the path of travel of the printhead. An optional blotter may be provided for absorbing from the wiper the ink which is wiped from the printhead.
摘要:
In an impact typewriter/printer using a daisy wheel typefont a stepper motor for rotating said daisy wheel for character selection purposes and microprocessor facilities for controlling said stepper motor, means are provided for generating tones signalling the occurrence of predetermined events to be brought to the attention of the typist. For that purpose, the microprocessor facilities are used to detect and identify the occurring event and then generate a tone of a predetermined frequency by moving said stepper motor back and forth at given rates whereby the daisy wheel typefont is made to vibrate the surrounding air fluid and generate the acoustical tone.