200932535 % 九、發明說明 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明關於印表機領域，特別是關於頁寬噴墨印表 機。 【先前技術】 爲了維持列印品質，當媒介片體通過列印頭積體電路 時，媒介饋給組合體必須精確地***介片體。媒介的速 率、和列印頭積體電路噴嘴面及媒介表面之間的間隙，應 儘可能地接近設計期間所明訂的公稱値。市場上可買到的 印表機，其間隙約2毫米。但是當列印技術再改良，一些 印表機具有約1毫米間隙的噴嘴。 【發明內容】 因此，本發明提供一種噴墨印表機’包含： 噴墨列印頭和支撐構造’該噴墨列印頭具有用於噴射 墨水的至少一列印頭積體電路’該支撐構造用於將該噴墨 列印頭安裝在該印表機及支撐該至少一列印頭積體電路’ 該支撐構造具有鄰接該至少一列印頭積體電路的紙引導 件； 列印壓盤，用於在列印期間面對該至少一列印頭積體 電路，以界定該列印壓盤和該至少一列印頭積體電路之間 的間隙，該列印壓盤具有引導表面’用於引導片狀列印媒 介進入該間隙內；和 -5- 200932535 媒介饋給路徑，延伸穿過該印表機，片狀媒介基板沿 著該媒介饋給路徑饋給，該媒介饋給路徑局部由在該支撐 構造上的該紙引導件和該列印壓盤的該引導表面所界定； 其中，在使用期間， 該等片狀列印媒介和該紙引導件呈滑動接觸，且在列 印期間’該等片狀列印媒介和該引導表面相隔開。 本發明使用在列印頭支撐稱構造上的紙引導件，以界 定在列印期間噴嘴和媒介片體表面的間隙。但是設置列印 壓盤以引導片體的前緣朝向下游驅動輥或其他驅動機構。 因爲片狀媒介和列印壓盤之間的最小接觸，所以大幅減少 滿版出血列印期間因過量噴灑墨水而弄髒的可能性。再 者，將紙引導件設置在支撐構造上且緊鄰列印頭積體電 路，準確地維持從噴嘴至媒介表面的間隙。 較佳地，該噴墨列印頭具有複數列印頭積體電路，每 一列印頭積體電路界定長形陣列噴嘴，該長形陣列噴嘴被 界定在噴嘴面內，該等列印頭積體電路被端對端地安裝在 該支撐構造上，以致該等列印頭積體電路在媒介饋給路徑 的橫方向延伸，該紙引導件平行於該等列印頭積體電路的 每一者且和該等列印頭積體電路的每一者等間隔。在另一 較佳形式中，該列印頭是頁寬列印頭。較佳地，該列印頭 設成列印頭匣，供使用者移除和更換。較佳地，在列印期 間該列印壓盤具有在該長形陣列噴嘴正對面的凹陷區段， 使得該引導表面較靠近該媒介饋給路徑而較遠離該凹陷區 段。在特別佳的形式中’該凹陷區段倂入吸收性材料，供 -6 - 200932535 容置被該列印頭積體電路射出的墨水。較佳地，在列印之 前，該列印壓盤被轉動進入該等列印頭積體電路對面的位 置。在一些較佳實施例中，該列印壓盤是安裝至旋轉列印 頭維護設備的維護站。較佳地，該旋轉列印頭維護設備， 繞著在該媒介饋給路徑之橫方向延伸的軸線轉動。在這些 實施例中，該列印頭維護設備具有複數維護站，該複數維 護站包括加蓋器、擦拭器構件、該列印壓盤、和吸墨器。 較佳地，印表機更包含維護驅動裝置，建構該維護驅動裝 置以轉動該列印頭維護設備和將該列印頭維護設備朝向及 遠離該噴墨列印頭運動。在特別佳的形式中，該維護驅動 裝置可在兩方向轉動該列印頭維護設備。在一些實施例 中，該列印頭維護設備具有管狀底座，且該複數列印頭維 護站被安裝至該底座外部。在特別佳的實施例中，該管狀 底座具有在該中心凹穴內的多孔材料，在列印壓盤之凹陷 區段內的該吸收性材料和該多孔材料呈流體連通。 較佳地，該紙界定在該噴嘴面和該列印媒介的表面之 間的間隙，該間隙小於2毫米。在另一較佳形式中，該紙 界定在該噴嘴面和該列印媒介的表面之間的間隙，該間隙 小於1毫米。 【實施方式】 印表機流體工學系統 圖1是圖2A和2B中所述之列印引擎所用之流體工 學的示意圖。如前所述，列印引擎具有噴墨印表機的主要 200932535 機械構造。建構週邊構造（例如外殻、饋紙盤、紙收集 盤、、、等），使其適合印表機（例如相片印表機、網路印 表機、或蘇活印表機）的特定列印要求。申請人揭露在共 同繫屬中的申請案USSN 1 1 /688 863 (我們的案號RRE 001 US)之相片印表機，是使用圖1之流體工學系統之噴墨 印表機的例子。該共同繫屬中的申請案的內容於此倂入作 爲參考。USSN 1 1/87271 9號案（我們的案號SBF 009US)中 詳細描述該系統的作業和其個別組件，其內容於此倂入作 爲參考。 簡言之，印表機流體工學系統具有列印頭組合體2， 墨水罐4經由上游墨水管線8供給墨水至列印頭組合體 2。廢棄墨水經由下游墨水管線排至廢墨水罐1 8。爲了簡 化，所以只顯示單一墨水管線。實際上，列印頭具有多條 墨水管線供全彩列印。上游墨水管線8具有關閉閥1 〇， 用於將列印頭組合體2選擇性地與泵1 2和/或墨水罐4隔 ❹ 離。泵12用於主動塡注或溢滿（flood)列印頭組合體2。 泵12也用於建立墨水罐4內的負壓。在列印期間，藉由 氣泡點規制器6維持負壓。 列印頭組合體2是液晶聚合物模組20，其支撐一系 列的列印頭積體電路30 ;以黏性晶粒附接薄膜（未示）固定 該等列印頭積體電路3 0。列印頭積體電路3 0具有陣列的 墨水噴射噴嘴，用於噴射墨水液滴至正在通過的媒介基板 22。噴嘴是以真實1 600 dpi(亦即1 600 npi的噴嘴節距）或 更大解析度列印的微電子機械構造。USSN 1 1/246687(我 -8- 200932535 們的案號MNN 001 US)中詳細地描述合適列印頭積體電路 30的製造和構造，其內容倂入於此作參考。液晶聚合物 模組20具有在入口 36和出口 38之間延伸的主通道24。 主通道2 4饋給一系列延伸至液晶聚合物模組2 0下側的細 通道28。細通道28經由晶粒附接薄膜內之雷射切除孔而 將墨水供給至列印頭積體電路3 0。 在主通道24上方的是一系列未塡注的空氣凹穴26。 設计追些凹穴以在塡注列印頭期間偈限一袋的空氣。該等 空氣袋給予系統一些順應性，以吸收和阻尼墨水中的壓力 局點和液壓衝擊。印表機是具有大數目噴嘴快速地發射的 高速頁寬印表機。此印表機快速率地消耗墨水，且突然結 束列印工作或甚至只是一頁的結束，意涵朝向（和經過）列 印頭組合體2運動的一行墨水必須幾乎瞬間停止。如果沒 有空氣凹穴2 6提供的順應性，則墨水的動量會溢滿列印 頭積體電路30的噴嘴。再者，後續的「反射波」會產生 〇 足以去除噴嘴塡注的強負壓。 列印引擎 圖2A顯示使用列印匣2類型之列印引擎3。列印引 擎3是噴墨印表機的內部構造’所以其不包括任何外部殼 體、墨水罐、或媒介饋給和收集盤。使用者將閂126上升 或下降’以***或移除列印頭匣2。列印引擎3和列印頭 匣2上的接點形成電性連接，且分別藉由承座12〇、入口 歧管48、和出口歧管50形成流體耦合。 藉由主驅動輥186和排出饋給輥178，將媒介片體饋 -9- 200932535 給經過列印引擎。主驅動輥186被主驅動皮帶輪和編碼器 碟188所驅動。排出饋給輥178被排出驅動皮帶輪180所 驅動。藉由媒介饋給皮帶182，使排出驅動皮帶輪18〇和 主驅動皮帶輪188同步。媒介饋給馬達190經由輸入驅動 皮帶192供給動力給主驅動皮帶輪188。 主驅動皮帶輪188具有編碼器碟，驅動皮帶輪感測器 184讀取編碼器碟。驅動軸桿186、178之迴轉數和速率 φ 的相關資料，被送至列印引擎控制器（PEC)。列印引擎控 制器（未示）被安裝至主印刷電路板（PCB) 194，且是用於控 制印表機作業的主要微處理器。 圖2B顯示已移除列印頭匣後的列印引擎3，以顯露 每一承座120中的孔122。每一孔122容置入口歧管和出 口歧管上的其中之一嘴5 2(見圖5)。如上所述，墨水罐具 有任意位置和構造，但是簡單地連接至入口耦合器中承座 120後面處的中空嵌入口 124(見圖8)。在出口耦合器後面 〇 處的嵌入口 124’連通至廢墨水罐18 (見圖1)中的廢棄墨 水出口。 補強支承表面128被固定至列印引擎3的受壓金屬殼 體196。這些提供用於將列印頭匣設置在列印引擎內的參 考點。他們也被設置用於在安裝時對作用在匣2上的壓縮 負載，提供正相反的支承表面。當歧管嘴（下述）打開列印 引擎中的關閉閥（下述）時，流體耦合器120推抵著匣之入 口歧管和出口歧管。匣2上之閂126的壓力，也正相反於 支承表面128。設置支承表面128使其直接相反於匣2中 -10- 200932535 的壓縮負載，可降低匣內的彎曲和變形。最後，此幫助噴 嘴相對於媒介饋給路徑的經確定位。其亦保護匣內強度較 弱的機構免於損壞。 列印頭匣 圖3是完整的列印頭匣2的透視圖。列印頭匣2具有 頂模組44和可移除的保護罩42。頂模組44具有中央腹 板供構造性勁度，且用於提供具紋理的夾持表面58，以 在***和移除期間操縱匣。在安裝於印表機內之前，保護 罩42的底部保護列印頭積體電路（未示）和整列的接點。 蓋體56 —體成形於底部，並覆蓋墨水入口和出口（見圖5 的54和52)。 圖4顯示移除保護罩42的列印頭組合體2，以暴露 在底表面上的列印頭積體電路和在側表面上的整列接點 33。將保護罩丟至回收廢棄物、或將保護罩裝配到換下來 的列印頭匣，以包住殘留墨水的洩漏。圖5是列印頭組合 體2的局部分解透視圖。已移除頂罩以顯露入口歧管48 和出口歧管50，已移除入口圍板和出口圍板46、47以較 清楚地暴露五個入口嘴52和五個出口嘴54。入口和出口 歧管48、50形成每一個別入口及出口和液晶聚合物內主 通道（見圖6之24)之間的流體連接。主通道延伸液晶聚合 物的長度，且主通道饋給在液晶聚合物模組下側上的一系 列細通道。一列空氣凹穴26形成在每一主通道24的上 方。如上關於圖1所述，藉由壓縮空氣凹穴26內的空 氣，而阻尼墨水中的衝擊波或壓力脈衝。 -11 - 200932535 圖6是沒有入口或出口歧管或頂罩模組之列印頭 體的分解透視圖。每一種墨水顏料用的主通道24和其 關的空氣凹穴2 6，分別形成在通道模組6 8和凹穴模組 內。晶粒附接薄膜66黏複製通道模組68的底部。晶輕 接薄膜66將列印頭積體電路30安裝至通道模組，使得 道模組6 8下側上的細通道經由貫穿薄膜的小雷射切除 而和列印頭積體電路3 0呈流體連通。 q 因爲液晶聚合物的勁度及熱膨脹係數的原因，所以 道模組68和頂罩模組72兩者都是由液晶聚合物所模製 型，且液晶聚合物的熱膨脹係數和矽的熱膨脹係數緊密 匹配。可瞭解的是，例如頁寬列印頭的相對長構造，應 使列印頭積體電路3 0的矽基板和其支撐構造之間的任 熱膨脹差異最小化。 列印頭維護轉盤 參考圖7，顯示剖面透視圖。該剖面是穿過圖2A Q 示的線7-7。列印頭匣2***列印引擎3內，使得其出 歧管50和嵌入口 124呈流體連通，該嵌入口 124引導 印表機成品內之廢棄墨水罐（通常位於列印引擎的基座) 液晶聚合物模組20支撐列印頭積體電路3 0緊鄰著延伸 過列印引擎的媒介饋給路徑22。 列印頭維護轉盤150和其相關的驅動機構，位在媒 饋給路徑22的相反側上。安裝列印頭維護轉盤150用 繞著管狀驅動軸桿156旋轉，列印頭維護轉盤150也被 構用於朝向和遠離列印頭積體電路30運動。藉由升高 合 相 72 附 通 孔 通 成 地 該 何 所 口 至 〇 穿 介 於 建 轉 -12- 200932535 盤150朝向印頭積體電路30，轉盤外部上的各種列印頭 維護站呈現至列印頭。維護轉盤15〇可旋轉地安裝在舉升 構造1 70 ± ’其安裝至舉升構造軸桿丨56，所以其能相對 於列印引擎3的其餘構造樞轉。舉升構造17〇包括一對舉 升臂158(只顯示一支舉升臂，另一支舉升臂設在舉升構 造軸桿156的相反端）。每一舉升臂158具有凸輪嚙合表 面168’例如低摩擦材料的輥或墊。凸輪（下文詳述）固定 q 至轉盤驅動軸桿160，用於以該軸桿160轉動。舉升臂 158被偏壓進入和轉盤舉升驅動軸桿16〇上的凸輪嚙合， 使得轉盤舉升馬達（下述）能藉由旋轉軸桿16〇而運動轉盤 朝向和遠離列印頭。 維護轉盤150繞管狀軸桿166的旋轉，是獨立於轉盤 舉升驅動。轉盤驅動軸桿166嚙合轉盤旋轉馬達（下述）， 使得無論其從列印頭縮回或朝向列印頭前進，其皆能被轉 動。當轉盤朝向列印頭前進時，擦拭器刮片1 62運動經過 0 媒介饋給路徑22 ’以擦拭列印頭積體電路30。當轉盤 150從列印頭撤回時，轉盤150可重複地轉動，使得擦拭 器刮片（wiper blade)162 嚙合刮刀（doctor bUde)154 和清 潔墊152。此也在下文詳細討論。 現在參考圖8，剖面7-7顯示在平面視圖中，以較清 楚地描述維護轉盤舉升驅動。轉盤舉升驅動軸桿160顯示 呈轉動，使得舉升凸輪172藉由凸輪嚙合表面168將舉升 臂158向下推動。舉升軸桿160被轉盤舉升正齒輪174驅 動，該轉盤舉升正齒輪174依序被轉盤舉升蝸輪176驅 -13- 200932535 動。以鍵將蝸輪17固定至轉盤舉升馬達的輸出軸桿（下 述）。 隨著舉升臂158將舉升構造170向下拉，維護轉盤 150從列印頭積體電路30撤離。在此位置中，轉盤50旋 轉時，沒有維護站接觸列印頭積體電路30。但是轉盤會 帶動擦拭器刮片162接觸刮刀（doctor blade) 154和具吸收 性的清潔墊152。 刮刀（doctor blade) 刮刀154結合清潔墊152工作，以廣泛地清潔擦拭器 刮片162。清潔墊152從擦拭器刮片162的擦拭接觸面擦 拭紙塵和乾掉的墨水。但是小墨水珠和污物會形成刮片 162的尖端，該尖端不接觸清潔墊152的表面。 爲了去除此墨水和塵，將刮刀1 54安裝在列印引擎3 內，以在刮片1 62擦拭過列印頭積體電路3 0以後但在接 觸清潔墊152以前，使刮刀154接觸刮片162。當擦拭器 刮片162接觸刮刀154時’擦拭器刮片162携曲成弧形以 便通過。因爲擦拭器刮片162是彈性體材料，所以當其一 脫離刮刀154時’便彈回至其靜止的直形狀。快速地彈回 至其靜止的形狀’會從擦拭器刮片162 (特別是從尖端）投 射出塵和其他污物。 普通的工作者會瞭解，當擦拭器刮片162接觸清潔墊 152時也會撓曲，且一旦擦拭器刮片162脫離墊時，也同 樣地會彈回至其靜止的形狀。但是刮刀1 5 4放射狀地安裝 成在轉盤150的中心軸桿166較接近而在清潔墊152處較 -14- 200932535 遠離。此配置使得當擦拭器刮片162通過時會更彎曲 當彈回至靜止的形狀時，給污物更多的動量。因爲清 152接觸前導刮片使拖在後面的刮片不當地擦過清 152，所以不可能將清潔墊152單純地運動至更靠近 軸桿166，以使擦拭器刮片162更彎曲。 清潔墊 清潔墊152是具吸收性的發泡體，其被形成爲對 Q 擦拭器刮片162之圓形路徑的弧形。當以編織材料覆 1 52，以在擦拭刮片時提供許多密集的聚集接觸點， 152更有效率地清潔。因此，編織g料之線的尺寸應 地小，例如小於2丹尼（denier)。具有線尺寸約1丹 微纖維材料的工作狀況特別佳。 清潔墊152延伸擦拭器刮片162的長度，擦拭器 162也延伸頁寬列印頭的長度。頁寬清潔墊152同時 擦拭器刮片的全部長度，其減少每一擦拭作業所需 〇 間。再者，頁寬清潔墊的長度固有地提供大體積的吸 材料，用於保持相對大量的墨水。因爲有較大的吸收 能力，所以較不須常常更換清潔墊152。 加蓋於列印頭 圖9顯示具有安裝至維護轉盤150之加蓋維護站 的加蓋列印頭積體電路30的第一階段。當舉升凸輪 向下推在舉升臂158上時，維護轉盤150從列印頭積 路30撤離。維護轉盤150連同維護編碼器碟204 轉，直到第一轉盤旋轉感測器200和第二轉盤旋轉感 ，且 潔墊 潔墊 轉盤 應於 蓋墊 使墊 相對 尼之 刮片 清潔 的時 收性 墨水 198 172 體電 被旋 測器 -15- 200932535 202決定：列印頭加蓋器正面對列印頭積體電路3 0。 如圖1〇所示，舉升軸桿160轉動凸輪172，以致舉 升臂158向上運動，以使維護轉盤150向列印頭積體電路 3 0前進。加蓋器維護站1 98嚙合液晶聚合物模組20的下 側，以將列印頭積體電路3 0的噴嘴密封在相對潮濕的環 境中。普通的工作者會瞭解：此防止（至少延長）噴嘴免於 乾掉和阻塞。 0 去除列印頭的蓋 圖1 1顯示去除蓋以準備列印的列印頭積體電路3 0。 旋轉舉升軸桿160，以致舉升凸輪172將轉盤舉升臂158 向下推。加蓋維護站198運動離開液晶聚合物模組20, 以暴露列印頭積體電路3 0。 擦拭列印頭 圖12顯示正被擦拭器刮片162擦拭的列印頭積體電 路30。當加蓋站198被旋轉離開列印頭時，擦拭器構件 Q 的刮片162接觸液晶聚合物模組20的下側。當轉盤150 繼續旋轉時，擦拭器刮片被拉經過列印頭積體電路30的 噴嘴面，以擦掉任何紙塵、乾掉的墨水、或其他污物。擦 拭器刮片1 62由彈性體材料形成，所以當他們擦拭通過列 印頭積體電路時，其彈性地撓曲和彎曲。當每一擦拭器刮 片的尖端被彎曲時，每一刮片的側表面和噴嘴面形成擦拭 接觸。可瞭解的是：刮片的寬廣平坦側表面和噴嘴面有較 大的接觸，且更有效率地清除掉污物。 擦拭器刮片清理（清潔） -16- 200932535 圖13、14顯示正被清潔的擦拭器刮片162。如圖13 所示，在擦拭器刮片162擦拭列印頭積體電路30之後， 擦拭器刮片1 62立即被旋轉通過刮刀1 54。刮刀1 54的功 能在上文附標題「刮刀」中較詳細地討論。 在將擦拭器刮片162拖拉經過刮刀154以後，附著在 刮片的任何殘留塵和污物，被具吸收性的清潔墊152所移 除。此步驟顯示在圖14中。 Q 在此過程期間，列印壓盤維護站206正好相對著列印 頭積體電路30。如果想要的話，藉由旋轉舉升凸輪172 能舉升轉盤，使得噴嘴能發射進入吸收性材料208。混合 在墨水噴嘴的任何顏料立即被淨化。鑽削進入管狀底座 166之側面的孔（未示），提供吸收性材料208和在轉盤軸 桿166之中心凹穴內的多孔材料210之間的流體連通。被 材料208所吸收之墨水，被拉入多孔材料210內且被多孔 材料210所保持。爲了使多孔材料210流乾，轉盤150可 〇 設有真空附接點（未示），以排掉廢棄墨水。 轉盤150帶著乾淨的擦拭器刮片繼續旋轉（見圖15)， 直到列印壓盤206再度位在列印頭積體電路30的對面。 然後如圖16所示，轉盤朝向列印頭積體電路30上升，以 預備列印。沿著媒介饋給路徑22饋給媒介基板片體並通 過列印頭積體電路30。就滿版出血（full bleed;列印至媒 介片體的極邊）列印而言，媒介基板能保持離開壓盤 2 06，以致其不會因墨水過度噴灑而弄髒。可瞭解的是， 吸收性材料208設置在列印壓盤206的凹陷部份內，以致 -17- 200932535 任何過度噴灑的墨水（通常在紙兩側邊緣約1毫米）被保持 離開可接觸媒介基板的表面。 在列印工作結束時或在印表機將進入待命模式之前’ 轉盤150在旋轉中從列印頭積體電路30撤離，以致列印 頭加蓋維護站198再度呈現至列印頭。如圖17所示’舉 升軸桿160轉動舉升凸輪158，以致舉升凸輪158將列印 頭加蓋維護站運動進入和液晶聚合物模組20的下側密封 © ㈣° 列印頭維護轉盤 圖18、19、20、和21顯示隔離的維護轉盤。圖18 是顯示擦拭器刮片162和列印壓盤206透視圖。圖19是 顯示列印頭加蓋器1 9 8和擦拭器刮片1 62的透視圖。圖 20是顯示維護轉盤之零組件的分解圖。圖21是顯示完全 組合後之零組件的剖視圖。 維護轉盤具有四個列印頭維護站：列印壓盤206、擦 φ 拭器構件1 62、和集墨器（spittoon)/吸墨器220。每一維護 站安裝至其自己的外部底座組件。外部底座組件安裝在轉 盤管狀軸桿166的周圍，且彼此相互嚙合以鎖固至軸桿 上。在管狀軸桿166的一端是轉盤編碼器碟2 04和轉盤正 齒輪212，轉盤正齒輪212被下述的轉盤旋轉馬達（未示） 所驅動。管狀軸桿被固定至正齒輪或隨同其旋轉。各列印 頭維護站藉由其穩固地壓縮夾在軸桿的外部，而隨同管狀 軸桿一起旋轉。 擦拭器刮片外部底座組件2 1 4是鋁擠製品（或其他合 -18- 200932535 適的合金）’建構擦拭器刮片外部底座組件214以牢固地 固持擦拭器刮片162。類似地，其他的外部底座組件是金 屬擠製品，用於牢固地安裝個別維護站的較軟彈性體和/ 或吸收性多孔材料。用於列印壓盤2 1 6和列印頭加蓋器 1 98的外部底座組件，沿著每一縱向邊緣具有一系列相同 的鎖固耳部226。擦拭器構件外部底座組件214和集墨器/ 吸墨器外部底座組件218，具有互補的卡栓類型槽，用於 Q 容置鎖固耳部226。每一卡栓槽具有鄰接耳部鎖固槽230 的耳部進出孔228。將鎖固耳部226***鄰近外部底座組 件的耳部進出孔228，然後彼此相對地縱向滑動組件，以 將其鎖固至底座管狀軸桿166上。 爲了改善每一維護站和底座片軸桿166之間的摩擦和 鎖固嚙合，每一列印頭維護站設有一元件，該元件具有形 成在其一側上的弧形軸桿嚙合表面234。集墨器/吸墨器外 部底座組件2 1 8具有相對大的吸收性集墨器/吸墨器構件 Q 220，其也具有形成在其內面上的弧形軸桿嚙合表面 234。同樣地，用於列印頭加蓋器1 98的外部底座組件和 各擦拭器刮片162的共通基座，具有弧形軸桿嚙合表面 234 〇 一般的工作者會瞭解，使用相互鎖固構造將外部底座 夾持至內部底座，可使加工和組合時間降至最低，維持小 的公差用於精密地安裝維護站構造。在者，外部底座組件 可組合成不同的組態。能改變擦拭器刮片外部底座組件 2 1 4和集墨器/吸墨器底座組件2 1 8位置。類似地’列印頭 -19- 200932535 加蓋器198和列印壓盤206可交換。以此方式，維護站可 以其安裝在特殊印表機內最佳的方式而組合。 射出成型聚合物轉盤底座 圖22至28顯示另一實施例的列印頭維護轉盤。這些 圖是只顯示轉盤和列印頭匣之下部分的示意剖面。應瞭解 的是，維護驅動系統需要簡單且直接的修飾，以適合於此 實施例的轉盤。 圖22顯示鄰近列印頭維護轉盤1 5 0之列印頭匣2的 液晶聚合物模組20，該轉盤150以列印壓盤206呈現至 列印頭積體電路30。爲了清楚起見，圖29隔離地顯示列 印壓盤206。在使用中，沿著媒介饋給路徑22饋給片狀 的媒介基板。在列印頭積體電路30的噴嘴和媒介饋給路 徑22之間的是列印間隙244。爲了維持列印品質，列印 頭積體電路的噴嘴面和媒介表面之間的間隙2 4 4，應儘可 能地靠近設計期間明定的公稱値。在市面上買得到的印表 機中，此間隙約爲2毫米。但是因爲列印技術再進步，所 以一些印表機具有約1毫米的列印間隙。 隨著數位攝影術的普受歡迎，對彩色影像之滿版出血 列印的需求愈來愈大。「滿版出血列印」是列印至媒介表 面的極邊緣。此經常造成一些「越界噴灑（或過度噴灑； over spray)」，其中被射出的墨水未噴中在媒介基板的邊 緣’而沉積在支撐列印壓盤上。然後，此越界噴灑的墨水 會弄髒在後續的片狀媒介上。 圖22所示的配置處理這兩個議題。液晶聚合物模組 -20- 200932535 20上的紙引導件23 8，界定列印期間的列印間隙244。但 是’列印壓盤206具有形成在其硬塑膠基座模組上的引導 表面246。引導表面246引導片體的前緣朝向排出驅動輥 或其他驅動機件。因爲片狀媒介和列印壓盤2 0 6之間的最 小接觸’所以大幅減少滿版出血列印期間被越界噴灑之墨 水弄髒的可能性。再者，將液晶聚合物模組20上的紙引 導件23 8設置在緊鄰列印頭積體電路30處，準確地維持 0 噴嘴至媒介表面的間隙244。 在申請人之範圍中的一些印表機使用此技術以提供 0.7毫米的列印間隙244。但是藉由使鄰近列印頭積體電 路30之囊狀材料240的小珠變扁平，可減少上述間隙。 藉由安裝至液晶聚合物模組20外部的可撓印刷電路板 242，將電源和資料傳輸至列印頭積體電路3 0。可撓印刷 電路板242的接點，藉由—列導線架（未示）而電性地連接 至列印頭積體電路30的接點。爲了保護導線架，導線架 Θ 被包覆在稱爲囊狀物之環氧樹脂材料中。申請人已發展出 多種技術’用於使導線架的外型輪廓和覆蓋導線架之珠狀 囊狀物240變扁平。此允許進一步減少列印間隙244。 列印壓盤206具有凹陷或中心凹穴248，其正對著列 印頭積體電路30的噴嘴。任何越界噴灑的墨水，都會在 壓盤2 06的此區域內。遠離壓盤之其餘部分而在此區域形 成凹陷，確保媒介基板不會被溼的越界噴灑墨水弄髒。中 心凹穴24 8的表面和吸收性纖維元件2 50呈流體連通。纖 維性元件250和在底座236之中心內的多孔材料254，也 -21 - 200932535 藉由毛細管252呈流體連通。越界噴灑的墨水被吸入纖維 元件25〇內，且被毛細作用經由管252抽入多孔材料254 內。 圖23顯示轉盤150轉動’使得列印頭塡注站262呈 現至列印頭積體電路3 〇。圖3 0顯示隔離的列印頭塡注站 272和其構造特徵。列印頭塡注站具有圍繞著塡注接觸墊 258的彈性體裙部256，其由多孔材料形成。彈性體裙部 和塡注接觸墊一起成型而與剛性聚合物基座2 6 0 —起，剛 性聚合物基座260牢固地安裝至射出形型底座236。 當更換列印頭匣2時’其需要被塡注墨水。眾所週知 塡注過程是浪費的，因爲墨水通常被強迫穿過噴嘴，直到 整個列印頭構造已流放任何的氣泡爲止。當從延伸經過列 印頭之許多導管清除空氣的期間，已浪費非常大量的墨 水。 爲了解決此問題，升高維護轉盤150使得塡注接觸墊 〇 258覆蓋列印頭積體電路30的噴嘴。當在壓力下塡注噴 嘴陣列時’保持接觸墊258抵著噴嘴，大幅地減少流放經 過噴嘴之墨水量。多孔材料局部地阻擋噴嘴，以限制墨水 流。但是來自噴嘴之空氣流所受到的限制少很多，所以整 個塡注過程並沒有因爲多孔材料所產生的流動阻礙而延 遲。彈性體裙部256密封地抵注液晶聚合物模組22的下 側’以擷取從接觸墊2 5 8下側流出的過量墨水。形成在剛 性聚合物基座260中的流動孔264，允許被墊258吸收的 墨水和任何過量的墨水，流至吸收性纖維元件2 5 0 (和列 -22- 200932535 印壓盤2 0 6所用者相同）。如同列印壓盤2 0 6，纖維元件 250內的墨水藉由毛細管252被抽入射出成形底座236中 的多孔材料254內。 藉由使用列印頭塡注站262 ’大幅地減少被浪費的墨 水量。如果沒有塡注站，則當塡注頁寬列印頭時，每一種 顏料被浪費的墨水量通常約爲2毫升；如果有塡注站 2 62，則每一種顏料被浪費的墨水量減少至約0.1毫升。 φ 塡注接觸墊258不須由多孔材料形成，反而可由和圍 繞裙部256相同的彈性材料形成。在此情況，接觸墊258 需要具有特殊的表面粗糙度。嚙合列印頭積體電路30之 噴嘴面的表面，應爲2至4微米尺度的粗糙，但是爲20 微米尺度的順暢和平順。此類型的表面粗糙度允許空氣從 噴嘴面和接觸墊之間逃脫’但是只有小量的墨水逃脫。 圖24顯示維護轉盤150的擦拭站266呈現至列印頭 積體電路30。擦拭站獨立地顯示在圖31中。擦拭站266 〇 也是共同模製的構造，其具有被支撐在硬塑膠基座270上 的軟彈性體擦拭刮片26 8。爲了擦拭列印頭積體電路30 的噴嘴面，轉盤底座23 6被升高然後旋轉，所以擦拭器刮 片268擦過噴嘴面。通常旋轉轉盤底座236,使得擦拭器 刮片268朝向囊狀小珠擦拭。如同在申請人之共同繫屬中 之檔案編號RRE015US的申請案（倂入作交互參考）中所討 論者，可設計囊狀小珠的輪廓用於幫助塵和污物卡在擦拭 器刮片268的面上。但是如果證明在兩個方向中擦拭更有 效率，則可容易地將維護驅動裝置（未示）建構成用於在兩 -23- 200932535 個方向中轉動底座236。類似地，藉由改變旋轉 很容易改變擦拭經過列印頭積體電路3 0的次數 計維護驅動裝置，以執行每一擦拭作業。 在圖2 5中顯示維護轉盤1 5 0的列印頭加蓋 現至列印頭積體電路3 0。圖3 2獨立地顯示加蓋 清楚地例示其構造。加蓋器2 72具有由軟彈性體 的周圍密封274。周圍密封274和其硬塑膠基座 Q 模製。在印表機閒置時，列印頭加蓋器272降低 的速率。周圍密封274和液晶聚合物模組20下 密封不需完全地不透空氣，因爲加蓋器正被用於 注列印頭。事實上，硬塑膠基座276應包括空氣 2 78，使得噴嘴不會因去除列印頭的蓋子時所造 而溢滿氾濫。爲了蓋住列印頭，旋轉底座236直 加蓋器272呈現至列印頭積體電路3 0。然後 23 6，直到周圍密封274嚙合列印頭匣2。 Q 圖26顯示包括擦拭器刮片清潔墊152。如 一實施例所述，清潔墊152安裝在印表機內，使 轉盤150旋轉時，擦拭器刮片268運動經過墊 面。藉由設置清潔墊152的位置，使得底座23 6 頭積體電路30縮回，以允許擦拭器刮片268 墊，且以相對高速的速率轉動底座236，用以廣 擦拭器刮片268，而和列印頭積體電路3 0無任 接觸。再者，可用介面活性劑濕潤清潔墊1 52， 從擦拭器刮片表面移除污物。 的數目， 。程式設 器272呈 器，以較 材料形成 276共同 噴嘴乾掉 側之間的 以吸力塡 呼吸器孔 成的吸力 到列印頭 升高底座 同上文第 得當維護 1 52的表 須從列印 接觸清潔 泛地清潔 何損害性 以更容易 -24- 200932535 圖27獨立地顯示射出成型底座236。底座相對於穿 過中心縱長軸線282而延伸的二平面呈對稱。此對稱是重 要的，因爲，如果沿著頁寬列印頭之長度而延伸的射出成 型底座23 6不對稱，則當其冷卻時，有變形和彎曲的傾 向。因爲具有對稱的剖面，所以當底座冷卻時，其收縮也 是對稱的。 底座236具有形成在其外部表面的四個維護站安裝承 Q 座276，該等承座276都相同，所以其能容至各種維護站 2 06、26 6、262、2 72其中任何一個。以此方式，各維護 站變成可互換的模組，且可改變各維護站呈現至列印頭的 順序，以適合不同的印表機。再者，如果修改各維護站本 身，則其標準承座確保維護站只須最少的設備更換便能容 易地倂入現有的生產線內。以黏劑將維護站固定在承座 內，但是其他的方法（例如超音波點熔接或機械式相互嚙 合）也合適。 Q 如圖28所示，模具設有四個滑塊278和一個中央芯 部288。每一滑塊278具有柱狀構造280以形成導管，該 導管將纖維芯墊連接至中心凹穴內的多孔材料219。用於 每一滑塊的拉引線是從底座236輻射狀地向外，而芯部 288是縱向地縮回（可瞭解的是，芯部不是精密的圓柱， 而是截頭圓錐，以提供需要的通氣）。聚合物組件的射出 成型非常適合於大量且低成本的生產。再者，底座的對稱 構造和均勻收縮維持良好的公差，以保持維護站平行於列 印頭積體電路而延伸。但是其他的製造技術也可能，例如 -25- 200932535 壓縮聚合物粉末的衝擊波或類似者。再者，增加親水性的 表面處理，可幫助墨水流至毛細管252，且終極地流至底 座236內的多孔材料210。在一些印表機設計中，建構底 座用於連接真空源，以從多孔材料210週期性地排出墨 水。 五個維護站實施例 圖34顯示列印頭維護轉盤150的實施例，其具有五 0 個不同的維護站：列印壓盤206、列印頭擦拭器266、列 印頭加蓋器272、塡注站262、和集墨器284。集墨器 284(獨立地顯示在圖33)具有相對簡單的構造…集墨器面 284呈現平坦至列印頭，且具有孔（未示）供與保持在其塑 膠基座內的纖維元件250呈流體連通。 五站維護轉盤150附加一個集墨器284，以允許印表 機使用主要的墨水淨化當作維護系統的一部分。圖22-25 的四站轉盤’使用列印壓盤206和/或加蓋器272提供次 〇 要的墨水淨化或「吐出循環（spitting cycle)」。在列印工 作期間，於噴嘴面擦拭以後或當頁間吐出（inter-page spit) 時，使用次要吐出循環，以保持噴嘴潮濕。但是如果列印 頭需要從去除塡注、嚴重的顏料混合、大尺寸的噴嘴乾掉 等情況回復，則可能需要主要的吐出循環…-因爲該情況 已超出壓盤或加蓋器的能力。 集墨器284具有在其面2 86內的大孔或一系列的保持 肋，以將纖維芯材料250保持在應塑膠基座內。此將纖維 元件250保持非常開放於潛在的墨水密集噴灑。纖維元件 -26- 200932535 250的一個面壓抵著毛細管252，以增加流至底座236之 中心凹穴內的多孔材料254。 五承座底座23 6是使用彼此成72度的五個滑塊或彼 此成60度的六個滑塊而射出成型。類似地，具有超過五 個站的維護轉盤也可能。如果噴嘴面有聚集乾掉墨水的傾 向’則指單獨使用擦拭器仍難以移除。在這些情況時，印 表機可需要一個用於將墨水溶劑或其他清潔流體噴射至噴 φ 嘴面上的站（未示）。然而，此能倂入或附加至集墨器。 擦拭器變化例 圖35至46顯示擦拭器能採用的一系列不同構造。擦 拭列印頭的噴嘴面試移除紙塵、溢出墨水、乾掉墨水、或 其他污物的有效方式。一般的工作者會瞭解，可能有無數 的不同擦拭器構造，其中多數不適合用於任何特殊的印表 機。功能性的效率（亦即清潔列印頭）必須權衡生產成本、 希望的作業壽命、尺寸及重量限制條件、和其他考量因 ❹ 素。 單一接觸刮片 圖35顯示具有安裝在硬塑膠基座270內之單一彈性 體刮片290的擦拭器維護站266，使得刮片垂直於媒介饋 給方向延伸。沿著噴嘴陣列之長度延伸的單一擦拭器刮 片，是具有低生產和組合成本的單純擦拭配置。有鑑於 此，單一刮片擦拭器適合於印表機和價格範圍的底端。較 高的生產量需要有效率的製造技術和印表機組件的簡易組 裝。此必須對單元的作業壽命、或擦拭器清潔列印頭的速 -27-200932535 % IX. Description of the Invention [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to the field of printers, and more particularly to page width inkjet printers. [Prior Art] In order to maintain print quality, when the medium sheet passes through the print head integrated circuit, the medium feed assembly must accurately control the medium sheet. The rate of the medium, and the gap between the nozzle face of the print head integrated circuit and the surface of the media should be as close as possible to the nominal 値 specified during the design period. A commercially available printer with a gap of about 2 mm. However, when the printing technique was further improved, some printers had nozzles with a gap of about 1 mm. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides an ink jet printer comprising: an ink jet print head and a support structure. The ink jet print head has at least one print head integrated circuit for ejecting ink. For mounting the ink jet print head on the printer and supporting the at least one print head integrated circuit 'the support structure having a paper guide adjacent to the at least one print head integrated circuit; printing the pressure plate, Facing the at least one column of the integrated circuit during printing to define a gap between the printing platen and the at least one of the printing head integrated circuits, the printing plate having a guiding surface for guiding sheets Printing medium enters the gap; and -5 - 200932535 medium feed path extending through the printer, the sheet medium substrate is fed along the medium feed path, the medium feed path is locally The paper guide on the support structure and the guiding surface of the printing platen are defined; wherein, during use, the sheet-like printing medium and the paper guide are in sliding contact, and during printing Print medium The guide surface spaced apart. The present invention uses a paper guide on the printhead support structure to define the gap between the nozzle and the surface of the media sheet during printing. However, a print platen is provided to direct the leading edge of the sheet toward the downstream drive roller or other drive mechanism. Because of the minimal contact between the sheet media and the print platen, the likelihood of soiling due to excessive spray of ink during full-page bleeding printing is greatly reduced. Further, the paper guide is placed on the support structure and in close proximity to the print head integrated circuit to accurately maintain the gap from the nozzle to the media surface. Preferably, the ink jet print head has a plurality of print head integrated circuits, each of the print head integrated circuits defining an elongated array nozzle defined in the nozzle face, the print head product The body circuit is mounted end to end on the support structure such that the print head integrated circuits extend in a lateral direction of the medium feed path, the paper guide being parallel to each of the print head integrated circuits And are equally spaced from each of the print head integrated circuits. In another preferred form, the printhead is a pagewidth printhead. Preferably, the print head is configured as a print head cartridge for removal and replacement by a user. Preferably, the printing platen has a recessed section directly opposite the elongated array of nozzles during printing such that the leading surface is closer to the media feed path and further away from the recessed section. In a particularly preferred form, the recessed section is immersed in an absorbent material for -6 - 200932535 to accommodate ink ejected by the printhead integrated circuit. Preferably, the print platen is rotated into position opposite the printhead integrated circuits prior to printing. In some preferred embodiments, the print platen is a maintenance station that is mounted to the rotary printhead maintenance device. Preferably, the rotary printhead maintenance device rotates about an axis extending in a lateral direction of the media feed path. In these embodiments, the printhead maintenance apparatus has a plurality of maintenance stations including a capper, a wiper member, the print platen, and an ink absorber. Preferably, the printer further includes a maintenance drive that is constructed to rotate the printhead maintenance device and move the printhead maintenance device toward and away from the inkjet printhead. In a particularly preferred form, the maintenance drive can rotate the printhead maintenance device in both directions. In some embodiments, the printhead maintenance apparatus has a tubular base and the plurality of printhead maintenance stations are mounted to the exterior of the base. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tubular base has a porous material within the central pocket, the absorbent material in the recessed section of the printing platen being in fluid communication with the porous material. Preferably, the paper defines a gap between the nozzle face and the surface of the print medium, the gap being less than 2 mm. In another preferred form, the paper defines a gap between the nozzle face and the surface of the print medium, the gap being less than 1 mm. [Embodiment] Printer Fluid Engineering System Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the fluid engineering used in the printing engine described in Figures 2A and 2B. As mentioned earlier, the print engine has the main 200932535 mechanical construction of an inkjet printer. Construct perimeter structures (such as housings, feeder trays, paper trays, etc.) to fit specific columns of printers (such as photo printers, network printers, or spirographs) Printing requirements. The applicant discloses a photo printer of USSN 1 1 /688 863 (our case number RRE 001 US) in the co-genus, which is an example of an ink jet printer using the fluid engineering system of Fig. 1. The contents of the application in this common genus are hereby incorporated by reference. The operation of the system and its individual components are described in detail in USSN 1 1/87271 9 (our case number SBF 009US), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the printer fluid engineering system has a printhead assembly 2 that supplies ink to the printhead assembly 2 via an upstream ink line 8. The waste ink is discharged to the waste ink tank 1 via the downstream ink line. For simplicity, only a single ink line is shown. In fact, the print head has multiple ink lines for full color printing. The upstream ink line 8 has a shut-off valve 1 〇 for selectively separating the print head assembly 2 from the pump 12 and/or the ink tank 4. The pump 12 is used to actively dispense or flood the print head assembly 2. The pump 12 is also used to establish a negative pressure within the ink tank 4. The negative pressure is maintained by the bubble dot gauge 6 during printing. The print head assembly 2 is a liquid crystal polymer module 20 that supports a series of print head integrated circuits 30; the print head integrated circuits are fixed by a viscous die attach film (not shown). . The print head integrated circuit 30 has an array of ink ejecting nozzles for ejecting ink droplets to the media substrate 22 being passed. The nozzle is a microelectromechanical construction that prints at a true 1 600 dpi (i.e., a nozzle pitch of 1 600 npi) or greater resolution. The fabrication and construction of a suitable printhead integrated circuit 30 is described in detail in US Ser. No. 1/246,687, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The liquid crystal polymer module 20 has a main channel 24 extending between an inlet 36 and an outlet 38. The main channel 24 is fed to a series of thin channels 28 that extend to the underside of the liquid crystal polymer module 20. The fine channel 28 supplies ink to the printhead integrated circuit 30 via a laser cut-out hole in the die attach film. Above the main passage 24 is a series of unfilled air pockets 26. The design is to chase the pockets to limit a bag of air during the marking of the print head. These air pockets give the system some compliance to absorb and damp the pressure points and hydraulic shock in the ink. The printer is a high speed page wide printer with a large number of nozzles that emit quickly. This printer quickly consumes ink and abruptly ends the printing job or even the end of a page, meaning that a line of ink moving toward (and past) the print head assembly 2 must stop almost instantaneously. If there is no compliance provided by the air pockets 26, the momentum of the ink will overflow the nozzles of the print head integrated circuit 30. Furthermore, the subsequent "reflected waves" will produce a strong negative pressure sufficient to remove the nozzle. Print Engine Figure 2A shows the print engine 3 using the Print 匣2 type. The print engine 3 is the internal construction of the ink jet printer so it does not include any outer casing, ink tank, or media feed and collection tray. The user raises or lowers the latch 126 to insert or remove the print head 匣2. The print engine 3 and the contacts on the print head 匣 2 are electrically connected and fluidly coupled by the socket 12 〇, the inlet manifold 48, and the outlet manifold 50, respectively. The media sheet feed -9-200932535 is passed to the print engine by the main drive roller 186 and the discharge feed roller 178. The main drive roller 186 is driven by the main drive pulley and the encoder disc 188. The discharge feed roller 178 is driven by the discharge drive pulley 180. The discharge drive pulley 18A and the main drive pulley 188 are synchronized by the medium feed belt 182. The medium feed motor 190 supplies power to the main drive pulley 188 via the input drive belt 192. The main drive pulley 188 has an encoder disc and the drive pulley sensor 184 reads the encoder disc. Information on the number of revolutions of the drive shafts 186, 178 and the speed φ is sent to the print engine controller (PEC). A print engine controller (not shown) is mounted to the main printed circuit board (PCB) 194 and is the primary microprocessor used to control printer operation. Figure 2B shows the print engine 3 after the print head has been removed to reveal the holes 122 in each of the sockets 120. Each of the holes 122 houses one of the nozzles 5 2 on the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold (see Figure 5). As noted above, the ink tank has any position and configuration, but is simply attached to the hollow insertion opening 124 (see Figure 8) at the rear of the socket 120 in the inlet coupler. The insertion port 124' at the rear of the outlet coupler communicates with the waste ink outlet in the waste ink tank 18 (see Fig. 1). The reinforcing bearing surface 128 is secured to the pressurized metal casing 196 of the printing engine 3. These provide reference points for setting the print head 在 within the print engine. They are also designed to provide a positive bearing surface for the compressive load acting on the crucible 2 during installation. When the manifold nozzle (described below) opens the shutoff valve (described below) in the print engine, the fluid coupler 120 pushes against the inlet and outlet manifolds of the crucible. The pressure of the latch 126 on the cymbal 2 is also opposite to the bearing surface 128. The bearing surface 128 is disposed such that it is directly opposite to the compressive load of -10-200932535, which reduces bending and deformation in the crucible. Finally, this assists the nozzle in determining the position relative to the media feed path. It also protects the weaker parts of the raft from damage. Print Head 匣 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the complete print head 匣 2. The print head cartridge 2 has a top module 44 and a removable protective cover 42. The top module 44 has a central web for constructive stiffness and is used to provide a textured gripping surface 58 to manipulate the weir during insertion and removal. The bottom of the protective cover 42 protects the print head integrated circuit (not shown) and the entire array of contacts before being mounted in the printer. The cover 56 is integrally formed at the bottom and covers the ink inlet and outlet (see 54 and 52 of Fig. 5). Figure 4 shows the printhead assembly 2 with the protective cover 42 removed to expose the printhead integrated circuit on the bottom surface and the entire array of contacts 33 on the side surfaces. Throw the protective cover to the recycling waste or assemble the protective cover to the replaced print head to cover the leakage of residual ink. Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the print head assembly 2. The top cover has been removed to reveal the inlet manifold 48 and the outlet manifold 50, and the inlet and outlet panels 46, 47 have been removed to more clearly expose the five inlet nozzles 52 and the five outlet nozzles 54. The inlet and outlet manifolds 48, 50 form a fluid connection between each individual inlet and outlet and the main channel within the liquid crystal polymer (see Figure 24). The main channel extends the length of the liquid crystal polymer and the main channel feeds a series of fine channels on the underside of the liquid crystal polymer module. An array of air pockets 26 are formed above each of the main passages 24. As described above with respect to Figure 1, the shock wave or pressure pulse in the ink is dampened by compressing air within the air pocket 26. -11 - 200932535 Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the print head body without an inlet or outlet manifold or top cover module. The main passage 24 for each ink pigment and its associated air pockets 26 are formed in the passage module 68 and the pocket module, respectively. The die attach film 66 adheres to the bottom of the channel module 68. The crystal light-bonding film 66 mounts the print head integrated circuit 30 to the channel module, so that the thin channel on the lower side of the track module 68 is cut off by the small laser through the film and is formed by the print head integrated circuit 30. Fluid communication. q Because of the stiffness and thermal expansion coefficient of the liquid crystal polymer, both the track module 68 and the top cover module 72 are molded by a liquid crystal polymer, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the liquid crystal polymer and the thermal expansion coefficient of the liquid crystal polymer Closely matched. It will be appreciated that, for example, the relatively long configuration of the pagewidth printhead should minimize any difference in thermal expansion between the tantalum substrate of the printhead integrated circuit 30 and its support structure. Printhead Maintenance Dial Referring to Figure 7, a cross-sectional perspective view is shown. This profile is through line 7-7 shown in Figure 2AQ. The print head cartridge 2 is inserted into the print engine 3 such that its manifold 50 is in fluid communication with the insertion port 124, which guides the waste ink canister in the finished product of the printer (usually located on the base of the print engine). The liquid crystal polymer module 20 supports the print head integrated circuit 30 in the immediate vicinity of the medium feed path 22 extending through the print engine. The printhead maintenance carousel 150 and its associated drive mechanism are located on opposite sides of the media feed path 22. The printhead maintenance carousel 150 is rotated about a tubular drive shaft 156 which is also configured to move toward and away from the printhead integrated circuit 30. By raising the merging phase 72, the venting hole passes through the ground to the boring through the -12-200932535 disk 150 toward the printing head integrated circuit 30, and the various printhead maintenance stations on the exterior of the turntable are presented to Print the head. The maintenance carousel 15 is rotatably mounted in the lift configuration 1 70 ± ' mounted to the lift configuration shaft 丨 56 so that it can pivot relative to the rest of the configuration of the print engine 3. The lift configuration 17 includes a pair of lift arms 158 (only one lift arm is shown and the other lift arm is disposed at the opposite end of the lift build shaft 156). Each lift arm 158 has a cam engaging surface 168' such as a low friction material roll or pad. A cam (described in detail below) is fixed q to the turntable drive shaft 160 for rotation with the shaft 160. The lift arm 158 is biased into engagement with a cam on the turntable lift drive shaft 16 , such that the turntable lift motor (described below) can move the turntable toward and away from the print head by rotating the shaft 16 。. The rotation of the maintenance turntable 150 about the tubular shaft 166 is driven independently of the turntable lift. The turntable drive shaft 166 engages the turntable rotary motor (described below) so that it can be rotated regardless of whether it is retracted from the print head or toward the print head. When the turntable is advanced toward the print head, the wiper blade 1 62 moves past the 0 medium feed path 22' to wipe the print head integrated circuit 30. When the turntable 150 is withdrawn from the printhead, the turntable 150 is repeatedly rotated such that a wiper blade 162 engages the doctor blade 154 and the cleaning pad 152. This is also discussed in detail below. Referring now to Figure 8, sections 7-7 are shown in plan view to more clearly describe the maintenance dial lift drive. The turntable lift drive shaft 160 is shown rotated such that the lift cam 172 pushes the lift arm 158 downward by the cam engagement surface 168. The lift shaft 160 is driven by a turn-up spur gear 174 which is sequentially driven by the turn-up worm gear 176 to drive -13-200932535. The worm gear 17 is fixed by a key to the output shaft of the turntable lift motor (described below). As the lift arm 158 pulls the lift configuration 170 down, the maintenance carousel 150 is withdrawn from the printhead integrated circuit 30. In this position, when the turntable 50 is rotated, no maintenance station contacts the print head integrated circuit 30. However, the turntable will drive the wiper blade 162 into contact with the doctor blade 154 and the absorbent cleaning pad 152. The doctor blade 154 works in conjunction with the cleaning pad 152 to extensively clean the wiper blade 162. The cleaning pad 152 wipes the paper dust and the dried ink from the wiping contact surface of the wiper blade 162. However, small ink beads and dirt can form the tip of the blade 162 that does not contact the surface of the cleaning pad 152. In order to remove this ink and dust, the blade 1 54 is mounted in the printing engine 3 to contact the blade 154 after the blade 1 62 wipes the head integrated circuit 30 but before contacting the cleaning pad 152. 162. When the wiper blade 162 contacts the blade 154, the wiper blade 162 is curved to pass. Because the wiper blade 162 is an elastomeric material, it snaps back to its stationary, straight shape as soon as it exits the blade 154. Quickly bounce back to its still shape 'projects dust and other contaminants from the wiper blade 162 (especially from the tip). Conventional workers will appreciate that the wiper blade 162 will also flex when it contacts the cleaning pad 152, and will again bounce back to its resting shape once the wiper blade 162 is released from the pad. However, the scraper 154 is radially mounted such that the central shaft 166 of the turntable 150 is relatively close and at the cleaning pad 152 is further away from -14-200932535. This configuration makes it more curved when the wiper blade 162 passes, giving the dirt more momentum when it bounces back to a stationary shape. Since the cleaning 152 contacts the leading blade so that the trailing blade is improperly wiped through the 152, it is impossible to simply move the cleaning pad 152 closer to the shaft 166 to make the wiper blade 162 more curved. Cleaning Pad The cleaning pad 152 is an absorbent foam that is formed into an arc shape that is a circular path to the Q wiper blade 162. When 152 is coated with a woven material to provide a plurality of dense gathered contact points when wiping the blade, 152 is more efficiently cleaned. Therefore, the size of the thread of the woven g-material should be small, for example, less than 2 denier. It has a particularly good working condition with a wire size of about 1 dan. The cleaning pad 152 extends the length of the wiper blade 162 and the wiper 162 also extends the length of the page width printhead. The page width cleaning pad 152 simultaneously wipes the entire length of the wiper blade, which reduces the amount of time required for each wiping operation. Moreover, the length of the page wide cleaning pad inherently provides a large volume of absorbent material for holding a relatively large amount of ink. Because of the greater absorption capacity, it is less necessary to replace the cleaning pad 152 frequently. Stamping on the Print Head Figure 9 shows the first stage of the capping print integrated circuit 30 with the capped maintenance station mounted to the maintenance carousel 150. When the lift cam is pushed down on the lift arm 158, the maintenance dial 150 is withdrawn from the print head stack 30. The maintenance turntable 150 is rotated together with the maintenance encoder disc 204 until the first turntable rotation sensor 200 and the second turntable rotate, and the cleaning pad cleaning turntable should be used to cover the pad when the pad is cleaned relative to the wiper blade. 198 172 body power is determined by the spinner-15 - 200932535 202: the print head capper is facing the print head integrated circuit 3 0. As shown in Fig. 1A, the lift shaft 160 rotates the cam 172 such that the lift arm 158 moves upward to advance the maintenance dial 150 toward the print head integrated circuit 30. The capper maintenance station 1 98 engages the underside of the liquid crystal polymer module 20 to seal the nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit 30 in a relatively humid environment. Ordinary workers will understand that this prevents (at least prolongs) the nozzle from being dry and blocked. 0 Remove the cover of the print head Figure 1 1 shows the print head integrated circuit 30 that removes the cover to prepare for printing. The lift shaft 160 is rotated such that the lift cam 172 pushes the turn arm lift arm 158 downward. The capping maintenance station 198 moves away from the liquid crystal polymer module 20 to expose the print head integrated circuit 30. Wiping the print head Fig. 12 shows the print head integrated circuit 30 being wiped by the wiper blade 162. When the capping station 198 is rotated away from the printhead, the wiper blade 162 of the wiper member Q contacts the underside of the liquid crystal polymer module 20. As the turntable 150 continues to rotate, the wiper blade is pulled through the nozzle face of the printhead integrated circuit 30 to wipe off any paper dust, dry ink, or other contaminants. The wiper blades 1 62 are formed of an elastomeric material so that they flex elastically and flex as they wipe through the printhead integrated circuit. When the tip end of each wiper blade is bent, the side surface of each blade forms a wiping contact with the nozzle face. It can be understood that the broad flat side surface of the blade has a large contact with the nozzle face and the dirt is removed more efficiently. Wiper blade cleaning (cleaning) -16- 200932535 Figures 13 and 14 show the wiper blade 162 being cleaned. As shown in FIG. 13, after the wiper blade 162 wipes the print head integrated circuit 30, the wiper blade 1 62 is immediately rotated through the doctor blade 1 54. The function of the blade 1 54 is discussed in more detail in the heading "Scraper" above. After the wiper blade 162 is pulled past the blade 154, any residual dust and dirt adhering to the blade is removed by the absorbent pad 152. This step is shown in Figure 14. Q During this process, the print platen maintenance station 206 is just opposite the print head integrated circuit 30. If desired, the turntable can be lifted by rotating the lift cam 172 so that the nozzle can be launched into the absorbent material 208. Any pigment mixed in the ink nozzle is immediately purified. A hole (not shown) that is drilled into the side of the tubular base 166 provides fluid communication between the absorbent material 208 and the porous material 210 within the central pocket of the turntable shaft 166. The ink absorbed by the material 208 is drawn into the porous material 210 and held by the porous material 210. In order to allow the porous material 210 to drain, the turntable 150 may be provided with a vacuum attachment point (not shown) to drain the waste ink. The turntable 150 continues to rotate with a clean wiper blade (see Figure 15) until the print platen 206 is again positioned opposite the printhead integrated circuit 30. Then, as shown in Fig. 16, the turntable is raised toward the print head integrated circuit 30 to prepare for printing. The media substrate sheet is fed along the medium feed path 22 and passed through the print head integrated circuit 30. In the case of full bleed (printed to the extreme side of the media sheet), the media substrate can remain away from the platen 206 so that it does not become soiled by excessive ink spray. It will be appreciated that the absorbent material 208 is disposed within the recessed portion of the printing platen 206 such that any oversprayed ink of -17-200932535 (typically about 1 mm on both sides of the paper) is retained away from the contactable media substrate. s surface. At the end of the printing job or before the printer will enter the standby mode, the turntable 150 is withdrawn from the printhead integrated circuit 30 during rotation so that the printhead capping maintenance station 198 is again presented to the printhead. As shown in Fig. 17, the lift shaft 160 rotates the lift cam 158 so that the lift cam 158 moves the print head capping maintenance station into the lower side of the liquid crystal polymer module 20. (4) Print head maintenance Turntables Figures 18, 19, 20, and 21 show isolated maintenance dials. Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the wiper blade 162 and the print platen 206. Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the print head capper 198 and the wiper blade 1 62. Figure 20 is an exploded view showing the components of the maintenance carousel. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the components after the complete combination. The maintenance carousel has four printhead maintenance stations: a print platen 206, a wiper member 1 62, and a spreader/ink absorber 220. Each maintenance station is mounted to its own external base assembly. The outer base assembly is mounted about the turntable tubular shaft 166 and engages one another to lock onto the shaft. At one end of the tubular shaft 166 is a carousel encoder disc 04 and a carousel spur 212 which are driven by a turntable rotary motor (not shown) as described below. The tubular shaft is fixed to or rotates with the spur gear. Each of the printhead maintenance stations rotates with the tubular shaft by virtue of its firm compression and clamping on the outside of the shaft. The wiper blade outer base assembly 2 14 is an aluminum extruded article (or other suitable alloy) that constructs the wiper blade outer base assembly 214 to securely hold the wiper blade 162. Similarly, other external base assemblies are metal extruded articles for securely mounting softer elastomers and/or absorbent porous materials of individual service stations. The outer base assembly for printing platen 2 16 and print head capper 1 98 has a series of identical locking ears 226 along each longitudinal edge. The wiper member outer base assembly 214 and the ink collector/ink extractor outer base assembly 218 have complementary latch-type slots for the Q-receiving locking ears 226. Each of the card slot has an ear access opening 228 that abuts the ear lock slot 230. The locking ears 226 are inserted into the ear access holes 228 adjacent the outer base assembly and then longitudinally slid relative to each other to lock them to the base tubular shaft 166. In order to improve the friction and locking engagement between each of the maintenance stations and the base plate shaft 166, each of the printhead maintenance stations is provided with an element having an arcuate shaft engagement surface 234 formed on one side thereof. The ink collector/ink extractor outer base assembly 2 1 8 has a relatively large absorbent ink collector/ink extractor member Q 220 which also has an arcuate shaft engaging surface 234 formed on its inner face. Similarly, the common base assembly for the printhead capper 1 98 and the common base of each wiper blade 162 have a curved shaft engagement surface 234. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the use of interlocking configurations is known. Clamping the external base to the internal base minimizes machining and assembly time and maintains tight tolerances for precise installation of the maintenance station configuration. In this case, the external base components can be combined into different configurations. Can change the wiper blade outer base assembly 2 1 4 and the ink collector/ink extractor base assembly 2 1 8 position. Similarly, the print head -19-200932535 capper 198 and the print platen 206 are interchangeable. In this way, the maintenance stations can be combined in the best way they are installed in a special printer. Injection Molding Polymer Turntable Base Figures 22 through 28 show a printhead maintenance carousel of another embodiment. These figures are schematic sections showing only the portion of the turntable and the print head. It will be appreciated that the maintenance drive system requires a simple and straightforward modification to accommodate the turntable of this embodiment. Figure 22 shows a liquid crystal polymer module 20 adjacent to the printhead 1 of the printhead maintenance dial 150, which is presented to the printhead integrated circuit 30 by the print platen 206. For the sake of clarity, Figure 29 shows the platen 206 in isolation. In use, a sheet of media substrate is fed along the media feed path 22. Between the nozzle of the print head integration circuit 30 and the medium feed path 22 is a print gap 244. In order to maintain print quality, the gap between the nozzle face of the print head IC circuit and the media surface 24 4 should be as close as possible to the nominal 値 defined during design. In commercially available printers, this gap is approximately 2 mm. However, because of the advancement of printing technology, some printers have a printing gap of about 1 mm. With the popularity of digital photography, the need for full-page bleeding printing of color images is growing. "Full Version Bleed Print" is the extreme edge printed to the media surface. This often results in some "over-spraying", in which the ejected ink is not sprayed on the edge of the media substrate and deposited on the support printing platen. Then, the ink that has been sprayed across the boundary will stain on the subsequent sheet medium. The configuration shown in Figure 22 handles these two issues. The paper guide 23 8 on the liquid crystal polymer module -20- 200932535 20 defines a printing gap 244 during printing. However, the print platen 206 has a guide surface 246 formed on its rigid plastic base module. The leading surface 246 directs the leading edge of the sheet toward the discharge drive roller or other drive mechanism. Because of the minimum contact between the sheet medium and the printing platen 206, the possibility of soiling by the ink that is sprayed across the boundary during full-scale bleeding printing is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the paper guides 23 8 on the liquid crystal polymer module 20 are disposed in close proximity to the print head integrated circuit 30, accurately maintaining the gap 244 of the 0 nozzles to the media surface. Some printers in the applicant's range use this technique to provide 0. 7 mm print gap 244. However, by making the beads of the capsular material 240 adjacent to the print head integrated circuit 30 flat, the gap can be reduced. Power and data are transferred to the printhead integrated circuit 30 by a flexible printed circuit board 242 mounted to the outside of the liquid crystal polymer module 20. The contacts of the flexible printed circuit board 242 are electrically coupled to the contacts of the printhead integrated circuit 30 by a column conductor (not shown). To protect the leadframe, the leadframe is wrapped in an epoxy material called a bladder. Applicants have developed a variety of techniques for flattening the contour of the leadframe and the beaded bladder 240 covering the leadframe. This allows the printing gap 244 to be further reduced. The print platen 206 has a recessed or central recess 248 that faces the nozzle of the printhead integrated circuit 30. Any ink that is sprayed across the boundary will be in this area of the platen 06. A recess is formed in this area away from the rest of the platen, ensuring that the media substrate is not soiled by wet, cross-border spray ink. The surface of the central pocket 24 8 is in fluid communication with the absorbent fibrous element 250. The fibrous element 250 and the porous material 254 in the center of the base 236, also -21 - 200932535, are in fluid communication by the capillary 252. The ink that has been sprayed across the boundary is drawn into the fiber member 25A and is drawn into the porous material 254 via the tube 252 by capillary action. Figure 23 shows the turn of the turntable 150 such that the printhead picking station 262 is presented to the printhead integrated circuit 3A. Figure 30 shows the isolated printhead station 272 and its construction features. The printhead dispensing station has an elastomeric skirt 256 that surrounds the contact pad 258, which is formed from a porous material. The elastomeric skirt is formed with the infusion contact pad to form a rigid polymer base 260 that is securely mounted to the ejection shaped base 236 along with the rigid polymer base 210. When the print head 匣 2 is replaced, it needs to be inked. It is well known that the priming process is wasteful because the ink is usually forced through the nozzle until any bubble has been discharged from the entire print head configuration. A very large amount of ink has been wasted during the removal of air from the many conduits that extend through the printhead. In order to solve this problem, the maintenance dial 150 is raised so that the contact contact pad 258 covers the nozzle of the print head integrated circuit 30. When the nozzle array is under pressure, the contact pad 258 is held against the nozzle, greatly reducing the amount of ink flowing through the nozzle. The porous material partially blocks the nozzle to limit the flow of ink. However, the air flow from the nozzle is subject to much less restriction, so the entire injection process is not delayed by the flow barrier created by the porous material. The elastomeric skirt 256 sealingly abuts the underside of the liquid crystal polymer module 22 to draw excess ink from the underside of the contact pad 258. The flow holes 264 formed in the rigid polymer susceptor 260 allow the ink absorbed by the pad 258 and any excess ink to flow to the absorbent fibrous member 250 (and column-22-200932535 for the platen 2 0 6 The same). As with the printing platen 206, the ink within the fiber element 250 is drawn into the porous material 254 in the forming base 236 by the capillary 252. The amount of ink that is wasted is greatly reduced by using the print head 262'. If there is no injection station, the amount of ink wasted by each pigment is usually about 2 ml when the page is widened; if there is a station 2 62, the amount of ink wasted by each pigment is reduced to About 0. 1 ml. The φ contact contact pad 258 need not be formed of a porous material, but instead may be formed of the same resilient material as the skirt 256. In this case, the contact pad 258 needs to have a special surface roughness. The surface of the nozzle face of the mating print head integrated circuit 30 should be rough on a 2 to 4 micron scale, but smooth and smooth on a 20 micron scale. This type of surface roughness allows air to escape between the nozzle face and the contact pad' but only a small amount of ink escapes. Figure 24 shows the wiping station 266 of the maintenance carousel 150 presented to the print head assembly circuit 30. The wiping station is shown separately in Figure 31. The wiping station 266 也是 is also a co-molded construction having a soft elastomer wiping blade 26 8 supported on a hard plastic base 270. In order to wipe the nozzle face of the print head integrated circuit 30, the turntable base 23 is raised and then rotated, so the wiper blade 268 is wiped over the nozzle face. The turntable base 236 is typically rotated such that the wiper blade 268 is wiped toward the bladder beads. The contours of the capsular beads can be designed to aid in the application of dust and dirt to the wiper blade 268 as discussed in the Applicant's Common Ref. No. RRE 015 US application (incorporated by reference). On the face. However, if it is proven to be more efficient to wipe in both directions, the maintenance drive (not shown) can be easily constructed to rotate the base 236 in two -23-200932535 directions. Similarly, it is easy to change the number of times the wiper passes through the print head integrated circuit 30 to maintain the drive by changing the rotation to perform each wiping operation. The print head of the maintenance carousel 150 is shown in Fig. 25 to be stamped up to the print head integrated circuit 30. Figure 3 2 shows the capping independently, clearly illustrating its construction. The capper 2 72 has a surrounding seal 274 from a soft elastomer. The surrounding seal 274 and its hard plastic base Q are molded. The rate at which the printhead capper 272 is lowered when the printer is idle. The seal around the perimeter seal 274 and the liquid crystal polymer module 20 need not be completely airtight because the capper is being used to inject the printhead. In fact, the hard plastic base 276 should include air 2 78 so that the nozzle does not overflow due to the removal of the lid of the print head. In order to cover the print head, the rotary base 236 straight capper 272 is presented to the print head integrated circuit 30. Then 23, 6, until the surrounding seal 274 engages the print head 匣2. Q Figure 26 shows a wiper blade cleaning pad 152. As described in one embodiment, the cleaning pad 152 is mounted within the printer such that as the carousel 150 rotates, the wiper blade 268 moves past the pad. By providing the position of the cleaning pad 152, the base 23 integrator circuit 30 is retracted to allow the wiper blade 268 to be padded and the base 236 to be rotated at a relatively high speed for wide wiper blade 268. There is no contact with the print head integrated circuit 30. Again, the cleaning pad 154 can be wetted with an surfactant to remove contaminants from the wiper blade surface. Number of, . The programmer 272 is formed to form a 276 common nozzle between the sides of the nozzle to absorb the suction force from the suction hole to the print head to raise the base with the above-mentioned proper maintenance 1 52. The table must be cleaned from the print contact. It is easier to panically clean what is damaging -24-200932535 Figure 27 shows the injection molding base 236 independently. The base is symmetrical with respect to the two planes that extend through the central longitudinal axis 282. This symmetry is important because if the injection molding base 23 extending along the length of the page width print head is asymmetrical, there is a tendency to deform and bend as it cools. Because of the symmetrical profile, the contraction is also symmetrical as the base cools. The base 236 has four maintenance station mounting brackets 276 formed on its outer surface, all of which are identical so that they can accommodate any of the various maintenance stations 2 06, 26 6, 262, 2 72. In this way, each maintenance station becomes an interchangeable module and the order in which each maintenance station is presented to the print head can be changed to suit different printers. Furthermore, if the maintenance stations themselves are modified, their standard seating ensures that the maintenance station can easily break into existing production lines with minimal equipment replacement. The maintenance station is fixed in the socket with an adhesive, but other methods (such as ultrasonic point welding or mechanical engagement) are also suitable. Q As shown in Fig. 28, the mold is provided with four sliders 278 and a central core 288. Each slider 278 has a cylindrical configuration 280 to form a conduit that connects the fiber core pad to the porous material 219 within the central pocket. The pull lead for each slider is radially outward from the base 236, while the core 288 is longitudinally retracted (it is understood that the core is not a precision cylinder, but a truncated cone to provide the need Ventilation). Injection molding of polymer components is well suited for large and low cost production. Furthermore, the symmetrical construction and uniform shrinkage of the base maintains good tolerances to maintain the maintenance station extending parallel to the printhead integrated circuit. However, other manufacturing techniques are also possible, such as -25-200932535 compression shock waves of polymer powder or the like. Furthermore, the addition of a hydrophilic surface treatment can help the ink flow to the capillary 252 and ultimately to the porous material 210 within the base 236. In some printer designs, a base is constructed for attaching a vacuum source to periodically discharge ink from the porous material 210. Five Maintenance Station Embodiments FIG. 34 shows an embodiment of a printhead maintenance carousel 150 having fifty different maintenance stations: a print platen 206, a print head wiper 266, a print head capper 272, The station 262, and the ink collector 284. The ink collector 284 (shown separately in Figure 33) has a relatively simple construction... the ink collector face 284 presents a flat to print head and has holes (not shown) for the fiber element 250 held within its plastic base. In fluid communication. A five-station maintenance carousel 150 is attached to an ink collector 284 to allow the printer to use the primary ink purge as part of the maintenance system. The four-station turntable of Figures 22-25 uses the print platen 206 and/or the capper 272 to provide a secondary ink purge or "spitting cycle." During the printing process, a secondary discharge cycle is used after the nozzle face is wiped or when inter-page spit is applied to keep the nozzle wet. However, if the print head needs to be recovered from removal of the sputum, severe pigment mixing, large size nozzles, etc., a major discharge cycle may be required...because the condition has exceeded the capacity of the platen or capper. The ink collector 284 has a large aperture or series of retaining ribs in its face 2 86 to retain the fiber core material 250 within the plastic base. This keeps the fiber element 250 very open to potential ink intensive spraying. One face of the fiber element -26-200932535 250 is pressed against the capillary 252 to increase the flow of porous material 254 into the central pocket of the base 236. The five-seat base 23 6 is injection-molded using five sliders that are 72 degrees from each other or six sliders that are 60 degrees from each other. Similarly, a maintenance carousel with more than five stations is also possible. If the nozzle face has a tendency to gather away from the ink, it means that it is still difficult to remove using the wiper alone. In these cases, the printer may require a station (not shown) for ejecting ink solvent or other cleaning fluid onto the nozzle face. However, this can be broken in or attached to the ink collector. Wiper Variations Figures 35 through 46 show a range of different configurations that the wiper can take. Wipe the nozzle of the print head to interview an effective way to remove paper dust, spill ink, dry ink, or other contaminants. The average worker will understand that there may be countless different wiper configurations, many of which are not suitable for any particular printer. Functional efficiency (ie, cleaning the print head) must weigh production costs, desired operating life, size and weight constraints, and other considerations. Single Contact Blade Figure 35 shows a wiper maintenance station 266 having a single elastomer blade 290 mounted within a hard plastic base 270 such that the blade extends perpendicular to the media feed direction. A single wiper blade extending along the length of the nozzle array is a simple wipe configuration with low production and assembly costs. For this reason, a single wiper wiper is suitable for the bottom of the printer and price range. Higher throughput requires efficient manufacturing techniques and easy assembly of printer components. This must be the life of the unit, or the speed at which the wiper cleans the print head -27-
200932535 率及效率做一些妥協折衷。但是單一刮片設計是袖 且如果刮片不能一次橫越中有效率地清潔噴嘴表面 護驅動裝置能簡單地重複擦拭作業，直到列印頭 止。 多個接觸刮片 圖36、43A、43B、和46顯示具有多個平行刮戶 拭器維護站266。在圖36中，兩個相同的平行刮戶 垂直於媒介饋給方向延伸。兩個刮片292分離地安柒 塑膠基座270，以獨立地作業。在圖46中’各刮片 相同。第一和第二刮片（分別爲294和296)具有不（1 (或不同的橫截面輪廓）和硬度計値（硬度和黏彈性）。 每一刮片最佳化，以移除特殊類型的污物。但是各舌 離地安裝在硬塑膠基座270中，用於獨立地作業。 地，圖43 A和43B之多個刮片元件具有較小且較笈 片300，其全部安裝之共同的彈性體基座298，該弓局 基座298固定至硬塑膠基座270。此爲大致更順應 迤，其在每一擦拭中有相對大的表面積接觸噴嘴面。 細且軟的刮片比較大且較堅固的刮片磨耗損壞的速 快。 由於多個平行刮片擦過噴嘴面，所以擦拭器構 〜次橫越會聚集更多的塵和污物。雖然多刮片的設 〜刮片較不袖珍，但是每一擦拭作業較快且更有效 此，在列印工作期間，在各頁之間能擦拭列印頭； 印工作之前所執行的初期維護事項，在短時間內完 的， 則維 淨爲 的擦 292 至硬 並不 寬度 可將 片分 相對 的刮 性體 的構 但是 率更 的單 比單 。因 在列 -28- 200932535 單一歪斜刮片 圖37顯示具有安裝在硬塑膠基座270之單一刮片 3 02的擦拭器維護站270，使得刮片3 02相對於擦拭方向 呈歪斜。可瞭解的是，擦拭方向垂直於塑膠基座270的縱 長延伸。 單一擦拭器刮片是具有低生產和組合成本的簡單擦拭 配置。再者，藉由將刮片安裝成歪斜於擦拭方向，則在擦 Q 拭器構件橫越期間的任何時間，噴嘴面只和刮片的一個區 段接觸。由於只有一個區段接觸噴嘴面，所以刮片不會因 爲沿著其整個長度的不一致接觸壓力而弄皺或捲曲。此確 保擦拭器刮片和全部的噴嘴面之間足夠的接觸壓力，且不 須精密地對齊刮片使其完全平行於噴嘴面。此允許寬鬆的 製造公差，以致可使用較大量的低成本生產技術。此必須 對增加擦拭器構件必須行經的距離以清潔列印頭做一些妥 協折衷。增加該距離因此每一擦拭作業所需的時間。但是 Q 降低製造成本比這些潛在的缺點更重要。 獨立的接觸刮片 圖38顯示具有安裝在硬塑膠基座270內之二被分段 的刮片304的擦拭器維護站266。每一個別的刮片區段 3 06組成安裝在硬塑膠基座270內的完整刮片304，用於 彼此相對地獨立運動。將每一刮片3 04中的個別刮片區段 3 06設置成相對於擦拭方向彼此不對齊。以此方式，因爲 位於兩刮片區段306之間的間隙內而未被第一刮片304擦 拭的噴嘴，會被第二刮片304內的刮片區段306擦拭。 -29- 200932535 以單一長刮片擦拭頁寬列印頭的噴嘴面會無效率。刮 片和噴嘴面之間不一致的接觸壓力，會造成刮片沿其長度 的某些區段彎曲或捲曲。在這些區段中的接觸壓力會不 足，或者刮片和噴嘴面之間能沒有接觸。被分割成個別刮 片區段的擦拭器刮片，能解決此問題。每一區段能相對於 其相鄰區段而運動，所以接觸力的任何不一致性不會造成 刮片之其他區段的彎曲或捲曲。以此方式，接觸壓力被維 q 持在噴嘴面，且噴嘴面是乾淨的。 具有多個歪斜刮片的噴嘴面擦拭器 在圖39中，擦拭器維護站266具有安裝在硬塑膠基 座270內的一系列獨立刮片3 08，以致該等刮片傾斜於擦 拭方向。設置各刮片3 08使得每一刮片（相對於擦拭方向） 的橫向範圍（X)和其相鄰刮片的橫向範圍（Y)有一些重疊 (Z)。藉由將擦拭器刮片安裝成歪斜於擦拭方向，則在擦 拭器構件橫越期間的任何時間，噴嘴面只和刮片的一個區 Q 段接觸。由於只有一個區段接觸噴嘴面，所以刮片不會因 爲沿著其整個長度的不一致接觸壓力而弄皺或捲曲。此確 保擦拭器刮片和全部的噴嘴面之間足夠的接觸壓力，且不 須對齊刮片使其精密地平行於噴嘴面。此允許寬鬆的製造 公差，以致可使用較大量的低成本生產技術。單一歪斜刮 片可達到此目的，但是會增加擦拭器構件必須行經的距離 以清潔列印頭，因此增加每一擦拭作業所需的時間。有鑑 於此，本發明使用一系列相鄰的歪斜刮片，每一個別刮片 擦拭噴嘴陣列的對應部份。在某些應用中，多個刮片比單 -30- 200932535 一刮片涉及較筒的製造成本，但是袖珍設計和較快的作業 比這些潛在的缺點更重要。 具有陣列墊的擦拭器 在圖40和44中，擦拭器維護站266使用陣列的接觸 墊3 1 0，而不是任何的刮片構造。個別墊3 1 2可爲個別安 裝進入硬塑膠基座270內之一組短圓柱彈性體材料、或類 似於常常使用於矽晶圓清潔用之格式的圓柱狀軟纖維刷。 0 如上所述，以單一長接觸表面擦拭頁寬列印頭的噴嘴表面 會無效率。擦拭表面和噴嘴面之間的不一致接觸壓力，會 使接觸壓力不足或不存在某些區域內。 使用已被分割成陣列3 1 0之個別接觸墊的擦拭表面， 允許每一墊相對於相鄰墊運動，所以不一致的接觸力會改 變其量，使每一墊個別地壓縮和變形。一個墊的相對高壓 縮，不須傳輸壓縮力致其相鄰的墊。以此方式，均勻的接 觸壓力被維持在噴嘴面，且更有效率地清潔噴嘴面。 Q 正弦刮片 在圖41所示的擦拭維護站266中，單一刮片314安 裝進入硬塑膠基座270，使刮片跟隨正弦路徑。如前所 述，以單一長接觸表面擦拭頁寬列印頭的噴嘴面會沒有效 率。擦拭表面和噴嘴面之間的不一致接觸壓力，會使接觸 壓力不足或不存在某些區域內。接觸壓力會變化的其中一 個理由是：擦拭器表面相對於噴嘴面的不準確運動。如果 在擦拭作業期間的整個行程長度中’用於擦拭表面的支撐 構造不完全平行於噴嘴面，則低接觸壓力的區域可能無法 -31 - 200932535 適當地被清潔。如同在歪斜安裝刮片的相關解釋，藉由將 擦拭器刮片的位置設置爲相對於饋給擦拭方向和列印頭噴 嘴面成傾斜，則可避免上述問題。以此方式，在擦拭作業 的任何時間，只有一部分的擦拭器刮片接觸噴嘴面。此 外’刮片和擦拭方向之間的小角度，改善了擦拭的清潔和 效率。當刮片呈傾斜地在噴嘴面上運動時，刮片和噴嘴面 之間更多的接觸點，進行更佳的污物移除。此改善了不一 致之接觸壓力所造成的任何問題，但是於每一擦拭作業 中，需要擦拭器刮片行經更長的行程。如上所述，擦拭器 表面相對於噴嘴面的不準確運動，是不足之接觸壓力的來 源。增加擦拭器行程的長度，不利於袖珍設計。 使用具有鋸齒形（Z形）或正弦形的擦拭器刮片，以傾 斜於媒介饋給方向的多個擦拭器區段擦拭噴嘴面。此構造 也使得擦拭器構件相對於列印頭的行程長度，小得足以保 持準確和袖珍。 0 具有非線性接觸表面的單一刮片 圖42顯示的擦拭維護站266，其具有二線性區段彼 此成一角度且歪斜於擦拭方向地安裝在硬塑膠基座270 上。如前所述，以單一長接觸表面擦拭頁寬列印頭的噴嘴 面，會造成在某些區域內接觸壓力不足或不存在。使刮片 相對於擦拭方向和列印頭噴嘴面成角度，意指在擦拭作業 期間的任何時間，只有一部分的擦拭器刮片接觸噴嘴面。 此使得接觸壓力更均句，但是在每一擦拭作業中，擦拭器 刮片需要行經更長的行程。如上所述，擦拭器表面相對於 -32- 200932535 噴嘴面的不準確運動，是接觸壓力不足的來源。增加擦拭 器行程的長度，只增加此不準確的風險。 藉由使用具有角形或彎曲形的擦拭表面，使得以傾斜 於媒介饋給方向的擦拭器區段擦拭大部份的噴嘴面，同時 減少擦拭器構件相對於列印頭的行程長度。一般的工作者 會瞭解，接觸刮片可具有淺V形或U形。再者，如果刮 片318的前緣是兩直線區段（或U形刮片之彎曲區段）的交 0 點，則申請人已發現刮片有較少的磨損，因爲對和噴嘴面 接觸的初始點提供額外的支撐。 纖維墊 圖45顯示具有安裝至硬塑膠基座270之纖維墊320 的列印頭擦拭器維護站266。纖維墊320用於擦拭噴嘴面 特別有效。墊呈現許多和噴嘴面接觸的點，使得纖維能機 械性嚙合固體污物，且藉由毛細作用將例如墨水溢流等流 體污物吸掉。但是，一旦纖維墊已清潔噴嘴面，則難以從 〇 纖維墊移除污物。在很多次的擦拭作業以後，纖維墊裝滿 許多的污物，且不再有效率地清潔噴嘴面。但是就希望具 有短作業壽命的印表機或允許更換擦拭器的印表機而言， 纖維墊會提供最有效率的擦拭器。 組合式擦拭器維護站 可瞭解的是，藉由具有上述擦拭構造的組合，一些列 印頭設計會被最有效率地清潔。例如單一刮片組合一系列 歪斜刮片、或具有纖維墊在其間的一系列平行刮片。藉由 依據個別的優點和強度而選擇特定的擦拭構造，可推導出 -33- 200932535 組合式擦拭器維護站。 列印頭維護設施驅動系統 圖47至50較詳細地顯示媒介饋給驅動裝置和列印頭 維護驅動裝置。圖48獨立地顯示列印頭維護轉盤150和 驅動系統。所顯示的維護轉盤1 50是以擦拭器刮片1 62呈 現至列印頭（未示）。圖48所示的透視圖顯露紙排出引導 件3 22引導至排出驅動輥178。在擦拭器刮片162的另一 Q 側，顯示主驅動輥軸桿186從主驅動輥皮帶輪33 0延伸。 此皮帶輪被主驅動輥皮帶192驅動，主驅動輥皮帶19嚙 合媒介饋給馬達190。媒介饋給驅動皮帶182使主驅動輥 186和排出輥178的旋轉同步。 圖49的分解透視圖較詳細地顯示個別組件。特別是 此透視圖最佳地圖解已平衡的轉盤舉升機構。轉盤舉升驅 動軸桿160在兩個相同的轉盤舉升凸輪之間延伸。轉盤舉 升軸桿160的一端以鍵固定至轉盤舉升正齒輪174。正齒 〇 輪174咬合蝸輪176，轉盤舉升馬達324驅動蝸輪176。 轉盤舉升旋轉感測器3 34提供回饋至列印引擎控制器（未 示），其能藉由凸輪172的角位移決定轉盤從列印頭的位 移。 轉盤舉升凸輪172藉由凸輪嚙合輥168而接觸個別的 轉盤舉升臂158(可瞭解的是’凸輪嚙合輥可爲低摩擦材 料的表面，例如高密度聚乙烯（HDPE))。因爲各凸輪172 相同，且同樣安裝至轉盤舉升軸桿160，所以轉盤舉升臂 158的位移也相同。圖47是取自圖2A之線7-7的剖視 -34- 200932535 圖，且移除列印頭匣2和列印頭維護轉盤1 50。此圖 轉盤舉升正齒輪174、其鄰接的舉升凸輪172、和對 轉盤舉升臂158的清楚視圖。因爲各舉升臂158和 1 5 0的中點等距離，所以當舉升和降下轉盤時，轉盤 驅動完全地平衡和對稱。此用於保持各種類印頭維護 行於列印頭積體電路的縱長向。 轉盤旋轉驅動最佳地圖解在圖50之放大局部分 0 視圖。轉盤旋轉馬達326安裝至轉盤舉升構造170 面。步進馬達感測器32 8提供關於馬達326之速率和 的回饋至列印引擎控制器（PEC)。轉盤旋轉馬達326 惰輪332，惰輪332驅動在轉盤舉升構造170之遮掩 的減速齒輪（未示）。減速齒輪咬合轉盤正齒輪212， 將轉盤正齒輪212安裝至轉盤底座以旋轉。 因爲轉盤旋轉和轉盤舉升是由分離的獨立驅動 制，且每一驅動是由提供關於馬達速率和旋轉之回饋 Q 印引擎控制器的步進馬達供給動力，所以印表機具有 圍的維護程序供選擇。可用兩方向其中的任一方向和 變速率驅動轉盤旋轉馬達3 26，因此可在兩方向其中 一方向擦拭噴嘴面，且擦拭器刮片可在兩方向中抵著 性墊1 52而被清潔。此會特別有用，如果紙塵和其他 傳到噴嘴面而和噴嘴面上的表面不規則性機械式地嚙 在相反方向的擦拭，常常會去除掉此等機械式地嚙合 擦拭器刮片162和噴嘴面進行接觸時降低擦拭器刮片 的速率，然後當刮片脫離噴嘴面時才增加其速率，此 提供 應的 轉盤 舉升 站平 解透 的側 旋轉 驅動 側上 以鍵 所控 給列 廣範 以可 的任 吸收 污物 合。 。當 162 方式 -35- 200932535 也有用。當擦拭器刮片和噴嘴面初始接觸時確實能減緩其 速率，然後在擦拭時才增加速率。 類似地，擦拭器刮片162運動通過刮刀154的速率可 比擦拭器刮片運動通過清潔墊152上方的速率更快。可在 兩方向且在其中任一方向以任何次數的迴轉擦拭擦拭器刮 片162。再者，各維護站呈現至列印頭的順序，可容易地 程式化於列印引擎控制器內，和/或留給使用者裁量。 此處僅以例子的方式描述本發明。一般的工作者可容 易地認知未脫離寬廣發明槪念之精神和範圍的許多變化和 修飾。 【圖式簡單說明】 現在藉由只當作例子的方式，並參考附圖，描述本發 明的較佳實施例，其中： 圖1是印表機流體工學系統的示意槪要視圖； 圖2A是安裝在印表機之列印引擎之本發明列印頭匣 的透視圖； 圖2B顯示沒有安裝列印頭匣的列印引擎，以暴露入 口和出口墨水耦合器； 圖3是本發明完整列印頭匣的透視圖； 圖4顯示圖3之列印頭匣，且已移除保護蓋； 圖5是圖3之列印頭匣內列印頭組合體的局部分解透 視圖； 圖6是沒有入口或出口其管或頂蓋模組之列印頭組合 -36- 200932535 體的分解透視圖； 圖7是取自圖2A之線7-7的列印引擎剖面透視圖； 圖8是取自圖2A之線7-7的列印引擎剖視圖’顯示 維護轉盤拉著擦拭器刮片通過刮刀； 圖9是顯示維護轉盤拉著擦拭器刮片通過吸收性清潔 墊以後的剖視圖； 圖1 〇是顯示舉升維護轉盤以使加蓋器維護站蓋住列 Q 印頭的剖視圖； 圖1 1是顯示降下維護轉盤以除去列印頭之蓋子的剖 視圖； 圖1 2是顯示擦拭器刮片擦拭列印頭之噴嘴面的剖視 圖； 圖13是顯示維護轉盤轉回其圖8所示之起始位置的 剖面視圖，其中擦拭器刮片已被拉過刮刀，以彈掉尖端區 域的污物； 〇 圖14是顯示擦拭器刮片已被拉過吸收性清潔墊的剖 視圖； 圖15是顯示轉動維護轉盤以將列印頭加蓋器呈現至 列印頭的剖視圖； 圖1 6是顯示舉升維護轉盤以將列印壓盤呈現至列印 頭的剖視圖； 圖1 7是顯示舉升轉盤以使加蓋器密封列印頭積體電 路之方式的剖視圖； 圖1 8是隔離之維護轉盤的透視圖； -37- 200932535 圖19是隔離之維護轉盤的另一透視圖，顯示轉盤驅 動正齒輪； 圖20是隔離之維護轉盤的分解透視圖； 圖2 1是經過轉盤長度之中間點的剖視圖； 圖22是第二實施例之維護轉盤的示意剖視圖，維護 轉盤呈現列印壓盤至列印頭； 圖23是第二實施例之維護轉盤的示意剖視圖，且列 Q 印頭塡注站嚙合列印頭； 圖24是第二實施例之維護轉盤的示意剖視圖，且擦 拭器刮片嚙合列印頭； 圖25是第二實施例之維護轉盤的示意剖視圖，且集 墨器呈現至列印頭； 圖26是第二實施例之維護轉盤的示意剖視圖，且當 擦拭器刮片在吸收性墊上被清潔時，列印壓盤呈現至列印 頭； Q 圖27是用在第二實施例之維護轉盤內之射出成型芯 部的剖視圖； 圖28是從第二實施例之維護轉盤的新部移除射出成 型模具的示意剖視圖； 圖29是隔離地顯示列印壓盤維護站的剖視圖·， 圖30是隔離地顯示列印頭加蓋器維護站的剖視圖； 圖31是隔離地顯示擦拭器刮片維護站的剖視圖； 圖3 2是隔離地顯示列印頭塡注站的剖視圖； 圖3 3是隔離地顯示吸墨站的剖視圖； -38- 200932535 圖34是第三實施例維護轉盤的示意剖視圖； 圖35是第一實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖36是第二實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖37是第三實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖38是第四實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖39是第五實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖40是第六實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； U 圖41是第七實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖42是第八實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖43 A和43B是第九實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖44是第十實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖45是第十一實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖46是第十二實施例擦拭器構件的示意圖； 圖47是列印引擎的剖面透視圖，且無列印匣供維護 轉盤用； © 圖48是顯示列印引擎所用之獨立驅動組合體的透視 圖； 圖49是圖48所示獨立驅動組合體的分解透視圖；和 圖50是圖49所示之分解透視圖左端的放大視圖。 【主要元件符號說明】 2 :列印頭組合體（列印頭匣） 200932535 6 :規制器 8 :上游墨水管線 1 〇 :關閉閥 12 :泵 1 6 :下游墨水管線 1 8 :廢墨水罐 2 0 :液晶聚合物模組 U 22 :媒介基板（媒介饋給路徑） 24 :主通道 26 :凹穴 2 8 :細通道 3 0 :列印頭積體電路 3 3 :接點 36 :入口 3 8 :出口 〇 42 :保護罩 44 :頂模組（頂罩） 46 :入口圍板 47 :出口圍板 4 8 :入口歧管 50 :出口歧管 52 :入口嘴 54 :出口嘴 56 :蓋體 -40- 200932535 5 8 :夾持表面 66 :晶粒附接薄膜 68 :通道模組 72 :凹穴模組 120 :承座（流體耦合器）200932535 Rate and efficiency to make some compromises. However, the single blade design is the sleeve and if the blade cannot be cleaned efficiently in one traverse, the actuator can simply repeat the wiping operation until the print head is stopped. Multiple Contact Blades Figures 36, 43A, 43B, and 46 show a plurality of parallel wiper maintenance stations 266. In Figure 36, two identical parallel scrapers extend perpendicular to the media feed direction. Two blades 292 separately mount the plastic base 270 to operate independently. In Fig. 46, the respective blades are the same. The first and second blades (294 and 296, respectively) have no (1 (or different cross-sectional profile) and durometer (hardness and viscoelasticity). Each blade is optimized to remove special types But the tongues are installed in the hard plastic base 270 for independent operation. The plurality of blade elements of Figures 43 A and 43B have smaller and smaller blades 300, all of which are mounted. A common elastomeric base 298 is secured to the hard plastic base 270. This is substantially more conformable, with a relatively large surface area in each wipe that contacts the nozzle face. Thin and soft wiper blades The larger and stronger blade wears out faster. Since multiple parallel blades rub the nozzle surface, the wiper structure will scatter more dust and dirt. The film is less compact, but each wipe job is faster and more efficient. During the printing work, the print head can be wiped between pages; the initial maintenance items performed before the print job are completed in a short time. , then the net is rubbed 292 to hard and not wide to separate the pieces The structure of the scraping body is more single and single. Since the single skew blade of Figure 28-200932535 shows a wiper maintenance station 270 having a single blade 302 mounted on the hard plastic base 270, The wiper 3 02 is skewed relative to the wiping direction. It will be appreciated that the wiping direction extends perpendicular to the length of the plastic base 270. A single wiper blade is a simple wiping configuration with low production and assembly costs. By mounting the blade to be skewed in the wiping direction, the nozzle face is only in contact with a section of the blade at any time during the traversal of the wiper member. Since only one segment contacts the nozzle face, the blade does not Wrinkles or curls due to inconsistent contact pressure along its entire length. This ensures sufficient contact pressure between the wiper blade and the entire nozzle face without the need to precisely align the wiper so that it is completely parallel to the nozzle face This allows for loose manufacturing tolerances, so that a larger amount of low-cost production technology can be used. This must be done to increase the distance that the wiper member must travel to clean the print head and make some compromises. This distance is increased by the time required for each wiping operation. However, Q reduces manufacturing costs more than these potential drawbacks. Independent contact blade Figure 38 shows two segments that are mounted in hard plastic base 270. The wiper maintenance station 266 of the wiper blade 304. Each individual wiper segment 306 constitutes a complete wiper blade 304 mounted within the hard plastic base 270 for independent movement relative to each other. Each wiper 3 04 The individual blade segments 306 are disposed so as not to be aligned with each other with respect to the wiping direction. In this manner, the nozzle that is not wiped by the first blade 304 due to the gap between the two blade segments 306 will be second. The wiper section 306 in the wiper blade 304 is wiped. -29- 200932535 It is inefficient to wipe the nozzle face of the page wide print head with a single long wiper blade. Inconsistent contact pressure between the wiper blade and the nozzle face can cause the blade to bend or curl along certain sections of its length. The contact pressure in these sections may be insufficient or there may be no contact between the wiper and the nozzle face. A wiper blade that is divided into individual blade segments can solve this problem. Each segment can move relative to its adjacent segment so that any inconsistency in contact forces does not cause bending or curling of other segments of the blade. In this way, the contact pressure is maintained on the nozzle face and the nozzle face is clean. Nozzle Face Wiper with Multiple Skew Blades In Figure 39, the wiper maintenance station 266 has a series of individual wipers 308 mounted within the hard plastic base 270 such that the wipers are inclined to the wiping direction. Each of the blades 308 is provided such that there is some overlap (Z) between the lateral extent (X) of each blade (relative to the wiping direction) and the lateral extent (Y) of its adjacent blade. By mounting the wiper blade to be skewed in the wiping direction, the nozzle face is only in contact with one zone Q of the wiper at any time during the traversal of the wiper member. Since only one section contacts the nozzle face, the wiper does not wrinkle or curl due to inconsistent contact pressure along its entire length. This ensures sufficient contact pressure between the wiper blade and the entire nozzle face without the need to align the wiper to precisely parallel the nozzle face. This allows for loose manufacturing tolerances so that larger quantities of low cost production techniques can be used. A single skewed blade can achieve this, but it increases the distance that the wiper member must travel to clean the printhead, thus increasing the time required for each wipe. In view of this, the present invention uses a series of adjacent skewed blades, each of which wipes a corresponding portion of the array of nozzles. In some applications, multiple wipers involve a smaller manufacturing cost than a single -30-200932535 blade, but pocket design and faster operation are more important than these potential drawbacks. Wiper with Array Pad In Figures 40 and 44, the wiper maintenance station 266 uses the array of contact pads 310, rather than any blade configuration. The individual pads 3 1 2 can be individually mounted into a set of short cylindrical elastomeric materials in the hard plastic base 270, or a cylindrical soft fiber brush similar to that commonly used in the cleaning of wafers. 0 As mentioned above, it is inefficient to wipe the nozzle surface of a page wide print head with a single long contact surface. Inconsistent contact pressure between the wiping surface and the nozzle face can result in insufficient or no contact pressure in certain areas. The use of a wiping surface that has been divided into individual contact pads of the array 310 allows each pad to move relative to the adjacent pad, so that inconsistent contact forces change its amount, causing each pad to compress and deform individually. The relative high pressure of a pad does not require the transmission of compressive forces to cause adjacent pads. In this way, uniform contact pressure is maintained on the nozzle face and the nozzle face is more efficiently cleaned. Q Sinusoidal Scraper In the wiping maintenance station 266 shown in Figure 41, a single blade 314 is mounted into the hard plastic base 270 such that the blade follows the sinusoidal path. As mentioned earlier, it is not efficient to wipe the nozzle face of a page wide print head with a single long contact surface. Inconsistent contact pressure between the wiping surface and the nozzle face can result in insufficient or no contact pressure in certain areas. One of the reasons for the change in contact pressure is the inaccurate movement of the wiper surface relative to the nozzle face. If the support structure for the wiping surface is not completely parallel to the nozzle face throughout the stroke length during the wiping operation, the area of low contact pressure may not be properly cleaned -31 - 200932535. As explained in the explanation of the skewed mounting blade, the above problem can be avoided by setting the position of the wiper blade to be inclined with respect to the feeding wiping direction and the head surface of the printing head. In this way, only a portion of the wiper blade contacts the nozzle face at any time during the wiping operation. In addition, the small angle between the wiper and the wiping direction improves the cleaning and efficiency of the wipe. When the wiper moves obliquely over the nozzle face, there are more points of contact between the wiper and the nozzle face for better dirt removal. This improves any problems caused by inconsistent contact pressure, but in each wiping operation, the wiper blade is required to travel longer. As noted above, inaccurate movement of the wiper surface relative to the nozzle face is a source of insufficient contact pressure. Increasing the length of the wiper stroke is not conducive to pocket design. A wiper blade having a zigzag (Z-shape) or sinusoidal shape is used to wipe the nozzle face with a plurality of wiper segments that are inclined in the medium feed direction. This configuration also results in a stroke length of the wiper member relative to the printhead that is small enough to maintain accuracy and pocket size. 0 Single Wiper with Non-Linear Contact Surface Figure 42 shows a wiping maintenance station 266 having two linear sections mounted at an angle to the hard plastic base 270 at an angle to the wiping direction. As previously mentioned, wiping the nozzle face of a page wide print head with a single long contact surface can result in insufficient or no contact pressure in certain areas. Having the blade angled relative to the wiping direction and the printhead nozzle face means that only a portion of the wiper blade contacts the nozzle face at any time during the wiping operation. This makes the contact pressure more uniform, but in each wiping operation, the wiper blade needs to travel longer. As noted above, the inaccurate motion of the wiper surface relative to the -32-200932535 nozzle face is a source of insufficient contact pressure. Increasing the length of the wiper stroke only increases the risk of this inaccuracy. By using a wiping surface having an angular or curved shape, the wiper section inclined in the direction of the medium feed is wiped over most of the nozzle face while reducing the stroke length of the wiper member relative to the printhead. A general worker will appreciate that the contact blade can have a shallow V or U shape. Furthermore, if the leading edge of the blade 318 is the intersection of two straight sections (or curved sections of a U-shaped blade), the Applicant has found that the blade has less wear because of contact with the nozzle face. The initial point provides additional support. Fiber Mat Figure 45 shows a printhead wiper maintenance station 266 having a fiber mat 320 mounted to a hard plastic base 270. The fiber mat 320 is particularly effective for wiping the nozzle face. The pad presents a plurality of points in contact with the nozzle face such that the fibers mechanically engage the solid soil and absorb fluid contaminants such as ink overflow by capillary action. However, once the fiber mat has cleaned the nozzle face, it is difficult to remove dirt from the enamel fiber mat. After many wiping operations, the fiber mat is filled with a lot of dirt and the nozzle face is no longer effectively cleaned. However, in the case of a printer with a short working life or a printer that allows the replacement of the wiper, the fiber mat provides the most efficient wiper. Combined wiper maintenance station It will be appreciated that some print head designs are most efficiently cleaned by the combination of the wipe configurations described above. For example, a single blade combines a series of skewed blades or a series of parallel blades with fiber mats therebetween. The -33-200932535 combined wiper maintenance station can be derived by selecting a specific wiper structure based on individual strengths and strengths. Printhead Maintenance Facility Drive System Figures 47 through 50 show the media feed drive and printhead maintenance drive in more detail. Figure 48 shows the printhead maintenance carousel 150 and the drive system independently. The displayed maintenance carousel 150 is presented as a wiper blade 162 to a print head (not shown). The perspective view shown in Fig. 48 reveals that the paper discharge guide 32 is guided to the discharge driving roller 178. On the other Q side of the wiper blade 162, the main drive roller shaft 186 is shown extending from the main drive roller pulley 380. This pulley is driven by a main drive roller belt 192 which engages the medium feed motor 190. The medium feed drive belt 182 synchronizes the rotation of the main drive roller 186 and the discharge roller 178. The exploded perspective view of Figure 49 shows the individual components in more detail. In particular, this perspective map best illustrates the balanced turntable lift mechanism. The turntable lift drive shaft 160 extends between two identical turntable lift cams. One end of the turntable lift shaft 160 is keyed to the turntable lift spur gear 174. The spur gear 174 engages the worm gear 176 and the turntable lift motor 324 drives the worm gear 176. The turntable lift rotary sensor 3 34 provides feedback to a print engine controller (not shown) that can determine the position of the turntable from the print head by the angular displacement of the cam 172. The turntable lift cam 172 contacts the individual turntable lift arms 158 by camming rollers 168 (it is understood that the 'cam meshing rolls can be low friction material surfaces, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE)). Since the cams 172 are identical and are also mounted to the turntable lift shaft 160, the shift of the turn arm lift arm 158 is also the same. Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view - 34- 200932535 taken from line 7-7 of Figure 2A, with the print head 匣 2 and the print head maintenance carousel 1 50 removed. This figure turns the spur gear 174, its adjacent lift cam 172, and a clear view of the turntable lift arm 158. Since the lift arms 158 are equidistant from the midpoint of the 150, the turntable drive is fully balanced and symmetrical when the turntable is raised and lowered. This is used to maintain the length of the printhead integrated circuit in the various heads. The best map of the turntable rotation drive is shown in the enlarged section of Figure 50. A turntable rotary motor 326 is mounted to the turntable lift configuration 170. Stepper motor sensor 32 8 provides feedback on the rate and sum of motor 326 to the print engine controller (PEC). The turntable rotary motor 326 idler 332 drives a reduction gear (not shown) that is obscured by the turntable lift structure 170. The reduction gear engages the turntable spur gear 212, and the turntable spur gear 212 is mounted to the turntable base for rotation. Because the turntable rotation and turntable lift are driven by separate independent drives, and each drive is powered by a stepper motor that provides feedback on the motor speed and rotation of the Q-print engine controller, the printer has a maintenance program for selection. The turntable motor 3 26 can be driven in either of two directions and at a variable rate so that the nozzle face can be wiped in one of the two directions and the wiper blade can be cleaned against the pad 1 52 in both directions. This can be particularly useful if the paper dust and other surface passes to the nozzle face and the surface irregularities on the nozzle face are mechanically engaged in the opposite direction of the wipe, often mechanically engaging the wiper blade 162 and When the nozzle surface makes contact, the speed of the wiper blade is lowered, and then the speed of the wiper blade is increased when it is separated from the nozzle surface, which provides a wide rotation of the side of the turntable driving side of the turntable lifting station. Fan Yi can absorb dirt. . When 162 mode -35- 200932535 is also useful. When the wiper blade and the nozzle face are initially in contact, it does slow down the rate and then increases the rate when wiping. Similarly, the rate at which the wiper blade 162 moves through the doctor blade 154 can be faster than the rate at which the wiper blade moves past the cleaning pad 152. The wiper blade 162 can be wiped in any direction in both directions and in any of the directions. Furthermore, the order in which the maintenance stations are presented to the print head can be easily programmed into the print engine controller and/or left to the user for discretion. The invention is described herein by way of example only. The average worker can easily recognize many changes and modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the broad invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printer fluid engineering system; Is a perspective view of the print head cartridge of the present invention mounted on the printer of the printer; Figure 2B shows the print engine without the print head cartridge to expose the inlet and outlet ink couplers; Figure 3 is a complete Figure 4 shows a printhead of Figure 3 with the protective cover removed; Figure 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the printhead assembly of the printhead of Figure 3; Figure 6 An exploded perspective view of a printhead assembly-36-200932535 body having no inlet or outlet for its tube or cap module; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the print engine taken from line 7-7 of Figure 2A; A cross-sectional view of the print engine taken from line 7-7 of Figure 2A shows the maintenance dial pulling the wiper blade through the doctor blade; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the maintenance dial pulling the wiper blade through the absorbent pad; Figure 1 〇 is to display the lift maintenance dial so that the capper maintenance station covers the column Q head 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the lowering of the maintenance dial to remove the lid of the print head; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the nozzle surface of the wiper wiping head; FIG. 13 is a view showing the maintenance dial turned back to FIG. a cross-sectional view of the initial position shown, wherein the wiper blade has been pulled through the blade to bounce off dirt in the tip region; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the wiper blade has been pulled through the absorbent pad; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the rotation of the maintenance dial to present the print head capper to the print head; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the lift maintenance dial to present the print platen to the print head; A cross-sectional view showing the manner in which the lifter is rotated to seal the printhead integrated circuit; Figure 18 is a perspective view of the isolated maintenance turntable; -37- 200932535 Figure 19 is another perspective view of the isolated maintenance turntable, Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the isolated maintenance carousel; Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view through the intermediate point of the length of the carousel; Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the maintenance carousel of the second embodiment, the maintenance carousel is Figure 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the maintenance carousel of the second embodiment, and the column Q print head station engages the print head; Figure 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the maintenance carousel of the second embodiment, And the wiper blade engages the print head; FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the maintenance turntable of the second embodiment, and the ink collector is presented to the print head; FIG. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the maintenance turntable of the second embodiment, and When the wiper blade is cleaned on the absorbent pad, the print platen is presented to the print head; Q Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of the injection molded core used in the maintenance carousel of the second embodiment; Figure 28 is from the second A schematic cross-sectional view of the new portion of the maintenance turntable of the embodiment is removed from the injection molding die; FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the print plate maintenance station in isolation, and FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the print head capper maintenance station in isolation; Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view showing the wiper blade maintenance station in isolation; Figure 3 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the print head dispensing station in isolation; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink absorption station in isolation; -38- 200932535 Figure 34 Is the third embodiment maintenance transfer Figure 35 is a schematic view of the wiper member of the first embodiment; Figure 36 is a schematic view of the wiper member of the second embodiment; Figure 37 is a schematic view of the wiper member of the third embodiment; Figure 39 is a schematic view of the wiper member of the fifth embodiment; Figure 40 is a schematic view of the wiper member of the sixth embodiment; U Figure 41 is a schematic view of the wiper member of the seventh embodiment; 8 is a schematic view of a wiper member of a ninth embodiment; FIG. 44 is a schematic view of a wiper member of a tenth embodiment; and FIG. 45 is a wiper member of the eleventh embodiment; Figure 46 is a schematic view of the wiper member of the twelfth embodiment; Figure 47 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the print engine, and is not printed for the maintenance carousel; © Figure 48 is a stand-alone drive for the print engine Figure 49 is an exploded perspective view of the independent drive assembly of Figure 48; and Figure 50 is an enlarged plan view of the left end of the exploded perspective view of Figure 49. [Main component symbol description] 2 : Print head assembly (print head 匣) 200932535 6 : Regulator 8: upstream ink line 1 〇: closed valve 12: pump 1 6 : downstream ink line 1 8 : waste ink tank 2 0: liquid crystal polymer module U 22 : medium substrate (medium feed path) 24 : main channel 26 : recess 2 8 : fine channel 3 0 : print head integrated circuit 3 3 : contact 36 : inlet 3 8 :Export 〇42: Protective cover 44: Top module (top cover) 46: Entrance coaming plate 47: Outlet coaming plate 4 8: Inlet manifold 50: Outlet manifold 52: Inlet nozzle 54: Outlet nozzle 56: Cover body - 40- 200932535 5 8 : Clamping surface 66 : die attach film 68 : channel module 72 : pocket module 120 : socket (fluid coupler)
122 :孔 124 :嵌入口 126 :閂 128 :補強支承表面 1 5 0 :列印頭維護轉盤 152 :清潔墊 154 :刮刀 156:管狀驅動軸桿（舉升構造軸桿） 158 :(凸輪）舉升臂 160 :轉盤驅動軸桿（舉升軸桿） 162 :擦拭器刮片 166:轉盤驅動軸桿（中心軸桿；管狀底座） 168:凸輪嚙合表面（輥） 170 :(轉盤）舉升構造 172 :(轉盤）舉升凸輪 174 :轉盤舉升正齒輪 176 :轉盤舉升蝸輪 178 :排出饋給輥（驅動軸桿） 180:排出驅動皮帶輪 -41 - 200932535 182 :媒介饋給皮帶 184 :驅動皮帶輪感測器 186:主驅動輕（軸桿） 188 :編碼器碟（主驅動皮帶輪） 190 :媒介饋給馬達 192 :輸入驅動皮帶 194 :主印刷電路板 196 :受壓金屬殼體 1 98 :列印頭加蓋器（加蓋維護站） 200 :第一轉盤旋轉感測器 202 :第二轉盤旋轉感測器 204:維護編碼器碟（轉盤編碼器碟） 206 :列印壓盤維護站 208 :吸收性材料 2 1 0 :多孔材料 212 :轉盤正齒輪 2 1 4 :擦拭器刮片外部底座組件 2 1 8 :集污器/吸墨器外部底座組件 2 1 9 :多孔材料 220:吸收性集墨器/吸墨器構件 226 :鎖固耳部 228 :孔 23 0 :耳鎖固槽 236 :底座 -42- 200932535 23 6 :射出成型底座（轉盤底座） 23 8 :紙引導件 240 :囊狀物（材料） 242 :可撓印刷電路板 2 44 :列印間隙 246 :引導表面 248 :中心凹穴 2 5 0 :(吸收性）纖維元件 2 5 2 :毛細管 2 5 4 :多孔材料 2 5 6 :彈性體裙部 2 5 8 :塡注接觸墊 260 :基座 262 :列印頭塡注站 2 6 4 :流動孔 266 :擦拭站（擦拭器維護站） 268 :(彈性體）擦拭器刮片 270 _•硬塑膠基座 272 :列印頭加蓋器 2 7 4 :周圍密封 276:硬塑膠基座（維護站安裝承座） 278 :空氣呼吸器孔（滑塊） 280 :柱狀構造 2 8 2 :中心縱長軸線 -43- 200932535 2 84 ： 2 86 ： 2 88 ： 290 ： 292 ： 29 4 ： 296 :122: hole 124: insertion port 126: latch 128: reinforcing bearing surface 1 50: printhead maintenance dial 152: cleaning pad 154: scraper 156: tubular drive shaft (lifting structure shaft) 158: (cam) lift Lift arm 160: turntable drive shaft (lifting shaft) 162: wiper blade 166: turntable drive shaft (central shaft; tubular base) 168: cam engagement surface (roller) 170: (turntable) lift structure 172 : (dial) lift cam 174 : turntable lift spur gear 176 : turntable lift worm gear 178 : discharge feed roller (drive shaft) 180 : discharge drive pulley -41 - 200932535 182 : medium feed belt 184 : drive Pulley sensor 186: main drive light (shaft) 188: encoder disc (main drive pulley) 190: medium feed motor 192: input drive belt 194: main printed circuit board 196: pressurized metal housing 1 98: Print head capper (capped maintenance station) 200: first turntable rotation sensor 202: second turntable rotation sensor 204: maintenance encoder disk (rotary encoder disk) 206: print pressure plate maintenance station 208: Absorbent material 2 1 0 : Porous material 212: Turntable spur gear 2 1 4 : Wiper blade outer base assembly 2 1 8 : dirt collector / ink absorber external base assembly 2 1 9 : porous material 220: absorbent ink collector / ink absorber member 226: locking ear 228: hole 23 0 : ear lock fixing groove 236 : base - 42 - 200932535 23 6 : injection molding base (turntable base) 23 8 : paper guide 240 : bladder (material) 242 : flexible printed circuit board 2 44 : printing gap 246 : guiding surface 248 : central pocket 2 5 0 : (absorbent) fiber element 2 5 2 : capillary 2 5 4 : porous material 2 5 6 : elastomeric skirt 2 5 8 : infusion contact pad 260 : base 262 : Print head 塡 station 2 6 4 : Flow hole 266 : Wiping station (wiper maintenance station) 268 : (Elastomer) wiper blade 270 _• Hard plastic base 272 : Print head capper 2 7 4: Peripheral seal 276: Hard plastic base (maintenance station mounting bracket) 278: Air respirator hole (slider) 280: Columnar structure 2 8 2 : Center longitudinal axis -43- 200932535 2 84 : 2 86 : 2 88 : 290 : 292 : 29 4 : 296 :
3 00 ： 3 02 ： 3 04 ： 3 06 ： 308 ： 310 ： 3 12： 〇 314 : 318 · 320 ： 322 ： 324 ： 326 ： 328 ： 3 3 0 ： 集墨器 面 中央芯部 刮片 刮片 第一刮片 第二刮片 彈性體基座 刮片 刮片 被分段的刮片 刮片區段 刮片 接觸塾 墊 單一刮片 刮片 纖維墊 紙排出引導件 轉盤舉升馬達 轉盤旋轉馬達 步進馬達感測器 主驅動輥皮帶輪 3 3 2 :惰輪 200932535 334:轉盤舉升旋轉感測器3 00 : 3 02 : 3 04 : 3 06 : 308 : 310 : 3 12 : 〇 314 : 318 · 320 : 322 : 324 : 326 : 328 : 3 3 0 : Center of the ink collector face blade scraper One blade second blade elastomer base blade blade segmented blade blade section blade contact pad single blade blade fiber pad paper discharge guide turntable lift motor turntable rotary motor stepper motor Sensor main drive roller pulley 3 3 2 : idler 200932535 334: turntable lift rotary sensor
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