Patent classifications
B41J29/56
PRINT MODULE WITH MOVABLE PCB AND INK COUPLINGS ACTUATED BY LIFT MECHANISM
A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and a lift mechanism for reciprocally lowering and raising the supply assembly towards and away from the printhead, the lift mechanism having a single actuator handle positioned at the first end of the cradle. Movement of the actuator handle causes engagement or disengagement between the printhead and the supply assembly via sliding movement of the supply module relative to the cradle.
PRINT MODULE HAVING SEQUENTIALLY DISCONNECTED INK COUPLINGS
A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead assembly received in the nest, the printhead assembly including a printhead having first and second ink ports at opposite longitudinal ends thereof; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the nest along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes first and second ink couplings fast with the supply assembly and connected to respective first and second ink ports. The print module is configured such that movement of the supply assembly disconnects the second ink coupling prior to disconnection of the first ink coupling.
PRINTHEAD ENGAGEMENT MECHANISM FOR LONG PRINTHEADS
A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest, the printhead having first and second ink ports at opposite longitudinal ends thereof; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes first and second ink couplings positioned for complementary engagement with the first and second ink ports of the printhead and a depressor positioned between the first and second ink couplings. The printhead has a portion configured for complementary engagement with the depressor, such that lowering of the supply assembly urges the printhead towards the nest via engagement of the depressor with the printhead.
PRINT MODULE HAVING PIVOTABLE PRINTHEAD CARRIER
A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier being pivotable about a pivot axis at a second end of the cradle opposite the first end; and an elongate printhead longitudinally slidably engaged with the printhead carrier. The printhead is removable from the cradle via pivoting of the printhead carrier and longitudinally sliding the printhead relative to the printhead carrier through the access opening.
PRINTHEAD CRADLE WITH LONGITUDINAL RAIL ENGAGING PRINTHEAD OVERHEAD HANGER
A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; a printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier comprising a longitudinal rail; and an elongate printhead having a longitudinal overhead hanger for complementary longitudinal sliding engagement with the rail. The printhead is removable from the cradle via longitudinal sliding movement of the printhead relative to the printhead carrier through the access opening.
PRINT MODULE WITH SLIDING PCB ENGAGEMENT MECHANISM
A print module includes: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly including a PCB fastened to a PCB mounting plate having a resilient flange configured for clamping engagement with a portion of the PCB containing PCB contacts; and a slide plate slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly. The slide plate is configured for camming engagement with the resilient flange and sliding movement of the slide plate urges the resilient flange into clamping engagement with the portion of the PCB containing PCB contacts, thereby electrically connecting the PCB contacts with the printhead.
PRINT MODULE HAVING GUIDE FOR PROTECTING PRINTHEAD DURING LONGITUDINAL SIDE-LOADING
A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead positioned in the longitudinal cavity; and a guide positioned at the access opening, the guide having an upper surface configured for guiding the printhead into the longitudinal cavity without contacting an ink ejection face of the printhead. The printhead is removable from the cradle via longitudinal sliding movement of the printhead through the access opening.
PRINT ENGINE WITH CRADLE AND WIPER ARRANGEMENT
A print engine includes: a chassis; a cradle attached to the chassis, the cradle defining a longitudinal cavity having an access opening at a first end thereof; an elongate printhead received in the longitudinal cavity via the access opening; and a wiper carriage configured for longitudinally wiping the printhead. The wiper carriage is parked at a second end of the cradle opposite the first end.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS BODY
An image forming apparatus includes a recording device and an apparatus body to internally house the recording device. The apparatus body includes an attachment unit to be removably mounted in the apparatus body and an apparatus body-side connector. The attachment unit includes an attachment-side connector to be electrically connected to the apparatus body-side connector. The apparatus body also includes a pressing portion to press the attachment unit in a direction in which the attachment-side connector faces the apparatus body-side connector in a state where the attachment unit is attached to the apparatus body. The direction is orthogonal to a mounting direction of the attachment unit. The apparatus body further includes a movable member holding the pressing portion movable between a first position where the pressing portion is closest to the apparatus body-side connector and a second position where the pressing portion is farthest from the apparatus body-side connector.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus includes a body, an image forming device configured to form an image on a recording medium and supported by the body, an attachment configured to be removably attached to the body, and a cover configured to be removably attached to the body. The cover is configured to cover the attachment attached to the body. The attachment is configured to switch a state in use of the image forming apparatus by attaching and removing of the attachment to and from the body.