EP 0885730 A3 19991215 - Fluid interconnect mechanism and method for an inkjet printer
Title (en)
Fluid interconnect mechanism and method for an inkjet printer
Title (de)
Fluidverbindung für einen Tintenstrahldrucker und Verfahren
Title (fr)
Méthode et mécanisme d'interconnexion fluidique pour imprimante par jet d'encre
Publication
Application
Priority
US 87849197 A 19970618
Abstract (en)
[origin: EP0885730A2] Disclosed is a printer having a set of permanent or semi-permanent inkjet printhead units (pens) (28-34) and a remote ink supply (20-26) connected to the pens by means of trailing tubes (44). A precision latching mechanism is provided to precisely position the pens in their respective stalls (76-82). The fluid interconnect device for the pens is designed so that it does not counteract the precision alignment provided by the pen and carriage datums. The carriage has a valve member (132-138) with a septum (148), and the valve is connected to the carriage in such a way that it can rock and otherwise move a preselected limited amount with respect to the carriage. The pens each have a needle (54) designed to pierce the septum. The needle is located inside a shroud (56) connected to the pen by a neck member (58). As the pen is inserted into the carriage, the neck member fits within a notch (100) in the carriage. The engagement of the neck member in the notch positions the shroud (56) over the valve. As the pen is further inserted into the carriage, the shroud contacts the valve to thereby position the septum below the needle. As the pen is further inserted, the needle pierces the septum to fluidically connect the pen to the ink supply in the printer. A latching mechanism firmly locks the pens into the carriage so that the pen datums are positioned against the carriage datums to precisely locate the pens in their stalls. <IMAGE>
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
B41J 2/175 (2013.01); B41J 2/17509 (2013.01); B41J 2/1752 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [A] EP 0666178 A2 19950809 - HEWLETT PACKARD CO [US]
- [PA] EP 0832748 A2 19980401 - HEWLETT PACKARD CO [US]
- [PA] EP 0826504 A2 19980304 - HEWLETT PACKARD CO [US]
- [AP] EP 0792748 A2 19970903 - HEWLETT PACKARD CO [US]
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
DOCDB simple family (publication)
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 98304755 A 19980617