Independent wiping of printhead
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsAh Chong Tee, Bee Bee Ang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a method for independently wiping a first and a second printhead of an inkjet printing device, a first and a second wiping assembly separated from each other are provided in the printing device. When the first wiping assembly wipes the first printhead, the second wiping assembly is separated from the second printhead so that the second wiping assembly does not simultaneously wipe the second printhead. When the second wiping assembly wipes the second printhead, however, the first wiping assembly is separated from the first printhead so that the first wiping assembly does not simultaneously wipe the first printhead.
Claims11
A method for independently wiping a first and a second printhead of an inkjet printing mechanism, comprising:
- providing a first and a second wiping assembly separated from each other in the printing mechanism;
- wiping the first printhead by the first wiping assembly, with the second wiping assembly being separated from the second printhead so that the second printhead is not simultaneously wiped by the second wiping assembly;
- and
- wiping the second printhead by the second wiping assembly, with the first wiping assembly being separated from the first printhead so that the first printhead is not simultaneously wiped by the first wiping assembly.
A method for wiping a first and a second printhead of an inkjet printing mechanism, wherein the printheads are movable along a scanning axis in the printing mechanism, comprising:
- providing a first and a second wiping region separated by a substantial distance from each other along the scanning axis,
- providing a first and a second wiping assembly respectively located at the first and second wiping regions,
- moving both printheads together to the first wiping region, and
- subsequently wiping the first printhead by the first wiping assembly located at the first wiping region, without the second printhead being simultaneously wiped by the second wiping assembly.
The method of claim 6, further comprising:
- providing a sweeping area extending along the scanning axis within the printing mechanism, within which area the printheads travel during printing operations, and
- locating the first and second wiping assemblies within the sweeping area for minimizing a width of the printing mechanism
An inkjet printing mechanism, comprising:
- a chassis,
- a first and a second printhead,
- supported by the chassis, a carriage that transports both printheads together along a scanning axis,
- a first wiping assembly located at a first wiping region for wiping the first printhead when the carriage moves to the first wiping region, and
- a second wiping assembly located at a second wiping region for wiping the second printhead when the carriage moves to the second wiping region,
- wherein the wiping regions are separated by a substantial distance from each other along the scanning axis such that the two printheads are independently wiped by the two wiping assemblies respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.