# US 2019/0168523 A1 · Elastic Bending Mechanism for Bi-Directional Adjustment of Print Head Position

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2019/0168523 A1
- Document ID: US20190168523A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/029,881
- Filed: 2018-07-09
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-05-24
- Assignees: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
- Applicants: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
- Inventors: John A. WEISMANTEL
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168523A1

## CPC

- B41J 25/308: with print gap adjustment mechanisms
- B41J 2/2146: {for line print heads}
- B41J 25/001: {Mechanisms for bodily moving print heads or carriages parallel to the paper surface}
- B41J 25/003: {for changing the angle between a print element array axis and the printing line, e.g. for dot density changes}
- B41J 25/3082: {with print gap adjustment means on the print head carriage, e.g. for rotation around a guide bar or using a rotatable eccentric bearing}
- B41J 25/3088: {with print gap adjustment means on the printer frame, e.g. for rotation of an eccentric carriage guide shaft}
- B41J 25/316: with tilting motion mechanisms relative to paper surface
- B41J 25/34: Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages
- B41J 29/02: Framework
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

Mechanisms for adjusting the position of one or more print heads at an extremely fine resolution (e.g., less than 10 μm) are described herein. The adjustment mechanisms include a differential screw and an indexing wheel through which the differential screw extends. One threaded segment of the differential screw is connected to a threaded feature of a flexible body that is coupled to the print head(s), while another threaded segment of the differential screw is connected to a threaded feature of a rigid body that is coupled to a printer assembly. As the indexing wheel and differential screw rotate, the space between the flexible body and the rigid body changes based on the difference between the pitches of the threaded segments. The adjustment mechanisms described herein utilize the accurate, consistent motion of the flexible body upon experiencing pressure to effect predictable changes in the position of the print head(s).

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-20. (canceled)

### Claim 21

An adjustment mechanism comprising:
a screw that includes
a first threaded segment that is connected to a threaded feature of a rigid body of a printer, and
a second threaded segment that is connected to a threaded feature of a flexible body coupled to a print head of the printer; and
an indexing wheel through which the screw extends,
wherein rotating the indexing wheel causes pressure to be applied to, or relieved from, the flexible body, thereby displacing the print head.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 21, wherein the screw is a differential screw.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 21, wherein the first threaded segment has a first pitch, and wherein the second threaded segment has a second pitch different than the first pitch.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 21, wherein each revolution of the indexing wheel causes the print head to be displaced by a predetermined amount.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 21, wherein stiffness of the flexible body is tailored to a single degree of freedom.

### Claim 26 (depends on 21)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 21, wherein the indexing wheel includes a specified number of detents.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 26, wherein rotating the indexing wheel produces a displacement of no more than 1 μm per detent.

### Claim 28 (depends on 21)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 21, wherein the first and second threaded segments include geometric features that provide audible feedback or tactile feedback upon rotating the indexing wheel.

### Claim 29 (depends on 21)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 21, wherein rotational direction of the indexing wheel controls direction of displacement of the print head.

### Claim 30

An adjustment mechanism comprising:
a differential screw that includes
a first threaded segment that is connected to a threaded feature of a rigid body, the first threaded segment having a first pitch, and
a second threaded segment that is connected to a threaded feature of a flexible body coupled to a movable component, the second threaded segment having a second pitch; and
an indexing wheel through which the differential screw extends,
wherein rotating the indexing wheel causes pressure to be applied to, or relieved from, the flexible body, thereby enabling bi-directional adjustment of the movable component.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 30, wherein each revolution of the indexing wheel causes the movable component to be displaced by a predetermined amount based on the difference between the first and second pitches, and wherein the indexing wheel includes a specified number of detents.

### Claim 32 (depends on 30)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 30, wherein the flexible body is coupled to the movable component via one or more intermediary components.

### Claim 33 (depends on 30)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 30, wherein the flexible body includes at least one region having low stiffness that is designed to facilitate localized bending in a particular direction.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 33, wherein the at least one region is associated with a structural deformity.

### Claim 35 (depends on 33)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 33, wherein the at least one region is comprised of a different material than the remainder of the flexible body.

### Claim 36 (depends on 30)

The adjustment mechanism of claim 30, wherein the movable component is a print head included in a printer, and wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises:
a motorized component configured to automatically rotate the indexing wheel based on quality of prints produced by the printer.

### Claim 37

A method comprising:
installing a first threaded segment of a differential screw within a threaded feature of a rigid body of a printer;
installing a second threaded segment of the differential screw within a threaded feature of a flexible body coupled to a print head of the printer; and
enabling a position of the print head to be adjusted by rotating an indexing wheel through which the differential screw extends,
wherein rotating the indexing wheel in a first direction causes pressure to be applied to the flexible body, and
wherein rotating the indexing wheel in a second direction causes pressure to be relieved from the flexible body.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The method of claim 37, further comprising:
acquiring the differential screw that includes
the first threaded segment having a first pitch, and
the second threaded segment having a second pitch; and
extending the differential screw through the indexing wheel.

### Claim 39 (depends on 37)

The method of claim 37, wherein rotating the indexing wheel in the first direction results in displacement of the flexible body in a corresponding stitch direction, and wherein rotating the indexing wheel in the second direction results in displacement of the flexible body in an opposite stitch direction.

### Claim 40 (depends on 37)

The method of claim 37, wherein the indexing wheel enables manual bi-directional adjustment of the position of the print head.