Rotating disk cleaning assembly apparatus and method for an ink jet print head with fixed gutter

A self-cleaning ink jet printer system comprising:

• a print head having a surface thereon;
• an ink reservoir containing ink;
• a gutter integrally connected to said print head for intercepting said ink in a non-printing mode;
• a rotating disk cleaning assembly for cleaning said print head surface, said rotating disk cleaning assembly including a disk;
• and
• an absorbent covering surrounding said disk, wherein said gutter further comprises an internal duct adapted to deliver a cleaning liquid to said absorbent covering.

A cleaning mechanism for a self-cleaning ink jet printer with a print head having a print head surface containing a plurality of orifices therein, said printer having a gutter integrally connected to said print head for intercepting ink in a non-printing mode, said cleaning assembly comprising:

• a rotating disk cleaning assembly for cleaning said print head surface, said rotating disk cleaning assembly including a disk having a planar surface that interacts with said printhead surface, said planar surface being flat such that the interaction of said planar surface with said printhead surface remains constant during cleaning;
• a means for moving, positioning, and aligning said rotating disk cleaning assembly;
• a means for delivery of a cleaning liquid to said rotating disk cleaning assembly;
• a vacuum pump to provide suctioning of said cleaning liquid;
• and
• a cleaning liquid reservoir, wherein said cleaning liquid is delivered to said rotating disk cleaning assembly by said means for delivery and suctioned back by said vacuum pump so that contaminants are removed from said print head surface through the suctioning action of said vacuum pump before being discharged into said cleaning liquid reservoir.

A cleaning mechanism for a self-cleaning ink jet printer with a print head having a print head surface containing a plurality of orifices therein, said printer having a gutter integrally connected to said print head for intercepting ink in a non-printing mode, said cleaning assembly comprising:

• a rotating disk cleaning assembly for cleaning said print head surface;
• a means for moving, positioning, and aligning said rotating disk cleaning assembly;
• a means for delivery of a cleaning liquid to said rotating disk cleaning assembly;
• a vacuum pump to provide suctioning of said cleaning liquid;
• and
• a cleaning liquid reservoir, wherein said cleaning liquid is delivered to said rotating disk cleaning assembly by said means for delivery and suctioned back by said vacuum pump so that contaminants are removed from said print head surface through the suctioning action of said vacuum pump before being discharged into said cleaning liquid reservoir and said means for delivery comprises an internal duct in said gutter.

In a self-cleaning ink jet printer, a method for cleaning an ink jet printer head having a print head surface thereon, said ink jet printer including a fixed gutter assembly, a rotating disk cleaning assembly for removing contaminants from said print head surface and a controller, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) translating said rotating disk cleaning assembly from a pre-defined home position to a cleaning position;
• (b) causing said rotating disk cleaning assembly to come in contact with said print head surface and remove contaminants therefrom, said rotating disk cleaning assembly including a disk having a planar surface that interacts with said printhead surface, said planar surface being flat such that the interaction of said planar surface with said printhead surface remains constant during cleaning;
• and
• (c) translating said rotating disk cleaning assembly from said cleaning position to said defined home position.

In a self-cleaning ink jet printer, a method for cleaning an ink jet printer head having a print head surface thereon, said ink jet printer including a fixed gutter assembly, a rotating disk cleaning assembly for removing contaminants from said print head surface and a controller, said method comprising the steps of:

• translating said rotating disk cleaning assembly from a pre-defined home position to a cleaning position;
• causing said rotating disk cleaning assembly to come in contact with said print head surface and moving said rotating disk cleaning assembly at a pre-determined speed and for a pre-determined distance in order to avoid colliding with said fixed gutter assembly;
• and
• translating said rotating disk cleaning assembly from said cleaning position to said defined home position.