Inkjet printer including shifting guide

• US 20060001696A1
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: S-Printing Solution Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Ha, Dong-Woo, Park, Heon-Soo
• Granted Patent: US 7,401,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/32
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16511 Constructions for cap positioning B41J2/16547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads

Abstract

An inkjet printer is provided including a printing head which includes a nozzle unit with a length that corresponds to a width of paper to eject ink on the paper at a fixed position for printing an image. A capping unit ascends and descends between capping and uncapping positions. A guiding element is located below the printing head to support the paper and has an aperture through which the capping unit may access the nozzle unit. A moving guide moves between a first position to open the aperture such that the capping unit may be moved to the capping position and a second position to block the aperture.

Claims

1. An inkjet printer comprising:

a printing head including a nozzle unit with a length that corresponds to a width of paper to eject ink on the paper at a fixed position for printing an image;

a capping unit which ascends and descends between capping and uncapping positions;

a guiding element located below the printing head to support the paper, the guiding element having an aperture through which the capping unit can access the nozzle unit; and

a moving guide movable between a first position to open the aperture so that the capping unit may be moved to the capping position and a second position to block the aperture.

2. The inkjet printer of claim 1, wherein the moving guide moves to the first and second positions in connection with the ascension and descension of the capping unit.

3. The inkjet printer of claim 2, wherein the moving guide moves horizontally, and the guiding element further includes a rotation guide rotated by the moving guide to allow the moving guide to move to the first position.

4. The inkjet printer of claim 3, further comprising an elastic element to provide an elastic bias to the moving guide toward the second position.

5. The inkjet printer of claim 4, wherein:

the capping unit includes a slant portion supporting the moving guide; and

wherein the capping unit is moved to the capping position, the moving guide contacts the slant portion and moves to the first position, and when the capping unit is moved to the uncapping position, the moving guide moves to the second position due to the elastic bias of the elastic element.

6. The inkjet printer of claim 2, wherein the moving guide moves angularly.

7. The inkjet printer of claim 6, further comprising an elastic element to provide an elastic bias to the moving guide toward the second position.

8. The inkjet printer of claim 7, wherein:

the capping unit includes a slant portion supporting the moving guide; and

wherein the capping unit is moved to the capping position, the moving guide contacts the slant portion and moves to the first position, and when the capping unit is moved to the uncapping position, the moving guide moves to the second position due to the elastic bias of the elastic element.

9. An inkjet printer comprising:

a printing head including a nozzle unit with a length that corresponds to a width of paper to eject ink on the paper at a fixed position for printing an image;

a capping unit which ascends and descends between capping and uncapping positions;

a guiding element located below the printing head to support the paper, the guiding element having an aperture through which the capping unit can access the nozzle unit; and

a moving guide movable between a first position to open the aperture so that the capping unit may be moved to the capping position and a second position to block the aperture;

wherein the moving guide angularly moves to the first and second positions in connection with the ascension and descension of the capping unit.

10. The inkjet printer of claim 9, wherein the moving guide moves horizontally, and the guiding element further includes a rotation guide rotated by the moving guide to allow the moving guide to move to the first position.

11. The inkjet printer of claim 10, further comprising an elastic element to provide an elastic bias to the moving guide toward the second position.

12. The inkjet printer of claim 11, wherein:

the capping unit includes a slant portion supporting the moving guide; and

wherein the capping unit is moved to the capping position, the moving guide contacts the slant portion and moves to the first position, and when the capping unit is moved to the uncapping position, the moving guide moves to the second position due to the elastic bias of the elastic element.

13. The inkjet printer of claim 9, further comprising an elastic element to provide an elastic bias to the moving guide toward the second position.

14. The inkjet printer of claim 13, wherein:

the capping unit includes a slant portion supporting the moving guide; and

wherein the capping unit is moved to the capping position, the moving guide contacts the slant portion and moves to the first position, and when the capping unit is moved to the uncapping position, the moving guide moves to the second position due to the elastic bias of the elastic element.