PRINT ENGINE ASSEMBLY WITH DUAL MOTOR ASSEMBLIES

• US 20090033734A1
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,708,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/108
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/706 using a cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/044 Cassettes or cartridges containing continuous copy material, tape, for setting into printing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16 Production of nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16552 using cleaning fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/202 Air convective hinge
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 : Architecture adapted for a particular function

Abstract

A print engine is provided for in an inkjet printer. The print engine includes a chassis. A print cartridge is mounted to the chassis, and includes a print roll defining a plurality of ink reservoirs and carrying a wound length of print media. A first motor assembly is mounted on the chassis and is configured to drive a roller of the print cartridge to transport the print media. A printhead assembly is engaged with the print cartridge to eject ink from the reservoirs upon the transported print media. A cutter assembly is configured to cut a printed length of print media from the remaining wound length. A second motor assembly is mounted to the chassis and is configured to drive the cutter assembly.

Claims

1. A print engine for in an inkjet printer, the print engine comprising:

a chassis;

a print cartridge mounted to the chassis, and including a print roll defining a plurality of ink reservoirs and carrying a wound length of print media;

a first motor assembly mounted to the chassis and configured to drive a roller of the print cartridge to transport the print media;

a printhead assembly engaged with the print cartridge to eject ink from the reservoirs upon the transported print media;

a cutter assembly configured to cut a printed length of print media from the remaining wound length; and

a second motor assembly mounted to the chassis and configured to drive the cutter assembly.

2. A print engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first motor assembly is further configured to drive a pump which draws air through an air filter in the print cartridge and blows air over an ink ejection printhead of the printhead assembly.

3. A print engine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the printhead assembly includes a capping mechanism to be displaceable towards and away from the printhead, the capping mechanism including an elongate rib arranged on a carrier, the carrier being supported by a displacement mechanism which displaces the rib into abutment with the printhead when the printhead is inoperative.

4. A print engine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first motor assembly includes a first gear train for driving the pump and a second gear train for driving the roller.

5. A print engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second motor assembly includes a motor carrying a bevelled gear that meshes with a bevelled gear carried on a worm gear of the cutter assembly.

6. A print engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cutter assembly includes a cutter wheel supported on a mounting block, the worm gear passing through the mounting block such that, when the worm gear is rotated, the mounting block moves linearly along the worm gear.

7. A hand-held personal digital assistant including a body with hinged retainer that together house a print engine as claimed in claim 1, the retainer able to be hingedly separated from the body so that the print cartridge can be accessed.