Tool-less printhead mount

Technical Field

0001The present invention relates to continuous ink jet printers and, more particularly, to a means for installing, accurately registering, and removing a continuous ink jet printhead without the use of any tools.

Background Art

0002Ink jet printing systems are known in which a print head defines one or more rows of orifices which receive an electrically conductive recording fluid, such as for instance a water base ink, from a pressurized fluid supply manifold and eject the fluid in rows of parallel streams. Printers using such print heads accomplish graphic reproduction by selectively charging and deflecting the drops in each of the streams and depositing at least some of the drops on a print receiving medium, while others of the drops strike a drop catcher device.

0003In the prior art, it is known to have separate assemblies for each component of the ink jet printer system. For example, there are separate assemblies for the orifice plate, the charge plate, and the printhead. When an assembly needs to be replaced or repaired, there are several assemblies that need to be attended to. For instance, if a component of one assembly is replaced, the replacement component is required to be realigned with the various other components in the assembly, and various other assemblies in the system. This, in turn, has traditionally required certain tools to be available to attempt the installation, realignment, and registration. The process, therefore, is time consuming and costly, besides that accurate registration and realignment is extremely difficult to achieve.

0004Continuous ink jet printheads are one such consumable item in ink jet printing systems and must be replaced when their performance degrades. To install or replace one of these printheads, one must disconnect fluid connections that then leak, use a tool to loosen screws, and unplug an electrical connection that requires removal of a screw, which becomes a loose part. Furthermore, screws that mount and register the printhead require significant clearance around the screw body so that a connection can be made to the printing system. The realignment and registration of the printhead was a critical and tedious task, but also distasteful was the inevitable ink leakage that occurred during the uncoupling of the fluid supply and return lines to the orifice cavity. Replacement of the printhead, therefore, has been a relatively complex, messy and time consuming job, which was not at all suitable for a customer/user.

0005It is seen then that there is a need for a printhead which can be quickly and easily replaced, even in the field, overcoming the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

0006This need is met by the tool-less installation and positioning printhead mount according to the present invention, which provides a precise method for the customer/user to locate and mount a continuous ink jet printhead without using tools.

0007In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a printhead mounting system is used to install an ink jet printhead in a continuous ink jet printing system. The mounting system comprises a printhead nest for mating with the resonator assembly of the printhead; latch means associated with the printhead nest for securing the printhead to the printhead nest when the printhead nest mates with the resonator assembly; and a snap and lock mechanism associated with fluid inlet and outlet lines and a catcher outlet line, the fluid inlet and outlet lines each having an internal check valve feature, to prevent fluid leakage.

0008Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve for the above-noted problems associated with the replacement and registration of a continuous ink jet printhead. It is an advantage of the present invention that a customer/user can quickly and accurately effect replacement of such a printhead, without the use of any tools.

0009Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

0010<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Fig. 1 is an exploded view of an ink jet printhead structure illustrating the printhead mount in accordance with the present invention; and</li><li>Fig. 2 is a view of the electrical connection for the printhead of Fig. 1.</li></ul>

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

0011The present invention provides for a user friendly design wherein a customer/user can precisely locate and mount a continuous ink jet printhead without the use of any tools. Referring to Fig. 1, a tool-less system and method for precisely installing, aligning and registering a printhead 1 in an ink jet printing system 7 is illustrated. Initially, the ink jet printhead 1 is loaded into printhead nest 4, with the load direction being in the direction of arrow 13, by matching first rectangular region 8 of resonator assembly 2 with recessed rectangular region 9 of nest 4. For purposes of clarity, the printhead nest 4 is illustrated in exploded view in Fig. 1 as separate from the printing system 7; however, the nest 4 is actually a permanent part of the printing system 7.

0012In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rectangular regions 8 and 9 have just enough clearance to each other to allow proper assembly of the printhead 1 to the nest 4. First rectangular area 8 at the top of the resonator assembly 2 is toleranced precisely to the resonator. When the printhead 1 is installed in the nest 4, then, an accurate and functional relationship is established to the printing system 7.

0013As the rectangular regions 8 and 9 are mated, a snap and lock mechanism encourages catcher outlet 3C to snap and lock into its corresponding fluid port 10. This allows the installer (customer/user) to let go of the printhead 1, without losing any positioning advantage, and proceed with final seating of the printhead 1. The snap and lock mechanism also provides both tactile and audible advantage to let the customer/user know that a good connection has been made.

0014Continuing with Fig. 1, latch means 5 can now be actuated. A loop 11 of the latch means 5 engages with loop mating portion 12 of printhead 1. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two identical latches 5, positioned on opposite sides of the nest, engage with corresponding loop mating portions 11 positioned on corresponding opposite side of printhead 1. Actuating the latch means 5 secures the printhead 1 to the nest, and, thereby, to the printing system 7, with approximately 40 pounds of force. Of course, the customer/user exerts only a small fraction of this force because of a built-in mechanical advantage in each latch 5.

0015Continuing with Fig. 1, printhead 1 comprises a fluid inlet 3A, to allow ink into the printhead 1, and a fluid outlet 3B. Fluid fittings 3A and 3B have a snap and lock mechanism like catcher outlet 3C, to snap and lock into their corresponding fluid ports (not shown). As with the catcher outlet line 3C, the snap and lock mechanism provides both tactile and audible advantage to let the customer/user know that a good connection has been made for each fluid fitting. The user no longer has to twist fluid connections together, as required by the prior art, eliminating those instances where connections separated and ink erupted. Furthermore, the fluid fittings of the present invention comprise internal check valve means to prevent ink leakage during installation and removal of the printhead 1.

0016Continuing with Fig. 1 and referring now to Fig. 2, an electrical connection with electrical connector 6 is achieved for the printhead 1 by joining connector board 15 with a pre-existing printed circuit board 16. Connection via line 19 is made between the connector board 15 and the printhead 1. To maintain the tool-less advantage of the present invention, a mating aperture 14 receives spring pin 18 which is a permanent part of the printing system 7. The spring pin 18, then, is used as a restraint, rather than a screw, as in the prior art. Additionally, mating connector 17 mates with connector 6. Between the contact force of connector 6 with mating connector 17 and the spring pin 18 with aperture 14, a rigid and stable connection is made, eliminating loose screws and tools.

0017Although the preferred mode of practicing the invention has been described with reference to an ink jet print head for a continuous ink jet printer, the principle of the present invention can also be applied to a wide variety of ink jet printers.

Industrial Applicability and Advantages

0018The print head assembly apparatus according to the present invention is useful in continuous ink jet printers. The apparatus of the present invention provides for a user friendly design that allows for precise installation, alignment, and registration of a continuous ink jet printhead in a continuous ink jet printing system, by any user. The printhead mount of the present invention has the further advantage of being an entirely tool-less mount, with positive location and confident fluid connections. This advantage, in turn, provides the additional advantage of eliminating a screw used in the prior art to secure the electrical connection, thereby removing all loose parts. Fluid fittings have integral check valves to stop ink from leaking, and engage a snap and lock mechanism to provide tactile and audible feedback, assuring a good connection. Keying off the resonator assembly allows for precise registration of the printhead to its nest. The present invention provides the further advantage of using clamps activated by hand to secure the printhead, eliminating the need for tools.

0019Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.