An improved ink-jet printhead cap is described. In its preferred embodiment, the cap has a sealing lip, which extends peripherally around the generally planar expanse of the cap, the lip being suspended by a horizontal, resiliently deflectable, elastomer span that is supported on either end by vertical supports that define a channel dimensioned to receive partway therein the annular boss of a cap mount mounted on a sled. In cross section, the lip is centered above the channel, protrudes upwardly from an upper surface of the horizontal span, and tapers inwardly and upwardly substantially to a point, thus providing a conformable, focal impact point for sealingly engaging a printhead. The amount of force required to deflect the lip may be controlled by varying the thickness of the horizontal span and the distance between vertical supports.
A print head cap includes a bottom surface; and a ring-like lip. The ring-like lip surrounds the bottom surface, protrudes toward a nozzle surface of a print head of an ink jet printer and is elastically deformable. The ring-like lip is pressed onto the nozzle surface to cover the nozzle surface therewith. The ring-like lip has corners that change the direction surrounding the bottom surface. The corners of the ring-like lip are more elastically deformable than the other portions of the ring-like lip.
A print head cap includes a bottom surface; and a ring-like lip. The ring-like lip surrounds the bottom surface, protrudes toward a nozzle surface of a print head of an ink jet printer and is elastically deformable. The ring-like lip is pressed onto the nozzle surface to cover the nozzle surface therewith. The ring-like lip has corners that change the direction surrounding the bottom surface. The corners of the ring-like lip are more elastically deformable than the other portions of the ring-like lip.
A foam-filled cap sealing ink-ejecting nozzles of an inkjet printhead in a printing mechanism has a two-layer structure, with an outer skin layer of an elastomer, and a second foam core layer inside the skin. The skin defines a sealing lip that surrounds the nozzles when the cap is in a sealing position to avoid unnecessary drying of the ink. The skin has an interior surface that defines a cavity under the sealing lip. The foam core, located within the cavity, may be formed by expanding a foam preform or by injecting raw foam into the cavity. An insert may be molded into the cap structure for use in mounting the cap in the printing mechanism. An optional backing layer molded to the structure is used to attach a vent basin to the cap. A method of constructing this cap, and a printing mechanism having this cap, are also described.
A circuit for controlling a printhead of an inkjet printer has a power supply unit for supplying different levels of first and second power voltages; a power control circuit which has a power switch and generates a power on signal or a power off signal in accordance with the on/off operation of the power switch; a first switching circuit which is switched on to form a transmission path for the first power voltage to generate a first switching power voltage if the power on signal is received, and is switched off to isolate the transmission path for the first power voltage if the power off signal is received; a second switching circuit for switching the second power voltage in accordance with the logic state of the first switching power voltage; a control unit which receives the first switching power voltage as an operating power to generate a switch on signal to the first switching circuit if the power on signal is received, and to generate a control signal for moving the printhead to a capping position and then output a switch off signal to the first switching circuit if the power off signal is received; and a driving unit which receives the first and second switching power voltages as an operating power and is driven to move the printhead to the capping position in response to the control signal output from the control unit.
An ink jet printer comprises a cap having a shape that defines a cavity around the printhead, a cap body formed with a lip region and a beam extending across the cavity, and a basin structure formed with a vent for providing an exit passage from the cavity through a vent port. The cap body and the basin structure cooporate to define a capillary space to create an effective seal between the cavity and the vent associated therewith.
