CO-OPERATING MECHANICAL SUBASSEMBLIES FOR A SCANNING CARRIAGE, DIGITAL WIDE-FORMAT COLOR INKJET PRINT ENGINE

摘要

An improved, large-format digital inkjet print engine (Figure 1A, Reference 10) that includes a group of co-operating print engine subassemblies (Figure 2, References 20, 22, 26, 30, 32, 38, 34) that embody various novel elements that both discreetly and cumulatively advance the current art. The group of subassemblies and sensors cooperate to produce high quality graphic images using a plurality of different colors of ink and different types of print media at speeds several times faster than similar conventional inkjet printers. In addition, the use of cooperating elements permit the manufacture of complex, large-format digital color inkjet print engines that are less expensive to fabricate, operate, and service. The present invention finds use in large-format digital color printing and imaging, where successful repeatable printing requires precise placement of droplets of ink, toner or other marking material on a print medium such as paper, vinyl, film, or similar substrate.