Patent ID: 9248645
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: B41J

Claim Text:
1. A method of operating an array printing device comprising: identifying at least two printhead arrays that are not to be used for at least a portion of at least one print job to be completed by the printing device, each of the identified printhead arrays in the at least two identified printhead arrays having a plurality of printheads that form an array that extends in a cross-process direction across a print zone in the printing device, the at least two identified printhead arrays being configured for movement between a first distance from a surface that enables the at least two identified printhead arrays to eject ink for forming a portion of an ink image on the surface within the print zone of the printing device and a second distance from the surface within the print zone, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and operating an actuator to rotate a first cam to move one of the at least two identified printhead arrays in a direction normal to the surface on which the ink image is formed to the second distance from the surface within the print zone to enable the one identified printhead array to remain at the second distance from the surface during the portion of the at least one print job in which the one identified printhead array is unused and to rotate a second cam after the one identified printhead has reached the second distance from the surface to move the other printhead array in the at least two printhead arrays to the second distance from the surface to enable the other printhead array in the at least two printhead arrays to remain at the second distance from the surface during the portion of the at least one printhead job in which the at least two identified printhead arrays are not used.