Patent ID: 9545805
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: A43B,B41J

Claim:
1. A printer head comprising: a housing, wherein the housing has a leading edge associated with the print direction, a trailing edge on an opposite side of the housing from the leading edge, and a top that extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge; at least one reservoir associated with the housing, wherein the reservoir contains a print medium; at least one nozzle associated with the housing, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one nozzle, and wherein the at least one nozzle is configured to dispense the print medium onto a print target; and an airflow management system associated with the housing, wherein the airflow management system is configured to create a low turbulence region between the printer head and the print target, wherein the airflow management system includes: an air splitter associated with the leading edge so that a first gap is formed between the leading edge and the air splitter, and a first side member, wherein the first side member extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and wherein the first side member is associated with the printer head so that a second gap is formed between the printer head and the first side member; a vacuum fan system, wherein the vacuum fan system is configured to draw air from the leading edge of the printer head through the first gap, wherein the vacuum fan system comprises: a duct, wherein the duct extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge, wherein the duct includes an intake proximate the leading edge and a return proximate the trailing edge, and a vacuum fan, wherein the vacuum fan is disposed between the intake and the return; and wherein during use a leading edge turbulent region is formed between the leading edge of the housing and the print target, wherein the low turbulence region has less turbulence than the leading edge turbulent region.