Patent ID: 7134736
Filing Date: 2006-11-14
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A drive assembly for a printhead, comprising: at least two spaced rollers, each rotatable about a central axis, at least one of which is a driven roller; an endless drive belt loop connected between said at least two spaced rollers for rotation thereabout to define an endless loop drive path; a drive mechanism that drives the endless drive belt loop in at least a first direction; a printhead assembly including at least one printhead and carriage operably connected to the endless drive belt loop for movement therewith; a guide assembly that constrains movement of the printhead assembly, the guide assembly being configured to allow movement of the printhead around both linear and arcuate portions of the endless loop drive path; and a controller that controls the drive assembly to traverse the printhead assembly over at least one-half the length of the endless drive belt loop to advance the printhead across a linear print zone and an arcuate non-print zone with a predetermined drive profile, wherein the central axes are essentially orthogonal to a recording medium path.