Patent ID: 6299273
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method of controlling a temperature of a print chip of a printhead in an ink jet printer, said method comprising the steps of:providing the printer with a memory device;providing the printhead with at least one substrate heater;providing the print chip with at least one ink-jetting resistor;providing the printhead with a heatsink attached to the print chip;applying power to at least one of said substrate heater and said ink-jetting resistor;recording temperature data associated with the print chip during said applying step;calculating at least one of a thermal resistance value of the print chip to said heatsink and a thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead, said calculating being dependent upon said recorded temperature data;storing the at least one of a thermal resistance value of the print chip to said heatsink and a thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead in said memory device;measuring a temperature of said heatsink based upon at least one of:the at least one of a thermal resistance value of the print chip to said heatsink and a thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead;a temperature of the print chip; anda thermal resistance value associated with said heatsink; andsetting a level of power to be applied to said substrate heater, said setting step being dependent upon said temperature of said heatsink and the at least one of a thermal resistance value of the print chip to said heatsink and a thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead.