Patent ID: 6158849
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
In a printing machine including a carriage axis assembly including a carriage holding a pen and a motor drive system for moving the carriage along a carriage axis between first and second ends of carriage travel along the carriage axis, the pen including a nozzle array, a supply of ink and a refill port separate from the nozzle array, a carriage position sensor, and a refill station disposed along the axis and having a refill stopper surface and a refill valve, a method of replenishing the pen ink supply comprising:calibrating the position of the refill port on the pen in relation to the refill station by:actuating the motor drive system to move the carriage in a first direction along the carriage axis to said first end of carriage travel;sensing the position of the carriage at the first end of carriage travel with the carriage position sensor, and storing the sensed first end position;actuating the motor drive system to move the carriage in a second direction along the carriage axis until the carriage runs into contact with the refill stopper surface of the refill station; anddetermining and storing a refill stopper carriage position at which the carriage runs into the refill stopper surface;moving the carriage along the carriage axis during printing operations and dispensing liquid ink from the nozzle array; andconducting a refill operation by moving the carriage to the refill stopper position, engaging the valve with the refill port on the pen, and passing ink through the valve and the refill port into the pen.