Patent ID: 7571980
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printhead cleaning apparatus for cleaning a staggered full-width array printhead assembly (SFWA) in an inkjet printer, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a wiper blade carriage assembly (WBCA) including an upper shaft, a lower shaft, and a wiper blade unit for wiping a first set and a second set of printheads of the SFWA, said wiper blade unit being mounted slidably on said upper and lower shafts; (b) a timing belt drive assembly including a timing belt and a stepper motor configured to move the WBCA between a home position and a number of operating positions along substantially vertical tracks; (c) a printhead mover configured to move said first set of printheads between a first resting position and a contact position with said wipers on said WBCA; (d) a controller configured to purge nozzles and orifices of said first set of printheads and to control movements (i) of said WBCA from said home position into wiping contact with, and past, said first set of printheads in said first wiping position, (ii) of said first set of printheads out of said first wiping position and out of contact with said WBCA, and (iii) of said WBCA from said first wiping position back to said home position; and the controller also being configured to horizontally move and re-align said wiper blade unit on said WBCA at a second set point forming WBCA″ for wiping a second set of printheads of the SFWA, to purge said second set of printheads, to move said second set of printheads between a first resting position and a contact position with said wipers on said WBCA″; and to control movements (i) of said WBCA″ from said home position into wiping contact with, and past, said second set of printheads in said second wiping position; (ii) of said second set of printheads out of said second wiping position and out of contact with said WBCA″; and (ii) of said WBCA″ from said second wiping position back to said home position.