Patent ID: 6789876
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A large-format inkjet printer apparatus comprising:a) a scanning carriage assembly that supports a set of inkjet print cartridges in close proximity to a print media comprising: i) a rotating penholder assembly comprising a set of print cartridge sockets that electrically and physically interface with said set of inkjet print cartridges in releasable engagement; and ii) height adjuster assemblies disposed at each end of said rotating penholder assembly, wherein each of said height adjuster assemblies comprises a stepper motor that drives an axial screw which is operatively coupled to a transfer block, and said transfer block operatively engages and is guided by transfer shafts to move said rotating penholder assembly to a desired head height position; b) an off-carriage ink delivery system that provides an ink supply to said inkjet print cartridges from a corresponding set of off-carriage ink reservoirs; c) an auto-adjusting service station assembly that is visited by said scanning carriage assembly at periodic intervals and that is operatively disposed in said printer proximate to a printing zone; d) a media handling system for transporting said print media through said printer; e) a media drive system for transporting and positioning said print media within said print zone; and f) a printer control system for performing print engine control functions and data management and control operations.