Patent Description:
Inkjet printing is a printing type that recreates a digital image by depositing droplets of ink onto a substrate, such as paper or plastic. Many contemporary inkjet printers utilize drop-on-demand (DOD) technology to force droplets of ink from a reservoir through a nozzle onto the substrate. Accordingly, the mounting and positioning of the reservoir and nozzle (among other components) is critical to accurately allow the depositing of ink in the desired position. Together, these components form a print head (also referred to as a "print head assembly" or "print beam").

In many instances, it may be desirable to widen the printing area so as to more efficiently perform inkjet printing tasks. As an example, a widened printing area can facilitate print heads to deposit ink onto a substrate in a single pass (also referred to as "single pass printing"). However, in many cases, a widened printing area may increase the difficulty in maintaining a level print height of the print head assembly.

The physical position is typically controlled by tight-tolerance machined components, an adjustment mechanism, or both. Moreover, even small errors can result in poor printing quality, particularly if multiple sources of error combine to negatively affect positioning of the droplets on the substrate. <CIT> discloses an inkjet printing system with movable print heads and methods thereof.

In many cases, the print head assembly may need to be exposed to perform maintenance tasks, such as replace ink for the print head assembly. With wide format printing apparatuses, it may become increasingly difficult to expose the print head assembly.

The disclosed embodiments include a wide format printing system. The printing system comprises a first print housing and a second print housing. The first housing is mounted within a printing area and configured to receive a first group of removable print beams with a first set of print heads capable of printing onto a substrate within the printing area, wherein the first group of removable print beams are removable from a first side of the printing area.

The second housing is mounted within the printing area, the second housing is horizontally adjacent to, and oriented opposite of, the first housing, wherein the second housing, includes a second group of removable print breams with a second set of print heads capable of printing onto the substrate within the printing area, and wherein the second group of removable print beams are removable from a second and different side of the printing area opposite the first side.

The disclosed embodiments also include a method for operating a wide format printing apparatus. The method comprises mounting a first housing onto a first end of the wide format printing apparatus that is within a printing area. The method includes engaging a first removable print beam to the first housing via the first end of the wide format printing apparatus. The first removable print beam may include a first set of print heads configured to print onto a substrate within the printing area.

The method also includes mounting a second housing onto a second end of the wide format printing apparatus within the printing area, wherein the second end is opposite and different from the first end, such that the second housing is horizontally adjacent to and oriented opposite to the first housing. The method also includes engaging a second removable print beam to the second housing via the second end of the wide format printing apparatus. The second removable print beam may include a second set of print heads configured to print onto the substrate within the printing area.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not.

intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, not is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying Figures and Detailed Description.

The techniques introduced here may be better understood by referring to the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

Wide format printing systems may utilize several components, such as ink cartridge(s), belt, print beam(s), processor(s), controller(s), communications system(s), housing for the components, etc. These component(s) may collectively be referred to as the "printer components. " For instance, a wide format printer designed to print onto a substrate (e.g., paper) may include a belt with a width sufficient to receive the substrate, a print beam with a width sufficient to print across the entire substrate, a processor controlling to the movement of the print beam, etc..

In many cases, printing systems including the components described above are common to households, office spaces, industrial businesses, etc. However, delivering high-quality printed materials on a large scale is not common. This is due to the sheer size of the machinery, the maintenance, the material, and space required. For example, one challenge is to generate high-quality wide format print material with congruent ink distribution. To do so, the immense weight of the components above the substrate can cause deformation of the components. In other words, some print beams cannot be closer to the substrate than other print beams. Another challenge, for example, is that printer components, such as print beams, require routine maintenance. Again, the sheer size of the components makes it difficult to perform such maintenance.

The present embodiments relate to a wide format single pass printing apparatus with two housings that are adjacent and opposite (or "staggered") to one another. As discussed in greater detail below, the wide format single pass printing apparatus as described herein may reduce an overall weight of printing components along the wide format printing area. This may result in maintaining level printing components on each staggered housing of the wide format single pass printing apparatus.

Further, the structure of the wide format single pass printing apparatus as described herein may allow for even distribution ink across a substrate in the printing area. Moreover, by incorporating multiple staggered housings, components from non-wide format printers can be used, rather than requiring printing components with custom, large-scale components.

Additionally, the staggered housings can be oriented in opposite directions in relation to one another. This orientation may allow for the print beams within each housing to print on separate portions of the substrate. Further, the print beams in a first housing can be inserted from one side of the substrate and the other set of print beams in a second housing can be inserted from an opposite side of the substrate. Accordingly, the print beams can be accessed from opposing edges of the substrate, thereby increasing efficiency in access to the print beams.

Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts that are not particularly addressed herein.

The purpose of the terminology used herein is only for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Where context permits, words using the singular or plural form may also include the plural or singular form, respectively.

As used herein, unless specifically stated otherwise, terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying," "generating," or the like, refer to actions and processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer's memory or registers into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's memory, registers, or other such storage medium, transmission, or display devices.

As used herein, terms such as "connected," "coupled," or the like, refer to any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements. The coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of an example wide format staggered single pass printing system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, printing system <NUM> can include a belt <NUM> that facilitates movements of a printing substrate across a printing area.

The belt <NUM> can be coupled to a moving mechanism such as conveyor belt, pulley system, etc. In some embodiments, belt <NUM> can be stationary; allowing a user to place the substrate onto the belt <NUM> within a printing area. Belt <NUM> can include a flat surface to rest the substrate below the first housing <NUM> and second housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the belt <NUM> can have gripping mechanism(s) along the edges of the belt <NUM> to hold the substrate in position during the printing process. For example, clamps, vises, fasteners, brackets, or another similar fastener can be placed along the belt <NUM> at varying distances.

In another embodiment, the housings <NUM>, <NUM> can be adjustable. This may allow for printing on substrates with varying dimensions. For example, printing on paper may only need a minimal distance between belt <NUM>, a first set of print beams <NUM> and a second set of print beams <NUM>. In another example, printing on glass may need a greater distance between the belt <NUM>, first set of print beams <NUM>, and second set of print beams <NUM>. The belt <NUM> can be attached to a mechanical apparatus (e.g., hydraulic system, electrical system) to vary the height of the belt <NUM>.

The printing system <NUM> may include a first housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> can include a first set of print beams <NUM> and a first support structure <NUM>. The first set of print beams <NUM> can house print heads that facilitate printing onto the substrate. The first support structure <NUM> can engage to the first housing <NUM> to maintain a position of the first housing <NUM>. For example, the first support structure <NUM> can maintain the first housing <NUM> at a level position to facilitate accurate printing on a substrate. The first housing <NUM> can house one or more removable print beams <NUM>.

First housing <NUM> can include a substantially rectangular or cubic shape. Moreover, first housing <NUM> can span the width of belt <NUM> W1. For example, if the belt has a width W1 of <NUM> feet (<NUM>), first housing <NUM> can span the entirety of the <NUM>-foot (<NUM>) width of the belt <NUM>. The printing area can include a length of at least <NUM> feet (<NUM>).

The first housing <NUM> can be engaged to the first support structure <NUM>. The first support structure <NUM> can hold the first housing <NUM> in place above the belt <NUM>. The first support structure <NUM> can engage with first housing <NUM> using a fastener, such as a clasp, hinge, bracket, etc. Conversely, first support structure <NUM> can be affixed to first housing <NUM> using a technique such as welding, for example.

Furthermore, the first support structure <NUM> can include a closed end on the first housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the closed end can prevent the first set of print beams <NUM> from being inserted or removed from that end. Conversely, on the opposite end, there can be an opening for the first set of print beams <NUM> to be inserted and extracted so as to access the printing apparatus.

The printing system <NUM> may include second housing <NUM>. Second housing <NUM> may be positioned horizontally adjacent to the first housing <NUM>. Further, second housing <NUM> may be oriented opposite to that of the first housing <NUM>. The second support structure <NUM> can engage to the second housing <NUM> to maintain a position of the second housing <NUM>. For example, the second support structure <NUM> can maintain the second housing <NUM> at a level position to facilitate accurate printing on a substrate.

Second housing <NUM> can include dimensions and features substantially similar to that of first housing <NUM>. Second housing <NUM> can be placed adjacent to first housing <NUM> and oriented in the opposite direction of first housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The distance between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can be variable.

Additionally, the second housing <NUM> can be oriented opposite to the first housing <NUM>. In other words, the print beams within each housing and the housings can face in opposite directions. Thereby, the entire width of belt <NUM> can be printed on by the combination of both sets of print beams. For example, as shown in <FIG>, first set of print beams <NUM> are pointing downward and the second set of print beams <NUM> are pointing upward. Moreover, one set of print beams do not span the entirety of belt <NUM>. The combination of both the first set of print beams <NUM> and second set of print beams <NUM> may cover the entire width of belt <NUM>.

Generally, second support structure <NUM> can function similarly to the first support structure <NUM>. For example, it can, among other things, form a closed end and an open end, support the weight of the print beams, and permanently or temporarily affix the second housing <NUM> to belt <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view illustration of an example set of print housings included in a printing apparatus <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first housing <NUM> can be horizontally adjacent to and have an orientation opposite to that of the second housing <NUM>. In other words, the first housing <NUM> can be staggered in relation to the second housing <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> can include a first housing open end <NUM> and a first housing closed end <NUM>. The first housing open end <NUM> can be open or exposed so as to allow print beams (e.g., print beam <NUM>) inserted into the first housing open end <NUM>. In some embodiments, print beams can be extracted to allow access to print housing <NUM>. With a print beam extracted, the print beam and housing can be accessed and/or a maintenance procedure can be performed on the print beam. The first housing open end <NUM> can have a closing mechanism such as a hinged door, sliding door, a curtain, etc. The first housing closed end <NUM> can be closed and be configured to engage to a support structure to maintain a level position of the first housing <NUM> above a printing area.

Similarly, the second housing <NUM> can include a second housing open end <NUM> and a second housing closed end <NUM>. The second housing open end <NUM> can be open or exposed so as to allow print beams (e.g., print beam <NUM>) to be removed/inserted from/to the second housing open end <NUM>. The second housing closed end <NUM> can be closed and be configured to engage to a support structure to maintain a level position of the second housing <NUM> above the printing area. The apparatus <NUM> allows for print beams to be removed from opposing ends of a printing area, allowing greater efficiency in accessing the print beams.

The removable print beams (e.g., print beams <NUM>, <NUM>) can allow for a maintenance procedure to be performed on the apparatus <NUM>. For example, a maintenance procedure can include removing print beam <NUM> from first housing open end <NUM>, inspecting the print beam <NUM>, and reinserting the print beam <NUM> into the first housing open end <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the print beam <NUM>, <NUM> can move along housings <NUM>, <NUM> using a set of rails <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, a print beam <NUM> can engage to both rails in the set of rails <NUM> configured to guide the print beam <NUM> to an engaged position in the first housing <NUM>.

A print beam (e.g., print beam <NUM>) can include length L1. As described in greater detail below, length L1 can include a length of at least <NUM> feet (<NUM>), or in some cases, approximately <NUM> feet (<NUM>) or half of the width of the belt or printing area.

<FIG> is an example illustration of a cartesian plane <NUM> indicative of a printing area. As noted above, the printing area is a region that allows for printing components to print onto a substrate. The printing area can include a <NUM>-dimensional (e.g., a horizontal plane with an X-axis and Y-axis) plane below the staggered housings.

As shown in <FIG>, the cartesian plane <NUM> can include multiple quadrants <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The quadrants <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can illustrate the configuration of the staggered housings in relation to the printing area. Generally, a set of print beams of each housing can face opposite to one another. For example, a first housing <NUM> can be disposed above quadrant <NUM><NUM> and quadrant <NUM><NUM>. In this example, a second housing <NUM> can be disposed above quadrant <NUM><NUM> and quadrant <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of an example individual print beam <NUM>. Print beam <NUM> can receive an indication to have print heads <NUM> print onto substrate <NUM> within printing area <NUM>. This indication can be received electronically via electronics <NUM>. Print heads <NUM> can be held in place with high accuracy and aligned with each other by a print heads mount <NUM>. Ink system <NUM> can provide a fluid (e.g., ink) to the print heads <NUM>. Electrical cables and hydraulic tubing <NUM> can connect the print beam <NUM> to the printing apparatus as described herein. Accordingly, print beam <NUM> can receive instructions, communicate with other print beams, receive power, send maintenance alerts, send status alerts, etc..

As described above, print beam <NUM> can include dimensions allowing the print beam <NUM> to fit into a housing. Moreover, print beam <NUM> can include dimension that is approximately half the width (e.g., width W1) of the belt or printing area. For example, the printing area can be approximately <NUM> feet (<NUM>) (or <NUM> feet (<NUM>)) and print beam <NUM> can be approximately <NUM> feet (<NUM>) (or <NUM> feet (<NUM>)) long. Thus, using the two sets of print heads, as described above, can allow for simultaneous printing on different regions of a substrate.

<FIG> is a top view of an example wide format single pass printing apparatus <NUM> using a single housing with staggered print beams. As shown in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> can include a single housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> can allow for multiple print beams (e.g., print beam <NUM>) to be disposed throughout housing <NUM>. The print beams can be staggered along the housing <NUM> such that print beams can be removed/inserted from/to the housing <NUM> from opposing ends. The housing <NUM> can include rails <NUM>, <NUM> configured to guide movement of print heads to/from the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an example method <NUM> for initiating a printing procedure using a wide format single pass printing apparatus. The method may include placing a first housing above a printing area (block <NUM>). As detailed above, the first housing may be at a sufficient height above the printing area to allow print heads to print onto the substrate.

The method may include insert print beams into the first housing at a first end (block <NUM>). The first housing can include one or more print beams, such as four print beams, for example. Each print beam can be configured to dispose a specific fluid (e.g., black ink, color ink) onto a substrate.

The method may include placing a second housing above a printing area adjacent to and oriented opposite to the first housing (block <NUM>). The second housing can include an opposing orientation to that of the first housing and can be horizontally adjacent to the first housing along a horizontal plane.

The method can include inserting a print beam into the second housing at a second end (block <NUM>). The second end can oppose the first end, allowing for efficient access to the print beams.

The method can include initiating a printing procedure (block <NUM>). The printing procedure can include receiving an instruction to print onto a substrate and instructing print heads included in print beams to dispose a fluid onto the substrate in a specific pattern. The printing process can be single pass, meaning that the substrate is printing upon in a single pass along the print heads. The belt can move the substrate along the printing area past the print heads.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of an example maintenance process <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the process can include detecting a maintenance alert (block <NUM>). A maintenance alert can include a trigger, signal, alarm, etc. that indicates that a maintenance procedure is to be initiated. For example, a maintenance procedure can include replacing or resetting a print beam or modifying an alignment of a print beam.

The process can include removing a print beam from the first housing at the first end (block <NUM>). The print beam can be removed by guiding the print beam along rails from a print housing.

The process can include initiating a maintenance procedure (block <NUM>). The maintenance procedure can be performed on a print beam and/or any other components included in the printing apparatus. This can include adjusting a component of the first housing or confirming an alignment of the printing components, for example.

The process can include inserting the print beam into the first housing at the first end (block <NUM>). The process can include determining whether the maintenance alert has been resolved (decision block <NUM>). If the maintenance alert has been resolved, a printing procedure can be initiated (block <NUM>).

If the maintenance alert has not been resolved, the process can include removing a print beam form a second housing at a second end (block <NUM>). The process can include initiating a maintenance procedure (block <NUM>). The maintenance procedure can be performed on a print beam, for example. The process can include inserting the print beam into the second housing at the second end (block <NUM>). Upon reinserting all print beams and/or determining that the maintenance alert has been resolved, the printing procedure can be initiated.

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the embodiments.

Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed above, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

Claim 1:
A wide format printing system (<NUM>) comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) mounted within a printing area and configured to receive a first group of removable print beams (<NUM>) with a first set of print heads (<NUM>) capable of printing onto a substrate (<NUM>) within the printing area (<NUM>), wherein the first group of removable print beams (<NUM>) are removable from a first side of the printing area (<NUM>); and
a second housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) mounted within the printing area, the second housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) horizontally adjacent to, and oriented opposite of, the first housing (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the second housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a second group of removable print breams with a second set of print heads (<NUM>) capable of printing onto the substrate (<NUM>) within the printing area (<NUM>), and wherein the second group of removable print beams (<NUM>) are removable from a second and different side of the printing area (<NUM>) opposite the first side.