Abstract: A printer featuring an optical data link between the printer's controller and its reciprocal, carriage-mounted printhead is described. Print data are conveyed from the controller to the printhead via a fixed point on the edge of the carriage and status data may be conveyed in the reverse direction. Power is supplied to the printhead via dual parallel rails on which the carriage is supported for reciprocation by the chassis-mounted carriage drive motor. Preferably, the optical medium is infrared light, and uses conventional driver/receiver devices.

Abstract: A system is provided for effectively and efficiently interconnecting a first rigid circuit with a second rigid circuit. The interconnected circuit system includes, in addition to the first and second circuits, a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member. The compressive conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member. The rigid conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit. The first end of the compressive conductive member interconnectingly engages with the first end of the rigid conductive member. The second end of the rigid conductive member interconnectingly engages with the first circuit and the second end of the compressive conductive member interconnectingly engages with the second circuit.

Abstract: A system is provided for effectively and efficiently interconnecting a first rigid circuit with a second rigid circuit. The interconnected circuit system includes, in addition to the first and second circuits, a compressive conductive member. The compressive conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit. The first end of the compressive conductive member is connected with the first circuit and the second end of the compressive conductive member with the second circuit thereby connecting the first circuit to the second circuit to form a completed electrical circuit.

Abstract: A system is provided for effectively and efficiently interconnecting a first rigid circuit with a second rigid circuit. The interconnected circuit system includes, in addition to the first and second circuits, a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member. The first circuit has means for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member. The second circuit has means for interconnecting engagement with the rigid conductive member. The compressive conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member. The rigid conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit. The first end of the compressive conductive member interconnectingly engages with the first end of the rigid conductive member.

Abstract: The carriage is configured for interchangeably holding pens of different sizes at the same position relative to a circuit that is mounted to the carriage. In a preferred embodiment, a black-ink pen or a relatively large color-ink pen may be carried by the carriage. The size of the carriage opening into which the pen is inserted is reduced by a spacer mechanism to accommodate the smaller pen, which spacer mechanism is retracted from the opening upon insertion of the larger pen.

Abstract: A printhead wiper for ink-jet printers molded from an elastomer and including a wiping beam having a wiping edge formed at one end of the beam. The other end of the beam is integral with a base. A hole through the beam near the base decreases beam stiffness. A higher durometer elastomer may thus be used without applying excessive wiping force to the printhead. In another embodiment the wiper includes a pair of wiping blades each of which have wiping edges for wiping a printhead traveling thereby. The first wipe removes pooled ink and debris and spreads viscous ink while the second wipe further the spread ink before it can retract to its former drop or pooled configuration.

Abstract: A birdirectionally movable carriage in an ink-jet printer contains either a color or a black ink cartridge. When a color cartridge is mounted on the carriage, a rotatable service station having both color and black cartridge service stations mounted thereon rotates to position the color service station adjacent the travel path of the color cartridge. A cap on the color service station includes a lip for sealing against the color cartridge and a flexible diaphragm which flexes to minimize pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of the cap. Because ink vapor diffusion through the diaphragm is possible, a diffusion vent is provided to a chamber on the side of the diaphragm exposed to the exterior of the cap. The diffusion vent permits diaphragm flexing while inhibiting ink vapor diffusion from the cap.

Abstract: A rotary wiper for cleaning the orifice plate of a printhead of a thermal ink-jet printer. The wiper includes a plurality of blades which successively wipe contaminants from the orifice plate of the printhead during rotation of the wiper. Apparatus is provided for automatically cleaning the contaminants from the blades of the rotating wiper. The wiper blades are either radially or non-radially oriented. The cleaning apparatus includes either a plurality of scrapers, or a roll of liquid absorbing material. The wiper is rotated by a motor, or by a rack and pinion arrangement, in which the rack is disposed on the printhead carriage and actuates the wiper as the printhead moves into the service station area. In one embodiment the wiper is used in conjunction with a cap in the service station area to clean and then seal the printhead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the orifice plates of multiple printheads of an ink-jet printer. The apparatus includes a multi-blade wiper which is indexed automatically to permit each printhead to be wiped in sequence by a selected blade. The desired cleaning is produced by dragging a printhead across the selected wiper blade. The wiper mechanism may also comprise a plurality of resilient blades each having an octagonal shape and rotatable about an axis. A cam coupled to the printhead carriage causes simultaneous pivoting of the wiper blades into contact with the printheads as well as rotation of the blades to facilitate cleaning thereof. In the method of this invention, ink is expelled from the printheads to rehydrate dried ink thereon to facilitate its removal.

Abstract: The invented non-clogging cap and service station include a cap that encloses and defines a cavity around a printhead. The cap includes a basin to collect liquid discharged from the printhead and a vent to prevent changes of pressure within the cavity. Capillary spaces are constructed within the cap from walls and ridges in such a way that liquid collecting in the basin moves away from the vent to prevent the vent from clogging. The basin, vent, walls and ridges are typically constructed from a wetting material to facilitate capillary action. An ink drain pan may also be included to receive liquid that overflows the basin. In this manner, the invention provides a vented cap to protect the printhead and uses capillary action to prevent the vent from clogging and causing the cap to malfunction. Furthermore, a wiper may be mounted near the cap to clean the printhead. The cap and wiper together form the invented service station.