Abstract: A system, method and structures for dissipating heat away from a thermal fluid ejector modules through a thermally-conductive carriage molded from a polymer to the ambient air surrounding the structure upon which the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage translates. The heat is transferred via conduction and convection from the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage across a thin volume of air trapped between a thermally-conductive carriage rod guide, enclosed on each end by thermally-conductive carriage rod guide bearings, and the thermal contact of the thermally-conductive carriage rod guide bearings with the surface of at least one thermally-conductive carriage guide rod which the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage translates.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printhead carrier configured for movement along an X-axis. The printhead carrier includes a carrier housing having a first bearing pocket and a second bearing pocket. The first bearing pocket and the second bearing pocket are spaced apart along the X-axis. A Z-axis passes through a central region of the carrier housing. The Z-axis is substantially perpendicular to the X-axis. A first bearing is configured to be received in the first bearing pocket. The first bearing includes a first curved outer surface having a curve that extends in a direction of the X-axis. The curved outer surface is received in the first bearing pocket to facilitate a rotation of the first bearing in relation to the Z-axis of the carrier housing. A second bearing is configured to be received in the second bearing pocket.

Abstract: In a carriage assembly of a printer employing a movable print head, bosses provided with respective bearing supporting holes, each inner circumferential surface of which has a predetermined radius of curvature, are formed at a side of a carriage, and bearing bushings, each of which has an outer circumferential surface having a different predetermined radius of curvature corresponding to that of the bearing supporting hole, are also formed so as to make a spherical pair with the bearing supporting hole. A shaft through-hole, through which a guiding rod is inserted slidably, is formed through each bearing bushing. The bearing bushing can rotate freely in the bearing supporting hole, and therefore, the axes of the carriage assembly and the guiding rod can be aligned automatically.

Abstract: A printhead carrier assembly in an ink jet printer includes a carrier moving along a linear path. At least one rotatable bearing is attached to the carrier. The at least one rotatable bearing has at least one axis of rotation. A rotatable shaft has a surface in contact with the at least one bearing such that the shaft is nonparallel to the at least one axis of rotation of the at least one rotatable bearing. The shaft is substantially parallel to the linear path of the carrier. Rotation of the shaft causes the at least one rotatable bearing to roll along a helical path on the surface of the shaft to thereby carry the carrier along the linear path.

Abstract: A printhead carrier assembly in an ink jet printer includes a carrier moving along a linear path. At least one rotatable bearing is attached to the carrier. The at least one rotatable bearing has at least one axis of rotation. A rotatable shaft has a surface in contact with the at least one bearing such that the shaft is nonparallel to the at least one axis of rotation of the at least one rotatable bearing. The shaft is substantially parallel to the linear path of the carrier. Rotation of the shaft causes the at least one rotatable bearing to roll along a helical path on the surface of the shaft to thereby carry the carrier along the linear path.