US 11,738,559 B2
Printhead assembly guidance and positioning system
Willard Charles Raymond, Plymouth, MN (US); Charles Carlson Langford, Plymouth, MN (US); Nathan Albert Bergman, Minneapolis, MN (US); Michael Laurence Beauchene, Chaska, MN (US); Anthony David Kaufhold, Chaska, MN (US); Richard Charles Raymond, Fridley, MN (US); and Nicholas Todd Mann, Orono, MN (US)
Assigned to Prototype and Production Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Appl. No. 17/270,834
Filed by Prototype and Production Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
PCT Filed Aug. 29, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/048787
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 23, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/051057, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 12, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/726,489, filed on Sep. 4, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0245535 A1, Aug. 12, 2021
Int. Cl. B41J 29/02 (2006.01); B41J 25/00 (2006.01); B41J 25/304 (2006.01); B41J 2/14 (2006.01); B41J 2/165 (2006.01); B41J 2/175 (2006.01); B41J 25/34 (2006.01); B41J 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/1433 (2013.01) [B41J 2/1652 (2013.01); B41J 2/16505 (2013.01); B41J 2/16508 (2013.01); B41J 2/16511 (2013.01); B41J 2/16532 (2013.01); B41J 2/16547 (2013.01); B41J 2/16552 (2013.01); B41J 2/16588 (2013.01); B41J 2/1752 (2013.01); B41J 11/008 (2013.01); B41J 25/001 (2013.01); B41J 25/003 (2013.01); B41J 25/304 (2013.01); B41J 25/34 (2013.01); B41J 29/02 (2013.01); B41J 2/16585 (2013.01); B41J 2002/16555 (2013.01); B41J 2002/16558 (2013.01); B41J 2202/20 (2013.01); B41J 2202/21 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A printhead assembly guidance and positioning system, comprising:
(a) a printing apparatus with a printing platform over which a movable printing module may extend, said printing module including a printhead assembly;
(b) a first end portion of said printhead assembly carrying a first guide member which is capable of positionally mating with a fixed alignment member mounted on said printing apparatus adjacent said printing platform;
(c) a second end portion of said printhead assembly carrying a second guide member which is capable of positionally mating with an adjustable alignment member mounted on said printing apparatus adjacent said printing platform;
(d) said guide members and said alignment members being compliantly associated to guide and position said printhead assembly into a precise location over said printing platform; and
(e) said second guide member being comprised of a pair of guide blocks, each of which mates with an associated said adjustable alignment member to facilitate adjustment of said printhead assembly in multiple directions.