US 12,485,687 B2
Multi-printhead end effector and associated system and method
Shane E. Arthur, Kirkland, WA (US); John E. Miller, Amherst, OH (US); Matthew Mellin, Seattle, WA (US); Kjersta Larson-Smith, Seattle, WA (US); Anthony Baker, Gilbertsville, PA (US); Luke Ingram, Summerville, SC (US); Steven Dorris, Willard, MO (US); Jonathan Schwedhelm, Seattle, WA (US); Mark Bunker, Shoreline, WA (US); Ryan Petz, Auburn, WA (US); Travis King, Seattle, WA (US); Jesse Castleberry, Seattle, WA (US); and Matt Christner, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/082,334.
Prior Publication US 2024/0198703 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. B41J 25/00 (2006.01); B41J 3/407 (2006.01); B41J 25/304 (2006.01); B05B 13/02 (2006.01); B05B 13/04 (2006.01); B05B 15/68 (2018.01); B41J 29/38 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 25/001 (2013.01) [B41J 3/4073 (2013.01); B41J 25/304 (2013.01); B05B 13/0278 (2013.01); B05B 13/0431 (2013.01); B05B 15/68 (2018.02); B41J 29/38 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An end effector for printing ink on a surface, the end effector comprising:
a main block comprising a back plate;
a plurality of slice assemblies slidably coupled to the back plate, wherein each one of the plurality of slice assemblies comprises a printhead and a y-actuator, and wherein the y-actuator is selectively operable to extend and retract the printhead relative to the back plate, along a y-axis in first directions that are perpendicular to a plane defined by the back plate; and
a plurality of z-actuators coupled to the back plate, wherein each one of the plurality of z-actuators is selectively operable to extend and retract a corresponding one of the plurality of slice assemblies, parallel to a z-axis in second directions, which is perpendicular to the y-axis, and relative to the back plate.