Inkjet print tile with automated rotational alignment

Abstract

A print tile for an inkjet printer described herein has a base plate, a print head attached to the base plate, a rotator attached to the base plate, and a linear actuator to rotate the rotator. The print tile can be installed in a print head assembly having a support base, wherein the rotator is rotatably coupled to the support base. The print tile can have a frame that has a first section and a second section attached at a junction that provides relative movement between the first and second sections so that the second section can be attached to a supply manifold while the first section can be rotated when the base plate is rotated by the rotator.

Description

INKJET PRINT TILE WITH AUTOMATED ROTATIONAL ALIGNMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application for patent claims priority benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 549,769 filed February 5, 2024, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Industrial inkjet printers are used to apply materials to large substrates to form devices of all kinds. The substrates can be rigid or flexible, thick or thin, and can be made of an array of materials. The most common types of substrates used in this way are substrates made of various types of glass, which are processed to make electronic displays such as televisions and displays for smart phones.

[0003] Such displays are typically made on a large sheet of glass, with many devices mapped out on the sheet. Making multiple devices in one processing pass achieves economy of scale, reducing the unit price of the individual devices. There is a continuing need to enlarge the processing format for display manufacture, which also applies to manufacture of other electronic devices on other substrates.

[0004] For display devices, in particular, the promise of increasing economy of scale is challenged by uniformity problems that mount with increasing scale. Manufacturing processes for display devices often result in visible artifacts, such as lines and patterns, in the device that render the device unusable. These problems have been largely solved in current commercial printers, but increasing scale always invites new uniformity problems.

[0005] Naturally, as larger substrates with larger print areas are processed, printing takes longer. There is also the parallel need to speed up manufacture of single substrates.

[0006] Additionally, there is always a trend in display devices toward higher resolution complicating the drive toward larger format manufacturing. Reducing the size of drops printed on a substrate always comes with the possibility of new uniformity problems. Thus, there is a need to increase the scale and speed of commercial inkjet printing, while also increasing the resolution of commercial inkjet printing, all while maintaining uniform device construction without visible defects.SUMMARY

[0007] Embodiments described herein provide a print tile for a print head assembly in a printer, the print tile comprising a base plate; a print head attached to the base plate; a rotator coupled to the base plate; and a linear actuator to rotate the rotator.

[0008] Other embodiments described herein provide a print head assembly, comprising a support base; and a print tile coupled to the support base, the print tile comprising a base plate; a print head attached to the base plate; a rotator coupled to the support base and the base plate; and a linear actuator coupled to the support base to rotate the rotator.

[0009] Other embodiments described herein provide an inkjet printer, comprising a substrate support; and a print support disposed across the substrate support, the print support comprising a print head assembly support extending from a first riser on a first side of the substrate support to a second riser on a second side of the substrate support opposite from the first side; and a print head assembly movably coupled to the print head assembly support, the print head assembly comprising a support base; a print tile coupled to the support base, the print tile comprising a base plate; a print head attached to the base plate, the print head having a plurality of nozzles exposed through the base plate; a rotator coupled around an outer edge of the base plate and to the support base; and a linear actuator coupled to the support base and having a contact that abuts a portion of the rotator to rotate the rotator.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a top view of an inkjet printer according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figs. 2A and 2B are front and back isometric views of a print tile according to one embodiment.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a top view of a portion of the print tile of Figs. 2A and 2B.

[0014] Figs. 4-10 are cross-sectional views of portions of the print tile of Figs. 2A and 2B taken along various different section planes.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, etc., are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Other components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, etc., are contemplated. For example, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed. Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0016] Described herein are print tiles, apparatus containing print heads, for industrial scale inkjet printers. The print tiles here feature automatic rotation devices to provide remote or automatic alignment of the nozzles of the print heads of the print tile. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer 100 according to one embodiment. The inkjet printer has a substrate support 102 that supports a substrate for processing. The substrate support may be any suitable support apparatus for a substrate, such as a vacuum chuck support or a gas cushion support.

[0017] A print head assembly support 104 is disposed across the substrate support 102. The print head assembly support 104 extends from a first riser 106 located at a first side 108 of the substrate support 102 to a second riser 110 located at a second side 112 of the substrate support 102 opposite from the first side 108. A print head assembly 114 is movably coupled to the print head assembly support 104 to access the entire width of the substrate support 102 from the first side 108 to the second side 112. The print head assembly 114 includes one or more print heads (not shown in Fig. 1 ) that dispense liquid print material onto a substrate supported by the substrate support 102. The print heads are generally exposed at a lower part of the print head assembly 114 to dispense the print material toward the substrate support 102 onto a supported substrate. The print head assembly 114 can move along the print headassembly support 104 to position the print heads at desired locations for dispensing print material onto the substrate.

[0018] A substrate holder assembly 116 is disposed along a side of the substrate support 102. In this case, the substrate holder assembly 116 is disposed along the first side 108, but the substrate holder assembly 116 could be disposed along the second side 112 as well. The substrate holder assembly 116 includes a substrate holder 118 that engages with a substrate supported by the substrate support 102 to position and move the substrate during processing. The substrate holder assembly 116 includes a substrate holder support 120, on which the substrate holder 118 is movably disposed. The substrate holder support 120 extends along the side of the substrate support 102 a distance to allow the substrate holder 118 to move the substrate along the substrate support 102 to provide access, by the print heads of the print head assembly 114, to all portions of the substrate. The substrate holder 118 can engage with the substrate by vacuum on a bottom or top side of the substrate or by clamping at the edge of the substrate or by any other suitable means. In this case, the substrate holder support 120 extends substantially the entire length of the substrate support 102, but in other cases the substrate holder support 120 can extend partway along the side of the substrate support 102 to allow full travel of the substrate holder 118 needed to process substrates.

[0019] The print head assembly support 104 is configured here as a linear rail or beam that supports linear movement of the print head assembly 114 along the print head assembly support 104. The substrate holder support 120 is also configured here as a linear rail or beam that support linear movement of the substrate holder 118 along the substrate holder support 120. The print head assembly support 104 and the substrate holder support 120, in this case, extend in orthogonal linear directions to provide split-axis printing capability, with the print head assembly 114 positioned along an x-axis and the substrate positioned along a y-axis. The split-axis movement system supports definition of a coordinate system for the printer that allows expression and tracking of the position of all components of the printer.

[0020] In order to provide accurate placement of print material onto the substrate, the position of nozzles of a print head of the print head assembly 114 must be known according to the printer coordinate system. Relating the position of the nozzles and the substrate enables positioning of both the substrate and the nozzles at precise locations for accurate printing. In order to know the position of print head nozzles, oneor more print heads must be installed in the print head assembly 114 accurately with respect to x, y, and z position and rotational orientation about all three axes. Each print head installed in the print head assembly 114 is part of a print tile that has a rotational actuator for remotely or automatically rotating the print heads of the print tile about the z-axis to achieve a known and desired rotational orientation of the print heads.

[0021] Fig. 2A is a front perspective view of a print tile 200 according to one embodiment. The print tile 200 comprises a plurality of print heads 202, such that installing the print tile 200 in a print head assembly provides the print heads 202 for dispensing print material. The print tile 200, in this case, includes four print heads 202, but the print tile 200 could have any suitable number of print heads 202, such as one, two, three, four, five, or more. The print heads 202 are all aligned in a parallel arrangement, substantially parallel in three dimensions, and are all attached to a base plate 204 that forms a bottom of the print tile 200. The base plate 204 is a rectangular member, in this case, that provides a basis location or plane for co-locating the print nozzles of the print heads 202 substantially at a common plane. If number and spacing of print heads 202 allow, the base plate 204 can be square. The print tile 200 includes a plurality of fluid conduits (not shown) to carry print material to and from the print heads 202. Typically a supply conduit carries print material to a first side of the print heads 202 and a return conduit carries print material away at a second side of the print heads 202, opposite from the first side.

[0022] The print tile 200 includes a frame 214 attached to the base plate 204. The frame 214, in this case, comprises first cylindrical rods 216 that are attached to the base plate 204. The first cylindrical rods 216 also connect to a webbing 218 that divides the frame 214 into a first portion 220, attached to the base plate 204, and a second portion 222. The webbing 218 includes a junction 224 that joins the first portion 220 and the second portion 222 in a way that allows relative movement of the second portion 222 and the first portion 220, in particular relative rotational motion or displacement of the first and second portions 220 and 222. The first portion 220 surrounds the print heads 202. A plurality of electronic components 226 are disposed in the second portion 222 and supported, at least in part, by the webbing 218. The electronic components 226 are electrically connected to connectors 228 of the print heads 202 by cables (not shown). The second portion 222 comprises second cylindrical rods 230 attached to the webbing 218 and to a top plate 232 that terminatesthe second portion 222 at a supply connection 234 attached to the top plate 232. The top plate 232 thus terminates the print tile 200 at a supply end 236, while the base plate 204 terminates the print tile 200 at a print end 238. The supply connection 234, located at the supply end 236, has a plurality of ports 240 for supplying fluids and electricity to the print tile 200. The fluid conduits mentioned above for carrying fluids to and from the print heads 202 connect to the supply connection 234 and run substantially from the supply end 236 to the print end 238 of the print tile 200. The supply connection 234 also has a fastening point 242 for attaching the print tile 200 to a supply structure (not shown) of the printhead assembly (Fig. 1 ).

[0023] The print tile 200 has a rotator 244 that engages with the base plate 204, as described further below in connection with Fig. 3. The rotator 244 has a linear actuator 246 that rotates the rotator 244, thus providing rotation of the base plate 204 and the print heads 202. The rotator 244 also has a structural member 245 that provides a contact point for the linear actuator 246 to apply a linear force to the rotator 244. The linear actuator 246 is attached to a support base 250 to immobilize the linear actuator 246 such that operation of the linear actuator 246 moves the rotator 244.

[0024] Fig. 2B is a rear perspective view of the print tile 200 of Fig. 2A. The rotator 244 has a pivot 252 that supports the rotator 244 on a surface of the support base 250 at a pivot point 247, thus allowing rotation of the rotator 244 while preventing lateral translation of the rotator 244 at the pivot 252. The pivot 252 comprises a pivot member 254 that is rotatably coupled to the support base 250. The pivot member 254 is located at a rotational axis of the rotator 244 so that positioning and alignment of the print heads 202 is as straightforward as possible using the linear actuator 246. The support base 250 has an opening 256 that exposes bottom surfaces (not shown) of the print heads 202 for depositing print material onto a substrate (not shown).

[0025] The rotator 244 is a generally rectangular or square object comprising four segments 258, one first segment 258A, two second segments 258B, and one third segment 258C (Fig. 2A). The first and third segments 258A and 258C are opposite one another, and join the two second segments 258B, which are also opposite one another, at substantially right angles, so the rotator 244 resembles a rectangle in top view. The linear actuator 246 is located between the two second segments 258B across from the first segment 258A and adjacent to the third segment 258C. Between the first and third segments 258A and 258C, and between the two second segments 258B, is an opening 260 through which the print heads 202 can extend from the baseplate 204, through the opening 260 into the first portion 220 of the frame 214. In this case, the two second segments 258B have arched portions 259 that provide access to adjustors (not shown) located on each print head 202 to individually align the print heads 202 one with the other.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a top view of a portion of the print tile 200. The print heads 202 and other structures above the base plate 204 are omitted for clarity so that the base plate 204 is visible. Here, the support base 250, base plate 204, and rotator 244 are shown, with the linear actuator 246. The first cylindrical rods 216 (not shown in Fig. 3) are attached to the base plate 204 near four corners 302 thereof, the base plate 204, in this case, having a square shape with rounded corners. Each corner 302 of the base plate 204 has a lateral bumpout 304 at which one of the first cylindrical rods 216 is attached.

[0027] The base plate 204 is received within the rotator 244 to engage with the rotator 244. The rotator 244 defines an opening 306 that receives the base plate 204. An outer edge 308 of the base plate 204 engages laterally with an inner edge 309 of the rotator 244 such that rotation of the rotator 244 applies a rotating force along the outer edge 308 of the base plate 204. The rotator 244 is thus coupled around the outer edge 308 of the base plate 204, surrounding the base plate 204 around the entire perimeter thereof. The inner edge 309 of the rotator 244 may directly contact the outer edge 308 of the base plate 204 at every point on the perimeter of the base plate 204, or only at selected locations along the outer edge of the base plate 204, but contact between the inner edge 309 of the rotator 244 and the outer edge 308 of the base plate 204 is generally configured to provide rotational force, which may be symmetrical, to multiple locations along the outer edge 308 of the base plate 204. The print heads 202 (not shown in Fig. 3) are attached to the base plate 204 at attachment points 311 , and are exposed through openings 313 in the base plate 204 to allow deposition of a fluid from the print heads 202 onto a substrate. Rotation of the rotator 244 rotates the base plate 204, which rotates the print heads 202 to perform alignment of the print heads 202.

[0028] The first segment 258A of the rotator 244 accommodates the pivot 252 and two rotator supports 310 that support the rotator 244 on the support base 250 Each of the rotator supports 310 rests on a feature of the support base 250 to allow freedom for the rotator 244 to pivot about the pivot 252 against the support base 250. A tension fastener 312 couples the rotator 244 to the support base 250 at a location adjacent tothe pivot 252 along a bilateral symmetry axis 314 of the rotator 244. The tension fastener 312 has a catch 316 that impinges on the pivot 252 to hold the rotator 244 against the support base 250. Each of the two second segments 258B of the rotator 244 also accommodates a rotator support 310 at opposite ends thereof, the four rotator supports 310 being arranged in a roughly rectangular pattern . The rotator supports 310 are generally located at corner extensions 320 of the rotator 244 that extend along longitudinal axes of the second member 258B of the rotator 244 at the corners thereof near the intersections of the first, second, and third segments 258A, 258B, and 258C.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the print tile 200 of Figs. 2A and 2B. This cross-sectional view is of a section plane taken through the pivot 252 and pivot member and through the rotator supports 310 near the first segment 258A of the rotator 244. The support base 250 is sectioned while portions of the rotator 244 are visible in the background. Referring again to Fig. 3, the pivot 252 includes a support structure that extends away from the first segment 258A of the rotator 244 in a direction parallel to a plane cooperatively defined by the rotator 244 and the base plate 204, and generally away from the base plate 204 in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the rotator 244 and the base plate 204, when the rotator 244 and the base plate 204 are assembled together. The corner extensions 320 also extend away from the rotator 244 body in a direction parallel to the plane cooperatively defined by the rotator 244 and the base plate 204. The corner extensions 320 accommodate the rotator supports 310. Referring again to Fig. 4, the pivot 252 and the corner extensions 320 near the first segment 258A of the rotator 244 are also sectioned. The arched portions 259 of the second segments 258A and 259B are visible in the background, as are the first cylindrical rods 216 and the linear actuator 246.

[0030] The rotator supports 310 are fastened into, and extend through, the corner extensions 320. Each rotator support 310 has a round tip 402 that rests on a surface of the support base 250, providing vertical support and lateral freedom of movement for the rotator 244. As the rotator rotates about the pivot 252, the round tips 402 slide along the surface of the support base 250. Here, the surface of the support base 250 is a recessed surface 404 to provide boundary constraint on lateral movement of the rotator 244. The rotator 244 is free to rotate such that the rotator support 310 move along the recessed surfaces 404, within the recesses, bounded by the walls of the recesses. The pivot member 254 extends through the pivot 252. The pivot member 254 has a spherical tip 406 that rests on a spherical recess 408 formed at an uppersurface 410 of the support base 250 at the pivot point 247. The spherical tip 406 of the pivot member 254 rotates within the spherical recess 408 as the linear actuator 246 operates and the rotator 244 rotates, while the pivot member 254 also generally provides vertical support for the rotator 244.

[0031] The pivot 252 has a raised portion 412 that extends away from the plane cooperatively defined by the rotator 244 and the base plate 204 in a direction toward the supply end 236 of the print tile 200. The raised portion accommodates the pivot member 254 and the tension fastener 312 (Fig. 3). Referring again to Fig. 3, a pair of compression fasteners 322 are located in alignment with the tension fastener 312 on either side of the tension fastener 312 and approximately equidistant from the tension fastener 312. The tension fastener 312 and the compression fasteners 322 are located along a line that is substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis 314 of the rotator 244 near the comers 302 of the base plate 204 and near the extensions 320 of the rotator 244.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the print tile 200 of Figs. 2A and 2B. This view is of a section plane taken through the tension fastener 312 and the compression fasteners 322 and parallel to the section plane of Fig. 4. The first segment 258A of the rotator 244 is also sectioned in this view, along with the support base 250. The tension fastener 312 has a resilient member 313 that attaches to the catch 316. The catch 316 is a rod or dowel that engages with a recess 502 formed in the raised portion 412 of the pivot 252. The resilient member 313 extends through the raised portion 412 into the first segment 258A within a bore 504 formed through the pivot 252. The tension fastener 312 has an anchor 506 disposed within a hole 508 formed in the support base 250, for example by a threaded coupling. The resilient member 313 engages with the catch 316 at a first end 510 of the resilient member 313. The resilient member 313 engages with the anchor 506 at a second end 512 of the resilient member 313 opposite from the first end 510. The anchor 506 restrains motion of the second end 512 of the resilient member 313 along a central axis of the resilient member 313, while the catch 316 is free to move with the rotator 244. Tension in the resilient member 313 provides a force tending to urge the rotator 244 toward the support base 250, which maintains contact between the spherical tip 406 (Fig. 4) of the pivot member 254 and the spherical recess 408 of the support base 250 to prevent any lateral forces from displacing the rotator 244 laterally with respect to the support base 250. Here, the resilient member 313 engages with the anchor 506 at a location that iswithin the first segment 258A and below the raised portion 412, but the anchor 506 the raised portion 412 of the pivot 252 and the resilient member 313 can be sized to locate the engagement between the resilient member 313 and the anchor 506 at any location along the axes of the anchor 506 and the resilient member 313.

[0033] While the tension fastener 312 is held in tension, the two compression fasteners 322 create a compressive force that urges the rotator 244 away from the support base 250 to maintain tension in the tension fastener 312. The compressive force is substantially symmetrical, applied on either side of the pivot 252. Each compression fastener 322 has an axial support member 514 and a compression structure 516 engaged with the support member 514. The axial support members 514 are disposed within respective second bores 518 formed through the first segment 258A of the rotator 244, each axial support member 514 having a first end 520 extending from a first opening 522 of the bore 518 and a second end 524 extending from a second opening 526 of the bore 518, the two bore openings 522 and 526 being at opposite surfaces of the first segment 258A. The axial support member 514 has a tip 528 that engages with a seat 530 formed at the second opening 526 such that the axial support member 514 is restrained from moving toward the supply end 236 of the print tile 200, and so that a force on the axial support member 514 toward the supply end 236 of the print tile 200 can place the axial support member 514 in tension. The tip 528 of each axial support member 514 rests in a recess formed in a surface of the support base 250

[0034] Each compression structure 516 has a first compression surface 532 and a second compression surface 534, with a resilient member 536 between the first and second compression surfaces 532 and 534. The resilient member 536 can be a spring or another type of resilient member (such as a resilient polymer member), and the compression surfaces 532 and 534 can be washer-like members. Shown here, the first compression surface 532 is a ledge at the head of the axial support member 514. The second compression surface 534 here abuts a ledge 538 formed within the bore 518 by the seat 530 at the second opening 526. The axial support member 514 can be manipulated to adjust the compression of the resilient member 536, thus varying the force applied to the rotator 244 to urge the rotator 244 toward the support base 250 by the compression forces of the resilient members 536. The compressive forces of the compression fasteners 322 cooperate with the tension force of the tensionfastener 312 to apply a Hooke force between the rotator 244 and the support base 250 to couple the two members.

[0035] The compression fasteners 322 are disposed in the bores 518 with certain lateral freedom of movement. The bores 518 are wider than the compression fasteners 322 so that, as the rotator 244 rotates at the pivot 252, lateral motion of the bores 518 does not disrupt engagement of the compression fasteners 322 with the support base 250. The compression fasteners 322 may, for example, tilt slightly as the rotator 244 rotates laterally, allowing freedom of rotation for the rotator 244 and also providing some restorative force tending to return the rotator 244 to a neutral position when no force is applied by the linear actuator 246.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the print tile 200 of Figs. 2A and 2B. The view of Fig. 6 is of a section taken through and along the first cylindrical rods 216 and parallel to the section planes of Figs. 4 and 5. The base plate 204 is visible in section, as are the two second segments 258B of the rotator 244. The first segment 258A of the rotator 244 is not visible in this sectional view. The linear actuator 246, two rotator supports 310, and the compression structures 516 of two compression fasteners are also partially visible in the background here.

[0037] Each of the first cylindrical rods 216 is coupled to the base plate 204 using a rod 602 disposed in a hole 604 formed in the base plate 204 and extending above the base plate 204 to be received in an axial bore 606 formed at the end of each first cylindrical rod 216. Here, the junction 224 is shown where the first portion 220 and the second portion 222 of the frame 214 are joined by the webbing 218. The second cylindrical rods 230 are shown extending away from the webbing 218, opposite from the first cylindrical rods 216. The holes 604 and the bores 606 can be threaded.

[0038] Each of the cylindrical rods 216 and 230 are fastened to the webbing 218 by fasteners 608. The webbing 218 comprises a first webbing member 610 and a second webbing member 612 that are substantially alike. Each is a thin plate with a large central opening that provides access for fluid and electrical conduits to pass between the first and second portions 220 and 222 of the frame 214. The first webbing member 610 is attached to the second webbing member 612 using compression fasteners 614. The compression fasteners 614 are similar in concept to the compression fasteners 322, where an axial support member is seated into one of the first or the second webbing members 610 or 612 and extends through the other webbing member, providing compression surfaces for a resilient member to bedisposed in compression, which is adjustable by manipulating the axial support members.

[0039] The compression fasteners 614 provide a flexible attachment of the first and second webbing members 610 and 612 to simplify insertion and attachment of the print tile 200 to a supply manifold (not shown) at the supply end 236 of the print tile 200. As the print tile 200 is manipulated into attachment with a supply manifold, the compression fasteners 614 allow the first and second portions 220 and 222 of the frame 214 to move respectively to aid insertion and attachment of the print tile 200 to the supply manifold. The compression fasteners 614 also provide some freedom for the base plate 204, along with the first portion 220 of the frame 214, to rotate with respect to the second portion 222 of the frame 214, while the second portion 222 is sealingly attached to the supply manifold to flow fluids to and from the print tile 200 without placing undue stress on the print tile 200. In this way, the linear actuator 246 can be operated to rotate and align the base plate 204 while the print tile 200 remains attached to the supply manifold. The fluid conduits, not shown in these figures, are typically connected to the supply connection 234 and to the print heads 202 at the time the print tile 200 is installed, so in some cases, flexible tubing is used for the fluid conduits to support the relative movability of the first and second portions 220 and 222 of the frame 214 while remaining connected to the supply connection 234 and the print heads 202. The webbing 218 includes four compression fasteners 614 located near the four comers of the webbing 218 and located substantially between pairs of the second cylindrical rods 230, and between pairs of the first cylindrical rods 216.

[0040] The linear actuator 246 is fully visible in the background of this view. The linear actuator has a thrust end 650 that abuts the structural member 245 of the rotator 244 to apply rotational force as the thrust end 650 extends toward and against the structural member 245. Here, the structural member 245 is a wall that extends from the third segment 258C of the rotator 244 away from the plane cooperatively defined by the rotator 244 and the base plate 204 toward the supply end 236 of the print tile 200. The thrust end 650 of the linear actuator 246 has a contact 652 that is, in this case, spherical in shape to contact the structural member 245 in a perpendicular orientation to provide rotational force on the rotator 244.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the print tile 200 showing details of the webbing 218 and the attachment of the first and second webbing members 610 and 612. As noted above, the first and second webbing members 610are flexibly attached using compression fasteners 614. Each compression fastener 614 has an axial support member 702 disposed through an opening or bore 704 in the second webbing member 612. Each axial support member 702 has a tip 706 that extends into a bore 708 formed in the first webbing member 610, thus restraining the axial support member 702. A resilient member 710 is disposed between compression surfaces 712 and 714, in this case opposite surfaces of the first and second webbing members 610 and 612, to apply a compressive force between the first and second webbing members 610 and 612. The axial support member 702 has a ledge that abuts a surface of the second webbing member 612 opposite from the compression surface 712 to allow a tensile force in the axial support member 702 to oppose the compressive force of the resilient member 710 to provide flexible connection of the first and second webbing members 610 and 612. As the print tile 200 is installed, and the supply connection 234 (Fig. 2A) is connected with the supply manifold, the flexible connection of the webbing members 610 and 612 allows the first and second portions 220 and 222 of the frame 214 to move respectively to ease connection of the print tile 200 to the supply manifold. After installation and connection of the print tile 200, the flexible connection of the webbing members 610 and 612 also allows slight rotation of the first portion 220 of the frame 214, as the rotator 244 is rotated, with respect to the second portion 222 to accomplish alignment of the print heads 202 while the second portion 222 remains attached to, and connected with, the supply manifold, thus maintaining connection of the print tile 200 with the supply manifold.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the print tile 200 of Fig. 2A and 2B. The view of Fig. 8 is of a section plane taken through the compression fasteners 322 disposed near the third segment 258C of the rotator 244. The section plane of Fig. 8 is parallel to the section planes of Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7. The view of Fig. 8 looks toward the first segment 258A (which is not visible at this elevation), and the second segments 258B, first cylindrical rods 216, and raised portion 412 of the pivot 252, and top of the pivot member 254, are visible in the background. Two compression fasteners 322, having similar structure and function as described above, are disposed through the third segment 258C of the rotator 244 to help fasten the rotator 244 to the support base 250. Two tension fasteners 802, similar in structure and function to the tension fasteners 312 of Fig. 3, are also provided to help fasten the rotator 244 to the support base 250. As above, the tension fasteners 802 and 312, and the compression fasteners 322, cooperate to fasten the rotator 244 to the support base 250 in a waythat provides freedom for the rotator 244 to rotate upon application of rotational force to the rotator 244 by the linear actuator 246.

[0043] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the print tile 200 of Fig. 2A and 2B. The view of Fig. 9 is of a section plane taken through, and along a longitudinal central axis 902 of, the linear actuator 246. This view illustrates the actuator 246, its supports, and its operation to rotate the rotator 244. As noted above, the contact 652 of the linear actuator 246 pushes against the structure member 245. The structural member 245 of the third segment 258C is a wall, in this case. A thrust pad 904 is disposed in the structural member 245 to manage and distribute forces arising from abutment of the contact 652 with the structure member 245. Linear force applied by the linear actuator 246 against the structural member 245 causes rotation of the rotator 244.

[0044] The linear actuator 246 is attached to a support 908 that provides position and alignment support to ensure the linear actuator 246 applies a linear force to the rotator 244 in a consistent direction. The support 908 has a base portion 909 and a collar portion 911 extending from the base portion 909. The collar portion 911 has the shape of a wall with an opening through which a portion of the linear actuator 246 extends. The collar portion 911 engages with a ledge 918 of the linear actuator 246 so that the support 908 restrains all lateral movement of the linear actuator 246 in any radial direction of the linear actuator 246. The linear actuator 246 has a drive portion 920 at an end of the linear actuator 246 opposite from the contact 652 to move the contact 652 along the axis 902.

[0045] The base portion 909 is engaged with the support base 250 by a plurality of pegs extending from the base portion 909. A first peg 910 extends from the base portion 909 to engage with a first hole 912 formed in the support base 250 to receive the first peg 910. A second peg 914 extends from the base portion 909 to engage with a second hole 916 formed in the support base 250 to receive the second peg 914. The first and second pegs 910 and 914, and the first and second holes 912 and 916, are aligned in a direction that is substantially parallel to a movement direction of the contact 652 of the linear actuator 246, which is also substantially parallel to the axis 902. The first hole 912 has a diameter that is substantially the same, within a small tolerance, as a diameter of the first peg 910 to maintain position of the support 908 and the linear actuator 246. The second hole 916 has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second peg 914, so the second peg 914 and the second hole 916function mainly to prevent any unwanted rotation of the support 908. The support 908 thus prevents any unwanted motion of the linear actuator 246 during operation thereof.

[0046] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the print tile 200 of Fig. 2A and 2B. The view of Fig. 10 is of a section plane taken through the rotator supports 310 adjacent to the third segment 258C. This section plane also sections a portion of the linear actuator 246 and the support 908, and is parallel to the section planes of Figs. 4-9. In this view, as in Fig. 9, the first cylindrical rods 216 and portions of the nearest compression fasteners 322 are visible in the background.

[0047] A resilient member 1002 is connected to a protrusion 1006 of the rotator 244. The protrusion 1006 protrudes from the third segment 258C of the rotator 244 and extends in a direction away from the first segment 258A (not shown in Fig. 10) thereof. A first anchor 1004 is disposed through, and anchored within, a bore formed in the support base 250. The bore provides a first anchor point 1010 for the resilient member 1002 and the protrusion provides a second anchor point 1012 for the resilient member 1002. Here the first anchor 1004 is threaded and the bore is threaded, but any method of anchoring the first anchor 1004 can be used. The resilient member 1002 is coupled to the first anchor 1004. A second anchor 1008 is embedded in the protrusion 1006. The second anchor 1008 is also threaded in this case and embedded within a threaded bore in the protrusion 1006. The resilient member 1002 is also coupled to the second anchor 1008. The resilient member 1002 is thus coupled between the first anchor 1004 and the second anchor 1008. Here, the resilient member 1002 is a spring with hooks at either end that engage with the first and second anchors 1004 and 1008. The first and second anchors 1004 and 1008, and the first and second anchor points 1010 and 1012, are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the axis 902 of the linear actuator 246, so the resilient member 1002 is oriented in alignment with the axis 902.

[0048] The second anchor 1008, in this case, is a cylindrical member that has a central axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis 902. The second anchor 1008 is, as described above, embedded into the protrusion 1006, which generally extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis 902. In other cases, an anchor like the second anchor 1008 could be embedded into the third segment 258C of the rotator 244 to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis 902 and away from the first segment 258A. The first and second anchors 1004 and 1008 can also extend in directions that are not parallel or perpendicular tothe axis 902 so long as attachment points of the anchors 1004 and 1008 are available for attaching the ends of the resilient member 1002.

[0049] The resilient member 1002 provides a restorative force on the rotator 244 that tends to return the rotator 244 to a neutral rotational position when the linear actuator 246 operates to retract the contact 652 away from the structural member 245. As the linear actuator 246 extends the contact 652 (to the right in Fig. 10) to rotate the rotator 244, the resilient member 1002 stretches to develop a tensile Hooke force as the rotator 244 moves away from a neutral position. The protrusion 1006 of the rotator 244 moves (to the right in Fig. 10) with the rotator 244, so the second anchor 1008 moves with the rotator 244 and the protrusion 1006 to extend the end of the resilient member 1002 attached to the second anchor 1008 away from the first anchor point 1010, where the opposite end of the resilient member 1002 is attached. Likewise, when the linear actuator 246 retracts the contact 652 (to the left in Fig. 10), the Hooke force acts to restore the tension member to a length approximating its original length, which moves the rotator 244 toward a neutral position (toward the left in Fig. 10). In this way, the linear actuator 246 can rotate the rotator 244 in two directions to align the print heads 202 attached to the base plate 204.

[0050] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of one or more inventions, other embodiments of such inventions not specifically described in the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is determined by the claims that follow.CLAIMS:1 . A print tile for a print head assembly in a printer, the print tile comprising: a base plate; a print head attached to the base plate; a rotator coupled to the base plate; and a linear actuator to rotate the rotator.2. The print tile of claim 1 , further comprising a frame attached to the base plate.3. The print tile of claim 2, wherein the frame extends from the base plate around the print head.4. The print tile of claim 2 or 3, wherein the frame comprises a first section attached to a second section at a junction that allows relative motion between the first and second sections.5. The print tile of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the print head extends through the rotator.6. The print tile of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the linear actuator is attachable to a support base.7. The print tile of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the linear actuator has a first portion that is attachable to a support base and a second portion comprising a contact that abuts a wall of the rotator and extends to rotate the rotator.8. A print head assembly comprising a support base and the print tile of claim 1 .9. The print head assembly of claim 8, wherein the support base has an opening that accommodates the base plate.10. The print tile or print head assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the rotator couples to the base plate around an outside edge thereof.11 . The print head assembly of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the support base has an opening that accommodates the print tile.

Claims

12. The print head assembly of any of claims 8 to 11 , wherein the rotator comprises a pivot that supports the rotator on a surface of the support base at a pivot point.

13. The print head assembly of any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the rotator contacts the support base at a plurality of contact points and is attached to the support base by a plurality of tension fasteners at a plurality of attachment points.

14. An inkjet printer, comprising: a substrate support; a print support disposed across the substrate support, the print support comprising a print head assembly support extending from a first riser on a first side of the substrate support to a second riser on a second side of the substrate support opposite from the first side; and the print head assembly of claim 11 .

15. The print tile, print head assembly, or inkjet printer of any preceding claim, wherein the print tile further comprises a frame having a first section attached to a second section at a junction that provides rotational movement between the first and second sections when the rotator is rotated by the linear actuator.

16. The print tile, print head assembly, or inkjet printer of any preceding claim, wherein the junction between the first section and the second section supports rotational displacement of the first and second sections when the linear actuator rotates the rotator.

17. The print tile, print head assembly, or inkjet printer of any preceding claim, wherein the print tile further comprises a supply connection in a top plate at a supply end of the print tile to connect with a supply manifold.

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