Lexmark International, Inc.

Christopher Gregory Chee

Paul Douglas Horrall

Earl Dawson Ward, Ii

Robert L Paterson

Roger Steven Cannon

Martin Christopher Klement

Robert Leonard Burdick

William Paul Cook

Gregory Lawrence Ream

Larry Steven Foster

Harald Portig

Benjamin Alan Askren

Wilson Morgan Routt, Jr

Daniel Eugene Pawley

James Philip Harden

Randall Lee Hudson

William Scott Klein

William Joseph Thornhill

David Michael Cseledy

Gordon Robert Dunning

Billy Carl Chappel

Susan Marie Moore

Bill C Chappel

Friedbert R Becker

Freidbert R Becker

William J Thornhiill

Dawson Ward

Joseph Ladd Binford, Iii

An imaging apparatus includes a controller executing instructions to form a latent image, and a print engine. The print engine includes a laser source, a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device, and a module for mounting the MEMS device. The print engine is communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to form the latent image using the laser source and the MEMS device. The module includes a base having a first support and a second support, the second support having a support guide feature; and a bracket attached to the MEMS device. The bracket has a central axis, a first end, and a second end, the second end having a bracket guide feature, the first end being affixed to the first support to form a cantilever arrangement. The support guide feature engages the bracket guide feature to form a sliding joint having a sliding axis substantially parallel to the central axis.

Imaging apparatus having print engine that includes MEMS device

An imaging apparatus is provided including a frame having a portion upon which a printhead is adapted to be mounted. The printhead may include a housing including a main body, at least one flexible mounting beam extending from the main body, and at least one structural member coupled to the at least one flexible mounting beam. The printhead may also include a skew correction mechanism mounted to the printhead housing. The skew correction mechanism may include an adjustment member capable of engaging at least one surface on the printhead housing so as to adjust the position of the printhead housing relative to the frame portion.

Laser printhead having a mechanical skew correction mechanism

A module for mounting a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a base having a first support and a second support. The second support has a support guide feature. The module also includes a bracket attached to the MEMS device. The bracket has a central axis, a first end, and a second end. The second end has a bracket guide feature. The first end is affixed to the first support of the base to form a cantilever arrangement. The support guide feature engages the bracket guide feature to form a sliding joint having a sliding axis substantially parallel to the central axis.

Module for mounting a MEMS device

A scanning system for a printer or scanner that has a beam source that produces a light beam at a point of origin and has a scanning mirror that sweeps the light beam from a position 'A' to a position 'B.' A lens receives the light beam from the scanning mirror and directs the light beam as a scanning beam to an image plane surface. A first synchronizing mirror intercepts and reflects a light ray to a photo detection system when the scanning beam is at a position &#x201c;A'&#x201d; that is in the vicinity of position &#x201c;A&#x201d; and between position &#x201c;A&#x201d; and &#x201c;B&#x201d;. A second synchronizing mirror intercepts a light ray when the scanning beam is at a position &#x201c;B&#x2032;&#x201d; that is in the vicinity of position &#x201c;B&#x201d; and between position &#x201c;A&#x201d; and &#x201c;B&#x201d;, and reflects the light ray to a folding mirror that reflects the light ray to the photo detection system. In some configurations two photo detection systems are used in lieu of the folding mirror. In some instances, the lens is a focusing lens and when the scanning beam is at position &#x201c;A&#x2032;&#x201d; and when the scanning beam is at position &#x201c;B&#x2032;&#x201d;, equal optical path lengths are established between (1) the point of origin and the photo detection system and (2) the point of origin and virtually to the image plane surface such that the light ray arriving at the photo detection system is well focused.

Scanning system with feedback for a MEMS oscillating scanner

An apparatus and method for ink-jet printing onto an intermediate drum in a helical pattern while correcting for image skew and aliasing. A plurality of ink-jet print heads place an image on an intermediate drum, impervious to ink, in a helical patter. To compensate for helical printing, the image is altered by nozzle placement and image manipulation to correct for skewing errors, and thereafter, the nozzle timing is adjusted to correct for aliasing. The plurality of print heads move parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum while the drum is simultaneously rotating, causing the image to be placed in a helical pattern. Once the entire image is placed on the drum, paper is rolled against the drum under pressure and the image is transferred thereto.

Apparatus and method for ink-jet printing onto an intermediate drum in a helical pattern

A collimation assembly for use in a laser scanning unit is provided. Methods for aligning collimation and pre-scan assemblies in a laser scanning unit are further provided. Also provided are alignment structures for use in aligning collimation and pre-scan assemblies in a laser scanning unit.

Collimation assembly and methods and apparatus for calibrating collimation and pre-scan assemblies in a laser scanning unit

A laser scanning unit is provided comprising a housing; a scanning assembly including a scanning device; a first light beam source directing a first light beam toward the scanning device; a second light beam source directing a second light beam toward the scanning device; and first and second post-scan optical assemblies located to receive first and second scanning beams reflected from the scanning device. Each post-scan optical assembly may comprise a first, second and third fold mirror, a first f-theta lens located between the first and the second fold mirrors, and a second f-theta lens located to receive light reflected from the third fold mirror and outputting a compensated scanning beam for generating a scan line on a corresponding photoconductive member.

Laser scanning unit and method and apparatus for calibrating a post-scan assembly in a laser scanning unit

An optical system particularly useful for color laser printers. Four imaging systems are provided, one for each color, black, magenta, cyan and yellow. Each imaging system has separate pre-scan and post-scan optical assemblies. Two scanning polygons are provided, and each scanning polygon is shared by two imaging systems. Both pre-scan optical assemblies shared by each scanning polygon are provided on the same side of the scanning assembly at substantially similar mirror image angles, to reduce scan image registration errors. The pre-scan and post-scan optical assemblies have improved adjustability.

Dual polygon laser printhead for a color printer

A laser beam sensor assembly in an electrophotographic machine includes a sensor device detecting a position of a laser beam in a process direction. The sensor device has a detection range in the process direction. The sensor device has at least one slot or at least one projection. A fixed structure has an other of the at least one slot and the at least one projection. The at least one slot and the at least one projection coact to allow the sensor device to slide in the process direction to a location such that the laser beam is at a desired position within the detection range of the sensor device.

Method and apparatus for locating the process postion of a scan line in an electrophotographic machine

A pre-scan optics assembly for a laser scanning device. A housing includes reference surfaces against which a pre-scan lens is directly referenced, to restrain the lens against rotation about the optical axis and the scan axis of the device. A lens carrier is attached to the housing and has an abutment surface to restrain the lens against rotation about the process axis of the device. A spring clip secures position of all components in the desired locations. The optical system aperture is formed directly in a wall of the lens carrier.

Mounting of pre-scan optics for a laser scanning device

An electrophotographic machine includes a mirror having a reflective surface with a fold line configured to reflect a laser beam. At least one fixed mounting device is provided having a support surface. At least one rotational device is attached to the mirror. The at least one rotational device has an arcuate surface defining an imaginary circle and engages the support surface of the at least one fixed mounting device. The imaginary circle has a center substantially coincident with the fold line of the reflective surface. The at least one rotational device is configured to rotate about the center of the imaginary circle to thereby rotate the mirror about the fold line.

Mirror angle adjustment and mounting system for a laser scanner device

An imaging apparatus includes a machine frame, a printhead housing containing a printhead for generating a laser beam, and a position sensing device. The position sensing device includes a position sensing device frame and a position sensor for sensing a position of the laser beam. The position sensing device frame is interposed between the machine frame and the printhead housing. Each of the machine frame, the printhead housing and the position sensing device frame include at least one reference feature that in combination accurately reference the position of the printhead housing to the machine frame.

Referencing mechanism for an imaging apparatus

An electrophotographic machine mirror assembly includes a mirror having two opposite ends and a reflective surface. A laser device scans a laser beam along the reflective surface to define a fold line thereon. The fold line extends substantially between the two opposite ends of the mirror. At least one fixed mounting device has a support surface. At least one rotational device is attached to the mirror. The at least one rotational device has an arcuate surface defining an imaginary circle and engaging the support surface of the at least one fixed mounting device. The imaginary circle has a center substantially coincident with the fold line of the reflective surface. The at least one rotational device rotates about the center of the imaginary circle to thereby rotate the mirror about the fold line.

An imaging apparatus includes a machine frame unit having a plurality of mounting locations and a pivot location, a printhead base having a first end and a second end, and a first resilient elongate member having a first proximal end and a first distal end. A mounting tab is coupled to the first distal end of the first resilient elongate member, and is coupled to a first mounting location of the plurality of mounting locations of the machine frame unit. A pivot post, having an axis of rotation, pivotally couples a mounting plate to the pivot location of the machine frame unit. An adjustment device is coupled to the machine frame unit, the adjustment device having an engagement member for engaging at least one of the printhead base and the first resilient elongate member to effect a deflection of the first resilient elongate member and a corresponding movement of the printhead base. At least the first resilient elongate member is configured to define a virtual pivot axis for the movement of the printhead base when the mounting tab and the mounting plate are fixedly attached to the machine frame unit. A location of the virtual pivot axis substantially corresponds to a location of the axis of rotation of the pivot post.

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Christopher Gregory Chee