Oce-Technologies B.v.

Mike P Van Eekhout

Hubertus M J M Boesten

Franciscus J W M Wolters

Stefan A C J Winteraeken

Henricus W C Douven

Johannes H Huyghen

Franciscus JWM Wolters

Hubertus MJM Boesten

Stefan ACJ Winteraeken

Henricus WC Douven

In a printer having a print head moveable relative to a recording medium, the recording medium and print head may touch each other, thereby possibly damaging the print head and/or the recording medium. In order to prevent further damage, it is advantageous to detect a medium touch as soon as possible. An available feedback signal relating to the print head, e.g. originating from a carriage on which the print head is mounted, is employed to determine whether a medium touch has occurred such that a dedicated medium touch or crash sensor may be omitted. A malfunctioning nozzle signal is used to determine a change in a number of malfunctioning nozzles to detect a medium touch. Alternatively, a print head position signal is used to determine a position error and derive from the position error whether or not a medium touch has occurred.

Method and apparatus for detecting a media touch of an inkjet printhead

Growing community of inventors

Oosterbeek, Netherlands

Mike P Van Eekhout