| 摘要 |
A method of replacing a printhead in an inkjet printer with minimal ink wastage, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a printhead comprising: an ink distribution manifold having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; one or more printhead integrated circuits mounted on the manifold, each printhead integrated circuit comprising a plurality of nozzles; (ii) providing an ink supply system comprising: an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet via an upstream ink line; a reversible air pump communicating with a headspace of the ink chamber; and a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet; (ii) actuating the pump so as to negatively pressurize the headspace, thereby depriming the printhead by drawing ink from the downstream ink line and the printhead into the ink chamber; (iii) deactuating the pump and allowing an ink level in the ink chamber to equalize with an ink level in the upstream ink line; (iv) removing the printhead from the printer, the removing including disconnecting the ink inlet and the ink outlet from respective upstream and downstream ink lines; (v) replacing the printhead with a replacement printhead, the replacing including connecting an ink inlet and an outlet inlet of the replacement printhead with respective upstream and downstream ink lines; (vi) actuating the pump so as to positively pressurize the headspace, thereby priming the printhead by drawing ink from the ink chamber, through the printhead and into the downstream ink line; and (vii) deactuating the pump and allowing an ink level in the ink chamber to equilibrate to a predetermined level.
|
