Inkjet printhead servicing station wherein one of the servicing modules is detachably connected to another servicing module(s) via a rotatable hook

摘要

An ink-jet printer, has a service station carriage 30 which is movable in a direction 21 transversely of a printhead scanning direction 22 and comprises servicing modules 31, 32, 34, 35 which undertake different functions, such as capping, spitting, and wiping, etc. of printheads (141-144,Fig.1). The modules (35) is detachable from the rest by way of a detachable connection 40 which comprises a rotating hook (41, Fig.5) and a fixed hook (42) which automatically engage and disengage. The detachable module 35 may be used for wiping colour pens and is selectively aligned with a black pen wiping module 34. Alternatively, a module (55, Fig.8) may be provided for undertaking a different servicing function such as application of a lubricating and/or cleaning liquid. Instead of the detachable connection 40, a service station carriage (630,Fig.6) may be provided with an electromagnet (641) which is selectively switched on to attract and hold a metallic part (642) of a detachable servicing module (635).