US 7,543,928 B2
Inkjet image forming apparatus and method of performing high resolution printing using a multi-pass method
Hyun-jin Choo, Suwon-si (Korea, Republic of); and Dong-kee Jung, Seoul (Korea, Republic of)
Assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon-si (Korea, Republic of)
Filed on May 25, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/440,254.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2005-0045609 (KR), filed on May 30, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0268090 A1, Nov. 30, 2006
Int. Cl. B41J 29/38 (2006.01); B41J 23/00 (2006.01); B41J 2/145 (2006.01); B41J 2/15 (2006.01); B41J 2/01 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 347—104  [347/16; 347/37; 347/14; 347/41] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inkjet image forming apparatus, comprising:
a print head to eject ink to form an image on a printing medium that is transferred along a first direction and being movable in a second direction with respect to the printing medium;
a first transfer path to guide the printing medium such that the printing medium is transferred to the print head;
a second transfer path connected to the first transfer path to guide the printing medium such that the printing medium on which the image is printed is transferred back to the print head on the first transfer path;
a path switching guide unit provided where the first transfer path and the second transfer path meet each other and to guide the printing medium such that the printing medium is discharged from the apparatus or transferred to the second transfer path, the path switching guide unit comprises:
a guide body;
a first shaft disposed on the guide body to protrude from both sides surfaces of the guide body;
a second shaft inserted into an upper end portion of the guide body and having a shaft center that coincides with a shaft center of the first shaft; and
a support portion formed at the upper end portion of the guide body to support the second shaft not to be separated therefrom;
a printing medium transfer unit provided in the first and second transfer paths to transfer the printing medium along the first and second transfer paths;
a head moving unit to move the print head in the second direction; and
a control unit to synchronize operations of the path switching guide unit, the printing medium transfer unit, and the head moving unit such that the ink ejected from the print head reaches a target portion on the printing medium,
wherein the control unit moves the print head in the second direction when the printing medium is transferred to the first transfer path along the second transfer path.