EP0257068B1 - Method and device for sealing and cleaning the ink outlet orifices of an ink writing head - Google Patents

Method and device for sealing and cleaning the ink outlet orifices of an ink writing head Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0257068B1
EP0257068B1 EP87901342A EP87901342A EP0257068B1 EP 0257068 B1 EP0257068 B1 EP 0257068B1 EP 87901342 A EP87901342 A EP 87901342A EP 87901342 A EP87901342 A EP 87901342A EP 0257068 B1 EP0257068 B1 EP 0257068B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
covering
outlet orifices
gap
ink outlet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87901342A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0257068A1 (en
Inventor
Rolf Humbs
Ingolf Depta
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Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0257068A1 publication Critical patent/EP0257068A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
    • B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
    • B41J2/16541—Means to remove deposits from wipers or scrapers

Definitions

  • a covering and cleaning device for ink writing heads is known from German Offenlegungsschrift 32 07 072. It consists of a sealing plate pivotably arranged in front of the nozzle plate, which has a cutout with sharp edges in the region of the outlet openings of the nozzle plate and which is held by means of a clamping bracket which supplies the pressing force for the sealing plate and the nozzle plate.
  • a crank mechanism is provided, the crank pin of which engages in a slot in the sealing plate and which can be moved back and forth between two stops.
  • the stripping element can consist of plastic.

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

A covering element (5) and a scraping element (6) are attached to the ink writing head (1) of an ink printer. The covering element (5) and the scraping element (6) are movably arranged in front of the writing head (1) so that in a first operating state only the covering element (5) covers the ink outlet orifices (8), at a certain distance therefrom, thus forming a slot (11) which is filled by liquid ink (19) via the ink outlet orifices (8). In a second operating state, the scraping element (6) sweeps the ink outlet orifice (8) and removes the ink contained in the slot. The covering element (5) and the scraping element (6) are interconnected and are actuated by means of an electromotor device (7).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Abdichten und Reinigen von Tintenaustrittsöffnungen gemäß dem Oberbegriff der Patentansprüche 1 und 3.The invention relates to a method and a device for sealing and cleaning ink outlet openings according to the preamble of claims 1 and 3.

Für den sicheren Betrieb einer Tintenschreibeinrichtung die nach dem sogenannten Unterdruckverfahren arbeitet, bei dem der Tintendruck im Tintenkopf entweder Null oder darunter beträgt, ist es sehr wesentlich, daß die Tintenkanäle stets vollkommen mit Tinte gefüllt sind. Verunreinigungen und Luft- oder Gasbläschen im Kanal-und/oder im Düsenbereich führen zu erheblichen Störungen der Funktionen des Tintenkopfes und sind nicht selten Grund für dessen völligen Ausfall. Mittels eines Spülvorganges, bei dem durch einen zeitlich begrenzten Überdruck Tinte durch den Kanal- und Düsenbereich gedrückt wird, kann diese Funktionsstörung behoben werden.For the safe operation of an ink writing device which works according to the so-called negative pressure method, in which the ink pressure in the ink head is either zero or less, it is very important that the ink channels are always completely filled with ink. Contamination and air or gas bubbles in the channel and / or in the nozzle area lead to considerable disturbances in the functions of the ink head and are not infrequently the reason for its complete failure. This malfunction can be remedied by means of a flushing process in which ink is pressed through the channel and nozzle area by a temporary overpressure.

Es ist bereits eine Spülvorrichtung bekannt (DE-PS 26 10 518), bei der manuell durch Betätigung eines Druckstempels im Schreibkopf kurzzeitig ein Überdruck erzeugt wird. Beim Wiederherstellen des statischen Unterdruckes bildet sich in jeder Düsenöffnung erneut der gewünschte negative Tintenmeniskus aus. Die durch den Spülvorgang verbrauchte Tintenmenge kann jedoch in weiten Grenzen schwanken und zu erheblichen Verlusten bzw. Versorgungsproblemen führen.A flushing device is already known (DE-PS 26 10 518), in which overpressure is briefly generated manually by actuating a pressure stamp in the print head. When the static negative pressure is restored, the desired negative ink meniscus forms again in each nozzle opening. However, the amount of ink consumed by the flushing process can fluctuate within wide limits and lead to considerable losses or supply problems.

Um den Tintenschreibkopf zu reinigen und zwischen den Druckvorgängen abzudecken ist aus der deutschen Offenlegungsschrift 32 07 072 eine Abdeck- und Reinigungsvorrichtung für Tintenschreibköpfe bekannt. Sie besteht aus einer vor der Düsenplatte verschwenkbar angeordneten Dichtungsplatte, die im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen der Düsenplatte einen Ausschnitt mit scharfen Kanten aufweist und die mittels eines die Andruckkraft für die Dichtungsplatte und die Düsenplatte liefernden Spannbügels gehalten wird. Zum Antrieb der Dichtungsplatte ist ein Kurbelmechanismus vorgesehen, dessen Kurbelstift in einen Schlitz der Dichtungsplatte eingreift und der zwischen zwei Anschlägen hin- und herbewegbar ist. Das Abstreifelement kann dabei aus Kunststoff bestehen.In order to clean the ink writing head and to cover it between the printing processes, a covering and cleaning device for ink writing heads is known from German Offenlegungsschrift 32 07 072. It consists of a sealing plate pivotably arranged in front of the nozzle plate, which has a cutout with sharp edges in the region of the outlet openings of the nozzle plate and which is held by means of a clamping bracket which supplies the pressing force for the sealing plate and the nozzle plate. To drive the sealing plate, a crank mechanism is provided, the crank pin of which engages in a slot in the sealing plate and which can be moved back and forth between two stops. The stripping element can consist of plastic.

Eine derartige Vorrichtung hat den Nachteil, daß angetrocknete Partikel eines Tinten-Staubgemisches die Reinigung der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen erschweren können, ebenso deren Abdichtung im Ruhezustand.Such a device has the disadvantage that dried particles of an ink-dust mixture can make cleaning the ink outlet openings more difficult, as can sealing them in the idle state.

In der DE-OS 35 08 561 wird eine kombinierte Abdeck- und Reinigungsvorrichtung für einen Tintenschreibkopf beschrieben, die aus einem an dem Austrittsbereich des Tintenkopfes motorisch anliegenden bewegbaren Schieber besteht. Der Schieber weist einen Durchbruch sowie Kanäle zum Aufnehmen von Spültinte auf. In einem ersten Betriebszustand liegt der Durchbruch vor den Austrittsdüsen und gibt diese frei. In einem Spülzustand wird der Schieber nacheinander über die Austrittsdüse geführt und diese durchgespült, wobei die Kanäle des Schiebers die Spültinte ableiten.DE-OS 35 08 561 describes a combined covering and cleaning device for an ink writing head, which consists of a movable slide that engages with the motor at the outlet area of the ink head. The slide has a breakthrough and channels for receiving washing ink. In a first operating state, the breakthrough is in front of the outlet nozzles and releases them. In a rinsing state, the slide is successively passed over the outlet nozzle and flushed through, the channels of the slide draining the rinsing ink.

Es ist weiterhin aus der DE-OS 3005 394 bekannt die Austrittsbereiche der Schreibdüsen über einen mit Tinte gefüllten Spalt abzudichten. Aus DE-A-2 919 727 ist auch ein Verfahren zum Abdichten der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen eines Tintenschreibkopfes unter Verwendung von einem Abdeck- und Abstreifelement, wobei durch Relativbewegung zwischen Tintenschreibkopf und Abdeckelement die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen durch das Abdeckelement in einem einen Spalt bildenden Abstand abgedeckt werden, und der Spalt über die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen mit Schreibflüssigkeit gefüllt wird.It is also known from DE-OS 3005 394 to seal the outlet areas of the writing nozzles via a gap filled with ink. From DE-A-2 919 727 there is also a method for sealing the ink outlet openings of an ink writing head using a cover and wiping element, the ink outlet openings being covered by the cover element at a distance forming a gap by relative movement between the ink writing head and the cover element, and the Gap is filled with writing fluid through the ink outlet openings.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art so auszugestalten, daß ohne großen Aufwand einerseits eine Abdichtung der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen möglich ist, andererseits deren rückstandsfreie Reinigung.The object of the invention is to design a method and a device of the type mentioned in such a way that, on the one hand, sealing of the ink outlet openings is possible without great effort, and on the other hand their residue-free cleaning.

Diese Aufgabe wird bei einem Verfahren und einer Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art gemäß den kennzeichnenden Teilen der ersten und dritten Patentansprüche gelöst.This object is achieved in a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset in accordance with the characterizing parts of the first and third claims.

Vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen gekennzeichnet.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

Dadurch, daß die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen am Tintenschreibkopf durch einen flüssigkeitsgefüllten Spalt abgedeckt werden, wird einerseits für eine dichte und sichere Abdichtung der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen im Ruhezustand gesorgt, andererseits können sich keine angetrockneten Rückstände bilden, da die Schreibflüssigkeit selbst diese evtl. angetrocknete Partikeln wieder ablöst.The fact that the ink outlet openings on the ink writing head are covered by a liquid-filled gap ensures, on the one hand, a tight and secure sealing of the ink outlet openings in the idle state, and on the other hand no dried-on residues can form, since the writing liquid itself detaches these possibly dried-on particles again.

Zum Füllen des Tintenspaltes ist es allein notwendig, z. B. den Tintenkopf in eine Parkposition zu bringen und dann durch erneute Betätigung der Tintenschreibdüsen diesen Spalt zu füllen.To fill the ink gap, it is only necessary, for. B. bring the ink head into a parking position and then fill this gap by actuating the ink writing nozzles again.

Der Spalt kann dabei in seiner Breite und seinem Abstand zum Schreibkopf so dimensioniert sein, daß Kapillarwirkung auftritt, so daß sich die Schreibflüssigkeit selbst in dem Spalt hält.The gap and its distance from the writing head can be dimensioned such that capillary action occurs, so that the writing fluid remains in the gap.

Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung wird das zum Entfernen der Schreibflüssigkeit aus dem Spalt benützte Abstreifelement dazu verwendet, die Tintenaustrittsdüsen abzudecken.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the wiping element used to remove the writing liquid from the gap is used to cover the ink outlet nozzles.

Das Abdeckelement und das Abstreifelement können dabei dem Schreibkopf zugeordnet sein und von einer auf dem Schreibkopf angeordneten motorischen Einrichtung betätigt werden oder aber das Abdeck- und Abstreifelement ist außerhalb der Schreibwalze in einer Parkposition des Schreibkopfes angeordnet und wird von einer gesonderten Betätigungseinrichtung betätigt.The cover element and the stripping element can be assigned to the writing head and actuated by a motor device arranged on the writing head, or the covering and stripping element is arranged outside the platen in a parking position of the writing head and is actuated by a separate actuating device.

Bei einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung weist das Abdeck- und Abstreifelement ein Abdeckkissen auf, das aus einem feinmaschigen, kapillar wirkenden Gewebe besteht. Zum Abdichten wird das Kissen vor die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen gebracht, wo es sich durch Kapillarwirkung aus den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen mit Tinte vollsaugt und so über einen Feuchtigkeitsfilm die Austrittsöffnungen verschließt.In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the covering and stripping element has a covering cushion which consists of a fine-mesh, capillary-acting fabric. To seal the pillow is in front of the Brought ink outlet openings, where it soaks up with ink by capillary action from the ink outlet openings and thus closes the outlet openings via a moisture film.

Das Abdeckkissen kann dabei selbst als Abstreifelement wirken. Eine zusätzliche mechanische Spaltbildung und gesondertes Auffüllen des Spaltes mit Tinte durch Druckerhöhung im Tintensystem kann entfallen.The cover cushion itself can act as a wiping element. An additional mechanical gap formation and separate filling of the gap with ink by increasing the pressure in the ink system can be omitted.

Die Erfindung ist für sämtliche Tintenschreibköpfe brauchbar die nach dem Unterdruckprinzip arbeiten, seien es nun Tintenschreibköpfe mit piezoelektrischem Antrieb oder Tintenschreibköpfe mit elektrothermischen Wandlern.The invention can be used for all ink-writing heads that work according to the vacuum principle, be it ink-writing heads with piezoelectric drive or ink-writing heads with electrothermal transducers.

Eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist in den Zeichnungen dargestellt und wird im folgenden beispielsweise näher beschrieben. Es zeigen

  • Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung des Tintenaustrittsbereiches eines Tintenschreibkopfes, bei dem die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen durch Schreibflüssigkeit abgedeckt sind.
  • Fig. 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung desselben Tintenschreibkopfes beim Reinigungsvorgang und
  • Fig. 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Tintenschreibkopfes auf einem Schreibwagen und die zugehörige, die Abdichtungs- und Reinigungsvorrichtung betätigende Einrichtung.
An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below, for example. Show it
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the ink outlet area of an ink writing head, in which the ink outlet openings are covered by writing fluid.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the same ink writing head during the cleaning process and
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the ink writing head on a writing carriage and the associated device that actuates the sealing and cleaning device.

Ein hier nicht im einzelnen dargestellter Tintenschreibkopf 1 der sowohl Piezowandler als auch elektrothermische Wandler enthalten kann, ist auf einem Druckerwagen 2 einer Tintendruckeinrichtung entlang von Führungsschienen 3 motorisch verschieblich gelagert. Auf dem Druckerwagen 2 ist weiterhin ein auswechselbarer Tintenvorratsbehälter 4 angeordnet und zwar etwas unterhalb des Tintenschreibkopfes 1 um dadurch in dem Tintenschreibkopf 1 einen gewissen statischen Unterdruck zu erzeugen.An ink writing head 1, which is not shown here in detail and which can contain both piezo transducers and electrothermal transducers, is mounted on a printer carriage 2 of an ink printing device along guide rails 3 so that it can be moved by a motor. An exchangeable ink reservoir 4 is also arranged on the printer carriage 2, to be precise somewhat below the ink writing head 1, in order thereby to generate a certain static negative pressure in the ink writing head 1.

Dem Tintenschreibkopf 1 zugeordnet ist eine Vorrichtung zum Abdichten und Reinigen der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen, die aus einem Abdeckelement 5 und einem zugeordneten Abstreifelement 6 besteht. Das Abstreifelement kann zusammen mit dem Abdeckelement über eine elektromotorische Einrichtung 7 über die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen des Schreibkopfes bewegt werden.Associated with the ink writing head 1 is a device for sealing and cleaning the ink outlet openings, which consists of a cover element 5 and an associated stripping element 6. The wiping element can be moved together with the cover element via an electromotive device 7 via the ink outlet openings of the write head.

In einem ersten in Fig. 1 dargestellten Betriebszustand, bei dem entsprechend der Fig. 3 der Tintenschreibkopf mit dem Druckerwagen 2 in eine seitliche Parkposition neben der hier nicht dargestellten Schreibwalze transportiert wurde, befindet sich das Abstreifelement 6 in einem engen Abstand a vor den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen 8 des Tintenschreibkopfes 1 mit Tintenversorgungskanälen 9. Das Abdeckelement 5 deckt dabei den gesamten Austrittsbereich der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen 8 ab, wobei der Abstand a zu den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen 8 entsprechend der Breite eines aus elastischem Werkstoff bestehenden Abstreifelementes 6 bemessen ist. Das Abdeckelement 5 bildet mit einer die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen 8 aufnehmenden Düsenplatte 10 einen Spalt 11. Im oberen Teil des Abdeckelementes 5 ist außerdem ein Entlüftungskanal 12 angeordnet. Eine Dichtungslippe 13 deckt den Spalt 11 nach unten hin ab.In a first operating state shown in FIG. 1, in which, according to FIG. 3, the ink writing head with the printer carriage 2 has been transported into a lateral parking position next to the platen roller (not shown here), the stripping element 6 is located at a narrow distance a in front of the ink outlet openings 8 of the ink writing head 1 with ink supply channels 9. The cover element 5 covers the entire outlet area of the ink outlet openings 8, the distance a to the ink outlet openings 8 being dimensioned in accordance with the width of a wiping element 6 made of elastic material. The cover element 5 forms a gap 11 with a nozzle plate 10 receiving the ink outlet openings 8. In addition, a ventilation channel 12 is arranged in the upper part of the cover element 5. A sealing lip 13 covers the gap 11 downwards.

Die Funktion der Vorrichtung ist dabei wie folgt : Nachdem entsprechend der Figur 3 der Tintenschreibkopf in Parkposition gebracht worden ist, kommt die Düsenplatte 10 im Abstand a vor das Abdeckelement zu liegen. Nunmehr wird über die zentrale Druckersteuereinrichtung der Tintenschreibkopf aktiviert und zwar sämtliche Wandlerelemente im Schreibkopf, womit sich der Spalt 11 mit Tinte 19 füllt. Durch den engen Spalt in Verbindung mit der Dichtungslippe 13 kann keine Tinte aus dem Spalt 11 austreten, die Schreibflüssigkeit selbst sorgt für die entsprechende Abdichtung an den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen 8. Der Entlüftungskanal 12 erleichtert das Füllen des Spaltes 11. Da nur ein ganz geringer Bereich der Tinte bzw. des mit Tinte gefüllten Spaltes 11 der Luft ausgesetzt ist, kann es praktisch zu keinem Eintrocknen der Tinte im Bereich des Spaltes kommen. Dies auch bei längerer Nichtinbetriebnahme des Druckers.The function of the device is as follows: After the ink writing head has been brought into the parking position in accordance with FIG. 3, the nozzle plate 10 comes to lie at a distance a in front of the cover element. The ink writing head is now activated via the central printer control device, namely all transducer elements in the writing head, with which the gap 11 fills with ink 19. Due to the narrow gap in connection with the sealing lip 13, no ink can escape from the gap 11, the writing liquid itself ensures the appropriate sealing at the ink outlet openings 8. The ventilation channel 12 facilitates the filling of the gap 11. Since only a very small area of the ink or the gap 11 filled with ink is exposed to the air, there can be practically no drying of the ink in the area of the gap. Even if the printer has not been used for a long time.

Vor Inbetriebnahme des Druckers wird über die elektromotorische Einrichtung 7 mit Hilfe eines Noppens 14 das in einer Führung 15 geführte Abdeck- und Abstreifelement entsprechend der Pfeilrichtung nach unten bewegt. Dabei überstreift das Abstreifelement 6, das aus einem elastischen Werkstoff bestehen kann, die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen und streift damit die in dem Spalt 11 befindliche Tinte ab. Die Dichtungslippe 13 die z. B. aus einem elastischen Kunststoff bestehen kann, entfernt dabei die Tinte am Abstreifelement 6. Dabei wirkt beim Abstreifen auf das Abstreifelement eine Kraft F.Before the printer is started up, the covering and stripping element guided in a guide 15 is moved downward via the electromotive device 7 with the aid of a knob 14. The wiping element 6, which can be made of an elastic material, slides over the ink outlet openings and thus wipes off the ink in the gap 11. The sealing lip 13 which, for. B. can consist of an elastic plastic, thereby removes the ink on the stripping element 6. A force F acts on the stripping element when stripping.

Bei sehr langer Unterbrechung des Schreibbetriebes ist es auch möglich, anstelle des Tintenfilmes das Abdeckelement entsprechend der Darstellung der Fig. 2 vor den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen ruhen zu lassen und damit die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen durch das Abstreifelement abzudecken. Vor der erneuten Aufnahme des Druckerbetriebes ist es allein notwendig, den vorher beschriebenen Spülvorgang zu wiederholen.If the writing operation is interrupted for a very long time, it is also possible, instead of the ink film, to let the cover element rest in front of the ink outlet openings as shown in FIG. 2 and thus cover the ink outlet openings by the stripping element. Before restarting the printer operation, it is only necessary to repeat the previously described flushing process.

Die beim Abstreifen aus dem Spalt 11 verdrängte Tinte 19 wird durch die Dichtungslippe 13 abgestreift und durch eine entsprechende Resttintenauffangeinrichtung 18 aufgefangen.The ink 19, which is displaced from the gap 11 when wiped off, is wiped off by the sealing lip 13 and collected by a corresponding residual ink collecting device 18.

Anstelle der in Fig. 3 dargestellten Betätigungseinrichtung, ist es auch möglich das Abstreif- und Abdeckelement mit einer Einrichtung entsprechend der deutschen Offenlegungsschrift 32 07 072 zu bewegen, die dem Tintenschreibkopf unmittelbar zugeordnet ist. Ein Überwischen der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen kann dabei sowohl horizontal als auch vertikal erfolgen.Instead of the actuating device shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to move the stripping and covering element with a device in accordance with German Offenlegungsschrift 32 07 072, which is directly associated with the ink writing head. The ink outlet openings can be wiped over both horizontally and vertically.

Bei einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung, die von der Struktur- her etwa der der Fig. 1 und 2 entspricht, besteht das Abstreifelement 5 mit der Wandstärke a aus einem Filtergewebe bzw. einem Edelstahlgewebe von beispielsweise 0,1-0,2 mm Dicke und einer Maschenweite von 30 wm. Zum Abdichten der Tintenaustrittsöffnungen 8 wird das als Abdeckkissen ausgebildete Abdeckelement 6 vor die Tintenaustrittsöffnungen geschoben, wo es durch Kapillarwirkung Tinte 19 aus den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen saugt. Dadurch bildet sich vor den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen ein Feuchtfilm, der die eigentliche Abdichtung bewirkt. Damit entfällt eine mechanische Spaltbildung über das Abdeckelement 5, da das sogenannte Abstreifelement 6 selbst als Abdeckelement (Abdichtkissen) wirkt. Das Abdeckelement 5 stützt sich also über das Abdeckkissen auf den Tintenaustrittsöffnungen 8 ab. Eine zusätzliche Spaltbildung über das Abdeckelement 5 ist nicht mehr notwendig.In one embodiment of the invention, which corresponds structurally to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, the stripping element 5 with the wall thickness a consists of a filter fabric or a stainless steel mesh of 0.1-0.2 mm thickness and one, for example Mesh size of 30 wm. To seal the ink outlet openings 8, the cover is designed as a cover cushion ment 6 pushed in front of the ink outlet openings, where it sucks ink 19 from the ink outlet openings by capillary action. This forms a wet film in front of the ink outlet openings, which effects the actual sealing. This eliminates the mechanical formation of gaps over the cover element 5, since the so-called stripping element 6 itself acts as a cover element (sealing cushion). The cover element 5 is thus supported on the ink outlet openings 8 via the cover cushion. An additional gap formation over the cover element 5 is no longer necessary.

Claims (9)

1. Method of sealing and cleaning the ink outlet orifices (8) of an ink writing head (1) of an ink printer, using a covering and wiping element (5 and 6), covering the ink outlet orifices (8), characterized by the following method steps :
- by relative movement between ink writing head (1) and covering element (5), the ink outlet orifices (8) are covered by the covering element (5) at a distance forming a gap (11),
- the gap (11) is filled with writing fluid via the ink outlet orifices (8) and
- the writing fluid (19) in the gap (11) is removed by a wiping movement of the wiping element (6).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, after removal of the writing fluid (19) in the gap (11), the wiping element (6) moves up against the ink outlet orifices (8) and seals them.
3. Device for carrying out the method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the covering and wiping elements (5 and 6) and the ink writing head (1) are mounted displaceably with respect to each other in such a way that, in a first operating state, the covering element (5) alone covers the outlet orifices (8) at a distance forming a gap (11), the gap (11) then being filled with writing fluid (19) via the ink outlet orifices (8) and in that then, in a second operating state, the wiping element (6) wipes over the ink outlet orifices (8) and thereby removes the writing fluid (19) in the gap (11).
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the wiping element (6) and the covering element (5) are arranged one above the other, the covering element (5) projecting above the element. to be sealed and wiped off (6) and thus covering the ink outlet orifices (8) with gap formation (11).
5. Device for carrying out the method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the covering and wiping elements (5, 6) have a covering pad of porous material, which can be brought in front of the outlet orifices (8) for sealing and which preferably absorbs writing fluid (19) via the outlet orifices (8) by capillary action and thus seals the outlet orifices (8) via a liquid film.
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the covering pad consists of a close- meshed filter or gauze.
7. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the elements (5, 6) are interconnected and can be actuated via a common electromotive actuating device (7).
8. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a wiping and sealing lip (13) of flexible material, projecting above the ink outlet surface, is arranged on the ink writing head (1).
9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the covering element (5) has a venting channel (12).
EP87901342A 1986-02-25 1987-02-20 Method and device for sealing and cleaning the ink outlet orifices of an ink writing head Expired - Lifetime EP0257068B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3606031 1986-02-25
DE3606031 1986-02-25

Publications (2)

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EP0257068A1 EP0257068A1 (en) 1988-03-02
EP0257068B1 true EP0257068B1 (en) 1990-03-07

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EP87901342A Expired - Lifetime EP0257068B1 (en) 1986-02-25 1987-02-20 Method and device for sealing and cleaning the ink outlet orifices of an ink writing head

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US (1) US4855764A (en)
EP (1) EP0257068B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS63502573A (en)
DE (1) DE3761805D1 (en)
WO (1) WO1987004979A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1987004979A1 (en) 1987-08-27
JPS63502573A (en) 1988-09-29
EP0257068A1 (en) 1988-03-02
DE3761805D1 (en) 1990-04-12
US4855764A (en) 1989-08-08

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