EP0062353B1 - Liquid droplets recording device - Google Patents

Liquid droplets recording device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0062353B1
EP0062353B1 EP82102955A EP82102955A EP0062353B1 EP 0062353 B1 EP0062353 B1 EP 0062353B1 EP 82102955 A EP82102955 A EP 82102955A EP 82102955 A EP82102955 A EP 82102955A EP 0062353 B1 EP0062353 B1 EP 0062353B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
recording device
nozzles
inlet opening
inlet
outlet opening
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
Application number
EP82102955A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0062353A1 (en
Inventor
Jan Bolmgren
Bertil Dr. Hoek
Kenth Dipl.-Ing. Nilsson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Siemens Elema AB
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Siemens Elema AB
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG, Siemens Elema AB filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP0062353A1 publication Critical patent/EP0062353A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0062353B1 publication Critical patent/EP0062353B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
    • B41J2/14282—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements of cantilever type
    • 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
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2002/14475—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads characterised by nozzle shapes or number of orifices per chamber

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a writing device working with liquid droplets for the point-by-point recording of analog courses or alphanumeric characters as well as images, whereby for writing the individual points there are nozzles arranged in rows in a common carrier with a large-area inlet opening and, relative thereto, a small, essentially point-shaped outlet opening an equal number of piezoelectric transducers lying parallel to one another are arranged in the inlet openings and the transducers are contacted such that writing fluid is ejected from the nozzle in the event of electrical voltage changes due to the piezoelectric movements generated and is applied to a recording medium arranged in front of the outlet opening of the nozzles.
  • Such a writing instrument is known from DE-OS 25 27 647.
  • the piezoelectric transducers generate a flow velocity of the ink in the area immediately in front of each transducer.
  • this speed would not be sufficient for an ink droplet to clear the surface of an opening in the carrier and leave it.
  • a sufficient speed can only be obtained by using nozzles as speed-transforming elements.
  • the area ratio between the inlet and outlet opening of the nozzles is decisive for the speed transformation.
  • the transformation factor is at most equal to this ratio.
  • the transformation factor is, however, in practice due to energy losses, e.g. B. reduced by turbulence of the ink flow.
  • the energy losses are influenced by the shape of the nozzles.
  • the nozzles are conical in the subject of DE-OS 25 27 647 and have a circular cross section.
  • the smaller outlet opening has a diameter of approx. 50 wm so that a suitable droplet volume is obtained.
  • the larger inlet opening has a diameter of at least 150 ⁇ m if an increase in ink flow speed by a factor of 9 is required.
  • the nozzles In order to get a clear tender, the nozzles must be placed close together. If the distance between each nozzle z. B. should be 250 j.Lm, it is very complicated and therefore expensive to maintain the appropriate diameter of the inlet opening of the nozzles.
  • the piezoelectric transducers must lie very close to one another, since they are intended to cover the inlet opening of the nozzles.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a writing instrument of the type mentioned, in which the inlet openings of the nozzles can be kept large in a structurally simple manner, without sacrificing the close mutual distance between the nozzles. Good hydraulic separation of the nozzles should also be provided.
  • the inlet opening has a preferably elongated cross-sectional shape which deviates from the circular shape and, with its longitudinal extension, extends essentially transversely to the direction of the row of nozzles. Because of the elongated shape of the inlet opening, the inlet surface can be kept large even when the nozzles are closely spaced from one another. Furthermore, the distance from one edge of one nozzle to the opposite edge of the adjacent nozzle is relatively large. This makes the manufacture of the carrier with the nozzles easier and cheaper. Furthermore, good hydraulic separation of the nozzles has been achieved, which allows a high writing speed.
  • FIG. 3 shows the outer basic structure of a known writing instrument.
  • the record carrier 3, z. B normal registration paper, pulled in the direction of arrow 4 over a spacer 5 on the side 6 of the housing 7.
  • the connecting line 8 is guided, which is provided at its free end with a plug 9 for connection to a control device, not shown, which supplies the control signals for recording the desired courses, characters or images.
  • the side 6 is the side of a carrier 10 which has a number of conical nozzles 11 arranged next to one another in such a way that the nozzle inlet opening 12 for the ink present in the housing 7 is larger than the nozzle outlet opening 13.
  • rods or transducers 14 made of piezoelectric material in the housing 7, which are contacted and arranged in such a way that they are in the form of a writing liquid with appropriate electrical control Spray droplets out of the nozzle 11.
  • the piezo comb consisting of the transducer 14 and the comb back 15 is arranged parallel to the plane of the carrier 10.
  • the free end area of the individual transducers 14 is located in front of the individual nozzles 11 of the row of nozzles.
  • the comb back 15 is screwed with a fastening screw set 16 onto the carrier 10 receiving the row of nozzles.
  • the inlet openings 12 of the nozzles 11 which are arranged in series are arranged very closely next to one another, which makes the manufacture considerably more difficult. As a result, there is only poor hydraulic separation of the nozzles 11. It is also shown that the transducers must be attached very closely to one another in order to cover the nozzle inlet openings 12.
  • the inlet opening 17 of a nozzle 18 has an elongated cross-sectional shape that deviates from the circular shape and extends with its longitudinal extension transverse to the direction of the row of nozzles. It can be seen from the figure that the transverse extent of the inlet opening 17 corresponds to that of the outlet opening 19.
  • the ratio of the areas of inlet opening 17 to outlet opening 19 is preferably 10: 1.
  • the inlet opening is substantially rectangular, the corners being rounded.
  • the transverse extent of the inlet opening 17 is at least one factor 1.5 smaller than the nozzle spacing in a row. Because of the inventive design of the inlet openings 17 of the nozzles, the distance from one edge to the opposite edge of an adjacent nozzle is relatively large.
  • the inlet area of the nozzles can be kept large despite the nozzle spacing being maintained. Because of the shape of the inlet opening, the distance between adjacent transducers 14 increases while the nozzle distance remains the same, which simplifies production and reduces the mechanical coupling.
  • Fig. 2 it is shown in more detail that the connecting edge surface 20 between the inlet opening 17 and outlet opening 19 funnel-shaped, z. B. is exponential. Because of this shape, the energy losses, e.g. B. generated due to turbulence in the ink flow, largely avoided.
  • the angle of the funnel surface is also selected such that total reflection of a pressure wave applied to the inlet opening 17 is avoided during operation.
  • the shape of the transducers can be adapted to these surfaces. This increases the distance between adjacent transducers, which essentially simplifies production.

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  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein mit Flüssigkeitströpfchen arbeitendes Schreibgerät zur punktweisen Aufzeichnung analoger Verläufe oder alphanumerischer Zeichen sowie von Bildern, wobei zum Schreiben der einzelnen Punkte reihenweise in einem gemeinsamen Träger angeordnete Düsen mit grossflächiger Eintrittsöffnung und relativ dazu kleiner, im wesentlichen punktförmiger Austrittsöffnung vorhanden sind, wobei vor den Eintrittsöffnungen eine gleiche Anzahl parallel zueinander liegende piezoelektrische Wandler angeordnet und die Kontaktierung der Wandler so vorgenommen ist, dass bei elektrischen Spannungsänderungen durch die erzeugten piezoelektrischen Bewegungen Schreibflüssigkeit aus der Düse herausgestossen und auf einen vor der Austrittsöffnung der Düsen angeordneten Aufzeichnungsträger aufgebracht wird.The invention relates to a writing device working with liquid droplets for the point-by-point recording of analog courses or alphanumeric characters as well as images, whereby for writing the individual points there are nozzles arranged in rows in a common carrier with a large-area inlet opening and, relative thereto, a small, essentially point-shaped outlet opening an equal number of piezoelectric transducers lying parallel to one another are arranged in the inlet openings and the transducers are contacted such that writing fluid is ejected from the nozzle in the event of electrical voltage changes due to the piezoelectric movements generated and is applied to a recording medium arranged in front of the outlet opening of the nozzles.

Ein solches Schreibgerät ist durch die DE-OS 25 27 647 bekannt. Bei einem derartigen Schreibgerät erzeugen die piezoelektrischen Wandler eine Flussgeschwindigkeit der Tinte im Bereich unmittelbar vor jedem Wandler. Diese Geschwindigkeit wäre aber nicht ausreichend, damit ein Tintentröpfchen sich von der Oberfläche einer Öffnung im Träger freimacht und diese verlässt. Erst durch Verwendung von Düsen als geschwindigkeitstransformierende Elemente ergibt sich eine ausreichende Geschwindigkeit.Such a writing instrument is known from DE-OS 25 27 647. In such a writing instrument, the piezoelectric transducers generate a flow velocity of the ink in the area immediately in front of each transducer. However, this speed would not be sufficient for an ink droplet to clear the surface of an opening in the carrier and leave it. A sufficient speed can only be obtained by using nozzles as speed-transforming elements.

Entscheidend für die Geschwindigkeitstransformation ist das Flächenverhältnis zwischen Eintritts- und Austrittsöffnung der Düsen. Der Transformationsfaktor wird maximal gleich diesem Verhöltnis. Der Transformationsfaktor wird jedoch in der Praxis aufgrund von Energieverlusten, z. B. durch Turbulenz des Tintenflusses, reduziert. Die Energieverluste werden von der Form der Düsen beeinflusst.The area ratio between the inlet and outlet opening of the nozzles is decisive for the speed transformation. The transformation factor is at most equal to this ratio. The transformation factor is, however, in practice due to energy losses, e.g. B. reduced by turbulence of the ink flow. The energy losses are influenced by the shape of the nozzles.

Die Düsen sind beim Gegenstand der DE-OS 25 27 647 konisch ausgebildet und weisen einen kreisrunden Querschnitt auf. Die kleinere Austrittsöffnung hat einen Durchmesser von ca. 50 wm, damit ein geeignetes Tröpfchenvolumen erhalten wird. Die grössere Eintrittsöffnung weist einen Durchmesser von mindestens 150 µm auf, wenn eine Geschwindigkeitserhöhung des Tintenflusses um einen Faktor 9 gefordert wird. Um einen deutlichen Ausschrieb zu erhalten, müssen die Düsen eng nebeneinander angebracht sein. Wenn der Abstand zwischen jeder Düse z. B. 250 j.Lm betragen soll, ist es sehr kompliziert und daher auch teuer, den geeigneten Durchmesser der Eintrittsöffnung der Düsen einzuhalten. Ausserdem müssen die piezoelektrischen Wandler sehr eng aneinanderliegen, da sie die Eintrittsöffnung der Düsen abdecken sollen. Auch das ist praktisch schwer durchzuführen. Ferner ergibt das enge Nebeneinanderliegen der Düseneintrittsöffnungen eine störende hydraulische Kopplung zwischen den Düsen, weswegen die Schreibgeschwindigkeit für ein deutliches Schriftbild stark vermindert werden muss, d. h. der zeitliche Abstand zwischen dem Aktivieren zweier benachbarter Wandler muss verlängert werden.The nozzles are conical in the subject of DE-OS 25 27 647 and have a circular cross section. The smaller outlet opening has a diameter of approx. 50 wm so that a suitable droplet volume is obtained. The larger inlet opening has a diameter of at least 150 µm if an increase in ink flow speed by a factor of 9 is required. In order to get a clear tender, the nozzles must be placed close together. If the distance between each nozzle z. B. should be 250 j.Lm, it is very complicated and therefore expensive to maintain the appropriate diameter of the inlet opening of the nozzles. In addition, the piezoelectric transducers must lie very close to one another, since they are intended to cover the inlet opening of the nozzles. This is also practically difficult to do. Furthermore, the close juxtaposition of the nozzle inlet openings results in a disruptive hydraulic coupling between the nozzles, which is why the writing speed must be greatly reduced for a clear typeface, i. H. the time interval between the activation of two adjacent converters must be extended.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Schreibgerät der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, bei dem die Eintrittsöffnungen der Düsen in einer konstruktiv einfachen Art gross gehalten werden können, ohne auf den engen gegenseitigen Abstand der Düsen zu verzichten. Ferner soll eine gute hydraulische Trennung der Düsen gegeben sein.The invention has for its object to provide a writing instrument of the type mentioned, in which the inlet openings of the nozzles can be kept large in a structurally simple manner, without sacrificing the close mutual distance between the nozzles. Good hydraulic separation of the nozzles should also be provided.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäss dadurch gelöst, dass die Eintrittsöffnung eine von der Kreisform abweichende, vorzugsweise langgestreckte Querschnittsform aufweist und mit ihrer Längsausdehnung im wesentlichen quer zur Richtung der Düsenreihe verläuft. Wegen der langgestreckten Form der Eintrittsöffnung kann die Eintrittsfläche auch bei gegenseitig engem Abstand der Düsen gross gehalten werden. Ferner ist der Abstand von der einen Kante einer Düse zur gegenüberliegenden Kante der benachbarten Düse verhältnismässig gross. Damit ist die Herstellung des Trägers mit den Düsen einfacher und billiger. Ferner ist dadurch eine gute hydraulische Trennung der Düsen erzielt worden, was eine hohe Schreibgeschwindigkeit zulässt.According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the inlet opening has a preferably elongated cross-sectional shape which deviates from the circular shape and, with its longitudinal extension, extends essentially transversely to the direction of the row of nozzles. Because of the elongated shape of the inlet opening, the inlet surface can be kept large even when the nozzles are closely spaced from one another. Furthermore, the distance from one edge of one nozzle to the opposite edge of the adjacent nozzle is relatively large. This makes the manufacture of the carrier with the nozzles easier and cheaper. Furthermore, good hydraulic separation of the nozzles has been achieved, which allows a high writing speed.

Weitere Vorteile und Einzelheiten der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen.Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

Die Erfindung ist nachfolgend anhand eines in den Figuren dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert. Es zeigen :

  • Figur 1 eine Draufsicht auf Eintrittsöffnungen erfindungsgemässer Düsen,
  • Figur 2 einen Schnitt durch eine Düse gemäss Schnittlinie 11-11 von Fig. 1,
  • Figur 3 eine schematische Ansicht eines Schreibgerätes,
  • Figur 4 eine Seitenansicht eines als Biegeschwinger arbeitenden piezoelektrischen Wandlers, und
  • Figur 5 eine Draufsicht auf eine kammartig ausgebildete piezoelektrische Wandleranordnung mit zugeordneten Düsen der bekannten Art nach Fig.4.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the figures. Show it :
  • FIG. 1 shows a top view of inlet openings of nozzles according to the invention,
  • 2 shows a section through a nozzle according to section line 11-11 of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a writing instrument,
  • FIG. 4 shows a side view of a piezoelectric transducer working as a bending oscillator, and
  • 5 shows a plan view of a comb-shaped piezoelectric transducer arrangement with associated nozzles of the known type according to FIG.

Aus Fig. 3 ist der äussere Prinzipaufbau eines bekannten Schreibgerätes ersichtlich. Über die Transportrollen 1 und 2 wird der Aufzeichnungsträger 3, z. B, normales Registrierpapier, in Richtung des Pfeiles 4 über einen Abstandhalter 5 an der Seite 6 des Gehäuses 7 vorbeigezogen. In das Gehäuse 7 ist die Anschlussleitung 8 geführt, die an ihrem freien Ende mit einem Stecker 9 zum Anschluss an ein nicht dargestelltes Steuergerät versehen ist, das die Steuersignale für die Aufzeichnung der gewünschten Verläufe, Zeichen oder Bilder liefert.3 shows the outer basic structure of a known writing instrument. About the transport rollers 1 and 2, the record carrier 3, z. B, normal registration paper, pulled in the direction of arrow 4 over a spacer 5 on the side 6 of the housing 7. In the housing 7, the connecting line 8 is guided, which is provided at its free end with a plug 9 for connection to a control device, not shown, which supplies the control signals for recording the desired courses, characters or images.

In Fig. 4 ist dargestellt, wie die Seite 6 parallel zum Aufzeichnungsträger 3 angebracht ist. Die Seite 6 ist die Seite eines Trägers 10, der eine Anzahl in einer Reihe nebeneinander angeordnete konusförmige Düsen 11 aufweist derart, dass die Düseneintrittsöffnung 12 für die im Gehäuse 7 vorhandene Tinte grösser ist als die Düsenaustrittsöffnung 13. Ausser der Schreibflüssigkeit sind im Gehäuse 7 Stäbe oder Wandler 14 aus piezoelektrischem Material vorhanden, die derart kontaktiert und angeordnet sind, dass sie bei entsprechender elektrischer Ansteuerung Schreibflüssigkeit in Form eines Tröpfchens aus der Düse 11 spritzen.4 shows how the side 6 is attached parallel to the recording medium 3. The side 6 is the side of a carrier 10 which has a number of conical nozzles 11 arranged next to one another in such a way that the nozzle inlet opening 12 for the ink present in the housing 7 is larger than the nozzle outlet opening 13. In addition to the writing liquid, there are rods or transducers 14 made of piezoelectric material in the housing 7, which are contacted and arranged in such a way that they are in the form of a writing liquid with appropriate electrical control Spray droplets out of the nozzle 11.

Die Wandler 14, die als Zähne eines Kammes ausgebildet sind (Fig. 5), arbeiten als Biegeschwinger. Dabei ist der aus dem Wandler 14 und dem Kammrücken 15 bestehende Piezokamm parallel zur Ebene des Trägers 10 angeordnet. Der freie Endbereich der einzelnen Wandler 14 befindet sich vor den einzelnen Düsen 11 der Düsenreihe. Der Kammrücken 15 ist mit einem Befestigungsschraubsatz 16 auf dem die Düsenreihe aufnehmenden Träger 10 angeschraubt. Bei Anlegen von elektrischer Spannung an die Kontaktierungen eines Wandlers 14 bewegt sich dieser in die in Fig. 4 gestrichelt dargestellte Position. Bei einer Unterbrechung der angelegten Spannung schnellt er zurück in die nicht gebogene, mit durchgezogenen Linien gezeichnete Stellung und drückt dabei ein Tröpfchen Schreibflüssigkeit durch die Düse 11.The transducers 14, which are designed as teeth of a comb (FIG. 5), work as a bending oscillator. The piezo comb consisting of the transducer 14 and the comb back 15 is arranged parallel to the plane of the carrier 10. The free end area of the individual transducers 14 is located in front of the individual nozzles 11 of the row of nozzles. The comb back 15 is screwed with a fastening screw set 16 onto the carrier 10 receiving the row of nozzles. When electrical voltage is applied to the contacts of a transducer 14, it moves into the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4. If the applied voltage is interrupted, it snaps back into the non-curved position drawn with solid lines and presses a droplet of writing fluid through the nozzle 11.

Wie aus Fig. 5 ersichtlich, sind die in Reihe angebrachten Eintrittsöffnungen 12 der Düsen 11 sehr eng nebeneinander angebracht, was die Herstellung erheblich erschwert. Dadurch ist nur eine schlechte hydraulische Trennung der Düsen 11 vorhanden. Ferner ist dargestellt, dass die Wandler sehr eng aneinander angebracht werden müssen, um die Düseneintrittsöffnungen 12 zu decken.As can be seen from FIG. 5, the inlet openings 12 of the nozzles 11 which are arranged in series are arranged very closely next to one another, which makes the manufacture considerably more difficult. As a result, there is only poor hydraulic separation of the nozzles 11. It is also shown that the transducers must be attached very closely to one another in order to cover the nozzle inlet openings 12.

In Fig. 1 ist dargestellt, dass die Eintrittsöffnung 17 einer erfindungsgemässen Düse 18 eine von der Kreisform abweichende, langgestreckte Querschnittsform aufweist und mit ihrer Längsausdehnung quer zur Richtung der Düsenreihe verläuft. Aus der Figur ist ersichtlich, dass die Querausdehnung der Eintrittsöffnung 17 derjenigen der Austrittsöffnung 19 entspricht. Das Verhältnis der Flächen von Eintrittsöffnung 17 aus Austrittsöffnung 19 beträgt vorzugsweise 10 : 1. Die Eintrittsöffnung ist im wesentlichen rechteckförmig, wobei die Ecken abgerundet sind. Die Querausdehnung der Eintrittsöffnung 17 ist um mindestens einen Factor 1,5 kleiner als der Düsenabstand in einer Reihe. Wegen der erfindungsgemässen Ausbildung der Eintrittsöffnungen 17 der Düsen ist der Abstand von einer Kante zur gegenüberliegenden Kante einer benachbarten Düse verhältnismässig gross. Die Eintrittsfläche der Düsen kann aber trotz beibehaltenem Düsenabstand gross gehalten werden. Wegen der Form der Eintrittsöffnung vergrössert sich der Abstand zwischen benachbarten Wandlern 14 bei gleichbleibendem Düsenabstand, wodurch die Herstellung vereinfacht und die mechanische Kopplung verringert wird.1 shows that the inlet opening 17 of a nozzle 18 according to the invention has an elongated cross-sectional shape that deviates from the circular shape and extends with its longitudinal extension transverse to the direction of the row of nozzles. It can be seen from the figure that the transverse extent of the inlet opening 17 corresponds to that of the outlet opening 19. The ratio of the areas of inlet opening 17 to outlet opening 19 is preferably 10: 1. The inlet opening is substantially rectangular, the corners being rounded. The transverse extent of the inlet opening 17 is at least one factor 1.5 smaller than the nozzle spacing in a row. Because of the inventive design of the inlet openings 17 of the nozzles, the distance from one edge to the opposite edge of an adjacent nozzle is relatively large. However, the inlet area of the nozzles can be kept large despite the nozzle spacing being maintained. Because of the shape of the inlet opening, the distance between adjacent transducers 14 increases while the nozzle distance remains the same, which simplifies production and reduces the mechanical coupling.

In Fig. 2 ist näher dargestellt, dass die Verbindungsrandfläche 20 zwischen Eintrittsöffnung 17 und Austrittsöffnung 19 trichterförmig, z. B. exponentiell ist. Wegen dieser Form werden die Energieverluste, die z. B. aufgrund von Turbulenz im Tintenfluss erzeugt werden, weitgehend vermieden. Der Winkel der Trichterfläche ist ausserdem derart gewählt, dass im Betrieb Totalreflexion einer an der Eintrittsöffnung 17 applizierten Druckwelle vermieden wird.In Fig. 2 it is shown in more detail that the connecting edge surface 20 between the inlet opening 17 and outlet opening 19 funnel-shaped, z. B. is exponential. Because of this shape, the energy losses, e.g. B. generated due to turbulence in the ink flow, largely avoided. The angle of the funnel surface is also selected such that total reflection of a pressure wave applied to the inlet opening 17 is avoided during operation.

Weiter kann bei den erfindungsgemässen, langgestreckten Düsen-Eintrittsöffnungen die Form der Wandler diesen Flächen angepasst sein. Dadurch vergrössert sich der Abstand zwischen benachbarten Wandlern, wodurch sich die Fertigung wessentlich vereinfacht.Furthermore, in the case of the elongated nozzle inlet openings according to the invention, the shape of the transducers can be adapted to these surfaces. This increases the distance between adjacent transducers, which essentially simplifies production.

Claims (8)

1. A recording device operating by means of liquid droplets for the punctiform recording of analogue patterns or alphanumerical characters, as well as pictures, wherein for the recording of the individual dots, nozzles are arranged in rows in a common carrier, which nozzles have a large- area inlet opening and a relatively smaller, basically punctiform outlet opening, and wherein the inlet openings are preceded by an equal number of piezoelectric transducers arranged parallel to one another and the contacting of the transducers is carried out in such a way that in the event of changes in electric potential as a result of the production of piezoelectric movements, printing liquid is ejected from the nozzle and applied to a data carrier arranged in front of the outlet opening of the nozzles, characterised in that the inlet opening (17) has a non-circular cross-sectional shape and is preferably elongate, the longitudinal dimension thereof running substantially transversely to the direction of the row of nozzles.
2. A recording device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transverse dimension of the inlet opening (17) corresponds to that of the outlet opening (19).
3. A recording device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the ratio of the area of the inlet opening (17) to that of the outlet opening (19) is between 5 : 1 and 25 : 1 preferably about 10 : 1.
4. A recording device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the inlet opening (17) is substantially rectangular and the corners are preferably rounded.
5. A recording device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the transverse dimension of the inlet opening (17) is smaller than the spacing between the nozzles in a row by a factor of a least 1.5.
6. A recording device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the connecting bounding surface (20) between the inlet opening and the outlet opening (17, 19) is funnel- shaped, preferably exponential.
7. A recording device according to Claim 6, characterised in that the angle of the funnel surface is so selected that, during operation, total reflection of a pressure wave applied to the inlet opening is avoided.
8. A recording device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the individual transducers (14) are adapted to the shape of the inlet area (17).
EP82102955A 1981-04-08 1982-04-06 Liquid droplets recording device Expired EP0062353B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19813114259 DE3114259A1 (en) 1981-04-08 1981-04-08 WRITING DEVICE WORKING WITH LIQUID DROPS
DE3114259 1981-04-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0062353A1 EP0062353A1 (en) 1982-10-13
EP0062353B1 true EP0062353B1 (en) 1984-08-15

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EP82102955A Expired EP0062353B1 (en) 1981-04-08 1982-04-06 Liquid droplets recording device

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US (1) US4409602A (en)
EP (1) EP0062353B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS57178768A (en)
BR (1) BR8202010A (en)
DE (2) DE3114259A1 (en)

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US4887100A (en) * 1987-01-10 1989-12-12 Am International, Inc. Droplet deposition apparatus
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US4409602A (en) 1983-10-11
BR8202010A (en) 1983-03-15
JPS57178768A (en) 1982-11-04
JPH0324342B2 (en) 1991-04-03
DE3260571D1 (en) 1984-09-20
DE3114259A1 (en) 1982-11-04
EP0062353A1 (en) 1982-10-13

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