EP0097413B1 - Tête d'impression à jet de liquide et méthode pour animer la division d'un flux liquide en sortant - Google Patents

Tête d'impression à jet de liquide et méthode pour animer la division d'un flux liquide en sortant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0097413B1
EP0097413B1 EP19830301874 EP83301874A EP0097413B1 EP 0097413 B1 EP0097413 B1 EP 0097413B1 EP 19830301874 EP19830301874 EP 19830301874 EP 83301874 A EP83301874 A EP 83301874A EP 0097413 B1 EP0097413 B1 EP 0097413B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
fluid
further characterized
fluid jet
jet print
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
EP19830301874
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0097413A1 (fr
Inventor
Hilarion Braun
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.)
Kodak Versamark Inc
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Publication date
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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
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/18—Ink recirculation systems
    • B41J2/185—Ink-collectors; Ink-catchers
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/02—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet
    • B41J2/025—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet by vibration
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/02—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet
    • B41J2/03—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet by pressure
    • 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
    • B41J2/07—Ink jet characterised by jet control
    • B41J2/105—Ink jet characterised by jet control for binary-valued deflection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid jet print head and, more particularly, to a print head and method for generating at least one stream of drops in which construction and operation of the print head are facilitated.
  • Jet drop printers and coating devices operate by generating streams of small drops of ink or coating fluid and controlling the deposit of the drops on a print receiving medium.
  • the drops are electrically charged and then deflected by an electrical field.
  • the drops are formed from fluid filaments which emerge from small orifices.
  • the orifices communicate with a fluid reservoir in which fluid is maintained under pressure.
  • it is necessary for the drops to be substantially uniform in size and in interdrop spacing within each stream. The break up of the filaments into streams of drops is facilitated by mechanical vibration of some portion or all of the print head structure in a process termed "stimulation".
  • a further approach to filament stimulation is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 4,095,232, issued June 13, 1978, to Cha.
  • stimulators mounted in the upper portion of a fluid reservoir generate pressure waves which are transmitted downward through the fluid.
  • Each stimulator includes a pair of piezoelectric crystals which vibrate in phase and which are mounted on opposite sides of a mounting plate which is coincident with a nodal plane.
  • a reaction mass is positioned at the end of each stimulator opposite the stimulation member which is coupled to the fluid. The reaction mass ensures that the nodal plane is properly positioned.
  • a print head in which a piezoelectric crystal forms one wall of a single-jet ink jet print head.
  • the piezoelectric transducer is electrically actuated, causing it to distort and thereby forcing a drop from the orifice.
  • print heads are disclosed in which a pair of piezoelectric crystals are bonded to opposite sides of a support plate.
  • a print head manifold structure is bonded to one of the piezoelectric crystals and a counterbalance is bonded to the other of the crystals.
  • the weight of the counterbalance is selected so as to offset the weight of the print head manifold.
  • a fluid jet print head for generating at least one stream of drops comprises an elongated print head body, the length of the body between first and second ends thereof being substantially greater than its other dimensions.
  • the body defines a fluid receiving reservoir in its first end and at least one orifice communicating with the fluid receiving reservoir. Fluid is supplied to the reservoir under pressure by appropriate means such that it emerges from the reservoir to form a fluid stream.
  • a transducer means is mounted on the exterior of the body and extends a substantial distance along the body in the direction of elongation from adjacent the support means toward both the first and second ends of the body. The transducer means is responsive to an electrical driving signal for changing dimension in the direction of elongation of the body, thereby causing mechanical vibration of the body and break up of the fluid stream into a stream of drops.
  • the transducer means comprises a pair of piezoelectric transducers bonded to opposite sides of the body and extending in the direction of elongation from points adjacent the first end to points adjacent the second end of the body.
  • the piezoelectric transducers provide alternate lengthening and contraction of the elongated print head body in the direction of elongation of the body.
  • the transducer means further comprises means for electrically connecting the pair of transducers in parallel, whereby the transducers operate in phase so as to produce vibration which is in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the elongated print head body.
  • a support means for the print head engages the print head body intermediate and substantially equidistant from its first and second ends.
  • the transducer means may comprise means for electrically connecting the transducers so that they operate out of phase, thus producing flexure waves.
  • the support means for the print head engages the print head body a distance from each end of the body approximately equal to .23 of the overall length of the body.
  • the support means may comprise a pair of mounting flanges, each integrally formed with the print head body, and being relatively thin.
  • the flanges extend from the elongated print head body on opposite sides thereof and are substantially equidistant from the first and second ends of the body such that they support the body along a nodal plane.
  • the support means may comprise a pair of support screws which engage the body at opposite sides thereof at points substantially equidistant from the first and second ends of the print head body.
  • the print head body includes means defining a slot in the first end thereof and orifice plate means, attached to the means defining a slot, and forming the fluid receiving reservoir therewith.
  • the orifice plate means may define a plurality of orifices for production of a plurality of drop streams.
  • the print head body may further define a fluid supply opening and a fluid outlet opening communicating with the slot.
  • the fluid jet print head may further include fluid conduit lines connected to the fluid supply opening and the fluid outlet opening.
  • the fluid conduit lines are formed of a material having a substantially different vibrational impedance than the print head body, whereby the conduit lines do not provide a substantial power loss.
  • the fluid conduit lines may, for example, be made of a polymer material.
  • the fluid jet print head is drive at a frequency approximating its mechanical resonant frequency.
  • F o aCa/L 2
  • a the transverse thickness of the print head body
  • the method for stimulating the break up of a fluid stream emanating from at least one orifice communicating with the fluid reservoir in a fluid jet print head includes the steps of:
  • the resonant frequency of the print head may be substantially equal to the resonant frequency of the fluid stream.
  • the print head may be elongated and contracted by means of piezoelectric transducers bonded to its exterior.
  • the stream may also be stimulated by operating the transducers out of phase, thereby causing flexure of the print head.
  • the print head is mounted at points which are a distance from each end which are approximately equal to .23 times the length of the print head.
  • a fluid jet print head for generating one or more streams of drops in which the print head includes an elongated body which is driven to elongate and contract in the direction of elongation of the body; to provide such a print head and method in which the print head is driven by means of thin piezoelectric transducers bonded to the print head exterior; and to provide such a print head in which support for the print head is provided in a nodal plane.
  • the present invention relates to a fluid jet print head of the type which may be used for ink jet printing, coating, textile dyeing, and other purposes.
  • such devices typically operate by electrically charging the drops in one or more jet drop streams and, thereafter, deflecting the trajectories of some of the drops by means of electrical fields.
  • fluid is typically applied to a fluid reservoir under pressure such that it then flows through one or more orifices or nozzles which communicate with the reservoir. The fluid emerges from the orifices as fluid filaments which, if left undisturbed, would break up somewhat irregularly into drops of varying size and spacing.
  • jet drop devices have typically applied mechanical stimulation in some fashion to the fluid filaments so as to cause break up of the filaments into drops of generally uniform size and spacing at a desired drop break up frequency.
  • the print head generally includes an elongated print head body 10, the length of which L, is substantially greater than its other dimensions a and b.
  • the body 10 includes an orifice plate 12 and a block of material 14.
  • the body 10 defines a fluid receiving reservoir 16 in its first end, and at least one and preferably a number of orifices 18 which are arranged in a row across orifice plate 12.
  • the orifice plate 12 is bonded to block 14 of material, such as stainless steel by means of a suitable adhesive.
  • Block 14 defines a slot 20 which, in conjunction with orifice plate 12 defines the reservoir 16.
  • the block 14 further defines a fluid supply opening 22 and a fluid outlet opening 24, both of which communicate with the slot 20.
  • the print head further includes means for supplying fluid to the reservoir 16 under pressure such that fluid emerges from the orifices 18 as fluid filaments which then break up into streams of drops.
  • This includes a pump 26 which receives fluid from a tank 28 and delivers it, via fluid conduit line 30, to the reservoir 16.
  • a conduit 32 is connected to fluid outlet 24 such that fluid may be removed from the reservoir 16 at shut down of the print head or during cross-flushing of the reservoir 16.
  • the conduits 30 and 32 are selected from among a number of materials, such as a polymeric material, which have a vibrational impedance substantially different from that of the stainless steel block 14. As a consequence, power loss through the conduits 30 and 32 and the resulting damping of the vibrations are minimized.
  • the print head further includes support means, such as mounting flanges 34.
  • Flanges 34 are relatively thin and are integrally formed with the block 14.
  • the flanges 34 extend from opposite sides of the elongated print head body 10 and are substantially equidistant from the first and second ends of the body. As a result, the flanges may be used to support the body 10 in a nodal plane. The flanges 34 are therefore not subjected to substantial vibration.
  • the print head further comprises a transducer means, including thin piezoelectric transducers 36 and 38.
  • the transducers are bonded to the exterior of the body of block 14 and extend a substantial distance along the body in the direction of elongation thereof, from adjacent the support means toward both the first and second ends of the body.
  • the transducers 36 and 38 respond to an electrical driving signal, provided by power supply 40 on line 42, by changing dimension, thereby causing mechanical vibration of the body and break up of the fluid streams into streams of drops.
  • the piezoelectric transducers 36 and 38 have electrically conductive coatings on their outer surfaces, that is the surfaces away from the print head block 14, which define a first electrode for each such transducer.
  • the metallic print head block 14 typically grounded, provides the second electrode for each of the transducers.
  • the piezoelectric transducers are selected such that when driven by an a.c. drive signal, they alternately expand and contact in the direction of elongation of the print head.
  • transducers 36 and 38 are electrically connected in parallel.
  • the transducers are oriented such that a driving signal on line 42 causes them to elongate and contract in unison. Since the transducers 36 and 38 are bonded to the block 14, they cause the block to elongate and contract, as well.
  • an additional piezoelectric transducer 44 may be bonded to one of the narrower sides of the print head to provide an electrical output potential on line 46 which fluctuates in correspondence with the elongation and contraction of the print head block 14.
  • the amplitude of the signal on line 46 is proportional to the amplitude of the mechanical vibration of the block 14.
  • the mechanism by which the first embodiment of the print head of the present invention functions may be described as follows.
  • the elongated print head body is somewhat analogous to an ordinary helical spring. If such a spring is compressed and then quickly released, it will oscillate about its center at a frequency f o , called its fundamental longitudinal resonant frequency. In this condition, both ends of the spring move toward and away from the center of the spring, while the center remains at rest. Therefore, if one fixes the center of the spring and repeats the above described operation, the spring will oscillate in the same manner at the frequency f a.
  • the steel block 14 which forms a part of the print head body can be considered to be a very stiff spring. If properly mechanically stimulated, it may therefore be held at its center, as by flanges 34, while both ends of the block 14 alternately move toward and away from the center. Since the center of the block lies in a nodal plane, the flanges 34 are not subjected to substantial vibration and the support for the print head does not interfere with its operation. As the end of the print head body 10 which defines the fluid receiving reservoir 16 is vibrated, the vibrations are transmitted to the fluid filaments which emerge from the orifices 16, thus causing substantially simultaneous uniform drop break up. Note that the reservior 16 is small in relation to the overall size of the block 14 and is centered in the end of the block. As a consequence, the reservoir 16 does not interfere significantly with the vibration of the block 14, nor affect the resonant frequency of the print head substantially.
  • the resonant frequency of the block 14 can generally be said to be given by where C is the speed of sound through the print head block 14 material, L is the length of the print head body in the direction of elongation, E is the modulus of elasticity of the material forming block 14 and p is the density of the material forming the block 14.
  • the print head is designed to operate at or near its resonant frequency, and this frequency, in turn, selected within an appropriate fluid jet stimulation frequency range, e.g., 50KHz to 100KHz.
  • the block 14 is elongated and contracted without the flexure oscillations which would otherwise result if only one such piezoelectric transducer were utilized. Additionally, the use of two piezoelectric transducers allows for a higher power input into the print head for a given voltage and, consequently, for a higher maximum power input into the print head, since only a limited voltage differential may be placed across a piezoelectric transducer without break down of the transducer.
  • E, p and L are temperature dependent and, as a consequence, the resonant frequency of the print head varies with changes in temperature.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the changes in the driving voltage applied to the transducers which are required in order to drive a single jet print head for a constant nominal filament length of 16.5x10-3" (41.9x10 -3 cm).
  • the nominal filament length is a function of both the driving voltage and the driving frequency. At any given driving frequency the nominal filament length decreases with increases in the driving voltage.
  • the print head requires a drive voltage of approximately 20 volts peak-to-peak.
  • the driving voltage When driven by an oscillator at a frequency to either side of the resonant frequency, the driving voltage must be increased substantially in order to maintain the filament length at 16.5x10- 3 " (41.9x10- 3 cm).
  • the voltage required rises approximately linearly with frequency.
  • a maximum voltage which may be applied to the piezoelectric transducers and, so long as the maximum voltage is not exceeded, the transducers may be driven on the positive slope portion of the curve of Fig. 5, or the negative slope portion of the curve.
  • the driving frequency may be varied in synchronization with fluctuations in speed of the print receiving medium upon which drops from the print head are to be deposited, thereby compensating for such fluctuations.
  • the frequency of the drive signal is monitored, however, and the voltage of the drive signal adjusted accordingly in order to compensate for the frequency shift and thereby maintain the desired fluid filament length.
  • the additional piezoelectric transducer 44 may be utilized to monitor the frequency of the drive signal and amplitude of vibration of the print head.
  • the voltage output on line 46 is plotted against the frequency of the driving signal for the maintenance of a single jet print head nominal fluid filament of a length equal to 16.5x10- 3" , (41.9x10- 3 cm); and a diameter of approximately 1x10- 3 " (2.54 X 10- 3 cm).
  • a fluid filament of a desired length can be maintained by monitoring the output voltage and frequency on line 46 and adjusting the level of the driving signal as needed to maintain the output voltage on line 46 at a reference voltage level specified by the curve of Fig. 6.
  • flanges 34 may be deleted.
  • Another arrangement, such as support screws may be provided for attaching the print head body to appropriate support structure, as long as the point or points of attachment lie substantially in the nodal plane intermediate the ends of print head body 10.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a circuit which provides a means for supplying an electrical driving signal.
  • the output of a fixed frequency oscillator 48 is supplied to transducers 36 and 38 via a voltage controlled attenuator circuit 50, a power amplifier 52 and a step-up transformer 54.
  • the output from transducer 44 on line 46 is used to control the amount of attenuation provided by circuit 50.
  • the signal on line 46 is amplified by amplifier 56, converted to a d.c. signal by converter 58, and then compared to a selected reference signal by summing circuit 60 to produce a signal on line 62 which controls the attenuation provided by circuit 50.
  • the amplitude of the driving signal on line 42 and the amplitude of the mechanical vibration of the print head are precisely controlled.
  • Fig. 8 is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention, with elements corresponding to the print head of Fig. 1 being labeled with identical reference numerals.
  • the transducers 36 and 38 are oriented on the print head body such that a positive driving signal on line 42 causes one of the transducers to elongate and the other transducer to contract, while a negative driving signal has the opposite effect.
  • a positive driving signal on line 42 causes one of the transducers to elongate and the other transducer to contract
  • a negative driving signal has the opposite effect.
  • an a.c. driving signal is supplied to line 42, the print head is caused to vibrate in its first flexure mode.
  • This vibrational mode is illustrated in Fig. 8 by medial lines 64 which, although greatly exaggerated in flexure for purposes of clarity, indicate the extent of movement of the center of the print head body 14.
  • lines 64 cross at points which are approximately .23L inward from each end of the print head body, thus indicating nodal points.
  • Mounting holes 66 are drilled into body 14 at the nodal points and a second corresponding pair of mounting holes are drilled into the opposite side of the print head body.
  • pivot supports are provided which do not interfere with flexure of the print head.
  • This flexure mode may be excited by driving the transducers at a frequency where a is approximately 1.76. This is a simplification of the resonant frequency equation where K is the radius of gyration, which for the print head illustrated equals a/2.

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

Claims (24)

1. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide pour produire au moins un courant de gouttelettes, cette tête comportant un corps de tête d'impression (10) définissant un réservoir récepteur de liquide (16) et au moins un orifice (18) communiquant avec le réservoir récepteur de liquide, des moyens (26, 28) pour introduire du liquide dans le réservoir sous pression de telle façon que le liquide sorte de l'orifice pour former un courant de liquide, des moyens de support (34) pour attaquer le corps de la tête d'impression et des moyens transductiques (36, 38) réagissant à un signal d'activation électrique pour faire vibrer mécaniquement le corps et diviser le courant de liquide en un courant de gouttelettes, caractérisée en ce que:
le corps (10) de la tête d'impression est allongé, la longueur du corps entre sa première et sa seconde extrémité étant sensiblement supérieure à ses autres dimensions, le corps présentant le réservoir (16) dans sa première extrémité,
les moyens transductiques (36, 38) sont montés sur l'extérieur du corps et s'étendent sur une distance substantielle du corps dans le sens de sa longueur, et
les moyens de support (34) attaquent le corps de la tête d'impression entre sa première et sa seconde extrémité.
2. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les moyens transductiques comprennent deux transducteurs piézo-électriques (36, 38) collés aux côtés opposés du corps et s'étendant dans le sens de sa longueur à partir de points adjacents à sa première extrémité jusqu'à des points adjacents à sa seconde extrémité.
3. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 2, caractérisée en outre en ce que les transducteurs piézo-électriques (36, 38) provoquent un allongement et un retrait alternés du long corps de tête d'impression dans le sens de sa longueur.
4. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 3, caractérisée en outre en ce que les moyens transductiques comprennent également un moyen (42) pour connecter électriquement les deux transducteurs piézo-électriques en parallèle.
5. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 6, caractérisée en outre en ce que les transducteurs piézo-électriques sont connectés de manière à s'allonger et se contracter en phase.
6. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 5, caractérisée en outre en ce que les moyens de support (34) attaquent le corps de la tête d'impression en substance entre sa première et sa seconde extrémité et à égale distance de celles-ci.
7. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 4, caractérisée en outre en ce que les transducteurs piézo-électriques (36, 38) sont connectés de manière à s'allonger et à se contracter hors de phase afin de produire une flexion du corps de la tête d'impression.
8. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de support (66) engagent le corps de la tête d'impression à pivotement au niveau de ses points nodaux de flexion.
9. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 1, caractérisée en outre en ce que les moyens de support comprennent une ou plusieurs consoles de montage (34) faisant chacune partie intégrante du corps de la tête d'impression et relativement minces, ces consoles s'étendant depuis le long corps de tête d'impression, sur les côtés opposés de celui-ci, et étant en substance équidistantes de la première et de la seconde extrémité du corps, de sorte que ces consoles supportent le corps suivant un plan nodal.
10. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 1, caractérisée en outre en ce que les moyens de support comprennent deux vis de support qui attaquent le corps aux côtés opposés de celui-ci, en des points de substance équidistants de la première et de la seconde extrémité du corps de la tête d'impression.
11. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 1, caractérisée en outre en ce que le corps de la tête d'impression comprend des moyens définissant une fente (20) dans sa première extrémité en une ouverture d'admission de liquide (22) communiquant avec la fente, ainsi qu'une plaque à orifices (12) attachée au moyen définissant une fente et formant avec celle-ci le réservoir récepteur de liquide.
12. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 11, caractérisée en outre en ce que la plaque à orifices (12) présente plusieurs orifices (18) destinés à produire plusieurs courants de gouttelettes.
13. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce qu'elle définit également une ouverture de sortie de liquide (24) communiquant avec la fente.
14. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 13, caractérisée en outre par des conduites de liquide (30, 32) raccordées à l'ouverture d'admission de liquide (22) et à l'ouverture de sortie de liquide (24), les conduites de liquide étant faites d'une matière présentant une impédance de vibration sensiblement différente de celle du corps de la tête d'impression, de sorte que les conduites ne provoquent pas de perte de puissance substantielle.
15. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 14, caractérisée en outre en ce que les conduites de liquide (30, 32) sont faites d'une matière polymère.
16. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 1, caractérisée en outre par un transducteur de surveillance (44) monté sur la surface externe du corps et fournissant un signal de surveillance électrique en réaction à des variations dimensionnelles du corps.
17. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 5, caractérisée en outre par un moyen (40) pour appliquer un signal d'activation électrique d'une fréquence en substance égale à fo où
Figure imgb0008
L est la dimension du corps dans le sens de la longueur et C est la vitesse du son à travers le corps,
la tête d'impression à jet de liquide pouvant ainsi être activée à une fréquence approximativement égale à sa fréquence de résonance mécanique.
18. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 1, caractérisée en outre par
un transducteur de surveillance (44) monté sur l'extérieur du corps et produisant un signal de surveillance électrique en réaction à des variations dimensionnelles du corps, et
des moyens (50, 60) réagissant du transducteur de surveillance pour appliquer un signal d'activation électrique au transducteur d'une amplitude dépendant du signal de surveillance électrique.
19. Tête d'impression à jet de liquide suivant la revendication 7, caractérisée en outre par un moyen (40) pour appliquer un signal d'activation électrique d'une fréquence en substance égale à Fo, où
Figure imgb0009
L est la dimension du corps dans le sens de sa longueur, C est la vitesse du son à travers le corps et K est le rayon de giration du corps.
20. Procédé pour stimuler la division d'un courant de liquide sortant d'au moins un orifice (18) communiquant avec un réservoir de liquide (16) dans une tête d'impression à jet de liquide, suivant lequel:
(a) on prévoit une longue tête d'impression (10) qui définit le réservoir (16) et l'orifice (18) à l'une de ses extrémités,
(b) on introduit du liquide sous pression dans le réservoir (16) de manière à produire un écoulement de liquide à travers l'orifice (18),
(c) on supporte la tête d'impression en des points situés dans un plan en substance équidistant des extrémités de la longue tête d'impression et perpendiculaire à la longueur de la tête d'impression, et
(d) on allonge et on contracte en alternance la tête d'impression en substance à sa fréquence de résonance propre, étant entendu que la tête d'impression est supportée dans un plan nodal et que la division du courant en gouttelettes est stimulée.
21. Procédé suivant la revendication 20, caractérisé en outre en ce que la fréquence de résonance de la tête d'impression est en substance égale à la fréquence de résonance du courant de liquide.
22. Procédé suivant la revendication 20, caractérisé en outre en ce que la tête d'impression est allongée et contractée au moyen de transducteurs piézo-électriques (36, 38) collés sur sa surface externe.
23. Procédé pour stimuler la division d'un courant de liquide sortant d'au moins un orifice (18) en communication avec un réservoir de fluide (16) prévu dans une tête d'impression à jet de liquide, suivant lequel:
(a) on prévoit une longue tête d'impression (10) qui définit le réservoir (16) et l'orifice (18) à l'une de ses extrémités,
(b) on introduit du liquide sous pression dans le réservoir de manière à produire un écoulement de liquide à travers l'orifice, et
(c) on fait vibrer la tête d'impression dans son premier mode de flexion en substance à la fréquence de la flexion de résonance de la tête d'impression tout en soutenant la tête d'impression en des points nodaux, de telle sorte que la division du courant en gouttelletes soit stimulée.
24. Procédé suivant la revendication 23, caractérisé en outre en ce que la tête d'impression vibre dans son premier mode de flexion à l'intervention de transducteurs piézo-électriques (36, 38) collés à sa surface externe.
EP19830301874 1982-06-21 1983-03-31 Tête d'impression à jet de liquide et méthode pour animer la division d'un flux liquide en sortant Expired EP0097413B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US39010582A 1982-06-21 1982-06-21
US390105 1982-06-21

Publications (2)

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EP0097413A1 EP0097413A1 (fr) 1984-01-04
EP0097413B1 true EP0097413B1 (fr) 1986-06-18

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ID=23541082

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EP19830301874 Expired EP0097413B1 (fr) 1982-06-21 1983-03-31 Tête d'impression à jet de liquide et méthode pour animer la division d'un flux liquide en sortant

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0097413B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS595071A (fr)
CA (1) CA1219776A (fr)
DE (1) DE3364155D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4646104A (en) * 1982-06-21 1987-02-24 Eastman Kodak Company Fluid jet print head
JPS62131779U (fr) * 1986-02-07 1987-08-20
US6336708B1 (en) 1992-09-18 2002-01-08 Iris Graphics, Inc. Ink jet nozzle
US5407136A (en) * 1992-09-18 1995-04-18 Iris Graphics, Inc. Ink-jet nozzle
EP0639458B1 (fr) * 1993-08-17 1997-11-12 SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING, Inc. Dispositif de montage pour résonateur

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE790064A (fr) * 1971-10-14 1973-02-01 Mead Corp Generateur de gouttes pour dispositif d'enregistrement.
US4095232A (en) * 1977-07-18 1978-06-13 The Mead Corporation Apparatus for producing multiple uniform fluid filaments and drops
US4245227A (en) * 1978-11-08 1981-01-13 International Business Machines Corporation Ink jet head having an outer wall of ink cavity of piezoelectric material
US4198643A (en) * 1978-12-18 1980-04-15 The Mead Corporation Jet drop printer with elements balanced about support plate in nodal plane

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1219776A (fr) 1987-03-31
JPH038946B2 (fr) 1991-02-07
DE3364155D1 (en) 1986-07-24
JPS595071A (ja) 1984-01-11
EP0097413A1 (fr) 1984-01-04

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