EP0135558B1 - Ink jet printing head and printer provided therewith - Google Patents

Ink jet printing head and printer provided therewith Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0135558B1
EP0135558B1 EP84900990A EP84900990A EP0135558B1 EP 0135558 B1 EP0135558 B1 EP 0135558B1 EP 84900990 A EP84900990 A EP 84900990A EP 84900990 A EP84900990 A EP 84900990A EP 0135558 B1 EP0135558 B1 EP 0135558B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
base
print head
modulation
head according
jet
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
EP84900990A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0135558A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Claude Millet
Jean-Louis Reynaud
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Markem Imaje SAS
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Imaje SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0135558A1 publication Critical patent/EP0135558A1/en
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Publication of EP0135558B1 publication Critical patent/EP0135558B1/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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/02—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet
    • 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
    • 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
    • B41J2002/14362—Assembling elements of heads
    • 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
    • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/14—Mounting head into the printer

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ink jet print head.
  • the inkjet printing technique consists in carrying out a continuous jet of calibrated drops, supplied by a modulation system, then in electrostatically charging these drops by means of charging electrodes, finally in deflecting each drop by means of an electric field such that if the support on which one wishes to write and the writing device are in relative displacement, one obtains the formation of a printing matrix.
  • a so-called drop generation module comprising the ink tank and the ejection nozzle, is made integral, by means of screws, with other modules containing the charging, deflection and recovery means. The whole rests on an elastic base. A shield slides to compress the whole.
  • the disadvantage of such a system is its lack of flexibility to access the various settings essential for the proper functioning of the head.
  • the role of this head is fundamental for the proper functioning of an inkjet printer.
  • the trajectory of the drops ejected at the level of the ejection nozzle is perfectly defined with respect to the charging electrodes, the deflection plates and the support which receives the impression.
  • the printhead meeting these criteria must, in addition, be compact, require no adjustment during operation and, on the other hand, allow simple and reliable adjustments before start-up. Finally, this head must have great ease of access for maintenance.
  • the present invention specifically aims to achieve a print head whose architecture allows it to meet all these requirements.
  • a real housing with a bottom and a cover, is capable of playing two functions, that of protection (cover) on the one hand and that of support for the various elements of the head. impression on the other hand.
  • the housing cover is separated into two parts so that the operator can easily access the charge and charge control electrodes without having to disassemble the modules from each other, as is the case. case in the aforementioned US patent.
  • This dual function of the housing, of casing on the one hand and of support on the other hand leads to a relatively small bulk, to the elimination of adjustments during operation, and to great ease of access for maintenance.
  • a print head essentially consists of a modulation element 1; an electrode holder element 2 supporting the charging electrodes 3 and 4 as well as the deflection plates 6 and 6a.
  • a system of solenoid valves 5 intended to regulate the supply of liquid as well as a gutter holder 7 supporting a gutter 66 intended to collect the drops not used for printing are also integrated into the print head.
  • a housing 8 whose cover 9 is made in two parts: one upper 10 is said to be fixed and the other lower 11 is said to be mobile.
  • the housing 8 and its cover 9 perform two functions: that of rollover and that of holding in place the essential elements listed above.
  • This box 8 indeed cooperates with the new architecture of these elements to ensure that, on the one hand, the optimal location of the jet break, on the other hand, of the perfect centering of the jet.
  • Such a constructive arrangement of the printhead, in accordance with the invention is particularly advantageous for the implementation of the ink jet printing method as is explained in more detail below by means of FIG.
  • the housing 8 which constitutes a first support for the essential elements listed above is called support housing 8 in the following description. It comprises a bottom 13, a lower base 14, an upper base 15 and two side walls 16 and 17.
  • the solenoid valve system 5 is introduced into the support housing 8 to which it is fixed by any means known per se.
  • the electrical connection devices, the fluid supply pipes, the safety relays and in general all the complementary environment which is not directly related to the invention is not shown. These are conventional technical means; only their passage 18 in the upper base 15 is shown.
  • the lower base 14 has an orifice 190 through which the calibrated, charged and deflected drops pass in the direction of the substrate to be printed (not shown).
  • the modulation element 1 essentially consists of a base 19 comprising a bore 20 of diameter D, into which the modulation body 21 is introduced. well said. It may, for example, be a vibrating device with piezoelectric elements as described in French patent EN 7,923,934 filed on 26. 09. 79, published under No. 2,465,528 and the owner of which is the plaintiff.
  • This plate 22 carries a nozzle 23 consisting for example of a ruby pierced with an orifice 24 for ejecting the jet of drops whose path is symbolized by the axes XY and X'Y '; the base 19 of the modulation element 1 is made integral with the bottom 13 of the support box 8, as shown in FIG. 2 by any known means, for example a screw 26.
  • the faces 28 of the base 19 of the modulation body 21 undergo machining such that they are perfectly tolerated in dimensions and in parallelism.
  • the translation in height of the modulation body 21 and its rotation in the bore 20 are adjustable by sliding and / or rotation of the body 21 in the base 19 and its locking in the desired positioning by a locking screw 30.
  • L base 19, support of the modulation body 21 further comprises a recess 31, provided with a bore 32 capable of receiving an axis 34.
  • the fixed upper part 10 of the cover 9 is put in place, the profile of which also has a recess 35 which frees up the space for the ends of the axis 34 intended to be in turn threaded in a bore 36 made in part 11 of the cover 9 as will be explained below.
  • a second extremely important element of the invention and whose cooperation with the modulation element 1 is essential for the proper functioning of the print head is constituted by the electrode holder element 2.
  • This essentially comprises a support body 40 in which are embedded and fixed the charge electrode 3 and the charge control electrode 4, and which receives by fixing the set of deflection plates 6 and 6a.
  • the two electrodes 3 and 4 are each provided with a calibrated slot 41 and 42 through which passes the jet of drops provided by the modulation element 1 and the nozzle 24, before crossing the space which separates the two plates of deflection 6 and 6a.
  • the slots 41 and 42 produced in these electrodes and the bearing faces of the deflection plates are by construction strictly parallel.
  • the electrode-carrying element 2 is made integral with the lower part 11 of the cover 9 intended to close the support box 8, previously equipped with the modulation element 1.
  • This connection is made by means 50, allowing adjustment of the transverse positioning of the electrode holder element 2, while its vertical positioning is fixed by a set of studs 51 opposing its sliding in the longitudinal direction.
  • the electrode holder element 2 is fixed to the lower part 11 of the cover 9, the latter is placed on the support housing 8 already equipped with the upper part 10 of its cover 9.
  • the axis 34 passes through the part 11 and the base 19 for modulation through the bores 32 and 36.
  • the part 11 is guided in rotation on the faces 28 of the base 19.
  • the lower part 11 of the cover 9 is immobilized by means, for example, of a knurled nut 60 which makes it integral with the lower base 14 of the support box 8.
  • the modulation body 21 in rotation inside the modulation base 19, it is certain to be able, by the combination of the two combined actions at the level of the nozzle holder plate 22 and of the body modulation 21 to satisfy a fundamental condition, namely: putting the jet in a plane parallel to the faces of the charging electrodes 3 and 4 defined by the slots 41 and 42 and to the deflection plates 6 and 6a, the parallelism of these faces and of these plates being obtained by construction.
  • the jet is centered by means of a centering means 50.
  • the charging electrode 3 must be located at a determined distance from the precise place where the jet breaks into droplets, in this case the break must occur in the middle of the slot 41 of the charging electrode 3 ,
  • the latter having a fixed position relative to the modulation base 19, the possibility of positioning the modulation body 21 in height in the bore 20 makes it possible to satisfy this criterion.
  • the gutter 66 is also fixed to the lower base of the housing 8. Its role is to collect the drops not used for printing.
  • a print head according to the invention can be fitted to all types of printers of the so-called continuous ink jet type.
  • maintenance is particularly facilitated because of the possible opening of the cover 9, the lower part 11 of which can be rotated about the axis 34.
  • the substrate to be printed is placed facing the passage 190 provided in the lower base 14 of the housing 8 and perpendicular to the axis xy of the jet defined above.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

An ink jet printing head comprises essentially a first modulation element (1) wherein are integrated in a base (19) the modulation body (31) and an orientable cylindrical plate (22) carrying the ejection means, enabling the optimalization of the jet perpendicularity. It further comprises a second electrode-holder element (2) consisting of a support (40). The first and the second element are made integral respectively of the casing (8) and of a moving portion (11) of the cover (9). A shaft (34) allows the articulation of said portion (11) of the cover (9) with respect to the base (19). Means (50) provide for the positioning of slots (41) and (42) of the electrodes (3 and 4) with respect to the ejection axis xy of the jet.

Description

L'invention concerne une tête d'impression à jet d'encre.The invention relates to an ink jet print head.

La technique d'impression à jet d'encre consiste à réaliser un jet continu de gouttes calibrées, fournies par un système de modulation, puis à charger électrostatiquement ces gouttes au moyen d'électrodes de charge, enfin à dévier chaque goutte au moyen d'un champ électrique de telle sorte que si le support sur lequel on désire écrire et le dispositif d'écriture sont en déplacement relatif, on obtient la formation d'une matrice d'impression.The inkjet printing technique consists in carrying out a continuous jet of calibrated drops, supplied by a modulation system, then in electrostatically charging these drops by means of charging electrodes, finally in deflecting each drop by means of an electric field such that if the support on which one wishes to write and the writing device are in relative displacement, one obtains the formation of a printing matrix.

Dans une imprimante à jet d'encre, les fonctions énoncées ci-dessus, à savoir la fragmentation du jet en gouttes calibrées, leur charge électrostatique et leur déflexion sont obtenues au moyen d'un dispositif appelé tête d'impression dans la suite de la description.In an inkjet printer, the functions set out above, namely the fragmentation of the jet into calibrated drops, their electrostatic charge and their deflection are obtained by means of a device called a printhead in the following. description.

Le brevet américain US 4338610 décrit un exemple de réalisation d'une telle tête. Les fonctions sont groupées à l'intérieur de modules et ces derniers sont ensuite reliés entre eux. Un module dit de génération de gouttes, comportant le réservoir d'encre et la buse d'éjection, est rendu solidaire, au moyen de vis, d'autres modules contenant les moyens de charge, de déflexion et de récupération. Le tout repose sur une embase élastique. Un blindage coulisse pour comprimer l'ensemble. L'inconvénient d'un tel système est son manque de souplesse pour accéder aux différents réglages indispensables au bon fonctionnement de la tête. Or, le rôle de cette tête est fondamental pour le bon fonctionnement d'une imprimante à jet d'encre. Il faut, notamment, que la trajectoire des gouttes éjectées au niveau de la buse d'éjection soit parfaitement définie par rapport aux électrodes de charge, aux plaques de déflexion et au support qui reçoit l'impression. La tête d'impression répondant à ces critères doit, en plus, être peu encombrante, n'exiger aucun réglage en cours de fonctionnement et permettre en revanche des réglages simples et fiables préalablement à la mise en route. Enfin, il faut que cette tête présente une grande facilité d'accès pour la maintenance.American patent US 4,338,610 describes an exemplary embodiment of such a head. The functions are grouped inside modules and these are then linked together. A so-called drop generation module, comprising the ink tank and the ejection nozzle, is made integral, by means of screws, with other modules containing the charging, deflection and recovery means. The whole rests on an elastic base. A shield slides to compress the whole. The disadvantage of such a system is its lack of flexibility to access the various settings essential for the proper functioning of the head. However, the role of this head is fundamental for the proper functioning of an inkjet printer. It is necessary, in particular, that the trajectory of the drops ejected at the level of the ejection nozzle is perfectly defined with respect to the charging electrodes, the deflection plates and the support which receives the impression. The printhead meeting these criteria must, in addition, be compact, require no adjustment during operation and, on the other hand, allow simple and reliable adjustments before start-up. Finally, this head must have great ease of access for maintenance.

La présente invention a précisément pour but de réaliser une tête d'impression dont l'architecture lui permet de répondre à tous ces impératifs.The present invention specifically aims to achieve a print head whose architecture allows it to meet all these requirements.

Elle concerne plus précisément une tête d'impression à jet d'encre comprenant une combinaison des moyens de modulation, d'éjection, de charge, de contrôle de charge et de déflexion des gouttes ainsi que des moyens de récupération des gouttes non utilisées, tête caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un boîtier 8 ayant un fond 13 orienté verticalement, une embase supérieure 15, une embase inférieure 14, deux parois latérales 16 et 17, et enfin un couvercle 9 réalisé en deux parties, l'une supérieure 10 fixée au dit boîtier 8, et l'autre inférieure 11 montée pivotant par rapport à la dite partie supérieure du dit couvercle 9, boîtier dans lequel la dite combinaison est agencée de telle sorte que:

  • - d'une part, un élément de modulation 1 comportant des moyens de réglage du jet en hauteur et selon un plan vertical est rendu solidaire de la partie supérieure du fond 13 du boîtier 8, le dit élément de modulation 1 étant couvert par la dite partie supérieure 10 du dit couvercle 9;
  • - d'autre part, un porte-électrodes 2 supportant les électrodes de charge 41, de contrôle de charge 42, et de déflexion 6, 6a est rendu solidaire de la partie inférieure mobile 11, du couvercle 9, et ceci de manière réglable latéralement par rapport à la dite partie inférieure 11 du dit couvercle;
  • - enfin, un porte-gouttière 7 portant la gouttière 66 est rendu solidaire de l'embase inférieure 14 du boîtier 8, embase 14 comportant elle-même un passage 190 par où transite le jet de gouttes.
More precisely, it relates to an ink jet printhead comprising a combination of the means for modulating, ejecting, charging, controlling the charge and deflecting the drops as well as means for recovering the unused drops, head characterized in that it comprises a housing 8 having a bottom 13 oriented vertically, an upper base 15, a lower base 14, two side walls 16 and 17, and finally a cover 9 made in two parts, the upper 10 fixed to said housing 8, and the other lower 11 pivotally mounted with respect to said upper part of said cover 9, housing in which said combination is arranged such that:
  • - On the one hand, a modulation element 1 comprising means for adjusting the height jet and in a vertical plane is made integral with the upper part of the bottom 13 of the housing 8, said modulation element 1 being covered by said upper part 10 of said cover 9;
  • - on the other hand, an electrode holder 2 supporting the charge 41, charge 42, and deflection 6, 6a electrodes is made integral with the movable lower part 11, the cover 9, and this can be adjusted laterally relative to said lower part 11 of said cover;
  • - Finally, a gutter holder 7 carrying the gutter 66 is made integral with the lower base 14 of the housing 8, base 14 itself comprising a passage 190 through which the jet of drops passes.

Dans un telle tête selon l'invention, un véritable boîtier, avec un fond et un couvercle, est capable de jouer deux fonctions, celle de protection (capot) d'une part et celle de support pour les différents éléments de la tête d'impression d'autre part. Le couvercle du boîtier est séparé en deux parties de telle sorte que l'opérateur puisse facilement avoir accès aux électrodes de charge et de contrôle de charge sans avoir à procéder à un véritable démontage des modules les uns par rapport aux autres, comme cela est le cas dans le brevet américain cité précédemment. Cette double fonction du boîtier, de capotage d'une part et de support d'autre part, conduit à un encombrement relativement faible, à l'élimination des réglages en cours de fonctionnement, et à une grande facilité d'accès pour la maintenance.In such a head according to the invention, a real housing, with a bottom and a cover, is capable of playing two functions, that of protection (cover) on the one hand and that of support for the various elements of the head. impression on the other hand. The housing cover is separated into two parts so that the operator can easily access the charge and charge control electrodes without having to disassemble the modules from each other, as is the case. case in the aforementioned US patent. This dual function of the housing, of casing on the one hand and of support on the other hand, leads to a relatively small bulk, to the elimination of adjustments during operation, and to great ease of access for maintenance.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide des explications qui vont suivre et des figures jointes parmi lesquelles:

  • - La figure 1 représente schématiquement l'essentiel des éléments constitutifs d'une tête d'impression conforme à l'invention.
  • - Les figures 2, 3 et 4 sont des représentations schématiques plus détaillées de certains éléments de la figure 1. Pour plus de clarté, les mêmes éléments portent les mêmes références dans toutes les figures.
The invention will be better understood with the aid of the explanations which follow and of the appended figures among which:
  • - Figure 1 schematically shows the main elements of a print head according to the invention.
  • - Figures 2, 3 and 4 are more detailed schematic representations of certain elements of Figure 1. For clarity, the same elements have the same references in all figures.

Comme le montre la figure 1, une tête d'impression conforme à l'invention est essentiellement constituée d'un élément de modulation 1; d'un élément porte électrodes 2 supportant les électrodes de charge 3 et 4 ainsi que les plaques de déflection 6 et 6a. Un système d'électro-vannes 5 destiné à réguler l'alimentation en liquide ainsi qu'un porte-gouttière 7 supportant une gouttière 66 destinée à recueillir les gouttes non utilisées pour l'impression sont également intégrés à la tête d'impression.As shown in Figure 1, a print head according to the invention essentially consists of a modulation element 1; an electrode holder element 2 supporting the charging electrodes 3 and 4 as well as the deflection plates 6 and 6a. A system of solenoid valves 5 intended to regulate the supply of liquid as well as a gutter holder 7 supporting a gutter 66 intended to collect the drops not used for printing are also integrated into the print head.

Ces éléments 1, 2, 5, 7 sont introduits dans un boîtier 8 dont le couvercle 9 est réalisé en deux parties: l'une supérieure 10 est dite fixe et l'autre inférieure 11 est dite mobile. Selon une caractéristique importante de l'invention, le boîtier 8 et son couvercle 9 assurent deux fonctions: celle de capotage et celle de maintien en place des éléments essentiels énumérés ci-dessus. Ce boîtier 8 coopère en effet avec l'architecture nouvelle de ces éléments pour assurer l'obtention, d'une part, de la localisation optimale de la brisure du jet, d'autre part, du centrage parfait du jet. Une telle disposition constructive de la tête d'impression, conforme à l'invention est particulièrement avantageuse pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé d'impression par jet d'encre comme cela est expliqué plus en détail ci-dessous au moyen de la figure 1 complétée par les figures 2, 3 et 4 qui sont respectivement deux vues en coupe et une vue en plan de la partie de la tête qui conditionne plus particulièrement la qualité de l'impression. Le boîtier 8 qui constitue un premier support pour les éléments essentiels énumérés ci-dessus est appelé boîtier support 8 dans la suite de la description. Il comporte un fond 13, une embase inférieure 14, une embase supérieure 15 et deux parois latérales 16 et 17. Le système d'électrovannes 5 est introduit dans le boîtier support 8 auquel il est fixé par tous moyens connus en soi. Les dispositifs de raccordements électriques, les canalisations d'amenée des fluides, les relais de sécurité et de manière générale tout l'environnement complémentaire qui n'est pas directement en rapport avec l'invention n'est pas représenté. Il s'agit de moyens techniques classiques; seul leur passage 18 dans l'embase supérieure 15 est représenté. L'embase inférieure 14 comporte un orifice 190 que traversent les gouttes calibrées, chargées et déviées en direction du substrat à imprimer (non représenté). Sur cette embase inférieure 14 on fixe le porte-gouttière 7 et la gouttière de récupération 66. L'élément de modulation 1 est essentiellement constitué d'une embase 19 comportant un alésage 20 de diamètre D, dans lequel est introduit le corps 21 de modulation proprement dit. Il peut s'agir par exemple d'un dispositif vibratoire à éléments piezo-électriques tels que décrits dans le brevet français EN 7 923 934 déposé le 26. 09. 79, publié sous le N° 2 465 528 et dont le titulaire est la demanderesse. Le corps de modulation 21 porte à sa base une plaque cylindrique 22 fixée par au moins trois points de fixation 25 faisant entre eux un angle a, soit a = 120°, s'ils sont au nombre de trois comme c'est le cas dans l'exemple décrit (figure 3). Cette plaque 22 porte une buse 23 constituée par exemple d'un rubis percé d'un orifice 24 d'éjection du jet de gouttes dont le trajet est symbolisé par les axes XY et X'Y'; l'embase 19 de l'élément de modulation 1 est rendu solidaire du fond 13 du boîtier-support 8, comme fe montre la figure 2 par tous moyens connus, par exemple une vis 26.These elements 1, 2, 5, 7 are introduced into a housing 8 whose cover 9 is made in two parts: one upper 10 is said to be fixed and the other lower 11 is said to be mobile. According to an important characteristic of the invention, the housing 8 and its cover 9 perform two functions: that of rollover and that of holding in place the essential elements listed above. This box 8 indeed cooperates with the new architecture of these elements to ensure that, on the one hand, the optimal location of the jet break, on the other hand, of the perfect centering of the jet. Such a constructive arrangement of the printhead, in accordance with the invention is particularly advantageous for the implementation of the ink jet printing method as is explained in more detail below by means of FIG. 1 supplemented by Figures 2, 3 and 4 which are respectively two sectional views and a plan view of the part of the head which more particularly conditions the quality of the print. The housing 8 which constitutes a first support for the essential elements listed above is called support housing 8 in the following description. It comprises a bottom 13, a lower base 14, an upper base 15 and two side walls 16 and 17. The solenoid valve system 5 is introduced into the support housing 8 to which it is fixed by any means known per se. The electrical connection devices, the fluid supply pipes, the safety relays and in general all the complementary environment which is not directly related to the invention is not shown. These are conventional technical means; only their passage 18 in the upper base 15 is shown. The lower base 14 has an orifice 190 through which the calibrated, charged and deflected drops pass in the direction of the substrate to be printed (not shown). On this lower base 14 the gutter holder 7 and the recovery gutter 66 are fixed. The modulation element 1 essentially consists of a base 19 comprising a bore 20 of diameter D, into which the modulation body 21 is introduced. well said. It may, for example, be a vibrating device with piezoelectric elements as described in French patent EN 7,923,934 filed on 26. 09. 79, published under No. 2,465,528 and the owner of which is the plaintiff. The modulation body 21 carries at its base a cylindrical plate 22 fixed by at least three fixing points 25 making between them an angle a, or a = 120 °, if they are three in number as is the case in the example described (figure 3). This plate 22 carries a nozzle 23 consisting for example of a ruby pierced with an orifice 24 for ejecting the jet of drops whose path is symbolized by the axes XY and X'Y '; the base 19 of the modulation element 1 is made integral with the bottom 13 of the support box 8, as shown in FIG. 2 by any known means, for example a screw 26.

Selon une des caractéristiques de l'invention, les faces 28 de l'embase 19 du corps de modulation 21 subissent un usinage tel, qu'elles sont parfaitement tolérancées en dimensions et en parallélisme. De plus, la translation en hauteur du corps de modulation 21 et sa rotation dans l'alésage 20 sont réglables par coulissement et/ou rotation du corps 21 dans l'embase 19 et son blocage au positionnement désiré par une vis de blocage 30. L'embase 19, support du corps de modulation 21 comporte en outre un décrochement 31, muni d'un alésage 32 capable de recevoir un axe 34. Lorsque l'élément de modulation 1 est fixé dans le boîtier-support 8 ainsi que tous les autres accessoires intervenant dans cette partie supérieure du boîtier 8, on met en place la partie supérieure fixe 10 du couvercle 9, dont le profil présente également un décrochement 35 qui libère la place pour les extrémités de l'axe 34 destiné à être à leur tour enfilées dans un alésage 36 pratiqué dans la partie 11 du couvercle 9 comme cela sera expliqué plus loin.According to one of the characteristics of the invention, the faces 28 of the base 19 of the modulation body 21 undergo machining such that they are perfectly tolerated in dimensions and in parallelism. In addition, the translation in height of the modulation body 21 and its rotation in the bore 20 are adjustable by sliding and / or rotation of the body 21 in the base 19 and its locking in the desired positioning by a locking screw 30. L base 19, support of the modulation body 21 further comprises a recess 31, provided with a bore 32 capable of receiving an axis 34. When the modulation element 1 is fixed in the support housing 8 as well as all the others accessories intervening in this upper part of the housing 8, the fixed upper part 10 of the cover 9 is put in place, the profile of which also has a recess 35 which frees up the space for the ends of the axis 34 intended to be in turn threaded in a bore 36 made in part 11 of the cover 9 as will be explained below.

Un second élément extrêmement important de l'invention et dont la coopération avec l'élément de modulation 1 est essentielle au bon fonctionnement de la tête d'impression est constitué par l'élément porte-électrodes 2. Celui-ci comporte essentiellement un corps support 40 dans lequel sont encastrées et fixées l'électrode de charge 3 et l'électrode de contrôle de charge 4, et qui reçoit par la fixation le jeu de plaques de déflexion 6 et 6a. Les deux électrodes 3 et 4 sont munies chacune d'une fente calibrée 41 et 42 à travers lesquelles passe le jet de gouttes fourni par l'élément de modulation 1 et la buse 24, avant de traverser l'espace qui sépare les deux plaques de déflexion 6 et 6a. Les fentes 41 et 42 réalisées dans ces électrodes et les faces d'appui des plaques de déflexion sont par construction rigoreusement parallèles. Selon une caractéristique importante de l'invention, l'élément porte-électrodes 2 est rendu solidaire de la partie inférieure 11 du couvercle 9 destiné à fermer le boîtier-support 8, préalablement équipé de l'élément de modulation 1. Cette solidarisation est réalisée par un moyen 50, autorisant un réglage du positionnement transversal de l'élément porte-électrodes 2, tandis que son positionnement vertical est fixé par un jeu de plots 51 s'opposant à son glissement dans le sens longitudinal. Losrque l'élément porte-électrodes 2 est fixé à la partie inférieure 11 du couvercle 9, celle-ci est mise en place sur le boîtier-support 8 déjà équipé de la partie supérieure 10 de son couvercle 9. L'axe 34 traverse la partie 11 et l'embase 19 de modulation à travers les alésages 32 et 36. La pièce 11 est guidée en rotation sur les faces 28 de l'embase 19. Lorsque tous les réglages que l'on va décrire ci-dessous ont été réalisés et que la tête est prête pour son fonctionnement, on immobilise la partie inférieure 11 du couvercle 9 au moyen par exemple d'un écrou molleté 60 qui la rend solidaire de l'embase inférieure 14 du boîtier-support 8.A second extremely important element of the invention and whose cooperation with the modulation element 1 is essential for the proper functioning of the print head is constituted by the electrode holder element 2. This essentially comprises a support body 40 in which are embedded and fixed the charge electrode 3 and the charge control electrode 4, and which receives by fixing the set of deflection plates 6 and 6a. The two electrodes 3 and 4 are each provided with a calibrated slot 41 and 42 through which passes the jet of drops provided by the modulation element 1 and the nozzle 24, before crossing the space which separates the two plates of deflection 6 and 6a. The slots 41 and 42 produced in these electrodes and the bearing faces of the deflection plates are by construction strictly parallel. According to an important characteristic of the invention, the electrode-carrying element 2 is made integral with the lower part 11 of the cover 9 intended to close the support box 8, previously equipped with the modulation element 1. This connection is made by means 50, allowing adjustment of the transverse positioning of the electrode holder element 2, while its vertical positioning is fixed by a set of studs 51 opposing its sliding in the longitudinal direction. When the electrode holder element 2 is fixed to the lower part 11 of the cover 9, the latter is placed on the support housing 8 already equipped with the upper part 10 of its cover 9. The axis 34 passes through the part 11 and the base 19 for modulation through the bores 32 and 36. The part 11 is guided in rotation on the faces 28 of the base 19. When all the adjustments which will be described below have been made and the head is ready for its operation, the lower part 11 of the cover 9 is immobilized by means, for example, of a knurled nut 60 which makes it integral with the lower base 14 of the support box 8.

La structure des pièces élémentaires décrites précédemment et leur combinaison permet tous les réglages qui sont nécessaires au bon fonctionnement d'une tête d'impression conforme à l'invention.The structure of the elementary parts described above and their combination allows all the adjustments which are necessary for the proper functioning of a printhead according to the invention.

Premièrement, lorsqu'on chasse un rubis dans une pièce support comme c'est le cas pour la buse 23 insérée dans la plaque cylindrique 22, si l'on prend comme référence la face de cette pièce support, il est très difficile d'obtenir un jet parfaitement perpendiculaire à cette face. La possibilité d'orienter la plaque-22 selon au moins trois directions étant donné la présence de au moins trois points de fixation faisant entre eux un angle α, par exemple, 120° permet de choisir entre au moins trois orientations angulaires possibles, celle qui permet d'obtenir un jet contenu dans, ou le plus proche possible d'un plan passant par X'Y'. De plus comme on peut orienter le corps de modulation 21 en rotation à l'intérieur de l'embase de modulation 19, on est sûr de pouvoir, par la combinaison des deux actions conjuguées au niveau de la plaque 22 porte buse et du corps de modulation 21 de satisfaire une condition fondamentale, à savoir: mettre le jet dans un plan parallèle aux faces des électrodes de charge 3 et 4 définies par les fentes 41 et 42 et aux plaques de déflexion 6 et 6a, le parallélisme de ces faces et de ces plaques étant quant à lui obtenu par construction.First, when chasing a ruby in a support piece as is the case for the nozzle 23 inserted in the cylindrical plate 22, if we take as a reference the face of this support piece, it is very difficult to obtain a jet perfectly perpendicular to this face. The possibility of orienting the plate-22 in at least three directions given the presence of at least three fixing points making between them an angle α, for example, 120 ° makes it possible to choose between at least three possible angular orientations, that which makes it possible to obtain a jet contained in, or as close as possible to a plane passing through X'Y '. Furthermore, as it is possible to orient the modulation body 21 in rotation inside the modulation base 19, it is certain to be able, by the combination of the two combined actions at the level of the nozzle holder plate 22 and of the body modulation 21 to satisfy a fundamental condition, namely: putting the jet in a plane parallel to the faces of the charging electrodes 3 and 4 defined by the slots 41 and 42 and to the deflection plates 6 and 6a, the parallelism of these faces and of these plates being obtained by construction.

Deuxièmement, ce parallélisme étant satisfait on assure le centrage du jet grâce à un moyen de centrage 50.Secondly, this parallelism being satisfied, the jet is centered by means of a centering means 50.

On obtient donc ainsi, par des réglages simples et fixes dans le temps un centrage et une orientation optimale du jet par rapport aux éléments fonctionnels auxquels il est lié.Thus, by simple and fixed adjustments over time, a centering and an optimal orientation of the jet are obtained with respect to the functional elements to which it is linked.

Troisièmement, l'électrode de charge 3 doit être située à une distance déterminée de l'endroit précis où le jetse brise en gouttelettes, en l'occurrence la brisure doit se produire dans le milieu de la fente 41 de l'électrode de charge 3, Celle-ci ayant une position fixe par rapport à l'embase de modulation 19, la possibilité de positionner en hauteur le corps de modulation 21 dans l'alésage 20 permet de satisfaire ce critère.Thirdly, the charging electrode 3 must be located at a determined distance from the precise place where the jet breaks into droplets, in this case the break must occur in the middle of the slot 41 of the charging electrode 3 , The latter having a fixed position relative to the modulation base 19, the possibility of positioning the modulation body 21 in height in the bore 20 makes it possible to satisfy this criterion.

La gouttière 66, est également fixée à l'embase inférieure du boîtier 8. Son rôle est de recueillir les gouttes non utilisées pour l'impression.The gutter 66 is also fixed to the lower base of the housing 8. Its role is to collect the drops not used for printing.

Une tête d'impression, conforme à l'invention peut équiper tous types d'imprimantes du type dit à jet d'encre continu. Outre la facilité des réglages déjà énoncée précédemment il faut également noter une maintenance particulièrement facilitée du fait de l'ouverture possible du couvercle 9 dont la partie inférieure 11 peut subir une rotation autour de l'axe 34. Le substrat à imprimer est placé face au passage 190 ménagé dans l'embase inférieure 14 du boîtier 8 et perpendiculairement à l'axe xy du jet défini précédemment.A print head according to the invention can be fitted to all types of printers of the so-called continuous ink jet type. In addition to the ease of adjustments already stated above, it should also be noted that maintenance is particularly facilitated because of the possible opening of the cover 9, the lower part 11 of which can be rotated about the axis 34. The substrate to be printed is placed facing the passage 190 provided in the lower base 14 of the housing 8 and perpendicular to the axis xy of the jet defined above.

Claims (12)

1. Ink jet print head comprising a combination of means for modulation, ejection, charge, control of charge and of deflection of the drops, and also means for recovery of the unused drops, which head is characterized in that it comprises a case (8) having a back (13) oriented vertically, an upper base (15), a lower base (14), two lateral walls (16 and 17), and finally a cover (9) produced in two parts, the upper one (10) fixed to the said case (8), and the other, lower, one (11) mounted pivotally in relation to the said upper part of the said cover (9), in which case the said combination is arranged such that:
- on the one hand a modulation element (1) comprising means for regulation of the jet in height and according to a vertical plane is made integral with the upper part of the back (13) of the case (8), the said modulation element (1) being covered by the said upper part (10) of the said cover (9);
- on the other hand, an electrode holder (2) supporting the electrodes of charge (41), control of charge (42) and of deflection (6, 6a) is made integral with the lower movable part (11) of the lid (9), this being laterally adjustable in relation to the said lower part (11) of the said lid;
-finally, a trough holder (7) carrying the trough (66) is made integral with the lower base (14) of the case (8), base (14) itself comprising a passage (190) through which the jet of drops passes.
2. Print head according to claim 1, characterized in that this modulation element (1) comprises a base (19) comprising a bore (20) in which there is introduced a modulation body (21) in an oreintable manner both in rotation and in translation.
3. Print head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this base (19)_ comprises in addition a plate (22) positioned at the base of the modulation body (21) and intended to carry an ejection nozzle (23, 24), this plate being fixed to the modulation body (21) by at least three fixing points (25) such that the conjugate action of the rotation of the modulation body (21) with the rotation of the plate (22) carrying nozzles (23, 24) permits the optimisation of the perpendicularity according to a vertical axis (xy) of the jet of the gauged drops, whilst the regulation in height of the modulation body (21) permits the optimisation of the localisation of the point at which the break of the jet is effected.
4. Print head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the faces (28) of the base (19) are machined such that they correspond to a level of tolerance of given parallelism.
5. Print head according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that this base (19) comprises in addition an indent (31) delimiting a face (A), provided with a bore (32) able to receive a spindle (34) around which said lower part (11) of the said cover is able to pivot.
6. Ejection head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modulation element (1) is fixed in the back (13) of the case (8) by fixing menas (26), the said upper part (10) of the lid (9) which is fixed on the side opposite the back (13), having an indent (35) the contour of which covers the face (A) of the base (19).
7. Print head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this electrode holder element (2) is made integral with the said lower movable part (10) of the lid (9) by a means (50) able to ensure a transverse regulation of the slits (41 and 42) through which the drops pass, to centre them in relation to the axis (xy) of the jet of gauged drops provided by the modulation element (1).
8. Print head according to claim 7, characterized in that studs (51) ensure the fixed positioning in longitudinal direction of the electrode holder element (2) when it is made integral with the lower movable part (11) of the lid (9).
9. Print head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower movable part (11) of the lid (9) comprises a bore (36) intended to receive the spindle (34) previously introduced into the bore (32) of the modulation base (18).
10. Print head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said trough holder (7) permits the fixing of a recovery trough (66) for the drops. not used for printing on the lower base (14) of the case (8).
11. Print head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a milled nut (60) allows the lower part (11) of the lid (9) to be made integral with the lower base (14) of the case (8).
12. Ink jet printer, characterized in that it is equipped with a print head according to one of the preceding claims, the settings of the different elements of which have been made before the printer is started up, these settings remaining fixed for the duration of printing on a substrate which is situated facing the passage (190) arranged in the lower base (14) of the case (8) and perpendicularly to the axis (xy) of the jet.
EP84900990A 1983-03-07 1984-02-28 Ink jet printing head and printer provided therewith Expired EP0135558B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8303975 1983-03-07
FR8303975A FR2542257B1 (en) 1983-03-07 1983-03-07 INK JET PRINTING HEAD AND PRINTER HAVING THE SAME

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EP0135558A1 EP0135558A1 (en) 1985-04-03
EP0135558B1 true EP0135558B1 (en) 1988-08-24

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US (1) US4617574A (en)
EP (1) EP0135558B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS60500660A (en)
AU (1) AU576751B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1225876A (en)
DE (1) DE3473582D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2542257B1 (en)
IT (2) IT8453065V0 (en)
WO (1) WO1984003474A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1225876A (en) 1987-08-25
EP0135558A1 (en) 1985-04-03
IT8453065V0 (en) 1984-03-07
US4617574A (en) 1986-10-14
JPH0452779B2 (en) 1992-08-24
JPS60500660A (en) 1985-05-09
FR2542257A1 (en) 1984-09-14
IT1182256B (en) 1987-10-05
DE3473582D1 (en) 1988-09-29
AU2575584A (en) 1984-09-28
WO1984003474A1 (en) 1984-09-13
AU576751B2 (en) 1988-09-08
FR2542257B1 (en) 1985-08-02
IT8467211A0 (en) 1984-03-07

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