EP0237876B1 - Microfilm camera provided with indicating means for the originals - Google Patents

Abstract

A microfilm pickup camera comprises a device for continually horizontally transporting originals to be projected in the camera through the camera, and an ink printing head for marking originals before they enter an exposure station provided in the camera. The ink printing head is provided with a drive which pivots, rotates and displaces the ink printing head between a use position, a cleaning position and a non-operative position. The printing head is EDV-controlled.

Description

The invention relates to a microfilm camera with means of transport, by means of which originals to be reduced are first moved horizontally and continuously in the camera after their input, and with signing means for signing the originals before reaching an imaging station for the reduced exposure of the originals.

Microfilm cameras with mechanically or electronically working stamping mechanisms are known. Usually, only sequential numbers can be printed or stamped on the originals to be filmed. Although dot matrix printers known per se can be controlled by EDP, they work far too slowly for the throughput speeds that are common in microfilm cameras.

Computer-controlled ink jet printing units, as known for example from DE-A-27 41 458, can work at a sufficiently high speed, but must be prevented from drying out when not in use. From EP-A-0173939 it is known to provide an ink spray head with a membrane cover which can be placed in front of the nozzles. The elimination of air in the vacuum nozzles or the removal of dried ink residues is very expensive in the known devices.

The invention is therefore based on the object of designing a microfilm camera of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that an ink spraying unit which is directed onto the horizontally continuous originals can be used and is easy to operate or keep functional.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the main claim. Further advantageous features of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Übersichtsdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Mikrofilmaufnahmekamera,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung des Originaltransportes in der Kamera nach Figur 1,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung der erfindungswesentlichen Teile der Kamera nach Figur 1 mit Tintenspritzkopf in der Arbeitsstellung,

Fig. 4

die Anordnung nach Figur 3 in der Reinigungs- bzw. Entlüftungsstellung,

Fig. 5

die Anordnung nach Figur 3 in der Ruhestellung,

Fig. 6

eine auseinandergezogene, perspektivische Darstellung eines möglichen erfindungsgemäßen Antriebs für die Bewegung des Tintenspritzkopfes.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Show it

Fig. 1

2 shows a perspective overview of a microfilm camera according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a schematic representation of the original transport in the camera according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 shows a perspective illustration of the parts of the camera according to FIG. 1 essential for the invention with an ink spray head in the working position,

Fig. 4

the arrangement according to Figure 3 in the cleaning or venting position,

Fig. 5

the arrangement of Figure 3 in the rest position,

Fig. 6

an exploded, perspective view of a possible drive according to the invention for the movement of the ink spray head.

A microfilm camera is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, which essentially has three housing parts. The housing part 1 initially lying to a user is used for inputting the originals to be microfilmed and has an input slot 1a for the originals 2 and at least one pair of transport rollers 3 driven when the device is switched on by means of a main switch (not shown). A gap leads from the input part 1 to the second housing part 4, which is accessible from above through a cover 4a. This second housing part 4 is used to accommodate a signing device 5 for signing the initially horizontally moved originals 2. For the transport of the originals, a driven, endless drag belt 6 and transport rollers 7 opposite this are provided, the originals resting on the drag belt 6. The schematically illustrated drive 8 of the drag belt 6 as well as a control device 9 for the speed of movement of the originals and a light barrier 10 are connected to an electronic control device 11, which can be coupled to an operating keyboard and / or a display panel with control lamps 12.

After the signature, the originals are transported from the signature part 4 into the third, actual camera housing 13 through the guide gap between the housing parts. In the camera housing 13, too, trailing belts 14, 15 with pressure rollers 16 and, if appropriate, guide surfaces arranged between them serve to transport the originals. Here, the drag belt drive 14 is deflected upwards by 90 ° in front of the exposure station 17. A further light barrier 18 and a further control device 19, which are connected to the control device 11, are provided directly in front of the exposure station. The two light barriers 10 and 18 control the passage of an entered original, the control devices 9, 19 are used to synchronize the transport speed in the marking part 4 and in the receiving part 13. The conveyor belt 15 is also deflected by 90 °, so that a photographed original 2 is finally rotated 180 ° turned from an output slot 13a of the camera housing 13 and can be collected on a collecting desk 13b. The camera housing 13 can have a plurality of lids or removable wall parts 13c, through which camera parts are accessible for operating or repair purposes, and further operating or display fields 12.

From the exposure station, only the two pressure and guide glass plates 17 are shown, since the lighting device, the lens and the film stage, and the feeding and advancement of the film material are generally known arrangements. The camera shown is designed so that the original is transported further through the exposure station 17 becomes. In principle, however, it would also be possible to insert the full size of the original into the exposure station and stop there for the exposure. The signing of the originals by means of the signing device 5 before the exposure takes place in order to facilitate the assignment of originals to microfilms or the cataloging of the microfilms or microfiches. So far, mechanical printing or stamping units have been used for this. Apart from the difficulty of stamping at high throughput speeds, they have the disadvantage that they can only be used for the consecutive numbering or pagination of the input originals, while it is becoming increasingly necessary to use the originals to be filmed in other respects, e.g. Code numbers for different subject areas. This requires EDP or computer-controlled marking units, which can also print in several rows one below the other, transverse to the transport direction. In addition, non-impact printing units, i.e. not mechanical printing units, are more advantageous for continuous originals because they work faster. Therefore, in connection with the microfilm camera 1, 4, 13 described so far, an ink injection unit, and preferably a vacuum ink injection unit, is used as the marking device 5. Ink spraying units, however, have special features that require special consideration in connection with a microfilm continuous-shooting camera. In general, particularly quick-drying inks are to be used, which dry quickly on non-absorbent originals and on everyone Document that is suitable for originals to be filmed (different types of paper), adheres equally well.

In addition, because of the use of a vacuum ink jet unit and the vertically downward-pointing print head, the ink reservoir 20 must be lower than the nozzle plate of the ink print head 21. Therefore, on the outside of the marking part 4 there is an ink housing 22 below the level of the nozzle plate of the ink print head 21 in its use position I. attached, in which the ink reservoir 20 is housed. This ink housing 22 can be closed by an ink housing cover 23, which according to the figures can have a control panel 12 with control buttons and / or signal lamps. The ink housing cover 23 can be closed by an electrical or electromagnetic locking device 24, which is connected to the electronic control device 11. The electronic control device 11 ensures that the ink housing cover 23 only opens when the ink spray head 21 is controlled into an operating position according to FIG. A control key C can be actuated if the printing functionality of the ink spraying unit is to be checked. In addition, keys P and PR are provided, with which the print sequence can be programmed in the normal reading direction or direction of the mirror image.

Now the peculiarity of this vacuum ink spray arrangement 21, 20 is not only that the print head 21 in its use position I is directed with its spray direction down, but that when air is sucked in from the outside or compressed air residues in the feeds to the nozzles, this air is removed, that is to say the nozzles have to be vented, and that in the case of dried-on ink residues of the fast-drying ink these residues must be scraped off and that finally the print head 21 must be closed when not in use by a membrane cover 25 in such a way that there is no overpressure on the nozzles from the outside and the ink meniscuses in them are not destroyed. Therefore, the print head 21 must be pivoted automatically when the button S is pressed from the use position I according to FIGS. 2 and 3 into an operating position II, in which its nozzle plate is at least slightly inclined upwards and is accessible. In addition, the print head 21 must be brought automatically into a rest position when the machine is switched off and / or when it is interrupted as a result of non-tracking originals, in which it is pivoted and pushed against the diaphragm cover 25. When the machine is operated again, the ink spray head 21 must then automatically be moved down again into its use position I. The corresponding drives described below are also controlled by the electronic control device 11.

The meaning of the three positions I to III of the spray head 21 is now explained in more detail in FIGS. The drive and the gear for the spray head 21 are accommodated in a drive housing 26, which is longitudinally transverse to the transport direction 28 of the originals 2 extending guide rods 27 in a manner not shown in any known manner motor or manually according to the computer control for the spray head 21 is displaceable. If the spray head 21 is set to the correct line position 29 relative to an original 2 to be marked (cf. FIG. 3), it remains there at rest during the printing process, while the original to be marked is moved beneath it, cf. Figure 3.

If, for example, a signal lamp provided for this purpose is displayed or it can be seen from the originals that have been issued again that the pressure is no longer clean, the key S is actuated, so that the spray head 21 is pivoted slightly upwards into the position II via the control device 11 becomes. In this position, the ink housing cover 23 also opens automatically, the cover 4a is opened by hand. To vent the nozzles, one presses on the membrane 20a of the ink container 20 by hand, so that ink is sprayed through the line 30 through the nozzles and these are vented. The excess ink drips onto a cotton roll 32 which is exchangeably arranged in a container 31.

In this operating position II, a hand-operated scraper 33 is located above the nozzle plate of the print head 21. It is mounted on an angle plate 36 on the drive housing 26 by means of a pin-slot guide 34, 35 and protrudes with its end through a slot 37 in the angle plate 36 and is pulled up by a spring 38. In operating position II according to FIG. 4, the scraper 33 is pressed down by hand on its arm 33a. It moves due to the position of the two slots 35 and 37 so that it pivots against the front nozzle plate of the print head 21 and brushes along and scrapes off dried ink residues located on the outside of the nozzle plate.

In the operating position II according to FIG. 4, the diaphragm cover 25 is located on the front side in front of the nozzle plate of the spray head 21. The diaphragm cover 25 is also fastened via a plate 39 fastened to the drive housing 26. When the device is switched off or when the filming is interrupted, the spray head 21 is pivoted via the operating position II into the rest position III against the diaphragm cover 25 in such a way that the spray head 21 or its nozzle plate rests airtight on the diaphragm cover 25 by compressing the springs 41. The covers 23 and 4a naturally remain closed.

An exemplary embodiment of a drive gear for the print head 21 designed as an ink spray head will now be described with reference to FIG. 6. The arrow direction 42 indicated indicates the viewing direction from below onto the print head 21. FIG. 6 shows printhead 21 and gearbox shortly before reaching position of use I according to FIG. 3. Accordingly, printhead 21 is fastened to an angle plate 43. The side of the angle plate 43 parallel to the printing direction has an axis 44 on the outside, an eccentric pin 45, a control pin 46 and a magnetic switch contact 47. A drive electric gate and an overload clutch are not visible in the drive housing 26. A drive pulley 48 is coupled to the drive motor via the overload clutch. A bearing bush 49 for the axis 44 is arranged eccentrically on the drive board 48, so that the angle plate 43 is mounted eccentrically and rotatably on the drive disk 48. A torsion spring 50 is mounted around the bearing bush 49, between the radial ends 50a, 50b of which a pin 48a of the drive plate 48 and the eccentric pin 45 are clamped together. In addition, a further magnetic switch contact 51 is arranged at a suitable location on the drive board 48. The upper side of the drive housing 26 facing the angle plate 43 has three magnetic switch contacts 52, 53, 54 and is designed as a control curve with the radial slots 55a, 55b and an intermediate curve piece 55c. Below the slot 55b is a lever 57 which can be pivoted about an axis 56 and is pulled into the stop position shown in FIG. 6 in the use position I under the action of a spring 58. Its free end is accessible from the outside. It has two catch hooks 57a and 57b.

In the use position I, with the print head 21 directed downward, the control pin 46 lies in the slot 55a, so that the print head is fixed. In this case, the drive motor for the print head 21 is switched off via the magnetic contacts 47, 53, which lie opposite one another. If the button S is now actuated so that the operating position II according to FIG. 4 is activated, the drive motor is switched on and takes the drive disk 48 with. First, the tensioned spring 50 is released and the control pin 46 is moved out of the radial slot 55a. Only when the pin 45 is carried along by the spring ends 50a and 50b, the print head 21 is rotated. Now the print head 21 is carried by the drive pulley 48 via the eccentric 49 and the spring 50 until the control pin 46 runs into the first catch hook 57a and is held. In this position and only when the button S is pressed for the operating position II, the magnetic contact 51 switches off the drive motor on the magnetic contact 52, so that the ventilation and cleaning measures described in the operating position II can be carried out.

If in this operating position II the lever 57 is turned clockwise and the print head 21 or the drive board 48 is rotated a little bit counterclockwise by hand, the control pin 46 engages with the second catch hook 57b of the lever 57. In this position, the print head 21 looks so far up that repair measures, such as changing the nozzle plate, can be carried out. If this latching is released again, the print head 21 runs back into the operating position II. If one of the keys P or C is then actuated, the print head 21 returns to the use position I.

If, on the other hand, the device is switched off or a work break is switched on, the control pin 46 initially runs from the use position I into the first catch hook 57a. The drive motor continues to run, because the magnetic contacts 51, 52 are ineffective. Therefore, the control pin 46, under the action of the eccentric 49, pushes the lever 57 to the side in a clockwise direction and runs into the radial slot 55b, it also remaining caught in the catch hook 57a. When the control pin 46 reaches the end of the slot 55b, the drive motor is switched off via the switch contacts 47, 54 located opposite one another. The rest position III has been reached. Due to its rotatable, eccentric mounting on the drive pulley 48, the print head 21 has been rotated and pushed against the diaphragm cover 25 in such a way that it presses against the spring 41 in an airtight manner against or in the diaphragm cover 25. This prevents not only drying of the ink in the nozzles, but also destruction of the ink menisci in the nozzles due to overpressure from the outside. If the device is switched on again, the drive pulley 48 rotates clockwise, so that the control pin 46 is initially controlled inwards out of the radial slot 55b via the torsion spring 50 and the pins 48a and 45. The print head 21 then rotates with it until the use position I is reached again.

With the invention, therefore, a possibility has been created of using, in a microfilm camera, a computer-controlled ink-spray head 21 directed downwards towards horizontally moved originals, with all of its advantages, without having to operate the ink spray head 21 for cleaning, venting and repairs are always necessary, would make it difficult to use. This ease of use is achieved by the possibility of automatic control of positions of the ink spray head 21, in which it is at least partially directed upwards for service work or in which it is closed by a membrane cover.

In principle, it would naturally also be possible for a more economical embodiment to move the ink spray head 21 into the various functional positions by hand instead of by means of the automatic control device 11 using the arrangement shown on the drive disk 48. For this purpose, the drive pulley 48 would have to have knurling accessible from the outside, for example, with the omission of the drive motor (not shown), on which it can be turned by hand.

Claims (14)

1. Microfilm camera, having transport means (3, 6, 7) by means of which originals (2) to be reduced are after introduction first conveyed horizontally and continuously in the camera, having marking means (4) for marking the originals (2) prior to reaching a photocopying station (17) for reduced photocopying of the originals (2), with the marking means (4) being formed by a computer-controllable ink jet head (21) which in the horizontal region of movement of the originals (2) in its working position (I) is directed approximately vertically downwards onto the original (2), characterized by a combination of the following features:

   - the ink jet head (21) is, by means of an electronic control device (11) or manually, rotatable into a cleaning position (II) and rotatable and displaceable into a position of rest (III) against a diaphragm cap (25) to protect its nozzles from drying up,

   - an associated ink reservoir (20) is disposed, below the level of the ink jet head (21) in its working position (I), inside a housing part (22) which is accessible by means of an opening cover (23), and

   - a locking device (24) for the cover (23) of the housing part (22) is connected to the electronic control device (11) and, upon setting of the cleaning position (II) by means of a selection device (S) likewise connected to the electronic control device (11), is transferable by the electronic control device (11) into a release position for the cover (23) so that the elastically designed ink reservoir (20) is accessible and in the cleaning position (II) may be placed manually under pressure.
2. Microfilm camera according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ink jet head (21) is also accessible by means of an opening cover (4a) and that the nozzles of the ink jet head (21) in the cleaning position (II) or in a further different cleaning position lie in the path of movement of a manually operable scraper (33).
3. Microfilm camera according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ink jet head (21) is rotatably and eccentrically supported on a driving pulley (48) connected via an overload coupling to an electric motor and is coupled to the driving pulley (48) via a torsionally flexible coupling (50).
4. Microfilm camera according to claim 3, characterized in that the torsionally flexible coupling (50) is formed by a torsion spring (50), which encloses the bearing eccentric (49, 44) for the ink jet head (21) and between whose radially projecting ends (50a, 50b) are clamped an eccentric pin (48a) of the driving pulley (48) and a pin (45) of the ink jet head (21) which is eccentric to the bearing eccentric (49, 44).
5. Microfilm camera according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that a control pin (46), which is eccentric relative to the bearing eccentric (49, 44) and is drivable by means of the torsion spring (50), is disposed on the ink jet head (21).
6. Microfilm camera according to claim 5, characterized in that a control cam (55a, 55b) has two radial control slots (55a, 55b), which are offset by approximately 90° relative to one another and into which the control pin (46) engages in the working position (I) or in the position of rest (III) of the ink jet head (21), simultaneously coming to rest in each case against one flank of the slot (55a or 55b).
7. Microfilm camera according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that, in the position of the ink jet head (21) in which the control pin (46) engages into the radial slot (55b) of the control cam (55a to 55c) which is associated with the position of rest (III), a contact spring (41) of the diaphragm cap (25), which is directed towards the ink jet head (21), is compressible by the ink jet head (21) so that the diaphragm cap (25) is pressed against the ink jet head (21).
8. Microfilm camera according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that there is disposed in the path of movement of the control pin (46) between the radial slots (55a, 55b) a resilient catch lever (57), into whose hook-like end (57a) the control pin (46) catches when the cleaning position (II) of the ink jet head (21) is selected and reached, and that in said cleaning position (II) a switching element (51) of the driving pulley (48) becomes operationally connected to a stationary switching element (52) so that, when the cleaning position (II) is selected at the electronic control device (11) or the associated selection device (S), the electric motor is disconnectable.
9. Microfilm camera according to claim 8, characterized in that, on disconnection of the microfilm camera via the electronic control device (11), the switching elements (51, 52) for the cleaning position (II) are rendered inactive and that, under the action of the bearing eccentric (49, 44), the catch lever (57) may be swivelled by means of the control pin (46) in such a manner that the control pin (46) may be swivelled into the radial slot (55b) for the position of rest (III) and the electric motor may be disconnected via a switching element (47) on the ink jet head (21) and via a stationary rest switching element (54).
10. Microfilm camera according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the catch lever (57) has, adjoining its hook-like end (57a) for the cleaning position (II), a further notch (57b) and that the catch lever (57) and the ink jet head (21) are manually rotatable counter to one another into a further maintenance position in such a way that the control pin (46) locks in the further notch (57b) and that the ink jet head (21) and its nozzles are directed further upwards than in the cleaning position or the position of rest (II or III).
11. Microfilm camera according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching element (47) on the ink jet head (21) in the working position (I) cooperates with a stationary switching element (53) for cutting out the electric motor during the printing process.
12. Microfilm camera according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport means (6, 14) for the originals (2) are coupled to the electronic control device (11) in such a way that the transport speed of the originals is synchronized with the printing tempo of the ink jet head (21).
13. Microfilm camera according to claim 12, characterized in that the transport means (6, 14) are controlled by the electronic control device (11) in such a way that the throughfeed speeds of the originals under the ink jet head (21) and in the photocopying station (17) are synchronized.
14. Microfilm camera according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ink jet head (21) together with its drive is displaceable at right angles to the throughfeed direction (28) of the originals (2).

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