EP0404767B1 - Device for incorporating an optical character generator in a printer housing - Google Patents

Device for incorporating an optical character generator in a printer housing Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0404767B1
EP0404767B1 EP88904488A EP88904488A EP0404767B1 EP 0404767 B1 EP0404767 B1 EP 0404767B1 EP 88904488 A EP88904488 A EP 88904488A EP 88904488 A EP88904488 A EP 88904488A EP 0404767 B1 EP0404767 B1 EP 0404767B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
character generator
printer housing
transfer drum
distance
printer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP88904488A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0404767A1 (en
Inventor
Siegfried Schreyer
Helmut Berger
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.)
Canon Production Printing Germany GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
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Publication of EP0404767A1 publication Critical patent/EP0404767A1/en
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    • 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
    • B41J2/435—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/447—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using arrays of radiation sources
    • B41J2/45—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using arrays of radiation sources using light-emitting diode [LED] or laser arrays

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for installing an optical character generator in a printer housing.
  • optical character generators of non-mechanical printers in a corresponding printer housing is always accompanied by adjustments.
  • the need for such adjustments is explained by the fact that the optical images generated by the character generator are projected onto a transfer drum by imaging optics.
  • the typical imaging scale of imaging optics used is at a ratio of 1: 1. Since the imaging optics are preferably permanently integrated in the character generator, the distance from the surface of the imaging optics to the surface of the transfer drum must be optimally adjusted in order not to increase the imaging quality by exceeding the depth of field of the imaging optics to adversely affect.
  • WO 88/00 739 describes a fastening and setting device for the precise arrangement of a character generator in relation to a light-sensitive surface.
  • Characteristic of the fastening and setting device are, on the one hand, a plurality of fixing or locking elements with which a light emission arrangement arranged on a carrier element is releasably attached to the light-sensitive surface at a predetermined distance on both longitudinal sides of the character generator.
  • fastening and adjustment elements are also provided on the carrier element, with which an imaging optics of the character generator between the light-sensitive surface and the light-emitting arrangement are set for optimal imaging characteristics, for example resolution and depth of field of the latent electrostatic image on the light-sensitive surface.
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device of the type mentioned at the outset with which the adjustment of an optical character generator after installation in a printer housing is dispensed with.
  • the solution is characterized in particular by the fact that the optical character generator can be reliably installed in the printer housing in the event of maintenance without additional adjustment and can even be exchanged for a new character generator.
  • This adjustment-free installation is guaranteed by two fastening elements arranged in the printer housing.
  • the peculiarity of these fasteners is that they are adjusted during assembly by means of a gauge so that the built-in character generator is at a constant distance from a transfer drum. With regard to this distance, it must be ensured that manufacturing and assembly tolerances that occur do not exceed the available depth of field of an imaging optics of the character generator, in order not to permanently impair the image quality of optical images projected on the transfer printing drum. This applies in particular to a spindle run caused by the rotational movement of the transfer printing drum.
  • the transfer drum 2 is axially fixed on a spindle 20 which is rotatably mounted in the printer housing 3.
  • the character generator 1 is fastened in the printer housing 3 at a variable distance z3.
  • the character generator 1 is fixedly mounted at both ends on adjustable fastening elements 30, 31.
  • the fastening elements 30, 31 which are angular in cross section are integrated in the printer housing 3 in such a way that the position of the fastening planes 300 and 310 of the fastening elements 30, 31 relative to the axis of rotation of the transfer drum 2 can be adjusted with a gauge to the distance z3.
  • the distance z3 set in this way is composed of two different individual dimensions z1, z2.
  • a given and also observed total tolerance for the set distance z3 is not exceeded by manufacturing and assembly tolerances for the two dimensions z1, z2.
  • the overall tolerance is essentially determined by imaging optics 10 of the character generator 1.
  • the depth of field of the imaging optics 10 must not be changed by the tolerances mentioned in the interest of good imaging quality. This is explained by the fact that 10 pixels from light sources, for example light-emitting diodes (LEDs), are reproduced on the transfer drum 2 by the imaging optics.
  • These light sources are each arranged on an exposure module 11 which is positively connected to the web of a T-shaped module carrier 13. Stop elements 12 are further provided on the web of the module carrier 13, which prevent the exposure modules 11 from being displaced in the x direction in the operating state of the character generator 1.
  • the flange of the T-shaped module carrier 13 has also rollers 130, which are each attached in pairs on the two long end faces of the flange diametrically to each other.
  • the base of the flange is divided into two contact surfaces 131, 132 and a step surface 133, offset from these two contact surfaces 131, 132, on which several cooling plates 140 forming a heat sink 14 are fastened, for example soldered.
  • the character generator is pushed into the printer housing 3 by the fact that the rollers 130 can be moved in guide rails 32 of the printer housing 3 in the x direction until the character generator 1 in the mounting planes 300, 310 with its support surfaces 131, 132 rests on the fastening elements 30, 31.
  • the character generator 1 installed in this way forms a constructive unit with the transfer drum 2 with respect to the dimensions z1 to z3 shown in FIG. 1, which changes again only with constantly changing, different manufacturing and assembly tolerances. For example, with respect to a tangential distance z4 between the transfer drum 2 and the imaging optics 10, there are manufacturing tolerances which are based on a changing spindle stroke of the transfer drum 2.
  • the character generator 1 must have an accuracy of at least 0 .01 mm can be manufactured in order to ensure a perfect imaging of the pixels from the light sources onto the transfer drum 2. This results in more stringent requirements for the constructive design of the character generator 1 in the direction of the z coordinate, which will be discussed in the following in the description of FIGS. 2 to 5.
  • FIG 2 shows a perspective axonometric Representation of the basic structure of the character generator 1.
  • the four exposure modules 11 indicated in FIG. 1 are arranged in a positive and non-positive manner in the longitudinal direction on the web of the module carrier 13.
  • both contact surfaces, that of the module carrier 13 as well as that of the exposure modules 11 are mechanically machined to a very high accuracy in a special production process in order to achieve an air gap of less than 2 ⁇ m between the two contact surfaces in the assembled state.
  • the exposure modules 11 arranged in this way collide with each other on joining surfaces 116 produced with the highest precision.
  • the air gap between the joining surfaces 116 is also less than 2 ⁇ m.
  • the modules 11 collide only in a very narrow area.
  • the form-fitting fixing of the modules 11 in the y and z directions is also achieved by means of contact points 117 and by means of fastening devices, not shown in FIG.
  • the Figure 2 also shows that the imaging optics 10 is arranged at a distance z4 'above the module surface and that the exposure modules 11 have on their respective still freely accessible end faces 117 a flexible electrical ribbon cable 4, via which they are supplied with current for the light-emitting diodes and control electronics.
  • each flexible ribbon cable 4 is connected via a screw connection 40 to a flat electrical supply line 5, which extends in the x-direction past all exposure modules 11 arranged on the module carrier 13, on both long sides of the module carrier web.
  • the need for such a large-area supply line 5 is explained by the fact that, due to the large number of light-emitting diodes integrated on the modules 11 of the character generator 1, currents of 80 to 100 A are not uncommon.
  • the light-emitting diodes are controlled via data and control lines 60 by a microprocessor-controlled device 6, which for this purpose contains, among other things, a central processor 61 and a memory 62. Downstream of this microprocessor-controlled device 6 are an analog / digital converter 63 and a plurality of amplifying driver modules 64 which are arranged on the printed circuit board 17. From the driver modules 64, the signals on the data and control lines are increasingly passed on to the light-emitting diodes.
  • the character generator 1 also has, under the support surface 131, a plate-shaped locking element 16 and under the support surfaces 131, 132 a guide pin 15, each projecting out of the module carrier 13. If the character generator 1 is now inserted with its guide rollers 130 along the guide rail 32 for installation in the printer housing 3, the guide pin 15 projecting centrally below the support surfaces 132 along a ramp 311 of the fastening element 31 becomes one in the stop shown in FIG. 3 to the stop tapering guide slot 312 brought. The taper of the guide slot 312 is dimensioned such that the guide pin 15 is fixed without play in the y direction. The position fixing of the character generator 1 in the x direction is brought about by the plate-shaped locking element 16.
  • the fixing element 16 is fastened in a recess 161 of the support surface 131, with which it forms a flush surface, in such a way that a part of the fixing element 16 of equal size protrudes on the two long sides of the character generator 1.
  • a bore 160 is made in the middle of this protruding part. If the character generator 1 rests with its support surface 132 in the contact plane 310 on the fastening element 31 and if the character generator 1 also lies with its support surface 131 in the contact plane 300 on the fastening element 30, it is fastened by two fastening screws 162 which are in a corresponding threaded hole 301 as shown in FIG. 1 are fixed in the x direction.
  • the character generator 1 or the module carrier 13 is thus clearly defined in all three coordinate directions with respect to the transfer printing drum 2 shown in FIG.
  • the exposure modules 11, as shown in FIG. 4 have a regular exposure line 114 in an exposure line 114
  • the light-emitting light sources 113 are monolithically integrated as chips 112 with sides parallel in pairs and, depending on the printing screen, with 64 or 128 LEDs. As a representative of this, 4 points are shown as LEDs in FIG. In addition, the LEDs are shown enlarged in FIG. 5 as concentric circles with the diameter D. According to FIG.
  • the individual LEDs in the exposure line 114 or on the chips 112 are in two rows running at an equidistant distance A, each at a distance A by one Offset R arranged.
  • This offset is determined depending on the printing grid. Typical print screens used are e.g. B. 240 dpi (dots per inch), 300 dpi and 600 dpi.
  • the displacement of the LEDs 117 is necessary, among other things, because the diameter D of the LEDs 113 for the printing grids mentioned is greater than the resulting offset R and therefore the LEDs 113 cannot be arranged in a single-row, continuous exposure line 114.
  • the number 64 or 128 for the number of LEDs 113 per chip 112 on the modules 11 of the character generator 1 is not chosen arbitrarily, but is based on conditions which are related to the digital control of the LEDs 113.
  • an integrated circuit 111 is provided on the module 11 for each LED row of the chip 112, as can be seen in FIG.
  • Each of these integrated circuits 111 is connected via a bus system 110 to the flexible ribbon cable 4 as well as to the data and control lines 60 on the printed circuit boards 17 via the driver modules 64 and is thus connected to the power supply or the microprocessor-controlled device 6.
  • this device 6 all print data from the light-emitting diodes 113 are stored and processed in the exposure line 114.
  • FIG. 5 shows in a section through the character generator 1 how it is fixed in the printer housing 3 in the y direction. For this purpose, it is shown in particular how the guide pin 15 is let into the web of the module carrier 13. It is also shown how the imaging optics 10 are arranged opposite the transfer drum 2 and the light sources 113 on the chip 112 of the exposure modules 11 in the z and y directions. The imaging optics 10 are designed with regard to their imaging geometry such that the light spots generated in the exposure line 114 of the exposure module 11 are projected onto the transfer drum 2 at an imaging scale 1: 1. A very good image quality to reach the light points, the distances z4, z4 'drawn must be identical.
  • the imaging optics 10 are integrated in a cover 8 and are positioned centrally with this over the exposure line 114 or the chips 112.
  • the cover 8 is in turn fixed by spacers 9 with respect to the exposure modules 11.
  • the cover 8 is designed such that the character generator 1 is protected up to the rollers 130 against external dirt, which occurs in particular when developing the latent, electrostatic images on the transfer drum 2.
  • the imaging optics 10, for their part, which, according to FIG. 2, extend over the entire exposure line 114 of the character generator 1 and thereby project each light point of the light-emitting diodes 113 onto the transfer drum 2 in the aforementioned imaging scale, are countered by a locking mechanism 90 which does not cover the imaging optics 10 during the imaging process Impurities protected.
  • the locking mechanism 90 is mounted on the cover 8 so as to be displaceable in the y direction.

Abstract

A device which permits adjustment-free insertion and removal of optical character generators (1) facilitates the projection of optical images onto a transfer drum (2) of a non-mechanical printer. To this end, the invention proposes that two fastening elements (30, 31) be provided in the printer housing (3) and adjusted at a constant distance (23) from the transfer drum. In order to receive the character generator (1), the fastening elements (30, 31) are designed as ramps and have tapering guide slots (312) in which guide pins (15) of the character generator (1) can be slid so that the character generator (1) is fixed parallel to the axis of rotation of the transfer drum (2).

Description

Die Erfindung nimmt bezug auf eine Vorrichtung zum Einbauen eines optischen Zeichengenerators in ein Druckergehäuse.The invention relates to a device for installing an optical character generator in a printer housing.

Der Einbau von optischen Zeichengeneratoren nichtmechanischer Drucker in ein entsprechendes Druckergehäuse wird stets durch Justagen begleitet. Die Notwendigkeit solcher Justagen erklärt sich dabei aus der Tatsache, daß die die vom Zeichengenerator erzeugten optischen Bilder durch eine Abbildungsoptik auf eine Umdrucktrommel projiziert werden. Der typische Abbildungsmaßstab verwendeter Abbildungsoptiken liegt bei einem Verhältnis von 1 : 1. Da die Abbildungsoptik im Zeichengenerator vorzugsweise fest integriert ist, muß der Abstand von der Oberfläche der Abbildungsoptik zur Oberfläche der Umdrucktrommel optimal eingestellt werden, um die Abbildungsqualität durch Überschreiten der Tiefenschärfe der Abbildungsoptik nicht unzulässig zu beeinträchtigen. Das Einsteller dieses Abstandes hängt aber weitestgehend, vorausgesetzt, daß der Zeichengenerator ziemlich genau gefertigt herden kann, davon ab, wie genau der Abstand zwischen dem Auflagepunkt des Zeichengenerators im Druckergehäuse und der Rotationsachse der Umdrucktrommel eingestellt werden kann. Beeinträchtigt wird diese Einstellungsgenauigkeit von einen sich statisch ändernden Spindelschlag der Umdrucktrommel. Da dieser Spindelschlag nicht zu vermeiden ist, ändert sich die Tiefenschärfe der Abbildungsoptik innerhalb eines gewissen Toleranzbereiches ständig. Um die Qualitätseinbuße beim Abbilden der optischen Bilder auf die Oberfläche der Umdrucktrommel nicht noch weiter zu erhöhen, sollte der Abstand zwischen dem Auflagepunkt des Zeichengenerators im Druckergehäuse und der Rotationsachse der Umdrucktrommel konstant gehalten werden. Dieses erweist sich jedoch dann problematisch, wenn der Zeichengenerator beispielsweise im Wartungsfall zunächst aus dem Druckergehäuse herausgenommen und anschließend wieder eingesetzt wird.The installation of optical character generators of non-mechanical printers in a corresponding printer housing is always accompanied by adjustments. The need for such adjustments is explained by the fact that the optical images generated by the character generator are projected onto a transfer drum by imaging optics. The typical imaging scale of imaging optics used is at a ratio of 1: 1. Since the imaging optics are preferably permanently integrated in the character generator, the distance from the surface of the imaging optics to the surface of the transfer drum must be optimally adjusted in order not to increase the imaging quality by exceeding the depth of field of the imaging optics to adversely affect. The adjuster of this distance depends, however, as far as possible, provided that the character generator can be manufactured quite precisely, from how exactly the distance between the point of contact of the character generator in the printer housing and the axis of rotation of the transfer printing drum can be set. This setting accuracy is impaired by a statically changing spindle stroke of the transfer drum. Since this spindle stroke cannot be avoided, the depth of focus of the imaging optics changes constantly within a certain tolerance range. In order not to further increase the loss of quality when imaging the optical images on the surface of the transfer printing drum, the distance between the point of contact of the character generator in the printer housing and the axis of rotation should be the transfer drum can be kept constant. However, this proves to be problematic when the character generator is first removed from the printer housing, for example in the event of maintenance, and is then reinserted.

Es ist daher eine Möglichkeit denkbar, das genannte Problem zu umgehen, indem der Abstand nach jedem Einbau des Zeichengenerators in das Druckergehäuse wieder von Neuem justiert wird. bei dieser Art der Vorgehensweise wirkt es sich insbesondere nachteilig aus, daß ein möglicher sich aus dem ständigen Justieren ergebender individueller Justagefehler die Abbildungsqualität zusätzlich verschlechtert.A possibility is therefore conceivable to circumvent the problem mentioned, in that the distance is readjusted again each time the character generator is installed in the printer housing. With this type of procedure, it is particularly disadvantageous that a possible individual adjustment error resulting from the constant adjustment additionally deteriorates the imaging quality.

Aus der WO 88/00 739 ist eine Befestigungs- und Einstellvorrichtung für das genaue Anordnen eines Zeichengenerators gegenüber einer lichtempfindlichen Oberfläche beschrieben. Charakteristisch für die Befestigungs- und Einstellvorrichtung sind zum einen mehrere Feststell- bzw. Arretierungselemente, mit denen auf beiden Längsseiten des Zeichengenerators eine auf einem Trägerelement angeordnete Lichtemissionsanordnung gegenüber der lichtempfindlichen Oberfläche in einem vorgegebenen Abstand lösbar befestigt ist. Andererseits sind darüber hinaus auf dem Trägerelement noch Befestigungs- und Einstellelemente vorgesehen, mit denen eine Abbildungsoptik des Zeichengenerators zwischen der lichtempfindlichen Oberfläche und der Lichtemissionsanordnung für eine optimale Abbildungscharakteristik, beispielsweise Auflösung und Tiefenschärfe des latenten elektrostatischen Bildes auf der lichtempfindlichen Oberfläche, eingestellt wird.WO 88/00 739 describes a fastening and setting device for the precise arrangement of a character generator in relation to a light-sensitive surface. Characteristic of the fastening and setting device are, on the one hand, a plurality of fixing or locking elements with which a light emission arrangement arranged on a carrier element is releasably attached to the light-sensitive surface at a predetermined distance on both longitudinal sides of the character generator. On the other hand, fastening and adjustment elements are also provided on the carrier element, with which an imaging optics of the character generator between the light-sensitive surface and the light-emitting arrangement are set for optimal imaging characteristics, for example resolution and depth of field of the latent electrostatic image on the light-sensitive surface.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, mit der das Justieren eines optischen Zeichengenerators nach dem Einbauen in ein Druckergehäuse entfällt.The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device of the type mentioned at the outset with which the adjustment of an optical character generator after installation in a printer housing is dispensed with.

Diese Augabe wird erfindungsgemäß bei einer Vorrichtung der eingangs gennanten Art durch die im Hauptanspruch beschriebenen Merkmale gelöst.This claim is achieved according to the invention in a device of the type mentioned at the outset by the features described in the main claim.

Dabei zeichnet sich die Lösung insbesondere dadurch aus, daß der optische Zeichengenerator im Wartungsfall ohne zusätzliche Justage in das Druckergehäuse funktionssicher eingebaut und sogar gegen einen neuen Zeichengenerator ausgetauscht werden kann. Gewährleistet wird dieses justierfreie Einbauen durch zwei in dem Druckergehäuse angeordnete Befestigungselemente. Die besonderheit dieser befestigungselemente liegt darin, daß sie bei der Gerätemontage mittels einer Lehre derart justiert werden, daß der eingebaute Zeichengenerator gegenüber einer Umdrucktrommel einen konstanten Abstand aufweist. Bezüglich dieses Abstandes ist darauf zu achten, daß auftretende Fertigungs- und Montagetoleranzen die zur Verfügung stehende Tiefenschärfe einer Abbildungsoptik des Zeichengenerators nicht überschreiten, um die Abbildungsqualität auf der Umdrucktrommel projizierter optischer Bilder nicht nachhaltig zu beeinträchtigen. Dieses gilt insbesondere für einen durch die Rotationsbewegung der Umdrucktrommel hervorgerufenen Spindelschlag. Gegenüber auftretenden Fertigungstoleranzen beim internen Aufbau des Zeichengenerators ist der Spindelschlag trotz einer ausgezeichneten Lagerung der Umdrucktrommel kaum zu beeinflussen und daher unvermeidbar. Die Lösung zeichnet sich im weiteren insbesondere dadurch aus, daß der Zeichengenerator zu der justierten Lage in Bezug auf die Umdrucktrommel noch zusätzlich parallel zur Achse der Umdrucktrommel gesichert wird. Kennzeichnend hierfür ist ein Führungsbolzen des Zeichengenerators vorgesehen, der beim Einbauen in einem Führungsschlitz der Befestigungselemente formschlüssig angeordnet ist.The solution is characterized in particular by the fact that the optical character generator can be reliably installed in the printer housing in the event of maintenance without additional adjustment and can even be exchanged for a new character generator. This adjustment-free installation is guaranteed by two fastening elements arranged in the printer housing. The peculiarity of these fasteners is that they are adjusted during assembly by means of a gauge so that the built-in character generator is at a constant distance from a transfer drum. With regard to this distance, it must be ensured that manufacturing and assembly tolerances that occur do not exceed the available depth of field of an imaging optics of the character generator, in order not to permanently impair the image quality of optical images projected on the transfer printing drum. This applies in particular to a spindle run caused by the rotational movement of the transfer printing drum. Compared to the manufacturing tolerances that occur during the internal construction of the character generator, the spindle stroke can hardly be influenced despite the excellent positioning of the transfer drum and is therefore unavoidable. The solution is further characterized in that the character generator is additionally secured parallel to the axis of the transfer drum to the adjusted position in relation to the transfer drum. Characteristic of this is provided a guide pin of the character generator, which is arranged in a form-fitting manner when installed in a guide slot of the fastening elements.

Weitere Vorteile und Weiterbildungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen sowie aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispieles anhand der Zeichnungen. Dabei zeigen:

  • FIG 1 einen im Querschnitt dargestellten, prinzipiellen Teilaufbau eines elektrofotografischen Druckers zum Erzeugen eines latenten, elektrostatischen Bildes,
  • FIG 2 in einer perspektivisch-axonometrischen Darstellung den Aufbau eines latente, elektrostatische Bilder erzeugenden Zeichengenerators,
  • FIG 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Befestigungselementes für die Fixierung des Zeichengenerators,
  • FIG 4 die Draufsicht auf ein für Erzeugung latenter, elektrostatischer Bilder erforderliches Belichtungsmodul des Zeichengenerators und
  • FIG 5 einen Schnitt durch den Zeichengenerator.
Further advantages and developments of the invention result from the subclaims and from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show:
  • 1 shows a basic partial structure of an electrophotographic printer, shown in cross section, for generating a latent, electrostatic image,
  • 2 shows the structure of a latent, electrostatic image-generating character generator in a perspective axonometric representation,
  • 3 shows a perspective illustration of a fastening element for fixing the character generator,
  • 4 shows the top view of an exposure module of the character generator required for the production of latent, electrostatic images and
  • 5 shows a section through the character generator.

Die FIG 1 zeigt, wie ein Zeichengenerator 1 und eine Umdrucktrommel 2 in einem Druckergehäuse 3 eines Druckers eingebaut sind. Die Umdrucktrommel 2 ist dazu auf einer im Druckergehäuse 3 rotierbar gelagerten Spindel 20 axial festgelegt. Unterhalb der drehbar gelagerten Umdrucktrommel 2 ist in einem veränderbaren Abstand z3 der Zeichengenerator 1 in dem Druckergehäuse 3 befestigt. Der Zeichengenerator 1 ist dazu an seinen beiden Enden auf justierbaren Befestigungselementen 30, 31 fest montiert. Die im Querschnitt winkelförmigen Befestigungselemente 30, 31 sind in das Druckergehäuse 3 derart integriert, daß die Lage der Befestigungsebenen 300 bzw. 310 der Befestigungselemente 30, 31 bezogen auf die Rotationsachse der Umdrucktrommel 2 mit einer Lehre auf den Abstand z3 justiert werden kann. Der so eingestellte Abstand z3 setzt sich dabei aus zwei verschiedenen Einzelabmaßen z1, z2 zusammen. Für einen einwandfreien Betrieb des Druckers ist es unablässig, daß eine vorgegebene und auch einzuhaltende Gesamttoleranz für den eingestellten Abstand z3 durch auftretende Fertigungs- und Montagetoleranzen für die beiden Abmaße z1, z2 nicht überschritten wird.1 shows how a character generator 1 and a transfer printing drum 2 are installed in a printer housing 3 of a printer. For this purpose, the transfer drum 2 is axially fixed on a spindle 20 which is rotatably mounted in the printer housing 3. Below the rotatably mounted transfer printing drum 2, the character generator 1 is fastened in the printer housing 3 at a variable distance z3. For this purpose, the character generator 1 is fixedly mounted at both ends on adjustable fastening elements 30, 31. The fastening elements 30, 31 which are angular in cross section are integrated in the printer housing 3 in such a way that the position of the fastening planes 300 and 310 of the fastening elements 30, 31 relative to the axis of rotation of the transfer drum 2 can be adjusted with a gauge to the distance z3. The distance z3 set in this way is composed of two different individual dimensions z1, z2. For a trouble-free operation of the printer, it is imperative that a given and also observed total tolerance for the set distance z3 is not exceeded by manufacturing and assembly tolerances for the two dimensions z1, z2.

Bestimmt wird die Gesamttoleranz im wesentlichen durch eine Abbildungsoptik 10 des Zeichengenerators 1. So darf die Tiefenschärfe der Abbildungsoptik 10 durch die angesprochenen Toleranzen im Interesse einer guten Abbildungsqualität nicht verändert werden. Dies erklärt sich aus der Tatsache, daß durch die Abbildungsoptik 10 Bildpunkte von Lichtquellen,beispielsweise lichtemittierenden Dioden (LED's),auf die Umdrucktrommel 2 reproduziert werden. Angeordnet sind diese Lichtquellen jeweils auf einem Belichtungsmodul 11, das mit dem Steg eines T-förmig ausgebildeten Modulträgers 13 formschlüssig verbunden ist. Auf dem Steg des Modulträgers 13 sind weiterhin Anschlagelemente 12 vorgesehen, die ein Verschieben der Belichtungsmodule 11 im Betriebszustand des Zeichengenerators 1 in x-Richtung verhindern. Der Flansch des T-förmig ausgebildeten Modulträgers 13 weist zudem Laufrollen 130 auf, die jeweils paarweise an den beiden langen Stirnflächenseiten des Flansches diametral zueinander befestigt sind. Darüber hinaus gliedert sich die Grundfläche des Flansches in zwei Auflageflächen 131, 132 sowie einer von diesen beiden Auflageflächen 131, 132 abgesetzten Stufenfläche 133 auf, auf der mehrere einen Kühlkörper 14 bildende Kühlbleche 140 befestigt,beispielsweise angelötet,sind.The overall tolerance is essentially determined by imaging optics 10 of the character generator 1. The depth of field of the imaging optics 10 must not be changed by the tolerances mentioned in the interest of good imaging quality. This is explained by the fact that 10 pixels from light sources, for example light-emitting diodes (LEDs), are reproduced on the transfer drum 2 by the imaging optics. These light sources are each arranged on an exposure module 11 which is positively connected to the web of a T-shaped module carrier 13. Stop elements 12 are further provided on the web of the module carrier 13, which prevent the exposure modules 11 from being displaced in the x direction in the operating state of the character generator 1. The flange of the T-shaped module carrier 13 has also rollers 130, which are each attached in pairs on the two long end faces of the flange diametrically to each other. In addition, the base of the flange is divided into two contact surfaces 131, 132 and a step surface 133, offset from these two contact surfaces 131, 132, on which several cooling plates 140 forming a heat sink 14 are fastened, for example soldered.

Für den Betrieb des Druckers wird der Zeichengenerator dadurch, daß die Laufrollen 130 in Führungsschienen 32 des Druckergehäuse 3 in x-Richtung bewegbar sind, so weit in das Druckergehäuse 3 eingeschoben, bis der Zeichengenerator 1 in den Befestigungsebenen 300, 310 mit seinen Auflageflächen 131, 132 auf den Befestigungselementen 30, 31 aufliegt. Der so eingebaute Zeichengenerator 1 bildet mit der Umdrucktrommel 2 bezüglich der in FIG 1 eingezeichneten Abmaße z1 bis z3 eine konstruktive Einheit, die sich lediglich bei ständig wechselnden, unterschiedlichen Fertigungs- und Montagetoleranzen wieder ändert. So ergeben sich zum Beispiel in bezug auf einem tangentialen Abstand z4 zwischen der Umdrucktrommel 2 und der Abbildungsoptik 10 Fertigungstoleranzen, denen ein verändernder Spindelschlag der Umducktrommel 2 zugrundeliegt. Beträgt beispielweise die erforderliche Gesamttoleranz des Abstandes z3 0,1 mm und wird in Folge des Spindelschlages für den Abstand z4 eine Toleranz von ebenfalls 0,1 mm bei gleichzeitig hochgenauer Fertigung der Umdrucktrommel 2 berücksichtigt, so muß der Zeichengenerator 1 mit einer Genauigkeit von mindestens 0,01 mm gefertigt werden, um ein einwandfreies Abbilden der Bildpunkte von den Lichtquellen auf die Umdrucktrommel 2 zu gewährleisten. Hieraus ergeben sich mehr hohe Anforderungen an die konstruktive Gestaltung des Zeichengenerators 1 in Richtung der z-koordinate, auf die im folgenden bei der Beschreibung der FIG 2 bis 5 eingegangen wird.For the operation of the printer, the character generator is pushed into the printer housing 3 by the fact that the rollers 130 can be moved in guide rails 32 of the printer housing 3 in the x direction until the character generator 1 in the mounting planes 300, 310 with its support surfaces 131, 132 rests on the fastening elements 30, 31. The character generator 1 installed in this way forms a constructive unit with the transfer drum 2 with respect to the dimensions z1 to z3 shown in FIG. 1, which changes again only with constantly changing, different manufacturing and assembly tolerances. For example, with respect to a tangential distance z4 between the transfer drum 2 and the imaging optics 10, there are manufacturing tolerances which are based on a changing spindle stroke of the transfer drum 2. If, for example, the required total tolerance of the distance z3 is 0.1 mm and if, as a result of the spindle stroke for the distance z4, a tolerance of 0.1 mm is also taken into account while the high-precision production of the transfer drum 2 is carried out, the character generator 1 must have an accuracy of at least 0 .01 mm can be manufactured in order to ensure a perfect imaging of the pixels from the light sources onto the transfer drum 2. This results in more stringent requirements for the constructive design of the character generator 1 in the direction of the z coordinate, which will be discussed in the following in the description of FIGS. 2 to 5.

Die FIG 2 zeigt dazu in einer perspektivisch-axonometrischen Darstellung den prinzipiellen Aufbau des Zeichengenerators 1. Auf dem Steg des Modulträgers 13 sind in Längsrichtung die vier in FIG 1 angedeuteten Belichtungsmodule 11 form- und kraftschlüssig angeordnet. Hierfür werden beide Berührungsflächen sowohl die des Modulträgers 13 als auch die der Belichtungsmodule 11 in einem speziellen Fertigungsgang auf eine sehr hohe Genauigkeit mechanisch bearbeitet, um im Montagezustand zwischen den beiden Berührungsflächen einen Luftspalt kleiner als 2 µm zu erzielen. Die so angeordneten Belichtungsmodule 11 stoßen untereinander jeweils an mit höchster Präzision gefertigten Fügeflächen 116 zusammen. So ist der Luftspalt zwischen den Fügeflächen 116 ebenfalls kleiner als 2 µm. Das Zusammenstoßen der Module 11 findet jedoch nur in einem sehr schmalen Bereich statt. Die Gründe hierfür werden bei der Beschreibung der FIG 3 näher erläutert. Damit dieses deckungsgleiche Aneinanderliegen der jeweiligen Module 11 auch während des Betriebszustandes erhalten bleibt, wird für alle drei Koordinatenrichtungen die Lage der Belichtungsmodule 11 auf dem Modulträger 13 fixiert. Für die x-Richtung ist dazu bereits bei der Beschreibung der FIG 1 auf die Anschlagelemente 12 hingewiesen worden. In diesen Anschlagelementen 12 ist jeweils eine Bohrung 120 eingelassen, um die Anschlagelemente 12 beispielsweise mit Hilfe von Befestigungsschrauben 121 an einer vorgegebenen Stelle auf dem Steg des Modulträgers 13 zu befestigen. Der Abstand der Bohrungen 120 ist im Montagezustand der Anschlagelemente 12 so bemessen, daß die zwischen den Anschlagelementen 12 liegenden Module 11 in x-Richtung formschlüssig verspannt sind. Das formschlüssige Fixieren der Module 11 in y- und z-Richtung wird ferner durch Anlagestitte 117 und durch in FIG 2 nicht dargestellte Betestigungseinrichtungen erreicht. Auf dem einen Anschlagelement 12 liegt darüber hinaus noch eine gedruckte Leiterplatte 17 auf, die gleichfalls mit der Befestigungsschraube 121 festgelegt wird.FIG 2 shows a perspective axonometric Representation of the basic structure of the character generator 1. The four exposure modules 11 indicated in FIG. 1 are arranged in a positive and non-positive manner in the longitudinal direction on the web of the module carrier 13. For this purpose, both contact surfaces, that of the module carrier 13 as well as that of the exposure modules 11, are mechanically machined to a very high accuracy in a special production process in order to achieve an air gap of less than 2 μm between the two contact surfaces in the assembled state. The exposure modules 11 arranged in this way collide with each other on joining surfaces 116 produced with the highest precision. The air gap between the joining surfaces 116 is also less than 2 μm. However, the modules 11 collide only in a very narrow area. The reasons for this are explained in more detail in the description of FIG. 3. So that this congruent abutment of the respective modules 11 is maintained even during the operating state, the position of the exposure modules 11 is fixed on the module carrier 13 for all three coordinate directions. For the x direction, the stop elements 12 have already been referred to in the description of FIG. 1. In each of these stop elements 12 there is a bore 120 in order to fasten the stop elements 12, for example with the aid of fastening screws 121, at a predetermined point on the web of the module carrier 13. The distance between the bores 120 is dimensioned in the assembled state of the stop elements 12 so that the modules 11 lying between the stop elements 12 are positively clamped in the x direction. The form-fitting fixing of the modules 11 in the y and z directions is also achieved by means of contact points 117 and by means of fastening devices, not shown in FIG. On the one stop element 12 there is also a printed circuit board 17, which is also fixed with the fastening screw 121.

Die FIG 2 zeigt außerdem, daß die Abbildungsoptik 10 in einem Abstand z4′ über der Moduloberfläche angeordnet ist und daß die Belichtungsmodule 11 an deren jeweils noch frei zugänglichen Stirnflächen 117 eine flexible elektrische Flachbandleitung 4 aufweisen, über die sie mit Strom für die lichtemittierenden Dioden und Ansteuerungselektroniken versorgt werden. Dazu ist jede flexible Flachbandleitung 4 über eine Schraubverbindung 40 mit einem flächenförmigen elektrischen Zuleitungsstrang 5 verbunden, der sich in x-Richtung vorbei an allen auf dem Modulträger 13 angeordneten Belichtungsmodulen 11, auf beiden Längsseiten des Modulträgersteges erstreckt. Die Notwendigkeit eines solchen großflächig ausgestalteten Zuleitungsstranges 5 erklärt sich aus der Tatsache, daß aufgrund der großen Anzahl der auf den Modulen 11 des Zeichengenerators 1 integrierten lichtemittierender Dioden Ströme von 80 bis 100 A nicht ungewöhnlich sind. Die Ansteuerung der lichtemittierenden Dioden wird über Daten- und Steuerleitungen 60 von einer mikroprozessorgesteuerten Einrichtung 6 vorgenommen, die hierfür unter anderem einen Zentralprozessor 61 und einen Speicher 62 enthält. Dieser mikroprozessorgesteuerten Einrichtung 6 nachgeschaltet sind ein Analog/Digitalwandler 63 sowie mehrere verstärkende Treiberbausteine 64, die auf der gedruckten Leiterplatte 17 angeordnet sind. Von den Treiberbausteinen 64 werden die Signale auf den Daten- und Steuerleitungen verstärkt an die lichtemittierenden Dioden weitergeleitet.The Figure 2 also shows that the imaging optics 10 is arranged at a distance z4 'above the module surface and that the exposure modules 11 have on their respective still freely accessible end faces 117 a flexible electrical ribbon cable 4, via which they are supplied with current for the light-emitting diodes and control electronics. For this purpose, each flexible ribbon cable 4 is connected via a screw connection 40 to a flat electrical supply line 5, which extends in the x-direction past all exposure modules 11 arranged on the module carrier 13, on both long sides of the module carrier web. The need for such a large-area supply line 5 is explained by the fact that, due to the large number of light-emitting diodes integrated on the modules 11 of the character generator 1, currents of 80 to 100 A are not uncommon. The light-emitting diodes are controlled via data and control lines 60 by a microprocessor-controlled device 6, which for this purpose contains, among other things, a central processor 61 and a memory 62. Downstream of this microprocessor-controlled device 6 are an analog / digital converter 63 and a plurality of amplifying driver modules 64 which are arranged on the printed circuit board 17. From the driver modules 64, the signals on the data and control lines are increasingly passed on to the light-emitting diodes.

Der Zeichengenerator 1 weist außerdem unter der Auflagefläche 131 ein plattenförmig ausgestaltetes Feststellelement 16 und unter den Auflageflächen 131, 132 einen jeweils aus dem Modulträger 13 herausragenden Führungsbolzen 15 auf. Wird der Zeichengenerator 1 nun zum Einbau in das Druckergehäuse 3 mit seinen Führungsrollen 130 entlang der Führungsschiene 32 eingeschoben, so wird dabei der unterhalb der Auflageflächen 132 mittig herausragende Führungsbolzen 15 entlang einer Rampe 311 des Befestigungselementes 31 bis in den in FIG 3 dargestellten Anschlag eines sich zum Anschlag hin verjüngenden Führungsschlitzes 312 gebracht. Die Verjüngung des Führungsschlitzes 312 ist so bemessen, daß der Führungsbolzen 15 in y-Richtung spielfrei fixiert ist. Die Lagefixierung des Zeichengenerator 1 in x-Richtung wird durch das plattenförmige Feststellelement 16 bewirkt. Das Feststellelement 16 wird dazu in einer Ausnehmung 161 der Auflagefläche 131, mit der es eine bündige Oberfläche bildet, derart befestigt, daß jeweils ein gleichgroßes Teil des Feststellelementes 16 auf den beiden Längsseiten des Zeichengenerators 1 herausragt. In diesem herausragenden Teil ist jeweils in der Mitte eine Bohrung 160 eingelassen. Liegt der Zeichengenerator 1 mit seiner Auflagefläche 132 in der Berührungsebene 310 auf dem Befestigungselement 31 auf und liegt der Zeichengenerator 1 gleichfalls mit seiner Auflagefläche 131 in der Berührungsebene 300 auf dem Befestigungselement 30 auf, so wird dieser durch zwei Befestigungsschrauben 162, die in einer entsprechenden Gewindebohrung 301 gemäß der Darstellung in FIG 1 eingelassen sind, in x-Richtung fixiert. Der Zeichengenerator 1 bzw. der Modulträger 13 ist somit gegenüber der in FIG 1 dargestellten Umdrucktrommel 2 in allen drei Koordinatenrichtungen eindeutig festgelegt.The character generator 1 also has, under the support surface 131, a plate-shaped locking element 16 and under the support surfaces 131, 132 a guide pin 15, each projecting out of the module carrier 13. If the character generator 1 is now inserted with its guide rollers 130 along the guide rail 32 for installation in the printer housing 3, the guide pin 15 projecting centrally below the support surfaces 132 along a ramp 311 of the fastening element 31 becomes one in the stop shown in FIG. 3 to the stop tapering guide slot 312 brought. The taper of the guide slot 312 is dimensioned such that the guide pin 15 is fixed without play in the y direction. The position fixing of the character generator 1 in the x direction is brought about by the plate-shaped locking element 16. For this purpose, the fixing element 16 is fastened in a recess 161 of the support surface 131, with which it forms a flush surface, in such a way that a part of the fixing element 16 of equal size protrudes on the two long sides of the character generator 1. A bore 160 is made in the middle of this protruding part. If the character generator 1 rests with its support surface 132 in the contact plane 310 on the fastening element 31 and if the character generator 1 also lies with its support surface 131 in the contact plane 300 on the fastening element 30, it is fastened by two fastening screws 162 which are in a corresponding threaded hole 301 as shown in FIG. 1 are fixed in the x direction. The character generator 1 or the module carrier 13 is thus clearly defined in all three coordinate directions with respect to the transfer printing drum 2 shown in FIG.

Um im folgenden mit dem so positionierten Zeichengenerator 1 latente, elektrostatische Bilder auf der Umdrucktrommel 2 zu erzeugen und dadurch letztlich auf einem Aufzeichnungsträger beliebige Zeichen drucken zu können, sind auf den Belichtungsmodulen 11, wie die FIG 4 zeigt, in einer Belichtungszeile 114 in einem regelmäßigen Abstand die lichtemittierenden Lichtquellen 113 als Chips 112 mit paarweise parallelen Seiten und je nach Druckraster mit 64 oder 128 enthaltenen LED's monolithisch integriert. Stellvertretend hierfür sind in FIG 4 Punkte als LED's eingezeichnet. Darüber hinaus sind in der FIG 5 die LED's vergrößert als konzentrische Kreise mit dem Durchmesser D dargestellt. Gemäß der FIG 5 sind die einzelnen LED's in der Belichtungszeile 114 bzw. auf den Chips 112 in zwei in einem äquidistanten Abstand A verlaufenden Reihen jeweils im Abstand A um einen Versatz R angeordnet. Bestimmt wird dieser Versatz in Abhängigkeit vom Druckraster. Typische verwendete Druckraster sind z. B. 240 dpi (dots per inch), 300 dpi und 600 dpi. Das Versetzen der LED's 117 ist unter anderem deshalb erforderlich, weil der Durchmesser D der LED's 113 für die genannten Druckraster größer ist als der daraus resultierende Versatz R und deshalb die LED's 113 nicht in einer einreihigen, durchgehenden Belichtungszeile 114 angeordnet werden können. Im übrigen ist die Zahl 64 bzw. 128 für die Anzahl der LED's 113 pro Chip 112 auf den Modulen 11 des Zeichengenerators 1 nicht willkürlich gewählt, sondern orientiert sich an Gegebenheiten, die mit der digitalen Ansteuerung der LED's 113 zusammenhängen. Für diese digitale Ansteuerung ist für jede LED-Reihe des Chips 112 auf dem Modul 11, wie in FIG 4 zu sehen, ein integrierter Schaltkreis 111 vorgesehen. Jeder dieser integrierten Schaltkreise 111 ist über ein Bussystem 110 sowohl mit der flexiblen Flachbandleitung 4 als auch über die Treiberbausteine 64 auf der gedruckten Leiterplatten 17 mit den Daten und Steuerleitungen 60 verbunden und damit an die Stromversorgung bzw. die mikroprozessorgesteuerte Einrichtung 6 angeschlossen. In dieser Einrichtung 6 werden sämtliche Druckdaten von den lichtemittierenden Dioden 113 in der Belichtungszeile 114 gespeichert und aufbereitet.In order to subsequently generate latent, electrostatic images on the transfer drum 2 with the character generator 1 positioned in this way and thereby ultimately be able to print any characters on a recording medium, the exposure modules 11, as shown in FIG. 4, have a regular exposure line 114 in an exposure line 114 The light-emitting light sources 113 are monolithically integrated as chips 112 with sides parallel in pairs and, depending on the printing screen, with 64 or 128 LEDs. As a representative of this, 4 points are shown as LEDs in FIG. In addition, the LEDs are shown enlarged in FIG. 5 as concentric circles with the diameter D. According to FIG. 5, the individual LEDs in the exposure line 114 or on the chips 112 are in two rows running at an equidistant distance A, each at a distance A by one Offset R arranged. This offset is determined depending on the printing grid. Typical print screens used are e.g. B. 240 dpi (dots per inch), 300 dpi and 600 dpi. The displacement of the LEDs 117 is necessary, among other things, because the diameter D of the LEDs 113 for the printing grids mentioned is greater than the resulting offset R and therefore the LEDs 113 cannot be arranged in a single-row, continuous exposure line 114. Incidentally, the number 64 or 128 for the number of LEDs 113 per chip 112 on the modules 11 of the character generator 1 is not chosen arbitrarily, but is based on conditions which are related to the digital control of the LEDs 113. For this digital control, an integrated circuit 111 is provided on the module 11 for each LED row of the chip 112, as can be seen in FIG. Each of these integrated circuits 111 is connected via a bus system 110 to the flexible ribbon cable 4 as well as to the data and control lines 60 on the printed circuit boards 17 via the driver modules 64 and is thus connected to the power supply or the microprocessor-controlled device 6. In this device 6, all print data from the light-emitting diodes 113 are stored and processed in the exposure line 114.

Die FIG 5 zeigt in einem Schnitt durch den Zeichengenerator 1, wie dieser in dem Druckergehäuse 3 in y-Richtung fixiert ist. Dazu ist insbesondere dargestellt, wie der Führungsbolzen 15 in den Steg des Modulträgers 13 eingelassen ist. Außerdem ist gezeigt, wie die Abbildungsoptik 10 gegenüber der Umdrucktrommel 2 und den Lichtquellen 113 auf dem Chip 112 der Belichtungsmodule 11 in z- und y-Richtung angeordnet ist. Die Abbildungsoptik 10 ist bezüglich ihrer Abbildungsgeometrie so beschaffen, daß die in der Belichtungszeile 114 des Belichtungsmoduls 11 erzeugten Lichtpunkte jeweils in einem Abbildungsmaßstab 1:1 auf die Umdrucktrommel 2 projiziert werden. Um eine sehr gute Abbildungsqualität der Lichtpunkte zu erreichen, müssen die eingezeichneten Abstände z4, z4′ identisch sein. Die Abbildungsoptik 10 ist dazu in einer Abdeckung 8 integriert und mit dieser über die Belichtungszeile 114 bzw. den Chips 112 mittig positioniert. Die Abdeckung 8 ihrerseits ist durch Abstandshalter 9 gegenüber den Belichtungsmodulen 11 fixiert. Darüber hinaus ist die Abdeckung 8 derart ausgestaltet, daß der Zeichengenerator 1 bis zu den Laufrollen 130 gegen äußere Verschmutzung geschützt ist, die insbesondere beim Entwikkeln der latenten, elektrostatischen Bilder auf der Umdrucktrommel 2 auftritt. Die Abbildungsoptik 10 ihrerseits, die sich nach FIG 2 über die gesamte Belichtungszeile 114 des Zeichengenerators 1 erstreckt und dabei jeden Lichtpunkt der lichtemittierenden Dioden 113 im genannten Abbildungsmaßstab auf die Umdrucktrommel 2 projiziert, ist durch einen während des Abbildungsvorganges die Abbildungsoptik 10 nicht bedeckenden Verschlußmechanismus 90 gegen Verunreinigungen geschützt. Der Verschlußmechanismus 90 ist dazu auf der Abdeckung 8 in y-Richtung verschiebbar gelagert.5 shows in a section through the character generator 1 how it is fixed in the printer housing 3 in the y direction. For this purpose, it is shown in particular how the guide pin 15 is let into the web of the module carrier 13. It is also shown how the imaging optics 10 are arranged opposite the transfer drum 2 and the light sources 113 on the chip 112 of the exposure modules 11 in the z and y directions. The imaging optics 10 are designed with regard to their imaging geometry such that the light spots generated in the exposure line 114 of the exposure module 11 are projected onto the transfer drum 2 at an imaging scale 1: 1. A very good image quality to reach the light points, the distances z4, z4 'drawn must be identical. For this purpose, the imaging optics 10 are integrated in a cover 8 and are positioned centrally with this over the exposure line 114 or the chips 112. The cover 8 is in turn fixed by spacers 9 with respect to the exposure modules 11. In addition, the cover 8 is designed such that the character generator 1 is protected up to the rollers 130 against external dirt, which occurs in particular when developing the latent, electrostatic images on the transfer drum 2. The imaging optics 10, for their part, which, according to FIG. 2, extend over the entire exposure line 114 of the character generator 1 and thereby project each light point of the light-emitting diodes 113 onto the transfer drum 2 in the aforementioned imaging scale, are countered by a locking mechanism 90 which does not cover the imaging optics 10 during the imaging process Impurities protected. For this purpose, the locking mechanism 90 is mounted on the cover 8 so as to be displaceable in the y direction.

bezugszeichenlistereference number list

  • 1 Zeichengenerator1 character generator
  • 2 Umdrucktrommel2 transfer drum
  • 3 Druckergehäuse3 printer housings
  • 4 Flachbandleitung4 ribbon cable
  • 5 Zuleitungsstrang5 supply line
  • 6 mikroprozessorgesteuerte Einrichtung6 microprocessor controlled device
  • 8 Abdeckung8 cover
  • 9 Abstandshalter9 spacers
  • 10 Abbildungsoptik10 imaging optics
  • 11 Belichtungsmodul11 exposure module
  • 12 Anschlagelement12 stop element
  • 13 Modulträger13 module carriers
  • 14 Kühlanordnung14 cooling arrangement
  • 15 Führungsbolzen15 guide bolts
  • 16 Feststellelement16 locking element
  • 17 gedruckte Leiterplatte17 printed circuit board
  • 20 Spindel20 spindle
  • 30,31 Befestigungselement30.31 fastener
  • 32 Führungsschiene32 guide rail
  • 40 Schraubverbindung40 screw connection
  • 60 Daten- und Steuerleitung60 data and control line
  • 61 Zentralprozessor61 central processor
  • 62 Speicher62 memories
  • 63 A/D-Wandler63 A / D converter
  • 64 Treiberbaustein64 driver block
  • 90 Verschlußmechanismus90 locking mechanism
  • 112 Chip112 chip
  • 116 Fügefläche116 joining surface
  • 117 Anlagestitt117 investment controversy
  • 120, 160 Bohrung120, 160 bore
  • 121, 162 Befestigungsschraube121, 162 fastening screw
  • 130 Laufrolle130 roller
  • 131, 132 Auflagefläche131, 132 contact surface
  • 133 Stufenfläche133 step surface
  • 161 Ausnehmung161 recess
  • 300, 310 Befestigungsebene300, 310 mounting level
  • 301 Gewindebohrung301 threaded hole
  • 311 Rampe311 ramp
  • 312 Führungsschlitz312 guide slot
  • z1 Abstand zwischen der Rotationsachse der Umdrucktrommel und der Abbildungsoptikz1 Distance between the axis of rotation of the transfer drum and the imaging optics
  • z2 Abstand zwischen der Abbildungsoptik und der Auflageflächez2 distance between the imaging optics and the contact surface
  • z3 Abstand zwischen der Befestigungsebene und der Rotationsachse der Umdrucktrommelz3 Distance between the mounting level and the axis of rotation of the transfer drum
  • z4 tangentialer Abstand zwischen der Umdrucktrommel und der Abbildungsoptikz4 tangential distance between the transfer drum and the imaging optics
  • z4′ Abstand zwischen der Abbildungsoptik und der Moduloberflächez4 ′ distance between the imaging optics and the module surface

Claims (4)

1. Device for installing an optical character generator in a printer housing, having the following features:
a) for the installation of the optical character generator (1), guide rails (32) are provided in the printer housing (3), by means of which rails the character generator (1) is guided up to a mounting element (31) which is adjustably arranged in the printer housing (3) and serves as support for the character generator (1),
b) the mounting element (31) has a ramp (311), by means of which the character generator (1) moves to the support, and a guide slot (312) for receiving a guide pin (15) assigned to the character generator (1),
c) a further mounting element (30), on which the character generator (1) inserted into the printer housing (3) is fixed, is adjustably arranged in the printer housing (3) opposite the mounting element (31).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the character generator (1) has support faces (131, 132) in the longitudinal direction on its two ends.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that a plate-shaped securing element (16) which protrudes outwards on both longitudinal sides of the character generator (1) is mounted on a support face (131) in a recess (161).
4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the character generator (1) has running rollers (130) which roll on the guide rails (32) during the insertion of the character generator (1) into the printer housing (3).
EP88904488A 1988-03-15 1988-06-01 Device for incorporating an optical character generator in a printer housing Expired - Lifetime EP0404767B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3808638A DE3808638A1 (en) 1988-03-15 1988-03-15 DEVICE FOR INSTALLING AN OPTICAL CHARACTER GENERATOR IN A PRINTER HOUSING
DE3808638 1988-03-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0404767A1 EP0404767A1 (en) 1991-01-02
EP0404767B1 true EP0404767B1 (en) 1992-03-18

Family

ID=6349789

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88904488A Expired - Lifetime EP0404767B1 (en) 1988-03-15 1988-06-01 Device for incorporating an optical character generator in a printer housing

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5130725A (en)
EP (1) EP0404767B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH03503383A (en)
DE (2) DE3808638A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1989008894A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5317344A (en) * 1989-12-22 1994-05-31 Eastman Kodak Company Light emitting diode printhead having improved signal distribution apparatus
WO1996037862A1 (en) * 1995-05-22 1996-11-28 OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH Optical character generator for an electrographic printer or copier
US6872799B2 (en) 2002-12-18 2005-03-29 Ethicon, Inc. Functionalized polymers for medical applications

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5255549A (en) * 1975-10-31 1977-05-07 Hitachi Ltd Device for moving slidingly recording pen in recorder
CA1255150A (en) * 1984-09-03 1989-06-06 Waltherus C.J. Bierhoff Printer comprising a printing head guided by rollers
US4728981A (en) * 1986-07-11 1988-03-01 Eastman Kodak Company Imaging lens array and optical print head
JPS6416385A (en) * 1987-07-11 1989-01-19 Tatsumo Kk Diamond type marking device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0404767A1 (en) 1991-01-02
US5130725A (en) 1992-07-14
DE3869426D1 (en) 1992-04-23
JPH03503383A (en) 1991-08-01
WO1989008894A1 (en) 1989-09-21
DE3808638A1 (en) 1989-09-28

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