EP0799135B1 - Cleaning and sealing station for a printing head - Google Patents
Cleaning and sealing station for a printing head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0799135B1 EP0799135B1 EP95937215A EP95937215A EP0799135B1 EP 0799135 B1 EP0799135 B1 EP 0799135B1 EP 95937215 A EP95937215 A EP 95937215A EP 95937215 A EP95937215 A EP 95937215A EP 0799135 B1 EP0799135 B1 EP 0799135B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- sealing
- css
- cleaning
- frame
- holder
- 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
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 113
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 79
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 238000005273 aeration Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16585—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
- B41J2/16588—Print heads movable towards the cleaning unit
-
- 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
- B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
- B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
- B41J2/16538—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate
Definitions
- the invention relates to a cleaning and sealing station for a printing head on a printing apparatus.
- a printing head of the ink jet type has a main surface into which ink channels open.
- a printing apparatus has several printing heads juxtaposed. Via those ink channels, ink can be fed to a recording medium such as paper. This may involve a contamination of that main surface. Also, when the printing head is not in use, the ink in the ink channels may dry up, which may cause the ink channels to clog up. To prevent this, it is known in the art to provide a printing apparatus with a cleaning and sealing station, hereinafter also referred to as CSS. The purpose of a CSS is multiple:
- a cleaning and sealing station as defined in the preamble of claim 1 is described in US patent 5.040.000.
- the sealing chambers are placed against the printing heads, with a sealing element such as a rubber ring located between each printing head and the associated sealing chamber. This prevents the printing heads from drying up.
- a partial vacuum is created in the sealing chamber because of the sealing action of the sealing element.
- this uncontrolled pressure drop may cause damage to components in the printing heads, such as piezo-elements.
- it requires considerable force to overcome that partial vacuum, in particular if, for suctioning ink from the printing heads, the sealing chambers are connected via suction conduits to a suction pump.
- the sealing chambers of the CSS according to the present invention comprise aeration means for ensuring that the sealing chambers are aerated before the sealing chambers move away from the printing heads.
- Figs. 1A and 1B show a perspective view of a cleaning and sealing station 1, which will hereinafter also be referred to as CSS.
- the CSS 1 comprises a CSS frame 2, intended to be mounted in an application apparatus such as a printer.
- Mounted on the CSS frame 2 is a cap unit 100 and a pump unit 200.
- the cap unit 100 comprises sealing chambers 110, intended to be brought into sealing contact with printing heads of the application apparatus.
- the cap unit 100 comprises three of such sealing chambers 110, for use with an application apparatus having three printing heads; however, it will be understood that the number of sealing chambers 110 of three may differ.
- the cap unit 100 further comprises a wiping device 300.
- the wiping device 300 comprises an elongated holder 301 wherein an elongated wiping member 302 is mounted, manufactured from an elastic material such as rubber.
- the holder 301 is displaceable relative to the cap unit 100 in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, with the holder 301 moving over the sealing chambers 110 with an interspace.
- the direction of movement of the holder 301 substantially corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the printing heads, and hence to the longitudinal direction of the sealing chambers 110.
- the sealing chambers 110 are accommodated to a printing apparatus having slightly inclined printing heads, for which purpose the sealing chambers 110 are also slightly inclined.
- the cap unit 100 comprises a cap frame 101 to which two guide bars 303, 304 are attached on two sides of the cap unit 100.
- a first guide block 305 having a first through opening through which the first guide bar 303 reaches.
- This first guide block 305 can slide across the first guide bar 303, which can be fixed in the cap frame 101.
- the contour of the first through opening is accommodated to the contour of the first guide bar 303; both contours may be circular.
- a second guide block 306 having a second circular through opening through which the second guide bar 304 reaches.
- the second guide bar 304 has an external screw thread, and the second opening of the second guide block 306 has a mating internal screw thread.
- the second guide bar 304 is rotatably mounted in the cap frame 101, and can be driven for rotation by an electromotor 307 with the interposition of a transmission system 308. Energization of the electromotor 307 brings about a rotation of the second guide bar 304, which, accordingly, acts as a screw spindle, whereby the holder 301 is displaced on account of the mating screw threads.
- the holder 301 for the wiping member 302 has two extreme positions relative to the cap frame 101.
- a first extreme position is the rest position shown in Fig. 1A; a second extreme position is located opposite that first extreme position and is referred to as cleaning position.
- the holder 301 is located adjacent sidewalls 102, 103 of the cap frame 101.
- a signal be available which is representative of the position of the container 301.
- one could use two approach detectors such as microswitches, disposed adjacent the above-mentioned sidewalls 102, 103 of the cap frame 101, which approach detectors are operated by the holder 301.
- a problem thereof is that two of such approach detectors 102, 103, disposed adjacent the sidewalls of the cap frame 101, would occupy too much space.
- only one position detector 310 is present, positioned under the sealing chambers 110, as is shown in the bottom view of Fig. 5.
- This position detector 310 a microswitch in the example shown, is operated by the holder 301 with the interposition of a hysteresis member 311.
- This hysteresis member 311 has a substantially U-shaped form, having a longitudinal bar 312 which forms the bottom of that U and two guide blocks 313, 314 which are disposed at the ends thereof.
- each of those guide blocks 313, 314 is a through hole through which the above-mentioned first guide bar 303 extends.
- the longitudinal bar 312 comprises a projection 315 operating the microswitch 310.
- the first guide block 305 of the holder 301 is located between the two guide blocks 313, 314 of the hysteresis member 311.
- the operation hereof is as follows. If the holder 301 is located at an intermediate position, somewhere between the two end positions mentioned, there is no contact between the first guide block 305 of the holder 301 and the hysteresis member 311. At such an intermediate position, the motor 307 is in principle in operation, and the holder 301 is displaced towards one of the end positions. Shortly before the holder 301 reaches that end position, the first guide block 305 of the holder 301 contacts the hysteresis member 311 and the holder 301 carries that hysteresis member 311 along, causing the hysteresis member 311 to operate the microswitch 310.
- the holder 301 is in its first extreme position, the rest position, to the left in the drawing.
- the hysteresis member 311 is displaced leftwards relative to the first guide bar 303, and the left guide block 313 of the hysteresis member 311 abuts against the left sidewall 102 of the cap frame 101.
- the microswitch 310 is pressed by the projection 315 of the hysteresis member 311.
- the motor 307 When the motor 307 is energized for displacing the holder 301 towards the cleaning position, i.e. rightwards in Fig. 5, then the first guide block 305 of the holder 301 is released from the left guide block 313 of the hysteresis member 311; accordingly, the hysteresis member 311 does not change position, and the microswitch 310 remains pressed.
- the first guide block 305 of the holder 301 contacts the right-hand guide block 314 of the hysteresis member 311, to displace the hysteresis member 311 rightwards across the first guide bar 303 until the right guide block 314 of the hysteresis member 311 abuts against the right sidewall 103 of the cap frame 101; in this position of the hysteresis member 311, the projection 315 of the hysteresis member 311 has released the microswitch 310. The released condition of the microswitch 310 is therefore indicative of the cleaning position being reached.
- the microswitch 310 will not be pressed by the projection 315 of the hysteresis member 311 until the holder 301 has reached its rest position. Hence, the pressed condition of the microswitch 310 is indicative of the rest position being reached.
- Each sealing chamber 110 has an inlet mouth 111 in the top face 104 of the cap frame 101, and comprises an elastic sealing member 112, for instance made of rubber, extending around that inlet mouth 111 and, in the version shown, having the form of a collar.
- This sealing member 112 serves to provide a hermetic seal between a printing head and the sealing chamber 110 when the sealing chamber 110 is pressed against that printing head.
- a moisture-retaining element 113 is arranged, such as for instance a sponge, serving to provide and maintain a substantially constant relative humidity in the sealing chamber 110.
- a hose pillar 114 Provided on the rear side of the sealing chamber 110 is a hose pillar 114. Connected to this hose pillar 114 is a flexible hose for connection with a suction pump 210, which, however, is not shown in Fig. 3 for the sake of simplicity.
- a suction pump 210 is present which forms part of the pump unit 200 shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, and all suction pumps 210 are driven by a shared motor 202, as will now be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 6-8.
- Figs. 6-8 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a pump unit 200 having four suction pumps 210, each suction pump 210 being designed as a hose pump.
- a pump frame 201 of the pump unit 200 comprises a pump wall 211 having a contour of a cylinder segment.
- a support 220 is rotatably disposed, concentrically with this cylinder segment, which support 220 supports two travelling rollers 221, 222 which are pressed outwards radially in the direction of the pump wall 211 by a spring 223.
- Disposed between this support 220 and this pump wall 211 is a portion of a flexible hose 212, which is for instance manufactured from rubber.
- FIG. 6 shows that the collecting chamber 230 has four inlet hose pillars 231 and an outlet hose pillar 232.
- Fig. 8 shows that the pump unit 200 is of symmetrical construction with a centrally disposed pump motor 202, two supports 220, 220' being disposed on both sides of the pump motor 202 with their axes of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pump motor 202.
- the pump motor 202 drives the two supports 220, 220' via a transmission system 203.
- Fig. 8 clearly demonstrates that in the embodiment shown, each travelling roller 221, 222 of each support 220, 220' in each case cooperates with two of the hoses 212 mentioned. Further, Fig.
- the pump unit 200 discussed provides four individual suction pumps 210, which, it is true, are driven jointly, but which operate independently of one another. This has the significant advantage that the pump action of each individual suction pump 210 is not affected by the pump action of the other pumps. Further, if the sealing chambers 110 were suctioned by one shared pump, then, in the event of one chamber becoming clogged, the suctioning would to an increased extent be effected by the other chambers, and there would be a considerable risk that this stoppage is not drained off.
- the holder 301 has the shape of a trough having a substantially U-shaped cross section. More in particular, that troughed holder 301 comprises a trough bottom 331 and two raised trough walls 332, 333. Preferably, the free top ends 334, 335 of those trough walls 332, 333 are bent inwards.
- the wiping member 302 provided in the holder 301 has a substantially inverted T-shaped cross section. More in particular, the wiping member 302 comprises a base 341 placed on the trough bottom 331, and a wiping blade 342 at a central portion of the base 341, disposed substantially perpendicularly to the base 341. Provided at the edges of the base 341 are upwardly extending base walls 343, 344, parallel to the wiping blade 342. Preferably, the wiping member 302 is manufactured in one piece.
- Figs. 9 and 10 are a cross section over the center of that discharge opening 350, to an enlarged scale, whereas Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the length of the wiping member 302.
- the base 341 of the wiping member 302 directly below the wiping blade 342 is removed over a given length L.
- the width B of this removed base portion 351 is substantially equal to the width of the bottom side of the wiping blade 342 and can, as shown, be slightly larger, as a result of which on both sides of the wiping blade 342 two narrow slots 352, 353 are present between that wiping blade 342 and the base 341 to ensure that the connection between the wiping blade 342 and the remaining base 341 is broken.
- two recessed portions 354, 355 are provided, for instance through removal of the base 341 over a part of the thickness thereof, so that on both sides of the wiping blade 342 the base 341 defines two closing lips 347, 348 having a thickness less than the thickness of the base 341.
- the holder 301 is provided with a hole 336 in the bottom thereof, which hole 336 is aligned with the above-mentioned discharge opening 350 of the wiping member 302.
- This hole 336 may have a round contour.
- a suction opening 322 at a position which is aligned with the discharge opening 350 of the wiping member 302 when the holder 301 is in the second extreme position, which is the cleaning position, to the left in Fig. 3.
- This discharge opening 322 comprises an annular sealing member 323, preferably made of rubber, which abuts against the holder 301 when it is in the cleaning position, for providing a liquid-tight seal between the holder 301 and that suction opening 322.
- a fourth hose pillar 324 is provided at the bottom side of the cap frame 101 .
- the fourth suction hose 212 is connected, which is not shown in the Figures for the sake of simplicity.
- the ink received in the receiving troughs 345, 346 can be suctioned through energization of the pump motor 202. Then, via the fourth suction hose 212, a partial vacuum is created in the space below the wiping blade 342, defined by the removed base portions 351, 354, 355, as a result of which the closing lips 347, 348 are drawn downwards, into the recessed base portions 354, 355, for enlarging the slots 352, 353 next to the wiping blade 342.
- the closing lips 347, 348 are easier to bend downwards according as the thickness of the closing lips 347, 348 is less. Through the enlarged slots 352, 353, the ink flows from the receiving troughs 345, 346 to the suction opening 322 in order to be suctioned out.
- Fig. 11 diagrammatically shows a portion of an application apparatus, such as a printer, with the CSS 1 and a system of printing heads 400.
- the system of printing heads 400 is pivotable about a pivot 401 which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.
- the system of printing heads 400 is ready for printing on a recording medium 402 such as a band of paper, also indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11, and the direction of movement of the band of paper is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.
- the system of printing heads 400 When the system of printing heads 400 is not used any longer, the system is pivoted from the operating position into a parking position indicated in full lines in Fig. 11, which pivotal movement is indicated by the arrow P1 in Fig. 11. In that parking position, the main surfaces 403 of the printing heads 400 are located opposite and parallel to the top face 104 of the cap frame 101 of the CSS 1.
- the CSS 1 is linearly displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the top face 104 of the cap frame 101, as is indicated by the arrow P2, permitting the sealing chambers 110 to be brought into a position where they seal the respective printing heads 400.
- Fig. 1B shows that for that purpose, the CSS frame 2 comprises guide supports 3 having guide openings 4 for engagement with guide rods, not shown, of the above-mentioned machine frame of the application apparatus. Further, the CSS frame 2 comprises an engagement eye 5, with which an operating hook controlled by a control member of the application apparatus can engage, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.
- the CSS frame 2 may for instance be displaced by means of a screw spindle for which purpose at least some of the guide openings may then have an internal screw thread, while, if necessary, a separate operating motor may be present for rotation of that spindle.
- Fig. 12A shows the CSS 1 in a first operating position, which can be referred to as the press-on position, wherein the sealing chambers 110 are pressed against the respective printing heads 400.
- the press-on position wherein the sealing chambers 110 are pressed against the respective printing heads 400.
- Figs. 12A-C only the contours of the printing heads 400 are shown, and details of the printing heads 400 are left out.
- each combination of a sealing chamber 110 with associated printing head 400 is hermetically sealed from the outside world by the sealing member 112 located therebetween.
- ink is suctioned from the printing heads 400, as a result of which a partial vacuum already prevails in each sealing chamber 110.
- each sealing chamber 110 comprises an aeration valve 120 for aerating the sealing chambers 110 when the CSS 1 is being uncoupled from the printing heads 400, in such a manner that the aeration valves 120 are opened before the sealing chambers 110 are displaced, as will be further explained.
- Fig. 12B shows the CSS 1 in a second operating position, which can be referred to as the wiping position.
- the distance S3 between the top face 104 of the CSS 1 and the front face of the printing heads 400 is such that the wiping motor 307 can be operated for displacing the holder 301 with the wiping member 302, with the wiping blade 342 wiping clean the main surfaces 403 of the printing heads 400.
- the holder 301 moves from its first extreme position (rest position) to its second extreme position (cleaning position).
- Fig. 12C shows the CSS 1 in a third operating position, which can be referred to as rest position.
- the distance S4 between the CSS 1 and the printing heads 400 is thus large that the pinting heads 400 can pivot towards the printing position (the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11).
- the holder 301 has reached its cleaning position, and the ink removed from the printing heads 400 by the wiping blade 342 can be suctioned through energization of the pump motor 202.
- the suctioning operation of this ink removed by the , wiping blade 342 is completed within a relatively short period, for instance approximately 3 seconds.
- the holder 301 is returned into its rest position (to the right in Fig. 3), and the CSS 1 remains in its rest position.
- Fig. 12A As is shown in Fig. 12A, as well as in Fig. 1B, the cap frame 101 is not rigidly fixed relative to the CSS frame 2, but there is a freedom of movement in the direction of the arrow P2 in Fig. 11.
- spring means 140 Arranged between the cap frame 101 and the CSS frame 2 are spring means 140, pushing the cap frame 101 away from the CSS frame 2.
- these spring means 140 are constructed as spiral-shaped helical springs, which are positioned around supporting posts 141, which are fixed relative to the CSS frame 2 and which, in the pres-on position illustrated in Fig. 12A, also act as a stop for the cap frame 101.
- the freedom of movement of the cap frame 101 in the direction away from the CSS frame 2 is limited by hook-shaped coupling members 142 which are mounted on the CSS frame 2 and whose hook-shaped ends 143 cooperate with counter-coupling members 144 mounted on the cap frame 101.
- Those counter-coupling members 144 may also have a hook shape, as is shown in the diagrammatic, detailed view of Fig. 13; those counter-coupling members 144 may also be defined by an opening in the cap frame 101. Further, it is possible that the coupling members 142 and the counter-coupling members 144 have changed positions.
- a first play S1 is present between the coupling members 142 of the CSS frame 2 and the counter-coupling members 144 of the cap frame 101.
- a value that proved to be suitable for this play is approximately 0.8 mm.
- the aeration valve 120 comprises an aeration channel 121 in the cap frame 101, a first end of which debouches at the top face 104 of the cap frame 101, next to the sealing chamber 110 but within the portion surrounded by the sealing member 112, and a second end of which communicates with the free atmosphere.
- a seat 122 is formed for a sealing plug 123, which may have an at least partly spherical shape, and which is mounted on an operating rod 124.
- the operating rod 124 and the spherical sealing plug 123 are manufactured in one piece.
- a support 125 is attached to the cap frame 101 in any suitable manner, for instance through clamping or screwing.
- a first end of a compression spring 126 presses against this support 125, the other end of which presses against the spherical sealing plug 123 to press it against the above-mentioned seat 122, as a result of which the valve 120 is closed.
- the operating rod 124 is substantially directed according to the direction of displacement of the CSS 1 as indicated in Fig. 11 by the arrow P2.
- an operating grip 127 is mounted, for instance through clamping.
- the operating grip 127 has the shape of a cylinder having a diameter larger than the diameter of the operating rod 124, and comprises resilient wings 128.
- the operating rod 124 reaches through an opening 129 in a portion 130 of the CSS frame 2, which opening 129 is sufficiently large to let through the operating grip 127 during assembly of the cap frame 101 on the CSS frame 2, in which case the resilient wings 128 are depressed radially.
- a second play S2 is present between (the wings 128 of) the operating grip 127 and the portion 130 of the CSS frame 2, preferably in the press-on position, wherein the cap frame 101 is pressed against the stop 141 of the CSS frame 2.
- this second play S2 is less than the first splay S1 between the coupling members 142, 144 of the CSS frame 2 and the cap frame 101.
- a value that proved to be suitable for this second play is approximately 0.3 mm.
- each sealing chamber 110 is hermetically sealed from the outside world.
- a partial vacuum may prevail in each sealing chamber 110.
- the cap frame 101 When the CSS frame 2 is moved downwards (through engagement with the engagement eye 5), the cap frame 101 initially stays in position, while the cap frame 101 remains pressed against the front face 403 of the printing heads 400 by the springs 140. During this initial stage of the downwards displacement of the CSS frame 2, the aearation valve 120 remains closed.
- the sealing chambers 110 are in open communication with the free atmosphere, so that a partial vacuum, if any, in the sealing chambers 110 is removed and an increase of the distance between the sealing chambers 110 and the printing heads 400 does not cause a pressure drop.
- the cap frame 101 When the CSS frame 2 is then moved downwards through a distance corresponding to the first play S1, the cap frame 101 will, upon further downwards displacement of the CSS frame 2, be taken along by the interlocking coupling members 142, 144.
- a cover screen for the sealing chambers is provided, to protect the sealing chambers against possible contamination by dust particles when the CSS is in the operating position illustrated in Fig. 12C, i.e. when the application apparatus is in operation for printing.
- a cover screen can advantageously be rolled up on a reel which is disposed next to the first sidewall 102 of the cap frame 101, with an axis of rotation of that reel directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the holder 301, and the free end of that cover screen being attached to that holder 301, as a result of which that cover screen is automatically provided over the sealing chambers 110 when the holder 301 moves from its rest position towards its cleaning position.
- the projection 315 of the hysteresis member 311 is replaced by a recess for operating a position detector.
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
- Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
- Facsimile Heads (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- the CSS should provide that the main surface of each printing head is wiped clean, for which purpose the CSS comprises a wiping member;
- the CSS should provide for the sealing of (the ink channels of) each printing head when they are not used, for which purpose the CSS comprises a sealing chamber for each printing head, which sealing chamber can be pressed against the main surface of the relevant printing head;
- The CSS should provide for the suctioning of excess ink in the printing head, for which purpose the sealing chamber can communicate with a suction pump.
Claims (14)
- A cleaning and sealing station CSS (1) for a printing head (400) of a printing apparatus, comprising:a cap unit (100) provided with at least one sealing chamber (110);means (112) for establishing a sealing contact between a sealing chamber (110) and a printing head (400);and a wiping device (300) for cleaning a main surface (403) of each printing head (400);
wherein the wiping device (300) comprises a holder (301) slidably mounted relative to the cap unit (100), having mounted therein a wiping member (302), in such a manner that during a displacement, the wiping member (302) moves along the front of the sealing chamber (110);
characterized in that guide means (3, 4, 5) are provided for displacing the CSS (1) in a direction (P2) perpendicular to the top face (104) of the cap unit (100), the sealing chambers (110) comprising aeration means (120) for ensuring that the sealing chambers (110) are aerated before the sealing chambers (110) move away from the printing heads (400). - A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 1, wherein the cap unit (100) comprises a cap frame (101) which is slidable relative to the CSS frame (2) in the direction of displacement (P2) of the CSS (1) and which is biased by spring means (140) in the direction of displacement (P2) of the CSS; wherein said aeration means (120) comprise a sealing plug (123) for sealing an aeration channel (121), said sealing plug (123) being mounted on an operating rod (124) which further comprises an operating grip (127) capable of cooperating with a portion (130) of the CSS frame (2), whilst between said operating grip (127) and said portion (130) of the CSS frame (2) a second play (S2) is present when said cap frame (101) is pressed, against the action of said spring means (140), against a stop (141) of the CSS frame (2);
wherein the the CSS frame (2) comprises coupling members (142, 143) capable of engaging coupling members (144) of the cap frame (101), whilst between said coupling members (142, 143; 144) a first play (S1) is present when said cap frame (101) is pressed, against the action of said spring means (140), against a stop (141) of the CSS frame (2);
and wherein the first play (S1) is greater than the second play (S2). - A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder (301) is displaceable transversely to its longitudinal direction.
- A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 3, wherein two guide bars (303, 304) are mounted on both sides of a cap frame (101) of the cap unit (100); and
wherein the holder (301) is at its ends provided with guide blocks (305, 306) having through openings, adapted for displacement along said guide bars (303, 304);
wherein a guide bar (304) preferably is designed as a screw spindle. - A cleaning and sealing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (301) has a substantially U-shaped cross section, the wiping member (302) having a substantially inverted T-shaped cross section with a base (341), a wiping blade (342) substantially perpendicular thereto, and upwardly extending walls (343, 344) at the edges of the base (341), so that two receiving troughs (345, 346) for ink are defined between the wiping blade (342) and said walls (343, 344).
- A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 5, wherein the wiping member (302) is at a central location thereof provided with a discharge opening (350) corresponding with a hole (336) in the bottom of the holder (301).
- A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 6, wherein said discharge opening (350) is defined by a removed base portion (351) under the wiping blade (342), and two recessed base portions (354, 355) on both sides of said removed base portion (351) for defining two closing lips (347, 348) next to the wiping blade (342), whilst between the wiping blade (342) and the closing lips (347, 348) respective slots (352, 353) are located.
- A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cap unit (100) is provided with a suction opening (322) connected to a suction pump (210), the position of said suction opening (322) being chosen so that said hole (336) in the bottom of the holder (301) communicates with said suction opening (322) when the holder (301) is located at a cleaning position.
- A cleaning and sealing station according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one position detector (310) and a hysteresis member (311) for detecting a position of the holder (301).
- A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 9, wherein the hysteresis member (311) comprises: a longitudinal bar (312) and two guide blocks (313, 314) at the ends thereof, said guide blocks (313, 314) engaging the first guide bar (303) adjacent the ends thereof, the first guide block (305) of the holder (301) being located beween said guide blocks (313, 314), and the hysteresis member (311) further comprising a portion (315) which operates the position detector (310).
- A cleaning and sealing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each sealing chamber (110) is connected to a separate suction pump (210), said suction opening (322) being connected to a separate suction pump (210), and all suction pumps (210) being driven by a shared motor (202).
- A cleaning and sealing station according to claim 11, wherein the suction pumps (210) are designed as hose pumps, at least two supports (220, 220') being rotatably disposed in a pump frame (201), each support (220; 220') supporting two travelling rollers (221, 222; 221', 222') which press a flexible hose (212) shut against a pump wall (211), and the travelling rollers (221, 222) of one support (220) being shifted 90° relative to the travelling rollers (221', 222') of the other support (220').
- A cleaning and sealing station according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cover screen for the sealing chambers, said cover screen being rolled up on a reel, the free end of the cover screen being attached to the holder (301).
- An application apparatus such as a printer, comprising a system of printing heads (400) which are pivotable about a pivot (401) between an operating position intended for printing and a parking position in which the main surfaces (403) of the printing heads (400) are substantially horizontally directed, and further comprising a CSS (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL9401941 | 1994-11-21 | ||
NL9401941A NL9401941A (en) | 1994-11-21 | 1994-11-21 | Device for cleaning and sealing a print head, a printing device provided with such a device, and a method for applying it. |
PCT/NL1995/000397 WO1996015908A1 (en) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-11-21 | Cleaning and sealing station for a printing head |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0799135A1 EP0799135A1 (en) | 1997-10-08 |
EP0799135B1 true EP0799135B1 (en) | 1999-03-17 |
Family
ID=19864917
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP95937215A Expired - Lifetime EP0799135B1 (en) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-11-21 | Cleaning and sealing station for a printing head |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0799135B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE177686T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69508432T2 (en) |
NL (1) | NL9401941A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996015908A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19921621C1 (en) * | 1999-05-10 | 2000-10-19 | Tally Computerdrucker Gmbh | Ink jet printer with ink jet head cleaning station has carrier plate pivoted to printer frame provided with pressure equalization device adjacent suction cup for sealing against ink jet head |
EP1782955A1 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2007-05-09 | Francotyp-Postalia GmbH | Method and device for idle discharge of an inkjet printhead |
EP1782954A1 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2007-05-09 | Francotyp-Postalia GmbH | Ink jet printhead cleaning device |
DE202014102697U1 (en) | 2014-06-11 | 2014-06-24 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | printer unit |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19726643C1 (en) * | 1997-06-18 | 1998-07-23 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement for cleaning an ink print head |
DE19726642C1 (en) | 1997-06-18 | 1998-09-03 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Print-head positioning arrangement with cleaning and sealing arrangement |
FR2782032B1 (en) * | 1998-08-10 | 2000-10-06 | Siantec | DIRECT PRINTING MACHINE OF INK DROP PROJECTION ON A MEDIUM |
US6497471B1 (en) | 2000-05-15 | 2002-12-24 | Aprion Digital Ltd. | Service station for inkjet printheads |
EP1310369A1 (en) * | 2001-11-08 | 2003-05-14 | Agfa-Gevaert | Method for cleaning an inkjet print head using a slanted wiper. |
EP2353869A1 (en) | 2008-05-29 | 2011-08-10 | Eastman Kodak Company | Multicolor printhead maintenance station |
JP6245169B2 (en) * | 2014-12-26 | 2017-12-13 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Inkjet recording device |
WO2023100738A1 (en) * | 2021-11-30 | 2023-06-08 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Inkjet recording device |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5040000A (en) * | 1988-05-12 | 1991-08-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink jet recording apparatus having a space saving ink recovery system |
JPH0229343A (en) * | 1988-07-19 | 1990-01-31 | Canon Inc | Ink jet recorder |
JP2628195B2 (en) * | 1988-08-05 | 1997-07-09 | アルプス電気株式会社 | Recording device |
EP0375407B1 (en) * | 1988-12-21 | 1995-06-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recovery mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus |
DE68923861T2 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1996-02-22 | Canon Kk | Ink jet recording device. |
DE69022112T2 (en) * | 1989-05-18 | 1996-02-15 | Canon Kk | Ink jet recorder. |
JP2832776B2 (en) * | 1992-06-12 | 1998-12-09 | キヤノン株式会社 | Ink jet recording device |
JPH06171104A (en) * | 1992-12-03 | 1994-06-21 | Canon Inc | Ink jet recording device |
-
1994
- 1994-11-21 NL NL9401941A patent/NL9401941A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1995
- 1995-11-21 DE DE69508432T patent/DE69508432T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-21 EP EP95937215A patent/EP0799135B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-21 WO PCT/NL1995/000397 patent/WO1996015908A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-11-21 AT AT95937215T patent/ATE177686T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19921621C1 (en) * | 1999-05-10 | 2000-10-19 | Tally Computerdrucker Gmbh | Ink jet printer with ink jet head cleaning station has carrier plate pivoted to printer frame provided with pressure equalization device adjacent suction cup for sealing against ink jet head |
EP1782955A1 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2007-05-09 | Francotyp-Postalia GmbH | Method and device for idle discharge of an inkjet printhead |
EP1782954A1 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2007-05-09 | Francotyp-Postalia GmbH | Ink jet printhead cleaning device |
DE102005052150A1 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2007-05-24 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Device for cleaning an ink jet print head |
DE102005052151B3 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2007-05-31 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Device for free-spraying an ink jet print head |
DE102005052150B4 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2007-09-20 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Device for cleaning an ink jet print head |
US7645021B2 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2010-01-12 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Method and device for spray cleaning an inkjet print head |
US7708376B2 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Device for cleaning an inkjet printhead |
DE202014102697U1 (en) | 2014-06-11 | 2014-06-24 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | printer unit |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE177686T1 (en) | 1999-04-15 |
DE69508432D1 (en) | 1999-04-22 |
DE69508432T2 (en) | 1999-10-28 |
EP0799135A1 (en) | 1997-10-08 |
NL9401941A (en) | 1996-07-01 |
WO1996015908A1 (en) | 1996-05-30 |
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