EP0813974B1 - Tête d'impression par jet d'encre continu - Google Patents

Tête d'impression par jet d'encre continu Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0813974B1
EP0813974B1 EP19970304185 EP97304185A EP0813974B1 EP 0813974 B1 EP0813974 B1 EP 0813974B1 EP 19970304185 EP19970304185 EP 19970304185 EP 97304185 A EP97304185 A EP 97304185A EP 0813974 B1 EP0813974 B1 EP 0813974B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print
print head
charging
ink jet
droplet
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
Application number
EP19970304185
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0813974A2 (fr
EP0813974A3 (fr
Inventor
Robert J. Simon
Bruce A. Bowling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kodak Versamark Inc
Original Assignee
Kodak Versamark Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kodak Versamark Inc filed Critical Kodak Versamark Inc
Publication of EP0813974A2 publication Critical patent/EP0813974A2/fr
Publication of EP0813974A3 publication Critical patent/EP0813974A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0813974B1 publication Critical patent/EP0813974B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/07—Ink jet characterised by jet control
    • B41J2/075—Ink jet characterised by jet control for many-valued deflection
    • B41J2/08—Ink jet characterised by jet control for many-valued deflection charge-control type
    • B41J2/085—Charge means, e.g. electrodes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • 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
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/02—Framework

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to continuous binary array ink jet technology and, more particularly, to improved ink jet printhead component design and operation.
  • a print head defines one or more rows of orifices which receive an electrically conductive recording fluid, such as for instance a water base ink, from a pressurized fluid supply manifold and ejects the fluid in rows of parallel streams.
  • Printers using such print heads accomplish graphic reproduction by selectively charging and deflecting the drops in each of the streams and depositing at least some of the drops on a print receiving medium, while others of the drops strike a drop catcher device.
  • the orifice plate and the charge plate, and electronic driving components are separate assemblies.
  • Other systems interconnect the electronic source of the data to be printed to the print head components which charge and deflect the jets to accomplish the printing task.
  • the print head components are of such precision and sensitivity that occasionally evanescent dirt, an electrical transient of some type, or wear causes a print head to fail. When that happens, the print head must be returned to a central site for refurbishment. When a print head needs to be replaced or repaired, there are several critical tolerances within the print head assembly that need to be maintained.
  • Another aspect of the interconnection problem relates to the number of connections which need to be made between the print head and the data source.
  • the prior art print head uses 1024 print jets at a resolution of 240 jets per inch. Although the print width is only 10,8 cm (4.267 inches), 1024 connections to the data system are required.
  • To accommodate print heads with a large number of jets it is common practice to send data to a print head in a series of 1's and 0's, serial form, and to convert the serial data back to "parallel" data in the print head. This raises the rate at which data must be transferred over the "serial" connection, but dramatically reduces the number of connections.
  • Use of this technique means that there are some electronic components which also reside in close proximity to the charge plate.
  • common practice is to use an electronic chip which contains drivers for 64 jets, and is driven through 8 input connections. The four inch print head requires 16 such chips mounted in close proximity to the actual charge electrodes in the print head.
  • the entire electronic package must be mounted in close proximity to the operating ink jets, and in prior art, is designed as part of the structure of the print head. This has led to a problem because the ink jet components have a much shorter useful life in a print head than the electronic components.
  • the electronic system which supports the print head and is part of it is sent back as well, even though it is operating properly. This means that when hundreds of these print heads are in service, and other hundreds are in transit to and from the refurbishment center, there is a huge waste in the "float" of good electronic components.
  • US-A-4847631 discloses a charge and deflection control type ink jet printer having an inkjet section, a charging section and a deflection section configured in a single replaceable module.
  • the replaceable module has a control for adjusting the drive voltage.
  • the charging electrode is not loaded in the replaceable module in this embodiment.
  • US-A-5455611 discloses a print-head assembly, including control capability for controlling the flow of fluid to a drop generator and for transferring data to a charging and collecting element.
  • the control capability includes a microcontroller and fibre optics for receiving data and control signals and for providing signals to an input buffer.
  • the print-head apparatus is capable of providing diagnostic functions and is self-contained in a field-replaceable housing.
  • the invention provides a two-element print-head assembly for use in an ink jet printer comprising a first element including means for providing fluid to a droplet generating means, and print-head electronics for controlling drop formation; and characterised by a second element being a field-replaceable print element apparatus including droplet generating means; droplet charging and collecting means for charging and collecting drops from the droplet generating means; means for receiving data signals from the print-head electronics for controlling the means for charging and collecting drops; and data storage means for storing a plurality of operating parameters relating to the droplet generating means, and the droplet charging and collecting means.
  • the present invention provides for a nine inch print head assembly which provides a minimum package size and minimizes operator interventions.
  • the nine inch print head is similar to that of the earlier generation print head described in U.S. Patent No. 5,455,611.
  • Ink jet printers are typically comprised of several components, including a fluid system, data system, and print head.
  • the fluid system provides electrical control of the components required to control drop formation and maintain fluid quality.
  • the print head which accepts fluids from the fluid system, generates drops and returns unused drops to the fluid system.
  • the print head selectively controls drop charging to allow imaging on a print medium, utilizing information prepared by the data system.
  • the data system accepts data in standard formats, such as ASCII, EBCDIC, etc., along with print start and delay signals. The information is transferred to the print head for imaging.
  • a two element print head assembly 10 is shown in a ready to use state attached to a print head interface controller (PIC) box 11.
  • the separate housing 19 is the refurbishable print head module (RPM).
  • the RPM houses a droplet generator means 12 which has been previously coupled to a droplet charging and collecting means 14. Filtered fluids are provided to the droplet generator means 12 and removed from the droplet charging and collecting means 14 via a fluid control manifold 16 located in the PIC box.
  • the connections between the PIC box and the RPM are established by fluidic and electrical connecting means which are mated by latching means (not shown) when the two components are attached into an operational state.
  • the fluid control manifold 16 in the PIC box contains an ink temperature sensor 16a, an ambient temperature sensor 16b, and an airflow path in the direction of arrow 16d.
  • the airflow path 16d is controlled by a solenoid valve 16e.
  • the solenoid valve 16e allows air to flow into and through the droplet generator means 12 during the print head shutdown sequence to accelerate removal and drying of ink.
  • a second filter 17b located in the RPM 19 is provided for the vent. This venting capability is particularly advantageous for overnight storage and transportation.
  • Ink supplied from the fluid manifold 16 in the PIC box is filtered by filter means 17a prior to being supplied to the drop generator means 12.
  • the manifold assembly 16 also houses a pressure measuring means 16f for precisely controlling the pressure at which drops are generated, as well as an outlet valve 16g.
  • the outlet valve 16g is activated to provide a high flow rate through the droplet generator means 12 during startup for dissolving ink and wetting the orifice plate attached to the droplet generator.
  • pressure builds up sufficient for droplet formation.
  • the pressure in the droplet generator means 12 is monitored for servo control via the pressure measuring means 16f.
  • a small positive pressure is maintained, typically 3,4 kPa to 6,9 kPa (0.5 to 1.0 psig), to prevent air ingestion into the droplet generator means 12 where air can become trapped.
  • ambient and ink temperature sensors, 16b and 16a respectively, can be utilized by an external controller to provide ink at a fixed temperature relative to the surroundings. This is utilized for condensate cleaning of the drop charging and collecting means 14 during startup conditions. This could also be utilized during normal run operations.
  • the RPM 19 When the RPM 19 is connected to the PIC box 11, a plurality of electrical and fluidic connections are maintained so that the RPM is in an operable state. In the event of a failure of the ink jet components, the RPM 19 can be easily disconnected from the PIC box 11, so that the print head can be returned to the refurbishment center.
  • a replacement print head can be immediately attached to the PIC box 11 using latching means not shown in the diagram, and work can be resumed.
  • the size of the combination PIC box and print head is smaller than the prior art print heads, two of which would be needed to cover a comparable print width. In part, this is enabled by improved interconnection technology in the drop charging and collecting means 14.
  • an eyelid 24c is used in the closed position to divert ink into the drop collection means 14 for removal via a flow path 20 during the start up and shut down conditions.
  • the eyelid 24c In the normal operating (printing) condition, the eyelid 24c is opened to allow the selected drops 25 to strike a print medium which is not shown in Fig. 2.
  • the eyelid 24c is activated (opened) using electromechanical means 24 in the PIC box which is connected to a link 24b, and which pivots at pivot point 24d.
  • a bias means 24a is used to close the eyelid 24c against the drop charging and collecting means 14 in the default state. Placement of the activation components (in the PIC box) away from the ink usage area prevents ink from drying on the pivots, etc. where they could cause sticking or binding of the eyelid motion.
  • Both print means elements, the PIC box and the RPM are fully enclosed by housing means 11 and 19 except for small gaps in the region of the moving eyelid 24c.
  • the small gaps allow positive air pressure to be maintained within the assembly 10.
  • Positive air is supplied to the PIC box by a fan (not shown).
  • the positive air flows into the PIC box through opening 22, past the PIC box electronics 27, and out through another opening in the PIC box 35.
  • Positive air in the RPM is provided via an air pump in the fluid system (not shown) through two ports 34 which also serve as alignment features for the PIC box and RPM.
  • the same clean air was used for cooling and positive air pressure in the print head.
  • the cooling air could not be maintained clean enough for use near the ink jets 25. Cooling of the RPM electronics is accomplished via a flow of ink which is split from the drop generator path and returned via a path (not shown) beyond the outlet valve used for starting jets.
  • the charge electrode drivers reside on an electronic circuit board 28 in the RPM 19 and connect to the drop charging and collecting means 14.
  • the PIC box electronics board 27 connects to fluid system, the data system, and the print head.
  • the board 27 takes print data from the data system, combines it with timing data from the fluid system, and converts it to a format suitable for high voltage drivers located on the electronic board 28 in the RPM 19.
  • Also residing on the electronic board 28 is the electronics which contains the personality module for the specific RPM.
  • the interface from the data system to the PIC box 11 is preferably accomplished through a fiber optic cable means driven by a fiber optic transmitter (not shown) in the data system.
  • the electronic board 28 in the RPM is connected to the drop charging and collecting means 14 via connecting means 30.
  • the charge and therefore the deflection of a drop depends in the voltage on the charge plate just prior to the break off of the drops. A drop will only be charged for catch if the charge voltage is high during the very short interval just prior to break off. Conversely, a drop will be left uncharged for print only if the charge voltage is near zero during this time interval.
  • a microprocessor in the PIC box electronics 27 can generate a diagnostic plot of the stimulation break off phase for each array of jets. From this plot, the operator can readily select the desired operating phase. This plot also provides a check on stimulation uniformity which may indicate a degradation in the drop generator 12.
  • the PIC box electronics 27 includes the microcontroller which does status monitoring, and selftest control, and monitors the personality module in the RPM for specific fluid system parameters.
  • the microcontroller communicates with the fluid system over a bidirectional serial link.
  • the microcontroller is used to provide a serial interface to the fluid system, transfer status and commands to and from the fluid system, and to control analog components in PIC box.
  • the PIC box and the RPM assembly are controlled by a fluid system utilizing parameters within the personality module within the RPM.
  • the two member print head apparatus accepts data via a fiber optic link from a data system to ultimately control print drop selection.
  • the RPM and PIC box apparatus are useful in continuous ink jet printers.
  • the apparatus of the present invention provides for a separable print head and drive electronics assembly so that the ink jet components can be returned for refurbishment without including the support electronics.
  • the RPM of the present invention has the further advantage of being able to store operating (initial and final) parameters, so that the replacement RPM can work with the same PIC box electronics.
  • the combined PIC box and RPM of the present invention is smaller than the prior art print head, and prints a larger swath than two prior art print heads.

Claims (3)

  1. Ensemble de tête d'impression à deux éléments pour une utilisation dans une imprimante à jet d'encre, comprenant :
    un premier élément comprenant des moyens (16) pour fournir un fluide à un moyen de génération de gouttelettes, et un circuit électronique de tête d'impression (27) pour commander la formation des gouttes; et
    un second élément constitué par un dispositif d'élément d'impression remplaçable par l'utilisateur (19), comprenant :
    un moyen de génération de gouttelettes (12);
    un moyen de chargement et de collecte de gouttelettes (14) pour charger et pour collecter des gouttelettes à partir du moyen de génération de gouttelettes;
    un moyen (28) pour recevoir des signaux de données à partir du circuit électronique de tête d'impression pour commander les moyens (12, 14) pour le chargement et la collecte des gouttelettes; et
       caractérisé par un moyen de stockage de données (28) pour stocker une pluralité de paramètres de fonctionnement concernant le moyen de génération de gouttelettes (12) et le moyen de chargement et de collecte de gouttelettes (14).
  2. Ensemble de tête d'impression à deux éléments selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif d'élément d'impression remplaçable par l'utilisateur (19) comprend un circuit électronique de commande possédant :
    a) un microprocesseur (28);
    b) un moyen à fibre optique pour recevoir des données et des signaux de commande et pour fournir les signaux à une mémoire cache d'entrée;
    c) une mémoire vive (28) pour constituer une mémoire de données;
    d) un moyen de registre à bascule et à décalage (28) pour basculer et décaler des données à partir de la mémoire vive;
    e) un moyen de circuit d'attaque à haute tension (28) pour recevoir des données du moyen de registre à bascule et à décalage; et
    f) une machine d'état de commande (28) communiquant avec le microprocesseur pour manier la génération de tous les signaux de commande pour la mémoire cache d'entrée, la mémoire vive et le moyen de registre à bascule et à décalage.
  3. Ensemble de tête d'impression à deux éléments selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le dispositif d'élément d'impression remplaçable par l'utilisateur (19) comprend, de plus, un moyen (28) pour commander la qualité d'impression en commandant une pression externe d'encre fournie, une température d'encre et un niveau de stimulation selon des paramètres stockés, de façon interne, et utilisant une information de dimension de trous mesurée précédemment pour commander le nombre de gouttes imprimées sur un point pour un réglage de couleur.
EP19970304185 1996-06-18 1997-06-16 Tête d'impression par jet d'encre continu Expired - Lifetime EP0813974B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66556396A 1996-06-18 1996-06-18
US665563 1996-06-18

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0813974A2 EP0813974A2 (fr) 1997-12-29
EP0813974A3 EP0813974A3 (fr) 1999-06-16
EP0813974B1 true EP0813974B1 (fr) 2003-03-12

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ID=24670617

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19970304185 Expired - Lifetime EP0813974B1 (fr) 1996-06-18 1997-06-16 Tête d'impression par jet d'encre continu

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP0813974B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH1052910A (fr)
AU (1) AU733378B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2207800A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69719607T2 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9770906B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2017-09-26 Videojet Technologies Inc. Ink buildup sensor arrangement
US9975326B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-05-22 Videojet Technologies Inc. Continuous ink jet print head with zero adjustment embedded charging electrode
US10071559B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-09-11 Videojet Technologies Inc. Self-sealing filter module for inkjet printing

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6493937B1 (en) * 1998-03-16 2002-12-17 Hewlett-Packard Company Method of manufacture for ink-jet hard copy apparatus using a modular approach to ink-jet technology
US6082854A (en) * 1998-03-16 2000-07-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Modular ink-jet hard copy apparatus and methodology
US6247781B1 (en) * 1998-12-14 2001-06-19 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Ink jet printhead with an improved eyelid system
DE69910340T2 (de) * 1998-12-14 2004-07-01 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc., Dayton Monolithisches Tintenstrahldruckchassis
US6435637B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2002-08-20 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Fluid and vacuum control in an ink jet printing system
JP4856827B2 (ja) * 2000-09-06 2012-01-18 キヤノン株式会社 インクジェット記録ヘッドの製造方法、インクジェット記録ヘッド、およびインクジェット記録方法
US6793327B2 (en) * 2002-09-25 2004-09-21 Eastman Kodak Company Low catch voltage startup
FR2845943B1 (fr) * 2002-10-19 2005-02-11 Denis Montagutelli Imprimante modulaire pour, a partir d'une imprimante de base, composer une imprimante de bureau, et/ou de panneau et/ou portable
JP2005074767A (ja) 2003-08-29 2005-03-24 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd インクジェット式記録装置
JP4035096B2 (ja) 2003-08-29 2008-01-16 松下電器産業株式会社 インクジェット式記録装置
US8523334B2 (en) 2007-10-12 2013-09-03 Videojet Technologies Inc. Ink supply system
WO2009049135A1 (fr) 2007-10-12 2009-04-16 Videojet Technologies Inc. Système d'alimentation en encre
US8439489B2 (en) 2007-10-12 2013-05-14 Videojet Technologies Inc. Filter for ink supply system
EP2200832B1 (fr) 2007-10-12 2012-07-25 Videojet Technologies, Inc. Pompe d'évacuation pour système d'alimentation en encre

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2542257B1 (fr) * 1983-03-07 1985-08-02 Imaje Sa Tete d'impression a jet d'encre et imprimante qui en est equipee
US4847631A (en) * 1986-07-16 1989-07-11 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Charge and deflection control type ink jet printer
US4809015A (en) * 1988-03-14 1989-02-28 Eastman Kodak Company Continuous ink jet printer having modular print head assembly
US5455611A (en) * 1992-05-29 1995-10-03 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Four inch print head assembly

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9770906B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2017-09-26 Videojet Technologies Inc. Ink buildup sensor arrangement
US9975326B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-05-22 Videojet Technologies Inc. Continuous ink jet print head with zero adjustment embedded charging electrode
US10071559B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-09-11 Videojet Technologies Inc. Self-sealing filter module for inkjet printing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0813974A2 (fr) 1997-12-29
EP0813974A3 (fr) 1999-06-16
AU733378B2 (en) 2001-05-10
DE69719607T2 (de) 2004-02-12
AU2493397A (en) 1998-01-08
JPH1052910A (ja) 1998-02-24
DE69719607D1 (de) 2003-04-17
CA2207800A1 (fr) 1997-12-18

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