EP0902743B1 - Tintendruckkopfmodule mit gemeinsamer tintenzufuhr - Google Patents

Tintendruckkopfmodule mit gemeinsamer tintenzufuhr Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0902743B1
EP0902743B1 EP97923236A EP97923236A EP0902743B1 EP 0902743 B1 EP0902743 B1 EP 0902743B1 EP 97923236 A EP97923236 A EP 97923236A EP 97923236 A EP97923236 A EP 97923236A EP 0902743 B1 EP0902743 B1 EP 0902743B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compartment
liquid
orifices
ink
reservoir
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
EP97923236A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0902743A1 (de
Inventor
Henry J. Bode
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.)
Videojet Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Marconi Data Systems 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
Priority claimed from US08/854,487 external-priority patent/US6196668B1/en
Application filed by Marconi Data Systems Inc filed Critical Marconi Data Systems Inc
Publication of EP0902743A1 publication Critical patent/EP0902743A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0902743B1 publication Critical patent/EP0902743B1/de
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
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • 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
    • 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
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge
    • B41J2/17509—Whilst mounted in the printer
    • 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
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17556—Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to ink jet printers. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for providing liquid ink at proper static pressure to a series of drop-on-demand ink jet print orifices.
  • ink jet printing systems utilize printing heads in which ink droplets are emitted through one or more orifices and onto a target surface.
  • impulse type drop-on-demand printing the emission of ink through the orifice is controlled by creating pressure pulses within an ink chamber in the printhead.
  • a typical printhead 2 is provided with an array of orifices 3, which are individually controlled to emit ink droplets 4 that form the desired image on the target surface as the surface moves relative to the printing head.
  • the orifices are fed ink from individual chambers 5 within each printhead, which communicate with corresponding input ports 6.
  • Ink is supplied via capillary action to each input port 6 from a reservoir 7 through ink supply lines 9.
  • the optimal static pressure of the ink is negative one to three inches of water (248-744 Nm -2 ).
  • the static pressure at the input port is a function of the difference in height (H) between the input port and the reservoir ink level. More particularly, the static pressure at each orifice is a function of the difference in height between each orifice and the reservoir ink level.
  • each printhead with a separate, level-controlled reservoir as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cost of such an arrangement is prohibitive. Additionally, the space limitations and tight spacing between printheads make it physically impractical to install reservoirs and level-control devices in this configuration.
  • US-A-4,340,896 discloses an apparatus for delivering ink to an array of impulse ink jet heads some of which may be at different vertical locations.
  • a flow of ink is established along a supply conduit located vertically below the ink jet heads.
  • Ink feed conduits connect at junctions to the supply conduit to provide the ink jet heads with ink.
  • a plurality of flow impeding devices are employed between the junctions so as to enable the formation of columns of ink in the feed conduits of sufficient height to supply the ink to the impulse ink feed jets. Appropriate spacing of the ink jet heads above the top of the ink columns then provides required small negative ink pressures.
  • a system for supplying liquid to a composite printing head having at least two vertically disposed sets of orifices comprising: a liquid compartment for each of said sets of orifices for communicating liquid thereto, each said compartment being configured to maintain the level of liquid therein at a desired fill height and to permit excess liquid to spill from said compartment over an edge thereof, said compartments being positioned relative to each other to cause liquid to spill from a compartment to the next lower compartment; and a reservoir for receiving liquid spillage from the lowest one of the compartments and supplying liquid to the uppermost one of the compartments.
  • each printhead has a set of orifices for printing or marking a substrate.
  • Each printhead is supplied from one of the compartments of a multi-compartment reservoir via a separate feed line.
  • the compartmentalized ink reservoirs utilize a weir system which maintains a predetermined optimum static pressure within each compartment.
  • the feed pressure to each printhead is controlled by the relative height of the fluid column at each compartment with respect to the height of an inlet port which is immediately proximate to the set of orifices.
  • the height of the fluid may be controlled by the height of the weir associated with that compartment or the fluid level in such weir.
  • the present invention provides significant advantages over other ink jet fluid distribution systems. Because the weir system automatically maintains a desired level of ink in the individual compartments, there is no need for individual level detectors for each compartment, thereby reducing parts and costs.
  • the fluid system embodying the present invention comprises a composite printing head 12 including a plurality of ink embodying jet printheads 12A-12D.
  • Composite printing head 12 can be stationary and arranged to print an image on a target surface (not shown) which moves relative thereto.
  • the printing head 12 can be movable relative to the target surface, or both the printing head 12 and the target surface can be movable relative to each other.
  • the composite printing head 12 preferably has three or four distinct internal printheads or manifolds that are integrally attached to provide an even distribution of ink as it is ejected out of the printheads. It will be appreciated that any number of printheads can be used to create the desired width of the area to be printed.
  • each printhead 12A-12D has a set of ejection nozzles or orifices 14 which are supplied fluid by a common chamber or manifold 16 within each printhead 12A-D.
  • the set of orifices may number twelve as illustrated, or more or less in number, it being within the skill of one knowledgeable in the art to choose the number of orifices and the pattern of those orifices.
  • the manifolds 16 are supplied fluid through associated inlet ports 18 and feed lines 19 attached to the printheads 12A-D.
  • a single printhead could have two or more sets of orifices with associated inlet ports.
  • the sets of orifices are depicted to comprise a single row, there may be multiple rows of orifices in a set, or other configurations, as those skilled in the art would understand.
  • each printhead 12A-12D is provided with associated compartments 20A-20D which maintain a constant fluid level of ink therein using weirs 22A-22D.
  • Each weir 22 includes an opening, drain or other egress for permitting the flow of ink from one compartment to the next lower compartment, or in the case of the lowermost compartment 20D, back to a reservoir 24.
  • a pump 26 provides a low-volume flow of ink from reservoir 24 to the uppermost compartment 20A via return line 27.
  • a level detection device 28 is also provided to ensure an adequate ink reserve is fed to reservoir 24 from a main storage container (not shown).
  • means are provided to control the flow of fluid in the return line 27.
  • a valve or other control device can be utilized, or the pump can be configured to pump ink at a desired constant flow rate through the supply line.
  • the ink level in each compartment 20 may be maintained constant and therefore the static pressure at the inlet of each printhead, which is determined by the height (H) of the feed line above the ink level in its associated compartment, is the same for each printhead.
  • the printhead 12, and preferably the entire set of orifices for each printhead 12, are disposed above the ink level in the associated compartment 20 to provide a negative pressure in feed lines 19, which combines with the capillary forces therein to yield the proper pressure at the inlet port 18 which is in immediate proximity to the orifices 14.
  • a degassing device such as a membrane over the reservoir or a partial vacuum above the ink in each container.
  • all of the containers 20A-20B can be placed in a single vacuum chamber 30 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the containers 20 are stacked within the chamber 30 and have a single port 32 for creating a low negative pressure to reduce dissolved air in the ink.
  • the containers 20 can also be stacked so that the flow out of adjacent containers is in opposite directions, thereby allowing the containers to approach vertical alignment to conserve space.
  • a control means 34 is provided to ensure that an adequate amount of liquid is supplied to the containers 20A-20D from the reservoir 24.
  • an adjustment mechanism can be provided to adjust the heights of the printheads 12A-12D, and therefore the sets of orifices 14, relative to the level of the ink in the compartments 20A-D.
  • This type of adjustment mechanism is known in the art and could be configured for adjustment of the printing head 12 as a unit.
  • the adjustment mechanism could also be configured to independently adjust the height of the printheads 12A-12B, provided they are not integrally joined together.
  • a moving mechanism can be provided to adjust the heights of the compartments 20A-20D, and thus the height of the ink in each compartment, relative to the heights of the printheads 12A-12D and their associated sets of orifices 14. If the compartments 20 are joined together as a staggered unit, the moving mechanism can be configured to adjust the height of the entire assembly. Alternatively, the moving mechanism can be configured to independently adjust the height of the compartments 20. This individual adjustment can be provided by a moving mechanism such as the device disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/728,866, filed October 10, 1996.
  • more than one return line can be used to individually feed each container rather than supplying the top container 20A.
  • various other devices can be utilized to control the drainage of ink from each container, such as valves, siphons, or the like.
  • an ink jet fluid distribution system which may be easily and inexpensively constructed and which provides proper and dependable control of the static pressure of ink delivered to each printhead in a stacked arrangement.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Facsimile Heads (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. System zur Lieferung von Flüssigkeit an einen zusammengesetzten Druckkopf mit zumindest zwei vertikal angeordneten Sätzen von Öffnungen (14) mit: einem Flüssigkeitsfach (20 A-D) für jeden der Sätze an Öffnungen (14) zur Übertragung von Flüssigkeit an diese, wobei jedes der Fächer derart ausgebildet ist, um das Flüssigkeitsniveau darin auf einer gewünschten Füllhöhe beizubehalten und zu ermöglichen, daß überschüssige Flüssigkeit von dem Fach über einen Rand desselben überlaufen kann, wobei die Fächer (20 A-D) relativ zueinander so positioniert sind, um zu bewirken, daß Flüssigkeit von einem Fach zu dem nächstniedrigeren Fach überlaufen kann; und einem Reservoir (24) zur Aufnahme von Flüssigkeitsüberlauf von dem untersten der Fächer und zur Lieferung von Flüssigkeit an das oberste der Fächer.
  2. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich die gewünschte Füllhöhe jedes Faches (20 A-D) bei einer geringeren Höhe als ein Einlaßkanal (18) zu seinem jeweiligen Satz von Öffnungen (14) befindet, um eine statische Höhendifferenz zu definieren, die einen negativen Druck erzeugt, der auf die Flüssigkeit in dem Einlaßkanal (18) wirkt.
  3. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2, wobei die gewünschte Füllhöhe jedes Faches (20 A-D) niedriger als eine unterste Öffnung ihres jeweiligen Satzes von Öffnungen (14) ist, wodurch ein gewünschter negativer Druck an jeder Öffnung in dem Satz von Öffnungen beibehalten wird.
  4. System nach einem der Ansprüche 2 oder 3, wobei die statische Höhendifferenz, die bezüglich jedes Faches (20 A-D) definiert ist, im wesentlichen gleich ist, so daß der negative Druck, der auf die Flüssigkeit wirkt, in dem Einlaßkanal (18) zu jedem Satz von Öffnungen (14) annähernd gleich ist.
  5. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner mit einer einzelnen Versorgungsleitung (27) zur Lieferung von Flüssigkeit von einem Reservoir (24) an das oberste Fach (20A).
  6. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jedes Fach (20 A-D) mit einer Auslaßöffnung (22 A-D) ausgebildet ist, die derart ausgebildet ist, um zu ermöglichen, daß Flüssigkeit davon ablaufen kann, um die gewünschte Füllhöhe beizubehalten und die Flüssigkeit in das nächstniedrigere Fach oder in dem Fall des untersten Faches in das Reservoir (24) zu leiten.
  7. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Strömung von Flüssigkeit aus einem Fach in einer entgegengesetzten Richtung zu der Strömung von Flüssigkeit aus dem nächstniedrigeren Fach gerichtet ist, wodurch eine allgemein vertikale Stapelanordnung der Fächer (20 A-D) und des Reservoirs (24) ermöglicht wird.
  8. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner mit einem Steuermittel, daß derart ausgebildet ist, um sicherzustellen, daß eine angemessene Menge an Flüssigkeit von dem Reservoir (24) an die Fächer (20A - 20D) geliefert wird.
  9. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner mit einer Pumpe (26) zur Lieferung der Flüssigkeit von dem Reservoir (24) an das oberste Fach (20A).
  10. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jedes Fach (20 A-D) derart ausgebildet ist, um im wesentlichen das gleiche Volumen an Flüssigkeit zu halten.
  11. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner mit einer Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung eines Teilvakuums über der Flüssigkeit in jedem Fach, um den Gasdampfdruck in dem Fach zu verringern.
  12. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner mit einem Einstellmechanismus zur Einstellung der Höhe der Fächer (20 A-D), um die Höhe der Flüssigkeit darin weiter steuern zu können.
  13. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jeder der Sätze von Öffnungen (14) in einem jeweiligen Komponentendruckkopf des zusammengesetzten Druckkopfes ausgebildet ist.
  14. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jedes der Fächer (20 A-D) ein Überlaufwehr (22 A-D) umfaßt, um das Niveau der Flüssigkeit darin bei der gewünschten Füllhöhe beizubehalten und zu ermöglichen, daß die überschüssige Flüssigkeit von dem Fach über einen Rand desselben überlaufen kann.
EP97923236A 1996-05-22 1997-05-22 Tintendruckkopfmodule mit gemeinsamer tintenzufuhr Expired - Lifetime EP0902743B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1810996P 1996-05-22 1996-05-22
US18109P 1996-05-22
US08/854,487 US6196668B1 (en) 1997-05-12 1997-05-12 Ink jet print head modules with common ink supply
US854487 1997-05-12
PCT/GB1997/001405 WO1997044194A1 (en) 1996-05-22 1997-05-22 Ink jet print head modules with common ink supply

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0902743A1 EP0902743A1 (de) 1999-03-24
EP0902743B1 true EP0902743B1 (de) 2001-11-07

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ID=26690746

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97923236A Expired - Lifetime EP0902743B1 (de) 1996-05-22 1997-05-22 Tintendruckkopfmodule mit gemeinsamer tintenzufuhr

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0902743B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE208278T1 (de)
AU (1) AU2909697A (de)
CA (1) CA2255019A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69708086T2 (de)
WO (1) WO1997044194A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3437491B2 (ja) * 1998-06-30 2003-08-18 キヤノン株式会社 インク注入方法、それが用いられるインク注入装置、および、それを備えるインクジェット記録装置
EP1013450B1 (de) * 1998-12-14 2006-07-19 Eastman Kodak Company Flüssigkeitssystem für Mehrfachdruckköpfe
GB9924029D0 (en) * 1999-10-11 1999-12-15 Unilever Plc An ink supply system
US6371607B2 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-04-16 Agfa-Gevaert Ink jet printer and an ink supply system therefore
ES2312151T3 (es) 2000-10-31 2009-02-16 Zipher Limited Aparato de impresion.
GB2402908B (en) 2003-06-16 2006-07-12 Inca Digital Printers Ltd Inkjet device and method
US8851642B2 (en) 2012-05-03 2014-10-07 Delphax Technologies Inc. Ink delivery system for inkjet printheads
GB2521126A (en) 2013-12-05 2015-06-17 Tonejet Ltd Apparatus for controlling ink pressure

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS55142668A (en) * 1979-04-24 1980-11-07 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Liquid drop injection type recording machine
US4340896A (en) * 1980-12-22 1982-07-20 Pitney Bowes Inc. Impulse ink jet ink delivery apparatus
JPS5857969A (ja) * 1981-10-02 1983-04-06 Canon Inc インクジェット装置
US4413267A (en) * 1981-12-18 1983-11-01 Centronics Data Computer Corp. Ink supply system for ink jet printing apparatus
JPS59222361A (ja) * 1983-05-31 1984-12-14 Canon Inc 記録装置
JPS6048360A (ja) * 1983-08-26 1985-03-16 Canon Inc インクジエツトプリンタ−
JPH01297259A (ja) * 1988-05-25 1989-11-30 Victor Co Of Japan Ltd インクジェットプリンタ
US5485187A (en) * 1991-10-02 1996-01-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink-jet recording apparatus having improved recovery device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1997044194A1 (en) 1997-11-27
AU2909697A (en) 1997-12-09
EP0902743A1 (de) 1999-03-24
ATE208278T1 (de) 2001-11-15
CA2255019A1 (en) 1997-11-27
DE69708086D1 (de) 2001-12-13
JP2000510780A (ja) 2000-08-22
JP3909443B2 (ja) 2007-04-25
DE69708086T2 (de) 2002-06-20

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