EP0919385A2 - Re-encoding ink-jet printheads - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves altering the code of an initial print head so that it is identical to that of another print head. The recoding involves the opening of the lines connecting contacts and the arrangement of new lines between contacts of the recoded print head according to the conducting connections of the other print head An Independent claim is also included for a print head.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for recoding printing heads, which have an electronic coding.

Printheads which are provided with an electronic coding are in the state of the art Technology known. These are interchangeable printheads made by the end customer can be inserted into and removed from the ink printer. always more ink printers can be provided with such replaceable print heads. There is thus a departure from the previously usual permanent print heads, the were permanently installed in the printer and could only be changed by service personnel. Interchangeable printheads are often manufactured as so-called disposable printheads, where the entire ink supply is integrated in the print head. Is the ink supply used up in the printhead, the entire printhead is replaced.

Such exchange systems allow different types of printheads within one Printer. Printer drivers offer optimized for the respective print heads Settings. To achieve the best print quality, it is essential to have the right one To use head for correct adjustment. This can be left to the user or automated by electronic recognition of the printhead. in the in the latter case, the printer driver notifies the user when a wrong combination printhead / driver setting was selected. For this the Print head be provided with an electronic coding.

The coding shows the driver, for example, what type of printhead, for example monochrome or colored cartridge, currently in the printer. Of With the help of such electronic coding, numerous others will also be used Features provided. For example, with ink printers, the cleaning and masking station is an important part of the printing unit. It ensures that the print quality remains good throughout the ink filling. Some printers use a purely cover function for this, i.e. the nozzles will covered as long as they are not in operation, others also have a cleaning and Suction function, so that it is possible to wipe over the nozzle plate and dab it off or sucking ink through your head. These functions are more direct Contact between the printhead, the ink and the capping station. It can therefore the same station cannot be used for color and monochrome printheads since it this would result in a loss of quality. By coding the printhead can be switched between different cover stations. examples for Codes are given in JP 08-58 082 and in DE-OS 21 14 360.

Coding is also necessary in order to insert the wrong printhead to prevent. Otherwise, a head could be mechanically inserted into the printer would fit, but require a different supply voltage or firing frequency, than what is offered by the printer. An electronic coding is also used when different printheads have different ways such as. physical ink recognition, refillability through exchangeable ink containers etc., offer. The printer recognizes the special features through the electronic coding the built-in printhead type.

Despite these and other advantages, electronic coding on printheads offers, it can be disadvantageous that the use of foreign printheads prevented is because in many cases this makes it ecological and economical for the user meaningful conversion of such printheads is difficult. Such an ecological and For example, the printhead is provided with an economically sensible conversion replaceable ink tanks. This is due to the fact that some printheads are different Construction much more complex than with others.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method whereby a complex Reworking a printhead with a specific one stored in a code Property profile is avoided, while providing a printhead who has the properties sought by the makeover.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Accordingly, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the coding an output printhead A is changed so that it with that of a other printhead B is identical, this recoding the interrupting conductive Connections between contacts and the creation of new conductive connections between contacts of the printhead A corresponding to the conductive connections of the Printhead B includes. Furthermore, a printhead is part of claim 13 the solution of the above task.

If, for example, a conversion is made for any print head B. to be, for example, the equipment with a replaceable ink cartridge, this however, is difficult to do, a different printhead can be used instead A, which is a property profile different from printhead B and stored in the coding and which also has the properties sought by the conversion already encoded so that its coding is that of the Print head B corresponds.

An example of this is the case that the print head A with exchangeable ink containers is equipped, but it is a normal color print head that with a corresponding coding is provided, and the print head B is a color print head is for photo printing, but the ink tank cannot be replaced. Instead of to rework the print head B so that it is equipped with exchangeable ink containers can be, which may require a very complex process would make, according to the invention, the coding of the print head A changed be identical to that of the print head B, so that the printer driver recognizes that the print head A is now fed with photo ink. So you can originally designed as a single-use product using a relatively simple process Printheads can be refilled. This is particularly ecologically sensible because it is clear Less waste is produced because only the refill containers and not the entire one Print head must be thrown away. The process is also economically important, because the printhead is the more technologically valuable part, that with a lot of effort is produced. The multiple usability consequently makes it important Saves resources that are wasted on disposable printheads.

The method according to the invention is when reworking is carried out on a printhead which has the consequence that the reworked printhead in its essential Characteristics of a different printhead type than its "output type", also suitable for recoding this new property profile for make the printer driver recognizable. The process can be used for both internal manufacturers as well as for cross-manufacturer recoding.

The creation of new connections can be done by applying a conductive lacquer Screen or pad printing or sticking a foil with a conductor track on the contact circuit board of the output printhead. Furthermore, they are Establish a soldered connection between corresponding contacts and / or similar Procedure possible. The coding of the two printheads differs Conductor tracks of different resistances, so a corresponding resistance in the corresponding conductor connection of the output printhead. This is possible, for example, by using a suitable conductor track. The interruption of conductive connections can, for example, mechanically by cutting Conductor tracks are made by drilling or cutting. Furthermore is the printing a non-conductive varnish or sticking a non-conductive film and others known measures with the same effect possible.

The measures described can be carried out quickly and without great expenditure of time and material be performed. The recoding is "irreversible", i.e. she is intended for essentially the entire life of the printhead not to be undone.

In addition, however, there is also the possibility of a so-called "multifunction printhead" to train. The recoding can be made "reversible" for this i.e. the printhead is not permanently reworked, but the coding is designed to be changeable. This can be done, for example, in that between the contact plate and the chip of the output printhead are a thin insulating plate is used in the places where a conductive connection is provided, is provided with openings, and covers the other contacts isolating. Should the recoding can be undone again, then only the insulating plate be removed again.

Another possibility of reversible recoding can be with an anisotropically conductive Contact plate can be realized. This contact plate has the property that it is electrically conductive in the thickness direction, while perpendicular to it there is no conductivity consists. Such behavior can be caused, for example, with rubber-like materials are in which conductive threads are incorporated, which are aligned in the thickness direction are. The threads allow conductivity in the thickness direction, but are geometrically separated from each other within the surface, so that normal to the thickness direction there is no electrical conductivity. Such behavior can also occur with a Rubber mass is generated when iron powder is magnetically aligned in the mass before the material hardens. In the case of recoding by anisotropically conductive This contact plate is used in those places where there is no electrical contact should exist, punched out.

There is also the option of using a switch between the codes back and forth to switch here. It has already been described that an existing through a bore Vias can be destroyed. Subsequent conductor tracks can then be used again printed to the associated contacts and led to a switch. Thereby it is possible to switch back and forth between two encodings.

These so-called multifunction printheads can then be used with both a color as well as with a monochrome cartridge or with cartridges that contain special inks Properties included, such as photo or neon ink, can be populated.

Figur 1 eine schematische Darstellung der unterschiedlichen Kodierungen dreier verschiedener Druckköpfe der Serie BC-2X der Firma Canon,

Figur 2 die Kontaktnumerierung dieser Druckköpfe,

Figur 3a eine Detailansicht eines leitenden Kontaktes,

Figur 3b eine Ansicht desselben Kontaktes, nachdem er durch Abdeckung isoliert wurde,

Figur 3c eine Ansicht des Kontaktes von Figur 3a, bei dem die leitende Verbindung durch Wegfräsen des Kontaktes unterbrochen wurde,

Figur 3d eine Ansicht des Kontaktes von Figur 3a, bei dem die leitende Verbindung durch Bohren zerstört wurde,

Figur 4 eine Ansicht ähnlich derjenigen von Figur 2, wobei eine neue leitfähige Verbindung zwischen zwei Kontakten geschaffen wurde,

Figur 5 eine Abbildung ähnlich Figur 2, wobei ein Kontakt durch Abdeckung elektrisch isoliert wurde, und

Figur 6 eine schematische Darstellung einer anisotrop leitenden Platte.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the attached figure sheets. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the different codes of three different print heads of the BC-2X series from Canon,

FIG. 2 shows the contact numbering of these print heads,

FIG. 3a shows a detailed view of a conductive contact,

FIG. 3b shows a view of the same contact after it has been isolated by a cover,

FIG. 3 c shows a view of the contact from FIG. 3 a, in which the conductive connection was interrupted by milling away the contact,

FIG. 3d shows a view of the contact from FIG. 3a, in which the conductive connection was destroyed by drilling,

FIG. 4 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 2, a new conductive connection being created between two contacts,

Figure 5 is an illustration similar to Figure 2, wherein a contact has been electrically isolated by cover, and

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an anisotropically conductive plate.

Figure 1 shows schematically the difference between the electronic codes three printheads from the BC-2X series from Canon, which are used in the Canon BJC-4200 printers can be used. This is the BC-20 printhead, a monochrome disposable cartridge with 128 nozzles, the BC-21 print head with exchangeable ones Ink tanks and a total of 136 nozzles, the BC-22 printhead for photo printing and the BC-29F printhead for neon colors (not shown), each with 136 nozzles. Each of the printheads is recognized by the printer.

If you want to convert the BC-22 with photo ink tank so that it can be refilled several times there are basically two different ways. First, a makeover This printhead can be made to take advantage of refillability also to be implemented with the cartridge originally conceived as a disposable part. The Original monoblock print head mechanically changed into an adapter so that it can be used with an ink container, the so-called click, can be refilled and still still fits in the printer. However, this is very complex with the BC-22 because of the Printhead completely redesigned and also a corresponding refill container constructed must become. The second option is to click the click system To develop the basis of the BC-21 print head. This has the advantage that it is the base printhead is already a click system and therefore the print head is mechanical does not have to be changed. Then there is an additional one according to the invention Recoding required, otherwise the printer would recognize the BC-21 as such and would not allow the settings required for photo printing in the printer driver.

The BC-2X cartridges contain interrupted conductor tracks, conductor track bridges in the Chip, different conductor tracks on the contact boards and different Chip bond pattern used as electronic coding. The numbering of the contacts is shown schematically in Figure 2.

The electronic difference between the BC-21 and the BC-22 is in the connection of contacts 5, 10 and 24 (Figure 1). The BC-21 has contacts 10 and 24 electrically connected, but not in the case of the BC-22. Now the BC-21 printhead appear to the printer electronically as BC-22, the contact 10 be electrically isolated. There are various possibilities. The initially intact Contact 10 (FIG. 3a) can be overprinted using insulating varnish, for example, i.e. be permanently covered (Figure 3b). In addition, the contact can Milling (Figure 3c) are removed, or the via point to the lower conductor level can be destroyed by drilling (Figure 3d).

If it is advantageous to recode the BC-22 into the BC-21, then an electrical connection must be made of contact 10 to contact 24 can be realized. There are also many different types for this Method. For example, it can be conductive varnish using screen or pad printing printed on the contact circuit board (Figure 5) or a film with the conductor track be stuck on. A thin solder connection is also conceivable. With all of these Methods must be ensured that the order amount on the circuit board is not prevents contacting of the other electrical contacts.

The recoding also offers the possibility of a multifunction printhead to develop. This means not reworking the printhead permanently, but instead to make the coding changeable. The starting point can be, for example, the BC-21 Print head with exchangeable ink tanks. Containers are in the original print head built in with normal color ink. Because of the electronic coding this is head only suitable for this ink. However, through electronic recoding Possibility opens up the application area of the printhead on photo ink or neon ink to expand. This brings great advantages both ecologically and economically. in the In the following, some options are to be shown, such as reversible recoding can be designed.

If the BC-21 print head is used with normal color ink, it can be used electronically can be used unchanged. However, if photos are to be printed, then the Clicks with photo ink can be used. For the necessary electronic recoding then, for example, a thin insulating plate is used, all electronic Leaves contacts of the printhead open and only covers contact 10 (Figure 5). The Electronic the printer no longer "sees" the connection of contacts 10 and 24 and recognizes the head as BC-22. If the print head is then to be returned to normal Color ink are used, then the recoding must be undone and the clicks are exchanged. The ink remaining in the print head when changing automatically suctioned off when inserted into the printer. You may have to add one more Suction process can be carried out in the printer to ensure optimal print quality receive.

Another possibility of reversible recoding can be by inserting a anisotropically conductive contact plate can be realized. A schematic representation such a plate is given in Figure 6. The plate 1 consists of an electrical insulating material, in the electrically conductive perpendicular to the plane of the plate Threads 2 are incorporated. For example, to recode the BC-21 so that its coding corresponds to that of the BC-22, must be conductive in such an anisotropic Contact plate at the geometric location of the contact 10 part of the contact rubber be punched out so that the electrical connection is interrupted.

As already mentioned, there is also the option of using a switch between the To change encodings. In the case of the BC-21, the plated-through hole can be contacted by contact 10, for example through a hole, are destroyed. Then new ones have to be added later Printed conductor tracks to contacts 10 and 24 and routed to a switch. This enables the BC-21 and BC-22 coding to be used to switch back and forth. A multifunctional cartridge or a multifunctional printhead can also be realized with the BC-22 print head, for example. In this case the printhead has to be redesigned to click. It is also a reversible electrical Connection between contacts 10 and 24 necessary. This can be done through realize a thin electrical connection plate that is ideally elastic to the Simplify contacting. In this case, precise positioning must be ensured so that no other electrical connections are changed.

The examples of recoding shown here are in no way limiting. So the process is also applicable to other printheads, for example Lexmark, Olivetti or various other manufacturers, applicable. At Olivetti, for example Possibility to compare the additional printhead contacts of this printhead to imitate the HP printheads with printed conductor tracks. There are through the use of the methods described above, various possibilities, Use printheads differently. Individual effort and cost estimates should be the decisive factor here.

Claims (13)

Process for recoding electronic codes Printheads, characterized in that the coding of an output printhead (A) is changed so that it is identical to that of another print head (B) , this recoding is the breaking of conductive connections between contacts and creating new conductive connections between contacts of the printhead (A) corresponding to the conductive connections of the printhead (B). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the creation of new conductive Connections by applying a conductive varnish using screen or pad printing on a contact circuit board of the print head (A). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the creation of new conductive connections by gluing a foil provided with a conductor track on a contact circuit board of the print head (A). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that creating new conductive connections by creating a solder connection between Contacts. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it involves the insertion of electrical resistors between contacts. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the breaking of conductive connections takes place mechanically. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that interrupting conductive connections by cutting through conductor tracks Drilling or cutting takes place. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that interrupting conductive connections by printing a non-conductive varnish or a non-conductive film is stuck on. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the breaking of conductive connections and the creation of new conductive connections at least partially reversible. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that between the contact plate and chip of the print head (A) a thin insulating plate is used, which to the Places where a conductive connection is provided are provided with openings. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that between the contact plate and chip of the print head (A) an anisotropically conductive contact plate is inserted, with recesses in those places where there should be no electrical contact is provided. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the interrupting is more conductive Connections and the creation of new conductive connections so that by means of a switch between the coding of the output printhead (A) and that of the print head (B) can be switched back and forth. Printhead for ink printer, which is provided with an electrical coding, which has been changed according to a method according to any one of claims 1-12.

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