EP1013450B1 - Système hydraulique pour plusieurs têtes d'impression - Google Patents

Système hydraulique pour plusieurs têtes d'impression Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1013450B1
EP1013450B1 EP19990309506 EP99309506A EP1013450B1 EP 1013450 B1 EP1013450 B1 EP 1013450B1 EP 19990309506 EP19990309506 EP 19990309506 EP 99309506 A EP99309506 A EP 99309506A EP 1013450 B1 EP1013450 B1 EP 1013450B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
fluid system
print heads
multiple print
single fluid
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
EP19990309506
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1013450A3 (fr
EP1013450A2 (fr
Inventor
Daniel E. Woolard
James D. Mccann
Richard T. Enz
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.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Publication of EP1013450A2 publication Critical patent/EP1013450A2/fr
Publication of EP1013450A3 publication Critical patent/EP1013450A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1013450B1 publication Critical patent/EP1013450B1/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
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to continuous ink-jet printers and, more particularly, to the operation and control of multiple print heads from a single fluid controller for a continuous ink-jet printer.
  • Prior art ink jet printers have typically consisted of two main components, a fluid system and a print head.
  • the fluid system controls solenoid valves, pumps, and sensors to help clean, shutdown, and ready the print head for printing. All of the components are designated to a single print head as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,394,177 and 4,734,711, totally incorporated herein by reference.
  • the ink concentration can drift somewhat. This can lead to a drift in the darkness of the print. This drift of darkness is not noticeable by itself. However, if two print heads are printing side-by-side, the contrast differences can become noticeable.
  • Separate print heads are used for each color of ink used by the customer. As different print jobs may require different inks, customers may have more than one type or color of ink in their plant.
  • US 4,067,020 A discloses an ink jet printing system.
  • the printing system provides an arrangement that allows ink which is not being used during printing to be returned to an ink reservoir from which the ink was originally withdrawn. Fresh ink can also be added to the ink reservoir. The process is completed in a manner that avoids fluctuations in ink pressure and shutdowns of the printing system when the reservoir is being filled.
  • each print head operates independently, as if it were controlled by its own fluid system. This means that each one of the multiple print heads has the capability of cleaning, shutting down, and printing without any interference from the other, while sharing similar components.
  • Fig. 1 a block diagram of a prior art fluid system 10 is illustrated.
  • the fluid system 10 is attached to the print head 12 by means of a flexible umbilical 14.
  • the umbilical 14 connection carries fluid to and from the print head 12.
  • the umbilical 14 also carries electrical signals to and from a control means 16, such as a computer, that controls the print head 12 functions.
  • the print head functions that are controlled include operation of a retractable catch pan or "eyelid" 18 for startup and shutdown.
  • the eyelid 18 also allows jets, once formed, to flow into the catcher 22 such that a charge plate 24 of the ink jet printer does not get wet.
  • the print head 12 functions that are controlled also include proper fluid pressure, stimulation voltage, and charge voltage, as well as ink heating during startup, and catcher 22 and charge plate 24 heating to remove condensation at the catcher 22.
  • the print head 12 communicates with the control means 16 during printing to control these functions.
  • prior art fluid system 10 includes a pressure control means associated with the control means 16 to increase or decrease voltage to an ink pump 26.
  • the pressure control means is necessary for printing, as well as other pressure levels during startup and shutdown.
  • the pressure control means includes a pressure transducer 28 located at the print head 12 for providing the control means 16 with a voltage level, preferably between 0.5 and 4.5 volts, that corresponds to the actual ink pressure at the print head 12.
  • a comparison means associated with the control means 16 then compares the actual ink pressure with a desired ink pressure and provides a comparison value. This comparison value is used by the computer 16 to adjust a pulse-width-modulated voltage to the ink pump 26 to attain the desired ink pressure. If the actual ink pressure is high or low in comparison to the desired ink pressure, then the computer 16 adjusts the pulse width modulated voltage to the ink pump 26 accordingly. This correction can occur almost continuously, on the order of up to forty times per second.
  • the fluid system 10 includes an optical concentration sensor 30, whereby ink from an ink supply 44 or a replenishment supply 48 is added to a fluid supply 46 to provide the proper dye level.
  • An ink temperature control means comprises an ink temperature sensor 50, an ink heater 52 and an ambient temperature sensor 54 associated with the control means 16 for controlling ink temperature.
  • the ink temperature control is provided mainly for the purpose of accomplishing the startup process required to startup the fluid system 10.
  • the ink temperature control means comprises means for heating the ink sufficiently to place condensation on the charge plate 24 leads, to wash any ink left from the startup procedure down to the catcher 22.
  • the fluid system 10 also includes a vacuum control means 56 for controlling vacuum during startup, shutdown, and printing.
  • a vacuum transducer 58 is located in the fluid system 10 which measures vacuum level. This information is provided to the control means 16 to control the vacuum.
  • the vacuum control 56 is preferably provided by a stepper motor 60 which effectively controls flow into a secondary or bypass line 74 attached to an ambient air inlet 76 of a vacuum pump 78. This, in turn, changes the system 10 vacuum to the desired value.
  • a single fluid system 100 capable of independently and simultaneously controlling the integration of multiple print heads.
  • the integration of two print heads supported by one fluid system involves both shared and additional components from the existing fluid system, and new components which enable the operation of the system.
  • each print head is controlled by a separate print head interface controller (PIC) box 102a and 102b, and share a common ink reservoir or ink tank 104.
  • PIC print head interface controller
  • the ink tank is under vacuum supplied by regulated vacuum systems means.
  • Regulated vacuum system means could be of the type described in patent 5,394,177 or, in a preferred embodiment, as described in co-pending, commonly assigned patent application Serial No. , (Attorney Docket No. SDP231PA).
  • Ink is withdrawn from the ink tank 104 by ink pumps 110, each of which supply ink to a single print heads.
  • Each pump 110 is driven by a variable speed brushless VDC motor which allows control of the flow rate to each print head, similar to the existing fluid system. It is important to note that with the addition of variable flow controlled solenoid valves, one ink pump would be sufficient to supply ink to both print heads. However, other design parameters may require each print head to be assigned its own ink pump.
  • each print head also has an individual ink heater of any suitable type, such as a heated umbilical 112, as is described and claimed in commonly assigned, co-pending patent application Serial No. , (Attorney Docket No. SDP211PA).
  • a common heater controller means is used to control the two ink heaters. This controller monitors the ink temperature in each print head by means of separate temperature sensors 114 and energizes and deenergizes the ink heaters by means of separate heater control relays (not shown) to provide separate servo control of the ink temperature for the two print heads. To minimize the electromagnetic emissions, the switching of the heater power is done at the crossover points of the AC sine wave.
  • the common heater controller ensures that both heaters are not energized at the same time. Rather it shares the heater power in a ping-pong fashion between the two heaters. Furthermore, during the start up sequence it is desirable for the ink temperature in the print head to rise rapidly to produce the condensation needed for cleaning the charge plate. To provide the desired rapid temperature the system controller staggers the startup sequence for the two print heads so that the heater controller can supply full power to a single heater for the time required to get the desired condensation before switching the power to the next heater to produce the desired condensation for the next print head. In this manner, the single common heater controller for the two print heads, can significantly reduce the peak current requirements for a multiple print head system.
  • the separate ink heaters have separate thermostats (not shown) which protect the system from overheating, these thermostats are not used for temperature control.
  • a concentration control sensor 124 monitors the ink concentration. Ink is circulated through the concentration sensor from the ink tank by a small separate fluid pump 126. In this way, the flow through the sensor is independent of the flow to either of the print heads.
  • the concentration control system is configured such that when the fluid system 100 fills with fresh ink, ink passes through a valve 128 at the inlet of the concentration sensor and passes through the sensor. In this way, the sensor can be calibrated against fresh ink.
  • the fluid system control electronics monitors the output of this sensor and the output of the ink tank level sensors as it controls the addition of ink or a replenishment fluid to the ink tank, similar to the existing fluid system.
  • Checking the concentration of make up ink with the concentration sensor as the ink is added to the fluid system can also provide a failsafe test to prevent the wrong type or color of ink from being added to the fluid system.
  • Positive air pumps have been employed in existing products to help keep dust and debris out of the print head.
  • the positive air pump supplies clean air not to the enclosed print head, but into the fluid lines.
  • the positive air pump in fluid system 100 provides clean air through air valves 180 to each droplet generator to help remove ink from the print heads during shutdown of both print heads. The function of this air pump is described in more detail in commonly assigned, co-pending patent application Serial No. , (Attorney Docket No. SDP217), totally incorporated herein by reference.
  • the independent and simultaneous operation of multiple print heads from one fluid system in a continuous ink-jet printer gives the ability to print wide swath high quality images, saving both cost and space from the existing fluid system, as well as maintaining a consistent concentration of ink for the two print heads.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Système pour fluide unique (100) destiné à commander simultanément et indépendamment des têtes d'impression multiples (figure 2 ; générateur de gouttelettes) d'une imprimante à jet d'encre en continu comprenant :
    un réservoir d'encre (figure 2 ; 104) destiné à fournir de l'encre aux têtes d'impression multiples,
    un moyen destiné à commander la concentration (figure 2 ; système pour fluide) en encre pour les têtes d'impression multiples,
    un système à dépression commun (figure 2 ; 108) pour retirer l'encre des têtes d'impression multiples directement en retour dans le réservoir d'encre,
    un moyen pour fournir séparément de l'encre (figure 2 ; 110) aux têtes d'impression multiples, caractérisé par une commande individuelle d'un débit variable de flux d'encre pour chacune des têtes d'impression multiples;
  2. Système pour fluide unique selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un moyen de contrôleur commun (figure 2 ; système pour fluide) destiné à commander le moyen pour fournir séparément de l'encre, le système à dépression commun et le moyen destiné à commander la concentration en encre.
  3. Système pour fluide unique selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un capteur de concentration (124)destiné à surveiller la concentration en encre lorsque de l'encre est ajoutée au système pour fluide.
  4. Système pour fluide unique selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le moyen pour fournir séparément de l'encre aux têtes d'impression multiples, comprend en outre un moyen de pompage d'encre et de commande de débit séparé (figure 2 ; système pour fluide) pour chacune des têtes d'impression multiples.
  5. Système pour fluide unique selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un moyen pour chauffer séparément (figure 2;112) l'encre pour les têtes d'impression multiples.
  6. Système pour fluide unique selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le moyen séparé pour chauffer l'encre comprend en outre un moyen de commande de dispositif de chauffage (figure 2 ; 114) destiné à commander le chauffage de l'encre.
  7. Système pour fluide unique selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le moyen de commande de dispositif de chauffage comprend un moyen destiné à séquencer en alternance l'alimentation fournie au moyen de commande de dispositif de chauffage pour limiter les besoins en alimentation de pointe.
  8. Système pour fluide unique selon la revendication 6 dans lequel le moyen de commande du dispositif de chauffage comprend un moyen destiné à échelonner une séquence de démarrage pour les têtes d'impression multiples pour fournir une pleine alimentation à un seul dispositif de chauffage pour obtenir une condensation désirée avant le basculement de l'alimentation vers le dispositif de chauffage suivant pour produire une condensation désirée pour la tête d'impression suivante.
EP19990309506 1998-12-14 1999-11-29 Système hydraulique pour plusieurs têtes d'impression Expired - Lifetime EP1013450B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21166498A 1998-12-14 1998-12-14
US211664 1998-12-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1013450A2 EP1013450A2 (fr) 2000-06-28
EP1013450A3 EP1013450A3 (fr) 2001-02-07
EP1013450B1 true EP1013450B1 (fr) 2006-07-19

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Family Applications (1)

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EP19990309506 Expired - Lifetime EP1013450B1 (fr) 1998-12-14 1999-11-29 Système hydraulique pour plusieurs têtes d'impression

Country Status (4)

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EP (1) EP1013450B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2000218833A (fr)
CA (1) CA2292407A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69932395T2 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8398191B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2013-03-19 Eastman Kodak Company Continuous inkjet printer aquous ink composition
WO2013039941A1 (fr) 2011-09-16 2013-03-21 Eastman Kodak Company Composition d'encre pour imprimante à jet d'encre en continu
WO2020086924A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant avec motifs imprimés à l'aide d'une encre sans conservateur, et ses procédés de fabrication
WO2020086299A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 Eastman Kodak Company Encre aqueuse pour impression par jet d'encre et ensemble d'encres
WO2020086925A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant sur lequel se trouvent des graphismes imprimés avec une encre sans conservateur et procédés de fabrication de celui-ci
WO2021041028A1 (fr) 2019-08-27 2021-03-04 Eastman Kodak Company Procédé et ensemble d'encres pour impression jet d'encre
WO2022086704A1 (fr) 2020-10-20 2022-04-28 Eastman Kodak Company Compositions aqueuses et revêtements opaques obtenus à partir de ces dernières
WO2024058928A1 (fr) 2022-09-14 2024-03-21 Eastman Kodak Company Encres d'impression colorées aqueuses fluorescentes et procédés d'impression à jet d'encre

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1932671A1 (fr) * 2006-12-11 2008-06-18 Agfa Graphics N.V. Dispositif pour régler la pression dans une imprimante à navette
US8419176B2 (en) 2009-05-29 2013-04-16 Eastman Kodak Company Aqueous compositions with improved silicon corrosion characteristics
US20110123714A1 (en) 2009-11-24 2011-05-26 Hwei-Ling Yau Continuous inkjet printer aquous ink composition
DE102009058219A1 (de) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-16 Till, Volker, Dipl.-Ing. Anlage zum Bedrucken von Behältern
US8434857B2 (en) 2010-08-31 2013-05-07 Eastman Kodak Company Recirculating fluid printing system and method
US8430492B2 (en) 2010-08-31 2013-04-30 Eastman Kodak Company Inkjet printing fluid
US8485654B2 (en) 2010-10-29 2013-07-16 Eastman Kodak Company Aqueous inkjet printing fluid compositions
US8459787B2 (en) 2010-10-29 2013-06-11 Eastman Kodak Company Aqueous inkjet printing fluid compositions
US8282202B2 (en) 2010-10-29 2012-10-09 Eastman Kodak Company Aqueous inkjet printing fluid compositions
US8465142B2 (en) 2010-10-29 2013-06-18 Eastman Kodak Company Aqueous inkjet printing fluid compositions
US8480224B2 (en) 2010-10-29 2013-07-09 Eastman Kodak Company Aqueous inkjet printing fluid compositions
US8465578B2 (en) 2011-03-31 2013-06-18 Eastman Kodak Company Inkjet printing ink set
US8398223B2 (en) 2011-03-31 2013-03-19 Eastman Kodak Company Inkjet printing process
WO2012149324A1 (fr) 2011-04-29 2012-11-01 Eastman Kodak Company Remise en circulation d'un liquide pour l'impression par jet d'encre, système et procédé
US8764161B2 (en) 2011-08-31 2014-07-01 Eastman Kodak Company Printing fluids including a humectant
US8911067B2 (en) 2013-02-11 2014-12-16 Eastman Kodak Company Printing liquid transfer and supply system
US20140231674A1 (en) 2013-02-18 2014-08-21 Wayne Lee Cook Ink jet printer composition and use
US9523011B2 (en) 2014-06-23 2016-12-20 Eastman Kodak Company Recirculating inkjet printing fluid
WO2020040993A1 (fr) 2018-08-21 2020-02-27 Eastman Kodak Company Compositions aqueuses de prétraitement et articles préparés à partir de celles-ci
DE102019123164B3 (de) 2019-08-29 2020-07-02 Koenig & Bauer Ag Tintenstrahldruckmaschine und ein Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Tintenstrahldruckmaschine mit Druckregulierung

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US4067020A (en) * 1976-09-20 1978-01-03 A. B. Dick Company Noninterrupt ink transfer system for ink jet printer
US4340896A (en) * 1980-12-22 1982-07-20 Pitney Bowes Inc. Impulse ink jet ink delivery apparatus
US4658272A (en) * 1981-10-02 1987-04-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink-supplying device
US4413267A (en) * 1981-12-18 1983-11-01 Centronics Data Computer Corp. Ink supply system for ink jet printing apparatus
DE3446998A1 (de) * 1983-12-26 1985-07-04 Canon K.K., Tokio/Tokyo Tintenstrahl-aufzeichnungsgeraet
US4734711A (en) 1986-12-22 1988-03-29 Eastman Kodak Company Pressure regulation system for multi-head ink jet printing apparatus
US5343226A (en) * 1990-09-28 1994-08-30 Dataproducts Corporation Ink jet ink supply apparatus
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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8398191B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2013-03-19 Eastman Kodak Company Continuous inkjet printer aquous ink composition
WO2013039941A1 (fr) 2011-09-16 2013-03-21 Eastman Kodak Company Composition d'encre pour imprimante à jet d'encre en continu
WO2020086924A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant avec motifs imprimés à l'aide d'une encre sans conservateur, et ses procédés de fabrication
WO2020086299A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 Eastman Kodak Company Encre aqueuse pour impression par jet d'encre et ensemble d'encres
WO2020086925A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant sur lequel se trouvent des graphismes imprimés avec une encre sans conservateur et procédés de fabrication de celui-ci
US11185452B2 (en) 2018-10-26 2021-11-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with graphics printed in preservative-free ink, and methods of manufacture thereof
US11376343B2 (en) 2018-10-26 2022-07-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with graphics printed in preservative-free ink, and methods of manufacture thereof
WO2021041028A1 (fr) 2019-08-27 2021-03-04 Eastman Kodak Company Procédé et ensemble d'encres pour impression jet d'encre
WO2022086704A1 (fr) 2020-10-20 2022-04-28 Eastman Kodak Company Compositions aqueuses et revêtements opaques obtenus à partir de ces dernières
WO2024058928A1 (fr) 2022-09-14 2024-03-21 Eastman Kodak Company Encres d'impression colorées aqueuses fluorescentes et procédés d'impression à jet d'encre

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1013450A3 (fr) 2001-02-07
DE69932395T2 (de) 2007-07-19
DE69932395D1 (de) 2006-08-31
JP2000218833A (ja) 2000-08-08
EP1013450A2 (fr) 2000-06-28
CA2292407A1 (fr) 2000-06-14

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