EP1013458B1 - Chassis d' impression à jet d' encre monolithique - Google Patents

Chassis d' impression à jet d' encre monolithique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1013458B1
EP1013458B1 EP19990309494 EP99309494A EP1013458B1 EP 1013458 B1 EP1013458 B1 EP 1013458B1 EP 19990309494 EP19990309494 EP 19990309494 EP 99309494 A EP99309494 A EP 99309494A EP 1013458 B1 EP1013458 B1 EP 1013458B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
printhead
chassis
catcher
alignment apparatus
ink
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
EP19990309494
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1013458A2 (fr
EP1013458A3 (fr
Inventor
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 EP1013458A2 publication Critical patent/EP1013458A2/fr
Publication of EP1013458A3 publication Critical patent/EP1013458A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1013458B1 publication Critical patent/EP1013458B1/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
    • 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 the field of continuous ink jet printers and, more particularly, to a device that provides a structurally sound and precision platform that facilitates mounting of electrical, mechanical, and fluidic ink-jet printhead components while keeping size and part count to a minimum.
  • High resolution ink-jet printheads use a droplet emitter, known as a droplet generator, and a plurality of droplet deflection electrodes, known as a catcher/charge plate, in precise alignment to create the 'ink-jet' technology area of a printhead.
  • a bridge, structure, chassis, or even the catcher itself is normally used as a rigid link to hold the droplet generator and catcher/charge plate in precise alignment, as is described and claimed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,455,611; 5,475,411; and 5,475,409. As these components must be critically aligned, the aligned structure is normally designed to be a customer replaceable service component.
  • Printheads for long array continuous ink jet printers include, in addition to these components, support electronics such as data handling electronics including charge plate drivers, fluid filters, and connections. These components normally are attached to a second frame or chassis. The structure which maintains the alignment of the ink jet components is then attached to this second chassis. The printhead covers are also attached to this second chassis. The printhead is typically located at the print station by a combination of features, some associated with the first chassis and some associated with the second chassis.
  • the customer replaceable printheads for short array printers typically do not include many of these fluid and electronic support components. Rather, they are attached to a structure or chassis which is part of a print station which is not customer replaceable.
  • the chassis or frame of the aligned customer replaceable printhead also attaches to the chassis of the print station. Covers and locating features for locating the print station/printhead are attached to this second chassis which is part of the print station.
  • the current art which includes a bridge, locking structure, or chassis to maintain alignment of the droplet generator and catcher/charge plate, and a second frame or chassis to hold the electronic and fluid support components, exhibits many undesirable traits and functional deficiencies.
  • the 'foot-print' square unit area around print array that is dedicated to the chassis that holds the droplet generator and catcher/charge plate together
  • surrounding geometry also known as the base
  • the foot-print ratio is 14 on current wide bar products and is considered to be quite large. A low single digit number is desirable.
  • a third problem with the current art is that mechanical forces that are used to constrain ink-jet printheads in their working environment can be large. With the mix of locating features attached to the ink jet alignment chassis and the support component chassis, movement can and does occur between the drop generator and the catcher/charge plate. This is very undesirable because it will degrade printhead life and can cause a complete printhead failure. Thermal gradients between the droplet generator, catcher/charge plate, and the ink jet alignment chassis can also cause movement and shorten printhead life.
  • the use of a two chassis system is also a problem with the internal 'eyelid' of a printhead.
  • the eyelid functions as a shutter for the ink-jet array and needs to maintain a precise relationship to other ink-jet components.
  • the eyelid actuation components have been attached to the support component chassis.
  • the alignment of the eyelid to the ink jet components has been less than ideal as a result.
  • Current art continuous ink-jet printheads with two chassis have produced a system having over-constrained or complex mechanical interfaces.
  • An over-constrained printhead has undesirable internal movement and can have a complex mechanical interface which will lead to difficult mating designs.
  • EMI shielding and 'skins' are attached to the support component chassis which also supports the ink-jet alignment chassis. These shielding covers have been found to distort the support component chassis, which in turn can distort the ink-jet alignment chassis, resulting in movement between critical ink-jet components.
  • EP-A-0813974 discloses a continuous ink jet print head having a data system and a two element print head assembly.
  • the printhead assembly receives data from the data system and controls a fluid system which provides electrical control for drop formation and fluid quality.
  • WO-A-98/28146 discloses a printhead comprising a droplet genereator and support therefore.
  • An intermediate element is secured to the support and has a deflection electrode mounted thereon.
  • the intermediate element is movable to adjust the position and angle of the plane of the deflection electrode relative to the ink stream.
  • GB-A-2139962 discloses a mechanism for supporting a head, a charging electrode and a deflection electrode of an ink jet printer on a carriage.
  • the head and the charging electrode are detachably fixed by insertion into front and rear opening of a first holder.
  • the deflection electrode is fixed by a second holder in front of the first holder.
  • the invention provides a printhead alignment apparatus for a continuous ink jet printer having a droplet generator unit and a catcher/charge plate assembly, the alignment apparatus comprising a single chassis for maintaining alignment of the droplet generator unit and the catcher/charge plate assembly by attaching the droplet generator unit and said assembly to the chassis; characterised by attachment means on the chassis for attaching electronic and fluidic components, mounted on at least one further member, to the single chassis, wherein the single chassis has a z-axis length larger than its x-axis depth, with the z-axis length being perpendicular to a plane of the catcher of assembly.
  • the central location of this chassis serves to isolate the electronic support components from the fluid related components, minimizing the risk to the electronic components due to a catastrophic failure of an ink jet component. It further serves to improve the flow of clean air around the critical ink jet components.
  • the present invention provides a structurally sound and precision platform for the ink jet printhead. It is a further advantage of the present invention that the monolithic ink jet printhead chassis facilitates mounting of electrical, mechanical, and fluidic printhead components. Finally, it is an advantage of the present invention that it minimizes part numbers and structure size.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a printhead with monolithic printhead chassis, constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • a structural beam or monolithic frame 10 has been created that is similar in length to the drop generator 12 and catcher of assembly 14.
  • This beam 10 which comprises the monolithic frame, has a fairly large vertical axis, as indicated by z-axis direction arrow 16, so that the rectangular moment of inertia is large.
  • This beam attaches to the top of the catcher charge plate assembly 14 and its length along the z axis, perpendicular to the plane of the catcher, is quite large.
  • the long z-axis length of the frame 10 makes the frame very stiff and, therefore, immune to distortion caused by loads to the top surface. The value of this will be discussed later.
  • the beam depth along the x axis indicated by arrow 18 is shallow, yet sufficient as the external loads in this direction are minimal. This allows for an incredibly small foot print ratio, for example a foot print ratio of only five.
  • the accessible, and rigid monolithic printhead frame 10 solves the problem of different electrical, mechanical, and fluidic connections being in several different planes, which has heretofore required the end user to make many different connections.
  • the new structure 10 has enough stiffness to allow all of these connections simultaneously.
  • the new structure has the necessary rigidity as a result of locating all these connection at the upper surface of the frame, and orienting all these connections so that the insertion forces are directed down, parallel to the large z axis of the frame.
  • the force required to mate all the fluid and electrical connections is applied to the printhead by means of a lift mechanism which engages dovetail grooves on each end of the monolithic frame. Clearance holes are provided in the cover, so that the lifting force is applied only to the monolithic frame.
  • the lifting mechanism is part of a suitable printhead latch mechanism.
  • the monolithic frame structure 10 of the present invention allows the printhead to be located to a rigid three area (flat) reference plane 24 on the top of the monolithic frame. This facilitates a simple tripod type mating surface on the printhead docking station. Pins that pilot into apertures machined into the monolithic frame 10 are used to help guide the fluid and electrical connection to engage properly. It should be noted that the printhead cover 26 is not used to locate or hold the printhead in place, as has been required in the prior art.
  • the cover has openings to allow the lift mechanism to engage the frame directly, as can be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 1. Furthermore, the cover has clearance holes so that contact to the reference plane of the frame, not to the cover, determines the printhead location.
  • the drop generator is mounted to the frame at 42 by means of freeze blocks 28. These freeze blocks are attached to the drop generator by means of thin wall tubing which is bonded into dovetail grooves in the top of the drop generator.
  • the freeze blocks are typically cyanoacrylate bonded to mating surfaces on the monolithic frame. This structure has resulted in a printhead which is much more rugged than the prior art. Accelerations as small as 15g's, for example, could cause permanent deformation to the two chassis structures of the prior art, producing alignment shifts of precision parts.
  • the monolithic frame 10 of the present invention can sustain 'g' loads as high as, for example, 70g's, without any associated movement, thereby providing a design which yields extremely high shock load capacity for the continuous ink-jet printhead.
  • the ink-jet components are on one side 32 of the frame 10, and the electronics 22 and the their required cooling system, including cooling device 30, are on the other side 20 of the frame 10.
  • This configuration simplifies assembly while allowing for a smaller printhead size.
  • the centrally located frame also isolates the electronic components from the ink, In the prior art the electronics could be exposed detrimentally to ink mist produced during normal operation or to ink from a printhead failure.
  • the monolithic frame 10 of the present invention is extremely rigid and resolves the movement issues related to the prior art. Furthermore, the cover, which is a one piece unit, attaches to the printhead only at two locations on the top of the frame. It therefore does not induce any shift of the critical ink jet components.
  • the monolithic frame 10 bisects the printhead into two sections, an electronics side 20 and an ink jet side 32. This allows the noise emitting 'charge driver board' 22 to be isolated by a wall of metal, i.e., the frame 10.
  • the single piece cover 26, eliminating all seams, is attached to the monolithic frame 10. Flexible EMI shielding gaskets or seals between the frame and the cover and around the cover ports complete the EMI shielding of the electronics without affecting the alignment of the ink jet components.
  • the positive air chamber shape and size around the print array affects the uniformity of this air flow.
  • the positive air chamber should closely match the array in length and, if designed effectively, print head life and performance will be greatly enhanced.
  • the monolithic frame 10 facilitates this by reducing the volumetric area to be pressurized to 99 cubic inches versus 717 cubic inches on current art.
  • the primary structure of the monolithic frame is also aligned parallel to the array so that the air flow can be more readily distributed down the length of the array.
  • the use of a single piece cover 26 eliminates the possibility of air leaks at any seams so that the supplied air can be more effectively used.
  • Thermal gradients in the printhead structure can cause differential movement in critical ink-jet printhead hardware.
  • these thermal gradients have been greatly reduced. This is accomplished by circulating the printing fluid that normally flows through the drop generator and catcher/charge plate assembly also through the monolithic frame 10. In this way, the temperature of the frame 10 tracks that of the drop generator and the catcher due to the flow of the same ink through each component. This is facilitated by the size and rigidity of the frame 10 which allow it to serve as a fluid manifold. The proximity of the frame 10 to the print array also helps in reducing the thermal gradients in the printhead.
  • the frame should be made of a material having a similar thermal expansion to that of the catcher charge plate assembly and of the drop generator. In this way distortions of the printhead caused by thermal gradients are minimized.
  • a shutter device known as an 'eyelid' on charge plate assembly 14 is used for maintenance and as an air flow control tool.
  • the eyelid registration to other ink-jet printhead components is critical.
  • the eyelid was located though a sheet metal support component chassis or with loosely tied linkage.
  • the monolithic frame 10 has built in registration pins 32 and pads that are rigidly coupled to other critical ink-jet components. This facilitates improved registration and rigidity which improves printhead performance and reliability.

Landscapes

  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression d'une imprimante à jet d'encre continu équipée d'un générateur de gouttelettes (12) et d'un ensemble système de récupération/plaque chargée (14), l'appareil d'alignement comprenant :
    un châssis unique (10) destiné à maintenir l'alignement du générateur de gouttelettes (12) et de l'ensemble système de récupération/plaque chargée (14) en fixant ledit générateur de gouttelettes (12) et ledit ensemble au châssis ; et
       caractérisé par des moyens de fixation sur le châssis (10) pour fixer les composants électroniques et fluidiques, montés sur au moins un autre élément (22) sur le châssis unique (10), dans lequel le châssis unique (10) possède une longueur selon l'axe des z (16) plus importante que la profondeur selon l'axe des x (18), la longueur selon l'axe des z étant perpendiculaire à un plan du système de récupération de l'ensemble (14).
  2. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le châssis unique (10) sépare les fonctions liées à l'électronique et à la distribution de fluide de la tête d'impression.
  3. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression selon la revendication 2, dans lequel les connexions pour les fonctions liées à l'électronique et à la distribution de fluide sont situées dans un plan parallèle à un plan du système de récupération de l'ensemble (14).
  4. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression selon la revendication 3, dans lequel les dispositifs de montage et les connexions des têtes d'impression sont séparés des dispositifs de montage du système de récupération et du générateur de gouttelettes (12).
  5. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le châssis unique (10) comprend des moyens (32) pour positionner avec précision un mécanisme formant obturateur par rapport au générateur de gouttelettes (12) et à l'ensemble système de récupération/plaque chargée (14).
  6. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le châssis unique (10) comprend un collecteur de fluide.
  7. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel des forces d'insertion pour établir des connexions fluidiques et électriques multiples sur les têtes d'impression sont dirigées parallèlement au grand axe des z (16).
  8. Appareil d'alignement des têtes d'impression selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le châssis unique (10) comprend en outre tous les dispositifs de montage des têtes d'impression pour installer les têtes d'impression sur un poste d'impression.
EP19990309494 1998-12-14 1999-11-29 Chassis d' impression à jet d' encre monolithique Expired - Lifetime EP1013458B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US211518 1988-06-23
US21151898A 1998-12-14 1998-12-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1013458A2 EP1013458A2 (fr) 2000-06-28
EP1013458A3 EP1013458A3 (fr) 2000-11-08
EP1013458B1 true EP1013458B1 (fr) 2003-08-13

Family

ID=22787262

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19990309494 Expired - Lifetime EP1013458B1 (fr) 1998-12-14 1999-11-29 Chassis d' impression à jet d' encre monolithique

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1013458B1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2292103A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69910340T2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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 (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106457828B (zh) 2014-06-05 2018-12-25 录象射流技术公司 墨累积传感器布置结构

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2139962B (en) * 1983-04-11 1986-06-11 Ricoh Kk Ink jet printer carriage
DE3481833D1 (de) * 1984-02-27 1990-05-10 Codi Jet Markierungs Systeme G Tintenstrahldrucker.
FR2573008B1 (fr) * 1984-11-13 1988-01-08 Imaje Sa Tete d'impression monobuse a jet d'encre
US5477254A (en) * 1992-03-30 1995-12-19 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Apparatus for mounting and aligning components of an ink jet printhead
US5475409A (en) 1992-05-29 1995-12-12 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Alignment structure for components of an ink jet print head
US5455611A (en) 1992-05-29 1995-10-03 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Four inch print head assembly
US5475411A (en) 1992-05-29 1995-12-12 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Method of fabricating a catcher/charge plate assembly
EP0646470B1 (fr) * 1993-09-08 1999-12-15 Hitachi, Ltd. Dispositif d'impression par jet d'encre
EP0813974B1 (fr) * 1996-06-18 2003-03-12 SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING, Inc. Tête d'impression par jet d'encre continu
GB9626787D0 (en) * 1996-12-23 1997-02-12 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Continuous inkjet print head

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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
EP1013458A2 (fr) 2000-06-28
EP1013458A3 (fr) 2000-11-08
DE69910340T2 (de) 2004-07-01
DE69910340D1 (de) 2003-09-18
CA2292103A1 (fr) 2000-06-14

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