EP1200268B1 - Franking machine - Google Patents

Franking machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1200268B1
EP1200268B1 EP01905564A EP01905564A EP1200268B1 EP 1200268 B1 EP1200268 B1 EP 1200268B1 EP 01905564 A EP01905564 A EP 01905564A EP 01905564 A EP01905564 A EP 01905564A EP 1200268 B1 EP1200268 B1 EP 1200268B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
conveying
rollers
machine according
print
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
EP01905564A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1200268A1 (en
Inventor
Werner Haug
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.)
Frama AG
Original Assignee
Frama AG
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 Frama AG filed Critical Frama AG
Publication of EP1200268A1 publication Critical patent/EP1200268A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1200268B1 publication Critical patent/EP1200268B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangementsĀ  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0045—Guides for printing material
    • B41J11/005—Guides in the printing zone, e.g. guides for preventing contact of conveyed sheets with printhead
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangementsĀ  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/20—Platen adjustments for varying the strength of impression, for a varying number of papers, for wear or for alignment, or for print gap adjustment
    • 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
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
    • B41J13/12—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00524—Printheads
    • G07B2017/00532—Inkjet
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00556—Ensuring quality of print
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00669—Sensing the position of mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00693—Measuring the speed of mailpieces inside apparatus

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a franking machine with at least one print head having inkjet printing unit for printing insertable or continuous flat shipping objects such as letters or postcards from a protruding around the print head and opposite the nozzle orifice plane arranged guide part, the one the shipping objects between them and opposite, rotating about axes arranged transversely to the conveying direction
  • Conveyor rollers of a conveyor device transporting the shipping objects is assigned, wherein the conveyor two with the guide part of a conveyor line has forming drive rollers, the viewed in the conveying direction before and are stored behind the print heads, and opposite, against the drive rollers respectively.
  • a shipping object transported in between exerts pressure Counter pressure rollers are provided.
  • Such a franking machine is disclosed in US-A-5 166 883.
  • Inkjet or inkjet printheads have long been known and in particular are used in PC printers.
  • the one there when using such printheads Insights gained cannot apply to the field of application here Franking machines are transmitted.
  • the reasons include in high speed the letters to be franked, their different formats and Thicknesses as well as the significantly rougher environmental conditions, based on partly dirty surfaces of the shipping objects.
  • the franking imprints strict post office quality requirements meet what high Design effort and reliability required.
  • US 5,440,979 A1 relates to a franking machine for the cancellation of stamps and to print information on an envelope.
  • This franking machine has a conveyor system with two rotating conveyor belts on, between which the bid is recorded in the lower edge area and vertically be transported upright. Light guides are on the further path respectively. Glass fiber sensors installed, to which a printing unit connects.
  • the Printing unit consists of two with vertical spacing one above the other and in one acute angles to each other. Moreover, these are Printheads (only) attached together adjustable and one of them for cancellation the stamps and the other are intended for printing a specific text.
  • the front edge of an envelope triggers the printing process over time individual printheads.
  • the one that grips the front edge of the envelope Sensor sends a signal to a computer, from which a control panel Control signals are sent to the printheads.
  • the calculator determines based on the input of the sensor the position at which point to print the envelope is and also determines which of the print heads for printing in the specific position is to be activated.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide a franking machine with an inkjet printing unit that allows trouble-free printing and a clearly identifiable print image when franking shipping objects such as letters, cards or the like.
  • conditions must be created that ensure high reliability and low-maintenance construction.
  • the printing unit at least has two printheads that have a common nozzle orifice plane form that the printheads viewed at the nozzle orifice level respectively rectangular, at an acute angle to the conveying direction of the shipping objects and are mutually partially offset.
  • the counterpressure levers are ready for inserting a single letter in the basic position. As soon as the letter is in its exact rear and right position on the table stop, the franking machine is activated via a reflex light barrier. First, the main shaft 3 rotates clockwise by about 1/3 of a turn. The control levers 7, 9 are pivoted upward via the control rollers 29 by the control cams 1, 2. The counter pressure levers are also moved upwards via the tension springs 30 until the counter pressure rollers 13, 15 rest against the drive rollers 32, 33. The control levers move a little further until the control curve has reached its peak. The possible overstroke of the control lever is compensated for by the spring-loaded coupling of the counter pressure lever.
  • the support roller 14 has adjusted itself to the same level via the rocker arm 22.
  • the letter is now clamped between the drive rollers and the counter pressure rollers.
  • the drive motor 40 drives the drive rollers 32, 33 via the transmission 41 and moves the letter from right to left.
  • the speed and position are detected via the incremental encoder 42 and the feeler wheel 38.
  • the feeler wheel is driven by friction from the moving envelope and thus detects the exact speed of the letter surface.
  • the inkjet print heads spray corresponding patterns from cell to cell, which in turn lead to the desired print image.
  • Guide part 39 holds the letter at a precise distance from the face of the print head in order to be able to obtain a clean print image with regard to resolution and also to prevent the printed lines from being smeared when the envelope is moved.
  • the drive motor switches off and the main shaft turns back to its basic position, the counterpressure levers return to their starting position.
  • the inkjet printheads are fixed on an adjustment module. Using this mechanism, the print heads can be precisely adjusted to each other so that the start pixel of one head exactly matches the end pixel of the second head and so there are no print image gaps.
  • the printheads are connected to an easily replaceable ink bag container via tubes. When commissioning for the first time, the ink must be sucked out of the ink bag and the print heads flooded.
  • the franking machine described here is used to implement the required Print image height and the resolution required two inkjet printheads.
  • the print heads are against each other at depth added. This means that the top half of the print image is from the rear print head and the lower half is generated by the front printhead.
  • the pixel rows of the two must Printheads can be adjusted against each other.
  • the printheads are also arranged obliquely in the plan view, since the effective The distance between the individual pressure nozzles is smaller and thus a higher resolution of the Print image is possible.
  • One printhead is rigidly mounted, while the second printhead shifted or finely adjusted along the row of nozzles relative to the rigid print head can be.
  • the printhead adjustment module is also the one already described Hold-down plate resp. Guide part stored.
  • the print head unit is designed as a separate module. i.e. the assembly is possible as a complete subassembly and the printheads before installation can be finely adjusted.
  • the rigid print head carrier plate is on the carrier plate 314 305 and the head plate 313 mounted.
  • the front print head 301A is positioned precisely using the slugs 312 and small embossments on the clamping plate 303 pressed against the print head carrier plate 305.
  • the tensioning takes place over the tension screw 310 and the press nut 311.
  • the adjustable print head support plate 304 sits in the print head carrier Depth displaceable and is through the press-in threaded bushes 322 and Led collar screws 309.
  • the collar screws 309 press the adjustable Printhead support plate 304 over spring washers 308 and washers 302 to the contact surface.
  • the adjustable print head carrier plate can be locked against shift the friction of this contact pressure.
  • the rear print head is 301 B. positioned and held like the front one.
  • the adjustable print head carrier plate 304 has a fold on the front side, into which a threaded bushing is pressed. On this threaded bushing are a spring washer 307 and the spacer sleeve 323 applied.
  • the spring assembly clamps between the bent angles of the rigid and adjustable print head carrier plates.
  • the adjustable print head carrier plate is adjusted using the adjusting screw 306. When the set screw is tightened, the rear print head moves with the print head carrier plate Forward.
  • the unit moves under the spring force of the spring assembly 307 to the rear. By preloading the spring assembly any game canceled.
  • the rear print head 301B is thus set. that the foremost ink jet nozzle matches the rearmost of the front print head or has exactly one pixel spacing.
  • the adjustable part is fixed with the locking screw 321, so that it can no longer adjust.
  • There are two more in the top plate 313 Column guide bushes 315, which the columns 316 of the hold-down plate, respectively. guide part 317 lead.
  • Guide part 317 is on the Lifting eccentric 320 moves up and down.
  • the compression springs 318 raise the lifting plate 319 free of play upwards.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Common Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a franking machine, comprising a print head of an ink-jet printing mechanism for printing flat postal items such as letters or postcards, which can be introduced into said mechanism or which pass through the same. Said franking machine consists of a guiding part which is located around the print head and projects in relation to the nozzle opening plane of said print head, and with which a conveying device is associated, said conveying device transporting the postal items between itself and conveying rollers lying opposite and rotating about axes that are located crosswise to the conveying direction. Said conveying device has two drive-connected driving rollers which together with the guiding part, form a path of travel. The driving rollers are located in front of and behind the print head in relation to the conveying direction. A reversibly liftable counter pressure roller located opposite exerts a pressure on each driving roller, respectively, or on a postal item being transported in-between. A roller feeler (39, 119) which is driven by the passing postal item and which is associated with an encoder device (122) is located between the driving rollers (13, 15; 127, 113) in order to monitor the speed and position of a postal item being transported or for controlling the pressure on a postal item.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Frankiermaschine mit einem wenigstens einen Druckkopfe aufweisenden Inkjet-Druckwerkes zum Bedrucken von einlegbaren oder durchlaufenden flachen Versandobjekten wie Briefe oder Postkarten, bestehend aus einem um den Druckkopf und gegenĆ¼ber dessen DĆ¼senmĆ¼ndungsebene vorstehend angeordneten FĆ¼hrungsteil, dem eine die Versandobjekte zwischen sich und gegenĆ¼berliegenden, um quer zur Fƶrderrichtung angeordnete Achsen rotierende Fƶrderrollen einer die Versandobjekte transportierenden Fƶrdereinrichtung zugeordnet ist, wobei die Fƶrdereinrichtung zwei mit dem FĆ¼hrungsteil eine Fƶrderstrecke bildende Antriebsrollen aufweist, die in Fƶrderrichtung betrachtet vor und hinter den Druckkƶpfen gelagert sind, und gegenĆ¼berliegend, gegen die Antriebsrollen resp. ein dazwischen transportiertes Versandobjekt einen Druck ausĆ¼bende Gegendruckrollen vorgesehen sind. Solch eine Frankiermaschine ist in US-A-5 166 883 offenbart.The invention relates to a franking machine with at least one print head having inkjet printing unit for printing insertable or continuous flat shipping objects such as letters or postcards from a protruding around the print head and opposite the nozzle orifice plane arranged guide part, the one the shipping objects between them and opposite, rotating about axes arranged transversely to the conveying direction Conveyor rollers of a conveyor device transporting the shipping objects is assigned, wherein the conveyor two with the guide part of a conveyor line has forming drive rollers, the viewed in the conveying direction before and are stored behind the print heads, and opposite, against the drive rollers respectively. a shipping object transported in between exerts pressure Counter pressure rollers are provided. Such a franking machine is disclosed in US-A-5 166 883.

Bei Frankiermaschinen werden heute nebst der klassischen Rotationstechnik vermehrt neue Stempelaufbringverfahren, u.a. auf Thermo- und Inkjetbasis, eingesetzt.In franking machines, in addition to the classic rotation technology, there is a growing number today new stamp application processes, e.g. based on thermal and inkjet.

Inkjet- oder Tintenstrahldruckkƶpfe sind seit lƤngerem bekannt und werden insbesondere bei PC-Druckern eingesetzt. Die dort beim Einsatz solcher Druckkƶpfe gewonnenen Erkenntnisse kƶnnen nicht auf das hier vorliegende Einsatzgebiet in Frankiermaschinen Ć¼bertragen werden. Die GrĆ¼nde liegen u.a. in der hohen Geschwindigkeit der zu frankierenden Briefe, deren unterschiedlichsten Formate und Dicken sowie den bedeutend rauheren Umgebungsbedingungen, beruhend auf zumTeil verschmutzten OberflƤchen der Versandobjekte. Zudem mĆ¼ssen die Frankieraufdrucke strenge QualitƤtsanforderungen der Poststellen erfĆ¼llen, was hohen Konstruktionsaufwand und ZuverlƤssigkeit verlangt.Inkjet or inkjet printheads have long been known and in particular are used in PC printers. The one there when using such printheads Insights gained cannot apply to the field of application here Franking machines are transmitted. The reasons include in high speed the letters to be franked, their different formats and Thicknesses as well as the significantly rougher environmental conditions, based on partly dirty surfaces of the shipping objects. In addition, the franking imprints strict post office quality requirements meet what high Design effort and reliability required.

Die US 5'440'979 A1 betrifft eine Frankiermaschine zur Entwertung von Briefmarken und zum Druck von Informationen auf einen Briefumschlag. Diese Frankiermaschine weist ein Fƶrdersystem mit zwei umlaufenden TransportbƤndern auf, zwischen denen die Biete im unteren Randbereich erfasst und senkrecht stehend transportiert werden. Auf dem weiteren Fƶrderweg sind Lichtleiter resp. Glasfasersensoren montiert, an die ein Druckwerk anschliesst. Das Druckwerk besteht aus zwei mit vertikalem Abstand Ć¼bereinander und in einem spitzen Winkel zueinander angeordneten Druckkƶpfen. Ueberdies sind diese Druckkƶpfe (nur) gemeinsam verstellbar befestigt und einer davon zur Entwertung der Briefmarken und der andere zum Druck eines bestimmten Textes vorgesehen. Die Vorderkante eines Briefumschlages lƶst Ć¼ber die Zeit den Druckvorgang der einzelnen Druckkƶpfe aus. Der die Vorderkante des Briefumschlages erfassende Sensor schickt ein Signal an einen Rechner, von dem aus Ć¼ber einen Steuerpanel Steuersignale an die Druckkƶpfe geleitet werden. Der Rechner bestimmt aufgrund des Inputs des Sensors die Position, an welcher Stelle der Briefumschlag zu bedrucken ist und bestimmt weiterhin, welcher der Druckkƶpfe zum Druck in der bestimmten Position zu aktivieren ist.US 5,440,979 A1 relates to a franking machine for the cancellation of stamps and to print information on an envelope. This franking machine has a conveyor system with two rotating conveyor belts on, between which the bid is recorded in the lower edge area and vertically be transported upright. Light guides are on the further path respectively. Glass fiber sensors installed, to which a printing unit connects. The Printing unit consists of two with vertical spacing one above the other and in one acute angles to each other. Moreover, these are Printheads (only) attached together adjustable and one of them for cancellation the stamps and the other are intended for printing a specific text. The front edge of an envelope triggers the printing process over time individual printheads. The one that grips the front edge of the envelope Sensor sends a signal to a computer, from which a control panel Control signals are sent to the printheads. The calculator determines based on the input of the sensor the position at which point to print the envelope is and also determines which of the print heads for printing in the specific position is to be activated.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Frankiermaschine mit einem Inkjet-Druckwerk zu schaffen, das beim Frankieren von Versandobjekten wie Briefe, Karten oder dgl. ein stƶrungsfreies Bedrucken und ein eindeutig identifizierbares Druckbild erlaubt.
Daneben sind Voraussetzungen zu schaffen, die eine hohe ZuverlƤssigkeit und wartungsarme Konstruktion gewƤhrleisten.The present invention has for its object to provide a franking machine with an inkjet printing unit that allows trouble-free printing and a clearly identifiable print image when franking shipping objects such as letters, cards or the like.
In addition, conditions must be created that ensure high reliability and low-maintenance construction.

ErfindungsgemƤss wird diese Aufgabe dadurch gelƶst, dass das Druckwerk wenigstens zwei Druckkƶpfe aufweist, die eine gemeinsame DĆ¼senmĆ¼ndungsebene bilden, dass die Druckkƶpfe auf die DĆ¼senmĆ¼ndungsebene betrachtet jeweils rechteckig ausgebildet, in einem spitzen Winkel zur Fƶrderrichtung der Versandobjekte und gegenseitig teilweise versetzt zueinander angeordnet sind.According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the printing unit at least has two printheads that have a common nozzle orifice plane form that the printheads viewed at the nozzle orifice level respectively rectangular, at an acute angle to the conveying direction of the shipping objects and are mutually partially offset.

Nachfolgend sind die Funktionen und die Ausbildung einer AusfĆ¼hrung der erfindungsgemƤssen Frankiermaschine beschrieben.
Zum besseren VerstƤndnis wird dabei auf die Bezugszeichen und Bilder, in denen AusfĆ¼hrungsformen der Erfindung dargestellt sind, Bezug genommen.

1A
vordere Steuerkurve fĆ¼r rechte Gegendruckrolle
1B
hintere Steuerkurve fĆ¼r rechte Gegendruckrolle
2A
vordere Steuerkurve fĆ¼r linke Gegendruckrolle
2B
hintere Steuerkurve fĆ¼r linke Gegedruckrolle
3
Hauptwelle
4
hintere Seitenwand
5
vordere Seitenwand
6A
Gegendruckhebel, links, vorne
6B
Gegendruckhebel, links, hinten
7A
Steuerhebel, links, vorne
7B
Steuerhebel, links, hinten
8A
Gegendruckhebel, rechts. vorne
8B
Gegendruckhebel, rechts, hinten
9A
Steuerhebel, rechts, vorne
9B
Steuerhebel, rechts, hinten
10
Achse fĆ¼r Gegedruckhebel und Steuerhebel
11
Anschlagbolzen fĆ¼r Gegendruckhebel rechts
12
Anschlabbolzen fĆ¼r Gegendruckhebel links
13
Gegendruckrolle rechts
14
StĆ¼tzrolle
15
Gegendruckrolle links
16A
Schwinge, vome fĆ¼r StĆ¼tzrolle
16B
Schwinge, hinten fĆ¼r StĆ¼tzrolle
17
Achse fĆ¼r Schwinge
18
FedereinhƤngestange
19
FedereinhƤngung
20
Zugfeder fĆ¼r Steuerhebel
21
StĆ¼tzrollentrƤger mit Tastausleger
22
Schlepphebel
23
Schneckenwelle
24
Schneckenrad
25
Gabellichtschranke
26
Schlitzscheibe
27
Schaltnocke fĆ¼r Hauptwellengrundstellung
28
Mikroschalter
29
Steuerrolle
30
Zugfeder fĆ¼r Gegedruckhebel
31
Gleichstrommotor
32
Antriebswalze rechts
33
Antriebswalze links
34
Achse fĆ¼r Gegendruckrolle rechts
35
Anschlag fĆ¼r Schlepphebel
36
Zugfeder fĆ¼r Schlepphebel
37
Anschlag fĆ¼r Tastausleger
38
Tastrad fĆ¼r Inkrementalgeber
39
Niederhalteplatte resp. FĆ¼hrungsteil
40
Antriebsmotor fĆ¼r Vorschub
41
Getriebe fĆ¼r Antriebsrollen
42
Inkrementalgeber, Encoder
43
Ausleger am StĆ¼tzrollentrƤger
The functions and design of an embodiment of the franking machine according to the invention are described below.
For a better understanding, reference is made to the reference numerals and pictures in which embodiments of the invention are shown.
1A
front cam for right counter pressure roller
1B
rear cam for right counter pressure roller
2A
Front cam for left counter pressure roller
2 B
rear cam for left counter pressure roller
3
main shaft
4
rear side wall
5
front side wall
6A
Counter pressure lever, left, front
6B
Counter pressure lever, left, rear
7A
Control lever, left, front
7B
Control lever, left, rear
8A
Counter pressure lever, right. ahead
8B
Counter pressure lever, right, rear
9A
Control lever, right, front
9B
Control lever, right, rear
10
Axle for counter pressure lever and control lever
11
Stop bolt for counter pressure lever on the right
12
Connecting bolt for counter pressure lever on the left
13
Counter pressure roller on the right
14
supporting role
15
Counter pressure roller on the left
16A
Swing arm, vome for support roller
16B
Swing arm, rear for support roller
17
Swingarm axle
18
FedereinhƤngestange
19
spring suspension
20
Tension spring for control lever
21
Support roller carrier with push arm
22
cam follower
23
worm shaft
24
worm
25
Light barrier
26
slotted disc
27
Switch cam for main shaft basic position
28
microswitch
29
control roller
30
Tension spring for counter pressure lever
31
DC motor
32
Drive roller on the right
33
Drive roller on the left
34
Axle for counter pressure roller right
35
Stop for rocker arm
36
Tension spring for rocker arm
37
Stop for push arm
38
Touch wheel for incremental encoders
39
Hold-down plate resp. guide part
40
Drive motor for feed
41
Gear for drive rollers
42
Incremental encoder, encoder
43
Boom on the support roller support

Beschreibung der Zeichnungsinhalte bei folgenden Figuren:

Fig. 1
Frontansicht der kompletten Gegendruckmechanik, einschliesslich Antrieb, Tastrad und Hauptwellenantrieb und
Fig. 2
Draufsicht auf Gegendruckmechanik.
Description of the contents of the drawing for the following figures:
Fig. 1
Front view of the complete counter pressure mechanism, including drive, feeler wheel and main shaft drive and
Fig. 2
Top view of counter pressure mechanics.

Bei der Einzelbrieffrankierung wird der Brief manuell in die Frankiermaschine eingelegt. Fotozellen starten bei exakter Kuvertposition den Frankiervorgang. Die beim Einlegen des Kuverts sich in einer unteren Position befindenden Gegendruckrollen werden Ć¼ber Steuerkurven der Hauptwelle nach oben bewegt und drĆ¼cken das Briefgut gegen die oberen Antriebswalzen. Der Brieftansport resp. der Frankiervorgang werden nun ausgelƶst.
Der Gegendruck entsteht aus Gegendruckrollen. Zwei Rollen liegen unter den rechten und linken Antriebswalzen. Eine dritte, mittlere Rolle hat die Aufgabe den Brief unter den Druckkƶpfen auf das erforderliche Hƶhenniveau zu bringen, ohne den Brief gegen die StirnflƤchen der Druckƶpfe zu drĆ¼cken, damit das Druckbild unverschmiert bleibt. Nach dem Frankieren bewegen sich die Gegendruckrollen wieder nach unten und geben den Spalt fĆ¼r das Einlegen eines neuen Kuverts frei.In the case of single letter franking, the letter is inserted manually into the franking machine. Photocells start the franking process with an exact envelope position. The counter-pressure rollers, which are in a lower position when the envelope is inserted, are moved upwards via control cams of the main shaft and press the mail item against the upper drive rollers. The letter transport resp. the franking process is now triggered.
The counter pressure arises from counter pressure rollers. Two rollers are under the right and left drive rollers. A third, medium role has the task of bringing the letter under the print heads to the required height level without pressing the letter against the end faces of the print heads, so that the printed image remains unsmeared. After franking, the counter pressure rollers move down again and open the gap for inserting a new envelope.

Beschreibung zu den Figuren 1 und 2:
Die Gegendruckhebel sind in der Grundstellung zum Einlegen eines Einzelbriefes bereit. Sobald der Brief in seiner exakten hinteren und rechts am Tischanschlag angelegten Position ist, wird Ć¼ber eine Reflexlichtschranke die Frankiermaschine aktiviert. Zuerst dreht sich die Hauptwelle 3 um ca. 1/3 Umdrehung im Uhrzeigersinn. Die Steuerhebel 7, 9 werden Ć¼ber die Steuerrollen 29 durch die Steuerkurven 1, 2 nach oben geschwenkt. Die Gegendruckhebel werden Ć¼ber die Zugfedem 30 ebenfalls nach oben mitgewegt, bis die Gegendruckrollen 13, 15 an den Antriebswalzen 32, 33 anliegen. Die Steuerhebel bewegen sich noch etwas weiter, bis die Steuerkurve ihren Hƶchstpunkt erreicht hat. Der mƶgliche Ɯberhub der Steuerhebel wird durch die gefederte Ankopplung der Gegendruckhebel ausgeglichen. Die StĆ¼tzrolle 14 hat sich Ć¼ber den Schlepphebel 22 auf dasselbe Niveau eingestellt. Der Brief ist nun zwischen den Antriebswalzen und den Gegendruckrollen eingeklemmt. Der Antriebsmotor 40 treibt Ć¼ber das Getriebe 41 die Antriebswalzen 32, 33 an und bewegt den Brief von rechts nach links. Die Geschwindigkeits- und Positionsdetektierung erfolgt Ć¼ber den Inkrementalgeber 42 und dasTastrad 38. DasTastrad wird Ć¼ber Reibung vom sich bewegenden Briefumschlag angetrieben und erfasst so die exakte Geschwindigkeit der BriefoberflƤche. In AbhƤngigkeit von der Briefposition spritzen die Tintenstrahldruckkƶpfe zellenweise entsprechende Muster ab, die in Folge zu dem gewĆ¼nschten Druckbild fĆ¼hren. Die Niederhalteplatte resp. FĆ¼hrungsteil 39 hƤlt den Brief auf einen exakten Abstand zu der Druckkopfstirnseite um bezĆ¼glich Auflƶsung ein sauberes Druckbild erhalten zu kƶnnen und ausserdem zu verhindern, dass die gedruckten Zeilen bei der Bewegung des Kuverts verschmiert werden. Nach Beendigung des Frankiervorganges schaltet der Antriebsmotor ab und die Hauptwelle dreht sich wieder in ihre Grundstellung zurĆ¼ck, die Gegendruckhebel nehmen wieder ihre Ausgangsstellung ein.
Die Tintenstrahidruckkƶpfe sind auf einem Justagemodul fixiert. Ɯber diese Mechanik lassen sich die Druckkƶpfe genau zueinander justieren, damit das Anfangspixel des einen Kopfes mit dem Endpixel des zweiten Kopfes genau Ć¼bereinstimmen und so keine DruckbildlĆ¼cken entstehen. Die Druckkƶpfe werden Ć¼ber SchlƤuche an einem einfach austauschbaren TintenbeutelbehƤlter angeschlossen. Bei der Erstinbetriebnahme mĆ¼ssen die Tinte aus dem Tintenbeutel abgesaugt und die Druckkƶpfe geflutet werden.Description of Figures 1 and 2:
The counterpressure levers are ready for inserting a single letter in the basic position. As soon as the letter is in its exact rear and right position on the table stop, the franking machine is activated via a reflex light barrier. First, the main shaft 3 rotates clockwise by about 1/3 of a turn. The control levers 7, 9 are pivoted upward via the control rollers 29 by the control cams 1, 2. The counter pressure levers are also moved upwards via the tension springs 30 until the counter pressure rollers 13, 15 rest against the drive rollers 32, 33. The control levers move a little further until the control curve has reached its peak. The possible overstroke of the control lever is compensated for by the spring-loaded coupling of the counter pressure lever. The support roller 14 has adjusted itself to the same level via the rocker arm 22. The letter is now clamped between the drive rollers and the counter pressure rollers. The drive motor 40 drives the drive rollers 32, 33 via the transmission 41 and moves the letter from right to left. The speed and position are detected via the incremental encoder 42 and the feeler wheel 38. The feeler wheel is driven by friction from the moving envelope and thus detects the exact speed of the letter surface. Depending on the letter position, the inkjet print heads spray corresponding patterns from cell to cell, which in turn lead to the desired print image. The hold-down plate resp. Guide part 39 holds the letter at a precise distance from the face of the print head in order to be able to obtain a clean print image with regard to resolution and also to prevent the printed lines from being smeared when the envelope is moved. After the franking process has ended, the drive motor switches off and the main shaft turns back to its basic position, the counterpressure levers return to their starting position.
The inkjet printheads are fixed on an adjustment module. Using this mechanism, the print heads can be precisely adjusted to each other so that the start pixel of one head exactly matches the end pixel of the second head and so there are no print image gaps. The printheads are connected to an easily replaceable ink bag container via tubes. When commissioning for the first time, the ink must be sucked out of the ink bag and the print heads flooded.

Numerierungs- und Teilebenennungsliste fĆ¼r Druckkopf-Justagemodul:

301A
vorderer Tintenstrahldruckkopf
301B
hinterer Tintenstrahldruckkopf
302
Unterlagsscheibe
303
Spannblech fĆ¼r Druckkopf
304
verstellbare DruckkopftrƤgerplatte
305
starre DruckkopftrƤgerplatte
306
Stellschraube
307
Federscheibe fĆ¼r Justageweg
308
Federscheibe fĆ¼r Anpressung
309
Bundschraube
310
Spannschraube
311
Einpressgewindebuchse
312
Butzen fĆ¼r die Druckopfpositionierung
313
Kopfplatte
314
TrƤgerplatte
315
SƤulenfĆ¼hrungsbuchse
316
HubsƤule
317
Niederhalteplatte resp. FĆ¼hrungsteil
318
Druckfeder
319
Hubplatte
320
Hubexzenter
321
Feststellschraube
322
Einpressgewindebuchse
323
DistanzhĆ¼lse
Numbering and part naming list for printhead adjustment module:
301A
front inkjet printhead
301B
rear inkjet printhead
302
washer
303
Clamping plate for printhead
304
adjustable print head carrier plate
305
rigid print head carrier plate
306
screw
307
Spring washer for adjustment
308
Spring washer for pressure
309
Bundschraube
310
clamping screw
311
Einpressgewindebuchse
312
Slugs for positioning the print head
313
headstock
314
support plate
315
Column guide bushing
316
Lifting column
317
Hold-down plate resp. guide part
318
compression spring
319
lifting plate
320
stroke eccentric
321
locking screw
322
Einpressgewindebuchse
323
Stand Off

Beschreibung der Zeichnungsinhalte bei folgenden Figuren:

Fig. 3
Draufsicht auf das Druckkopf-Justagemodul,
Fig. 4
Frontansicht auf die Druckkƶpfe und die DruckkopftrƤgerplatten, in dieser Ansicht sind nicht alle Teile in ihrer wahren Position dargestellt und
Fig. 5
Frontansicht auf die Druckkƶpfe und die DruckkopftrƤgerpfatten.
Description of the contents of the drawing for the following figures:
Fig. 3
Top view of the printhead adjustment module,
Fig. 4
Front view of the print heads and the print head carrier plates, in this view not all parts are shown in their true position and
Fig. 5
Front view of the printheads and the printhead support plates.

Bei der hier beschriebenen Frankiermaschine werden zur Realisierung der geforderten Druckbildhƶhe und der Auflƶsung zwei Tintenstrahldruckkƶpfe benƶtigt. Zur Erreichung der Druckbildhƶhe sind die Druckkƶpfe in der Tiefe gegeneinander versetzt. D.h., dass die obere HƤlfte des Druckbildes vom hinteren Druckkopf und die untere HƤlfte vom vorderen Druckkopf erzeugt wird. Um im Druckbild keine LĆ¼cke oder ein Ɯberdrucken zu erhalten, mĆ¼ssen die Pixelzeilen der beiden Druckkƶpfe gegeneinander justiert werden kƶnnen. Die Druckkƶpfe sind ausserdem in der Draufsicht schrƤg angeordnet, da bei dieser SchrƤgstellung der effektive Abstand der einzelnen DruckdĆ¼sen geringer und so eine hƶhere Auflƶsung des Druckbildes mƶglich ist. Ein Druckkopf ist starr montiert, wogegen der zweite Drukkopf entlang der DĆ¼senreihe relativ zum starren Druckkopf verschoben bzw. feinjustiert werden kann. An dem Druckkopf-Justagemodul ist auch die schon beschriebene Niederhalteplatte resp. FĆ¼hrungsteil gelagert. The franking machine described here is used to implement the required Print image height and the resolution required two inkjet printheads. to When the print image height is reached, the print heads are against each other at depth added. This means that the top half of the print image is from the rear print head and the lower half is generated by the front printhead. To none in the printed image To get gap or overprint, the pixel rows of the two must Printheads can be adjusted against each other. The printheads are also arranged obliquely in the plan view, since the effective The distance between the individual pressure nozzles is smaller and thus a higher resolution of the Print image is possible. One printhead is rigidly mounted, while the second printhead shifted or finely adjusted along the row of nozzles relative to the rigid print head can be. The printhead adjustment module is also the one already described Hold-down plate resp. Guide part stored.

Die Druckkopfeinheit ist als eigenstƤndiges Modul ausgefĆ¼hrt. d.h.. dass die Montage als koplette Unterbaugruppe mƶglich ist und die Druckkƶpfe vor dem Gesamteinbau feinjustiert werden kƶnnen. Auf der TrƤgerplatte 314 ist die starre DruckkopftrƤgerplatte 305 und die Kopfplatte 313 montiert. Der vordere Druckkopf 301A wird Ć¼ber die Butzen 312 genau positioniert und Ć¼ber kleine PrƤgungen am Spannblech 303 an die DruckkopftrƤgerplatte 305 angedrĆ¼ckt. Das Spannen erfolgt Ć¼ber die Spannschraube 310 und die Einpressmutter 311. Auf der RĆ¼ckseite des starren DruckkopftrƤgers sitzt die verstellbare DruckkopftrƤgerplatte 304. Sie ist in der Tiefe verschiebbar und wird durch die Einpressgewindebuchsen 322 bzw. die Bundschrauben 309 gefĆ¼hrt. Die Bundschrauben 309 drĆ¼cken die verstellbare DruckkopftrƤgerplatte 304 Ć¼ber die Federscheiben 308 und die Unterlagsscheiben 302 an die AuflageflƤche an. Die verstellbare DruckkopftrƤgerplatte lƤsst sich gegen die Reibung dieser Anpresskraft verschieben. Der hintere Druckkopf 301 B ist wie der vordere positioniert und gehalten. Die verstellbare DruckkopftrƤgerplatte 304 weist an der vorderen Seite einen Umbug auf, in den eine Gewindebuchse eingepresst ist. Auf diese Gewindebuchse sind ein Federscheibenpaket 307 und die DistanzhĆ¼lse 323 aufgebracht. Das Federpaket verspannt sich zwischen den abgebogenen Winkeln der starren und verstellbaren DruckkopftrƤgerplatten. Die Justage der verstellbaren DruckkopftrƤgerplatte erfolgt Ć¼ber die Stellschraube 306. Beim Anziehen der Stellschraube bewegt sich der hintere Druckkopf mit der DruckkopftrƤgerplatte nach vorne. Beim Lƶsen wandert die Einheit unter der Federkraft des Federpaketes 307 nach hinten. Durch die Vorspannung des Federpaketes wird jegliches Spiel aufgehoben. Der hintere Druckkopf 301B wird so eingestellt. dass die vorderste TintenstrahldĆ¼se mit der hintersten des vorderen Druckkopfes Ć¼bereinstimmt bzw. exakt einen Pixelabstand aufweist. Nachdem die Druckkƶpfe exakt justiert sind, wird der verstellbare Teil mittels der Feststellschraube 321 fixiert, damit sich dieser nicht mehr verstellen kann. In der Kopfplatte 313 sitzen noch zwei SƤulenfĆ¼hrungsbuchsen 315, die die SƤulen 316 der Niederhalteplatte resp. FĆ¼hrungsteil 317 fĆ¼hren. Die Niederhalteplatte resp. FĆ¼hrungsteil 317 wird Ć¼ber die Hubexzenter 320 auf und abbewegt. Die Druckfedern 318 heben die Hubplatte 319 spielfrei nach oben an.The print head unit is designed as a separate module. i.e. the assembly is possible as a complete subassembly and the printheads before installation can be finely adjusted. The rigid print head carrier plate is on the carrier plate 314 305 and the head plate 313 mounted. The front print head 301A is positioned precisely using the slugs 312 and small embossments on the clamping plate 303 pressed against the print head carrier plate 305. The tensioning takes place over the tension screw 310 and the press nut 311. On the back of the rigid The adjustable print head support plate 304 sits in the print head carrier Depth displaceable and is through the press-in threaded bushes 322 and Led collar screws 309. The collar screws 309 press the adjustable Printhead support plate 304 over spring washers 308 and washers 302 to the contact surface. The adjustable print head carrier plate can be locked against shift the friction of this contact pressure. The rear print head is 301 B. positioned and held like the front one. The adjustable print head carrier plate 304 has a fold on the front side, into which a threaded bushing is pressed. On this threaded bushing are a spring washer 307 and the spacer sleeve 323 applied. The spring assembly clamps between the bent angles of the rigid and adjustable print head carrier plates. The The adjustable print head carrier plate is adjusted using the adjusting screw 306. When the set screw is tightened, the rear print head moves with the print head carrier plate Forward. When released, the unit moves under the spring force of the spring assembly 307 to the rear. By preloading the spring assembly any game canceled. The rear print head 301B is thus set. that the foremost ink jet nozzle matches the rearmost of the front print head or has exactly one pixel spacing. After the printheads are exact are adjusted, the adjustable part is fixed with the locking screw 321, so that it can no longer adjust. There are two more in the top plate 313 Column guide bushes 315, which the columns 316 of the hold-down plate, respectively. guide part 317 lead. The hold-down plate resp. Guide part 317 is on the Lifting eccentric 320 moves up and down. The compression springs 318 raise the lifting plate 319 free of play upwards.

Claims (6)

  1. Franking machine comprising an ink-jet printing unit having at least one print head for printing flat postal items, such as letter or postcards, which can be inserted into or pass through the machine, consisting of a guide part (317) which is arranged around the print head in such a manner that it projects with respect to its nozzle orifice plane and with which a conveying device transporting the postal items between itself and opposing conveying rollers (13, 15) rotating about axes arranged transversely to the conveying direction is associated, the conveying device having two drive rollers (32, 33) forming a conveying section together with the guide part and mounted upstream and downstream of the print head as viewed in the conveying direction (F), and counter-pressure rollers exerting pressure on the drive rollers and on a postal item transported therebetween being provided opposite thereto, characterised in that the printing unit has at least two print heads (301A, 301B) which form a common nozzle orifice plane, and that the print heads (301A, 301B) are each rectangular when viewed in the direction of the nozzle orifice plane and are arranged at an acute angle relative to the conveying direction (F) of the postal items and in such a manner that they are partially offset relative to one another.
  2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the print heads (301A, 301B) is displaceable relative to the other print head (301A, 301B) in the direction deviating from the conveying direction (F) of the postal items.
  3. Machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the adjustable print head (301B) is fixed to a print head carrier plate (304) adjustable relative to a stationary print head carrier plate (305) arranged perpendicularly to the nozzle orifice plane and receiving the stationary print head (301A).
  4. Machine according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the print head carrier plates (304, 305) are formed by a clamping device (306, 307) acting in the adjusting direction.
  5. Machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the print head carrier plates (304, 305) bearing against one another by means of their rear faces are formed at an end arranged in the adjusting direction by angled portions between which a spring (307) arranged on an adjusting screw (306) connecting the portions is provided.
  6. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the adjustable print head carrier plate (304) can be locked by means of a screw (309) traversing it and rotatably fixed in the stationary print head carrier plate (305).
EP01905564A 2000-02-23 2001-02-23 Franking machine Expired - Lifetime EP1200268B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH345002000 2000-02-23
CH3452000 2000-02-23
PCT/CH2001/000121 WO2001062506A1 (en) 2000-02-23 2001-02-23 Franking machine

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EP1200268A1 EP1200268A1 (en) 2002-05-02
EP1200268B1 true EP1200268B1 (en) 2004-05-06

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EP01905560A Expired - Lifetime EP1183156B1 (en) 2000-02-23 2001-02-22 Franking machine
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DE50103192D1 (en) 2004-09-16
DE50102184D1 (en) 2004-06-09
US20030016981A1 (en) 2003-01-23
DE50103845D1 (en) 2004-11-04
US7255422B2 (en) 2007-08-14
EP1183154A1 (en) 2002-03-06
CA2368360A1 (en) 2001-08-30
WO2001062503A1 (en) 2001-08-30
EP1183156A1 (en) 2002-03-06
WO2001062506A1 (en) 2001-08-30
AU782136B2 (en) 2005-07-07
AU8156101A (en) 2002-02-28
US6910766B2 (en) 2005-06-28
ATE265934T1 (en) 2004-05-15
EP1183155B1 (en) 2004-05-06
AU782076B2 (en) 2005-06-30
AU8156301A (en) 2002-02-28
EP1183154B1 (en) 2004-08-11
EP1183156B1 (en) 2004-09-29
AU782071B2 (en) 2005-06-30
CA2368351A1 (en) 2001-08-30
ATE277770T1 (en) 2004-10-15
AU8156401A (en) 2002-02-28
US20020161728A1 (en) 2002-10-31
US20030007820A1 (en) 2003-01-09
US6973433B2 (en) 2005-12-06
CA2368358A1 (en) 2001-08-30
EP1200268A1 (en) 2002-05-02
EP1183155A1 (en) 2002-03-06
ATE265935T1 (en) 2004-05-15
AU8156201A (en) 2002-02-28
WO2001062505A1 (en) 2001-08-30
US20030158825A1 (en) 2003-08-21
CA2368355A1 (en) 2001-08-30
WO2001062504A1 (en) 2001-08-30
US8341094B2 (en) 2012-12-25
AU782070B2 (en) 2005-06-30
DE50102191D1 (en) 2004-06-09
ATE273138T1 (en) 2004-08-15

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