EP1328849A1 - Electrophotographic printing device of modular construction - Google Patents

Electrophotographic printing device of modular construction

Info

Publication number
EP1328849A1
EP1328849A1 EP01982403A EP01982403A EP1328849A1 EP 1328849 A1 EP1328849 A1 EP 1328849A1 EP 01982403 A EP01982403 A EP 01982403A EP 01982403 A EP01982403 A EP 01982403A EP 1328849 A1 EP1328849 A1 EP 1328849A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
printing device
electrophotographic
printing
transport
module
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP01982403A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1328849B1 (en
Inventor
Bernd Schultheis
Birgit Lattermann
Dieter Jung
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.)
AGC Inc
Original Assignee
Schott Glaswerke 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 Schott Glaswerke AG filed Critical Schott Glaswerke AG
Publication of EP1328849A1 publication Critical patent/EP1328849A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1328849B1 publication Critical patent/EP1328849B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/1604—Arrangement or disposition of the entire apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/01—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
    • G03G15/0142—Structure of complete machines
    • G03G15/0178—Structure of complete machines using more than one reusable electrographic recording member, e.g. one for every monocolour image
    • G03G15/0194—Structure of complete machines using more than one reusable electrographic recording member, e.g. one for every monocolour image primary transfer to the final recording medium
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1603—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for multicoloured copies
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1651—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1651—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts
    • G03G2221/166—Electrical connectors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1696—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for auxiliary devices, e.g. add-on modules

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a modular electro-photographic printing device.
  • a printing device is known from EP 0 896 256 A2 with which copy paper can be coated using the color printing method.
  • the printing device has four photoconductor drums which are arranged one behind the other. The copy paper is guided past the photoconductor drums by means of a conveyor belt. Each photoconductor drum can then apply toner with a specific color to the copy paper.
  • Such printing devices are not suitable for industrial use if, for example, plate-shaped workpieces are to be provided with a decorative print.
  • the printing device must be specially adapted to the printing requirements. If, for example, two-color printing is to be carried out or a special toner is to be applied, the printing device is not optimally designed. It is an object of the invention to provide an electrophotographic printing device which can be flexibly configured in terms of its technical equipment and can be individually equipped with little effort to meet the specific print job.
  • a modular electrophotographic printing device with a carrying device that has a transport device on which a substrate can be transported between a start and a target position, with one or more on the carrying device between the start and the target position electrophotographic units are arranged, which have a developer unit, a photoconductor and an exposure unit assigned to the photoconductor, the carrier device optionally having two or more recording positions lying one behind the other in the transport direction of the transport device, which are equipped with uniform mechanical interfaces, the electrophotographic units having fastening parts, which are designed to match the interfaces.
  • the electrophotographic units independently form functional assemblies that can be positioned on the support frame at the user's choice. Depending on the print job to be done, one or more electrophotographic units can be used. As a result, different toners with different technical properties or different colors can then be printed one after the other for decoration and / or modification of surface properties of plate-shaped materials. Since the carrying device forms uniform mechanical interfaces, the electrophotographic units can be easily assembled and assigned. The assembly effort can be further reduced if it is additionally provided that the receiving positions are equipped with uniform electrical interfaces, preferably with a bus system.
  • the carrying device is composed of at least two partial frames placed one behind the other, and that the partial frames are of identical construction and each have at least one receiving position for an electrophotographic unit.
  • the carrying device can be constructed in the desired manner, adapted to the individual requirements.
  • the number of electrophotographic units to be used will determine the number of partial frames.
  • the transport device is guided over the subframes as a unitary assembly or that each subframe has its own part transport device, and that the individual part transport devices mechanically and / or via an electrical unit to form a uniform transport device Drive control are coupled.
  • the connection of the partial transport devices ensures a synchronous feed so that the substrate can be transported at a constant speed.
  • a centering module is attached to the carrying device in the area of the starting position.
  • the centering module thus again represents a unitary assembly that can be connected to the printing device in the form of a kit.
  • a precentering module is assigned upstream of the centering module in the transport direction, and that the precentering module is attached to the carrying device or to the centering module. In conjunction with the centering module, the pre-centering module ensures exact alignment of the substrates and their orderly feeding.
  • a fixing module is arranged on the carrying device or on the electrophotographic unit, which serves for pre-fixing or for fixing the toner applied to the substrate.
  • the toner can be connected to the surface of the substrate by means of a suitable energy input via the fixing module.
  • Pre-fixing the toner after the toner has been applied is particularly useful if, for example, ceramic inks are printed. These ceramic colors are usually applied to substrates on glass or glass ceramics.
  • the substrate with the pre-fixed toner is fed for final fixing to a unit in which the toner is fixed at a high temperature, in particular in the case of ceramic toners, or baked in in the case of thermoset toners.
  • the fixing module can have fastening parts, by means of which it can be coupled to the interfaces of the carrying device.
  • the interfaces are therefore not only used for fastening and exact alignment of the electrophotographic units, but also of the fixing module or modules.
  • a single fixing module can be provided for a printing device. This would usually be done in trans- Port direction can be arranged according to the individual electro-photographic units. However, it is also conceivable that a fixing module is assigned to each electrophotographic unit, with which intermediate fixing is possible. This can be particularly important if, for example, toners are to be printed on top of one another.
  • An outlet module can be provided in the area of the target position of the printing device. Using this, an orderly removal of the printed substrates can be achieved.
  • the outlet module can be, for example, a stacking device which is attached to the carrying device.
  • each electrophotographic unit has a transfer system for transferring the toner to the substrate, and that the transfer system is connected upstream in the transport direction
  • Primary load means and a secondary load means is connected downstream in the transport direction.
  • the surface of the substrate can be electrostatically charged by means of the primary and secondary charging means.
  • Conceivable charging means are charging brushes, charging rollers or charging corons, which preferably act on the surface of the substrate to be printed.
  • the substrate is then advanced to the secondary loader where it is reloaded.
  • the substrate is now either connected to both the primary loading means and the secondary loading means or alone to the secondary loading means. It should be ensured that the substrate is always connected to and is charged by at least one charging means during the coating process.
  • toners namely cyan, magenta, yellow or black colored toners
  • the individual colors can be printed on top of each other, if necessary with intermediate fixation or printed side by side and thus mixed together. This means that additional colors can be generated in a known color.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a printing device with an electrophotographic unit
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a full-color printing system.
  • the printing device can be used for single-color printing.
  • the printing device has a carrying device 15 to which a transport system 16 is assigned.
  • Various components are arranged along the transport system.
  • a substrate can be transported between a start and a target position.
  • the substrate can be, for example, a glass ceramic plate, a glass plate, a ceramic plate or a plastic plate.
  • flexible substrates such as plastic films, leather, fabrics etc., which are then fixed during the printing process on a rigid base which is located on the transport device or is part of the same.
  • a pre-centering module 1 0 is arranged in the area of the start position. The substrate is roughly positioned by means of this.
  • the substrate is then fed by means of the transport device 1 6 to a centering module 11, in which it is precisely aligned. After the substrate has been aligned, it is fed to an electrophotographic unit 1 2a.
  • the electrophotographic unit 1 2a has a developer, a photoconductor and a transfer system 1 2.2. Furthermore, the electrophotographic unit 1 2a has an exposure arrangement by means of which a latent charge image can be generated on the photoconductor in a known manner. On the basis of this charge image, the developer transfers a toner material which is stored in a separate toner cartridge of the developer to the photoconductor. The photoconductor then transfers the toner onto the substrate directly or with the aid of the transfer system 1 2.2. In order to be able to ensure a toner transfer to the substrate with good quality, a primary charging means 1 2.1 is connected upstream of the transfer system 1 2.2 and a secondary charging means 1 2.3 is connected downstream. The primary and secondary charging means introduce a charge into the surface of the substrate to be printed. This is due to the order maintained by the primary loading device and secondary loading device during the entire coating process.
  • the toner After the toner has been applied to the substrate, it passes through a fixing module 1 3. In the fixing module 1 3, the toner is connected to the substrate under the action of temperature. The substrate then arrives in a run-out module 1 4, in which it is removed from the printing device, runs into a stacking device, for example into a buffer, or arrives at further processing stations via an appropriate linkage.
  • the carrying device 1 5 is designed such that it has uniform mechanical interfaces both for the electrophotographic unit 1 2a and for the fixing module 1 3. Electro-photographic unit 1 2a and the fixing module 1 3 accordingly have fastening parts which are adapted to the mechanical and electrical interfaces of the carrying device. This allows a quick and easy assignment of these units to the support device 1 5.
  • FIG. Similar to the configuration according to FIG. 1, a carrying device 1 5 with a transport system 1 6 is used.
  • the carrying device 1 5 has five mechanical interfaces one behind the other, to which an electrophotographic unit 1 2a, 1 2b, 1 2c, 1 2d, or a fixing module 1 3 can be attached. Since the mechanical and electrical interfaces are uniform, the electrophotographic units 1 2a to 1 2d can be arranged in any order.
  • a toner is stored in each of the electrophotographic units 1 2a to 1 2d.
  • the toners are colored differently, for example a magenta-colored toner can be stored in the first electrophotographic unit 1 2a, a yellow one in the electrophotographic unit 1 2b, a cyan color in the electrophotographic unit 1 2c and a black toner in the electrophotographic unit 1 2d.
  • FIG. 2 5 are similar to that in FIG. 1 again a pre-centering module 1 0, a centering module 1 1, a fixing module 1 3 and an outlet module 1 4 are mounted. Furthermore, a transport system 16 is used, which links the individual structural units of the printing device to one another.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Color Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
  • Combination Of More Than One Step In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Discharging, Photosensitive Material Shape In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
  • Dot-Matrix Printers And Others (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrophotographic printing device of modular construction with a support device, comprising a transport device, upon which a substrate may be transported between a start position and a target position and one or several electrophotographic units are arranged on the support device, between the start and target position, comprising a developer unit, a photoconductor and an illumination unit for the photoconductor. The support device comprises two or more housing positions arranged one behind the other in the transport direction of the transport device, provided with unitary mechanical interfaces. The electrophotographic units comprises unitary fixing pieces which are complementary in form to said interfaces. Such a printing device may be flexibly laid out due to the technical assembly thereof and may be individually set-up for specific printing jobs with ease.

Description

Modular aufgebaute elektrofotografische DruckvorrichtungModular electrophotographic printing device
Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine modular aufgebaute elektro-fotografische Druckvorrichtung . Aus der EP 0 896 256 A2 ist eine Druckvorrichtung bekannt, mit der Kopierpapier im Farbdruckverfahren beschichtet werden kann. Hierzu weist die Druckvorrichtung vier Fotoleitertrommeln auf, die hintereinander liegend angeordnet sind . Das Kopierpapier wird mittels eines Förderbandes an den Fotoleitertrommeln vorbeigeführt. Dabei kann dann von jeder Fotoleitertrommel Toner mit einer spezifischen Einfärbung auf das Kopierpapier aufgetragen werden.The invention relates to a modular electro-photographic printing device. A printing device is known from EP 0 896 256 A2 with which copy paper can be coated using the color printing method. For this purpose, the printing device has four photoconductor drums which are arranged one behind the other. The copy paper is guided past the photoconductor drums by means of a conveyor belt. Each photoconductor drum can then apply toner with a specific color to the copy paper.
Solche Druckvorrichtungen eignen sich nicht für den industriellen Einsatz, wenn beispielsweise plattenformige Werkstücke mit einem Dekordruck versehen werden sollen . Für diesen Anwendungsfall muss die Druckvorrichtung speziell auf die Druckanforderungen angepasst sein. Wenn beispielsweise eine Zweifarbenbedru- ckung erfolgen oder ein Spezialtoner aufgebracht werden soll, so ist die Druckvorrichtung nicht optimal ausgelegt. Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine elektrofotografische Druckvorrichtung zu schaffen, die hinsichtlich ihrer technischen Bestückung flexibel auslegbar ist und individuell auf den spezi-fischen Druckauftrag hin mit geringem Aufwand ausgerüstet werden kann.Such printing devices are not suitable for industrial use if, for example, plate-shaped workpieces are to be provided with a decorative print. For this application, the printing device must be specially adapted to the printing requirements. If, for example, two-color printing is to be carried out or a special toner is to be applied, the printing device is not optimally designed. It is an object of the invention to provide an electrophotographic printing device which can be flexibly configured in terms of its technical equipment and can be individually equipped with little effort to meet the specific print job.
Zur Lösung der Aufgabe wird anspruchsgemäß vorgeschlagen, eine modular aufgebaute elektrofotografische Druckvorrichtung mit einer Tragvorrichtung, die eine Transportvorrichtung aufweist, auf der ein Substrat zwischen einer Start- und einer Zielposition transportierbar ist, wobei an der Tragvorrichtung zwischen der Start- und der Zielposition eine oder mehrere elektrofotografische Einheiten angeordnet sind, die eine Entwicklereinheit, einen Fotoleiter und eine dem Fotoleiter zugeordnete Belichtungseinheit aufweisen, wobei die Tragvorrichtung in Transportrichtung der Transportvorrichtung hintereinander liegend wahlweise zwei oder mehrere Aufnahmepositionen aufweist, die mit einheitlichen mechanischen Schnittstellen ausgestattet sind, wobei die elektrofotografischen Einheiten Befestigungsteile aufweisen, die den Schnittstellen angepasst ausgebildet sind.To achieve the object, it is proposed according to the invention to propose a modular electrophotographic printing device with a carrying device that has a transport device on which a substrate can be transported between a start and a target position, with one or more on the carrying device between the start and the target position electrophotographic units are arranged, which have a developer unit, a photoconductor and an exposure unit assigned to the photoconductor, the carrier device optionally having two or more recording positions lying one behind the other in the transport direction of the transport device, which are equipped with uniform mechanical interfaces, the electrophotographic units having fastening parts, which are designed to match the interfaces.
Die elektrofotografischen Einheiten bilden selbstständig funktionsfähige Baugruppen, die nach Wahl des Anwenders auf dem Traggestell positioniert werden können. Abhängig von dem zu erledigenden Druckauftrag kann eine oder mehrere elektrofotografische Einheiten verwendet werden. Hierdurch lassen sich dann auch nacheinander unterschiedliche Toner mit verschiedenen technischen Eigenschaften oder verschiedener Farbe zur Dekoration und/oder Modifikation von Oberflächeneigenschaften von plattenförmigen Werkstoffen verdrucken. Da die Tragvorrichtung einheitliche mechanische Schnittstellen bildet, können die elektrofotografischen Einheiten einfach montiert und zugeordnet werden. Der Montageaufwand läßt sich dann weiter reduzieren, wenn zusätzlich vorgesehen ist, dass die Aufnahmepositionen mit einheitlichen elektrischen Schnittstellen, vorzugsweise mit einem Bussystem, ausgestattet sind.The electrophotographic units independently form functional assemblies that can be positioned on the support frame at the user's choice. Depending on the print job to be done, one or more electrophotographic units can be used. As a result, different toners with different technical properties or different colors can then be printed one after the other for decoration and / or modification of surface properties of plate-shaped materials. Since the carrying device forms uniform mechanical interfaces, the electrophotographic units can be easily assembled and assigned. The assembly effort can be further reduced if it is additionally provided that the receiving positions are equipped with uniform electrical interfaces, preferably with a bus system.
Gemäß einer möglichen Erfindungsvariante kann es vorgesehen sein, dass die Tragvorrichtung aus wenigstens zwei hintereinander gestellten Teilgestellen zusammengesetzt ist, und dass die Teilgestelle baugleich sind und jeweils wenigstens eine Aufnahmeposition für eine elektrofotografische Einheit aufweisen. Auf diese Weise kann die Tragvorrichtung in der gewünschten Weise, angepasst auf die individuellen Anforderungen, aufgebaut werden. Dabei wird vornehmlich die Anzahl der einzusetzenden elektrofotografischen Einheit bestimmend für die Anzahl der Teilgestelle sein .According to a possible variant of the invention, it can be provided that the carrying device is composed of at least two partial frames placed one behind the other, and that the partial frames are of identical construction and each have at least one receiving position for an electrophotographic unit. In this way, the carrying device can be constructed in the desired manner, adapted to the individual requirements. The number of electrophotographic units to be used will determine the number of partial frames.
Zusätzlich kann es dann auch vorgesehen sein, dass die Transportvorrichtung über die Teilgestelle als einheitliche Baugruppe geführt ist oder dass jedes Teilgestell eine eigene Teil-Transportvorrichtung aufweist, und dass die einzelnen Teil- Transportvorrichtungen zur Bildung einer einheitlichen Transportvorrichtung miteinander mechanisch und/oder über eine elektrische Antriebsteuerung gekoppelt sind. Die Verbindung der Teil-Transportvorrichtungen stellt einen synchronen Vorschub sicher, so dass das Substrat mit gleichbleibender Geschwindigkeit transportiert werden kann.In addition, it can then also be provided that the transport device is guided over the subframes as a unitary assembly or that each subframe has its own part transport device, and that the individual part transport devices mechanically and / or via an electrical unit to form a uniform transport device Drive control are coupled. The connection of the partial transport devices ensures a synchronous feed so that the substrate can be transported at a constant speed.
Um eine geordnete Zufuhr der Substrate sicher zu stellen, kann es vorgesehen sein, dass im Bereich der Startposition ein Zentriermodul an die Tragvorrichtung angebaut ist. Das Zentriermodul stellt also wiederum eine einheitliche Baugruppe dar, die bausatzartig an die Druckvorrichtung angebunden werden kann. Es kann dabei weiterhin vorgesehen sein, dass dem Zentriermodul in Transportrichtung vorgeschaltet ein Vorzentrier-Modul zugeordnet ist, und dass das Vorzentrier-Modul an der Tragvorrichtung oder an dem Zentriermodul angebaut ist. In Verbindung mit dem Zentriermodul gewährleistet das Vorzentrier-Modul eine exakte Ausrichtung der Substrate und deren geordnete Zuführung .In order to ensure an orderly supply of the substrates, it can be provided that a centering module is attached to the carrying device in the area of the starting position. The centering module thus again represents a unitary assembly that can be connected to the printing device in the form of a kit. It can further be provided that a precentering module is assigned upstream of the centering module in the transport direction, and that the precentering module is attached to the carrying device or to the centering module. In conjunction with the centering module, the pre-centering module ensures exact alignment of the substrates and their orderly feeding.
Gemäß einer bevorzugten Erfindungsausgestaltung ist es vorgesehen, dass an der Tragvorrichtung oder an der elektrofotografischen Einheit ein Fixiermodul angeordnet ist, das zur Vorfixierung oder zur Fixierung des auf das Substrat aufgebrachten Toners dient. Nach dem erfolgten Tonerauftrag durch die eine oder durch die mehreren elektrofotografischen Einheiten kann der Toner über das Fixier- Modul mittels eines geeigneten Energieeintrages mit der Oberfläche des Substrates verbunden werden. Die Vorfixierung des Toners nach dem erfolgten Tonerauftrag erweist sich insbesondere dann als sinnvoll, wenn beispielweise keramische Farben verdruckt werden. Diese keramischen Farben werden üblicherweise auf Substraten auf Glas oder Glaskeramik aufgebracht. Nach Verlassen der Druckvorrichtung wird das Substrat mit dem vorfixierten Toner zur endgültigen Fixierung einer Einheit zugeführt, in der der Toner bei hoher Temperatur fixiert, insbesondere bei keramischen Tonern eingebrannt oder bei duroplastischen Tonern ausgehärtet wird .According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a fixing module is arranged on the carrying device or on the electrophotographic unit, which serves for pre-fixing or for fixing the toner applied to the substrate. After the toner has been applied by the one or more electrophotographic units, the toner can be connected to the surface of the substrate by means of a suitable energy input via the fixing module. Pre-fixing the toner after the toner has been applied is particularly useful if, for example, ceramic inks are printed. These ceramic colors are usually applied to substrates on glass or glass ceramics. After leaving the printing device, the substrate with the pre-fixed toner is fed for final fixing to a unit in which the toner is fixed at a high temperature, in particular in the case of ceramic toners, or baked in in the case of thermoset toners.
Das Fixiermodul kann Befestigungsteile aufweisen, mittels denen es an die Schnittstellen der Tragvorrichtung ankoppelbar ist. Die Schnittstellen dienen somit nicht alleine zur Befestigung und exakten Ausrichtung der elektrofotografischen Einheiten, sondern auch des oder der Fixiermodule.The fixing module can have fastening parts, by means of which it can be coupled to the interfaces of the carrying device. The interfaces are therefore not only used for fastening and exact alignment of the electrophotographic units, but also of the fixing module or modules.
Wie bereits vorstehend erwähnt wurde, kann ein einziges Fixier-odul für eine Druckvorrichtung vorgesehen sein. Dies würde dann üblicherweise in Trans- portrichtung nach den einzelnen elektro-fotografischen Einheiten angeordnet sein . Denkbar ist es jedoch auch, dass jeder elektrofotografischen Einheit ein Fixiermodul zugeordnet ist, womit Zwischenfixierungen möglich werden . Dies kann insbesondere dann von Bedeutung sein, wenn beispielsweise Toner übereinander gedruckt werden sollen.As already mentioned above, a single fixing module can be provided for a printing device. This would usually be done in trans- Port direction can be arranged according to the individual electro-photographic units. However, it is also conceivable that a fixing module is assigned to each electrophotographic unit, with which intermediate fixing is possible. This can be particularly important if, for example, toners are to be printed on top of one another.
Im Bereich der Zielposition der Druckvorrichtung kann ein Auslaufmodul vorgesehen sein. Mittels diesem lässt sich eine geordnete Abführung der bedruckten Substrate erreichen. Das Auslaufmodul kann beispielsweise eine Stapelvorrichtung sein, die an die Tragvorrichtung angebaut ist.An outlet module can be provided in the area of the target position of the printing device. Using this, an orderly removal of the printed substrates can be achieved. The outlet module can be, for example, a stacking device which is attached to the carrying device.
Damit insbesondere flächige Substrate mit großer Wandstärke, beispielsweise Glasplatten, Glaskeramikplatten, Holzplatten oder Kunststoffplatten zuverlässig bedruckt werden können, sieht eine denkbare Erfindungsausgestaltung vor, dass jede elektrofotografische Einheit ein Transfersystem zur Übertragung des Toners auf das Substrat aufweist, und dass dem Transfersystem in Transportrichtung vorgeschaltet ein Primär-Lademittel und in Transportrichtung nachgeschaltet ein Sekundär-Lademittel zugeordnet ist. Mittels des Primär- und des Sekundär- Lademittels kann die Oberfläche des Substrates elektrostatisch aufgeladen werden. Denkbare Lademittel sind Ladebürsten, Laderollen oder Ladecoronen, die vorzugsweise auf die Oberfläche des zu bedruckenden Substrates wirken. Beim Durchgang durch die elektrofotografische Einheit wird das Substrat zunächst mit dem Primär-Lademittel geladen. Anschließend gelangt das Substrat in den Bereich des Transfersystemes, wo ein Tonerübertrag stattfindet.In order that in particular flat substrates with large wall thicknesses, for example glass plates, glass ceramic plates, wooden plates or plastic plates, can be reliably printed, a conceivable embodiment of the invention provides that each electrophotographic unit has a transfer system for transferring the toner to the substrate, and that the transfer system is connected upstream in the transport direction Primary load means and a secondary load means is connected downstream in the transport direction. The surface of the substrate can be electrostatically charged by means of the primary and secondary charging means. Conceivable charging means are charging brushes, charging rollers or charging corons, which preferably act on the surface of the substrate to be printed. When passing through the electrophotographic unit, the substrate is first charged with the primary charging means. The substrate then reaches the area of the transfer system where toner transfer takes place.
Das Substrat wird dann weiter zu dem Sekundär-Lademittel vorgeschoben, wo es nachgeladen wird . Abhängig von der Größe des Substrates bzw. von dessen Positionierung auf der Transportvorrichtung, steht das Substrat nun entweder sowohl mit dem Primär-Lademittel als auch dem Sekundär-Lademittel oder alleine mit dem Sekundär-Lademittel in Verbindung . Es sollte sichergestellt werden, dass das Substrat während des Beschichtungsvorganges stets wenigstens einem Lademittel in Verbindung steht und von diesem geladen wird.The substrate is then advanced to the secondary loader where it is reloaded. Depending on the size of the substrate or its Positioning on the transport device, the substrate is now either connected to both the primary loading means and the secondary loading means or alone to the secondary loading means. It should be ensured that the substrate is always connected to and is charged by at least one charging means during the coating process.
Zur Bildung eines Vollfarb-Drucksystems können beispielweise an die Tragvorrichtung vier elektrofotografische Einheiten angebaut sein, wobei in den einzelnen elektrofotografischen Einheiten gefärbte Toner, nämlich cyan-, magenta-, gelb- bzw. schwarz gefärbter Toner bevorratet ist. Die einzelnen Farben lassen sich ü bereinander drucken, gegebenenfalls mit Zwischenfixierung oder nebeneinander drucken und somit miteinander mischen . Damit können in bekannter Farbe weitere Farben erzeugt werden.To form a full-color printing system, for example, four electrophotographic units can be attached to the carrying device, colored toners, namely cyan, magenta, yellow or black colored toners, being stored in the individual electrophotographic units. The individual colors can be printed on top of each other, if necessary with intermediate fixation or printed side by side and thus mixed together. This means that additional colors can be generated in a known color.
Die Erfindung wird im Folgenden anhand von in den Zeichnungen dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Show it:
Fig . 1 in schematischer Darstellung eine Druckvorrichtung mit einer elektrofotografischen Einheit undFig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a printing device with an electrophotographic unit and
Fig . 2 in schematischer Darstellung ein Vollfarb-Drucksystem.Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a full-color printing system.
In der Fig. 1 ist eine Druckvorrichtung zur Bedruckung platten-förmiger Werk-stoffe gezeigt. Mit dieser Druckvorrichtung kann ein Einfarbendruck erfolgen. Die Druckvorrrichtung weist eine Tragvorrichtung 1 5 auf, der ein Transportsystem 1 6 zugeordnet ist. Entlang des Transportsystemes sind verschiedene Bauteile angeordnet. Mittels des Transport-systemes kann ein Substrat zwischen einer Start- und Zielposition transportiert werden. Das Substrat kann beispielsweise eine Glaskeramikplatte, eine Glasplatte, eine Keramikplatte oder eine Kunststoffplatte sein. Weiterhin vorgesehen ist die Bedruckung von flexiblen Substraten, wie beispielsweise Kunststofffolien, Leder, Stoffe etc. , die dann während des Druckvorganges auf einer biegesteifen Unterlage fixiert werden, die sich auf der Transportvorrichtung befindet oder Teil derselben ist. Im Bereich der Startposition ist ein Vorzentrier-Modul 1 0 angeordnet. Mittels diesem wird das Substrat grob positioniert. Anschließend wird das Substrat mittels der Transportvorrichtung 1 6 einem Zentriermodul 1 1 zugeführt, in den es exakt ausgerichtet wird. Nach der erfolgten Lageausrichtung des Substrates wird dieses einer elektrofotografischen Einheit 1 2a zugeführt.1 shows a printing device for printing plate-shaped materials. This printing device can be used for single-color printing. The printing device has a carrying device 15 to which a transport system 16 is assigned. Various components are arranged along the transport system. Using the transport system, a substrate can be transported between a start and a target position. The substrate can be, for example, a glass ceramic plate, a glass plate, a ceramic plate or a plastic plate. Also provided is the printing of flexible substrates, such as plastic films, leather, fabrics etc., which are then fixed during the printing process on a rigid base which is located on the transport device or is part of the same. A pre-centering module 1 0 is arranged in the area of the start position. The substrate is roughly positioned by means of this. The substrate is then fed by means of the transport device 1 6 to a centering module 11, in which it is precisely aligned. After the substrate has been aligned, it is fed to an electrophotographic unit 1 2a.
Die elektrofotografische Einheit 1 2a besitzt einen Entwickler, einen Fotoleiter und ein Transfersystem 1 2.2. Des Weiteren weist die elektrofotografische Einheit 1 2a eine Belichtungsanordnung auf, mittels der auf dem Fotoleiter in bekannter Weise ein latentes Ladungsbild erzeugt werden kann. Aufgrund dieses Ladungsbildes wird von dem Entwickler ein Tonermaterial, das in einer separaten Toner-Kartusche des Entwicklers bevorratet ist, auf den Fotoleiter übertragen. Der Fotoleiter überträgt dann direkt oder unter Zuhilfenahme des Transfersystemes 1 2.2 den Toner auf das Substrat. Um einen Tonerübertrag auf das Substrat mit guter Qualität sicherstellen zu können, ist dem Transfersystem 1 2.2 ein Primär- Lademittel 1 2.1 vorgeschaltet und ein Sekundär-Lademittel 1 2.3 nachgeschaltet. Das Primär- und das Sekundär-Lademittel bringen eine Ladung in die zu bedruckende Oberfläche des Substrates ein . Diese wird durch die Andordnung vom Primär-Lademittel und Sekundär-Lademittel während des gesamten Beschichtungsvorganges aufrecht erhalten.The electrophotographic unit 1 2a has a developer, a photoconductor and a transfer system 1 2.2. Furthermore, the electrophotographic unit 1 2a has an exposure arrangement by means of which a latent charge image can be generated on the photoconductor in a known manner. On the basis of this charge image, the developer transfers a toner material which is stored in a separate toner cartridge of the developer to the photoconductor. The photoconductor then transfers the toner onto the substrate directly or with the aid of the transfer system 1 2.2. In order to be able to ensure a toner transfer to the substrate with good quality, a primary charging means 1 2.1 is connected upstream of the transfer system 1 2.2 and a secondary charging means 1 2.3 is connected downstream. The primary and secondary charging means introduce a charge into the surface of the substrate to be printed. This is due to the order maintained by the primary loading device and secondary loading device during the entire coating process.
Nach der erfolgten Toneraufbringung auf das Substrat durchläuft dieses ein Fixiermodul 1 3. In dem Fixiermodul 1 3 wird der Toner unter Temperatureinwirkung mit dem Substrat verbunden . Anschließend gelangt das Substrat in ein Auslaufmodul 1 4, in welchem es aus der Druckvorrichtung entnommen wird, in eine Stapelvorrichtung, beispielsweise in einen Puffer, hineinläuft oder über eine entsprechende Verkettung zu weiterverarbeitenden Fertigungsstationen gelangt.After the toner has been applied to the substrate, it passes through a fixing module 1 3. In the fixing module 1 3, the toner is connected to the substrate under the action of temperature. The substrate then arrives in a run-out module 1 4, in which it is removed from the printing device, runs into a stacking device, for example into a buffer, or arrives at further processing stations via an appropriate linkage.
Die Tragvorrichtung 1 5 ist so ausgebildet, dass sie einheitliche mechanische Schnittstellen sowohl für die elektrofotografische Einheit 1 2a als auch für das Fixiermodul 1 3 aufweist. Elektro-fotografische Einheit 1 2a und das Fixiermodul 1 3 weisen dementsprechend Befestigungsteile auf, die auf die mechanischen und elektrischen Schnittstellen der Tragvorrichtung angepasst ausgebildet sind. Damit ist eine schnelle und einfache Zuordnung dieser Baueinheiten zu der Tragvorrichtung 1 5 möglich.The carrying device 1 5 is designed such that it has uniform mechanical interfaces both for the electrophotographic unit 1 2a and for the fixing module 1 3. Electro-photographic unit 1 2a and the fixing module 1 3 accordingly have fastening parts which are adapted to the mechanical and electrical interfaces of the carrying device. This allows a quick and easy assignment of these units to the support device 1 5.
In der Fig. 2 ist ein Vollfarb-Drucksystem dargestellt. Ähnlich wie bei der Ausgestaltung gemäß der Fig . 1 ist eine Tragvorrichtung 1 5 mit einem Transportsystem 1 6 verwendet. Die Tragvorrichtung 1 5 weist hintereinander liegend fünf mechanische Schnittstellen auf, an denen eine elektrofotografische Einheit 1 2a, 1 2b, 1 2c, 1 2d, bzw. ein Fixiermodul 1 3 befestigt werden kann. Da die mechanischen und elektrischen Schnittstellen einheitlich sind, können die elektrofotografischen Einheiten 1 2a bis 1 2d in beliebiger Reihenfolge angeordnet werden. In jeder der elektrofotografischen Einheiten 1 2a bis 1 2d ist ein Toner bevorratet. Die Toner sind jedoch unterschiedlich gefärbt, so kann beispielsweise in der ersten elektrofotografischen Einheit 1 2a ein magentafarbiger, in der elektrofotografischen Einheit 1 2b ein gelber, in der elektrofotografischen Einheit 1 2c ein cyanfarbiger und in der elektrofotografischen Einheit 1 2d ein schwarzer Toner bevorratet sein.A full-color printing system is shown in FIG. Similar to the configuration according to FIG. 1, a carrying device 1 5 with a transport system 1 6 is used. The carrying device 1 5 has five mechanical interfaces one behind the other, to which an electrophotographic unit 1 2a, 1 2b, 1 2c, 1 2d, or a fixing module 1 3 can be attached. Since the mechanical and electrical interfaces are uniform, the electrophotographic units 1 2a to 1 2d can be arranged in any order. A toner is stored in each of the electrophotographic units 1 2a to 1 2d. However, the toners are colored differently, for example a magenta-colored toner can be stored in the first electrophotographic unit 1 2a, a yellow one in the electrophotographic unit 1 2b, a cyan color in the electrophotographic unit 1 2c and a black toner in the electrophotographic unit 1 2d.
Wie die Fig. 2 erkennen lässt, sind auf der Tragvorrichtung 1 5 ähnlich wie bei der Fig . 1 wieder ein Vorzentrier-Modul 1 0, ein Zentriermodul 1 1 , ein Fixiermodul 1 3 und ein Auslaufmodul 1 4 montiert. Weiterhin ist ein Transportsystem 1 6 verwendet, das die einzelnen Baueinheiten der Druckvorrichtung miteinander verkettet. As can be seen in FIG. 2, 5 are similar to that in FIG. 1 again a pre-centering module 1 0, a centering module 1 1, a fixing module 1 3 and an outlet module 1 4 are mounted. Furthermore, a transport system 16 is used, which links the individual structural units of the printing device to one another.

Claims

AnsprücheExpectations
Modular aufgebaute elektrofotografische Druckvorrichtung mit einer Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5), die eine Transportvorrichtung ( 1 6) aufweist, auf der ein Substrat zwischen einer Start- und einer Zielposition transportierbar ist, wobei an der Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) zwischen der Start- und der Zielposition eine oder mehrere elektrofotografische Einheiten ( 1 2 a - d) angeordnet sind, die eine Entwicklereinheit, einen Fotoleiter und eine dem Fotoleiter zugeordnete Belichtungseinheit aufweisen, wobei die Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) in Transportrichtung der Transportvorrichtung (1 6) hintereinander liegend wahlweise zwei oder mehrere Aufnahmepositionen aufweist, die mit einheitlichen mechanischen Schnittstellen ausgestattet sind, wobei die elektrofotografischen Einheiten ( 1 2 a - d) Befestigungsteile aufweisen, die den Schnittstellen angepasst ausgebildet sind.Modular electrophotographic printing device with a carrying device (1 5), which has a transport device (1 6) on which a substrate can be transported between a start and a target position, on the carrying device (1 5) between the start and the target position one or more electrophotographic units (1 2 a - d) are arranged, which have a developer unit, a photoconductor and an exposure unit assigned to the photoconductor, the carrying device (1 5) lying in succession in the transport direction of the transport device (1 6) optionally two or more Has receiving positions that are equipped with uniform mechanical interfaces, the electrophotographic units (1 2 a - d) have fastening parts that are designed to match the interfaces.
Druckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Aufnahmepositionen mit einheitlichen elektrischen Schnittstellen, vorzugsweise mit einem Bussystem, ausgestattet sind . Printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving positions are equipped with uniform electrical interfaces, preferably with a bus system.
3. Druckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) aus wenigstens zwei hintereinander gestellten Teilgestellen zusammengesetzt ist, und dass die Teilgestelle baugleich sind und jeweils wenigstens eine Aufnahmeposition für eine elektrofotografische Einheit aufweisen.3. Printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrying device (1 5) is composed of at least two partial frames placed one behind the other, and that the partial frames are of identical construction and each have at least one receiving position for an electrophotographic unit.
4. Druckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Transportvorichtung ( 1 6) über die Teilgestelle ( 1 5) als einheitliche Baugruppe geführt ist oder dass jedes Teilgestell eine eigene Teil- Transportvorrichtung aufweist, und dass d ie einzelnen Teil-Transportvorrichtungen zu r Bild u ng einer einheitlichen Transportvorrichtung ( 1 6) miteinander mechanisch und/oder über eine elektrische Antriebssteuerung gekoppelt sind .4. Printing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the transport device (1 6) on the partial frames (1 5) is guided as a single assembly or that each partial frame has its own partial transport device, and that the individual partial transport devices to r Image and a uniform transport device (1 6) mechanically and / or coupled via an electric drive control.
5. Druckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Bereich der Startpositio n ein Zentriermod ul ( 1 1 ) an die Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) angebaut ist.5. Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the area of the starting position a centering module ul (1 1) is attached to the carrying device (1 5).
6. Druckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass dem Zentriermodul ( 1 1 ) in Transportrichtung ( 1 6) vorgeschaltet ein Vorzentrier-Modul ( 1 0) zugeordnet ist, und dass das Vorzentrier-Modul ( 1 0) an der Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) oder an dem Zentriermodul ( 1 1 ) angebaut ist.6. Printing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the centering module (1 1) upstream in the transport direction (1 6) Pre-centering module (1 0) is assigned, and that the pre-centering module (1 0) is attached to the carrying device (1 5) or to the centering module (1 1).
7. Druckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass an der Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) oder an der elektrofoto-grafischen Einheit ( 1 2 a - d) ein Fixiermodul ( 1 3) ange-ordnet ist, das zur Vorfixierung oder zur endgültigen Fixierung, z. B. Einbrand oder Härten, des auf das Substrat aufgebrachten Toners dient.7. Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the support device (1 5) or on the electrophotographic unit (1 2 a - d) a fixing module (1 3) is arranged, which for pre-fixing or for final fixation, e.g. B. penetration or hardening, of the toner applied to the substrate.
8. Druckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Fixiermodul ( 1 3) Befestigungsteile aufweist, mittels denen es an die Schnittstellen der Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) anbaubar ist.8. Printing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing module (1 3) has fastening parts, by means of which it can be attached to the interfaces of the carrying device (1 5).
9. Druckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Anschluss an jede elektrofotografische Einheit ( 1 2 a - d) ein Fixiermodul (1 3) angeordnet ist.9. Printing device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that a fixing module (1 3) is arranged after each electrophotographic unit (1 2 a - d).
1 0. Druckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Bereich der Zielposition ein Auslaufmodul ( 1 4), beispielsweise eine Stapelvorrichtung an die Tragvorrichtung ( 1 5) angebaut ist. 1 0. Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an outlet module (1 4), for example a stacking device, is attached to the carrying device (1 5) in the region of the target position.
1 . Druckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 1 0, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Bereich Zielposition ein Auslaufmodul ( 1 4) zur Verkettung mit weiterverarbeitenden Fertigungseinrichtungen angeordnet ist.1 . Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 1 0, characterized in that an outlet module (1 4) is arranged in the target position area for linking with further processing manufacturing facilities.
2. Druckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 1 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede elektrofotografische Einheit ein Transfersystem ( 1 2.2) zur Übertragung des Toners auf das Substrat aufweist, und dass dem Transfersystem in Transportrichtung vorgeschaltet ein Primär- Lademittel ( 1 2.1 ) zugeordnet und in Transportrichtung nachgeschaltet ein Sekundär-Lademittel ( 1 2.3) zugeordnet ist.2. Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that each electrophotographic unit has a transfer system (1 2.2) for transferring the toner to the substrate, and that the transfer system upstream in the transport direction is assigned a primary charging means (1 2.1) and a secondary charging device (1 2.3) is assigned downstream in the transport direction.
3. Druckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 1 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur Bildung eines Vollfarb-Drucksystems an die Trag-vorrichtung ( 1 5) vier elektrofotografische Einheiten ( 1 2 a - d) angebaut sind, wobei in den einzelnen elektrofotografischen Einheiten gefärbte Toner, nämlich cyan-, magenta-, gelb- bzw. schwarzgefärbter Toner bevorratet ist.3. Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 1 2, characterized in that four electrophotographic units (1 2 a - d) are attached to the support device (1 5) to form a full-color printing system, wherein in the individual electrophotographic units colored toners, namely cyan, magenta, yellow or black colored toners.
4. Verwendung der Druckvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 1 2 zur Bedruckung flächiger, biegesteifer Substrate. 4. Use of the printing device according to one of claims 1 to 1 2 for printing on flat, rigid substrates.
EP01982403A 2000-10-20 2001-10-06 Electrophotographic printing device of modular construction Expired - Lifetime EP1328849B1 (en)

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DE10052371A DE10052371A1 (en) 2000-10-20 2000-10-20 Modular electrographic printer has bearer with holding positions in series with standard mechanical interfaces, electrophotographic units with fixing parts matching interfaces
DE10052371 2000-10-20
PCT/EP2001/011539 WO2002035293A1 (en) 2000-10-20 2001-10-06 Electrophotographic printing device of modular construction

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