EP2020299B1 - Measuring system and method for measuring the play of a cartridge pivoting unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The measuring arrangement has a stopper for a cartridge pivoting unit (12), which is actuated over a gear box (G) of an engine (124). The stopper for the cartridge pivoting unit is formed by a movable cleaning and sealing station (13). A meter (C) is provided for number of impulses. The number for the tolerance of gear box of the cartridge pivoting unit is represented and is counted with the leaving of the movable stopper. An independent claim is also included for a measuring method for determining a tolerance of a cartridge pivoting unit of an ink printing system.

Description

The invention relates to a measuring arrangement and a measuring method for determining the play of a cartridge pivot unit of an ink printing system according to the preamble of claims 1 and 12. The method is used to detect and compensate for age-related changes of the game or to judge whether a required accuracy when pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit can still be met in the printing position. The invention is used in printing devices with relative movement between an ink jet print head and the print material, in particular in franking and / or addressing machines or in other mail processing devices.

From the German utility model DE 200 12 946 U1 are already known pivotal movements of a print head.

From the German patent application DE 10062012 A1 already a receiving unit for at least one ink jet print head is known, which is arranged rotatably about an axis of rotation, which is parallel to the transport direction of mail items, and the motor driven and microprocessor-controlled optionally at least in a print position and a service position is pivotable. A service station at a sealing station is approached after prolonged printing breaks, including for free spraying.

In German utility model DE 20 2006 008952 U1 entitled "Arrangement for changing customer data of a franking device", a front view of the Centormail® franking machine and its electronics has already been partially shown.

In the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2005 052 150 A1 of the title: "Device for Cleaning an Inkjet Print Head", a swivel mechanism and its drive device for swiveling into a cleaning and sealing position were shown for the same postage meter machine.

From the European patent application EP 1782955 A1 For example, a method and apparatus for spattering an inkjet print head of an inkjet printing system is known wherein at least one ink cartridge equipped with a printhead is disposed in a receptacle unit, hereinafter referred to as a cartridge pivoting unit. This is driven by a drive step by step and is microprocessor-controlled optionally at least in a print position and in a spray-free position near the printing position pivotable. While it is possible that the cartridge pivoting unit is moved during the free-spraying, the printing position should be controlled as accurately as possible for the purpose of printing. The cartridge pivoting unit has an axis of rotation with a rotary encoder, with which the respectively achieved upon rotation of the axis position can be determined. The cartridge pivot unit can have too much play even with correctly adjusted rotary encoder, which in total can lead to failure of the machine.

European patent application EP1782954 A1 describes a cartridge pivoting unit including cleaning and sealing station according to claim 1.

The object of the invention is to provide a measuring arrangement for determining the play of a cartridge pivoting unit and a corresponding measuring method, wherein a check of the game is made easy and without the opening of the machine.

The object is achieved by a measuring arrangement for determining the play of a cartridge pivoting unit having the features of the arrangement according to claim 1 and an associated measuring method having the features of the method according to claim 11.

The measuring arrangement comprises a microcomputer, which is connected to a rotary motion sensor and to the first motor for driving it, for pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit. The first motor is micro-computer controlled with pulses of appropriate energy applied. The cartridge pivoting unit is pivoted in response to the supplied energy by means of a transmission which is arranged between the first motor and the cartridge pivoting unit. However, the movement of the cartridge pivoting unit does not conform to the drive by the first motor when a backlash of the transmission has yet to be overcome. When pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit to a mechanical stop, the game is completely pushed out. No movement is then detected via the rotary motion sensor, which provides measured values. The microcomputer is intended for the determination and evaluation of measured values. A microprocessor of the microcomputer is programmed by a program stored in the program memory of the microcomputer to reverse the direction of rotation of the first motor and thus the direction of movement of the cartridge pivoting unit at a first time, the first time being reached when the play of the transmission of the cartridge pivoting unit has been completely pushed out , The microcomputer acts on a counter for counting pulses with pulses from the first time and has a main memory for storing the digitized measured values determined in direct succession. For the evaluation of measured values, a digital comparator is used to compare the immediately successive digitized measured values, wherein the microprocessor of the microcomputer is programmed to stop the counter at a second time when the difference of the immediate adjacent digitized measurement values is greater than a threshold value or if the difference of the immediately adjacent digital measurement values increases or changes in successive measurements. The counter reading is saved as a game in the working memory.

A measuring method for determining the play of a cartridge pivoting unit is based on generating pulses which are acted on by the drive, driving of the cartridge pivoting unit and determination of measured values in accordance with a pivoting of the cartridge pivoting unit, which via a rotary motion sensor, in particular a rotary encoder , measured and generated by a transducer digital readings are fed to a microcomputer for their evaluation, the microprocessor, the direction of rotation of the first motor (stepping motor) and thus the direction of movement of the cartridge pivoting unit is reversed at a first time when the game of the transmission of the cartridge pivoting unit completely pushed out by resetting a count of a counter to the value zero at the first time and from the first time by counting pulses whose number of rotations of the motor shaft of he The motor (stepping motor) corresponds, by a storage of the directly consecutively determined digital measured values in the working memory, by a digital comparison of the immediately successive digitized measured values, wherein at a second time the counter is stopped and the count is stored as a game P in the working memory. The second time t ₂ is reached when at least one single change is detected, in which the difference Δ of the immediately adjacent digital measured values is greater than a threshold value D or if a repeated change of the difference Δ of the immediately adjacent digital measured values is detected in successive measurements becomes, with the difference Δ tends to increase.
In the measuring arrangement, an already existing rotary encoder and an existing microprocessor control are used to determine the clearance of the cartridge pivoting unit. The electrical useful angle of the rotary encoder is greater than the pivoting range. When assembling the ink printing system of a franking machine, the rotary encoder is adjusted so that approximately equal angular reserves lie at both ends of the pivoting range. The game of the cartridge pivot unit is the sum of all the games of the worm gear. For the cartridge pivoting unit there is a respective mechanical stop on a frame of the ink printing system both in a minimum position (printing position) and a maximum position (change position). If the measuring voltage which can be tapped on the rotary encoder does not change even though the first motor (stepping motor) is activated, then the cartridge pivoting unit has reached an extreme position, ie a fixed stop. The microprocessor controller may determine, from one of these extreme positions, a number of steps for a stepper motor to drive each position of the cartridge pivot unit in the pivoting range. Nevertheless, the invention is based on a movable stop, which is formed by a cleaning and sealing station (RDS). First, the cartridge pivot unit is pivoted toward the change position and then the RDS moved to the sealing position, so that the then pivoted into the sealing position cartridge pivoting unit ultimately rests on the RDS and is pressed by gravity to them. By further steps of the stepping motor, the play of the worm gear is completely pushed out. If the drive-coupled worm and a worm wheel (segment) driven thereby are then rotated step by step in the opposite direction, the play of the worm gear must first be overcome before the cartridge winder unit really moves away from the RDS. The clearance results from the number of necessary steps of the first motor (stepping motor) for moving the cartridge pivoting unit.

The invention has the advantage that the time duration of pivoting of the cartridge pivoting unit with the at least one ink jet print head from the change position to the sealing position for striking the RDS and back to the change position is short compared to pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit to the fixed stop in the print position. The cartridge pivoting unit is kept in the sealing position by its own weight, while the drive direction of the transmission is reversed. Until the cartridge pivot unit moves and is pivoted back into the change position, its play is advantageously determined very accurately. The accuracy of pivoting in the printing position is increased by considering the game so far, so that a solid Stop in printing position on the frame of the ink printing system for preventing overrun of the printing position could even be omitted.

Figur 1,

Darstellung der Positionen des Drehwinkels,

Figur 2,

perspektivische Ansicht einer Frankiermaschine des Typs Centormail® von hinten,

Figur 3,

Blockschaltbild einer Messanordnung mit Mikrorechner,

Figur 4,

Darstellung der Funktion des Mikrorechners,

Figur 5,

Darstellung des Tintendrucksystems mit Seitenansicht von links hinten oben auf eine in eine Druckposition geschwenkte Kartuschenschwenkeinheit,

Figur 6,

Darstellung des Tintendrucksystems mit Seitenansicht von links hinten oben auf eine in die Dichtposition geschwenkte Kartuschenschwenkeinheit,

Figur 7,

Flussplan zum Messablauf.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. Show it:

FIG. 1,

Representation of the positions of the angle of rotation,

FIG. 2,

Perspective view of a Centormail® franking machine from behind,

FIG. 3,

Block diagram of a measuring arrangement with microcomputer,

FIG. 4,

Representation of the function of the microcomputer,

FIG. 5,

Representation of the ink printing system with side view from the left rear top of a pivoted in a printing position cartridge pivot unit,

FIG. 6,

Representation of the ink pressure system with side view from top left rear on a pivoted in the sealing position cartridge pivot unit,

FIG. 7,

Flowchart for the measurement process.

The FIG. 1 shows a representation of the positions of the rotation angle of a cartridge pivot unit. In Centormail® franking machines, at least one inkjet print head of a cartridge can be moved to the desired position by means of the cartridge pivoting unit. The cartridge pivoting unit can be used in the FIG. 1 take positions shown and has a swivel range of 85.3 °. A print position corresponds to an angle of zero degrees, a free spray position in the vicinity of the print position corresponds to an angle of 25.3 ° and a sealing position corresponds to an angle of 80 ° and a change position corresponds to an angle of 85.3 °. The cartridge pivot unit is connected by means not shown, preferably by means of a stepper motor a worm drive moves. At the two limits of the aforementioned angular range of 85.3 ° is ever a reserve angle range. If a known rotary encoder is used to determine the clearance of the cartridge pivoting unit, which comprises an electrical useful angle of 95 °, the approximately equal angular reserves 4.85 ° ∓ 4 ° at both ends of the pivoting range of 85.3 °.

In the FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a franking machine of the type Centormail® from the left rear top, presented with the rear wall of the housing. An invisible chassis carries a new ink printing system 1 and a known transport device comparable to the Jetmail® franking machine. The ink pressure system consists (not visible) of an RDS 10 movably arranged in the frame below and from the above pivotally mounted cartridge pivoting unit 12, which is driven by a worm gear by a first motor. The process of RDS is carried out by means of a second motor (not visible). The transport device is not visibly driven by a third motor arranged on the mail exit side 2 of the postage meter machine near the bottom. The cartridge pivoting unit 12 is in FIG. 2 shown in a sealing position, wherein the at least one ink jet print head is positioned opposite the RDS. The frame 10 is positively secured to the chassis so that a parallelism between the transport direction and the print lines to be printed on a mail piece is achieved. In the frame 10, the cartridge pivoting unit 12, which is equipped with at least one ink jet print head, is arranged pivotably behind a guide plate 22, which has a pressure window (not visible). When the cartridge pivot unit 12 is pivoted to a print position, the at least one ink print head is positioned in the print window. A squeeze-out position is located so close to the print position that the time it takes to move the cartridge swivel unit 12 with the at least one ink print head to the squeeze position and back to the print position, respectively, is much shorter. The German patent application DE 10 2005 052 150 A1 bearing the title "Apparatus for cleaning an ink jet print head", further details are available. As rotary motion sensor is a rotary encoder 125 is used, which outputs an analog partial voltage corresponding to the set rotation angle at the tap. On the mailing side of the franking machine, a main circuit board with a microprocessor control is arranged under a cover 31. The franking machine is provided with a Plexiglas plate 25 for contact protection and with a guide plate 22 for mailpieces which are inclined beyond the vertical, so that the mailpieces abut the guide plate 22. On the other side of the Plexiglas plate 25, the keyboard 4 and display device 5 are arranged as a user interface, which are connected to the microprocessor control in a known manner. The microprocessor control of the franking machine can now also be used after a corresponding input via user interface to support a service technician or another authorized person to make a review of the game of the cartridge pivoting unit easily and without opening the machine. The digital measured values, a threshold value, the count of the counter or the game P can be queried and output as required via the user interface 4, 5.

It is envisaged that a microprocessor of a microcomputer is programmed by a program stored in the program memory of the microcomputer for driving the first motor to drive the cartridge pivot unit (12) via the first motor via a gearbox for driving the second motor to drive the cleaning - And sealing station (RDS), which is moved to the sealing position, wherein the cartridge pivoting unit (12) is pivoted from a change position to a sealing position and as a result of further pivoting abuts the cleaning and sealing station (RDS) and is pressed , A check of the play of the cartridge pivot unit begins with its pivoting away from the sealing position into the change position at a first time and ends at a second time when the Change of the representative for the game measured values again complies with the pulses, which are measured on the input side of the transmission or in accordance with step pulses by means of which the first motor is driven, the latter being a stepper motor.

1. a) die vom Schrittmotor 124 angetriebene Schnecke 1231 nicht korrekt montiert wurde oder
2. b) die vom Schrittmotor 124 angetriebene Schnecke sich während des Betriebes des Tintendrucksystems der Frankiermaschine lockert.

In the FIG. 3 a block diagram of a measuring arrangement with microcomputer for determining the game of a cartridge pivot unit is shown. A rotary motion sensor S1 is a rotary encoder 125. An operating voltage U _B is applied to the rotary encoder 125, which forms a voltage divider with the total resistance of 4 kΩ ∓ 20% with the partial resistors R1, R2. By rotating about the axis 121 during pivoting of the cartridge pivoting unit 12, the center tap of the voltage divider is adjusted and via the partial resistance R2 drops a variable analog partial voltage U2 = U _B · R2 / (R1 + R2). The measurable partial voltage U2 of the cartridge pivoting unit pivoted in the printing position is minimal and the measurable partial voltage U2 of the cartridge pivoting unit pivoted in the change position is maximum. The rotary encoder 125 is, for example, an absolute position encoder of the type PMR 403 or PMR411 of the TWK-Elektronik GmbH, which is connected with its yellow connecting cable with operating voltage and with its green connecting cable to ground potential. The analog partial voltage U2 at the center tap (red) of the voltage divider is converted by an analog / digital converter 32 into a digital data value X2, which is processed or stored digitally. The analog / digital converter 32 is on the output side connected to the digital inputs of a microcontroller (μC) 33. The analog / digital converter 32 and the microcomputer (microcontroller) 33 are part of the microprocessor control, which is used to determine the game of the cartridge pivoting unit. The microcontroller also has a program and data memory. At the microcontroller (μC) 33, a plurality of sensors and actuators are connected.
On the output side of the microcontroller, a first motor M1 (124) for driving the cartridge pivoting unit, a second motor M2 (1315) for driving the RDS 13 and a third motor - not required for the measurement connected to drive a mailpiece transport device (not shown). The first motor M1 (124) with its motor shaft with the shaft 1230 of a worm gear 123 is positively connected or mechanically identical. The shaft 1230 carries a worm 1231 and is mounted on both sides of the worm 1231 each in a ball bearing 1232 and 1233, which are afflicted with a game A about 50 to 1000 microns.
In the screw engages a toothing of a worm wheel or a worm wheel 1234, which is rotatably mounted about an axis 121. Both the attachment, as well as the teeth can have a clearance B about 50 to 300 microns when engaging in the screw. The rotatably mounted on the axis 121 cartridge pivot unit is mechanically non-positively connected to a wiper lever of the rotary encoder 125. As soon as the cartridge pivoting unit is rotated about the axis 121, the rotary encoder 125 outputs at its center tap a measuring voltage U2 that is generally changed. Exceptions, ie the non-changes, are present when the extreme positions and the sealing position are reached. When moving the cartridge pivoting unit by the first motor M1 (stepper motor) occurs depending on the position of a certain game P on. That is, the stepper motor moves a few steps before the split voltage on the rotary encoder 125 changes and the resulting digital value changes. The game can be very big, though

1. a) the worm 1231 driven by the stepper motor 124 has not been mounted correctly or
2. b) the worm driven by the stepper motor 124 loosens during operation of the postage printing system of the postage meter.

1. a) Um einen Abdruck zu erhalten, der den Anforderungen der Postbehörden entspricht, ist es erforderlich die Kartuschenschwenkeinheit mit einer Genauigkeit von ± 1° in die Druckposition zu bewegen und zu halten. Zum Erreichen einer bestimmten Position der Kartuschenschwenkeinheit muss der Schrittmotor eine genau bestimmbare Anzahl von Schritten zurücklegen, vorausgesetzt es ist kein Spiel vorhanden. Da jedoch immer ein Spiel auftritt, ist es erforderlich, dieses Spiel zu kennen, um die oben genannte Genauigkeit zu erreichen oder zumindest beurteilen zu können, ob diese Genauigkeit beim untersuchten Tintendrucksystem erreichbar ist.
2. b) Es kann vorkommen, dass das Getriebe schwergängig ist oder im Laufe der Zeit schwergängig wird. In diesem Fall könnte die Kartuschenschwenkeinheit mit einer vorbestimmten Schrittzahl die gewünschte Position nicht erreichen. Um beurteilen zu können, ob das Getriebe qualitativ schlecht ist oder ob ein Spiel vorliegt, ist es notwendig, das Spiel zu kennen.

On the one hand, a clearance A of the worm occurs in the axial direction. On the other hand, there is a clearance B between the worm and the worm wheel. For the following reasons, it is necessary to know the game of the cartridge pivot unit:

1. (a) In order to obtain an impression meeting the requirements of the postal authorities, it is necessary to move and hold the cartridge swivel unit to the printing position with an accuracy of ± 1 °. To reach a certain position of Cartridge pivot unit, the stepper motor must cover an exactly determinable number of steps, provided there is no clearance. However, since a game always occurs, it is necessary to know this game in order to achieve the above accuracy, or at least to judge whether that accuracy is achievable in the ink printing system under investigation.
2. b) It may happen that the transmission is stiff or becomes stiff over time. In this case, the cartridge pivoting unit could not reach the desired position with a predetermined number of steps. In order to be able to judge whether the gear is qualitatively bad or whether there is a game, it is necessary to know the game.

Advantageously eliminates the need to capture the rotation of the motor shaft by an encoder E on the input side by the use of a stepping motor 124 on the transmission. The optional encoder and its connecting cables are therefore drawn as a dash-dot-dot line. The analog / digital converter 32 may alternatively also be an internal component of the microcomputer 33

• Eine erste Änderung ist kleiner, als eine nachfolgendende zweite Änderung der Differenz Δ.
• Eine erste Änderung ist gleich einer nachfolgendenden zweiten Änderung der Differenz Δ aber kleiner, als eine nachfolgende dritte Änderung der Differenz Δ.
• Eine erste Änderung ist größer, als eine nachfolgendende zweite Änderung der Differenz Δ aber kleiner, als eine nachfolgende dritte Änderung der Differenz Δ.
• Eine erste Änderung ist größer oder gleich einer nachfolgenden zweite Änderung der Differenz Δ aber kleiner, als irgendeine der nachfolgenden weiteren Änderungen der Differenz Δ.
  Aus der Figur 4 geht eine Darstellung der Funktion des Mikrorechners beim Ermitteln des Spiels der Kartuschenschwenkeinheit hervor, während die Kartuschenschwenkeinheit von der RDS weg in Richtung Druckposition bewegt wird. Die übrige Arbeitsweise des Mikrorechners vor und nach dieser Funktion wird später noch erläutert. Der Mikrorechner 33 besteht mindestens aus einem Programmspeicher (FLASH) 332, einem Arbeitsspeicher (RAM) 333 und einer Ein-/Ausgabeschaltung 334, welche über einen BUS 331 mit einem Mikroprozessor (µP) 335 verbunden sind. Ein Anfangswert bzw. ein zu einem vorherigen Zeitpunkt gemessener Digitalwert X2_n-1 wird auf einem ersten vorbestimmten Speicherplatz im Arbeitsspeicher (RAM) 333 gespeichert. Der Mikroprozessor (µP) 335 ist durch ein im Programm-speicher (FLASH) 332 gespeichertes Programm 300 programmiert, im Schritt 301 einen soeben gemessenen Digitalwert X2_n auf einem zweiten vorbestimmten Speicherplatz im Arbeitsspeicher (RAM) 333 zu speichern. Das Spiel ist herausgedrückt, wenn sich beide Digitalwerte X2_n und X2_n-1 nur minimal unterscheiden bzw. bei einer gegen Null gehenden Differenz X2_n - X2_n-1 = Δ → 0. Im Mikroprozessor (µP) 335 ist hard- und/oder softwaremäßig ein digitaler Vergleicher V realisiert, dessen Funktion durch einen ersten Vergleichsschritt 302 und einen ersten Abfrageschritt 303 verdeutlicht wird, wobei durch letzteren abgefragt wird, ob durch die Differenz Δ eine wählbar vorgegebene Vergleichsgröße D (Schwellwert) schon erreicht oder überschritten ist. Ist die wählbar vorgegebene Vergleichsgröße D durch die Differenz Δ noch nicht überschritten, dann wird zum zweiten Abfrageschritt 305 verzweigt und abgefragt, ob ein nächster Schrittimpuls für den ersten Schrittmotor M1 schon ausgegeben worden ist. Falls das nicht der Fall ist, dann wird zum Beginn des ersten Vergleichsschritts 302 zurückverzweigt. Wurde aber zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt t₁ die Drehrichtung der Schnecke umgekehrt und auch ein nächster Schrittimpuls für den ersten Schrittmotor (M1) 124 schon ausgegeben, dann wird ein Zähler veranlaßt, seinen Zählwert Z um Eins zu inkrementieren, d.h. um einen Schritt weiter zu zählen. Der Zähler ist hardmäßig und/oder softwaremäßig als Zählersoftwaremodul realisiert und dessen Inkrementier-Funktion Z : = Z + 1 ist aus einem Nachfolgeschritt 306 ersichtlich. Anschließend werden Indizes geändert, da der aktuelle Messwert bzw. Digitalwert zum neuen Vorgänger wird, d.h. die Zuordnung zu den Speicherplätzen wird verschoben, was aus dem Schritt 307 hervorgeht. Alternativ wird ein Schieberegister realisiert und betrieben. Im nachfolgenden Schritt 308 wird vom Mikroprozessor ein Befehl an die Ausgabeeinheit ausgegeben, eine nachfolgende neue U2_n Analogwertmessung durchzuführen. Der Mikroprozessor 335 ist nun wieder zum ersten Schritt 301 gelangt und bereit, einen gemessenen und mittels A/D-Wandler digitalen weiteren Messwert X2_n im RAM 333 zu speichern.
  Ist aber die wählbar vorgegebene Vergleichsgröße D durch die Differenz Δ überschritten, dann wird vom ersten Abfrageschritt 302 zum Schritt 304 zwecks Speichern des Spiels P = Z im RAM 333 verzweigt. Über die Ein-/Ausgabeeinheit 334 kann der Wert des Spiels P = Z bei Bedarf zwecks Anzeige ausgegeben werden. Wenn das Kriterium im ersten Abfrageschritt 302 erfüllt wird, bedeutet dies, dass das Spiel P überwunden wurde und dass die Änderung der Messwerte X2 wieder konform mit den Schrittimpulsen erfolgt.

The measuring arrangement 30 according to FIG. 3 also shows an RDS. A second sensor S2 (1316) for a reference point adjustment of the RDS is on the input side and a second motor M2 (1315) is connected on the output side to the microcontroller (μC) 33. The second motor M2 (1315) has, for example, a spindle gear to adjust the RDS 13, which slides with a movable carriage 137 in the slots of the wall panel to first reach a changing position by a swiveled by 85.3 ° cartridge pivot unit 12. By the RDS in the rest position, the second sensor S2 (1316) is operated for a reference point adjustment. The cartridge pivot unit can remain in the change position at the same time. Both the cartridge pivot unit and the RDS are moved to the sealing position so that the cartridge pivoting unit strikes and is pressed against the RDS. While the play of the screw, depending on the mobility of the screws in their bearings, is completely pushed out, the microcontroller counts the Steps which the first motor M1 (stepper motor 124) executes when it is driven. The digitized measured values X2 are fed via the rotary encoder 125 and the anolog / digital converter 32 to the microcontroller 33 for the purpose of storage. Any change in the measured digital value X2 is also registered. A first time t ₁ (start time) is reached when the difference Δ of the immediately adjacent measured values becomes minimal. For example, the difference Δ of the immediately adjacent measured values X2 _n -X2 _n-1 becomes zero. Then, the worm is rotated by the stepper motor (M1) 124 stepwise in the opposite direction, ie, the cartridge pivot unit 12 is moved away from the RDS 13. Before the cartridge pivot unit really moves, the game must first be overcome again. From the number of steps necessary before the cartridge swing unit moves and the ADC value X2 _n changes, the clearance P = A + B of the cartridge swing unit can be detected. A second time t ₂ (stop time) is reached when the game P has been overcome, ie when the ADC value X2 _n changes significantly again compared to the immediately adjacent predecessor value X2 _n-1 . The second time t ₂ is reached when at least one single change is detected, in which the difference Δ of the immediately adjacent digital measured values is greater than a threshold value D or if a repeated change of the difference Δ of the immediately adjacent digital measured values is detected in successive measurements becomes, with the difference Δ (tends to increase). An empirically determined threshold value D can be specified to determine whether the game has been overcome. A repeated change of the difference Δ comprises the following cases:

• A first change is smaller than a subsequent second change in the difference Δ.
• A first change is equal to a subsequent second change of the difference Δ but smaller than a subsequent third change of the difference Δ.
• A first change is greater than a subsequent second change of the difference Δ but smaller than a subsequent third change of the difference Δ.
• A first change is greater than or equal to a subsequent second change in the difference Δ but smaller than any of the subsequent further changes in the difference Δ.
  From the FIG. 4 An illustration of the function of the microcomputer in determining the play of the cartridge pivot unit emerges as the cartridge pivot unit is moved away from the RDS toward the print position. The remaining operation of the microcomputer before and after this function will be explained later. The microcomputer 33 comprises at least one program memory (FLASH) 332, a random access memory (RAM) 333 and an input / output circuit 334 which are connected to a microprocessor (μP) 335 via a bus 331. An initial value or a digital value X2 _n-1 measured at a previous time is stored in a first predetermined memory location (RAM) 333. The microprocessor (μP) 335 is programmed by a program 300 stored in the program memory (FLASH) 332 to store in step 301 a just measured digital value X2 _n at a second predetermined memory location in the random access memory (RAM) 333. The game is pushed out if the two digital values X2 _n and X2 _n-1 differ only minimally or if there is a difference approaching zero, X2 _n -X2 _n-1 = Δ →0. In the microprocessor (μP) 335, hard- and / or or realized by software, a digital comparator V whose function is illustrated by a first comparison step 302 and a first query step 303, which is queried by the latter, whether by the difference Δ a selectable predetermined comparison value D (threshold) is already reached or exceeded. If the selectable predefined comparison variable D has not yet been exceeded by the difference Δ, then branching is made to the second interrogation step 305 and a query is made as to whether a next step pulse for the first stepping motor M1 has already been issued. If this is not the case, then branching back to the beginning of the first comparison step 302. But was at a first time the direction of rotation of the screw t ₁ is reversed and also a next step pulse of the first stepping motor (M1) 124 already issued, then a counter is caused to increment its count value Z by one, that is to say one step to count further , The counter is realized in hardware and / or software as a counter software module and its incrementing function Z: = Z + 1 can be seen from a subsequent step 306. Subsequently, indices are changed since the current measured value or digital value becomes the new predecessor, ie the allocation to the memory locations is shifted, which results from step 307. Alternatively, a shift register is realized and operated. In subsequent step 308, a command is issued to the output unit by the microprocessor to perform a subsequent new U2 _n analog value measurement. The microprocessor 335 has now returned to the first step 301 and ready to store a measured and by means of A / D converter digital further measured value X2 _n in the RAM 333.
  However, if the selectable predefined comparison variable D is exceeded by the difference Δ, then the first query step 302 branches to step 304 in order to store the clearance P = Z in the RAM 333. Through the input / output unit 334, the value of the game P = Z can be output as needed for display. If the criterion is met in the first interrogation step 302, this means that the game P has been overcome and that the change in the measured values X2 is again in conformity with the step pulses.

In Fig. 5 Fig. 12 is an illustration of the ink printing system with side view from the rear left upper side of a cartridge pivoting unit with the ink jet print heads of both cartridges positioned in the printing position. A first wall plate of the frame 10 has been omitted for the sake of better illustration of the details. The ink pressure system 1 has a pivotable in the frame 10 cartridge pivoting unit 12, which carries at least one ink cartridge I, II with ink jet print head 11. For adjusting the cartridge pivoting unit 12, at least a first motor 124 and for feedback, a rotary encoder 125 is connected to a microprocessor control (not shown). To set the different functional positions between the second and third wall plate 102, 103 of the frame 10 per a gear for the cartridge pivoting unit 12 and for the cleaning and sealing device 13 are provided in a known manner. In the example, a worm gear of the cartridge pivot unit 12 is driven by a stepper motor 124.
On the second wall plate 102 of the frame 10, an adjustable stop 127 is shown in the form of a festschraubbaren bolt.
At this stop abuts arranged on the hidden side of the base edge 128 of the cartridge pivoting unit 12, when the latter in the other - not shown - extreme position, ie the change position, is pivoted. A worm wheel segment 1234 of the worm gear (not visible), which is arranged between the second wall plate 102 and the third wall plate 103, is fastened on an end of a shaft of the cartridge pivoting unit rotatable about the rotation axis 121. In an opening near the center of the second wall plate 102, the first stepping motor 124 is arranged to drive the worm gear.
On the first wall plate (not shown) and on the second wall plate 102, a baffle plate 132 is rotatably attached by means of pivots 1321 and 1327, which is used when the cartridge pivoting unit 12 is pivoted into a spray-free position by 25.3 °. On the cartridge pivoting unit 12, a wheel 122 is rotatably mounted and on a side rocker of the baffle plate 132 is a leading edge 1323 is formed. The baffle plate 132 is connected to the frame 10 via a tension spring 1322, which biases the baffle plate 132, whereby the wheel 122 frictionally rests against the leading edge 1323. On the baffle plate 132, a fixing pin 13221 is mounted, which is connected to one end of the tension spring 1322. The wheel 122, the leading edge 1323 and the tension spring 1322 form a slotted guide for the Baffle plate 132. Preferably, the leading edge 1323 is formed on the left side rocker of the baffle plate 132. As a result of the movement of the cartridge pivoting unit 12, the at least one inkjet print head is pivoted into the printing position and the baffle plate 132 is lowered. This occurs against the action of the tension spring 1322, with the mounted on the cartridge pivot unit 12 wheel 122 is engaged with a leading edge 1323 of the left side rocker of the baffle plate 132 and the free-swinging end of the rocker is moved until the mounting pin 13221 to an upper stop in reaches a slot. An insert 1331 is provided below the cleaning and sealing device (RDS) 13 for receiving a web 13311.

In Fig. 6 Fig. 12 is an illustration of the ink pressure system with side view from the rear left upper side of a cartridge pivot unit with the ink print heads of both cartridges positioned in the sealing position. Between the first and second wall plate 102 of the frame and between the second and third wall plate 103 of the frame rear spacers 106, 104 are arranged. The first wall panel was also omitted here for the sake of better representation of the details. The cartridge pivoting unit 12 is arranged between the first and second wall plate 102 of the frame and pivotable about the rotation axis 121. The latter lies above the rear spacers 104, 106 and near and above the (concealed) front spacers. It is provided that the cleaning and sealing device 13 and a correspondingly adapted baffle plate 132 are arranged below the cartridge pivoting unit 12. The cleaning and sealing device 13 is arranged vertically adjustable in the frame. Serve in particular between the rear end of the ink sump 133 and the aforementioned front spacers oblique longitudinal holes in the first and second wall panel 102 and an obliquely upward from the frame back bottom up to the middle of the wall panels of the frame movable carriage 137. The baffle plate 132 is due to over the Zugstifft 13221 acting tension spring 1322 is rotated about the pivot 1321, 1327 and takes again a same position as in the free-spray position. An ink sump 133 below the cleaning and sealing device 13 is designed as a slot. For pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit 12 from the changing position / (printing position) to the sealing position at the sealing station, a shorter / (longer) period of time is required relative to pivoting from the printing position to the squeezing position on the baffle.

In the FIG. 7 a flowchart for the measuring procedure is shown. The measuring procedure 400 assumes that a corresponding program is stored in a program memory of the microcontroller. After the start 401 of the franking machine, a user input (not shown) takes place.
The authorized operator sets a service mode 402 within which further inputs are possible. In further steps 403 to 407, not shown, and in the step 408 shown, a query is made as to which setting was selected by the user. For example, a service technician set a setting in service mode 402 to determine the clearance of the cartridge pivot unit. In the first query step 408, the latter setting is queried and the subsequent step 409 is entered if it is desired to determine the clearance of the cartridge pivoting unit. If, however, the latter is not desired, the service mode 402 branches back. In the first step 409 after the first interrogation, a first number of step pulses is output to the stepping motor (M1) for pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit into the interchangeable position. In the following second step 410, a second number of step pulses is output to the second stepping motor (M2) for moving the RDS from a rest position to the sealing position. In the following third step 411, a third number of step pulses is provided to the first stepping motor (M1) for pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit 12 from the change position to the sealing position. In the following fourth step 412, a step pulse is output to the first stepping motor (M1). In the fifth step 413, clock-controlled U2 measurements are carried out by means of the rotary encoder, an A / D conversion of the analog U2 measured values into digital measured values X2 and storage of the digital measured values X2 into a main memory. The latter also serves as a data store for data from other measurements and parameters of the ink printing system. The microcontroller may make calculations or comparisons with the stored data to determine whether a change in the measurements X2 is compliant with the step pulses, which is queried in the second interrogation step 414. If the change in the measured values X2 is compliant, then branching back to the fourth step 412 to output a step pulse and then continue the measurement. Alternatively, a circuit can also be realized in the microcontroller in order to carry out the aforementioned comparisons.
When the pivoting device rests on the RDS and is pressed against it, the play of the worm gear is completely pushed out. As a result, there is no longer any change in the measured values X2, although stepping pulses are still output by the microcontroller. Then there is no change in the measured values X2 compliant with the step pulses. If found in the second interrogation step 414, branching is made to the sixth step 415 to complete direction reversal and provide a fourth number of step pulses to the first stepper motor 124 to pivot the cartridge pivot unit out of the sealing position. In this case, a worm wheel (segment) of the worm gear is then gradually rotated in the opposite direction, thus moving the cartridge pivoting unit away from the RDS. In the sixth step 415, the count value Z: = 0 of a counter C is also reset to the value zero. In the seventh step 416, a step pulse is output to the first stepper motor 124 and the counter value of the counter C is incremented by the value 'one'. In the following eighth step 417, further U2 measurements are carried out by means of the rotary encoder 125, an A / D conversion and storage of the digital measured values. The U2 measurements by means of the rotary encoder 125, the A / D conversion and the storage of the digital measurement values X2 are continued until it is determined in a third interrogation step 418 that the change in the measured values X2 is again in conformity with the step pulses at this time Counted fourth number Z of step pulses to the first stepping motor 124 results in the game P, which is stored in the subsequent ninth step 419. But if it is determined in the third interrogation step 418 that the change in the measured values X2 is not in conformity with the step pulses, then the beginning of the seventh step 416 is branched back to output a further step pulse and to increment the count value Z. After storing and displaying the game P in the ninth step 419, a stop step 420 for the routine 400 is reached. In a manner not shown, however, further steps can be carried out before a stop in order to continue the cartridge pivoting unit until it reaches the change position.

The invention is not limited to a present embodiment with a worm gear 123. Any other suitable transmission G can also be used.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment with a stepper motor. As a first motor M1 could just as well a DC motor can be used, which is driven with pulse duration modulated DC pulses. On the drive shaft 1230 of the DC motor, an encoder E is mounted with an encoder disc and associated light barrier, which emits a number of pulses in their rotation, which can be counted by the microcomputer to determine the rotation of the motor drive shaft 1230 on the input side of the gear G. The rotary motion sensor S1 can analogously measure a rotational movement on the output side of the transmission G and supply it to a converter which generates digital measured values. However, the converter is not required if a digital rotary motion sensor, for example, an encoder is used here to generate digitally countable pulses.

Thus, obviously other other embodiments of the invention can be developed or used for other types of drive motors, which are based on the same basic idea of the invention and are covered by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A combination of a cartridge pivoting unit (12) of an ink-jet printing system with at least one stop for the cartridge pivoting unit (12), with a first motor (M1) driving the cartridge pivoting unit (12) via a gear (G), with a measuring arrangement for determining a play of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) having a motion sensor for detecting a movement of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) when leaving the stop, wherein the first motor (M1) receives pulses of corresponding energy and wherein the cartridge pivoting unit (12) only moves when the play (P) of the gear (G) has been overcome, wherein the stop for the cartridge pivoting unit (12) is formed by a movable cleaning and sealing station (13) and that a counter (C) is provided for counting a number of pulses, wherein said number is representative of the play (P) of the gear (G) of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) and corresponds to the number of rotary movements of the first motor (M1), wherein the play results from the rotary movements of the first motor (M1) required for moving the cartridge pivoting unit, wherein the motion sensor is a rotary motion sensor (S1) and every measured value is converted into a digitized measuring value, wherein the measuring arrangement is provided with a microcomputer (33) for the determination and analysis of measuring values that is programmed by a program stored in the program memory to inverse the direction of rotation of the first motor (M1) and thereby the direction of movement of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) at a first point of time t₁, wherein said first point of time t₁ is reached when the play of the gear of the cartridge pivoting unit has been completely pressed out by pivoting the cartridge pivoting unit against the stop, wherein the counter (C) is realized in the microcomputer (33) that feeds the counter (C) for counting pulses with pulses from the first point of time t₁ and has a main memory (333) for storing the digitized measuring values (X2_n-1, X2_n) determined in direct succession and a digital comparator (V) for analysing measuring values is realized in the microcomputer that performs a comparison (X2_n - X2_n-1 = Δ) of the directly successive digitized measuring values (X2_n-1, X2_n), wherein the microcomputer is programmed to stop the counter at a second point of time t₂ when the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digitized measuring values is bigger than a threshold value (D) or when the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digitized measuring values increases or changes in successive measurements.
2. A combination according to Claim 1, characterized in that the microcomputer (33) is connected with the first motor (M1) for controlling it and with the rotary motion sensor (S1) for analysing measuring values, microcomputer (33) being provided for generating pulses as well as for determining and analysing measuring values, that a microprocessor (335) of the microcomputer (33) is programmed by a program stored in the program memory (332) of the microcomputer (33) to completely press out the play of the gear (G) of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) (p. 11 on the bottom), to inverse the direction of rotation of the first motor (M1) at a first point of time t₁, to reset the counter (C) to a counter value Z : = 0 at the first point of time t₁ and to stop at a counter count (Z) at the second point of time t₂, wherein the counter count (Z) is stored as play (P) in the main memory (333).
3. A combination according to Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first motor (M1) is a stepping motor (124) and that the pulses counted by the counter are step pulses of the stepping motor (124), that the microcomputer (33) counts the steps that the stepping motor (124) makes when it is triggered, that the rotary motion sensor (S1) is a rotational angle sensor (125) that delivers an analogue partial voltage (U2) at a tap corresponding to the set rotational angle, that the measuring values (X2) measured by the rotational angle sensor (125) and then digitized by an analogue-digital converter (32) are fed to the microcomputer (33) for storage, every change of the measured digital value (X2) being registered, and that the first point of time t₁ is reached when the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digital measuring values becomes minimal or zero.
4. A combination according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the analogue-digital converter is an internal component of the microcomputer (33).
5. A combination according to Claim 2, characterized in that the microprocessor (335) of the microcomputer (33) is programmed by a program stored in the program memory (332) of the microcomputer (33) to trigger the first motor (M1) for driving the cartridge pivoting unit (12) by means of the first motor (M1) via the gear (G), to trigger a second motor (M2) for driving the cleaning and sealing station (13) that is moved to the sealing position, wherein the cartridge pivoting unit (12) is swung from a changing position into a sealing position and, as a result of being further swung, strikes against the cleaning and sealing station (13) and is pressed against it.
6. A combination according to Claim 1, characterized in that the counter (C) and the digital comparator (V) of the microcomputer (33) are realized by means of hardware and/or software.
7. A combination according to Claim 1, characterized in that the threshold value (D) is empirically determined as a criterion.
8. A combination according to Claim 1, characterized in that the gear (G) is a worm gear (123).
9. A combination according to any of the Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, by the microcomputer (33), a change of the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digital measuring values in successive measurements or an exceeding of the threshold value (D) by the difference (Δ) is determined as a criterion so that the change of the measuring values (X2) again is in conformity with the pulses measured on the input side of the gear (G) and with the step pulses by means of which the stepping motor (124) is triggered.
10. A combination according to Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first motor (M1) is a direct-current motor and that an encoder (E) is arranged on its motor shaft for detecting pulses that are measured and counted on the input side of the gear (G).
11. A measuring method for determining a play of a cartridge pivoting unit (12) of an ink-jet printing system, with a generation of pulses and a respective driving of the cartridge pivoting unit (12), with a determination of a movement of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) by means of a first motion sensor, wherein the cartridge pivoting unit (12) is driven by a first motor (M1) with a first direction of rotation via a gear (G) up to a stopping of the cartridge pivoting unit (12); wherein the cartridge pivoting unit (12), when leaving the stop, will only move when a play (P) of the gear (G) has been overcome; wherein, before a striking of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) against it, a cleaning and sealing station (13) is moved from a rest position into a sealing position, wherein the cartridge pivoting unit (12) is swung from a position for changing ink cartridges into a sealing position for at least one ink-jet print head until it strikes against the cleaning and sealing station (13) and is pressed against it, the cleaning and sealing station (13) forming a movable stop; wherein measuring values are determined, the motion sensor being a rotary motion sensor (S1), wherein the digital measuring values generated from the values measured by a rotary motion sensor (S1) are fed to a microcomputer (33) for their analysis; wherein the direction of rotation of the first motor (M1) is changed at a first point of time t₁ and the movable stop is left by a moving away of the cartridge pivoting unit (12), wherein a number of pulses is counted by means of a counter (C) from the first point of time t₁ until a second point of time t₂ that is reached when the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digitized measuring values is bigger than a threshold value (D) or when the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digitized measuring values increases or changes in successive measurements, wherein the first point of time t₁ is reached when the play of the gear of the cartridge pivoting unit has been completely pressed out by swinging the cartridge pivoting unit against the stop, wherein the number is representative of the play (P) of the gear (G) of the cartridge pivoting unit (12) and corresponds to the number of rotational movements of the motor shaft of the first motor (M1), wherein the play results from the number of the rotary movements of the first motor (M1) required for moving the cartridge pivoting unit.
12. A measuring method according to Claim 11, characterized in that a microprocessor of the microcomputer (33) inverts the direction of rotation of the first motor (M1) and thereby the direction of movement of the cartridge pivoting unit at a first point of time t₁ when the play of the gear of the cartridge pivoting unit has been completely pressed out, that there occurs a reset of a counter value (Z : = 0) of a counter (C) at a first point of time t₁ and a counting of pulses from a first point of time t₁ on, the number of which corresponds to the rotary movement of the motor shaft of the first motor, that the digital measuring values determined in direct succession (X2_n-1, X2_n) are stored in the main memory, the directly successive digitized measuring values are compared (Δ = X2_n - X2_n-1) and the counter count (Z) is stopped at a second point of time t₂ and stored as play (P) in the main memory.
13. A measuring method according to Claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the first point of time t₁ has been reached when the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digital measuring values has a minimal or zero value.
14. A measuring method according to Claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the second point of time t₂ has been reached when there is detected at least a single change in which the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digital measuring values is higher than a threshold value (D) or when there are detected several changes of the difference (Δ) of the directly adjacent digital measuring values in successive measurements, the difference (Δ) showing an increasing trend.
15. A measuring method according to Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that a respective program for a measuring sequence (400) is stored in a program memory of the microcontroller (33), that, by a user input, there is called a service mode (402) and inquired what setting was chosen by the operator, that it is determined in a first inquiry step (408) that there has been selected a setting for determining the play of the cartridge pivoting unit, or otherwise the process is branched back to the service mode (402), and that at least the digital measuring values, the counter count (Z) or the play (P) are inquired and output as required via a user interface (4, 5).
16. A measuring method according to Claims 11 to 15, characterized in that there are used a stepping motor (124) as the first motor (M1) and a rotational angle sensor (125) as rotary motion sensor (S1); that, in the first step (409) following the first inquiry (408), a first number of step pulses is sent to the stepping motor (124) for swinging the cartridge pivoting unit (12) into the changing position, in the following second step (410), a second number of step pulses is sent to the second stepping motor (1315) for moving the cleaning and sealing station (13) from a rest position into the sealing position, in the following third step (411), a third number of step pulses is provided to the first stepping motor (124) for swinging the cartridge pivoting unit (12) from the changing position into the sealing position and, in the following fourth step (412), a step pulse is sent to the first stepping motor (M1), in the following fifth step (413), U2 measurements are made by means of the rotational angle sensor (125), an A-D conversion of the analogue U2 measuring values into digital measuring values (X2) is performed and the digital measuring values (X2) are stored in a main memory (333); that, in the second inquiry step (414), it is inquired whether the change of the measuring values (X2) runs in conformity with the step pulses, the process then being branched back to the fourth step (412) for continuing the measurement or, if that is not the case, the process is branched to the sixth step (415) for effecting an inversion of the direction and providing a fourth number of step pulses for the first stepping motor (124) for swinging the cartridge pivoting unit (12) away from the sealing position and for resetting the counter value (Z) of a counter (C) to the value zero; and that, in the seventh step (416), a step pulse is sent to the first stepping motor (124) and the counter value of the counter (C) is incremented by the value 'one'; and that further U2 measurements by means of the rotational angle sensor (125), an A-D conversion and storage of the digital measuring values are performed in the eighth step (417), wherein the U2 measurements by means of the rotational angle sensor (125), the A-D conversion and storage of the digital measuring values (X2) are continued until it is determined, in a third inquiry step (418), that the change of the measuring values (X2) is in conformity with the step pulses again, that the fourth number (Z) of step pulses to the first stepping motor (124) counted until that moment forms the play (P) which is stored in the following ninth step (419); wherein, when it is found in the third inquiry step (418) that the change of the measuring values (X2) is not in conformity with the step pulses, the process is branched back to the start of the seventh step (416) for issuing another step pulse and for incrementing the counter count (Z).

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