EP2939834B1 - Method for cleaning a printer head - Google Patents

Method for cleaning a printer head Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2939834B1
EP2939834B1 EP15000693.0A EP15000693A EP2939834B1 EP 2939834 B1 EP2939834 B1 EP 2939834B1 EP 15000693 A EP15000693 A EP 15000693A EP 2939834 B1 EP2939834 B1 EP 2939834B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nozzle plate
ink
cleaning
nozzle
ink film
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EP15000693.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2939834A1 (en
Inventor
Klaus Delueg
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Durst Phototechnik AG
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Durst Phototechnik AG
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Publication of EP2939834A1 publication Critical patent/EP2939834A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16552—Cleaning of print head nozzles using cleaning fluids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/1652—Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of cleaning a printhead of an ink jet printing apparatus.
  • a printhead generally comprises a nozzle plate having nozzles which are each connected via a nozzle channel to an ink chamber and via which ink droplets can be applied to a substrate surface to be printed by ejecting drops from the nozzles.
  • nozzles which are each connected via a nozzle channel to an ink chamber and via which ink droplets can be applied to a substrate surface to be printed by ejecting drops from the nozzles.
  • This ink dries especially in longer life, so with longer-lasting pressure interruptions, a.
  • This phenomenon though to a lesser extent, also occurs during continuous printing and may occur more intensively at positions further from the nozzle orifices.
  • this liquid and / or dried ink - hereinafter also referred to as ink residues - contaminated, different problems arise.
  • Cleaning methods for printheads are known in which periodically removed within predetermined time intervals dirt particles on a nozzle plate and at the nozzle openings.
  • the in the DE 603 01 440 T2 described method discloses a solution to the above problem of nozzle plate contamination.
  • a solvent in a first step, a solvent (ink) is provided on a nozzle plate by discharging it through nozzles.
  • the dirt particles collected on the nozzle plate are dissolved by brushing the nozzle plate in the presence of the solvent with a brush, and in a third step, a cleaning solvent is additionally applied to the nozzle plate.
  • the cleaning solvent and the dirt particles are removed from the nozzle plate by vacuum cleaning.
  • the application of the cleaning solvent and subsequent removal thereof provides for movement of the solvent across the nozzle plate.
  • the EP 1 464 500 B1 describes a method of cleaning an ink jet print head having a nozzle plate with nozzles and cleaning the same by first applying a cleaning member to the nozzle plate and applying the pressure to the ink chambers such that the ink meniscus contacts the corresponding nozzle openings (in the form of an ink edge bead) protrudes without dripping ink.
  • the nozzle plate is cleaned by moving the cleaning element along the nozzles while the ink is in the positive pressure state.
  • ink is provided on the entire nozzle plate. In this case, this reaches up to the nozzle plate limiting edges and occurs in certain sections beyond the edges, so that ink settles on the side edges of the nozzle plate and dries from time to time.
  • FIG. 2 shows a method known in the prior art, in which in a first step ( FIG. 2A ) Ink has been provided on the entire nozzle plate and the ink has run out beyond the edges bounding the nozzle plate.
  • FIG. 2B shows the step of sucking by vacuum suction.
  • the inventive cleaning method has the advantage that it prevents preventive acting impurities by ink residues on the side edges of the nozzle plate and the cleaning method is not de facto itself a polluting factor.
  • Figure 1A shows in the outside the nozzle plate 101 of a printhead, which nozzle plate 101 nozzle openings 105, from which ink drops can be ejected onto the substrate to be printed.
  • the nozzle plate 101 in FIG. 1B includes adjustable adjustment members (not shown), via which it is known that the angle of the nozzle row of the print head can be made by a two-dimensional movement of the print head itself with respect to the feed direction thereof.
  • the adjusting members are in the example behind the nozzle plate 101 via openings 107 provided in the nozzle plate 101 - which are generally present at the two outer opposite ends of the nozzle plate 101 - reachable.
  • a nozzle plate 101 of a printhead is defined in the context to be embodied as a plate, which is preferably substantially flat, and the face ⁇ surface of the plate contains nozzle orifices 105, the plate being bounded by edges 103.
  • printhead is used in context as a synonym for the term “inkjet printhead”.
  • FIG. 2A shows an ink wetted surface of the nozzle plate 101 in which, as a result of complete wetting, the ink film 301 has passed beyond the edges 103 delimiting the nozzle plate 101 is simplified and in the example shown two opposite side edges 203 wetted.
  • the illustration 2B shows the cleaning of the surface of the nozzle plate 101 with Vakuumabsaugstoff 305th
  • Figures 3-5 show different embodiments of printheads 201, the shamatically simplified shown each attached to different fixtures 207 ⁇ 205.
  • steps for cleaning the nozzle plate 101 are shown. If reference is made in this example to step a) or b), then the corresponding method steps a) or b) according to claim 1 are meant.
  • the amount of ink discharged is controlled by control means such that the ink film 301 formed thereby wets the surface of the nozzle plate 101 to at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 80% and less than 100%, with an edge 303 of the Ink film 301 is present at a distance to each of the nozzle plate 101 bounding edge 103, wherein the distance (s) are greater than zero.
  • Contaminants may be generally soluble and / or insoluble constituents of an ink (printing ink) and / or dust particles from the environment in addition to liquid and / or dried ink residues.
  • FIG. 7 In a second process step b), the ink film 301 and the impurities on the nozzle plate 101 are removed by means of vacuum suction means 305.
  • the amount of ink discharged is controlled by control means such that the ink film 301 formed thereby wets the surface of the nozzle plate 101 to at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 80% and less than 100%, with an edge 303 the ink film 301 is spaced apart from each edge 103 delimiting the nozzle plate 101, the distance (s) being greater than zero.
  • a relative movement is performed between the nozzle plate 101 and the vacuum suction means 305.
  • the vacuum suction means 305 can be moved, for example, in a direction of movement 307 relative to a fixedly arranged nozzle plate 101.
  • the amount of the discharged ink over a pressure applied to the ink chamber depending on the kind of the ink, i. the viscosity and / or density of the ink and the discharge time are determined.
  • step a) is preferably carried out such that no ink drops detach from the nozzle plate 101. If, during the cleaning of the nozzle plate 101, the substrate to be printed is located under the print head 201, contamination thereof is avoided. A further advantage is that a subsequent cleaning of the guide means provided for the medium to be printed or of the inkjet printing apparatus can be avoided.
  • steps a) and b) may be performed such that the provision of an ink film 301 wetting the surface of the nozzle plate 101 is accompanied by the removal of the ink film 301 and the impurities on the nozzle plate 101 by means of vacuum suction means 305 separated in time or at least partially overlapping in time ,
  • the discharge time can be chosen such that it lies in a range between 50 msec and 3000 msec and preferably between 100 msec and 500 msec. In principle, lower or higher discharge times can also be selected.
  • the print head 201 and its components have in some cases not been shown to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Verfahren zum Reinigen eines Druckkopfes einer Tintenstrahldruckvorrichtung.The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a printhead of an ink jet printing apparatus.

Ein Druckkopf umfasst allgemein eine Düsenplatte mit Düsen, welche jeweils über einen Düsenkanal mit einer Tintenkammer verbunden sind und über die Tintentropfen auf eine zu bedruckende Substratoberfläche aufgebracht werden können, indem Tropfen aus den Düsen ausgestoßen werden. Während des Ausstoßens der Tintentropfen erfolgt bekanntlich eine unerwünschte, jedoch nicht vermeidbare Benetzung der Düsenöffnungs-Umgebung, unter anderem der Oberfläche der Düsenplatte, mit Tinte. Diese Tinte trocknet insbesondere bei längeren Standzeiten, also bei länger andauernden Druckunterbrechungen, ein. Dieses Phänomen tritt, auch wenn in geringerem Ausmaße, genauso während des kontinuierlichen Druckens auf und kann verstärkt an den von den Düsenöffnungen weiter entfernten Positionen auftreten. Je nachdem an welcher Stelle und in welchem Ausmaß die Düsenöffnungs-Umgebung, unter anderem die Oberfläche der Düsenplatte, durch diese flüssige und/oder eingetrocknete Tinte - in weiterer Folge auch als Tintenrückstände bezeichnet - kontaminiert ist, treten unterschiedliche Probleme auf.A printhead generally comprises a nozzle plate having nozzles which are each connected via a nozzle channel to an ink chamber and via which ink droplets can be applied to a substrate surface to be printed by ejecting drops from the nozzles. During the ejection of the ink droplets, it is known that an undesirable, but unavoidable wetting of the nozzle opening environment, including the surface of the nozzle plate, with ink. This ink dries especially in longer life, so with longer-lasting pressure interruptions, a. This phenomenon, though to a lesser extent, also occurs during continuous printing and may occur more intensively at positions further from the nozzle orifices. Depending on where and to what extent the nozzle opening environment, including the surface of the nozzle plate, by this liquid and / or dried ink - hereinafter also referred to as ink residues - contaminated, different problems arise.

Liegen eingetrocknete oder flüssige Tintenrückstände an der Düsenöffnungs-Umgebung vor, sodass die betroffene Düsenöffnung zumindest teilweise verschlossen wird, können diese Tintenrückstände der Flugbahn der Tintentropfen im Wege stehen, sodass der Ausstossvorgang gestört ist. In Folge dessen können beispielsweise die Tintentropfen nicht mehr auf die gewünschten Positionen des zu bedruckenden Substrates auftreffen. Liegen eingetrocknete Tintenrückstände an der Düsenöffnungs-Umgebung vor kann die betroffene Düse zu einem Schrägstrahler werden. Im schlimmsten Fall kann die Düse aufgrund einer zustande gekommenen Verstopfung sogar vollständig ausfallen. Wird ein Bild mit einem Single-Pass-Drucker gedruckt, macht sich ein solcher Ausfall besonders bemerkbar, da die Hintergrundfarbe in ganzen Linien statt der dafür vorgesehenen Farben des zu bedruckenden Bildes für den Betrachter zum Vorschein kommt. Dies wirkt sich negativ auf die Druckqualität aus und kann zu Produktionsausfällen führen. Liegen eingetrocknete Tinterückstände hingegen auf der Düsenplatte selbst vor, besteht die Gefahr, dass diese von Zeit zu Zeit beispielsweise aufgrund von Vibrationen abplatzt und auf das zu bedruckende Medium gelangt, sodass ebenfalls mit Qualitätseinbußen gerechnet werden muss.If there are dried or liquid ink residues in the nozzle orifice environment, so that the affected nozzle orifice is at least partially closed, these ink residues may be in the way of the trajectory of the ink drops, causing the ejection process to be disrupted. As a result, for example, the ink drops can no longer impinge on the desired positions of the substrate to be printed. If there are dried ink residues in the nozzle opening environment, the affected nozzle may become a skew. In the worst case, the nozzle may even fail due to a congestion that has occurred. Printing an image with a single-pass printer is particularly noticeable because the background color appears in solid lines instead of the intended colors of the image to be printed for the viewer. This has a negative effect on the print quality and can lead to production losses. Lie on the other hand, if dried ink residues are present on the nozzle plate itself, there is a risk that it will occasionally peel off due to vibrations and get onto the medium to be printed, so that quality losses must also be expected.

Sind Inkjetdrucker einer relativ staubigen Umgebung ausgesetzt, beispielsweise in Hallen in denen neben den Druckern Presseinrichtungen für die Herstellung von Keramikfliesen-Rohlingen betrieben werden, kommt zusätzlich zur Verschmutzung durch Tintenrückstände eine Verschmutzung der Düsenplatte mit Staubpartikeln vor. Dies kann zur Verstärkung der oben angeführten Problematik führen.If inkjet printers are exposed to a relatively dusty environment, for example in halls in which press devices for the production of ceramic tile blanks are operated in addition to the printers, contamination of the nozzle plate with dust particles occurs in addition to contamination by ink residues. This can lead to the reinforcement of the above-mentioned problem.

Reinigungsmethoden für Druckköpfe sind bekannt, bei denen man periodisch innerhalb vorbestimmter Zeitintervalle Schmutzteilchen auf einer Düsenplatte und an den Düsenöffnungen entfernt.Cleaning methods for printheads are known in which periodically removed within predetermined time intervals dirt particles on a nozzle plate and at the nozzle openings.

Die in der DE 603 01 440 T2 beschriebene Methode offenbart eine Lösung für das oben genannte Problem der Düsenplattenverschmutzung. Dabei wird in einem ersten Schritt ein Lösungsmittel (Tinte) auf eine Düsenplatte durch Ablass desselben durch Düsen bereitgestellt. In einem zweiten Schritt werden die auf der Düsenplatte gesammelten Schmutzteilchen durch Bürsten der Düsenplatte in Gegenwart des Lösungsmittels mit einer Bürste gelöst und in einem dritten Schritt wird zusätzlich ein Reinigungslösungsmittel auf die Düsenplatte aufgebracht. Anschließend werden das Reinigungslösungsmittel und die Schmutzteilchen von der Düsenplatte durch Vakuumreinigung entfernt. Das Aufbringen des Reinigungslösungsmittels und das anschließende Entfernen desselben stellt eine Bewegung des Lösungsmittels über die Düsenplatte bereit. Eine solche Methode stellt zwar eine gute Reinigungsmethode der Düsenplatte dar. Allerdings ist das Verfahren relativ zeitaufwändig aufgrund der hohen Anzahl an Arbeitsschritten und die Vorrichtung relativ koplex im Aufbau aufgrund der dafür benötigten Reinigungsvorrichtungen.The in the DE 603 01 440 T2 described method discloses a solution to the above problem of nozzle plate contamination. At this time, in a first step, a solvent (ink) is provided on a nozzle plate by discharging it through nozzles. In a second step, the dirt particles collected on the nozzle plate are dissolved by brushing the nozzle plate in the presence of the solvent with a brush, and in a third step, a cleaning solvent is additionally applied to the nozzle plate. Subsequently, the cleaning solvent and the dirt particles are removed from the nozzle plate by vacuum cleaning. The application of the cleaning solvent and subsequent removal thereof provides for movement of the solvent across the nozzle plate. Although such a method is a good cleaning method of the nozzle plate. However, the process is relatively time consuming due to the high number of steps and the device relatively koplex in construction due to the required cleaning devices.

Die EP 1 464 500 B1 beschreibt ein Verfahren zum Reinigen eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes, der eine Düsenplatte mit Düsen aufweist und die Reinigung derselben dadurch erfolgt, dass in einem ersten Schritt ein Reinigungselement an die Düsenplatte angelegt wird und dass der Druck an die Tintenkammern derart angelegt wird, dass der Tinten-Meniskus an den entsprechenden Düsenöffnungen (in Form eines Tintenrandwulstes) hervorsteht ohne dass Tinte tropft. In einem zweiten Schritt erfolgt die Reinigung der Düsenplatte, indem das Reinigungselement entlang der Düsen bewegt wird während die Tinte im positiven Druckzustand ist. Ein solches Reinigungsverfahren ist zwar besonders sparsam im Hinblick auf Verlust von Tinte während der Reinigung. Allerdings ist dieses Verfahren von Nachteil, da keine Tinte auf der Düsenplatte bereitgestellt wird, welche bekanntlich die Reinigung der Düsenplatte deutlich verbessert, da Schmutzteilchen in einer Flüssigkeit aufgenommen werden.The EP 1 464 500 B1 describes a method of cleaning an ink jet print head having a nozzle plate with nozzles and cleaning the same by first applying a cleaning member to the nozzle plate and applying the pressure to the ink chambers such that the ink meniscus contacts the corresponding nozzle openings (in the form of an ink edge bead) protrudes without dripping ink. In a second step The nozzle plate is cleaned by moving the cleaning element along the nozzles while the ink is in the positive pressure state. Although such a cleaning method is particularly economical in terms of loss of ink during cleaning. However, this method is disadvantageous because no ink is provided on the nozzle plate, which is known to significantly improve the cleaning of the nozzle plate, since dirt particles are received in a liquid.

US2011181657 und US2007080990 beschreiben ebenfalls Systeme zur Reinigung der Düsenplatte. US2011181657 and US2007080990 also describe systems for cleaning the nozzle plate.

Bei herkömmlichen Reinigungssystemen ist bekannt, dass Tinte auf der gesamten Düsenplatte bereitgestellt wird. Dabei gelangt diese bis an die Düsenplatte begrenzenden Kanten und tritt in bestimmten Abschnitten über die Kanten hinaus, sodass sich Tinte an den Seitenflanken der Düsenplatte absetzt und von Zeit zu Zeit eintrocknet.In conventional cleaning systems, it is known that ink is provided on the entire nozzle plate. In this case, this reaches up to the nozzle plate limiting edges and occurs in certain sections beyond the edges, so that ink settles on the side edges of the nozzle plate and dries from time to time.

Figur 2 zeigt ein im Stand der Technik bekanntes Verfahren, bei dem in einem ersten Schritt (FIG 2A) Tinte auf der gesamten Düsenplatte bereitgestellt wurde und die Tinte über die die Düsenplatte begrenzenden Kanten hinausgelaufen ist. Figur 2B zeigt den Schritt des Absaugens durch Vakuumabsaugmittel. FIG. 2 shows a method known in the prior art, in which in a first step ( FIG. 2A ) Ink has been provided on the entire nozzle plate and the ink has run out beyond the edges bounding the nozzle plate. FIG. 2B shows the step of sucking by vacuum suction.

Die bekannten Methoden, bei denen Reinigungsbürsten und/oder Vakuumabsaugmittel zum Einsatz kommen, funktionieren grundsätzlich gut wenn es darum geht lediglich die Oberfläche der Düsenplatte zu reinigen, eignen sich jedoch nicht die an Seitenflanken der Düsenplatte vorliegenden flüssigen und/oder eingetrockneten Tintenrückstände vollständig zu beseitigen. Mit jedem Reinigungsvorgang tritt weitere Tinte über die Kanten der Düsenplatte, setzt sich an den Seitenflanken ab und trocknet über die Zeit ein. Die Erfinder haben bei den Untersuchungen beobachtet, dass eine nicht unerhebliche Substratverschmutzung durch die an den Seitenflanken der Düsenplatte nicht vollständig entfernten Tintenrückständen nach wie vor erfolgt. Zwar ist die dadurch Zustande kommende Verschmutzung des Substrats relativ gering im Vergleich zur Verschmutzung, die durch Nicht-Reinigen zustande kommen würde. Allerdings ist es so, dass Tintenstrahldrucker heutzutage sehr zuverlässig sein sollen, um den gestiegenen Anforderungen der Druckindustrie gerecht zu werden.The known methods, which use cleaning brushes and / or vacuum suction means, work basically well when it is only necessary to clean the surface of the nozzle plate, but are not suitable for completely eliminating the liquid and / or dried ink residues present on side edges of the nozzle plate. With each cleaning process, more ink passes over the edges of the nozzle plate, settles on the side edges and dries over time. The inventors have observed in the investigations that a considerable substrate contamination by the not completely removed on the side edges of the nozzle plate ink residues still occurs. It is true that the resulting contamination of the substrate is relatively small in comparison with the pollution which would result from non-cleaning. However, inkjet printers today are expected to be very reliable to meet the increased demands of the printing industry.

Es besteht daher der Bedarf nach einem Reinigungsverfahren mit dem Verunreinigungen an den Seitenflanken einer Düsenplatte zumindest teilweise minimiert werden können.There is therefore a need for a cleaning method with the impurities on the side edges of a nozzle plate can be minimized at least partially.

Es wäre daher wünschenswert ein Verfahren zu haben, mit dem einerseits ein höherer Reinigungsgrad als mit den im Stand der Technik bekannten Methoden zu erzielen und andererseits eine Methode zur Verfügung zu haben mit der man die Reinigungsmethode zumindest teilweise vereinfachen kann. Diesem Bedarf liegt die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung zugrunde.It would therefore be desirable to have a process with which on the one hand to achieve a higher degree of purification than with the methods known in the art and on the other hand to have a method with which one can at least partially simplify the cleaning method. This requirement is based on the object of the present invention.

Erfindungsgemäß wird die oben genannte Aufgabe durch ein Vorgehen gemäß dem Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 gelöst. Die Unteransprüche beschreiben bevorzugte Varianten des vorliegenden Verfahrens.According to the invention the above object is achieved by a procedure according to the method of claim 1. The subclaims describe preferred variants of the present process.

Die erfinderische Reinigungsmethode hat den Vorteil, dass dadurch präventiv wirkend Verunreinigungen durch Tintenrückstände an den Seitenflanken der Düsenplatte vermieden werden und die Reinigungsmethode de facto nicht selbst zum verschmutzenden Faktor wird.The inventive cleaning method has the advantage that it prevents preventive acting impurities by ink residues on the side edges of the nozzle plate and the cleaning method is not de facto itself a polluting factor.

Die Erfindung wird im Folgenden anhand der Figuren im Detail und beispielhaft beschrieben.

  • Figuren 1A-1B zeigen die Oberfläche einer Düsenplatte 101 einer schematischen Darstellung eines Druckkopfes 201 in Draufsicht
  • Figur 2 zeigt ein Stand-der-Technik Verfahren zum Reinigen einer Oberfläche einer Düsenplatte 101 in Draufsicht
  • Figuren 3-5 zeigen bekannte Ausgestaltungen eines in einem Halterahmen 207\205 angeordneten Druckkopfes 201 in Querschnitt-Sicht
  • Figur 6 zeigt den Verfahrensschritt a) eines erfindungsgemäßes Verfahrens zum Reinigen einer Oberfläche einer Düsenplatte 101 in Draufsicht und Seitenansicht
  • Figur 7 zeigt den Verfahrensschritt b) eines erfindungsgemäßes Verfahrens in einem Verfahrensschritt b) zum Reinigen einer Oberfläche einer Düsenplatte 101 in Draufsicht und Seitenansicht
The invention will be described below with reference to the figures in detail and by way of example.
  • Figures 1A-1B show the surface of a nozzle plate 101 a schematic representation of a printhead 201 in plan view
  • FIG. 2 Fig. 11 shows a prior art method of cleaning a surface of a nozzle plate 101 in plan view
  • Figures 3-5 show known embodiments of a arranged in a holding frame 207 \ 205 printhead 201 in cross-sectional view
  • FIG. 6 shows the process step a) of an inventive method for cleaning a surface of a nozzle plate 101 in plan view and side view
  • FIG. 7 shows the method step b) of a method according to the invention in a method step b) for cleaning a surface of a nozzle plate 101 in plan view and side view

Figur 1A zeigt in Drausicht die Düsenplatte 101 eines Druckkopfes, welche Düsenplatte 101 Düsenöffnungen 105 aufweist, aus denen Tintentropfen auf das zu bedruckende Substrat ausgestossen werden können. Die Düsenplatte 101 in Figur 1B umfasst einstellbare Verstellglieder (nicht gezeigt), über welche bekanntlich der Winkel der Düsenreihe des Druckkopfes durch eine zweidimensionale Bewegung des Druckkopfes selbst bezüglich der Vorschubrichtung desselben vorgenommen werden kann. Die Verstellglieder sind im Beispiel hinter der Düsenplatte 101 über dafür vorgesehene Öffnungen 107 in der Düsenplatte 101 - die in der Regel an den zwei äußeren entgegengesetzten Enden der Düsenplatte 101 vorliegen - erreichbar. Figure 1A shows in the outside the nozzle plate 101 of a printhead, which nozzle plate 101 nozzle openings 105, from which ink drops can be ejected onto the substrate to be printed. The nozzle plate 101 in FIG. 1B includes adjustable adjustment members (not shown), via which it is known that the angle of the nozzle row of the print head can be made by a two-dimensional movement of the print head itself with respect to the feed direction thereof. The adjusting members are in the example behind the nozzle plate 101 via openings 107 provided in the nozzle plate 101 - which are generally present at the two outer opposite ends of the nozzle plate 101 - reachable.

Eine Düsenplatte 101 eines Druckkopfes ist im Kontext derart definiert, dass diese als Platte ausgeführt ist, welche vorzugsweise im Wesentlichem eben ist, und die Stirnfläche\Oberfläche der Platte Düsenöffnungen 105 enthält, wobei die Platte über Kanten 103 begrenzt ist.A nozzle plate 101 of a printhead is defined in the context to be embodied as a plate, which is preferably substantially flat, and the face \ surface of the plate contains nozzle orifices 105, the plate being bounded by edges 103.

Der Begriff "Druckkopf" wird im Kontext als Synonym für den Begriff "Tintenstrahldruckkopf" verwendet.The term "printhead" is used in context as a synonym for the term "inkjet printhead".

Figur 2 zeigt ein im Stand der Technik bekanntes Verfahren zur Reinigung der Düsenplatte 101 eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes 201. Die Darstellung 2A zeigt eine mit Tinte vollständig benetzte Oberfläche der Düsenplatte 101, bei der in Folge der vollständigen Benetzung der Tintenfilm 301 über die die Düsenplatte 101 begrenzenden Kanten 103 hinausgetreten ist und im Beispiel vereinfacht dargestellt zwei gegenüberliegende Seitenflanken 203 benetzt hat. Die Darstellung 2B zeigt die Reinigung der Oberfläche der Düsenplatte 101 mit Vakuumabsaugmittel 305. FIG. 2 FIG. 2A shows an ink wetted surface of the nozzle plate 101 in which, as a result of complete wetting, the ink film 301 has passed beyond the edges 103 delimiting the nozzle plate 101 is simplified and in the example shown two opposite side edges 203 wetted. The illustration 2B shows the cleaning of the surface of the nozzle plate 101 with Vakuumabsaugmittel 305th

Figuren 3-5 zeigen unterschiedliche Ausführungsformen von Druckköpfen 201, die schamatisch vereinfacht dargestellt jeweils an unterschiedliche Haltevorrichtungen 207\205 befestigt sind. Figures 3-5 show different embodiments of printheads 201, the shamatically simplified shown each attached to different fixtures 207 \ 205.

In Figur 6 und Figur 7 werden beispielhaft Schritte zum Reinigen der Düsenplatte 101 dargestellt. Wird in diesem Bespiel auf Schritt a) oder b) Bezug genommen, so sind die entsprechenden Verfahrensschritte a) oder b) gemäß Anspruch 1 gemeint.In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 For example, steps for cleaning the nozzle plate 101 are shown. If reference is made in this example to step a) or b), then the corresponding method steps a) or b) according to claim 1 are meant.

Figur 6:

  1. a) Im ersten Verfahrensschritt a) erfolgt die Bereitstellung eines die Oberfläche der Düsenplatte 101 benetzenden Tintenfilms 301 durch Ablass einer vorbestimmten Tintenmenge aus den Düsenöffnungen 105, wodurch die die Düsenplatte 101 kontaminierenden Verunreinigungen zumindest teilweise durch den bereitgestellten Tintenfilm 301 aufgenommen werden.
FIG. 6 :
  1. a) In the first process step a), the ink film 301 wetting the surface of the nozzle plate 101 is provided by discharging a predetermined amount of ink from the nozzle orifices 105, whereby the contaminants contaminating the nozzle plate 101 are at least partially taken up by the ink film 301 provided.

Erfindungsgemäß wird dabei die Menge der abgelassenen Tinte durch Steuerungsmittel derart gesteuert, dass der dadurch ausgebildete Tintenfilm 301 die Oberfläche der Düsenplatte 101 zu mindestens 40%, bevorzugt mindestens 60%, besonders bevorzugt mindestens 80% und kleiner 100% benetzt, wobei ein Rand 303 des Tintenfilms 301 zu einer jeder die Düsenplatte 101 begrenzenden Kante 103 beabstandet vorliegt, wobei der oder die Abstände grösser Null sind.According to the invention, the amount of ink discharged is controlled by control means such that the ink film 301 formed thereby wets the surface of the nozzle plate 101 to at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 80% and less than 100%, with an edge 303 of the Ink film 301 is present at a distance to each of the nozzle plate 101 bounding edge 103, wherein the distance (s) are greater than zero.

Beispielsweise kann ein in Figur 6 gezeigter Abstand X 1mm betragen.For example, an in FIG. 6 shown distance X 1mm amount.

Verunreinigungen können neben flüssigen und/oder eingetrockneten Tintenrückständen allgemein lösliche und/oder unlösliche Bestandteile einer Tinte (Drucktinte) und/oder Staubpartikel aus der Umgebung sein.Contaminants may be generally soluble and / or insoluble constituents of an ink (printing ink) and / or dust particles from the environment in addition to liquid and / or dried ink residues.

Figur 7:
In einem zweiten Verfahrensschritt b) werden der Tintenfilm 301 und die Verunreinigungen auf der Düsenplatte 101 mittels Vakuumabsaugmittel 305 entfernt. FIG. 7 :
In a second process step b), the ink film 301 and the impurities on the nozzle plate 101 are removed by means of vacuum suction means 305.

Ein Verfahren wurde beschrieben zum Reinigen einer mit Verunreinigungen, insbesondere flüssigen und/oder eingetrockneten Tintenrückständen und/oder Staubpartikeln, kontaminierten Oberfläche einer Düsenplatte 101 eines Druckkopfes 201, welche Düsenplatte 101 Düsenöffnungen 105 enthält, wobei das Verfahren folgende Schritte umfasst:

  1. a) Bereitstellen eines die Oberfläche der Düsenplatte 101 benetzenden Tintenfilms 301 durch Ablass einer vorbestimmten Tintenmenge aus den Düsenöffnungen 105, wodurch die die Düsenplatte 101 kontaminierenden Verunreinigungen zumindest teilweise durch den bereitgestellten Tintenfilm 301 aufgenommen werden
  2. b) Entfernung des Tintenfilms 301 und der Verunreinigungen auf der Düsenplatte 101 mittels Vakuumabsaugmittel 305
A method has been described for cleaning a surface of a nozzle plate 101 of a printhead contaminated with contaminants, especially liquid and / or dried ink residues and / or dust particles 201, which nozzle plate 101 contains nozzle openings 105, the method comprising the following steps:
  1. a) Providing an ink film 301 wetting the surface of the nozzle plate 101 by discharging a predetermined amount of ink from the nozzle orifices 105, whereby the contaminants contaminating the orifice plate 101 are at least partially received by the ink film 301 provided
  2. b) Removal of the ink film 301 and the impurities on the nozzle plate 101 by means of vacuum suction means 305

Im erfindungsgemässen Verfahren wird die Menge der abgelassenen Tinte durch Steuerungsmittel derart gesteuert, dass der dadurch ausgebildete Tintenfilm 301 die Oberfläche der Düsenplatte 101 zu mindestens 40%, bevorzugt mindestens 60%, besonders bevorzugt mindestens 80% und kleiner 100% benetzt, wobei ein Rand 303 des Tintenfilms 301 zu jeder die Düsenplatte 101 begrenzenden Kante 103 beabstandet vorliegt, wobei der oder die Abstände grösser Null sind.In the method according to the invention, the amount of ink discharged is controlled by control means such that the ink film 301 formed thereby wets the surface of the nozzle plate 101 to at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 80% and less than 100%, with an edge 303 the ink film 301 is spaced apart from each edge 103 delimiting the nozzle plate 101, the distance (s) being greater than zero.

Für die Entfernung des Tintenfilms 301 und der Verunreinigungen in Schritt b) wird zwischen Düsenplatte 101 und Vakuumabsaugmittel 305 eine Relativbewegung durchgeführt. Dabei kann das Vakuumabsaugmittel 305 beispielsweise in eine Bewegungsrichtung 307 relativ zu einer fix angeordneten Düsenplatte 101 bewegt werden.For the removal of the ink film 301 and the impurities in step b), a relative movement is performed between the nozzle plate 101 and the vacuum suction means 305. In this case, the vacuum suction means 305 can be moved, for example, in a direction of movement 307 relative to a fixedly arranged nozzle plate 101.

Zum Reinigen der Düsenplatte 101 kann die Menge der abgelassenen Tinte über einen an die Tintenkammer angelegten Druck in Abhängigkeit von der Art der Tinte, d.h. der Viskosität und/oder Dichte der Tinte und der Ablasszeit bestimmt werden.For cleaning the nozzle plate 101, the amount of the discharged ink over a pressure applied to the ink chamber depending on the kind of the ink, i. the viscosity and / or density of the ink and the discharge time are determined.

Die Bereitstellung der Tinte in Schritt a) wird vorzugsweise derart ausgeführt, dass sich keine Tintentropfen von der Düsenplatte 101 lösen. Befindet sich während der Reinigung der Düsenplatte 101 das zu bedruckende Substrat unter dem Druckkopf 201, wird dadurch eine Verschmutzung desselben vermieden. Ein weiterer Vorteil besteht darin, dass eine nachträgliche Reinigung der für das zu bedruckende Medium vorgesehenen Führungsmittel oder der Tintenstrahldruckvorrichtung vermieden werden kann.The provision of the ink in step a) is preferably carried out such that no ink drops detach from the nozzle plate 101. If, during the cleaning of the nozzle plate 101, the substrate to be printed is located under the print head 201, contamination thereof is avoided. A further advantage is that a subsequent cleaning of the guide means provided for the medium to be printed or of the inkjet printing apparatus can be avoided.

Im Verfahren können die Schritte a) und b) derart durchgeführt werden, dass das Bereitstellen eines die Oberfläche der Düsenplatte 101 benetzenden Tintenfilms 301 mit der Entfernung des Tintenfilms 301 und der Verunreinigungen auf der Düsenplatte 101 mittels Vakuumabsaugmittel 305 zeitlich getrennt oder zumindest teilweise zeitlich überlappend einhergehen.In the method, steps a) and b) may be performed such that the provision of an ink film 301 wetting the surface of the nozzle plate 101 is accompanied by the removal of the ink film 301 and the impurities on the nozzle plate 101 by means of vacuum suction means 305 separated in time or at least partially overlapping in time ,

Im Verfahren kann die Ablasszeit derart gewählt werden, dass diese in einem Bereich zwischen 50 msec und 3000 msec und bevorzugt zwischen 100 msec und 500 msec liegt. Grundsätzlich können auch niedrigere oder höhere Ablasszeiten gewählt werden.In the method, the discharge time can be chosen such that it lies in a range between 50 msec and 3000 msec and preferably between 100 msec and 500 msec. In principle, lower or higher discharge times can also be selected.

Im Verfahren kann die Viskosität der Tinte in einem Bereich zwischen v = 3-100 mPas·sec und bevorzugt zwischen v = 8-17 mPas·s liegen. Tinten mit einer niedrigen oder höheren Viskosität als die genannte Viskosität η von η = 3-100 mPasec können grundsätzlich ebenfalls zum Einsatz kommen, solange eine optimale Druckstabilität mit Tintenstrahldruckköpfen gewährleistet werden kann.In the process, the viscosity of the ink may be in a range between v = 3-100 mPas · sec, and preferably between v = 8-17 mPas · s. Inks with a low or higher viscosity than the stated viscosity η of η = 3-100 mPasec can in principle also be used, as long as optimal pressure stability can be ensured with inkjet printheads.

Im Verfahren kann die Dichte der Tinte in einem Bereich zwischen δ = 0,8-2,0 g/cm^3 liegen. Tinten mit einer niedrigen oder höheren Dichte als die genannte Dichte δ von δ = 0,8-2,0 g/cm^3 können grundsätzlich ebenfalls zum Einsatz kommen, solange eine optimale Druckstabilität mit Tintenstrahldruckköpfen gewährleistet werden kann.In the process, the density of the ink may range between δ = 0.8-2.0 g / cm 3. Inks having a lower or higher density than said density δ of δ = 0.8-2.0 g / cm 3 may also be used in principle as long as optimum printing stability with ink jet printheads can be ensured.

Abschließend sei der Ordnung halber darauf hingewiesen, dass zum besseren Verständnis der Druckkopf 201 und dessen Bestandteile teilweise nicht maßstäblich und/oder vergrößert und/oder verkleinert dargestellt wurden.Finally, for the sake of order, it should be pointed out that, for better understanding, the print head 201 and its components have in some cases not been shown to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

Es wird darauf hingewiesen, dass das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren der Einfachheit halber lediglich für die Reinigung einer einzigen Düsenplatte 101 beschrieben wurde. Dabei ist aber dem Fachmann klar, dass das Verfahren genauso für eine Mehrzahl an Drückköpfen 201, die beispielsweise an einem Druckschlitten angeordnet sind, angewendet werden kann.It should be noted that the method according to the invention has been described for the sake of simplicity only for the cleaning of a single nozzle plate 101. However, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the method can likewise be used for a plurality of spinning heads 201, which are arranged, for example, on a printing carriage.

Claims (5)

  1. Method for cleaning a surface of a nozzle plate (101) of a printing head (201), which surface is contaminated with impurities, in particular liquid and/or dried ink residues and/or dust particles, which nozzle plate (101) comprises nozzle orifices (105), wherein the method comprises the following steps:
    a) providing an ink film (301) wetting the surface of the nozzle plate (101) by discharging a predetermined amount of ink from the nozzle orifices (105), and at least partially receiving the impurities contaminating the nozzle plate (101) by the provided ink film (301)
    b) removing the ink film (301) and the impurities on the nozzle plate (101) by vacuum suction means (305), wherein
    the amount of the discharged ink is controlled by controlling means in such a way that the ink film (301) thus formed wets at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, particularly preferred at least 80% and less than 100% of the surface of the nozzle plate (101), wherein there is a rim (303) of the ink film (301) spaced from each edge (103) delimiting the nozzle plate (101), wherein the distance or distances is/are greater than zero, characterized in that in step b) a relative movement is carried out between the nozzle plate (101) and the vacuum suction means (305).
  2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the amount of the discharged ink is determined via a pressure applied to an ink chamber of the printing head (201), depending on the type of the ink, that is the viscosity and/or density of the ink and the discharging time.
  3. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the method is carried out in such a way that in step a) no ink drops release from the nozzle plate (101).
  4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that steps a) and b) are carried out in such a way that the provision of an ink film (301) wetting the surface of the nozzle plate (101) and the removal of the ink film (301) and of the impurities on the nozzle plate (101) by vacuum suction means (305) are carried out separately in time or overlap at least partially in time.
  5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the discharging time is in a range between 50 msec and 3000 msec and preferably between 100 msec and 500 msec.
EP15000693.0A 2014-03-19 2015-03-10 Method for cleaning a printer head Active EP2939834B1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE60301440T2 (en) 2002-06-28 2006-05-24 Agfa-Gevaert Method for cleaning the nozzle plate
US7083253B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2006-08-01 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet recording apparatus having cleaning means for the cleaning of the nozzle surface of an ink jet head
JP3804862B2 (en) * 2003-09-12 2006-08-02 富士写真フイルム株式会社 Inkjet recording head and image forming apparatus
US7506952B2 (en) * 2005-10-11 2009-03-24 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Method of removing particulates from a printhead using film transfer
JP5504916B2 (en) * 2010-01-26 2014-05-28 株式会社リコー Droplet discharge apparatus and image forming apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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ES2768704T3 (en) 2020-06-23

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