EP3996927A1

EP3996927A1 - Printer for printing plate-like print media, cleaning device for the printer and method for maintaining the printer

Info

Publication number: EP3996927A1
Application number: EP20739921.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus DAHLMANN; Thorsten Bornefeld; Rico Schindler; René MANKE; Thomas Köster
Original assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-07-12
Filing date: 2020-07-08
Publication date: 2022-05-18
Also published as: DE102019118989A1; US20220242127A1; WO2021008955A1; CN114096420B; JP2022540481A; CN114096420A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printer for printing plate-like print media, which comprises a printing unit (100) having at least one print head (104, 105) for printing print media according to the inkjet printing principle, which is movable in and against a conveying direction (41), and a cleaning unit (200) for cleaning the print unit (100), which comprises a cleaning device (210) for suctioning ink out of the print head (104, 105) in a suctioning direction (42), wherein the cleaning unit (200) additionally comprises a drive device (250) for moving the cleaning device (210) to different operating positions. The present invention furthermore relates to a cleaning device (210) for such a printer and to a method for maintaining the printer.

Description

Printer for printing on plate-like printing media,

Cleaning device for the printer and procedures for maintaining the

Printer

The present invention relates to a printer for printing plate-like print media, which has a printing unit with at least one print head for

Printing the print media according to the inkjet printing principle, which can be moved in and against a conveying direction, as well as a cleaning unit for cleaning the printing unit, which comprises a cleaning device for sucking off ink in a suction direction from the print head. The present invention also relates to a cleaning device for such a printer and to a method for maintaining the printer.

From DE 20 2006 005 458 U1, in addition to such a printer

plate-like printing media known that are used for marking electrical devices,

Connectors, cables or the like are provided. The plate-like print media are designed as cards or markers and are combined to form a mat. They are provided with imprints as they pass through the printer. For this, the printer has the printhead, also referred to below as the printing unit.

The document DE 20 2012 101 998 U1 also discloses such a printer for plate-like printing media. The printer comprises a separating device which is provided for separating the print media from a stack.

To clean the printing unit, a cleaning unit for the print head is provided in such printers.

The printers have proven themselves well in practice. Due to the high demand for such printed printing media in industrial production and their high throughput, the printers are regularly required to be serviced.

It is the object of the present invention to create a printer for a plate-like printing medium and a cleaning unit for the printer with which the printer can be serviced quickly and easily, so that the outlay on maintenance is low. The object is achieved with a printer with the features of independent claim 1, with a cleaning device with the features of independent claim 13 and with a method for maintaining a printer with the features of independent claim 14. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

For this purpose, a printer is used for printing plate-like printing media, in particular for printing marker cards that use one or more markers

Marking electrical devices, connectors, cables or the like include created. The printer has a printing unit with at least one print head for printing the print media according to the inkjet printing principle, which can be moved in and against a conveying direction. Furthermore, it has a cleaning unit for cleaning the printing unit, which comprises a cleaning device for sucking ink out of the print head in a suction direction.

The cleaning unit also comprises a drive device for moving the cleaning device into various operating positions.

The printer is advantageously characterized in that the cleaning device with the drive device can be moved into a maintenance position in which it can be completely removed from the printer. This can be done in a number of ways. As a result, the cleaning device can be cleaned outside the printer, or partially or completely replaced. Cleaning the

The cleaning device is thus considerably simplified and accelerated.

In order to be able to move the cleaning device in the printer, it preferably comprises a frame on which one or more tooth sections - preferably formed in a manner similar to a toothed rack on the frame or implemented in each case by a toothed rack on the frame - are arranged. The tooth sections are each in meshing engagement with an output pinion of the drive device, so that they can be moved when the drive device is driven. To remove the cleaning device in the maintenance position, the tooth sections and the The output pinion can be disengaged. Therefore, the cleaning device can be easily removed from the printer in the maintenance position.

For this purpose, the tooth sections can preferably extend in a linear direction, in particular in the suction direction. Depending on the spatial

Ratios, the tooth sections can also have a different course, and for example run in an arc, so that the

Cleaning device completed a non-linear travel path when it is moved into the maintenance position.

It can preferably be provided that in each case one pair in a third

Tooth sections spaced apart from one another in spatial direction is assigned to a pair of output pinions spaced from one another in the third spatial direction. As a result, the forces required to move the cleaning device are evenly distributed between the two output pinions and the cleaning device does not tilt when moving.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the printing unit for moving the

Cleaning device can be moved into the maintenance position opposite the cleaning unit against the conveying direction so that it is spaced apart from the conveying direction. As a result, the printing unit does not prevent the cleaning device from being removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a wiper lip for wiping off the ink from the printhead and / or a suction cup for sucking off ink from the printhead. With the wiper lip and / or the

The suction cup allows the print head to be quickly cleaned repeatedly until the

Cleaning device must be removed from the printer depending on wear and tear and use in order to maintain and / or replace it in detail. It is preferred that the wiper lip and / or the suction cup with the

Cleaning device is or are movable in order to be able to maintain or replace them at the same time. For this purpose, the wiper lip and / or the suction cup are preferably arranged on a mounting plate which is fastened to the frame and extends transversely to the latter.

In addition, it is preferred that the cleaning device comprises a pump which is assigned to the suction cup and is provided for sucking the ink out of the print head. The pump can preferably also be moved with the cleaning device in order to be able to service or replace it at the same time as the cleaning device.

It is also preferred that the cleaning unit comprises a collecting device with a collecting container for the ink. Since the collecting container has to be emptied regularly, it is preferred that the collecting device cannot be moved with the cleaning device, but rather with the printer in one

Replacement position of the cleaning device can be removed separately.

The cleaning unit also preferably comprises a cleaning device for the wiping lip. This is preferably arranged on the collecting container. This means that it can be removed from the printer together with the collecting container and cleaned.

The cleaning device for the wiping lip preferably comprises a sponge in which a receptacle is arranged, into which the wiping lip can be reversibly inserted by moving the cleaning device. After removing the

The sponge can be removed from the collecting container and washed out or replaced.

In order to clean the wiper lip, the sponge is preferably arranged between two adjustable walls. A spacing of the walls from one another preferably changes when the wiper lip is inserted such that the sponge is pressed together. For this purpose, the walls particularly preferably have a preferably ramp-shaped contour which interacts with the mounting plate when the cleaning unit is moved. Due to the ramp-shaped contour, the walls are pressed together further and further as the cleaning unit moves, while the lip is simultaneously inserted further into the receptacle. This will achieved a very good wiping result. In addition, the sponge is well protected when moving in and out.

The object is also achieved with a cleaning device for such a printer. The cleaning unit can be completely removed from the printer, so that it can be serviced very quickly and easily.

The object is also achieved with a method for maintaining a printer, in particular such a printer, in which a cleaning device is first moved into a maintenance position and then completely removed from the printer. As a result, the components of the cleaning device that are to be serviced as a function of wear and use can be checked very easily and, if necessary, exchanged.

The invention is described below with reference to figures. The figures are only exemplary and do not restrict the general inventive concept. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a section of a printer according to the invention with a

Printing unit and a cleaning unit for a print head of the printer in a cleaning position;

FIG. 2 shows the detail from FIG. 1 in a printing position;

FIG. 3: the detail from FIG. 1 in a stripping position;

FIG. 4 shows the detail from FIG. 1 in a lip cleaning position;

FIG. 5 shows the detail from FIG. 1 in an exchange position for exchanging a collecting device of the printer, the detail being shown in a) in a side view and in b) in a perspective view; FIG. 6 shows the detail from FIG. 1 in a maintenance position for removing a cleaning device of the printer, the detail being shown in a) in a side view and in b) in a perspective view;

FIG. 7 in a) shows a detail from the printer of FIG. 1, in which the

Printing unit and a drive device for the

The cleaning device is shown in a perspective view, and in b) the cleaning device of the printer in a perspective view;

Figure 8 elements of the drive device for the cleaning device

7 in a perspective view;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 and

7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the collecting device from FIG. 5;

FIG. 1 1 shows the detail from FIG. 1 in a further perspective view without the collecting device;

FIG. 12 shows the detail from FIG. 1 in a further perspective view, a plate-like printing medium also being shown;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the cleaning unit, the cleaning device being moved differently in relation to the collecting device in a) -d); and

FIG. 14 schematically shows a printer according to the prior art for

Printing of plate-like printing media, here of marker cards, which have one or more markers for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables or the like. 14 shows a printer 1 according to the document DE 20 2006 005 458 U1, which is provided for printing plate-like printing media, here marker cards 2 with markers 3 for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables or the like. Each marker card 2 is conveyed through the printer 1 in a conveying direction 41, that is to say without changing direction. For printing the marker cards 2, the printer 1 has several functional devices I, II, III, IV.

A separating device is provided as the first functional device I, which comprises a magazine for receiving the marker cards 2. In the

Separation device I, the marker cards 2 stacked in the magazine are separated. Then they become the second functional device II, here one

Printing device, fed and printed. The printed image printed on the marker card 2 is fixed in the third functional device III, which is designed as a fixing device. With the fourth functional device IV, which as

Output device is provided, the marker card 2 is then output. The dispensing device can optionally include a cooling zone.

Such printers 1 operate on the ink jet principle. For that, hers points

Printing device II has a printing unit 100 with at least one print head 104, 105. The ink is by means of the print head 104, 105 to one

printing surface 20 of the plate-like printing medium 2 applied.

FIG. 12 shows a printing device II of a printer 1 according to the invention in a perspective view. The printing unit 100 here has two print heads 104, 105, for example in order to be able to use two differently colored inks. Depending on the number of printing inks desired, such a printer 1 can also have more print heads 104, 105.

A marker card 2 with its surface 20 to be printed is shown here schematically in order to illustrate the position of the marker card 2 during printing. The surface 20 to be printed faces the two print heads 104, 105. The print heads 104, 105 are arranged on a print head carrier 101 and can be moved with this in and against the conveying direction 41 along two guide rails 102, 103. They are attached to the print head carrier 101 next to one another in the conveying direction 41. One for moving the printhead carrier 101 into and against the

The print head drive provided for the conveying direction 41 is not shown here.

The guide rails 102, 103 are arranged at a distance from one another in a radiation direction 42, which here extends transversely to the conveying direction 41, and are aligned parallel to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the

Radiation direction 42 a vertical direction and the conveying direction 41 a

horizontal direction. In the following, the terms vertical direction and emission direction 42 as well as horizontal direction and conveying direction 41 are each used synonymously.

In order to clean the print heads 104, 105, the printing device II also has a cleaning unit 200. This comprises a cleaning device 210, with which ink can be sucked out of each of the print heads 104, 105, as well as one

Collecting device 230, which comprises a collecting container 231 for the ink.

In FIG. 12, the print head carrier 101 is shown in a cleaning position of the printer 1, in which the print head carrier 101 is arranged above the cleaning unit 200. The cleaning position is explained in more detail in the description of FIG. 1.

The cleaning unit 200 also has a drive device 250 for driving a frame 21 1 of the cleaning device 210. With the drive device 250, the frame 21 1 is displaceable relative to the printing unit 100 in and against the vertical direction 42. To this end, tooth sections 212a-212d are provided as gear elements on the frame 21 1. The drive device 250 is explained in more detail in the context of the description of FIGS. 7 and 8.

The cleaning device 210 also comprises a mounting plate 213 which is arranged on the frame 21 1 and on which a suction cup 215, 216 is arranged for each print head 104, 105. The suction cups 215, 216 are in the conveying direction 41 arranged side by side and spaced apart from one another by the same distance as the print heads 104, 105. In the cleaning position R, they are therefore just positioned in such a way that they are arranged below the print heads 104, 105.

Furthermore, a wiper lip 214 is arranged on the mounting plate 213 and is provided for wiping off the ink from the print heads 104, 105. In order to clean these, the cleaning unit also comprises a cleaning device 240 for the wiper lip 214.

In FIG. 1, the printing unit 100 is shown in the cleaning position R. A first suction cup 215 and a second suction cup 216 are arranged on the mounting plate 213. In the cleaning position R, the print heads 104, 105 are positioned in a horizontal direction corresponding to the suction cups 15, 216 above them. In addition, the cleaning device 210 is moved vertically upwards, so that the suction cups 215, 216 cling to a nozzle side (not designated) of the print heads 104, 105.

For this purpose, the suction cups 215, 216 are each connected via a first line 217, 219 to a pump with which the ink can be sucked out of the print heads 104, 105. Each of the pumps 221, 222 is connected to the collecting container 231 of the collecting device 230 via a second line 218, 220 by a free

Line end 223, 224 of the second line 218, 220 is inserted into the collecting container 213. In the collecting container 231 of the collecting device 230, the

excess ink collected. The lines 217, 218 or 219, 220 are preferably formed from elastic tubes so that they can be deformed (see also FIGS. 11 and 9). During suction, the nozzle side of the print heads 104, 105 is advantageously sealed off from the surrounding atmosphere by the suction cups 215, 216.

By means of the pumps 221, 222, the excess ink can in each case be sucked off by the suction cup 215, 216 connected to them from the print head 104, 105 on which the latter rests. Since a pump 221, 222 and a suction cup 215, 216 are assigned to each print head 104, 105, this can be done in a single Work step. The excess ink is conveyed into the collecting container 231 of the collecting device 230 by the pumps 221, 222.

The pumps 221, 222 are here attached to the frame 211 of the cleaning unit 210 so that they can be used together with the cleaning device 210 by means of

Drive device 250 are movable. As a result, they can be serviced or replaced together with the cleaning unit 210.

The printing unit 100 and the cleaning device 210 are always in the cleaning position when the printer is in a “stand-by” operating mode, that is, is ready for operation, but does not currently have a print job to process or is switched off. In this way, the printheads can be sealed and possible ink residues do not dry on or the printheads do not stick.

In Fig. 2, the printing unit 100 is shown freely movable. The printer 1 is therefore in a printing position D. "Free" here means that the

Cleaning unit 210 is located so far below the print heads 104, 105 in the vertical direction 42 that the printing unit 100 can be moved above the cleaning unit 210 in and against the horizontal direction 41 without touching it.

In FIG. 3, the printer is in a wiping position A, in which ink can be wiped off from the print heads 104, 105 by means of the wiping lip 214 when the printing unit 100 is moved. For this purpose, the wiper lip 214 is fastened to the mounting plate 213 in such a way that its free end extends upwards from the mounting plate 213 against the vertical direction 42. Furthermore, the

For this purpose, move the cleaning device 210 against the vertical direction 42 until a free end (not designated) of the wiper lip 214 touches a nozzle side (not designated) of one of the print heads 104, 105. Then the printing unit 100 is moved in the horizontal direction over the wiper lip 214, the

excess ink with wiper lip 214 from the nozzle side of the one

Printhead 104, 105 is stripped along which it is being moved. This is preferably done in an adjustable time interval. After the excess ink has been wiped off, the wiper lip 214 is cleaned regularly. This cleaning of the wiping lip 214 is described in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 13a-d.

In addition to the collecting container 231 for the excess ink, the collecting device 230 has a cleaning device 240 for the wiper lip 214. The cleaning device 240 is arranged on the collecting container 231. It has a sponge 242 in which a receptacle 244 for the wiper lip 214 is arranged. Adjustable walls 246a, b are provided on both sides of the sponge 242, each of which comprises a ramp-like contour, which here is provided by means of ribs 248a, b,

249a, b are formed. By pressing on the ribs 248a, b, 249a, b, the walls 246a, b can be adjusted in or against the horizontal direction 41, the sponge 242 being compressed by means of the walls 246a, b.

In order to clean the wiper lip 214 with the aid of the cleaning device 240, the cleaning device 210 moves downward in the vertical direction 42. The mounting plate 213 is moved downwards together with the cleaning device 210.

The cleaning device 240 is arranged on the side (not designated) of the collecting container 231 facing the mounting plate 213 and is raised relative to it. In the horizontal direction 41 on both sides of the wiper lip 214, the mounting plate 213 also has openings 225, 226. Furthermore, the wiper lip 214 is arranged above the receptacle 244 of the sponge 242 in a lip cleaning position L, from which it can be retracted for cleaning.

When moving in the vertical direction 42, the wiper lip therefore dips into the receptacle 244, the sponge 242 and the walls 246a, b surrounding it dipping into the openings 225, 226 of the mounting plate 213. Since the ribs 248a, b, 249a, b are ramp-shaped, the walls 246a, b are pressed together further and further. As a result, the sponge 242 is compressed more and more. This process is shown in FIGS. 13 a - d.

In FIG. 13d, the cleaning device 210 has moved so far that the

The wiper lip 214 is completely immersed in the receptacle 244 of the sponge 242 and is thereby cleaned. The time / space coordinated immersion becomes the sponge is not damaged by the frame, and only comes into contact / touch with the lip for cleaning.

FIGS. 5a and b each show an exchange position T in which the collecting container can be removed from the printer 1. For this purpose, the printing unit 100 is moved horizontally until it is offset from the cleaning device 210 in relation to the horizontal direction 41. The cleaning device 210 is then moved against the vertical direction until the wiper lip 214 is completely out of the

Cleaning device 240 is moved out. Needles 223, 224 at the ends of the second lines 218, 220 are then in the vertical direction 42 above the

The collecting container 321 of the collecting device 230 is arranged. In this

In exchange position T, the collecting device 230 can be taken out of the printer 1 together with the cleaning device 240 attached to it, in particular by hand. A handle 234 is provided for this purpose on the collecting container 231 (see FIG. 5b).

The exchange of the collecting device 230 can be undertaken after approx. 2000 to 3000 marker cards 2 have been printed. The specific replacement interval of the collecting device 230 depends on the volume of the sucked off or stripped off ink by the cleaning unit 210.

The complete removal of the cleaning device 210 from the printer 1 is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. For this purpose, the cleaning device 210 is moved against the vertical direction 42 until the tooth sections 212a - d of the cleaning device 210 are out of engagement with the output pinions 257a, b, 258a, b of the drive device 250. The cleaning device 210 is then in the maintenance position W.

Analogously to the exchange position T, the printing unit 100 for the

Maintenance position W can also be moved horizontally until it is offset from the cleaning device 210 in relation to the horizontal direction 41. Maintenance or replacement of the cleaning device 210 can, for example, after the printer has been in operation for a certain time from

for example, two to three years may be required. The specific replacement interval of the cleaning device 210 depends on wear and tear and usage.

7a shows the drive device 250 and the printing unit 100 in one

exemplary position in the vertical direction one above the other and without the

Cleaning device 210 and collecting device 230. This is

it can be seen that the drive device 250 is two mutually parallel

Drive shafts 252, 253, which extend in a third spatial direction 43 transversely to the vertical and transversely to the horizontal direction 41, 42. At

Opposite ends (not designated) of the drive shafts 252, 253 are each the output pinions 257a, b, 258a, b for driving the tooth sections 212a - d of the cleaning device 210. This is also shown in FIG. 8.

The drive shafts 252, 253 are driven by means of overhung gears 260a, b which are fixedly attached to them and which mesh with one another. A first of the two gears 260a, b meshes with a drive pinion 255 of a drive motor 256. The drive pinion 255 and the two gears 260a and 260b therefore form a reversing gear, since the two gears 260a, 260b rotate in opposite directions when the drive motor 256 is in operation. The

Drive motor 256 is designed here as an electric motor.

The drive device 250 has a base plate 251 in which one end of the drive shafts 252, 253 is rotatably mounted. The base plate 251

opposite the drive device 250 also has a bearing plate 254 in which the other end of the drive shafts 252, 253 is rotatably mounted. The end shield 254 and the base plate 251 are connected to one another by spacer strips 259a, 259b, 259c. They are intended to be stationary.

In each case one output pinion 257a, b, 258a, b with the one meshing with it

Tooth section 212a-d forms a rack and pinion gear, all four

Rack and pinion drives run at synchronous speed and therefore a enable uniform movement of the cleaning device 210 in and against the vertical direction 42.

In Fig. 7b, the cleaning device 210 is shown separately in a perspective view.

9 shows the cleaning unit 200 in a three-dimensional view. The cleaning device 210, the collecting device 230 and the cleaning device are visible

240 for the wiper lip 214 and the drive device 250.

In Fig. 10, the collecting device 230 is shown spatially without adjacent components. Two through bores 232, 233 can be clearly seen, in each of which a needle 223, 224 at the ends of the second lines 218, 220 of the cleaning device 210, when the collecting device 230 is installed

intervention. For easy handling of the collecting device 230, a handle 234 can be integrally formed on the collecting container 231. In a dome-like, rectangular block-shaped extension formed in one piece on the collecting container 231

241, the cleaning unit 240 for the wiper lip 214 is arranged.

The cleaning unit 240 of the wiper lip 214 has the example here

rectangular parallelepiped sponge 242, which consists of a porous or

foam-like material is made. The sponge is inserted into the extension 241. For this purpose, the extension 241 has a shape corresponding to the sponge 242.

In order to be able to receive the wiper lip 214, the receptacle 244 is provided in the center of the sponge 242.

In the area of the sponge 242, the extension 242 comprises four walls 245a, 245b, 246a, 246b, which form an insert 243. On fleas of the sponge 242, the walls 246a, b running parallel to the receptacle 244 are not connected to the walls 245a, 245b running transversely to the latter. Rather, a gap 247a, 247b, 247c, 247d runs between the walls 246a, 246b parallel to the receptacle and the transverse walls 245a, 245b. This is in FIG. 10 in one Detail shown enlarged. The gaps 247a, 247b and 247c, 247d have the effect that the walls 246a, 246b, which run parallel to the receptacle 244, can be moved at least to a limited extent in or against the horizontal direction 41.

The walls 246a, 246b that run parallel to the receptacle 244 each have the ramp-shaped ribs 248a, 248b and 249a, 249b on their side facing away from the receptacle 244.

The extension 241 or the enclosure 243 with their walls 245a, 245b 246a, 246b is dimensioned such that they can engage in the openings 225, 226 of the mounting plate 213 when the cleaning device 210 is relative to

Catcher 230 is moved down in the vertical direction. Via the ramp-like ribs 248a, 248b or 249a, 249b, the vertical movement of the mounting plate 213 is deflected into a quasi-horizontal movement of the respective walls 246a, 246b parallel to the receptacle 242. In the process, the sponge 242 is pressed onto the wiper lip 214, which continuously plunges further into the receptacle 244, and the wiper lip 214 is cleaned with the sponge 242. Ink adhering to the wiper lip 214 is absorbed by the sponge 242 and flows off into the collecting container 231. The sponge does not come into contact with the frame through movement.

In FIG. 11, the cleaning unit 200 is shown without the collecting device 230. Furthermore, directional arrows are arranged on the lines 217, 218 which indicate the

Represent the flow direction of the excess ink during a cleaning process of the first printhead 104. With the one shown here

During the cleaning process, excess ink is sucked off the first print head 104 via the first lines 217 with the first suction cup 215 and conveyed via the second line 218 through the spike-like free end of the line 223 into the collecting container 231 of the collecting device 230, to which the second line 218 is connected by a Nozzle is attached. The first pump 221 is driven to suck out the ink. The second print head 105 is connected in an analogous manner to the second suction cup 216, a first line 219 assigned to it, the second pump 222 and a second line 220 assigned to it. This second line 220 also has a second free line end 224, which in this case is spike-like, into the

The collecting container 231 of the collecting device 230 is immersed and to which the second line 220 is attached by a nozzle. The ink in the second print head 105 can therefore be drawn off in an analogous manner by driving the second pump 222. For a better overview, the first line 219 and the second line 220, which connect the second suction cup 216 to the second pump 222, are not shown here (see FIG. 9 instead, for example).

List of reference symbols

1 printer

R cleaning position

D Print position

A wiping position

L Lip cleansing position

T exchange position

w Maintenance position

2 marker card

20 area to be printed

3 markers

41 Direction of conveyance, especially horizontal direction

42 suction direction, especially vertical direction

43 third spatial direction

100 pressure unit

101 printhead carrier

102 first guide rail

103 second guide rail

104 first printhead

105 second printhead

200 cleaning unit

210 cleaning device

21 1 frame

212a, b, c, d tooth section, gear element

213 mounting plate

214 wiper lip

215 first suction cup

216 second suction cup

217 first line

218 second line

219 first line

220 second line

221 first pump

222 second pump

223 first free line end 224 second free line end

225 first breakthrough

226 second breakthrough

230 fall arrest device

231 collection container

232 through hole

233 through hole

234 handle

240 Cleaning device for the wiper lip

241 approach

242 sponge

243 use

244 recording

245a, b first wall

246a, b second wall

247a, b, c, d gap

248a, b first rib

249a, b second rib

250 drive device

251 base plate

252 first drive shaft

253 second drive shaft

254 bearing shield

255 drive pinion

256 drive motor

257a, b pair of output pinions

258a, b pair of output pinions

259a, b, c spacer bar

260a, b gear

I, II, III, IV functional devices

Claims

Expectations

1. Printer (1) for printing plate-like print media, in particular for

Printing of marker cards (2) which comprise one or more markers (3) for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables or the like, wherein the printer has a printing unit (100) with at least one print head (104, 105) for printing the print media according to the inkjet printing principle, which can be moved in and against a conveying direction (41), as well as a cleaning unit (200) for cleaning the print heads (104, 105), which has a cleaning device (210) for sucking off ink in a suction direction (42) the print head (104, 105), the cleaning unit (200) also having a drive device (250) for moving the

Includes cleaning device (210) in different operating positions (R, D, A, L, T, W),

characterized in that

the cleaning device (210) with the drive device (250) can be moved into a maintenance position (W) in which it can be completely removed from the printer (1).

2. Printer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Cleaning device (210) comprises a frame (21 1) on which

Tooth sections (212a-d) are arranged, which are used for the method of

The cleaning device (210) is in meshing engagement with a driven pinion (257a, b, 258a, b) of the drive device (250), and the

Removing the cleaning device (210) in the maintenance position (W) can be disengaged.

3. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tooth sections (212a-d) extend in a linear direction, in particular in the suction direction (42).

4. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case a pair in a third spatial direction (43) from one another

spaced tooth sections (257a, b; 258a, b) a pair in the third Spatial direction (43) spaced apart output pinions (212a, b; 212c, d) is assigned.

5. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing unit (100) for moving the cleaning device (210) into the maintenance position (W) opposite the cleaning unit (200) is moved against the conveying direction (41), that it is spaced from the conveying direction (41).

6. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (210) has a wiper lip (214) for wiping the ink from the print head (104, 105) and / or a suction cup (215, 216) for sucking off Comprises ink from the print head (104, 105), which is or are movable with the cleaning device (210).

7. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper lip (214) and / or the suction cup (215, 216) on one

Mounting plate (213) are arranged, which is attached to the frame (21 1), and extends transversely to this.

8. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (210) comprises a pump (221, 222) which is associated with the suction cup (215, 216) and is provided for sucking off the ink, and which is provided with the cleaning device (210) can be moved.

9. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning unit (200) comprises a collecting device (230) with a collecting container (231) for the ink that is not with the

Cleaning device (210) can be moved, but can be removed separately from the printer (1) in an exchange position (T) of the cleaning device (210).

10. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning unit (200) comprises a cleaning device (240) for the wiper lip (214), which is arranged on the collecting container (231).

11. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (240) for the wiper lip (214) a

Sponge (242), in which a receptacle (244) is arranged, into which the wiping lip (214) can be reversibly inserted when the cleaning device (210) is moved.

12. Printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sponge (242) between two adjustable walls (246a, b) is arranged, the distance between which changes when the wiper lip (214) is inserted, so that the sponge ( 242) is compressed.

13. Cleaning device (210) for a printer (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Method for maintaining a printer (1), in particular after one of the

The preceding claims, in which a cleaning device (210) first moves into a maintenance position (W) and is then completely removed from the printer (1).