JPH03500270A - Method and device for ensuring automatic operation of ink printing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Nki: ``1, yo. The present invention provides a method for detecting the operational capability of an ink printing device according to the generic concept of claim 1 or 4. Relating to laws and devices.

Ink printing devices that operate with multi-nozzle ink heads are sensitive to environmental influences. It's a feeling. These effects, which can cause operational disorders, include: - Contamination of gas or air in the ink - Ink dryness or strong change in viscosity - contamination of the nozzle area of the ink head by foreign particles, e.g. fine paper; - In ink printing equipment that operates under negative pressure, for example, the printer may be subjected to shocks during transportation. There may be damage to the concave ink meniscus at the nozzle end due to .

All of these operational fault removals are available to printer users in the event of an operational fault. require various means.

Another problem with ink printing devices whose operation is monitored by the user is the problem of printed image acceptance. It is. The user of the ink printing device should at any suitable point notice that the formed character image is damaged. I have to check to see if I have received it. This is especially true for high printing resolutions. This is difficult in multi-nozzle ink heads because, for example, ink recording Even if one or more nozzles in the printer fail, there will be only a slight deterioration of the printed image at first. It is from.

In general, the specified operation of the recording head is determined by the user's own special printing pattern. Tested by visual inspection. This is not easy, and the ratio is on the order of about 60 μm. Due to the relatively small diameter of the ink droplets, very difficult observation is required, often requiring a magnifying glass. Essential. This is especially true if the failure occurs in injection nozzles that are relatively far apart from each other. The burden becomes too much. Overall, such tests are unsatisfactory.

The write head and therefore the printing device can also be operated without any disturbance in the case of other faults of the above-mentioned form. done manually by the user of the printing device to enable it to work again It is common practice to introduce or carry out procedures.

In order to be able to detect operational disturbances due to failure of individual nozzles, a West German patent has been developed. From Application Publication No. 3634034, it is known that at least the first electrode is Move the head so that it is facing the jet nozzle of the recording head at a predetermined distance. It is known to use ink drop sensors that include many electrodes, which can be used.

The change in resistance between the first electrode and another electrode is detected by the ink recording head. When the ejected conductive ink reaches the first electrode, it is detected.

Further, from West German Patent Application Publication No. 26104518, ink heads, especially nozzles, The ink pressure is manually increased for a short period of time to remove dirt from the ink ejected onto the nozzle surface. It is known to clean by flushing the particles away.

Another known cleaning device (West German Patent Application No. 3207072) is rotatable. The edge of this plate moves back and forth on the nozzle surface. do.

Further, from West German Patent Application No. 2919727, ink recording head A device for closing the nozzle face is described, in which the device is driven by an electric motor. A flexible endless belt is provided on the nozzle surface. are in contact.

For cleaning ink recording heads, European Patent Application No. 0212503 From the publication, using a hose pump located inside the printer carriage is publicly known.

The object of the present invention is to provide an ink printing system with an ink printing system in order to ensure automatic operation of an ink printing device. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for detecting the operating capability of a printing device.

The above object is achieved in a method and a device of the type specified in the opening, with the features of claims 1 and 4. Solved by the features described in the section Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the further claims.

In the present invention, when the performance test procedure is called, the ink head is automatically checked first. is cleaned and washed in the area of its nozzle face. After the cleaning procedure is completed Each nozzle of the recording head is subjected to a jetting test and then depending on the result of the jetting test. to allow the printing operation to begin, or to complete one or more cleaning procedures again. If this does not work, set the ink printing device to a failure state, i.e., continue the printing operation. Interrupted or a fault condition is indicated on the display.

By automatically guaranteeing the operation of the ink printing device before the printing operation in this way, , or optimal operation by automatically performing control procedures during printing operations. Authenticity and print quality are guaranteed. This device is inexpensive and allows users of printing devices to does not have to perform controls that may not be accurate themselves, because the This is because the ink printing device automatically controls itself at predetermined times.

The necessary components are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, and can be easily sequenced. The performance test procedure is carried out within the framework of a microprocessor-controlled central control unit. can be memorized.

A call to the operational capability test procedure is in this case forced upon start-up of the printing device. or after a printing time has elapsed, which can be given in advance.

Example Next, the present invention will be explained based on examples and using figures.

Figure 1 shows the principle of an ink droplet sensor, and Figures 2 and 3 show how it is designed as an ink droplet sensor. Embodiment of the comb-shaped electrode shown in FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the comb-shaped electrode shown in FIG. 5. Figures 6 and 7 are circuit diagrams showing examples of evaluation circuits, and Figure 8 is a sensor sub. Examples of rate configuration and manufacturing Figures 9 and 10 show the implementation of the sensor device, respectively. The example used in the actual operation, Fig. 11 is a conceptual diagram of the automatic operation guarantee device, and Fig. 12 is l-X. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 11 taken along the section line II, and FIG. A sectional view of the device of FIG. 11 taken along xm, FIG. FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the device corresponding to FIG. 13;

The ink printing device shown here only schematically in FIG. , the ink recording head 1 disposed on the printer carriage 100 is A step motor is used to print each line on a record carrier (not shown) in a printing operation. is moved along. At this time, the printer carriage 100 guides the top of the guide rod 102. It is connected to a step motor 101 via a toothed belt 103. P At the left end of the movement area of the printer carriage 100, the printer chassis 41 is The necessary elements are arranged to guarantee automatic operation of the printer. these are substantially a cleaning and washing station 105 and an ink droplet located next to it; This is the sensor 11.

In particular, the cleaning and cleaning stations shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 and 14 The engine 105 is driven via an electric motor 106 by means of a correspondingly arranged transmission. Circulating endless bell made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer The endless belt 107 is guided by two rollers 108. The belt width is equal to the width of the nozzle surface (nozzle plate) 2 of the ink recording head 1. slightly larger. On the endless belt 107 are two wedge-shaped belts. A lip-shaped wiping part 109 is arranged. These lip-shaped wiping parts 109 are It has an approximately triangular cross section, with the angle at the front edge being the same as the angle at the rear edge. Therefore, the lip-shaped wiping part 109 has a triangular shape located diagonally. It is fixed on the endless belt 107 to form a lip-shaped part or It is formed as a raised part of the endless belt 107.

The endless belt 1o7 having the lip-shaped wiping part 109 has the lip-shaped wiping part 10 9 at intervals such that the entire nozzle surface can be reliably wiped during the cleaning operation. The elasticity and flexibility to create the necessary surface pressure in this case essentially This is realized by the curvature of the belt 107.

Prevents the nozzle surface 2 of the ink recording head 1 from drying and from adhering to dirt during the recording pause period. In order to stop the belt, the endless belt 107 runs parallel to itself between the lip-shaped wiping parts 109 has another lip-like part 110 on the top, so that the corresponding protective cap-like recess is endless. It is formed in the belt 107. This recess is located in front of the nozzle surface 2 during the recording pause period. , and comes into elastic contact with the nozzle surface 2. The lip-shaped portions 109 and 110 are At this time, these are arranged so as to surround the area of the recording nozzle in a sealed state.

The lip-shaped portion 110 in the lateral direction is formed from the lip-shaped portion 1 with the lip-shaped wiping portion 109 as a reference. 10 openings to be able to guarantee pressure and temperature compensation with respect to the surroundings It is arranged so that it remains open. But it is important that this protective cap In the area of the protective cap in front of the nozzle opening after adjusting the position of the During this period, a kind of local climate is established that prevents the nozzle surface from drying out and from adhering to dirt. That's true.

In an ink recording head, if the recording pause period is long, the ink will leak into the nozzle opening. There is a risk of concentration within the area. Therefore, immediately after restarting the inking operation, This concentrated or possibly contaminated ink is then used to obtain a printed image. It is also necessary to remove any ink from the nozzle opening. For this purpose, the nozzle Spraying and cleaning is typically done within the cleaning station.

To facilitate this spray cleaning, endless On the belt 107 there is a spray plate as a catch surface for ink droplets in spray cleaning. A region 111 is provided which contributes to Ray cleaning. When spray cleaning, Corresponding to FIG. 14, this region 111 is moved in front of the nozzle face 2 and then The ink drips from the endless belt 107 and is captured by the capture container 112. It will be done.

During spray cleaning, the ink in the ink recording head 1 is transferred to the printer 100. It is pushed out by a hose pump 113 arranged. This hose pump 113 is - It can also be formed as described in Patent Application Publication No. 0212503. Wear.

A single electric motor 106 serves the cleaning and washing station 1o5 and the hose pump 113. Both are driven depending on their direction of rotation. For this purpose, the drive shaft 11 of the electric motor 106 5 are provided with a first return rotation prevention wheel 116 and a first return rotation prevention wheel 116, each depending on the rotation direction. A second return rotation prevention wheel 117 is arranged. Depends on direction of rotation These return rotation prevention wheels 116 and 117 are formed as flywheels. The first flywheel, that is, the first return rotation prevention wheel 116 is connected to the belt. It is interlocked with the roller lO8 of the endless belt 107 via 118. return The rotation prevention wheel 116 is rotated when the driving direction of the drive shaft 115 is opposite to the clock hands. If the direction is the same as the clock hands, the belt 118 is used. and is connected to the endless belt 107. Second return rotation prevention wheel 1 17 indicates free running when the drive shaft 115 rotates in the same direction as the clock hands. It is formed as a flywheel with a toothed part 119 on the outside thereof, The toothed part 119 cooperates with a corresponding toothed part 120 of the hose pump 1]3.

The coupling of the hose pump 113 with the electric motor 116 prevents the movement of the printer carriage 100. This connection is made at the position shown on the left in Figure 11. The ink drop sensor 11 located at the cleaning and washing station 105 is then This will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 10.

In FIG. 1, an ink recording head 1 is shown on the right side. Ink recording head 1 For example, a nozzle plate 2 having nine discharge nozzles 3 and nine ink channels A head member 4 having a wall 5, and a drive element 6 arranged correspondingly to the head member 4. , and an ink supply section 7. The ink supply section 7 is connected via an ink supply pipe 8 to connected with an ink storage container that is not installed. By individual control of the drive element 6 , individual ink droplets 9 are ejected from correspondingly arranged nozzles 3 . nozzle 3 is arranged multiple times in many columns perpendicular to the drawing plane as shown in Figure 1. You can also Four such rows carry a recording head with 32 nozzles. The nozzles of the individual rows can be arranged offset from each other. Invention The droplet sensor 11 is arranged at a distance of 10 from the recording head 1. record The head 1 essentially has two outwardly guided electrode terminals 13 and 14. Ru, Kushigata 1i! A sensor plate 12 formed as a pole and behind it or is located at the bottom and is hereinafter referred to as the suction block 17, and is used for receiving and discharging ink liquid. It consists of the layers used. The comb-shaped electrode or sensor plate 12 has at least In the hit area of the ink drop, a number of conductor tracks run parallel to each other in the hit area of the ink drop. 18 and 19. The ink liquid discharge device is supplied by the impact of ink droplets. , consisting of a non-conductive porous material. This ink liquid evacuation device can be arranged in one layer or advantageously in many layers. It is formed by partial layers.

Electrode terminals 13 and 14 are used to direct one or more ink drops to comb-shaped electrode 12. The evaluation circuit 2°, which will be described below, sends out a corresponding signal, namely the sensor signal SM, depending on the is connected to.

The operation of the ink droplet sensor 11 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. ink FIG. 2 shows an embodiment for the comb-shaped electrodes or sensor plate 12 of the droplet sensor 11. It is shown in a plan view, and FIG. 3 is shown in a cross-sectional view. In this example, a comb-shaped electrode or sensor probe is used. The rate 12 is formed by two comb parts 121 and 122, and these tongue-shaped guides The body channels 18 and 19 are located adjacently in the area of impact of the ink drop and form a comb structure. to be accomplished. The comb parts 121 and 122 with conductor tracks 18 and 19 are in this case , mounted on a suction block 17 consisting of a porous and non-conductive layer. . Each of these comb portions 121 and 122 is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 1 from the outside. 3 and 14.

Diagram M3 shows the structure in detail. In this example, the suction block 17 is It consists of two partial layers 15 and 16 of absorbent material with thicknesses Sl and S2. Ru. On top of the uppermost partial layer 15, an insulating sheet 21 is formed with a gold layer on top. The insulating sheet 21 then forms a comb-shaped electrode or sensor plate. It is structured and equipped with conductor tracks 18 and 19 corresponding to a pitch T of 12. to this As a result, the structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is formed. Conductor tracks 18 and 19 The comb portion 121,122 has a height L.

The conductor tracks 18 and 19 each have a width A and run at a distance B from one another. child This determines the pitch T=A+B. The ink drop sensor 11 is a single diameter If a droplet of ink has already been detected, the gap between adjacent conductor tracks 18 and 19 and thus In order to short-circuit the electrical resistance between the comb portions 121 and 122, T≦D is required. No. In the example of FIG. This condition is satisfied if it is in the middle. That is, between two adjacent conductor paths 18 and 19 - Significance that can be evaluated by the evaluation circuit 2o at the electrode terminals 13 and 14 A significant drop in resistance value occurs. After the ink droplet 9 hits, the ink liquid first flows through the upper porous hole. is received by the sexual partial layer 15, carried downwards and finally penetrates into the second partial layer 16. Enter. The non-conductive porous partial layers 15 and 16 are a kind of absorption having capillary action. Acts as a built-in pump. The efficiency of this suction pump depends on the porosity (or pore size) and/or specified by selection of the number or thickness of the thicknesses Sl, S2 of the partial layers 15 and 16 It can be adjusted for various purposes. For the embodiment shown in FIG. The law was found to be particularly advantageous.

A=B=40μm H (gold electrode) = 1 μm L=50μm 51=5 tumors 52=1.5M The porosities P1 and P2 of the two layers 15 and 16 are different.

As the porosity of the individual layers increases with increasing distance from the comb electrodes (P2) P]) Advantageous. Increasing porosity increases the pore size, which in turn increases the layer Capillary action increases. This allows the ink liquid to be conveyed preferentially to the upper partial layer 15. It is guaranteed that the lower partial layer 16 is exposed to the lower partial layer 16. This is due to the empty space near the comb-shaped electrode. A series of single drops that are emptied relatively quickly and therefore hit within a short time interval. It has the advantage that it can actually be detected. Individual parts with different porosity The material for the partial layers 15 and 16 is preferably Duran ( Duran filter glass is used for the lower partial layer 16. l1pore) Filter paper is suitable. The upper porous partial layer 15 The pore size is in this case 0.01 to 0.02 mm, with the lower porous partial layer The pore size of No. 16 is 0.005 mm to 0.01 mm. The aforementioned comb The structure may advantageously be fabricated by known thin film or thick film techniques to avoid such problems. Upon impact of an ink droplet with a previously given conductivity on a shaped structure In a jump, the electrical resistance between the conductor tracks of the two comb sections changes.

Electricity is generated by drawing ink droplets inside the two layers by capillary action and removing them. resistance measurable between comb portions 121 and 122 which are not electrically connected to each other; increases again after a while, and therefore the porosity PI, P2 of the partial layers 15 and 16 After the suction time, which depends on the characteristics of the ink, e.g. A new drop of ink ejected from can be detected in the same way. The dimensions mentioned above According to the legal values, it is possible for individual ink drops to hit with a time interval of approximately 20 m5. Ru.

The above-mentioned device in which the relationship T≦D holds between the pitch T and the diameter of one ink droplet. It is also possible to measure the hit of individual drops by The diameter of one single droplet It is within the scope of the present invention to set a larger pitch (T>D). This results in , ensuring that many short, sequential single drops are ejected from one nozzle of the recording head. It is possible to detect That is, each ink droplet hits the previous one within a certain amount of time. If the liquid from the ink droplets hit the comb electrode before being sucked in, each new droplet Due to the ink droplets flowing in the ink, the ink volume between two adjacent conductor paths is increased by this ink droplet. The liquid increases until it forms an electrical connection between these two conductor paths. in this way Then, for example, only when the third drop hits, a clear jump resistance change occurs. It is possible to do so.

In this case, the porosity of the individual layers, which acts on the capillary suction of the ink liquid, also Corresponding adjustments are within the scope of the present technology. So in reality this is , the pitch is T)D and the suction block consists of many partial layers, the third As explained in connection with the figure, the porosity of the individual sublayers is plotted from top to bottom. The porosity of the individual sublayers increases from top to bottom, or decreases from top to bottom. It means to choose as follows.

In a second embodiment of the ink droplet sensor, the structure of the comb-shaped electrode arrangement is It is designed as a conductor track arranged in a comb-shaped structure. The body paths can be electrically controlled, e.g. connected to each other during individual measurement pauses. Benefits can be obtained. An example for this is shown in FIG.

The conductor tracks 181 and 191 of the two comb parts 123 and 124 are in this case It is mounted on the suction block 17 in a hollow shape. Structure of suction block 17 And the shape of the conductor paths 181 and 191 shall be determined by the method explained using FIG. 3. Can be done. As in the previous embodiment, the conductor tracks run parallel to each other in the area of the ink droplet impact point. Run to the line. Unlike the previous embodiments, in addition to the starting terminals 13 and 14, a second A pair of electrode terminals 23 and 24 are provided, and a conductor path 18 is provided via the electrode terminals 23 and 24. 1 and 191 can be electrically connected to each other.

over the duration of one measuring operation, i.e. over the period during which ink drop hits are detected. The electrode terminals 23 and 24 are not connected to each other. In this case, ink drop hit detection The ejecting operation is performed as described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, in If no drop is detected, a switch (not shown) is activated during the measurement pause period. The electrode terminals 23 and 24 can be connected to each other via a The conductor tracks 181 and 191 are connected to the ink droplets during the measurement pause using a power supply that is not can be used to heat and thus evaporate.

As a result, ink liquid removal by evaporation is added to the capillary action of the suction block. Benefits can be obtained.

Evaluate the hit of an ink drop with a sudden drop in resistance in the middle of the conductor path with comb 1 as the pole. In order to is provided. An embodiment for this purpose is shown in FIG. The circuit shown essentially consists of a voltage divider consisting of a fixed resistance of 3° and a variable measuring resistance 31.

The measuring resistor 31 is a conductor path of comb-shaped electrodes] 8 and 19 (Fig. 2) or 181 and 191. (Figure 4) represents the actual resistance value in each case, i.e. the circuit shown is It is connected to electrode terminals 13 and 14 of the comb-shaped electrode at the location. Resistor 3 of this voltage divider The tap between 0.31 and 0.31 is connected to the input of comparator 32. This connection is The voltage value Um adjusted at the tap point of the pressure circuit 30.31 is the instantaneous value at each time. An integral element 35, 36 to the other input as the average value tJmm. Another resistor 34 is , the two comparator inputs forming the noise voltage spacing necessary for the operation of the comparator 32. It is used to generate a bias voltage on one side.

A bistable multivibrator circuit 37 downstream of the comparator 32 is connected to the comparator 3. From the output side of 2, a sensor signal for a subsequent printer control device (not shown) Form SM. The bistable multivibrator circuit 37 operates as follows. Ru. By ejecting ink droplets induced into the recording head by the printer control device. When an ink drop hits the comb electrode, this causes a sudden drop in resistance.

The measuring resistance 31 therefore becomes smaller and in this way for a short time the instantaneous value tJm becomes smaller than the temporal average value LJmm. In the example of FIG. 5, the output of comparator 32 A short level change from 1 to O occurs on the force side. This level change is a bistable The multivibrator circuit 37 buffers and controls the printer control multivibrator circuit. The line 37 is reset via its reset input by a reset signal R, and thus Then, the ink drop sensor 11 detects the order of the next ink drop from another nozzle of the recording head 1. Operated for medium and evaluation.

Trigger for ink drop ejection by printer control device and arrival of sensor signal SM It is possible to test the operating ability of individual nozzles by monitoring the time between It is Noh. For example, printer configuration, droplet flight time, ink composition, etc. jump after a certain period of time, which is adjustable depending on the parameters being If no resistance change occurs, the printer control unit will operate the triggered nozzle. The circuit arrangement described above operates on direct current, i.e. the voltage divider circuit is connected between the power supply and ground. This uses some kind of ink fluid This can lead to destruction of the ink fluid in some cases, especially when evaluating ink droplets. This is likely to occur when many ink drops arriving in short succession are required for measurement. In order to achieve a possible resistance reduction, the ink fluid should in this case be heated to ℃≧100m5. A current is passed across the device, but this may cause electrolytic changes. Do it like this The pigment separates from the solvent and the ink liquid solidifies, making suction by capillary action impossible. It may happen, In another embodiment of the invention, this problem is solved when the ink drop sensor is The problem is solved by being activated. An embodiment for this is shown in FIG. .

The evaluation circuit shown in FIG. 6 also uses a fixed resistor 30.

It has a voltage divider circuit consisting of a resistor 31 representing the actual resistance value between the conductor paths. Partial pressure circuit The lines 30, 31 are connected in this case to an alternating voltage generator 38. Furthermore, partial pressure Between the voltage dividing point of the circuit 30 and 31 and the comparator 32, the circuit selected in FIG. A demodulator 33 is connected which operates as a so-called peak rectifier in the embodiment. There is. From its output side, it therefore corresponds to the instantaneous peak value of the voltage at the voltage divider point. voltage value can be obtained. This voltage value is connected to one input side of the comparator 32 through a resistor 39. is fed directly to the other input via an integrating element as a temporal average value. child The comparison in the comparator 32 and the disconnection of the bistable multivibrator 37 are performed as follows. exchange control and sending the sensor signal SM to a printer control device (not shown). This is done as explained using FIG.

A detailed circuit configuration of an embodiment of the evaluation circuit shown in FIG. 6 is shown in FIG.

An embodiment of the structure of the sensor plate according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this example , is based on the example conductor track arrangement shown in FIG. Sensor play holding A plate 26 is provided. Advantageously glass with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.8 mm A base metallization layer of Tj, Cu is applied to the plate by vapor deposition.

A phototrack film is applied to both sides of the support plate 26 processed in this manner. Next A conductor track 1, which is then deposited photographically on one side on the sensor plate 25, is A pattern of interdigitated electrode structure with 8.19 is formed, and this pattern is It is plated with Nj to a thickness of 10-20 μm. In the next photo technology process Both sides of the area of the injection window 28 are exposed and the underlying metallization in this area is etched. Later, the glass is etched away, so that the conductor tracks 18, 19 are removed at this point. Now we have the so-called contact connection in the injection window 2, from which the glass has already been removed. A window 27 is formed by etching.

The sensor plate 25 can be manufactured very advantageously by these means and in a simple manner. It is joined and contact-connected with the suction block. Details are related to Figures 9 and 10. I will explain.

The embodiments shown in FIG. 9 (plan view) and FIG. 10 (sectional view) are four different ones. Only the casing 29, suction block 17, and sensor plate 2 5 and contact springs 42 arranged on both sides. Non-conductive The casing 29, which is designed as a plastic injection part, is designed to receive these parts. The tongue-like locking member 40, which is used for and is fixed to the printer chassis 41. e.g. suction ceramic or filter gas A suction block 17 made of a non-conductive, open-pored material such as lath or foam. The surface properties include specific requirements for the side facing the ink recording head 1. will be imposed. The flatness of this surface is determined by the flatness of the sensor plate 25 relative to this surface. The pore size of the porous suction block 17 is of the order of magnitude in order to ensure good abutment of the Must be in As explained in connection with FIG. 8, the sensor plate 25 The comb parts 121, 122, the conductor track 18, 19, the injection window 28 and the two contact contacts It has a continuation window 27.

The side on which the conductor tracks 18, 19 are mounted is located opposite the suction block 17. mechanically correspond the sensor plate 25 to the suction block 17. The positioning is carried out by multifunctional contact springs 42 arranged on both sides.

When installing this device, insert the suction block 17 into the casing 29. and the subsequent contact of the sensor plate 25 against the suction block 17. Later this metal contact spring 42 is inserted into the corresponding introduction opening in the casing 29. It is pushed into the mouth part 43. The contact spring 42 has a snout-like locking member 44 and The shaped locking member 44 is introduced into the casing 29 and securely locked in the notch 45. It will be done.

This allows the three tongue springs 46 formed at one end of the contact spring 42 to In this example, it is ensured that it comes into elastic contact with the sensor plate 25. The two outer tongue springs 46 in each case press against the carrier of the sensor plate 25 and create a suction A gap-free abutment of the sensor plate 25 against the block 17 is ensured. That's it The central tongue spring 46 is located in the area of the contact connection window 27 and is connected to the comb electrodes 18, 19. directly onto their respective contact surfaces, thus forming an electrical connection. contour The other end of each spring 42 forms an electrode terminal 13 or 14. Standard socket via a terminal formed as a flat plug 47 (not shown). An electrical connection of the comb electrode structure to the electronic evaluation circuit is made.

As mentioned above, the ink jetted onto the conductor paths 18 and 19 is sucked in by capillary action. It is sucked into block 17. The suction capacity of the suction block 17 is its suction Depends on the volume, its material and ink, and the frequency of the jetting test. Increase suction volume In order to reduce the suction time and reduce the suction time, a suction The additional block 17 is filled with a suction material having a higher porosity. An ink discharge opening 48 may also be provided.

Evaluation of the hit of an ink droplet that causes a sudden drop in resistance value in the middle of the conductor path of a comb-shaped electrode is a circuit device which sends out a sensor signal SM each time one or more ink droplets hit. (20 in Figure 1).

The height of the jet windows 28 is matched to the vertical spacing between the outer nozzles of the ink recording head 1. It is. The width of the ejection window 28 is determined in the horizontal direction of the nozzle ejection area of the ink recording head 1. is consistent with the spread of If the nozzle arrangement is in one row, a narrow injection window 28 is required. In the case of multiple rows, a correspondingly wider injection window 28 is required. locally Separated nozzle rows can also be directed to the injection window 28 sequentially in time. child This is advantageous because the firing test of individual nozzles is also done temporally rather than simultaneously. The narrow injection window 28 allows for a narrow construction of the device and thus This is because the overall width of the chassis 41 can be made small.

The automatic operation guarantee device for ink printers shown in Figure 11 is It is controlled via a microprocessor-controlled central controller ZS. Central control unit Tsusa Control drive control device As, printer carriage drive device 100, and printer carriage The step motor 101 of the edge drive 100 and the electric power of the cleaning and cleaning station. control via the motive 106. Furthermore, as described in connection with the ink droplet sensor 11, Evaluation circuit 20, display DS and time control device TS are connected to central control device ZS has been done. This time control device ZS is constructed in the usual manner and is connected to the ink printing device. detect the printing time or use the machine stored in the memory area of the central control unit ZS. The free choice time that must elapse before the competency test procedure is invoked. Enables you to enter the interval length. The central control unit ZS of the printing device For example, the data output side of the terminal is connected via the base IF.

The fully automatic operation guarantee device for the ink printing device operates as follows.

The ink recording head 1 is located on the left side of the printing area in the rest position shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. Located at the edge, the hose pump 113 connects the electric motor 106 with a flyhole or second return. and are coupled via a rotation prevention hole 117.

The nozzle surface 2 of the ink recording head l is closed via lip-shaped wiping parts 109 and 110. chained. The rotation of the motor shaft 115 in the same direction as the clock hands creates a lip shape. The nozzle ejection surface of the ink recording head 1 is wiped by the upper lip-shaped part of the wiping part 109. or cleaned, and the endless belt 107 is removed from the ink droplet trapping surface area, ie the free jetting area. The area 111 is moved to the position of FIG. 14, where it is located opposite the nozzle plate 2.

In this position, rotation of the motor shaft 115 in the counterclockwise direction The recording head nozzle can be cleaned by the hose pump 113. The hose pump 113 is placed in the nozzle's automatic position in what is referred to as the "standby" position. It can also be used for direct injection. The ink liquid generated in this case is the ink recording head. 1 or from the endless belt 107 into the capture container 112, and in this way is discharged. After the cleaning operation, re-rotating the motor shaft 115 in a counter-clockwise direction. The wiping operation is repeated by the lip-shaped wiping part 109 of the endless belt 107. be done.

After this, the ink recording head 1 passes through the interval 130 (FIG. 11). The carriage drive is then moved to the injection monitoring position (indicated by the dashed line). , where individual nozzles are sequentially tested for operational capability.

Then, depending on the result of the evaluation in the central control unit ZS, to the right of the position n−xm The printing operation starts for the located printing paper or if the jetting test fails. If a new cleaning or wiping process is carried out in the standby position and An arbitrarily fixed number of repeated cycles to be tested again at each location. The printer's ink recording head was removed for the first time after a negative jetting test result. ] moves to a fault state - This fault state of the tV is communicated via Display DS. is displayed and printer operation is interrupted.

In normal operation, if the jetting test result passes, the ink recording head 1 will print. Start.

can be selected arbitrarily by the time control device TS that cooperates with the connected printer. Free jet cycle and jet monitor cycle after possible time interval during printing operation can be inserted to test the operational capabilities of the ink recording head.

symbol list 1=ink recording head 2 = nozzle plate 3=Discharge nozzle 4 = head member 5 = Ink channel 6; Drive element 7 = Ink supply section 8 = Ink supply tube 9 = ink drop 10; interval 12.25=sensor plate 13.14, 23.24 = electrode terminal 15.16=partial layer 17=Suction block 18.19.18], ]9] = conductor path 21 = insulation sheet 26; Support plate 27 = contact connection window 28 = injection window 29 = casing 30 = fixed resistance 31=Measuring resistance 32=Comparator 33=Demodulator 34.39=resistance 35.36=integral element 37 = Bistable multi-vibrator circuit 38=AC voltage generator 40 = tongue-shaped locking member 4]=Printer chassis 42=contact element, contact spring 43=introduction introduction part 44=Nose-shaped locking member IG 2 FIG7 FIG 8 FIG 9 FIG 11 FIG 12 FIG 14 FIG 13 international search report

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An ink having a recording carriage (100) equipped with an ink recording head (1) In a method for detecting the operating capability of a printing device, a) When the operation test procedure is called, the ink recording head (1) is automatically Cleaning and/or ink recording within the framework of the cleaning procedure in the area of the nozzle surface (2) Clean the head (1), b) After the cleaning procedure, each nozzle of the ink recording bed (1) is subjected to a jetting test. c) Depending on the results of the jetting test, allow the printing operation to begin or The cleaning procedure must be repeated at least once and the subsequent jetting test results are unsuccessful. An operation of an ink printing device characterized in that if there is, the ink printing device is placed in a failure state. How to detect abilities. 2. If the injection test results in an arbitrarily fixed and configurable number of repeated cycles, the result is Claim 1, characterized in that the ink printing device is set to a failure state for the first time. A method for detecting the operating capability of the described ink printing device. 3. Automatic performance test after printing time (TS) which can be set in advance. The operational capabilities of the ink printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink printing device calls a strike procedure. How to detect force. 4. An ink having a recording carriage (100) equipped with an ink recording head (1) In a device for detecting the operational ability of a printing device, a) an ink recording head cleaning and closing device in the movement area of the ink recording head (1); (105) and a device (11) for monitoring the collision of ink droplets; A recording head cleaning and closing device (105) is driven by an electric motor to clean and close the ink recording head. Cleaning having a lip-shaped wiping part (109) for wiping the nozzle surface (2) of the head (1) and a closing device (109, 110) for covering the nozzle surface (2) as required. have, c) The ink jet monitoring device (11) is an ink droplet sensor that evaluates the hit of ink droplets. A device for detecting the operating capability of an ink printing device, characterized in that it has the following features: 5. Ink recording head (1) cleaning and closing device (105) and ink jet monitoring device (11) is provided outside the printer area at the edge of this area. The device for detecting the operational capability of an ink printing device according to claim 1. 6. A nozzle face (2) cleaning and closing device (105) is provided along the nozzle face (2). It has a flexible endless belt (107) guided and driven by an electric motor. Guide the endless belt (107) in front of the nozzle surface (2) at intervals, and The rest belt (107) has a lip-shaped wiping part (109) with a wedge-shaped cross section. , the lip-shaped wiping part (109) is placed on the endless belt (109). The wiping part (109) is located at least in front of the endless belt (107). Ink printing according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle surface is wiped by an edge. Device for detecting the operating capability of the device. 7. The endless belt (107) covers the area (111) that the lip-shaped wiping part cannot reach. , and the area (111) is optionally filled with ink droplets freely ejected from the nozzle. The feature is that it can be provided in front of the nozzle surface (2) as a capture member for The device for detecting the operating capability of an ink printing device according to claim 6. 8. The endless belt (2) has a recessed region (109, 110), and the recessed region ( 109, 110) is installed in front of the nozzle face in the form of a protective cap to protect it from drying out. and a recessed area (109, 110) in this area to prevent the nozzle from drying out. The ink according to claim 7, wherein the ink is formed so as to form a local climate. A device for detecting the operational capabilities of a printing device. 9. A common stationary electric motor (106) is installed for driving the cleaning device (105) and for driving the cleaning device (105). The electric motor (106) is provided to drive the main pump (113), and the electric motor (106) is provided to drive the main pump (113). the first and second return rotation prevention wheels (116, 117); and the second return rotation prevention wheel (116, 117) are connected to the electric motor (106) and the cleaning device. The first rotation method of the ink pump (113) and the electric motor (106) In the second rotation direction, the ink pump (113) is operated, and in the second rotation direction, the cleaning device (113) is operated. 05) is coupled to drive the ink printing method according to claim 4. Device for detecting the operating capability of the device. 10. Place the ink pump (113) on the printer carriage (100) and The key pump (113) has a coupling device (120), and the coupling device (120) When the ink carriage (100) is adjusted to the cleaning position, the ink pump (113) The ink printing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the ink printing device is coupled to an electric motor (106). A device for detecting the operating capacity of a station. 11. The ink jet monitoring device is arranged at a predetermined pitch (T) and formed in a comb shape. a sensor plate (12, 25) having a conductor path; The evaluation circuit (20) evaluates the resistance change occurring between at least two adjacent conductor paths. The ink liquid supplied during the monitoring or measuring cycle is detected and evaluated. Claim characterized in that the phenomenon causes discharge from the sensor plate (12, 25). 4. The device for detecting the operating ability of an ink printing device according to item 4. 12. A sensor plate placed in front of the injection nozzle (3) at an interval (10) the surface of the outlet (12, 25) located opposite the injection opening (3). The conductor tracks (18 , 19; 181, 191) is the width (A ) and a pitch (T) that determines the spacing (B), The sensor plate (12, 25) is then provided with at least one ink tube for discharging the ink liquid. A suction block (17) forming a non-conductive porous layer is provided and the sensor plate (12, 25) is electrically connected to the conductor path (18, 19; 181, 191) An evaluation circuit (20) is provided, and the evaluation circuit (20) is connected to the sensor plate (12, 25). occurs when at least one ink droplet hits the surface of a comb-shaped electrode. In both cases, the resistance change between two adjacent conductor paths (18, 19; 181, 191) is Ink according to claim 1, characterized in that it evaluates and sends out a sensor signal (SM). A device for detecting the operational capabilities of a printing device. 13. The comb-shaped electrode consists of two comb parts (121, 122), each comb part ( 121, 122) have electrode terminals (13, 14); Connect the evaluation circuit (20), Conductor track (18) of one comb part (121) and conductor of the other comb part (122) (19) are extended tongue-like into the hit area of the ink drop, where these conductor tracks , forming a comb-shaped structure having a pitch (T). A device for detecting the operating capability of an ink printing device. 14. The comb-shaped electrodes are connected to conductor tracks (181, 191) arranged in a bifilar. The conductor path (181, 191) runs in a meandering pattern, and the life of the ink droplet is forming a comb-shaped structure having a pitch (T) in the middle region; Two terminals (13, 14) each of the conductor tracks (181, 191) of the bifilar Connect the evaluation circuit (20) to the terminal, and connect the other two terminals (23, 24) to each other. 13. The device for detecting operating capability of an ink printing device according to claim 12. 15. Each of the two terminals (13, 191) of the bifilar conductor track (181, 191) 14) can be connected to the power supply during the measurement suspension period of the evaluation circuit (20), and Claim characterized in that the two terminals (23, 24) of are in this case interconnected. 15. The device for detecting the operating ability of an ink printing device according to item 14.