JPH09169122A - Fluid device for ink-jet print head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To integrate fluid acting parts to make a device compact, in a fluid device for an ink jet printing head, by providing a fluid manifold integrating the fluid passage, fluid sensor and fluid connector of an ink jet printer. SOLUTION: A manifold assembly is provided in order to connect an ink jet printing head and a supply source connector and equipped with an inlet connection part 12 and an outlet connection part 14 rapidly connecting the supply connector of various functional parts and a manifold 15 fluidally and further equipped with an inlet connection part 16 and an outlet connection part 18 rapidly connecting/releasing the manifold 15 and the printing head fluidally. The pressure transducer 20 to the outlet of the printing head and the temp. thermistor 22 to the inlet of the printing head are integrally provided in the manifold 15 and an inlet solenoid valve 24 and an outlet solenoid valve 26 are respectively integrally provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printing apparatus, and more particularly to a fluid manifold for a fluid path for an ink jet printing apparatus, a fluid sensor, and a fluid connector.

[0002]

Ink jets defining one or more rows of orifices in which a printhead receives a conductive recording fluid from a manifold that supplies pressurized fluid and discharges the fluid in parallel flow rows. Printing devices are known. Printers using such printheads selectively charge and deflect the droplets in each stream while another droplet strikes the droplet capture device, and at least some of the droplets. The image is reproduced by adhering to the print receiving medium. This continuous flow ink jet printing method is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for example, US Pat. No. 4,255,754.
No. 4,698,123 and 4,751,5
No. 17.

[0003]

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, fluidic devices for continuous ink jet printers must perform a number of functions. These functions include supplying liquid, capturing return fluid, starting and stopping printer heads, and storing over long periods of time. Known fluidic devices typically electronically control the pressure at the printer head, the temperature of the ink at start-up, or the concentration of the ink. Controlling these functions leads to improved inkjet functions over time. There are various important components that serve these purposes. These components include a direct current liquid pump, an alternating current vacuum pump, and various control devices.

In conventional ink jet fluid system designs, manifolding is minimized, ie,
Grouping the individual components that share a common integral structure eliminates the need for hanging fluid connectors, valves, and printhead sensing features, allowing large components to be installed in a small mount. It is only done to improve the mounting.

One object of the present invention is to integrate the functional parts of a fluid in an ink jet printing device.

Another object of the present invention is to integrate the fluid working portions into a small and compact device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated fluidic device that communicates an electrical / fluidic source connection with an inkjet printhead.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

It will be appreciated that there is a need for an integrated printhead fluidic device mounting design that is easier to manufacture and maintain than prior art fluidic device designs.

[0010]

This need is due to the need for a fluid path,
It is accomplished by the present invention, which discloses a fluid manifold that integrates a fluid sensor, a fluid connector, into a small, compact unit that communicates an inkjet printhead with a connection to an electrical / fluid source.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fluidic device for an inkjet printhead includes a fluid path, a fluid sensor, a fluid valve, and a fluid connector. The fluid manifold integrates these individual components into a common structure, which allows them to be freely suspended, eliminating the need for fluid connectors, valves, and sensing features of the printhead. Thus, the present invention integrates all connections, connectors, valves and sensors to the printhead fluid path into a single, compact, easy to test, assemble and maintain device. Is.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments, but modifications and applications thereof can be embodied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Will be understood.

Referring to the drawings, manifold assembly 10
Is illustrated. The manifold assembly 10 connects the inkjet printhead and the source connector, thereby improving the design of the fluidics mounting.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2,
The manifold assembly 10 according to the present invention integrates various functional parts. These include a fluid inlet connection 12 and an outlet connection 14 which each connect to a supply fitting (not shown) to provide a rapid fluid connection between the fitting and the manifold 15. Also, this integral fluid feature is connected to a printhead (not shown) to fluidly rapidly disconnect the manifold and printhead from the fluid inlet connection 16 and outlet connection 18. Also includes.

A pressure transducer 20 for the printhead outlet and a temperature thermistor 22 for the printhead inlet are also integrated by the fluid manifold 10 of the present invention. The pressure transducer 20 senses the pressure at the printhead and is part of the servo loop control mechanism of the fluid pump for providing the predetermined pressure of the printhead. The temperature thermistor 22 detects the temperature of the ink in the print head and performs servo loop control of the ink heater in the fluid device to maintain the minimum fluid temperature.

Additionally, the fluid manifold assembly 10 integrates an inlet solenoid valve 24 and an outlet solenoid valve 26 into the printhead, respectively. The inlet solenoid valve 24 is
The position of the print head is lower depending on the position of the fluid device,
It shuts off fluid to the printhead during shutdowns, preventing fluid from leaking into the printhead. Fluid outlet valve 26
Provide a means for providing a flow in the printhead that when closed creates a pressure within the printhead, while when opened it provides a flow for cleaning the printhead.

Finally, the manifold assembly 10 of the present invention integrates the bracket / electrical connector assembly 28 illustrated in FIG. 3 for DC components. This assembly 28 provides an integrated end portion of electrical components between the printhead and the connector. These DC components include transducer 2
0, the thermistor 22, the inlet valve 24 / the outlet valve 26,
An eyelid solenoid (not shown) is included.

[0018]

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the manifold design features integrate all of the above components, interconnect fluid paths within the manifold, if desired, and An inlet / outlet port is provided that is in direct communication with the printhead and the fluid path of the connector. The small "footprint" of the printhead to the printhead, i.e. the design constraint of 240 drops per inch, reliability compared to a conventional printhead of 120 drops per inch. The present invention is particularly useful when considering that larger components must be used to increase flow rate. The present invention addresses these restrictions, and integrates various fluid function parts into a compact device. The compact device has an assembly condition at the time of manufacturing,
And the maintenance conditions are satisfied.

The present invention is useful in the field of ink jet printing and has the advantage of integrating all connections, connectors, valves and sensors of the printhead to the fluid path. The present invention integrates all of its functional parts into a single unit that is compact and easy to test, assemble and maintain. It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a compact device for a printhead of 240 drops per inch using larger components.

Although the present invention has been described in particular detail with respect to its specific embodiments, it will be understood that variations and applications thereof can be embodied within the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for a fluid of a manifold assembly according to the present invention.

2 is a front view of the manifold assembly of FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is a side view of the manifold assembly of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Fluid Manifold Assembly 12 Fluid Inlet Connection 14 Fluid Outlet Connection 15 Manifold 16 Fluid Inlet Connection 18 Fluid Outlet Connection 20 Pressure Transducer 22 Temperature Thermistor 24 Inlet Solenoid Valve 26 Outlet Solenoid Valve 28 Connector Assembly

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A fluid device for an ink jet print head, comprising: a fluid path, a fluid sensor, a fluid valve, a fluid connector, the fluid path, the fluid sensor, the fluid valve, and the fluid connector. And a fluid manifold that integrates the components into a compact device. 2. The fluidic device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical path and a fluid path to the print head, and a supply connection that provides an electrical path and a fluid path from the print head. A fluid device characterized by: 3. The fluid device of claim 2, wherein the fluid manifold includes a functional portion of the fluid sensor, the fluid valve, and the fluid connector between the inkjet printhead and the source connector. A fluid device characterized by being integrated. 4. The fluid device of claim 2, wherein the fluid connector rapidly disconnects fluid between the source connector and the fluid manifold. Fluid device at the inlet and outlet of the printhead and fluid connection at the inlet and outlet of the printhead for rapidly disconnecting fluid between the manifold and the printhead. . 5. The fluidic device of claim 1, wherein the fluidic sensor comprises a pressure transducer for detecting pressure in the printhead. 6. The fluid system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid sensor includes a temperature thermistor that detects a temperature of ink in the print head. 7. The fluid system of claim 1, wherein the fluid valve comprises a fluid inlet valve that shuts off fluid to the printhead. 8. The fluid system of claim 1, wherein the fluid valve provides a flow for thoroughly cleaning the printhead when closed, creating pressure in the printhead and opening the printhead. A fluid device comprising: 9. The fluid system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector assembly.