US3750191A - Synchronization of multiple ink jets - Google Patents

Synchronization of multiple ink jets Download PDF

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Publication number
US3750191A
US3750191A US00292688A US3750191DA US3750191A US 3750191 A US3750191 A US 3750191A US 00292688 A US00292688 A US 00292688A US 3750191D A US3750191D A US 3750191DA US 3750191 A US3750191 A US 3750191A
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United States
Prior art keywords
drops
charge
gutter
synchronization
nozzle assemblies
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00292688A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Naylor
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International Business Machines Corp
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International Business Machines Corp
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/07—Ink jet characterised by jet control
    • B41J2/115—Ink jet characterised by jet control synchronising the droplet separation and charging time

Definitions

  • a plurality of ink jet printing heads are monitored and controlled in a manner to obtain accurate synchronization of drops propelled from the heads.
  • a .paramount object of the present invention is to provide a system for synchronizing ink jet drop formation and propulsion in order to insure high quality and accurate printing.
  • FIG. 1 represents an ink jet system including a character generator and three ink jetnozz'les or head assemblies with associated synchronizing circuitry.
  • FIG. 2 is an electronic switch circuit that isuse'ful in the circuit of FIG. '1.
  • FIG. 3a illustrates-the fundamentals-ofdetector circuit while FIG. 3b illustrates the preferred embodiment of the detector'circuit.
  • the switc'hing-circuit-of FIG. 2 is ultimately derived from the circuit of FlG. 3b.
  • FIG. 4 illust'rates'various'timing relationships during a single drop interval in the system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 includes anumber of ink jet nozzle assemblies], 2, and 3-for forming and propelling drops of ink toward a record-medium.-notshown.
  • he respective nozzle assemblies 1,2, and 3 include crystals 6-8, charge electrodes 10-12, deflection electrodes I'd-l6, and-sensor gutters 18-20.
  • Each nozzle has arespectively associated charge electrode driver, designated 22-24.
  • the charge electrode drivers 22-24 are controlledby the synchronization pulse generator 26 as well as a character generator -28.'lnitial control of the circuitsis frommasterclock '30 and control-logic 31.
  • Synchronization of the individual streams of drops formed by the nozzle assemblies 1-3 may be formed in a sequential fashion. That is, all of the synchronizing efforts for one nozzle assembly may be completed prior to initiation of efforts for any of the other nozzle assemblies. However, it is preferable to synchronize the respective nozzle assemblies in what might be characterized as a semi-parallel fashion.
  • control signals are directed to the individual nozzle assemblies 1-3 in such a way that sequences of drops are propelled from the respective nozzle assemblies in rotation during drop synchronization procedures with signals developed from each assembly and corrective action taken with all assemblies, if and as required.
  • synchronization may be achieved by varying the phase of the crystals with respect to the charging potentials applied to the respective charge electrodes 10-12. In the semi-parallel mode, all crystals are driven with the same phase signal initially.
  • a sequence of drops 33a such as three drops, is formed and propelled, charged in nozzle assembly 1 and directed to gutter 18. This results in a signal on line .37 to switch circuit 40.
  • a sequence ofdrops 34a is formed, propelled, and charged .in nozzle assembly 2 and directed to gutter 19 to develop a signal. The signal is applied byline 31 to switch circuit 40.
  • Comparable corrective action is required of course in the event of relatively low signals developed from gutters 18-20 and applied through switch circuit 40 and detector circuit 41 to logic 31. If a sufficient number of properly charged drops pass into gutter 18-20, then signal levels are developed that are of sufficient magnitude to indicate proper synchronization of drop formation and charging by charge electrodes 10-12. Thus, under such circumstances, no corrective action is required.
  • FIGS. 2, 3a, and 3b Some ofthe switching logic useful in the circuit of FIG. 1 and particularly in the switch circuit 40 is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3a, and 3b.
  • the basic circuit of FIG. 3a uses an operational amplifier 45 with an FET (Field Effect Transistor) input which draws a negligible current, less than 0.5NA (nanoamperes) at 55C.
  • Resistor 46 (R1) is a high value resistor such as 50 m!) i percent carbon.
  • Resistors 47 and 48 serve to increase the apparent feedback resistance as seen by amplifier Al.
  • the voltage applied across R1 is determined by the ratio of R2 and R3 (minus input of amplifier 45 is at virtual ground). If R2 is 3000 and R3 is 2.7kQ, percent of the op-amps output voltage is fed back to R1.
  • the effective feedback resistance R is thus given by Equation I:
  • V1 As an example, if gutter current 1 4NA and resistor R1 SOmQ, V1 is virtual ground, then, neglecting bias current into amplifier 45, all the gutter current flows through R1. V2 50111! X 4NA 0.2V if R2 3000 and R3 2.7k0, V3 must be as follows:
  • V3 (.2V/R2) (R2 R3) .2 (300 2700)/300 2.0 volts
  • Capacitors 50 and 51 are chosen so that the gain of amplifier 45 tapers off at an appropriate frequency.
  • FIG. 3b operates on the same basic principle as that in FIG. 3a except that a non-FET input, less expensive, amplifier 53 is used.
  • a matched pair of junction Field Effect Transistors 55 and 56 provides a high input impedence buffer for amplifier 53.
  • the matched pair of transistors is needed because of the wide variation of FET characteristics with currently available manufacturing procedures.
  • the method of synchronization is extended to synchronize N" ink jets by using the circuits of FIG. 3b and N" analog switches, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • electronic logic determines if drop formation is occurring at the proper time. If it is not, the magnitude or the phase of the signal applied to the respective crystals 6-8, FIG. 1, is changed to shift drop formation to the desired point in time.
  • Inputs on lines 37-39 are derived from FIG. 1 for the circuit of FIG. 2.
  • the circuit of FIG. 2 includes matched pairs 60-62 of Field Effect Transistors, designated Q11 and O21, Q12 and Q22, and Q13 and 023, respectively, each pair having a respectively associated resistor 63-65 and a switch circuit 66-68.
  • the outputs of the switch circuits 66-68 are directed to the detector amplifier circuit 41.
  • Resistors 63-65 correspond to resistor R1 designated 57 in FIG. 3b.
  • the matched pairs 60-62 of Field Effect Transistors serve as high impedence buffers between the high impedence sensor inputs 37-39 (sensing gutters) and the lower impedence input to operational amplifier 70 on line 72.
  • Switches 66-68 which are analog switches, serve to isolate the Field Effect Transistor pair 60-62 from one another. Switches 66-68 are operated by control logic 31 on line 44 representative of a cable operable in a timed sequence at inputs 44a, 44b and 440, respectively.
  • switches 66-68 are coupled to amplifier 70 at any given time, the other switches being opened.
  • switches 66-68 the signals developed in gutters 18-20 reflected on lines 37-39 are sequentially scanned in order to determine what corrective action is required for synchronizing the ink jet strams of drops from the respective nozzle assemblies.
  • the methods shown herein utilize thetechnique of sensing the stream current by means of a DC measurement
  • the same basic approach used here could work utilizing a non-contacting sensor. This would result in an AC measurement.
  • the detector senses the sequence of charged drops passing by a small electrically isolated sensor near the gutter. This method has the advantage of not requiring direct sensor contact with the ink. Thus it is not as subject to contamination.
  • An ink jet synchronization system particularly suitable for apparatus utilizing a plurality of ink jets, comprising:
  • each of said nozzle assemblies incorporating driving crystals, charge electrodes, and deflection electrodes,
  • gutter-sensor means respectively associated with charge drive, as appropriate, to insure proper syneach of said nozzle assemblies, said gutter-sensor chronization of drop formation and charging in the means being positioned f reception of drops proctiv nozzle assemblies. Pelled from said assemblies when said drops carry 3.
  • said switching a Particular predetermined charge level and said 5 means comprises individual Field Effect Transistor gutter'sensor means developing Signals representa' pairs and associated switch circuits operable in timed tive of charge levels on drops passing therethrough; sequence:
  • m P mean? to Provlde a means interconnecting the respective switch circuits recnve S'gnal m Sald System for msurmg proper 10 to the input of said operational amplifier in timed lationship of said crystal driving circuits and said Se uence durin S chronization activities charge driving circuits; and q E y switch circuit means interconnected for reception of 4.
  • drops from the respective nozzle assemblies being The appel'atus of l m h r individual P P separated by an inactive charge time interval; are formed in successive drop intervals comprising ameans in said system for synchronously activating ni tim ims a anfl'further P 5 said switch circuit to receive developed signals control s System for b: said from said gutter-sensor means during any time incharge dl'lvlng Clrcults during an early Portion of r l h h d drops are b i g received by said drop time intervals and for activating said said respective gutter-sensor means; and crystal driving circuits during a later portion of means responsive to output signals from said detector said drop interval thereby achieving synchronizacircuit means for correcting the crystal drive or tion.

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  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Facsimile Heads (AREA)
US00292688A 1972-09-25 1972-09-25 Synchronization of multiple ink jets Expired - Lifetime US3750191A (en)

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US29268872A 1972-09-25 1972-09-25

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US00292688A Expired - Lifetime US3750191A (en) 1972-09-25 1972-09-25 Synchronization of multiple ink jets

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US (1) US3750191A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS555431B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA972027A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2346557A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1413257A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT989310B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3981019A (en) * 1973-09-26 1976-09-14 Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Public Corporation Charging signal supply circuit for ink jet system printer
US3999188A (en) * 1973-12-05 1976-12-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Ink-jet recording apparatus
US4016571A (en) * 1974-09-17 1977-04-05 Hitachi, Ltd. Ink jet recording apparatus
US4025926A (en) * 1973-01-17 1977-05-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Phase synchronization for ink jet system printer
EP0015727A1 (en) * 1979-02-28 1980-09-17 Xerox Corporation Electrostatic ink jet printing apparatus and method
US4358775A (en) * 1979-07-28 1982-11-09 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Ink jet printing apparatus
US4417256A (en) * 1980-05-09 1983-11-22 International Business Machines Corporation Break-off uniformity maintenance
WO1986003457A1 (en) * 1984-12-05 1986-06-19 Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Or Apparatus for monitoring and adjusting liquid jets in ink jet printers
US4631550A (en) * 1985-08-15 1986-12-23 Eastman Kodak Company Device and method for sensing the impact position of an ink jet on a surface of an ink catcher, in a continuous ink jet printer
US5408255A (en) * 1992-11-16 1995-04-18 Videojet Systems International, Inc. Method and apparatus for on line phasing of multi-nozzle ink jet printheads
EP1944163A1 (en) * 2007-01-12 2008-07-16 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Conversion circuit for continuous inkjet printers
US10987926B2 (en) * 2016-10-14 2021-04-27 Domino Uk Limited Continuous inkjet printers

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5626074B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1975-02-03 1981-06-16
US3977010A (en) * 1975-12-22 1976-08-24 International Business Machines Corporation Dual sensor for multi-nozzle ink jet
JPS5282337A (en) * 1975-12-29 1977-07-09 Hitachi Ltd Ink jet recorder
JPS56148569A (en) * 1980-04-21 1981-11-18 Ricoh Co Ltd Corrector for head distance in ink jet recorder
JP2608806B2 (ja) * 1990-11-29 1997-05-14 シルバー精工株式会社 インクジェットプリンタにおけるレジストレーション調整装置
GB2277394B (en) * 1990-11-29 1995-05-24 S R Tecnos Kk Ink jet recording apparatus

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3298030A (en) * 1965-07-12 1967-01-10 Clevite Corp Electrically operated character printer
US3681778A (en) * 1971-05-03 1972-08-01 Dick Co Ab Phasing of ink drop charging

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3562761A (en) * 1968-12-23 1971-02-09 Dick Co Ab Drop phasing in ink drop writing apparatus
US3596276A (en) * 1969-02-10 1971-07-27 Recognition Equipment Inc Ink jet printer with droplet phase control means

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3298030A (en) * 1965-07-12 1967-01-10 Clevite Corp Electrically operated character printer
US3681778A (en) * 1971-05-03 1972-08-01 Dick Co Ab Phasing of ink drop charging

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4025926A (en) * 1973-01-17 1977-05-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Phase synchronization for ink jet system printer
US3981019A (en) * 1973-09-26 1976-09-14 Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Public Corporation Charging signal supply circuit for ink jet system printer
US3999188A (en) * 1973-12-05 1976-12-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Ink-jet recording apparatus
US4016571A (en) * 1974-09-17 1977-04-05 Hitachi, Ltd. Ink jet recording apparatus
EP0015727A1 (en) * 1979-02-28 1980-09-17 Xerox Corporation Electrostatic ink jet printing apparatus and method
US4358775A (en) * 1979-07-28 1982-11-09 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Ink jet printing apparatus
US4417256A (en) * 1980-05-09 1983-11-22 International Business Machines Corporation Break-off uniformity maintenance
WO1986003457A1 (en) * 1984-12-05 1986-06-19 Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Or Apparatus for monitoring and adjusting liquid jets in ink jet printers
US4631550A (en) * 1985-08-15 1986-12-23 Eastman Kodak Company Device and method for sensing the impact position of an ink jet on a surface of an ink catcher, in a continuous ink jet printer
US5408255A (en) * 1992-11-16 1995-04-18 Videojet Systems International, Inc. Method and apparatus for on line phasing of multi-nozzle ink jet printheads
EP1944163A1 (en) * 2007-01-12 2008-07-16 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Conversion circuit for continuous inkjet printers
US10987926B2 (en) * 2016-10-14 2021-04-27 Domino Uk Limited Continuous inkjet printers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2346557A1 (de) 1974-04-11
JPS555431B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-02-06
GB1413257A (en) 1975-11-12
CA972027A (en) 1975-07-29
IT989310B (it) 1975-05-20
JPS4971813A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-07-11

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