WO2020193072A1

WO2020193072A1 - Printing assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2020193072A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/055268
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander WESSNER; Ryan MIHALKO
Original assignee: Koenig & Bauer Ag
Priority date: 2019-03-28
Filing date: 2020-02-28
Publication date: 2020-10-01
Also published as: DE102019107986A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing assembly (01) comprising at least one printhead (02) with at least one nozzle closure (17) and with at least one pressure chamber (07) comprising at least one nozzle (16), wherein the nozzle closure (17) has at least one closure opening (18), wherein the nozzle closure (17) is pivotally arranged about at least one pivot axis (21), wherein at least one gear mechanism is arranged in the printhead (02) for moving the nozzle closure (17).

Description

description

Printing unit

The invention relates to a printing unit according to the preamble of claim 1.

DE 30 19 768 A1 provides a closure for non-contact workers

Inkjet printer known, wherein the closure represents a lockable chamber into which a nozzle head swivels after a completed printing process, whereby the nozzle head is prevented from drying out and clogging.

The US 6,364,457 B1 shows a continuously operating inkjet printer with a print head comprising a nozzle assembly and a pressure chamber, the

Print head has a transport path of printing fluid defined within the print head.

US 2009/0179956 A1 shows a maintenance station with a maintenance carousel, which is arranged to print heads on an opposite side of the transport path of printing material. The maintenance carousel can be rotated, a closure being arranged at least at times opposite the print heads. With a linear movement, the shutter closes or releases the nozzles of the print heads.

DE 10 2007 057 819 A1 describes a device for keeping a clean

Ink print head known, which has a cleaning and sealing device with a sealing cap. The cleaning and sealing device is designed to be movable towards and away from the inkjet print head.

US 2019/0061353 A1 shows a cap device with a cap, with moisture being stored by the cap, in particular around the nozzles of a printhead from drying out. The cap has a

Cover which closes and / or releases the cap by rotation.

US 2008/0012897 A1 shows a maintenance station with caps which temporarily seal off corresponding rows of nozzles. The caps are moved into a sealing position by moving them up and down.

From US 2012/0176445 A1 an inkjet printer is known which has a

Has nozzle closure. The drive mechanism converts a rotation of the drive via a cam roller into a linear back and forth movement of the nozzle closure, whereby the nozzle closure can be arranged in a retracted position or in a closing position.

The invention is based on the object of creating a printing unit.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims show advantageous developments and / or embodiments of the solutions found.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention consist in particular in the fact that a nozzle of a pressure chamber of a print head can be closed or released by a pivotable nozzle closure. The nozzle closure has a pivot axis and is designed to be pivotable by a gear. For example, the use of shear mechanisms and / or a power transmission through the transmission to trigger the pivoting movement of the nozzle closure and / or at least a short one

The transmission path of a force from a closure drive to a gear element and thus the nozzle closure ensures high reliability and / or low susceptibility to errors in the pivoting movement of the nozzle closure. So the

Increased operational reliability of the print head and / or maintenance costs of the Print head minimized.

Advantageously, at least one nozzle and / or a nozzle surface of the pressure chamber of a print head can be closed by the nozzle closure pivotably arranged by the gear, for example by at least one gear element. As a result, soiling of the nozzle and / or the nozzle surface of the pressure chamber and, additionally or alternatively, drying of pressure fluid which can leave the nozzle can be reduced and / or prevented. In addition, the nozzle closure is designed in an advantageous arrangement as mechanical protection for the nozzle and / or nozzle surface.

One advantage is that the gearbox, for example a

Gear element, pivotably arranged nozzle closure enables simple and / or quick positioning of the nozzle closure in the print head, so that, for example, the nozzle closure can be transferred from a first position to a second position or vice versa. This advantageously optimizes a starting behavior of the print head when the print head is started up and / or when

Resumption of a printing process of the print head, for example after the print head has been idle. Advantageously, no manual intervention, for example by an operator, is necessary and / or the print head does not have to be transferred, for example, from a maintenance position to an operating position to start up the print head and / or to resume a printing process.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

Show it:

1 shows a schematic representation of a printing unit; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the principle of operation of a continuously operating ink jet printer;

3 shows an embodiment of a print head with a nozzle closure;

4 shows an embodiment of the nozzle closure in a print head;

5a shows a first position of the nozzle closure;

5b shows a second position of the nozzle closure.

A printing unit 01 is preferred as a continuously operating one

Inkjet printing unit formed. Preferably, the printing assembly 01 comprises at least one print head 02, preferably exactly one print head 02. The print head 02 is preferably designed as an inkjet print head, preferably as a continuously operating inkjet print head, or as an inkjet print head, preferably as a continuously operating inkjet print head. The printing assembly 01 preferably comprises at least one container 03, the container 03 preferably at least one

Control device and / or at least one storage container for providing at least one pressure fluid. The print head 02 is preferably connected to the container 03 via at least one connection 04. The connection 04 preferably has at least one supply line for providing pressure fluid from the container 03 to the print head 02 and / or at least one discharge line for returning pressure fluid from the print head 02 to the container 03 and / or an electrical one

Connection for transmitting electrical signals from the control device to the print head 02.

In the foregoing and in the following, a printing fluid denotes inks, printing inks and / or lacquers, as well as other materials that are transferred and / or can be transferred to a printing substrate by the printing unit 01. The printing fluid, preferably in a finely structured form and / or not only over a large area, establishes a texture on the printing material that is preferably visible and / or perceptible through sensory impressions and / or that can be detected by machine. Inks and printing inks are preferably solutions or dispersions of at least one colorant in at least one

Solvent. Examples of suitable solvents are water and / or organic solvents. Alternatively or additionally, the printing fluid can be designed as a printing fluid that cross-links under UV light. Inks are relatively low viscosity

Printing fluids and inks are relatively highly viscous printing fluids. Inks have no binder or relatively little binder, while printing inks preferably contain a relatively large amount of binder and, more preferably, further auxiliaries. Colorants can be pigments and / or dyes, pigments being insoluble in the application medium, while dyes are soluble in the application medium. Inks which identify dyes as colorants, in particular, preferably have no binder. In particular, the pressure fluid is designed such that it can be designed to be electrically charged, for example by introducing electrical charge carriers.

In the foregoing and in the following, the printing material is a substrate which can be printed with a medium, in particular the printing fluid, by the at least one printing assembly 01. The printing material is preferably in the form of paper and / or cardboard and / or film, for example a plastic film, and / or textile and / or metal and / or glass.

The print head 02 preferably comprises at least one housing 06 and / or at least one pressure chamber 07 and / or at least one charging electrode 09 and / or at least one deflection electrode 12 and / or at least one catching tube 13 and / or at least one nozzle closure 17. In an operating state of the printing assembly 01, a pressure fluid is conveyed from the container 03 via the connection 04 into the pressure chamber 07 of the print head 02. The pressure chamber 07 preferably has at least one nozzle surface 14 with at least one nozzle 16, preferably with exactly one nozzle 16. The nozzle 16 has an opening diameter of 30 μm (micrometers) to 200 μm within the nozzle surface 14.

Pressure fluid, in particular an ink jet 08, preferably emerges from the nozzle 16

Printing fluids, preferably initially as a continuous ink jet 08 in a

Direction of flight F. Preferably, in order to break up the ink jet 08 into individual drops 11 of the printing fluid, there is preferably at least one on the pressure chamber 07

Modulation element, in particular a piezo oscillator, attached which

Pressure fluctuations generated in the exiting ink jet 08 and / or designed to be generating. After exiting the nozzle 16, the ink jet 08 preferably breaks at an adjustable distance, for example via a control and / or regulation of the modulation element, into individual, preferably similar, drops 11.

Before the drops 11 are torn off from the exiting ink jet 08, the drops 11 are each provided with an individual electrical charge by the charging electrode 09. The level of the electrical charge is preferably dependent on a desired impact position of the drop 11 on the respective printing material. In order to ensure electrical charging, the pressure fluid has a low electrical conductivity. During the charging process, the drop 11 has not yet been torn off by the ink jet 08 emerging from the nozzle 16 of the pressure chamber 07, so that, due to electrical influence, free charge carriers in the printing fluid are moved towards or away from the charging electrode 09 depending on the polarity and strength of a charging voltage . The charging electrode 09 preferably has no mechanical contact with the ink jet 08 and / or the drop 11. If the drop 11 breaks away from the ink jet 08 while it is in the field area of the charging electrode 09, the electrical charges that have migrated into the drop 11 as a result of the influence remain in the drop volume and the respective drop 11 also appears electrically to the outside after the break loaded.

For example, if the charging electrode 09 is positively charged, when the ink jet 08 enters the electric field of the charging electrode 09, the negative free charge carriers in the printing fluid migrate into the field, while the positively charged free charge carriers in the printing fluid are forced out of the electric field. As a result, a charge separation takes place immediately before the tear-off of the drop 11 at the leading edge of the ink jet 08 and that which is generated in this way

Charge imbalance in the tear-off drops 11 is retained and the drop 11 leaves the field region of the charging electrode 09 negatively charged.

The electrically charged drops 11 preferably enter on a preferably initially straight trajectory in the direction of flight F after the charging electrode 09

electrostatic field of the at least one deflection electrode 12. The print head 02 preferably has at least two, preferably at least partially opposite, deflection electrodes 12. The electrically charged drops 11 are preferably deflected more or less from their preferably straight flight path in flight direction F, depending on their individual charge, and fly after leaving the

electrostatic field of the at least one deflection electrode 12 at a certain angle, depending on its charge, to the flight direction F and / or its

original trajectory further. A drop 11 deflected from its preferably straight flight path in flight direction F preferably flies in a spatial direction Ra; Rb further, for example a first spatial direction Ra or a second spatial direction Rb.

The spatial direction Ra; In this case, Rb is preferably dependent on the electrical charge of the respective drop 11 and / or the deflection of the respective drop 11 in the electrostatic field of the at least one deflection electrode 12 For example, drops 11 deflected from the straight trajectory in flight direction F, print head 02 in the corresponding spatial direction Ra; Rb. For example, a drop 11 can push the print head 02 in at least two, preferably at least four, more preferably at least eight, spatial directions Ra; Leave rb. With this principle, different impact positions on the respective printing material with individual drops 11 of the printing fluid can preferably be selected, this being done in this embodiment, for example, only in one deflection direction. Thus, the respective drop 11 preferably hits after leaving the print head 02, that is to say preferably outside the housing 06 of the print head 02, in particular in the corresponding spatial direction Ra; Rb on the respective substrate.

In order to hide individual drops 11 from a typeface or if printing is not to be carried out, the drops 11 receive or remain a certain fixed charge

uncharged, so that the droplets 11 hit the collecting tube 13 after exiting the electrostatic field of the deflecting electrode 12. The droplets 11 which hit the catching tube 13 are preferred via the connection 04, for example by means of a

Pump system, returned to the container 03 and / or preferably the

Supply container supplied to provide the pressure fluid. As a result, the unprinted pressure fluid circulates in a circuit.

The direction of flight F preferably describes a direction above and below which corresponds to a longest side of the housing 06 of the print head 02 and / or the exit direction of pressure fluid which can leave the pressure chamber 07 through the at least one nozzle 16. The direction of flight F is preferably parallel to the longest side of the housing 06 and / or the direction of exit of pressure fluid from the nozzle 16. The direction of flight F is preferably parallel to a surface normal

Nozzle surface 14 and preferably points away from the interior of the pressure chamber 07. The pressure chamber 07, the charging electrode 09, the

Deflection electrode 12 and / or the catching tube 13 indirectly or directly behind one another arranged.

In the preceding and in the following, a transverse direction A is preferably a direction which runs parallel to a shortest side of the housing 06 of the print head 02 and / or is arranged orthogonally to the direction of flight F.

In the foregoing and in the following, a height H is preferably spanned orthogonally on a plane through the flight direction F and the transverse direction A. The height H is preferably parallel to a remaining, for example, central, side length of the housing 06.

The printing unit 01 preferably comprises the at least one print head 02 with the at least one nozzle closure 17 and with the at least one pressure chamber 07. The pressure chamber 07 preferably comprises the at least one nozzle 16. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has at least one closure opening 18.

The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged to be pivotable about at least one pivot axis 21. Preferably, at least one gear is for moving the

Nozzle closure 17 arranged in the print head 02.

The print head 02 of the printing assembly 01 preferably has the at least one

Nozzle closure 17 and the at least one pressure chamber 07. The pressure chamber 07 preferably comprises the at least one nozzle surface 14 with at least one nozzle 16. A boundary of the pressure chamber 07 is preferably designed as the at least one nozzle surface 14. The nozzle surface 14 is preferably designed as an outer surface of the delimitation of the pressure chamber 07. A surface normal of the nozzle surface 14 preferably has at least one component in the direction of flight F, which points away from the pressure chamber 07 into the print head 02. The nozzle surface 14 is preferably part of a plane which is preferably spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H and / or is preferably arranged orthogonally to the at least one flight direction F.

For example, the pressure chamber 07 is formed in one piece and comprises the at least one nozzle surface 14. Alternatively, the pressure chamber 07 is formed in several parts, with the at least one nozzle surface 14 in direct contact with at least one other

Part of the pressure chamber 07 is arranged. The nozzle surface 14 preferably comprises the at least one nozzle 16, which is preferably used as a continuous opening of the

The nozzle surface 14 is designed and / or is arranged as a continuous opening of the nozzle surface 14 and / or the relevant delimitation of the pressure chamber 07 in the direction of flight F. The nozzle 16 preferably has one inside the nozzle surface 14

Focus on nozzle. A pressure fluid which is located in a volume of the pressure chamber 07 can preferably leave the pressure chamber 07 through the at least one nozzle 16 within the nozzle surface 14, preferably in the direction of flight F.

The at least one nozzle closure 17 preferably serves to close the nozzle surface 14 and / or the at least one nozzle 16 of the pressure chamber 07 from an environment. The nozzle closure 17 is, for example, a mechanical protection and / or prevents, for example, drying of pressure fluid that is located in the nozzle 16 and / or the pressure chamber 07 and thereby at least partially clogs the nozzle 16 and / or the pressure chamber 07 and / or makes it unusable .

The nozzle closure 17 is preferably designed as a segment of a circle. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has a longitudinal axis which preferably corresponds to the radius of the circle segment and / or is preferably arranged orthogonally to the flight direction F and / or within a plane spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H. Preferably, the nozzle closure 17 is orthogonal to the flight direction F, preferably in the transverse direction A and / or at height H, at least twice as long as in the flight direction F. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has a length of at least 3.0 mm in the flight direction F ( Millimeters), preferably of at least 5.0 mm and of a maximum of 25.0 mm, preferably of a maximum of 20.0 mm, more preferably of a maximum of 18.0 mm. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has a length at height H which is at least 50% of the nozzle area 14 of the pressure chamber 07 corresponds. Preferably the

Nozzle closure 17 at height H a length of at least 15.0 mm, preferably of at least 20.0 mm, more preferably of at least 25.0 mm, and of a maximum of 45.0 mm, preferably of a maximum of 40.0 mm, more preferably of a maximum of 35.0 mm. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has a length in the transverse direction A of at least 35.0 mm, preferably of at least 40.0 mm, more preferably of at least 45.0 mm, and of a maximum of 60.0 mm, preferably of a maximum of 55.0 mm, more preferably of a maximum of 50.0 mm. A longest edge of the nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged within a plane which is spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H and / or which is arranged orthogonally to the direction of flight F.

The longest edge of the nozzle closure 17 preferably has a length of at least 35.0 mm, preferably of at least 40.0 mm, more preferably of at least 45.0 mm, and of a maximum of 60.0 mm, preferably of a maximum of 55.0 mm, more preferably of a maximum of 50.0 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle closure 17 is formed in one piece. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably made in one piece and comprises the at least one closure opening 18. The nozzle closure 17 preferably comprises at least one first gear element 19 of the gear within the one-piece design. For example, the nozzle closure 17 is designed as a milled component. Alternatively or in addition, the nozzle closure 17 is preferably designed as an additively manufactured component. A preferred additive manufacturing method of the

Nozzle closure 17 is the selective laser melting and / or the selective

Laser sintering. As an alternative or in addition, the nozzle closure 17 is designed as a cast component, for example as an injection molded component. For example, the nozzle closure 17 has at least one polymer, in particular at least one thermoplastic, preferably at least one partially crystalline thermoplastic, as material. For example, at least one polymer of the nozzle closure 17 has a glass transition temperature (for example determined according to DIN EN ISO 11357-1: 2017-02) of at least 20 ° C, preferably at least 30 ° C and / or a maximum of 65 ° C, preferably a maximum of 60 ° C, more preferably a maximum of 50 ° C. For example, at least one polymer of the nozzle closure 17 has a melting temperature (for example determined according to DIN EN ISO 11357-1: 2017-02) of at least 120 ° C, preferably of at least 140 ° C, and / or of a maximum of 210 ° C, preferably of a maximum 190 ° C. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has at least one polyamide. Alternatively or additionally, the nozzle closure 17 has at least one metal as the material. For example, the nozzle closure 17 has a volume that varies at least partially over its volume

Composition of the material or materials. For example, the nozzle closure 17, for example in the event that the nozzle closure 17 comprises the first gear element 19, preferably in the area of the first gear element 19 has a particle reinforcement and / or fiber reinforcement and / or an alternative form of the

Material reinforcement on.

The nozzle closure 17 preferably has a cover surface, the cover surface being designed as a delimiting surface of the nozzle closure 17 which faces the nozzle surface 14 of the pressure chamber 07. The cover surface is preferably arranged within a plane parallel to the plane of the nozzle surface 14. The nozzle surface 14 of the pressure chamber 07 is preferably arranged in front of the cover surface of the nozzle lock 17 in the direction of flight F; alternatively or additionally, the nozzle surface 14 of the pressure chamber 07 and the cover surface of the nozzle lock 17 are arranged opposite one another with respect to the flight direction F.

The nozzle closure 17 preferably has at least one closure opening 18, which is designed, for example, as a continuous opening through the nozzle closure 17. The closure opening 18 preferably has an opening diameter which is greater than or equal to the opening diameter of the respective nozzle 16 of the nozzle surface 14. For example, the closure opening 18 has a

Opening diameters of at least 30 pm (micrometers) to a maximum of 200 pm. The closure opening 18 preferably has an opening center of gravity, preferably within the cover surface.

The nozzle closure 17 is positioned within the print head 02 in the direction of flight F, preferably after the nozzle 16 of the pressure chamber 07. The is more preferred

Nozzle closure 17 within the print head 02 in the flight direction F in direct

Positioned connection to the nozzle 16 of the pressure chamber 07. For example, the nozzle closure 17 is in particular in the flight direction F between the nozzle surface 14, preferably between the at least one nozzle 16, and the at least one

Deflection electrode 12, preferably arranged between the nozzle surface 14 and the at least one charging electrode 09. Preferably, an arrangement within the print head 02 describes above and below a positioning of the relevant object, for example the pressure chamber 07 and / or the

Nozzle closure 17 and / or the at least one deflection electrode 12, along the flight direction F at a position before a drop 11 hits the print head 02 in the corresponding spatial direction Ra; Rb leaves. The nozzle closure 17 is thus preferably arranged along the flight direction F at a position in front of which a drop 11 hits the print head 02 in the corresponding spatial direction Ra; Rb leaves. The arrangement within the print head 02 preferably describes an arrangement within the housing 06 of the print head 02. Preferably, all objects, for example the pressure chamber 07 and / or the nozzle seal 17 and / or the at least one deflection electrode 12 which the print head 02 comprises, are within the Printhead 02 arranged.

The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged to be movable or moving, preferably pivotable or pivotable. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged to be pivotable or pivotable about at least one pivot point 21, preferably about the at least one pivot axis 21, more preferably about exactly one pivot axis 21. The pivot axis 21 is preferably arranged parallel to the flight direction F and / or arranged parallel to a normal vector of a plane which passes through the

Transverse direction A and the height H is spanned. The pivot axis 21 is preferably arranged parallel to a normal vector of the nozzle surface 14. For example, the pivot axis 21 results from a connection, preferably releasable

Connection of the nozzle closure 17 to the pressure chamber 07, in particular the nozzle surface 14. For example, the connection, in particular the detachable connection, of the nozzle closure 17 to the pressure chamber 07, in particular the nozzle surface 14, is designed as a screw connection. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has the pivot axis 21 in an edge region. For example, especially if the

If the nozzle closure 17 is designed as a segment of a circle, the nozzle closure 17 has the pivot axis 21 preferably in the area of the center point of a circle which encompasses the relevant circle segment. Inevitably there is at least one

The pivot point 21, preferably the pivot axis 21, is arranged in the transverse direction A, preferably before or after the at least one nozzle 16. The at least one pivot point 21, preferably the pivot axis 21, is preferably arranged offset in the direction of flight F to the side of the at least one nozzle 16.

The at least one gear for moving the nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged in the print head 02. The transmission preferably has at least the first transmission element 19 and at least one second transmission element 22. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has the at least one first gear element 19.

The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged to be movable or moving, preferably pivotable or pivoting, by the at least one second gear element 22. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle closure 17 is driven in its pivoting movement by the at least one second gear element 22.

The first gear element 19 is preferably in with the second gear element 22 Contact, preferably in direct contact, or more preferably in rolling contact. In a preferred embodiment, the first gear element 19 is at least partially designed as a gear segment 19. The second gear element 22 is preferably designed as a gear 22. For example, the second gear element 22 is designed to roll at least partially over the circumference of the first gear element 19.

Alternatively, for example, the first gear element 19 is designed to roll at least partially over the circumference of the second gear element 22. For example, the gear 22 is in contact, preferably direct contact, with the gear segment 19, so that the gear 22 is preferably designed to roll at least partially over the circumference of the gear segment 19 and / or so that the gear segment 19 preferably at least partially over the circumference of the gear 22 is designed to roll.

The nozzle closure 17 preferably comprises the pivot point 21. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle closure 17 has the at least one first gear element 19. The pivot point 21 is preferably designed as the pivot axis 21. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has the pivot point 21 at one end and / or the first at another end, preferably opposite the pivot point 21

Gear element 19 on. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has the pivot point 21 and the first gear element 19 diametrically opposite one another. In this context, diametrically means opposite to one another within the nozzle closure 17. The first gear element 19 is preferably arranged in the transverse direction A, preferably within a plane spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H, after the pivot point 21 and / or in front of the second gear element 22.

The nozzle closure 17 preferably has the first gear element 19.

The first gear element 19 of the nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged to be pivotable and / or pivotable directly through the second gear element 22 about the at least one pivot axis 21, for example about the pivot point 21. The first gear element 19 is preferably designed to be driven or drivable directly by the second gear element 22. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged movably or moving, in particular pivotable or pivoting, within the plane which is spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged so as to be movable or moving, preferably pivotable or pivoting, orthogonally to the flight direction F. The longitudinal axis of the nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged so that it can pivot or pivot about the pivot axis 21 orthogonally to the direction of flight F.

The second transmission element 22 is preferably indirectly via at least one

Shutter drive designed to be driven or drivable. For example, the second gear element 22 is connected to at least one shaft 23 and / or in contact with the at least one shaft 23, the at least one shaft 23 being driven or designed to be drivable directly or indirectly via the at least one locking drive. For example, the second gear element 22 is in contact with an end region of the shaft 23. For example, the second gear element 22 at least partially surrounds one end region of the shaft 23.

Alternatively, the second gear element 22 is directly above at least one

Shutter drive designed to be driven or drivable. For example, the lock drive is designed to be coupled and / or connectable and / or connected and / or connectable directly to the second gear element 22.

The second gear element 22 is preferably designed to be at least partially movable or moving, preferably rotatable or rotating, within the plane which is spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H. The second gear element 22 is preferably designed to be at least partially movable or moving, preferably rotatable or rotating, orthogonally to the direction of flight F. The second gear element 22 is preferably orthogonal to the flight direction F and / or over the circumference within the plane spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H at least partially movable or moving, preferably rotatable or rotating.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one shutter drive is arranged within the print head 02. The at least one shutter drive is preferably arranged within the housing 06 of the print head 02. For example, the lock drive is in flight direction F in front of the pressure chamber 07 and / or in front of the

Nozzle closure 17 and / or arranged in front of the charging electrode 09 and / or in front of the deflection electrode 12 and / or in front of the catching tube 13. The closure drive is preferably connected to the at least one control unit in the container 03, for example via the electrical connection within the connection 04. The at least one locking drive is preferably via the at least one control unit of the

Printing unit 01 designed to be controllable and / or adjustable. The at least one locking drive is preferably designed as an electromotive drive. In a preferred embodiment, the shutter drive is designed as a direct current motor. The shutter drive is preferably designed so that it can be controlled and / or regulated by limiting the amplitude of the activation, for example the electrical voltage and / or the electric current and / or by limiting the duration of the activation. The lock drive preferably does not include an additional position encoder, the lock drive preferably being controlled and / or regulated by the control unit, for example up to the end of the

Control signal and / or control signal, for example the limitation of the amplitude of the control and / or the limitation of the duration of the

Control, is preferably operated in a similar manner. In an alternative embodiment, the lock drive comprises a position transmitter, which preferably transmits feedback on the position of the lock drive, for example to the control unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle closure 17 has at least a first Position and / or at least a second position. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged such that it can be moved, preferably by pivoting, about the at least one pivot axis 21 from the first position to the second position and / or from the second position to the first position. Preferably, the first gear element 19 with the second gear element 22 is in particular independent of the position of the

Nozzle closure 17 in contact, preferably direct contact, or in rolling contact.

The nozzle surface 14 of the pressure chamber 07 is preferably arranged opposite the cover surface of the nozzle seal 17 in the direction of flight F, in particular regardless of the position of the nozzle seal 17. The nozzle closure 17 is thus preferably designed to move, preferably pivoted, in one plane, preferably from the first position to the second position or vice versa, which plane is arranged parallel to the nozzle surface 14 having the at least one nozzle 16. The nozzle closure 17 preferably has a visible surface. The

The visible surface is preferably designed as a boundary surface of the nozzle closure 17, which faces away from the nozzle surface 14 of the pressure chamber 07 and / or is arranged in the direction of flight F after the cover surface. The visible surface is preferably arranged within a plane parallel to the plane of the nozzle surface 14 and / or parallel to the plane of the cover surface. The nozzle surface 14 preferably has a first distance from the visible surface in the first position of the nozzle closure 17 and a second distance in the second position of the nozzle closure 17. The first distance is preferably identical to the second distance, in particular independent of the position of the nozzle closure 17 and / or independent of the movement of the

Nozzle closure 17 from the first position to the second position or vice versa.

In the first position, the nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged such that it closes the at least one nozzle 16 of the pressure chamber 07 completely. The first position of the nozzle closure 17, shown by way of example in FIG. 5a, is preferably designed as a closure position. The at least one closure opening 18 of the nozzle closure 17 with the at least one nozzle 16 is preferably in the second position Pressure chamber 07 arranged in the flight direction F in alignment with one another. The second position of the nozzle closure 17, shown by way of example in FIG. 5b, is preferably designed as an opening position.

In the closure position, the first position of the nozzle closure 17, there is preferably a shortest connection between the nozzle center of gravity of the nozzle 16 and the

The opening center of gravity of the closure opening 18 is not arranged parallel to the direction of flight F. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged in the closure position in such a way that at least one half-line beginning at the nozzle 16 and extending parallel to the direction of flight F meets the nozzle closure 17 outside a boundary of the closure opening 18 and / or not within the closure opening 18. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged in the closure position in such a way that all half-lines beginning at the nozzle 16 and extending parallel to the direction of flight F meet the nozzle closure 17 outside the boundary of the closure opening 18 and / or not inside the closure opening 18. In the closed position, the lock drive is preferably designed to bear against a first stop.

In the opening position, the second position of the nozzle closure 17, there is preferably a shortest connection between the nozzle center of gravity of the nozzle 16 and the

Opening center of gravity of the closure opening 18 parallel to the flight direction F

arranged. Preferably, the closure opening 18 is arranged in the opening position so that all of the nozzle 16 beginning and parallel to the

Half-straight lines extending through the direction of flight F through the nozzle closure 17 within the closure opening 18 and / or at the boundary of the closure opening 18

point through. In the opening position, the nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged such that, in an operating state of the printing unit 01, pressure fluid which leaves the at least one nozzle 16 in the direction of flight F can pass the nozzle closure 17 and preferably the print head 02 in the spatial direction Ra; Rb can leave or in the catching tube 13 hits. Thus, the nozzle closure 17 is preferably arranged in the opening position so that in an operating state of the printing unit 01, pressure fluid which leaves the at least one nozzle 16 in the direction of flight F passes the nozzle closure 17 and, in particular, subsequently, preferably the print head 02 in the spatial direction Ra; Rb leaves or meets the catch pipe 13. In the opening position, the locking drive is preferably designed to bear against a second stop, which preferably differs from the first stop.

In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle closure 17 can be pivoted or pivoted about the pivot axis 21 and can be transferred or transferred from the first position into the second position and / or from the second position into the first position.

In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle closure 17 is more preferred at an angle of at least 10 °, preferably of at least 15 °, more preferably of at least 20 °, and of a maximum of 90 °, preferably of a maximum of 45 °, more preferably of a maximum of 35 ° of a maximum of 30 °, pivotable or pivotable about the pivot axis 21 and arranged to be transferable or transferable from the first position to the second position and / or from the second position to the first position. The transfer of the nozzle closure 17 from the first position to the second position and / or from the second position to the first position can preferably be regulated or regulated and / or controlled or controlled by the closure drive. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably designed to be movable or moving, preferably pivotable or pivoting, within the plane spanned by the transverse direction A and the height H and / or orthogonal to the flight direction F.

In order to transfer the nozzle closure 17 from the first position to the second position, the second gear element 22 is preferably set in rotation in a first direction of rotation directly or indirectly by the closure drive. The second gear element 22 preferably rotates in the first direction of rotation, preferably orthogonally to the flight direction F. Via the contact with the first gear element 19 the second gear element 22 is thus also the first gear element 19 set in motion. The first gear element 19, and thus the nozzle closure 17, preferably swivels about the swivel axis 21 opposite to the first

Direction of rotation of the second gear element 22, preferably in a direction opposite to the first direction of rotation of the second gear element 22 from the first position of the nozzle closure 17 to the second position of the

Nozzle closure 17.

In order to transfer the nozzle closure 17 from the second position to the first position, the second gear element 22 is preferably set in rotation in a second direction of rotation indirectly or directly by the closure drive. The second direction of rotation of the second gear element 22 is preferably directed against the first direction of rotation. The second gear element 22 preferably rotates in the second direction of rotation, preferably just like the first direction of rotation, preferably orthogonally to the direction of flight F. Via the contact of the first

Gear element 19 with the second gear element 22 is thus also set in motion the first gear element 19. Preferably the first swings

Gear element 19, and thus the nozzle closure 17, about the pivot axis 21 opposite to the second direction of rotation of the second gear element 22, preferably in a direction opposite to the second direction of rotation of the second gear element 22 from the second position of the nozzle closure 17 to the first position of the nozzle closure 17 .

For example, a complete transfer of the nozzle closure 17 from the first position to the second position and / or vice versa is possible. Alternatively or additionally, only a partial transfer of the nozzle closure 17 from the first position to the second position and / or vice versa is possible. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably completely transferred from the first position to the second position and / or vice versa. For example, the nozzle closure 17 is additionally or alternatively from the first position in the second position and / or vice versa only partially transferred.

In a preferred embodiment, a sealing element is arranged within the print head 02 so that, at least in the closed position inside the housing 06 of the print head 02, an atmosphere is formed around the at least one nozzle 16 of the nozzle surface 14 which protects the at least one nozzle 16 from contamination and / or

Drying of the pressure fluid is designed to preserve. The sealing element is

for example arranged on the nozzle surface 14. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element is arranged on the nozzle closure 17 and, together with the nozzle closure 17, can be moved or moved, preferably pivoted or pivoted. The nozzle closure 17 is preferably designed at least partially as the sealing element. The nozzle closure 17, in particular its closure, is therefore preferred

Cover surface and / or the sealing element, preferably permanently in direct contact, preferably without a spacing therebetween, to which the nozzle surface 14 having at least one nozzle 16 is arranged. The nozzle closure 17, in particular its cover surface and / or the sealing element, is preferably in direct contact in the first position and in the second position, preferably without a spacing between them, to the nozzle surface 14 having at least one nozzle 16.

For example, the nozzle closure 17 is arranged in the closure position, so that cleaning of the print head 02 can be carried out or is carried out. Thus, flushing with a flushing medium of the interior of the print head 02 is preferably possible without the pressure fluid in the pressure chamber 07 and / or the nozzle 16 being with the

Flushing medium comes into contact. The interior of the print head 02, in particular the area inside the housing 06 of the print head 02, is preferably flushed with a flushing medium without the pressure fluid in the pressure chamber 07 and / or the nozzle 16 coming into contact with the flushing medium. List of reference symbols

01 printing unit

02 printhead

03 container

04 connection

05 -

06 housing

07 pressure chamber

08 inkjet

09 charging electrode

10

11 drops

12 deflection electrode

13 catch pipe

14 nozzle area

15 -

16 nozzle

17 Nozzle closure

18 shutter opening

19 Gear element, first, gear segment

20th

21 pivot point, pivot axis

22 Gear element, second, gear

23 wave

A cross direction

F Direction of flight

H height Ra spatial direction, first

Rb spatial direction, second

Claims

Expectations

1. Printing unit (01) comprising at least one print head (02) with at least one nozzle seal (17) and with at least one pressure chamber (07) comprising at least one nozzle (16), the nozzle seal (17) having at least one

Has closure opening (18), characterized in that the

The nozzle closure (17) is arranged pivotably about at least one pivot axis (21), so that at least one gear for moving the nozzle closure (17) is arranged in the print head (02).

2. Printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission

at least one first gear element (19) and at least one second

Has transmission element (22).

3. Printing unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the first

Gear element (19) with the second gear element (22) is in contact or in rolling contact.

4. Printing unit according to claim 2 and / or 3, characterized in that the nozzle closure (17) is driven in its pivoting movement by the at least one second gear element (22).

5. Printing unit according to claim 2 and / or 3 and / or 4, characterized in that a pivot point (21) is designed as the pivot axis (21), that the nozzle closure (17) has the at least one first gear element (19) and that the nozzle closure (17) has the pivot point (21) at one end and / or the first gear element (19) at another end.

6. Printing unit according to claim 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5, characterized characterized in that the nozzle closure (17) has the first gear element (19) and that the first gear element (19) of the nozzle closure (17) directly through the second gear element (22) around the at least one

Pivot axis (21) is pivotably arranged.

7. Printing unit according to claim 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5 and / or 6, characterized in that the second gear element (22) is driven indirectly via at least one locking drive or is designed to be drivable.

8. Printing unit according to claim 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5 and / or 6, characterized in that the second gear element (22) is driven directly via at least one locking drive or is designed to be drivable.

9. Printing unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the

at least one shutter drive is arranged within the print head (02).

10. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9, characterized in that the nozzle closure (17) is positioned within the print head (02) in a flight direction (F) after the nozzle (16) of the pressure chamber (07) is that the flight direction (F) describes a direction which is a longest side of a housing (06) of the

Print head (02) and / or the exit direction of printing fluid, which the

Pressure chamber (07) through which at least one nozzle (16) can exit, corresponds.

11. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10, characterized in that the nozzle closure (17) by pivoting around the at least one

Pivot axis (21) is arranged to be transferable from a first position into a second position and / or from the second position into the first position.

12. Printing unit according to claim 11, characterized in that in the first position of the nozzle closure (17) the at least one nozzle (16) of the pressure chamber (07) is arranged to be completely closing.

13. Printing unit according to claim 11 and / or 12, characterized in that in the second position the at least one closure opening (18) of the

Nozzle closure (17) with which at least one nozzle (16) of the pressure chamber (07) is arranged in flight direction (F) in alignment with one another.

14. Printing unit according to claim 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13, characterized in that the nozzle closure (17) within the print head (02) in the direction of flight (F) in direct connection with the nozzle (16) of the pressure chamber (07) is positioned.

15. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14, characterized in that the nozzle closure (17) is designed in one piece.

16. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15, characterized in that the print head (02) is designed as a continuously operating inkjet print head or as a continuously operating inkjet print head.

17. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15 and / or 16, characterized in that a nozzle surface (14) which comprises at least one nozzle (16) that the

The nozzle closure (17) is designed to move in a plane, which plane is arranged parallel to the nozzle surface (14) having the at least one nozzle (16).

18. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15 and / or 16 and / or 17, thereby

characterized in that a nozzle surface (14) comprises at least one nozzle (16), that the nozzle closure (17) is permanently in direct contact with the nozzle surface (14) having the at least one nozzle (16).

19. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15 and / or 16 and / or 17 and / or 18, characterized in that a nozzle surface (14) comprises the at least one nozzle (16) that the at least one pivot axis (21) parallel to a

Normal vector of the nozzle surface (14) is arranged.

20. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15 and / or 16 and / or 17 and / or 18 and / or 19, characterized in that the at least one pivot axis (21) is arranged offset in the direction of flight (F) to the side of the at least one nozzle (16).

21. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15 and / or 16 and / or 17 and / or 18 and / or 19 and / or 20, characterized in that the nozzle closure (17) is arranged along the flight direction (F) at a position in front of which a drop (11) hits the print head (02) in a corresponding spatial direction (Ra; Rb ) leaves.

22. Printing unit according to claim 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5

and / or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8 and / or 9 and / or 10 and / or 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15 and / or 16 and / or 17 and / or 18 and / or 19 and / or 20 and / or 21, characterized in that the print head (02) comprises at least one deflection electrode (12), that the nozzle closure (17) between the at least one nozzle (16) and the at least one Deflection electrode (12) is arranged.

23. Printing unit according to claim 11 and / or 12 and / or 13 and / or 14 and / or 15 and / or 16 and / or 17 and / or 18 and / or 19 and / or 20 and / or 21 and / or 22 , characterized in that a nozzle surface (14) comprises at least one nozzle (16), that the nozzle closure (17) has a visible surface, that the visible surface is arranged within a plane parallel to the plane of the nozzle surface (14), that the nozzle surface (14) has a first distance from the visible surface in the first position of the nozzle closure (17) and a second distance in the second position of the nozzle closure (17), so that the first distance is identical to the second distance.