CA2119102C - Modular ink-jet print head - Google Patents
Modular ink-jet print headInfo
- Publication number
- CA2119102C CA2119102C CA002119102A CA2119102A CA2119102C CA 2119102 C CA2119102 C CA 2119102C CA 002119102 A CA002119102 A CA 002119102A CA 2119102 A CA2119102 A CA 2119102A CA 2119102 C CA2119102 C CA 2119102C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- module
- modules
- print head
- ink
- jet print
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
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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
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
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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
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/145—Arrangement thereof
- B41J2/155—Arrangement thereof for line printing
-
- 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
- B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
- B41J25/34—Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages
-
- 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
- B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
- B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
- B41J2202/20—Modules
Abstract
A modular ink-jet print head incorporates modules (1) with three distance pieces (20) on their peripheries, in order to maintain a constant space b between the modules (1). These are secured to the module part by their base surface (34) so as to stand upright on a reference plane. The distance pieces of one module are brought into contact with at least those of another module. A
base plate (36) and two arms (38) that are arranged on two first sides of the base plate (36) form a U-shared module carrier (10).
Attachment elements (23, 24, 25, 26) for the modules are arranged on the two second sides of the base plate (36) and adjustment means (27, 28) are arranged on the arms (38). Offset stop edges (29) for all the modules (1) are machined in the common opening (37) of the base plate (36) for the front edges of all the modules (1) on one side of the base plate that is parallel to one of the second sides of the base plate. The reference edges (21) of each module (1) are brought into contact with an associated stop edge (29) of the base plate so that defined lateral offset c is formed between the modules (1).
base plate (36) and two arms (38) that are arranged on two first sides of the base plate (36) form a U-shared module carrier (10).
Attachment elements (23, 24, 25, 26) for the modules are arranged on the two second sides of the base plate (36) and adjustment means (27, 28) are arranged on the arms (38). Offset stop edges (29) for all the modules (1) are machined in the common opening (37) of the base plate (36) for the front edges of all the modules (1) on one side of the base plate that is parallel to one of the second sides of the base plate. The reference edges (21) of each module (1) are brought into contact with an associated stop edge (29) of the base plate so that defined lateral offset c is formed between the modules (1).
Description
A MODULAR INK-JET PRINT HEAD
The present invention relates to a modular ink-jet print head, the modules of which are provided with means to feed and to expel ink from, in each instance, a chamber that is associated with a nozzle and which are secured in a module carrier, which has an opening for the front edge of all the modules and securing elements for each module.
Such an ink-jet print head, assembled from edge-shooter-ink-jet modules can be used in small high-speed printers. Printers of this kind are used, for example, for franking machines that are used to frank mail.
It is already known that ink-jet print head modules are built according to the edge-shooter or the face-shooter principle and arranged releasably in a retaining means (First Annual Ink-Jet Printing Workshop, March 26-27, 1992, Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts). However, the modules are separated from each other by a large space that is prone to minor variations, because here the holding means consists of a plate with elongated openings and two attachment means for each module, the openings lying perpendicularly or obliquely one above the other. For this reason, the time delay of the control pulse from module to module is long and must therefore be adjusted accordingly which means an increased outlay in controlling the driver. In addition, it is not possible to replace a single module without having to reprogram or readjust the time delay for the control.
~ 28486-8 US 47 03 333 describes an ink-jet print head that comprises face-shooter modules that are offset obliquely above each other and secured in a retaining means so as to be releasable. Such ink-jet print heads with an arrangement of the modules that is inclined relative to the surface of a recording medium generate a - la -~~2J
-- 21~91~
more even impression even if the thickness of the recording medium varies. The ink-jet no longer impacts perpendicular but rather obliquely to the direction of the recording. A major disadvantage of the face-shooter is its greater base area, which is opposite the recording medium; this means that the space between the nozzle lines of the module is large and only a few modules can be integrated into an ink-jet print head. This limits the density of the image. This disadvantage is not completely eliminated either by the inclined arrangement of the modules in the direction of movement of the recording medium or by an arrangement that is laterally offset. The dimensions, in particular the dimensions of a print head that operates at a partial vacuum, also affect the print image. On the one hand, the holding means has a common opening for the modules but, on the other hand, is of a form that is correspondingly costly to manufacture. The manufacture of the print heads requires a large number of production steps that are carried out at precise tolerances. Given such a costly overall construction, it is difficult to guarantee the required precision for each print head. The electronic control system of these print heads with rows of nozzles that are offset relative to each other is similarly costly to configure.
DE 32 36 297 Al provides for the control of such ink-jet print heads that are arranged so as to be laterally offset in a field by way of previously adjustable delay networks that are intended to even out the spacing of the ink-jet print heads along the direction of movement of the recording medium.
Ink-jet print heads of this kind can only be replaced by a practitioner skilled in the art who can subsequently perform the required mechanical and electrical adjustments.
If the ink supply is based on the capillary effect, if the ink supply container is arranged so as to be separate from the print 2.~
head, and if the ink supply pressure must be within the range of capillary pressure, then there are frequent breakdowns in the operation of ink-jet print heads. Should the print head become blocked, the whole of the print head has to be replaced.
Solutions for an ink-jet print head that consists of a single module are known from W0 91/06432 and W0/04861; these are cemented to an aluminum carrier plate and are closely adjacent to the ink supply system or form a structural unit (print module) that can be inserted into a mounting. The mounting has three spherical guide elements and these engage in three differently formed centring openings on one side of the print module. In order to achieve greater print image resolution, a plurality of such print modules would have to be used and this, in its turn, leads to larger dimensions of the overall system and to problems with tolerances when inserting the print modules with the result that print heads of this kind are not suitable for small and light franking printers.
US 5 160 945 describes an edge-shooter thermal ink-jet print head that is made up of individual modules and contains heating elements to expel the ink. The individual modules, each of which incorporates nozzle arrays, are arranged so as to be secured rigidly on beam-like module characters at equal distances in the x-direction, these carriers being secured to flanges by bolts and displaced laterally one above the other and spaced apart in the y-direction. The spaces are relatively large because the module carriers must be relatively thick for reasons of stability.
Precise spacing can only be maintained with difficulty using the module carriers and flanges, particularly if a large number of module characters are arranged one above the other. Thus, however, the cost for balancing out the module nozzle density, which is only small, and for the overall construction of the print head is too great to permit them to be used in franking machines. Finally, the modules cannot be replaced singly.
2119~
Another edge-shooter ink-jet model that has already been proposed consists of at least three glass elements, i.e., a middle section that incorporates openings, and two side elements, each of which incorporates a series of ink chambers. A common nozzle series is located on the face ends of the first side element. The two series of ink chambers and the associated nozzles are offset relative to each other, all the nozzles in one series lying on the face side of the first side element and the ink chambers of the second side element being connected through channels in the centre section with the corresponding nozzles in the first side section or with the ink supply system, respectively. Using this principle, it is possible to build a module that is even more highly integrated according to this principle and which only has a single series of nozzles and simultaneously forms an edge-shooter ink-jet inline print head (ESIJIL-print head). Between each of the sintered blocks of three glass elements there is a spacing layer consisting of the same material as the pie~oelectric elements that are used to expel the ink from the ink chambers and this layer, arranged on the outer surfaces of the glass elements connects the sintered blocks to each other so that they are inseparable. If the print head is damaged during assembly or if the print head becomes defective during subsequent operation then, once again, the whole print head has to be replaced. However, it is still difficult to achieve a high yield when manufacturing such print heads. Up to now, it has not been possible to assemble edge-shooter ink-jet modules to form an ink-jet print head having a high image density and at low production costs without, on the one hand, costly mechanical and electrical adjustment being necessary because of manufacturing tolerances or, on the other hand, without shortcomings in the print image.
It is the task of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages found in the prior art with respect to mounting ink-jet print heads and to create an ink-jet print head assembled o ~ ~
from modules, this having a higher recording density and requiring a lower manufacturing outlay.
A further object is to ensure that the modules can be removed individually and replaced economically. When this is done, it is to be guaranteed that only the identical module type can be installed correctly in the print head and that after modules have been replaced there are no shortcomings in the print image.
According to the invention, there is provided a modular ink-jet print head for use with an ink reservoir, said print head comprising: a plurality of modules, each module having a plurality of nozzles terminating in a front face of the module and said modules forming, in combination, means for drawing ink from said reservoir and for ejecting said ink from said nozzles in a selected pattern, each of said modules having an internal reference plane and a thickness, subject to tolerance variations from module to module, in a direction perpendicular to said internal reference plane; a module holder having an opening for accepting said plurality of modules in a stack of successively adjacent modules; means for detachably fastening said modules in said module holder with the respective front faces of said modules disposed in said opening; and a plurality of spacers carried by each of said modules, each spacer having a detent therein and a base end fastened perpendicularly on the internal reference plane of the module carrying the spacer, each spacer of at least one of said modules having a free end, opposite said base end, releasably engaging the detent in a spacer of another of said -modules and each spacer having a length between said base end and said free end and a diameter which is non-uniform along said length for stacking said modules with a predetermined spacing between the respective pluralities of nozzles in adjacent modules independently of said tolerance variations.
The present invention proceeds from the fact that the ink-jet print head is assembled from a plurality of modules of an identical type, it being possible to use a flat ink-jet module type that consists of a plurality of module elements and distance pieces, which permits precise maintenance of spacing and the lateral offset between the replaceable modules.
In order to maintain the spacing, the distance pieces are secured vertically on the module part with their base surface standing on a reference plane that is formed from one surface of a module part. The distance pieces of the one module are brought into contact with at least those of another module.
In order to maintain the lateral offset, each module has a reference edge with an extremely precise distance d to each first nozzle of its nozzle line.
A base plate that is situated in the direction in which the ink is expelled has a common opening for the front edges of all the modules. Within the common opening of the base plate, offset stop edges for all the modules, are machined on one side--situated parallel to one of the two sides of the base plate. The reference edges of the modules are brought into contact with an - 5a -~, '- 2~91~2 associated stop edge of the base plate so that defined lateral offset c between the modules results.
In the case of the edge-shooter ink-jet module type, the reference plane is the surface of a module part that is parallel to the plane, in which the nozzle channels are formed.
In an advantageous manner, in the case of the edge shooter ink-jet inline module type, all the nozzle channels are machined into the inside surface of the first module part, i.e., the distance between the inner surface of the module part and the nozzle channel plane is minimal and goes towards zero. Three distance pieces of this type are provided for each module and these lie on its periphery and are secured upright with their base surface on the inside surface of the one module part that has the nozzle channels.
When an edge-shooter ink-jet inline print head (ESIJIL print head) is used, in addition to increased nozzle density, there are reducible manufacturing costs and a high level of precision even when there are small variations in the individual parts.
Proceeding from the additional objectives, a compactly constructed ink-jet print head is proposed, this incorporating a plurality of easily replaceable and identically configured flat modules and a U-shaped module carrier with a base plate as a positioning, retaining, and attachment means for the modules.
The base plate that is situated in the direction in which the ink is expelled incorporates a common opening for the front edges of all the modules, which makes it possible, in an advantageous manner, to manufacture modular ink-jet print heads for a vertical arrangement of the modules relative to the surface of a recording medium.
213L9~0~
On two first sides of the base plate there are two arms.
Attachment elements for the module~ are arranged on the two second sides of the base plate of the module carrier and there are adjustment means on the arms; these work in conjunction with the distance pieces that lie one above the other for the subsequent modules in order to set a constant spacing of the modules that follow each other in series.
A further advantage ls the pos~ibility of electrically monitorlng the module type through the distance pieces in order to ensure that an identical module type is always being used correctly on the print head.
Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the secondary claims or are described in greater detail below in conjunction with the description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention on the basis of the drawings appended hereto. These drawings show the following:
~igure la: the construction of an edge-shooter ink-jet inline print head (ink feed side);
Figure lb: the installation of an ESIJIL module;
Figure lc: the construction of the ESIJIL-print head (ink-jet side);
Figure ld: attachment of an ESIJIL module in the module carrler;
Figure 2a: a first variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
Figure 2b: a second variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
Figure 2c: a third variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
Figure 2d: a fourth variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
~ 211~102 Figure 3a: a side view of the U-shaped module carrier with the modules in place;
Figure 3b: a front view of the base plate of the print head;
Figure 4: an cut-away view of the ESIJIL-print head module according to the present invention, in plan view;
Figure 5a: details of the cut-away view;
Figure 5b: a cross-section through the line A-A;
Figure 5c: a cross-section on the line B-B.
Figures la to ld show an assembled print head with releasable modules 1 and with a U-shaped module carrier as a holding means.
The U-shaped module carrier 10 consists of a base plate 36 and arms 38 that are arranged on the base plate 36 on two opposing first sides.
The modules 1 are shown as viewed from the rear edge, i.e., from the ink feed side. A damping block 5 is arranged on the left on the rear edge and in addition there are electrical control lines (not shown in figures la to lc) on the rear edge, on the right.
In figure la, the modules are shown opened at the location of the control lines in order to show how the constant spacing is effected by means of distance pieces 19 and/or 20. These are attached to the modules standing vertically on a reference plane.
The construction of the ink-jet print head according to the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the edge-shooter ink-jet inline module (ESIJIL module) that is known from the application P 42 25 799.9. This consists of at least three flat ceramic or glass parts 2, 3, and 4 that are sintered together and are, at least in part, imbedded in a protective coating 22 (synthetic resin). On the surface of only one ceramic or glass part 2, nozzles are machined so as to lie on a nozzle channel plane 100, and the nozzle openings of these form a line on the front side of the module part 2. If modules that operate on the edge shooter principle are used for the ink-jet print 21~1 02 head, the reference plane is formed from the one surface of a module part 2 or 3 that lies parallel to the nozzle channel plane 100 .
In figure la, four identically constructed ESIJIL modules are arranged in a module carrier 10 that performs a positioning, retaining, and attachment function. A space a between the nozzle lines of the ESIJIL modules is maintained with defined precision by each of the three distance pieces 20 for each module. This means that the time delay of the control pulse from module to module can be considered as constant. In the preferred version, the distance pieces are attached in the vicinity of the side edges of each module in the preferred version on the module part that supports the nozzles and thus stand vertically on the nozzle channel plane 100. These result in an equal thickness b = 6 mm of the module at three points; in contrast to this, the space between adjacent synthetic resin surfaces of the module can be affected by minor variations. The distance pieces 20 can be secured by the synthetic-resin coating.
The circular base surface 34 of the spacer cylinder 20 that is associated with the nozzle channel plane 100 and which is of greater diameter lies on the surface of the first part 2 that has the ink chambers, on the surface of part 2 in which the nozzle channels are formed. The other circular base surface 35 that faces away from the nozzle channel plane 100 is in contact with the distance piece of the adjacent module or an adjuster 27 or 28 on the closed side of the U-shaped module carrier 10. It is preferred that the module carrier 10 be provided with a stop surface 27 or a stop screw and an adjuster screw 28 and/or spring elements as adjusters, between which the distance pieces 20 are clamped. The modules 1 are secured releasibly within the module carrier 10 by first attachment elements 23, 24 and second attachment elements 25, 26, the attachment elements 23, 24, 25, and 26 being arranged on two opposing second sides of the base 2~91 0~, plate 36. In one advantageous variation, the attachment elements consist of leaf springs 23, 25 and screws 24, 26 and are arranged on the openly accessible second side of the U-shaped module carrier 10.
Figure lb shows the procedure for inserting a module into the module carrier 10. In order to do this, the second attachment elements, namely the leaf spring 25 and the spring 26 on the side edge of the module 1 that faces closer to the electrical connector lines or that faces away from the damping block, are removed, whereas the first attachment elements 23 and 25 perform a retaining function during the insertion. When this is done during insertion, the leaf spring 23 that is secured to the module carrier with the screw 24 during insertion engages in the grooves 32 of the side edge of the module 1 that is closer to the damping block 5 or that faces away from the electrical connector lines. The leaf springs 23, 25 are spaced apart through spring distance pieces 41, 42 that are secured to the base plate 36.
The leaf springs 23, 25 can then fit better into the appropriate grooves 32, 33 of each module 1 whereby each module 1 is then secured releasibly in the module carrier 10. The part that is situated in the direction in which the ink droplets are expelled and which during printing faces the recording medium (not shown herein), i.e., the part of the U-shaped module carrier that faces away from the ink feed has an opening 37 in a base plate 36 for those forward edges of all the modules that have the nozzle line.
There are offset stop edges 29 for all modules 1 machined in the common opening 37 of the base plate 36 in one side that is parallel to a second side of the base plate. Each module 1 has a reference edge 21 that is functionally connected with an associated stop edge 29 of the base plate 36 so that a defined offset c is formed between the modules 1. When a module 1 is inserted, the first reference edge 21 of the module 1 comes into contact with the first stop edge 29 of the base plate 36 and the 211 ~
second reference edge 39 of the module l touches the second stop edge 30 of the base plate 36.
Figure lc shows the ink-jet print head construction according to the present invention as viewed from the front. The nozzles lie in a line because the nozzle channels are formed on a plane 100 on the surface of the module part 2. A required defined offset c is achieved between the modules by an offset stop edge 29 for each module 1 in the opening 37 of the base plate 36, in order to print a cohesive line with a high recording density with the nozzles of the four modules. The size of the offset corresponds to the space between the nozzles in the nozzle line of module 1 divided by the number of modules. In the case of four modules and a space h = 0.8 mm between the modules this results in an offset c = 0.2 mm.
Figure ld shows the ink-jet print head construction according to the present invention as viewed from the side, in cross-section, with the modules already inserted and adjusted. A defined effective force is exerted on the inserted modules by different spring distance pieces 41, 42. The effective force of the first attachment device 23, 24 acts only to press the second reference edge 39 onto the second stop edge 30.
The second spring distance piece 42 causes a smaller space than the first spring distance piece 41. The effective force of the second attachment device 25, 26 that is then brought into engagement with the groove 33 on the inserted module 1 holds its reference edges 21 and 37 pressed on the stop edges 29 and 30 in the opening 37 of the base plate 36 of the module carrier 10.
In another version, the base plate 36 can be built up in two layers, a metal plate that incorporates the common opening 37 forming the first layer and simultaneously the front second stop - 2il ~
edge 30 another larger common opening 40 in a second layer forming the lateral first stop edge 29.
According to the position of the grooves 32 and 33 on the side edges of the module and on the intended effective force, the first attachment elements 23, 24 are spaced away from the base plate 36 through a first spring distance piece 41 and the second attachment elements 25, 26 are spaced away from the base plate 36 through a second spring distance piece 42.
In another variation (not shown herein) only the grooves 32 and 33 are arranged at a different distance from the front edge of the module 1, whereas the spring distance pieces 41 and 42 bring about the equal space.
The first attachment elements 23, 24, the first and second spacing side pieces 41, 42, and the two arms 38 of the module carrier 10 can, in an advantageous variation, be produced from one piece by injection moulding. The base plate 36 too, can be a moulded plastic part.
In a cheaper variation, the module carrier 10, apart from the second attachment elements 25, 26, can be produced as a whole from one piece by injection moulding. The second attachment elements 25, 26 are preferably of metal.
Figures 2a to 2d show a first to a fourth variation of the solution for the distance pieces according to the present invention.
In a first variation, which is shown in figure 2a, the distance pieces consist of two parts that each comprise a ball 19 and a spacing cylinder 29. The spacer cylinder 20 is the distance piece section that is of greater diameter, which is inserted into the opening of the second module part 4 and of the middle section 3 that is of greater diameter. In place of the ball, it is also possible to use a distance piece section 19 that is of another shape.
In a second variation, which is shown in figure 2b, the distance pieces 20 are formed in one piece as spacer cylinders with a conical extension that is directed away from the nozzle channel plane 100, this extension touching the base surface 34 of the next distance piece of the next module from the outside.
Screws (not shown herein) are provided as adjusters 27 and 28, by means of which the distance pieces 20 can be clamped offset behind one another by the lateral offset c.
In a further variation, which is shown in figure 2c, the distance piece 19, 20, shaped as in the first variation, are connected with each other unreleasibly to form a one-piece distance piece or are formed in one piece as spacer cylinders 20, with a conical extension 19 that is directed away from the nozzle channel plane 100 .
In another variation, which is shown in figure 2d, distance piece sections 19, 20 that are rotated through 180~ are used, and these are shaped as in the third variation, and are joined to each other non-releasibly to form a one-piece distance piece or are formed in one piece as a spacer cylinder 20 with a conical extension 19. The surface of the middle section 3 is parallel and immediately on the surface of the module part 2 in which the nozzle channels are machined. The base surface 34 of a distance piece 20 that is rotated through 180~ now stands vertically on the surface of this middle section 3. Openings that lie one above the other are provided for the distance pieces in the module parts 2, 3, and 4, the opening in the first module part 2 being greater than the openings in the middle part 3 and in the second module part 4. The distance piece section 19 that is of ~ 0 2 smaller diameter is arranged in the openings that are of smaller diameter.
Grooves 28 and a stop plate 27 are provided as adjustment means in the above-named first, third, and fourth versions and the distance pieces 20, offset behind each other by the offset c are clamped between these.
Figure 3a is a side view of the U-shaped module carrier 10 viewed from the side edge of the module, which has no reference edge.
The connector lines to the plug connector 8 that lie adjacent to this module side edge are not shown. The U-shaped arms 38 of the module carrier lo are preferably of such a size that the adjustment means can be arranged and at the same time protect the module from the side. Thus, in the preferred versions that are shown, together with the U-shaped arms 38 and the thickness of the base plate 36 for the module carrier, this results in an installed height of e = 21 mm.
Figure 3b shows a front view of the base plate 36 with the dimensions f = 66 mm and g = 38 mm. It is preferred that the module carrier 10 be manufactured from plastic.
The lateral offset of the stop edges and thus the offset between the nozzles of the module 1 amounts, for example, to c = 0.2 mm.
The adjuster screw 28, the stop 27, and the distance pieces are of metal and can be used for monitoring the proper attachment of all the modules or to identify the module type. To this end, the distance piece can be bonded with conductor tracks on the outer module surface. In a manner not shown herein, the distance piece 20 can be secured by soldering. This permits electronic monitoring of the correct seating of the module 1 through the distance pieces and an electronic monitoring circuit. In the event of a module with a defective distance piece or an incorrectly inserted module, the microprocessor in the franking 2~ 9~
machine can identify and signal an error in addition to the results of the monitoring.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the ESIJIL print head module 1 which illustrates the lateral offset of the ink chamber groups 101 of a first module part 2 that contains ink chambers and of ink chamber groups 102 of a second module part 4 that has ink chambers and a defined space d from a reference edge 21 as far as a first nozzle Nl of a nozzle group 1.1, that is associated with the ink chamber group 101. This space d is achieved, for example, in that the nozzle channels and the reference edge 21 are etched at the same time. In another version, this is followed by secondary machining by fine grinding. Provision is made such that the nozzles of the nozzle group 1.1 alternate with the nozzles of the nozzle group 1.2 within a single row of nozzles. For this reason, a space d' to a first nozzle of the other nozzle group 1.2 can be defined. The space d or d', respectively, amounts to approximately 7 mm and must be precisely maintained, for which reason, at this point of the reference edge 21, the glass or ceramic parts are not coated with synthetic resin and remain exposed.
In a manner not shown in figure 4, glass or ceramic parts are to be fitted with a piezoelectric element 31 above each ink chamber and the associated electrical conductor tracks, which are connected through an electrical connector 6 to a driver conductor plate 7 that has a push connector 8 to a print control (not shown herein).
In addition, figure 4 also shows a first opening 18 in a middle section 3 to the ink feed opening 16 and to the suction chamber 15, to the second openings 14, that are connected to the suction chamber 15 and to the third openings 9 that feed the ink to the nozzles that belong to the second nozzle group 1.2.
~ ~ ~ 9 ~
Each ESIJIL print head module consists of at least three parts, and only the first module section 2 that contains a group 102 of ink chambers has all the nozzles. A suction chamber 15 that is located within the first module part 2 is connected through a first elongated opening 18 that is arranged in the middle part 3 and through an ink feed opening 16 in the first module part 2 to a damping block 5 that evens out the pressure variations in the inking liquid that occur during operation. The middle part 3 incorporates a number of second openings 14 in order to feed ink to the chambers of a second module part 3 and a number of third openings 9 to conduct the ink from the chambers of the second module part 3 to the nozzles that are located correspondingly in the first module part 2. The openings for the attachment means 17 of the damping block 5 and for the spacers 20 are provided in all the module parts 2, 3, and 4.
The second module part 4 that contains ink chambers has no nozzles but only the second ink chamber group 102 that is supplied with ink through the second openings 14 of the middle part 3. The associated nozzles are connected to the ink chambers of the second part 4 through the third openings of the middle part 3.
Figure 5a is a detail of the cut-away view shown in figure 4, at larger scale. Nozzles of the first nozzle group 1.1 in the same module part 2 are associated with the ink chambers 11 of the first chamber group 101 located in the first module part 2. The chamber 11 is supplied with ink through one of the channels 13 from a suction chamber 15. A corresponding cross-section on the line A-A through the drawing in figure 5a is shown at figure 5b.
Nozzles of the second nozzle group 1.2 in the other chamber part 2 are associated with the chambers 12 of the second chamber group 102 situated in the second module part 4, as can be seen from the cross-section B-B shown in figure 5c. Ink passes from the ' - ~
2 1 ~
suction chamber 15 that is situated in the first chamber part 2 through another of the channels 13 and through one of the second openings 14 situated in the middle part 3 into the chamber 12 of the second chamber part 4. There is a connection from the chamber 12 to the nozzle of the nozzle group 12 that is correspondingly situated in the first chamber part 2 through a third opening 9 in the middle part 3.
Within the middle part 3, there are second openings 14 for supplying the second nozzle group 1.2 with ink. Opposite the openings 9 in the particular middle part there are openings 10 in the particular first module part 2 that has the ink chambers and a connection of the module part 3 that has the second ink chambers for connecting the ink chambers to the second chamber group 102 with the nozzle channels of the second nozzle group 1.2 in the module part 2 that has the first ink chambers. The supply of the ink chambers 11 and 12 in the module part 3 that contains the first and the second ink chambers is effected from a common suction chamber 15 in the module part 2 that contains the first ink chambers. The ink feed to the suction chamber 3 is effected through an ink feed opening 16 in that particular module part 2 that forms a side part of the module and through corresponding openings 18 within the particular middle section and additional openings in the parts 2, 4, and 6 that have the ink chambers.
A piezoelectric element 31, which is shown only in figures 5b and 5c, can be arranged on the chamber surface or within the chamber in order to expel the ink from the chamber; when this is excited it exerts pressure through the flexible chamber wall onto the inking fluid within the chamber and this results in the expulsion of a jet of ink from the nozzle that is connected to the chamber.
Such a piezoelectric element 31 (PZT crystal) is preferably arranged on the surface of the chamber. Thus, for example, the chamber 11, 12 is separated from the element 31 by a thin layer 30 that is of the same material as the chamber part 4, which is ~lls~a~
so elastic that the flexural energy of the element 31 is only attenuated to an insignificant extent.
The present invention is not confined to the embodiments described herein. Rather, a number of variations are possible which make use of the solution described herein even in the case of embodiments that are constructed in a fundamentally different manner.
The present invention relates to a modular ink-jet print head, the modules of which are provided with means to feed and to expel ink from, in each instance, a chamber that is associated with a nozzle and which are secured in a module carrier, which has an opening for the front edge of all the modules and securing elements for each module.
Such an ink-jet print head, assembled from edge-shooter-ink-jet modules can be used in small high-speed printers. Printers of this kind are used, for example, for franking machines that are used to frank mail.
It is already known that ink-jet print head modules are built according to the edge-shooter or the face-shooter principle and arranged releasably in a retaining means (First Annual Ink-Jet Printing Workshop, March 26-27, 1992, Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts). However, the modules are separated from each other by a large space that is prone to minor variations, because here the holding means consists of a plate with elongated openings and two attachment means for each module, the openings lying perpendicularly or obliquely one above the other. For this reason, the time delay of the control pulse from module to module is long and must therefore be adjusted accordingly which means an increased outlay in controlling the driver. In addition, it is not possible to replace a single module without having to reprogram or readjust the time delay for the control.
~ 28486-8 US 47 03 333 describes an ink-jet print head that comprises face-shooter modules that are offset obliquely above each other and secured in a retaining means so as to be releasable. Such ink-jet print heads with an arrangement of the modules that is inclined relative to the surface of a recording medium generate a - la -~~2J
-- 21~91~
more even impression even if the thickness of the recording medium varies. The ink-jet no longer impacts perpendicular but rather obliquely to the direction of the recording. A major disadvantage of the face-shooter is its greater base area, which is opposite the recording medium; this means that the space between the nozzle lines of the module is large and only a few modules can be integrated into an ink-jet print head. This limits the density of the image. This disadvantage is not completely eliminated either by the inclined arrangement of the modules in the direction of movement of the recording medium or by an arrangement that is laterally offset. The dimensions, in particular the dimensions of a print head that operates at a partial vacuum, also affect the print image. On the one hand, the holding means has a common opening for the modules but, on the other hand, is of a form that is correspondingly costly to manufacture. The manufacture of the print heads requires a large number of production steps that are carried out at precise tolerances. Given such a costly overall construction, it is difficult to guarantee the required precision for each print head. The electronic control system of these print heads with rows of nozzles that are offset relative to each other is similarly costly to configure.
DE 32 36 297 Al provides for the control of such ink-jet print heads that are arranged so as to be laterally offset in a field by way of previously adjustable delay networks that are intended to even out the spacing of the ink-jet print heads along the direction of movement of the recording medium.
Ink-jet print heads of this kind can only be replaced by a practitioner skilled in the art who can subsequently perform the required mechanical and electrical adjustments.
If the ink supply is based on the capillary effect, if the ink supply container is arranged so as to be separate from the print 2.~
head, and if the ink supply pressure must be within the range of capillary pressure, then there are frequent breakdowns in the operation of ink-jet print heads. Should the print head become blocked, the whole of the print head has to be replaced.
Solutions for an ink-jet print head that consists of a single module are known from W0 91/06432 and W0/04861; these are cemented to an aluminum carrier plate and are closely adjacent to the ink supply system or form a structural unit (print module) that can be inserted into a mounting. The mounting has three spherical guide elements and these engage in three differently formed centring openings on one side of the print module. In order to achieve greater print image resolution, a plurality of such print modules would have to be used and this, in its turn, leads to larger dimensions of the overall system and to problems with tolerances when inserting the print modules with the result that print heads of this kind are not suitable for small and light franking printers.
US 5 160 945 describes an edge-shooter thermal ink-jet print head that is made up of individual modules and contains heating elements to expel the ink. The individual modules, each of which incorporates nozzle arrays, are arranged so as to be secured rigidly on beam-like module characters at equal distances in the x-direction, these carriers being secured to flanges by bolts and displaced laterally one above the other and spaced apart in the y-direction. The spaces are relatively large because the module carriers must be relatively thick for reasons of stability.
Precise spacing can only be maintained with difficulty using the module carriers and flanges, particularly if a large number of module characters are arranged one above the other. Thus, however, the cost for balancing out the module nozzle density, which is only small, and for the overall construction of the print head is too great to permit them to be used in franking machines. Finally, the modules cannot be replaced singly.
2119~
Another edge-shooter ink-jet model that has already been proposed consists of at least three glass elements, i.e., a middle section that incorporates openings, and two side elements, each of which incorporates a series of ink chambers. A common nozzle series is located on the face ends of the first side element. The two series of ink chambers and the associated nozzles are offset relative to each other, all the nozzles in one series lying on the face side of the first side element and the ink chambers of the second side element being connected through channels in the centre section with the corresponding nozzles in the first side section or with the ink supply system, respectively. Using this principle, it is possible to build a module that is even more highly integrated according to this principle and which only has a single series of nozzles and simultaneously forms an edge-shooter ink-jet inline print head (ESIJIL-print head). Between each of the sintered blocks of three glass elements there is a spacing layer consisting of the same material as the pie~oelectric elements that are used to expel the ink from the ink chambers and this layer, arranged on the outer surfaces of the glass elements connects the sintered blocks to each other so that they are inseparable. If the print head is damaged during assembly or if the print head becomes defective during subsequent operation then, once again, the whole print head has to be replaced. However, it is still difficult to achieve a high yield when manufacturing such print heads. Up to now, it has not been possible to assemble edge-shooter ink-jet modules to form an ink-jet print head having a high image density and at low production costs without, on the one hand, costly mechanical and electrical adjustment being necessary because of manufacturing tolerances or, on the other hand, without shortcomings in the print image.
It is the task of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages found in the prior art with respect to mounting ink-jet print heads and to create an ink-jet print head assembled o ~ ~
from modules, this having a higher recording density and requiring a lower manufacturing outlay.
A further object is to ensure that the modules can be removed individually and replaced economically. When this is done, it is to be guaranteed that only the identical module type can be installed correctly in the print head and that after modules have been replaced there are no shortcomings in the print image.
According to the invention, there is provided a modular ink-jet print head for use with an ink reservoir, said print head comprising: a plurality of modules, each module having a plurality of nozzles terminating in a front face of the module and said modules forming, in combination, means for drawing ink from said reservoir and for ejecting said ink from said nozzles in a selected pattern, each of said modules having an internal reference plane and a thickness, subject to tolerance variations from module to module, in a direction perpendicular to said internal reference plane; a module holder having an opening for accepting said plurality of modules in a stack of successively adjacent modules; means for detachably fastening said modules in said module holder with the respective front faces of said modules disposed in said opening; and a plurality of spacers carried by each of said modules, each spacer having a detent therein and a base end fastened perpendicularly on the internal reference plane of the module carrying the spacer, each spacer of at least one of said modules having a free end, opposite said base end, releasably engaging the detent in a spacer of another of said -modules and each spacer having a length between said base end and said free end and a diameter which is non-uniform along said length for stacking said modules with a predetermined spacing between the respective pluralities of nozzles in adjacent modules independently of said tolerance variations.
The present invention proceeds from the fact that the ink-jet print head is assembled from a plurality of modules of an identical type, it being possible to use a flat ink-jet module type that consists of a plurality of module elements and distance pieces, which permits precise maintenance of spacing and the lateral offset between the replaceable modules.
In order to maintain the spacing, the distance pieces are secured vertically on the module part with their base surface standing on a reference plane that is formed from one surface of a module part. The distance pieces of the one module are brought into contact with at least those of another module.
In order to maintain the lateral offset, each module has a reference edge with an extremely precise distance d to each first nozzle of its nozzle line.
A base plate that is situated in the direction in which the ink is expelled has a common opening for the front edges of all the modules. Within the common opening of the base plate, offset stop edges for all the modules, are machined on one side--situated parallel to one of the two sides of the base plate. The reference edges of the modules are brought into contact with an - 5a -~, '- 2~91~2 associated stop edge of the base plate so that defined lateral offset c between the modules results.
In the case of the edge-shooter ink-jet module type, the reference plane is the surface of a module part that is parallel to the plane, in which the nozzle channels are formed.
In an advantageous manner, in the case of the edge shooter ink-jet inline module type, all the nozzle channels are machined into the inside surface of the first module part, i.e., the distance between the inner surface of the module part and the nozzle channel plane is minimal and goes towards zero. Three distance pieces of this type are provided for each module and these lie on its periphery and are secured upright with their base surface on the inside surface of the one module part that has the nozzle channels.
When an edge-shooter ink-jet inline print head (ESIJIL print head) is used, in addition to increased nozzle density, there are reducible manufacturing costs and a high level of precision even when there are small variations in the individual parts.
Proceeding from the additional objectives, a compactly constructed ink-jet print head is proposed, this incorporating a plurality of easily replaceable and identically configured flat modules and a U-shaped module carrier with a base plate as a positioning, retaining, and attachment means for the modules.
The base plate that is situated in the direction in which the ink is expelled incorporates a common opening for the front edges of all the modules, which makes it possible, in an advantageous manner, to manufacture modular ink-jet print heads for a vertical arrangement of the modules relative to the surface of a recording medium.
213L9~0~
On two first sides of the base plate there are two arms.
Attachment elements for the module~ are arranged on the two second sides of the base plate of the module carrier and there are adjustment means on the arms; these work in conjunction with the distance pieces that lie one above the other for the subsequent modules in order to set a constant spacing of the modules that follow each other in series.
A further advantage ls the pos~ibility of electrically monitorlng the module type through the distance pieces in order to ensure that an identical module type is always being used correctly on the print head.
Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the secondary claims or are described in greater detail below in conjunction with the description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention on the basis of the drawings appended hereto. These drawings show the following:
~igure la: the construction of an edge-shooter ink-jet inline print head (ink feed side);
Figure lb: the installation of an ESIJIL module;
Figure lc: the construction of the ESIJIL-print head (ink-jet side);
Figure ld: attachment of an ESIJIL module in the module carrler;
Figure 2a: a first variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
Figure 2b: a second variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
Figure 2c: a third variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
Figure 2d: a fourth variation of the solution according to the present invention for the distance pieces;
~ 211~102 Figure 3a: a side view of the U-shaped module carrier with the modules in place;
Figure 3b: a front view of the base plate of the print head;
Figure 4: an cut-away view of the ESIJIL-print head module according to the present invention, in plan view;
Figure 5a: details of the cut-away view;
Figure 5b: a cross-section through the line A-A;
Figure 5c: a cross-section on the line B-B.
Figures la to ld show an assembled print head with releasable modules 1 and with a U-shaped module carrier as a holding means.
The U-shaped module carrier 10 consists of a base plate 36 and arms 38 that are arranged on the base plate 36 on two opposing first sides.
The modules 1 are shown as viewed from the rear edge, i.e., from the ink feed side. A damping block 5 is arranged on the left on the rear edge and in addition there are electrical control lines (not shown in figures la to lc) on the rear edge, on the right.
In figure la, the modules are shown opened at the location of the control lines in order to show how the constant spacing is effected by means of distance pieces 19 and/or 20. These are attached to the modules standing vertically on a reference plane.
The construction of the ink-jet print head according to the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the edge-shooter ink-jet inline module (ESIJIL module) that is known from the application P 42 25 799.9. This consists of at least three flat ceramic or glass parts 2, 3, and 4 that are sintered together and are, at least in part, imbedded in a protective coating 22 (synthetic resin). On the surface of only one ceramic or glass part 2, nozzles are machined so as to lie on a nozzle channel plane 100, and the nozzle openings of these form a line on the front side of the module part 2. If modules that operate on the edge shooter principle are used for the ink-jet print 21~1 02 head, the reference plane is formed from the one surface of a module part 2 or 3 that lies parallel to the nozzle channel plane 100 .
In figure la, four identically constructed ESIJIL modules are arranged in a module carrier 10 that performs a positioning, retaining, and attachment function. A space a between the nozzle lines of the ESIJIL modules is maintained with defined precision by each of the three distance pieces 20 for each module. This means that the time delay of the control pulse from module to module can be considered as constant. In the preferred version, the distance pieces are attached in the vicinity of the side edges of each module in the preferred version on the module part that supports the nozzles and thus stand vertically on the nozzle channel plane 100. These result in an equal thickness b = 6 mm of the module at three points; in contrast to this, the space between adjacent synthetic resin surfaces of the module can be affected by minor variations. The distance pieces 20 can be secured by the synthetic-resin coating.
The circular base surface 34 of the spacer cylinder 20 that is associated with the nozzle channel plane 100 and which is of greater diameter lies on the surface of the first part 2 that has the ink chambers, on the surface of part 2 in which the nozzle channels are formed. The other circular base surface 35 that faces away from the nozzle channel plane 100 is in contact with the distance piece of the adjacent module or an adjuster 27 or 28 on the closed side of the U-shaped module carrier 10. It is preferred that the module carrier 10 be provided with a stop surface 27 or a stop screw and an adjuster screw 28 and/or spring elements as adjusters, between which the distance pieces 20 are clamped. The modules 1 are secured releasibly within the module carrier 10 by first attachment elements 23, 24 and second attachment elements 25, 26, the attachment elements 23, 24, 25, and 26 being arranged on two opposing second sides of the base 2~91 0~, plate 36. In one advantageous variation, the attachment elements consist of leaf springs 23, 25 and screws 24, 26 and are arranged on the openly accessible second side of the U-shaped module carrier 10.
Figure lb shows the procedure for inserting a module into the module carrier 10. In order to do this, the second attachment elements, namely the leaf spring 25 and the spring 26 on the side edge of the module 1 that faces closer to the electrical connector lines or that faces away from the damping block, are removed, whereas the first attachment elements 23 and 25 perform a retaining function during the insertion. When this is done during insertion, the leaf spring 23 that is secured to the module carrier with the screw 24 during insertion engages in the grooves 32 of the side edge of the module 1 that is closer to the damping block 5 or that faces away from the electrical connector lines. The leaf springs 23, 25 are spaced apart through spring distance pieces 41, 42 that are secured to the base plate 36.
The leaf springs 23, 25 can then fit better into the appropriate grooves 32, 33 of each module 1 whereby each module 1 is then secured releasibly in the module carrier 10. The part that is situated in the direction in which the ink droplets are expelled and which during printing faces the recording medium (not shown herein), i.e., the part of the U-shaped module carrier that faces away from the ink feed has an opening 37 in a base plate 36 for those forward edges of all the modules that have the nozzle line.
There are offset stop edges 29 for all modules 1 machined in the common opening 37 of the base plate 36 in one side that is parallel to a second side of the base plate. Each module 1 has a reference edge 21 that is functionally connected with an associated stop edge 29 of the base plate 36 so that a defined offset c is formed between the modules 1. When a module 1 is inserted, the first reference edge 21 of the module 1 comes into contact with the first stop edge 29 of the base plate 36 and the 211 ~
second reference edge 39 of the module l touches the second stop edge 30 of the base plate 36.
Figure lc shows the ink-jet print head construction according to the present invention as viewed from the front. The nozzles lie in a line because the nozzle channels are formed on a plane 100 on the surface of the module part 2. A required defined offset c is achieved between the modules by an offset stop edge 29 for each module 1 in the opening 37 of the base plate 36, in order to print a cohesive line with a high recording density with the nozzles of the four modules. The size of the offset corresponds to the space between the nozzles in the nozzle line of module 1 divided by the number of modules. In the case of four modules and a space h = 0.8 mm between the modules this results in an offset c = 0.2 mm.
Figure ld shows the ink-jet print head construction according to the present invention as viewed from the side, in cross-section, with the modules already inserted and adjusted. A defined effective force is exerted on the inserted modules by different spring distance pieces 41, 42. The effective force of the first attachment device 23, 24 acts only to press the second reference edge 39 onto the second stop edge 30.
The second spring distance piece 42 causes a smaller space than the first spring distance piece 41. The effective force of the second attachment device 25, 26 that is then brought into engagement with the groove 33 on the inserted module 1 holds its reference edges 21 and 37 pressed on the stop edges 29 and 30 in the opening 37 of the base plate 36 of the module carrier 10.
In another version, the base plate 36 can be built up in two layers, a metal plate that incorporates the common opening 37 forming the first layer and simultaneously the front second stop - 2il ~
edge 30 another larger common opening 40 in a second layer forming the lateral first stop edge 29.
According to the position of the grooves 32 and 33 on the side edges of the module and on the intended effective force, the first attachment elements 23, 24 are spaced away from the base plate 36 through a first spring distance piece 41 and the second attachment elements 25, 26 are spaced away from the base plate 36 through a second spring distance piece 42.
In another variation (not shown herein) only the grooves 32 and 33 are arranged at a different distance from the front edge of the module 1, whereas the spring distance pieces 41 and 42 bring about the equal space.
The first attachment elements 23, 24, the first and second spacing side pieces 41, 42, and the two arms 38 of the module carrier 10 can, in an advantageous variation, be produced from one piece by injection moulding. The base plate 36 too, can be a moulded plastic part.
In a cheaper variation, the module carrier 10, apart from the second attachment elements 25, 26, can be produced as a whole from one piece by injection moulding. The second attachment elements 25, 26 are preferably of metal.
Figures 2a to 2d show a first to a fourth variation of the solution for the distance pieces according to the present invention.
In a first variation, which is shown in figure 2a, the distance pieces consist of two parts that each comprise a ball 19 and a spacing cylinder 29. The spacer cylinder 20 is the distance piece section that is of greater diameter, which is inserted into the opening of the second module part 4 and of the middle section 3 that is of greater diameter. In place of the ball, it is also possible to use a distance piece section 19 that is of another shape.
In a second variation, which is shown in figure 2b, the distance pieces 20 are formed in one piece as spacer cylinders with a conical extension that is directed away from the nozzle channel plane 100, this extension touching the base surface 34 of the next distance piece of the next module from the outside.
Screws (not shown herein) are provided as adjusters 27 and 28, by means of which the distance pieces 20 can be clamped offset behind one another by the lateral offset c.
In a further variation, which is shown in figure 2c, the distance piece 19, 20, shaped as in the first variation, are connected with each other unreleasibly to form a one-piece distance piece or are formed in one piece as spacer cylinders 20, with a conical extension 19 that is directed away from the nozzle channel plane 100 .
In another variation, which is shown in figure 2d, distance piece sections 19, 20 that are rotated through 180~ are used, and these are shaped as in the third variation, and are joined to each other non-releasibly to form a one-piece distance piece or are formed in one piece as a spacer cylinder 20 with a conical extension 19. The surface of the middle section 3 is parallel and immediately on the surface of the module part 2 in which the nozzle channels are machined. The base surface 34 of a distance piece 20 that is rotated through 180~ now stands vertically on the surface of this middle section 3. Openings that lie one above the other are provided for the distance pieces in the module parts 2, 3, and 4, the opening in the first module part 2 being greater than the openings in the middle part 3 and in the second module part 4. The distance piece section 19 that is of ~ 0 2 smaller diameter is arranged in the openings that are of smaller diameter.
Grooves 28 and a stop plate 27 are provided as adjustment means in the above-named first, third, and fourth versions and the distance pieces 20, offset behind each other by the offset c are clamped between these.
Figure 3a is a side view of the U-shaped module carrier 10 viewed from the side edge of the module, which has no reference edge.
The connector lines to the plug connector 8 that lie adjacent to this module side edge are not shown. The U-shaped arms 38 of the module carrier lo are preferably of such a size that the adjustment means can be arranged and at the same time protect the module from the side. Thus, in the preferred versions that are shown, together with the U-shaped arms 38 and the thickness of the base plate 36 for the module carrier, this results in an installed height of e = 21 mm.
Figure 3b shows a front view of the base plate 36 with the dimensions f = 66 mm and g = 38 mm. It is preferred that the module carrier 10 be manufactured from plastic.
The lateral offset of the stop edges and thus the offset between the nozzles of the module 1 amounts, for example, to c = 0.2 mm.
The adjuster screw 28, the stop 27, and the distance pieces are of metal and can be used for monitoring the proper attachment of all the modules or to identify the module type. To this end, the distance piece can be bonded with conductor tracks on the outer module surface. In a manner not shown herein, the distance piece 20 can be secured by soldering. This permits electronic monitoring of the correct seating of the module 1 through the distance pieces and an electronic monitoring circuit. In the event of a module with a defective distance piece or an incorrectly inserted module, the microprocessor in the franking 2~ 9~
machine can identify and signal an error in addition to the results of the monitoring.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the ESIJIL print head module 1 which illustrates the lateral offset of the ink chamber groups 101 of a first module part 2 that contains ink chambers and of ink chamber groups 102 of a second module part 4 that has ink chambers and a defined space d from a reference edge 21 as far as a first nozzle Nl of a nozzle group 1.1, that is associated with the ink chamber group 101. This space d is achieved, for example, in that the nozzle channels and the reference edge 21 are etched at the same time. In another version, this is followed by secondary machining by fine grinding. Provision is made such that the nozzles of the nozzle group 1.1 alternate with the nozzles of the nozzle group 1.2 within a single row of nozzles. For this reason, a space d' to a first nozzle of the other nozzle group 1.2 can be defined. The space d or d', respectively, amounts to approximately 7 mm and must be precisely maintained, for which reason, at this point of the reference edge 21, the glass or ceramic parts are not coated with synthetic resin and remain exposed.
In a manner not shown in figure 4, glass or ceramic parts are to be fitted with a piezoelectric element 31 above each ink chamber and the associated electrical conductor tracks, which are connected through an electrical connector 6 to a driver conductor plate 7 that has a push connector 8 to a print control (not shown herein).
In addition, figure 4 also shows a first opening 18 in a middle section 3 to the ink feed opening 16 and to the suction chamber 15, to the second openings 14, that are connected to the suction chamber 15 and to the third openings 9 that feed the ink to the nozzles that belong to the second nozzle group 1.2.
~ ~ ~ 9 ~
Each ESIJIL print head module consists of at least three parts, and only the first module section 2 that contains a group 102 of ink chambers has all the nozzles. A suction chamber 15 that is located within the first module part 2 is connected through a first elongated opening 18 that is arranged in the middle part 3 and through an ink feed opening 16 in the first module part 2 to a damping block 5 that evens out the pressure variations in the inking liquid that occur during operation. The middle part 3 incorporates a number of second openings 14 in order to feed ink to the chambers of a second module part 3 and a number of third openings 9 to conduct the ink from the chambers of the second module part 3 to the nozzles that are located correspondingly in the first module part 2. The openings for the attachment means 17 of the damping block 5 and for the spacers 20 are provided in all the module parts 2, 3, and 4.
The second module part 4 that contains ink chambers has no nozzles but only the second ink chamber group 102 that is supplied with ink through the second openings 14 of the middle part 3. The associated nozzles are connected to the ink chambers of the second part 4 through the third openings of the middle part 3.
Figure 5a is a detail of the cut-away view shown in figure 4, at larger scale. Nozzles of the first nozzle group 1.1 in the same module part 2 are associated with the ink chambers 11 of the first chamber group 101 located in the first module part 2. The chamber 11 is supplied with ink through one of the channels 13 from a suction chamber 15. A corresponding cross-section on the line A-A through the drawing in figure 5a is shown at figure 5b.
Nozzles of the second nozzle group 1.2 in the other chamber part 2 are associated with the chambers 12 of the second chamber group 102 situated in the second module part 4, as can be seen from the cross-section B-B shown in figure 5c. Ink passes from the ' - ~
2 1 ~
suction chamber 15 that is situated in the first chamber part 2 through another of the channels 13 and through one of the second openings 14 situated in the middle part 3 into the chamber 12 of the second chamber part 4. There is a connection from the chamber 12 to the nozzle of the nozzle group 12 that is correspondingly situated in the first chamber part 2 through a third opening 9 in the middle part 3.
Within the middle part 3, there are second openings 14 for supplying the second nozzle group 1.2 with ink. Opposite the openings 9 in the particular middle part there are openings 10 in the particular first module part 2 that has the ink chambers and a connection of the module part 3 that has the second ink chambers for connecting the ink chambers to the second chamber group 102 with the nozzle channels of the second nozzle group 1.2 in the module part 2 that has the first ink chambers. The supply of the ink chambers 11 and 12 in the module part 3 that contains the first and the second ink chambers is effected from a common suction chamber 15 in the module part 2 that contains the first ink chambers. The ink feed to the suction chamber 3 is effected through an ink feed opening 16 in that particular module part 2 that forms a side part of the module and through corresponding openings 18 within the particular middle section and additional openings in the parts 2, 4, and 6 that have the ink chambers.
A piezoelectric element 31, which is shown only in figures 5b and 5c, can be arranged on the chamber surface or within the chamber in order to expel the ink from the chamber; when this is excited it exerts pressure through the flexible chamber wall onto the inking fluid within the chamber and this results in the expulsion of a jet of ink from the nozzle that is connected to the chamber.
Such a piezoelectric element 31 (PZT crystal) is preferably arranged on the surface of the chamber. Thus, for example, the chamber 11, 12 is separated from the element 31 by a thin layer 30 that is of the same material as the chamber part 4, which is ~lls~a~
so elastic that the flexural energy of the element 31 is only attenuated to an insignificant extent.
The present invention is not confined to the embodiments described herein. Rather, a number of variations are possible which make use of the solution described herein even in the case of embodiments that are constructed in a fundamentally different manner.
Claims (22)
1. A modular ink-jet print head for use with an ink reservoir, said print head comprising:
a plurality of modules, each module having a plurality of nozzles terminating in a front face of the module and said modules forming, in combination, means for drawing ink from said reservoir and for ejecting said ink from said nozzles in a selected pattern, each of said modules having an internal reference plane and a thickness, subject to tolerance variations from module to module, in a direction perpendicular to said internal reference plane;
a module holder having an opening for accepting said plurality of modules in a stack of successively adjacent modules;
means for detachably fastening said modules in said module holder with the respective front faces of said modules disposed in said opening; and a plurality of spacers carried by each of said modules, each spacer having a detent therein and a base end fastened perpendicularly on the internal reference plane of the module carrying the spacer, each spacer of at least one of said modules having a free end, opposite said base end, releasably engaging the detent in a spacer of another of said modules and each spacer having a length between said base end and said free end and a diameter which is non-uniform along said length for stacking said modules with a predetermined spacing between the respective pluralities of nozzles in adjacent modules independently of said tolerance variations.
a plurality of modules, each module having a plurality of nozzles terminating in a front face of the module and said modules forming, in combination, means for drawing ink from said reservoir and for ejecting said ink from said nozzles in a selected pattern, each of said modules having an internal reference plane and a thickness, subject to tolerance variations from module to module, in a direction perpendicular to said internal reference plane;
a module holder having an opening for accepting said plurality of modules in a stack of successively adjacent modules;
means for detachably fastening said modules in said module holder with the respective front faces of said modules disposed in said opening; and a plurality of spacers carried by each of said modules, each spacer having a detent therein and a base end fastened perpendicularly on the internal reference plane of the module carrying the spacer, each spacer of at least one of said modules having a free end, opposite said base end, releasably engaging the detent in a spacer of another of said modules and each spacer having a length between said base end and said free end and a diameter which is non-uniform along said length for stacking said modules with a predetermined spacing between the respective pluralities of nozzles in adjacent modules independently of said tolerance variations.
2. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said spacers consists of a single spacer element.
3. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said spacers consists of a plurality of spacer members.
4. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said modules comprises an edge-shooter module having said nozzles arranged in a nozzle line at said front edge of the module, and each module having a lateral reference edge, said module holder having a base plate with a stop edge having a plurality of base plate detents therein, the respective lateral reference edges of said modules engaging said base plate detents so that a defined, lateral offset exists between adjoining modules, and wherein each module carries three of said spacers arranged proximate to the lateral edge of the module in respective openings in said module, and wherein the internal reference plane of each module is formed by a single surface of said module extending inwardly into said module holder, and each module further comprising a plurality of nozzle channels, respectively in fluid communication with the nozzles of the module, said nozzle channels being disposed in a nozzle channel plane disposed parallel to, and at a defined spacing from, said inwardly extending surface of the module.
5. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of said modules is disposed adjacent said base of said module holder, and wherein the spacers carried by said one of said modules press against said base.
6. A modular ink-jet print head wherein as claimed in claim 1 said spacers have a diameter which increases along a length of the spacer with said spacer having a largest diameter at a side thereof adjacent the module which carries the spacer and wherein said spacers are attached to the module carrying the spacers by embedding the spacers in a synthetic encapsulation material on the module.
7. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spacers have a diameter which increases along a length thereof, said spacers having a largest diameter at an end of the spacer adjacent the module carrying the spacer, each of said modules having a plurality of solder pads thereon, and wherein said spacers are attached to the module carrying the spacers by soldering the spacers respectively to said solder pads.
8. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein each spacer has a diameter increasing along a length thereof and having a largest diameter at a side of the spacer adjacent the module carrying the spacer, and wherein each of said modules has a plurality of first openings therein in registry with a plurality of second openings in an adjoining module, said first openings having a larger diameter than said second openings, and wherein the side of each spacer having said largest diameter is received in one of the first opening in the module carrying the spacer, and wherein an opposite end of the spacer is received in the second opening in the adjoining module.
9. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said spacers consists of electrically conductive material and wherein each of said modules includes a part of an electrical circuit which is closed when said spacer is properly seated between two adjoining modules, and said modular ink-jet print head further comprising means for monitoring the closure of each of said complete circuits for identifying any improper seating of said spacers.
10. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 9 wherein said module holder includes adjustment means, extending between at least one of said modules and said holder, for maintaining the spacers of the respective modules tightly pressed against an adjoining module, said adjustment means consisting of electrically conductive material and said complete circuit including said adjustment means.
11. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said module holder includes adjustment means, extending between at least one of said modules and said holder, for maintaining the spacers of the respective modules tightly pressed against an adjoining module.
12. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 11 wherein said module holder comprises a U-shaped module carrier having a base plate with respective legs at opposite sides of said base plate, said adjustment means extending from said legs to respectively engage modules adjacent said legs.
13. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of said modules has lateral edges with channels respectively disposed in said lateral edges, and further comprising a plurality of fastening means for fastening said modules in said module carrier, each fastening means comprising a spring detachably secured to said base plate with a screw, said springs respectively engaging said channels in said lateral edges of each of said modules.
14. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 13 wherein the respective channels in the lateral edges of each module are disposed at respectively different first and second distances from said front edge of the module.
15. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 14 wherein said fastening means include a first set of fastening means spaced from said base plate by a first spring spacer for engaging said lateral edges of said modules at said first distance from said front edge, and a second set of fastening means spaced from said base plate by a second spring spacer for engaging said channels in said lateral edge at said second distance from said front edge.
16. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said spacers consists of a ball and a spacer cylinder adjacent said ball.
17. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 11 wherein each adjustment means comprises two screws.
18. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 11 wherein each adjustment means comprises a screw and a stop face in said module carrier.
19. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of said adjustment means comprises a spring element and a stop face in said module carrier.
20. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said spacers consists of a ball and a spacer cylinder adjacent said ball.
21. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 comprising four of said modules.
22. A modular ink-jet print head as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in each module, said plurality of nozzles is disposed in a nozzle plane, and wherein said internal reference plane and said nozzle plane are co-planar.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4309255.1 | 1993-03-16 | ||
| DE4309255A DE4309255A1 (en) | 1993-03-16 | 1993-03-16 | Modular inkjet print head |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2119102A1 CA2119102A1 (en) | 1994-09-17 |
| CA2119102C true CA2119102C (en) | 1999-03-16 |
Family
ID=6483527
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002119102A Expired - Fee Related CA2119102C (en) | 1993-03-16 | 1994-03-15 | Modular ink-jet print head |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5646658A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0615844B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2119102C (en) |
| DE (2) | DE4309255A1 (en) |
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-
1993
- 1993-03-16 DE DE4309255A patent/DE4309255A1/en not_active Ceased
-
1994
- 1994-02-15 US US08/196,545 patent/US5646658A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-03-02 EP EP94250054A patent/EP0615844B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-03-02 DE DE59400785T patent/DE59400785D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-03-15 CA CA002119102A patent/CA2119102C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4309255A1 (en) | 1994-09-22 |
| DE59400785D1 (en) | 1996-11-14 |
| CA2119102A1 (en) | 1994-09-17 |
| US5646658A (en) | 1997-07-08 |
| EP0615844A1 (en) | 1994-09-21 |
| EP0615844B1 (en) | 1996-10-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |