Ink-jet print head assembly

Recorders – Record receiver deforming

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Details

G01D 1518

Patent

active

046175741

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an ink-jet printing head.
The ink-jet printing technique consists in producing a continuous stream of calibrated drops delivered by a modulating system, then in applying an electrostatic charge to these drops by means of charging electrodes, and finally in deflecting each drop by means of an electric field. In consequence, a dot matrix is thus obtained if the substrate on which it is desired to write and the writing device undergo a relative displacement.
In an ink-jet printer, the functions mentioned above, namely fragmentation of the ink jet into calibrated drops, electrostatic charging and deflection of the drops, are obtained by means of a device which will hereinafter be designated as a printing head.
The function of this printing head is of key importance for good operation of an ink-jet printer. It must be ensured in particular that the path of the ink drops ejected by the nozzle is perfectly defined with respect to the charging electrodes, with respect to the deflecting plates, and with respect to the substrate which is being printed. In addition, the printing head which satisfies these criteria must be of small overall size, must not require any adjustment during operation but must nevertheless permit simple and reliable adjustments prior to startup. Finally, the printing head must offer great ease of access for maintenance purposes.
The precise aim of the present invention is to provide a printing head having a structural design which meets all the essential requirements mentioned in the foregoing. More specifically, the invention relates to an inkjet printing head provided in particular with modulating means which are capable of severing the ink jet by "pinchoff", means for ejecting calibrated drops, means for applying an electrostatic charge to these drops and deflecting means. The distinctive feature of the printing head lies in the fact that the modulating and ejecting means are incorporated in a first modulator element and the charging and deflecting means are incorporated in a second element or so-called electrode-holder, the first and the second element being rigidly fixed respectively to a casing and to the cover of said casing.
Other features of the invention will be more apparent upon consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the principal components of a printing head in accordance with the invention;
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are more detailed representations of certain elements of FIG. 1, the same elements being designated by the same references in all the figures for the sake of enhanced clarity.
As shown in FIG. 1, a printing head in accordance with the invention is essentially constituted by a modulator element 1, an electrode-holder 2 which serves as a support for the charging electrodes 3 and 4, as well as the deflecting plates 6. A system of electrovalves 5 for regulating the fluid supply as well as a tube-holder 7 for supporting a dump tube 66, the function of which is to collect ink drops not used in the printing process, are also incorporated in the printing head.
These elements 1, 2, 5, 7 are introduced into a casing 8, the cover 9 of which is made up of two parts, namely a stationary upper section 10 and a movable lower section 11. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the casing 8 and its cover 9 perform two functions : that of enclosing and maintaining in position the essential elements set forth in the foregoing. Said casing 8 in fact cooperates with the novel structure of these elements in order to obtain on the one hand optimum localization of jet interruption known as "pinch-off" and, on the other hand, perfect centering of the jet.
This structural arrangement of the printing head in accordance with the invention is particularly advantageous for the practical application of the ink-jet printing process as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail. Reference will also be made to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 which complete FIG. 1 and are respectively two sectiona

REFERENCES:
patent: 1941001 (1929-01-01), Hansel
patent: 2842421 (1958-07-01), Dreyfus
patent: 4201993 (1980-05-01), Ito et al.
patent: 4277790 (1981-07-01), Heibein et al.
patent: 4338610 (1982-07-01), Sellen et al.
patent: 4356499 (1982-10-01), Kodama
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 15, No. 5, Oct. 1972, Armonk (US), J. H. Meier: "Mechanical X-Y Aiming . . . ".
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 17, No. 9, Feb. 1975, Armonk (US), R. E. Pelkie et al.: "Cassette Ink-Jet Head . . . ".

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