EP0097413B1 - Flüssigkeitsdruckkopf und Methode, das Aufreissen eines aus ihm fliessenden Fluidstromes anzuregen - Google Patents

Flüssigkeitsdruckkopf und Methode, das Aufreissen eines aus ihm fliessenden Fluidstromes anzuregen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0097413B1
EP0097413B1 EP19830301874 EP83301874A EP0097413B1 EP 0097413 B1 EP0097413 B1 EP 0097413B1 EP 19830301874 EP19830301874 EP 19830301874 EP 83301874 A EP83301874 A EP 83301874A EP 0097413 B1 EP0097413 B1 EP 0097413B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
fluid
further characterized
fluid jet
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
Application number
EP19830301874
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0097413A1 (de
Inventor
Hilarion Braun
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Kodak Versamark Inc
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Classifications

    • 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
    • B41J2/18—Ink recirculation systems
    • B41J2/185—Ink-collectors; Ink-catchers
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/02—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet
    • B41J2/025—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet by vibration
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/02—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet
    • B41J2/03—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet by pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/07—Ink jet characterised by jet control
    • B41J2/105—Ink jet characterised by jet control for binary-valued deflection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid jet print head and, more particularly, to a print head and method for generating at least one stream of drops in which construction and operation of the print head are facilitated.
  • Jet drop printers and coating devices operate by generating streams of small drops of ink or coating fluid and controlling the deposit of the drops on a print receiving medium.
  • the drops are electrically charged and then deflected by an electrical field.
  • the drops are formed from fluid filaments which emerge from small orifices.
  • the orifices communicate with a fluid reservoir in which fluid is maintained under pressure.
  • it is necessary for the drops to be substantially uniform in size and in interdrop spacing within each stream. The break up of the filaments into streams of drops is facilitated by mechanical vibration of some portion or all of the print head structure in a process termed "stimulation".
  • a further approach to filament stimulation is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 4,095,232, issued June 13, 1978, to Cha.
  • stimulators mounted in the upper portion of a fluid reservoir generate pressure waves which are transmitted downward through the fluid.
  • Each stimulator includes a pair of piezoelectric crystals which vibrate in phase and which are mounted on opposite sides of a mounting plate which is coincident with a nodal plane.
  • a reaction mass is positioned at the end of each stimulator opposite the stimulation member which is coupled to the fluid. The reaction mass ensures that the nodal plane is properly positioned.
  • a print head in which a piezoelectric crystal forms one wall of a single-jet ink jet print head.
  • the piezoelectric transducer is electrically actuated, causing it to distort and thereby forcing a drop from the orifice.
  • print heads are disclosed in which a pair of piezoelectric crystals are bonded to opposite sides of a support plate.
  • a print head manifold structure is bonded to one of the piezoelectric crystals and a counterbalance is bonded to the other of the crystals.
  • the weight of the counterbalance is selected so as to offset the weight of the print head manifold.
  • a fluid jet print head for generating at least one stream of drops comprises an elongated print head body, the length of the body between first and second ends thereof being substantially greater than its other dimensions.
  • the body defines a fluid receiving reservoir in its first end and at least one orifice communicating with the fluid receiving reservoir. Fluid is supplied to the reservoir under pressure by appropriate means such that it emerges from the reservoir to form a fluid stream.
  • a transducer means is mounted on the exterior of the body and extends a substantial distance along the body in the direction of elongation from adjacent the support means toward both the first and second ends of the body. The transducer means is responsive to an electrical driving signal for changing dimension in the direction of elongation of the body, thereby causing mechanical vibration of the body and break up of the fluid stream into a stream of drops.
  • the transducer means comprises a pair of piezoelectric transducers bonded to opposite sides of the body and extending in the direction of elongation from points adjacent the first end to points adjacent the second end of the body.
  • the piezoelectric transducers provide alternate lengthening and contraction of the elongated print head body in the direction of elongation of the body.
  • the transducer means further comprises means for electrically connecting the pair of transducers in parallel, whereby the transducers operate in phase so as to produce vibration which is in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the elongated print head body.
  • a support means for the print head engages the print head body intermediate and substantially equidistant from its first and second ends.
  • the transducer means may comprise means for electrically connecting the transducers so that they operate out of phase, thus producing flexure waves.
  • the support means for the print head engages the print head body a distance from each end of the body approximately equal to .23 of the overall length of the body.
  • the support means may comprise a pair of mounting flanges, each integrally formed with the print head body, and being relatively thin.
  • the flanges extend from the elongated print head body on opposite sides thereof and are substantially equidistant from the first and second ends of the body such that they support the body along a nodal plane.
  • the support means may comprise a pair of support screws which engage the body at opposite sides thereof at points substantially equidistant from the first and second ends of the print head body.
  • the print head body includes means defining a slot in the first end thereof and orifice plate means, attached to the means defining a slot, and forming the fluid receiving reservoir therewith.
  • the orifice plate means may define a plurality of orifices for production of a plurality of drop streams.
  • the print head body may further define a fluid supply opening and a fluid outlet opening communicating with the slot.
  • the fluid jet print head may further include fluid conduit lines connected to the fluid supply opening and the fluid outlet opening.
  • the fluid conduit lines are formed of a material having a substantially different vibrational impedance than the print head body, whereby the conduit lines do not provide a substantial power loss.
  • the fluid conduit lines may, for example, be made of a polymer material.
  • the fluid jet print head is drive at a frequency approximating its mechanical resonant frequency.
  • F o aCa/L 2
  • a the transverse thickness of the print head body
  • the method for stimulating the break up of a fluid stream emanating from at least one orifice communicating with the fluid reservoir in a fluid jet print head includes the steps of:
  • the resonant frequency of the print head may be substantially equal to the resonant frequency of the fluid stream.
  • the print head may be elongated and contracted by means of piezoelectric transducers bonded to its exterior.
  • the stream may also be stimulated by operating the transducers out of phase, thereby causing flexure of the print head.
  • the print head is mounted at points which are a distance from each end which are approximately equal to .23 times the length of the print head.
  • a fluid jet print head for generating one or more streams of drops in which the print head includes an elongated body which is driven to elongate and contract in the direction of elongation of the body; to provide such a print head and method in which the print head is driven by means of thin piezoelectric transducers bonded to the print head exterior; and to provide such a print head in which support for the print head is provided in a nodal plane.
  • the present invention relates to a fluid jet print head of the type which may be used for ink jet printing, coating, textile dyeing, and other purposes.
  • such devices typically operate by electrically charging the drops in one or more jet drop streams and, thereafter, deflecting the trajectories of some of the drops by means of electrical fields.
  • fluid is typically applied to a fluid reservoir under pressure such that it then flows through one or more orifices or nozzles which communicate with the reservoir. The fluid emerges from the orifices as fluid filaments which, if left undisturbed, would break up somewhat irregularly into drops of varying size and spacing.
  • jet drop devices have typically applied mechanical stimulation in some fashion to the fluid filaments so as to cause break up of the filaments into drops of generally uniform size and spacing at a desired drop break up frequency.
  • the print head generally includes an elongated print head body 10, the length of which L, is substantially greater than its other dimensions a and b.
  • the body 10 includes an orifice plate 12 and a block of material 14.
  • the body 10 defines a fluid receiving reservoir 16 in its first end, and at least one and preferably a number of orifices 18 which are arranged in a row across orifice plate 12.
  • the orifice plate 12 is bonded to block 14 of material, such as stainless steel by means of a suitable adhesive.
  • Block 14 defines a slot 20 which, in conjunction with orifice plate 12 defines the reservoir 16.
  • the block 14 further defines a fluid supply opening 22 and a fluid outlet opening 24, both of which communicate with the slot 20.
  • the print head further includes means for supplying fluid to the reservoir 16 under pressure such that fluid emerges from the orifices 18 as fluid filaments which then break up into streams of drops.
  • This includes a pump 26 which receives fluid from a tank 28 and delivers it, via fluid conduit line 30, to the reservoir 16.
  • a conduit 32 is connected to fluid outlet 24 such that fluid may be removed from the reservoir 16 at shut down of the print head or during cross-flushing of the reservoir 16.
  • the conduits 30 and 32 are selected from among a number of materials, such as a polymeric material, which have a vibrational impedance substantially different from that of the stainless steel block 14. As a consequence, power loss through the conduits 30 and 32 and the resulting damping of the vibrations are minimized.
  • the print head further includes support means, such as mounting flanges 34.
  • Flanges 34 are relatively thin and are integrally formed with the block 14.
  • the flanges 34 extend from opposite sides of the elongated print head body 10 and are substantially equidistant from the first and second ends of the body. As a result, the flanges may be used to support the body 10 in a nodal plane. The flanges 34 are therefore not subjected to substantial vibration.
  • the print head further comprises a transducer means, including thin piezoelectric transducers 36 and 38.
  • the transducers are bonded to the exterior of the body of block 14 and extend a substantial distance along the body in the direction of elongation thereof, from adjacent the support means toward both the first and second ends of the body.
  • the transducers 36 and 38 respond to an electrical driving signal, provided by power supply 40 on line 42, by changing dimension, thereby causing mechanical vibration of the body and break up of the fluid streams into streams of drops.
  • the piezoelectric transducers 36 and 38 have electrically conductive coatings on their outer surfaces, that is the surfaces away from the print head block 14, which define a first electrode for each such transducer.
  • the metallic print head block 14 typically grounded, provides the second electrode for each of the transducers.
  • the piezoelectric transducers are selected such that when driven by an a.c. drive signal, they alternately expand and contact in the direction of elongation of the print head.
  • transducers 36 and 38 are electrically connected in parallel.
  • the transducers are oriented such that a driving signal on line 42 causes them to elongate and contract in unison. Since the transducers 36 and 38 are bonded to the block 14, they cause the block to elongate and contract, as well.
  • an additional piezoelectric transducer 44 may be bonded to one of the narrower sides of the print head to provide an electrical output potential on line 46 which fluctuates in correspondence with the elongation and contraction of the print head block 14.
  • the amplitude of the signal on line 46 is proportional to the amplitude of the mechanical vibration of the block 14.
  • the mechanism by which the first embodiment of the print head of the present invention functions may be described as follows.
  • the elongated print head body is somewhat analogous to an ordinary helical spring. If such a spring is compressed and then quickly released, it will oscillate about its center at a frequency f o , called its fundamental longitudinal resonant frequency. In this condition, both ends of the spring move toward and away from the center of the spring, while the center remains at rest. Therefore, if one fixes the center of the spring and repeats the above described operation, the spring will oscillate in the same manner at the frequency f a.
  • the steel block 14 which forms a part of the print head body can be considered to be a very stiff spring. If properly mechanically stimulated, it may therefore be held at its center, as by flanges 34, while both ends of the block 14 alternately move toward and away from the center. Since the center of the block lies in a nodal plane, the flanges 34 are not subjected to substantial vibration and the support for the print head does not interfere with its operation. As the end of the print head body 10 which defines the fluid receiving reservoir 16 is vibrated, the vibrations are transmitted to the fluid filaments which emerge from the orifices 16, thus causing substantially simultaneous uniform drop break up. Note that the reservior 16 is small in relation to the overall size of the block 14 and is centered in the end of the block. As a consequence, the reservoir 16 does not interfere significantly with the vibration of the block 14, nor affect the resonant frequency of the print head substantially.
  • the resonant frequency of the block 14 can generally be said to be given by where C is the speed of sound through the print head block 14 material, L is the length of the print head body in the direction of elongation, E is the modulus of elasticity of the material forming block 14 and p is the density of the material forming the block 14.
  • the print head is designed to operate at or near its resonant frequency, and this frequency, in turn, selected within an appropriate fluid jet stimulation frequency range, e.g., 50KHz to 100KHz.
  • the block 14 is elongated and contracted without the flexure oscillations which would otherwise result if only one such piezoelectric transducer were utilized. Additionally, the use of two piezoelectric transducers allows for a higher power input into the print head for a given voltage and, consequently, for a higher maximum power input into the print head, since only a limited voltage differential may be placed across a piezoelectric transducer without break down of the transducer.
  • E, p and L are temperature dependent and, as a consequence, the resonant frequency of the print head varies with changes in temperature.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the changes in the driving voltage applied to the transducers which are required in order to drive a single jet print head for a constant nominal filament length of 16.5x10-3" (41.9x10 -3 cm).
  • the nominal filament length is a function of both the driving voltage and the driving frequency. At any given driving frequency the nominal filament length decreases with increases in the driving voltage.
  • the print head requires a drive voltage of approximately 20 volts peak-to-peak.
  • the driving voltage When driven by an oscillator at a frequency to either side of the resonant frequency, the driving voltage must be increased substantially in order to maintain the filament length at 16.5x10- 3 " (41.9x10- 3 cm).
  • the voltage required rises approximately linearly with frequency.
  • a maximum voltage which may be applied to the piezoelectric transducers and, so long as the maximum voltage is not exceeded, the transducers may be driven on the positive slope portion of the curve of Fig. 5, or the negative slope portion of the curve.
  • the driving frequency may be varied in synchronization with fluctuations in speed of the print receiving medium upon which drops from the print head are to be deposited, thereby compensating for such fluctuations.
  • the frequency of the drive signal is monitored, however, and the voltage of the drive signal adjusted accordingly in order to compensate for the frequency shift and thereby maintain the desired fluid filament length.
  • the additional piezoelectric transducer 44 may be utilized to monitor the frequency of the drive signal and amplitude of vibration of the print head.
  • the voltage output on line 46 is plotted against the frequency of the driving signal for the maintenance of a single jet print head nominal fluid filament of a length equal to 16.5x10- 3" , (41.9x10- 3 cm); and a diameter of approximately 1x10- 3 " (2.54 X 10- 3 cm).
  • a fluid filament of a desired length can be maintained by monitoring the output voltage and frequency on line 46 and adjusting the level of the driving signal as needed to maintain the output voltage on line 46 at a reference voltage level specified by the curve of Fig. 6.
  • flanges 34 may be deleted.
  • Another arrangement, such as support screws may be provided for attaching the print head body to appropriate support structure, as long as the point or points of attachment lie substantially in the nodal plane intermediate the ends of print head body 10.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a circuit which provides a means for supplying an electrical driving signal.
  • the output of a fixed frequency oscillator 48 is supplied to transducers 36 and 38 via a voltage controlled attenuator circuit 50, a power amplifier 52 and a step-up transformer 54.
  • the output from transducer 44 on line 46 is used to control the amount of attenuation provided by circuit 50.
  • the signal on line 46 is amplified by amplifier 56, converted to a d.c. signal by converter 58, and then compared to a selected reference signal by summing circuit 60 to produce a signal on line 62 which controls the attenuation provided by circuit 50.
  • the amplitude of the driving signal on line 42 and the amplitude of the mechanical vibration of the print head are precisely controlled.
  • Fig. 8 is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention, with elements corresponding to the print head of Fig. 1 being labeled with identical reference numerals.
  • the transducers 36 and 38 are oriented on the print head body such that a positive driving signal on line 42 causes one of the transducers to elongate and the other transducer to contract, while a negative driving signal has the opposite effect.
  • a positive driving signal on line 42 causes one of the transducers to elongate and the other transducer to contract
  • a negative driving signal has the opposite effect.
  • an a.c. driving signal is supplied to line 42, the print head is caused to vibrate in its first flexure mode.
  • This vibrational mode is illustrated in Fig. 8 by medial lines 64 which, although greatly exaggerated in flexure for purposes of clarity, indicate the extent of movement of the center of the print head body 14.
  • lines 64 cross at points which are approximately .23L inward from each end of the print head body, thus indicating nodal points.
  • Mounting holes 66 are drilled into body 14 at the nodal points and a second corresponding pair of mounting holes are drilled into the opposite side of the print head body.
  • pivot supports are provided which do not interfere with flexure of the print head.
  • This flexure mode may be excited by driving the transducers at a frequency where a is approximately 1.76. This is a simplification of the resonant frequency equation where K is the radius of gyration, which for the print head illustrated equals a/2.

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  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)

Claims (24)

1. Flüssigkeitsstrahl-Druckkopf zum Erzeugen wenigstens eines Tropfenstromes, wobei der Druckkopf umfaßt einen Druckkopfkörper (10), der einen Flüssigkeitsaufnahmetank (16) und wenigstens eine mit dem Tank kommunizierende Ausströmöffnung (18) bildet, Mittel (26, 28) zum Liefern von Flüssigkeit unter Druck zu dem Tank derart, daß die Flüssigkeit zwecks Bildung eines Flüssigkeitsstromes aus der Ausströmöffnung austritt, Stützmittel (34) zum Anbringen an dem Druckkopfkörper und auf ein elektrisches Schreibersignal ansprechende Wandlermittel (36, 38) zum Veranlassen von mechanischen Schwingungen des Druckkopfkörpers und Aufreißen des Flüssigkeitsstromes in einen Tropfenstrom, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Druckkopfkörper (1) länglich ausgebildet ist, wobei die Länge des Körpers zwischen seinem ersten und seinem zweiten Ende wesentlich größer ist als seine anderen Abmessungen und wobei der Körper den Tank (16) im Bereich seines ersten Endes aufweist,
daß die Wandlermittel (36, 38) außen an dem Druckkopfkörper montiert sind und sich über eine wesentliche Strecke entlang des Körpers in dessen Längsrichtung erstrecken,
und daß die Stützmittel (34) an dem Druckkopfkörper zwischen dessen erstem und zweitem Ende angreifen.
2. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wandlermittel ein piezoelektrisches Wandlerpaar (36, 38) umfassen, das auf sich gegenüberleigenden Seiten des Druckkörpers angebracht ist und sich in der Längsrichtung von Punkten, die zu dem ersten Ende benachbart sind, bis zu Punkten erstreckt, die zu dem zweiten Ende benachbart sind.
3. Druckkopf nach Anspurch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die piezoelektrischen Wandler (36, 38) eine abwechselnde Längung und Zusammenziehung des länglichen Druckkopfkörpers in seiner Längsrichtung vorsehen.
4. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wandlermittel weitere Mittel (42) zum elektrischen Parallelschalten des piezoelectrischen Wandlerpaares umfassen.
5. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die piezoelektrischen Wandler geschaltet sind, um sich phasengleich zu längen und zusammenzuziehen.
6. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützmittel (34) den Druckkopfkörper im wesentlichen zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Ende des Körpers und gleichweit von diesen Enden entfernt angreifen.
7. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die piezoelektrischen Wandler (36, 38) geschaltet sind, um sich phasenverschoben zu längen und zusammenzuziehen, um dadurch eine Biegebeanspruchung des Druckkopfkörpers zu erzeugen.
8. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützmittel schwenkbar (66) an Biegungs- bzw. Schwingungsknotenpunkten an dem Druckkopfköprer angreifen.
9. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützmittel ein Befestigungsflanschpaar (34) umfassen, wobei jeder Flansch mit dem Druckkopfkörper einstückig ausgebildet und relativ dünn ist, und daß sich die Flansche von dem länglichen Druckkopfkörper von sich gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Körpers wegerstrecken und von dem ersten und dem zweiten Ende des Körpers im wesentlichen gleichweit entfernt sind, derart, daß die Flansche den Körper entlang einer Knotenpunktebene abstützen.
10. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützmittel ein Stützschraubenpaar umfassen, wobei die Schrauben an sich gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Körpers an Punkten angreifen, die von dem ersten und zweiten Ende des Druckkopfkörpers gleichweit entfernt sind.
11. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Druckkopfkörper Mittel, die einen Schlitz (20) in dem ersten Ende des Körpers und eine mit dem Schlitz kommunizierende Flüssigkeitslieferöffnung (22) definieren, sowie eine Ausströmöffnungs-Platte (12) einschließt, die an den vorgenannten Mitteln befestigt ist, einen Schlitz definiert und mit den Mitteln den Flüssigkeitsaufnahmetank bildet.
12. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ausströmöffnungs-Platte (12) eine Vielzahl von Ausströmöffnungen (18) zur Erzeugung einer Vielzahl von Tropfenströmen aufweist.
13. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß er weiter eine Flüssigkeitsauslaßöffnung (24) aufweist, die mit dem genannten Schlitz kommuniziert.
14. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 13, gekennzeichnet, durch Flüssigkeitsleitungen (30, 32) die mit der Flüssigkeitslieferöffnung (22) bzw. mit der Flüssigkeitsauslaßöffnung (24) kommunizierend, und dadurch, daß die Flüssigkeitsleitungen aus einem Material mit einer im wesentlichen unterschiedlichen Schwingungsimpedanz gegenüber dem Druckkopfkörper gebildet sind, wodurch die Flüssigkeitsleitungen keinen wesentlichen Leistungsverlust beiwirken.
15. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Flüssigkeitsleitungen (30, 32) aus einem Polymermaterial hergestellt sind.
16. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch einen Monitorwandler (44), der außen auf dem Druckkopfkörper montiert ist und ein elektrisches Monitorsignal in Abhängigkeit von den Abmessungsänderungen des Körpers vorsieht.
17. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 5, gekennzeichnet durch eine Einrichtung (40) zum Anwenden eines elektrischen Treibersignals von einer Frequenz, die im wesentlichen gleich der Frequenz fo ist, wobei die Frequenz
Figure imgb0006
ist und worin L die Abmessung des Druckkopfkörpers in Längsrichtung und C die Schallgeschwindigkeit durch den Druckkopfkörper hindurch ist,
wodurch der Flüssigkeitsstrahl-Druckkopf bei einer Frequenz betrieben werden kann, die angenähert seiner mechanischen Resonanzfrequenz ist.
18. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet, durch
Monitormittel (44), die außen am Druckkopfkörper montiert sind und ein elektrisches Monitorsignal in Abhängigkeit von Abmessungsänderungen des Druckkopfkörpers vorsehen,
und durch auf den Monitorwandler ansprechende Mittel (50, 60) zum Anwenden eines elektrischen Treibersignals auf die Wandlermittel mit einer Amplitude, die von dem elektrischen Monitorsignal abhängt.
19. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 7, gekennzeichnet durch eine Einrichtung (40) zum Anwenen eines elektrischen Treibesignals mit einer Frequenz, die im wesentlichen der Frequenz Fo gleich ist, wobei
Figure imgb0007
ist, worin L die Abmessung des Druckkopfkörpers in der Längsrichtung, C die Schallgeschwindigkeit durch den Korper hindurch und K der Drehungsradius des Körpers ist.
20. Verfahren zur Anregung des Aufreißens eines Flüssigkeitsstromes, der von wenigstens einer Austrittsöffnung (18), die mit einem Flüssigkeitstank (16) in einem Flüssigkeitsstrahl-Druckkopf kommuniziert, ausströmt, umfassend:
(a) das Vorsehen eines länglichen Druckkopfes (10), der den Tank (16) und an einem Ende die Austrittsöffnung (18) aufweist,
(b) das Anwenden von Druckfluid zu dem Tank (16), um eine Fluidströmung durch die Austrittsöffnung (18) zu erzeugen,
(c) das Abstützen des Druckkopfes an Punkten in einer Ebene, die von den Enden des länglichen Druckkopfes im wesentlichen gleich weit entfernt ist und zu der Längsrichtung des Druckkopfes normal verläuft,
(b) und das abwechselnde Längen und Zusammenziehen des Druckkopfes im wesentlichen bei der Resonanzfrequenz des Druckkopfes, wodurch der Druckkopf in einer Knotenpunktebene abgestützt und der Flüssigkeitsstrom angeregt wird, in Tropfen überzugehen.
21. Verfahren nach Anspruch 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Resonanzfrequenz des Druckkopfes im wesentlichen gleich der Resonanzfrequenz des Fluidstromes ist.
22. Verfahren nach Anspruch 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Druckkopf mittels piezoelektrischer Wandler (36, 38), die außen am Kopf angebracht sind, gelängt und zusammengezogen wird.
23. Verfahren zum Anregen des Aufreißens eines Fluidstromes, der aus wenigstens einer Austrittsöffnung (18), die mit einem Tank (16) in einem Flüssigkeitsstrahl-Druckkopf kommuniziert, austritt, umfassend:
(a) das Vorsehen eines länglichen Druckkopfes (10), der den Tank (16) und die Austrittsöffnung (18) an seinem einen Ende aufweist,
(b) das Anwenden von Druckflüssigkeit zu dem Tank, um eine Flüssigkeitsströmung durch die Austrittsöffnung hindurch zu erzeugen,
(c) und das Schwingen des Druckkopfes in seine erste Biegeschwingung im wesentlichen bei der Resonanzbiegungsschwingung des Druckkopfes, während der Druckkopf an seinen Knotenpunkten derart abgestützt wird, daß der Strom angeregt wird, in Tropfen überzugehen.
24. Verfahren nach Anspruch 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Druckkopf mittels piezoelektrischer Wandler (36, 38), die an seinem Äußeren angebracht sind, in seine erste Biegeschwingung eingeschwungen wird.
EP19830301874 1982-06-21 1983-03-31 Flüssigkeitsdruckkopf und Methode, das Aufreissen eines aus ihm fliessenden Fluidstromes anzuregen Expired EP0097413B1 (de)

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US39010582A 1982-06-21 1982-06-21
US390105 1982-06-21

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EP0097413A1 EP0097413A1 (de) 1984-01-04
EP0097413B1 true EP0097413B1 (de) 1986-06-18

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EP (1) EP0097413B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS595071A (de)
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Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4646104A (en) * 1982-06-21 1987-02-24 Eastman Kodak Company Fluid jet print head
JPS62131779U (de) * 1986-02-07 1987-08-20
US6336708B1 (en) 1992-09-18 2002-01-08 Iris Graphics, Inc. Ink jet nozzle
US5407136A (en) * 1992-09-18 1995-04-18 Iris Graphics, Inc. Ink-jet nozzle
DE69406734T2 (de) * 1993-08-17 1998-03-12 Scitex Digital Printing Inc Montage Anordnung für Resonatoren

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE790064A (fr) * 1971-10-14 1973-02-01 Mead Corp Generateur de gouttes pour dispositif d'enregistrement.
US4095232A (en) * 1977-07-18 1978-06-13 The Mead Corporation Apparatus for producing multiple uniform fluid filaments and drops
US4245227A (en) * 1978-11-08 1981-01-13 International Business Machines Corporation Ink jet head having an outer wall of ink cavity of piezoelectric material
US4198643A (en) * 1978-12-18 1980-04-15 The Mead Corporation Jet drop printer with elements balanced about support plate in nodal plane

Also Published As

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JPS595071A (ja) 1984-01-11
JPH038946B2 (de) 1991-02-07
CA1219776A (en) 1987-03-31
DE3364155D1 (en) 1986-07-24
EP0097413A1 (de) 1984-01-04

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