EP0628412A2 - Système de commande de buses et procédé d'impression par jet d'encre - Google Patents

Système de commande de buses et procédé d'impression par jet d'encre Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0628412A2
EP0628412A2 EP94202383A EP94202383A EP0628412A2 EP 0628412 A2 EP0628412 A2 EP 0628412A2 EP 94202383 A EP94202383 A EP 94202383A EP 94202383 A EP94202383 A EP 94202383A EP 0628412 A2 EP0628412 A2 EP 0628412A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
nozzle
droplets
value
printing
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP94202383A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0628412B1 (fr
EP0628412A3 (fr
Inventor
James Robert Pickell
Robert Irvin Keur
James Eugene Clark
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Videojet Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Videojet Systems International Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Videojet Systems International Inc filed Critical Videojet Systems International Inc
Publication of EP0628412A2 publication Critical patent/EP0628412A2/fr
Publication of EP0628412A3 publication Critical patent/EP0628412A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0628412B1 publication Critical patent/EP0628412B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/02—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating a continuous ink jet
    • 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
    • B41J2/12—Ink jet characterised by jet control testing or correcting charge or deflection

Definitions

  • This invention relates to ink jet printing systems and similar drop marking systems in which a supply of electrically conductive ink is provided to a nozzle.
  • the ink is forced through a nozzle orifice while at the same time an exciting voltage is applied to the nozzle to cause the stream of ink to break into droplets which can be charged and deflected onto a substrate to be marked.
  • Such ink jet technology is well known and, for example, see U.S. Patent Nos. 4,727,379 and 4,555,712.
  • the exciting energy or voltage applied to the nozzle must be properly set during operation of the system.
  • most ink jet printers require manual setting of the energy applied to the ink stream as it exits the nozzle.
  • the appropriate value is either empirically determined by comparing what is seen to an existing diagram or by determining the drop separation point and comparing it with machine specifications. In either case, the resulting print quality varies.
  • a system control microprocessor receives the digital ink jet current signal from the electrometer and is programmed to control the gain of a stimulation amplifier, of which the output is applied to the piezoelectric transducer on the ink jet printing head, by providing a reference signal to an automatic gain control circuit.
  • the stimulation amplitude is initially adjusted to a low level to allow the length of the ink filament to approach its natural unstimulated length.
  • the stimulation amplitude is then monotonically increased whilst the charge imparted to the ink jet is monitored by the electrometer.
  • the ink filament becomes shorter and the ink drop separation approaches the narrow charging electrode. In this manner the ink jet current registered by the electrometer provides a signal that is proportional to the length of the ink filament.
  • the system control microprocessor is used to increase the stimulation reference signal in increments whilst monitoring the jet current signal provided by the electrometer.
  • the jet current signal is recorded and a peak is detected representing the entry into overdrive, that is a region of stimulation above the minimum filament length in which satellite drops are produced and drop deflection is stated as being difficult to control.
  • the stimulation amplitude is then set at some predetermined point below the peak that is found to provide reliable stimulation by computing the reference level as a function of the reference level at the peak. It is suggested that the reference level may be set to the stimulation amplitude at the peak minus 25mV, that is a constant offset from the stimulation amplitude at peak.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,638,325 accordingly teaches that the stimulation amplitude applied to the nozzle of an ink jet printer may be set by a control circuit which includes detecting means (in the form of a piezoelectric feedback transducer) for determining the value of the stimulation amplitude as its magnitude is slowly increased from a minimum value and for detecting the value of the stimulation amplitude at which droplet formation occurs closest to the nozzle (that is the peak representing entry into overdrive).
  • detecting means in the form of a piezoelectric feedback transducer
  • What is desired is a system which can determine a range of proper printing nozzle drive voltages and then compute a satisfactory intermediate value within said range.
  • Such a system should be temperature independent over a wide range of operating temperatures to result in a significantly better control system.
  • a control circuit for determing the magnitude of the exciting voltage to be applied to the nozzle of an ink jet printer to break a stream of ink into droplets for printing, including:
  • a method of determining the exciting voltage to be applied to the nozzle of an ink jet printer to break a stream of ink into droplets for printing including
  • the present invention enables a nozzle control system to monitor the condition of the satellite drops and the drop breakoff point accurately and to compute therefrom a satisfactory range of nozzle drive voltages for operating an ink jet printer.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is that it enables automation of the nozzle voltage for best quality printing using a continuous ink jet printer regardless of ink type and temperature. Problems can also be avoided with recombining satellites that occur when holding the drop speparation point constant while ink type and temperature vary. These cause unwanted charge variations because a satellite which carries part of the charge of its parent charged drop will transfer that charge to the drop following when merging occurs.
  • FIG 1 illustrates the principles of ink jet drop formation useful in understanding the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a software flow diagram illustrating the manner in which the processor of the present invention operates.
  • Figure 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the control circuit according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a graph useful in explaining the operation of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 illustrates the manner in which intermediate satellites may be detected.
  • Figure 6 is a timing diagram useful in explaining the test pattern used for detecting the upper cardinal points.
  • the nozzle 10 emits therefrom a stream of ink 12.
  • a nozzle drive voltage is applied which voltage causes the stream to break up into a series of discrete drops 14.
  • Smaller drops known in this art as satellites, form between the drops 14.
  • the satellites 16 behave in a manner which is a function of the energy applied to the nozzle (measured in terms of the nozzle voltage).
  • C(L) As the drive to the nozzle is increased, a point, designated herein as C(L), will occur. This term refers to a lower cardinal point. Cardinal is a term borrowed from optics terminology where it denotes a important point of a lens system, i.e., a focal point, a nodal point, or a principal point.
  • C(L) is an important point because it represents the point at which the satellites separate from the leading and the following drops at the same time (see Figure 1D). Surface tension forces pull these satellites forward and backward with equal force. The result is that the satellites stay at a mid or intermediate point between the drops as they travel through space.
  • C(L) It is this condition, referred to as C(L), that can be detected at a downstream point by detecting the satellites and the drops. At the point C(L) there will be a doubling of the normal drop frequency which can be detected. In all other cases, the satellites will have merged with either the leading or the trailing drops.
  • Appropriate detectors are illustrated and described in connection with Figure 5 of this disclosure.
  • the point C(L) can be detected by frequency doubling as the power to the nozzle drive is increased from a low level to a level just adequate to form intermediate satellites.
  • an appropriate test signal is placed on a charging electrode so that both the drops ad the intermediate satellites will be charged.
  • the sensed drop frequency will double when intermediate satellites are present and pass the sensor.
  • an optical detector may be employed which does not require charging of the drops and satellites but will detect a doubling in the number of drops passing the detector.
  • the detector is positioned a sufficient distance downstream from the nozzle orifice to permit the satellites to merge.
  • V(calc) Values of V(calc) calculated from the foregoing equation are plotted in Figure 4. These values of V(calc) all lie within the cross hatched area of the graph and represent nozzle drive voltages that produce quality printing.
  • E is a voltage empirically determined from the good printing range of a particular ink.
  • v(calc) is about 25 volts and C(H) about 45 volts. Therefore if E is selected as 20 volts it will reliably approximate v(calc) when used within equation 2.
  • VH will lie within the cross-hatched area on the graph in Figure 4.
  • the nozzle 10 is connected to an ink supply 32 via an ink conduit 34.
  • the ink stream is grounded intermediate the ink supply ad nozzle 36.
  • the nozzle has an acoustic energy applied to it, as for example, by means of a piezoelectric device as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patent 4,727,379.
  • the drive voltage for the piezoelectric device is provided from a nozzle drive amplifier 38 via line 40.
  • the amplifier is controlled by a processor 42, such as a microcomputer, via a digital to analog converter (D/A) 44.
  • the controller 42 also operates charge amplifier 44 via D/A 46 to control the voltage applied to the charge tunnel 48.
  • the charge tunnel 48 is disposed downstream of the nozzle 10 in the region where the drops are intended to form as the stream of ink breaks up into drops and satellites. In this manner selected drops can be charged for deflection onto a substrate or, if left uncharged, returned by way of a gutter to the ink supply 32.
  • the controller 42 receives input signals from a capacitive pickup 50 downstream of the charge tunnel.
  • the signal from the pickup 50 is provided to a preamplifier 52 and to a band pass filter 54 (a notch filter designed to pass a frequency equal to twice the normal drop frequency of the ink jet system).
  • the capacitive pickup 50 detects the point C(L) in which the drop frequency has doubled due to the presence of intermediate satellites ( Figure 1B). That signal, analogue in nature, is passed by the filter 54 to a comparator 56 which provides a digital output when the input exceeds a threshold. This signals the controller that C(L) has been detected.
  • the controller thus stores the corresponding nozzle drive voltage value.
  • the second input of interest to controller 42 provides a signal indicating the occurrence of C(H), the fold back point illustrated in Figure 1G.
  • This signal is produced on line 58 from a pickup 60 in electrical communication with the electrically conductive ink stream.
  • the output of pickup 60 is provided to an integrating preamplifier 62 which, in turn, is provided to a comparator 64. As will be described, if the charge on the capacitor associated with preamplifier 62 exceeds a threshold set for comparator 64, a digital output is provided on line 58 to the controller.
  • test signals are placed on the charge tunnel 48 for a period equal to 30 drop times.
  • the wave form illustrated in Figure 6 is referenced to the drop clock wave form which may be, for example, 66 kilohertz.
  • the charge tunnel 48 attempts to apply a charge to each ink drop formed as the droplets break off from the ink stream.
  • the pickup 60 will detect whether or not the drops are successfully charged. For each drop which is charged an incremental charge is stored on the capacitor associated with the preamplifier 62.
  • test video signals 1, 2 and 3 all of which are illustrated in Figure 6.
  • Each test pattern is a quarter lambda out of phase from the preceding test pattern (where lambda is the droplet spacing). As a result, it is possible to accurately determine the location (in quarter lambdas, for example) of the droplet breakoff point relative to the positions of the two cardinal points.
  • test video 1 and test video 2 are digital ones, while test video 0 and test video 3 are zero indicating that the latter two test videos did not result in charging of the droplets (this is due to the phase of the test video signals relative to the drop clock).
  • the pattern of the successfully charged drops changes as indicated in Figure 1 in a predictable sequence based upon the phasing of the test video signals.
  • C(H) there is a first phase reversal (additional phase reversals may occur at higher drive voltages). That is, instead of the expected phase pattern 1001 for Figure 1H, the pattern 0110 is observed, which pattern is exactly the same as Figure 1F.
  • the circuit accurately detects C(H) the first fold back point where drop breakoff within the charge tunnel 48 is at a minimum distance from the nozzle.
  • the comparator 64 is preferably sampled only once, at about 15 drop times after the start of each test video signal.
  • the output from the comparator is one or zero indicating that the drops were or were not successfully charged.
  • test video signals have a pulse width of approximately 66% of the drop time ad that each test video signal is one-quarter drop time out of phase with every other test video signal.
  • the phasing sequence ends after the output of the comparator is recorded for the four video test signals.
  • the drop separation point occurs earlier (nearer to the nozzle) as nozzle voltage increases. This is recognized by the detector as indicated by the pattern of ones marching from right to left in Figures A through G (and wrapping around). This continues until the fold back point, C(H) where the sequencing reverses itself and the detector signals this voltage value to the controller.
  • the capacitive pickup 50 can be used for both purposes. That is, the pickup 50 can detect the C(L) value and, by connecting preamp 62 and comparator 64 to the capacitive pickup, it can also detect C(H). Thus, it is not necessary to use a separate pickup 60 behind the nozzle since the capacitive pickup 50 downstream of the charge tunnel can, if desired, perform both functions.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a software flow diagram suitable for performing the calculations according to the present invention. It is important to note that knowledge of the ink temperature is not necessary for a determination of a proper nozzle drive voltage.
  • the controller 42 in the case where a capacitive pickup is utilized, sets the charge tunnel voltage to a constant value. It then sets the nozzle drive voltage to a minimum value via line 40. Nozzle drive voltage is slowly increased and the capacitive pickup is checked to determine if frequency doubling has occurred. If not, voltage increases, in small increments, until frequency doubling is detected. As indicated previously, frequency doubling indicates the condition where intermediate satellites, which are not merging, are being formed. When frequency doubling is detected, the value of the nozzle drive voltage is recorded as C(L).
  • the controller then initiates the phase control portion of its routine to detect C(H).
  • the test video signals shown in Figure 6 are applied to the charge tunnel electrode.
  • the sensor 60 or alternatively the capacitive pickup 50, is monitored to detect whether drops have been successfully charged for each of the four test signals.
  • the software then checks to detect whether or not phase reversal has occurred. If not, the nozzle drive voltage is increased, in small increments, until phase reversal is detected. Upon detection, the nozzle drive voltage is recorded as C(H).
  • V(calc) Upon obtaining values of C(H) and C(L), the value V(calc) is computed.
  • This value V(calc), which is shown in Figure 4 is in the middle of the desirable operating range of the system and is thereafter used as the nozzle drive voltage. In summary form, this operation may be stated as follows:
  • V(calc) requires a value alpha be specified which is ink dependent.

Landscapes

  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Recording Measured Values (AREA)
EP94202383A 1989-03-31 1990-03-22 Système de commande de buses et procédé d'impression par jet d'encre Expired - Lifetime EP0628412B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US33200989A 1989-03-31 1989-03-31
EP19900303101 EP0390427B1 (fr) 1989-03-31 1990-03-22 Système de commande de buses et procédé d'impression à jet d'encre
US332009 1994-10-31

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90303101.1 Division 1990-03-22

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0628412A2 true EP0628412A2 (fr) 1994-12-14
EP0628412A3 EP0628412A3 (fr) 1995-06-07
EP0628412B1 EP0628412B1 (fr) 1997-09-10

Family

ID=23296316

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94202383A Expired - Lifetime EP0628412B1 (fr) 1989-03-31 1990-03-22 Système de commande de buses et procédé d'impression par jet d'encre
EP19900303101 Expired - Lifetime EP0390427B1 (fr) 1989-03-31 1990-03-22 Système de commande de buses et procédé d'impression à jet d'encre

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19900303101 Expired - Lifetime EP0390427B1 (fr) 1989-03-31 1990-03-22 Système de commande de buses et procédé d'impression à jet d'encre

Country Status (6)

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EP (2) EP0628412B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2858833B2 (fr)
AU (1) AU620941B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2001041C (fr)
DE (2) DE69031431T2 (fr)
ES (2) ES2069681T3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5396274A (en) * 1992-05-20 1995-03-07 Videojet Systems International, Inc. Variable frequency ink jet printer
CN101909892B (zh) * 2007-11-10 2013-02-13 录象射流技术公司 用于喷墨打印的机电转换器
GB2602051B (en) * 2020-12-16 2024-09-25 Domino Uk Ltd Dynamic modulating voltage adjustment

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5655268A (en) * 1979-10-11 1981-05-15 Sharp Corp Controller for particle of ink in ink jet printer
JPS604065A (ja) * 1983-06-23 1985-01-10 Hitachi Ltd インクジエツト記録装置
JPH0829590B2 (ja) * 1985-03-04 1996-03-27 株式会社日立製作所 インクジエツト記録装置
US4631549A (en) * 1985-08-15 1986-12-23 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for adjusting stimulation amplitude in continuous ink jet printer
US4638325A (en) * 1985-09-09 1987-01-20 Eastman Kodak Company Ink jet filament length and stimulation amplitude assessment system
JPH0684076B2 (ja) * 1986-02-19 1994-10-26 株式会社日立製作所 インクジエツト記録装置
US4688047A (en) * 1986-08-21 1987-08-18 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for sensing satellite ink drop charge and adjusting ink pressure
GB8708885D0 (en) * 1987-04-14 1987-05-20 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Ink jet printing
GB8725465D0 (en) * 1987-10-30 1987-12-02 Linx Printing Tech Ink jet printers
US4878064A (en) * 1988-10-31 1989-10-31 Eastman Kodak Company Continuous ink jet stimulation adjustment based on overdrive detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69031431T2 (de) 1998-01-22
EP0628412B1 (fr) 1997-09-10
CA2001041A1 (fr) 1990-09-30
JP2858833B2 (ja) 1999-02-17
EP0390427A1 (fr) 1990-10-03
ES2106440T3 (es) 1997-11-01
AU4530289A (en) 1990-10-04
DE69031431D1 (de) 1997-10-16
CA2001041C (fr) 1994-03-08
EP0628412A3 (fr) 1995-06-07
JPH02274556A (ja) 1990-11-08
AU620941B2 (en) 1992-02-27
EP0390427B1 (fr) 1995-03-22
ES2069681T3 (es) 1995-05-16
DE69017931T2 (de) 1995-07-20
DE69017931D1 (de) 1995-04-27

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