EP1747891A2 - Méthode améliorée de contrôle d'une imprimante à jet d'encre et imprimante à jet d'encre - Google Patents

Méthode améliorée de contrôle d'une imprimante à jet d'encre et imprimante à jet d'encre Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1747891A2
EP1747891A2 EP06116948A EP06116948A EP1747891A2 EP 1747891 A2 EP1747891 A2 EP 1747891A2 EP 06116948 A EP06116948 A EP 06116948A EP 06116948 A EP06116948 A EP 06116948A EP 1747891 A2 EP1747891 A2 EP 1747891A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
printhead
jet printer
amount
counting
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06116948A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1747891A3 (fr
Inventor
Hans Reinten
Peter G.A. Theuws
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.)
Canon Production Printing Netherlands BV
Original Assignee
Oce Technologies BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oce Technologies BV filed Critical Oce Technologies BV
Priority to EP06116948A priority Critical patent/EP1747891A3/fr
Publication of EP1747891A2 publication Critical patent/EP1747891A2/fr
Publication of EP1747891A3 publication Critical patent/EP1747891A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • 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
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge
    • B41J2/17509—Whilst mounted in the printer
    • 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
    • B41J2/17593—Supplying ink in a solid state

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for improved controlling of an ink jet printer.
  • the invention also relates to a computer program adapted for carrying out the method according to the invention.
  • the invention further relates to a computer running the computer program according to the invention.
  • the invention relates to an ink jet printer adapted to perform the method according to the invention.
  • ink level sensor for an ink jet printer within an ink reservoir of a printhead to detect the ink level exceeding a certain threshold level.
  • the information gathered by the ink level sensor is used to determine among others the amount of ink to be dosed to the ink reservoir within a certain timeframe.
  • This situation is far from optimal due to a lack of accuracy of the ink level sensor, said sensor being merely adapted to perform a small range detection, wherein merely exceeding a certain (and single) threshold level can be detected, and wherein accurate detection of the ink level sensor is hindered due to thermal inertia of the sensor.
  • the accuracy of the ink level sensor is also dependent on situational circumstances, such as thermal conditions of the printhead, the local environment and the isolation between the ink level sensor and other parts of the printhead.
  • the known method of determining the amount of ink to be dosed is not optimal, since the level in the ink reservoir is not the same as the total amount of ink within the printhead, as in a productive application there may be significant portion of ink on its way from being melted (in case a hot melt ink is used), flowing down, passing an ink filter and a valve to finally add this ink portion (not noticed by the ink level sensor) to the reservoir.
  • This object can be achieved by providing a method according to the preamble, comprising the steps of: A) measuring the amount of ink dosed to at least one printhead of said ink jet printer, B) measuring the amount of ink droplets released by at least one nozzle of said printhead, and C) determining the amount of a ink contained by the printhead using the amounts determined in steps A) and B).
  • the method according to the invention further comprises step D) of determining the amount of ink to be dosed to the printhead based upon the amount of ink contained by the printhead determined during step C).
  • the amount of ink to be dosed for one or more planned printed tasks can be calculated relatively timely and accurately with respect to dosing of ink based upon information gathered by a conventional ink level sensor.
  • This relatively accurate controlling of the amount of ink, preferably though not exclusively formed by ink pellets (or ink pills), to be dosed during operation of the ink jet printer will lead to a significantly improved control of the ink jet printer, and in particular of the jetting process of said printer.
  • the size (volume) of the droplets released by the nozzle(s) are assumed to be known. Determination of the droplet size can be realised in different manners. To this end, the droplet size may be determined e.g. by means of a balance of matter, a camera, et cetera.
  • ink is preferably dosed to the printhead in the form of ink pellets.
  • the amount of ink dosed to the printhead is measured by counting the number of ink pellets dosed to the printhead, each pellet having a substantially predetermined and identical volume. In this manner, the ink supply to the printhead can be controlled and dosed relatively accurately.
  • the ink pellets are preferably formed by hot melt ink, id est an ink which is solid at room temperature but liquid at elevated temperature.
  • the ink is firstly heated in the inkjet printhead to a temperature at which it is liquid, id est has a consistency such that it can be ejected in the form of small drops by means of the printhead.
  • Measuring the amount of ink released by the nozzle(s) of the printhead according step B) is preferably measured by counting the number of ink droplets released.
  • a droplet counter is provided to count the number of ink droplets expelled from the ink reservoir via the nozzles.
  • the method further comprises step E) of measuring the number of pressure pulses, in particular activation pulses, to selectively expel the ink droplets via the nozzle, wherein according to step C) the amount of a ink contained by the printhead is based upon measured values gathered in steps A), B) and E).
  • step E) of measuring the number of pressure pulses, in particular activation pulses, an indication can be obtained of the number of ink droplets released by the nozzle(s), which commonly extends, and hence improves the balance of matter, in particular the balance of ink, of the ink jet printer.
  • Waste-ink created by purging and cleaning the ink reservoir can be compensated for in the method according to the invention, for example by resetting reference values before actually monitoring the printing process, and in particular the jetting process.
  • Either technique uses ink-filled channels or passageways which interconnect an orifice or nozzle and an ink-filled manifold.
  • the pressure pulse may be generated anywhere in the channels or the manifold.
  • the bubble generating resistor (hence the name bubble jet) must be located in each channel near the nozzle.
  • the method preferably further comprises step F) of measuring an ink level within at least one ink reservoir of the printhead.
  • Calibration of the printhead to which the method is applied can be performed on a long term time scale by measuring the ink level within the ink reservoir.
  • measurements by the ink level sensor are taken which are performed under relatively stable conditions, wherein the uncertainty in the ink level sensor is relatively small.
  • reference values may be obtained e.g.
  • the ink level within the ink reservoir can be detected by means of different kind of sensors such as a float level indicator, electrical resistance, and a thermal sensor.
  • the ink level within the ink reservoir is measured by means of at least one thermistor, more preferably an NTC thermistor.
  • thermistor more preferably an NTC thermistor.
  • Application of an NTC thermistor is relatively inexpensive with respect to the application of other types of thermal sensors.
  • PTC type thermistor or even other kinds of temperature sensitive (electronic) detecting means.
  • a control unit is used for determining the amount of ink contained by the printhead.
  • the control unit may be programmed to (automatically) adjust the amount of ink (pellets) to be dosed to the printhead to secure sufficient (and no excess) supply of ink to perform certain printing tasks.
  • this control unit will be a software embedded module, wherein said software is adapted to perform the method according to the invention.
  • the ink dosed to the printhead is preferably formed by hot melt pellets.
  • the ink within the ink reservoir(s) is preferably heated. In this manner, the ink contained within the ink reservoir(s) can be kept easily at an elevated temperature typically of about 130° Celsius.
  • the invention also relates to a computer program adapted for carrying out the method according to the invention.
  • the amount of ink contained by the printhead (step C)) can be determined by the computer program acting as a software level sensor.
  • the computer program is preferably also suitable to determine the amount of ink, in particular the number of ink pellets, to be dosed to the printhead based on the information gathered under step C).
  • the computer program may be embedded within the ink jet printer.
  • the invention further relates to a computer running the computer program according to the invention.
  • This computer may form part of the ink jet printer according to the invention.
  • the aforementioned control unit may be an integral part of the computer.
  • the invention relates to an ink jet printer adapted for performing the method according to the invention, comprising: at least one printhead comprising: a plurality of nozzles, and ink channels arranged side by side, each nozzle being connected to an ink reservoir via its associated ink channel; and a device for dispensing ink pellets of substantially predetermined and identical volume to the printhead, wherein the ink jet printer further comprises first counting means for counting the number of ink pellets dispensed to the printhead, second counting means for counting the number of ink droplets released by the nozzles, and controlling means for determining the amount of ink contained by the printhead based upon measured values gathered by the first counting means and the second counting means.
  • the total amount of ink contained by the printhead can be determined by making up a balance of matter, in particular a balance of ink, as a result of which the process for dosing ink (pellets) to the printhead can be optimised relatively easily though accurately.
  • the ink jet printer further comprises detecting means, in particular one or more ink level sensors, for detecting the ink level within each ink reservoir.
  • the second counting means are preferably adapted for counting the number of pressure pulses, in particular activation pulses, produced to expel the ink droplets via the nozzles.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an ink jet printer 1 according to the invention.
  • the printer 1 comprises a roller 2 to support a substrate 3 and move it along the four printheads 4.
  • the roller 2 is rotatable about its axis as indicated by arrow A.
  • a carriage 5 carries the four printheads 4 and can be moved in reciprocation in the direction indicated by the double arrow B, parallel to roller 2. In this way the printheads 4 can scan the receiving substrate 3, for example a sheet of paper.
  • the carriage 5 is guided over rods 6 and 7 and is driven by means suitable for the purpose (not shown).
  • each printhead 4 contains eight ink reservoirs (not shown) connected to eight ink ducts, each with its own nozzle 8, which form two rows of four nozzles 8 each perpendicular to the axis of the roller 2.
  • the number of ink ducts per printhead 4 and the number of nozzles per printhead will be many times greater.
  • Each ink duct is provided with means for energising the ink duct (not shown) and an associated electric actuation circuit (not shown). In this way, the ink duct, the said means for energising the ink duct, and the actuation circuit form a unit which can serve to eject ink drops in the direction of roller 2.
  • the substrate is printed with a printer 1 of this kind in which ink drops are ejected from ink ducts, the substrate, or part thereof, is (imaginarily) divided into fixed locations which form a regular field of pixel rows and pixel columns.
  • the pixel rows are perpendicular to the pixel columns.
  • the resulting separate locations can each be provided with one or more ink drops.
  • the number of locations per unit of length in the directions parallel to the pixel rows and pixel columns is termed the resolution of the printed image, and is indicated, for example, as 400 x 600 d.p.i. ("dots per inch").
  • the printer 1 is provided with a number of dispensing devices 9, one for each colour, only one being shown in this figure for simplification. With a dispensing device of this kind it is possible to dispense ink pellets at each of the printheads 4.
  • the ink used is a hot melt ink.
  • An ink of this kind is solid at room temperature and liquid at elevated temperature.
  • This ink is dispensed in solid form in each of the printheads whereafter the ink in the printhead is melted and is brought to operating temperature, typically 130° Celsius.
  • operating temperature typically 130° Celsius.
  • the carriage 5 will be so moved that the relevant printhead is disposed beneath the corresponding dispensing device level with dispensing line 10.
  • One or more ink pellets will then be dispensed to the printhead, said pellets entering the printhead via opening 11. These pellets are then melted and brought to operating temperature.
  • the printer 1 comprises a counter 12 for counting the number of ink droplets released by the nozzles 8, and a counter 13 for counting the number of ink pellets dispensed. Based on the information provided by both counters 12, 13 the amount of ink contained by the printheads 4 can be determined and subsequently the number of ink pellets to be dosed to the printheads 4 can be calculated. These determinations will commonly be realised by means of a computer program embedded within a control unit 14. In this manner, timely and sufficient supply of ink to the printheads 4 can be secured.
  • the printer 1 preferably also comprises a counter 15 for counting the number of drive pulses produced to determine to the number of ink droplets released by the printheads 4.
  • An ink level sensor 16 is provided to gather reference values with which the software sensor can be calibrated.

Landscapes

  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
EP06116948A 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Méthode améliorée de contrôle d'une imprimante à jet d'encre et imprimante à jet d'encre Withdrawn EP1747891A3 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06116948A EP1747891A3 (fr) 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Méthode améliorée de contrôle d'une imprimante à jet d'encre et imprimante à jet d'encre

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05106849 2005-07-26
EP06116948A EP1747891A3 (fr) 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Méthode améliorée de contrôle d'une imprimante à jet d'encre et imprimante à jet d'encre

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1747891A2 true EP1747891A2 (fr) 2007-01-31
EP1747891A3 EP1747891A3 (fr) 2010-03-03

Family

ID=37562248

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06116948A Withdrawn EP1747891A3 (fr) 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Méthode améliorée de contrôle d'une imprimante à jet d'encre et imprimante à jet d'encre

Country Status (1)

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EP (1) EP1747891A3 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6151039A (en) * 1997-06-04 2000-11-21 Hewlett-Packard Company Ink level estimation using drop count and ink level sense
JPH11138771A (ja) * 1997-11-06 1999-05-25 Brother Ind Ltd インクジェットプリンタ
JP2002187292A (ja) * 2000-12-21 2002-07-02 Seiko Epson Corp インクジェット式記録装置および同装置におけるサブタンクへのインク補給制御方法
US7029083B2 (en) * 2003-11-26 2006-04-18 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Systems and methods for controllably refilling a fluid quantity sensing fluid ejection head
US6981754B2 (en) * 2003-12-30 2006-01-03 Xerox Corporation Ink delivery and printing method for phasing printing systems

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Publication number Publication date
EP1747891A3 (fr) 2010-03-03

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