WO2006002143A2 - L'invention porte sur des procedes et des dispositifs de reglage et d'alignement de distributeurs de fluide et analogues tels que des tetes d'imprimantes a jet d'encre continu - Google Patents

L'invention porte sur des procedes et des dispositifs de reglage et d'alignement de distributeurs de fluide et analogues tels que des tetes d'imprimantes a jet d'encre continu Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006002143A2
WO2006002143A2 PCT/US2005/021889 US2005021889W WO2006002143A2 WO 2006002143 A2 WO2006002143 A2 WO 2006002143A2 US 2005021889 W US2005021889 W US 2005021889W WO 2006002143 A2 WO2006002143 A2 WO 2006002143A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nozzle
arrangement
ink
fluid
positionally
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2005/021889
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2006002143A3 (fr
Inventor
George Mejalli
Ralph M. Chew
Sean R. O'leary
Marlin H. Mickle
James Macpherson
Frank Marx
John Andrew Holmes
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.)
Matthews Resources Inc
Original Assignee
Matthews Resources Inc
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 Matthews Resources Inc filed Critical Matthews Resources Inc
Publication of WO2006002143A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006002143A2/fr
Publication of WO2006002143A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006002143A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased 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

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to fluid dispensing devices such as continuous ink jet printers and printheads, or alternatively to light admitting devices and, more particularly, to methods and arrangements for adjusting the position of an ink jet stream issuing from a nozzle which is part of a print head assembly, or for adjusting the position of another type of fluid stream issuing from another type of nozzle, or for adjusting the position of a light stream issuing from a light admission aperture.
  • CIJ Continuous Ink Jet
  • PZT Lead Zirconium Titanate
  • the printing arrangement is configured such that any drops not intended for printing on the substrate can be collected through a "gutter” and return line.
  • the ink can be continuously flowing as opposed to being intermittently issued as in a "drop on demand” type of printing system (common to most personal computer printers) .
  • the continuous flow of ink gives rise to the common name "continuous ink jet” (or CIJ) .
  • CIJ continuous ink jet
  • the alignment of the continuous stream of ink drops with the gutter in a non-printing state of operation of a CIJ system is highly important. Particularly, improper alignment will cause ink to be deposited on other components of the machine itself, the substrate or anything else in the path of the ink.
  • CIJ nozzles are typically made from sapphire or ruby on a very small scale, with tiny holes (or orifices) having diameter on the order of several thousandths of an inch. Due to the difficulty in manufacturing such small components, the holes are often not precisely aligned. As such, alignment between an orifice for the issuing (ink jet stream) and a gutter is typically accomplished mechanically while the two items are mounted on a fixed platform or other suitable mechanism.
  • nozzle alignment involves a nozzle mounted on the end of a tube.
  • the tube can be bent to alter the direction of the stream of ink and align it with the gutter.
  • An operator or field technician then aligns the orifice for the issuing (ink jet stream) and the gutter by hand until the ink properly enters the gutter for re-circulation.
  • the tube here can be subject to accidental bumping and other environmental forces stimuli that can inadvertently alter the alignment.
  • adjustment must usually be done by trial and error without regard for intuition.
  • a nozzle or light admission aperture can be fabricated without a tube connecting the base of the print head (or other) assembly, to an ink-issuing or fluid-issuing orifice, or to a light admission aperture.
  • the fluid-issuing orifice (such as an ink-issuing orifice) is a part of a solid faceplate attached rigidly to the print head (or other) body.
  • the faceplate contains provisions for the orifice and associated alignment screws that can be used at assembly and test time to align the orifice and the gutter. Once the orifice and gutter are aligned, no additional adjustment is required (providing there are no disturbances to the components which could render them out of alignment) . Similar considerations are preferably accorded embodiments involving a light-admission aperture arrangement.
  • a nozzle assembly comprising: a nozzle mounting arrangement; a nozzle associated with the nozzle mounting arrangement, the nozzle being configured to direct an output of ink; and an arrangement for positionally adjusting the nozzle to positionally alter the output of ink.
  • a nozzle assembly comprising: a nozzle mounting arrangement; a nozzle associated with the nozzle mounting arrangement, the nozzle being configured to direct an output of fluid; and an arrangement for positionally adjusting the nozzle to positionally alter the output of fluid.
  • an ink delivery arrangement comprising: an ink source for providing ink; a nozzle assembly operably connected with the ink providing arrangement and adapted to accept ink provided by the ink source; and the nozzle assembly comprising: a nozzle mounting arrangement; a nozzle associated with the nozzle mounting, arrangement, the nozzle being configured to direct an output of ink; and an arrangement for positionally adjusting the nozzle to positionally alter the output of ink.
  • a fluid delivery arrangement comprising: a fluid source for providing fluid; a nozzle assembly operably connected with the fluid source and adapted to accept fluid provided by the fluid source; and the nozzle assembly comprising: a nozzle mounting arrangement; a nozzle associated with the nozzle mounting arrangement, the nozzle being configured to direct an output of fluid; and an arrangement for positionally adjusting the nozzle to positionally alter the output of fluid.
  • a method of delivering ink comprising the steps of: providing a nozzle configured for directing an output of ink; and positionally adjusting the nozzle to positionally alter the output of ink.
  • a method of delivering fluid comprising the steps of: providing a nozzle configured for directing an output of fluid; and positionally adjusting the nozzle to positionally alter the output of fluid.
  • an aperture assembly comprising: an arrangement for mounting a light admission aperture; an light admission aperture associated with the mounting arrangement, the light admission aperture being configured to direct an output of light; and an arrangement for positionally adjusting the light admission aperture to positionally alter the output of light.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a nozzle assembly and base.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a nozzle assembly.
  • FIGS. 3a - 3c respectfully provide plan, elevational and cross sectional views of a nozzle.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a nozzle assembly.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a nozzle assembly.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates in perspective view a method of nozzle adjustment.
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a general fluid or light dispensing device and components.
  • Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to the admission and direction of ink or other fluids through a nozzle arrangement or to the admission and direction of light, such as laser light, through a light admission aperture arrangement.
  • the disclosure turns at present to a discussion of a continuous ink jet print head arrangement, though it is to be understood that similar principles may be readily applied to arrangements involving fluids other than ink, or even to arrangements involving light, such as laser light.
  • fluid and “fluids”, as generally employed herein, may be generally regarded as relating to a wide range of liquids, gases, plasmas, particulate streams and even, to some extent, plastics and solids, as generally understood and appreciated in the general engineering arts.
  • a print head may include a nozzle assembly 1 mounted to a print head base 2 with two screws 4.
  • An 0-ring 3 seals against leakage of pressurized and modulated ink passing from the print head base 2 to the nozzle assembly 1.
  • the nozzle assembly includes nozzle end cover 7 (as shown in FIG. 2) and a nozzle body 9 with a boss (not visible) on one end over which a sealing ring 8 is located.
  • the nozzle 9 with sealing ring 8 preferably fit into a counterbore in the nozzle cover 7 (not fully visible in the drawing) .
  • the nozzle cover 7 preferably has a hole 7a drilled through its center to permit throughput of a stream of ink droplets issuing from the nozzle.
  • the ink droplets can be formed as a result of the action of a Lead Zirconium Titanate (PZT) diaphragm (part of the base 2) which controls the natural modulation of the ink stream and its breakup into droplets.
  • PZT Lead Zirconium Titanate
  • a hole 9a drilled through the center of the body 9 allows passage of ink through the body 9 to the orifice 10.
  • On the opposite end is the boss 9b for the sealing ring 8 (see FIG. 2) .
  • a nozzle back plate 11 (as shown in FIG. 2) preferably attaches to the nozzle end cover 7 with two screws 5.
  • the nozzle back plate 11 has a hole 11a drilled through its center to allow pressurized ink to pass from the base 2 to the nozzle assembly 1 (as shown in FIG. 1) .
  • the nozzle 9 and sealing ring 8 are preferably "trapped" in the counter bore between cover 7 and plate 11 (as shown in FIG. 2 or in cross section in FIG. 5) .
  • the sealing ring 8 is preferably of an elastomeric material and of such thickness that it is compressed when the assembly is complete. The compression of the seal 8 prevents leaking of the ink as it passes through the nozzle assembly but it is not great enough to prevent the nozzle and seal from moving or sliding laterally on their own within the pocket created by the counterbore 7a of the nozzle cover 7. (The counterbore 7a in the nozzle end cover 7 is larger in diameter than the diameter of the nozzle 9, allowing the nozzle to move about within the counterbore. )
  • FIGS 4 and 5 four holes are preferably drilled and tapped into the sides of the nozzle cover 7 at right angles to each other.
  • Four screws 6 are preferably threaded into those holes and make contact with the nozzle 9.
  • Adjustment of the nozzle in a desired direction is preferably accomplished by loosening a screw 6 on the same side that the stream of ink droplets is to be adjusted or moved and tightening the screw 6 on the opposite side until resistance is met from the loosening screws . This pushes the nozzle in the direction of travel of the tightening screw.
  • the nozzle can be selectively translated in either or both of a "north-south” and "east-west” direction.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates this arrangement schematically, whereby a stream of ink droplets 20 is directed to a gutter 22 and return tube 24.
  • the countersink or chamfer of the hole at the boss end of the nozzle body 9 allows the misalignment of the hole in the center of the nozzle with the hole in the center of the nozzle back plate with out blocking or reducing ink flow where the two holes meet.
  • the present invention in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment, broadly embraces a nozzle assembly with an alignment adjustment mechanism to control the position of an ink jet stream issuing from the nozzle.
  • the nozzle preferably comprises a small disc with an orifice and is made of a wear resistant material such as sapphire or ruby.
  • the nozzle can be mounted and secured in a larger disk.
  • a sealing ring made of an elastomer preferably fits over a boss on the opposite side of the disk.
  • This assembly is installed in a plate with a counterbore larger in diameter than the nozzle disk assembly so that there is a gap between the circumference of the counterbore and the nozzle disk assembly. This permits the nozzle assembly to translate in any direction along a plane within the counterbore.
  • Another plate can be mounted to the counterbored side of the first plate, to thereby sandwich the nozzle disk in between.
  • a hole is preferably drilled in the center of the plate, allowing fluid under pressure from the print head base to pass through to the nozzle disk.
  • the counterbored plate also preferably has a hole drilled in the center through which the stream of ink issuing from the nozzle can pass.
  • the sealing ring mounted on the boss of the nozzle disk prevents ink from leaking.
  • the two plates are preferably fastened together with screws, with four screws preferably being threaded into the sides of the counter bored plate at right angles to each other. These screws are threaded through the wall of the counterbore and press up against the nozzle disk.
  • the screws are used to move the nozzle disk in four directions, i.e., "north”, “south”, “east” and “west” with respect to the disk's plane of translational movement. This permits the stream of ink to be steered and aligned with a "gutter” and return line.
  • the adjustment screws all preferably make contact with the nozzle disk so that once alignment has been achieved the disk cannot accidentally move out of position. Screws are preferably also used to attach the nozzle assembly to the print head base with a sealing o-ring in between.
  • adjustment screws could be placed in three mutually opposing pairs to provide three lines of travel that successively offset at about 60 degrees with respect to one another, or adjustment screws (or the like) could be placed in four mutually opposing pairs to provide four lines of travel that successively offset at about 45 -degrees with respect to one another.
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a general arrangement for positionally adjusting a continuous stream of fluid or light (such as laser light) .
  • a fluid or light dispensing device 40 may include a nozzle (or, alternatively, in the case of light, a light admission aperture arrangement) 44 and an arrangement for positionally adjusting the nozzle (or aperture arrangement) 42.
  • components 42 and 44 may essentially be configured and disposed in a manner similar to that described hereinabove with relation to FIGS. 1-6.
  • the stream of fluid or light is directed to a target which, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, may be embodied generally by a receptacle arrangement 46 (inasmuch as an intervening substrate or other material does not intercept this stream) , and - at least in the case of ink or fluid - return ink/fluid may progress through a conduit arrangement 46 back to the dispensing device 40.
  • a receptacle arrangement 46 inasmuch as an intervening substrate or other material does not intercept this stream
  • ink or fluid - return ink/fluid may progress through a conduit arrangement 46 back to the dispensing device 40.
  • any type of fluid or light stream may be provided or utilized.
  • Examples are wide and varied, and may include (while by no means being limited to) : provision of a water stream for high-pressure engraving or cutting; provision of an air or water stream for sandblasting; a plasma welding application, involving a plasma stream; a laser/shutter arrangement; and a mask/lens arrangement as employed in the semiconductor industry.
  • an orifice disk 10 as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c may include 2, 3 or more orifices as opposed to just one orifice 10a as shown.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

L'invention porte sur des procédés et des dispositifs de réglage et de maintien d'une position latérale ou radiale d'une buse telle qu'une buse d'une tête d'imprimante à jet d'encre. Etant donné que l'alignement d'un flux d'encre sortant d'une buse dans des applications à jet d'encre est généralement critique par le fait que le flux du jet d'encre doit être dirigé vers une zone cible spécifique, on a mis au point des dispositifs qui permettent d'activer la buse et de faire sortir le flux d'encre de sorte que celui-ci s'aligne avec précision à des fins de calibrage et de maintenance. De plus, le réglage est simplifié et, une fois effectué, il reste en position. Des principes similaires peuvent être appliqués à d'autres types de buse et de dispositifs desquels sort un autre type de fluide ou même la lumière.
PCT/US2005/021889 2004-06-18 2005-06-20 L'invention porte sur des procedes et des dispositifs de reglage et d'alignement de distributeurs de fluide et analogues tels que des tetes d'imprimantes a jet d'encre continu Ceased WO2006002143A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US58109604P 2004-06-18 2004-06-18
US60/581,096 2004-06-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006002143A2 true WO2006002143A2 (fr) 2006-01-05
WO2006002143A3 WO2006002143A3 (fr) 2006-06-01

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PCT/US2005/021889 Ceased WO2006002143A2 (fr) 2004-06-18 2005-06-20 L'invention porte sur des procedes et des dispositifs de reglage et d'alignement de distributeurs de fluide et analogues tels que des tetes d'imprimantes a jet d'encre continu

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109940990A (zh) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-28 邓前军 一种喷码机喷嘴片组件

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1462193A (en) * 1973-06-13 1977-01-19 Ici Ltd Pattern printing apparatus
JPH02145343A (ja) * 1988-11-28 1990-06-04 Minolta Camera Co Ltd インクジェット記録装置
JP2673837B2 (ja) * 1990-11-05 1997-11-05 シルバー精工株式会社 連続噴射型インクジェット記録装置
US6508532B1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2003-01-21 Eastman Kodak Company Active compensation for changes in the direction of drop ejection in an inkjet printhead having orifice restricting member

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109940990A (zh) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-28 邓前军 一种喷码机喷嘴片组件

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Publication number Publication date
WO2006002143A3 (fr) 2006-06-01

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