EP2148782B1 - Ink supply system for an inkjet printer - Google Patents

Ink supply system for an inkjet printer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2148782B1
EP2148782B1 EP08758474A EP08758474A EP2148782B1 EP 2148782 B1 EP2148782 B1 EP 2148782B1 EP 08758474 A EP08758474 A EP 08758474A EP 08758474 A EP08758474 A EP 08758474A EP 2148782 B1 EP2148782 B1 EP 2148782B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
supply system
ink supply
print head
intermediate tank
ink
Prior art date
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Application number
EP08758474A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2148782A1 (en
Inventor
Georg Grossrubatscher
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Durst Phototechnik AG
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Durst Phototechnik AG
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Priority to PL08758474T priority Critical patent/PL2148782T3/en
Publication of EP2148782A1 publication Critical patent/EP2148782A1/en
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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
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/145—Arrangement thereof
    • B41J2/155—Arrangement thereof for line printing
    • 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
    • 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
    • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/21—Line printing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ink supply system for an ink jet printer, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • Ink jet printers are already known in which printhead assemblies composed of multiple printheads are used. These printheads are lined up to span a full print area width that is a multiple of the print area width of a single printhead. Such print head arrangements are arranged stationary relative to a transport device on which the parts to be printed are transported during the printing process. Such an inkjet printer is for example in the document WO 2006/084614 described.
  • High power inkjet printers typically use printheads with a large number of nozzles. Such printheads with, for example, 128 nozzles per print head must be supplied with ink for trouble-free operation, the pressure of which must be in a very narrow tolerance range.
  • Ink jet printer as used in the WO 2006/084614 or US 2007/0070106 described and as so-called large format printer with print area widths up to several meters, have the advantage of a very high throughput through the use of the described stationary printhead assembly.
  • the narrow tolerance range for the ink pressure at the individual printheads requires a very high technical and therefore costly effort to ensure each individually required ink supply can.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to produce an ink supply system for an inkjet printer with a printhead assembly composed of individual printheads, which can be constructed inexpensively with relatively few simple technical components.
  • the object of the invention is achieved by an ink supply system according to the features of claim 1 solved.
  • the advantage here is that the supply of the same number of printheads by a common intermediate tank with a significant reduction in space requirements for the components of the ink supply system also achieves the advantage that by the reduction of the fluid pressure of the ink regulating components, the susceptibility of an ink jet printer equipped so much can be reduced.
  • the inlet channels as provided in claim 11, to form by tubing, have the advantage that thus a very flexible adaptation of the flow lengths of the inlet channels can be achieved.
  • a return channel by simply exchanging a hose of different lengths.
  • the Fig. 1 shows an ink jet printer 1 with an ink supply system 2.
  • the ink supply system 2 is shown only for a color or an ink.
  • ink supply systems 2 in the corresponding number of colors are to be provided.
  • the inkjet printer has a horizontally arranged transport device 3 for moving a printing part 4 lying on top of it in a feed direction 5 (as shown perpendicularly out of the plane of the drawing). Above the transport device 3 is a printhead assembly 6 with printheads 7, through which the printing member 4 moved beneath is printed with ink.
  • the transport device 3 is formed for example by a circulating conveyor belt, which is guided or driven via at least two deflection rollers.
  • the moving in the feed direction 5 upper portion of the conveyor belt is supported by one or more guide plates on its underside, so that a correspondingly uniform horizontal movement of the printing member 4 in the feed direction 5 is achieved.
  • the printhead assembly 6 has a plurality of printheads 7 for each color, so that the entire width of the print medium or the printing member 4 can be printed at once without the printhead assembly 6 having to move in the lateral direction with respect to the feed direction. That the printhead assembly 6 is stationary in the lateral direction and stationary with respect to the transport means 3 during printing.
  • Each of the print heads 7 has a nozzle row 8 formed by a plurality of juxtaposed and usually linearly aligned nozzles.
  • the nozzle row 8 contains, for example, 128 juxtaposed nozzles (for reasons of clarity in FIG Fig. 1 not shown).
  • a single print head 7 or a nozzle row 8 accordingly has a printing area width 9 measured perpendicular to the feed direction 5.
  • the print heads 7 and their nozzle rows 8 are lined up close to each other, so that a total print area width 10 of the print head assembly 6 results.
  • the print heads 7 must be arranged alternately offset with respect to the feed direction 5, which is shown in the illustration Fig. 1 additionally indicated by a slight vertical displacement. Instead of being perpendicular, the print heads 7 could also be arranged obliquely with respect to the feed direction 5, with a smaller printing area width 9 being able to be achieved conversely but a higher resolution or pixel density.
  • the ink supply system 2 first comprises a main tank 11 from which an intermediate tank 12 is supplied with ink.
  • an inlet channel 13 is provided with a pump 14.
  • To supply the printheads 7 from the intermediate tank 12 with ink this is connected to the printhead assembly 6 and the printheads 7 with a line network 15.
  • multiple printheads are each connected by a conduit to the common sub-tank 12. It is provided that all the intermediate tank 12 with the printheads 7 connecting line sections of the pipe network 15 have a directed from the intermediate tank 12 to the printheads 7 down slope. This has the advantage that air bubbles, which can arise from different causes in the pumped ink, can always escape upward and so a malfunction of a print head 7 is avoided.
  • the intermediate tank 12 is further connected to a vacuum pump 16 in such a way that the air located above a liquid level 17 of the ink can be set under negative pressure relative to the ambient air pressure. This is necessary to prevent leakage of the filled inks through the nozzle openings of the print heads 7 due to the dead weight of the ink.
  • a level sensor 18 with which the level of the liquid level 17 and the level of the intermediate tank 12 can be measured with ink arranged. With the help of the level sensor 18, the liquid level 17 can be monitored in the intermediate tank 12 in a controller 19 and always sufficient ink from the main tank 11 are refilled by appropriately driving the pump 14, that the liquid level 17 is kept constant.
  • the level of the liquid level 17 constant is important in that the hydrostatic pressure of the ink corresponding to the height difference between the liquid level 17 and the nozzle openings in the printheads 7 is responsible for the pressure ratios of the ink liquid in the printheads 7 and thus for trouble-free operation
  • the sum of the air pressure prevailing above the liquid level 17 in the intermediate tank 12 and the hydrostatic pressure must the ink liquid just equal to the atmospheric pressure of the environment.
  • the negative pressure or the pressure prevailing over the liquid level 17 air pressure must be set so that on the one hand it is not too low, thus preventing the ink from spilling out of the nozzles and on the other hand is not too high, otherwise ink in the Printhead interior is sucked and thus air from the outside can enter through the nozzle openings, which has a nozzle failure result when the piezochamber is filled with air.
  • Further effects, which may also have an influence on the printing situation in the print heads 7, are increasing pressure losses due to an increasing blockage of the possibly used degassing or filter units (in FIG Fig.
  • a manifold 20 is further provided in the intermediate tank 12 with the printheads 7 of the printhead assembly 6 connecting line network 15.
  • the distributor 20 is preferably formed by a distributor tube of constant tube cross-section and of straight shape.
  • outlet openings 21 are arranged for supply channels 22 for the print heads 7, wherein distances of successive outlet openings 21 are equidistant with respect to a longitudinal extent of the manifold.
  • a distance between two successive outlet openings 21 is preferably equal to the pressure area width 9, ie a distance between two successive print heads 7.
  • the distributor tube 20 is substantially straight and parallel to the extension of the Printhead assembly 6 corresponding to the entire printing area width 10 is arranged.
  • printheads 7 can be assembled into a structural unit, ie a so-called printhead module.
  • the above description with regard to the print area widths 9 of the print heads 7 and the structure of the print head arrangement 6 can thus be transferred analogously to printhead modules formed from a plurality of print heads 7.
  • an inlet channel 22 is provided for supplying such a printhead module formed of a plurality of printheads 7 with ink. Accordingly, the distance between two successive outlet openings is then equal to the distance or the print area width of two successive printhead modules.
  • the line connecting the intermediate tank 12 with a print head 7 or a print head module thus comprises a first line section 23 common to a plurality of print heads 7 or a plurality of print head modules and a respective own feed channel 22 to the print head 7 or to the print head module.
  • the leading to the printheads 7 inlet channels 22 are preferably formed by flexible tubes.
  • a length 24 of each successive inlet channels 22 is dimensioned smaller, the greater is a relative to the longitudinal extent of the manifold 20 measured distance of the respective outlet opening 21 of the intermediate tank. In this case, a highest point 25 of the manifold 20 is connected to the intermediate tank 12.
  • the lengths 24 of the inlet channels 22 are so dimensioned that for the operating state of the maximum ink ejection through the nozzles of the print heads 7, the sum of the pressure losses caused by the flow resistances in the respective inlet channel 22 and the corresponding line section 23, for all on the manifold 20 connected inlet channels 22 are as equal as possible.
  • this is inclined relative to a horizontal plane by an angle 26.
  • This angle 26 is variable, in which the distributor tube 20 is mounted on an adjusting device 27, so that the inclination can be adjusted.
  • the adjusting device 27 may alternatively also by a different than in the Fig. 1 be shown holder realized.
  • the two ends of the manifold 20 - provided for example with oblong holes - vertically adjustable to attach to a frame part of the ink jet printer 1 by screwing. This has the advantage of even more stable attachment.
  • the angle 26 of the inclination of the manifold 20 is preferably dimensioned so that the inlet channels 22 are in a largely extended position.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink supply system (2) for an inkjet printer (1) having a print head arrangement (6) for at least one color, the print head arrangement (6) comprising a plurality of print heads (7) each having a plurality of nozzles and the print heads (7) being lined up to form a total print area width (10) corresponding to a multiple of a print area width (9) of a single print head (7). Each of the print heads (7) is connected via a line to an intermediate tank (12) for ink of the corresponding color, a plurality of print heads (7) being connected to a common intermediate tank (12).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Tintenversorgungssystem für einen Tintenstrahldrucker, entsprechend den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to an ink supply system for an ink jet printer, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Es sind bereits Tintenstrahldrucker bekannt, bei denen Druckkopfanordnungen verwendet werden, die aus mehreren Druckköpfen zusammengesetzt sind. Diese Druckköpfe sind so aneinander gereiht, dass sie eine gesamte Druckbereichsbreite, die einem Vielfachen der Druckbereichsbreite eines einzelnen Druckkopfs entspricht, überspannen. Derartige Druckkopfanordnungen sind relativ zu einer Transporteinrichtung, auf der die zu bedruckenden Teile während des Druckvorganges Transportiert werden, stationär angeordnet. Ein derartiger Tintenstrahldrucker ist beispielsweise in dem Dokument WO 2006/084614 beschrieben.Ink jet printers are already known in which printhead assemblies composed of multiple printheads are used. These printheads are lined up to span a full print area width that is a multiple of the print area width of a single printhead. Such print head arrangements are arranged stationary relative to a transport device on which the parts to be printed are transported during the printing process. Such an inkjet printer is for example in the document WO 2006/084614 described.

Aus dem Dokument DE 24 49 732 ist aber auch bereits ein Tintenversorgungssystem für einen Tintenstrahldrucker bekannt, das derart ausgebildet ist, dass dem Druckkopf stets Tinte mit einem annähernd konstanten Druck zugeführt wird.From the document DE 24 49 732 However, an ink supply system for an ink jet printer is already known, which is designed in such a way that ink is always supplied to the print head at an approximately constant pressure.

In Tintenstrahldruckern hoher Leistung werden üblicherweise Druckköpfe mit sehr vielen Düsen verwendet. Derartige Druckköpfe mit beispielsweise 128 Düsen je Druckkopf müssen für einen störungsfreien Betrieb mit Tinte versorgt werden, deren Druck in einem sehr engen Toleranzbereich liegen muss. Tintenstrahldrucker, wie sie in der WO 2006/084614 oder US 2007/0070106 beschrieben sind und als so genannte Großformatdrucker mit Druckbereichsbreiten bis zu mehreren Metern, haben durch die Verwendung der beschriebenen stationären Druckkopfanordnung den Vorteil einer sehr hohen Durchsatzleistung. Andererseits erfordert der enge Toleranzbereich für den Tintendruck an den einzelnen Druckköpfen einen sehr hohen technischen und folglich kostenintensiven Aufwand, die jeweils individuell erforderliche Tintenversorgung sicherstellen zu können.High power inkjet printers typically use printheads with a large number of nozzles. Such printheads with, for example, 128 nozzles per print head must be supplied with ink for trouble-free operation, the pressure of which must be in a very narrow tolerance range. Ink jet printer, as used in the WO 2006/084614 or US 2007/0070106 described and as so-called large format printer with print area widths up to several meters, have the advantage of a very high throughput through the use of the described stationary printhead assembly. On the other hand, the narrow tolerance range for the ink pressure at the individual printheads requires a very high technical and therefore costly effort to ensure each individually required ink supply can.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es daher, ein Tintenversorgungssystem für einen Tintenstrahldrucker mit einer aus einzelnen Druckköpfen zusammengesetzten Druckkopfanordnung herzustellen, das mit relativ wenigen, einfachen technischen Komponenten kostengünstig aufgebaut werden kann.The object of the present invention is therefore to produce an ink supply system for an inkjet printer with a printhead assembly composed of individual printheads, which can be constructed inexpensively with relatively few simple technical components.

Die Aufgabe der Erfindung wird durch ein Tintenversorgungssystem entsprechend den Merkmalen des Anspruches 1 gelöst. Von Vorteil ist dabei, für die Versorgung gleich mehrerer Druckköpfe durch einen gemeinsamen Zwischentank wird mit einer wesentlichen Reduktion des Platzbedarfs für die Komponenten des Tintenversorgungssystems auch der Vorteil erzielt, dass durch die Reduktion von dem Flüssigkeitsdruck der Tinte regulierenden Komponenten die Fehleranfälligkeit eines damit ausgestatteten Tintenstrahldruckers wesentlich reduziert werden kann.The object of the invention is achieved by an ink supply system according to the features of claim 1 solved. The advantage here is that the supply of the same number of printheads by a common intermediate tank with a significant reduction in space requirements for the components of the ink supply system also achieves the advantage that by the reduction of the fluid pressure of the ink regulating components, the susceptibility of an ink jet printer equipped so much can be reduced.

Von Vorteil sind auch die Weiterbildungen des Tintenversorgungssystems gemäß den Ansprüchen 2 bis 4, da damit die Dimensionierbarkeit der einzelnen Leitungsabschnitte des Leitungsnetzes erleichtert wird. Die Weiterbildung gemäß Anspruch 5, wonach das Verteilerrohr gegenüber einer horizontalen Ebene um einen Winkel geneigt ist, als auch die Weiterbildungen gemäß den Ansprüchen 6 und 7 berücksichtigt in vorteilhafter Weise die unterschiedlichen Längen der Zulaufkanäle zu den Druckköpfen bzw. zu den Druckkopfmodulen und stellt gleichzeitig sicher, dass in der Tinte vorhandene Luftbläschen ungehindert nach oben, d.h. vom Zwischengang hin, entweichen können.Also advantageous are the developments of the ink supply system according to claims 2 to 4, as this the ease of dimensioning of the individual line sections of the pipe network is facilitated. The development according to claim 5, wherein the manifold is inclined relative to a horizontal plane by an angle, as well as the developments according to claims 6 and 7 taken into account advantageously the different lengths of the feed channels to the printheads or to the printhead modules and simultaneously ensures in that air bubbles present in the ink flow unhindered upward, ie from the intermediate passage, can escape.

Von Vorteil sind auch die Weiterbildungen des Tintenversorgungssystems gemäß den Ansprüchen 8 und 9, da damit das den Zwischengang mit den Druckköpfen verbindende Leitungssystem einfach aufgebaut werden kann.Also advantageous are the developments of the ink supply system according to claims 8 and 9, since thus the intermediate system with the printheads connecting line system can be easily constructed.

Durch die Weiterbildung des Tintenversorgungssystems gemäß Anspruch 10 können in vorteilhafter Weise weitestgehend gleiche Druckverhältnisse der Tintenflüssigkeit in den Druckköpfen erzielt werden.Due to the development of the ink supply system according to claim 10 can be achieved in the printheads advantageously largely the same pressure conditions of the ink liquid.

Die Zulaufkanäle, wie im Anspruch 11 vorgesehen, durch Schläuche zu bilden, haben den Vorteil, dass damit eine sehr flexible Anpassung der Strömungslängen der Zulaufkanäle erreicht werden kann. Insbesondere ist es bei erforderlichen Korrekturen des notwendigen Strömungswiderstandes einfach möglich, einen Zurücklaufkanal durch einfaches Austauschen eines Schlauchs unterschiedlicher Länge zu erreichen.The inlet channels, as provided in claim 11, to form by tubing, have the advantage that thus a very flexible adaptation of the flow lengths of the inlet channels can be achieved. In particular, with necessary corrections of the necessary flow resistance, it is easily possible to achieve a return channel by simply exchanging a hose of different lengths.

Durch die Weiterbildung des Tintenversorgungssystems gemäß Anspruch 12 wird der Vorteil erzielt, dass damit die durch Schläuche gebildeten Zulaufkanäle möglichst in gestreckter Lage eingestellt werden können.The further development of the ink supply system according to claim 12 achieves the advantage that the supply channels formed by tubes can be adjusted as far as possible in the extended position.

Durch das Anschließen einer Vakuumpumpe an den Zwischentank, gemäß Anspruch 13, kann erreicht werden, dass ein unerwünschtes Ausfließen von Tinte aus den Düsen der Drückköpfe verhindert wird.By connecting a vacuum pump to the intermediate tank, according to claim 13, it can be achieved that an undesirable outflow of ink from the nozzles of the spinning heads is prevented.

Von Vorteil sind auch die Weiterbildungen des Tintenversorgungssystems gemäß den Ansprüchen 14 und 15, da dadurch eine automatisierte Überwachung als auch Regelung des Füllstands in den Zwischentank möglich ist.Also advantageous are the developments of the ink supply system according to claims 14 and 15, as this automated monitoring and control of the level in the sub-tank is possible.

Zum besseren Verständnis der Erfindung wird diese anhand der nachfolgenden Figur näher erläutert.For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figure.

Es zeigt in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung:

Fig. 1
einen Tintenstrahldrucker mit einem Tintenversorgungssystem.
It shows in a schematically simplified representation:
Fig. 1
an ink jet printer with an ink supply system.

Einführen sei festgehalten, dass in den unterschiedlich beschriebenen Ausführungsformen gleiche Teile mit gleichen Bezugszeichen bzw. gleichen Bauteilbezeichnungen versehen werden, wobei die in der gesamten Beschreibung enthaltenen Offenbarungen sinngemäß auf gleiche Teile mit gleichen Bezugszeichen bzw. gleichen Bauteilbezeichnungen übertragen werden können. Auch sind die in der Beschreibung gewählten Lageangaben, wie z.B. oben, unten, seitlich usw. auf die unmittelbar beschriebene sowie dargestellte Figur bezogen und sind bei einer Lageänderung sinngemäß auf die neue Lage zu übertragen. Weiters können auch Einzelmerkmale oder Merkmalskombinationen aus den gezeigten und beschriebenen unterschiedlichen Ausführungsbeispielen für sich eigenständige, erfinderische oder erfindungsgemäße Lösungen darstellen.It should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component designations, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or identical component names. Also, the location information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are to be transferred to the new situation mutatis mutandis when a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

Die Fig. 1 zeigt einen Tintenstrahldrucker 1 mit einem Tintenversorgungssystem 2. Aus Gründen der besseren Übersichtlichkeit ist dabei das Tintenversorgungssystem 2 nur für eine Farbe bzw. eine Tinte dargestellt. Für einen Tintenstrahldrucker 1 zum Drucken mehrfarbiger Bilder sind demnach Tintenversorgungssysteme 2 in der entsprechenden Anzahl der Farben vorzusehen.The Fig. 1 shows an ink jet printer 1 with an ink supply system 2. For reasons of clarity, the ink supply system 2 is shown only for a color or an ink. For an ink jet printer 1 for printing multicolored images, therefore, ink supply systems 2 in the corresponding number of colors are to be provided.

Der Tintenstrahldrucker weist eine horizontal angeordnete Transporteinrichtung 3 zum Bewegen eines drauf liegenden, zu bedruckenden Druckteils 4 in einer Vorschubrichtung 5 (gemäß Darstellung senkrecht aus der Zeichenebene heraus) auf. Über der Transporteinrichtung 3 befindet sich eine Druckkopfanordnung 6 mit Druckköpfen 7, durch die der darunter vorbeibewegte Druckteil 4 mit Tinte bedruckt wird.The inkjet printer has a horizontally arranged transport device 3 for moving a printing part 4 lying on top of it in a feed direction 5 (as shown perpendicularly out of the plane of the drawing). Above the transport device 3 is a printhead assembly 6 with printheads 7, through which the printing member 4 moved beneath is printed with ink.

Die Transporteinrichtung 3 wird beispielsweise durch ein umlaufendes Förderband gebildet, das über zumindest zwei Umlenkrollen geführt bzw. angetrieben wird. Der in Vorschubrichtung 5 bewegte obere Abschnitt des Förderbands ist dabei durch eine oder mehrere Führungsplatten an seiner Unterseite gestützt, sodass eine entsprechend gleichmäßige horizontale Bewegung des Druckteils 4 in Vorschubrichtung 5 erreicht wird. Die Druckkopfanordnung 6 weist zu einer jeden Farbe eine Mehrzahl von Druckköpfen 7 auf, sodass die gesamte Breite des Druckmediums bzw. des Druckteils 4 auf einmal bedruckt werden kann, ohne dass sich die Druckkopfanordnung 6 in bezüglich der Vorschubrichtung seitliche Richtung bewegen muss. D.h. die Druckkopfanordnung 6 ist in seitlicher Richtung feststehend bzw. bezüglich der Transporteinrichtung 3 während des Druckens stationär angeordnet.The transport device 3 is formed for example by a circulating conveyor belt, which is guided or driven via at least two deflection rollers. The moving in the feed direction 5 upper portion of the conveyor belt is supported by one or more guide plates on its underside, so that a correspondingly uniform horizontal movement of the printing member 4 in the feed direction 5 is achieved. The printhead assembly 6 has a plurality of printheads 7 for each color, so that the entire width of the print medium or the printing member 4 can be printed at once without the printhead assembly 6 having to move in the lateral direction with respect to the feed direction. That the printhead assembly 6 is stationary in the lateral direction and stationary with respect to the transport means 3 during printing.

Jeder der Druckköpfe 7 weist eine durch eine Vielzahl nebeneinander liegender und üblicherweise linear ausgerichteter Düsen gebildete Düsenreihe 8 auf. Bei Druckköpfen 7, wie sie in den so genannten Großformatdruckern üblicherweise verwendet werden, zumeist auf Basis piezoelektrischen Tintenausstoßes, enthält die Düsenreihe 8 beispielsweise 128 nebeneinander angeordnete Düsen (aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit in Fig. 1 nicht dargestellt). Ein einzelner Druckkopf 7 bzw. eine Düsenreihe 8 weist dementsprechend eine senkrecht bezüglich der Vorschubrichtung 5 gemessene Druckbereichsbreite 9 auf. Die Druckköpfe 7 bzw. deren Düsenreihen 8 sind dicht an dicht aneinander gereiht, sodass sich eine gesamte Druckbereichsbreite 10 der Druckkopfanordnung 6 ergibt. Damit die Druckbereichsbreite 9 der Düsenreihen 8 lückenlos aneinander gereiht werden können, müssen die Druckköpfe 7 bezüglich der Vorschubrichtung 5 abwechselnd versetzt angeordnet werden, was in der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1 zusätzlich durch eine leicht vertikale Versetzung angedeutet ist. Die Druckköpfe 7 könnten anstatt senkrecht auch schräg bezüglich der Vorschubrichtung 5 angeordnet sein, wobei sich dabei eine kleinere Druckbereichsbreite 9 umgekehrt aber eine höhere Auflösung bzw. Bildpunktdichte erreichen lässt.Each of the print heads 7 has a nozzle row 8 formed by a plurality of juxtaposed and usually linearly aligned nozzles. For printheads 7, as they are commonly used in the so-called large-format printers, mostly based on piezoelectric ink ejection, the nozzle row 8 contains, for example, 128 juxtaposed nozzles (for reasons of clarity in FIG Fig. 1 not shown). A single print head 7 or a nozzle row 8 accordingly has a printing area width 9 measured perpendicular to the feed direction 5. The print heads 7 and their nozzle rows 8 are lined up close to each other, so that a total print area width 10 of the print head assembly 6 results. So that the print area width 9 of the nozzle rows 8 can be lined up without gaps, the print heads 7 must be arranged alternately offset with respect to the feed direction 5, which is shown in the illustration Fig. 1 additionally indicated by a slight vertical displacement. Instead of being perpendicular, the print heads 7 could also be arranged obliquely with respect to the feed direction 5, with a smaller printing area width 9 being able to be achieved conversely but a higher resolution or pixel density.

Das Tintenversorgungssystem 2 umfasst zunächst einen Haupttank 11, aus dem ein Zwischentank 12 mit Tinte versorgt wird. Dazu ist ein Zulaufkanal 13 mit einer Pumpe 14 vorgesehen. Zur Versorgung der Druckköpfe 7 aus dem Zwischentank 12 mit Tinte, ist dieser mit der Druckkopfanordnung 6 bzw. den Druckköpfen 7 mit einem Leitungsnetz 15 verbunden. Somit sind mehrere Druckköpfe jeweils durch eine Leitung mit dem gemeinsamen Zwischentank 12 verbunden. Dabei ist vorgesehen, dass alle den Zwischentank 12 mit den Druckköpfen 7 verbindenden Leitungsabschnitte des Leitungsnetzes 15 ein von dem Zwischentank 12 zu den Druckköpfen 7 hin gerichtetes Gefälle aufweisen. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass Luftbläschen, die aus unterschiedlichen Ursachen in der geförderten Tinte entstehen können, stets nach oben hin entweichen können und so eine Funktionsstörung eines Druckkopfes 7 vermieden wird.The ink supply system 2 first comprises a main tank 11 from which an intermediate tank 12 is supplied with ink. For this purpose, an inlet channel 13 is provided with a pump 14. To supply the printheads 7 from the intermediate tank 12 with ink, this is connected to the printhead assembly 6 and the printheads 7 with a line network 15. Thus, multiple printheads are each connected by a conduit to the common sub-tank 12. It is provided that all the intermediate tank 12 with the printheads 7 connecting line sections of the pipe network 15 have a directed from the intermediate tank 12 to the printheads 7 down slope. This has the advantage that air bubbles, which can arise from different causes in the pumped ink, can always escape upward and so a malfunction of a print head 7 is avoided.

Der Zwischentank 12 steht weiters mit einer Vakuumpumpe 16 derart in Verbindung, das die über einem Flüssigkeitsspiegel 17 der Tinte befindliche Luft relativ zum Umgebungsluftdruck unter Unterdruck gesetzt werden kann. Dies ist deshalb erforderlich, um ein Auslaufen der gefüllten Tinten durch die Düsenöffnungen der Druckköpfe 7 aufgrund des Eigengewichtes der Tinte zu verhindern. In dem Zwischentank 12 ist weiters ein Füllstandsensor 18, mit dem das Niveau des Flüssigkeitsspiegels 17 bzw. der Füllstand des Zwischentanks 12 mit Tinte gemessen werden kann, angeordnet. Mit Hilfe des Füllstandsensors 18 kann in einer Steuerung 19 der Flüssigkeitsspiegel 17 in dem Zwischentank 12 überwacht werden und durch entsprechendes Ansteuern der Pumpe 14 immer soviel Tinte aus dem Haupttank 11 nachgefüllt werden, dass der Flüssigkeitsspiegel 17 konstant gehalten wird.The intermediate tank 12 is further connected to a vacuum pump 16 in such a way that the air located above a liquid level 17 of the ink can be set under negative pressure relative to the ambient air pressure. This is necessary to prevent leakage of the filled inks through the nozzle openings of the print heads 7 due to the dead weight of the ink. In the intermediate tank 12 is further a level sensor 18, with which the level of the liquid level 17 and the level of the intermediate tank 12 can be measured with ink arranged. With the help of the level sensor 18, the liquid level 17 can be monitored in the intermediate tank 12 in a controller 19 and always sufficient ink from the main tank 11 are refilled by appropriately driving the pump 14, that the liquid level 17 is kept constant.

Das Niveau des Flüssigkeitsspiegels 17 konstant zu halten, ist insofern wichtig, als der der Höhendifferenz zwischen dem Flüssigkeitsspiegel 17 und den Düsenöffnungen in den Druckköpfen 7 entsprechende hydrostatische Druck der Tinte für die Druckverhältnisse der Tintenflüssigkeit in den Druckköpfen 7 und somit für einen störungsfreien Betrieb mitverantwortlich ist: So muss im stationären Fall, d.h., wenn durch die Düsen der Druckköpfe 7 keine Tinte ausgestoßen wird und somit kein Fließen der Tinte in dem Leitungsnetz 15 stattfindet, die Summe aus dem über dem Flüssigkeitsspiegel 17 in den Zwischentank 12 herrschenden Luftdruck und dem hydrostatischen Druck der Tintenflüssigkeit gerade gleich sein dem Luftdruck der Umgebung. Im Betriebszustand, in dem durch die Düsen der Druckköpfe 7 Tinte ausgestoßen wird, kommt es durch den mit dem Fließen der Tinte in den Leitungen des Leitungsnetzes 15 verbundenen Strömungswiderstand zu einem den Flüssigkeitsdruck der Tinte in den Druckköpfen 7 reduzierenden Druckverlust. Der durch die Vakuumpumpe 16 über dem Flüssigkeitsspiegel 17 in dem Zwischentank 12 erzeugte Luftdruck soll folglich so eingestellt werden, dass sich der Flüssigkeitsdruck der Tinte in den Druckköpfen 7 in jedem Betriebszustand zwischen Stillstand und maximalem Tintenausstoß in einem für den störungsfreien Betrieb der Druckköpfe 7 geforderten Druck-Toleranzfeld befindet.Keeping the level of the liquid level 17 constant is important in that the hydrostatic pressure of the ink corresponding to the height difference between the liquid level 17 and the nozzle openings in the printheads 7 is responsible for the pressure ratios of the ink liquid in the printheads 7 and thus for trouble-free operation Thus, in the stationary case, ie when no ink is ejected through the nozzles of the print heads 7 and thus there is no flow of the ink in the pipe network 15, the sum of the air pressure prevailing above the liquid level 17 in the intermediate tank 12 and the hydrostatic pressure must the ink liquid just equal to the atmospheric pressure of the environment. In the operating state in which ink is ejected by the nozzles of the print heads 7, it comes by the flow of the ink in the lines of the piping network 15 connected to a flow reducing the fluid pressure of the ink in the print heads 7 pressure loss. The air pressure generated by the vacuum pump 16 above the liquid level 17 in the sub-tank 12 should thus be adjusted so that the liquid pressure of the ink in the printheads 7 in each operating state between standstill and maximum ink ejection in a required for the trouble-free operation of the print heads 7 pressure Tolerance field is located.

Ganz allgemein gesprochen, muss der Unterdruck bzw. der über den Flüssigkeitsspiegel 17 herrschende Luftdruck so eingestellt werden, dass er einerseits nicht zu niedrig ist und somit ein Ausrinnen der Tinte aus den Düsen verhindert wird und andererseits nicht zu hoch ist, da ansonsten Tinte in das Druckkopfinnere gesaugt wird und somit Luft von außen durch die Düsenöffnungen eintreten kann, was einen Düsenausfall zur Folge hat, wenn die Piezokammer mit Luft gefüllt wird. Weitere Effekte, die ebenfalls einen Einfluss auf die Drucksituation in den Druckköpfen 7 haben können, sind anwachsende Druckverluste aufgrund einer zunehmenden Verstopfung der eventuell eingesetzten Entgasungs- oder Filtereinheiten (in Fig. 1 nicht dargestellt) in den Leitungen des Leitungsnetzes 15. Weiters sind auch Druckschwankungen, die beim Nachfüllen der Tinte in den Zwischentank 12 auftreten können, als auch Druckschwankungen aufgrund von Niveauunterschieden des Flüssigkeitsspiegels 17 in dem Zwischentank 12, wie vorhin bereits erwähnt, möglich. Der Strömungswiderstand bzw. die Rohrreibungsverluste werden andererseits stark von Leitungslängen als auch Leistungsquerschnitten der Leitungen in dem Leitungsnetz 15 beeinflusst.Generally speaking, the negative pressure or the pressure prevailing over the liquid level 17 air pressure must be set so that on the one hand it is not too low, thus preventing the ink from spilling out of the nozzles and on the other hand is not too high, otherwise ink in the Printhead interior is sucked and thus air from the outside can enter through the nozzle openings, which has a nozzle failure result when the piezochamber is filled with air. Further effects, which may also have an influence on the printing situation in the print heads 7, are increasing pressure losses due to an increasing blockage of the possibly used degassing or filter units (in FIG Fig. 1 Furthermore, pressure fluctuations that may occur when refilling the ink in the intermediate tank 12, as well as pressure fluctuations due to differences in level of the liquid level 17 in the sub-tank 12, as already mentioned above, possible. On the other hand, the flow resistance or the pipe friction losses are strongly influenced by line lengths as well as power cross sections of the lines in the line network 15.

Bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Tintenversorgungssystem ist zunächst vorgesehen, dass mehrere Druckköpfe 7 mit dem gemeinsamen Zwischentank 12 verbunden sind und mit Tinte der jeweiligen Farbe versorgt werden. In dem den Zwischentank 12 mit den Druckköpfen 7 der Druckkopfanordnung 6 verbindenden Leitungsnetz 15 ist weiters ein Verteiler 20 vorgesehen. Der Verteilter 20 wird vorzugsweise durch ein Verteilerrohr mit konstantem Rohrquerschnitt und von gerader Form gebildet. In dem Verteilerrohr 20 sind Austrittsöffnungen 21 für Zulaufkanäle 22 für die Druckköpfe 7 angeordnet, wobei Abstände aufeinander folgender Austrittsöffnungen 21 äquidistant bezüglich einer Längserstreckung des Verteilerrohrs sind. Ein Abstand zwischen zwei aufeinander folgenden Austrittsöffnungen 21 ist vorzugsweise gleich der Druckbereichsbreite 9, d.h. einem Abstand zweier aufeinander folgender Druckköpfe 7. Das Verteilerrohr 20 ist dabei im Wesentlichen gerade und parallel zur Erstreckung der Druckkopfanordnung 6 entsprechend der gesamten Druckbereichsbreite 10 angeordnet.In the ink supply system according to the invention, it is first provided that a plurality of print heads 7 are connected to the common intermediate tank 12 and supplied with ink of the respective color. In the intermediate tank 12 with the printheads 7 of the printhead assembly 6 connecting line network 15, a manifold 20 is further provided. The distributor 20 is preferably formed by a distributor tube of constant tube cross-section and of straight shape. In the manifold 20 outlet openings 21 are arranged for supply channels 22 for the print heads 7, wherein distances of successive outlet openings 21 are equidistant with respect to a longitudinal extent of the manifold. A distance between two successive outlet openings 21 is preferably equal to the pressure area width 9, ie a distance between two successive print heads 7. The distributor tube 20 is substantially straight and parallel to the extension of the Printhead assembly 6 corresponding to the entire printing area width 10 is arranged.

So wie auch in der WO 2006/084614 A beschrieben, können mehrere Druckköpfe 7 zu einer baulichen Einheit, d.h. einem so genannten Druckkopfmodul zusammengesetzt sein. Die oben stehende Beschreibung hinsichtlich der Druckbereichsbreiten 9 der Druckköpfe 7 und des Aufbaus der Druckkopfanordnung 6 kann somit sinngemäß auch auf aus mehreren Druckköpfen 7 gebildete Druckkopfmodule übertragen werden. Erfindungsgemäß kann somit auch vorgesehen sein, dass jeweils ein Zulaufkanal 22 zur Versorgung eines solchen aus mehreren Druckköpfen 7 gebildeten Druckkopfmoduls mit Tinte vorgesehen ist. Dem entsprechend ist dann der Abstand zwischen zwei aufeinander folgenden Austrittsöffnungen gleich dem Abstand bzw. der Druckbereichsbreite zweier aufeinander folgender Druckkopfmodule.As well as in the WO 2006/084614 A described, several printheads 7 can be assembled into a structural unit, ie a so-called printhead module. The above description with regard to the print area widths 9 of the print heads 7 and the structure of the print head arrangement 6 can thus be transferred analogously to printhead modules formed from a plurality of print heads 7. According to the invention can thus also be provided that in each case an inlet channel 22 is provided for supplying such a printhead module formed of a plurality of printheads 7 with ink. Accordingly, the distance between two successive outlet openings is then equal to the distance or the print area width of two successive printhead modules.

Die den Zwischentank 12 mit einem Druckkopf 7 bzw. einem Druckkopfmodul verbindende Leitung umfasst somit einen ersten, mehreren Druckköpfen 7 bzw. mehreren Druckkopfmodulen gemeinsamen Leitungsabschnitt 23 und einen jeweils eigenen Zulaufkanal 22 zu dem Druckkopf 7 bzw. zu dem Druckkopfmodul. Die zu den Druckköpfen 7 führenden Zulaufkanäle 22 sind vorzugsweise durch flexible Schläuche gebildet. Eine Länge 24 jeweils aufeinander folgender Zulaufkanäle 22 ist dabei umso kleiner bemessen, je größer ein bezüglich der Längserstreckung des Verteilerrohrs 20 gemessener Abstand der jeweiligen Austrittsöffnung 21 von dem Zwischentank ist. Dabei ist ein höchst gelegener Punkt 25 des Verteilerrohrs 20 mit dem Zwischentank 12 verbunden. Die Längen 24 der Zulaufkanäle 22 werden so bemessen, dass für den Betriebszustand des maximalen Tintenausstoßes durch die Düsen der Druckköpfe 7 die Summe der Druckverluste, die durch die Strömungswiderstände in dem jeweiligen Zulaufkanal 22 und dem entsprechenden Leitungsabschnitt 23 hervorgerufen werden, für alle an dem Verteilerrohr 20 angeschlossenen Zulaufkanäle 22 möglichst gleich groß sind.The line connecting the intermediate tank 12 with a print head 7 or a print head module thus comprises a first line section 23 common to a plurality of print heads 7 or a plurality of print head modules and a respective own feed channel 22 to the print head 7 or to the print head module. The leading to the printheads 7 inlet channels 22 are preferably formed by flexible tubes. A length 24 of each successive inlet channels 22 is dimensioned smaller, the greater is a relative to the longitudinal extent of the manifold 20 measured distance of the respective outlet opening 21 of the intermediate tank. In this case, a highest point 25 of the manifold 20 is connected to the intermediate tank 12. The lengths 24 of the inlet channels 22 are so dimensioned that for the operating state of the maximum ink ejection through the nozzles of the print heads 7, the sum of the pressure losses caused by the flow resistances in the respective inlet channel 22 and the corresponding line section 23, for all on the manifold 20 connected inlet channels 22 are as equal as possible.

Für das in dem Leitungsnetz 15 vorgesehene Verteilerrohr 20 ist weiters vorgesehen, dass dieses gegenüber einer horizontalen Ebene um einen Winkel 26 geneigt ist. Dieser Winkel 26 ist veränderbar, in dem das Verteilrohr 20 an einer Justiereinrichtung 27 gelagert ist, sodass die Neigung eingestellt werden kann. Die Justiereinrichtung 27 kann alternativ auch durch eine anders als in der Fig. 1 dargestellte Halterung realisiert sein. So ist es vorteilhaft möglich, die beiden Enden des Verteilerrohrs 20 - beispielsweise mit Langlöchern versehen - vertikal verstellbar an einem Rahmenteil des Tintenstrahldruckers 1 durch Verschraubungen zu befestigen. Dies hat den Vorteil einer noch stabileren Befestigung. Der Winkel 26 der Neigung des Verteilerrohrs 20 wird vorzugsweise so bemessen, dass die Zulaufkanäle 22 sich in weitestgehend gestreckter Lage befinden. Mit dieser Anordnung des Verteilerrohrs 20 und der Zulaufkanäle 22 wird erreicht, dass in allen Druckköpfen 7 der Druckkopfanordnung 6 im Wesentlichen gleiche Druckzustände der Tintenflüssigkeit herrschen und andererseits wird damit auch erreicht, dass alle Leitungsabschnitte in dem Leitungsnetz 15 ein Gefälle aufweisen, sodass möglicherweise entstehende Luftbläschen stets ungehindert nach oben hin entweichen können.For the provided in the piping 15 distribution pipe 20 is further provided that this is inclined relative to a horizontal plane by an angle 26. This angle 26 is variable, in which the distributor tube 20 is mounted on an adjusting device 27, so that the inclination can be adjusted. The adjusting device 27 may alternatively also by a different than in the Fig. 1 be shown holder realized. Thus, it is advantageously possible, the two ends of the manifold 20 - provided for example with oblong holes - vertically adjustable to attach to a frame part of the ink jet printer 1 by screwing. This has the advantage of even more stable attachment. The angle 26 of the inclination of the manifold 20 is preferably dimensioned so that the inlet channels 22 are in a largely extended position. With this arrangement of the manifold 20 and the inlet channels 22 is achieved that prevail in all printheads 7 of the printhead assembly 6 substantially equal pressure states of the ink liquid and on the other hand it is also achieved that all line sections in the pipe network 15 have a slope, so possibly resulting air bubbles can always escape unhindered upwards.

Sämtliche Angaben zu Wertebereichen in gegenständlicher Beschreibung sind so zu verstehen, dass diese beliebige und alle Teilbereiche daraus mit umfassen, z.B. ist die Angabe 1 bis 10 so zu verstehen, dass sämtliche Teilbereiche, ausgehend von der unteren Grenze 1 und der oberen Grenze 10 mitumfasst sind, d.h. sämtliche Teilbereich beginnen mit einer unteren Grenze von 1 oder größer und enden bei einer oberen Grenze von 10 oder weniger, z.B. 1 bis 1,7, oder 3,2 bis 8,1 oder 5,5 bis 10.All statements on ranges of values in the description of the present invention should be understood to include any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the indication 1 to 10 should be understood to include all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i. all subregions begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1 or 5.5 to 10.

Die Ausführungsbeispiele zeigen mögliche Ausführungsvarianten des Tintenversorgungssystems, wobei an dieser Stelle bemerkt sei, dass die Erfindung nicht auf die speziell dargestellten Ausführungsvarianten desselben eingeschränkt ist, sondern vielmehr auch diverse Kombinationen der einzelnen Ausführungsvarianten untereinander möglich sind und diese Variationsmöglichkeit aufgrund der Lehre zum technischen Handeln durch gegenständliche Erfindung im Können des auf diesem technischen Gebiet tätigen Fachmannes liegt. Es sind also auch sämtliche denkbaren Ausführungsvarianten, die durch Kombinationen einzelner Details der dargestellten und beschriebenen Ausführungsvariante möglich sind, vom Schutzumfang mit umfasst.The embodiments show possible embodiments of the ink supply system, it being noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but also various combinations of the individual embodiments are possible with each other and this variation possibility due to the teaching of technical action by representational Invention in the skill of those skilled in this technical field. So are all conceivable embodiments, which are possible by combinations of individual details of the illustrated and described embodiment variant, includes the scope of protection.

Der Ordnung halber sei abschließend darauf hingewiesen, dass zum besseren Verständnis des Aufbaus des Tintenversorgungssystems dieses bzw. dessen Bestandteile teilweise unmaßstäblich und/oder vergrößert und/oder verkleinert dargestellt wurden.For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that in order to better understand the structure of the ink supply system, this or its components have been shown partially unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

Die den eigenständigen erfinderischen Lösungen zugrunde liegende Aufgabe kann der Beschreibung entnommen werden.The problem underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description.

BezugszeichenaufstellungREFERENCE NUMBERS

11
Tintenstrahldruckerinkjet
22
TintenversorgungssystemInk supply system
33
Transporteinrichtungtransport means
44
Druckteilpressure part
55
Vorschubrichtungfeed direction
66
DruckkopfanordnungPrinthead assembly
77
Druckkopfprinthead
88th
Düsenreihenozzle row
99
DruckbereichsbreitePrint Area Width
1010
DruckbereichsbreitePrint Area Width
1111
Haupttankmain tank
1212
Zwischentankintermediate tank
1313
Zulaufkanalinlet channel
1414
Pumpepump
1515
Leitungsnetzline network
1616
Vakuumpumpevacuum pump
1717
Flüssigkeitsspiegelliquid level
1818
Füllstandssensorlevel sensor
1919
Steuerungcontrol
2020
Verteilerdistributor
2121
Austrittsöffnungoutlet opening
2222
Zulaufkanalinlet channel
2323
Leitungsabschnittline section
2424
Längelength
2525
PunktPoint
2626
Winkelangle
2727
Justiereinrichtungadjusting

Claims (13)

  1. Ink supply system (2) for an inkjet printer (1) with a print head arrangement (6) for at least one colour, and the print head arrangement (6) comprises several print heads (7) each with several jets, and the print heads (7) are arranged in a row next to one another to form a complete printing area width (10) corresponding to a multiple of a printing area width (9) of an individual print head (7), and each of the print heads (7) is connected by a line to an intermediate tank (12) for ink of the respective colour, and several print heads (7) are connected to a common intermediate tank (12), characterised in that the line forms a distributor (20) in the form of a distributor pipe, and the distributor pipe (20) is inclined at an angle (26) with respect to a horizontal plane .
  2. Ink supply system (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the distributor (20) forms a first line section (23) common to several print heads (7), and comprises a separate inlet channel (22) respectively to the print head (7).
  3. Ink supply system (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that several print heads (7) form a print head module, and the print head arrangement (6) comprises several print head modules, and the line connecting the intermediate tank (12) to the print head module comprises a distributor (20) which also constitutes a first line section (23) common to several print head modules, and comprises a separate inlet channel (22) respectively to the print head module.
  4. Ink supply system (2) according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the highest point (25) of the distributor pipe (20) is connected to the intermediate tank (12).
  5. Ink supply system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that all of the line sections (22, 23) connecting the intermediate tank (12) to the print head (7) have a downward slope directed from the intermediate tank (12) to the print head (7).
  6. Ink supply system (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that outlet openings (21) of the distributor pipe (20) to the inlet channels (22) for the print heads (7) are arranged equidistantly with respect to a longitudinal extension of the distributor pipe (20).
  7. Ink supply system (2) according to claim 6, characterised in that the distance between two consecutive outlet openings (21) is the same as the distance between two consecutive print heads (7) or is the same as the distance between two consecutive print head modules.
  8. Ink supply system (2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the length (24) of consecutive inlet channels (22) is smaller, the greater the distance of the respective outlet opening (21) from the intermediate tank (12) measured in relation to the longitudinal extension of the distributor pipe (20).
  9. Ink supply system (2) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that the inlet channels (22) are in the form of hoses.
  10. Ink supply system (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the distributor pipe (20) is mounted on an adjusting device (27), and the angle (26) of inclination relative to the horizontal plane can be changed by means of the adjusting device.
  11. Ink supply system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate tank (12) is connected to a vacuum pump (16) for generating pressure that is lower than the external air pressure.
  12. Ink supply system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate tank (12) is connected to a main tank (11) for refilling with ink.
  13. Ink supply system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a filling level sensor (18) is disposed in the intermediate tank (12) for measuring the level to which the intermediate tank (12) is filled with ink.
EP08758474A 2007-05-14 2008-05-13 Ink supply system for an inkjet printer Active EP2148782B1 (en)

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AT0074607A AT505464B1 (en) 2007-05-14 2007-05-14 INK SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN INK JET PRINTER
PCT/EP2008/003810 WO2008138586A1 (en) 2007-05-14 2008-05-13 Ink supply system for an inkjet printer

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AT (2) AT505464B1 (en)
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US8491108B2 (en) * 2009-12-21 2013-07-23 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Ink jet recording apparatus
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US20100302324A1 (en) 2010-12-02
PL2148782T3 (en) 2012-03-30
ATE530345T1 (en) 2011-11-15
AT505464A1 (en) 2009-01-15
WO2008138586A1 (en) 2008-11-20
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AT505464B1 (en) 2009-06-15
EP2148782A1 (en) 2010-02-03

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