JP3022307B2 - Electrostatic suction type inkjet apparatus and recording method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a static electricity having a structure in which a gate electrode is disposed opposite to a nozzle, ink is caused to fly from the nozzle toward the gate electrode by the electrostatic attraction, and adheres to recording paper. The present invention relates to a configuration of a suction type inkjet device and an inkjet recording method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a counter electrode is provided opposite to an ink nozzle, and ink is caused to fly from the ink nozzle toward the counter electrode by an electrostatic suction force and adhere to recording paper. The ink jet device is known, but the conventional device has a configuration in which recording paper is supplied between an ink nozzle and a counter electrode to perform printing.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, a printing voltage is applied only to the ink nozzles, that is, a voltage that generates an electrostatic force between the opposing electrode and the ink to fly the ink during printing. Voltage O
The flying control of the ink is performed by the N-OFF control.

[0004]

In a conventional electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus, first, in a structure in which a recording paper supply path is arranged between an ink nozzle and a counter electrode, the recording paper faces the ink nozzle. Since it is interposed between the electrode and the electrode, the electrostatic attraction between the ink nozzle and the counter electrode changes depending on the material and thickness of the recording paper. In a multi-ink nozzle type ink-jet, in which a plurality of ink nozzles are arranged, it is particularly necessary that the shape of the ink flying from the ink nozzle be stable. Even if you set the dimensions of the ink nozzles and counter electrodes or set the print voltage assuming the state, depending on the material and thickness of the recording paper, the electrostatic attraction does not occur as set and the flying state changes As a result, printing accuracy is lacking.

Further, in the structure and the control method in which the print voltage is applied only to the ink nozzle as in the related art, the print voltage must be increased at a stroke from the voltage of 0 to the voltage required for the ink to fly. ON
-The voltage load associated with OFF is high, and electronic components and control circuits for small voltages cannot cope with it, resulting in high costs.

[0006]

The present invention uses the following device configuration and control method in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the electrostatic suction type ink jet device. First, the first, the ink nozzles constant bias voltage is applied, and a gate electrode that will be located opposite to the ink nozzles, the print application of voltage to said gate electrode
Means for controlling on / off of the gate electrode.
By applying the print voltage, an electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus is configured such that ink is electrostatically sucked from the ink nozzle, passes through the gate electrode, and flies and adheres to a recording sheet located behind the gate electrode.

[0007]

[0008] Secondly, the gate electrode is arranged opposite the ink nozzles, mark with the print voltage to the gate electrode in the ink nozzles to apply a constant bias voltage
On / off control of the application of the print voltage
When the application of the printing voltage is turned on, the ink is electrostatically attracted from the ink nozzles, passes through the gate electrode, and flies and adheres to the recording paper located behind the gate electrode. Ink-jet recording method is adopted.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus in which a gate electrode is disposed between a nozzle and a recording paper supply path. FIG. 2 is a set value for configuring the electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of an electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus in which a gate electrode is arranged between a nozzle and a recording paper supply path.

First, the electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described. A plurality of nozzles N (N1, N2
.. N3...), And a gate electrode board GE is disposed facing the multi-nozzle MN filled with the ink I. The gate electrode board GE is made of a plate material such as plastic or ceramic, and each nozzle N (N1, N2, N
3)), a ring-shaped gate electrode G that forms a hole through which the ink flying from the nozzle N is passed while concentrating by generating static electricity between the nozzle N and the nozzle N.
(G1, G2, G3,...) Are provided. Then, the recording paper P passes through the multi-nozzle M through the gate electrode board GE.
N is supplied to the opposite side.

In such an arrangement, each nozzle N
(N1, N2, N3,...) Are preliminarily and uniformly applied with a constant bias voltage BV. In this state, the ink I filled in each nozzle N is applied to the printing voltage PV
The flight can be performed only by applying a small voltage. In addition, the bias voltage BV causes the nozzle N
, The ink I rises to the gate electrode G, so that the ink flies quickly when the print voltage PV is applied.

A printing voltage PV applied when the ink flies
Is applied to each gate electrode G (G1, G2, G3,...). When the print voltage PV is applied (ON) to the gate electrodes G (gate electrodes G2 and G3 in FIG. 1) to be ejected, the print voltage PV is opposed to the nozzles N2 and N3 in FIG. The ink I flies from the nozzle N, passes through the gate G, and adheres on the recording paper P.

In the electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus shown in FIG. 1 having the above-described structure, the recording paper P is supplied to the opposite side of the multi-nozzle MN via the gate electrode board GE. G, there is no recording paper P interposed between the nozzle N and the gate G.
A constant electrostatic attraction force can always be generated. That is, regardless of the material, thickness, etc. of the recording paper P, the flying state of the ink can be kept constant, so that the printing accuracy does not vary and is stable. The stability of the ink flying state is an important factor for increasing the printing accuracy for the multi-nozzle MN in which a plurality of nozzles N are arranged.
And dimensions of the gate electrode G and the like can be set.

As for the voltage application for generating the electrostatic force, the bias voltage BV is applied to the nozzle N in advance, so that the gate electrode G is turned ON / OFF.
The printing voltage PV that is controlled and applied can be a small voltage. Therefore, electronic components and control circuits involved in the ON / OFF control of the print voltage can be handled by a small-voltage type, for example, by using a commercially available IC or power supply module.

Further, when the bias voltage BV is applied to the nozzle N in advance, as described above, the state where the print voltage PV is not applied (OF) as in the nozzle N1 shown in FIG.
Also in F), the projection protrudes from the nozzle N toward the gate electrode G side, and the ink I flies by reacting quickly when the print voltage PV is applied, which contributes to improving the printing accuracy. .

In configuring the electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus having the above-described configuration, the settings of the dimensions, voltages, and the like of the respective units are as shown in the table of FIG. 2, for example. That is, the outer diameter of the nozzle N is 0.1 to 0.5 mm and the inner diameter is 0.05 to 0.5 mm.
0.3 mm and the outer diameter of the gate electrode G is 0.5 to 1.2 m
m, the inner diameter is 0.3 to 1.0 mm, the distance between the nozzle N and the gate electrode G is 0.3 to 1.5 mm, and the distance between the gate electrode G and the recording paper P is 0 to 3 mm. When ink I having a resistance value of 10 ⁶ to 10 ⁹ Ω is used, the bias voltage BV applied to the nozzle N
Is set to -0.5 kV to -2.5 kV, and the print voltage PV applied to the gate electrode G is set to 50 to 500 V, thereby making it possible to configure an electrostatic suction type inkjet apparatus capable of obtaining a target ink flying state.

Note that the material and thickness of the recording paper P are limited, so that even if the recording paper P is interposed between the nozzle N and the gate electrode G, it is possible to generate a substantially constant electrostatic force. In this case, the supply path of the recording paper P may be arranged between the multi-nozzle MN and the gate electrode board GE as shown in FIG. In this case, the ink I in the nozzle N is
By being sucked by the gate electrode G, it becomes a narrowed shape, and adheres to the recording paper P arranged on the front side of the gate electrode G.

Even when the recording paper P is supplied as shown in FIG. 3, a constant bias voltage B is applied to each nozzle N.
V is applied, and a printing voltage PV is applied to each gate electrode G at the time of ink flying.
Similar to the one shown in FIG. 1, with respect to the control of the application of the printing voltage PV, it is possible to use a low-voltage and low-cost component, and when the printing voltage PV is not applied, a bias voltage such as the nozzle N1 is applied. Since the ink I is ejected from the nozzle N by the BV, the print voltage P is applied to the gate electrode G (G1 in this case) opposed thereto.
When V is applied, the ink is promptly ejected, and the printing accuracy is improved.

[0019]

According to the present invention, since the configuration of the electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus as described above and the control method are adopted, the following effects can be obtained. First, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since a predetermined bias voltage is applied to the nozzle in advance and a printing voltage is applied to the gate electrode, the printing applied in relation to the control of ink flying is performed. The voltage can be reduced to a small voltage, and the electric system components related to the application of the print voltage can be handled by the low-voltage type, thereby realizing cost reduction. Further, when the print voltage is not applied, the ink in the nozzles is in a state of being raised toward the gate electrode side by the bias voltage, and therefore, when the print voltage is applied to the gate electrode, the ink is immediately swelled. Is also flying, so that an effect of increasing printing accuracy is also achieved.

Since the recording paper does not intervene between the nozzle and the gate electrode, the electrostatic force generated between the recording paper and the gate electrode is always constant, and therefore, the flying state of the ink from the nozzle to the gate electrode And an electrostatic suction type inkjet apparatus having stable printing accuracy regardless of the material and thickness of the recording paper can be provided. In particular, it is effective for a multi-nozzle type having a plurality of nozzles.

Further, in the electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control of the ink flying is controlled by a game.
Between the on / off of the printing voltage application to the
As a result, the low-voltage print voltage is turned on and off, and the voltage load related to on-off switching is reduced, and the electric system components related to this, such as those compatible with low voltages, for example, commercially available ICs and Since a power supply module can be adopted, cost reduction is realized.

Further, by adopting the electrostatic suction type ink jet recording method according to the second aspect, the printing accuracy is stabilized irrespective of the material and thickness of the recording paper, and the printing accuracy is high and the printing accuracy is low. It is possible to provide printing by electrostatic suction type ink jet recording at a low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of an electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus in which a gate electrode is arranged between a nozzle and a recording paper supply path.

FIG. 2 is a table showing set values for configuring the electrostatic suction type inkjet apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of an electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus in which a gate electrode is arranged between a nozzle and a recording paper supply path.

[Description of Signs] MN Multi-nozzle N-nozzle GE Gate electrode board G Gate electrode P Recording paper BV Bias voltage PV Print voltage

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A constant ink nozzles bias voltage is applied, and a gate electrode that will be located opposite to the ink nozzle, on au printing voltage applied to said gate electrode
It becomes more and means for full control, printing on said gate electrode
An electrostatic suction type ink jet apparatus characterized in that ink is electrostatically suctioned from the ink nozzle by application of a voltage , passes through the gate electrode, and flies and adheres to a recording paper positioned behind the gate electrode. . 2. A gate electrode is arranged facing an ink nozzle.
And apply a constant bias voltage to the ink nozzle.
Print voltage can be applied to the gate electrode
The on / off control of the application of the printing voltage
By turning on the application of the printing voltage,
The ink is electrostatically sucked from the ink nozzle and the gate electrode is
Through the recording paper and fly to the recording paper located behind the gate electrode.
Electrostatic suction type ink jet, characterized by attaching and attaching
Jet recording method.