EP3476611B1 - Goods processing apparatus with an ink printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a good processing device with an ink printing device according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The good processing device is equipped with an ink printing device for producing impressions on a moving in a transport direction x print carrier.

In the following, when referring to a print substrate, it is not intended to exclude other print media such as flat goods, mailpieces, envelopes, postcards, and the like from being processed in a printing good processing apparatus having the claimed inventive features.

The print carrier is pressed by means of a pressure device to a transport module of the ink printing device and transported during printing in a transport direction x. The ink printing device comprises a printing module. The latter has a print carriage with a cartridge holder for receiving a replaceable ink cartridge or an inkjet print head holder for receiving an inkjet printhead. The printing module is adapted to displace the single at least one 1 inch wide print-producing ink jet print head in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction x vertical z-direction of a Cartesian coordinate system and vice versa by means of a linear stepping motor, as long as the printing is interrupted. Another part of the printing module is referred to below as a carriage, wherein the carriage of the printing module is moved for the purpose of maintenance transverse to the transport direction x. Thus, the ink jet printhead is also moved in the y direction of the Cartesian coordinate system and vice versa. For the ink jet printhead different positions in the y direction are provided, wherein the carriage is moved by means of another motor controlled by a control unit of the good processing device. In a non-prepublished German patent application DE102018110726.9 For example, a suitable driving method for a commodity processing apparatus having an ink-jet printhead will be described.

A good processing device of conventional type is made DE 20 2014 102 699 U1 known.

The good processing device can be formed for example as a franking machine. A franking machine comes in contact with peripheral devices and with other mail processing equipment in a franking system, which is wholly or partly bought or rented by a customer.

In the European patents EP 788 073 B1 and EP 789 332 B1 An apparatus for printing on an edge print carrier has already been described which has at least one inkjet print head having a print width required for printing a franking imprint. A first franking machine based on the aforementioned technology with the registered trade name JETMAIL® was presented to the trade fair CeBit97 in Germany in March 1997. From the European patent EP 581 395 B1 For example, a first construction of one of three modules for an inkjet printhead is known having edge-shooter nozzles on an end edge of the module. A method for producing such an ink jet printing head is known from the European patent EP 726 152 B1 known. A specially pretreated photosensitive glass plate serves as starting material for each module. Each inkjet printhead may be composed of three modules. From the European patent EP 713 776 B1 For example, another structure of two of the three modules for an ink jet print head is known. However, such a construction leads to distortions in the printed image due to manufacturing tolerances, which must be compensated by an electronic control. For a multi-module non-interlaced ink jet print head, therefore, a method and an arrangement for tolerance compensation (US Pat. EP 921 008 B1 and EP 921 009 A1 ) developed. A more integrated 1 inch inkjet printhead was not available at the time. Recently, modern methods based on silicon wafer technology for producing the nozzles in a nozzle plate (side shooter principle) have made possible high precision even when printing a larger printing width (US Pat. EP 2 576 224 B1 ).

From the US patent US6106095 For example, a postage meter with two ½ inch ink jet printheads is known, but requires printing a control pattern. Since each of the two ½ inch inkjet printheads prints only one half of the franking imprint, aligning both imprint halves is required. Since the two ½ inch inkjet printheads are offset not only transversely to the direction of transport of the mail piece but also longitudinally in the transport direction of the mailpiece, a "time delay" becomes necessary Time offset reached. From the position of the two impression halves of the printed image of a predetermined printed image, the change required for the alignment of the impression halves in the control of the printing heads can be made easily readable relative to each other. The control system prints a test pattern on a surface of the mail piece and ensures that the print data signals sent to the pair of ink jet cartridges are coordinated to produce a high quality print of the print image. However, setting the default time delay by a user of a postage meter to achieve a high quality impression is time consuming and varies from operator to operator. Each of the two ½ "inkjet printheads is part of each ink cartridge, which has a limited supply of ink. After replacing spent ink cartridges, ink cartridges filled with ink may be inserted into a print carriage of the printer module having a carriage that travels on two rails transversely to the direction of transport of the mailpiece. Setting the default time delay must be done each time one of the two ½ inch ink cartridges is replaced. The postage meter machine includes an arrangement for repositioning the carriage by its transverse movement and a maintenance assembly. The latter can only be moved orthogonally to the transverse movement. It is driven by a separate motor and can be moved in the transport direction and opposite to this. The maintenance assembly can be approached by a slotted guide to the printheads when the carriage is positioned in a maintenance position. The maintenance assembly and its drive means thus have no simple structure. Also, in a printing position, the pitch of the printheads over the print medium can not be changed. This is disadvantageous if the print carrier has no smooth, but a coarse textured or wavy surface.

From the German utility model DE 202010015351 U1 is already a device for lowering, positioning and raising of pressure elements of a printing device, in particular a franking machine, known. A box-shaped unit is equipped with a feed table having at the top an opening for the pressure elements of a pressure device, wherein the pressure elements are removably arranged, which facilitates their maintenance. The box-shaped unit is arranged in an operating position below the printing device of the franking machine and can be removed from this position for the purpose of maintenance. At the back of the box-shaped assembly, a mechanical connecting element is arranged. Once an internal lock is released, the box-shaped assembly slides drawer-like on two guide rails forward and can be completely removed. After completion of the maintenance, it can be completely returned to the operating position by means of the two guide rails and used again. The box-shaped unit can be removed, for example, for lifting the dust. However, there are other ink-contaminable assemblies whose replacement requires opening the security housing of the postage meter required.

In the PostBase® postage meter machine of the applicant Francotyp-Postalia GmbH, a print carrier for producing impressions is pressed by means of a pressure device to an ink printing device which contains a transport module which transports the print carrier in a transport direction x during printing. The inkjet printing device has a print carriage with at least one replaceable ink cartridge. The at least one ½ inch ink cartridge is equipped with an ink jet print head which can be moved in the y direction and thus transversely to the transport direction x for the purpose of maintenance by means of the print carriage.

In practice, franking machines are either sold or leased to customers. Each postage meter is updated to a next customer prior to its subsequent rental after being returned by a first customer. The need of future customers for a cheap modern printing technology in the franking machine could be taken into account. However, this would require a considerable effort in the reconstruction of the existing franking machines and it would therefore be desirable to keep the effort as low as possible.

From the German utility model DE 202012005904 U1 For example, a franking machine is known in which all the ink-contaminable assemblies are arranged in the non-security areas of the franking machine. This has the advantage of having a postage meter re-leased to a customer should be easier to retrofit or can be maintained without opening the security housing of the franking machine is necessary. One of the non-safety areas again lies within a box-shaped module of the franking machine and another is accessible via a closable opening in a bottom plate of the housing lower part of the franking machine. While the closeable opening in the bottom panel is generally suitable for accommodating the ink-contaminable assemblies for another type of ink-jet printhead, problems arise with subsequent use of other types of ink-jet printheads. The PostBase® post card rack has space issues when used with a 1-inch inkjet print head or cartridge with such a 1-inch inkjet print head because the rack was originally designed for two-½-inch Hewlett Packart ink cartridges only.

The object is to eliminate the deficiencies of the known solutions, to improve the precision in printing an impression by means of an ink jet print head, to increase the accuracy of adjusting the distance of the Tintenstrahldrucckopfes over the print carrier and to further simplify the maintenance device of the printing device of the good processing device. At the same time, the existing print mechanics should continue to be used. A subtask is to fix the space problem when using a 1 inch inkjet print head in a PostBase® postage meter machine. The space problem is to be solved essentially by removably constructed electro-mechanical and mechanical components.

Another subtask is to allow for manual adjustment of the movement mechanics when the postage meter machine is de-energized and a 1 inch printhead motor method is not possible to position the print carriage at an appropriate position that permits replacement of the 1 inch ink printhead.

The object is achieved with the features of a good processing device according to claim 1.

An ink printing apparatus of the good processing apparatus includes a printing module. The print module is used to produce impressions on a moving print carrier and comprises a single ink jet printhead or ink cartridge with an ink jet printhead. The inkjet printing device allows movement of the inkjet printhead in two dimensions as long as printing is interrupted. The printing module is designed to displace the single ink-jet printhead in a y-direction transverse to the transport direction x and opposite thereto and in an orthogonal z-direction and opposite thereto. The stationary inkjet print head of the good processing apparatus, which is stationary during printing, permits an impression at least 1 inch wide on a print carrier which is moved in the transport direction x during printing.

The printing module according to the invention has a movable in the y-direction carriage and a subsequent print carriage part of the printing module, which is mounted vertically movable on the carriage. The print carriage has either a cartridge holder and a single plug-in ink cartridge or ink print head holder and an ink jet print head.

A known print carriage of the PostBase® postage meter machine requires at least a cartridge holder and a carriage, which is movably mounted in the y-direction on two guide rods. The guide rods are linear support and guide elements of the carriage. The guide rods are arranged in a frame transversely to the transport direction x of the print carrier, lie parallel to one another at a constant distance which extends in the transport direction x and extend lengthwise in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction x of a Cartesian coordinate system.

In the printing module according to the invention slide and print carriage are mounted separately movable in two orthogonal directions.

In the good processing apparatus, a moving mechanism for vertically raising and lowering the ink jet printing head in the z direction and opposite thereto is provided so as to allow vertical movement thereof parallel to the z direction of the Cartesian coordinate system. The ink jet printhead is a component of the single ink cartridge, such as an ink cartridge with a 1 inch ink printhead, which is below a closable ink jet Flap mounted replaceably in an opening of a housing upper shell of the good processing device and accessible from above. By means of the movement mechanism mounted in a frame of the good processing device, raising and lowering of the 1-inch ink-jet printhead with respect to the service station or the print carrier to be printed and the cartridge replacement can be realized. The 1 inch ink jet print head can be prevented from drying out by sealing with a properly trained cleaning and sealing station (RDS). The RDS has a stationary sealing cap and is interchangeably mounted in a housing lower shell of the good processing device via a closable maintenance opening. The 1 inch inkjet printhead can be coupled to the RDS due to the motion mechanics without the need to raise the RDS. This advantageously simplifies the structure of the maintenance station (RDS). In addition, the distance of the 1-inch inkjet printhead to a stationary service station (wiper lip) can be set different and highly accurate.

The good processing device is, for example, a franking machine. All ink-contaminable assemblies are further arranged in the non-security areas of the franking machine. The modular arrangement of an ink reservoir corresponding to the ink reservoir takes place within the postage meter on a position located between the service station and the bottom plate of the housing base, all Tintenschmuetzbaren assemblies are accessible via a shaft-shaped opening in the bottom of the housing lower shell of the postage meter. The service station can also be replaced via the aforementioned shaft-shaped opening. Maintenance costs are reduced because only one service station is assigned to the print module with a single 1-inch wide inkjet printhead.

The precision of printing an impression is further enhanced by the use of the single, at least 1 inch wide, inkjet printhead. As opposed to using two ½ inch inkjet printheads in a print module, the problems with aligning imprint halves of a printed image apparently disappear when using two ½ inch inkjet printheads instead Only a single inkjet printhead with a printing width of 1 inch is used.

The inkjet printhead can be positioned accurately not only transversely to the transport direction of the print carrier, but also at a distance from the surface to be printed on the print carrier by means of a movement mechanism. The advantageous accuracy of the adjustment of the distance of the 1 inch ink jet print head over the print carrier also contributes to the improvement of the impression. The movement mechanism for raising and lowering the 1-inch ink-jet printhead comprises on the one hand means for moving the 1-inch ink-jet printhead in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction x of the Cartesian coordinate system and on the other hand means for manual adjustment of the distance of the 1-inch inkjet printhead from the Surface of the on-page print carrier.

It is envisaged that the movement mechanism is equipped with a lifting bar and with a balancing shaft whose longitudinal axis is aligned in the y-direction, ie transversely to a transport direction x of a printing medium. The movement mechanism allows lifting and lowering of the print carriage, wherein the lifting bar remains aligned parallel to the y-direction, ie transversely to the transport direction x. At both ends of the balance shaft each pinion force and are positively attached. On the lifting beam racks against the z-direction, ie in the direction of gravity from the lifting beam abstehend mounted or molded, the racks of the mounted lifting beam run in guides, wherein the guides are formed in a carrier for the movement mechanics and that the balance shaft is rotatably mounted on the carrier, wherein the racks of the balance shaft opposite the x-direction spaced but are arranged so close that on both sides of the balance shaft, the teeth of the racks and the teeth of the pinion engage each other at one point without play. One of the two racks is at the first end of the lifting bar and the other of the racks is at a distance of 60% to 80% of the first end, preferably in the distance range 2/3 to 70% of the length L of Lifting beam integrally formed. It is envisaged that the load beam has a length L which is greater than the length of the carrier, that a first end of the carrier is aligned with the first end of the lifting beam and that the second end of the carrier at a distance of 70% 80% of the length L of the lifting bar is located from the first end, so that the lifting bar projects beyond the carrier in front. The lifting beam is applied by spring force and / or by gravity to the means for motorized method. The motoring means are mounted to the carrier within a y-directional space between the two racks. Means, such as a linear stepping motor with integrated lifting mechanism are provided for the motorized method, wherein the integrated lifting mechanism is self-locking and has a lifting rod, which is arranged parallel to the z-direction and stepwise extendable to a predetermined adjustment length in the z-direction.

In combination with the means for manual adjustment means for locking the vertical adjustment position are provided. For manual adjustment, the bottom of the lower housing shell of the franking machine additionally has a further opening, via which a tool suitable for this purpose can be introduced in order to actuate the means for manual adjustment of the movement mechanism.

The means for manual adjustment are formed on the underside of a support of the movement mechanism and have a cylindrical rotary latch holder with a central opening at a distance from the carrier against the z-direction and the means for locking the vertical adjustment position. The manual adjustment means are spaced from the motoring means of the 1 inch ink jet printhead in the y direction of the Cartesian coordinate system. The means for locking the vertical adjustment position are integrated in the means for manual adjustment. They include a rotary latch, which can be adjusted with a tool.

In a motorized method of the lifting bar several different Verstellpositonen and the manual adjustment two different Verstellpositonen can be achieved, each adjustment position a predetermined Distance of the 1 inch inkjet printhead against the surface of the print carrier to be printed in the z-direction corresponds. The motion mechanism allows lifting and lowering of the 1 inch inkjet print head. This has the advantage that the maintenance station can be designed simply because it does not need to be lowered or raised.

Fig. 1a,

perspektivische Darstellung eines Druckmoduls in Druckposition zusammen mit zwei Wartungsmodulen eines bekannten Gutverarbeitungsgeräts von oben hinten stromabwärts,

Fig. 1b,

perspektivische Darstellung eines Druckmoduls in Druckposition zusammen mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Bewegungsmechanik und mit einem Wartungsmodul eines Gutverarbeitungsgeräts von oben hinten stromabwärts,

Fig. 2,

perspektivische Darstellung eines teilweise aufgeschnitten und noch nicht fertig motierten Druckmoduls mit eingesteckter 1 Zoll-Tintenkartusche, von vorn oben stromaufwärts,

Fig. 3a,

perspektivische Darstellung des Schlittens von vorn oben stromaufwärts,

Fig. 3b,

perspektivische Darstellung des Druckwagens von vorn oben stromabwärts,

Fig. 4,

perspektivische Darstellung der Bewegungsmechanik von vorn oben stromaufwärts,

Fig. 5,

perspektivische Darstellung der Bewegungsmechanik von oben hinten, stromabwärts,

Fig. 6,

perspektivische gesprengte Darstellung der Mittel zur Handverstellung von vorn unten stromabwärts,

Fig. 7,

perspektivische Darstellung der Mittel zur Handverstellung von vorn rechts unten, vor der Handverstellung,

Fig. 8,

perspektivische Darstellung der Mittel zur Handverstellung von vorn unten stromabwärts, nach der Handverstellung,

Fig. 9,

perspektivische Darstellung der Bewegungsmechanik von vorn oben stromaufwärts, im Zustand H1,

Fig. 10,

perspektivische Darstellung der Bewegungsmechanik von vorn oben stromaufwärts, im Zustand H2,

Fig. 11,

perspektivische Darstellung der Bewegungsmechanik von vorn oben stromaufwärts, im Zustand H3.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims and will be described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIG. Show it:

Fig. 1a,

perspective view of a printing module in printing position together with two maintenance modules of a known good processing device from the top rear downstream,

Fig. 1b,

perspective view of a printing module in print position together with a movement mechanism according to the invention and with a maintenance module of a good processing device from the top rear downstream,

2,

Perspective view of a partially cut open and not finished motivated printing module with inserted 1 inch ink cartridge, from the top front upstream,

Fig. 3a,

perspective view of the carriage from the top front upstream,

Fig. 3b,

Perspective view of the print carriage from the top front, downstream,

4,

Perspective view of the movement mechanics from the top front upstream,

Fig. 5,

Perspective view of the movement mechanism from the top rear, downstream,

6,

perspective exploded view of the means for manual adjustment from the bottom front downstream,

Fig. 7,

perspective view of the means for manual adjustment from the front right below, before the manual adjustment,

8,

perspective view of the means for manual adjustment from the bottom front downstream, after manual adjustment,

Fig. 9,

perspective view of the movement mechanics from the top front upstream, in the state H1,

Fig. 10,

perspective view of the movement mechanics from the front top upstream, in the state H2,

Fig. 11,

Perspective view of the movement mechanics from the front upper upstream, in the state H3.

A well-known good processing device - seen from the front - transports print media from left to right during printing. The term "right" in the transport direction x of a - not shown - print carrier or downstream located and the term "left" means contrary to the transport direction x - a - not shown - print carrier or upstream located. It means "back" in the y-direction and "up" in the z-direction of a Cartesian coordinate system. The embodiment is based on such a good processing device. However, this should not exclude such good processing equipment that transport the print carrier from right to left during printing.
In a perspective view from behind the terms "right" and "left" are reversed. Therefore, the terms "downstream" and "upstream" are used below.

The Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of a print module 10 * from the top rear downstream and in printing position along with two maintenance modules 161 *, 162 * of the known good processing device, the print carrier transported from left to right during printing. The printing module 10 * consists of a print carriage 14 * with a mounted cartridge holder for two ½ inch ink cartridges 11 *, 12 *. The print carriage 14 * also includes a - invisible - Pen Driver Board for ½ inch ink cartridges on the ink cartridges. The cartridge holder has two side walls 1411 * and a middle wall 1412 * and serves for ink cartridge receptacle. The print carriage is designed as a slide, which is slidably mounted on two guide rods 181 *, 182 * in a first direction (white arrow with two tips). The two ink cartridges 11 *, 12 * are associated with two maintenance modules 161 * and 162 *, the sealing caps in the maintenance case - not shown manner - are moved up to the two inkjet print heads of the ink cartridges. The two maintenance modules each have a free-jet shaft 1610 *, 1620 *, a carriage 1615 *, 1625 * each with a sealing cap 1616 *, 1626 * and one wiper lip each (1613 *), 1623 *. The wiper lip 1613 * is hidden by the pressure module. The print carriage 14 * moves in a first direction (white arrow with two tips) and the sealing caps can be moved in a second direction (black arrow with two tips) due to the movement of the carriages 1615 *, 1625 *, wherein the sealing cap in z-direction is moved, so is raised.

The Fig. 1b shows a perspective view of a printing module 10 in printing position together with a movement mechanism 25 according to the invention and with an adapted maintenance module 162 of a new good processing device from the top rear downstream. The illustration shows "downstream" in the transport direction x of the print carrier (not shown) and "back" in the y direction and "up" in the z direction of a Cartesian coordinate system. The printing module 10 has a in the y-direction and in the opposite direction, ie transverse to the transport direction x movable carriage 13 and in the z-direction and in the opposite direction, ie vertically adjustable carriage 14 with a cartridge holder 142, which accommodates a single 1 inch Ink cartridge is equipped. The print carriage 14 also includes a - not visible - driving electronics (pen driver board) for the 1 inch ink jet print head of the 1 inch ink cartridge. By virtue of the carriage 13, which can be moved transversely to the transport direction x, the printing module 10 can assume different positions, for example move to the maintenance, printing or replacement positions. The maintenance items include a sealing position, a spray-out position, and a cleaning position. In the - in Fig. 9 sealing position, a single stationarily arranged sealing cap 163 of the single maintenance module 162 is associated with the 1 inch ink jet print head 12 of the 1 inch ink cartridge, the maintenance positions in the Fig. 1b not shown. The maintenance module 162 has a wiper lip 164, a free-jet shaft 1620 and a sealing cap 163. However, the latter is not moved to the inkjet print head of the ink cartridge in the maintenance case, especially since a carriage for the maintenance module is missing. By means of the movement mechanism 25 according to the invention, the 1-inch ink jet print head can be raised or lowered onto the sealing cap 163 in the maintenance position (thinly printed thick white arrow with two tips).
The cartridge receptacle of the cartridge holder 142 has upstream and downstream side walls 1421, respectively. The carriage 13 is slidably mounted on two guide rods 181, 182, so that the printing module 10 can be moved from the illustrated printing position to a maintenance position in the y-direction and vice versa (thick printed thin white arrow with two tips). An arm 152 of a plate angle for guiding on the guide rod 182 is provided on the carriage 13, the arm 152 having a recess 1521 for a means of the movement mechanism 25. The movement mechanism 25 has further means for the motorized movement of the 1-inch ink-jet printhead in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction x of the print carrier z-direction of the Cartesian coordinate system and opposite thereto (black arrow with two tips), wherein the above-mentioned means are arranged vertically movable ( thinly printed thick white arrow with two tips), which is described below on the basis of Fig. 4 is explained in more detail. Guide means for guiding the cartridge holder during raising and lowering of the 1-inch ink-jet printhead are provided on the carriage 13 ( Fig. 2 ). From the Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the front above the top of a partially cut and not yet mounted print module 10, in which a 1 inch ink cartridge 12 is inserted. The carriage 13 is movable in the y-direction and vice versa and the print carriage 14 is movable in the z-direction and vice versa (black arrow with two tips). It is provided that the vertically in z-direction and oppositely adjustable print carriage 14 has two guide shafts 1491, 1492 which in receptacles 1331, 1332 of a molded-on tray 13 tray 136 (Fig. 3a ) and in bearing holes 1514, 1515 of a bearing plate 151 of a sheet metal bracket 15 are mounted, wherein the sheet metal bracket 15 is also mounted on the carriage. At the printing module 10, the carriage 13 and the print carriage 14 are already mounted. A metal bracket 15 is shown blasted off in a not yet assembled state. The sheet metal bracket 15 has the bearing plate 151 as a base and a right angle angled arm 152, which together form an L-profile. In the middle of the bearing plate 151 is an opening with a hook-shaped spring suspension means 1513 for an eye of the second tension spring 145 and on both sides of the opening further openings are incorporated, the latter each having a bearing hole 1514, 1515 for the two guide shafts 1491, 1492 form. The bearing plate 151 is in the x / y plane and is formed longer than the arm 152 which lies in the x / z plane and from the end of a piece of sheet metal is angled in the x direction, wherein the sheet metal piece is longer than the Arm 152. At the beginning of the sheet piece a recess 1521 is incorporated for the movement mechanics. At the end of the sheet metal piece, a sliding bearing 1522 is mounted in an opening of the sheet metal piece, the sliding bearing 1522 being provided for sliding on the one guide rod 182. The carriage 13 is designed to slide on the other guide rod 181 ( 1b shows ). For this purpose, guide holes 134 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) and 135 ( Fig. 3a ) provided on the carriage 13.
The bearing plate 151 is mounted on the carriage 13 and has two through holes 1511, 1512 for attachment by means of screws 171, 172 on the carriage 13. The carriage 13 has for this purpose two side walls 131, 132 as well as on the side wall 131 and at a distance from the side wall 132, two bottom-side Anschraubbohrungen 1311, 1312 for the screws 171, 172. The side walls 131, 132 and the left side wall form a downwardly open compartment, which is closed by the mounted bearing plate 151. The carriage 13 is shown cut to better illustrate the mounting of the carriage 14 at an upstream side wall of the compartment. On the roof underside of the compartment are two receptacles 1331, 1332 for the two guide axes 1491, 1492 of the cartridge holder 142 of the print carriage 14 (FIG. Fig.2 ) formed. The guide shafts 1491, 1492 are mounted parallel to each other in the receptacles 1331, 1332 of the roof bottom of the compartment and the bearing holes 1514, 1515 of the bearing plate 151. In each case, a lock washer 1433, 1434 is mounted at the respective lower end of the guide shafts 1491, 1492, which prevent a downward slippage of the guide shafts 1491, 1492 through the bearing holes 1514, 1515.
The second tension spring 145 exerts a second spring force F2 and has to be tensioned for hanging, with a force greater than the second spring force F2 having to be applied in the direction of the black arrow after the bearing plate 151 has been mounted on the carriage 13. The other eye of the tension spring 145 has previously been hooked into a hook-shaped spring suspension means 147 of a lateral projection 146 of the cartridge holder 142 of the print carriage 14. The print carriage 14 is moved by the tension spring 145 mounted on the cartridge holder 142 with the second spring force F2 up to a stop of a supporting contour (detail D, FIG. Fig. 11 ) of the print carriage 14 pulled down in the direction of the black arrow ( Fig. 2 ). The print carriage 14 can by the movement mechanism ( Figure 4 ) are lifted against the spring force F2.
It is envisaged that the lateral projection 146 on the cartridge holder 142 has columnar receptacles 143, 144, wherein the rear columnar receptacle 143 is provided for a bearing sleeve 1431 and the front columnar receptacle 144 for a short bearing bushing 1441, wherein the rear guide shaft 1491 in the bearing sleeve 1431 and the front guide shaft 1492 is slidably mounted in the short position bushing 1441. The columnar receptacles 143, 144 on the lateral projection 146 have the same length and extend in the direction of gravity, ie, counter to the z-direction. The columnar receptacle 143 is located in the y-direction behind the columnar receptacle 144. In an upper opening of the front columnar receptacle 144, the short bearing bushing 1441 is pressed in, which ensures that the cartridge holder 142 remains aligned parallel to the bearing plate 151 during raising or lowering. In an upper opening of the rear columnar receptacle 143, the bearing sleeve 1431 is pressed, which is provided for the accurate guidance of the cartridge holder 142.

In the Fig. 3a is a perspective view of the carriage 13 shown from the front top upstream. At the bottom of the carriage 13, the sheet metal bracket 15 is mounted to illustrate the finished assembled state. The support plate 151 of the sheet metal bracket 15 serves to fasten the guide shafts 1491, 1492 of the carriage 14 in the molded-on compartment 136 of the carriage 13. The carriage 13 is open in the x direction and a piece of sheet metal 1523 of the arm 152 of the sheet metal bracket 15 projects at the rear part of the Schlitten 13. Only one guide hole 135 of the carriage 13 is visible and the other guide hole 134 of the carriage 13 is hidden, but in Fig. 2 shown. The sliding bearing 1522 in the sheet metal piece 1523 also has a guide hole. All three pilot holes are circular and have the same diameter.
In the Fig. 3b is a perspective view of the print carriage 14 shown from the top front downstream, in which a 1 inch ink cartridge 12 is inserted.

In the Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the movement mechanism 25 shown from the front top upstream. A lifting bar 251 is vertically slidably mounted on a support 253 of the moving mechanism 25 and extends in the y-direction. It is provided that the lifting beam 251 is designed to raise or lower the vertically adjustable carriage 14 in the z-direction or in the opposite direction to the z-direction, and is provided with a flat running surface 2513, which allows the carriage to move transversely to the transport direction x, when the print carriage (14) is raised. The movement mechanism 25 is connected to a load beam 251 with a predetermined Length L parallel to the y-direction and equipped with a balance shaft 256 whose longitudinal axis is aligned parallel to the y-direction, ie transversely to a transport direction x of a print carrier (not shown) and at the ends of each pinion 2561, 2562 non-positively and positively secured are. The balance shaft 256 is rotatably mounted on the carrier 253. The two ends of the balancer shaft 256 run in bearing shells 2534, 2535 of the carrier 253. To the lifting beam 251 racks 2511, 2512 against the z-direction, ie in the direction of gravity from the lifting beam 251 mounted or molded. The racks of the mounted lifting beam have a T-shaped guide profile and run or slide in correspondingly shaped guides 2531, 2532. The guides are formed in the carrier 253 of the movement mechanism 25. The racks 2511, 2512 have a suitable tooth profile 25111, 25121 in order to allow a force balance and synchronous motion compensation without overloading and damaging the teeth of the racks. Racks with a suitable tooth profile has a tooth modulus m = 0.3 to 0.7, with racks made of plastic is preferably a tooth module m = 0.5 to 0.7 is used. The tooth modulus m is a measure of the size of the teeth of gears and defined as the quotient of the gear pitch p (the distance between two adjacent teeth) and the circle number π. The racks 2511, 2512 are spaced from the balance shaft 256 against the x-direction, but arranged so close that on both sides of the balance shaft, the teeth of the racks 2511, 2512 and the teeth of the pinions 2561, 2562 each engage in one place without play into each other. The rack 2511 is at the first (rear) end of the lifting bar and the other rack 2512 is at a distance of 60% to 80% of the length L from the rear first end of the lifting bar, preferably in the distance range 2/3 to 70% of Length L of the lifting beam integrally formed. The length L of the lifting beam is in the range 6 to 7 inches, preferably 6.5 inches = (167 mm). The lifting beam 251 has a height which extends in the z direction up to a flat running surface 2513 at the upper edge. The lifting beam 251 has a bend at the lower edge and thus forms an unequal leg L profile. In the middle (about ½ L) is a contact surface 2510 is provided. The lifting beam 251 has at a distance of about 1/3 L from its rear end at the bottom of a hook 2515 or other spring suspension means for a tension spring 255. The other end of the tension spring is attached to the carrier ( Figure 5 ). The carrier 251 is provided with four side walls arranged in a box shape. The upstream side wall 2539 of the carrier 253 has a recess 25390 at a distance of about 1/4 L from the rear end of the lifting beam 251. A linear stepping motor 252 is mounted on the carrier 253 and has a lifting rod 2521 at the end of a support plate is provided, on which the load-lifting beam rests with a contact surface 2510 due to the applied spring force and / or gravity. A shaped body of the lifting beam 251 is adapted in its dimensions to the length of the lifting rod and carries the contact surface 2510. The support plate presses on the contact surface 2510. The lifting beam 251 is located centrally on the lifting rod and is vertically displaceable (white double arrow).
As an alternative to the linear stepper motor, another drive with a motor of a different kind is possible, which is fastened to the carrier 253. The drive has an encoder and a number of sensors and an external gearbox with a lifting rod. The support point is at a distance of preferably half the length L of the first end of the lifting beam 251 away.

The Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the movement mechanism 25 from the top rear downstream. The movement mechanism 25 is in a frame - not shown - arranged. The downstream side wall of the carrier 253 has a further indentation 2530 for the tension spring 255. The tension spring 255 is mounted with its one end to the hook 2515 or other suitable spring suspension means of the lifting beam 251 and with its other end to the hook 25383 for spring suspension on the carrier 253. Both hooks are arranged one above the other at a distance. The downstream side wall of the carrier 253 is divided by the indentation 2530 into two sections 2537, 2538. The first part 2537 is located at the rear end and has Means 254 for manual adjustment of the lifting beam 251 on. The second section 2538 is located at the front end and has clamp holders 25381 for a sensor board. A detail of the sensor board 25384 is shown in detail A enlarged. A forked light barrier 253841 of the sensor board 25384 cooperates with a switching lug 2514 of the lifting beam 251 and outputs a signal when the switching lug 2514 enters and / or leaves the gap between transmitter and receiver of the forked light barrier. The means for manual adjustment are mounted on the underside of the carrier 253 of the movement mechanism 25 and extend in the direction of gravity, that is opposite to the z-direction.

The Fig. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of the means 254 for manual adjustment from the bottom front downstream. These means of movement mechanism 25 include a rotary latch holder 2541, a rotary latch 2542, a compression spring 2543, and a pin 2544. The rotary latch 2542 has a mold hole 25420 and is operated by - not shown - tool. The tool is preferably a multifunction pin 81 (FIG. Figure 7 ). The rotary latch holder 2541 has a cylindrical guide 35411 with a central opening 25410 at a distance opposite to the z-direction of a base plate 25412 of the rotary latch holder 2541 on. The opening 25410 is adapted to the outer diameter of the tool 8. The cylindrical guide 35411 is supported by a support wall 25413, which surrounds the cylindrical guide 35411 from three sides, while for screwing the rotary latch holder 2541 remains free a side on which the base plate 25412 opposite to the y-direction openings for two screws 25401, 25402 has , An opening 254120 in the cylindrical guide 35411 on the base plate 25412 is used to insert the rotary latch 2542 in the cavity of the cylindrical guide 35411. A slide 354111 is formed near the aforementioned opening 254120 in the lateral surface of the cylindrical guide 35411, so that - from the front seen - an opening with mirror-inverted formed L-shaped recess 254113, which is provided for a locking lug 25421 of the rotary latch 2542. The opening of the gate 354111 is opposite to the y-direction and has a Clearance 254112 for a locking nose 25422 of the rotary bolt. The L-shaped recess 254113 of the opening in the gate 354111 of the rotary latch holder 2541 has a locking groove 254114 for the locking lug of the rotary latch 2542, which is shown enlarged in detail B. The rotary latch 2542 is designed as a means for locking the vertical adjustment position. In the manual adjustment two different adjustment positions for minimum or maximum lifting of the lifting beam 251 can be achieved, wherein each vertical adjustment position, except the vertical adjustment position in sealing position, a predetermined distance of 1 inch inkjet printhead against the surface to be printed a print carrier (not shown) in z direction corresponds. A pin receptacle 2533 for the pin 2544 is formed on a rear side wall between the first portion 2537 at the rear end of the downstream side wall of the carrier 253 and the upstream side wall 2539 at the rear end of the carrier 253. A screw hole 25371 for the screw 25401 is provided on the inside of the first piece 2537. Another screw hole 25391 for the screw 25402 is provided opposite to the other side at a distance from the upstream side wall 2539. Between the two bolt holes 25371 and 25391, the guide 2531 of the rack 2511 is provided with a T-shaped guide profile. The compression spring 2543 is mounted on the pin 2544 and exerts a spring force F3 (black arrow) on the rotary latch 2542 in the mounted state. The latch lug 25421 of the rotating latch 2542 is pushed into the opening with the clearing 254112, resulting in a vertical adjustment position with a minimum elevation of the 1 inch ink jet print head ( Figure 7 ).

The Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the means for manual adjustment from the bottom front downstream, in the assembled state and before a manual adjustment is made. The means for manual adjustment comprise the rotary latch with the forming hole 25420, which is adapted to the shape of the head 811 of the multifunction pin 81. The rotary latch holder 2541 is cut open at the end in order to make it clear that the shaped hole 25420 of the rotary latch 2542 is arranged directly under the opening 25410 of the rotary latch holder 2541 is. The locking lug 25421 of the rotary latch 2542 rests against the lower edge of the opening with the 254112 clearance, in which the locking lug 25422 rests. A stroke H1 should clarify a minimum vertical adjustment position of the lifting beam 251. The manual adjustment means are spaced from the motoring means of the 1 inch ink jet printhead in the y direction of the Cartesian coordinate system.
The aforementioned motoring means include the linear stepper motor 252 disposed between the second portion 2538 of the right side wall of the carrier 253 and the left side wall 2539.

The Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the means for manual adjustment from the bottom front downstream, after manual adjustment. The head of the inserted into the opening 25410 of the rotary latch holder 2541 multi-function pin 81 is inserted in the mold hole 25420 of the rotary latch 2542, which is shown by an operator with a force F4 in the z-direction. The locking lug 25421 of the rotary latch 2542 was rotated counterclockwise (manually) and lies with the locking lug 25422 in the locking groove 254114. A stroke H4 is intended to illustrate a maximum adjustment position of the lifting beam 251.

The Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the movement mechanism from the front top upstream, in the state of a stroke H1, before a motor adjustment. A 1 inch ink cartridge 12 is plugged into the print carriage 14. Only for the sake of clarity, the carriage of the printing module is not shown. Disposed below the 1 inch ink jet print head of the 1 inch ink cartridge is the maintenance module 162, which is partially obscured by the motion mechanics. A first tension spring 255 pulls the lifting beam 251 with the spring force F1 (black arrow) only so far down until the contact surface 2510 of the lifting beam abuts against the support plate of the lifting rod 2521. It is further contemplated that the 1 inch ink jet printhead rests in the vertical adjustment position of the sealing position on a stationary sealing cap of the service module 162, the stationary sealing cap being adapted to the dimensions of the 1 inch ink jet printhead is adapted and that the running surface 2513 of the lifting beam 251 has a distance d to the Aufstützkontur 148 of the print carriage 14. The lifting beam 251 has a flat running surface 2513, which allows a displacement of the carriage 14 transversely to the transport direction x. A second tension spring 145, which between the print carriage 14 and the bearing plate 151 of the plate bracket 15 (FIG. Fig.2 ), wherein the bearing plate 151 on the carriage (13 see 3a ) is mounted, acts with the spring force F2 on the print carriage 14 a. When the carriage (13 see 3a ), in y-direction in the so-called sealing position ( Fig. 9 ) was shifted transversely to the transport direction x and the lifting bar vertically, then the 1 inch ink jet printhead 12, biased by the spring force F2 of the second tension spring 145 ( Fig. 2 ), on the - in the Fig. 1b shown - sealing cap 163 of the maintenance station.
The tread 2513 of the lifting beam 251 is therefore not on a Aufstützkontur 148 of the carriage 14, but is positioned at a distance d, which is shown enlarged in detail C. This adjustment requires only one stroke H1. The elevation of the lifting bar 251 is zero (= minimal), the minimum elevation also being the initial state of the elevation H1 by the means for manual adjustment to ( Fig. 7 ) corresponds.

The Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the movement mechanism 25 from the front top upstream, in the state of a stroke H2. This vertical adjustment position is between the minimum and the maximum increase of the lifting beam 251 and is achieved by the means for adjusting the motor. The print carriage 14 was - unlike that in the Fig. 9 shown state - transversely to the transport direction x, opposite to the y-direction, ie moved in the direction of the front end of the lifting bar 251 in a printing position. In this case, a first increase of the print carriage 14 was required. The correctly achieved vertical adjustment position during the first increase can be detected by a control unit - not shown - by means of the forked light barrier 25384 (detail A, FIG. Fig. 5 ). The Aufstützkontur 148 is due to the spring force F2 of the second tension spring 145 on the tread 2513 of the lifting bar 251 and the distance d becomes zero, which in detail D ( Fig. 11 ) is shown enlarged. It should be noted that each vertical adjustment position, except for the vertical adjustment position in the sealing position, corresponds to a predetermined z-direction distance of the 1 inch ink jet printhead from the surface of the print substrate to be printed, with the support contour 148 of the print carriage 14 resting on the tread 2513 of FIG Lifting bar 251 rests.

The Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the movement mechanism 25 from the front top upstream, in the state of the stroke H3. The print carriage 14 was - unlike that in the Fig. 10 shown state - further moved to the front end of the lifting bar 251 in an ink cartridge replacement position. In this case, a second increase of the print carriage 14 was required. The correctly achieved vertical adjustment position during the second increase can be computationally calculated by the control unit by counting the activation steps.
This vertical adjustment position corresponds to a maximum increase of the lifting beam 251 in the state of the stroke H3 and is also achieved by the means for adjusting the motor. The stroke H3 is equal to H4 and greater than the stroke H2 after Fig. 10 , For this embodiment: H4 = H3> H2.
Although the solution of the problem was explained in more detail in the Ausfüungsbeispiel described above with reference to a printing module with a cartridge holder, a solution for a printing module with an ink jet head holder from the scope of the attached patent claims should not be excluded. The invention is not limited to the presently described embodiments, since obviously other other embodiments of the invention can be developed or used, which - based on the same basic idea of the invention - are encompassed by the attached patent claims.

Claims (17)

1. A goods processing device, with an inkjet printing device for producing prints, with a transport module, against which a print substrate lying on the side is pressed by means of a pressing device, wherein the print substrate is transported during the printing in a transport direction x, wherein the inkjet printing device comprises a printing module (10*, 10) with at least one replaceable ink cartridge (12*, 12), wherein the printing module (10*, 10) can be traversed for the purpose of maintenance transversely to transport direction x and are therefore in the y-direction of a Cartesian coordinate system and opposite thereto, characterised in that the printing module (10) comprises a single inkjet print head or a single ink cartridge (12) with an inkjet print head, which enables an at least 1 inch wide print, that the printing module (10) is designed to displace the inkjet print head transversely to transport direction x and in a vertical z-direction, orthogonal thereto, of the Cartesian coordinate system and opposite thereto, that a movement mechanism (25) is provided for the vertical raising and lowering of the inkjet print head, wherein the movement mechanism (25) on the one hand comprises means (252) for the motorised adjustment of the inkjet print head and on the other hand means (254) for the manual adjustment in the vertical z-direction, wherein the means (254) for the manual adjustment are provided in order to bring the inkjet print head into a predetermined position by a vertical displacement.
2. The goods processing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the printing module (10) comprises a slide (13) displaceable transversely to transport direction x and a printer carriage (14) displaceable vertically in the z-direction and opposite thereto, that the means (254) for the manual adjustment are formed on a carrier (253) of the movement mechanism (25) and comprise a cylindrical rotary bolt holder (2541) with a central opening at a distance from the carrier (253) opposite to the z-direction as well as means for locking the vertical adjustment position, wherein the means (254) for the manual adjustment in the y-direction of the Cartesian coordinate system are arranged spaced apart from the means (252) for the motorised traversing of the inkjet print head.
3. The goods processing device according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that

   - the printer carriage (14) adjustable vertically in the z-direction and opposite thereto comprises two guide axles (1491, 1492), which are mounted in recesses (1331, 1332) of a compartment (136) formed on the slide (13) and in bearing holes (1514, 1515) of a bearing plate (151) of a sheet metal bracket (15), wherein the sheet metal bracket (15) is also mounted on the slide (13),

   - the printer carriage (14) comprises a cartridge holder (142), a lateral projection on the cartridge holder (142) with columnar receptacles (143, 144) and a support contour (148), wherein the columnar receptacle (143) is provided for a bearing sleeve (1431) and the columnar receptacle (144) for a short bearing bush (1441), wherein the rear guide axle (1491) is mounted in a sliding manner in the bearing sleeve (1431) and the front guide axle (1492) in the short bearing bush (1441),

   - the movement mechanism (25) is provided with a load lifting beam (251), that the load lifting beam (251) is designed to raise or lower the vertically adjustable printer carriage (14) in the z-direction or opposite thereto, and is provided with a flat running surface (2513), which enables a displacement of the printer carriage transversely to transport direction x when the printer carriage (14) is raised,

   - each vertical adjustment position, except for the vertical adjustment position in the sealing position, corresponds to a predetermined distance in the z-direction of the 1 inch inkjet print head with respect to the surface of the print substrate to be printed, wherein the support contour (148) of the printer carriage (14) lies on the running surface (2513) of the load lifting beam (251), and

   - the 1 inch inkjet print head can be placed, in the vertical adjustment position of the sealing position, on a stationary sealing cap (163) of a maintenance module (162), wherein the stationary sealing cap (163) is adapted to the dimensions of the 1 inch inkjet print head and the running surface (2513) of the load lifting beam (251) has a distance d from the support contour (148) of the printer carriage (14).
4. The goods processing device according to claim 2, characterised in that the means for locking the vertical adjustment position comprise a rotary bolt (2542).
5. The goods processing device according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that

   - the movement mechanism (25) is provided with the one load lifting beam (251) and with a balancing shaft (256), that its longitudinal axis and the load lifting beam (251) are aligned parallel to the y-direction and that pinions (2561, 2562) are fastened in a friction-locked and form-fit manner in each case at the ends of the balancing shaft (256) or are formed on the latter,

   - toothed racks (2511, 2512) with a guide profile are fitted or formed on the load lifting beam opposite to the z-direction and projecting from the load lifting beam,

   - the toothed racks (2511, 2512) of the mounted load lifting beam (251) run or slide in guides, wherein the guides are formed on a carrier (253) for the movement mechanism (25),

   - the balancing shaft (256) is mounted rotatably on the carrier (253), wherein the toothed racks (2511, 2512) are arranged spaced apart from the balancing shaft in the x-direction but sufficiently close such that on both sides of the balancing shaft (256) the teeth of the toothed racks and the teeth of the pinions engage into one another play-free in each case at one point, and

   - the means for the motorised traversing of the 1 inch inkjet print head in the z-direction and opposite thereto comprises a motor, which is coupled to a lifting mechanism which is mounted inside an intermediate space extending in the y-direction between the two toothed racks (2511, 2512) on the carrier (253), and

   - the load lifting beam lies on the lifting mechanism due to spring force and/or the force of gravity.
6. The goods processing device according to claim 5, characterised in that

   - the load lifting beam (251) comprises a flat running surface (2513) and has a length L = 6 to 7 inches, which is greater than the length of the carrier (253),

   - a first end of the carrier (253) is flush with the first end of the load lifting beam (251) and the second end of the carrier is located at a distance of 60% to 80% of length L of the load lifting beam (251) from the first end, so that the load lifting beam projects beyond the carrier at the front, and

   - one toothed rack (2511) of the two toothed racks is formed on the first end of the load lifting beam (251) and the respective other toothed rack (2512) of the two toothed racks is formed at a distance of 60% to 80% of length L from the first end of the load lifting beam.
7. The goods processing device according to claim 6, characterised in that the load lifting beam (251) has a length L of 6.5 inches.
8. The goods processing device according to claim 5, characterised in that toothed racks (2511, 2512) with a T-shaped guide profile are formed on the load lifting beam opposite to the z-direction and projecting from the load lifting beam and that the toothed racks (2511, 2512) have a suitable tooth profile (25111, 25121), in order to enable a compensation of forces and a synchronous compensation of movements, without the teeth of the toothed racks being overloaded and damaged.
9. The goods processing device according to claim 5, characterised in that the motor is a linear stepper motor (252) with an integrated lifting mechanism, which is constituted self-locking and comprises a lifting rod (2521), which is arranged lying parallel to the z-direction and can be extended stepwise to a predetermined vertical displacement length in the z-direction.
10. The goods processing device according to claims 5 and 9, characterised in that a support disc is provided on the end of the lifting rod (2521), on which the load lifting beam lies with a contact surface (2510) due to the acting spring force and/or the force of gravity.
11. The goods processing device according to claim 10, characterised in that a mounted first extension spring (255) exerts a first spring force F1 on the load lifting beam (251), wherein the first extension spring (255) is mounted on the one hand on a first hook (25383) for the spring suspension on the carrier (253) of the movement mechanism (25) and on the other hand on a second hook (2515) for the spring suspension on the load lifting beam (251), wherein the two hooks are arranged at a distance one above the other and pulled towards one another.
12. The goods processing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the 1 inch inkjet print head or an ink cartridge with a 1 inch inkjet print head is mounted in a replaceable manner beneath a closeable cap in an opening of a housing upper shell of the goods processing device and is accessible via the cap.
13. The goods processing device according to claim 3, characterised in that a mounted second extension spring (145) exerts a second spring force F2 on the printer carriage (13), wherein the second extension spring (145) on the one hand is suspended on a hook-like spring suspension means (147) of a lateral projection (146) of the cartridge holder (142) of the printer carriage (14) and on the other hand on a hook-like spring suspension means (1513) in an opening in the middle of the bearing plate (151) and wherein the printer carriage (14) is pulled downwards up to a stop, at which the support contour (148) of the printer carriage (14) lies on the running surface (2513) of the load lifting beam (251).
14. The goods processing device according to claims 1 and 11, characterised in that the bottom of a housing lower shell of the goods processing device comprises a closeable maintenance opening and in addition a further opening, via which the means for the manual adjustment of the movement mechanism are accessible, when a suitable tool is introduced into the opening for operating the means for the manual adjustment.
15. The goods processing device according to claims 1 and 14, characterised in that the goods processing device comprises a maintenance module (162) for the printing module (10*, 10), and that the maintenance module (162) is constituted replaceable and can be removed from an open closeable maintenance opening of the goods processing device.
16. The goods processing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (254) for the manual adjustment in the vertical direction are arranged in a non-secure region of the housing of the goods processing device and are accessible via an opening in a housing lower shell of the goods processing device, wherein a vertical displacement of the inkjet print head by manual adjustment is provided through the opening.
17. The goods processing device according to claims 1 to 3 and 12 to 16, characterised in that the goods processing device is a franking machine with an inkjet print head which enables printing of an at least 1 inch wide print.

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