CN215284001U

CN215284001U - Ink supply system

Info

Publication number: CN215284001U
Application number: CN202121316442.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘宏年; 马力; 徐星; 江洪
Original assignee: Shenzhen Runtianzhi Digital Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Runtianzhi Digital Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-11
Filing date: 2021-06-11
Publication date: 2021-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-11

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of the inkjet printing, a ink supply system is provided, including circulation circuit and controller, circulation circuit is used for supplying the ink circulation flows, circulation circuit follows the circulation flow direction of ink is provided with ink horn, circulating pump, heater, first sensor module, inkjet printer head and second sensor module according to the preface, first sensor module second sensor module the circulating pump with the heater respectively with controller signal connection, first sensor module is used for acquireing first temperature information and first negative pressure information when the ink flows through, second sensor module is used for acquireing second temperature information and second negative pressure information when the ink flows through. This application can make the temperature difference, the negative pressure difference between the end can tend to stability respectively that the ink jet printing head ink flows in the end and the ink flows out, and then improves the printing quality that the ink jet printing head, and the condition emergence such as the ink break, the acting as go-between are beaten to the reduction ink jet printing head.

Description

Ink supply system

Technical Field

The present application relates to inkjet printing, and more particularly, to an ink supply system.

Background

The ink circulation of the ink-jet printer is realized through high negative pressure and low negative pressure, namely, the ink flows to the high negative pressure cavity from the low negative pressure cavity, and then the ink in the high negative pressure cavity is pumped into the low negative pressure cavity by the circulating pump; or the ink at the low negative pressure is sucked into the high negative pressure cavity by the high negative pressure, and then the ink in the high negative pressure cavity is pumped into the low negative pressure cavity by the circulating pump so as to achieve the purpose of ink circulation.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the embodiments of the present application is to provide an ink supply system, so as to solve the technical problem that the printing quality of an inkjet printhead is easily reduced in a circular ink supply manner in the prior art.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the application is as follows: the utility model provides an ink supply system, includes circulation circuit and controller, circulation circuit is used for supplying the ink circulation flows, circulation circuit follows the circulation flow direction of ink is provided with ink horn, circulating pump, heater, first sensor subassembly, inkjet printer head and second sensor subassembly in proper order, first sensor subassembly, second sensor subassembly, the circulating pump with the heater respectively with controller signal connection, first sensor subassembly is used for acquireing first temperature information and first negative pressure information when the ink flows through, second sensor subassembly is used for acquireing second temperature information and second negative pressure information when the ink flows through.

Optionally, a float switch is arranged in the ink box, the ink box is connected with an ink supply barrel through an ink supply branch, an ink supply pump is arranged on the ink supply branch, and the float switch and the ink supply pump are respectively in signal connection with the controller.

Optionally, the circulation loop is connected with a flow adjustment branch, one end of the flow adjustment branch is connected between the heater and the first sensor assembly, the other end of the flow adjustment branch is connected between the second sensor assembly and the ink cartridge, and a flow adjustment device is arranged on the flow adjustment branch.

Optionally, the controller is connected to a display, and the display is configured to display the first temperature information, the first negative pressure information, the second temperature information, and the second negative pressure information.

Optionally, a partition board is arranged in the ink box, the partition board partitions the inside of the ink box to form a plurality of chambers, and bottoms of the chambers are communicated with each other.

Optionally, two partition plates are arranged in the ink box, the two partition plates divide the inside of the ink box to form a first cavity, a second cavity and a third cavity, the bottom of the first cavity, the bottom of the second cavity and the bottom of the third cavity are sequentially communicated, the ink supply pump is connected with the first cavity of the ink box through the ink supply branch, the circulating pump is connected with the second cavity of the ink box through a pipeline, the second sensor assembly is connected with the third cavity of the ink box through a pipeline, and the float switch is arranged in the second cavity of the ink box.

Optionally, the first sensor assembly comprises a first temperature sensor and a first negative pressure sensor arranged in sequence along the circulation flow direction of the ink.

Optionally, the first sensor assembly comprises a first negative pressure sensor and a first temperature sensor arranged in sequence along the circulation flow direction of the ink.

Optionally, the second sensor assembly includes a second negative pressure sensor and a second temperature sensor disposed in this order along the circulation flow direction of the ink.

Optionally, the second sensor assembly comprises a second temperature sensor and a second negative pressure sensor arranged in sequence along the circulation flow direction of the ink.

The embodiment of the application has at least the following beneficial effects: the controller can be used for comparing the first difference value with a first preset value and the second difference value with a second preset value, so that the controller can control the heater to reduce power or increase power according to the condition of the first difference value and control the circulating pump to reduce power or increase power according to the condition of the second difference value. The temperature fluctuation and the negative pressure fluctuation between the ink inflow end and the ink outflow end of the ink jet printing head can be reduced as much as possible through the system, so that the temperature difference and the negative pressure difference between the ink inflow end and the ink outflow end of the ink jet printing head can be stabilized respectively, the ink jet temperature and the ink jet pressure of the ink jet printing head can be kept stable, the printing quality of the ink jet printing head is improved, and the conditions of ink break, wire drawing and the like of the ink jet printing head are reduced.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art descriptions will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without inventive exercise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a control logic diagram according to an embodiment of the present application.

Wherein, each mark in the figure is:

1. a circulation loop; 2. an ink cartridge; 3. a circulation pump; 4. a heater; 5. a first sensor assembly; 6. an inkjet print head; 7. a second sensor assembly; 8. a controller; 9. a float switch; 10. an ink supply branch; 11. an ink supply barrel; 12. an ink supply pump; 13. a flow regulating branch; 14. a flow regulating device; 15. a partition plate; 16. a first chamber; 17. a second chamber; 18. a third chamber; 19. a first temperature sensor; 20. a first negative pressure sensor; 21. a second negative pressure sensor; 22. a second temperature sensor.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous effects to be solved by the present application clearer, the present application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "secured to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or be indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other element. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", and the like, indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, are merely for convenience of description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred devices or elements must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and operate, and thus are not to be construed as limiting the patent, and the specific meanings of the above terms will be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations. The terms "first", "second" and "first" are used merely for descriptive purposes and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features. The meaning of "plurality" is two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

Embodiments of the present application provide an ink supply system that can be used to supply ink to an inkjet printhead 6 of an inkjet printer. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the system includes a circulation circuit 1 and a controller 8, the circulation circuit 1 is used for circulating ink, and the circulation circuit 1 is provided with an ink cartridge 2, a circulation pump 3, a heater 4, a first sensor assembly 5, an inkjet print head 6 and a second sensor assembly 7 in sequence along the circulation flow direction of the ink. Or it can be understood that the ink cartridge 2, the circulation pump 3, the heater 4, the first sensor unit 5, the ink jet print head 6 and the second sensor unit 7 are connected end to end in sequence and form a loop in which the ink circulates, sequentially circulating through the ink cartridge 2, the circulation pump 3, the heater 4, the first sensor unit 5, the ink jet print head 6, the second sensor unit 7, the ink cartridge 2 …

The first sensor assembly 5, the second sensor assembly 7, the circulating pump 3 and the heater 4 are respectively in signal connection with the controller 8, the first sensor assembly 5 is used for acquiring first temperature information and first negative pressure information when ink flows through the first sensor assembly 5, and the second sensor assembly 7 is used for acquiring second temperature information and second negative pressure information when ink flows through the second sensor assembly 7. In particular, the controller 8 may be a programmable logic controller 8, i.e. a PLC.

When the system works, ink in the ink box 2 forms a certain negative pressure through the suction of the circulating pump 3, then enters the heater 4 to be heated and heated, and flows through the first sensor assembly 5, and the first sensor assembly 5 acquires first temperature information and first negative pressure information of the flowing ink and transmits the first temperature information and the first negative pressure information to the controller 8. Then the ink flows into the ink jet print head 6, part of the ink is ejected by the ink jet print head 6 for printing, and the excess ink flows out of the ink jet print head 6 and flows through the second sensor component 7; since a portion of the ink is ejected by the inkjet printhead 6, a portion of the heat and pressure is lost, and thus the temperature and negative pressure at which the ink flows out of the inkjet printhead 6 are lower than the temperature and negative pressure at which the ink flows into the inkjet printhead 6, respectively. The second sensor assembly 7 acquires second temperature information and second negative pressure information of the ink flowing through and transmits the second temperature information and the second negative pressure information to the controller 8, and the ink flowing through the second sensor assembly 7 flows back into the ink cartridge 2 again, so that the ink continuously circulates in the circulation circuit 1 in which the ink cartridge 2, the circulation pump 3, the heater 4, the first sensor assembly 5, the inkjet printing head 6 and the second sensor are sequentially arranged.

The controller 8 receives the first temperature information and the first negative pressure information sent by the first sensor assembly 5 and the second temperature information and the second negative pressure information sent by the second sensor assembly 7 respectively, and then performs the following data processing and control logic:

the controller 8 calculates a first difference value between the first temperature information and the second temperature information, compares the first difference value with a first preset value of the controller 8, and if the first difference value is greater than the first preset value, the controller 8 controls the heater 4 to reduce power so as to reduce the heating power of the heater 4 to the ink, so that the first difference value is reduced and approaches to the first preset value; if the first difference is smaller than the first preset value, the controller 8 controls the heater 4 to increase the power to heat the ink by the heater 4, so that the first difference increases and approaches the first preset value.

The controller 8 calculates a second difference value between the first negative pressure information and the second negative pressure information, compares the second difference value with a second preset value of the controller 8, and if the second difference value is greater than the second preset value, the controller 8 controls the circulating pump 3 to reduce power so as to reduce the suction power of the circulating pump 3 to the ink and enable the second difference value to be reduced and approach the second preset value; if the second difference is smaller than the second preset value, the controller 8 controls the circulation pump 3 to increase the power to increase the suction power of the circulation pump 3 to the ink, so that the second difference increases and approaches the second preset value.

The embodiment of the application acquires the first temperature information and the first negative pressure information of the ink before the ink flows into the ink jet printing head 6 through the first sensor assembly 5, second temperature information and second negative pressure information of the ink are acquired by the second sensor assembly 7 after the ink has flowed out of the inkjet printhead 6, the difference in the temperature of the ink flowing into the ink jet print head 6 and the temperature of the ink flowing out of the ink jet print head 6 (i.e. the first difference) and the difference in the negative pressure of the ink flowing into the ink jet print head 6 and the ink flowing out of the ink jet print head 6 (i.e. the second difference) can be calculated by the controller 8, the controller 8 then compares the first difference with a first preset value and the second difference with a second preset value, so that the controller 8 can control the heater 4 to reduce or increase the power according to the condition of the first difference and control the circulating pump 3 to reduce or increase the power according to the condition of the second difference. The temperature fluctuation and the negative pressure fluctuation between the ink inflow end and the ink outflow end of the ink jet printing head 6 can be reduced as much as possible through the system, so that the temperature difference and the negative pressure difference between the ink inflow end and the ink outflow end of the ink jet printing head 6 can be stabilized respectively, the ink jet temperature and the ink jet pressure of the ink jet printing head 6 can be kept stable, the printing quality of the ink jet printing head 6 is improved, and the conditions of ink break, wire drawing and the like of the ink jet printing head 6 are reduced.

In some embodiments, a float switch 9 is disposed in the ink box 2, the ink box 2 is connected to an ink supply barrel 11 through an ink supply branch 10, an ink supply pump 12 is disposed on the ink supply branch 10, and the float switch 9 and the ink supply pump 12 are respectively in signal connection with the controller 8. When the system works, if the liquid level in the ink box 2 is lower than the preset liquid level, the float switch 9 sends a starting signal to the controller 8, and the controller 8 starts the ink supply pump 12 to work so as to replenish ink to the ink box 2; if the liquid level in the ink cartridge 2 is higher than the preset liquid level, the float switch 9 sends a stop signal to the controller 8, and the controller 8 stops the operation of the ink supply pump 12 to stop the ink supply to the ink cartridge 2. Generally, the ink cartridge 2 stores only a small amount of ink therein to ensure a stable pressure in the circulation circuit 1. The ink box 2 is connected with an ink supply barrel 11 through an ink supply branch 10 with an ink supply pump 12, and when the liquid level in the ink box 2 is lower than a preset liquid level, the ink supply pump 12 pumps and supplements the ink stored in the ink supply barrel 11 into the ink box 2 through a float switch 9 and a controller 8; when the liquid level in the ink cartridge 2 becomes higher than the predetermined liquid level, the float switch 9 and the controller 8 stop the operation of the ink supply pump 12. This design enables the ink cartridge 2 to be automatically and timely replenished with ink, and enables the inkjet printhead 6 to operate stably for a long period of time.

In some of the embodiments, a flow regulating branch 13 is connected to the circulation circuit 1, one end of the flow regulating branch 13 is connected between the heater 4 and the first sensor assembly 5, the other end of the flow regulating branch 13 is connected between the second sensor assembly 7 and the ink cartridge 2, and a flow regulating device 14 is disposed on the flow regulating branch 13. In particular, the flow regulating device 14 may be a flow regulating valve. The flow rate of the ink flowing through the ink jet printing head 6 can be adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the ink of the flow rate adjusting branch 13 through the flow rate adjusting device 14, so that the ink jet amount of the ink jet printing head 6 is controlled; for example, if the flow rate of the ink flowing through the flow rate adjusting branch 13 is increased, the flow rate of the ink flowing through the ink jet print head 6 is decreased, whereas if the flow rate of the ink flowing through the flow rate adjusting branch 13 is decreased, the flow rate of the ink flowing through the ink jet print head 6 is increased.

In some embodiments, the controller 8 is connected to a display (not shown) for displaying the first temperature information, the first negative pressure information, the second temperature information and the second negative pressure information. The controller 8 transmits the first temperature information, the first negative pressure information, the second temperature information and the second negative pressure information to the display, and the display can display the first temperature information, the first negative pressure information, the second temperature information and the second negative pressure information in real time, namely, the temperature information and the negative pressure information of the ink inflow end and the ink outflow end of the ink jet printing head 6 are displayed in real time.

In some of the embodiments, a partition 15 is provided in the ink cartridge 2, the partition 15 partitions the inside of the ink cartridge 2 into a plurality of chambers, and the bottoms of the plurality of chambers communicate with each other. Through set up baffle 15 in ink horn 2 and separate the inside of forming the bottom a plurality of cavities that communicate each other with ink horn 2, the fluctuation of the ink that can store in less ink horn 2 makes the liquid level of the ink in ink horn 2 more stable and calm.

In some embodiments, two partition plates 15 are disposed in the ink cartridge 2, the two partition plates 15 partition the inside of the ink cartridge 2 to form a first chamber 16, a second chamber 17 and a third chamber 18, the bottom of the first chamber 16, the bottom of the second chamber 17 and the bottom of the third chamber 18 are sequentially communicated, the ink supply pump 12 is connected to the first chamber 16 of the ink cartridge 2 through the ink supply branch 10, the circulating pump 3 is connected to the second chamber 17 of the ink cartridge 2 through a pipeline, the second sensor assembly 7 is connected to the third chamber 18 of the ink cartridge 2 through a pipeline, and the float switch 9 is disposed in the second chamber 17 of the ink cartridge 2. The ink in the ink supply barrel 11 is pumped into the first chamber 16 of the ink box 2 through the ink supply branch 10 and the ink supply pump 12, and the overall liquid level in the ink box 2 is raised by utilizing the communicating device principle, so that the fluctuation of the liquid level in the second chamber 17 of the ink box 2 is reduced in the process that the ink supply barrel 11 supplies ink into the ink box 2, and the liquid level sensed by the float switch 9 in the second chamber 17 is more accurate. In addition, the arrangement of the two partition plates 15 and the first chamber 16, the second chamber 17 and the third chamber 18 can also reduce the fluctuation of the overall liquid level of the ink box 2 caused by the suction of the ink by the pipeline connecting the circulating pump 3 and the ink box 2, and the fluctuation of the overall liquid level of the ink box 2 caused by the backflow of the ink to the ink box 2 by the pipeline connecting the second sensor assembly 7 and the ink box 2.

In some of these embodiments, the first sensor assembly 5 includes a first temperature sensor 19 and a first negative pressure sensor 20 disposed in series along the circulating flow direction of the ink. The first temperature sensor 19 acquires first temperature information of the ink flowing therethrough and transmits the first temperature information to the controller 8, and the first negative pressure sensor 20 acquires first negative pressure information of the ink flowing therethrough and transmits the first negative pressure information to the controller 8.

In some of the embodiments, the first sensor assembly 5 includes a first negative pressure sensor 20 and a first temperature sensor 19 arranged in sequence along the circulation flow direction of the ink. The first negative pressure sensor 20 acquires first negative pressure information when ink flows and transmits the first negative pressure information to the controller 8, and the first temperature sensor 19 acquires first temperature information when ink flows and transmits the first temperature information to the controller 8.

In some of the embodiments, the second sensor assembly 7 includes a second negative pressure sensor 21 and a second temperature sensor 22 disposed in this order along the circulation flow direction of the ink. The second negative pressure sensor 21 acquires second negative pressure information when the ink flows and transmits the second negative pressure information to the controller 8, and the second temperature sensor 22 acquires second temperature information when the ink flows and transmits the second temperature information to the controller 8.

In some of the embodiments, the second sensor assembly 7 includes a second temperature sensor 22 and a second negative pressure sensor 21 arranged in this order in the circulating flow direction of the ink. The second temperature sensor 22 acquires second temperature information of the ink flowing therethrough and transmits the second temperature information to the controller 8, and the second negative pressure sensor 21 acquires second negative pressure information of the ink flowing therethrough and transmits the second negative pressure information to the controller 8.

The above description is only exemplary of the present application and should not be taken as limiting the present application, and any modifications, equivalents, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. The ink supply system is characterized by comprising a circulation loop and a controller, wherein the circulation loop is used for supplying ink to circularly flow, an ink box, a circulation pump, a heater, a first sensor assembly, an ink jet printing head and a second sensor assembly are sequentially arranged on the circulation loop along the circulating flow direction of the ink, the first sensor assembly, the second sensor assembly, the circulation pump and the heater are respectively in signal connection with the controller, the first sensor assembly is used for acquiring first temperature information and first negative pressure information when the ink flows through, and the second sensor assembly is used for acquiring second temperature information and second negative pressure information when the ink flows through.

2. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein a float switch is disposed in the ink tank, the ink tank is connected to the ink supply barrel through an ink supply branch, an ink supply pump is disposed on the ink supply branch, and the float switch and the ink supply pump are respectively in signal connection with the controller.

3. An ink supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow regulating branch is connected to the circulation circuit, one end of the flow regulating branch is connected between the heater and the first sensor assembly, the other end of the flow regulating branch is connected between the second sensor assembly and the ink cartridge, and a flow regulating device is provided on the flow regulating branch.

4. An ink supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a display is connected to the controller, the display being configured to display the first temperature information, the first negative pressure information, the second temperature information and the second negative pressure information.

5. An ink supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a partition is provided in the ink cartridge, the partition partitions the inside of the ink cartridge into a plurality of chambers, and bottoms of the plurality of chambers communicate with each other.

6. The ink supply system according to claim 2, wherein two partition plates are disposed in the ink cartridge, the two partition plates partition the interior of the ink cartridge to form a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber, the bottom of the first chamber, the bottom of the second chamber and the bottom of the third chamber are sequentially communicated, the ink supply pump is connected to the first chamber of the ink cartridge through the ink supply branch, the circulation pump is connected to the second chamber of the ink cartridge through a pipeline, the second sensor assembly is connected to the third chamber of the ink cartridge through a pipeline, and the float switch is disposed in the second chamber of the ink cartridge.

7. An ink supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first sensor assembly comprises a first temperature sensor and a first negative pressure sensor arranged in this order in a circulating flow direction of said ink.

8. An ink supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first sensor unit comprises a first negative pressure sensor and a first temperature sensor arranged in this order in a circulating flow direction of said ink.

9. An ink supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second sensor unit includes a second negative pressure sensor and a second temperature sensor arranged in this order in a circulating flow direction of said ink.

10. An ink supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second sensor unit includes a second temperature sensor and a second negative pressure sensor arranged in this order in a circulating flow direction of said ink.