KR101097692B1 - Circulation System and Method for White ink - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a white ink circulation system, comprising: a main ink tank connected to an ink supply source and storing ink; A stirring device installed in the main ink tank to stir the ink in the main ink tank; A first pump connected to the main ink tank to transfer ink stored in the main ink tank; An auxiliary ink tank connected to a first first pump to receive ink from the main ink tank and to inject ink into an output head; An ink level sensor installed in the auxiliary ink tank to measure a level of ink; A heating mechanism installed around the auxiliary ink tank and capable of heating to maintain a constant viscosity of the ink; And a second pump connected to the auxiliary ink tank and feeding back ink to the main ink tank, and feeding back from the auxiliary ink tank to the main ink tank and stirring the ink so that the ink is separated into pigment and solvent and printed. It can prevent deterioration, extend the life of the head in UV printers using white ink, and reduce downtime due to head failure.

Printer, ink, deposition

Description

Circulation System and Method for White ink

The present invention relates to a white ink circulation system, and more particularly, a white ink capable of maintaining a homogeneous ink by mixing the solvent and the pigment again by stirring the ink in which the pigment sinks while being separated from the solvent after a certain time. It relates to the circulatory system.

The present invention relates to an ink tank capable of stirring ink, and more particularly, after stirring for a certain time, the ink is separated from the solvent and the ink is allowed to stir to maintain a homogeneous ink by mixing the solvent and the pigment again. It relates to an ink tank capable of stirring the ink present.

C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black) inks used in UV printers remain pigmented in the solvent without separation of the pigment and the solvent in the ink even when left for a long time.

With the recent development of printer technology, the use of flatbeds for UV printers has eliminated the material limitation of the output medium, and it has become possible to produce a photo-realistic output to an output medium having various colors or textures.

In particular, the color of the material is not white, or in the case of the transparent material to use the white color as a color to fill the background color or the margin in order to correctly express the color of the output image.

Unlike other inks, the white ink has a large specific gravity, and when left for a long time, the ink is separated from the solvent and immersed.

In this case, when the ink is used soaked as it is, the head is clogged, so that the printing operation is difficult, as well as the head in the UV printer is a fairly expensive equipment, it takes a lot of time and money for its repair.

Therefore, a means for periodically stirring such white ink is desired.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems, the white ink circulation system that can maintain a homogeneous ink by mixing the solvent and the pigment again by stirring the ink to be separated from the solvent and the pigment sinks after a certain time And a method.

White ink circulation system of the present invention for achieving the above object, the main ink tank is connected to the ink supply source for storing the ink; A stirring device installed in the main ink tank to stir the ink in the main ink tank; A first pump connected to the main ink tank to transfer ink stored in the main ink tank; An auxiliary ink tank connected to a first first pump to receive ink from the main ink tank and to inject ink into an output head; An ink level sensor installed in the auxiliary ink tank to measure a level of ink; A heating mechanism installed around the auxiliary ink tank and capable of heating to maintain a constant viscosity of the ink; And a second pump connected to the auxiliary ink tank and feeding back ink to the main ink tank.

Here, a differential pressure device may be connected to the auxiliary ink tank to control the pressure inside the auxiliary ink tank to suppress the leakage of ink.

The rear end of the first pump may further include an ink filter for removing impurities contained in the ink transferred by the first pump.

On the other hand, the main ink tank may further include a heating mechanism for heating the main ink tank.

The white ink circulation system may be configured to circulate the ink every predetermined time.

In addition, the white ink circulation method of the present invention comprises the steps of: agitating the internal ink of the main ink tank when the white ink circulation system is started; Initiating operation of the differential pressure device; And operating the first pump to transfer ink from the main ink tank to the auxiliary ink tank.

In addition, the white ink circulating method of the present invention comprises the steps of measuring the level of the ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank when the printer is operating and comparing it with a set value; Transferring ink from the main ink tank to the auxiliary ink tank when the level of ink does not reach a set value; Determining unused ink by measuring a level of ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank; And circulating the ink in the case of non-use of the ink.

In addition, the white ink circulation method of the present invention, when the operation of the printer is stopped,

Determining an operation stop of the printer; Stopping the operation of the first pump when the operation of the printer is stopped; Moving the ink of the auxiliary ink tank to the main ink tank; Determining whether ink is present by measuring a level of ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank; And stopping the differential pressure device and the white ink circulation system when there is no ink in the auxiliary ink tank.

According to the white ink circulation system and the white ink circulation method of the present invention described above, when the printer operates, the ink can be stably supplied to the auxiliary ink tank, and the ink is supplied to the auxiliary ink tank when the printer is not operated for a predetermined time. By feeding back to the main ink tank and stirring the ink, it is possible to prevent the ink from being separated into the pigment and the solvent and degrading the print quality.

Also, when the printer is turned off, put the ink from the sub ink tank into the main ink tank.

This prevents ink from leaking through the head.

Therefore, it is possible to extend the life of the head in the UV printer using white ink, and to reduce downtime due to the head failure.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

1 is a schematic diagram of a white ink circulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the ink circulation system of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the white ink circulation system of the present invention includes a main ink tank 20, a first pump 30, an auxiliary ink tank 50, and a second pump 70.

The white ink circulation system is connected to the UV printer to prevent the immersion of the ink used in the printer, and serves to maintain the ink in a state suitable for printing. There is no limitation of the ink used, but in particular, the specific gravity of the pigment is large, unlike other inks, and may be used in the case of the white ink, which is separated from the solvent and immersed when left for a long time.

Ink is supplied from the ink supply source 10 to the main ink tank 20. At this time, an ink supply valve 11 is installed between the ink supply source 10 and the main ink tank 20 to control the supply of the ink.

The main ink tank 20 is provided with ink level sensors 23, 24 and 25 capable of measuring the ink level therein.

The main ink tank 20 is provided with a stirring device 22 for stirring the ink in the main ink tank 20.

The stirring device 22 may include a stirring plate and a driving motor for driving the stirring plate.

Therefore, the stirring device 22 agitates the ink stored in the main ink tank 20.

Unlike other inks, the white ink has a large specific gravity, and when left for a long time, a phenomenon in which the ink is separated into a solvent and a pigment is immersed.

In addition, a heating mechanism 21 capable of heating to maintain a constant viscosity of the ink contained in the main ink tank 20 is installed around the main ink tank 20.

The heating mechanism 21 may further include a temperature measuring sensor capable of measuring a temperature, and the temperature measuring sensor enables the heating mechanism 21 to maintain a constant temperature.

In addition, the heating mechanism 21 can maintain the viscosity of the ink suitable for printing to maintain the temperature of the interior of the main ink tank 20 to 45 degrees to 50 degrees.

The first pump 30 is connected to the main ink tank 20 to transfer the ink stored in the main ink tank 20 to the auxiliary ink tank 50.

In addition, an ink filter 40 may be further included at a rear end of the first pump 30 to remove impurities contained in the ink transferred by the first pump 30.

The auxiliary ink tank 50 is connected to the upper first pump 30 receives ink from the main ink tank 20 and injects ink into the output head 80.

In the output head 80, a buffer 83 for even distribution of ink in the output head 80 is formed, and the buffer 83 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 81 for ejecting ink.

Then, the head heating mechanism 82 is further installed to maintain the viscosity of the ink in the output head 80.

In addition, a heating mechanism 51 is further provided around the auxiliary ink tank 50 to heat the ink to maintain a constant viscosity of the ink.

The heating mechanism 51 serves to maintain the viscosity of the ink in the auxiliary ink tank 50 at a viscosity suitable for printing.

Therefore, the heating mechanism 51 preferably maintains the temperature of the ink in the auxiliary ink tank 50 within a range of 45 degrees to 50 degrees.

In addition, the auxiliary ink tank 50 is provided with ink level sensors (23, 24, 25) for measuring the level of the ink in the auxiliary ink tank (50).

In addition, the auxiliary ink tank 50 may be further provided with a differential pressure device 60 to control the pressure inside the auxiliary ink tank 50 to suppress the occurrence of ink leakage.

The configuration of the differential pressure device 60 is not limited, and includes all devices capable of generating negative pressure.

Therefore, the differential pressure device 60 generates a negative pressure in the auxiliary ink tank 50 so that ink leaks to the output head 80 when the output head 80 is present at a position lower than the auxiliary ink tank 50. Prevent it.

In addition, a second pump 70 which feeds back ink to the main ink tank 20 is connected to the auxiliary ink tank 50.

In other words, the main ink tank 20 and the sub ink tank 50 are connected in such a manner that ink is circulated in feedback. The ink is circulated by the first pump 30 and the second pump 70.

In addition, the white ink circulation system may circulate ink at predetermined time intervals.

This may cause a phenomenon in which the pigment and the solvent of the white ink are separated even in the auxiliary ink tank 50, and frequently feeds back to the main ink tank 20, and stirred by the stirring device 22 in the main ink tank 20. By receiving the supplied ink from the main ink tank 20, the ink in the auxiliary ink tank 50 is maintained in an optimum state.

The white ink circulation method of the present invention comprises the steps of: agitating the internal ink of the main ink tank (20) when the white ink circulation system is started up; Initiating operation of the differential pressure device (60); And transferring ink from the main ink tank 20 to the sub ink tank 50 by operating the first pump 30.

When the UV printer is started and the white ink circulation system is started, first, the ink inside the main ink tank 20 is stirred to sufficiently mix the ink separated by the solvent and the pigment.

Of course, the stirring device 22 can be used at this time.

In addition, ink can be heated using the heating mechanism 21 at the time of ink stirring. In addition, it is preferable to attach a temperature measuring sensor (not shown) to the main ink tank 20 so that the heating mechanism 21 can maintain the temperature of the ink between 45 degrees and 50 degrees.

When the ink in the main ink tank 20 is sufficiently stirred by the stirring device 22, the pressure differential device 60 is operated.

The differential pressure device 60 prevents ink from leaking to the output head 80 installed below the auxiliary ink tank 50 by setting the internal pressure of the auxiliary ink tank 50 to a negative pressure state.

After the differential pressure device 60 is operated, the first pump 30 is operated to transfer ink from the main ink tank 20 to the sub ink tank 50.

Therefore, before starting the operation of the UV printer, the ink is sufficiently stirred and the differential pressure device 60 is operated to supply ink having a temperature and viscosity suitable for printing to the auxiliary ink tank 50, and the ink is supplied to the output head ( 80) to prevent leakage.

Another embodiment of the white ink circulation method of the present invention, when the printer is operated,

Determining the level of the ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank 50 and comparing it with a set value; Transferring ink from the main ink tank (20) to the auxiliary ink tank (20) when the level of ink does not reach a set value; Determining unused ink by measuring a level of ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank 50; And circulating the ink in the case of no use of the ink.

When the UV printer starts to output the output to the output, the ink inside the auxiliary ink tank 50 is consumed, it is necessary to continuously replenish it.

To this end, first, the level of the ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank 50 is measured and compared with the set value.

At this time, the measurement of the ink level can be made by the ink level sensors 52, 53, 54 coupled to the auxiliary ink tank (50).

Then, when the level of the ink does not reach the set value, the ink is transferred from the main ink tank 20 to the sub ink tank 50. Of course, at this time, the ink is transferred by the first pump 30.

Therefore, the ink may be supplied from the main ink tank 20 according to the amount of ink consumed in the auxiliary ink tank 50.

By measuring the level of ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank 50, it is determined that the ink is not used. At this time, the determination method measures the ink level with the ink level sensors 52, 53, and 54 attached to the auxiliary ink tank 50, and determines the non-use if the ink level does not change for a predetermined time. The time can be set between 10 minutes and 1 hour.

The ink is then circulated in the case of no use of the ink.

Here, circulating the ink is to feed back the ink between the main ink tank 20 and the auxiliary ink tank 50.

Specifically, the first pump 30 and the second pump 70 are operated to circulate the ink. Of course, the ink filter 40 is installed in the middle can be filtered ink.

Therefore, the ink is circulated to prevent the ink from being immersed in the auxiliary ink tank 50 when the ink is not in use.

Another embodiment of the white ink circulation method of the present invention comprises the steps of determining the operation stop of the printer when the operation of the printer is stopped; Stopping the operation of the first pump 30 when the operation of the printer is stopped; Moving the ink of the auxiliary ink tank (50) to the main ink tank (20); Determining whether ink is present by measuring a level of ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank 50; And stopping the differential pressure device 60 and the white ink circulation system when there is no ink in the auxiliary ink tank 50.

When the operation of the printer is stopped and the operation of the differential pressure device 60 is also stopped, the ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank 50 is leaked to the output head 80.

In order to solve the problem, first determine whether the printer is stopped. At this time, the printer can be turned off or judged by an operation stop switch.

When the printer is stopped, the operation of the first pump 30 is stopped.

The operation of the first pump 30 is stopped to prevent the ink of the main ink tank 20 from being transferred to the auxiliary ink tank 50.

After that, the ink of the auxiliary ink tank 50 is moved to the main ink tank 20. At this time, the second pump 70 is operated to transfer the ink.

Therefore, when the operation of the printer is stopped, the ink existing in the auxiliary ink tank 50 is transferred to the main ink tank 20 and the operation of the differential pressure device 60 is stopped, so that the ink inside the auxiliary ink tank 50 is output. The leakage of the head 80 can be prevented, and the ink can be separated from the pigment and the solvent to block the nozzle of the output head 80.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described a flow chart of the white ink circulation system through FIG.

Step 101 is a step of stirring the ink inside the main ink tank 20 by operating the stirring device (22). When stirring is performed, the ink is in a state suitable for printing.

Step 102 is a step of operating the differential pressure device 60.

Step 103 is a step of operating the first pump 30.

By operating the differential pressure device 60 and the first pump 30 to transfer the ink to the auxiliary ink tank 50, to prevent the leakage of ink from the auxiliary ink tank 50 toward the output head 80.

Step 104 is a step of comparing with the set ink level, which may be made by visual comparison, or may be performed by the ink level sensors 52, 53, 54. When the ink of the auxiliary ink tank 50 does not reach the set ink level, the first pump 30 is operated to supply ink from the main ink tank 20 to the auxiliary ink tank 50.

Step 105 is a step of judging unused ink. The use of the ink can be judged by the ink level sensors 52, 53, and 54. If there is no change in the ink level for a predetermined time, it is determined that the ink is not used. When it is determined that it is not in use, the first pump 30 and the second pump 70 are operated to circulate ink.

Step 108 is to determine whether the printer is in operation.

Step 109 is to stop the operation of the first pump 30 when the printer is stopped.

Step 110 is a step of operating the second pump (70).

Step 111 is a step of determining the presence of ink in the auxiliary ink tank (50).

Step 112 is a step of stopping the operation of the differential pressure device 60 when there is no ink in the auxiliary ink tank 50.

Step 113 is to stop the operation of the white ink circulation system.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. And it goes without saying that they belong to the scope of the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of a white ink circulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

All.

2 is a flowchart of the ink circulation system of the present invention.

<Description of Main Reference Signs>

10: ink supply tank 11: ink supply valve

20: main ink tank 21, 51: heating mechanism

22: stirring device 23, 24, 25, 52, 53, 54: ink level sensor

30: first pump 40: ink filter

50: auxiliary ink tank 60: differential pressure device

70: second pump 80: output head

81: nozzle 82: head heating mechanism

83: buffer

Claims (8)

A main ink tank connected to an ink supply source and storing ink; A stirring device installed in the main ink tank to stir the ink in the main ink tank; A first pump connected to the main ink tank to transfer ink stored in the main ink tank; An auxiliary ink tank connected to a first first pump to receive ink from the main ink tank and to inject ink into an output head; An ink level sensor installed in the auxiliary ink tank to measure a level of ink; A heating mechanism installed around the auxiliary ink tank and capable of heating to maintain a constant viscosity of the ink; And And a second pump connected to the auxiliary ink tank and feeding back ink to the main ink tank. The method of claim 1, And a differential pressure device connected to the auxiliary ink tank to control the pressure inside the auxiliary ink tank to suppress the occurrence of ink leakage. The method of claim 1, White ink circulation system, characterized in that the rear end of the first pump further comprises an ink filter for removing impurities contained in the ink conveyed by the first pump. The method of claim 1, The main ink tank further comprises a heating mechanism for heating the main ink tank. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And said white ink circulation system circulates said ink every predetermined time. When the white ink circulation system of claim 2 is started, Stirring the internal ink of the main ink tank; Initiating operation of the differential pressure device; And Operating the first pump to transfer ink from the main ink tank to the auxiliary ink tank. The method of claim 6, If the printer works, Determining the level of the ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank and comparing it with a set value; Transferring ink from the main ink tank to the auxiliary ink tank when the level of ink does not reach a set value; Determining unused ink by measuring a level of ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank; And White ink circulation method comprising the step of circulating the ink in the case of non-use of the ink. The method of claim 6, If the printer stops working, Determining an operation stop of the printer; Stopping the operation of the first pump when the operation of the printer is stopped; Moving the ink of the auxiliary ink tank to the main ink tank; Determining whether ink is present by measuring a level of ink stored in the auxiliary ink tank; And Stopping the differential pressure device and the white ink circulation system if there is no ink in the auxiliary ink tank.

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