KR20230017514A - Printing apparatus and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a printing apparatus and an operation method thereof. The printing apparatus comprises: a printing ink storage body storing ink; an injection head unit having an injection head injecting the ink; a pressure control unit controlling the pressure of a fluid for operating the ink; and a circulation module communicating with the injection head through a fourth flow path, and pumping and supplying the ink from the injection head unit to the printing ink storage body on the fourth flow path. The printing ink storage body can include: a fourth-first flow path communicating with the injection head through a third flow path, and supplying the ink to the injection head through the third flow path, and allowing the fourth path to be connected to the injection head on one side surface of the circulation module based on the circulation module; and a fourth-second flow path connected to the printing ink storage body on the other side surface of the circulation module. Therefore, workability can be improved.

Description

Printing apparatus and its operating method {Printing apparatus and operation method thereof}

The present invention relates to a printing device and an ink operating method thereof.

Ink printing technology in the display field is one of the major technologies emerging in the current industry, and in particular, it is positioned as an important core technology in the high value-added display industry that can be produced at room temperature / in the air beyond the concept of vacuum deposition method production. However, ink printers based on the solution process must fill the piping, circulating pump, and print head with ink in order to utilize the ink. To this end, a method of pushing ink from a reservoir to the head with strong pressure and filling the piping and circulation pump with ink is applied. This method causes waste of ink, and in particular, when using quantum dot-based ink with high value-added technology, process unit cost and manufacturing cost increase due to waste of material cost. In addition, the pump applied here is an impeller-type pump, and the state of driving the pump (eg, circulation, etc.) is determined according to the presence or absence of fluid. Therefore, if there is an air pocket or bubble inside the pump, a problem occurs in driving the pump, which eventually causes problems in the operation of the ink circulation system.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0093077

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printing device capable of speedily progressing the process and improving workability by shortening the filling time of the initial ink based on an impeller pump equipped with an air pocket extractor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing device capable of minimizing gaps of ink filled in an ink circulating means.

In addition, it is to provide a printing device capable of improving workability and reducing setting time in initial mass production facility setting through rapid filling of initial ink in the pump.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing device capable of more effectively supplying ink at a point in time when refilling of ink according to replacement of a head and related parts is required.

In addition, to provide a printing device capable of reducing material usage and cost by minimizing the consumption of expensive ink costing tens of thousands of won per 1L.

In addition, the tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

Printing apparatus according to one aspect (aspect) of the present invention for achieving the above object, a printing ink receptor in which ink is accommodated; a jetting head unit provided with a jetting head through which the ink is jetted; a pressure control unit performing pressure control of fluid for the operation of the ink; and a circulation module communicating with the ejection head through a fourth passage and pumping and supplying ink from the ejection head unit to the printing ink receptor on the fourth passage, wherein the printing ink receptor comprises the ejection head and communicated through a third passage, supplying ink to the ejection head through the third passage, and the fourth passage connected to the ejection head from one side of the circulation module based on the circulation module; 1 flow path and a 4-2 flow path connected to the printing ink receptor on the other side of the circulation module.

In addition, the circulation module supplies the ink inside the ejection head to the printing ink receptor to circulate the ink on the printing unit, thereby suppressing sedimentation of the remaining ink inside the ink.

In addition, in the circulation module, the ink supplied through the 4-1 passage is accommodated in the inner space, and the ink is discharged to the printing ink receptor in the inner space through the 4-2 passage, and the inner space The printing unit includes a first area in which silver ink is loaded and accommodated, and a second area SP2 as an upper area of the first area where ink does not reach from the first area and air remains. In the performance of the pumping operation from the 4-1 flow path to the 4-2 flow path of the circulation module, air is applied from the 4-1 flow path to the 4-2 flow path on the second area SP2. It may further include an intake module for performing air intake on the second area SP2 to prevent pumping into the furnace from being impeded.

In addition, the suction module has an ink trap part communicating with the second area SP2 of the circulation module through a fifth flow path, and a suction force applied to the second area SP2 of the circulation module via the ink trap part. It may include a suction force providing unit for providing air on the second area SP2 to be sucked.

In addition, when the ink of the first area is sucked based on the suction power of the suction force providing part, the ink trap part may be accommodated therein to prevent the inflow of the sucked ink into the suction force providing part.

In addition, the suction module performs a nitrogen-based purge through an intake ink discharge unit provided in the ink trap unit to discharge ink remaining therein, and a sixth flow path in the ink trap unit, so that the intake ink A nitrogen purge unit for discharging ink to the discharge unit may be further included.

A method for operating a printing device according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes preparing the printing device; Before or after operation of the printing device, ink is pumped and circulated between the printing ink container and the jetting head, wherein the printing apparatus includes a jetting head having a jetting head for jetting ink; A pressure control unit that controls fluid pressure for ink operation, communicates with the ejection head through a fourth flow path, and pumps and supplies ink from the ejection head unit to the printing ink receptor on the fourth flow path. module, wherein the printing ink receptor communicates with the ejection head through a third flow path, supplies ink to the ejection head through the third flow path, and the fourth flow path supplies the ink to the ejection head based on the circulation module. It may include a 4-1 passage connected to the ejection head from one side of the circulation module, and a 4-2 passage connected to the printing ink receptor from the other side of the circulation module.

According to the printing device and its operating method of the present invention as described above, one or more of the following effects are provided.

The present invention can provide a printing device capable of rapidly progressing the process and improving workability by shortening the initial ink filling time based on an impeller pump equipped with an air pocket extractor.

In particular, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of minimizing gaps of ink filled in the ink circulation means.

In addition, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of improving workability and reducing setting time in initial mass production facility setting through rapid filling of initial ink in the pump.

In addition, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of more effectively supplying ink at a point in time when refilling of ink according to replacement of a head and related parts is required.

In addition, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of reducing material usage and cost by minimizing the consumption of expensive ink costing tens of thousands of won per 1L.

1 is a configuration diagram showing configurations of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 and 3 are diagrams showing some of the configurations of the printing apparatus according to FIG. 1 in detail.
4 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method of operating a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms, only the present embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs It is provided to fully inform the holder of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

The spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. It can be used to easily describe the interrelationships of objects or components with other objects or components. Spatially relative terms are to be understood as terms that include different orientations of objects in use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the figures. For example, when flipping an object shown in a drawing, an object described as "below" or "beneath" another object may be placed "above" the other object. Thus, the exemplary term “below” may include directions of both below and above. Objects may be oriented in other directions as well, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to orientation.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various objects, components and/or sections, it is needless to say that these objects, components and/or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one object, component or section from another object, component or section. Accordingly, it goes without saying that a first object, a first component or a first section referred to below may also be a second object, a second component or a second section within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Terminology used herein is for describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in a phrase. As used herein, "comprises" and/or "comprising" means that a stated component, step, operation, and/or object is the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations, and/or objects. or addition is not excluded. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification have meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. will be able to use In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly specifically defined.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components regardless of reference numerals are given the same reference numerals, Description will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printing unit 110 . The printing unit 110 includes a printing ink receptor 111, a spray head 112, a pressure control unit 113, a suction module 115, and a negative pressure supply unit 116. Referring to, the suction module 115 includes an ink trap unit 1151, a suction power supply unit 1152, a nitrogen purge unit 1153, and an intake ink discharge unit 1154. (See FIGS. 2 to 3)

Here, the printing unit 110 is for performing printing on an object. Specifically, the printing ink container 111 of the printing unit 110 accommodates ink for printing.

The jetting head 112 of the printing unit 110 is provided with a jetting head 1121 through which the ink is jetted. In addition, the pressure controller 113 of the printing unit 110 controls the pressure of the fluid for the operation of the ink.

Here, the pressure control unit 113 is in communication with the printing ink receptor 111 through the first flow path P1, and such ink includes quantum dot-based ink operated in air at room temperature.

The circulation module 114 communicates with the spray head 1121 through the fourth passages P41 and 42. The circulation module 114 serves to pump and supply ink from the ejection head 112 to the printing ink receptor 111 on the fourth passages P41 and 42 .

The printing ink container 111 communicates with the jetting head 1121 through a third passage P3, and supplies ink to the jetting head 1121 through the third passage P3.

The fourth flow path includes a 4-1 flow path P41 connected to the spray head 1121 from one side of the circulation module 114 based on the circulation module 114, and the circulation module 114. It is provided to include a 4-2 passage P42 connected to the printing ink receptor 111 on the other side.

In addition, the circulation module 114 supplies the ink inside the ejection head 1121 to the printing ink receptor 111 so that the ink on the printing unit 110 is circulated. Through this, in the entire printing unit 110, it is possible to suppress the precipitate remaining inside the ink from settling.

In the circulation module 114, the ink supplied through the 4-1 passage P41 is accommodated in the inner space, and the ink is supplied to the inner space through the 4-2 passage P42 to the printing ink receptor ( 111) is discharged.

Here, the inner space of the circulation module 114 includes a first area where ink is loaded and accommodated, and a second area (SP2) which is an upper area of the first area and where ink does not reach from the first area and air remains. ).

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the suction module 115 of the printing unit 110 moves from the 4-1 passage P41 to the 4-2 passage P42 of the circulation module 114 . In performing the pumping operation, it is provided to prevent the pumping from the 4-1 flow path P41 to the 4-2 flow path P42 from being hindered by air on the second area SP2. Specifically, it is provided to perform air intake on the second area SP2.

The ink trap part 1151 of the suction module 115 communicates with the second area SP2 of the circulation module 114 through the fifth passage P5. The suction force providing unit 1152 of the suction module 115 provides suction force to the second area SP2 of the circulation module 114 via the ink trap unit 1151 to provide suction power to the second area SP2. ) so that the air on it is sucked in.

When the ink trap part 1151 of the suction module 115 sucks the ink of the first area SP1 based on the suction force of the suction force providing part 1152, the sucked ink is transferred to the suction force providing part (1152). 1152), ink is accommodated therein to prevent inflow.

The intake ink discharge unit 122 of the suction module 115 is provided in the ink trap unit 1151 to discharge ink remaining therein. The nitrogen purging unit 1153 of the suction module 115 performs nitrogen-based purging of the ink trap unit 1151 through the sixth passage P6, and the ink for the intake ink discharge unit 122 of the discharge is performed.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in the printing device operation method (S100) according to an embodiment of the present invention, the printing device is prepared (S110), at least one of before, during, and after operation of the printing device. and pumping and circulating the ink between the printing ink receptor 111 and the spray head 112 (S120).

Here, the ejection head unit 112 of the printing device 100 ejects ink through the ejection head 1121 . The pressure controller 113 of the printing device 100 controls the pressure of the fluid for the operation of the ink.

The circulation module 115 of the printing device 100 communicates with the spray head 1121 through the fourth passages P41 and 42, and the circulation module 115 is connected to the fourth passages P41 and 42. ), ink is pumped and supplied from the ejection head part 112 to the printing ink receptor 111.

The printing ink container 111 of the printing device 100 communicates with the spray head 1121 through a third passage P3. The printing ink receptor 111 supplies ink to the ejection head 1121 through the third passage P3.

The fourth passage includes a 4-1 passage P41 connected to the spray head 1121 from one side of the circulation module 114 based on the circulation module 114, and the circulation module 114. It is provided to include a 4-2 passage (P42) connected to the printing ink receptor 111 on the other side of the.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the above and accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. You will understand that there is Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not limiting.

110: printing unit
111: printing ink receptor
112: spray head
113: pressure control unit
P1 to P7: 1st to 7th passages
F1 to F7: direction of ink movement on the first to seventh passages

Claims (7)

a printing ink receptor in which ink is accommodated;
a jetting head unit provided with a jetting head through which the ink is jetted;
a pressure control unit performing pressure control of fluid for the operation of the ink; and
A circulation module communicating with the ejection head through a fourth passage and pumping and supplying ink from the ejection head unit to the printing ink receptor on the fourth passage,
The printing ink receptor,
communicates with the ejection head through a third flow path, and supplies ink to the ejection head through the third flow path;
The fourth passage is a 4-1 passage connected to the ejection head from one side of the circulation module based on the circulation module, and a 4-2 passage connected to the printing ink receptor from the other side of the circulation module. Including, printing device. According to claim 1,
The circulation module supplies the ink inside the ejection head to the printing ink receptor to circulate the ink, thereby suppressing the sedimentation of the remaining sediment inside the ink. According to claim 2,
Further comprising an intake module for performing air intake,
The circulation module,
The ink supplied through the 4-1 passage is accommodated in the inner space, and the ink is discharged to the printing ink receptor in the inner space through the 4-2 passage,
The inner space includes a first area in which ink is loaded and accommodated, and a second area as an upper area of the first area where ink does not reach from the first area and air remains,
The suction module,
In performing the pumping operation from the 4-1 flow path of the circulation module toward the 4-2 flow path,
Further comprising a suction module for performing air intake on the second area to prevent the pumping from the 4-1 flow path to the 4-2 flow path from being inhibited by air on the second area. Device. According to claim 3,
The suction module,
an ink trap unit communicating with the second area of the circulation module through a fifth flow path;
a suction force providing unit for supplying suction force to the second area of the circulation module through the ink trap unit so that air in the second area is sucked; According to claim 4,
The ink trap unit accommodates the ink in the first area based on the suction force of the suction force providing unit to prevent the inflow of the sucked ink into the suction force providing unit. According to claim 5,
The suction module,
an intake ink discharge unit provided in the ink trap unit to discharge ink remaining therein;
The printing device further comprises a nitrogen purge unit configured to purge the ink trap unit so that ink is discharged from the intake ink discharge unit. preparing a printing device;
Before or after operation of the printing device, the ink is pumped and circulated between the printing ink receptor and the ejection head of the printing device,
The printing device
a jetting head unit provided with a jetting head for jetting ink;
A pressure control unit for controlling the pressure of the fluid for the operation of the ink;
A circulation module communicating with the ejection head through a fourth passage and pumping and supplying ink from the ejection head unit to the printing ink receptor on the fourth passage,
The printing ink receptor,
communicates with the ejection head through a third flow path, and supplies ink to the ejection head through the third flow path;
The fourth passage is a 4-1 passage connected to the ejection head from one side of the circulation module based on the circulation module, and a 4-2 passage connected to the printing ink receptor from the other side of the circulation module. Including, the printing device operating method.

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