TWI499516B - Ink supply system - Google Patents

Description

Ink supply system

This case relates to a system, especially an ink supply system applied to a printing device.

In general, in a wide variety of printing equipment, inkjet printers are popular with consumers because of their ease of operation and can be printed on a variety of inkjet media, but inkjet printers often After a period of use, the ink cartridges must be replaced due to the exhaustion of the ink. The current common replacement method is to discard the old ink and install a new ink to provide ink. This not only causes ink cartridges. The waste, and the cost of ink cartridges, invisibly increases the user's overhead. In order to save printing costs, avoid waste of resources, and comply with environmental trends, the continuous use of the same ink cartridge continuous ink supply system has been born.

The existing continuous ink supply system is an external continuous ink supply system, which is provided with an ink supply cartridge outside the inkjet printer, and connects the ink supply device and the inkjet component inside the inkjet printer through a pipeline. By using the siphon principle, the ink is introduced into the inkjet element from the ink supply element, so that when the inkjet element is printed, the ink can be continuously drained to the inside of the inkjet element, so that the ink supply can be continuously supplied without interruption.

Although the conventional ink supply system can achieve the purpose of continuous ink supply, when the ink stored inside the ink supply cassette is gradually reduced, the back pressure inside the ink supply cassette is different from the back pressure when the original ink supply is made, so that Conventional ink supply system will leak due to the gradual disappearance of back pressure In the case of ink, the printing quality is unstable or abnormal. In addition, when the ink stored inside the ink supply cartridge is completely used up, it is necessary to disassemble the ink supply cartridge and even disassemble the inkjet component to replace the ink supply cartridge to continuously supply the inkjet component for printing. The ink must be carried out manually, and it is easy to cause damage to the ink supply or inkjet components during disassembly and replacement, resulting in unnecessary cost and time loss.

Moreover, when the conventional ink supply system does not perform the printing operation for a certain period of time, the ink line inside the ink jet element may be clogged due to the dryness of the ink inside the ink jet element, thereby causing the ink supply tube to be blocked and unable to be used, not only The ink supply system cannot continue to be used for continuous ink supply, which wastes a lot of ink. The modernization of energy conservation, environmental protection and resource utilization is an urgent problem to be solved.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an ink supply system for solving the problem that the conventional ink supply system leaks ink due to a decrease in back pressure caused by ink reduction, thereby causing the printing quality to be unstable or abnormal, and the replacement of the ink supply must be performed manually. It is easy to cause damage to the ink supply or ink-jet element and consumes a lot of cost and time, and waste of ink caused by the use of the ink when the ink-jet element is not printed, which may not be recycled, or even cause the ink supply system to fail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply system capable of automatically replenishing ink from a liquid supply container by controlling the setting of the ink storage device and its sensing element to control whether the pump operates to pump ink into the ink storage device. The ink storage device maintains the ink volume and back pressure inside, so as to achieve stable printing quality, saving money consumption and time expenditure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply system through which a valve body, a suction device and a maintenance device are disposed, and the unused ink can be recovered from the inkjet element and input back into the ink storage device to maintain the inkjet. The functions of the components and the ink supply system avoid ink waste and comply with the environmental protection and recycling spirit.

In order to achieve the above object, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an ink supply system for supplying an ink to at least one ink jet element, the ink jet element comprising an ink chamber, the ink supply system comprising at least: a liquid supply container for supplying the ink; a pump connected to the liquid supply container for extracting the ink in the liquid supply container; and an ink storage device having a first input port and at least one output And a sensing component, the first input port receives ink drawn from the pump, the output port is connected to the inkjet component, and outputs the ink to the inkjet component, wherein the sensing component is disposed at the a liquid storage device for sensing a liquid level of one of the inks in the ink storage device to control whether the pump operates to pump ink into the ink storage device; and a valve body coupled to the ink storage device and the at least one Between the inkjet elements, the ink is selectively caused to flow from the at least one inkjet component to the ink storage device; thereby, the sensing component senses a liquid level of the ink storage device to maintain the ink Water content of the ink storage device, so that the internal pressure of the ink storage device is stable, and thus to maintain pressure in the ink chamber stabilized.

1‧‧‧Ink supply system

2‧‧‧ inkjet components

3‧‧‧liquid supply container

4‧‧‧Ink storage device

41‧‧‧first input

42‧‧‧Outlet

43‧‧‧Sensor components

431‧‧‧Sensing rod

432‧‧‧ floating body

44‧‧‧ breathable membrane

45‧‧‧second input

5‧‧‧ pump

6‧‧‧Filter components

7‧‧‧ valve body

71‧‧‧ body

72‧‧‧Shell

721‧‧‧ input

722‧‧‧ Output

73‧‧‧Shaft structure

731‧‧‧ flow path

74‧‧‧Seal

8‧‧‧Suction device

9‧‧‧Maintenance components

A-A‧‧‧ section

F‧‧‧Flow direction

h‧‧‧Predetermined height

S‧‧‧ accommodating space

T‧‧‧ top surface

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the ink supply system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the ink storage device of the ink supply system of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a structural diagram of the ink supply system of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the valve body of the ink supply system of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a central cross-sectional view of the valve body shown in Figure 5 after assembly.

Some exemplary embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the following description. It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of various modifications in the various aspects of the present invention, and the description and illustration are in the nature of

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which are respectively an architectural diagram of the ink supply system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and an A-A cross-sectional view shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink supply system 1 of the present invention is suitable for supplying ink to the ink-jet element 2 for printing work, the ink-jet element 2 includes an ink chamber, and the ink supply system 1 further The liquid supply container 3, the ink storage device 4, the pump 5, and the filter element 6 are included.

The liquid supply container 3 is for providing ink, and the ink can be directly replenished to the liquid supply container 3 by a method, which may be manually supplemented or supplemented by machine automation, but not limited thereto.

The pump 5 is connected to the liquid supply container 3 and the ink storage device 4 for extracting the ink in the liquid supply container 3 into the ink storage device 4; and the filter element 6 is disposed on the pump 5 and the liquid supply container 3, or between the pump 5 and the ink storage device 4 (not shown), but not limited thereto, to filter the impurities contained in the ink, thereby ensuring the purity of the ink, so that The printing quality is stable. At the same time, due to the arrangement of the filter element 6, in addition to filtering the impurities contained in the ink stored in the liquid supply container 3, it can also be used to filter the ink when it is pumped by the pump 5 and flows through the pump 5. Impurities, so that the filter element 6 is disposed between the pump 5 and the ink storage device 4 to ensure ink purity is also within the teachings of the present invention.

The ink storage device 4 is provided with a first input port 41, at least one output port 42 and a sensing element 43. The first input port 41 receives the ink from the liquid supply container 3 pumped by the pump 5 to the ink storage device. 4, the output port 42 is connected to the inkjet element 2 for outputting ink to the inkjet component 2 for the inkjet component 2 to perform a printing operation, and the sensing component 43 is disposed inside the ink storage device 4, The liquid level of the ink in the ink storage device 4 is sensed. It can be seen that the ink supply system 1 of the present invention can automatically refill the ink from the liquid supply container 3 to the inside of the ink storage device 4 and maintain the ink amount and back pressure by the arrangement of the ink storage device 4 and its sensing element 43 to Achieve the stability of print quality and save money and time expenditure.

According to the concept of the present invention, the sensing component 43 is disposed inside the ink storage device 4, and further includes a sensing rod 431 and a floating body 432. The sensing rod 431 is disposed inside the ink storage device 4, and the floating body 432 is disposed. The sensing rod 431 is disposed to adjust the lifting displacement according to the amount of stored ink in the ink storage device 4. Therefore, when the floating body 432 floats on the liquid level of the ink and cannot rise again, the sensing rod 431 detects that the floating body 432 reaches the ink level of h, and the sensing rod 431 can control the pump 5 Stopping the operation, the first input port 41 can no longer introduce ink into the ink storage device 4; conversely, when the ink level is lower than h, the sensing rod 431 detects the low water position of the floating body 432. The pump 5 is controlled to be re-operated, and the pumped ink is initially introduced into the ink storage device 4 from the first input port 41, and is output to the inkjet element 2 through the output port 42. Thereby, the sensing element 43 senses the liquid level of the ink storage device 4 to maintain the ink content of the ink storage device 4 to stabilize the pressure inside the ink storage device 4, thereby maintaining the ink chamber of the inkjet element 2 ( The pressure is not shown).

In this embodiment, when the sensing rod 431 of the sensing component 43 detects that the position of the floating body 432 is lower than the predetermined ink height h of the ink storage device 4, the sensing rod 431 transmits a Signaling to the pump 5, the control pump 5 draws the ink in the liquid supply container 3 to the ink storage device 4, and when the liquid level of the ink storage device 4 is higher than or equal to the predetermined height h, the sensing rod 431 Another pump is sent to the pump 5, and the pump 5 is controlled to stop the ink extraction. The predetermined height h can be set according to requirements, for example, according to the required back pressure, but not limited thereto.

Please refer to FIG. 3 and cooperate with FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 3 is an architectural diagram of the ink storage device of the ink supply system of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink storage device 4 of the ink supply system 1 of the present invention further includes a gas permeable membrane 44 disposed on the top surface T of the ink storage device 4 to allow air to enter and exit the ink storage device 4. For example, when the liquid level in the ink storage device 4 is lowered, the air enters the ink storage device 4 from the gas permeable membrane 44, and when the ink is replenished to the ink storage device 4 via the pump 5, the ink is stored in the ink storage device 4. When the liquid level is raised, the air is discharged from the inside of the ink storage device 4 through the gas permeable membrane 44, so that the internal pressure of the ink storage device 4 can be effectively maintained.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a structural diagram of an ink supply system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, the ink supply system 1 of the present invention further includes a valve body 7 and a suction device 8. The housing 72 of the valve body 7 has at least one input end 721 and one output end 722. Each input end 721 is connected to an ink jet element 2, and the valve body 7 is switchable and used in the ink jet element 2. At least one of them is connected. The suction device 8 is disposed between the valve body 7 and the ink storage device 4, and one end of the suction device 8 is connected to the output end 722 of the valve body 7 for connecting the valve body 7 and the valve body 7 The ink jet element 2 performs a suction operation to control the stability of the back pressure of the ink jet element 2. In other words, the ink supply system 1 of the present invention can be pumped by one of the plurality of ink ejection elements 2 at any time by the arrangement of the valve body 7 and the suction device 8, to maintain the respective ink ejection elements 2. The back pressure is stable, but not limited to this. In some embodiments, the valve body 7 of the present invention can be used for a fixed period of time. Switching between the respective ink-jet elements 2 to suck the residual ink to each of the ink-jet elements 2 through the suction device 8 or to maintain the back pressure of each of the ink-jet elements 2, for example, once every hour, once every two hours Wait. Of course, considering that the number of times of printing of each ink-jet element 2 is not the same, the valve body 7 of the present invention can also be switched between the ink-jet elements 2 according to a fixed number of ink-jetting times to cooperate with the valve body 7 through the suction device 8. Pumping residual ink to each of the ink-jet elements 2 or maintaining the back pressure of each of the ink-jet elements 2, for example, performing a suction operation when an ink-jet element 2 is printed five times, fifty times, or one hundred times. Not limited to this.

Please refer to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 and cooperate with Fig. 4, wherein Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the valve body of the ink supply system of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is the assembled body of the valve body shown in Fig. 5. Central section view. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the valve body of the present invention includes at least a seat body 71, a housing 72, and a shaft structure 73. The housing 72 is carried on the base 71 and engaged with the base 71 to construct the accommodating space S, and has at least one input end 721 and one output end 722. The shaft structure 73 is axially disposed with the seat body 71 and the housing 72 and is accommodated in the accommodating space S and has a flow path 731. The shaft structure 73 is configured to communicate with the input of the housing 72 when rotated to a specific angle. End 721, flow path 731, and output end 722 of housing 72. In some embodiments, when the rotating shaft structure 73 is rotated by a power source, such as but not limited to a motor, to a specific angle, the valve body 7 of the present invention is connected to the input end 721 of the housing 72 as shown in FIG. The output end 722 and the flow path 731 of the rotating shaft structure 73 form an integral flow path for allowing ink to flow through the valve body 7, that is, in the foregoing embodiment, the valve body 7 is switchable and connected to one of the ink ejection elements 2. This is achieved in this way, but not limited to this. In addition, when the valve body 7 is to be in communication with the other ink-discharging elements 2, that is, it is rotated through the rotating shaft structure 73 to another angle, and the other input end 721, the output end 722, and the flow path 731 are connected to each other. Suction action.

According to the concept of the present invention, the valve body 7 can further include a plurality of seals 74, such as However, it is not limited to a plurality of sealing rings, and is disposed on the rotating shaft structure 73, preferably disposed on the side wall of the rotating shaft structure 73, or disposed between the rotating shaft structure 73 and the housing 72 to prevent ink or air from overflowing. The sealing force is increased, and the suction force when the suction device 8 performs suction is increased.

Please refer to Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6. In some embodiments, the ink supply system 1 of the present invention further includes at least one maintenance element 9, each of which is removably coupled to each of the ink ejection elements 2, respectively, and when the maintenance element 9 is sprayed When the ink element 2 is completely connected, the maintenance element 9 completely encloses the inside of the ink-jet element 2 as a closed space. Therefore, when the inkjet element 2 does not perform the printing operation for a period of time, the inkjet component 2 can be sealed through the maintenance component 9 to protect it from contact with air to avoid affecting the printing quality of the inkjet component. The ink inside the ink-jet element 2 is prevented from drying out.

In other embodiments, the other end of the suction device 8 is connected to the second input port 45 of the ink storage device 4 to extract the ink-jet element 2 when the maintenance element 9 closes the ink-jet element 2 into a closed space. The ink in the ink chamber (not shown) is sent to the ink storage device 4 to complete the recovery of the ink. In other words, when the ink-jet element 2 is to be used for a long time, or other situations in which ink needs to be recovered, it is first rotated through the valve body 7 to a specific angle to make the flow path conductive, and then the ink is ejected through the suction device 8. The component 2 is extracted and extracted into the suction device 8 in the flow direction F in the valve body 7, and then input into the ink storage device 4 via the suction device 8 via the second input port 45 of the ink storage device 4, Complete the overall ink recovery work. Thereby, the unused ink can be recovered from the inkjet element 2 and input back into the ink storage device 4 to maintain the function of the inkjet component 2 and the ink supply system 1, avoiding waste of ink, and complying with environmentally friendly recycling. Spirit and other effects.

In summary, the present invention provides an ink supply system capable of automatically replenishing ink from a liquid supply container to the inside of the ink storage device and maintaining the ink amount and back pressure by the ink storage device and the sensing element thereof to achieve the column. The printing quality is stable and saves money consumption and time expenditure. In addition, through the arrangement of the valve body, the suction device and the maintenance device, the unused ink can be recovered from the inkjet element and input into the ink storage device to maintain the function of the inkjet component and the ink supply system, and avoid the ink. Waste, and in line with the spirit of environmental recycling and reuse.

The present invention has been described in detail by the above-described embodiments, and may be modified by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

1‧‧‧Ink supply system

2‧‧‧ inkjet components

3‧‧‧liquid supply container

4‧‧‧Ink storage device

41‧‧‧first input

42‧‧‧Outlet

5‧‧‧ pump

6‧‧‧Filter components

A-A‧‧‧ section

Claims (7)

An ink supply system adapted to supply an ink to at least one inkjet element, the inkjet component comprising an ink chamber, the ink supply system comprising at least: a liquid supply container for providing the ink; a pumping system Connected to the liquid supply container for extracting the ink in the liquid supply container; an ink storage device is provided with a first input port, at least one output port and a sensing component, the first input port receiving from the ink Pumping the extracted ink, the output port is connected to the inkjet element, and outputting the ink to the inkjet component, the sensing component is disposed inside the ink storage device, and sensing one of the inks in the ink storage device a liquid level height, to control whether the pump operates to pump ink into the ink storage device, and the sensing component includes a sensing rod and a floating body, wherein the sensing rod is disposed inside the ink storage device, The floating body is sleeved on the sensing rod to adjust the displacement with the ink content in the ink storage device; and a valve body is connected between the ink storage device and the at least one ink ejection element to selectively cause the ink to be The to An ink-jet element flows to the ink storage device for recovery, and the valve body comprises: a body; a housing is carried on the base body, and has at least one input end and an output end; and a shaft structure, and The seat body and the housing are axially disposed and have a first-class track to be configured to communicate with one of the input ends, the flow path, and the rotation when rotated to a specific angle An output end, and the seat system is engaged with the housing to construct an accommodating space, wherein the rotating shaft structure is received in the accommodating space; thereby, the sensing component senses a liquid level of the ink storage device, In order to maintain the ink content of the ink storage device, the pressure inside the ink storage device is stabilized, thereby maintaining the pressure of the ink chamber stable. The ink supply system of claim 1, further comprising a suction device disposed between the valve body and the ink storage device, wherein at least one input end of the valve body is coupled to the at least one An ink-jet element is coupled to communicate with one of the ink-jet elements, and one end of the suction device is coupled to an output end of the valve body for communicating the valve body and the valve body The ink jet element performs a pumping action. The ink supply system of claim 1, wherein the valve body further comprises a plurality of sealing members disposed between the rotating shaft structure and the rotating shaft structure and the housing to prevent the ink from overflowing. The ink supply system of claim 2, further comprising at least one maintenance component, each of the maintenance components being removably connected to each of the inkjet components, and the maintenance component is structured When the ink jet elements are connected, the ink jet elements are completely enclosed as a closed space. The ink supply system of claim 4, wherein the other end of the suction device is connected to a second input port of the ink storage device, such that the maintenance member closes the ink jet device. When the space is sealed, the ink in the sealed space is extracted to the ink storage device. The ink supply system of claim 1, further comprising a filter element disposed between the pump and the liquid supply container or between the pump and the ink storage device for filtering the ink Impurities contained in the product. The ink supply system of claim 1, wherein the ink storage device is further A gas permeable membrane is disposed on a top surface of the ink storage device to allow air to enter and exit the ink storage device.