Printer ink supply device and ink supply method

Abstract

The invention discloses a printer ink supply device and an ink supply method, wherein the printer ink supply device comprises: a nozzle component, the nozzle component is provided with a plurality of ink jet holes for outputting printing ink to a printing carrier; the nozzle component is provided with an ink inlet; an ink tank, the ink tank is provided with an inner cavity for storing ink; the ink tank is provided with an ink outlet connected to the inner cavity, the ink outlet is used to supply printing ink to the nozzle component; in the same reference system, the height of the ink outlet is greater than the height of the nozzle component; an ink delivery pipeline is provided between the ink outlet and the ink inlet, and is used to deliver the ink in the inner cavity to the nozzle component; a compression spring, the bottom end of which is installed on a fixed support component in the same reference system, the top end of the compression spring supports and connects the ink tank so that the ink tank can float; the ink delivery pipeline comprises a flexible tube, and when the compression spring is extended or contracted, the flexible tube is pulled or bent. The invention has the advantages of simple structure, low cost and good stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of printing equipment, and in particular to an ink supply device and an ink supply method for a printer. Background Art

[0002] Printing equipment is a common product for us. People are more familiar with small civilian printing equipment. However, in the industrial field, some large-scale printing equipment is needed to meet the needs of printing on larger-format materials, such as printing patterns on cloth to make clothes, curtains, bed sheets, etc.

[0003] There is a difference between industrial printing equipment and ordinary small-scale civilian printing equipment. In terms of product volume, industrial printing equipment is bulky and has high production costs. In industrial printing operations, the printing intensity is high and the operation time is long, so generally there is a continuous ink supply system to ensure that the ink is not interrupted. In order to solve this problem, in the prior art, an ink tank is provided, which can store ink and supply ink to the print nozzle. In industrial printing operations, gravitational potential energy is generally used to make the ink flow from high to low. The greater the drop, the greater the ink pressure on the print head. In fact, there are requirements for the pressure of the ink. It is not that the higher the pressure, the better, or the lower the pressure, the better. So there is a problem, how to ensure that a relatively constant ink pressure can be provided to ensure that the amount of ink sprayed by the print nozzle per unit time is appropriate.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention is developed under such background. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art. On the one hand, it provides an ink supply device for a printer, and on the other hand, it provides an ink supply method.

[0006] To achieve the purpose of the present invention, the technical solution adopted is:

[0007] The ink supply device of a printer comprises: a nozzle component, wherein the nozzle component is provided with a plurality of ink jet holes for outputting printing ink to a printing carrier; the nozzle component is provided with an ink inlet; an ink tank, wherein the ink tank is provided with an inner cavity for storing ink; the ink tank is provided with an ink outlet connected to the inner cavity, and the ink outlet is used to supply printing ink to the nozzle component; in the same reference system, the height of the position of the ink outlet is greater than the height of the position of the nozzle component; an ink supply pipeline, which is provided between the ink outlet and the ink inlet and is used to transport the ink in the inner cavity to the nozzle component; a compression spring, wherein the bottom end of the compression spring is mounted on a fixed support component in the same reference system, and the top end of the compression spring is supported and connected to the ink tank so that the ink tank can float; the ink supply pipeline comprises a flexible tube, and when the compression spring is extended or contracted, the flexible tube is pulled or bent.

[0008] Preferably, the ink tank is provided with an ink supply port connected to the inner cavity, and the ink supply port is used to replenish ink to the inner cavity.

[0009] Preferably, the ink tank is provided with an ink supply tube connected to the inner cavity, and the ink supply tube is used to replenish ink to the inner cavity.

[0010] Preferably, the ink tank is provided with a first air port connecting the inner cavity with atmospheric pressure.

[0011] Preferably, the nozzle component is provided with a second air port connected to atmospheric pressure.

[0012] Preferably, a float sensor is provided on the ink tank, and the float sensor is used to send an alarm message when the ink in the ink tank exceeds a warning liquid level.

[0013] Preferably, in the same reference system, when sections are made on the ink tank at different heights along the normal direction to the direction of gravity, the cross-sectional areas are equal.

[0014] Preferably, the inner cavity of the ink tank is any one of cylindrical, elliptical, square and prismatic.

[0015] Preferably, the compression spring is made of metal.

[0016] Preferably, the flexible tube is any one of a rubber tube, a silicone tube, a PVC hose, and a PU hose.

[0017] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that it provides an ink supply device for a printer, comprising: a nozzle component, the nozzle component is provided with a plurality of ink jet holes for outputting printing ink to a printing carrier; the nozzle component is provided with an ink inlet; an ink tank, the ink tank is provided with an inner cavity for storing ink; the ink tank is provided with an ink outlet connected to the inner cavity, the ink outlet is used to supply printing ink to the nozzle component; in the same reference system, the height of the position of the ink outlet is greater than the height of the position of the nozzle component; an ink supply pipeline is provided between the ink outlet and the ink inlet, and is used to transport the ink in the inner cavity to the nozzle component; a compression spring, the bottom end of which is mounted on a fixed support component in the same reference system, the top end of the compression spring is supported and connected to the ink tank so that the ink tank can float; the ink supply pipeline includes a flexible tube, and when the compression spring is extended or contracted, the flexible tube is pulled or bent. By utilizing the expansion and contraction characteristics of the compression spring, the ink tank as a whole becomes a floating component, thereby ensuring that the liquid level height in the ink tank is at a constant position. This is because, when the ink in the ink tank is lower than a preset position, the ink decreases, the pressure on the spring decreases, and the spring stretches to lift the ink tank to a certain height. Conversely, when the ink in the ink tank is higher than a preset position, the ink increases, the pressure on the spring increases, and the spring is compressed, causing the ink tank to fall back as a whole. In other words, as long as the elastic coefficient of the spring is appropriate, the expansion and contraction of the spring can be matched with the change in the ink liquid level height in the ink tank under changing force conditions, thereby achieving real-time liquid level compensation, ensuring that the height difference between the ink level in the ink tank and the print head is handled at a preset value in real time, further ensuring that the ink pressure of the print head is constant, improving printing stability, and ensuring printing effect, which is beneficial to increasing the service life of the product. On the other hand, the structure of the present invention is simple and greatly reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0018] On the other hand, the present invention also provides an ink supply method, which is applied to the ink supply device of a printer as described in any of the above-mentioned items. The ink supply method includes selecting a compression spring using the formula K=ρgs and installing it under the ink tank, wherein K represents the elastic coefficient of the compression spring, ρ represents the density of the ink, and s represents the cross-sectional area of ​​the inner cavity of the ink tank.

[0019] Since the present solution is applied to the aforementioned printer ink supply device, it also has the aforementioned beneficial effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the ink supply device of the printer of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a printing nozzle in an ink supply device of a printer of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 The invention is a schematic diagram of the ink supply principle of the ink supply device of the printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0025] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal connection of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0026] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0027] refer to Figure 1-3 As shown, a printer ink supply device 100 is shown, including: a nozzle component 10, the nozzle component is provided with a plurality of inkjet holes 101, which are used to output printing ink to the printing carrier. When printing, the required text or pattern can be produced on the printing carrier through the relative movement of the nozzle component. It should be noted that the printing carrier mentioned here refers to printing paper, printing cloth and other materials that need to be printed. The software or program required for printing, as well as the movement control of the printing component, belong to the prior art in this field, which is not the innovation of the present invention and will not be described in detail here. In the present invention, the nozzle component 10 is provided with an ink inlet 102; it can be understood that the ink inlet 102 can be a separately set pipeline interface, or it can be an ink inlet end integrally formed with the nozzle component, so that the ink can enter the ink tank described below through the ink inlet.

[0028] The ink tank 20 is provided with an inner cavity 201 for storing ink; the ink tank 20 is provided with an ink outlet 202 connected to the inner cavity 201, and the ink outlet 202 is used to supply printing ink to the nozzle component 10; similarly, the ink outlet 202 can be a separately provided pipeline interface, or can be an ink inlet end formed integrally with the ink tank, so that the ink in the ink tank 20 can be delivered to the nozzle component by using the ink outlet 202. Specifically, an ink delivery pipeline is provided between the ink outlet and the ink inlet; in a preferred embodiment, the ink tank and the nozzle component are connected by a detachable flexible tube 40, and the reason for using the flexible tube 40 will be further described below.

[0029] In the same reference system, the ink outlet 202 is located at a height greater than the nozzle component 10, so that a height difference in the direction of gravity is generated between the ink tank and the nozzle component, and the ink can be transferred by using gravitational potential energy.

[0030] The present invention further includes a compression spring 50, the bottom end of which is mounted on the support component 30 fixed in the same reference system. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the support component 30 is a U-shaped support block, and the two ribs extending upward from the U-shaped support block serve as shielding to protect the compression spring. A through hole 301 is provided at the bottom of the U-shaped support block, and the flexible tube 40 passes through the through hole 301, so that the bottom end of the compression spring 50 abuts against the U-shaped support block, and the top end of the compression spring 50 abuts against and supports the ink tank 20, so that the ink tank 20 can float. As a preferred embodiment, the compression spring is made of metal.

[0031] In the present invention, the ink supply pipeline includes a flexible tube 40, and the flexible tube 40 must have a sufficient length. When the compression spring 50 is extended or retracted, the flexible tube 40 is pulled or bent. The reason for setting the flexible tube 40 is that the nozzle component 10 does not displace in the height direction, and the ink tank 20 is supported by the compression spring 50, so the ink tank 20 itself is floating, and the ink tank 20 can be displaced in the height direction. Therefore, length and flexibility are the characteristics that the ink supply pipeline should have. It should be understood that the ink supply tube between the ink tank 20 and the nozzle component 10 can be a single tube or multiple tubes connected, as long as it is ensured that there is a section that is flexible and can be bent or pulled within a certain range. Preferably, the flexible tube is any one of a rubber tube, a silicone tube, a PVC hose, and a PU hose.

[0032] In one embodiment, the ink tank 20 is provided with an ink supply port 60 connected to the inner cavity, and the ink supply port 60 is used to replenish ink into the inner cavity. In this way, during use, the ink tank forms a state where ink is taken in on one side and discharged on the other side. Similarly, it can be understood that the ink supply port 60 can be an independent pipe joint, and ink can be replenished into the inner cavity by connecting an ink supply tube (not shown). The ink supply port 60 can also be an ink input end integrally formed with the ink tank.

[0033] In the present invention, the ink tank 20 is provided with a first air port 203 for connecting the inner cavity with the atmospheric pressure, and the nozzle component 10 is provided with a second air port 103 for connecting with the atmospheric pressure. The purpose of providing the first air port 203 is to ensure the smoothness of the ink delivery pipeline and prevent the ink from being difficult to flow due to negative pressure; the purpose of providing the second air port 103 is, on the one hand, to ensure the smoothness of the ink delivery pipeline and, on the other hand, to facilitate the discharge of ink bubbles in the nozzle component.

[0034] Although the present invention can achieve liquid level stability by using a compression spring, this can only be satisfied under certain circumstances. If the pipeline is blocked due to a system failure, or the ink entering the ink tank is difficult to control and exceeds the adjustable range of the compression spring, the ink in the ink tank will continue to rise and even be discharged from the first air port 203. Obviously, this is not desirable. Therefore, the present invention is also provided with an alarm device. Specifically, a float sensor 70 is provided on the ink tank 20. The float sensor 70 is used to send an alarm message when the ink in the ink tank 20 exceeds the warning liquid level. In the printing system, when the warning water level information transmitted by the float sensor 70 is received, an alarm signal can be sent by light or sound.

[0035] In the present invention, in the same reference system, the ink tank is cross-sectioned at different heights along the normal direction of the gravity direction, and the cross-sectional areas are equal. For example, the inner cavity of the ink tank is any one of a cylindrical, elliptical, square, and prism shape.

[0036] refer to Figure 3As shown, in the ink tank 20, the drop between the liquid level surface and the inkjet hole 101 is H1, the drop between the bottom of the support component 30 and the inkjet hole 101 is H3, and the drop between the liquid level surface and the bottom of the support component 30 is H2. We hope that the value of H1 is constant, or the deviation between H1 and the ideal value can be ignored. Therefore, the value of H1 can be regarded as a fixed value, and the value of H3 is a fixed value, and H1=H2+H3, so it is necessary to ensure that the value of H2 is constant or the deviation can be ignored. The size of H2 is determined by the length of the compression spring 50 and the ink depth. Only when the deformation of the compression spring can offset the change in liquid level, can the value of H2 remain constant or the deviation can be ignored. The deformation of the compression spring is caused by the change in liquid level. Assuming that the change in liquid level height is △h, the gravity G caused by the increase or decrease of ink is G=ρgS△h,

[0037] The formula for calculating the force of the pressure spring is F=K△h, therefore, K△h=ρgS△h, that is, K=ρgS, where K represents the elastic coefficient of the compression spring, ρ represents the density of the ink, and s represents the cross-sectional area of ​​the inner cavity of the ink tank.

[0038] It can be seen that as long as the elastic coefficient of the spring is calculated, the height difference caused by the change in liquid level can be offset by the deformation of the spring, thereby achieving the purpose of keeping the liquid level at a preset position at all times.

[0039] The present invention utilizes the expansion and contraction characteristics of the compression spring to make the ink tank as a whole a floating component, thereby ensuring that the liquid level height in the ink tank is at a constant position. This is because, when the ink in the ink tank is lower than a preset position, the ink decreases, the pressure on the spring decreases, and the spring stretches to lift the ink tank to a certain height. Conversely, when the ink in the ink tank is higher than a preset position, the ink increases, the pressure on the spring increases, and the spring is compressed to cause the ink tank to fall back as a whole. That is to say, as long as the elastic coefficient of the spring is appropriate, the expansion and contraction amount of the spring can be matched with the change in the ink liquid level height in the ink tank under changing force conditions, thereby achieving real-time liquid level height compensation, ensuring that the height difference between the ink level in the ink tank and the print head is handled at a preset value in real time, further ensuring that the ink pressure of the print head is constant, improving printing stability, and ensuring printing effect, which is beneficial to prolonging the service life of the product. On the other hand, the present invention has a simple structure and greatly reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0040] The present invention also provides an ink supply method, which is applied to any of the above-mentioned printer ink supply devices, and the ink supply method includes selecting a compression spring using the formula K=ρgs and installing it below the ink tank.

[0041] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0042] The above contents are further detailed descriptions of the present invention in combination with specific implementation methods, and it cannot be determined that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printer ink supply device, characterized in that: include: A nozzle component, wherein the nozzle component is provided with a plurality of ink jet holes for outputting printing ink to a printing carrier; The nozzle component is provided with an ink inlet, and the nozzle component is provided with a second air port connected to atmospheric pressure; An ink tank, wherein the ink tank is provided with an inner cavity for storing ink, and the ink tank is provided with a first air port for connecting the inner cavity with atmospheric pressure; the ink tank is provided with an ink outlet and an ink supply port connected to the inner cavity, the ink outlet is used to supply printing ink to the nozzle component, and the ink supply port is used to replenish ink to the inner cavity; the ink tank is provided with a float sensor, and the float sensor is used to send an alarm message when the ink in the ink tank exceeds a warning liquid level; in the same reference system, the height of the position of the ink outlet is greater than the height of the position of the nozzle component; in the same reference system, when the ink tank is cross-sectioned at different heights along the normal direction of the gravity direction, the cross-sectional areas are equal; An ink delivery pipeline, disposed between the ink outlet and the ink inlet, for delivering the ink in the inner cavity to the nozzle component; A compression spring, the bottom end of which is mounted on a support member fixed in the same reference system, and the top end of the compression spring is supported and connected to the ink tank so that the ink tank can float; The ink delivery pipeline includes a flexible tube, and when the compression spring is stretched or contracted, the flexible tube is pulled or bent.

2. The ink supply device for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner cavity of the ink tank is in any of the shapes of a cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a square cylinder and a prism.

3. The ink supply device for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compression spring is made of metal material.

4. The ink supply device for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible tube is any one of a rubber tube, a silicone tube, a PVC hose, and a PU hose.

5. An ink supply method, applied to the ink supply device of the printer according to claim 1, the ink supply method comprising selecting a compression spring using the formula K=ρgs and installing it under the ink tank, wherein: K represents the elastic coefficient of the compression spring, ρ represents the density of the ink, and s represents the cross-sectional area of ​​the inner cavity of the ink tank.

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