A temperature calibration system and method for a printer nozzle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a temperature calibration system for a printer nozzle, comprising a detection jig, a nozzle and a memory disposed in the printer, wherein a thermistor is disposed on the nozzle, and the detection jig comprises a first controller, a temperature detection module for detecting ambient temperature, and a resistance detection module for detecting resistance value, wherein the resistance detection module can be electrically connected to the thermistor, and the temperature detection module and the resistance detection module are electrically connected to the first controller. The present invention also relates to a temperature calibration method for a printer nozzle, wherein the nozzle is electrically connected to the detection jig, and the resistance and temperature of the thermistor on the nozzle are calibrated; when the nozzle is installed in the printer and is in operation, the resistance value R of the thermistor is obtained in real time, and the real-time nozzle temperature T is calculated based on the resistance-temperature relationship corresponding to the thermistor material, the calibration resistance R0, and the calibration temperature T0. The temperature calibration system and method for the printer nozzle of the present invention can eliminate errors and achieve calibration of the detected temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature calibration system for a printer nozzle, and also relates to a temperature calibration method for a printer nozzle. Background Art

[0002] In inkjet printing, the ink must be heated to effectively output the ink and achieve good printing results. Existing technology uses a heating device to directly heat the nozzle after the ink enters it, causing the ink temperature to rise instantly, thereby generating bubbles and achieving the output and printing of ink droplets. However, if the nozzle temperature is too high, it will damage the nozzle. Therefore, a high temperature threshold is usually set during the printing process. When the nozzle temperature reaches this high temperature threshold, the nozzle heating and printing are stopped to cool the nozzle. After the nozzle temperature drops to the set temperature, the heating device is controlled to heat the nozzle again, and printing can then be resumed.

[0003] Existing technologies typically use thermistor-type temperature detection devices to detect printhead temperature. However, due to manufacturing process variations, thermistor elements themselves can have varying resistance values ​​corresponding to the same temperature, leading to errors in printhead temperature detection. This can cause poor image quality or even damage to the printhead during the printing process due to temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, when converting and amplifying the thermistor detection data, component variations in the amplification circuit and errors in the supply voltage can cause the output value to deviate from the actual value, resulting in an inaccurate temperature detection benchmark, affecting the setting of the printhead's upper operating temperature limit and making reliable printhead operation impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a temperature calibration system for a printer nozzle that can calibrate the detected temperature in response to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0005] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a temperature calibration method for a printer nozzle that can eliminate temperature detection errors and effectively calibrate the temperature detection reference in response to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: a temperature calibration system for a printer nozzle, including a nozzle and a memory, wherein the nozzle is provided with a thermistor for detecting the nozzle temperature, characterized in that: it also includes a detection fixture, the detection fixture includes a first controller, a temperature detection module for detecting the ambient temperature, and a resistance detection module for detecting the resistance value, the resistance detection module can be electrically connected to the thermistor, and the temperature detection module and the resistance detection module are respectively electrically connected to the first controller.

[0007] In order to eliminate component errors and voltage fluctuation errors in the process of resistance signal conversion and amplification, the printer also includes a standard resistance fixture, an amplifier circuit module and a second controller arranged in the printer. The thermistor on the nozzle is electrically connected to the second controller through the amplifier circuit module, the memory is electrically connected to the second controller, and the standard resistance fixture can be electrically connected to the amplifier circuit module.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem mentioned above is: a temperature calibration method for a printer nozzle, characterized in that: before installing the nozzle in the printer, the nozzle is electrically connected to a detection fixture, and the resistance value and temperature correspondence of the thermistor on the nozzle are calibrated, thereby obtaining the calibrated resistance value R0 and calibrated temperature T0 of the thermistor on the nozzle, and then the nozzle is installed in the printer for use;

[0009] During the operation of the nozzle, the resistance value R of the thermistor is obtained in real time, and the resistance difference ΔR=R-R0 is calculated. The real-time nozzle temperature T is calculated based on the resistance-temperature relationship corresponding to the thermistor material, T0, and ΔR.

[0010] To further eliminate component differences and power supply voltage errors in the discharge circuit module, a standard resistor fixture with a known resistance value Rb is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit module in the printer. The amplifier circuit module performs circuit conversion processing on the resistance Rb of the standard resistor fixture and outputs the converted voltage signal V1 to the second controller. The second controller obtains an identification value ADC1 corresponding to V1 and obtains a standard identification value ADC0 corresponding to the resistance Rb based on the relationship between the identification value corresponding to the output voltage of the amplifier circuit module stored in the memory and the resistance connected to the amplifier circuit module. Furthermore, a calibration parameter ΔADC = ADC1 - ADC0 of the amplifier circuit module is obtained.

[0011] When the nozzle is working, the thermistor circuit on the nozzle is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit module. The amplifier circuit module performs circuit conversion processing on the real-time resistance of the thermistor, and then outputs the corresponding converted voltage signal U to the second controller. The second controller calculates the current resistance value R of the thermistor based on the calibration parameters of the amplifier circuit module and the voltage signal U.

[0012] Simply put, the calibration method for the resistance value and temperature of the thermistor on the nozzle is as follows: the temperature detection module in the detection fixture obtains the ambient temperature T0 in real time, and the resistance detection module in the detection fixture detects and obtains the resistance R0 of the thermistor on the nozzle under the current ambient temperature T0, and then transmits the ambient temperature T0 and the resistance R0 to the first controller. The first controller uses the resistance R0 as the calibration resistance value and the ambient temperature T0 as the calibration temperature in the memory for retrieval and use when the nozzle is working.

[0013] Preferably, the resistance value and temperature correspondence of the thermistor on the nozzle are calibrated in a space where the ambient temperature is controllable.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are that: a detection fixture can be used to calibrate a set of corresponding temperatures and resistance values ​​of the thermistor on the nozzle, thereby realizing the calibration of the working parameters of the thermistor on the nozzle. When the nozzle is working, the resistance value conversion detection of the thermistor is used to obtain the real-time temperature of the nozzle. The difference in the corresponding relationship between the temperature and resistance value caused by the production process error of the thermistor itself will not affect the accuracy of the temperature detection. The influence of the production process error of the thermistor itself on the temperature detection is effectively eliminated, so that the nozzle temperature detection is more accurate when the nozzle is working, the service life of the nozzle is improved, and the printing effect is correspondingly improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 4 is a structural block diagram of a temperature calibration system for a printer nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an amplifying circuit module in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the temperature calibration system of the printer nozzle in this embodiment includes a nozzle 1, a memory 2, an amplifying circuit module 51, a second controller 52, a detection fixture 3, and a standard resistor fixture 4 with a known resistance value.

[0019] The printhead 1 is provided with a thermistor 11 for detecting the temperature of the printhead 1. The placement of the thermistor 11 is tailored to specific needs. The thermistor 11 is used to detect the real-time temperature of the printhead 1 during operation, thereby preventing damage to the printhead 1 due to overheating. The resistance of the thermistor 11 changes with the temperature of the printhead 1. The resistance-temperature relationship of the thermistor 11 is determined by its material properties. In this embodiment, the resistance of the thermistor 11 increases by 1Ω for every 1°C increase in temperature.

[0020] The position of the memory 2 is set according to specific circumstances. The memory 2 is directly set on the nozzle 1. The memory 2 can also be the memory 2 inside the printer. When in use, the corresponding electrical connection can be made.

[0021] The amplifying circuit module 51 and the second controller 52 are disposed within the printer. The thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 is electrically connected to the amplifying circuit module 51, that is, the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 is electrically connected to the second controller 52 via the amplifying circuit module 51. The memory 2 and the amplifying circuit module 51 are each electrically connected to the second controller 52, thereby enabling information transmission. The second controller 52 is capable of performing data conversion and calculations. The amplifying circuit module 51 is used to convert the resistance information of the thermistor 11 into a voltage signal that can be recognized by the second controller 52, thereby facilitating calculations by the second controller 52.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the amplifier circuit module 51 in this embodiment includes a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a third resistor R3, a fourth resistor R4, a fifth resistor R5, a sixth resistor R6, a seventh resistor R7, an eighth resistor R8, a ninth resistor R9, a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2, a third capacitor C3, a fourth capacitor C4, and an amplifier U1A.

[0023] The first ends of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are electrically connected to the power supply end respectively, the second end of the first resistor R1 is electrically connected to the output end of the thermistor 11, the second end of the second resistor R2 is electrically connected to the first end of the third resistor R3, the second end of the third resistor R3 is grounded, the first end of the first capacitor C1 is electrically connected to the second end of the second resistor R2, the second end of the first capacitor C1 is grounded, the first end of the second capacitor C2 is electrically connected to the second end of the first resistor R1, the second end of the second capacitor C2 is grounded, the first end of the fourth resistor R4 is electrically connected to the second end of the first resistor R1, the second end of the fourth resistor R4 is electrically connected to the non-inverting input end of the amplifier U1A, the first end of the fifth resistor R5 is electrically connected to the second end of the second resistor R2, the second end of the fifth resistor R5 is electrically connected to the amplifier U 1A is electrically connected to the inverting input terminal of the amplifier U1A, the first end of the sixth resistor R6 is electrically connected to the second end of the fourth resistor R4, the second end of the sixth resistor R6 is grounded, the first end of the seventh resistor R7 is electrically connected to the second end of the fifth resistor R5, the second end of the seventh resistor R7 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the amplifier U1A, the first end of the third capacitor C3 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal, the second end of the third capacitor C3 is grounded, the first end of the eighth resistor R8 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the amplifier U1A, the second end of the eighth resistor R8 is electrically connected to the signal input terminal of the second controller 52, the first end of the ninth resistor R9 is electrically connected to the second end of the eighth resistor R8, the second end of the ninth resistor R9 is grounded, the first end of the fourth capacitor C4 is electrically connected to the second end of the eighth resistor R8, and the second end of the fourth capacitor C4 is grounded.

[0024] The detection fixture 3 includes a first controller 31, a temperature detection module 32 for detecting the ambient temperature, and a resistance detection module 33 for detecting the resistance value, wherein the resistance detection module 33 can be electrically connected to the thermistor 11 to detect the resistance value of the thermistor 11. The temperature detection module 32 and the resistance detection module 33 are respectively electrically connected to the first controller 31, and then transmit the detection data to the first controller 31. The first controller 31 converts and processes the acquired data to form data suitable for storage in the memory 2.

[0025] The standard resistor jig 4 can be electrically connected to the amplifying circuit module 51 , and the resistance of the standard resistor jig 4 is known and accurate.

[0026] The temperature calibration method of the printer nozzle in the present invention can be implemented by the temperature calibration system of the printer nozzle. The temperature calibration method of the printer nozzle in the present invention is specifically described as follows.

[0027] Before installing the printhead 1 in the printer, the independent printhead 1 with thermistor 11 is installed in the detection jig 3. This allows the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 to be electrically connected to the detection jig 3, thereby calibrating the resistance value and temperature of the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1. The specific electrical connection relationship between the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 and the detection jig 3 can be found in the previous system.

[0028] When calibrating the resistance and temperature of thermistor 11, the test fixture 3 is placed in a temperature-controlled space. This temperature is then controlled to maintain a constant level. The printhead 1 in this environment also maintains the ambient temperature, and the temperature detected by thermistor 11 also reflects the ambient temperature. In this embodiment, the temperature in the space is adjustable within a range of 20°C to 25°C, corresponding to a range of 240Ω to 360Ω for thermistor 11.

[0029] The specific method for calibrating the resistance value and temperature of the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 is as follows: the temperature detection module 32 in the detection fixture 3 obtains the ambient temperature T0 in real time, and the resistance detection module 33 in the detection fixture 3 detects and obtains the resistance value R0 of the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 at the current ambient temperature T0. The ambient temperature T0 and the resistance value R0 are then transmitted to the first controller 31. The first controller 31 stores the resistance value R0 as the calibration resistance value and the ambient temperature T0 as the calibration temperature in the memory 2 for retrieval during operation of the printhead 1. For example, if the temperature detection module 32 detects that the ambient temperature of the space where the fixture is currently placed is 24°C, and the resistance detection module 33 detects that the resistance value of the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 at the current ambient temperature of 24°C is 320Ω, then the calibrated resistance value R0 of the thermistor 11 at the calibration temperature T0 = 24°C is 320Ω. After the first controller 31 obtains the calibrated temperature and calibrated resistance value of the thermistor 11 on the printhead 1 from the temperature detection module 32 and the resistance detection module 33, it converts these data into machine data according to the storage principle of the memory 2 and stores them in the memory 2. The printhead 1 is then installed in the printer for use.

[0030] After the resistance value and temperature of the thermistor 11 are calibrated, each thermistor 11 on the nozzle 1 corresponds to a set of calibration values, thereby avoiding errors caused by production process differences when calibrating multiple thermistors 11 uniformly, thereby improving the accuracy of temperature detection of the nozzle 1.

[0031] On this basis, the amplifier circuit module 51 in the printer is further calibrated, specifically the resistance-voltage conversion parameters of the amplifier circuit module 51 are calibrated. This calibration process can be performed after the nozzle 1 is installed in the printer, or when the nozzle 1 is not installed in the printer. Specifically, the standard resistor fixture 4 with a known resistance value Rb is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit module 51 in the printer. After the amplifier circuit module 51 performs circuit conversion processing on the resistance Rb of the standard resistor fixture 4, it outputs the converted voltage signal V1 to the second controller 52. The second controller 52 obtains the identification value ADC1 corresponding to V1, and obtains the standard identification value ADC0 corresponding to the resistance Rb based on the relationship between the identification value corresponding to the output voltage of the amplifier circuit module 51 stored in the memory and the resistance connected to the amplifier circuit module 51, thereby obtaining the calibration parameter ΔADC=ADC1-ADC0 of the amplifier circuit module 51.

[0032] For example, if the ADC0 value 25700 originally stored in memory 2 corresponds to a resistance value of 300Ω for the connected discharge circuit module, a standard resistor fixture 4 with a standard 300-ohm resistor is used. This standard resistor fixture 4 can be a nozzle 1 with a thermistor 11 with a standard resistance value. After the standard resistor fixture 4 is connected to the amplifier circuit module 51, the amplifier circuit module 51 converts and amplifies the resistance signal of the standard resistor fixture 4 into a voltage signal V1, such as V1 = 1.74V. The 1.74V voltage is converted by the second controller 52 into an ADC1 value of 33667 that the second controller 52 can recognize. The second controller 52 calls the ADC0 value 25700 in the storage module and calculates the difference ΔADC = ADC1 - ADC0 = 7967 that the amplifier circuit module 51 needs to calibrate. ΔADC is stored in the storage module for use in calibrating the ADC value in subsequent operations. The actual resistance value corresponding to the ADC1 value can also be retrieved using ΔADC. Specifically, the second controller 52 calculates ADC1-ΔADC=ADC0, and the resistance value corresponding to ADC0 is 300Ω. Therefore, ΔADC serves as the calibration parameter for the amplifier circuit module 51 in this embodiment. The use of the calibration parameter for the amplifier circuit module 51 can eliminate component differences in the discharge circuit module and temperature detection errors caused by the power supply voltage, thereby making the acquired temperature data of the printhead 1 more accurate.

[0033] When the printhead 1 is operating, the thermistor circuit on the printhead 1 is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit module 51. The amplifier circuit module 51 performs circuit conversion processing on the real-time resistance of the thermistor 11 and then outputs the corresponding converted voltage signal U to the second controller 52. The second controller 52 calculates the current resistance value R of the thermistor 11 based on the calibration parameters of the amplifier circuit module 51 and the voltage signal U. The resistance difference ΔR is calculated as ΔR = R - R0. The real-time temperature T of the printhead 1 is calculated based on the resistance-temperature relationship of the thermistor 11 material, T0, and ΔR. In this embodiment, the resistance-temperature relationship of the thermistor 11 material is such that for every 1°C increase in temperature, the resistance value of the thermistor 11 increases by 1Ω. Specifically, if U = 1.99V, the voltage signal U is converted by the second controller 52 into an ADC2 value of 38597, which is recognizable by the second controller 52. The second controller 52 then uses the calibration parameter ΔADC value of the amplifier circuit module 51 in the memory 2 to calibrate the ADC2 value, i.e., the calibrated value ADC3 = ADC2 - ΔADC = 30630. The second controller 52 then searches the relationship table to find the actual resistance value R = 319Ω corresponding to ADC3 for the current thermistor 11. The resistance difference ΔR is calculated as 319Ω - 320Ω = -1Ω. Based on the resistance-temperature relationship corresponding to the material of thermistor 11, it is determined that the current temperature change relative to the calibration temperature T0 is -1°C. The second controller 52 then calculates the current printhead 1 temperature detected by thermistor 11 as T = T0 + (-1°C) = 23°C.

[0034] The temperature calibration method of the printer nozzle in the present invention can detect and obtain the temperature of the nozzle 1 more accurately, thereby increasing the service life of the nozzle 1 and correspondingly improving the printing effect.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating a temperature of a printer nozzle, implemented by a temperature calibration system for a printer nozzle, the temperature calibration system for a printer nozzle comprising a nozzle (1) and a memory (2), wherein the nozzle (1) is provided with a thermistor (11) for detecting the temperature of the nozzle (1), and characterized in that: The printer further comprises a detection jig (3), a standard resistance jig (4), an amplifying circuit module (51) and a second controller (52) arranged in the printer. The detection jig (3) comprises a first controller (31), a temperature detection module (32) for detecting ambient temperature, and a resistance detection module (33) for detecting resistance value. The resistance detection module (33) can be electrically connected to the thermistor (11). The temperature detection module (32) and the resistance detection module (33) are electrically connected to the first controller (31) respectively. The thermistor (11) on the nozzle (1) is electrically connected to the second controller (52) via the amplifier circuit module (51), the memory (2) is electrically connected to the second controller (52), and the standard resistance fixture (4) can be electrically connected to the amplifier circuit module (51); A standard resistor jig (4) with a known resistance value Rb is electrically connected to an amplifier circuit module (51) in a printer. After the amplifier circuit module (51) performs circuit conversion processing on the resistance Rb of the standard resistor jig (4), the converted voltage signal V1 is output to a second controller (52). The second controller (52) obtains an identification value ADC1 corresponding to V1, obtains a standard identification value ADC0 corresponding to the resistance Rb based on a relationship between the identification value corresponding to the output voltage of the amplifier circuit module (51) stored in a memory and the resistance connected to the amplifier circuit module (51), and further obtains a calibration parameter ΔADC = ADC1-ADC0 of the amplifier circuit module (51). When the nozzle (1) is working, the thermistor circuit on the nozzle (1) is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit module (51), the amplifier circuit module (51) performs circuit conversion processing on the real-time resistance of the thermistor (11), and then outputs the corresponding converted voltage signal U to the second controller (52), and the second controller (52) calculates the current resistance value R of the thermistor (11) based on the calibration parameters of the amplifier circuit module (51) and the voltage signal U; Before installing the nozzle (1) in the printer, the nozzle (1) is electrically connected to the detection fixture (3) to calibrate the resistance value and temperature of the thermistor (11) on the nozzle (1), thereby obtaining the calibrated resistance value R0 and calibrated temperature T0 of the thermistor (11) on the nozzle (1), and then the nozzle (1) is installed in the printer for use; During the operation of the nozzle (1), the resistance value R of the thermistor (11) is obtained in real time, the resistance difference ΔR=R-R0 is calculated, and the real-time temperature T of the nozzle (1) is calculated based on the resistance-temperature relationship corresponding to the thermistor (11) material, T0, and ΔR.

2. The temperature calibration method according to claim 1, wherein: The resistance value and temperature corresponding calibration method of the thermistor (11) on the nozzle (1) are as follows: the temperature detection module (32) in the detection fixture (3) obtains the ambient temperature T0 in real time, the resistance detection module (33) in the detection fixture (3) detects and obtains the resistance value R0 of the thermistor (11) on the nozzle (1) under the current ambient temperature T0, and then transmits the ambient temperature T0 and the resistance value R0 to the first controller (31). The first controller (31) stores the resistance value R0 as the calibration resistance value and the ambient temperature T0 as the calibration temperature in the memory (2) for use when the nozzle (1) is working.

3. The temperature calibration method according to claim 2, wherein: The resistance value and temperature correspondence of the thermistor (11) on the nozzle (1) are calibrated in a space where the ambient temperature is controllable.

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