A fully enclosed ink supply system

Abstract

The present invention provides a fully enclosed ink supply system, including an enclosed ink bottle, a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a secondary ink cartridge, and a control component. The ink outlet of the enclosed ink bottle is connected to the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge through the first solenoid valve, the ink outlet of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle through the second solenoid valve, and the air port of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the control component. The present invention forms a stable head value at the nozzle through the cooperation of the solenoid valve and the ink pump. During the whole ink extraction process, the ink in the ink bottle is continuously extracted and the air is continuously replenished. After the ink bottle is exhausted, since a certain amount of ink is stored in the secondary ink cartridge, the user can replace the ink bottle without stopping the machine, and the operation is more convenient. The entire ink supply system is in a closed state, avoiding the ink pouring operation and ink volatilization of the traditional ink barrel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of ink supply systems for nozzles of piezoelectric inkjet printers, and in particular to a fully enclosed ink supply system. Background Art

[0002] Piezoelectric printheads eject ink by deforming and squeezing piezoelectric crystals. In order to better fit the nozzle squeezing and ejecting, the ink at the nozzle needs a certain negative pressure to form a crescent shape. This negative pressure is usually called the water head value, but the water head value at the nozzle is unstable. In current applications, ink is generally poured from an open ink tank and the ink in the ink tank is extracted to supply ink to the printhead. When users replace ink, there are problems such as ink spilling and toxic ink volatilization. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a fully enclosed ink supply system, which, through the cooperation of the solenoid valve and the ink pump, can always form a stable water head value at the nozzle, making it more convenient for users to replace ink, avoid spillage, and prevent the volatilization of toxic ink.

[0004] The present invention provides a fully enclosed ink supply system, comprising a sealed ink bottle, a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a secondary ink cartridge, and a control component, wherein the ink outlet of the sealed ink bottle is connected to the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge via the first solenoid valve, the ink outlet of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the ink supply port of a nozzle via the second solenoid valve, and the air port of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the control component.

[0005] Furthermore, it also includes a third solenoid valve, and the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the ink recovery port of the nozzle through the third solenoid valve.

[0006] Furthermore, a protective ink cartridge is also included, and the air port of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the control component through the protective ink cartridge.

[0007] Furthermore, the control component includes a positive-pressure air pump, a negative-pressure air pump, a fourth solenoid valve, and a fifth solenoid valve. The protective ink cartridge is connected to the air inlet of the positive-pressure air and the fifth solenoid valve via the fourth solenoid valve. The fifth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the negative-pressure air pump and the air outlet of the positive-pressure air pump. The air outlet of the negative-pressure air pump is connected to the atmosphere.

[0008] Furthermore, the fourth solenoid valve and the fifth solenoid valve are three-way solenoid valves, the protective ink cartridge is connected to the second interface of the fourth solenoid valve, the first interface of the fourth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the positive pressure air, the third interface of the fourth solenoid valve is connected to the second interface of the fifth solenoid valve, the first interface of the fifth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the negative pressure air pump, and the third interface of the fifth solenoid valve is connected to the air outlet of the positive pressure air pump.

[0009] Furthermore, the control component also includes an air filter, and the first interface of the fourth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the positive pressure air through the air filter.

[0010] Furthermore, the first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve, and the third solenoid valve are two-way solenoid valves.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes an ink filter, the ink outlet of the closed ink bottle is connected to the first solenoid valve via the ink filter, the second solenoid valve is connected to the ink recovery port of the nozzle via the ink filter, and the third solenoid valve is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle via the ink filter.

[0012] Furthermore, the secondary ink cartridge is an ink cartridge with liquid level detection.

[0013] Furthermore, the protective ink cartridge is an ink cartridge with liquid level detection.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The present invention provides a fully enclosed ink supply system, including an enclosed ink bottle, a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a secondary ink cartridge, and a control component. The ink outlet of the enclosed ink bottle is connected to the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge through the first solenoid valve, the ink outlet of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle through the second solenoid valve, and the air port of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the control component. The present invention forms a stable head value at the nozzle through the cooperation of the solenoid valve and the ink pump. During the whole ink extraction process, the ink in the ink bottle is continuously extracted and the air is continuously replenished. After the ink bottle is exhausted, since a certain amount of ink is stored in the secondary ink cartridge, the user can replace the ink bottle without stopping the machine, and the operation is more convenient. The entire ink supply system is in a closed state, avoiding the ink pouring operation and ink volatilization of the traditional ink barrel.

[0016] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention and implement it according to the contents of the specification, the following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The specific implementation of the present invention is given in detail by the following embodiments and their accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this application. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a fully enclosed ink supply system of the present invention.

[0019] In the figure: 1. ink bottle; 2. secondary ink cartridge; 3. protective ink cartridge; 4. second solenoid valve; 5. first solenoid valve; 6. third solenoid valve; 7. ink filter; 8. fourth solenoid valve; 9. fifth solenoid valve; 10. positive pressure air pump; 11. negative pressure air pump; 12. air filter; 13. nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. It should be noted that, under the premise of no conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form a new embodiment.

[0021] A fully enclosed ink supply system, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a sealed ink bottle 1, a first solenoid valve 5, a second solenoid valve 4, a secondary ink cartridge 2, a protective ink cartridge 3, a control component, and a third solenoid valve 6. The ink outlet of the sealed ink bottle 1 is connected to the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge 2 through the first solenoid valve 5, the ink outlet of the secondary ink cartridge 2 is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle 13 through the second solenoid valve 4, the air port of the secondary ink cartridge 2 is connected to the control component through the protective ink cartridge 3, and the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge 2 is connected to the ink recovery port of the nozzle 13 through the third solenoid valve 6. Preferably, the first solenoid valve 5, the second solenoid valve 4, and the third solenoid valve 6 are two-way solenoid valves, the secondary ink cartridge 2 is an ink cartridge with liquid level detection to maintain a constant liquid level, and the protective ink cartridge 3 is an ink cartridge with liquid level detection to prevent overflow. The protective ink cartridge 3 prevents ink from flowing back. The protective ink cartridge 3 is connected to the secondary ink cartridge 2. The secondary ink cartridge 2 is connected to the ink bottle 1 through the first solenoid valve 5, to the nozzle 13 through the second solenoid valve 4, and to the recovery pipeline through the third solenoid valve 6.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control component includes a positive pressure air pump 10, a negative pressure air pump 11, a fourth solenoid valve 8, a fifth solenoid valve 9, and an air filter 12. Preferably, the fourth solenoid valve 8 and the fifth solenoid valve 9 are three-way solenoid valves. The protective ink cartridge 3 is connected to the second interface of the fourth solenoid valve 8, the first interface of the fourth solenoid valve 8 is connected to the air inlet of the positive pressure air through the air filter 12, the third interface of the fourth solenoid valve 8 is connected to the second interface of the fifth solenoid valve 9, the first interface of the fifth solenoid valve 9 is connected to the air inlet of the negative pressure air pump 11, the air outlet of the negative pressure air pump 11 is connected to the atmosphere, and the third interface of the fifth solenoid valve is connected to the air outlet of the positive pressure air pump 10.

[0023] In one embodiment, an ink filter 7 is also included, the ink outlet of the sealed ink bottle 1 is connected to the first solenoid valve 5 via the ink filter 7, the second solenoid valve 4 is connected to the ink recovery port of the nozzle 13 via the ink filter 7, and the third solenoid valve 6 is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle 13 via the ink filter 7.

[0024] The air filter 12 is connected to the atmosphere, the negative pressure air pump 11 provides negative pressure air, the positive pressure air pump 10 provides positive pressure air, the fourth solenoid valve 8 and the fifth solenoid valve 9 are responsible for the selection of the pipeline, and the negative pressure air pump 11, the positive pressure air pump 10, the fourth solenoid valve 8 and the fifth solenoid valve 9 cooperate to form three working states of positive pressure, negative pressure and connected to the atmosphere in the protective ink cartridge 3. Specifically,

[0025] State 1: When the negative pressure air pump 11 / positive pressure air pump 10 is not working, the fourth solenoid valve 8 connects the end a (first interface) and the end b (second interface). At this time, since the end a of the fourth solenoid valve 8 is connected to the atmosphere, the air pressure in the protective ink cartridge 3 connected to the end b of the fourth solenoid valve 8 is connected to the atmosphere;

[0026] State 2: When the negative pressure air pump 11 is working to generate negative pressure, the positive pressure air pump 10 is not working, the fifth electromagnetic valve 9 connects the a end and the b end, and the fourth electromagnetic valve 8 connects the b end and the c end (third interface). At this time, the protection ink cartridge 3 is connected to the negative pressure air pump 11 through the b and c ends of the fourth electromagnetic valve 8 and the b and a ends of the fifth electromagnetic valve 9, and negative pressure is formed in the protection ink cartridge 3.

[0027] State 3: When the negative pressure air pump 11 is not working, the positive pressure air pump 10 is working to generate positive pressure, the fifth electromagnetic valve 9 connects the end b and the end c, and the fourth electromagnetic valve 8 connects the end b and the end c. At this time, the protection ink cartridge 3 is connected to the positive pressure air pump 10 through the ends b and c of the fourth electromagnetic valve 8, the ends b and c of the fifth electromagnetic valve 9, and a positive pressure is formed in the protection ink cartridge 3.

[0028] The protection ink cartridge 3 and the secondary ink cartridge 2 are connected, so they are in the same state. When it is necessary to extract ink from the ink bottle 1 to the secondary ink cartridge 2, the first step is to close the first solenoid valve 5, the second solenoid valve 4, and the third solenoid valve 6. At this time, the secondary ink cartridge 2 is only connected to the protection ink cartridge 3. When a positive pressure is formed in the protection ink cartridge 3, the secondary ink cartridge 2 is also in a positive pressure state; the second step is to open the first solenoid valve 5 to allow positive pressure air to enter the ink bottle 1, and the air gathers at the top of the ink bottle 1; the third step is to close the first solenoid valve 5, the second solenoid valve 4, and the third solenoid valve 6. At this time, the secondary ink cartridge 2 is only connected to the protection ink cartridge 3. When a negative pressure is formed in the protection ink cartridge 3, the secondary ink cartridge 2 is also in a negative pressure state. Due to the negative pressure in the secondary ink cartridge 2 The positive pressure in the ink bottle 1 causes the ink to be drawn into the secondary ink cartridge 2. Since the bottle itself has little deformation, when the positive pressure in the ink bottle 1 is exhausted, in order to draw out as much ink as possible, the system continues to draw ink for a period of time, and at this time, the ink bottle 1 will be drawn into a negative pressure; in the fourth step, in order to discharge the negative pressure in the ink bottle 1, when the secondary ink cartridge 2 is connected to the atmosphere, the ink bottle 1 is connected to the secondary ink cartridge 2, and the air will be sucked in to offset the negative pressure in the ink bottle 1. When the ink bottle 1 is in a negative pressure state, the internal ink will not flow out naturally. Therefore, this process will only offset the negative pressure in the ink bottle 1, and no ink will flow out, so that the ink bottle 1 returns to normal. Through the cyclic operation of the four steps, the ink can be continuously drawn into the secondary ink cartridge 2 until the ink is full.

[0029] The present invention provides a fully enclosed ink supply system, including an enclosed ink bottle, a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a secondary ink cartridge, and a control component. The ink outlet of the enclosed ink bottle is connected to the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge through the first solenoid valve, the ink outlet of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle through the second solenoid valve, and the air port of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the control component. The present invention forms a stable head value at the nozzle through the cooperation of the solenoid valve and the ink pump. During the whole ink extraction process, the ink in the ink bottle is continuously extracted and the air is continuously replenished. After the ink bottle is exhausted, since a certain amount of ink is stored in the secondary ink cartridge, the user can replace the ink bottle without stopping the machine, and the operation is more convenient. The entire ink supply system is in a closed state, avoiding the ink pouring operation and ink volatilization of the traditional ink barrel.

[0030] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. Any ordinary technician in the industry can smoothly implement the present invention as shown in the drawings and above. However, any equivalent changes, modifications and evolutions made by technicians familiar with the profession without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention using the technical content disclosed above are all equivalent embodiments of the present invention. At the same time, any equivalent changes, modifications and evolutions made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fully enclosed ink supply system, characterized in that: The device comprises a sealed ink bottle, a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a secondary ink cartridge, and a control component, wherein the ink outlet of the sealed ink bottle is connected to the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge through the first solenoid valve, the ink outlet of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle through the second solenoid valve, and the air port of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the control component; It also includes a third solenoid valve, and the ink inlet of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the ink recovery port of the nozzle through the third solenoid valve; It also includes a protective ink cartridge, and the air port of the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the control component through the protective ink cartridge; The control assembly includes a positive pressure air pump, a negative pressure air pump, a fourth solenoid valve, and a fifth solenoid valve. The protective ink cartridge is connected to the air inlet of the positive pressure air and the fifth solenoid valve via the fourth solenoid valve. The fifth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the negative pressure air pump and the air outlet of the positive pressure air pump. The air outlet of the negative pressure air pump is connected to the atmosphere. The fully enclosed ink supply system comprises the following steps: When it is necessary to extract ink from the sealed ink bottle to the secondary ink cartridge, the first step is to close the first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve, and the third solenoid valve. At this time, the secondary ink cartridge is only connected to the protection ink cartridge. When positive pressure is formed in the protection ink cartridge, the secondary ink cartridge is also in a positive pressure state. The second step is to open the first solenoid valve, so that positive pressure air enters the sealed ink bottle, and the air gathers at the top of the sealed ink bottle; The third step is to close the first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve, and the third solenoid valve. At this time, the secondary ink cartridge is only connected to the protection ink cartridge. When negative pressure is formed in the protection ink cartridge, the secondary ink cartridge is also in a negative pressure state. The negative pressure in the secondary ink cartridge and the positive pressure in the ink bottle cause the ink to be drawn into the secondary ink cartridge. When the positive pressure in the sealed ink bottle is exhausted, the system continues to draw ink for a period of time to draw the sealed ink bottle into a negative pressure. The fourth step is to discharge the negative pressure in the sealed ink bottle. When the secondary ink cartridge is connected to the atmosphere, and the ink bottle and the secondary ink cartridge are connected, the air will be sucked in to offset the negative pressure of the sealed ink bottle. When the sealed ink bottle is in a negative pressure state, the internal ink will not flow out naturally.

2. A fully enclosed ink supply system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The fourth solenoid valve and the fifth solenoid valve are three-way solenoid valves, the protective ink cartridge is connected to the second interface of the fourth solenoid valve, the first interface of the fourth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the positive pressure air, the third interface of the fourth solenoid valve is connected to the second interface of the fifth solenoid valve, the first interface of the fifth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the negative pressure air pump, and the third interface of the fifth solenoid valve is connected to the air outlet of the positive pressure air pump.

3. A fully enclosed ink supply system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The control component also includes an air filter, and the first interface of the fourth solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the positive pressure air through the air filter.

4. A fully enclosed ink supply system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are two-way solenoid valves.

5. A fully enclosed ink supply system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes an ink filter, the ink outlet of the closed ink bottle is connected to the first solenoid valve via the ink filter, the second solenoid valve is connected to the ink recovery port of the nozzle via the ink filter, and the third solenoid valve is connected to the ink supply port of the nozzle via the ink filter.

6. A fully enclosed ink supply system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary ink cartridge is an ink cartridge with liquid level detection.

7. A fully enclosed ink supply system as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The protective ink cartridge is an ink cartridge with liquid level detection.

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