A fully automatic certificate filling printer

Abstract

The invention relates to a fully automatic certificate filling printer, which belongs to the field of printers, and specifically relates to a fully automatic printer for filling in and printing certificates and automatically turning pages and continuously printing. It is composed of a shell, a fuselage, a certificate storage and feeding mechanism, a certificate transfer and printing mechanism, a certificate page turning and unloading mechanism, and a certificate storage box; the fuselage is a frame structure, which is a fixed base for installing various functional components; the certificate storage and feeding mechanism is arranged on the middle left side of the fuselage, and is a certificate storage and feeding component. The certificate transfer and printing mechanism is arranged on the upper part of the fuselage, and has a certificate transfer and printing component that can move along the three axes of X, Y, and Z, and has the functions of taking and placing certificates and printing; the certificate page turning and unloading mechanism is arranged on the upper right part of the middle of the fuselage, and is a component with the functions of turning pages of certificates, flattening certificates, and unloading certificates; the certificate storage box is arranged on the middle right side of the fuselage, below the page turning and unloading component, and is a drawer box that can be pulled out of the shell along a slide rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fully automatic certificate filling printer, belonging to the field of printers, specifically a fully automatic printer for filling and printing certificates and for automatic page turning and continuous printing. Background Art

[0002] In today's society, numerous certificates of various types exist to prove people's identity, qualifications, and rights, such as passports, property certificates, graduation certificates, and professional qualification certificates. These certificates are pre-printed, and the recipient's identity information, qualifications, and rights are filled in afterward. With my country's rapid domestic development, deepening opening-up, expanding higher education, increasing overseas travel, and a rapid increase in college graduates, coupled with urbanization and the large influx of people buying homes in cities each year, the issuance of travel passports, graduation certificates, and property certificates has surged. Traditional printing methods can no longer meet daily office needs. Previously, certificate printing was done manually, with one person per machine. Printing a single certificate required multiple page flips, resulting in a heavy workload, numerous users, low efficiency, and long waiting times for recipients. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fully automatic certificate filling printer that addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings. This printer automatically fills in and prints certificates, solving the problems of heavy workload and insufficient staff in the certificate issuing department. It also improves the efficiency of certificate processing and eliminates the need for long queues for certificate recipients.

[0004] When the fully automated certificate filling printer is in operation, staff from the issuing department pre-load a certain number of certificates and print them with a single click. One staff member can manage multiple fully automated certificate filling printers. This reduces the number of personnel required, improves work efficiency, and solves the problem of long queues for certificate recipients.

[0005] A fully automated certificate filling printer is implemented using the following technical solution:

[0006] A fully automatic certificate filling printer consists of a housing, main body, certificate storage and feeding mechanism, certificate transfer and printing mechanism, certificate flipping and unloading mechanism, and certificate storage box. Before printing begins, a certain batch of certificates is manually placed into the storage drawer of the certificate storage and feeding mechanism, and the printer is started. The feeding mechanism pushes the certificates upwards to the edge of the feeding exit plate. The certificate transfer and printing mechanism retrieves the certificates and transfers them to the certificate filling and printing position (on the receiving plate of the certificate flipping and unloading mechanism) for filling and printing. After one page is filled and printed, the certificate flipping mechanism flips the page to continue printing the next page. After the certificate is printed, the receiving plate of the flipping and unloading mechanism opens downwards, and the filled and printed certificate falls into the certificate storage box. The receiving plate of the flipping and unloading mechanism closes, and the printer enters the next printing cycle. After all the certificates stored in the storage drawer have been printed, the material sensor A in the certificate storage and feeding mechanism sends a material shortage message, and the printer stops and issues an audible and visual alarm. The operator retrieves the printed certificates, places the certificates to be printed, and restarts printing.

[0007] The housing is a printer enclosure with a flip-top for easy troubleshooting and ink cartridge replacement. Access doors are located on both sides of the housing, one of which houses an electrical box for convenient installation and maintenance. A touchscreen computer is located on the right side of the upper, sloping exterior of the housing for system control and printer command input.

[0008] The fuselage is a frame structure, which serves as the foundation for installing and fixing various functional components, integrating them into a single device.

[0009] The certificate storage and feeding mechanism is located on the left side of the middle of the machine body and is a certificate storage and feeding component.

[0010] The certificate transfer and printing mechanism is located on the upper part of the machine body and has a certificate transfer and printing component that can move along the X, Y, and Z axes and has the functions of picking up and placing certificates and printing.

[0011] The certificate flipping and unloading mechanism is located on the upper right side of the middle of the machine body and is a component that has the functions of flipping certificates, flattening certificates, and removing certificates.

[0012] The certificate storage box is located on the right side of the middle of the machine body, below the page-turning and unloading component, and is a drawer box that can be pulled out of the housing along the slide rail.

[0013] The certificate storage and feeding mechanism is the certificate storage and feeding component of the printer. This mechanism consists of a certificate storage mechanism and a lifting and feeding mechanism. One part is the certificate storage mechanism, which comprises a feeding outlet plate, a fixed baffle, a drawer baffle, a drawer bottom plate, a slide rail, a support plate, a base plate, a material sensing sensor A, and a storage drawer box position sensor. The drawer baffle and drawer bottom plate form the storage drawer box. The storage drawer box can be pulled out of the housing along the slide rail for easy certificate insertion. The other part is the lifting and feeding mechanism, which comprises a stepper motor, a stepper motor bracket, a flexible coupling, a ball screw bracket, a screw slider, a ball screw, a bracket fixed base plate, a feeding tray, an L-shaped connector, a zero-position sensor, and a feeding position signal sensor. The feeding outlet plate, base plate, and support plate form a frame structure. The storage drawer box and feeding mechanism are combined into a single storage and feeding component. The feeding mechanism is vertically fixed to two support plates in the middle of the frame structure. The drawer bottom plate is fixed to the feeding tray via a slide rail. The L-shaped connector integrates the feeding tray with the lead screw slider. The stepper motor rotates the ball screw through a flexible coupling, and the ball screw pushes the lead screw slider. The feeding tray, which is integrated with the lead screw slider, moves the drawer bottom plate up and down together via a slide rail fixed under the drawer bottom plate.

[0014] Before printing certificates, staff pull the storage drawer out of the housing, insert a certain number of certificates, and then push the drawer back into the housing to close it. Printing is initiated, and a position sensor in the storage drawer detects whether it is fully closed. If not, the system issues an audible and visual warning signal, and the staff closes it again. Once the position sensor detects that the drawer is fully closed, the control system activates the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism. The stepper motor rotates a ball screw via a flexible coupling, which pushes a slider, which in turn pushes a feeding tray. The feeding tray moves the drawer bottom plate upwards, pushing the certificates in the storage drawer to the edge of the feeding exit plate. A feeding completion signal sensor is fixed at the edge of the feeding exit plate. Once the sensor detects that the certificates are in place, it stops the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism and issues a feeding completion signal. The control system then initiates the certificate transfer and printing mechanism. When the certificates in the storage drawer are printed, the material sensor A installed below the drawer sends a material shortage signal, triggering the control system to activate the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism to rotate in reverse. The ball screw drives the drawer bottom plate back to its original zero position, the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism stops rotating, and the zero-position sensor of the lifting and feeding mechanism sends a positioning signal. The control system also issues an audible and visual alarm signal to indicate that the certificate printing is complete.

[0015] The certificate transfer and printing mechanism is a component that picks up and transfers the certificate to the printing position for printing. This component has movement capabilities in the X, Y, and Z directions. Linear movement in the X, Y, and Z directions is achieved by X-axis linear modules, Y-axis linear modules, and Z-axis linear modules. Each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis linear modules includes a stepper motor, linear guide rail, moving slide, zero-position signal sensor, and end-point signal sensor. The two X-axis linear modules are respectively fixed to two transverse X-axis frame beams on the upper part of the machine body. The Y-axis linear module is longitudinally fixed to two X-axis moving slides, and the Z-axis linear module is fixed to the Y-axis moving slide. The Z-axis moving slide moves vertically downwards.

[0016] The certificate transfer and printing mechanism has two functional components—a certificate picking component and a printing component. Both components share an X-axis linear module and each has a Z-axis linear module. The certificate picking component consists of a vacuum suction cup, a suction cup bracket, a Z-axis A linear module, a vacuum pump, a pressure sensor, and a two-position three-way solenoid valve. The vacuum suction cup is fixed to the suction cup bracket, which is fixed to the Z-axis A moving slide, with the suction cup opening facing the certificate page. The four vacuum suction cups are divided into two groups, front and rear, with two two-position three-way solenoid valves controlling different working states of the two groups of vacuum suction cups respectively. The Z-axis A linear module is fixed in the middle of the Y-axis linear module body, and the Z-axis A moving slide moves vertically downwards. The certificate picking component has movement functions in the X and Z directions, while the Y-axis direction is fixed. The printing component is a print head, fixed to the Z-axis moving slide, and has movement functions in the X, Y, and Z directions. Upon receiving a feeding signal, the control system starts the vacuum pump and the Z-axis A stepper motor, activating the two two-position three-way solenoid valves. The Z-axis A stepper motor drives the Z-axis A moving slide, which in turn moves the suction cup bracket downwards by a set step distance. Once the set step distance is reached (the suction cup contacts the certificate page), the Z-axis A stepper motor stops rotating. After the vacuum suction cup contacts the certificate page, a negative pressure vacuum is created. When the pressure sensor reaches the set vacuum value, the control system starts the Z-axis A stepper motor to rotate in the reverse direction. The Z-axis A moving slide, along with the suction cup bracket, moves upwards, lifting the held certificate. After the Z-axis A moving slide returns to its origin, the Z-axis A stepper motor stops rotating, and the Z-axis A zero-position signal sensor sends a signal indicating it has reached its position. The control system then starts the X-axis stepper motor. The X-axis stepper motor drives the X-axis moving slide, which in turn moves the Y-axis linear module along the X-axis. The Z-axis A linear module, along with the suction cup bracket and the certificate held by the vacuum suction cup, moves forward with the Y-axis linear module. The X-axis moving slide moves the certificate above the certificate printing position according to the step distance set by the control system, and then the X-axis stepper motor stops rotating. The control system starts the Z-axis A stepper motor to rotate, which drives the Z-axis A moving slide to move downwards. The Z-axis A moving slide moves the vacuum suction cup bracket downwards together, delivering the certificate held by the suction cup onto the material receiving plate at the certificate printing position. After the Z-axis A stepper motor rotates to the set step distance, it stops rotating. The control system stops the vacuum pump and closes the two two-position three-way solenoid valves. Simultaneously, the certificate flipping and unloading mechanism starts working.

[0017] The certificate flipping and unloading mechanism comprises a certificate flipping component, a certificate flattening component, and a certificate removal component. This mechanism consists of a flipping and unloading mechanism fixing plate and three functional parts: certificate flipping, certificate flattening, and certificate removal. The flipping and unloading mechanism fixing plate serves as the base for fixing the certificate flipping, certificate flattening, and certificate removal components. The fixing plate has a rectangular hole in the center for placing the certificate printing position.

[0018] The certificate page-turning component consists of servo motor A, a page-turning lever, a servo motor A bracket, a page-turning lever zero-position sensor, and a page-turning lever end-point sensor. The certificate page-turning component is fixed to the bottom of the page-turning and unloading mechanism mounting plate via the servo motor A bracket, on one side of the rectangular hole (X-axis direction), near the center. The page-turning lever is fixed to the servo motor A's rotating shaft; when the servo motor A rotates, the page-turning lever sweeps horizontally to turn the pages.

[0019] The certificate flattening assembly consists of servo motor B, a pressure plate, a pressure plate shaft, a coupling, a servo motor B bracket, a pressure plate shaft bracket, a pressure plate shaft zero-position sensor, and a pressure plate shaft end-point sensor. The two sets of certificate flattening assemblies are fixed to the bottom of the page-turning and unloading mechanism mounting plate by the servo motor B bracket and the pressure plate shaft bracket, on both sides of the horizontal edge (X-axis direction) of the rectangular hole. The pressure plate is fixed to the pressure plate shaft. Driven by servo motor B, the pressure plate shaft moves the pressure plate to press the certificate, preventing the certificate from arching in the middle and curling up on both sides, which would affect print quality.

[0020] The certificate removal component consists of a servo motor C, a material support plate, a material support plate shaft, a coupling, a servo motor C bracket, a material support plate shaft bracket, a material support plate shaft zero-position sensor, a material support plate shaft end-point sensor, and a material sensing sensor B. Two sets of certificate removal components are fixed to the bottom of the page-turning unloading mechanism mounting plate by the servo motor C bracket and the material support plate shaft bracket, on both sides of the longitudinal edge (Y-axis direction) of the rectangular hole. One end of the material support plate is fixed to the material support plate shaft. Driven by the servo motor C, the material support plate rotates downwards with the material support plate shaft, removing the printed certificate and making room for the next certificate.

[0021] A fully automatic certificate filling printer is equipped with a control system. The control system consists of an industrial control computer and an STM32F103VCT6 microcontroller embedded system. The industrial control computer and the STM32F103VCT6 microcontroller embedded system are connected through a communication interface. The control system is equipped with a fully automatic certificate filling printer control program. During the control process, the industrial control computer issues task instructions, and the STM32F103VCT6 microcontroller embedded system controls the actuator to complete the target task.

[0022] The working method of a fully automated certificate filling printer is as follows:

[0023] After a new certificate is placed in the printing position, the control system activates servo motor B to rotate. Driven by servo motor B, the pressure plate spindle moves to press the certificate down. Once the spindle reaches its endpoint, servo motor B stops rotating, and the spindle endpoint sensor sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then activates the Z-axis A stepper motor to rotate in the reverse direction. The Z-axis A moving slide moves the vacuum suction cup support back to its zero-position origin, and the Z-axis A stepper motor stops rotating. The Z-axis A zero-position sensor sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then starts the printing program, and the print head begins printing. After printing one page, the Z-axis stepper motor drives the print head back to the Z-axis zero-position origin. The Z-axis zero-position sensor sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then activates servo motor B to rotate in the reverse direction, causing the pressure plate to release the certificate. Once the pressure plate reaches the zero position with the spindle, servo motor B stops rotating, and the spindle zero-position sensor sends a signal indicating the spindle has returned to position. The control system activates the X-axis stepper motor to rotate in the reverse direction. The X-axis moving slide, following the system-set step distance, drives the vacuum suction cup on the Y-axis linear module to the inner edge of the certificate page, after which the X-axis stepper motor stops rotating. The control system then activates the vacuum pump, activating the two-position three-way solenoid valves of one set of suction cups used for page turning, and closing the two-position three-way solenoid valves of the other set of vacuum suction cups. Simultaneously, the control system activates the Z-axis A stepper motor, which drives the Z-axis A moving slide. The Z-axis A moving slide, along with the suction cup support, moves downwards to the set step distance, after which the Z-axis A stepper motor stops rotating. Once the vacuum suction cup contacts the certificate page, a negative pressure vacuum is created in the page-turning area. After the pressure sensor reaches the set vacuum value, the control system activates the X-axis stepper motor. The X-axis stepper motor drives the X-axis moving slide to move in the page-turning direction by the set step distance, and then activates the Z-axis A stepper motor to rotate in the reverse direction. The Z-axis A moving slide, along with the suction cup support, moves upwards and moves along the X-axis together with the X-axis moving slide. At this point, the certificate page held in the suction cup is flipped forward and upward. After the X-axis and Z-axis A-axis moving slides move to the set step distance, the X-axis and Z-axis A-axis stepper motors rotate, the control system stops the vacuum pump, closes the two-position three-way solenoid valve used for the page-turning suction cup, and simultaneously starts the servo motor A to rotate. Servo motor A drives the lever to rotate, and the page-turning lever... Sweep across the liftedAfter the page is turned, the page-turning lever reaches its endpoint, servo motor A stops rotating, and the page-turning lever endpoint sensor sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then activates servo motor A to rotate in the reverse direction. Servo motor A drives the page-turning lever back to its origin zero position, and the page-turning lever zero-position sensor sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then activates servo motor B to rotate. Driven by servo motor B, the pressing shaft moves the pressing plate to press the certificate. When the pressing shaft reaches its endpoint, servo motor B stops rotating, and the pressing shaft endpoint sensor sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then starts the printing program to continue printing. After printing is complete, the control system activates servo motor C to rotate. Driven by servo motor C, the receiving plate rotates downwards with the receiving plate shaft, and the certificate falls into the storage box below. After the certificate leaves the receiving plate, the material sensing sensor B sends a print position empty signal. After the receiving plate shaft rotates to its endpoint, servo motor C stops rotating, and the receiving plate shaft endpoint sensor sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then activates servo motor C to rotate in the reverse direction, and simultaneously activates servo motor B to rotate in the reverse direction. The material support plate returns to its original zero position along with the material support plate shaft. Servo C stops rotating, and the zero-position sensor of the material support plate shaft sends a signal indicating it has reached its position. The tablet press returns to its original zero position along with the tablet press shaft. Servo B stops rotating, and the zero-position sensor of the tablet press shaft sends a signal indicating it has returned to its original position. The control system then initiates the feeding, filling, and printing process for the next certificate.

[0024] The fully automatic certificate filling printer is a specialized printer with advantages such as high automation, simple operation, no easily replaceable consumable parts, reliable operation, convenient maintenance, and high work efficiency. The invention of the fully automatic certificate filling printer provides certificate issuing departments with a new and effective office equipment that reduces workload, staffing, and office costs. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fully automated certificate filling printer.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fully automated certificate filling printer.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the certificate storage and feeding mechanism of a fully automatic certificate filling printer.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the certificate transfer and printing mechanism of a fully automatic certificate filling printer.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the certificate page-turning and unloading mechanism of a fully automatic certificate filling printer.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Housing, 2. Flip-top, 3. Inspection door, 4. Casters, 5. Touchscreen computer, 6. Machine body, 7. Certificate storage and feeding mechanism, 8. Certificate flipping and unloading mechanism, 9. Certificate transfer and printing mechanism, 10. Certificate storage box, 11. Feeding outlet plate, 12. Fixed baffle, 13. Drawer baffle, 14. Drawer bottom plate, 15. Slide rail, 16. Support plate, 17. Base plate, 18. Material sensing sensor A, 19. Storage drawer box position sensor, 20. Stepper motor, 21. Stepper motor bracket, 22. Flexible linkage 23. Ball screw support, 24. Screw slider, 25. Ball screw, 26. Support base plate, 27. Feeding tray, 28. L-shaped connector, 29. Zero position sensor, 30. Feeding position signal sensor, 31. X-axis linear module, 32. X-axis moving slide, 33. X-axis stepper motor, 34. X-axis zero position sensor, 35. X-axis end point sensor, 36. Y-axis linear module, 37. Y-axis stepper motor, 38. Y-axis moving slide, 39. Y-axis zero position sensor, 40. Y-axis end point sensor, 41. 42. Z-axis linear module, 43. Z-axis moving slide, 44. Z-axis stepper motor, 45. Print head, 46. Z-axis zero-position sensor, 47. Z-axis A linear module, 48. Z-axis A stepper motor, 49. Z-axis A moving slide, 50. Suction cup bracket, 51. Vacuum suction cup, 52. Z-axis A zero-position sensor, 53. Z-axis A end-point sensor, 54. Pressure sensor, 55. Vacuum pump, 56. Two-position three-way solenoid valve, 57. Page-turning unloading mechanism mounting plate, 58. Servo B bracket, 59. Servo B, 50. Coupling. 60. Tableting shaft bracket; 61. Tableting shaft; 62. Tableting device; 63. Tableting shaft zero-position sensor; 64. Tableting shaft end-point sensor; 65. Servo A bracket; 66. Servo A; 67. Page turn lever; 68. Page turn lever zero-position sensor; 69. Page turn lever end-point sensor; 70. Servo C; 71. Servo C bracket; 72. Material support plate shaft; 73. Material support plate; 74. Material support plate shaft bracket; 75. Material support plate shaft zero-position sensor; 76. Material support plate shaft end-point sensor; 77. Material sensing sensor B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Refer to the attached Figure 1-5A fully automatic certificate filling printer consists of a housing 1, a main body 6, a certificate storage and feeding mechanism 7, a certificate transfer and printing mechanism 9, a certificate flipping and unloading mechanism 8, and a certificate storage box 10. Before printing begins, a certain batch of certificates is manually placed into the storage drawer box in the certificate storage and feeding mechanism 7, and the printer is started. The feeding mechanism in the certificate storage and feeding mechanism 7 pushes the certificates upwards to the edge of the feeding exit plate 11. The certificate transfer and printing mechanism 9 removes the certificates and transfers them to the certificate filling and printing position (the receiving plate of the certificate flipping and unloading mechanism 8) to begin filling and printing. After one page is filled and printed, the certificate flipping mechanism flips the page and continues printing the next page. After the certificate is printed, the receiving plate of the flipping and unloading mechanism opens downwards, and the filled and printed certificate falls into the certificate storage box 10. The receiving plate of the flipping and unloading mechanism closes, and the printer enters the next printing cycle. After all the certificates stored in the storage drawer box have been printed, the material sensing sensor A 18 in the certificate storage and feeding mechanism 7 sends a material shortage message, and the printer stops and issues an audible and visual alarm. The staff took out the printed certificate, put in the certificate to be printed, and restarted printing.

[0033] The housing 1 is the printer casing, with a flip-top cover 2 on top for easy troubleshooting and ink cartridge replacement. Access doors 3 are located on both sides of the housing 1, with an electrical box on one side for convenient installation and maintenance. A touchscreen computer 5 is located on the right side of the upper sloping surface of the housing 1 for system control and printer command input.

[0034] The fuselage 6 is a frame structure, which serves as the foundation for installing and fixing various functional components, integrating them into a single device.

[0035] The certificate storage and feeding mechanism 7 is located on the left side of the middle of the machine body 6 and is a certificate storage and feeding component.

[0036] The certificate transfer and printing mechanism 9 is located on the upper part of the machine body and has a certificate transfer and printing component that can move along the X, Y, and Z axes and has the functions of picking up and placing certificates and printing.

[0037] The certificate flipping and unloading mechanism 8 is located on the upper right side of the middle of the machine body 6, and is a component with functions of flipping certificates, flattening certificates, and unloading certificates.

[0038] The certificate storage box 10 is located on the right side of the middle of the machine body 6, below the page-turning and unloading component, and is a drawer box that can be pulled out of the housing 1 along the slide rail 15.

[0039] The certificate storage and feeding mechanism 7 is the certificate storage and feeding component of the printer. This mechanism consists of two parts: a certificate storage mechanism and a lifting and feeding mechanism. The certificate storage mechanism comprises a feeding outlet plate 11, a fixed baffle 12, a drawer baffle 13, a drawer bottom plate 14, a slide rail 15, a support plate 16, a base plate 17, a material sensing sensor A 18, and a storage drawer box position sensor 19. The drawer baffle 13 and the drawer bottom plate 14 form the storage drawer box. The storage drawer box can be pulled out of the housing 1 along the slide rail 15 for easy certificate insertion. The lifting and feeding mechanism comprises a stepper motor 20, a stepper motor bracket 21, a flexible coupling 22, a ball screw bracket 23, a screw slider 24, a ball screw 25, a bracket fixed base plate 26, a feeding tray 27, an L-shaped connector 28, a zero-position sensor 29, and a feeding position signal sensor 30. The feeding outlet plate 11, base plate 17, and support plate 16 form a frame structure. The storage drawer box and the feeding mechanism are combined into a storage and feeding component. The feeding mechanism is vertically fixed to two support plates 16 in the middle of the frame structure. The drawer bottom plate 14 is fixed to the feeding tray 27 via a slide rail 15. An L-shaped connector 28 connects the feeding tray 27 to the lead screw slider 24. The stepper motor 20 rotates the ball screw 25 via a flexible coupling 22. The ball screw 25 pushes the lead screw slider 24, and the feeding tray 27, which is integrated with the lead screw slider 24, moves the drawer bottom plate 14 up and down together via the slide rail 15 fixed below the drawer bottom plate 14.

[0040] Before printing certificates, staff pull the storage drawer box out of the housing, place a certain number of certificates inside, and then push the drawer box back into the housing 1 to close it. Printing is initiated, and the storage drawer box position sensor 19 detects whether the drawer box is fully closed. If not, the control system issues an audible and visual warning signal, and the staff closes it again. After the storage drawer box position sensor 19 detects that it is fully closed, the control system starts the stepper motor 20 of the lifting and feeding mechanism. The stepper motor 20 rotates the ball screw 25 through the elastic coupling 22. The ball screw 25 pushes the screw slider 24, which in turn pushes the feeding tray 27. The feeding tray 27 moves the drawer bottom plate 14 upwards, pushing the certificates in the storage drawer box to the edge of the feeding outlet plate 11. The feeding completion signal sensor 30 is fixed at the edge of the feeding outlet plate 11. After the feeding completion signal sensor 30 senses that the certificates are in place, it stops the stepper motor 20 of the lifting and feeding mechanism and issues a feeding completion signal. The control system then starts the certificate transfer and printing mechanism 9. When the certificates in the storage drawer are printed, the material sensor A 18 installed below the storage drawer sends a material shortage signal, and the control system starts the stepper motor 20 of the lifting and feeding mechanism to rotate in reverse. The ball screw 25 drives the drawer bottom plate 14 back to the bottom origin zero position, the stepper motor 20 of the lifting and feeding mechanism stops rotating, and the zero-position sensor 29 of the lifting and feeding mechanism sends a positioning signal. The control system also issues an audible and visual alarm signal to indicate that the certificate printing is complete.

[0041] The certificate transfer and printing mechanism 9 is a component that picks up and transfers the certificate to the printing position for printing. This component has movement functions in the X, Y, and Z directions. Linear movement in the X, Y, and Z directions is achieved by the X-axis linear module 31, Y-axis linear module 36, and Z-axis linear module 41. Each of the X-axis linear module 31, Y-axis linear module 36, and Z-axis linear module 41 includes a stepper motor, linear guide rail, moving slide, zero-position signal sensor, and end-point signal sensor. The two X-axis linear modules 31 are respectively fixed on two horizontal (X-axis direction) frame beams on the upper part of the machine body 6, the Y-axis linear module 36 is longitudinally fixed on two X-axis moving slides 32, and the Z-axis linear module 41 is fixed on the Y-axis moving slide 38. The Z-axis moving slide 42 moves vertically downwards.

[0042] The certificate transfer and printing mechanism 9 is a component that picks up and transfers the certificate to the printing position for printing. This component has movement functions in the X, Y, and Z directions. Linear movement in the X, Y, and Z directions is achieved by the X-axis linear module 31, the Y-axis linear module 36, and the Z-axis linear module 41. The linear module includes a stepper motor, a linear guide rail, a moving slide, a zero-position signal sensor, and an end-point signal sensor. The two X-axis linear modules 31 are respectively fixed on two horizontal (X-axis direction) frame beams on the upper part of the machine body 6, the Y-axis linear module 36 is longitudinally fixed on two X-axis moving slides 32, and the Z-axis linear module 41 is fixed on the Y-axis moving slide 38. The Z-axis moving slide 42 moves vertically downwards.

[0043] The certificate transfer and printing mechanism 9 has two functional components—a certificate picking component and a printing component. Both components share an X-axis linear module and each has its own Z-axis linear module. The certificate picking component consists of a vacuum suction cup 50, a suction cup bracket 49, a Z-axis A linear module 46, a vacuum pump 54, a pressure sensor 53, and a two-position three-way solenoid valve 55. The vacuum suction cup 50 is fixed to the suction cup bracket 49, which is fixed to the Z-axis A moving slide 48, with the suction cup opening facing the certificate page. The four vacuum suction cups 50 are divided into two groups, front and rear, and the two two-position three-way solenoid valves 55 control the different working states of the two groups of vacuum suction cups 50 respectively. The Z-axis A linear module 46 is fixed in the middle of the Y-axis linear module 36, and the Z-axis A moving slide 48 moves vertically downwards. The certificate picking component has movement functions in both the X and Z directions, while the Y-axis direction remains fixed. The printing component is a printhead 44, which is fixed on a Z-axis moving slide 42 and has movement functions in the X, Y, and Z directions. Upon receiving a feeding signal, the control system starts the vacuum pump 54 and the Z-axis A stepper motor 47, activating the two two-position three-way solenoid valves 55. The Z-axis A stepper motor 47 drives the Z-axis A moving slide 48, which in turn moves the suction cup bracket 49 downwards by a set step distance. Once the set step distance is reached (the suction cup contacts the certificate page), the Z-axis A stepper motor 43 stops rotating. After the vacuum suction cup 50 contacts the certificate page, a negative pressure vacuum is created. When the pressure sensor 53 reaches the set vacuum value, the control system starts the Z-axis A stepper motor 47 to rotate in the reverse direction. The Z-axis A moving slide 48 moves the suction cup bracket 49 upwards, lifting the held certificate. After the Z-axis A moving slide 48 returns to its origin, the Z-axis A stepper motor 47 stops rotating, and the Z-axis A zero-position signal sensor 51 sends a positioning signal. The control system starts the X-axis stepper motor 33 to rotate. The X-axis stepper motor 33 drives the X-axis moving slide 32 to move, and the X-axis moving slide 32 drives the Y-axis linear module 36 to translate along the X-axis. The Z-axis A linear module 46, together with the certificate held by the suction cup bracket 49 and the vacuum suction cup 50, moves forward with the Y-axis linear module 36. After the X-axis moving slide 32 moves the certificate above the certificate printing position according to the step distance set by the control system, the X-axis stepper motor 33 stops rotating.

[0044] The control system starts the Z-axis A stepper motor 47 to rotate, which drives the Z-axis A moving slide 48 to move downwards. The Z-axis A moving slide 48 moves the vacuum suction cup bracket 49 downwards together, sending the certificate held by the vacuum suction cup 50 onto the material receiving plate 73 at the certificate printing position. After the Z-axis A stepper motor 47 rotates to the set step distance, it stops rotating. The control system stops the vacuum pump 54 and closes the two two-position three-way solenoid valves 55. At the same time, the certificate flipping and unloading mechanism 8 starts working.

[0045] The certificate flipping and unloading mechanism 8 comprises a certificate flipping component, a certificate flattening component, and a certificate unloading component. This component consists of a flipping and unloading mechanism fixing plate 56 and three functional parts: certificate flipping, certificate flattening, and certificate unloading. The flipping and unloading mechanism fixing plate 56 serves as the base for fixing the certificate flipping component, certificate flattening component, and certificate unloading component. The fixing plate 56 has a rectangular hole in the center for placing the certificate printing position.

[0046] The certificate page-turning component consists of a servo motor A 66, a page-turning lever 67, a servo motor A bracket 65, a page-turning lever zero-position sensor 68, and a page-turning lever end-point sensor 69. The certificate page-turning component is fixed to the lower part of the page-turning and unloading mechanism mounting plate 56 via the servo motor A bracket 65, on one side of the rectangular hole (X-axis direction), near the center. The page-turning lever 67 is fixed to the servo motor A 66's rotating shaft. When the servo motor A 66 rotates, the page-turning lever 67 sweeps horizontally to turn the pages.

[0047] The certificate flattening component consists of a servo motor B58, a pressing plate 62, a pressing plate shaft 61, a coupling 59, a servo motor B bracket 57, a pressing plate shaft bracket 60, a pressing plate shaft zero-position sensor 63, and a pressing plate shaft end-point sensor 64. The two sets of certificate flattening components are fixed to the lower part of the page-turning and unloading mechanism fixing plate 56 by the servo motor B bracket 7 and the pressing plate shaft bracket 60, on both sides of the horizontal edge (X-axis direction) of the rectangular hole. The pressing plate 62 is fixed to the pressing plate shaft 61. Driven by the servo motor B58, the pressing plate shaft 61 moves the pressing plate 62 to press the certificate, preventing the certificate from arching in the middle and curling up on both sides, which would affect the printing quality.

[0048] The certificate removal component consists of a servo motor C70, a material support plate 73, a material support plate shaft 72, a coupling 59, a servo motor C bracket 71, a material support plate shaft bracket 74, a material support plate shaft zero-position sensor 75, a material support plate shaft end-point sensor 76, and a material sensing sensor B77. The two sets of certificate removal components are fixed to the bottom of the page-turning unloading mechanism fixing plate 56 by the servo motor C bracket 71 and the material support plate shaft bracket 74, on both sides of the longitudinal edge (Y-axis direction) of the rectangular hole. One end of the material support plate 75 is fixed to the material support plate shaft 72. Driven by the servo motor C70, the material support plate 73 rotates downwards with the material support plate shaft 72, removing the printed certificate and making room for the next certificate.

[0049] The material sensing sensors A18 and B77 mentioned above are commercially available material sensing sensors.

[0050] The aforementioned storage drawer box position sensor 19, zero position sensor 29, feeding position signal sensor 30, X-axis zero position sensor 34, end point sensor 35, Y-axis zero position sensor 39, Y end point sensor 40, Z-axis zero position sensor 45, Z-axis A zero position sensor 51, Z-axis A end point sensor 52, tableting shaft zero position sensor 63, tableting shaft end point sensor 64, page turning lever zero position sensor 68, page turning lever end point sensor 69, support plate shaft zero position sensor 75, and support plate shaft end point sensor 76 are all commercially available position sensors.

[0051] The pressure sensor 53 mentioned above is a commercially available pressure sensor.

[0052] The working method of a fully automated certificate filling printer is as follows:

[0053] After a new certificate is placed in the printing position, the control system activates servo motor B58 to rotate. Driven by servo motor B58, the pressure plate spindle 61 moves the pressure plate 62 to press the certificate. Once the pressure plate spindle 61 reaches its endpoint, servo motor B58 stops rotating, and the pressure plate spindle endpoint sensor 64 sends a positioning signal. The control system then activates Z-axis A stepper motor 43 to rotate in the reverse direction. The Z-axis A moving slide 48 moves the vacuum suction cup bracket 49 back to the zero origin position, and Z-axis A stepper motor 43 stops rotating. Z-axis A zero-position sensor 51 sends a positioning signal. The control system then starts the printing program, and the print head begins printing. After printing one page, Z-axis stepper motor 43 drives the print head back to the Z-axis zero origin. Z-axis zero-position sensor 45 sends a positioning signal. The control system activates servo motor B58 to rotate in the reverse direction, causing pressure plate 62 to release the pressed certificate. Pressure plate 62, along with pressure plate shaft 61, reaches the origin zero position, after which servo motor B58 stops rotating, and pressure plate shaft zero-position sensor 63 sends a signal indicating that pressure plate shaft 61 has returned to its position. The control system then activates X-axis stepper motor 33 to rotate in the reverse direction. X-axis moving slide 32, according to the system-set step distance, drives vacuum suction cup 50 on Y-axis linear module 36 to the inner edge of the certificate page, after which X-axis stepper motor 33 stops rotating. The control system then activates vacuum pump 54, putting one set of two-position three-way solenoid valves 55 for page turning into the on state, and the other set into the off state. Simultaneously, the control system activates Z-axis A stepper motor 47 to rotate, driving Z-axis A moving slide 48 to move. Z-axis A moving slide 48, along with suction cup bracket 49, moves downwards to the set step distance, after which Z-axis A stepper motor 47 stops rotating. After the vacuum suction cup contacts the certificate page, a negative pressure vacuum is created in the page-turning mechanism. Once the pressure sensor 53 reaches the set vacuum value, the control system starts the X-axis stepper motor 33. The X-axis stepper motor 33 drives the X-axis sliding table 32 to move a set step distance in the page-turning direction. Then, the Z-axis A stepper motor 43 is started to rotate in the opposite direction. The Z-axis A sliding table 48 moves the suction cup support 49 upwards together with the X-axis sliding table 32 along the X-axis. At this time, the suctioned certificate page is lifted forward and upward. After the X-axis sliding table 32 and the Z-axis A sliding table 48 have moved to the set step distance, the X-axis stepper motor 33 and the Z-axis A stepper motor 47 rotate. The control system stops the vacuum pump 54, closes the two-position three-way solenoid valve 55 for the page-turning suction cup, and simultaneously starts the servo motor A66. The servo motor A66 drives the page-turning lever 67 to rotate. Sweep across the liftedAfter the page is turned, the page-turning lever 67 reaches its end position, the servo motor A66 stops rotating, and the page-turning lever end-point sensor 69 sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then activates servo motor A66 to rotate in the opposite direction. Servo motor A66 drives the page-turning lever 67 back to its origin zero position, and the page-turning lever zero-position sensor 68 sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then activates servo motor B58 to rotate. Driven by servo motor B58, the pressing shaft 61 drives the pressing plate 62 to press the certificate. When the pressing shaft 61 reaches its end position, servo motor B58 stops rotating, and the pressing shaft end-point sensor 64 sends a signal indicating it is in position. The control system then starts the printing program to continue printing. After printing is complete, the control system activates servo motor C70 to rotate. Driven by servo motor C70, the receiving plate 73 rotates downwards with the receiving plate shaft 72, and the certificate falls into the storage box below. After the certificate leaves the material support plate 73, the material sensing sensor B77 sends a print position empty signal. Once the material support plate shaft 72 reaches its end position, the servo motor C70 stops rotating, and the material support plate shaft end point sensor 76 sends a position signal. The control system then activates servo motor C70 to rotate in the reverse direction, simultaneously activating servo motor B58 to rotate in the reverse direction. The material support plate 73 returns to its origin zero position along with the material support plate shaft 72. The servo motor C70 stops rotating, and the material support plate shaft zero position sensor 75 sends a position signal. The tablet press 62 returns to its origin zero position along with the tablet press shaft 61. The servo motor B58 stops rotating, and the tablet press shaft zero position sensor 63 sends a return position signal. The control system then initiates the feeding, filling, and printing process for the next certificate.

[0054] A fully automatic certificate filling printer is equipped with a control system. The control system consists of an industrial control computer and an STM32F103VCT6 microcontroller embedded system. The industrial control computer and the STM32F103VCT6 microcontroller embedded system are connected through a communication interface. The control system is equipped with a fully automatic certificate filling printer control program. During the control process, the industrial control computer issues task instructions, and the STM32F103VCT6 microcontroller embedded system controls the actuator to complete the target task.

Claims

1. A fully automatic certificate filling printer, characterized in that: It consists of a shell, a body, a certificate storage and feeding mechanism, a certificate transfer and printing mechanism, a certificate page turning and unloading mechanism, and a certificate storage box; The fuselage is a frame structure; The certificate storage and feeding mechanism is arranged on the left side of the middle of the fuselage and is a certificate storage and feeding component; The certificate transfer printing mechanism is arranged on the upper part of the machine body, and has a certificate transfer printing component that can move along the three axes of X, Y, and Z and has the functions of taking and placing certificates and printing; The certificate page turning and unloading mechanism is arranged at the upper right part of the middle of the fuselage; The certificate storage box is arranged on the middle right side of the body, below the certificate page turning and unloading mechanism, and is a drawer box that can be pulled out of the shell along the first slide rail; The certificate storage and feeding mechanism is composed of a certificate storage mechanism and a lifting and feeding mechanism; The certificate transfer printing mechanism is a component that takes and transfers the certificate to the printing position for printing. The component has the function of moving in three directions of X, Y and Z, and the linear movement in three directions of X, Y and Z is realized by an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module and a Z-axis linear module; the X-axis linear module includes an X-axis stepper motor, an X-axis linear guide, an X-axis movable slide, an X-axis zero position signal sensor and an X-axis end point signal sensor; the Y-axis linear module includes a Y-axis stepper motor, a Y-axis linear guide, a Y-axis movable slide, a Y-axis zero position signal sensor and a Y-axis end point signal sensor; the Z-axis linear module includes a Z-axis stepper motor, a Z-axis linear guide, a Z-axis movable slide, a Z-axis zero position signal sensor and a Z-axis end point signal sensor; the two X-axis linear modules are respectively fixed on two horizontal X-axis frame beams on the upper part of the fuselage, the Y-axis linear module is longitudinally fixed on two X-axis movable slides, the Z-axis linear module is fixed on the Y-axis movable slide, and the moving direction of the Z-axis movable slide is vertically downward; The certificate transfer printing mechanism is provided with a certificate taking component and a printing component, the two functional components share an X-axis linear module, and each has a Z-axis linear module; The certificate taking component is composed of a vacuum suction cup, a suction cup bracket, a Z-axis A linear module, a vacuum pump, an air pressure sensor, and a two-position three-way solenoid valve; the Z-axis A linear module includes a Z-axis A stepper motor, a Z-axis A linear guide, a Z-axis A moving slide, a Z-axis A zero position signal sensor, and a Z-axis A end point signal sensor; the vacuum suction cup is fixed on the suction cup bracket, and the suction cup bracket is fixed on the Z-axis A moving slide, with the suction cup opening facing the certificate page, and the four vacuum suction cups are divided into two groups, front and back, and two two-position three-way solenoid valves respectively control the different working states of the two groups of vacuum suction cups; the Z-axis A linear module is fixed in the middle position of the Y-axis linear module body, and the moving direction of the Z-axis A moving slide is vertically downward; The certificate taking component has the function of moving in the X and Z directions, and is fixed in the Y-axis direction. The printing component is the print head, which is fixed on the Z-axis moving slide and has the function of moving in the X, Y, and Z directions.

2. A fully automatic certificate filling printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The certificate storage mechanism is composed of a feeding outlet plate, a fixed baffle, a drawer baffle, a drawer bottom plate, a second slide rail, a support plate, a base plate, a material sensing sensor A and a storage drawer box position sensor; the drawer baffle and the drawer bottom plate constitute a storage drawer box, and the storage drawer box can be pulled out of the housing along the second slide rail to facilitate the placement of the certificate; The lifting and feeding mechanism is composed of a stepper motor, a stepper motor bracket, an elastic coupling, a ball screw bracket, a screw slider, a ball screw, a bracket fixed base plate, a feeding pallet, an L-shaped connector, a zero position sensor and a feeding in place signal sensor; the feeding outlet plate, the base plate and the support plate form a frame structure, and the storage drawer box and the lifting and feeding mechanism are combined into a storage and feeding component. The lifting and feeding mechanism is vertically fixed on the two support plates in the middle of the frame structure, and the drawer bottom plate is fixed on the feeding pallet through the second slide rail. The L-shaped connector connects the feeding pallet and the screw slider as a whole. The stepper motor rotates the ball screw through the elastic coupling, and the ball screw pushes the screw slider. The feeding pallet connected to the screw slider drives the drawer bottom plate to move up and down together through the second slide rail fixed under the drawer bottom plate.

3. A fully automatic certificate filling printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: Before printing the certificate, the staff member pulls the storage drawer box out of the housing, puts in a certain number of certificates, pushes the storage drawer box into the housing to close it, and starts printing. The storage drawer box position sensor detects whether the storage drawer box is closed in place. If not, the control system sends an audible and visual warning signal, and the staff member closes it again. After the storage drawer box position sensor detects that the storage drawer box is closed in place, the control system starts the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism to rotate; the stepper motor rotates the ball screw through the elastic coupling, the ball screw pushes the screw slider, the screw slider pushes the feeding support plate, and the feeding support plate drives the drawer bottom plate to move upward together, pushing the certificates in the storage drawer box to the edge of the feeding outlet plate, and the feeding in place signal sensor is fixed at the edge of the feeding outlet plate. After the feeding in place signal sensor senses that the certificates are in place, the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism stops rotating and sends a feeding in place signal; the control system starts the certificate transfer printing mechanism to work; when the certificates in the storage drawer box are printed, the material sensing sensor A installed under the storage drawer box sends a material shortage signal, and the control system starts the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism to rotate in the opposite direction; The ball screw drives the drawer bottom plate to return to the bottom origin zero position, the stepper motor of the lifting and feeding mechanism stops rotating, and the zero position sensor of the lifting and feeding mechanism sends out an in-position signal; the control system also sends out an audible and visual alarm signal to indicate that the certificate printing is completed.

4. A fully automatic certificate filling printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: After receiving the signal that the material is in place, the control system starts the vacuum pump and the Z-axis A stepper motor to rotate, and puts the two two-position three-way solenoid valves into the on state; the Z-axis A stepper motor drives the Z-axis A moving slide to move, and the Z-axis A moving slide drives the suction cup bracket to move downward by the set step distance. When the set step distance is reached and the suction cup touches the certificate page, the Z-axis A stepper motor stops rotating. After the vacuum suction cup touches the certificate page, a negative pressure vacuum is formed. After the air pressure sensor reaches the vacuum state setting value, the control system starts the Z-axis A stepper motor to rotate in the opposite direction; The Z-axis A moving slide drives the suction cup bracket to move upward, lifts up the certificate sucked, and after the Z-axis A moving slide returns to the origin, the Z-axis A stepper motor stops rotating, and the Z-axis A zero position signal sensor sends an in-position signal; the control system starts the X-axis stepper motor to rotate, the X-axis stepper motor drives the X-axis moving slide to move, the X-axis moving slide drives the Y-axis linear module to translate along the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis A linear module moves forward with the Y-axis linear module together with the suction cup bracket and the certificate sucked by the vacuum suction cup; after the X-axis moving slide moves the certificate above the printing certificate position according to the step set by the control system, the X-axis stepper motor stops rotating; the control system starts the Z-axis A stepper motor to rotate, the Z-axis A stepper motor drives the Z-axis A moving slide to move downward, and the Z-axis A moving slide drives the vacuum suction cup bracket to move downward together, and sends the certificate sucked by the suction cup to the printing certificate position; the Z-axis A stepper motor stops rotating after rotating the set step, the control system stops the vacuum pump, puts the two two-position three-way solenoid valves in the closed state, and starts the certificate page turning and unloading mechanism to start working.

5. A fully automatic certificate filling printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The certificate page turning and unloading mechanism comprises a page turning and unloading mechanism fixing plate, a certificate page turning component, a certificate flattening component and a certificate unloading component. The page turning and unloading mechanism fixing plate is a fixed installation base for the certificate page turning component, the certificate flattening component and the certificate unloading component. There is a rectangular hole in the middle of the page turning and unloading mechanism fixing plate for placing the certificate printing position; The certificate page turning component is composed of a servo A, a page turning lever, a servo A bracket, a page turning lever zero position sensor, and a page turning lever end point sensor; the certificate page turning component is fixed to the lower part of the fixed plate of the page turning unloading mechanism through the servo A bracket, on the horizontal side of the rectangular hole, on one side of the X-axis direction, near the middle position, the page turning lever is fixed to the servo A shaft, when the servo A rotates, the page turning lever sweeps horizontally to turn the pages; The certificate flattening component is composed of a servo B, a pressing sheet, a pressing sheet shaft, a coupling, a servo B bracket, a pressing sheet shaft bracket, a pressing sheet shaft zero position sensor, and a pressing sheet shaft end point sensor; two sets of certificate flattening components are fixed by the servo B bracket and the pressing sheet shaft bracket under the fixed plate of the page turning and unloading mechanism, on the horizontal side of the rectangular hole and on both sides of the X-axis direction, and the pressing sheet is fixed on the pressing sheet shaft. Driven by the servo B, the pressing sheet shaft drives the pressing sheet to press the certificate to prevent the certificate from arching in the middle and warping on both sides, which affects the printing quality; The certificate unloading components are composed of a servo C, a material receiving plate, a material receiving plate shaft, a coupling, a servo C bracket, a material receiving plate shaft bracket, a material receiving plate shaft zero position sensor, a material receiving plate shaft end point sensor, and a material sensing sensor B; two sets of certificate unloading components are fixed by a servo C bracket and a material receiving plate shaft bracket below the fixed plate of the page turning unloading mechanism, on the longitudinal side of the rectangular hole, and on both sides of the Y-axis direction. One end of the material receiving plate is fixed on the material receiving plate shaft. Driven by the servo C, the material receiving plate rotates downward with the material receiving plate shaft to unload the printed certificate and make room for the next certificate to be printed.

6. A fully automatic certificate filling printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is a printer cover, and a flip cover is provided on the top of the shell to facilitate troubleshooting and replacement of print cartridges; inspection doors are provided on both sides of the shell, and an electrical box is provided on one of the doors to facilitate installation and maintenance; a touch screen computer is provided on the right side of the upper inclined surface outside the shell for system control and printer command input.

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