A feeding device and a feeding method for an inkjet printer

Abstract

The application discloses an inkjet printer feeding device and a feeding method. The feeding device comprises a trolley module, a material beam module, a material clip module and a material lifting module. The trolley module is arranged behind the inkjet printer and is used for placing the material to be printed. The material clip module is arranged on one side of the trolley module and is used for placing the material. The material beam module is arranged above the trolley module and the printing platform module along a first direction. The material lifting module is arranged above the material beam module and is used for grabbing and placing the material and moving back and forth along the first direction. The feeding device further comprises a material separation module arranged above the material clip module. The material separation module is used for creating a gap between the adjacent materials and separating the materials from each other, and then pushing the top layer of the materials out. The feeding device has a clever structure design, can accurately and efficiently separate and position the material to be printed, and ensures the printing quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a feeding device and method for an inkjet printer, specifically to a feeding device and method for automatically installing sheet materials, such as license plates, onto a printing platform during batch printing. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing technology is currently widely used in various industries, especially in the field of inkjet printing of sheet materials, such as license plates, where there is a new demand. When designing an inkjet printing device for printing sheet materials, it is necessary to design an automatic loading and unloading section according to the characteristics of the object to be printed.

[0003] Because stacks of printed objects (such as license plates) can develop electrostatic negative pressure between adjacent plates during long-term storage, causing them to stick together. During automated batch feeding, if these plates aren't separated, the suction cups will simultaneously pick up two or more plates. Therefore, separating the plates is crucial. Existing technologies sometimes use forceful pushing to separate the plates, and sometimes use strong airflow. Both methods have drawbacks: forceful pushing easily scratches the plate surface because it requires significant force to overcome the negative pressure friction between the plates, necessitating a high torque from the drive motor; strong airflow requires a large volume of air to separate multiple plates simultaneously, which is difficult to meet, and because some adjacent plates are firmly stuck together, airflow is difficult to penetrate instantly, making complete separation difficult each time. Therefore, neither of these methods is suitable for separating multiple plates simultaneously. Thus, effectively and accurately separating the objects to be printed is a key technical problem that this device needs to solve.

[0004] In addition, the end faces of a stack of sheet materials to be printed cannot be completely flush. When multiple sheets are fed and positioned at the same time, the sheets need to be pushed onto a flat surface simultaneously. Therefore, the accurate positioning of the printed objects is also a key technical problem that this device needs to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the limitations of the prior art and provide a feeding device for an inkjet printer, including a material cart module, a material crossbeam module, a material clip module, and a material lifting module. A material cart module is located on one side of the rear of the inkjet printer, used to hold the material to be printed. A material clip module is located on one side of the material cart module, used to hold the material. A material crossbeam module is located above the material cart module and the printing platform module along a first direction. A material lifting module is located above the material crossbeam module, used to pick up and put down the material and move it back and forth along the first direction. The feeding device is characterized by further including a material separation module, located above the material clip module, used to create gaps between adjacent materials, separating them and thus pushing out the top layer of material.

[0006] The feeding device for the inkjet printer described above also includes a material alignment module, which is used to align the materials.

[0007] As described above, the material alignment module of the inkjet printer feeding device includes a first direction alignment module, which is located on the opposite side of the material clip module. The first alignment module is used to align the material along the first direction.

[0008] As described above, the feeding device for an inkjet printer includes a first-direction alignment module comprising a material separation pusher, a push screw, a motor, a first mounting plate, and a second mounting plate. The first mounting plate is positioned above the first-direction alignment module, with its long side arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A motor is symmetrically mounted on each side of one long side of the first mounting plate, and each motor is connected to a push screw. The second mounting plate is positioned below the first-direction alignment module, with its long side also arranged along the second direction. At least two material separation pushers are evenly spaced on the second mounting plate, opposite to the motors. The material separation pushers are driven by the motors to be pushed out or retracted along the first direction.

[0009] As described above, the material alignment module for the inkjet printer includes a second-direction alignment module, which is mounted on the material lifting module. The second-direction alignment module includes a paddle that moves back and forth along the second direction. The second-direction alignment module is used to align each material along the second direction before material is loaded.

[0010] As described above, the feeding device for an inkjet printer includes a second-direction alignment module comprising a baffle, an optical axis, an alignment drive motor, a lifting slider, a lead screw, and a connecting frame. The connecting frame is a frame structure that serves as a connector. A lifting slider is provided on each of the left and right sides of the connecting frame, which is located on the width side. Baffles are sequentially spaced along the first direction on the lower surface of the connecting frame. An alignment drive motor is installed in the middle of the frame of the connecting frame. The output end of the alignment drive motor is connected to a lead screw, which is positioned in the connecting frame along the second direction. An optical axis is provided on each side of the lead screw for guiding purposes. Baffles are connected to the lead screw and the optical axis, respectively. The alignment drive motor drives the baffles to move along the second direction, thereby pushing the sides of each stack of materials to reach the same alignment position along the second direction.

[0011] As described above, the feeding device for inkjet printers also includes a second-direction alignment module with suction cup units. Suction cup units are spaced apart below the connecting frame and on both sides of the baffle. The suction cup units are used to grip materials.

[0012] As described above, the material feeding device for an inkjet printer includes two beams arranged along a first direction, spanning the feeding area, the printing platform, and the unloading area.

[0013] A feeding method based on the above-mentioned feeding device for inkjet printers is proposed, characterized by comprising the following steps: The first step is for the operator to place the material to be printed onto the material cart module; The second step is to raise the material to the gripping position; The third step is to separate the top layer of material; The fourth step is to introduce the top-level materials; Fifth step: Align the materials in the second direction; Step 6: Grab the material and place it at the designated location on the platform; Step 7: Determine if all the materials to be printed on a table have been loaded. If yes, continue with the subsequent operations; if not, repeat steps 2 to 7 until all the materials to be printed on each table have been loaded.

[0014] In the printing method described above, the third step involves separating the top layer material by blowing air through a nozzle; the fourth step involves pushing out the top layer material, including aligning the material in the first direction using a material separation pusher; and the sixth step involves gripping the material using a suction cup.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this patent are as follows: the automatic feeding device has a compact and ingenious design, which can automatically place multiple materials to be printed in batches; when grabbing materials, it performs a separation operation on two adjacent materials to enhance the grabbing accuracy; before placing the materials, it positions the materials in the first and second directions to improve the positional accuracy and ensure the printing quality. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material cart module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a material magazine module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a material separation module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material X-axis alignment module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a side view of a material separation pusher block according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a material lifting module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material Y-axis alignment module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 A bottom view of the Y-axis alignment module for materials in the middle; Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material-assisted alignment frame module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a flowchart of the material feeding process in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The numbers in the attached diagram represent the following: Spray truck module 1, Printing platform module 2, Printing platform conveying module 3, Base frame module 4, Nozzle maintenance module 5, Spray truck crossbeam module 6, Material cart module 7, Material X-axis alignment module 8, Material crossbeam module 9, Material clip module 10, Material separation module 11, Material Y-axis alignment module 12, Material lifting module 13, Material unloading module 14, Material auxiliary alignment frame module 15, Material cart frame module 71, Material support plate 72, License plate 73, Control board 74, Drive motor 75, Knob 76, Indicator light 77, First backing plate 101, Second backing plate 102, Position sensor 103, Material presence / absence sensor 104, Third backing plate 105, Clip base plate 106, Nozzle 111, Mounting base 112, Elongated hole 113, Material separation push block 81, Push screw 82, Motor 83, First mounting plate 84, Second mounting plate 85, Nut 86. 131 lifting lead screw, 132 lifting drive motor, 133 lifting guide rail, 134 connecting plate, 135 reducer, 121 first baffle, 122 second baffle, optical axis, 123 alignment drive motor, 124 suction cup, 125 lifting slider, 126 lifting lead screw nut, 127 lead screw shaft, 128 connecting frame, 129 upper mounting plate, 151 lower mounting plate, 152 optical axis fixing block, 153 aligning optical axis, 154. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The contents of this invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Appendix Figure 1 This invention discloses an embodiment of an inkjet printer, which is used for printing on sheet metal objects. In this embodiment, the object to be printed is a license plate 73, which will be used as an example for the following description. The inkjet printer includes a printhead module 1, a print platform module 2, a print platform conveyor module 3, a base frame module 4, a printhead maintenance module 5, a printhead crossbeam module 6, and an automatic loading and unloading module. The base frame module 4 is located at the bottom of the inkjet printer and provides support. The print platform conveyor module 3 is installed above the base frame module 4, and the print platform module 2 is connected above the print platform conveyor module 3. A license plate 73 is placed on the print platform module 2. The print platform conveyor module 3 is used to convey the print platform module 2 back and forth along the Y-axis direction, i.e., the second direction. Above the print platform conveyor module 3 and the print platform module 2, a printhead crossbeam module 6 is set along the X-axis direction, i.e., the first direction, which is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The printhead module 1 is installed on the printhead crossbeam module 6. The printhead module 1 can move back and forth along the crossbeam in the printhead crossbeam module 6 along the X-axis direction, i.e., the first direction. During the back and forth movement of the printhead module 1, the printhead in the printhead module 1 can spray ink droplets onto the surface of the object to be printed to form images and text. A printhead maintenance module 5 is installed at the front of one side of the spray truck crossbeam module 6. The printhead maintenance module 5 is used to scrape or moisturize the printheads in the spray truck module 1 to prevent ink from drying and clogging the printhead nozzles. An automatic loading and unloading module is installed at the rear of the spray truck crossbeam module 6. The automatic loading and unloading module automatically picks up the license plate 73 and places it in the corresponding loading position in the printing platform module 2 to await delivery for printing. After printing is completed, the automatic loading and unloading module automatically picks up and unloads the license plate 73.

[0020] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. This patent defines the X-axis direction as the first direction and the Y-axis direction as the second direction. When the operator faces the printing carriage, the loading and unloading area along the Y-axis direction is defined as the rear, and the opposite side and the direction in which the operator stands are defined as the front.

[0021] The automatic loading and unloading module includes a material cart module 7, a material X-axis alignment module 8, a material crossbeam module 9, a material clip module 10, a material separation module 11, a material Y-axis alignment module 12, a material lifting module 13, and a material unloading module 14. A material cart module 7 is located behind the printing crossbeam module 6 and on one side of the bottom frame module 4. The material cart module 7 is used to place the materials to be printed, i.e., the license plates 73 in this embodiment. To improve printing efficiency, five license plates 73 are grabbed each time, in two sets, and placed as shown in the diagram. Figure 1 As shown, each printing cycle consists of ten license plates loaded onto one table. The material clip module 10 is located on one side of the material cart module 7 and is used to hold the vertically placed stacks of license plates 73. The material separation module 11 is located above the material clip module 10 and is used to create gaps between adjacent license plates, separating them and pushing out the top layer of license plates. The material X-axis alignment module 8 is located opposite the material clip module 10 and is used to align the license plates 73 along the X-axis. A material crossbeam module 9 is installed behind the spray beam module 6 and above the material cart module 7 and printing platform module 2. The material crossbeam module 9 includes components extending along the X-axis across the loading area, printing platform, and unloading area. Two crossbeams are provided. The material lifting module 13 is installed on the two crossbeams of the material crossbeam module 9. The material lifting module 13 can move back and forth along the X-axis direction along the crossbeams. The material lifting module 13 includes a suction cup that can be raised and lowered vertically. The material lifting module 13 is used to pick up and put down the license plates and move them along the X-axis direction. A material Y-axis alignment module 12 is also provided on the material lifting module 13. The material Y-axis alignment module 12 includes a lever that can move back and forth along the Y-axis direction. It is used to align each license plate 73 to the required position along the Y-axis direction before the license plates are loaded. In addition, the automatic feeding module also includes a material auxiliary alignment frame module 15. The material auxiliary alignment frame module 15 is located on the other side of the material clip module 10 and works with the material clip module 10 to define the position of each stack of license plates. Along the X-axis direction, on the opposite side of the material cart module 7, a material unloading module 14 is provided. The material unloading module 14 can be designed as a guide belt structure to convey and collect the printed materials.

[0022] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 2-9 This section details the automatic feeding device of this inkjet printer.

[0023] Figure 2This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material cart module 7 in one embodiment of the present invention. The material cart module 7 includes a material cart frame module 71, material support plates 72, a control plate 74, a drive motor 75, and a knob 76. The material cart frame module 71 provides support. Several material support plates 72 are arranged on the upper part of the material cart frame module 71. In this embodiment, five material support plates 72 are arranged. A stack of license plates 73 is placed on each material support plate 72. The control plate 74 and drive motor 75 are arranged inside the material cart frame module 71. The number of drive motors 75 is the same as the number of material support plates 72. The drive motors 75 are used to drive the material support plates 72 to move up and down in the vertical direction. A knob 76 and an indicator light 77 are installed on the outside of the material cart frame module 71. The number of knobs 76 and indicator lights 77 is the same as the number of material support plates 72 and they correspond one-to-one. By rotating the knob 76, the drive motor 75 is controlled to drive the material support plates 72 to move up and down in the vertical direction.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material clip module 10 in one embodiment of the present invention. The material clip module 10 is configured with a corresponding number of clip units according to the number of material support plates 72. Each clip unit includes a first backing plate 101, a second backing plate 102, a position sensor 103, a material presence / absence sensor 104, a third backing plate 105, and a clip base plate 106. The first backing plate 101 is a vertically arranged rectangular backing plate. The width of the first backing plate 101 is parallel to the Y-axis direction, and the long side of the first backing plate 101 is arranged vertically. The two vertical long sides of 1 are connected to the second back plate 102 and the third back plate 105 respectively. The bottom edge of the first back plate 101 is connected to the magazine base plate 106. A material presence sensor 104 is installed on the magazine base plate 106 and in each magazine unit. The material presence sensor 104 is used to detect whether the material (license plate in this embodiment) has been placed. A position sensor 103 is set on the upper part of the third back plate 105. The position sensor 103 is used to detect the position of the material. When the material triggers the position sensor 103, the feedback signal controls the material to stop rising.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material separation module 11 in one embodiment of the present invention. The material separation module 11 includes a mounting base 112 and a plurality of nozzles 111. The number of nozzles 111 is consistent with the number of material support plates 72. In this embodiment, five nozzles are provided. The mounting base 112 is a vertically bent sheet metal part. The long side of the mounting base 112 is arranged along the Y-axis direction. The vertical bent surface of the mounting base 112 is provided with elongated holes 113, which are consistent with the number of nozzles 111. A nozzle 111 is installed on each elongated hole 113. The nozzles 111 are used to blow air into the gap between the top license plate and the adjacent license plate below it, thereby separating the two.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material X-axis alignment module 8 in one embodiment of the present invention. The material X-axis alignment module 8 includes a material separation pusher 81, a push screw 82, a motor 83, a first mounting plate 84, and a second mounting plate 85. The first mounting plate 84 is disposed above the material X-axis alignment module 8, and the long side of the first mounting plate 84 is arranged along the Y-axis direction. A motor 83 is symmetrically installed on each side of one long side of the first mounting plate 84. Each motor 83 is connected to a push screw 82. The design of dual motors and dual screws is used to prevent the two sides from being skewed due to uneven force when pushing multiple materials at one time, and to avoid the phenomenon that the end faces of the materials are not on the same straight line. The second mounting plate 85 is positioned below the material X-axis alignment module 8. The long side of the second mounting plate 85 is also positioned along the Y-axis. On the second mounting plate 85, opposite the motor 83, multiple material separation push blocks 81 are evenly spaced. The number of material separation push blocks 81 is the same as the number of material support plates 72; in this embodiment, five are used. The motor 83 drives the lead screw 82 to rotate, which in turn drives the connected lead screw nut 86 to rotate, thereby causing the second mounting plate 85 connected to the lead screw nut 86 to move. Ultimately, this causes the material separation push blocks 81 on the second mounting plate 85 to be pushed out or retracted along the X-axis. A side view of the material separation push block 81 is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, there is a step at the bottom of the material separation pusher 81. In this embodiment, the step depth is 1mm. Since the material is a license plate, its thickness is between 1.2-1.3mm. Therefore, the step design can ensure that only one license plate is pushed when pushing the license plate. In different practical applications, the depth of the step at the bottom of the material separation pusher 81 can be designed according to the thickness of the object to be printed. This invention does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a material lifting module 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The material lifting module 13 includes a lifting screw 131, a lifting drive motor 132, a lifting guide rail 133, a connecting plate 134, and a reducer 135. The long side of the connecting plate 134 is arranged along the Y-axis direction. A lifting drive motor 132 is installed above the connecting plate 134. The lifting drive motor 132 is connected to a reducer 135. The output end of the reducer 135 is connected to a lifting screw 131. Lifting guide rails 133 are respectively arranged at both ends of the material lifting module 13 to provide guidance. The lifting guide rails 133 of the material lifting module 13 are aligned with the lifting slider 126 in the material Y-axis alignment module 12. Figure 8 In conjunction with the lifting screw 131 (as shown in the diagram), the lifting drive motor 132 drives the lifting screw 131 to rotate, which in turn drives the lifting screw nut 127 and the entire material Y-axis alignment module 12 to move vertically.

[0028] The structure of the material Y-axis alignment module 12 is as follows Figure 8-9As shown, the material Y-axis alignment module 12 includes a first baffle 121, a second baffle 122, an optical axis 123, an alignment drive motor 124, a suction cup 125, a lifting slider 126, a lifting nut 127, a lead screw shaft 128, and a connecting frame 129. The connecting frame 129 is a frame structure that serves as a connector. A lifting slider 126 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the connecting frame 129, where the width edge is located. The lifting slider 126 cooperates with the lifting guide rail 133 of the material lifting module 13. Three first baffles 121 and one second baffle 122 are sequentially spaced along the X-axis on the lower surface of the connecting frame 129. The alignment drive motor 124 is installed in the middle space of the frame of the connecting frame 129. The output of the alignment drive motor 124 is connected to a lead screw shaft 128 via a pulley mechanism (not shown in the figure). The lead screw shaft 128 is positioned in the connecting frame 129 along the Y-axis. A guide shaft 123 is provided on each side of the lead screw shaft 128. Three first baffles 121 and one second baffle 122 are connected to the lead screw shaft 128 and the guide shaft 123, respectively. The alignment drive motor 124 drives the first baffles 121 and the second baffles 122 to move along the Y-axis, thereby pushing the sides of each stack of license plates to the same alignment position along the Y-axis. Each first baffle 121 is used to push one stack of materials to align, and the second baffle 122 is used to push two stacks of materials back and forth to align. Multiple sets of suction cup units are spaced apart below the connecting frame 129 and on both sides of each baffle. In this embodiment, each set of suction cup units includes two suction cups 125, and each set of suction cup units grips one license plate. The number of suction cup units is the same as the number of material support plates 72; in this embodiment, five sets are provided. A lifting screw nut 127 is also provided at the upper center of the material Y-axis alignment module 12. The lifting screw nut 127 is connected to the lifting screw rod 131 in the material lifting module 13. The material lifting module 13 can control the overall lifting of the material Y-axis alignment module 12.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material auxiliary alignment frame module 15 in one embodiment of the present invention. The material auxiliary alignment frame module 15 and the material clip module 10 are respectively disposed at both ends of the license plate length direction. The material auxiliary alignment frame module 15 includes an upper mounting plate 151, a lower mounting plate 152, an optical axis fixing block 153, and alignment optical axes 154. The upper mounting plate 151 and the lower mounting plate 152 are installed along the Y-axis direction. A plurality of alignment optical axes 154 are disposed between the upper mounting plate 151 and the lower mounting plate 152. The alignment optical axes 154 are disposed in the vertical direction. The upper and lower ends of the alignment optical axes 154 are respectively connected to the upper mounting plate 151 and the lower mounting plate 152 through the optical axis fixing block 153. During the license plate Y-axis alignment operation, one end of the license plate in the length direction rests against the alignment optical axis 154, and the material auxiliary alignment frame module 15 provides auxiliary alignment and positioning for one end of the license plate in the length direction.

[0030] The following is based on Figure 11 This invention describes the automatic feeding process of the object to be printed in one embodiment, using license plates as a specific example: The license plates are stacked together and placed next to the automatic feeding module. Due to the electrostatic negative pressure between the license plates, adjacent license plates may stick together. If they are not separated, the suction cup may simultaneously pick up two or more license plates. Therefore, accurately separating the top license plate is crucial. In addition, the license plate separation process may cause its position to shift. Therefore, after separating the top license plate, its position needs to be fine-tuned to ensure that each license plate fed onto the printing platform is in the same position before being picked up, thereby ensuring printing accuracy.

[0031] The specific work process for loading license plates is as follows: Step S1: First, the operator places the material to be printed, i.e., the license plates to be printed. Specifically, the operator rotates the knob 76 of the material cart module 7 to control the drive motor 75 to drive the material support plate 72 to the lowest origin. Then, the operator places a stack of license plates on the material support plate 72 and inserts them into the material clip module 10. The length direction of the license plates is parallel to the X-axis direction, and the width direction is arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the material cart module 7 can hold five stacks of license plates at the same time, that is, five license plates are set as a group for material loading.

[0032] Step S2: The material rises to the gripping position. Specifically, the drive motor 75 drives the material support plate 72 to raise the license plate. When the top license plate reaches the position sensor 103, the sensor is triggered, and the license plate stops rising. This position is defined as the license plate gripping position. At this time, one wide edge of the license plate is attached to the first backing plate 101 in the material clip module 10. The top of the first backing plate 101 has a stepped surface (or inclined surface). The bottom surface of the top license plate is flush with this stepped surface (or located on the inclined surface). The upper surface of the other wide edge of the license plate is pressed by the step below the material separation push block 81 in the material X-axis alignment module 8. The thickness of the license plate is designed to correspond to the depth of the step to ensure that only the top license plate is pushed each time. Each stack of license plates is equipped with a corresponding position sensor 103. In this embodiment, five position sensors 103 are set, and the installation height of each position sensor 103 is consistent. At the same time, the material detection sensor 104 in the magazine module 10 needs to detect whether there is a license plate on the material cart. If no license plate is detected, the feeding process stops, and the operator needs to put the material into the material cart before continuing the operation.

[0033] Step S3, then the top layer material is separated. Specifically, the air valve of the nozzle 111 in the material separation module 11 is opened, and the nozzle 111 passes through the rectangular slot of the first backing plate 101 in the material clip module 10 to blow air to the middle of the top first license plate and the second license plate adjacent to it below. The angle of the nozzle 111 is adjustable and there is an angle at the nozzle 111, so that the nozzle 111 is directly facing the middle of the top first license plate and the second license plate adjacent to it below, thereby ensuring that the air can blow as much air as possible into the gap between the two license plates to eliminate negative pressure.

[0034] Step S4: The top layer material is ejected. Specifically, the material separation pusher 81 in the material X-axis alignment module 8 ejects the top license plate along the X-axis towards the printing platform module 2, with an ejection distance of approximately 8mm. During the ejection process, the nozzle 111 continuously blows air. When the top license plate shifts, the air will completely enter from below, completely eliminating the negative pressure between the two license plates. This avoids the risk of scratching the material surface during the ejection of the top license plate. At this point, the top license plate has been completely separated and ejected. Simultaneously, during the ejection process, the license plate is pushed onto the first support plate 101 by the material separation pusher 81, thus aligning the license plate in the X-axis direction to ensure that the license plate is in the same position in the X-axis direction. Then, the nozzle 111 stops blowing air, and the material separation pusher 81 returns to its initial position.

[0035] Step S5: The material undergoes Y-axis alignment. Specifically, the material Y-axis alignment module 12 and the material lifting module 13 move along the two axes (X-axis direction) of the material beam module 9 to above the license plate via a linear motor. The lifting drive motor 132 drives the material Y-axis alignment module 12 to descend until the suction cup 125 contacts the upper surface of the license plate. At this time, the first baffles 121 and the second baffles 122 in the material Y-axis alignment module 12 are located to the right of the four license plates on the left. The alignment drive motor... The alignment drive motor 124 drives the first baffle 121 and the second baffle 122 to move along the Y-axis toward the third backing plate 105 until one side of the left end of the license plate rests against the third backing plate 105 and the other side of the left end of the license plate rests against the optical axis 154. At this time, all four license plates on the left are aligned. Then, the alignment drive motor 124 drives the first baffle 121 and the second baffle 122 to move along the Y-axis toward the second backing plate 102 until one end of the fifth license plate from the right is attached to the second backing plate 102 and the other end is attached to the optical axis 154. At this time, the alignment of this group of license plates is completed in the Y-axis direction.

[0036] Step S6, material grabbing, specifically: The suction cup 125 activates its suction to grab a group of five license plates. The lifting drive motor 132 in the material lifting module 13 drives the material Y-axis alignment module 12 to rise vertically. After rising to the preset height, the material lifting module 13 and the material Y-axis alignment module 12 move along the material beam module 9 (X-axis direction) above the printing platform module 2 via a linear motor. Then, the lifting drive motor 132 in the material lifting module 13 drives the material Y-axis alignment module 12 to descend vertically. After descending to the designated position on the platform in the printing platform module 2, the air release valve of the suction cup 125 opens, releasing air to separate the license plates from the suction cup, completing the loading of a group of license plates. The lifting drive motor 132 in the material lifting module 13 then drives the material Y-axis alignment module 12 to rise vertically to the preset height again.

[0037] Step S7: Determine whether all the materials to be printed on a table have been loaded. If yes, continue the subsequent transmission and printing process; if not, repeat steps S2-S6 until all the license plates to be printed on each table have been loaded.

[0038] In this embodiment, ten license plates are placed on the platform. The automatic feeding module picks up five plates at a time for automatic feeding, completing the process in two steps. This process includes separating adjacent license plates, positioning the license plates (positioning in the X-axis direction and positioning in the Y-axis direction), and automatically picking up and placing the license plates.

[0039] After the license plate is placed in the correct position on the printing platform, the printing platform conveyor module 3 moves the license plate along the Y-axis to below the spray beam module 6. The spray module 1 on the spray beam module 6 moves back and forth along the X-axis, spraying ink droplets onto the material below to form the required first pass image. When the spray module 1 returns to the initial position on the spray beam module 6, the printing platform conveyor module 3 moves the license plate a preset distance along the Y-axis. The spray module 1 moves back and forth again along the X-axis, spraying ink droplets onto the material below to form the required second pass image. When the spray module 1 returns to the initial position on the spray beam module 6, the printing platform conveyor module 3 moves the license plate a preset distance along the Y-axis again... This process repeats until all license plates on the platform are printed.

[0040] After printing is complete, the printing platform module 2 moves back to its initial position along the Y-axis to prepare for unloading. At this time, the material lifting module 13 and the material Y-axis alignment module 12 are positioned above the printed license plate. The material lifting module 13 and the material Y-axis alignment module 12 descend to the designated position, the suction valve of the suction cup opens, the suction cup picks up the license plate and rises, moving along the license plate moving beam module 9 to the conveyor belt of the license plate unloading module 14, transporting the license plate to the required position. The unloading operation picks up five license plates at a time and places them on the conveyor belt. Ten license plates are picked up in two batches to complete the unloading operation.

[0041] At this point, the loading, printing, and unloading of license plates on one platform is complete, and the operating system begins the cycle of loading, printing, and unloading license plates on the next platform.

[0042] It should be noted that, in addition to license plates, the object to be printed in this invention can also be any similar sheet or plate-like object; this invention does not specifically limit it. Any modifications made according to specific embodiments of this invention do not depart from the spirit of this invention and the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A feeding device for an inkjet printer, comprising a material cart module, a material crossbeam module, a material clip module, and a material lifting module, wherein a material cart module is disposed on one side of the rear of the inkjet printer for placing the material to be printed; a material clip module is disposed on one side of the material cart module for holding the material; a material crossbeam module is disposed above the material cart module and the printing platform module along a first direction; and a material lifting module is disposed above the material crossbeam module, wherein the material lifting module picks up and puts down the material and moves it back and forth along the first direction, characterized in that... The feeding device also includes a material separation module and a material alignment module. The material separation module is located above the material clip module and is used to create gaps between adjacent materials, separating them and thus pushing out the top layer of material. The material alignment module is used to align the materials and includes a first-direction alignment module and a second-direction alignment module. The first-direction alignment module is located opposite the material clip module and is used to align the materials along a first direction. The second-direction alignment module is located on the material lifting module and includes a paddle that moves back and forth along a second direction. The second-direction alignment module is used to align each material along the second direction before feeding. The second-direction alignment module includes baffles, optical shafts, alignment drive motors, lifting sliders, lead screws, and connecting frames. The connecting frame is a frame structure that serves as a connector. A lifting slider is set on each of the left and right sides of the connecting frame, which is located on the width side. Baffles are arranged at intervals along the first direction on the lower surface of the connecting frame. An alignment drive motor is installed in the middle of the frame of the connecting frame. The output end of the alignment drive motor is connected to a lead screw, which is set in the connecting frame along the second direction. An optical shaft is set on each side of the lead screw for guiding. Baffles are connected to the lead screw and the optical shafts respectively. The alignment drive motor drives the baffles to move along the second direction, thereby pushing the sides of each stack of materials to reach the same alignment position along the second direction.

2. The feeding device for an inkjet printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first direction alignment module includes a material separation pusher, a push screw, a motor, a first mounting plate, and a second mounting plate. The first mounting plate is positioned above the first direction alignment module, with its long side arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A motor is symmetrically mounted on each side of one long side of the first mounting plate, and each motor is connected to a push screw. The second mounting plate is positioned below the first direction alignment module, with its long side also arranged along the second direction. At least two material separation pushers are evenly spaced on the second mounting plate, opposite to the motors. The material separation pushers are driven by the motors to be pushed out or retracted along the first direction.

3. The feeding device for an inkjet printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second directional alignment module also includes suction cup units, which are spaced apart below the connecting frame and on both sides of the baffle. The suction cup units are used to grip materials.

4. The feeding device for an inkjet printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The material beam module includes two beams arranged along a first direction, spanning the feeding area, the printing platform, and the unloading area.

5. A feeding method, based on the feeding device for an inkjet printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steps include the following: The first step is for the operator to place the material to be printed onto the material cart module; The second step is to raise the material to the gripping position; The third step is to separate the top layer of material; The fourth step is to introduce the top-level materials; Fifth step: Align the materials in the second direction; Step 6: Grab the material and place it at the designated location on the platform; Step 7: Determine if all the materials to be printed on a table have been loaded. If yes, continue with the subsequent operations; if not, repeat steps 2 to 7 until all the materials to be printed on each table have been loaded.

6. The feeding method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, In the third step, the top layer material is separated by blowing air through a nozzle; in the fourth step, the top layer material is pushed out, including the material separation pusher aligning the material in the first direction; in the sixth step, the material is grasped by a suction cup.

Images