Head system and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention proposes a head sealing system and a control method thereof. The head sealing system is used to cover a nozzle on a sliding member, and the sliding member includes a positioning groove penetrating the bottom surface. The head sealing system includes a base, a platform, a driving member, a support arm and a sensor. The platform includes a sealing portion and a positioning column relative to the nozzle and the positioning groove. The support arm is arranged on the base and connected to the driving member. When the driving member drives the platform to move, the support arm rotates correspondingly by a rotation angle. When the platform is located at the initial position, the rotation angle of the support arm is zero, and the support arm triggers the sensor. At the head sealing position, the positioning column penetrates the positioning groove, the sealing portion seals the nozzle, and the rotation angle is a first angle value. At the interference position, the positioning column abuts the sliding member, and the rotation angle is a second angle value. By changing the rotation angle of the support arm, it can be determined whether the positioning column and the positioning groove are misaligned or positioned with respect to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle sealing system, and in particular to a nozzle sealing system and a control method thereof, which can automatically adjust the nozzle sealing position to ensure that the nozzle sealing device can completely seal the nozzle part of the printing head. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the requirements for printing quality of inkjet printers have been increasing. Although the ink dots are getting smaller as the resolution increases, inkjet printers still need to meet the requirements of high-speed printing. In this case, the cleaning of the nozzle is obviously very important. The main function of the cleaning mechanism (Clean System) is to clean and protect the nozzle to maintain the printing quality of the inkjet printer.

[0003] When the inkjet printer's nozzle needs to be cleaned, the ink carriage moves to the ink stack capping position according to the grating sensor signal. At this time, the ink stack is lifted up to completely seal the print head nozzle. The cleaning mechanism starts to work and forms negative pressure at the sealing part to extract the ink and start flushing the nozzle with ink. After flushing, the ink stack drops, the scraper pops up, scrapes off the remaining ink on the nozzle, and then the ink carriage resets to complete the cleaning.

[0004] However, if the ink carriage moves to an incorrect ink stack position due to various external factors during cleaning, some nozzle holes may not be covered by the ink stack when the ink stack is lifted, resulting in failure to completely seal the print head nozzle area, forming negative pressure and incomplete ink extraction. The cleaning result is a failure, which will cause more serious nozzle blockage.

[0005] Therefore, how to develop a head sealing system and its control method to ensure that, for example, the sliding part of the ink carriage can be moved to the correct head sealing position of the head sealing system so that the nozzle on the sliding part can be completely sealed when the platform of the head sealing system is lifted, and solve the problems faced by the existing technology, is indeed a topic that needs to be urgently solved in this field. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a head sealing system and a control method thereof. The displacement distance of the platform of the head sealing system relative to the sliding member is converted into a corresponding angle to control the head sealing system to automatically confirm the head sealing position relative to the sliding member. Furthermore, the confirmation procedure of the head sealing position of the head sealing system relative to the nozzle on the sliding member can ensure that the nozzle on the sliding member moves to the correct head sealing position of the head sealing system, so that the nozzle on the sliding member can be completely sealed when the cover sealing part on the platform of the head sealing system is lifted. Since the head sealing system can automatically adjust and set the position of the nozzle on the sliding member relative to the cover sealing part, the problems caused by human subjective judgment of the head sealing position are eliminated, and the accuracy of the head sealing operation is ensured. When the head sealing operation is combined with the cleaning system of the printer, the automatic adjustment of the head sealing position can ensure that the nozzles of the nozzles on the sliding member are all covered by the cover sealing part of the platform, avoiding the entry of vacuum air into the nozzle hole, which helps to extend the service life of the nozzle.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a head sealing system and a control method thereof. By controlling the displacement distance of the sliding member, the alignment efficiency of the positioning column of the head sealing system and the positioning groove of the sliding member is effectively improved, and the confirmation procedure of the head sealing position is simplified. On the other hand, through the design of the positioning column and the positioning groove, the compensation distance can be further used to correct the position of the nozzle of the sliding member relative to the sealing part of the head sealing system, further improving the accuracy and efficiency of the head sealing operation.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a head sealing system for sealing a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is carried on a sliding member, the sliding member slides in a first direction, the sliding member includes a positioning groove penetrating a bottom surface of the sliding member, and the head sealing system includes a base, a platform, a driving member, a support arm, and a sensor. The platform is arranged on the base, and includes a sealing portion and a positioning column, the sealing portion is spatially relative to the nozzle, and the positioning column is spatially relative to the positioning groove. The driving member is arranged on the base, and the assembly drives the platform to move in the second direction. The support arm is arranged on the base, and the first end of the support arm is connected to the driving member, and when the driving member drives the platform to move in the second direction, the driving member drives the support arm to rotate a corresponding rotation angle. The sensor is arranged on the base, spatially relative to the second end of the support arm, wherein when the platform is away from the sliding member and is located at an initial position, the rotation angle of the support arm is zero, and the second end of the support arm touches the sensor. The driving member drives the platform to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located at a head-sealing position relative to the platform, the positioning column penetrates the positioning groove, the cap seals the nozzle, and the rotation angle is a first angle value. The driving member drives the platform to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located at an interference position relative to the platform, the positioning column is misaligned with the positioning groove, the top end of the positioning column abuts against the bottom surface of the sliding member, the cap seal is separated from the nozzle, and the rotation angle is a second angle value, which is greater than zero and less than the first angle value.

[0009] To achieve the aforementioned purpose, the present invention further provides a control method for a head sealing system, comprising the steps of: (S1) providing a head sealing system for sealing a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is carried on a sliding member, the sliding member slides in a first direction, the sliding member comprises a positioning groove penetrating the bottom surface of the sliding member, the head sealing system comprises a base, a platform, a driving member, a support arm and a sensor, wherein the platform is arranged on the base and comprises a sealing portion and a positioning column, the sealing portion is spatially relative to the nozzle, and the positioning column is spatially relative to the positioning groove; the driving member is arranged on the base, and the assembly drives the platform to move in a second direction; the support arm is arranged on the base, and the first end of the support arm is connected to the driving member, when the driving member drives the platform to move in the second direction, the driving member drives the support arm to rotate a corresponding rotation angle; the sensor is arranged on the base, spatially relative to the second end of the support arm, wherein when the platform is away from the sliding member and is located at an initial position, the rotation angle of the support arm is zero, and the second end of the support arm touches the sensor; wherein the driving member drives the platform to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located relative to the platform. A sealing head position, the positioning column passes through the positioning groove, the sealing part seals the nozzle, and the rotation angle is a first angle value; wherein the driving member drives the stack to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located at an interference position relative to the stack, the positioning column and the positioning groove are misaligned, the top of the positioning column abuts against the bottom surface of the sliding member, the sealing part and the nozzle are separated from each other, and the rotation angle is a second angle value, and the second angle value is greater than zero and less than the first angle value; (S2) the driving member receives a first control instruction to drive the stack to move toward the sliding member, so that the rotation angle of the support arm increases by the first angle value or the second angle value; (S3) the driving member receives a second control instruction to drive the stack to leave the sliding member, so that the rotation angle of the support arm decreases by a third angle value, wherein the third angle value is less than the first angle value and greater than or equal to the second angle value; and (S4) the sensor detects whether the second end of the support arm touches the sensor, wherein when the second end of the support arm touches the sensor, it is determined that the positioning column and the positioning groove are misaligned with each other, and when the second end of the support arm does not touch the sensor, it is determined that the positioning column is aligned with the positioning groove.

[0010] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the present invention provides a head sealing system and a control method thereof. The displacement distance of the platform of the head sealing system relative to the sliding part is converted into a corresponding angle to control the head sealing system to automatically confirm the head sealing position relative to the sliding part. Furthermore, the confirmation procedure of the head sealing position of the head sealing system relative to the nozzle on the sliding part can ensure that the nozzle on the sliding part moves to the correct head sealing position of the head sealing system, so that the nozzle on the sliding part can be completely sealed when the cover sealing part on the platform of the head sealing system is lifted. Since the head sealing system can automatically adjust and set the position of the nozzle on the sliding part relative to the cover sealing part, the problem caused by human subjective judgment of the head sealing position is eliminated, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the head sealing operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1The present invention discloses a schematic diagram of the structure of a printer including a head system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 The present invention discloses a schematic diagram of the structure of a head sealing system and a corresponding printer nozzle from an upper perspective according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a head sealing system and a corresponding printer nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention from a bottom perspective is disclosed.

[0014] Figure 4 The present invention discloses a flow chart of a control method of a head sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 5 A side view of the end cap system according to an embodiment of the present invention when operating in an initial position.

[0016] Figure 6 For public Figure 5 The corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the initial position.

[0017] Figure 7 For public Figure 5 Another corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the initial position.

[0018] Figure 8 A side view of the end cap system according to an embodiment of the present invention when operating in the end cap position is disclosed.

[0019] Fig. 9 For public Figure 8 The corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the head position.

[0020] Fig.10 A side view of the end cap system according to an embodiment of the present invention when operating in an interference position is disclosed.

[0021] Fig.11 For public Fig.10 The corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the interference position.

[0022] Fig.12 To disclose the corresponding relationship between the head system of an embodiment of the present invention and the nozzle after the head position is reset to a third angle value.

[0023] Fig.13 The present invention discloses a corresponding relationship between a positioning column of a head system and a positioning groove of a sliding member in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig.14 To disclose another corresponding relationship between the positioning column of the head system and the positioning groove of the sliding member in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig.15 The present invention discloses an exemplary correspondence between a positioning column of a head system and a positioning groove of a sliding member in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.16 For public Fig.15 The corresponding relationship between the positioning groove and the positioning column after the middle sliding member moves a compensation distance.

[0027] Fig.17 The second exemplary correspondence between the positioning column of the head system of the embodiment of the present invention and the positioning groove of the sliding member is disclosed.

[0028] Fig.18 For public Fig.17 The corresponding relationship between the positioning groove and the positioning column after the middle sliding member moves a compensation distance.

[0029] Fig.19 The third exemplary correspondence between the positioning column of the head system of the embodiment of the present invention and the positioning groove of the sliding member is disclosed.

[0030] Fig. 20 For public Fig.19 The corresponding relationship between the positioning groove and the positioning column after the middle sliding member moves a compensation distance.

[0031] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0032] 1: Printer

[0033] 10a, 10b: Ink cartridge

[0034] 11a, 11b: Nozzle

[0035] 2: Head system

[0036] 20: Stacking platform

[0037] 21a, 21b: Covering part

[0038] 22a, 22b: Positioning column

[0039] 23: Driving parts

[0040] 24: Arm

[0041] 241: First End

[0042] 242: Second End

[0043] 25: Perceptron

[0044] 26: Pedestal

[0045] 3: Inkjet system

[0046] 30: Sliding parts

[0047] 30a: Bottom surface

[0048] 31a, 31b: Positioning grooves

[0049] 40: Slide rail

[0050] 9: Framework

[0051] θ1: first angle value

[0052] θ2: Second angle value

[0053] θ3: Avoidance angle value

[0054] W1: First width

[0055] W2: Second width

[0056] D: Difference distance

[0057] S1~S7: Steps

[0058] X, Y, Z: Axis DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Some typical embodiments that embody the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention can have various changes in different ways, all of which do not depart from the scope of the present invention, and the description and drawings therein are essentially used for illustrative purposes, rather than for limiting the present invention. For example, if the following content of the present disclosure describes that a first feature is set on or above a second feature, it means that it includes an embodiment in which the first feature set is in direct contact with the second feature, and also includes an embodiment in which the additional feature can be set between the first feature and the second feature, so that the first feature and the second feature may not be in direct contact. In addition, different embodiments in the present disclosure may use repeated reference symbols and / or marks. These repetitions are for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and are not used to limit the relationship between the various embodiments and / or the appearance structure. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the description of the relationship between a component or feature component and another (multiple) component or (multiple) feature component in the drawings, spatially related terms such as "under...", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" and similar terms may be used. In addition to the orientation shown in the drawings, spatially related terms are used to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. The device may also be positioned in another manner (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or located in other orientations), and the description of the spatially related terms used is interpreted accordingly. In addition, when a component is referred to as "connected to" or "coupled to" another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to another component, or there may be an intervening component. Although the numerical ranges and parameters of the broad scope of the present disclosure are approximate values, the numerical values ​​are stated in the specific examples as accurately as possible. In addition, it is understood that although the words "first", "second", "third" and the like may be used in the claims to describe different components, these components should not be limited by these terms, and the components described accordingly in the embodiments are represented by different component symbols. These terms are for different components respectively. For example: the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component without departing from the scope of the embodiment. The term "and / or" used in this way includes any or all combinations of one or more related listed items. Except in the operation / working examples, or unless explicitly stated, all numerical ranges, amounts, values ​​and percentages disclosed herein (such as those percentages of angles, time durations, temperatures, operating conditions, amount ratios and the like, etc.) should be understood to be modified by the term "about" or "substantially" in all embodiments. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical parameters stated in the present disclosure and the appended claims are approximate values ​​that may vary as needed. For example, each numerical parameter should be interpreted at least according to the number of significant figures described and by applying ordinary rounding principles. The range can be expressed in this article as from one endpoint to another endpoint or between two endpoints. All ranges disclosed herein include endpoints unless otherwise specified.

[0060] Figure 1 The present invention discloses a schematic diagram of the structure of a printer including a head system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The present invention discloses a schematic diagram of the structure of a head sealing system and a corresponding printer nozzle from an upper perspective according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a head sealing system and a corresponding printer nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention from a bottom perspective is disclosed. Figure 4 The flowchart of the control method of the head sealing system of the embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In the present embodiment, the head sealing system 2 is applied to the inkjet system 3 of the printer 1, for example, to seal at least one nozzle 11a, 11b of the inkjet system 3 to perform a cleaning procedure. It should be emphasized that the head sealing system 2 of the present invention is not limited to the inkjet system 3 of the printer 1, and all nozzles that can be sealed by the head sealing system 2 of the present invention are applicable to the technology of the present invention.

[0061] First, as shown in step S1, the head system 2 of the present invention is, for example, constructed on the frame 9 of the tabulator 1 to correspond to at least one nozzle 11a, 11b on the inkjet system 3. In the present embodiment, at least one nozzle 11a, 11b is, for example, a print head of an ink cartridge 10a, 10b, which is carried on a sliding member 30. The sliding member 30 is, for example, an ink carriage seat, which is slidably disposed on a slide rail 40. The sliding member 30 can slide in a first direction, for example, the X-axis direction. At least one nozzle 11a, 11b, for example, includes a plurality of nozzles 11a, 11b arranged side by side along the X-axis direction and exposed on the bottom surface 30a of the sliding member 30. In the present embodiment, the sliding member 30 includes at least one positioning groove 31a, 31b penetrating the bottom surface 30a of the sliding member 30. At least one positioning groove 31a, 31b is, for example, disposed between the plurality of nozzles 11a, 11b, and the plurality of positioning grooves 31a, 31b are, for example, arranged along the Y axis. In this embodiment, the head sealing system 2 includes a base 26, a stack 20, a driving member 23, an arm 24, and a sensor 25. The stack 20 is, for example, an ink stack, disposed on the base 26, and includes at least one sealing portion 21a, 21b and at least one positioning column 22a, 22b, at least one sealing portion 21a, 21b is spatially relative to at least one nozzle 11a, 11b, and at least one positioning column 22a, 22b is spatially relative to at least one positioning groove 31a, 31b. At least one positioning column 22a, 22b is, for example, arranged along the Y axis, and the height of at least one positioning column 22a, 22b on the stack 20 is higher than the height of at least one sealing portion 21a, 21b on the stack 20. It should be noted that the number and corresponding arrangement positions of at least one nozzle 11a, 11b, at least one sealing portion 21a, 21b, at least one positioning column 22a, 22b and at least one positioning groove 31a, 31b can be adjusted according to actual application requirements. In the subsequent description, the corresponding relationship between the nozzle 11b, the sealing portion 21b, the positioning column 22a and the positioning groove 31a is mainly described, and the number and corresponding arrangement relationship of at least one nozzle 11a, 11b, at least one sealing portion 21a, 21b, at least one positioning column 22a, 22b and at least one positioning groove 31a, 31b of the present invention are not limited to the first description.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the driving member 23 is, for example, a stepping motor, which is disposed on the side of the base 26 and connected to the platform 20 through a gear set (not shown) to drive the platform 20 to move in a second direction, for example, the Z-axis direction. The arm 24 is disposed on the other side of the base 26, and a first end 241 of the arm 24 is connected to the driving member 23. When the driving member 23 drives the platform 20 to move in the second direction (Z-axis direction), the driving member 23 also drives the arm 24 to rotate a corresponding rotation angle. The first end 241 of the arm 24 can be, for example, directly connected to the rotating shaft of the driving member 23 or connected through a gear set (not shown), and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, in the present embodiment, the sensor 25 is disposed on the side of the base 26, spatially relative to a second end 242 of the arm 24.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the driving member 23 of the head system 2 drives the nozzles 11a and 11b of the stack 20 corresponding to the sliding member 30 to move in the second direction (Z-axis direction), the head system 2 can at least perform initial position operation, head position operation and interference position operation. Figure 5 A side view of the end cap system according to an embodiment of the present invention when operating in an initial position. Figure 6 For public Figure 5 The corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the initial position. Figure 7 For public Figure 5 Another corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the initial position. Figure 8 A side view of the end cap system according to an embodiment of the present invention when operating in the end cap position is disclosed. Fig. 9 For public Figure 8 The corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the head position. Fig.10 A side view of the end cap system according to an embodiment of the present invention when operating in an interference position is disclosed. Fig.11 For public Fig.10 The corresponding relationship between the middle head system and the nozzle of the sliding part when operating in the interference position. Fig.12 To disclose the corresponding relationship between the end cap system of the embodiment of the present invention and the nozzle after the end cap position is reset to a third angle value. Figures 1 to 12 In this embodiment, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the platform 20 is away from the sliding member 30 and is located at an initial position, the rotation angle of the support arm 24 is zero, and the second end 242 of the support arm 24 is located in the touch area of ​​the sensor 25, and the sensor 25 can be touched. When the platform 20 is away from the sliding member 30 and is located at the initial position, the positioning column 22a on the platform 20 of the head system 2 can be aligned to the corresponding positioning groove 31a on the sliding member 30, as shown in FIG. Figure 6At this time, the driving member 23 is allowed to drive the stack 20 to move in the second direction (Z-axis direction), and the positioning column 22a is allowed to penetrate the corresponding positioning groove 31a, further completing the head position operation for ink absorption and cleaning, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Alternatively, when the platform 20 is away from the sliding member 30 and is in the initial position, the positioning column 22a on the platform 20 of the head system 2 can be arranged in a staggered manner with the corresponding positioning groove 31a on the sliding member 30, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 At this time, when the driving member 23 drives the stack 20 to move in the second direction (Z-axis direction), the positioning column 22a cannot penetrate the corresponding positioning groove 31a, and the positioning column 22a will be interfered by the bottom surface 30a of the sliding member 30 and stop, further realizing an interference position operation, such as Fig.10 and Fig.11 shown.

[0064] Next, as shown in step S2, when the driving member 23 receives a first control instruction to drive the stack 20 to move toward the sliding member 30 along the second direction (Z-axis direction), the alignment or misalignment of the positioning column 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a will affect the result of the stack 20 moving toward the sliding member 30. In this embodiment, when the driving member 23 drives the stack 20 to move toward the sliding member 30, and the positioning column 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a are aligned with each other, that is, the sliding member 30 is in a sealing position relative to the stack 20, then at least one positioning column 22a can pass through at least one positioning groove 31a, and at least one sealing portion 21b seals at least one nozzle 11b. At this time, the rotation angle of the support arm 24 is a first angle value θ1, for example 60°, such as Figure 8 In this embodiment, when the driving member 23 drives the stack 20 to move toward the sliding member 30, and the positioning column 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a are arranged in a staggered manner, that is, the sliding member 30 is located at an interference position relative to the stack 20, then the top of at least one positioning column 22a will abut against the bottom surface 30a of the sliding member 30. At this time, at least one sealing portion 21b and at least one nozzle 11b are separated from each other, and the rotation angle of the support arm 24 is a second angle value θ2, for example, 35°, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown. In this embodiment, the second angle value θ2 is greater than zero and less than the first angle value θ1. In other words, when the driving member 23 receives the first control instruction to drive the stack 20 to move toward the sliding member 30 along the second direction (Z-axis direction), the rotation angle of the support arm 24 will increase by the first angle value θ1 or the second angle value θ2. In addition, before the execution of step S2, a pre-processing step is also included, so that the driving member 23 drives the stack 20 to leave the sliding member 30, the stack 20 is reset to the initial position, and the rotation angle of the support arm 24 is zero. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0065] Then, as shown in step S3, the driving member 23 receives a second control instruction to drive the stack 20 to leave the sliding member 30, so that the rotation angle of the support arm 24 is reduced by a third angle value, such as 45°. The third angle value is, for example, less than the first angle value θ1 (for example, 60°) and greater than or equal to the second angle value θ2 (for example, 35°). If the sliding member 30 is at an interference position relative to the stack 20 and the operation of step S3 is performed, the rotation angle of the support arm 24 will be reset to the initial position, such as Figure 5 At this time, the second end 242 of the arm 24 falls within the sensing area of ​​the sensor 25, thereby triggering the sensor 25. On the contrary, if the sliding member 30 is at the end position relative to the platform 20 and the step S3 operation is performed, the rotation angle of the arm 24 will be reset to an avoidance angle value θ3 (for example, 15°), as shown in FIG. Fig.12 At this time, the second end 242 of the support arm 24 does not fall within the sensing area of ​​the sensor 25 , that is, the second end 242 of the support arm 24 will not trigger the sensor 25 .

[0066] Therefore, in step S4, the sensor 25 detects whether the second end 242 of the arm 24 touches the sensor 25 to determine whether the positioning column 22a of the head system 2 and the corresponding positioning groove 31a on the sliding member 30 are misaligned with each other (such as Figure 7 As shown), or the positioning column 22a of the head system 2 is aligned to the corresponding positioning groove 31a on the sliding member 30 (as shown Figure 6 As shown). In this embodiment, if it is confirmed that the positioning column 22a of the head system 2 is aligned with the corresponding positioning groove 31a on the sliding member 30, the position of the sliding member 30 in the first direction (X-axis direction) can be recorded to provide the head position as a reference for subsequent head operation. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, the positioning column 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a are aligned with each other, that is, it is ensured that at least one nozzle 11a, 11b on the sliding member 30 moves to the correct head position of the head system 2, so that when the cover sealing part 21a, 21b on the platform 20 of the head system 2 is lifted, the nozzle 11a, 11b on the sliding member 30 can be completely sealed, eliminating the problems caused by human subjective judgment of the head position, ensuring the accuracy of the head operation, and ensuring that the nozzles of the nozzles 11a, 11b on the sliding member 30 are covered by the cover sealing part 21a, 21b of the platform 20, avoiding the entry of air into the nozzle hole by vacuum pumping, which helps to extend the service life of the nozzles 11a, 11b.

[0067] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that at least one positioning post 22a and at least one positioning groove 31a are misaligned, the sliding member 30 can be controlled to move a displacement distance, as shown in step S5, to further align the positioning post 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a. Fig.13 The present invention discloses a corresponding relationship between a positioning column of a head system and a positioning groove of a sliding member in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.14 To disclose another correspondence between the positioning column of the head system of the embodiment of the present invention and the positioning groove of the sliding member. In order to help the positioning column 21a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a complete the positioning operation, in this embodiment, the positioning column 22a has a T-shaped horizontal cross-section to provide sufficient structural strength to avoid deformation when the top of the positioning column 22a interferes with the sliding member 30. In addition, the top of the positioning column 22a may, for example, have a chamfered structure. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. It is worth noting that in this embodiment, at least one positioning groove 31a has a first width W1 in the first direction (X-axis direction), and at least one positioning column 22a has a second width W2 in the first direction (X-axis direction). The first width W1 is greater than the second width W2, and forms a difference distance D, such as 0.5 mm. The displacement distance is less than or equal to the difference distance D, which can avoid the sliding member 30 from moving too far and missing the alignment of the positioning column 22a and the positioning groove 31a. In other words, when the sealing head system 2 confirms the sealing head position, by controlling the displacement distance of the sliding member 30 and repeating steps S2 and S3, the positioning column 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a can be aligned.

[0068] In this embodiment, after the alignment operation between the positioning column 22 a and the corresponding positioning groove 31 a is completed, the control method further includes step S6 , which controls the sliding member 30 to move a compensation distance, wherein the compensation distance is one quarter of the difference distance D. Fig.15 The first exemplary correspondence between the positioning column of the head system of the embodiment of the present invention and the positioning groove of the sliding member is disclosed. Fig.16 For public Fig.15 The corresponding relationship between the positioning groove and the positioning column after the middle sliding member moves a compensation distance. In this embodiment, when the positioning column 22a passes through the center of the corresponding positioning groove 31a, the positioning column 22a maintains a distance of about D / 2 from both sides of the corresponding positioning groove 31a in the first direction (X-axis direction). Fig.15 After the compensation operation of step S6 is performed, the sliding member 30 returns to the compensation distance D / 4 in the opposite direction (the opposite direction of the X-axis), and the positioning column 22a maintains a distance of D / 4 and 3D / 4 from the two sides of the corresponding positioning groove 31a in the first direction (the X-axis direction), respectively, so as to ensure that the nozzles of the nozzle head 11a on the sliding member 30 can be covered by the sealing portion 21a of the stack 20.

[0069] Fig.17 The second exemplary correspondence between the positioning column of the head system of the embodiment of the present invention and the positioning groove of the sliding member is disclosed. Fig.18 For public Fig.17The corresponding relationship between the positioning groove and the positioning column after the sliding member moves a compensation distance. In this embodiment, when the positioning column 22a passes through the right side of the corresponding positioning groove 31a, the positioning column 22a maintains a distance of about D from the left side of the corresponding positioning groove 31a in the first direction (X-axis direction). Fig.17 After the compensation operation of step S6 is performed, the compensation distance of the sliding member 30 along the first direction (X-axis direction) is D / 4, and the positioning column 22a maintains a distance of D / 2 and D / 2 on both sides of the corresponding positioning groove 31a in the first direction (X-axis direction), so as to ensure that the nozzles of the nozzle 11a on the sliding member 30 can be covered by the sealing portion 21a of the stack 20.

[0070] Fig.19 The third exemplary correspondence between the positioning column of the head system of the embodiment of the present invention and the positioning groove of the sliding member is disclosed. Fig. 20 For public Fig.19 The corresponding relationship between the positioning groove and the positioning column after the sliding member moves a compensation distance. In this embodiment, when the positioning column 22a passes through the left side of the corresponding positioning groove 31a, the positioning column 22a maintains a distance of about D from the right side of the corresponding positioning groove 31a in the first direction (X-axis direction). Fig.19 As shown. After executing the compensation operation of step S6, the sliding member 30 returns to the compensation distance of D / 4 in the opposite direction to the first direction (opposite to the X-axis direction), and the positioning column 22a maintains a distance of 3D / 4 and D / 4 on both sides of the corresponding positioning groove 31a in the first direction (X-axis direction), respectively, to ensure that the nozzles of the nozzle 11a on the sliding member 30 can be covered by the sealing part 21a of the stack 20. It can be seen from the above that through the compensation operation of step S6, the distance between the positioning column 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a can be further controlled between D / 4 and 3D / 4, and the compensation distance can be further used to correct the position of the nozzle 11a of the sliding member 30 relative to the sealing part 21a of the head system 2, so as to further improve the accuracy and efficiency of the head operation. Of course, in other embodiments, step S6 can be omitted, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0071] In this embodiment, after the alignment operation of the positioning column 22a and the corresponding positioning groove 31a is completed, the control method further includes step S7 to record the position of the sliding member 30 in the first direction (X-axis direction), and update the end-sealing position of the sliding member 30 relative to the stack 20, so as to provide the end-sealing position as a reference for subsequent end-sealing operations. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0072] In summary, the present invention provides a head sealing system and a control method thereof. By converting the displacement distance of the platform of the head sealing system relative to the sliding member into a corresponding angle, the head sealing system is controlled to automatically confirm the head sealing position relative to the sliding member. Furthermore, the confirmation procedure of the head sealing position of the head sealing system relative to the nozzle on the sliding member can ensure that the nozzle on the sliding member moves to the correct head sealing position of the head sealing system, so that the nozzle on the sliding member can be completely sealed when the cover sealing part on the platform of the head sealing system is lifted. Since the head sealing system can automatically adjust and set the position of the nozzle on the sliding member relative to the cover sealing part, the problems caused by human subjective judgment of the head sealing position are eliminated, and the accuracy of the head sealing operation is ensured. When the head sealing operation is combined with the cleaning system of the printer, the automatic adjustment of the head sealing position can ensure that the nozzles of the nozzles on the sliding member are all covered by the cover sealing part of the platform, avoiding the air from entering the nozzle hole, which helps to extend the service life of the nozzle. Furthermore, the present invention effectively improves the alignment efficiency of the positioning column of the head sealing system and the positioning groove of the sliding member by controlling the displacement distance of the sliding member, and simplifies the confirmation procedure of the head sealing position. On the other hand, through the design of the positioning column and the positioning groove, the compensation distance can be further used to correct the position of the nozzle of the sliding part relative to the sealing part of the head system, thereby further improving the accuracy and efficiency of the head operation.

[0073] The present invention can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art, but all of them are within the protection of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A head sealing system for sealing at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one nozzle is carried on a sliding member, the sliding member slides in a first direction, the sliding member comprises at least one positioning groove penetrating a bottom surface of the sliding member, the head sealing system comprises: a base; A stacking platform is disposed on the base and includes at least one sealing portion and at least one positioning column, wherein the at least one sealing portion is spatially opposite to the at least one nozzle, and the at least one positioning column is spatially opposite to the at least one positioning groove; A driving member, disposed on the base, configured to drive the platform to move in a second direction; An arm is disposed on the base, and a first end of the arm is connected to the driving member, and when the driving member drives the platform to move in the second direction, the driving member drives the arm to rotate a corresponding rotation angle; as well as a sensor disposed on the base in space relative to a second end of the arm, wherein when the platform is away from the sliding member and is located at an initial position, the rotation angle of the arm is zero, and the second end of the arm triggers the sensor; The driving member drives the stack to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located at a sealing position relative to the stack, the at least one positioning column passes through the at least one positioning groove, the at least one sealing portion seals the at least one nozzle, and the rotation angle is a first angle value; the driving member drives the stack to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located at an interference position relative to the stack, the at least one positioning column is misaligned with the at least one positioning groove, the top end of the at least one positioning column abuts against the bottom surface of the sliding member, the at least one sealing portion and the at least one nozzle are separated from each other, and the rotation angle is a second angle value, which is greater than zero and less than the first angle value.

2. The sealing head system as described in claim 1, wherein the driving member is a stepping motor, the nozzle is a print head, the sliding member is an ink carriage, the stack is an ink stack, and the sliding member is slidably disposed on a slide rail to be driven to slide in the first direction. 3 . The sealing head system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one positioning column has a T-shaped horizontal cross-section, and wherein a top end of the at least one positioning column has a chamfered structure.

4. The head system as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one positioning groove has a first width in the first direction, and the at least one positioning column has a second width in the first direction, the first width is greater than the second width, and forms a difference distance, wherein when the sliding member is located at the interference position relative to the stack, the sliding member moves a displacement distance to perform the alignment of the at least one positioning groove and the at least one positioning column to confirm that the sliding member is located at the head position relative to the stack, wherein the displacement distance is equal to or less than the difference distance. 5 . The sealing head system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a height of the at least one positioning column on the platform is higher than a height of the at least one sealing portion on the platform.

6. A method for controlling a head system, comprising the steps of: (S1) A sealing system is provided for sealing at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one nozzle is carried on a sliding member, and the sliding member slides in a first direction. The sliding member includes at least one positioning groove penetrating a bottom surface of the sliding member. The sealing system includes a base, a stack, a driving member, an arm and a sensor, wherein the stack is arranged on the base and includes at least one sealing portion and at least one positioning column, the at least one sealing portion is spatially relative to the at least one nozzle, and the at least one positioning column is spatially relative to the at least one positioning groove; the driving member is arranged on the base, and is assembled to drive the stack to move in a second direction; the support arm is arranged on the base, and a first end of the support arm is connected to the driving member, and when the driving member drives the stack to move in the second direction, the driving member drives the support arm to rotate a corresponding rotation angle; the sensor is arranged on the A base, spatially relative to a second end of the support arm, wherein when the platform is away from the sliding member and is located at an initial position, the rotation angle of the support arm is zero, and the second end of the support arm touches the sensor; wherein the driving member drives the platform to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located at a head-sealing position relative to the platform, the at least one positioning column passes through the at least one positioning groove, the at least one sealing portion seals the at least one nozzle, and the rotation angle is a first angle value; wherein the driving member drives the platform to move toward the sliding member, and the sliding member is located at an interference position relative to the platform, the at least one positioning column is misaligned with the at least one positioning groove, the top end of the at least one positioning column abuts against the bottom surface of the sliding member, the at least one sealing portion and the at least one nozzle are separated from each other, and the rotation angle is a second angle value, the second angle value is greater than zero and less than the first angle value; (S2) the driving member receives a first control instruction to drive the platform to move toward the sliding member, so that the rotation angle of the support arm increases by the first angle value or the second angle value; (S3) the driving member receives a second control instruction to drive the stacker to leave the sliding member, so that the rotation angle of the support arm is reduced by a third angle value, wherein the third angle value is less than the first angle value and greater than or equal to the second angle value; as well as (S4) The sensor detects whether the second end of the support arm touches the sensor, wherein when the second end of the support arm touches the sensor, it is determined that the at least one positioning column and the at least one positioning groove are misaligned with each other, and when the second end of the support arm does not touch the sensor, it is determined that the at least one positioning column is aligned with the at least one positioning groove.

7. A control method for a head system as described in claim 6, wherein if it is determined in the step (S4) that the at least one positioning column and the at least one positioning groove are misaligned with each other, the control method further comprises a step (S5) in which the sliding member moves a displacement distance, wherein the at least one positioning groove has a first width in the first direction, and the at least one positioning column has a second width in the first direction, the first width is greater than the second width, and forms a difference distance, and the displacement distance is less than or equal to the difference distance; and repeating the steps (S2) and (S3).

8. A control method for a head system as described in claim 7, wherein if it is determined in the step (S4) that the at least one positioning column is aligned with the at least one positioning groove, the control method further comprises a step (S6) in which the sliding member moves a compensation distance, wherein the compensation distance is one quarter of the difference distance.

9. A control method for a head system as described in claim 6, wherein if it is determined in the step (S4) that the at least one positioning column is aligned with the at least one positioning groove, the control method also includes a step (S7) of recording the position of the sliding member in the first direction and updating the head position of the sliding member relative to the stack.

10. The control method of the head system according to claim 6, wherein the step (S2) further comprises a preprocessing step (S2') in which the driving member drives the platform to leave the sliding member, the platform is reset to the initial position, and the rotation angle of the support arm is zero.

11. A control method for a head sealing system as described in claim 6, wherein the driving member is a stepping motor, the nozzle is a print head, the sliding member is an ink carriage, the stacker is an ink stack, and the sliding member is slidably disposed on a slide rail so as to be driven to slide in the first direction.

12. The control method of the head system as described in claim 6, wherein the at least one positioning column has a T-shaped horizontal cross-section, wherein the top end of the at least one positioning column has a chamfered structure, and wherein the height of the at least one positioning column on the platform is higher than the height of the at least one sealing portion on the platform.

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