A printing platform

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of large-format printers, more particularly, to a printing platform, comprising a printing support surface, a plurality of suction units, a plurality of limiting assemblies and an edge-finding assembly, each suction unit comprising a suction hole mechanism and a suction disc assembly, the suction hole mechanism surrounding the suction disc assembly, each suction disc assembly being freely inclined in the horizontal direction; for solving the problem that the flatness of large-format printing media is difficult to adjust, the arching degree at each position is different, the suction force on the large-format printing media is difficult to be uniform, manual determination of the printing range is not accurate, the calibration alignment time before printing is too long, and the printing effect is poor; the assembly efficiency of the printing platform is improved, and the uniform suction effect of the large-format printing media is achieved; the edges of the printing media are positioned and aligned on the same straight line; the adjustment of different adhesion degrees of the printing media at different positions is realized, so as to improve the flatness of the printing media and strengthen the printing effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of large format printers, and more specifically, to a printing platform. Background Technology

[0002] Because the printing media in large-format printers has large length and width dimensions, various uneven deformations are unavoidable during the printing process. Insufficient contact with the printing platform affects the printing quality. To ensure print quality, existing technologies often require multiple inkjet coats to achieve a better result. However, this significantly extends printing time, creating a trade-off between printing efficiency and print quality for large-format printing media. To solve these problems, the first step is to provide a method that accurately aligns large-format printing media onto a printing platform. Secondly, it's necessary to adjust the degree of contact between the printing platform and the large-format printing media to maintain the flatness of the printing media.

[0003] In existing technologies, the flatness adjustment between large-format printing media and the printing platform mainly relies on an electronic control system or hydraulic system installed on the printing platform to achieve platform lifting and translation. However, this requires high operational control of the electronic or hydraulic systems, resulting in high maintenance costs and hindering the large-scale application of the printing platform. Alternatively, flatness adjustment can be achieved by adsorbing the printing media onto the printing platform, but this method cannot achieve precise adsorption due to the varying degrees of bending and deformation of large-format printing media, leading to poor adsorption results. Therefore, how to solve the problems of difficult flatness adjustment of large-format printing media, inconsistent arching at different locations, uneven adsorption force on large-format printing media, inaccurate adsorption height adjustment, imprecise manual determination of the printing range, excessive pre-printing calibration and alignment time, which affect printing efficiency and result in poor printing quality, is a problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the defects (deficiencies) of the prior art and provide a printing platform to solve the problems of difficulty in adjusting the flatness of large-format printing media, uneven arching at various positions, difficulty in uniform adsorption force on large-format printing media, inaccurate adjustment of adsorption height, inaccurate manual determination of printing range, excessive calibration and alignment time before printing, which affect printing efficiency and result in poor printing effect.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention is a printing platform, which includes a printing support surface, several adsorption units, several limiting components and an edge-finding component. The printing medium is driven along the Y direction of the printing support surface. The several adsorption units are arranged side by side along the X direction of the printing support surface. The several limiting components are distributed along the X direction of the printing support surface to limit the transmission of the printing medium. The edge-finding component is located on the side of the printing support surface in the Y direction and is used to find the edge of the printing medium along the Z direction of the printing support surface. Each adsorption unit includes a suction hole mechanism and a suction cup assembly. The suction hole mechanism surrounds the suction cup assembly. The printing support surface has an opening corresponding to each suction cup assembly. Each suction cup assembly has an independent degree of freedom of tilting in the horizontal direction through a floating support.

[0006] It is beneficial to achieve uniform adsorption of large-format printing media by combining several adsorption units on the printing support surface, and to improve the assembly efficiency of the printing platform; it is beneficial to align the edges of the printing media conveyed to the printing platform on the same straight line by using limiting components; it is beneficial to provide guidance for the placement range of the printing media by using edge-finding components along the Z direction, thereby improving the printing effect of inkjet printers; it is beneficial to increase the tightness between the printing media and the printing support surface by using adsorption units, thereby improving the flatness of the printing media and enhancing the printing effect; and it is beneficial to adjust the different degrees of adhesion of the printing media at different positions on the printing platform by using the independent tilting freedom of each suction cup component.

[0007] Furthermore, the suction cup assembly includes a lifting mechanism, a floating support, and a suction cup mechanism. The lifting mechanism drives the suction cup mechanism to rise and fall through the floating support. The suction cup mechanism includes 3-5 components, each of which includes a suction cup, a connecting rod, and a rotating base. The rotating base is mounted on the floating support and is a ball joint structure. The adsorption surface is formed on the upper surface of the suction cup. The connecting rod is fixedly connected to the lower part of the suction cup, perpendicular to the adsorption surface, and its lower end is connected to the ball joint structure. The connecting rod of each suction cup mechanism has the same circumferential swing freedom relative to the vertical direction.

[0008] It is advantageous to provide power for the up-and-down movement of the suction cup mechanism through the lifting mechanism, to provide leeway for the movement of the suction cup mechanism through the floating support, to firmly adsorb the printing medium through the suction cup mechanism, and to extend the adsorption surface through the layout of the suction cup, so as to provide uniform adsorption force to the adsorption surface; it is advantageous to realize the tilting of the floating support through the connecting rod and the rotating base, and to finely adjust the degree of adhesion between the printing medium and the printing support surface through the tilting of the floating support, thereby improving the printing effect of the printing medium.

[0009] Furthermore, the suction cup includes a flat bottom and a flexible inclined edge, the inclined edge surrounding the flat bottom. A negative pressure adsorption hole is provided in the middle of the flat bottom, and multiple support pads are spaced apart around the outer ring of the negative pressure adsorption hole. The upper surfaces of all support pads are on the same plane and are lower than the edge of the inclined edge. The suction cup mechanism is provided with a negative pressure outlet connected to the negative pressure adsorption hole.

[0010] It helps to mitigate the impact between the flexible, tilted disc edge and the printing media, reducing uneven deformation of the printing media; it helps to increase the contact area with the printing media through the flat disc bottom, reducing deformation of the printing media when it is adsorbed; and it helps to provide adsorption force through the negative pressure adsorption holes, enhancing the adhesion of the printing media.

[0011] Furthermore, a horizontal support plate is provided below the suction cup. The horizontal support plate is fixed below the printing support surface. A support hole is provided corresponding to the position of each suction cup. The opening size of the support hole is smaller than the maximum size of the suction cup mechanism. The suction cup is located in the support hole. The connecting rod passes through the support hole. When the connecting rod drives the suction cup to descend to the lowest point, the horizontal support plate can support the suction cup to return to a horizontal state.

[0012] It is beneficial to limit the retraction degree of the suction cup mechanism through the support holes, so as to prevent the suction cup mechanism from detaching from the printing medium; it is also beneficial to limit the retraction height of each suction cup to be consistent and level through the horizontal support plate, so as to keep the printing medium retracting to the same horizontal plane under the action of the suction cup, so that the printing medium is tightly attached to the printing support surface under the adsorption of each suction cup mechanism, thereby improving the inkjet printing effect.

[0013] Furthermore, a stepped support surface is provided below the suction cup. The stepped support surface includes at least an upper support stage with a size larger than the support hole and a lower support stage with a size smaller than the support hole. A horizontal support surface is formed on the lower side of the upper support stage. The distance d from the horizontal support surface to the suction surface is less than the distance D from the horizontal support sheet to the upper surface of the printing support surface.

[0014] It is beneficial to limit the descent height of the suction cup through the upper support stage, so as to prevent the suction cup from detaching from the printing medium; it is beneficial to enable the suction cup to hold the printing medium and move up and down within the limited height through the lower support stage; it is beneficial to limit the suction cup to always move up and down within the range of D after holding the printing medium by d < D, so that the printing medium can rise or fall to the same horizontal plane when it reaches the limit under the adsorption of different adsorption units.

[0015] Furthermore, the floating support includes a lower lifting plate, an elastic support, and an upper floating plate. The lower lifting plate is connected to the lifting mechanism and supports the elastic support to drive the upper floating plate to move up and down. The upper floating plate is also connected to several suction cup mechanisms, which drive the suction cup mechanisms to move up and down.

[0016] It is beneficial to provide a mounting position for the suction cup mechanism through the lower lifting plate to maintain the stability of the suction cup mechanism, and to achieve a flexible connection with the printing medium through elastic support, thereby enhancing the adhesion effect with the printing medium; it is also beneficial to provide the same mounting plane for multiple suction cup mechanisms through the upper floating plate, increasing the adsorption stability of the suction cup mechanism.

[0017] Furthermore, a sliding rod is vertically installed at the center of the lower lifting plate, and a through hole is opened on the upper floating plate corresponding to the position of the sliding rod. A gap is maintained between the through hole and the sliding rod so that the upper floating plate has a tilting angle of no more than 3° relative to the sliding rod.

[0018] It is beneficial to maintain a tilting margin for the slide rod by using the tilting angle between the through hole and the slide rod, so as to realize the tilting of the upper floating plate within a small angle range, and to increase the tilting range of the suction cup mechanism installed on the upper floating plate.

[0019] Furthermore, each adsorption unit includes a limiting component, which is in the same column as the suction cup component. Each limiting component has an equal Y-direction distance from the X-direction side of the printing support surface. The limiting component includes a positioning hole on the X-direction side of the printing support surface and a lifting column in the positioning hole. Each lifting column extends synchronously out of the printing support surface or retracts synchronously under the printing support surface.

[0020] It helps prevent the printing media from being placed outside the printing range through the limiting components on each adsorption unit. After the printing media is transported to the printing support surface, it can automatically adjust and align with the straight edge formed by multiple limiting components. It also helps to accurately control the position of the printing media on the printing support surface through the synchronously rising lifting column. Furthermore, it helps to prevent bumps from affecting the placement height of the printing media, thereby affecting the flatness of the printing media, through the synchronously lowering lifting column.

[0021] Furthermore, the edge-finding assembly includes a fixed base, a sliding base, a driving mechanism, a sensor assembly, and a position sensor. The driving mechanism pushes the sliding base to slide relative to the fixed base, and the sensor assembly, mounted on the sliding base, slides accordingly. The position sensor is used to read the sliding position of the sliding base relative to the fixed base. A straight through hole is provided on the printing support surface. The driving mechanism pushes the sliding base to drive the sensor assembly to slide along the straight through hole. The sensing direction of the sensor assembly passes through the straight through hole and is perpendicular to the printing support surface and upwards.

[0022] It helps prevent the printing media from being placed outside the printing range on the printing support surface, providing guidance for positioning before printing; it adapts to the different printing range requirements of printing media of different sizes; and it helps to limit the light guidance range of the edge-finding component through the straight through-hole, achieving accurate alignment of the printing range and improving printing accuracy.

[0023] Furthermore, the edge-finding component includes a linear guide rail, a sliding base, a drive motor, a reflective sensor assembly, and a displacement sensor. The sliding base slides along the linear guide rail, and the reflective sensor assembly is fixed on the sliding base and slides accordingly. The drive motor is connected to the linear guide rail via a synchronous belt mechanism. The synchronous belt mechanism includes an annular synchronous belt, a driving wheel, and a driven wheel. The driving wheel and the driven wheel are rotatably mounted at both ends of the linear guide rail. The drive motor drives the driving wheel to rotate, and the synchronous belt is sleeved on the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The sliding base is connected to the synchronous belt, and the displacement sensor is used to detect the sliding distance of the sliding base.

[0024] It helps to accurately control the printing range before printing begins, reduces the adjustment and correction time of the printing media on the printing platform, and improves printing efficiency. It also helps to increase the transmission speed through the synchronous belt mechanism, which helps to reduce edge finding time and improve printing efficiency.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: it facilitates the improvement of the assembly efficiency of the printing platform and the uniform adsorption effect on large-format printing media through the combination of several adsorption units; it facilitates the alignment of the edges of the printing media conveyed to the printing platform on the same straight line through the limiting component; it facilitates the provision of guidance for the placement range of the printing media through the edge-finding component along the Z direction, thereby improving the printing effect of the inkjet printer; it facilitates the increase of the tightness between the printing media and the printing support surface through the adsorption unit; and it facilitates the adjustment of the different adhesion of the printing media at different positions through the independent tilting freedom of each suction cup component, thereby improving the flatness of the printing media and enhancing the printing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup assembly of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup mechanism of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the limiting component of the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: Printed support surface 10, Adsorption unit 20, Suction cup assembly 21, Lifting mechanism 100, Floating support 200, Lower lifting plate 210, Elastic support 220, Upper floating plate 230, Slide rod 240, Suction cup mechanism 300, Suction cup 310, Flat plate bottom 311, Inclined plate edge 312, Negative pressure adsorption hole 313, Support pad 314, Stepped support surface 315, Upper support stage 3151, Lower support stage 3152, Horizontal support surface 316, Connecting rod 320, Rotating base 330, Horizontal support piece 340, Support hole 341, Limiting assembly 30, Positioning hole 350, Lifting column 360, Edge finding assembly 40. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the invention. To better illustrate the following embodiments, some parts in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual product dimensions; it is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.

[0032] Example

[0033] like Figure 1-4 As shown, this embodiment provides a printing platform, which includes a printing support surface 10, a plurality of adsorption units 20, a plurality of limiting components 30, and an edge-finding component 40. The printing medium is driven along the Y direction of the printing support surface 10. The plurality of adsorption units 20 are arranged side by side along the X direction of the printing support surface 10. The plurality of limiting components 30 are distributed along the X direction of the printing support surface 10 to limit the transmission of the printing medium. The edge-finding component 40 is located on the Y-direction side of the printing support surface 10 and is used to find the edge of the printing medium along the Z direction of the printing support surface 10. Each adsorption unit 20 includes a suction hole mechanism 22 and a suction cup assembly 21. The suction hole mechanism 22 surrounds the suction cup assembly 21. The printing support surface 10 has an opening corresponding to each suction cup assembly 21. Each suction cup assembly 21 has an independent degree of freedom of tilting in the horizontal direction through a floating support 200.

[0034] In this embodiment, the printing platform consists of six adsorption units 20. Each adsorption unit 20 has three openings and three suction cup assemblies 21 corresponding to the openings. Each adsorption unit 20 has a limiting component 30 on the X-direction side of the printing platform and an edge-finding component 40 on the Y-direction side of the printing support surface 10. When the printing medium is conveyed onto the printing support surface 10, the printing medium moves along the Y-direction until it reaches the position of the limiting component 40. At this time, the suction cup assembly 21 on each adsorption unit 20 firmly adsorbs the printing medium and begins to adjust the fit between each position and the printing support surface 10 through the floating support 200. After the adjustment is completed, the edge-finding component 40 begins to find and determine the edge of the printing medium. After determining the printing range, printing begins, saving the time of manual adjustment of the printing medium and improving printing efficiency.

[0035] The suction cup assembly 21 includes a lifting mechanism 100, a floating support 200, and a suction cup mechanism 300. The lifting mechanism 100 drives the suction cup mechanism 300 to rise and fall through the floating support 200. The suction cup mechanism 300 includes 3-5 units. Each suction cup mechanism 300 includes a suction cup 310, a connecting rod 320, and a rotating base 330. The rotating base 330 is mounted on the floating support 200 and is a ball joint structure. The adsorption surface is formed on the upper surface of the suction cup 310. The connecting rod 320 is fixedly connected to the lower part of the suction cup 310, perpendicular to the adsorption surface, and its lower end is connected to the ball joint structure. The connecting rod 320 of each suction cup mechanism 300 has the same circumferential swing freedom relative to the vertical direction.

[0036] In this embodiment, the suction cup mechanism 300 includes three components. After adsorbing the printing medium, the vertical height of each suction cup mechanism 300 is adjusted by the lifting mechanism 100, and the horizontal tilting freedom is adjusted by the floating support 200. Each suction cup mechanism 300 includes three suction cups 310, three connecting rods 320, and three rotating bases 330. The bottom of the center of each suction cup 310 is connected to the connecting rod 320, and the bottom end of each connecting rod 320 is connected to the rotating base 330. The rotating base 330 is a ball joint structure to allow the connecting rod 320 to tilt at multiple angles. However, the tilting angle of the three connecting rods 320 on the suction cup mechanism 300 relative to the vertical direction is consistent to achieve a uniform distribution of the printing medium adsorption force.

[0037] The suction cup 310 includes a flat bottom 311 and a flexible inclined edge 312. The inclined edge 312 surrounds the flat bottom 311. A negative pressure adsorption hole is provided in the middle of the flat bottom 311. Multiple support pads 314 are spaced apart around the outer ring of the negative pressure adsorption hole. The upper surfaces of all support pads 314 are on the same plane and are lower than the edge of the inclined edge 312. The suction cup mechanism 300 is provided with a negative pressure outlet connected to the negative pressure adsorption hole.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the printing medium needs to be adjusted for flatness on the printing platform, the suction cup 310 is first extended out of the printing support surface 10, and then the flexible inclined edge 312 contacts the printing medium first. Then, the support pad 314 in the flat bottom 311 achieves a complete fit with the printing medium. Next, the suction cup 310 is retracted from the printing support surface 10, and the contact surface between the printing medium and the suction cup 310 is held in the same position by the inclined edge 312. At the same time, the negative pressure suction hole draws the printing medium onto the contact surface of the suction cup 310 through the negative pressure outlet, making it fit more tightly. Squeezing out the air in the contact surface helps to increase the adsorption force on the printing medium, preparing for the next step of stretching and flattening the printing medium. Since the printing medium is in contact with multiple suction cups 310 at the same time, the printing medium is evenly flattened on the entire printing support surface 10 through multiple contact surfaces.

[0039] A horizontal support plate 340 is provided below the suction cup 310. The horizontal support plate 340 is fixed below the printing support surface 10. A support hole 341 is provided at the position of each suction cup 310. The opening size of the support hole 341 is smaller than the maximum size of the suction cup mechanism 300. The suction cup 310 is located in the support hole 341. The connecting rod 320 passes through the support hole 341. When the connecting rod 320 drives the suction cup 310 to descend to the lowest point, the horizontal support plate 340 can support the suction cup 310 to return to a horizontal state.

[0040] In this embodiment, the horizontal support plate 340 is a circular plate with three support holes 341. The suction cup mechanism 300 moves up and down through the support holes 341. Due to the setting of the inclined plate edge 312, the diameter of the upper surface circle of the suction cup 310 is larger than the diameter of the flat plate bottom 311. Therefore, when the suction cup mechanism 300 retracts to its limit, the flat plate bottom 311 and the support holes 341 are on the same horizontal plane.

[0041] Below the suction cup 310, a stepped support surface 315 is provided. The stepped support surface 315 includes at least an upper support stage 3151 with a size larger than the support hole 341 and a lower support stage 3152 with a size smaller than the support hole 341. A horizontal support surface 316 is formed on the lower side of the upper support stage 3151. The distance d from the horizontal support surface 316 to the suction surface is less than the distance D from the horizontal support sheet 340 to the upper surface of the printing support surface 10.

[0042] In this embodiment, the upper support stage 3151 is frustum-shaped, and the lower support stage 3152 is flattened cylindrical. When the suction cup mechanism 300 is stationary, the suction cup 310 is located below the printing support surface 10 and does not protrude beyond the printing support surface; when the suction cup mechanism 300 is moving, the lower support stage 3152 can be fully inserted into or out of the support hole 341, while the upper support stage 3151 can only be partially inserted into or out of the support hole 341. The horizontal support surface 316 is the horizontal surface between the upper support stage 3151 and the lower support stage 3152. When the suction cup 310 rises, the horizontal support surface 316 is flush with the printing support surface 10; when the suction cup 310 descends, the horizontal support surface 316 is flush with the horizontal support piece 340.

[0043] The floating support 200 includes a lower lifting plate 210, an elastic support 220, and an upper floating plate 230. The lower lifting plate 210 is connected to the lifting mechanism 100 and supports the elastic support 220 to drive the upper floating plate 230 to move up and down. The upper floating plate 230 is also connected to several suction cup mechanisms 300, which drive the suction cup mechanisms 300 to rise and fall.

[0044] In this embodiment, the elastic support 220 is a spring used for buffering and energy storage; the upper floating plate 230 provides a mounting position for the suction cup mechanism 300, and the suction cup mechanisms 300 are evenly installed on the edge of the upper floating plate 230, with the angle between two adjacent suction cup mechanisms 300 on the upper floating plate 230 being 60°; the lower lifting plate 210 provides a mounting position for the spring of the elastic support 220 and provides it with stable support; the diameter of the upper floating plate 230 is larger than the diameter of the lower lifting plate 210, in order to increase the angular momentum of the suction cup mechanism 300; the lifting mechanism 100 includes a cylinder assembly, which can accurately, quickly, and reliably control the moving distance of the suction cup mechanism 300, helping to reduce the installation space and reduce the manufacturing cost of the printing platform.

[0045] A sliding rod 240 is vertically installed at the center of the lower lifting plate 210. The upper floating plate 230 has a through hole corresponding to the position of the sliding rod 240. A gap is maintained between the through hole and the sliding rod 240 so that the upper floating plate 230 has a tilting angle of no more than 3° relative to the sliding rod 240.

[0046] In this embodiment, the upper floating plate 230 passes through the slide rod 240 via the through hole, ensuring that the movement of the upper floating plate 230 and the slide rod 240 is synchronized. The slide rod 240 has a tilting angle of 3°, providing a certain tilting margin. When the slide rod 240 located in the middle of the upper floating plate 230 can tilt, the tilting range of the suction cup mechanism 300 located at the edge of the upper floating plate 230 is expanded, improving the flexibility of the suction cup 310 in multi-angle tilting.

[0047] Each adsorption unit 20 includes a limiting component 30, which is in the same column as the suction cup component 21. Each limiting component 30 has an equal Y-direction distance from the X-direction side of the printing support surface 10. The limiting component 30 includes a positioning hole 350 provided on the X-direction side of the printing support surface 10 and a lifting column 360 in the positioning hole 350. Each lifting column 360 extends synchronously on the printing support surface 10 or retracts synchronously under the printing support surface 10.

[0048] In this embodiment, the installation position of the limiting component 30 is very close to the X-direction side of the printing support surface 10 to minimize the reduction in the size of the printing support surface 10. The limiting component 30 on each adsorption unit 20 is in the same column as the opening corresponding to the suction cup component 21, so that the collision point and adsorption point of the printing medium and the limiting component 30 are on the same straight line. Each adsorption unit 20 includes a limiting component 30, and each limiting component 30 has an equal Y-direction distance from the X-direction side of the printing support surface 10, so that the printing medium is constrained to the same straight line by each limiting component 30. When the printing medium is conveyed to the printing support surface 10, the lifting column 360 rises from the positioning hole 350 to prevent the printing medium from leaving the printing range; after the printing medium is positioned, the lifting column 360 descends from the positioning hole 350 to avoid affecting the flatness of the printing medium.

[0049] The edge-finding assembly 40 includes a fixed base, a sliding base, a driving mechanism, a sensor assembly, and a position sensor. The driving mechanism pushes the sliding base to slide relative to the fixed base. The sensor assembly is mounted on the sliding base and slides accordingly. The position sensor is used to read the sliding position of the sliding base relative to the fixed base. The printing support surface 10 is provided with a straight through hole. The driving mechanism pushes the sliding base to drive the sensor assembly to slide along the straight through hole. The sensing direction of the sensor assembly passes through the straight through hole and is perpendicular to the printing support surface 10 and upwards.

[0050] In this embodiment, the printing medium determines the printing range after its edge is determined by the edge-finding component 40. The fixing seat is fixedly installed below the printing support surface 10. When the driving mechanism pushes the sliding seat to drive the sensor assembly to slide along the linear through hole, the sensing direction of the sensor assembly passes through the linear through hole and is perpendicular to the printing support surface 10 upward.

[0051] The edge-finding assembly 40 includes a linear guide rail, a sliding base, a drive motor, a reflective sensor assembly, and a displacement sensor. The sliding base slides along the linear guide rail, and the reflective sensor assembly is fixed on the sliding base and slides accordingly. The drive motor is connected to the linear guide rail via a synchronous belt mechanism. The synchronous belt mechanism includes an annular synchronous belt, a driving pulley, and a driven pulley. The driving pulley and the driven pulley are rotatably mounted at both ends of the linear guide rail. The drive motor drives the driving pulley to rotate, and the synchronous belt is sleeved on the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The sliding base is connected to the synchronous belt, and the displacement sensor is used to detect the sliding distance of the sliding base.

[0052] In this embodiment, the linear guide rail is installed below the printing support surface 10. When the drive motor drives the driving wheel to rotate, the synchronous belt drives the driven wheel to rotate. The sliding base connected to the synchronous belt slides along the linear guide rail, and the reflective sensor assembly fixed on the sliding base slides accordingly. The displacement sensor detects the sliding distance of the sliding base.

[0053] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the technical solution of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the specific implementation of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the claims of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printing platform, characterized in that, It includes a printing support surface, several adsorption units, several limiting components and an edge-finding component. The printing medium is driven along the Y direction of the printing support surface. Several adsorption units are arranged side by side along the X direction of the printing support surface. Several limiting components are distributed along the X direction of the printing support surface to limit the transmission of the printing medium. The edge-finding component is located on the side of the printing support surface in the Y direction to find the edge of the printing medium along the Z direction of the printing support surface. Each adsorption unit includes a suction hole mechanism and a suction cup assembly. The suction hole mechanism surrounds the suction cup assembly. The printing support surface has an opening corresponding to each suction cup assembly. Each suction cup assembly has an independent degree of freedom of tilting in the horizontal direction through a floating support. The suction cup assembly includes a lifting mechanism, a floating support, and a suction cup mechanism. The lifting mechanism drives the suction cup mechanism to rise and fall through the floating support. The suction cup mechanism includes 3-5 components. Each suction cup mechanism includes a suction cup, a connecting rod, and a rotating base. The rotating base is mounted on a floating support and is a ball joint structure. The adsorption surface is formed on the upper surface of the suction cup. The connecting rod is fixedly connected to the lower part of the suction cup, perpendicular to the adsorption surface, and its lower end is connected to the ball joint structure. The connecting rod of each suction cup mechanism has the same circumferential swing freedom relative to the vertical direction. The floating support includes a lower lifting plate, an elastic support, and an upper floating plate. The lower lifting plate is connected to the lifting mechanism and supports the elastic support to drive the upper floating plate to move up and down. The upper floating plate is also connected to several suction cup mechanisms, which drive the suction cup mechanisms to move up and down. A sliding rod is vertically installed at the center of the lower lifting plate, and a through hole is opened on the upper floating plate corresponding to the position of the sliding rod. A gap is maintained between the through hole and the sliding rod so that the upper floating plate has a tilting angle of no more than 3° relative to the sliding rod. A horizontal support plate is provided below the suction cup. The horizontal support plate is fixed below the printing support surface and has a support hole corresponding to the position of each suction cup. The opening size of the support hole is smaller than the maximum size of the suction cup mechanism. The suction cup is located in the support hole, and the connecting rod passes through the support hole. When the connecting rod drives the suction cup to descend to the lowest point, the horizontal support plate can support the suction cup to return to a horizontal state. The edge-finding assembly includes a fixed base, a sliding base, a drive mechanism, a sensor assembly, and a position sensor. The fixed base is fixedly installed below the printing support surface. The drive mechanism pushes the sliding base to slide relative to the fixed base. The sensor assembly is mounted on the sliding base and slides accordingly. The position sensor is used to read the sliding position of the sliding base relative to the fixed base. A straight through hole is provided on the printing support surface. The drive mechanism pushes the sliding base to drive the sensor assembly to slide along the straight through hole. The sensing direction of the sensor assembly passes through the straight through hole and is perpendicular to the printing support surface and upwards.

2. The printing platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction cup includes a flat bottom and a flexible inclined edge. The inclined edge surrounds the flat bottom. A negative pressure adsorption hole is provided in the middle of the flat bottom. Multiple support pads are distributed at intervals around the outer ring of the negative pressure adsorption hole. The upper surfaces of all support pads are on the same plane and are lower than the edge of the inclined edge. The suction cup mechanism is provided with a negative pressure outlet connected to the negative pressure adsorption hole.

3. The printing platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stepped support surface is provided below the suction cup. The stepped support surface includes at least an upper support stage with a size larger than the support hole and a lower support stage with a size smaller than the support hole. A horizontal support surface is formed on the lower side of the upper support stage. The distance d from the horizontal support surface to the suction surface is less than the distance D from the horizontal support sheet to the upper surface of the printing support surface.

4. The printing platform according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Each limiting component has an equal Y-direction distance to the X-direction side of the printing support surface. Each limiting component includes a positioning hole on the X-direction side of the printing support surface and a lifting column inside the positioning hole. Each lifting column extends synchronously out of the printing support surface or retracts synchronously under the printing support surface.

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