Printing units and printing systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a printing unit and a printing system. The printing unit includes a plurality of single needle assemblies, each of which includes: a vibration device and a spray needle connected to the vibration device, the vibration device is used to vibrate based on the received drive signal, the spray needle is used to spray the liquid to be sprayed based on the vibration of the vibration device, the needle tips of at least some of the multiple spray needles included in the multiple single needle assemblies extend in a direction of convergence, so that the needle tips of at least some of the spray needles converge to the path of the guide wind toward the object to be printed; and one or more liquid supply units are used to provide the liquid to be sprayed to each of the multiple spray needles. The present disclosure can efficiently complete special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to digital printing, and in particular, to a printing unit and a printing system. Background Art

[0002] In traditional printing units, the nozzles are arranged in a linear pattern. For example, multiple nozzles are formed into a nozzle array, and ink is sprayed through the entire array of nozzles. However, some spraying tasks have circular target images, or the spraying tasks involve micro-spraying scenarios. Traditional linear nozzle array printing units usually use a scanning or one-pass printing path, making it difficult to complete special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenarios with high quality and efficiency.

[0003] In summary, the shortcomings of traditional printing units are that the linearly arranged needle array can complete special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes with high quality and efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a printing unit and a printing system, which can efficiently complete special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a printing unit is provided, which includes a plurality of single-needle assemblies, each of which includes: a vibration device and a spray needle connected to the vibration device, the vibration device being configured to vibrate based on a received drive signal, the spray needle being configured to spray a liquid to be sprayed based on the vibration of the vibration device, the needle tips of at least some of the plurality of spray needles included in the plurality of single-needle assemblies extending in a direction of converging with each other, so that the needle tips of at least some of the spray needles converge onto a path of guide wind toward an object to be printed; and one or more liquid supply units being configured to provide the liquid to be sprayed to each of the plurality of spray needles.

[0006] In some embodiments, the printing unit also includes: a guide wind providing unit for outputting guide wind toward the object to be printed, and the guide wind providing unit is configured so that the output guide wind converges or disperses the spray liquid of the multiple needle tips, so that the converged or dispersed spray liquid is sprayed onto the surface of the object to be printed.

[0007] In some embodiments, the guide wind providing unit is an annular wind knife, the guide wind is a conical airflow ring, and the guide wind providing unit includes: an annular portion, an annular cavity is provided inside the annular portion; an air duct, the air duct is defined by the inner wall of the annular portion; an air inlet channel, the inlet of the air inlet channel is provided on the outer wall of the annular portion, and the air inlet channel is configured to be connected with the annular cavity; and a slit, connecting the annular cavity and the air duct, for providing the airflow in the annular cavity to the air duct.

[0008] In some embodiments, the air duct includes: a first air duct section, a second air duct section and a third air duct section, the diameter of the first air duct section is larger than the diameter of the third air duct section, the second air duct section is configured as a transition section between the first air duct section and the second air duct section, and the diameter of the second air duct section gradually decreases along the longitudinal extension direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the annular portion defining the second air duct section is a smooth curved surface, and a starting portion of the curved surface is located at the outlet of the slit, so as to guide the airflow output from the outlet of the slit.

[0010] In some embodiments, the annular portion includes at least a first annular portion and a second annular portion, and the slit is defined by a portion of a lower surface of the first annular portion and a portion of an upper surface of the second annular portion.

[0011] Multiple single-needle assembly fixing parts are used to respectively fix the corresponding single-needle assemblies, and each single-needle assembly fixing part includes: a main body part, used to fix the single needle assembly on the mounting frame; a spray needle mounting part, used to fix the spray needle of the corresponding single needle assembly; and a side extension part, and the space defined by the side extension part and the inner wall of the main body part is used to fix at least the vibration device and circuit board assembly of the corresponding single needle assembly. In some embodiments, the printing unit also includes:

[0012] In some embodiments, the side extension further includes a slot for coupling with an electrode contact portion of a corresponding single needle assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the nozzle mounting portion includes a nozzle mounting channel for limiting the nozzle, and the nozzle mounting channel forms a preset angle with the horizontal plane, so that each nozzle limited by the nozzle mounting channel forms a preset angle with the horizontal plane.

[0014] In some embodiments, the printing unit further includes: a mounting frame, which is used to be fixed to the printing unit bracket and to support multiple single needle assembly fixing parts and a guide air providing unit, and the mounting frame is configured as a ring structure, a U-shaped structure, or a polygonal structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the liquid supply unit includes a constant flow liquid supply device, and each of the multiple liquid supply units provides the liquid to be sprayed to the nozzle needle in the corresponding single needle assembly via a liquid supply pipe, or a liquid supply unit provides the liquid to be sprayed to the multiple nozzle needles included in the multiple single needle assemblies via a distribution valve, a constant flow liquid supply device and multiple liquid supply pipes.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided, which includes: one or more printing units according to the first aspect; and a printing unit bracket for supporting the one or more printing units.

[0017] In some embodiments, the printing system further comprises: a vertical motion component for driving the printing unit bracket and the printing unit to move in the vertical direction based on the received control instruction about the spraying height; and a horizontal motion component for driving the vertical motion component, the printing unit bracket and the printing unit to move in the horizontal direction based on the received control instruction about performing the scanning mode spraying operation.

[0018] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a printing system equipped with a printing unit according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 2A A schematic front view of a printing unit in an installed state according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0021] Figure 2B A bottom view of a printing unit in an installed state according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 3A A schematic front cross-sectional view of a guide wind providing unit according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 3B A schematic top view of a guide wind providing unit according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating a single needle assembly fixing portion in an uninstalled state according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 5 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of a fixing portion of a single needle assembly in an installed state according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 6A Schematic diagrams of oblique top views of printing units according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0027] Figure 6B Schematic top views of printing units according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0028] Figure 6C Schematic front views of printing units according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0029] In the various drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0031] As used herein, the term "including" and its variations represent open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to." Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or." The term "based on" means "based at least in part on." The terms "one example embodiment" and "an embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment." The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment." The terms "first," "second," etc. may refer to different or identical objects.

[0032] As described above, in traditional printing units, the linear arrangement of the nozzles and the scanning or one-pass printing methods make it difficult to complete special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes with high quality and efficiency.

[0033] In order to at least partially solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems and other potential problems, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention proposes a printing unit, by making the printing unit include a plurality of single needle assemblies, and making the needle tips of at least some of the multiple needles included in the multiple single needle assemblies extend in a direction of convergence with each other, the convergent arrangement of the needle tips of the present invention makes the pattern sprayed on the object to be sprayed circular, so the present invention can be better applied to special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes. In addition, by making the needle tips of the spray needles converge on the path of the guide wind, the amount of liquid sprayed per unit area of ​​the present invention can be larger than that of the linear arrangement, so the present invention can complete special printing tasks more efficiently. Therefore, the present invention can complete special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes with high quality and high efficiency.

[0034] The following combination Figure 1 The printing system 100 in which the printing unit is installed is exemplarily described. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a printing system 100 equipped with a printing unit 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The printing system 100 includes a printing unit bracket 210, one or more printing units 200, a vertical motion assembly 114, a lateral motion assembly 112, a support platform 116 for an object to be sprayed, a longitudinal guide rail 120, an operating platform 118, and a support frame 110. Figure 1 FIG schematically shows that the printing system 100 includes a printing unit 200. In some embodiments, the printing unit 200 can be a printing module. The printing system 100 can include multiple printing units 200, that is, multiple printing modules.

[0035] The printing unit bracket 210 is used to support the printing unit 200. The printing unit bracket 210 is connected to the vertical motion assembly 114 via a first sliding unit (not shown), for example.

[0036] The vertical motion assembly 114 is configured to control the first sliding unit to move vertically based on a received control instruction regarding the spraying height (e.g., output from a control device (not shown)), thereby driving the printing unit bracket 210 and the printing unit 200 to move vertically, thereby adjusting the height from the support platform 116 of the object to be sprayed. The vertical motion assembly 114 is connected to the lateral motion assembly 112, for example, via a second sliding unit (not shown).

[0037] Regarding the lateral motion component 112, it is used to control the second sliding unit to move in the horizontal direction based on the control instructions received (for example, the output from the control device, the control device is not shown) about scanning spraying, thereby driving the vertical motion component 114, the printing unit bracket 210 and the printing unit 200 to move in the horizontal direction.

[0038] The object support platform 116 is used to place the object to be sprayed and is installed on the longitudinal guide rail 120 via a longitudinal sliding device, so that the object support platform 116 drives the object to be sprayed to move longitudinally along the longitudinal guide rail 120.

[0039] Regarding the support frame 110 , it is used to support structures such as the vertical motion component 114 and the lateral motion component 112 .

[0040] Regarding the printing unit 200, it is used to spray the liquid to be sprayed onto the object to be printed. The printing unit 200 includes a plurality of single needle assemblies and one or more liquid supply units. Each single needle assembly includes at least a vibration device and a spray needle. In some embodiments, each single needle assembly includes at least a circuit board assembly for generating a drive signal. The spray needle is arranged on the edge of the vibration device. The vibration device is used to vibrate based on the received drive signal. The spray needle is used to spray the liquid to be sprayed based on the vibration of the vibration device. The needle tips of at least some of the multiple spray needles included in the multiple single needle assemblies extend in a direction of converging with each other, so that the needle tips of at least some of the spray needles converge on the path of the guide wind toward the object to be printed. One or more liquid supply units are used to provide the liquid to be sprayed to each of the multiple spray needles.

[0041] The liquid supply unit comprises at least a liquid supply tube, a constant-flow liquid supply device, and a liquid storage unit. In some embodiments, each of the multiple liquid supply units provides liquid to be sprayed to the corresponding spray needle in the single-needle assembly via a liquid supply tube. In other embodiments, a single liquid supply unit provides liquid to be sprayed to multiple spray needles included in multiple single-needle assemblies via a distribution valve, a constant-flow liquid supply device, and multiple liquid supply tubes. The liquid supply tube is connected to the spray needle included in the single-needle assembly to supply the liquid to be sprayed to the spray needle.

[0042] By adopting the above-mentioned solution, each printing unit includes multiple single needle assemblies, and the tips of at least some of the multiple needles included in the multiple single needle assemblies extend in a direction of convergence. The convergent arrangement of the needle tips of the present invention makes the pattern sprayed on the object to be sprayed circular, so the present invention can be better applied to special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes. In addition, by converging the needle tips of the spray needles on the path of the guide wind, the amount of liquid sprayed per unit area of ​​the present invention can be larger than that of the linear arrangement. Therefore, the present invention can complete special printing tasks more efficiently. Therefore, the present invention can complete special printing tasks such as circular patterns or micro-spraying scenes with high quality and high efficiency.

[0043] The following combination Figure 2A and 2B The structural details of the printing unit are illustrated by way of example. Figure 2A A schematic front view of a printing unit in an installed state according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 2B FIG2 shows a bottom view of a printing unit in an installed state according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the printing unit 200 is mounted on a printing unit bracket 210. In some embodiments, the printing unit 200 includes, for example, a plurality of single needle assemblies (for example, but not limited to, six), a plurality of corresponding single needle assembly fixing portions 400 (for example, but not limited to, six), a guide air supply unit 300, a mounting frame 220, and one or more liquid supply units.

[0044] The mounting frame 220 is secured to the printing unit bracket 210 and supports the multiple single needle assembly fixing portions 400 and the guide air supply unit 300. The mounting frame 220 includes multiple liquid supply tube passages 232, providing passageways for each of the multiple liquid supply tubes 230. The mounting frame 220 also includes multiple assembly connection portions 234, which are used to secure the multiple single needle assembly fixing portions 400 to the mounting frame 220. The mounting frame 220 also includes a bracket mounting portion 212, which secures the printing unit bracket 210 to the mounting frame 220.

[0045] Each single needle assembly 200 includes a vibration device 224 and a spray needle 222 disposed at the edge of the vibration device. The vibration device 224 is configured to vibrate based on a received drive signal, and the spray needle 222 is configured to spray the liquid to be sprayed, provided by the liquid supply tube, based on the vibration of the vibration device. Each single needle assembly 200 also includes a circuit board assembly 226 for generating a drive signal. For example, the vibration device 224 is a metal plate with a piezoelectric material unit on one side. Under the control of the drive signal, the piezoelectric material unit drives the metal plate to move, thereby causing the spray needle 222 to vibrate, and thus causing the liquid to be printed to be sprayed from the spray needle 222. The circuit board assembly 226 is configured to generate a drive signal. The drive signal is, for example, a pulse signal.

[0046] Regarding the guide wind providing unit 300, it is used to output guide wind toward the object to be printed. The guide wind providing unit 300 includes at least an annular portion, an air duct (mark 316 indicates the outlet of the air duct), an air inlet channel 308, and a slit (not shown in Figure 2). An annular cavity (not shown in Figure 2) is provided inside the annular portion. The air duct is defined by the inner wall of the annular portion. The inlet of the air inlet channel 308 is provided on the outer wall of the annular portion, and the air inlet channel is configured to communicate with the annular cavity. The slit connects the annular cavity and the air duct, and is used to provide the airflow in the annular cavity to the air duct. As can be seen from Figure 2, the outlet 316 of the air duct is provided above the point where the needle tips of the spray needles of multiple single-needle assemblies converge, so that the guide wind toward the object to be printed outputted through the outlet 316 of the air duct will guide the liquid to be sprayed sprayed by the needle tip of the spray needle to the object to be printed.

[0047] Regarding the single needle assembly fixing portion 400, it is used to fix the corresponding single needle assembly respectively. The single needle assembly fixing portion 400 includes a main body, a spray needle mounting portion 406, and a side extension portion 404. The main body is used to fix the single needle assembly on the mounting frame 220. The spray needle mounting portion 406 is used to fix the spray needle of the corresponding single needle assembly. The space defined by the side extension portion 404 and the inner wall of the main body is used to fix at least the vibration device 224 and the circuit board assembly 226 of the corresponding single needle assembly. In some embodiments, the space defined by the side extension portion 404 and the inner wall of the main body is also used to fix the insulating block (not shown in Figure 2). The side extension portion 40C also includes a slot, which is used to snap into the electrode contact portion of the corresponding single needle assembly. The spray needle mounting portion 406 is located below the main body. The spray needle mounting portion 406 includes a spray needle mounting channel for limiting the spray needle 222. The spray needle mounting channel is at a preset angle to the horizontal plane, so that each spray needle limited by the spray needle mounting channel is at a preset angle to the horizontal plane. Each spray needle 222 is connected to a corresponding liquid supply pipe 230. The liquid supply pipe 230 is used to supply the spray needle 222 with liquid to be sprayed.

[0048] The following combination Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe structural details of the guide wind providing unit are exemplarily described. Figure 3A A schematic front cross-sectional view of a guide wind providing unit according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 3B FIG2 shows a schematic top view of a guide wind providing unit according to some embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that: Figure 3A The upper right corner of the figure is a partial enlarged view of the box area indicated by mark 340. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the guide wind providing unit is, for example, an annular wind knife, and the guide wind output by the guide wind providing unit is, for example, a conical airflow ring. The guide wind providing unit includes: a first annular portion 302, a second annular portion 304, and a tubular portion 306. In some embodiments, the first annular portion 302, the second annular portion 304, and the tubular portion 306 are integrally formed and arranged in sequence from top to bottom. In some embodiments, the second annular portion 304 and the tubular portion 306 are integrally formed. A through air duct is provided at the center of the first annular portion 302, the second annular portion 304, and the tubular portion 306. The second annular portion 304 also includes an air inlet channel 308, an annular cavity 320, and one or more mounting holes.

[0049] The through-going air duct includes at least a first air duct section 310, a second air duct section 312, and a third air duct section 314, which are arranged in sequence. The first air duct section 310 is a cylindrical space located in the center of the first annular portion 302. This cylindrical space is defined by the inner wall of the first annular portion 302. The second air duct section 312 is defined by a starting portion 330 of the inner wall of the second annular portion 304. This starting portion 330 is configured to have a smooth curvature to guide air entering the second air duct section 312. This smooth curvature allows the diameter of the second air duct section 312 to gradually decrease to the same diameter as the third air duct section 314. The third air duct section 314 is defined by a vertically extending portion 334 of the inner wall of the second annular portion 304 and the inner wall of the tubular portion 306.

[0050] As for the air inlet passage 308 , it starts from the outer side wall of the second annular portion 304 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the wind channel until it communicates with the annular cavity 320 .

[0051] The annular cavity 320 is disposed within the second annular portion 304 and concentrically with the second air duct section 312. The annular cavity 320 communicates with the air inlet passage 308. The annular cavity 320 also communicates with the second air duct section 312 via a slit 332 disposed between the first annular portion 302 and the second annular portion 304. This allows gas from the air inlet passage 308 to enter the second air duct section 312 after passing through the annular cavity 320 and the slit 332. The gas is then guided through the starting portion 330 into the third air duct section 314, ultimately exiting the air duct outlet 316. In some embodiments, the guided air exiting the air duct outlet 316 is a conical airflow ring.

[0052] The slit 332 is defined by a portion of the lower surface of the first annular portion 302 and a portion of the upper surface of the second annular portion 304 .

[0053] The following combination Figure 4 The structural details of the single needle assembly fixing unit are exemplified. Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a single needle assembly fixing portion 400 in an unmounted state according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the single needle assembly fixing portion 400 includes a main body 402, a side extension portion 404, a needle mounting portion 406, an electrode mounting slot 410, a guide air supply unit mounting hole 424, and a bracket mounting hole 422. The single needle assembly fixing portion 400 is, for example, an integral structure made of a metal (e.g., copper).

[0054] The main body 402 includes a needle mounting portion 406 for mounting a needle and an insulating plate mounting hole 408. The needle mounting portion 406 has a needle mounting slot 408 for retaining the needle. The needle mounting slot 408 extends through both the inner and outer walls of the needle mounting portion 406 and forms a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane, ensuring that each needle mounted through the needle mounting slot 408 forms a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The insulating plate mounting hole 408 is used to mount an insulating plate.

[0055] Regarding the side extension portion 404, it is extended from the side of the main body 402. The side extension portion 404 includes: a first side 434 adjacent to the inner wall 430 of the main body 402 and forming a first angle (for example, 90°), a second side 434 adjacent to the outer wall 432 of the main body 402 and forming a second angle (for example, 90°), and a third side 436. The third side 436 forms an acute angle with the second side 434 (or the extension surface of the three side surfaces forms an acute angle with the extension surface of the second side surface). By making the third side 436 form an acute angle with the second side 434, the present invention can save the overall material of the single needle assembly while providing more avoidance space for the convergence of the spray needles. The space defined by the inner wall 430 of the main body 402 and the second side 434 is used to accommodate the single needle assembly, the insulating plate, and the circuit board assembly arranged in sequence. One end of the circuit board assembly is electrically connected to the electrode contact. The electrode contacts are used to provide control signals to the circuit board assembly, which in turn generates a drive signal that is applied to the vibrating device in the single-needle assembly, causing the vibrating device to vibrate, thereby causing the liquid to be sprayed from the spray needle tip connected to the vibrating device. Furthermore, the side extension 404 also has a slot 410. Slot 410 is used to snap onto the electrode contact portion (not shown) of the single-needle assembly, allowing for convenient assembly and disassembly, thereby electrically connecting the electrode contact portion to the single-needle assembly fixing portion 400.

[0056] The following combination Figure 5 The single needle assembly fixing unit in the installed state is exemplified. Figure 5 FIG2 shows a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a single needle assembly fixing portion in an installed state according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the single needle assembly fixing portion 400 is, for example, a conductor and is connected to the negative electrode of the drive signal (or ground). Figure 5 As shown, the slot 410 of the side extension 404 of the single needle assembly fixing portion 400 is coupled to the electrode contact portion 440 (for example, the electrode contact portion 440 is snapped into the interior of the slot 410). The electrode contact 440 abuts against one side of the vibration device, thereby electrically connecting one side of the vibration device 224 to the side extension 404 of the single needle assembly fixing portion 400. The other side of the vibration device 224 is electrically contacted with the elastic contact 442, which is connected to the positive terminal of the drive signal output by the circuit board assembly 226. As a result, the drive signal output by the circuit board assembly 226 is applied to the piezoelectric element included in the vibration device 224, thereby driving the vibration device 224 to vibrate, thereby causing the spray needle to resonate and output the liquid to be sprayed. The other side of the circuit board assembly 226 is connected to the control signal input terminal 444 via a gasket.

[0057] By adopting the above method, the present invention can conveniently apply a driving signal to each vibration device.

[0058] The following combination Figures 6A to 6CThe printing units of other embodiments are exemplified. Figure 6A Schematic diagrams of oblique top views of printing units according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0059] Figure 6B Schematic top views of printing units according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 6C Schematic front views of printing units according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0060] like Figure 6A As shown, the printing unit 500 includes a plurality of single needle assemblies, a mounting frame 520, a liquid supply unit 528, a circuit board assembly mounting plate 525, and a circuit board assembly (not shown).

[0061] Each of the plurality of single needle assemblies includes a vibrating device (not shown) and a spray needle connected to the vibrating device (e.g., indicated by reference numeral 522). The vibrating device and spray needle of each single needle assembly are fixed to corresponding mounting positions on the mounting frame 520, for example.

[0062] Regarding the mounting frame 520, it is used to mount at least a plurality of single needle assemblies. In some embodiments, the mounting frame 520 is also used to secure the liquid supply unit 528 and the circuit board assembly mounting plate 525. The mounting frame 520 can be configured as a non-linear structure, such as a U-shape, a semicircular shape, etc. Figures 6A to 6C The example of the mounting frame 520 being a U-shaped structure is shown, but it should be understood that other non-linear structures, such as closed-loop or non-closed-loop shapes, should also be included in the scope of protection of the present invention. Figure 6A As shown, the mounting frame 520 includes, for example, a curved region and a straight region. It should be understood that the curved region and the straight region may be integrally formed or assembled from multiple sub-regions. The first portion of the spray needle 522-1 (e.g., Figure 6B The needle tips of the second portion of the spray needle 522-2 (shown as FIG) are extended in directions converging with each other, and the straight area of ​​the mounting frame supports the second portion of the spray needle 522-2 (shown as FIG). Figure 6B The needle tips of the nozzles are extended in parallel with each other so that the needle tips converge on the path of the guide wind toward the object to be printed. Figures 6A to 6C The tips of some of the multiple needles included in the multiple single needle assemblies of the exemplary printing unit 500 extend in directions that converge with each other. Figures 6A to 6C In the exemplary printing unit 500, all the nozzles are arranged on the same plane. It should be understood that the nozzles of the printing unit are not limited to being arranged on the same plane. For example, the staggered arrangement of the nozzles in the upper and lower or left and right spaces should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0063] Regarding the liquid supply unit 528, it is used to provide each spray needle with liquid to be sprayed. In some embodiments, the liquid supply unit 528 is fixed to the lower part of the mounting frame 520. The liquid supply unit 528 includes a receiving chamber and a liquid inlet and outlet joint 527. Figures 6A to 6C As shown, the liquid inlet and outlet joint 527 extends upward from the upper surface of the mounting frame 520. It should be understood that the interior of the liquid inlet and outlet joint 527 is connected to the accommodating chamber of the liquid supply unit 528 for inputting the liquid to be sprayed into the accommodating chamber or outputting the liquid to be sprayed from the accommodating chamber.

[0064] Regarding the circuit board assembly mounting plate 525, it is used to secure the corresponding circuit board assembly of each single-needle assembly. Each circuit board assembly is used to provide a drive signal to the vibration device included in the corresponding single-needle assembly. Each circuit board assembly also includes outwardly extending pins 526 for connecting to an external driver board.

[0065] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the above description is intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive, and not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

[0066] The terms used in this document are selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications or technical improvements in the market, or to enable other ordinary technicians in this technical field to understand the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0067] The above are merely optional embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present disclosure may be modified and varied in various ways. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, and the like made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall be included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A printing unit, characterized in that: include: a plurality of single needle assemblies, each single needle assembly comprising: a vibrating device and a nozzle connected to the vibrating device, the vibrating device being configured to vibrate based on a received drive signal, the nozzle being configured to eject a liquid to be sprayed based on the vibration of the vibrating device, the nozzle tips of at least some of the nozzle tips of the plurality of nozzles included in the plurality of single needle assemblies extending in a direction converging with each other so that the nozzle tips of at least some of the nozzle tips converge on a path of guide air directed toward an object to be printed; and One or more liquid supply units, configured to supply liquid to be sprayed to each of the plurality of spray needles; The printing unit further includes: a guide wind providing unit for outputting guide wind toward the object to be printed, the guide wind providing unit is an annular wind knife, and the guide wind providing unit includes: an annular portion, wherein an annular cavity is provided inside the annular portion; and The air duct is defined by the inner wall of the annular portion, and the outlet of the air duct is arranged above the point where the needle tips of the spray needles of the multiple single needle assemblies converge.

2. The printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide wind providing unit is configured to enable the output guide wind to converge or disperse the liquid sprayed from the multiple needle tips, so that the converged or dispersed liquid spray is sprayed onto the surface of the object to be printed.

3. The printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide wind is a conical airflow ring, and the guide wind providing unit further includes: an air inlet passage, the inlet of the air inlet passage being provided on the outer wall of the annular portion, the air inlet passage being configured to communicate with the annular cavity; and The slit communicates the annular cavity and the air duct, and is used for providing the airflow in the annular cavity to the air duct.

4. The printing unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The air duct includes: a first air duct section, a second air duct section and a third air duct section. The diameter of the first air duct section is larger than the diameter of the third air duct section. The second air duct section is configured as a transition section between the first air duct section and the second air duct section. The diameter of the second air duct section gradually decreases along the longitudinal extension direction.

5. The printing unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner wall of the annular portion defining the second air duct section is a smooth curved surface, and the starting portion of the curved surface is located at the outlet of the slit, so as to guide the airflow output from the outlet of the slit.

6. The printing unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The annular portion includes at least a first annular portion and a second annular portion, and the slit is defined by a portion of a lower surface of the first annular portion and a portion of an upper surface of the second annular portion.

7. The printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a plurality of single needle assembly fixing parts for fixing corresponding single needle assemblies, each single needle assembly fixing part includes: a main body portion, used to fix the single needle assembly on the mounting frame; A spray needle mounting portion, used to fix the spray needle of the corresponding single needle assembly; and The side extension portion and the space defined by the side extension portion and the inner wall of the main body portion are used to fix at least the vibration device and the circuit board assembly of the corresponding single needle assembly.

8. The printing unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: The side extension further includes a slot for coupling with an electrode contact portion of a corresponding single needle assembly.

9. The printing unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: The nozzle needle mounting portion includes a nozzle needle mounting channel for limiting the nozzle needle, and the nozzle needle mounting channel forms a preset angle with the horizontal plane, so that each nozzle needle limited by the nozzle needle mounting channel forms a preset angle with the horizontal plane.

10. The printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The mounting frame is used to be fixed to the printing unit bracket and to support multiple single needle assembly fixing parts and the guide air providing unit. The mounting frame is configured as a ring structure, a U-shaped structure, or a polygonal structure.

11. The printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid supply unit includes a constant-flow liquid supply device, and each of the multiple liquid supply units provides liquid to be sprayed to the spray needle in the corresponding single-needle assembly via a liquid supply pipe, or one liquid supply unit provides liquid to be sprayed to the multiple spray needles included in multiple single-needle assemblies via a distribution valve, a constant-flow liquid supply device and multiple liquid supply pipes.

12. A printing system, characterized in that: The printing system includes: One or more printing units according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and The printing unit bracket is used to support one or more printing units.

13. The printing system according to claim 12, characterized in that: Also includes: A vertical motion component, configured to drive the printing unit bracket and the printing unit to move in a vertical direction based on a received control instruction regarding the spraying height; as well as The horizontal motion component is used to drive the vertical motion component, the printing unit bracket and the printing unit to move in the horizontal direction based on the received control instruction for executing the scanning mode spraying operation.

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