A cleaning system for a 3D printing head

Abstract

The application provides a cleaning system for a 3D printing head, which comprises first, second and third cleaning devices with the same structure, the first cleaning device comprises a mounting position, a liquid receiving disc arranged at the bottom of the mounting position, a liquid storage tank connected in circulation between the mounting position and the liquid receiving disc, and the printing head is detachably connected in the mounting position; one side of the liquid receiving disc in the first cleaning device is provided with a droplet observation instrument, and the liquid receiving disc in the third cleaning device is connected with an ultrasonic cleaning device; the printing head is sequentially mounted into the first, second and third cleaning devices for multi-stage circulation cleaning, and the initial ink jetting state is recorded through the droplet observation instrument; the printing head is mounted into the second / first cleaning device to remove the cleaning liquid of the third / second cleaning device remaining in the printing head, the ink jetting state after cleaning is recorded through the droplet observation instrument, and the initial ink jetting state and the ink jetting state after cleaning are compared; and the cleaning effect of the printing head is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of inkjet printing equipment, and in particular to a cleaning system for a 3D printing head. Background Art

[0002] Inkjet 3D printheads are core consumable components used in custom inkjet 3D printing equipment. They are complex and expensive. Within a printhead are numerous tiny nozzles, typically 512 or 1024 in number, with each nozzle ranging in diameter from tens to hundreds of microns. Because of their tiny diameter, these nozzles are easily clogged by large ink particle aggregates, making it difficult for the nozzles to dispense ink and ultimately clogging the entire printhead.

[0003] The current cleaning method for inkjet 3D print heads mainly uses cleaning solvents such as purified water. The cleaning solvent in a syringe is manually poured into the interior of the print head and then squeezed out from the print head's nozzle. However, for large particle agglomerates that have adhered to the inner wall of the print head nozzle, the cleaning effect is greatly reduced and difficult to completely remove, resulting in the print head being scrapped. This method is also labor-intensive and time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning system for a 3D printing head, which improves the cleaning effect of the printing head.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a cleaning system for a 3D print head, comprising a first cleaning device, a second cleaning device, and a third cleaning device having identical structures. The first cleaning device comprises a mounting position and a liquid receiving tray disposed at the bottom of the mounting position. A liquid storage tank is circulated between the mounting position and the liquid receiving tray, and the print head is detachably connected to the mounting position so that cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank enters the print head for circulated cleaning. Cleaning liquid dripping from the nozzle of the print head to the liquid receiving tray circulates back to the liquid storage tank. An ink droplet observation instrument is provided on one side of the liquid receiving tray in the first cleaning device, and an ultrasonic cleaning device is connected to the liquid receiving tray in the third cleaning device.

[0006] The print head is sequentially installed in the first cleaning device, the second cleaning device, and the third cleaning device for multi-stage cycle cleaning, and the initial ink jetting state is recorded by an ink droplet observation instrument;

[0007] The print head is then installed in the second cleaning device to remove the cleaning liquid of the third cleaning device remaining in the print head;

[0008] The print head is installed in the first cleaning device to remove the cleaning liquid of the second cleaning device remaining in the print head. At the same time, the inkjet state after cleaning is recorded by the ink droplet observer, and the initial inkjet state and the inkjet state after cleaning are compared.

[0009] Further, the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning device is an ethanol solution with a concentration of 99%, the cleaning liquid in the second cleaning device is an acetone solution with a concentration of 99%, and the cleaning liquid in the third cleaning device is a citric acid solution with a concentration of 50%.

[0010] Further, the first cleaning device further comprises a first pipeline connected between the liquid inlet of the storage tank and the mounting position, a second pipeline connected between the liquid outlet of the storage tank and the mounting position, and a third pipeline connected between the liquid outlet of the liquid receiving disc and the storage tank, so that when the first pipeline and the second pipeline are enabled, the cleaning liquid is used to perform cyclic cleaning on the print head, and when the first pipeline is enabled and the second pipeline is disabled, the cleaning liquid is used to perform cyclic cleaning on the nozzle of the print head.

[0011] Further, a filter is arranged on the second pipeline.

[0012] Further, a valve for controlling the opening and closing state of the pipeline is arranged on the first pipeline and the second pipeline.

[0013] Further, an air supply device is connected to the side of the storage tank, and a pressure regulating valve is arranged between the air supply device and the storage tank.

[0014] Further, an ink jet control device is connected to the mounting position, so that when the print head is mounted on the mounting position, the ink jet control device controls the ink jet state of the print head.

[0015] Further, a liquid inlet is arranged on the side of the storage tank.

[0016] Further, a pressure gauge is arranged on the storage tank and the first pipeline.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: the print head to be cleaned is sequentially mounted into the corresponding mounting position according to the sequence of the first cleaning device, the second cleaning device, the third cleaning device, the second cleaning device and the first cleaning device, so that the print head is sequentially subjected to cyclic cleaning by the first cleaning device, the second cleaning device and the third cleaning device, and during the cleaning process, the print head and the nozzle of the print head can be cleaned respectively, thereby improving the overall cleaning effect of the print head, and when the print head is cleaned by the third cleaning device, ultrasonic cleaning can be performed in cooperation with the ultrasonic cleaning device, thereby effectively improving the cleaning capacity of the third cleaning device, and then the residual cleaning liquid of the third cleaning device / second cleaning device in the print head is sequentially flushed by the second cleaning device and the first cleaning device, thereby avoiding the problem that the residual cleaning liquid in the print head causes subsequent ink jet failure, and because the ink drop observation instrument records the initial ink jet state and the ink jet state after cleaning, the user can clearly compare the ink jet states before and after cleaning by comparing the two records, and then observe whether the cleaning is complete. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the first cleaning device in the present application.

[0019] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the second cleaning device in the present application.

[0020] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the third cleaning device in the present application.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the cleaning process of the present application.

[0022] Reference signs: 1, mounting position; 2, liquid receiving tray; 3, liquid storage tank; 4, print head; 5, ink drop observation instrument; 6, ultrasonic cleaning equipment; 7, first pipeline; 8, second pipeline; 9, third pipeline; 10, filter; 11, valve; 12, air supply equipment; 13, pressure regulating valve; 14, ink jet control equipment; 15, liquid filling port; 16, pressure gauge; 17, air source triad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0024] Those skilled in the art should understand that in the disclosure of the present application, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, therefore the above terms cannot be understood as a limitation of the present application.

[0025] It can be understood that the term "one" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more", that is, in one embodiment, the number of one element can be one, and in another embodiment, the number of the element can be multiple, and the term "one" cannot be understood as a limitation on the number.

[0026] As Figures 1-4The utility model provides a kind of cleaning system for 3D printing head, including first cleaning device, second cleaning device and third cleaning device of identical structure, the first cleaning device includes installation site 1, liquid receiving tray 2 in the bottom of installation site 1, and storage tank 3 is circularly connected between installation site 1 and liquid receiving tray 2, and printing head 4 is detachably connected in installation site 1, to make the cleaning fluid in storage tank 3 enter printing head 4 and carry out circulation cleaning, and the cleaning fluid that printing head 4 orifice place drops to liquid receiving tray 2 circulates to storage tank 3;The liquid receiving tray 2 side in the first cleaning device is provided with ink drop observation instrument 5, and the liquid receiving tray 2 in the third cleaning device is connected with ultrasonic cleaning equipment 6;

[0027] Printing head 4 is installed into first cleaning device, second cleaning device and third cleaning device in turn for multi-stage circulation cleaning, and initial ink ejection state is recorded by ink drop observation instrument 5;

[0028] Subsequently, printing head 4 is installed into second cleaning device for removing the cleaning fluid of third cleaning device remaining in printing head 4;

[0029] Printing head 4 is installed into first cleaning device for removing the cleaning fluid of second cleaning device remaining in printing head 4, and ink ejection state after cleaning is recorded by ink drop observation instrument 5, and initial ink ejection state and ink ejection state after cleaning are compared.

[0030] The printing head to be cleaned is installed into corresponding installation site in the order of first cleaning device, second cleaning device, third cleaning device, second cleaning device and first cleaning device, so that printing head is subjected to circulation cleaning by first cleaning device, second cleaning device and third cleaning device in turn, and printing head and printing head orifice can be cleaned respectively during cleaning process, to improve overall cleaning effect of printing head, and ultrasonic cleaning can be carried out in cooperation with ultrasonic cleaning equipment when third cleaning device cleans printing head, to effectively improve cleaning capacity of third cleaning device, and then third cleaning device cleaning fluid / second cleaning device cleaning fluid remaining in printing head is flushed by second cleaning device and first cleaning device in turn, to avoid the problem that subsequent ink ejection fails due to cleaning fluid remaining in printing head, and since ink drop observation instrument records initial ink ejection state and ink ejection state after cleaning respectively, user can clearly compare ink ejection state before and after cleaning by comparing two records, to observe whether cleaning is complete.

[0031] Among them, the print head is detachably connected to the mounting position, and the liquid inlet / liquid outlet at the mounting position corresponds to the liquid inlet / liquid outlet at the print head, so that when the print head is installed at the mounting position, the print head can take in liquid through the liquid inlet of the mounting position and discharge liquid through the liquid outlet of the mounting position; and the detachable connection method between the print head and the mounting position can be adopted by snap-in, plug-in and other methods.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present solution, the ink droplet observer may use a high-speed camera to capture the state of the print head when ejecting ink through high-speed photography, and then detect whether there is ink failure through the photographed image.

[0033] It is worth mentioning that the ultrasonic cleaning equipment is wrapped around the outside of the installation position, so that after the print head is installed at the installation position, the ultrasonic cleaning equipment is wrapped around the periphery of the print head, so that when the cleaning liquid cleans the print head, the ultrasonic cleaning equipment can produce an ultrasonic cleaning effect on the print head inside.

[0034] Preferably, the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning device is an ethanol solution with a concentration of ≥99%, the cleaning liquid in the second cleaning device is an acetone solution with a concentration of ≥99%, and the cleaning liquid in the third cleaning device is a citric acid solution with a concentration of ≥50%.

[0035] Specifically, the residual ink in the print head is diluted with an ethanol solution with a concentration of ≥99%, and the print head and nozzles are preliminarily flushed. Then, the large particle aggregates in the print head are dissolved and flushed with an acetone solution with a concentration of ≥99%. Finally, the large particle aggregates adhering to the inner wall of the print head and the inner wall of the nozzle are further peeled off with a citric acid solution with a concentration of ≥50% combined with ultrasound, so as to facilitate thorough cleaning of the print head.

[0036] Among them, the above three types of cleaning fluids are mixed with purified water for use.

[0037] It is worth mentioning that the ultrasonic cleaning equipment uses ultrasonic cavitation to ultrasonically clean the print head and nozzles in conjunction with the cleaning liquid in the third cleaning equipment. Since the citric acid solution can react and decompose with the alkaline substances in the printing ink, the cleaning effect can be improved under the action of ultrasonic cavitation. However, the effect is not obvious when other cleaning liquids are used. Therefore, an ultrasonic cleaning equipment is additionally set in the third cleaning device.

[0038] In particular, since the acetone solution and the citric acid solution will react with the printing ink to a certain extent, the residual cleaning liquid is not conducive to the subsequent inkjet printing. However, in this solution, the citric acid solution is rinsed with the acetone solution, and the acetone solution is rinsed with the ethanol solution, so that only a part of the ethanol solution will remain in the print head. When the inkjet printing is subsequently performed, only the preliminary inkjet flushing of the print head is required, and the pre-process of the inkjet printing can be completed quickly, thereby avoiding the influence of the cleaning liquid on the inkjet printing.

[0039] Preferably, the first cleaning device further comprises a first pipeline 7 connected between the liquid storage tank 3 and the liquid inlet of the installation site 1, a second pipeline 8 connected between the liquid storage tank 3 and the liquid outlet of the installation site 1, and a third pipeline 9 connected between the liquid outlet of the liquid receiving disc 2 and the liquid storage tank 3, so that when the first pipeline 7 and the second pipeline 8 are activated, the cleaning liquid is circulated to clean the print head 4, and when the first pipeline 7 is activated and the second pipeline 8 is deactivated, the cleaning liquid is circulated to clean the nozzles of the print head 4.

[0040] Specifically, when the first pipeline and the second pipeline are activated at the same time, the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank flows along the first pipeline to the print head to flush the print head, and then flows back to the liquid storage tank along the second pipeline to form a circulating cleaning loop. During this process, the inner wall of the print head is mainly cleaned. After a certain period of time, the second pipeline is deactivated, and the print head is switched to the ink jet state, so that the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank flows along the first pipeline to the print head, and then the cleaning liquid is sprayed out of each nozzle to clean the nozzle position. The sprayed cleaning liquid is collected in the liquid receiving disc and then flows back to the liquid storage tank through the third pipeline to ensure the cleaning effect of the inner wall of the print head and the inner wall of the nozzle.

[0041] Preferably, a filter 10 is arranged on the second pipeline 8 to filter large particle aggregates, thereby improving the cleaning effect of the circulating cleaning liquid.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present scheme, the filtering particle size of the filter is 10 um.

[0043] Preferably, a valve 11 for controlling the opening and closing state of the pipeline is arranged on the first pipeline 7 and the second pipeline 8.

[0044] Specifically, the opening and closing state of the first pipeline and the second pipeline is controlled by the valve, and then the circulating loop of the cleaning liquid is controlled to ensure the cleaning effect of the inner wall of the print head and the inner wall of the nozzle.

[0045] The valve can be an electrically controlled valve.

[0046] Preferably, a gas source device 12 is connected to the side of the liquid storage tank 3, and a pressure regulating valve 13 is arranged between the gas source device 12 and the liquid storage tank 3.

[0047] Specifically, after the opening and closing state of the first pipeline and the second pipeline is controlled by the valve, the liquid storage tank is supplied with gas by the gas source device, and the gas pressure is controlled by the pressure regulating valve to ensure that the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank is stably circulated and transported, thereby stably cleaning the print head.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present scheme, the gas pressure regulating range of the pressure regulating valve can be 0.3-0.5 bar.

[0049] It is worth mentioning that the gas source device and the pressure regulating valve are further provided with a gas source triad 17 to improve the stability of gas supply.

[0050] Preferably, the inkjet control device 14 is connected to the installation position 1, so that the inkjet control device 14 controls the inkjet state of the print head 4 after the print head 4 is installed at the installation position 1.

[0051] Specifically, the inkjet state of the print head is switched by the inkjet control device, so that the second pipeline is disabled, and when the print head nozzle needs to be cleaned, the print head is switched to the inkjet state, so that the cleaning liquid in the print head can be sprayed out of each nozzle to ensure the cleaning effect of the nozzle position.

[0052] In an embodiment of the present scheme, the inkjet control device adopts a circuit board integrated with an inkjet control circuit, which is used to provide an electrical signal to the print head to control the inkjet action of the print head.

[0053] Preferably, the liquid filling port 15 is arranged on the side of the liquid storage tank 3.

[0054] Specifically, since the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank will react with the ink to a certain extent, and also will be consumed to a certain extent during the cleaning process, the liquid storage tank can be supplemented with cleaning liquid in real time through the liquid filling port to ensure the stable supply of cleaning liquid during the cleaning process.

[0055] Preferably, the liquid storage tank 3 and the first pipeline 7 are both provided with a pressure gauge 16.

[0056] Specifically, the pressure of the liquid storage tank and the first pipeline is monitored in real time by the pressure gauge, so as to observe the gas pressure of the liquid storage tank, the liquid outlet pressure of the cleaning liquid, etc., to improve the stability during the cleaning process, and to avoid the situation that the internal pressure of the print head is too high or the cleaning effect is reduced due to the excessively high or low pressure.

[0057] The present application is not limited to the above-mentioned best embodiment, and anyone can derive other various forms of products under the inspiration of the present application, but regardless of any changes in shape or structure, any technical solution with the same or similar technical solution as the present application falls within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A cleaning system for a 3D printing head, characterized by: The first cleaning device, the second cleaning device and the third cleaning device have the same structure, the first cleaning device comprises a mounting position (1), a liquid receiving tray (2) arranged at the bottom of the mounting position (1), a liquid storage tank (3) connected between the mounting position (1) and the liquid receiving tray (2), and a print head (4) detachably connected to the mounting position (1), so that the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank (3) enters the print head (4) for circulation cleaning, the cleaning liquid dropped from the nozzle of the print head (4) to the liquid receiving tray (2) flows to the liquid storage tank (3); the liquid receiving tray (2) in the first cleaning device is provided with a droplet observation instrument (5) on one side, and the liquid receiving tray (2) in the third cleaning device is connected with an ultrasonic cleaning device (6); The print head (4) is sequentially installed into the first cleaning device, the second cleaning device and the third cleaning device for multi-stage circulation cleaning, and the initial inkjet state is recorded by the droplet observation instrument (5); Then the print head (4) is installed into the second cleaning device to remove the cleaning liquid of the third cleaning device remaining in the print head (4); The print head (4) is installed into the first cleaning device to remove the cleaning liquid of the second cleaning device remaining in the print head (4), and the inkjet state after cleaning is recorded by the droplet observation instrument (5), and the initial inkjet state and the inkjet state after cleaning are compared.

2. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning liquid in the first cleaning device is an ethanol solution with a concentration of ≥99%, the cleaning liquid in the second cleaning device is an acetone solution with a concentration of ≥99%, and the cleaning liquid in the third cleaning device is a citric acid solution with a concentration of ≥50%.

3. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head of claim 1, wherein: The first cleaning device further comprises a first pipeline (7) connected between the liquid inlet of the liquid storage tank (3) and the mounting position (1), a second pipeline (8) connected between the liquid outlet of the liquid storage tank (3) and the mounting position (1), and a third pipeline (9) connected between the liquid outlet of the liquid receiving tray (2) and the liquid storage tank (3), so that when the first pipeline (7) and the second pipeline (8) are enabled, the cleaning liquid circulates and cleans the print head (4), and when the first pipeline (7) is enabled and the second pipeline (8) is disabled, the cleaning liquid circulates and cleans the nozzle of the print head (4).

4. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head according to claim 3, characterized in that: A filter (10) is arranged on the second pipeline (8).

5. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head according to claim 3, characterized in that: Valves (11) for controlling the opening and closing states of the pipelines are arranged on the first pipeline (7) and the second pipeline (8).

6. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head of claim 1, wherein: A gas source device (12) is connected to the side of the liquid storage tank (3), and a pressure regulating valve (13) is arranged between the gas source device (12) and the liquid storage tank (3).

7. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head of claim 1, wherein: An inkjet control device (14) is connected to the mounting position (1), so that after the print head (4) is installed at the mounting position (1), the inkjet control device (14) controls the inkjet state of the print head (4).

8. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head of claim 1, wherein: A liquid inlet (15) is arranged on the side of the liquid storage tank (3).

9. The cleaning system for a 3D printing head of claim 1, wherein: Pressure gauges (16) are arranged on the liquid storage tank (3) and the first pipeline (7).

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