A cleaning device for a print head of an inkjet printer and an inkjet printing system

Abstract

The application relates to a cleaning device for a nozzle for inkjet printing and an inkjet printing system, comprising: a mounting mechanism, which comprises a mounting frame, a mounting seat and a positioning assembly, the mounting seat is used for mounting the nozzle, the jetting surface of the nozzle is adapted to extend below the mounting seat, and the positioning assembly is adapted to arrange the length direction of the nozzle along a first direction in a horizontal plane; a detection mechanism, which comprises a detection table and an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly is arranged on the detection table, the imaging direction of the imaging assembly is a second direction in the horizontal plane, and the imaging assembly is used for imaging the cleaning liquid sprayed by the nozzle; and a horizontal movement mechanism, which is drivingly connected with the mounting mechanism and / or the detection mechanism, so as to drive the mounting mechanism and / or the detection mechanism to move in the first direction. The application drives the nozzle and the imaging assembly to move relatively by using the horizontal movement mechanism, so that the imaging assembly sequentially detects the jetting state of multiple nozzles of the nozzle, and it is directly known whether the nozzle is cleaned qualified or not, so as to ensure the printing quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to a cleaning device for a printhead and an inkjet printing system. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing technology, as an additive manufacturing technology, has advantages such as non-contact, large area, no need for photomasks, rapid manufacturing, low cost of finished products, and direct pattern creation on planar / curved substrates. It is the main manufacturing technology for printed electronics that will replace the long process of photolithography / vacuum (development, etching, exposure and cleaning, etc.) and is widely used in display, sensing, chip, energy, aerospace and other fields.

[0003] Inkjet printing typically involves a printhead spraying functional liquid onto the printing surface. Because solutes in the functional liquid can adhere to the printhead's flow channels or nozzle walls, this can cause nozzle blockage and affect print quality. To ensure print quality, the printhead needs to be cleaned regularly.

[0004] In related technologies, a cleaning fluid is supplied to the nozzle, and the solutes of the functional liquid in the nozzle flow channel and the nozzle orifice wall are carried out by spraying the cleaning fluid, so as to achieve the effect of cleaning the nozzle.

[0005] However, even after the printhead is sprayed with cleaning fluid, it is still difficult to know the cleaning effect of the printhead, that is, it is impossible to determine whether the printhead is cleaned to the point of meeting printing requirements, and thus the printing quality cannot be guaranteed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a printhead cleaning device and an inkjet printing system to solve the technical problem in the related art that it is impossible to determine whether the printhead has been cleaned to meet printing requirements, thus failing to guarantee print quality.

[0007] In a first aspect, a cleaning device for a printhead is provided, comprising:

[0008] The installation mechanism includes a mounting frame, a mounting base, and a positioning component. The mounting base is connected to the mounting frame and is used for mounting a nozzle. The spray surface of the nozzle is adapted to extend below the mounting base. The positioning component is adapted to fix the nozzle on the mounting base and to position the nozzle along a first direction in the horizontal plane.

[0009] The testing mechanism includes a testing platform and an imaging component. The imaging component is arranged on the testing platform, and the imaging direction of the imaging component is a second direction of the horizontal plane. The second direction is set at an angle to the first direction. The imaging component is used to image the cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle.

[0010] A lateral movement mechanism is driven to the mounting mechanism and / or the detection mechanism to move the mounting mechanism and / or the detection mechanism in the first direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the positioning component includes multiple sets of pushers, which are spaced apart on the mounting base in the first direction. Each set of pushers includes two pushers, and the two pushers in the same set push the opposite sides of the nozzle in the second direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the mounting base is provided with a mounting groove, a portion of the nozzle is adapted to extend into the mounting groove, and the bottom of the mounting groove is provided with an opening, the spray surface of the nozzle being adapted to extend from the opening to the underside of the mounting base.

[0013] In some embodiments, the mounting mechanism further includes a rotating assembly, wherein the mounting base is mounted to the mounting frame via the rotating assembly, and the rotating assembly includes:

[0014] A rotating seat, the fixed end of which is connected to the mounting frame, the mounting seat being connected to the rotating end of the rotating seat, the mounting seat rotating in a vertical plane with the rotating end of the rotating seat, and the rotating end of the rotating seat being provided with an operating block;

[0015] A rotating adjustment component is installed on the fixed end of the rotating seat. The rotating adjustment component pushes the operating block in the vertical direction to make the rotating end of the transfer seat rotate.

[0016] A rotation limiting member pushes the operating block away from the side of the rotation adjusting member, and the rotation limiting member and the rotation adjusting member clamp the operating block to restrict the rotation of the rotating end of the rotating seat from rotating freely; wherein,

[0017] The rotating adjustment component drives the rotating end of the rotating base and the mounting base to rotate, so that the spray surface of the nozzle is set horizontally.

[0018] In some embodiments, the mounting mechanism, and / or the detection mechanism, includes a lifting assembly that drives the detection platform or the mounting base to move up and down.

[0019] In some embodiments, the detection mechanism further includes an upward-viewing imaging module, which is mounted on the detection platform and is used to image the spray surface of the nozzle.

[0020] In some embodiments, the transverse movement mechanism includes at least one set of transverse linear modules, the drive ends of multiple sets of transverse linear modules all move along the first direction, the multiple sets of transverse linear modules are connected in sequence, and the fixed end of the transverse linear module is connected to the drive end of another transverse linear module. The transverse linear module at the connection end is drivenly connected to the detection mechanism or the installation mechanism.

[0021] In some embodiments, the imaging component includes:

[0022] An imaging element is mounted on the detection stage, and the imaging direction of the imaging element is set along the second direction;

[0023] A focus adjustment component is provided, wherein the imaging component is connected to the detection stage via the focus adjustment component, and the focus adjustment component drives the imaging component to move in the second direction;

[0024] A supplementary lighting element is installed on the detection stage, and the supplementary lighting element and the imaging element are spaced apart in the second direction. The nozzle is located between the supplementary lighting element and the imaging element, and the supplementary lighting element provides supplementary lighting to the nozzle.

[0025] In some embodiments, the cleaning device for the printhead further includes a tray mounted on the testing station and used to receive and collect the cleaning fluid ejected from the printhead.

[0026] In some embodiments, the cleaning device for the printhead further includes a sealing mechanism, the sealing mechanism comprising:

[0027] The glove box, wherein the mounting mechanism, the detection mechanism and the lateral movement mechanism are all located in the glove box;

[0028] The buffer box has multiple material inlets, at least one of which is connected to the inside of the glove box and at least one of which is connected to the outside of the glove box. Each of the material inlets of the buffer box is provided with a door.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application include:

[0030] This application provides a cleaning device for inkjet printheads. During printhead cleaning, the printhead is first installed on a mounting base, and a positioning component is used to fix the printhead and adjust its length direction to ensure that the printhead's length direction is set along a first direction. Then, cleaning fluid is sprayed from the printhead, which flushes out the solutes adhering to the inside of the printhead, thus cleaning the printhead.

[0031] While the nozzle is spraying cleaning fluid, the imaging component performs imaging detection on whether the nozzle is spraying cleaning fluid, as well as the radius and offset angle of the liquid column of cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle, in order to determine whether the corresponding nozzle of the nozzle is clean.

[0032] Furthermore, all nozzles of the nozzle simultaneously spray cleaning fluid, and while the cleaning fluid is being sprayed, the imaging component images the liquid column ejected from the nozzle to determine whether the corresponding nozzle is clean. In addition, during the intervals when the nozzle sprays cleaning fluid, the lateral movement mechanism drives the nozzle and the imaging component to move relative to each other in the first direction, so as to move all nozzles of the nozzle into the imaging field of view of the imaging component in sequence, thereby gradually completing the cleaning and detection of all nozzles. The detection process is inserted into the interval time of nozzle cleaning, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0033] By imaging and detecting the ejection status of all nozzles, it is possible to more intuitively determine whether all nozzles of the printhead are clean, ensuring that the printhead is cleaned to the point of meeting printing requirements and guaranteeing print quality. Furthermore, since the nozzles that were initially inspected continue to be sprayed with cleaning fluid after imaging and detection, the actual cleaning status of all nozzles after inspection is determined by the inspection results, further improving the printhead's cleaning quality and ensuring print quality.

[0034] Secondly, an inkjet printing system is provided, including a cleaning device for the printhead as described above.

[0035] Another embodiment of this application provides an inkjet printing system. Since the inkjet printing system includes the above-mentioned cleaning device for the printhead, the beneficial effects of the inkjet printing system are the same as those of the above-mentioned cleaning device for the printhead, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a partial schematic diagram of a cleaning device for a printhead provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 2 A partial side view of a cleaning apparatus for a printhead provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram from another perspective of the cleaning apparatus for the printhead provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the installation mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 5 A partial exploded view of the rotating assembly and mounting base provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a cleaning device for a printhead provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0043] In the diagram: 1. Installation mechanism; 11. Mounting frame; 12. Mounting base; 12a. Mounting slot; 13. Positioning component; 131. Pushing component; 14. Rotating component; 141. Rotating base; 141a. Operating block; 142. Rotation adjustment component; 143. Rotation limit component; 15. Lifting component; 2. Detection mechanism; 21. Detection table; 22. Imaging component; 221. Imaging component; 222. Focus adjustment component; 223. Fill light component; 23. Top-view imaging module; 3. Horizontal movement mechanism; 31. Horizontal movement linear module; 4. Material tray; 5. Sealing mechanism; 51. Glove box; 52. Buffer box; a. Nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0045] This application provides a printhead cleaning device and an inkjet printing system. A traverse mechanism drives the printhead and imaging assembly to move relative to each other, allowing the imaging assembly to sequentially detect the ejection status of multiple nozzles on the printhead. This provides a direct indication of whether the printhead is properly cleaned, thus ensuring print quality. This application addresses the technical problem in related technologies where it is impossible to determine whether the printhead is clean enough to meet printing requirements, thereby failing to guarantee print quality.

[0046] Reference Figures 1-3 A cleaning device for a printhead includes an installation mechanism 1, a detection mechanism 2, and a transverse movement mechanism 3. The installation mechanism 1 is used to install the printhead a. The detection mechanism 2 is used to perform imaging detection on the spray state of the nozzles of the printhead a. The transverse movement mechanism 3 causes the installation mechanism 1 and the detection mechanism 2 to move relative to each other, thereby sequentially detecting multiple nozzles of the printhead a to visually determine whether the cleaning of the printhead a is qualified and to ensure printing quality.

[0047] Reference Figures 1-4The installation mechanism 1 includes a mounting frame 11, a mounting base 12, and a positioning component 13. The mounting base 12 is connected to the mounting frame 11 and is used to mount the nozzle a. The positioning component 13 is located on the mounting base 12 and is used to fix the nozzle a and adjust the length direction of the nozzle a so that the length direction of the nozzle a is set along a first direction in the horizontal plane. It should be noted that the multiple nozzle holes of the nozzle a are arranged along the length direction of the nozzle a. When the nozzle a is fixed on the mounting base 12, the spray surface of the nozzle a extends to the bottom of the mounting base 12. At this time, the nozzle holes of the nozzle a spray cleaning fluid below the mounting base 12, which facilitates the detection mechanism 2 to detect the state of the sprayed cleaning fluid.

[0048] For ease of understanding, in this embodiment, the first direction is the Y-axis direction in the figure.

[0049] After nozzle a is installed on mounting base 12, cleaning fluid is supplied to nozzle a, and nozzle a is activated to spray the cleaning fluid to clean the inside of nozzle a. During cleaning, similar to when nozzle a is in operation, the cleaning fluid is sprayed intermittently to maintain the operating mode of nozzle a. Subsequent monitoring of the sprayed cleaning fluid's state better represents the spraying state during nozzle a's operation, accurately reflecting whether the nozzle a's nozzle orifice has been cleaned satisfactorily.

[0050] In addition, the nozzle a is positioned and installed on the mounting base 12 to ensure that the length direction of the nozzle a is set along the first direction, so as to facilitate the subsequent sequential detection of multiple nozzle holes of the nozzle a by the detection mechanism 2, thereby improving the detection efficiency and detection accuracy.

[0051] Reference Figures 1-3 In this embodiment, the detection mechanism 2 detects the state of the nozzle spray by imaging, and the imaging direction of the detection mechanism 2 is a second direction in the horizontal plane. The second direction is set at an angle to the first direction. In this embodiment, the second direction is set perpendicular to the first direction.

[0052] With this configuration, when the detection mechanism 2 and the installation mechanism 1 move relative to each other in the first direction, the distance between the detection mechanism 2 and the nozzle a remains unchanged, and the imaging focus does not need to be readjusted, which facilitates imaging detection of multiple nozzle holes of the nozzle a.

[0053] In this embodiment, for ease of understanding, the second direction is the X-axis direction in the figure.

[0054] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5Specifically, the positioning component 13 includes multiple sets of pushing members 131, which are spaced apart on the mounting base 12 in a first direction. Each set of pushing members 131 includes two pushing members 131, which push against opposite sides of the nozzle a in a second direction. By pushing the nozzle a with the pushing members 131, the nozzle a rotates in the horizontal plane to adjust its length direction. The multiple sets of pushing members 131 clamp the nozzle a to fix it on the mounting base 12. In this embodiment, there are two sets of pushing members 131, which are respectively located near the two edges of the nozzle a along its length direction.

[0055] In this embodiment, the pusher 131 includes a screw or a micrometer head.

[0056] This configuration, where the nozzle a is fixed by clamping it with two pushers 131 in each group, makes the installation of the nozzle a more convenient. Furthermore, when pushing the nozzle a, the two pushers 131 in the same group rotate in coordination, maintaining the clamping state on the nozzle a at all times. This results in higher movement accuracy for the nozzle a and makes it easier to precisely adjust the length direction of the nozzle a to be aligned with the first direction.

[0057] It is important to note that in this embodiment, the nozzle a being cleaned is used for printing on the display panel. The printed droplets are at the pixel level, therefore, nozzle a requires high printing precision. It is necessary to ensure not only the accuracy of the droplet landing point but also the consistency of the droplet quantity. Therefore, when imaging and detecting the nozzle's ejection state, it is necessary to ensure that the length direction of nozzle a is aligned with the first direction to reduce subsequent imaging and detection errors. If the length direction of nozzle a deviates, the ejection direction of the droplets will be incorrect, affecting the imaging and detection results, and consequently, the accuracy of determining whether the nozzle is clean and qualified. Therefore, the positional accuracy of nozzle a must be ensured when positioning it.

[0058] Furthermore, the mounting base 12 is provided with a mounting groove 12a, the length direction of which is arranged along the first direction, and a portion of the nozzle a is adapted to extend into the mounting groove 12a. The pusher 131 is mounted on the groove wall of the mounting groove 12a.

[0059] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The bottom of the mounting groove 12a has an opening, and the spray surface of the nozzle a is adapted to extend from the opening to the bottom of the mounting base 12.

[0060] This configuration, by arranging the mounting slot 12a, provides a position for the nozzle a to be installed and preliminarily positions the nozzle a. After the nozzle a extends into the mounting slot 12a, the length direction of the nozzle a is basically set along the first direction, which makes it easier to adjust the position of the nozzle a later.

[0061] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 Furthermore, the mounting mechanism 1 also includes a rotating assembly 14, through which the mounting base 12 is mounted on the mounting frame 11. The rotating assembly 14 is used to drive the mounting base 12 to rotate in the vertical plane, so as to adjust the spray surface of the nozzle a on the mounting base 12 to be horizontal.

[0062] This configuration, using the rotating component 14 to adjust the spray surface of nozzle a to a horizontal position, with each nozzle facing downwards, facilitates the detection of the spray direction of the cleaning fluid during cleaning. This allows for accurate determination of whether the spray direction is within acceptable limits, and consequently, whether the cleaning process is successful. Furthermore, since each nozzle is at the same height, the imaging detection height for the spray state of each nozzle is consistent during sequential inspection, resulting in better detection consistency and more reliable results.

[0063] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 Specifically, the rotating assembly 14 includes a rotating seat 141, a rotating adjusting member 142, and a rotating limiting member 143.

[0064] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The fixed end of the rotating seat 141 is connected to the mounting bracket 11, and the mounting seat 12 is connected to the rotating end of the rotating seat 141 by bolts. The mounting seat 12 rotates in the vertical plane with the rotating end of the rotating seat 141 to adjust the angle between the spray surface of the nozzle a on the mounting seat 12 and the horizontal plane.

[0065] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 An operating block 141a is fixed to the rotating end of the rotating seat 141. A rotation adjustment member 142 is installed on the fixed end of the rotating seat 141. The rotation adjustment member 142 pushes the operating block 141a in the vertical direction to cause the rotating end of the transfer seat to rotate. Specifically, the rotation adjustment member 142 pushes the operating block 141a downward. In this embodiment, the rotation adjustment member 142 includes a micrometer head or a screw.

[0066] The rotation limiting member 143 pushes the operating block 141a away from the side of the rotation adjusting member 142. Specifically, the rotation limiting member 143 pushes the operating block 141a upward, thus restricting the downward movement of the operating block 141a. The rotation limiting member 143 and the rotation adjusting member 142 clamp the operating block 141a to restrict the rotation of the rotating end of the rotating seat 141 from rotating freely. In this embodiment, the rotation limiting member 143 includes a spring plunger, a micrometer head, or a screw. The elastic movement or position adjustment of the rotation limiting member 143 cooperates with the rotation adjusting member 142 to push the operating block 141a, causing the mounting base 12 to rotate.

[0067] In this embodiment, the rotating end of the rotating seat 141 and the mounting seat 12 are rotated by rotating the adjusting member 142 until the spray surface of the nozzle a is horizontally set, so as to complete the adjustment of the position of the nozzle a.

[0068] With this configuration, the rotating end of the rotating seat 141 is driven to rotate by the cooperation of the rotating adjustment component 142 and the rotating limit component 143, keeping the operating block 141a in a clamped state at all times. This allows for control over the rotational accuracy of the rotating end of the rotating seat 141, meaning that the rotation angle of the mounting base 12 is more accurate, more controllable, and easier to precisely adjust the spray surface of the nozzle a to a horizontal state.

[0069] Reference Figures 1-3 The testing mechanism 2 includes a testing platform 21 and an imaging component 22. The imaging component 22 is arranged on the testing platform 21, and the imaging component 22 and the mounting base 12 are spaced apart in the second direction. The imaging direction of the imaging component 22 is set along the second direction. By using the imaging component 22 to image and detect the cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle a on the mounting base 12, it is possible to directly determine whether the nozzle a has passed the cleaning test.

[0070] Reference Figures 1-3 Specifically, the imaging assembly 22 includes an imaging element 221, a focus adjustment element 222, and a supplementary lighting element 223. The focus adjustment element 222 is mounted on the detection stage 21, and the movement direction of the drive end of the focus adjustment element 222 is set along the second direction. The imaging element 221 is mounted on the detection stage 21 via the focus adjustment element 222, and the imaging direction of the imaging element 221 is set along the second direction. Specifically, the imaging element 221 is mounted on the drive end of the focus adjustment element 222, and the focus adjustment element 222 drives the imaging element 221 to move in the second direction, so that the imaging focal plane of the imaging element 221 is located on the plane where the cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle a is located, thus clearly imaging the sprayed cleaning fluid and improving detection accuracy.

[0071] In this embodiment, the imaging device 221 includes a high-magnification camera, and the focus adjustment device 222 includes a linear motor or a lead screw mechanism.

[0072] Reference Figures 1-3 The supplementary lighting element 223 is installed on the detection stage 21, and the supplementary lighting element 223 and the imaging element 221 are spaced apart in the second direction. The nozzle a is located between the supplementary lighting element 223 and the imaging element 221, and the supplementary lighting element 223 provides supplementary lighting to the nozzle a. In this embodiment, the supplementary lighting element 223 includes an LED light.

[0073] With this setup, both the supplementary lighting element 223 and the imaging element 221 are located on the detection stage 21. The relative positions of the supplementary lighting element 223 and the imaging element 221 remain unchanged. As the imaging element 221 moves relative to the nozzle a, the supplementary lighting element 223 continuously provides supplementary lighting to the imaging position of the imaging element 221.

[0074] Reference Figures 1-3 The transverse mechanism 3 is driven to move the mounting mechanism 1 and / or the detection mechanism 2 in the first direction. This enables relative movement between the nozzle a and the imaging component 22 in the first direction, thereby achieving imaging detection of the spraying state of different nozzle holes of the nozzle a.

[0075] Reference Figures 1-3 In this embodiment, the transverse mechanism 3 is driven to move in the first direction to switch the imaging position of the nozzle a.

[0076] With this setup, the position of nozzle a remains unchanged, making it less susceptible to impacts from slight vibrations during movement, as well as the state of the cleaning fluid inside nozzle a. This ensures better consistency with each cleaning fluid spray, resulting in more reliable imaging detection results.

[0077] In some embodiments, the lateral movement mechanism 3 is driven to connect with the mounting mechanism 1, thereby moving the mounting mechanism 1 and the nozzle a in a first direction to switch the imaging position of the nozzle a.

[0078] In some embodiments, the lateral movement mechanism 3 is driven to both the mounting mechanism 1 and the detection mechanism 2, so as to drive the nozzle a and the detection mechanism 2 to move simultaneously in the first direction, thereby switching the imaging position of the nozzle a.

[0079] Specifically, the transverse movement mechanism 3 includes at least one set of transverse linear modules 31. In some embodiments, the transverse movement mechanism 3 includes one set of transverse linear modules 31, which are drivenly connected to the detection mechanism 2 or the mounting mechanism 1. In some embodiments, the transverse movement mechanism 3 includes two sets of transverse linear modules 31, which are drivenly connected to the detection mechanism 2 and the mounting mechanism 1, respectively.

[0080] In some embodiments, the lateral movement mechanism 3 includes multiple sets of lateral movement linear modules 31. The drive ends of all sets of lateral movement linear modules 31 move along a first direction. The multiple sets of lateral movement linear modules 31 are connected sequentially, and the fixed end of one lateral movement linear module 31 is connected to the drive end of another lateral movement linear module 31. The lateral movement linear module 31 at the connecting end is drivenly connected to the detection mechanism 2 or the mounting mechanism 1. (Refer to...) Figures 1-3 In this embodiment, the transverse linear module 31 at the connection end is driven to connect with the detection mechanism 2.

[0081] Reference Figures 1-3 Specifically, the drive end of the transverse linear module 31 is connected to the detection table 21 to drive the detection mechanism 2 to move in the first direction.

[0082] This configuration, using multiple transverse linear modules 31 to drive the movement of the detection mechanism 2, can extend the movement stroke of the detection mechanism 2.

[0083] Reference Figures 1-3 In this embodiment, the transverse linear module 31 includes two sets, and the transverse linear module 31 includes a linear motor or a lead screw mechanism. Preferably, the two sets of transverse linear modules 31 include an electric linear module and a manual linear module, that is, the detection mechanism 2 can be driven to move laterally by electric and manual transverse movement.

[0084] Reference Figures 1-3 The detection mechanism 2 further includes an upward-looking imaging module 23, which is mounted on the detection platform 21 and is used to image the spray surface of the nozzle a. In this embodiment, the upward-looking imaging module 23 includes a high-magnification camera.

[0085] This configuration allows for precise adjustment of the nozzle's position when adjusting its length. The top-view imaging module 23 images the bottom surface of nozzle a to determine its length direction, reducing the difficulty of adjustment. Furthermore, during the process of leveling the nozzle's spray surface, the top-view imaging module 23 images the spray surface to determine if all points on the spray surface are within its focal plane, thus revealing any tilt or misalignment and facilitating adaptive adjustment of the nozzle's spray surface level.

[0086] Furthermore, before cleaning nozzle a, as nozzle a on mounting mechanism 1 moves relative to detection mechanism 2 in the first direction, the upward imaging module 23 gradually images the spray surface of nozzle a and determines the position of each nozzle on the spray surface of nozzle a. During subsequent cleaning of nozzle a, this facilitates more precise sequential movement of all nozzle spray positions into the imaging field of view of imaging component 22, avoiding missed detections and improving the reliability of nozzle a cleaning detection.

[0087] Reference Figures 1-3 The installation mechanism 1 and / or the detection mechanism 2 include a lifting assembly 15, which drives the detection table 21 or the mounting base 12 to move up and down so that the nozzle a and the imaging assembly 22 move relative to each other in the height direction.

[0088] This configuration serves two purposes. First, by changing the relative height of nozzle a and imaging component 22, the imaging field of imaging component 22 is moved to the nozzle orifice of nozzle a, ensuring a complete image of the spray angle and diameter of the cleaning fluid ejected from the nozzle. Second, by changing the relative height of nozzle a and upward-looking imaging module 23, the spray surface of nozzle a is adjusted to be within the imaging focal plane of upward-looking imaging module 23, ensuring a clean image of the spray surface and clearly identifying the position of all nozzles.

[0089] Reference Figures 1-3 In this embodiment, the mounting mechanism 1 includes a lifting assembly 15. Specifically, the lifting assembly 15 includes a lifting linear module, which is mounted on the mounting frame 11, and a rotating assembly 14 is mounted on the lifting end of the lifting linear module. The lifting linear module drives the rotating assembly 14 and the mounting base 12 to rise and fall together. The lifting linear module includes a linear motor or a lead screw mechanism.

[0090] This configuration, by adjusting the height of the mounting base 12, not only meets the imaging requirements of the upward-viewing imaging module 23 and the imaging component 22, but also facilitates the installation of the nozzle a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transverse movement mechanism 3 is driven and connected to the detection mechanism 2. The combination of the detection mechanism 2 and the transverse movement mechanism 3 results in a concentrated structure. Integrating the lifting component 15 into the detection mechanism 2 further complicates its structure, making it difficult to guarantee accuracy and requiring regular maintenance.

[0091] In other embodiments, the detection mechanism 2 includes a lifting assembly 15, which is drivenly connected to the detection stage 21. In other embodiments, both the detection mechanism 2 and the mounting mechanism 1 include the lifting assembly 15, and the heights of the mounting base 12 and the imaging assembly 22 can be adjusted independently.

[0092] Reference Figures 1-3 The cleaning device for the printhead also includes a material tray 4, which is installed on the inspection table 21 and is used to receive and collect the cleaning fluid sprayed from the printhead a.

[0093] In this embodiment, the length of the material tray 4 is arranged along the first direction and is located below the mounting base 12. The length of the material tray 4 is greater than the total length of all the nozzles of the nozzle a. That is, when the mounting base 12 and the detection stage 21 move in the first direction to the imaging component 22 to image the nozzles located at the edge of the first direction, the material tray 4 still receives the cleaning fluid sprayed from all the nozzles.

[0094] With this setup, the material tray 4 collects the cleaning fluid, limiting its splashing and reducing pollution to other structures and the surrounding environment.

[0095] Furthermore, a guide strip is fixed to the bottom of the material tray 4. After the cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the guide strip, it flows along the guide strip to the bottom of the material tray 4. The guide strip also reduces the flight height of the cleaning fluid, further reducing splashing.

[0096] Reference Figure 6 The cleaning device for the printhead also includes a sealing mechanism 5, which comprises a glove box 51 and a buffer box 52. The mounting mechanism 1, the detection mechanism 2, and the traversing mechanism 3 are all installed on the inner bottom surface of the glove box 51. The buffer box 52 has multiple feed ports, at least one of which communicates with the inside of the glove box 51, and at least one of which communicates with the outside of the glove box 51. Each feed port of the buffer box 52 has a door.

[0097] This setup, where nozzle a is cleaned inside glove box 51, serves two purposes. First, the cleaning environment is set to the normal processing environment of nozzle a, allowing for more accurate determination of cleaning quality by monitoring the spray pattern. Second, since residual solutes inside nozzle a are toxic, cleaning nozzle a within glove box 51 prevents environmental contamination from volatile solutes.

[0098] In addition, nozzle a can enter the box from buffer box 52, and during the process of nozzle a entering the glove box 51, it is not directly connected to the external environment. On the one hand, this avoids the leakage of toxic gas, and on the other hand, it can maintain the stability of the environment inside the glove box 51.

[0099] This application provides a cleaning device for a printhead. When cleaning printhead a, printhead a is first installed on the mounting base 12. The positioning component 13 is used to fix printhead a and adjust its length direction to ensure that the length direction of printhead a is set along a first direction. Then, cleaning fluid is sprayed from printhead a, which flushes out the solutes adhering to the inside of printhead a, thus cleaning the printhead a.

[0100] While the nozzle a sprays out cleaning fluid, the imaging component 22 performs imaging detection on whether the nozzle a spray hole sprays out cleaning fluid, as well as the liquid column radius and liquid column offset angle of the cleaning fluid sprayed out of the nozzle, in order to determine whether the corresponding nozzle a spray hole is clean.

[0101] Furthermore, all nozzles of nozzle a simultaneously spray cleaning fluid, and while spraying the cleaning fluid, the imaging component 22 images the liquid column sprayed from the nozzle to determine whether the corresponding nozzle is clean. In addition, during the intervals when nozzle a sprays cleaning fluid, the lateral movement mechanism 3 drives nozzle a and imaging component 22 to move relative to each other in the first direction, so as to move all nozzles of nozzle a into the imaging field of view of imaging component 22 in sequence, thereby gradually completing the cleaning and detection of all nozzles. The detection process is inserted into the interval time of nozzle a cleaning, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0102] By imaging and detecting the ejection status of all nozzles, it is possible to more intuitively determine whether all nozzles of printhead A are clean, ensuring that printhead A is clean enough to meet printing requirements and guaranteeing print quality. Furthermore, since the nozzles that were initially detected continue to spray cleaning fluid after imaging and detection, the actual cleaning qualification of all nozzles after detection is determined by the detection results, further improving the cleaning quality of printhead A and ensuring print quality.

[0103] Secondly, an inkjet printing system is provided, including a cleaning device for the printhead as described above.

[0104] Another embodiment of this application provides an inkjet printing system. Since the inkjet printing system includes the above-mentioned cleaning device for the printhead, the beneficial effects of the inkjet printing system are the same as those of the above-mentioned cleaning device for the printhead, and will not be repeated here.

[0105] In the description of this application, it should be understood that in the accompanying drawings, the positive direction of "X" represents the right, and correspondingly, the negative direction of "X" represents the left; the positive direction of "Y" represents the front, and correspondingly, the negative direction of "Y" represents the rear; the terms "X", "Y", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0106] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0107] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0108] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for a printhead, characterized in that, It includes: The mounting mechanism includes a mounting frame, a mounting base, and a positioning component. The mounting base is connected to the mounting frame and is used to mount a nozzle. The spray surface of the nozzle is adapted to extend below the mounting base. The positioning component is adapted to fix the nozzle on the mounting base, and the length direction of the nozzle is arranged along a first direction in the horizontal plane. The positioning component includes multiple sets of pushing members, which are spaced apart on the mounting base in the first direction. Each set of pushing members includes two pushing members, and the two pushing members in the same set push against opposite sides of the nozzle in a second direction. The mounting mechanism also includes a rotating component, through which the mounting base is mounted to the mounting frame. The testing mechanism includes a testing platform and an imaging component. The imaging component is arranged on the testing platform, and the imaging direction of the imaging component is a second direction of the horizontal plane. The second direction is set at an angle to the first direction. The imaging component is used to image the cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle. The testing mechanism also includes an upward imaging module, which is installed on the testing platform and is used to image the spray surface of the nozzle. A lateral movement mechanism is driven to the mounting mechanism and / or the detection mechanism to drive the mounting mechanism and / or the detection mechanism to move in the first direction; During the intervals when the nozzle sprays cleaning fluid, the lateral movement mechanism drives the nozzle and the imaging component to move relative to each other in the first direction, so as to move all the nozzle holes of the nozzle into the imaging field of view of the imaging component in sequence, thereby gradually completing the cleaning and detection of all nozzle holes.

2. The cleaning device for the printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base is provided with a mounting groove, a portion of the nozzle is adapted to extend into the mounting groove, and the bottom of the mounting groove is provided with an opening, the spray surface of the nozzle is adapted to extend from the opening to the bottom of the mounting base.

3. The cleaning device for the printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating assembly includes: A rotating seat, the fixed end of which is connected to the mounting frame, the mounting seat being connected to the rotating end of the rotating seat, the mounting seat rotating in a vertical plane with the rotating end of the rotating seat, and the rotating end of the rotating seat being provided with an operating block; A rotating adjustment component is installed on the fixed end of the rotating seat. The rotating adjustment component pushes the operating block in the vertical direction to cause the rotating end of the rotating seat to rotate. A rotation limiting member pushes the operating block away from the side of the rotation adjusting member, and the rotation limiting member and the rotation adjusting member clamp the operating block to restrict the rotation of the rotating end of the rotating seat from rotating freely; wherein, The rotating adjustment component drives the rotating end of the rotating seat and the mounting base to rotate, so that the spray surface of the nozzle is set horizontally.

4. The cleaning device for inkjet printing heads according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The installation mechanism, and / or the detection mechanism, includes a lifting assembly that drives the detection platform or the mounting base to move up and down.

5. The cleaning device for the printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse movement mechanism includes at least one set of transverse linear modules. The drive ends of the multiple sets of transverse linear modules all move along the first direction. The multiple sets of transverse linear modules are connected in sequence, and the fixed end of the transverse linear module is connected to the drive end of another transverse linear module. The transverse linear module at the connection end is drivenly connected to the detection mechanism or the installation mechanism.

6. The cleaning device for the printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The imaging component includes: An imaging element is mounted on the detection stage, and the imaging direction of the imaging element is set along the second direction; A focus adjustment component is provided, wherein the imaging component is connected to the detection stage via the focus adjustment component, and the focus adjustment component drives the imaging component to move in the second direction; A supplementary lighting element is installed on the detection stage, and the supplementary lighting element and the imaging element are spaced apart in the second direction. The nozzle is located between the supplementary lighting element and the imaging element, and the supplementary lighting element provides supplementary lighting to the nozzle.

7. The cleaning device for inkjet printing heads according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a material tray, which is installed on the testing station and is used to receive and collect the cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle.

8. The cleaning device for inkjet printing heads according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sealing mechanism, which comprises: The glove box, wherein the mounting mechanism, the detection mechanism and the lateral movement mechanism are all located in the glove box; The buffer box has multiple material inlets, at least one of which is connected to the inside of the glove box and at least one of which is connected to the outside of the glove box. Each of the material inlets of the buffer box is provided with a door.

9. An inkjet printing system, characterized in that, A cleaning device for a printhead as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images