Ink path control method, ink path control system and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of printing equipment, in particular to an ink path control method, an ink path control system and a computer readable storage medium, the power supply state of an ink path is monitored, if the power supply state of the ink path is an abnormal power-off state, a standby power supply is switched to supply power, and the ink path is powered off. And the pressure values of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end of the spray head are adjusted until the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end, manual intervention is not needed, automatic protection of the ink supply system and the spray head under the abnormal power failure condition can be achieved, and the conditions of ink leakage, air suck-back and the like are prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of printing equipment, and in particular to an ink path control method, an ink path control system, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] With the development of society, people's demand for printed products is increasing. In the process of making printed products, the ink path system needs to control the ink path and print head to work.

[0003] In the prior art, some digital printing nozzles use an internal circulation system in the nozzle, and there is a pressure difference at both ends of the nozzle when it is working normally. When an abnormal power outage occurs, the system cannot maintain the pressure difference at both ends of the nozzle to work normally, which may cause the ink to suck back air, and may even cause the entire ink supply system to be damaged, or ink leakage may occur, resulting in ink waste. Summary of the invention

[0004] The main technical problem solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an ink circuit control method, which can automatically protect the ink circuit system in the event of an abnormal power outage to prevent ink leakage, air backflow, etc.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, in a first aspect, an ink path control method is provided in an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to an ink path control system, wherein the ink path control system includes a nozzle, and the method includes:

[0006] Monitor the power supply status of the ink circuit;

[0007] If the power supply state of the ink circuit is abnormally off, switching to the backup power supply;

[0008] The pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end of the nozzle are adjusted until the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end, the pressure value of the high-pressure end and the pressure value of the low-pressure end are both negative values.

[0010] In some embodiments, adjusting the pressure values ​​of the high pressure end and the low pressure end of the nozzle includes:

[0011] Detect the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end, reduce the pressure value of the high-pressure end according to the first step value, and increase the pressure value of the low-pressure end, so that the pressure value of the low-pressure end is the difference between the pressure target value and the pressure value of the high-pressure end.

[0012] In some embodiments, the target pressure value is the sum of the pressure values ​​of the high pressure end and the low pressure end in a normal working state plus the pressure value of the first offset value.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0014] After the pressure value at the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value at the low-pressure end, the backup power supply is cut off.

[0015] In some embodiments, the backup power supply is an uninterruptible power supply device.

[0016] In some embodiments, if the power supply state of the ink circuit is an abnormal power-off state, after switching to power supply by a backup power supply, the method further includes:

[0017] In some embodiments, after controlling the ink path to stop inkjet operation, the method further includes:

[0018] The spray head is switched to the spray head moisturizing mode.

[0019] In order to solve the above technical problems, in a second aspect, an ink path control system is provided in an embodiment of the present invention, comprising:

[0020] Sprinklers;

[0021] at least one processor, and

[0022] A memory, wherein the memory is communicatively connected to the at least one processor, the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, and the instructions are executed by the at least one processor so that the at least one processor can execute the method described in the first aspect above.

[0023] To solve the above technical problems, in the third aspect, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium is provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor executes the method described in the first aspect above.

[0024] Beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention: Different from the prior art, the ink circuit control method provided by the embodiments of the present invention monitors the power supply status of the ink circuit. If the power supply status of the ink circuit is an abnormal power-off state, it switches to the backup power supply and adjusts the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end of the nozzle until the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end. Without manual intervention, automatic protection of the ink supply system and the nozzle can be achieved in the event of an abnormal power off to prevent ink leakage, back-sucking of air, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an application environment of an ink path control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 A structural block diagram of an ink path control system provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 A structural block diagram of an ink path control system provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 A schematic flow chart of an ink path control method provided in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements may be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0032] It should be noted that, if there is no conflict, the various features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, all within the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, although the functional modules are divided in the device schematic diagram and the logical order is shown in the flow chart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be performed in a different order than the module division in the device or the flow chart. In addition, the words "first", "second", "third", etc. used herein do not limit the data and execution order, but only distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used in this specification and in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0034] In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0035] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the application environment of the ink path control method provided by the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The application environment includes an ink circuit control system 10 and a backup power supply 20 . The ink circuit control system 10 is electrically connected to the backup power supply 20 , and the backup power supply 20 can supply power to the ink circuit control system 10 .

[0036] The ink circuit control system 10 is a system for controlling the ink circuit, and the ink circuit control system 10 includes a nozzle 110, which is used to print ink on a printed product. Under normal working conditions, there is a pressure difference between the two ends of the nozzle, so that ink can be ejected from the nozzle and printed on the printed product, and part of the ink can flow from one end of the nozzle to the other end.

[0037] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 The ink path control system 10 also includes a positive pressure ink cartridge 120 , a negative pressure ink cartridge 130 , a positive pressure regulating device 140 , a negative pressure regulating device 150 and an ink transfer device 160 .

[0038] Among them, the positive pressure ink cartridge 120 is connected to the high pressure end of the nozzle 110, the negative pressure ink cartridge 130 is connected to the low pressure end of the nozzle 110, the positive pressure regulating device 140 is connected to the positive pressure ink cartridge 120, and is used to regulate the pressure in the positive pressure ink cartridge 120, the negative pressure regulating device 150 is connected to the negative pressure ink cartridge 130, and is used to regulate the pressure in the negative pressure ink cartridge 130, and the ink transfer device 160 is connected to the positive pressure ink cartridge 120 and the negative pressure ink cartridge 130, and is used to transfer and transport ink.

[0039] In some embodiments, the positive pressure regulating device 140 can regulate the pressure in the positive pressure ink cartridge through an air pump and a release valve, and the negative pressure regulating device 150 can regulate the pressure in the negative pressure ink cartridge through a vacuum generator and a release valve.

[0040] In some embodiments, the ink transfer device 160 transfers ink via a transfer pump with a damper.

[0041] In some embodiments, pressure sensors are provided in the positive-pressure ink cartridge 120 and the negative-pressure ink cartridge 130 for detecting the pressure in the positive-pressure ink cartridge 120 and the negative-pressure ink cartridge 130 .

[0042] In order to solve the problem that ink leakage or air backflow may occur in the case of abnormal power failure, which may cause damage to the ink circuit system, one embodiment of the present invention provides an ink circuit control method, which is applied to the ink circuit control system 10 and can automatically protect the ink circuit system in the case of abnormal power failure to prevent ink leakage, air backflow, etc.

[0043] Before introducing the ink path control method in detail, the hardware structure of an ink path control system 10 provided in another embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0044] In the above Figure 1-2 Based on the above, another embodiment of the present invention provides an ink path control system 10, such as Figure 3 As shown, the ink path control system 10 includes at least one processor 11 and a memory 12 ( Figure 3 A bus connection and a processor are used as an example). A person skilled in the art can understand that Figure 3 The structure shown is only for illustration and does not limit the structure of the electronic device. Figure 3 More or fewer components as shown, or with Figure 3 Different configurations are shown.

[0045] The processor 11 is used to provide computing and control capabilities to control the ink path control system 10 to perform corresponding tasks, for example, to control the ink path control system 10 to perform any one of the ink path control methods provided in the following embodiments of the invention.

[0046] It can be understood that the processor 11 can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components.

[0047] The memory 12, as a non-transient computer-readable storage medium, can be used to store non-transient software programs, non-transient computer executable programs and modules, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the ink path control method in the embodiment of the present invention. The processor 11 can implement the ink path control method in any of the following method embodiments by running the non-transient software programs, instructions and modules stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 may include a high-speed random access memory and may also include a non-transient memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-transient solid-state storage device. In some embodiments, the memory 12 may also include a memory remotely arranged relative to the processor, and these remote memories may be connected to the processor via a network. Examples of the above-mentioned network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network and a combination thereof.

[0048] The ink path control method provided by the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below. Figure 4 , the method includes but is not limited to the following steps S201-S203:

[0049] S201: Monitor the power supply status of the ink circuit.

[0050] S202: If the power supply state of the ink circuit is abnormally off, switch to the backup power supply.

[0051] S203: Adjust the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end of the nozzle until the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end.

[0052] In this embodiment, the power supply status of the ink circuit is monitored. If an abnormal power outage is detected in the ink circuit, the backup power supply is used to supply power to provide a buffer time for emergency operation of the abnormal power outage. After successfully switching to the backup power supply, the pressure values ​​at both ends of the nozzle, i.e., the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end, are automatically adjusted to reduce the pressure value at the high-pressure end and increase the pressure value at the low-pressure end until the pressure value at the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value at the low-pressure end. After the pressures at both ends of the nozzle are consistent and there is no pressure difference, ink will no longer be discharged, thereby reducing ink leakage and back-inhalation of air, thereby protecting the ink circuit and the nozzle.

[0053] In some embodiments, when the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end, the pressure value of the high-pressure end and the pressure value of the low-pressure end are both negative values.

[0054] In this embodiment, under normal working conditions, the pressure value at the high pressure end of the nozzle is positive, and the pressure value at the low pressure end of the nozzle is negative. After adjustment, the pressure values ​​at both ends are consistent and both are negative. For example, under normal working conditions, the pressure value at the high pressure end of the nozzle is 3kPa, and the pressure value at the low pressure end is -13kPa. After adjustment, the pressure values ​​at both ends are -4.5kPa.

[0055] In some embodiments, step S203, adjusting the pressure values ​​of the high pressure end and the low pressure end of the nozzle includes step S301:

[0056] S301: Detect the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end, reduce the pressure value of the high-pressure end according to the first step value, and increase the pressure value of the low-pressure end, so that the pressure value of the low-pressure end is the difference between the pressure target value and the pressure value of the high-pressure end.

[0057] The first step value is the pressure value set in advance for each adjustment. For example, the first step value can be -0.5kPa, that is, the high-pressure end pressure is reduced by 0.5kPa each time. The target pressure value can be the sum of the pressures at both ends of the nozzle without ink dripping. The target pressure value is a negative value. For example, after testing, the sum of the pressures at both ends without ink dripping is -9kPa.

[0058] In this embodiment, the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end are detected, and the pressure value of the high-pressure end is gradually reduced according to the first step value, and at the same time, the pressure value of the low-pressure end is correspondingly increased. The pressure value of the low-pressure end is the pressure target value minus the pressure value of the high-pressure end. By setting the pressure target value, it is possible to prevent the total negative pressure at both ends of the nozzle from exceeding the pressure target value during the pressure adjustment process, resulting in the nozzle sucking back air, and the pressure is adjusted according to the pressure target value, so that ink dripping will not occur. The pressure at both ends of the nozzle can be effectively adjusted to prevent the nozzle from sucking back air or dripping ink.

[0059] In some embodiments, the target pressure value is the sum of the pressure values ​​of the high pressure end and the low pressure end in a normal working state plus the pressure value of the first offset value.

[0060] Among them, the first offset value is used to ensure that the sum of the total pressures at the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end can be as close to the pressure target value as possible, to ensure that the instantaneous sum of the negative pressures at both ends does not exceed the pressure target value during the adjustment process, thereby causing the nozzle to suck back air.

[0061] According to the first step value, the pressure value of the high-pressure end is reduced, and the pressure value of the low-pressure end is increased at the same time, and the pressure value of the low-pressure end is increased to the pressure target value minus the pressure value of the high-pressure end. The pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end are compared. If they are inconsistent, the pressure values ​​of both ends are adjusted until the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end are consistent. For example, under normal working conditions, the pressure value of the high-pressure end is 3kPa, the pressure value of the low-pressure end is -13kPa, the first offset value is 1kPa, and the pressure target value is 3+(-13)+1=-9kPa. For example, the first step value is set to -0.5kPa, the pressure of the high-pressure end is reduced, and the pressure value of the high-pressure end is equal to 3-0.5=2.5kPa, and the pressure of the low-pressure end is increased, and the pressure value of the low-pressure end is equal to -9-2.5=-11.5kPa. The pressure values ​​of both ends are inconsistent, and they are adjusted according to the first step value until the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end are consistent, equal to -4.5kPa.

[0062] In some embodiments, the ink path control method further includes step S204:

[0063] S204: After the pressure value at the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value at the low-pressure end, the backup power supply is cut off.

[0064] In this embodiment, when the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end are consistent, the power is ready to be cut off, and the backup power supply is controlled to be cut off to avoid the backup power supply from being exhausted, thereby saving power.

[0065] In some embodiments, the backup power source is an uninterruptible power supply device.

[0066] Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is an uninterruptible power supply with energy storage device. It is mainly used to provide uninterruptible power supply to electrical equipment. The uninterruptible power supply can provide a stable and uninterrupted power supply to the ink circuit system to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the equipment. It can also supply power when the ink circuit is abnormally powered off, so as to provide buffer time for emergency operation, make preparations before power outage, and protect the ink circuit and printhead.

[0067] In some embodiments, in step S202, if the power supply state of the ink circuit is an abnormal power-off state, after switching to the backup power supply, the ink circuit control method further includes:

[0068] S401: Control the ink path to stop the inkjet operation.

[0069] After an abnormal power outage, the backup power supply is used for power supply. This power supply is only temporary, so it is necessary to control the ink circuit to stop the inkjet operation, stop working, and prepare for power outage. After the backup power supply is used for power supply, controlling the ink circuit to stop the inkjet operation can prevent the inkjet operation from being forced to stop suddenly after the backup power supply is cut off, causing damage to the ink circuit system.

[0070] In some embodiments, after controlling the ink path to stop inkjet operation in step S401, the ink path control method further includes:

[0071] S402: Switch the nozzle to the nozzle moisturizing mode.

[0072] After an abnormal power outage, the ink path stops inkjet operation, the printhead will temporarily stop working and be exposed to the external environment, which may cause the printhead to become clogged. Therefore, the printhead needs to be switched to the printhead moisturizing mode. The main function of the printhead moisturizing mode is to prevent the printhead from becoming clogged and aging. When the printhead is exposed to a dry environment, the water inside the printhead will evaporate, and the steam will generate bubbles, causing the printhead to become clogged. Humidification can maintain appropriate humidity and slow down the aging of the printhead. In addition, the moisturizing mode can ensure the state of the printhead. After normal power supply is restored and work is resumed, the printhead can quickly resume work, which can improve the quality and performance of printing, making the printing clearer and more beautiful.

[0073] In some embodiments, after the backup power supply is used for power supply, before the pressure values ​​at both ends of the nozzle are adjusted, it is first ensured that the voltage regulating device works normally.

[0074] To summarize, the ink circuit control method provided in the embodiment of the present invention monitors the power supply status of the ink circuit. If the power supply status of the ink circuit is an abnormal power-off state, it switches to the backup power supply and adjusts the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end of the nozzle until the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end. Without manual intervention, automatic protection of the ink supply system and the nozzle can be achieved in the event of an abnormal power off to prevent ink leakage, back-suction of air, etc.

[0075] Another embodiment of the present invention further provides a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor executes the ink path control method as described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0076] It should be noted that the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative, wherein the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0077] Through the description of the above implementation methods, ordinary technicians in this field can clearly understand that each implementation method can be implemented by means of software plus a general hardware platform, and of course, it can also be implemented by hardware. Ordinary technicians in this field can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment method can be completed by instructing related hardware through a computer program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, the storage medium can be a disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0078] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them. Under the concept of the present invention, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments may also be combined, the steps may be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the present invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of simplicity. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they may still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink path control method, applied to an ink path control system, characterized in that: The ink circuit control system includes a nozzle, and the method includes: Monitor the power supply status of the ink circuit; If the power supply state of the ink circuit is abnormally off, switching to the backup power supply; The pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end of the nozzle are adjusted until the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the pressure value of the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value of the low-pressure end, the pressure value of the high-pressure end and the pressure value of the low-pressure end are both negative values.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The step of adjusting the pressure values ​​at the high pressure end and the low pressure end of the nozzle comprises: Detect the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end, reduce the pressure value of the high-pressure end according to the first step value, and increase the pressure value of the low-pressure end, so that the pressure value of the low-pressure end is the difference between the pressure target value and the pressure value of the high-pressure end.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The target pressure value is the sum of the pressure values ​​of the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end in a normal working state plus the pressure value of the first offset value.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: After the pressure value at the high-pressure end is consistent with the pressure value at the low-pressure end, the backup power supply is cut off.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The backup power supply is an uninterruptible power supply device.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that If the power supply state of the ink circuit is an abnormal power-off state, after switching to power supply by a backup power supply, the method further includes: The ink path is controlled to stop inkjet operation.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that After controlling the ink path to stop inkjet operation, the method further includes: The spray head is switched to the spray head moisturizing mode.

9. An ink path control system, characterized in that: include: Sprinklers; at least one processor, and A memory, wherein the memory is communicatively connected to the at least one processor, the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, and the instructions are executed by the at least one processor so that the at least one processor can execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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