Spray head plate of printer and printing system

Abstract

The invention discloses a spray head plate of a printer and a printing system, relates to the technical field of ink-jet printing, and aims to solve the problem of high printing cost caused by the fact that one spray head plate is only connected with one spray head in the prior art. The nozzle plate comprises an FPGA chip, a controller, a driver and a nozzle switching assembly. The spray head switching assembly is connected with a plurality of or a plurality of spray heads; the FPGA chip receives the initial control instruction, converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends the recognizable control instruction to the controller; the controller determines a target nozzle based on the control instruction, and sends a first digital driving signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip after the target nozzle is determined; the target nozzle comprises at least one or one nozzle; the FPGA chip converts the first digital driving signal into a second digital driving signal and sends the second digital driving signal to the driver; the driver is further connected with the spray head switching assembly and converts the second digital driving signal into a target analog signal so as to drive a target spray head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of inkjet printing, and in particular to a nozzle plate and a printing system of a printer. Background Art

[0002] The printhead board of a printer is a circuit board that controls the movement and firing of the printheads in the printer. The printhead board obtains the ejection volume and ink color corresponding to each nozzle on the printhead according to the input print command, and controls the nozzle to eject, thereby printing the required image or text.

[0003] In the prior art, a nozzle board is usually only connected to one nozzle, and controls the printing of the nozzle according to the data sent by the main board and the factory protocol of the nozzle. For printing tasks that require the cooperation of multiple nozzles, multiple matching nozzle boards are required to work simultaneously. The overall structure is complex and the implementation cost is high. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle plate and a printing system of a printer, so as to reduce the printing cost.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a nozzle plate of a printer, comprising: FPGA chip, controller, driver and nozzle adapter assembly; The nozzle adapter assembly is connected to a plurality of or multiple types of nozzles; The FPGA chip is connected to the main board of the printer; the controller is connected to the FPGA chip; The FPGA chip receives the initial control instruction sent by the mainboard, and converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller; the controller determines the target nozzle based on the control instruction, and after determining the target nozzle, sends the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip; the target nozzle includes at least one or one nozzle; The FPGA chip is also connected to the driver, and the FPGA chip converts the first digital driving signal into a second digital driving signal and sends it to the driver; The driver is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly. The driver converts the second digital driving signal into a target analog signal and drives the target nozzle based on the target analog signal.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a nozzle board of a printer, in which a controller, an FPGA chip, a driver and a nozzle adapter assembly are arranged on one nozzle board. When a printing task needs to control printing of multiple or more nozzles, the FPGA chip on the nozzle board receives the initial control instruction sent by the main board of the printer, and converts it into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller. The controller receives the control instruction and determines the target nozzle based on the control instruction, and then sends the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip after determining the target nozzle. The FPGA chip converts the first digital drive signal into a second digital drive signal and sends it to the driver, and the driver converts the second digital drive signal into a target analog signal to drive multiple or more nozzles in the target nozzle to print. In this way, one nozzle board controls multiple or more nozzles for collaborative printing, simplifies the overall printing structure, reduces printing costs, and improves printing efficiency.

[0007] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a printing system, comprising: A nozzle board, a main board and a computer terminal; the nozzle board at least includes an FPGA chip, a controller, a driver and a nozzle adapter assembly; the nozzle adapter assembly is connected to multiple or multiple nozzles; The computer terminal includes a main controller and a memory; the main controller is connected to the memory; the memory stores printing data; the main controller sends the printing data and the initial control instruction to the main board according to the task instruction; The FPGA chip is connected to the main board of the printer; the controller is connected to the FPGA chip; The main board stores the printing data and sends the initial control instruction to the FPGA chip; The FPGA chip receives the initial control instruction sent by the mainboard, and converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller; the controller determines the target nozzle based on the control instruction, and after determining the target nozzle, sends the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip; the target nozzle includes at least one or one nozzle; The FPGA chip is also connected to the driver, and the FPGA chip converts the first digital driving signal into a second digital driving signal and sends it to the driver; The driver is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly. The driver converts the second digital driving signal into a target analog signal and drives the target nozzle based on the target analog signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a nozzle plate of a printer provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a printing system provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the splicing state of the i3200 nozzle provided by one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the layout of multiple nozzles during printing of a nozzle group provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Reference numerals: 10-nozzle plate; 11- FPGA chip; 12-controller; 13-driver; 14-nozzle adapter assembly; 141-nozzle adapter socket 1; 142-nozzle adapter socket 2; 143-nozzle adapter socket 3; 144-nozzle adapter socket N; 145-nozzle adapter board 1; 146-nozzle adapter board 2; 147-nozzle adapter board 3; 148-nozzle adapter board N; 15-power supply; 20-first nozzle; 21-second nozzle; 22-Nth nozzle; 24-i3200 nozzle; 25-i1600 nozzle; 26-xp600 nozzle; 30-mainboard; 31-keyboard; 32-x-axis motor; 33-y-axis motor; 34-scraper motor; 35-ink stack motor; 40-computer terminal; 50-grating sensor; 51-liquid level sensor; 52-paper detection sensor; 53-heating plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. For example, the first threshold and the second threshold are only used to distinguish different thresholds, and their order is not limited. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit them to be different.

[0011] It should be noted that, in the present invention, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present invention should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0012] In the present invention, "at least one" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that three types of relationships may exist.

[0013] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a nozzle board 10 of a printer, which may include: an FPGA chip 11, a controller 12, a driver 13 and a nozzle adapter component 14; The nozzle adapter assembly 14 can be connected to multiple or multiple nozzles; the multiple nozzles may include: Figure 1 The first nozzle 20, the second nozzle 21 ... the Nth nozzle 22 shown, the various nozzles may include Figure 2 i3200 printhead 24, i1600 printhead 25, xp600 printhead 26, etc.

[0014] The FPGA chip 11 is connected to the main board of the printer; the controller 12 is connected to the FPGA chip 11; The FPGA chip 11 receives the initial control instruction sent by the mainboard, converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller 12; the controller 12 receives the control instruction and determines the target nozzle based on the control instruction, and after determining the target nozzle, sends the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip 11; the target nozzle includes at least one or one nozzle; wherein the first digital drive signal is used to drive the target nozzle; The FPGA chip 11 is also connected to the driver 13. The FPGA chip 11 converts the first digital driving signal into a second digital driving signal and sends it to the driver 13. For example, the FPGA chip 11 decodes the first digital driving signal to obtain the second digital driving signal. The driver 13 is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly 14. The driver converts the second digital driving signal into a target analog signal and drives the target nozzle based on the target analog signal.

[0015] In a specific implementation, a bidirectional communication connection is established between the controller on the nozzle board and the main board of the printer, a bidirectional communication connection is established between the FPGA chip and the main board of the printer, the main board is connected to the computer end, and the computer end sends a print instruction and corresponding print data to the main board according to the print task. After receiving the print instruction, the main board saves the print data and sends an initial control instruction to the FPGA chip in the nozzle board. The FPGA chip converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller. If the control instruction indicates that the current print task requires control printing of multiple or more nozzles, the controller on the nozzle board will determine the target nozzle based on the control instruction after receiving the control instruction (the target nozzle can be two or more nozzles), and then send the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip after determining the target nozzle. The FPGA chip then converts the first digital drive signal into a second digital drive signal recognizable by the driver, and sends the second digital drive signal to the driver, and the driver converts the second digital drive signal into a target analog signal to drive the target nozzle to print. In this way, one nozzle board controls multiple nozzles for collaborative printing, thereby reducing printing costs.

[0016] Specifically, the nozzle adapter assembly includes a plurality of nozzle adapter sockets; each nozzle adapter socket is connected to a nozzle adapter plate; each nozzle adapter plate is connected to one or a type of nozzle.

[0017] It should be noted that the nozzles can be divided into different types, such as i1600, i3200 and xp600. Further, a nozzle adapter assembly of a nozzle board is provided with a plurality of nozzle adapter sockets. Specifically, for a certain nozzle adapter socket, a nozzle adapter assembly can be provided with a plurality of nozzle adapter sockets of a certain type, and each nozzle adapter socket can be connected to a nozzle adapter board.

[0018] It can be seen from the above that the nozzle plate provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be connected to multiple numbers or types of nozzles at the same time.

[0019] In order to accept the above-mentioned two types of nozzles, i1600 and i3200, at least two adapter board sockets are arranged on the nozzle plate provided by the embodiment of the present invention, and each adapter board socket is connected to a nozzle adapter board, wherein one nozzle adapter board is connected to the i1600 nozzle, and the other nozzle adapter board is connected to the i3200 nozzle. It is understandable that in a printing environment, the i3200 nozzle can be essentially equivalent to two i1600 nozzles. At this time, the actual working mode of the nozzle can be selected to derive three modes, namely, 4×i1600 mode, 2×i3200 mode and i3200+2×i1600 mode. For example: in the i3200+2×i1600 mode, one i3200 can be connected to the color ink nozzle, one i1600 can be connected to the white ink nozzle, and one i1600 can be connected to the varnish nozzle, thereby realizing the integrated molding of white ink, color ink and varnish, saving printing costs and improving printing efficiency. That is to say, the nozzle plate provided by the embodiment of the present invention can realize the combination of multiple numbers of nozzles, thereby realizing flexible application in various printing scenarios.

[0020] Specifically, the controller is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly, and further, the controller is also wiredly connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the controller performs a detection operation based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal in the control instruction; The first detection signal is used to detect the connection relationship between the target nozzle and the nozzle adapter plate; the second detection signal is used to detect the connection relationship between multiple nozzle lines in the target nozzle.

[0021] Specifically, the control instruction may include multiple control signals, and the multiple control signals may include a first detection signal (also called an adapter board model detection signal), a second detection signal (also called a nozzle line misplug detection signal) and a temperature signal sent by the controller to the nozzle adapter assembly. The control instruction may also include a print data signal in the FPGA chip; the control instruction may also include a clock signal and a waveform control signal (also called a waveform selection signal) sent by the controller to the FPGA chip. The control instruction may also include a waveform signal sent by the FPGA chip to the driver.

[0022] Before the nozzle prints, the controller detects whether the adapter plate model corresponding to the target nozzle is correct based on the first detection signal to verify whether the target nozzle is connected accurately. Since each nozzle includes multiple rows of nozzle holes, and each row of nozzle holes has its own nozzle line, the controller can also detect whether the connection position of each group of nozzle lines is accurate based on the second detection signal. After the first detection signal and the second detection signal are detected, the controller sends other control signals according to the control instructions. These detection operations can ensure the position accuracy of the target nozzle, ensure the smooth progress of printing, and improve printing efficiency.

[0023] As mentioned above, each nozzle includes multiple rows (for example, M rows, where M is greater than or equal to 2) of nozzle holes. In a printing task, the printing data corresponding to each row of nozzle holes is very likely to be different. Therefore, each row of nozzle holes can correspond to a waveform control signal; the target analog signal includes analog signals corresponding to N waveform control signals, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and N is less than or equal to M. The target analog signal is used to control the corresponding target nozzle. In a specific implementation, after determining the target nozzle, the controller also sends M waveform control signals, ignition data volume and other signals in the control instruction to the FPGA chip. Among them, the M waveform control signals control the M rows of nozzle holes in each nozzle to be in a waiting state.

[0024] The FPGA chip is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the FPGA chip determines the target row of nozzles and the target waveform control signal corresponding to the target row of nozzles based on the printing data signal in the control instruction, selects the working target waveform signal based on the target waveform control signal from the M waveform control signals, and controls the target row of nozzles to print based on the target waveform signal.

[0025] In summary, the FPGA chip uses the waveform control signal based on the print data signal to select the waveform signal corresponding to the target nozzle row from all (M) waveform signals, so as to drive the target nozzle row corresponding to the waveform control signal to perform inkjet operation.

[0026] For example, the i3200 printhead has 8 columns of nozzles, which are divided into two rows of 4 columns, and each row of nozzles shares a set of logic control signals.

[0027] For example, the i1600 printheads share a set of control logic and signals; the control logic includes: latch, split signal, NCHG, etc.; data transmission includes: clock, data signal; In an optional embodiment, the driver includes a digital-to-analog converter and a power amplifier, and the digital-to-analog converter is connected to the power amplifier. The digital-to-analog converter is also connected to the FPGA chip; the digital-to-analog converter receives the second digital drive signal sent by the FPGA chip, converts the second digital drive signal into an initial analog signal, and sends the initial analog signal to the power amplifier. The power amplifier is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the power amplifier amplifies the initial analog signal to obtain a target analog signal to drive the target nozzle connected to the nozzle adapter assembly.

[0028] The function of the digital-to-analog converter is to convert the second digital driving signal into an initial analog signal that can be recognized by the power amplifier, and the power amplifier amplifies the initial analog signal to form a target analog signal, thereby driving the target nozzle connected to the nozzle adapter assembly, thereby improving the driving efficiency of the driver.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, the controller includes an electronic control unit and a communication interface; the communication interface is connected to the printer's mainboard, and the electronic control unit is connected to the communication interface. The communication interface receives some instructions sent by the mainboard and sends these instructions to the electronic control unit; the electronic control unit can perform corresponding operations based on the received instructions.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the communication interface is connected to the FPGA chip; the communication interface receives the control instruction sent by the FPGA chip, and sends the control instruction to the electronic control unit; The electronic control unit is connected to the communication interface; the electronic control unit determines the target nozzle based on the received control instruction, and sends multiple control signals in the control instruction to the FPGA chip.

[0031] In an optional embodiment, the nozzle plate of the printer may further include: a heat sink (not shown in the figure) and Figure 1 The power supply 15 shown; the FPGA chip 11, the controller 12, the driver 13 and the nozzle adapter assembly 14 are all connected to the power supply 15.

[0032] In a specific implementation, the radiator can dissipate heat from the power amplifier in the driver to improve printing efficiency, while the power supply can supply power to multiple components in the printhead board.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, the FPGA is connected to the mainboard through an optical fiber. The mainboard packages the data into a package of a preset format and sends it to the FPGA. The FPGA does not identify the data, but only realizes the conversion of the data format. The data sent by the mainboard to the FPGA may include a packet header, data length, data type, check code, etc. The packet header contains the object to which the relevant data needs to be sent later, such as the mainboard, the controller (MCU), the driver, etc. The data length is used to determine the start of the entire data, the data type is used to indicate the type and format of the data, so that the FPGA can parse the data. The check code is used to detect the integrity of the data transmission by checking whether the calculated check code is consistent with the received check code. After the FPGA receives the data packet sent by the mainboard through the optical fiber from the network port, it parses and classifies the data and sends it to the controller, the driver, or feeds it back to the mainboard. The FPGA is connected to the controller through a serial port and is used to send instructions requesting to obtain relevant data monitored by various sensors, such as nozzle temperature data, nozzle humidity data, and liquid level information. It does not require a high transmission speed, and can save pins through a serial port connection, and can adapt to most MCU protocols. Exemplarily, after the FPGA parses the data packet sent from the mainboard into control data, ignition data, printing data and timing data according to the data type, it sends the control data to the sensor, the ignition data and timing data to the driver, saves the printing data, and sends it to the driver in sequence.

[0034] FPGA is connected to the driver via a parallel port. It should be noted that one driver can be connected to one nozzle or multiple nozzles. When there are many nozzle holes on the nozzle and the driver driving capacity is insufficient, multiple drivers can also be used to connect one nozzle. Data transmission speed through the parallel port is faster and clock synchronization is convenient. The head plate in the embodiment of the present invention is equipped with multiple or multiple nozzles. As an optional embodiment, the head plate is connected to multiple drivers, each driver is connected to a nozzle, wherein the types of multiple nozzles connected to the head plate through the driver can be the same or different, and the types of nozzles may include Ricoh, Epson, Kyocera, Canon, etc., and the types of nozzles may include XP600, i3200, etc.

[0035] On the basis of the above embodiments, the present invention further optimizes the way in which a head plate is connected to one or more nozzles. Optionally, a head plate can be connected to multiple nozzles, including at least one first type nozzle and at least one second type nozzle, wherein the first type nozzle is a nozzle that requires an analog signal to control ink discharge, and the second type nozzle is a nozzle that requires a digital signal to discharge ink. Since the main board and the head plate transmit data through digital signals, the first type nozzle is connected to the head plate through a driver for digital-to-analog conversion, and the second type nozzle is directly connected to the head plate, so that a mixed installation of multiple different types of nozzles can be achieved. The method in the above embodiments makes the nozzle head plate more applicable and has richer application scenarios. For example, in a scenario where there are many types of nozzles but a limited number, multiple nozzles can be installed on a printing carriage for splicing and printing. In a scenario where there are not enough head plates, one head plate can be used to control the print nozzles of multiple printers for printing. It can also be applied to a scenario where multiple types of nozzles work together to print the same object to be printed. This embodiment does not impose any restrictions on the application scenarios of the above methods. For example, since Kyocera's print heads do not require a driver for digital-to-analog conversion, the Kyocera print heads can be directly connected to the head board, while Ricoh and Epson's print heads require analog signals to control the ink discharge from the nozzles. Ricoh and Epson's print heads need to be connected to the head board through a driver, while Kyocera's print heads are directly connected to the head board.

[0036] The head board is connected to multiple driver boards and head boards through a parallel interface, or directly connected to the nozzle, and the same clock signal is also used to send data. Since the number of nozzle holes of different types of nozzles may be different in actual printing scenarios, the embodiment of the present invention sets the clock signal according to the maximum number of nozzle holes among multiple nozzles. The driving digital signal corresponding to certain clock signals of the nozzle with a small number of nozzle holes is 0. There is no restriction on which clock signals correspond to the digital driving signal of 0, which can be freely set according to actual conditions. Optionally, the difference between the number of nozzle holes of the current nozzle and the maximum number of nozzle holes among multiple nozzles is obtained, and the digital driving signal corresponding to the clock signal corresponding to the final number difference is set to 0, so that different nozzles use the same clock signal to connect to the same head board through the parallel port for mixed use, without the need to set their own clocks, and the solution is simple and easy. It can be understood that when the clock signal received by the nozzle or the driver is 0, the nozzle hole is not driven to discharge ink, so that nozzles with different nozzle holes can print at the same time without complicated processing of the nozzle ink discharge data. For example, when the i3200 model nozzle and the xp600 model nozzle are mixed, since the number of nozzle holes of the i3200 model nozzle is 3200 and the number of nozzle holes of the xp600 model nozzle is 1080, the number of clock signals is set to 3200, and the difference between the number of nozzle holes of the i3200 model nozzle and the number of nozzle holes of the xp600 model nozzle is 2120. When the first 1080 clock signals are received, the xp600 nozzle and the i3200 nozzle simultaneously spray ink according to the ink output data transmitted by the FPGA. When the next 2120 clock signals are received, the driving signal of the xp600 nozzle is 0, and it does not control the nozzle to discharge ink. At this time, only the i3200 nozzle controls the ink output according to the ink output data.

[0037] The printing system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is described below. The printing system described below includes the nozzle plate of the printer in any of the above embodiments.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the printing system specifically includes: a nozzle board 10, multiple or multiple printing nozzles, a main board 30 and a computer terminal 40; the nozzle board 10 at least includes an FPGA chip 11, a controller 12, multiple drivers 13 and Figure 1 The nozzle adapter assembly 14 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The power supply 15 in the nozzle adapter assembly 14 is connected to multiple or multiple nozzles. Figure 1The nozzle adapter assembly 14 may include multiple nozzle adapter sockets, such as the first nozzle adapter socket 141 (also known as nozzle adapter socket 1), the second nozzle adapter socket 142 (also known as nozzle adapter socket 2), the third nozzle adapter socket 143 (also known as nozzle adapter socket 3), and the Nth nozzle adapter socket 144 (also known as nozzle adapter socket N); each nozzle adapter socket can be connected to a nozzle adapter plate, such as the first nozzle adapter plate 145 (also known as nozzle adapter plate 1), the second nozzle adapter plate 146 (i.e., nozzle adapter plate 2), the third nozzle adapter plate 147 (i.e., nozzle adapter plate 3), until the Nth nozzle adapter plate 148 (i.e., nozzle adapter plate N); each nozzle adapter plate can be connected to one or a type of nozzle, for example, the first nozzle adapter plate 145 can be connected to the i3200 nozzle 24, the second nozzle adapter plate 146 can be connected to the i1600 nozzle, the third nozzle adapter plate 147 can be connected to the xp600 nozzle, the fourth nozzle adapter plate can be connected to the i1600 nozzle, etc.; The multiple nozzles may include Figure 1 The first nozzle 20, the second nozzle 21, and up to the Nth nozzle 22; wherein these nozzles can be of the same type or of different types.

[0039] A variety of nozzles can include Figure 2 i3200 printhead 24, i1600 printhead 25, xp600 printhead 26, etc.

[0040] The computer terminal 40 includes a main controller and a memory; the main controller is connected to the memory; the memory stores printing data; the main controller sends the printing data and control instructions to the main board according to the task instruction; The FPGA chip 11 is connected to the main board 30 of the printer; the controller 12 is connected to the FPGA chip 11; The main board 30 stores the printing data and sends initial control instructions to the FPGA chip 11; The FPGA chip 11 receives the initial control instruction sent by the mainboard 30, and converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller 12; the controller 12 determines the target nozzle based on the control instruction, and after determining the target nozzle, sends the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip 11; the target nozzle includes at least one or one nozzle; The FPGA chip 11 is also connected to the driver 13, wherein a plurality of drivers 13 are connected to the FPGA chip 11; the FPGA chip converts the first digital driving signal into a second digital driving signal and sends it to the driver; The driver is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly. The driver converts the second digital driving signal into a target analog signal and drives the target nozzle based on the target analog signal.

[0041] From the above, it can be seen that in the prior art, for a printing task that requires multiple nozzles to cooperate to complete, it is necessary to match multiple or multiple nozzle boards to work simultaneously, and the printing system provided by the embodiment of the present invention can solve this technical problem: the computer end 40 sends the printing instruction and the corresponding printing data to the main board 30 of the printer according to the printing task, the main board 30 stores the printing data and sends the control instruction to the FPGA chip 11 of the nozzle board 10, the FPGA chip 11 converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller 12, the controller 12 receives the control instruction and determines the target nozzle (target nozzle) based on the control instruction The nozzle may include multiple nozzles of the same type or multiple nozzles of different types), and then after determining the target nozzle, the first digital drive signal in the control instruction is sent to the FPGA chip 11. The FPGA chip 11 converts the first digital drive signal into a second digital drive signal and sends it to the driver 13. The driver 13 converts the second digital drive signal into a target analog signal to drive multiple nozzles or multiple types of nozzles in the target nozzle to print. In this way, one nozzle board controls multiple nozzles or multiple types of nozzles for collaborative printing, which not only simplifies the overall structure of the printing system, reduces printing costs, but also improves printing efficiency.

[0042] In an optional embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the printing system may further include a keypad 31, wherein the mainboard 30 may be connected to the keypad 31, and the keypad 31 may be a touch screen interactive device for observing various waveform signals, etc., and may also generate a print instruction or stop a print instruction, etc. according to user input.

[0043] In an optional embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the printing system can also include an x-axis motor 32, a y-axis motor 33, a scraper motor 34, and an ink stack motor 35, wherein the x-axis motor 32, the y-axis motor 33, the scraper motor 34, and the ink stack motor 35 are all connected to the main board 30, so that the main board 30 can control and drive the x-axis motor 32, the y-axis motor 33, the scraper motor 34, and the ink stack motor 35 according to the printing instruction. Further, the main board 30 can control the nozzle to move left and right along the x-axis by controlling and driving the x-axis motor 32, the main board 30 can control the object to be printed or the nozzle to move forward along the y-axis by controlling and driving the y-axis motor 33, and the main board 30 can control the ink stack to absorb ink by controlling and driving the ink stack motor 35; after printing or before printing, the main board 30 can clean the nozzle by controlling and driving the scraper motor 34.

[0044] In an optional embodiment, if Figure 2As shown, the printing system may also include a grating sensor 50, a liquid level sensor 51, a paper sensor 52, and a heating plate 53, wherein the grating sensor 50, the liquid level sensor 51, the paper sensor 52, and the heating plate 53 are all connected to the controller 12 in the nozzle plate 10. The controller 12 on the nozzle plate 10 may receive the sensor information collected by the grating sensor 50, the liquid level sensor 51, and the paper sensor 52, and further calculate or control according to the sensor information. For example, the controller 12 may calculate the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge according to the liquid level information collected by the liquid level sensor 51. For example, the controller 12 may calculate the specific position of the paper and when to print according to the paper information collected by the paper sensor 52. For example, the controller 12 may also send the sensor information to the keypad 31 through the external interface for observation by the staff. It should be noted that the connection relationship between the controller and each sensor is not specifically illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but there is a corresponding connection relationship in the specific implementation. In addition, the controller is also connected to each nozzle adapter socket, but it is not specifically illustrated in the drawings just to prevent confusion of lines in the accompanying drawings.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the nozzle adapter assembly includes a plurality of nozzle adapter sockets; each nozzle adapter socket is connected to a nozzle adapter plate; each nozzle adapter plate is connected to a nozzle; Each nozzle includes M rows of nozzle holes, each row of nozzle holes corresponds to a waveform control signal; the target analog signal includes analog signals corresponding to N waveform control signals; N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and N is less than or equal to M; After determining the target nozzle, the controller also sends M waveform control signals in the control instruction to the FPGA chip; The FPGA chip is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the FPGA chip determines the target row of nozzles and the target waveform control signal corresponding to the target row of nozzles based on the printing data signal in the control instruction, determines the target waveform signal based on the target waveform control signal, and controls the target row of nozzles to print based on the target waveform signal.

[0046] From the above content, it can be seen that compared with the prior art, the printing system provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a computer terminal, a main board, a nozzle board and multiple or more nozzles. If multiple or more nozzles are required in a printing task, it is only necessary to use a main board and a nozzle board to simultaneously control and drive multiple or more nozzles to complete the task. For example, as mentioned above: in the i3200+2×i1600 mode, an i3200 can be used to connect the color ink nozzle, an i1600 can be used to connect the white ink nozzle, and an i1600 can be used to connect the varnish nozzle, so as to realize the integrated molding of white ink, color ink and varnish, save printing costs, and improve printing efficiency. In other words, the printing system provided by the embodiment of the present invention can realize the combination of multiple numbers and multiple nozzles, so as to realize flexible application of various printing scenarios. Not only does it simplify the overall structure of the printing system, but it also reduces printing costs.

[0047] In an optional embodiment, different types of nozzle adapter sockets can be set to be the same, and multiple nozzle adapter sockets can be set on a head plate, so that there is no need to make and design a large number of types of nozzle adapter sockets, making the nozzle adapter socket more versatile. On this basis, there is no need to make too many improvements to the mechanical structure at the nozzle installation level. The size and number of pins of the nozzle adapter socket can be set based on the nozzle that requires the most pins. The size of the nozzle adapter socket is determined by the maximum number of pins required among multiple nozzles. The pins required by the nozzle are determined according to the nozzle protocol, which is specifically related to the number of nozzle holes and the driving method of the nozzle. The nozzle protocol can be obtained from the manufacturer of the nozzle, and is usually also recorded in the nozzle manual. For nozzles that require fewer pins, free pins can be left in the nozzle group adapter socket. When the sum of the number of pins required by two nozzles is less than the number of pins on the nozzle adapter socket, the two nozzles can also be installed on the same nozzle adapter socket through different adapter plates. Different types of nozzle adapter plates can be set to different pin sizes corresponding to the number of pins required by the nozzles. Nozzle adapter plates and nozzle adapter sockets of different sizes can be adapted to achieve flexible plugging and unplugging. In this way, the hardware foundation for installing multiple nozzles of different types and kinds on the same head board is realized.

[0048] Based on the above hardware composition, the present invention needs to realize the linkage printing of multiple types of nozzles in the form of nozzle group data structure at the software level, such as the data level. In actual printing, the nozzle group, that is, the target nozzle, includes multiple nozzles used by the nozzle plate when actually printing. The nozzle group data structure includes a first layer data structure, a second layer data structure and a third layer data structure.

[0049] The first layer of data structure at least includes the nozzle type (such as i3200 nozzle), the number of colors, the number of nozzle arrangement, and the number of splices of each nozzle. These parameters are the basic properties of the nozzle. Among them, the number of nozzle arrangement refers to the number of rows of nozzles contained in each nozzle. For example, 1 i1600 nozzle contains 4 rows of nozzles, and 1 i3200 nozzle contains 8 rows of nozzles (specially, 1 i3200 nozzle can be composed of 2 i1600 nozzles); the number of splices refers to the number of nozzles corresponding to the same type (referring to the same nozzle type, number of colors, and color sequence) when the nozzles are mixed and assembled into an integral nozzle. It should be noted that setting the number of colors, the number of nozzle arrangements, and the number of splices in the first layer of data structure can calculate the number of phases of each color among all the colors used in a printing task. It can be understood that the calculation of the number of phases is to facilitate the distribution of print data corresponding to the printing task and improve printing accuracy. The formula for calculating the number of phases is as follows: (1) For example Figure 3 The i3200 nozzle 24 shown in the figure is composed of two i1600 nozzles 25. If the i3200 nozzle 24 is required to print four colors, such as YMCK, in a printing task, it is set in units of one i1600, so the number of colors set is 2; since the four colors and eight rows of nozzles corresponding to the two i1600 nozzles 25 can meet the phase calculation requirements, because it is set in units of one i1600, there is no splicing, so the number of splicing can be set to 1; each i1600 nozzle 25 includes four rows of nozzles, each row of nozzles corresponds to one color (such as Figure 3 The i1600 nozzle on the left is shown. From left to right, the first row of nozzles corresponds to color Y, the second row of nozzles corresponds to color M, the third row of nozzles corresponds to color C, and the fourth row of nozzles corresponds to color K). It should be noted that the purpose of splicing is to increase the printing speed.

[0050] The first layer data structure may also include: phase of the nozzle group, splicing of the nozzle group, x-axis nozzle group information and y-axis nozzle group information. Grouping multiple nozzles in the first layer data structure can improve data management efficiency.

[0051] The second layer of data structure is the y-axis nozzle group information. Since multiple nozzles are connected to the nozzle adapter assembly in an array, for example Figure 4 As shown, all nozzles include multiple rows of nozzles, and each row of nozzles includes multiple nozzles. Therefore, the y-axis nozzle group information at least includes the number of x-axis nozzle groups and the physical position of each x-axis nozzle group in the y-axis direction. In this way, when distributing printing data, it is more convenient to address the corresponding nozzle.

[0052] The third layer of data structure is the x-axis nozzle group information. The x-axis nozzle group information includes at least the number of nozzles, color types, and color numbers in each x-axis nozzle group, as well as the nozzle position, nozzle type, color number, color type, and nozzle phase of each nozzle. Among them, the nozzle position is the head plate number (such as head plate 1, head plate 2) and the slot number (such as slot 1, slot 2); the nozzle phase refers to the relative position between each nozzle hole, color number and high and low bits. In the third layer of data structure, the specific attribute settings of each nozzle are convenient for controlling each nozzle and the nozzle holes on each nozzle to improve printing efficiency.

[0053] The data in the first layer of data structure is applicable to all data, the data in the second layer of data structure is used to determine the position, and the third layer of data structure is used to add, delete, modify or query each nozzle group separately.

[0054] It is understandable that before printing, the required multiple nozzles are laid out according to the printing task, and relevant parameters are set in the interface before printing, and independent nozzle properties are set for each nozzle, including the above-mentioned nozzle types, number of colors and color order. After the user completes the settings, the required multiple nozzles are inserted into the corresponding slots through their corresponding nozzle adapter plates, and a one-time analysis is performed for each attribute of the newly added mixed nozzles before printing. Compared with the existing nozzle group analysis method, which does not require secondary analysis to obtain the attributes of each nozzle, the data structure of the print data provided by the embodiment of the present invention is more convenient for the construction and distribution of print data.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, for the scenario where multiple different types of nozzles are mixed on the same head plate, a three-layer data structure can be used to store the relevant data of all nozzles. The data in the first layer of the data structure is for the mixed nozzle scenario, and the data that needs to be directly retrieved during the printing process; the data in the second layer of the data structure is for the mixed nozzle scenario, and the unified data grouping and data export are provided according to the position of the nozzle in the nozzle adapter assembly; the data in the third layer of the data structure is all the data for each nozzle.

[0056] It should be noted that the data stored in the first-layer data structure are the data directly needed in the mixed-installation scenario, or the data needed can be calculated through the data stored in the first-layer data structure. They are valid data obtained after cleaning according to the scenario. The data in the first-layer data structure are not stored according to the type of nozzles, but are stored according to the scenario requirements, such as data transmission for specific nozzles, data distribution and other requirements. You can refer to the rules for different types of nozzle ink drive methods in the above-mentioned embodiments. In printing scenarios with mixed installations of different types and numbers of nozzles, in a variety of mixed installation scenarios, you can quickly obtain the data information in the first-layer data structure, you can directly adapt the data transmitted by FPGA, and distribute the printing data for each nozzle. The data stored in the first-layer data structure is more practical. In the second-layer data structure, different nozzle data are grouped and stored according to location information. The data stored in the second-layer data structure and the third-layer data structure are not completely one-to-many or one-to-one. They may also be many-to-one. For example, multiple nozzle information of the same type may be stored only once in the third-layer data structure, but the same nozzle is installed in multiple locations in the second-layer data structure. At this time, each location will store the same information repeatedly. The second-layer data structure provides a calling interface for the third-layer data structure, which can improve the usability of data and reduce the difficulty of data parsing through appropriate data redundancy. The third-layer data structure stores a large and comprehensive amount of data. Optionally, the relevant data corresponding to each nozzle can be stored in a corresponding layered manner in a heap manner. The layering refers to the layered storage of multiple different types of relevant data for each nozzle. The third-layer data structure can structure the data to facilitate the addition, deletion, modification and query of nozzle data, and can also be applied to other scenarios that do not include mixed installation of nozzles and need to read data.

[0057] Although the present invention is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed invention, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, this specification and the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present invention. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is intended to include such modifications and variations if they fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A nozzle plate of a printer, characterized in that: include: FPGA chip, controller, driver and nozzle adapter assembly; The nozzle adapter assembly is connected to a plurality of or multiple types of nozzles; The FPGA chip is connected to the main board of the printer; the controller is connected to the FPGA chip; The FPGA chip receives the initial control instruction sent by the mainboard, and converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller; the controller determines the target nozzle based on the control instruction, and after determining the target nozzle, sends the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip; the target nozzle includes at least one or one nozzle; The FPGA chip is also connected to the driver, and the FPGA chip converts the first digital driving signal into a second digital driving signal and sends it to the driver; The driver is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly. The driver converts the second digital driving signal into a target analog signal and drives the target nozzle based on the target analog signal.

2. The nozzle plate of the printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nozzle adapter assembly includes a plurality of nozzle adapter sockets; each of the nozzle adapter sockets is connected to a nozzle adapter plate; each of the nozzle adapter plates is connected to one or a type of nozzle.

3. The nozzle plate of the printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The controller is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the controller performs a detection operation based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal in the control instruction; The first detection signal is used to detect the connection relationship between the target nozzle and the nozzle adapter plate; the second detection signal is used to detect the connection relationship between multiple nozzle lines in the target nozzle.

4. The nozzle plate of the printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each nozzle includes M rows of nozzle holes, each row of nozzle holes corresponds to a waveform control signal; the target analog signal includes analog signals corresponding to N waveform control signals; N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and N is less than or equal to M; After determining the target nozzle, the controller further sends M waveform control signals in the control instruction to the FPGA chip; the M waveform control signals control the M rows of nozzle holes in each nozzle to be in a waiting state; The FPGA chip is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the FPGA chip determines the target row of nozzles and the target waveform control signal corresponding to the target row of nozzles based on the print data signal in the control instruction, selects the working target waveform signal based on the target waveform control signal from the M waveform control signals, and controls the target row of nozzles to print based on the target waveform signal.

5. The nozzle plate of the printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driver comprises a digital-to-analog converter and a power amplifier; the digital-to-analog converter is connected to the power amplifier; The digital-to-analog converter is also connected to the FPGA chip; the digital-to-analog converter receives the second digital drive signal sent by the FPGA chip, converts the second digital drive signal into an initial analog signal, and sends the initial analog signal to the power amplifier; The power amplifier is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the power amplifier amplifies the initial analog signal to obtain the target analog signal to drive the target nozzle connected to the nozzle adapter assembly.

6. The nozzle plate of the printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller includes an electronic control unit and a communication interface; The communication interface is connected to the FPGA chip; the communication interface receives the control instruction sent by the FPGA chip, and sends the control instruction to the electronic control unit; The electronic control unit is connected to the communication interface; the electronic control unit determines the target nozzle based on the received control instruction, and sends a plurality of control signals in the control instruction to the FPGA chip.

7. The nozzle plate of the printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: Also includes: Heat sink and power supply; The FPGA chip, the controller, the driver and the nozzle adapter assembly are all connected to the power supply.

8. A printing system, characterized in that: include: A nozzle board, a main board and a computer terminal; the nozzle board at least includes an FPGA chip, a controller, a driver and a nozzle adapter component; The nozzle adapter assembly is connected to a plurality of or multiple types of nozzles; The computer terminal includes a main controller and a memory; the main controller is connected to the memory; the memory stores printing data; The main controller sends the printing data and the initial control instruction to the main board according to the task instruction; The FPGA chip is connected to the main board of the printer; the controller is connected to the FPGA chip; The main board stores the printing data and sends the initial control instruction to the FPGA chip; The FPGA chip receives the initial control instruction sent by the mainboard, and converts the initial control instruction into a recognizable control instruction and sends it to the controller; the controller determines the target nozzle based on the control instruction, and after determining the target nozzle, sends the first digital drive signal in the control instruction to the FPGA chip; the target nozzle includes at least one or one nozzle; The FPGA chip is also connected to the driver, and the FPGA chip converts the first digital driving signal into a second digital driving signal and sends it to the driver; The driver is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly. The driver converts the second digital driving signal into a target analog signal and drives the target nozzle based on the target analog signal.

9. The printing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The nozzle adapter assembly includes a plurality of nozzle adapter sockets; each nozzle adapter socket is connected to a nozzle adapter plate; each nozzle adapter plate is connected to a nozzle; Each nozzle includes M rows of nozzle holes, each row of nozzle holes corresponds to a waveform control signal; the target analog signal includes analog signals corresponding to N waveform control signals; N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and N is less than or equal to M; After determining the target nozzle, the controller also sends M waveform control signals in the control instruction to the FPGA chip; The FPGA chip is also connected to the nozzle adapter assembly; the FPGA chip determines the target row of nozzles and the target waveform control signal corresponding to the target row of nozzles based on the print data signal in the control instruction, determines the target waveform signal based on the target waveform control signal, and controls the target row of nozzles to print based on the target waveform signal.

10. The printing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The data structure of the printing data includes a first layer data structure, a second layer data structure and a third layer data structure; wherein the first layer data structure includes at least the nozzle type, number of colors, number of nozzle arrangement and number of splicing of each nozzle; the second layer data structure includes at least the number of x-axial nozzle groups and the physical position of each x-axial nozzle group in the y-axial direction; the third layer data structure includes at least the number of nozzles, color type and number of colors in each x-axial nozzle group, as well as the nozzle position, nozzle type, number of colors, color type and nozzle phase of each nozzle.

Images