Jet printing head device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a jet printing head apparatus, the jet printing head apparatus comprising: a metal base plate; and the at least one basic unit is mounted on the metal bottom plate. Each basic unit comprises an even number of jet printing heads; an even number of jet printing heads are mounted on the splice plate; wherein a first ink inlet of a first jet printing head in a pair of adjacent jet printing heads in the even number of jet printing heads and a corresponding second ink inlet of a second jet printing head in the pair of adjacent jet printing heads are adjacent to each other in the first direction of the splice plate, so that the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet share an ink supply runner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of inkjet printing devices, and more particularly to an inkjet head device, especially a splicing solution for multiple inkjet heads. Background Art

[0002] Each inkjet head of an inkjet printing device may include an inkjet area and multiple ink inlets, as Figure 1 shown. Each of these ink inlets is used to eject ink for printing, so it needs to receive ink from an ink supply channel. In traditional inkjet printing devices. Each ink inlet requires a dedicated ink supply channel, which will result in a large number of ink supply channels to be involved.

[0003] With the increase in the number of ink supply channels, the internal structure of the inkjet head will inevitably become more complex, which places extremely high requirements on the manufacturing process and precision. During the production process, more advanced technologies and more precise equipment are required to ensure that the size, shape, and position of each ink supply channel meet the requirements. Even a tiny error may affect the printing quality and lead to an increase in the rejection rate.

[0004] More ink supply channels mean that more materials are needed to construct these channels, and in order to ensure the performance and stability of the channels, higher-quality and more expensive materials may need to be used, thus increasing the raw material cost. The complex structure makes it extremely difficult to repair and maintain the inkjet head when a failure occurs. Technicians need to spend more time and effort to troubleshoot the failure point, and due to the large number of channels, the repair of some internal channels may require professional tools and techniques, and even the inkjet head may need to be returned to the factory for repair, which undoubtedly increases the maintenance cost and downtime.

[0005] In addition, precise flow control is required for multiple ink supply channels to ensure that each channel supplies ink according to the set amount. However, in actual operation, due to possible slight differences between channels, such as slight changes in the inner diameter of the channels and different surface roughnesses, the flow resistance of the ink in different channels will be different, making it difficult to ensure that the ink flow in each channel is exactly the same. In addition, numerous ink supply channels need to maintain good pressure balance during operation, otherwise phenomena such as ink backflow and ink crosstalk may occur. However, it is very difficult to achieve precise pressure balance between multiple channels. Therefore, an inkjet printing device with as few ink supply channels as possible is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an inkjet printhead device, the inkjet printhead device including: a metal base plate; at least one basic unit, the at least one basic unit being mounted on the metal base plate. Each basic unit includes: an even number of printheads; and a splicing plate, the even number of printheads being mounted on the splicing plate; wherein a first ink inlet of a first printhead in an adjacent pair of printheads among the even number of printheads and a corresponding second ink inlet of a second printhead in the pair of printheads are adjacent to each other in a first direction of the splicing plate, such that the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet share an ink supply channel.

[0007] In some embodiments, the even number of printheads includes 2n printheads arranged along the first direction, where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, the 2n printheads are divided into n groups, each group includes a first printhead and a second printhead sharing an ink supply channel, and a first center of a first basic unit among two or more basic units along the first direction and a second center of a second basic unit among two or more basic units along the first direction are offset along the first direction.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first printhead and the second printhead in each group include: a first printing area on one side in the first direction and for the first printhead; a second printing area on the other side in the first direction and for the second printhead; and an ink inlet area located between the first printing area and the second printing area, wherein the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet are provided in the ink inlet area.

[0009] In some embodiments, n is equal to 1, each basic unit includes 2 printheads, and a first length of the ink inlet area along the first direction is less than or equal to a second length of the first printing area or the second printing area along the first direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, n is a positive integer greater than 1, a first length of the ink inlet area in each of the n groups along the first direction is equal to a second length of the first printing area or the second printing area along the first direction; and a third length of a spacer area between adjacent two of the n groups along the first direction is equal to the first length and the second length.

[0011] In some embodiments, the even number of printheads includes 4m printheads, where m is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, the 4m printheads are divided into m groups, each group includes a first pair of printheads arranged along the first direction and a second pair of printheads arranged along the first direction and spaced apart from the first pair of printheads in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a center of the first pair of printheads along the first direction and a center of the second pair of printheads along the first direction are offset in the first direction, and each of the first pair of printheads and the second pair of printheads includes a first printhead and a second printhead sharing an ink supply channel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first print head and the second print head in each of the first pair of print heads and the second pair of print heads include: a first printing area on one side in the first direction and for the first print head; a second printing area on the other side in the first direction and for the second print head; an ink inlet area located between the first printing area and the second printing area, wherein a first ink inlet and a second ink inlet are provided in the ink inlet area, wherein a first length of the ink inlet area along the first direction is equal to a second length of the first printing area or the second printing area along the direction, and a third length of the spacing area between adjacent two of the m groups along the first direction is equal to the first length and the second length.

[0013] In some embodiments, the print head device further includes: at least one ink supply head; and a package disposed between the ink supply head and the splicing plate, wherein one first ink inlet and one second ink inlet in each of the n groups share one same ink supply head, and a shared ink flow path is formed in the ink supply head and the package.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ink flow path of one first ink inlet and one second ink inlet in each adjacent pair of print heads among the n groups includes: a main flow path extending vertically from each ink supply head; a first branch flow path extending from the end of the main flow path to the first ink inlet and formed in the package; and a second branch flow path extending from the end of the main flow path to the second ink inlet and formed in the package.

[0015] In some embodiments, the print head device further includes: at least one ink supply head; and a package disposed between the ink supply head and the splicing plate, wherein two first ink inlets and two second ink inlets in each of the m groups share one ink supply head, and a shared ink flow path is formed in the ink supply head and the package.

[0016] In some embodiments, the ink flow path for two first ink inlets and two second ink inlets in each of the m groups includes: a main flow path extending vertically from each ink supply head; a first main-level branch flow path extending from the end of the main flow path to a position above the first pair of print heads and formed in the package; a second main-level branch flow path extending from the end of the main flow path to a position above the second pair of print heads and formed in the package; a first sub-level branch flow path extending from the end of the first main-level branch flow path to one first ink inlet of the first pair of print heads and formed in the package; a second sub-level branch flow path extending from the end of the first main-level branch flow path to one second ink inlet of the first pair of print heads and formed in the package; a third sub-level branch flow path extending from the end of the second main-level branch flow path to one first ink inlet of the second pair of print heads and formed in the package; and a fourth sub-level branch flow path extending from the end of the second main-level branch flow path to one second ink inlet of the second pair of print heads and formed in the package.

[0017] In some embodiments, each basic unit includes: a first positioning notch located on a first side of the splicing plate in a first direction; and a second positioning notch located on a second side of the splicing plate in the first direction, wherein the first positioning notch is used to position the parallelism between the basic units, and the second positioning notch is configured for the cooperation between the first positioning notch and the first positioning pin and the cooperation between the second positioning notch and the second positioning pin to define the position of the basic unit relative to the metal base plate in the first direction and the second direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first positioning notch is L-shaped and the second positioning notch is V-shaped.

[0019] According to the inkjet head device of an embodiment of the present disclosure, by sharing the ink supply channel between adjacent ink inlets of the first inkjet head and adjacent ink inlets of the second inkjet head, the ink supply channels for the ink inlets of the inkjet head can be reduced, thereby reducing the pipeline complexity, improving the ink supply efficiency, reducing the difficulty and cost of ink management, saving space, and ensuring the balance of ink pressure, etc.

[0020] It should be understood that the content described in the summary of the invention section is not intended to limit the key or important features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Combined with the accompanying drawings and referring to the following detailed description, the above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more obvious. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements, where:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of an inkjet head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an inkjet head splicing scheme according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an inkjet head splicing scheme according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4A shows according to Figure 2 a schematic diagram of the arrangement of a pair of inkjet heads according to the shown embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4B shows according to Figure 2 a perspective view of the installation state of a pair of inkjet heads according to the shown embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4C shows according toFigure 4B Cross-sectional view of the installation state of a pair of printing heads of the illustrated embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4D Illustrates according to Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the notch of a pair of printing heads of the illustrated embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5A Illustrates according to Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the arrangement of two pairs of printing heads of the illustrated embodiment;

[0030] Figure 5B Illustrates according to Figure 3 Perspective view of the installation state of two pairs of printing heads of the illustrated embodiment;

[0031] Figure 5C Illustrates according to Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the main flow channels of two pairs of printing heads of the illustrated embodiment; and

[0032] Figure 5D Illustrates according to Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the secondary flow channels of two pairs of printing heads of the illustrated embodiment. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] Various embodiments are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used throughout to refer to like elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to facilitate a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. However, in some or all cases it may be apparent that any of the embodiments described below can be practiced without the specific design details described below. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate the description of one or more embodiments. A simplified overview of one or more embodiments is given below in order to provide a basic understanding of the embodiments. This overview is not an exhaustive overview of all contemplated embodiments, is not intended to identify all key or important elements of all embodiments, nor is it intended to delimit the scope of any or all embodiments.

[0034] References to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" in the context of this description are intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, phrases such as "in an embodiment" or "in one embodiment" that may appear in one or more places in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, a particular construction, structure, or characteristic may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0035] Unless otherwise indicated, when referring to two elements connected together, this means a direct connection without any intermediate element other than a conductor; and when referring to two elements coupled together, this means that the two elements can be connected or they can be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0036] In the following disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, when referring to absolute position modifiers (such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc.) or relative position modifiers (such as the terms "above", "below", "higher", "lower", etc.), or when referring to orientation modifiers (such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc.), it refers to the orientation shown in the figure. Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "about", "approximate", "substantially" and "approximately" mean within 10%, preferably within 5%.

[0037] In the following description, one or more specific details are set forth in order to provide an in-depth understanding of examples of embodiments of this description. Embodiments may be obtained without one or more specific details, or by using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail so that certain aspects of the embodiments will not be obscured.

[0038] Throughout the accompanying drawings herein, like parts or elements are denoted by like reference numerals, and the corresponding descriptions will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. The reference numerals used herein are provided for convenience only, and thus do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

[0039] As described above, each printhead of an inkjet printing device may include a plurality of ink inlets, and each of these ink inlets needs to be supplied with ink. In a conventional inkjet printing device, each ink inlet requires a dedicated ink supply channel, which results in a large number of ink supply channels being involved. With the increase in the number of ink supply channels, the internal structure of the printhead will inevitably become more complex, which places extremely high requirements on the manufacturing process and precision. More ink supply channels mean that more materials are needed to construct these channels. The complex structure makes the maintenance and repair of the printhead much more difficult when a failure occurs. Multiple ink supply channels require precise flow control to ensure that each channel supplies ink according to the set amount, and it is difficult to ensure that the ink flow rates of each channel are exactly the same. In addition, it is very difficult to achieve precise pressure balance between multiple channels.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a printing head device is provided, including: a metal bottom plate; at least one basic unit, the at least one basic unit being mounted on the metal bottom plate, each basic unit including: an even number of printing heads; and a splicing plate, the even number of printing heads being mounted on the splicing plate; wherein a first ink inlet of a first printing head in an adjacent pair of printing heads among the even number of printing heads is adjacent to a corresponding second ink inlet of a second printing head in the pair of printing heads in a first direction of the splicing plate, such that the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet share an ink supply channel. Thereby, the ink supply channels for the ink inlets of the printing heads can be reduced, thereby reducing the pipeline complexity, improving the ink supply efficiency, reducing the difficulty and cost of ink management, saving space, ensuring the balance of ink pressure, etc.

[0041] Figure 2 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of a printing head splicing scheme according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of a printing head splicing scheme according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] The printing head device according to the present disclosure includes at least one basic unit, and these basic units are mounted on the metal bottom plate (not shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 as shown by reference numeral 60 in Figure 4C ). Each basic unit 20 among these basic units may include an even number of printing heads 10, such as 2, 4, 6, 8, etc. The even number of printing heads are mounted on the splicing plate 30.

[0043] These even number of printing heads include half of the even number of adjacent printing heads. That is to say, if the even number of printing heads includes 2n printing heads, then it includes n pairs of adjacent printing heads. Each pair of printing heads among these n pairs of adjacent printing heads includes a first printing head and a second printing head. A first ink inlet of the first printing head is adjacent to a corresponding second ink inlet of the second printing head in a first direction of the splicing plate (the first direction is the arrangement direction of a pair of printing heads), such that the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet can share an ink supply channel.

[0044] As Figure 2 shown, each basic unit includes 2n printing heads, and n can be a natural number greater than or equal to 1. If each basic unit includes 2 printing heads 10 (2 printing heads arranged along the vertical direction), then in the shown embodiment, the printing head device includes 4 basic units 20.

[0045] As Figure 2 shown, if each basic unit includes 4 printing heads 10 (4 printing heads arranged along the vertical direction), then in the shown embodiment, the printing head device includes 2 basic units 20. These printing heads are mounted on the splicing plate 30.

[0046] As Figure 2 shown, it is assumed that the inkjet head device includes two basic units 20. As can be seen from Figure 2 this, the first center of the first basic unit in the two basic units 20 along the first direction (vertical direction) and the second center of the second basic unit along the first direction (vertical direction) are offset along the first direction. This offset arrangement can ensure that the non-printing area of the first basic unit can correspond to the printing area of the second basic unit (for example, be aligned in the vertical direction), so that when the inkjet head moves left and right, the non-printing area can be supplemented with printing.

[0047] As Figure 2 shown, the four ink inlets of each pair of adjacent first inkjet heads 10 and the four ink inlets of the second inkjet heads 10 are adjacent to each other along the vertical direction, so that a corresponding pair of first and second ink inlets can share an ink supply channel.

[0048] As Figure 3 shown, each basic unit includes 4m inkjet heads, where m can be a natural number greater than or equal to 1. As Figure 3 shown, if each basic unit includes 4 inkjet heads 10 (for example, 4 inkjet heads arranged in a staggered manner in two vertical columns), then in the illustrated embodiment, the inkjet head device includes two basic units 20. As Figure 3 shown, if each basic unit includes 8 inkjet heads 10 (4 inkjet heads arranged along the vertical direction), then in the illustrated embodiment, the inkjet head device includes only one basic unit 20. These inkjet heads are mounted on the splicing plate 30.

[0049] As Figure 3 shown, the four ink inlets of each pair of adjacent first inkjet heads 10 and the four ink inlets of the second inkjet heads 10 are adjacent to each other along the vertical direction, so that a corresponding pair of first and second ink inlets can share an ink supply channel.

[0050] By making the ink inlets of adjacent pairs of inkjet heads share an ink supply channel, the number of ink supply channels can be reduced. This can reduce the pipeline complexity. The sharing of the ink supply channels greatly reduces the number of external ink supply pipelines and connection points. Compared with each ink inlet being individually connected to an ink supply pipeline, this design makes the pipeline layout of the ink supply system more concise, reduces the probability of problems such as blockage and leakage that may occur due to complex pipelines, and improves the stability and reliability of the ink supply system.

[0051] In addition, the sharing of two ink inlets for the ink supply channel facilitates the unified management and monitoring of the ink. For example, only one ink filtering device, one ink metering device, etc. need to be set on the ink supply channel, and the ink supplied to the two inkjet heads can be processed and controlled simultaneously, reducing the difficulty and cost of ink management.

[0052] In addition, adjacent ink inlets share an ink supply channel, eliminating the need to reserve separate space for each ink inlet. This can make the structure of the inkjet head more compact, enabling more inkjet heads to be installed within the same installation area, improving the integration degree of the print head module, and making it possible for multi-print head splicing and miniaturized design of the equipment. It can also simplify the connection method between the inkjet head and the ink supply system. During installation, only the shared ink supply channel needs to be connected to the ink supply system once, instead of connecting each ink inlet separately, reducing the installation steps and workload and improving the installation efficiency. During maintenance, it is also easier to inspect, repair, and replace the ink supply channel and the inkjet head.

[0053] Furthermore, the ink inlets of the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head are arranged adjacent to each other on the splicing board, which is conducive to the accurate positioning of the inkjet heads on the splicing board. Since the positions of the two ink inlets are relatively fixed and adjacent, when installing through the positioning structures (such as V-grooves and L-grooves) on the splicing board, the position and direction of the inkjet head can be determined more accurately, ensuring the relative position accuracy between adjacent inkjet heads, thereby improving the stability and printing quality of the entire print head splicing system.

[0054] Reducing the number of ink supply channels also reduces the material and process costs required for manufacturing the ink supply channels. At the same time, the simplified ink supply system also reduces the demand for related accessories (such as pipeline joints, valves, etc.), further reducing the hardware cost. Due to the improved stability of the ink supply system, the equipment failures and downtime caused by ink supply problems are reduced, lowering the equipment maintenance cost and operation cost. Moreover, a more efficient ink supply and printing process also helps to improve production efficiency and reduce the production cost per unit product.

[0055] More importantly, the ink inlets of adjacent inkjet heads share an ink supply channel, enabling the ink pressures borne by the two inkjet heads during operation to be more balanced. Since they obtain ink from the same ink supply channel, they have higher consistency in the pressure and flow rate of ink supply, thus avoiding problems such as uneven ink jet volume and inconsistent thickness of printed lines caused by differences in ink pressure between different inkjet heads, and further enhancing the stability and uniformity of printing quality.

[0056] In addition, through Figure 2 and Figure 3 The exemplary splicing scheme shown can combine multiple inkjet heads, can be infinitely expanded, and any desired number of spliced inkjet heads can be obtained. In the construction of an inkjet printing system, the basic unit is set as the core module, and multiple inkjet heads are integrated on each basic unit. These inkjet heads are carefully laid out, and the ink inlets of adjacent inkjet heads are closely adjacent to each other to achieve an efficient ink supply integration design, not only optimizing the complex structure of the external ink supply pipeline but also reserving sufficient space for subsequent module assembly.

[0057] This basic unit has excellent versatility and flexibility. Based on it, multiple groups of modules can be conveniently assembled on a metal base plate. The metal base plate provides a stable and flat platform for module installation. Its material has good mechanical properties and electrical conductivity, which can effectively ensure the stability and heat dissipation requirements during the operation of the print head.

[0058] By reasonably planning the number and arrangement of modules on the metal base plate, print head combinations with any desired number and configuration can be achieved. For example, if it is necessary to improve the printing speed and efficiency, multiple groups of modules can be densely arranged in a matrix on the metal base plate, significantly increasing the number of print heads; if for a printing object with a specific shape or size, such as a long strip pattern, the modules can be sequentially spliced along a specific direction of the metal base plate to construct a linear configuration print head combination that meets the requirements. During the whole process, the number and configuration of the print heads are only limited by the size of the metal base plate and the actual printing requirements, greatly expanding the application range and customization ability of the inkjet printing system.

[0059] The following will refer to Figures 4A to 4D to describe in detail the print head splicing scheme shown in the embodiments according to Figure 2 the print head splicing scheme shown in the embodiments according to

[0060] Figure 4A shows a schematic arrangement diagram of a pair of print heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the embodiment shown in Figure 4B shows a perspective view of the installation state of a pair of print heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the embodiment shown in Figure 4C shows a cross-sectional view of the installation state of a pair of print heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 4B the embodiment shown in Figure 4D shows a schematic diagram of the notch of a pair of print heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the embodiment shown in

[0061] As Figure 4A shown, each pair of adjacent first print head and second print head includes a first printing area on one side in the vertical direction and for the first print head; a second printing area on the other side in the vertical direction and for the second print head; and an ink inlet area located between the first printing area and the second printing area, wherein a first ink inlet and a second ink inlet are arranged in the ink inlet area. As Figure 4A shown, the length L2 of the ink inlet area along the vertical direction can be less than or equal to the length L1 of the first printing area or the second printing area along the vertical direction. Preferably, the length L2 is equal to the length L1. In the case where the length L2 is less than L1, each basic unit may only include two print heads and more print heads cannot be spliced.

[0062] However, as Figure 2As shown, if each basic unit includes more than 2 even-numbered printing heads, for example, 4 printing heads, the areas of the 4 printing heads from top to bottom are the first printing area, the ink inlet area, the second printing area, the spacer area, the first printing area, the ink inlet area, the second printing area, that is to say, there is also a spacer area between two adjacent pairs of printing heads. The length L2 of the spacer area between two adjacent groups in the vertical direction is equal to the length of the printing area or the ink inlet area, and the length L1 of the printing area is equal to the length L2 of the ink inlet area. The width W of the printing area and the width W1 between adjacent basic units in the horizontal direction can be set according to the requirements of the space design and are not limited here.

[0063] By making the lengths of these printing areas, ink inlet areas, and spacer areas equal, when multiple basic units are arranged horizontally, they can be staggered and aligned. The printing area of the second basic unit 20 can correspond to the ink inlet area or the spacer area of the first basic unit 20, so that at each height in the vertical direction, there is a corresponding printing area, thus ensuring that each position can be printed. For example, at the current moment as Figure 2 shown, the spacer area or the ink inlet area of the left basic unit cannot be printed, but by horizontally moving the printing device, the first and second printing areas of the right basic unit can perform supplementary printing on the non-printable positions mentioned above at the next printing moment.

[0064] As Figure 4B shown, the splicing plate 30 is also provided with an L-shaped notch and a V-shaped notch. The V-notch is mainly used to accurately position the left-right relative position and front-back relative position of the basic unit (or printing unit), ensuring that the printing heads can be accurately installed on the splicing plate in the horizontal and front-back directions, making the positions of each printing head relatively fixed in these directions, thus ensuring the layout accuracy of the entire print head splicing system in the plane direction. In addition, the main function of the L-notch is to accurately position the parallelism between the basic units (or printing units) in cooperation with the positioning posts, that is, to ensure that the adjacent printing heads maintain a parallel relationship, avoiding problems such as nozzle tilt or angle deviation, which is very important for ensuring the accuracy of inkjet and the uniformity of printing quality.

[0065] As Figure 4C shown, the printing head device further includes at least one ink supply head 40 and a packaging member 50. As Figure 4C shown, the basic unit 20 (that is, the splicing plate 30 installed with the printing heads) is installed on the metal bottom plate 60. As Figure 4CAs shown, the inkjet head device includes four ink supply heads 40, which are respectively used to supply ink to four first ink inlets and four second ink inlets in a pair of inkjet heads. One ink supply head 40 is used to supply ink to one first ink inlet and a corresponding second ink inlet. In this way, for the four first ink inlets and four second ink inlets, the number of ink supply heads can be reduced from the traditional eight ink supply heads to four.

[0066] As Figure 4D shown, the ink supply flow path for one first ink inlet and one second ink inlet in an adjacent pair of inkjet heads includes a main flow path 41, which extends vertically from each ink supply head 40. In addition, the ink supply channel for the first ink inlet further includes a first branch flow path 42, which extends from the end of the main flow path 41 above the first ink inlet and is formed in the package 50. The ink supply channel for the second ink inlet further includes a second branch flow path 43, which extends from the end of the main flow path 41 above the second ink inlet and is formed in the package 50. Figure 4D Only the positions near the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet are shown. The actual ink supply channels may be curved rather than straight.

[0067] The following will refer to Figures 5A to 5D to describe in detail the inkjet head splicing scheme shown in the embodiment according to Figure 2 .

[0068] Figure 5A shows the schematic arrangement diagram of two pairs of inkjet heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 . Figure 5B shows the perspective view of the installation state of two pairs of inkjet heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 . Figure 5C shows the schematic diagram of the main flow path of two pairs of inkjet heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 . Figure 5D shows the schematic diagram of the secondary flow path of two pairs of inkjet heads according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 .

[0069] As Figure 5A shown, assuming that each basic unit includes four inkjet heads, the four inkjet heads shown in FIG. 5 constitute a basic unit. Each basic unit includes: a first pair of inkjet heads (for example, the left pair of inkjet heads), which are arranged in the vertical direction; and a second pair of inkjet heads (for example, the right pair of inkjet heads), which are arranged in the vertical direction and are spaced apart from the first pair of inkjet heads in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. As Figure 5AAs shown, each of the first pair of printing heads (e.g., the pair of printing heads on the left) and the second pair of printing heads (e.g., the pair of printing heads on the right) includes a first printing head and a second printing head sharing a common ink supply flow path. The first printing head includes a first printing area and a first ink inlet, and the second printing head includes a second printing area and a second ink inlet.

[0070] As Figure 5A shown, the vertical center of the first pair of printing heads is vertically offset from the vertical center of the second printing head. For example, the ink inlet area of the pair of printing heads on the right corresponds to the printing area of the pair of printing heads on the left, and the ink inlet area of the pair of printing heads on the left corresponds to the printing area of the pair of printing heads on the right. In this way, by horizontally moving the printing heads, it can be ensured that every position can be printed.

[0071] As Figure 5A shown, the length L1 of the printing area along the vertical direction is equal to the length L2 of the ink inlet area along the vertical direction. The total length L of the pair of printing heads on the left along the vertical direction is equal to the total length L of the pair of printing heads on the right along the vertical direction.

[0072] As Figure 3 shown, if each basic unit includes 4 printing heads, there is also a spacer area between two adjacent basic units. The length of this spacer area is as Figure 3 shown as L2, which is equal to the length L1 of the printing area. At the same time, the length L2 of the ink inlet area is also equal to the length L1 of the printing area.

[0073] If the basic unit includes 4m printing heads, then the 4m printing heads are divided into m groups, and each group includes 4 printing heads as Figure 5A shown. Two first ink inlets (one first ink inlet is in the first printing head on the left, and the other first ink inlet is in the first printing head on the right) and two second ink inlets (one second ink inlet is in the second printing head on the left, and the other second ink inlet is in the second printing head on the right) among the 4 printing heads in each of the m groups share a common ink supply head, and the shared ink supply flow path is formed in the ink supply head 40 and the package 50.

[0074] As Figure 5B shown, for Figure 5A the 4 printing heads shown, through such a sharing method, for the ink supply heads required for 8 first ink inlets and 8 second ink inlets, the number of ink supply heads is reduced from 16 ink supply heads in the traditional solution to 4 ink supply heads.

[0075] The ink supply flow path for two first ink inlets and two second ink inlets in the 4 printing heads as Figure 5A shown includes: a main flow path (in Figure 5Cnot shown in the figure, the main channel may be similar to Figure 4D the channel 41) shown, and extends vertically from each ink supply head.

[0076] As Figure 5C shown, the ink supply channel further includes a first main-level branch flow channel 51, which extends from the end of the main flow channel to a position above the first pair of printing heads (e.g., the upper left part as Figure 5C shown) and is formed in the package 50; and a second main-level branch flow channel 52, which extends from the end of the main flow channel to a position above the second pair of printing heads (the lower right part as Figure 5C shown) and is formed in the package 50. As Figure 5C shown, the first main-level branch flow channel 51 is a path from the midpoint 510 of each channel to the first end point 511, and the second main-level branch flow channel 52 is a path from the midpoint 510 of each channel to the second end point 512.

[0077] Although only the midpoint and end points of the outermost channel are shown, for other channels, there are also the first main-level branch flow channel 51 and the second main-level branch flow channel 52. For the clarity of the drawings, only the midpoint and end points of one of the 4 channels are shown. As Figure 5C shown, the L-shaped channels at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the basic unit are not ink supply channels but cooling channels. Therefore, as Figure 5C shown, there are only 4 ink supply channels. The L-shaped cooling channels as Figure 5C shown can be combined with the coil pipes shown in the square area as Figure 5D shown to cool the printing area.

[0078] As Figure 5D shown, the ink supply channel for two first ink inlets and two second ink inlets further includes a first secondary branch flow channel 53, which extends from the end of the first main-level branch flow channel 51 (i.e., the end point 511 as Figure 5C shown, and this end point 511 extends downward through the channel to the midpoint 530 as Figure 5D shown) to a first ink inlet of the first pair of printing heads (e.g., a pair of printing heads shown in the upper left) and is formed in the package. That is, the midpoint 530 corresponds to the end point 511 as Figure 5C shown.

[0079] As Figure 5D shown, the ink supply channel for two first ink inlets and two second ink inlets further includes a second secondary branch flow channel 54, which extends from the end of the first main-level branch flow channel 51 (i.e., the end point 511 as Figure 5C shown, and this end point extends downward through the channel to Figure 5Dextends from the midpoint 530) shown to a second ink inlet of one of the first pair of print heads and is formed in the package 50.

[0080] As Figure 5D shown, the ink supply channels for the two first ink inlets and the two second ink inlets further include a third secondary branch channel 55 that extends from the end of the second main branch channel 52 (i.e., the end point 512 as Figure 5C shown, which extends downward through a channel to the midpoint 550 as Figure 5D shown) to a first ink inlet of a second pair of print heads (e.g., a pair of print heads shown in the lower right) and is formed in the package 50.

[0081] As Figure 5D shown, the ink supply channels for the two first ink inlets and the two second ink inlets further include a fourth secondary branch channel 56 that extends from the end of the second main branch channel (i.e., the end point 512 as Figure 5C shown, which extends downward through a channel to the midpoint 550 as Figure 5D shown) to a second ink inlet of a second pair of print heads and is formed in the package 50.

[0082] Without prejudice to the basic principle, details and embodiments may vary, even significantly, from what is described by way of example only, without departing from the scope of protection.

[0083] The various embodiments described above may be combined to provide additional embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments may be modified if concepts from various patents, applications, and publications are needed to provide further embodiments.

[0084] These and other changes may be made to the embodiments in accordance with the detailed description above. Generally, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed as limiting the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments and the full scope of equivalents to such claims. Thus, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A printing head device, comprising: Metal base plate; At least one basic unit, the at least one basic unit is mounted on the metal base plate, wherein each basic unit comprises: an even number of printheads; and A splicing plate, on which the even number of print heads are mounted; The first ink inlet of the first print head in a pair of adjacent print heads among the even number of print heads and the corresponding second ink inlet of the second print head in the pair of print heads are adjacent to each other in the first direction of the splicing plate, so that the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet share an ink supply channel.

2. The printhead device according to claim 1, wherein the even number of printheads comprises 2n printheads arranged along the first direction, wherein n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, the 2n printheads are divided into n groups, each group comprises the first printhead and the second printhead that share a common ink supply channel, and The at least one basic unit includes two or more basic units, wherein a first center of a first basic unit of the two or more basic units along the first direction and a second center of a second basic unit of the two or more basic units along the first direction are staggered along the first direction.

3. The printhead device according to claim 2, wherein the first printhead and the second printhead in each group comprise: A first printing area, on one side in the first direction and used for the first printing head; A second printing area, on the other side of the first direction and used for the second printing head; and An ink inlet area is located between the first printing area and the second printing area, wherein the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet are arranged in the ink inlet area.

4. The print head device according to claim 3, wherein n is equal to 1, each basic unit comprises 2 print heads, and A first length of the ink feeding area along the first direction is less than or equal to a second length of the first printing area or the second printing area along the direction.

5. The print head device according to claim 3, wherein n is a positive integer greater than 1, A first length of the ink feeding area in each of the n groups along the first direction is equal to a second length of the first printing area or the second printing area along the first direction; and A third length of a spacer between two adjacent groups among the n groups along the first direction is equal to the first length and the second length.

6. The print head device according to claim 1, wherein the even number of print heads comprises 4m print heads, wherein m is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, The 4m print heads are divided into m groups, each group comprising a first pair of print heads arranged along the first direction and a second pair of print heads arranged along the first direction and spaced apart from the first pair of print heads along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and The center of the first pair of print heads along the first direction is offset from the center of the second pair of print heads along the first direction in the first direction, and Each of the first pair of print heads and the second pair of print heads includes the first print head and the second print head sharing a common ink supply channel.

7. The printhead device according to claim 6, wherein the first printhead and the second printhead in each of the first pair of printheads and the second pair of printheads comprise: A first printing area, on one side in the first direction and used for the first printing head; A second printing area, on the other side of the first direction and used for the second printing head; an ink inlet area, located between the first printing area and the second printing area, wherein the first ink inlet and the second ink inlet are arranged in the ink inlet area, wherein a first length of the ink feeding area along the first direction is equal to a second length of the first printing area or the second printing area along the direction, and A third length of a spacer between two adjacent groups among the m groups along the first direction is equal to the first length and the second length.

8. The print head device according to claim 2, wherein the print head device further comprises: at least one ink supply head; as well as A packaging member is disposed between the ink supply head and the splicing plate, One of the first ink inlet and one of the second ink inlet in each of the n groups share the same ink supply head, and the shared ink supply channel is formed in the ink supply head and the packaging member.

9. The printhead device according to claim 8, wherein the ink supply channel of one of the first ink inlet and one of the second ink inlet in each adjacent pair of printheads in the n groups comprises: A main flow channel extending vertically from each ink supply head; a first branch flow channel extending from an end of the main flow channel to the first ink inlet and formed in the package; as well as A second branch flow channel extends from the end of the main flow channel to the second ink inlet and is formed in the package.

10. The print head device according to claim 6, wherein the print head device further comprises: at least one ink supply head; as well as A packaging member is disposed between the ink supply head and the splicing plate, The two first ink inlets and the two second ink inlets in each of the m groups share one ink supply head, and the shared ink supply channel is formed in the ink supply head and the packaging member.

11. The print head device according to claim 10, wherein the ink supply channel for the two first ink inlets and the two second ink inlets in each of the m groups comprises: A main flow channel extending vertically from each ink supply head; a first main branch flow channel extending from an end of the main flow channel to a position above the first pair of print heads and formed in the package; a second main branch flow channel extending from the end of the main flow channel to a position above the second pair of print heads and formed in the package; a first secondary branch flow channel extending from a terminal end of the first primary branch flow channel to one of the first ink inlets of the first pair of print heads and formed in the package; a second secondary branch flow channel extending from a terminal end of the first primary branch flow channel to one of the second ink inlets of the first pair of print heads and formed in the package; a third secondary branch flow channel extending from a terminal end of the second primary branch flow channel to one of the first ink inlets of the second pair of print heads and formed in the package; and A fourth secondary branch flow channel extends from an end of the second primary branch flow channel to one of the second ink inlets of the second pair of print heads and is formed in the package.

12. The print head device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each basic unit comprises: A first positioning notch, located on a first side of the splicing plate in the first direction; and A second positioning notch is located on the second side of the splicing plate in the first direction. The first positioning notch is used to position the parallelism between the basic units, and The second positioning notch is used for the first positioning notch and the first positioning pin to cooperate with each other, and the second positioning notch and the second positioning pin to cooperate with each other are configured to limit the position of the basic unit relative to the metal base plate in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

13. The print head device according to claim 12, wherein the first positioning notch is L-shaped and the second positioning notch is V-shaped.

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