Spray head cleaning device for UV ink-jet printer

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of printing equipment, in particular to a nozzle cleaning device for a UV ink-jet printer. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanisms are arranged on the two sides of the interior of the washing tank; the composite cleaning mechanism is mounted in the washing tank, and the height of the composite cleaning mechanism is higher than that of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism; the washing device comprises a washing tank and a workpiece fixing mechanism, the workpiece fixing mechanism is installed on the washing tank and used for fixing a spray head, a strip-shaped opening is formed in the inner wall of one side of the washing tank, the composite cleaning mechanism is installed in the strip-shaped opening, and the composite cleaning mechanism comprises an adjusting assembly and a cleaning assembly. According to the curved surface shape of the nozzle, self-adaptive deformation can be achieved, the surface of the nozzle is tightly attached, the coverage rate and the attaching degree of cleaning are improved, dead corners which cannot be touched by a traditional rigid brush are effectively cleaned, and the nozzle cannot be damaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of printing equipment, and in particular to a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer. Background Art

[0002] A UV inkjet printer is a printing device that sprays UV ink onto the surface of a printing substrate through inkjet technology and then cures the ink using ultraviolet light. It features fast printing speed, high precision, and wide applicability to various materials (such as paper, plastic, metal, glass, etc.), and is widely used in fields such as advertising signage, packaging printing, and digital proofing.

[0003] To adapt to the needs of wide-format printing, the nozzles of UV inkjet printers are configured as rectangular or elongated. During long-term use, the nozzles are prone to problems such as poor inkjetting and blurred patterns due to ink drying and curing, impurity blockage, or physical wear, and thus need to be regularly cleaned and maintained.

[0004] Disassembling the nozzles for cleaning, however, the nozzles are of precision structure, and the UV ink has high viscosity and is prone to curing, making it difficult to clean the ink adhering to the grooves of the nozzles. When cleaning with a brush, it is easy to damage the nozzle structure, thereby affecting the subsequent inkjet work of the nozzles.

[0005] Therefore, those skilled in the art have proposed a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer to solve the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention lies in: it is difficult to clean the ink adhering to the grooves of the nozzles, and it is easy to damage the nozzle structure during cleaning.

[0007] The above technical problem is solved by the following technical solutions: The present invention provides a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer, which includes a water washing tank; An ultrasonic cleaning mechanism disposed on both inner sides of the water washing tank; A composite cleaning mechanism, the composite cleaning mechanism is installed inside the water washing tank, and the height of the composite cleaning mechanism is higher than the height where the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism is located; and, A workpiece fixing mechanism, the workpiece fixing mechanism is installed on the water washing tank, and the workpiece fixing mechanism is used to fix the nozzle.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer of the present invention, wherein: a strip-shaped opening is formed on one inner wall of the water washing tank, the composite cleaning mechanism is installed inside the strip-shaped opening, and the composite cleaning mechanism includes an adjustment component and a cleaning component.

[0009] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for the UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the following is provided: the adjusting assembly includes an electric slide rail, which is horizontally installed inside the strip-shaped opening. A slider is slidably arranged on the outer wall of the electric slide rail. An electric cylinder I is installed on one outer wall of the slider, and the cleaning assembly is installed at one end of the electric cylinder I.

[0010] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for the UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the following is provided: the cleaning assembly includes a mounting seat, which is arranged at one end of the electric cylinder I. Damping buffers are installed on both sides of the outer wall of the mounting seat. The same heat conducting plate is installed at one end of the two damping buffers. Side plates are installed on both sides of the outer wall of the heat conducting plate. The heat conducting plate and the side plates are wrapped with bionic memory silica gel.

[0011] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for the UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the following is provided: an air pump is installed on the outer wall of the mounting seat. The air pump is located in the middle of the two damping buffers. A ventilation pipe is installed at one end of the air pump. A flexible airbag is installed at one end of the ventilation pipe. One end of the flexible airbag extends into the bionic memory silica gel.

[0012] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for the UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the following is provided: clamping grooves are opened on both sides of the outer wall of the heat conducting plate close to the flexible airbag, and electric heating plates are installed inside the clamping grooves.

[0013] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for the UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the following is provided: square openings are opened on the inner walls of the side plates. A plurality of microfiber conductive wires are arranged inside the square openings. Baffles are arranged on the inner walls of the square openings on the outer sides of the microfiber conductive wires.

[0014] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for the UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the following is provided: a rectangular opening is opened at a position close to the bottom on one outer wall of the water washing tank, and a drain pipe is arranged on the inner wall of the rectangular opening.

[0015] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for the UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the following is provided: through mounting openings are opened on both inner walls of the water washing tank. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism is arranged on the inner wall of the mounting opening. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism includes a fluororubber sealing ring, which is fixedly attached to the inner side of the mounting opening. A stainless steel outer frame is installed on the inner wall of the fluororubber sealing ring. A stainless steel substrate is installed on the inner wall of the stainless steel outer frame. An ultrasonic generator is installed on the outer wall of the stainless steel substrate. A piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate is installed on the inner wall of the stainless steel substrate, and the outer wall of the piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate is flush with the inner wall surface of the water washing tank.

[0016] As a preferred solution of the nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer of the present invention, the workpiece fixing mechanism includes a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket is fixed on the outer wall of the water washing tank, a motor is installed on one side of the top outer wall of the mounting bracket, the motor is located above the water washing tank, a shaft fixing seat is installed at the bottom end of the motor output shaft, an electric cylinder 2 is installed at the bottom end of the shaft fixing seat, and an electric clamp is installed on the bottom outer wall of the electric cylinder 2.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer disclosed herein are as follows: driven by an ultrasonic generator, the piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, causing the cleaning liquid in the washing tank to vibrate at high frequencies, forming countless tiny bubbles. These bubbles generate a powerful impact force when they burst, penetrating into the tiny gaps and nozzle holes of the nozzle, effectively removing dried ink and impurities, and greatly improving cleaning efficiency and quality. Bionic memory silicone has excellent flexibility and shape memory properties. It maintains an elastic solid state at room temperature, softens and reshapes with external force when heated (e.g., 40-60°C), fixes to a new shape after cooling, and returns to its original shape when heated again. After being heated by an electric heating plate, it can adaptively deform according to the curved shape of the nozzle, closely fitting the nozzle surface, improving cleaning coverage and fit, and effectively cleaning dead corners that traditional rigid brushes cannot reach without damaging the nozzle. By adjusting the air pressure in the flexible airbag through the air pump, the contact pressure between the cleaning component and the nozzle can be changed. According to the actual situation of the nozzle and the cleaning requirements, the appropriate cleaning force is provided, which not only ensures the cleaning effect but also prevents the nozzle from being damaged by excessive pressure. When the microfiber conductive wire is energized, it generates static electricity, which can absorb the charged ink particles on the surface of the print head, achieving the dual effects of physical cleaning and electrostatic adsorption, further improving cleaning efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Among them: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the composite cleaning mechanism structure of a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer.

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the cleaning components of a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer.

[0021] Figure 4 It is an exploded view of a water washing tank and an ultrasonic cleaning mechanism of a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a workpiece fixing mechanism of a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer.

[0023] In the figure: 100, water washing tank; 101, mounting opening; 102, strip-shaped opening; 103, drain pipe; 200, ultrasonic cleaning mechanism; 201, fluororubber sealing ring; 202, piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate; 203, stainless steel outer frame; 204, ultrasonic generator; 205, stainless steel substrate; 300, composite cleaning mechanism; 301, adjusting component; 3011, electric slide rail; 3012, slider; 3013, electric cylinder I; 302, cleaning component; 3021, mounting seat; 3022, air pump; 3023, heat conducting plate; 3024, bionic memory silica gel; 3025, flexible airbag; 3026, side plate; 3027, microfiber conductive wire; 3028, electric heating plate; 3029, damping buffer; 400, workpiece fixing mechanism; 401, mounting frame; 402, motor; 403, shaft rod fixing seat; 404, electric cylinder II; 405, electric gripper. Detailed implementation manners

[0024] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the detailed implementation manners and the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The terms used in the present invention are those general terms that are currently widely used in the art in consideration of the functions of the present invention, but these terms may change according to the intentions of those of ordinary skill in the art, precedents or new technologies in the art. In addition, specific terms may be selected by the applicant, and in this case, their detailed meanings will be described in the detailed description of the present invention. Therefore, the terms used in the specification should not be understood as simple names, but based on the meanings of the terms and the overall description of the present invention. Embodiment

[0026] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , it is the first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer, including a water washing tank 100; The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 200 arranged on both sides inside the water washing tank 100; The composite cleaning mechanism 300, the composite cleaning mechanism 300 is installed inside the water washing tank 100, and the height of the composite cleaning mechanism 300 is higher than the height where the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 200 is located; and, The workpiece fixing mechanism 400, the workpiece fixing mechanism 400 is installed on the water washing tank 100, and the workpiece fixing mechanism 400 is used to fix the nozzle.

[0027] Pour the cleaning liquid into the water washing tank 100. Then, after fixing the nozzle with the workpiece fixing mechanism 400, send it into the interior of the water washing tank 100. Start the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 200, and use ultrasonic cleaning to penetrate into the tiny gaps and spray holes of the nozzle, effectively removing ink dry matter and impurities. After the cleaning is completed, move the nozzle out of the water surface through the workpiece fixing mechanism 400, and then use the composite cleaning mechanism 300 for secondary cleaning. The composite cleaning mechanism 300 cleans the nozzle through two methods: physical cleaning and electrostatic adsorption, so that the surface of the nozzle is cleaner and will not cause damage to the nozzle, facilitating the subsequent use of the nozzle.

[0028] Specifically, a strip-shaped opening 102 is formed on one inner wall of the water washing tank 100, and the composite cleaning mechanism 300 is installed inside the strip-shaped opening 102. The composite cleaning mechanism 300 includes an adjustment component 301 and a cleaning component 302.

[0029] Furthermore, the adjustment component 301 includes an electric slide rail 3011, which is horizontally installed inside the strip-shaped opening 102. A slider 3012 is slidably arranged on the outer wall of the electric slide rail 3011. An electric cylinder 3013 is installed on one outer wall of the slider 3012, and the cleaning component 302 is installed at one end of the electric cylinder 3013.

[0030] Starting the electric slide rail 3011 can drive the slider 3012 to move, thus facilitating the movement of the cleaning component 302 to a suitable position. Then start the electric cylinder 3013 to make the cleaning component 302 fit on the surface of the nozzle, thus facilitating the cleaning work.

[0031] Among them, the cleaning component 302 includes a mounting seat 3021, which is arranged at one end of the electric cylinder 3013. Damping buffers 3029 are installed on both sides of the outer wall of the mounting seat 3021. One end of the two damping buffers 3029 is installed with the same heat conduction plate 3023. Side plates 3026 are installed on both sides of the outer wall of the heat conduction plate 3023. A bionic memory silica gel 3024 is wrapped around the outside of the heat conduction plate 3023 and the side plates 3026.

[0032] Preferably, an air pump 3022 is installed on the outer wall of the mounting seat 3021. The air pump 3022 is located in the middle of the two damping buffers 3029. One end of the air pump 3022 is installed with an air pipe, and one end of the air pipe is installed with a flexible airbag 3025. One end of the flexible airbag 3025 extends into the interior of the bionic memory silica gel 3024.

[0033] It should be noted that slots are formed on both sides of the outer wall of the heat conduction plate 3023 close to the flexible airbag 3025, and electric heating plates 3028 are installed inside the slots.

[0034] The bionic memory silicone 3024 has good flexibility and shape memory properties, and maintains an elastic solid state at room temperature. After being heated by the electric heating plate 3028, it can adaptively deform according to the curved shape of the nozzle, closely fitting the nozzle surface, and improving the cleaning coverage and fit.

[0035] The inner walls of the side panels 3026 are each provided with a square opening, a plurality of microfiber conductive threads 3027 are arranged inside the square opening, and a baffle is provided on the inner wall of the square opening close to the outer side of the microfiber conductive threads 3027 .

[0036] A rectangular opening is provided on one side of the outer wall of the washing tank 100 near the bottom, and a drain pipe 103 is provided on the inner wall of the rectangular opening.

[0037] During use, the air pressure in the flexible airbag 3025 is adjusted by the air pump 3022, which can change the contact pressure between the cleaning component 302 and the nozzle, and provide appropriate cleaning force according to the actual situation and cleaning requirements of the nozzle. The microfiber conductive wire 3027 generates static electricity after being energized, which can absorb the charged ink particles on the surface of the nozzle, achieving the dual effects of physical cleaning and electrostatic adsorption. Example

[0038] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , which is the second embodiment of the present invention. Different from the previous embodiment, a penetrating installation opening 101 is opened on the inner walls of both sides of the water washing tank 100, and the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 200 is arranged on the inner wall of the installation opening 101. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 200 includes a fluororubber sealing ring 201, which is fixed to the inner side of the installation opening 101. A stainless steel outer frame 203 is installed on the inner wall of the fluororubber sealing ring 201, a stainless steel substrate 205 is installed on the inner wall of the stainless steel outer frame 203, an ultrasonic generator 204 is installed on the outer wall of the stainless steel substrate 205, and a piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate 202 is installed on the inner wall of the stainless steel substrate 205. The outer wall of the piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate 202 is flush with the inner wall surface of the water washing tank 100.

[0039] Driven by the ultrasonic generator 204, the piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate 202 converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, causing the cleaning liquid in the washing tank 100 to vibrate at high frequency, forming countless tiny bubbles. These bubbles generate a strong impact force when they burst, and can penetrate into the tiny gaps and nozzle holes of the nozzle, effectively removing dried ink and impurities, and enhancing the sealing effect of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 200 through the fluororubber sealing ring 201.

[0040] Further, the workpiece fixing mechanism 400 includes a mounting frame 401 which is fixed on the outer wall of the water washing tank 100. On one side of the outer wall of the top of the mounting frame 401, a motor 402 is installed. The motor 402 is located above the water washing tank 100. At the bottom end of the output shaft of the motor 402, a shaft rod fixing seat 403 is installed. At the bottom end of the shaft rod fixing seat 403, a second electric cylinder 404 is installed. On the bottom outer wall of the second electric cylinder 404, an electric gripper 405 is installed.

[0041] During use, the spray head can be clamped and fixed by using the electric gripper 405. By starting the second electric cylinder 404, the spray head can be driven to move in the vertical direction, so as to facilitate the feeding of the spray head into the cleaning liquid inside the water washing tank 100. The motor 402 drives the spray head to rotate stably, which helps to comprehensively clean the spray head during ultrasonic cleaning.

[0042] It should be understood that in the development process of any actual implementation, such as in any engineering or design project, a large number of specific implementation decisions can be made. Such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but for those ordinary technical personnel who benefit from this disclosure, without excessive experimentation, the development efforts will be a routine work of design, manufacturing and production.

[0043] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and they should all be covered by the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer, characterized in that: including, a water washing tank (100); an ultrasonic cleaning mechanism (200) arranged on both inner sides of the water washing tank (100); a composite cleaning mechanism (300), the composite cleaning mechanism (300) is installed inside the water washing tank (100), and the height of the composite cleaning mechanism (300) is higher than the height where the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism (200) is located; and, a workpiece fixing mechanism (400), the workpiece fixing mechanism (400) is installed on the water washing tank (100), and the workpiece fixing mechanism (400) is used for fixing a spray head.

2. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A strip-shaped opening (102) is formed on one inner wall of the water washing tank (100), the composite cleaning mechanism (300) is installed inside the strip-shaped opening (102), and the composite cleaning mechanism (300) includes an adjusting component (301) and a cleaning component (302).

3. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The adjusting component (301) includes an electric slide rail (3011), the electric slide rail (3011) is horizontally installed inside the strip-shaped opening (102), a slider (3012) is slidably arranged on the outer wall of the electric slide rail (3011), an electric cylinder one (3013) is installed on one outer wall of the slider (3012), and the cleaning component (302) is installed at one end of the electric cylinder one (3013).

4. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cleaning component (302) includes a mounting seat (3021), the mounting seat (3021) is arranged at one end of the electric cylinder one (3013), damping buffers (3029) are installed on both sides of the outer wall of the mounting seat (3021), the same heat conducting plate (3023) is installed at one end of the two damping buffers (3029), side plates (3026) are installed on both sides of the outer wall of the heat conducting plate (3023), and a bionic memory silica gel (3024) is wrapped outside the heat conducting plate (3023) and the side plates (3026).

5. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: An air pump (3022) is installed on the outer wall of the mounting seat (3021), the air pump (3022) is located between the two damping buffers (3029), a ventilation pipe is installed at one end of the air pump (3022), a flexible air bag (3025) is installed at one end of the ventilation pipe, and one end of the flexible air bag (3025) extends into the bionic memory silica gel (3024).

6. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: Card slots are formed on both sides of the outer wall of the heat conducting plate (3023) close to the flexible air bag (3025), and electric heating plates (3028) are installed inside the card slots.

7. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: Square openings are formed on the inner walls of the side plates (3026), a plurality of microfiber conductive wires (3027) are arranged inside the square openings, and baffles are arranged on the inner walls of the square openings close to the outer sides of the microfiber conductive wires (3027).

8. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: A rectangular opening is formed at a position close to the bottom on one outer wall of the water washing tank (100), and a drain pipe (103) is arranged on the inner wall of the rectangular opening.

9. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 8, characterized in that: Both inner walls on two sides of the water washing tank (100) are provided with through installation openings (101). The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism (200) is arranged on the inner wall of the installation opening (101). The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism (200) includes a fluororubber sealing ring (201). The fluororubber sealing ring (201) is fitted and fixed on the inner side of the installation opening (101). A stainless steel outer frame (203) is installed on the inner wall of the fluororubber sealing ring (201). A stainless steel substrate (205) is installed on the inner wall of the stainless steel outer frame (203). An ultrasonic generator (204) is installed on the outer wall of the stainless steel substrate (205). A piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate (202) is installed on the inner wall of the stainless steel substrate (205). The outer wall of the piezoelectric ceramic transducer plate (202) is flush with the inner wall surface of the water washing tank (100).

10. The nozzle cleaning device for a UV inkjet printer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The workpiece fixing mechanism (400) includes a mounting frame (401). The mounting frame (401) is fixed on the outer wall of the water washing tank (100). One side of the top outer wall of the mounting frame (401) is installed with a motor (402). The motor (402) is located above the water washing tank (100). The bottom end of the output shaft of the motor (402) is installed with a shaft rod fixing seat (403). The bottom end of the shaft rod fixing seat (403) is installed with an electric cylinder two (404). An electric gripper (405) is installed on the bottom outer wall of the electric cylinder two (404).

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