Ink degassing device

Abstract

The invention discloses an ink degassing device, and relates to the technical field of jet printing. Degassing the membrane; an ink supply system; the ink conveying system comprises a buffer ink box and is used for stably conveying the degassed ink to the nozzle ink box; and the control system is used for monitoring and controlling. The protection gas cylinder and the first liquid level switch are arranged in the negative pressure system, faults can be automatically isolated and negative pressure can be eliminated when ink inner leakage is monitored, and core components are protected. Meanwhile, a second liquid level switch is arranged in the buffering ink box and used for automatically stopping ink supply and sealing a pipeline when the risk of liquid overflowing is monitored. In addition, the control system can intelligently adjust the negative pressure of the working state according to the ink consumption of the printing task, and enters a work completion state and a standby state with lower power consumption in stages after the task is completed, so that refined energy consumption management is realized. According to the ink degassing device, through multiple protection design and an intelligent control strategy, the safety, reliability and economical efficiency of the device are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to an ink degassing device. Background Art

[0002] In digital inkjet printing systems, an ink degassing device is typically required to prevent dissolved gases from precipitating and forming bubbles that affect print quality. Currently, the industry generally uses a negative pressure degassing solution based on a degassing membrane. This solution applies negative pressure to one side of the membrane, using the pressure differential to remove dissolved gases from the ink through the membrane wall.

[0003] However, the ink degassing devices in the prior art still have many deficiencies in design and control. Their control strategies are often relatively rigid, and they usually operate at a constant negative pressure set value. This "one-size-fits-all" control method cannot dynamically adapt to the different requirements of inkjet equipment for ink consumption and degassing rate in different working states such as high-speed printing, low-speed printing or standby. This not only causes unnecessary energy waste when the equipment is on standby for a long time, but may also affect printing stability during high-speed printing tasks because the fixed degassing rate cannot meet the instantaneous large-flow ink supply demand. In addition, existing devices generally lack fault monitoring and protection mechanisms for key components. The degassing membrane, as a core component, is relatively fragile. After long-term use, it may rupture due to aging or pressure shock. Once damaged, the ink will be directly sucked into the negative pressure pipeline under the action of negative pressure, thereby contaminating the negative pressure system. At the same time, there is also the problem of imperfect solutions in the ink supply and buffering links after degassing. When the upstream ink supply is abnormal, it is easy to cause ink leakage, resulting in waste and equipment pollution. Therefore, how to develop an ink degassing device that can intelligently adjust the operating status according to the equipment working conditions, has perfect fault protection capabilities, and can ensure a stable supply of ink is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present application proposes an ink degassing device that can improve the stability and reliability of ink supply.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present application, the ink degassing device includes: a negative pressure system for generating and storing negative pressure; a degassing membrane for separating gas in the ink, the degassing membrane having a negative pressure port connected to the negative pressure system, a degassing ink inlet for inputting the ink to be degassed, and a degassing ink outlet for outputting the degassed ink; an ink supply system including an ink supply pump and an ink barrel, the ink supply pump being used to transport ink from the ink barrel to the degassing ink inlet; an ink delivery system connected to the degassing ink outlet, for delivering the degassed ink to an external nozzle cartridge, the ink delivery system including a buffer cartridge, one end of the buffer cartridge being connected to the degassing ink outlet, and the other end being connected to the nozzle cartridge; a control system electrically connected to the negative pressure system, the ink supply system and the ink delivery system, for monitoring and controlling the working states of the negative pressure system, the ink supply system and the ink delivery system.

[0006] The ink degassing device according to the embodiment of the present application has at least the following beneficial effects: The ink degassing device according to the embodiment of the present application organically integrates the negative pressure system, degassing membrane, ink supply system, ink delivery system, and control system to construct a complete structural and functionally coordinated ink processing solution. In particular, by providing a buffer ink cartridge in the ink delivery system, the buffer ink cartridge can act as a pressure buffer and temporary ink storage between the degassing membrane and the external printhead ink cartridge, thereby effectively isolating and eliminating pressure fluctuations caused by the start and stop of the upstream ink supply pump and the degassing process itself, ensuring that the degassed ink ultimately delivered to the printhead ink cartridge has a more stable supply pressure. At the same time, by providing a unified control system to comprehensively connect and monitor the status of each functional unit of the device, it provides the necessary infrastructure for achieving collaborative operation and intelligent control strategies between various systems. Therefore, the ink degassing device of the present application can significantly improve the stability and reliability of ink supply, provide a reliable guarantee for achieving high-precision inkjet printing, and improve the controllability and integration of the entire system.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure system includes:

[0008] A gas storage tank, used for storing negative pressure, wherein a negative pressure sensor connected to the control system is provided inside the gas storage tank;

[0009] an air pump connected to the air storage tank and used to generate negative pressure, wherein the air pump is controlled by the control system;

[0010] A one-way valve is provided between the air pump and the air storage tank to prevent the negative pressure in the air storage tank from flowing back to the air pump.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present application, the control system is further configured to:

[0012] Obtaining a preset first negative pressure threshold and a current negative pressure value sent in real time by the negative pressure sensor;

[0013] In response to a first instruction, the working states of the air suction pump and the ink supply pump are adjusted so that the current negative pressure value reaches the first negative pressure threshold; the first instruction is used to indicate that the ink degassing device enters the working state.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure system further includes:

[0015] A protective gas cylinder, the gas inlet of which is connected to the negative pressure port, and the gas outlet of which is connected to the gas storage tank;

[0016] The first liquid level switch is arranged at the bottom of the protective gas cylinder and is electrically connected to the control system.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure system further includes:

[0018] a first solenoid valve, disposed between the air inlet of the protective gas cylinder and the negative pressure port, and electrically connected to the control system;

[0019] A pressure relief valve is connected to the gas storage tank and is electrically connected to the control system.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present application, the control system is further configured to:

[0021] Obtaining a liquid leakage signal sent by the first liquid level switch; wherein the liquid leakage signal is used to indicate the presence of liquid at the bottom of the protective gas cylinder;

[0022] According to the leakage signal, the first solenoid valve is controlled to close to isolate the protective gas cylinder from the negative pressure port; and the pressure relief valve is controlled to open to relieve the pressure in the gas tank, and the working states of the ink supply pump and the air suction pump are adjusted to stop.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present application, the buffer ink cartridge has a buffer input port, a buffer output port, and an air outlet connected to the atmosphere through a filter, wherein the air outlet is used to balance the pressure in the buffer ink cartridge; the buffer input port is connected to the degassing ink outlet, and the buffer output port is connected to the printhead ink cartridge;

[0024] The ink delivery system also includes:

[0025] a second solenoid valve provided at the buffer output port;

[0026] a third solenoid valve disposed at the air outlet;

[0027] The second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are both connected to the control system.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present application, a second liquid level switch connected to the control system is further provided in the buffer ink cartridge, and the second liquid level switch is used to monitor whether the buffer ink cartridge overflows.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present application, the control system is further configured to:

[0030] receiving an overflow signal sent by the second liquid level switch; wherein the overflow signal indicates that the buffer ink cartridge has overflowed;

[0031] According to the overflow signal, the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are controlled to be closed, and the working state of the ink supply pump is adjusted to stop.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present application, the control system is further configured to:

[0033] In response to the first instruction, receiving parameter information of the target image, and calculating ink supply requirement information based on the parameter information;

[0034] adjusting the first negative pressure threshold according to the ink supply information;

[0035] Obtaining a preset second negative pressure threshold; in response to a second instruction, adjusting the operating states of the air extraction pump and the ink supply pump so that the current negative pressure value is within the second negative pressure threshold, and the absolute value of the second negative pressure threshold is smaller than the first negative pressure threshold; wherein the second instruction is used to indicate that the ink degassing device is in a working state;

[0036] Obtain a preset third negative pressure threshold; in response to a third instruction, adjust the working status of the air suction pump and the ink supply pump so that the current negative pressure value is at the third negative pressure threshold, and the absolute value of the third negative pressure threshold is less than the second negative pressure threshold; wherein, the third instruction is used to indicate that the ink degassing device is in standby state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The present application is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0038] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of an ink degassing device according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 A simplified structural diagram of an ink delivery system according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the simplified structure of the degassing membrane in the embodiment.

[0041] Reference numerals:

[0042] Negative pressure system 100; degassing membrane 200; ink supply system 300; ink delivery system 400; control system 500. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present application. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on this application.

[0045] In the description of this application, "several" means more than one, "plurality" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.

[0046] In the description of this application, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0047] In the description of this application, reference to the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0048] like Figure 1As shown, the ink degassing device of the embodiment includes an ink supply system 300, a degassing membrane 200 arranged on the ink supply pipeline, a negative pressure system 100 for providing degassing power to the degassing membrane 200, an ink delivery system 400 for receiving and stably delivering degassed ink, and a control system 500 for uniformly coordinating and managing the operation of the above systems.

[0049] For example, Figure 1 As shown, the ink supply system 300 of the embodiment includes an ink barrel as an ink source and an ink supply pump responsible for delivering the ink. The ink barrel can be a replaceable ink cartridge or an ink storage tank for mass production. The ink supply pump can be a peristaltic pump or a diaphragm pump, such as one with low shear force on the fluid. Its inlet is connected to the outlet of the ink barrel via a pipeline, and its outlet is connected to the degassing ink inlet of the degassing membrane 200. The ink supply pump is controlled by the control system 500 and is used to pump the ink to be degassed from the ink barrel to the degassing membrane 200 according to instructions.

[0050] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the degassing membrane 200 is the core component for achieving gas-liquid separation and has three key interfaces: the degassing ink inlet, the degassing ink outlet, and the negative pressure port. As mentioned above, the degassing ink inlet is used to receive the ink to be degassed from the ink supply pump. The negative pressure port is connected to the negative pressure system 100 through a pipeline. The negative pressure system 100 generates negative pressure on the other side of the degassing membrane 200 (the non-ink side). This is the power source for the gas in the ink to penetrate the membrane wall and be extracted. The degassing ink outlet is used to output the ink that has been degassed and the gas content has been significantly reduced.

[0051] The ink delivery system 400 is responsible for stably delivering the treated clean ink to the external ink-using unit, such as the ink cartridge of the nozzle. The ink delivery system 400 is connected to the degassing ink outlet of the degassing membrane 200, and its key component is a buffer ink cartridge. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the buffer cartridge can be an intermediate container with a certain volume. One end (e.g., the input port) is connected to the degassing outlet of the degassing membrane 200 to receive degassed ink; the other end (e.g., the output port) is connected to the external printhead cartridge via a pipeline to supply ink. The buffer cartridge plays a crucial role in this regard, acting as an intermediate ink reservoir and pressure buffer. It effectively isolates and absorbs upstream pressure pulsations caused by the start-stop or flow rate fluctuations of the ink supply pump. It also provides a stable and continuous ink source for the downstream printheads, thereby preventing interference with the printheads caused by pressure fluctuations and ensuring smooth ink supply.

[0052] The function of the negative pressure system 100 is to establish and maintain a stable negative pressure environment on the negative pressure port side of the degassing membrane 200. Figure 1As shown, its specific structure may include components such as an air pump and an air storage tank, and is electrically connected to the control system 500. The control system 500 controls its start and stop and negative pressure level according to a preset logic to achieve efficient and energy-saving degassing operations.

[0053] The control system 500 is the brains of the entire device. It can be a microcontroller, programmable logic controller, or a dedicated control circuit board. It is electrically connected, either via wires or wirelessly, to the actuators (such as the air pump) in the negative pressure system 100, the ink supply pump in the ink supply system 300, and the various controllable valves in the ink delivery system 400. Based on internal programs, external commands, or sensor feedback, the control system 500 comprehensively monitors the operating status of all these systems and provides real-time closed-loop control, coordinating the orderly operation of each component to achieve a complete ink degassing process.

[0054] For example, in a typical workflow, the control system 500 first activates the negative pressure system 100 to establish a preset negative pressure. Once the negative pressure stabilizes, the control system 500 activates the ink supply pump, pumping ink from the ink barrel into the degassing membrane 200 for degassing. The degassed ink then flows into the buffer cartridge for temporary storage and pressure stabilization, and is ultimately supplied from the buffer cartridge to the printhead cartridge. Throughout this process, the control system 500 continuously monitors and regulates each unit, ensuring the efficiency, stability, and reliability of the degassing and ink supply process.

[0055] In some embodiments, as Figure 1As shown, the negative pressure system 100 mainly consists of an air pump, an air storage tank, a one-way valve arranged between the air pump and the air storage tank, and a negative pressure sensor installed inside the air storage tank. The air pump is the power source for generating negative pressure. The power supply of the air pump is controlled by the control system 500, and the control system 500 can control its start and stop through a relay or a solid-state switch. The air storage tank not only stores negative pressure, but also acts as a negative pressure buffer. It can provide a stable negative pressure source with a large volume in the pipeline system. The direct benefit of this is that when the degassing membrane 200 needs to be evacuated, a stable negative pressure can be obtained directly from the air storage tank without the need for frequent and immediate start-up of the air pump. This not only greatly reduces the number of times the air pump needs to be started and stopped, extending its service life and saving energy, but also effectively avoids the pressure shock caused by the instantaneous start and stop of the air pump, thereby providing a more stable negative pressure environment for the degassing membrane 200. The gas tank is provided with multiple interfaces for connecting the vacuum pump, a one-way valve, the negative pressure port of the degassing membrane 200, and installing a negative pressure sensor. The one-way valve is provided on the connecting pipeline between the vacuum pump and the gas tank. Its function is to prevent the negative pressure established in the gas tank from leaking back into the atmosphere through the pump body of the vacuum pump after the vacuum pump stops working. The negative pressure sensor is installed on the gas tank and is used to monitor the absolute pressure or relative pressure value in the tank in real time. This pressure value is converted into an electrical signal (such as a voltage or current signal) and sent to the control system 500 in real time. By reading this signal, the control system 500 can accurately know the current negative pressure status in the system, thus forming the basis of closed-loop control.

[0056] Based on the aforementioned hardware structure, the control system 500 is programmed to implement negative pressure management logic. For example, in a typical operating scenario, the control system 500 presets a first negative pressure threshold, such as -80 kPa. This threshold represents the target negative pressure required for efficient degassing during normal printing operation. A first instruction occurs when an operator issues a "Start" command through the device interface, or when the system receives a print job from a host computer.

[0057] After responding to this first command, the control system 500 immediately begins executing the following control process: First, it reads the current negative pressure value reported in real time by the negative pressure sensor. It then compares the current negative pressure value with a preset first negative pressure threshold. If the absolute value of the current negative pressure value is less than the threshold (for example, the current value is -20 kPa, which does not meet the target of -80 kPa), the control system 500 immediately activates the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump begins to evacuate the air tank, rapidly reducing the pressure within the tank. During this process, the control system 500 continuously monitors the reading of the negative pressure sensor. When the reading reaches or falls below (i.e., the absolute value is greater than or equal to) the first negative pressure threshold of -80 kPa, the control system 500 determines that the negative pressure has "met the target" and immediately disconnects the vacuum pump from its power supply, causing it to cease operation. Simultaneously, the control system 500 activates the ink supply pump to begin delivering ink to the degassing membrane 200, officially entering a stable ink degassing operation state. Due to the presence of the one-way valve, the negative pressure within the air tank is effectively locked, providing continuous and stable power for the subsequent degassing process.

[0058] This closed-loop control method with threshold judgment ensures that ink degassing is always carried out under an ideal and constant negative pressure condition, ensuring the consistency of degassing efficiency. At the same time, it also realizes the intelligent management of the vacuum pump and avoids ineffective long-term operation.

[0059] It is understandable that in order to enhance the operational reliability and safety of the entire device and prevent the ink from leaking due to accidental damage to the degassing membrane 200 and being sucked into the negative pressure system 100, thereby damaging key components such as the vacuum pump and the air tank, the negative pressure system 100 of the embodiment has been further optimized.

[0060] In some embodiments, a backflow protection mechanism is added. For example, Figure 1 As shown, the embodiment negative pressure system 100 also includes a protective gas cylinder, a first liquid level switch, a first solenoid valve and a pressure relief valve. The protective gas cylinder serves as a buffer and collection component, and is connected in series between the negative pressure port of the degassing membrane 200 and the gas storage tank. More specifically, the air inlet of the protective gas cylinder is connected to the negative pressure port of the degassing membrane 200, and the air outlet thereof is connected to the pipeline of the gas storage tank. During normal operation, the gas separated from the degassing membrane 200 will pass through the protective gas cylinder and the one-way valve in turn, and finally be drawn into the gas storage tank. The provision of the protective gas cylinder provides a critical buffer space for possible ink leakage. Once the degassing membrane 200 is damaged, the ink attracted by the negative pressure will first enter the protective gas cylinder, rather than directly flowing into the subsequent gas storage tank and vacuum pump.

[0061] To enable real-time monitoring of this leakage, a first liquid level switch is installed at the bottom of the protective gas cylinder. This first liquid level switch is electrically connected to the control system 500. It is understood that under normal circumstances, only gas should flow through the protective gas cylinder, and its bottom should be dry. Once liquid (i.e., ink) leaks into and accumulates at the bottom of the protective gas cylinder, reaching the trigger height of the first liquid level switch, the switch will immediately activate and send a clear leakage signal to the control system 500. To quickly and effectively shut off the leakage source and eliminate the risk after receiving the leakage signal, the embodiment further provides two key actuator valves. The first solenoid valve is located between the negative pressure port of the degassing membrane 200 and the air inlet of the protective gas cylinder and is also controlled by the control system 500. During normal operation, this valve remains open to ensure that the degassing path is unobstructed. The pressure relief valve is directly connected to the gas storage tank and controlled by the control system 500. During normal operation, it remains closed to maintain the negative pressure environment within the gas storage tank.

[0062] Based on the above structure, the control system 500 is programmed to implement a rigorous set of protection logic. When the control system 500 receives a leakage signal from the first liquid level switch, it immediately determines that the system has experienced an internal ink leakage fault and instantaneously executes the following series of interlocking protection actions, including but not limited to: closing the first solenoid valve to cut off the pipeline between the protective gas cylinder and the degassing membrane 200 at the source, so that the negative pressure no longer acts on the damaged degassing membrane 200, thereby preventing further ink from being drawn into the negative pressure system 100; immediately stopping the ink supply pump and the air pump to cut off the path for supplying new ink to the degassing membrane 200, avoiding ink waste and exacerbating leakage; stopping the air pump to prevent the air pump from being damaged by liquid inhalation; opening the pressure relief valve to connect the gas storage tank to the outside atmosphere, quickly eliminating the negative pressure that has already built up in the tank.

[0063] Through the above-mentioned integrated protection process of "detection-isolation-shutdown-pressure relief", the ink degassing device of the embodiment can quickly and automatically isolate the fault and put the system into a safe state at the moment of detecting internal leakage, thereby protecting core components such as the gas tank and the air pump from ink contamination and damage, greatly improving the durability and operational stability of the equipment.

[0064] It is understandable that in order to ensure the stability of the ink pressure supplied to the nozzle cartridge and provide an effective intermediate buffer to prevent the demand fluctuations between the ink supply system 300 and the ink-using terminal from interfering with each other, the ink supply system 400 of the embodiment is designed to eliminate pressure fluctuations.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the ink supply system 400 is connected to the degassing outlet of the degassing device. Its core component is a buffer ink cartridge. This buffer cartridge acts as a secondary ink reservoir, receiving degassed clean ink from the upstream degassing membrane 200 and serving as a direct source of ink for the external printhead cartridges. This design effectively isolates the pressure pulsations that may occur during the operation of the ink supply pump, providing a more constant pressure environment for the printheads, thereby ensuring consistent print quality.

[0066] Understandable, such as Figure 2 As shown, the buffer ink cartridge has a buffer input port and a buffer output port. The buffer input port is connected to the degassing ink outlet of the degassing membrane 200 through a pipeline for receiving ink. The buffer output port is connected to the pipeline leading to the external nozzle ink cartridge for transporting ink outward. It is worth noting that in order to balance the air pressure inside the buffer ink cartridge, an air outlet is also provided on its top. The air outlet is connected to the outside atmosphere through a filter. When ink enters the buffer ink cartridge, the air in the cartridge can be discharged through this air outlet; when the ink is consumed, the outside air can enter through this port to replenish the space and avoid the formation of negative pressure in the cartridge and affect the normal outflow of ink. The role of the filter is crucial. It can effectively prevent dust, impurities and other particles in the air from entering the buffer ink cartridge to contaminate the ink, and prevent these pollutants from eventually clogging the precision nozzles.

[0067] In order to achieve precise control of the ink delivery process and proactive management of potential risks, this embodiment sets two solenoid valves on the pipeline of the buffer ink cartridge. Figure 2 As shown, a second solenoid valve is provided at the buffer output port of the buffer cartridge to control the ink path to the printhead cartridge. A third solenoid valve is provided on the pipeline at the air outlet. Both solenoid valves are electrically connected to the control system 500 and are centrally controlled by it.

[0068] On this basis, in order to prevent the overflow of excessive ink in the buffer ink cartridge due to the continuous operation of the ink supply pump or other abnormal conditions, the ink degassing device of the embodiment is also designed with an anti-overflow protection mechanism. For example, a second liquid level switch is set above the interior of the buffer ink cartridge. The liquid level switch is also electrically connected to the control system 500, and its installation position corresponds to the preset maximum safe liquid level in the buffer ink cartridge. When the ink level in the buffer ink cartridge is normal, the second liquid level switch is in a disconnected or default state. Once the liquid level rises abnormally and touches the second liquid level switch, the switch will immediately operate and send a clear overflow signal to the control system 500.

[0069] The control system 500 responds to this overflow signal with an emergency procedure. Upon receiving this signal, the control system 500 immediately executes the following series of linked operations to prevent the situation from worsening: It stops the ink supply pump, cutting off the ink source and fundamentally preventing the liquid level from rising further; it controls the second solenoid valve to close, preventing excess ink from leaking from the output port to the ink cartridge under pressure; and it controls the third solenoid valve to close, closing the air outlet to the atmosphere and completely sealing the buffer cartridge to prevent ink from overflowing from the outlet, causing equipment contamination and ink waste.

[0070] Through the automated protection process of "liquid level monitoring - signal reporting - system linkage - full shutdown", the ink degassing device of the embodiment can effectively prevent buffer cartridge overflow accidents, ensure the long-term stable operation of the equipment in unattended conditions, and improve the reliability and safety of the overall system.

[0071] As can be appreciated, to further enhance the operating efficiency and economical efficiency of the ink degassing device, the control system 500 is also designed to implement a dynamic negative pressure regulation logic based on the device's actual operating state. This control logic achieves refined management of device performance and energy consumption by setting different operating modes (operating, work-completed, and standby) and matching different negative pressure thresholds.

[0072] When the ink degassing device needs to start executing a printing task, for example, when the host computer or print control software issues a print instruction, the control system 500 will receive a first instruction, indicating that the device needs to enter a working state. In this mode, the primary task of the control system 500 is to ensure that the degassing efficiency is sufficient to match the upcoming ink consumption rate. In particular, the embodiment of the ink degassing device proposes an adaptive negative pressure regulation scheme. After responding to the first instruction, the control system 500 will first receive parameter information of the target image. This parameter information may include image resolution, size, color data, complexity of image content, etc. Based on this information, the algorithm built into the control system 500 will calculate the ink supply demand information for this printing task, that is, estimate the total amount of ink required to print the image and the instantaneous maximum ink consumption rate. The control system 500 will dynamically adjust the first negative pressure threshold based on the ink supply demand information.

[0073] If it is calculated that the next printing task consumes a large amount of ink (for example, printing a dark, large-area solid pattern), it means that a high-throughput ink supply is required. At this time, in order to ensure that the ink can still be fully degassed at a high flow rate, the control system 500 will increase the absolute value of the first negative pressure threshold (for example, from the conventional -80kPa to -90kPa). A higher negative pressure (i.e., a stronger vacuum) can produce a larger pressure difference, thereby significantly improving the degassing efficiency of the degassing membrane 200, ensuring that even at maximum ink consumption, the ink delivered to the nozzle is clean and bubble-free. Conversely, if the printing task consumes a small amount of ink (for example, printing sparse text or lines), the control system 500 can use a relatively low first negative pressure threshold to avoid unnecessary energy consumption. After setting the optimal first negative pressure threshold, the control system 500 will immediately adjust the vacuum pump and the ink supply pump to work together so that the current negative pressure value in the cavity of the degassing membrane 200 quickly reaches and stably maintains at the first negative pressure threshold, ensuring the best printing quality.

[0074] After all print jobs are completed, the control system 500 receives a second instruction, which indicates that the device has entered a work-completed state. In this state, the device does not immediately stop completely, but instead enters a "ready" or "hot standby" mode. The control system 500 adjusts the operating status of the vacuum pump and ink supply pump (for example, by reducing the vacuum pump's power or adopting an intermittent operation mode) to maintain the current negative pressure value at a preset second negative pressure threshold. The absolute value of this second negative pressure threshold is significantly lower than the first negative pressure threshold during operation (for example, -50 kPa). This is done to significantly reduce energy consumption and equipment wear. Maintaining a moderate negative pressure ensures that the ink in the pipelines and buffer cartridges remains degassed, preventing air from re-entering the system. This allows the device to quickly recover from the second negative pressure threshold to the first negative pressure threshold required for operation when receiving a new print job, achieving a rapid response and avoiding the need to repeat the initial vacuuming process for each job.

[0075] If no new printing task arrives after a preset waiting time (e.g., 30 minutes) in the work completion state, the control system 500 will respond to an internally generated third instruction and instruct the device to enter a deeper energy-saving mode - the standby state.

[0076] In standby mode, the control system 500 will further reduce the operating intensity of the system and only maintain the current negative pressure value at a preset third negative pressure threshold. The absolute value of the third negative pressure threshold is less than the second negative pressure threshold (for example, -30kPa), which is the lowest of the three thresholds. The main purpose of maintaining such a basic, weak negative pressure is to effectively prevent the outside air from slowly penetrating into the ink path system in the long term, and to ensure that the ink can still maintain a good degassing state after being stationary for a long time. This mode reduces the power consumption of the device during long periods of idleness, achieving maximum energy saving.

[0077] In summary, through this "on-demand adjustment-graded standby" intelligent control strategy, the ink degassing device of the embodiment can adaptively adjust its working intensity according to actual task requirements, and automatically enter different levels of energy-saving modes during task intervals and long periods of idleness, thereby achieving a significant reduction in operating costs and an effective improvement in equipment reliability and life while ensuring high-quality print output.

[0078] The embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field without departing from the purpose of the present application. In addition, the embodiments of the present application and the features of the embodiments can be combined with each other unless there is a conflict.

Claims

1. An ink degassing device, characterized in that: include: A negative pressure system for generating and storing negative pressure; a degassing membrane for separating gas from ink, the degassing membrane having a negative pressure port connected to the negative pressure system, a degassing ink inlet for inputting ink to be degassed, and a degassing ink outlet for outputting degassed ink; An ink supply system, comprising an ink supply pump and an ink barrel, wherein the ink supply pump is used to transport ink from the ink barrel to the degassing ink inlet; an ink delivery system connected to the degassing ink outlet and used to deliver the degassed ink to an external printhead ink cartridge, the ink delivery system comprising a buffer ink cartridge, one end of the buffer ink cartridge being connected to the degassing ink outlet and the other end being connected to the printhead ink cartridge; A control system is electrically connected to the negative pressure system, the ink supply system and the ink delivery system, and is used to monitor and control the working states of the negative pressure system, the ink supply system and the ink delivery system.

2. The ink degassing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The negative pressure system comprises: A gas storage tank, used for storing negative pressure, wherein a negative pressure sensor connected to the control system is provided inside the gas storage tank; an air pump connected to the air storage tank and used to generate negative pressure, wherein the air pump is controlled by the control system; A one-way valve is provided between the air pump and the air storage tank to prevent the negative pressure in the air storage tank from flowing back to the air pump.

3. The ink degassing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control system is also used to: Obtaining a preset first negative pressure threshold and a current negative pressure value sent in real time by the negative pressure sensor; In response to a first instruction, the working states of the air suction pump and the ink supply pump are adjusted so that the current negative pressure value reaches the first negative pressure threshold; the first instruction is used to indicate that the ink degassing device enters the working state.

4. The ink degassing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The negative pressure system also includes: A protective gas cylinder, the gas inlet of which is connected to the negative pressure port, and the gas outlet of which is connected to the gas storage tank; The first liquid level switch is arranged at the bottom of the protective gas cylinder and is electrically connected to the control system.

5. The ink degassing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The negative pressure system also includes: a first solenoid valve, disposed between the air inlet of the protective gas cylinder and the negative pressure port, and electrically connected to the control system; A pressure relief valve is connected to the gas storage tank and is electrically connected to the control system.

6. The ink degassing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control system is also used to: Obtaining a liquid leakage signal sent by the first liquid level switch; wherein the liquid leakage signal is used to indicate the presence of liquid at the bottom of the protective gas cylinder; According to the leakage signal, the first solenoid valve is controlled to close to isolate the protective gas cylinder from the negative pressure port; and the pressure relief valve is controlled to open to relieve the pressure in the gas tank, and the working states of the ink supply pump and the air suction pump are adjusted to stop.

7. The ink degassing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer ink cartridge has a buffer input port, a buffer output port, and an air outlet connected to the atmosphere through a filter, wherein the air outlet is used to balance the pressure in the buffer ink cartridge; the buffer input port is connected to the degassing ink outlet, and the buffer output port is connected to the nozzle ink cartridge; The ink delivery system also includes: a second solenoid valve provided at the buffer output port; a third solenoid valve disposed at the air outlet; The second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are both connected to the control system.

8. The ink degassing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A second liquid level switch connected to the control system is further provided in the buffer ink cartridge, and the second liquid level switch is used to monitor whether the buffer ink cartridge overflows.

9. The ink degassing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control system is also used to: receiving an overflow signal sent by the second liquid level switch; wherein the overflow signal indicates that the buffer ink cartridge has overflowed; According to the overflow signal, the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are controlled to be closed, and the working state of the ink supply pump is adjusted to stop.

10. The ink degassing device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The control system is also used to: In response to the first instruction, receiving parameter information of a target image to be printed, and calculating ink supply requirement information based on the parameter information; adjusting the first negative pressure threshold according to the ink supply demand information; Obtaining a preset second negative pressure threshold; In response to a second instruction, adjusting the operating states of the air suction pump and the ink supply pump so that the current negative pressure value is within a second negative pressure threshold, and the absolute value of the second negative pressure threshold is smaller than the first negative pressure threshold; wherein the second instruction is used to indicate that the ink degassing device is in a working state; Obtain a preset third negative pressure threshold; in response to a third instruction, adjust the working status of the air suction pump and the ink supply pump so that the current negative pressure value is at the third negative pressure threshold, and the absolute value of the third negative pressure threshold is less than the second negative pressure threshold; wherein, the third instruction is used to indicate that the ink degassing device is in standby state.

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