Accurate recognition and matching system and method for ceramic tile blank combined line ink-jet printing

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ceramic tile production, in particular to an accurate recognition and matching system and method for combined-line ink-jet printing of ceramic tile blanks, and the system is applied to a ceramic production line for multi-line production and combined-line printing. Comprising a visual recognition device, a two-dimensional code printing device, a two-dimensional code recognition device, an ink-jet printing device and a controller electrically connected with all the devices. The visual recognition devices are arranged at the connecting sections of the tail ends of the branch conveying devices and the merging main conveying device, the two-dimensional code printing device, the two-dimensional code recognition device and the ink-jet printing device are sequentially arranged in the conveying direction of the merging main conveying device, and the controller is used for controlling the conveying speed of the conveying devices and synchronously adapts to the working rhythms of all the devices. Under the efficient production mode of'branch line production and joint line printing ', precise recognition of each combined green brick and precise printing of the corresponding pattern can be achieved, the problem of printing disorder caused by green brick combination is solved, and the rate of finished products is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ceramic tile production technology, and in particular to a precise identification and matching system and method for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank assembly lines. Background Technology

[0002] In the ceramics manufacturing industry, to improve production efficiency, manufacturers commonly use multiple parallel production lines to produce ceramic tile blanks of different models or specifications (such as ceramic tile blanks of different sizes and materials). After each production line completes the preliminary processes such as raw material pressing and drying, all the tile blanks are combined into a main conveyor belt and transported to the inkjet printing station for pattern printing. The core advantage of this production model lies in its "separate production lines, combined printing" layout, which fully utilizes the capacity of inkjet printing equipment and avoids equipment idleness caused by a single printer on a single production line, thereby improving overall production efficiency.

[0003] However, the existing production method has significant technical defects: when brick blanks from multiple production lines are merged into the main conveyor belt, brick blanks of different models and requiring different patterns to be printed are prone to positional confusion (such as reversed order or brick blanks from different production lines being arranged in an interleaved manner). The existing inkjet printing system lacks a precise identification and matching mechanism for individual brick blanks, which means that the printing device cannot adjust the printing parameters (such as inkjet pigments and pattern data) according to the actual needs of each brick blank. This ultimately leads to problems such as incorrect printed patterns (such as printing the pattern of model A product onto model B brick blanks) and mismatch between patterns and products, which seriously reduces the yield of ceramic products, increases production costs, and affects the stability of the production process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this invention is to propose a precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic brick blanks after merging. Under the efficient production mode of "separate production and combined printing", it can achieve precise identification of each brick blank after merging and precise printing of the corresponding pattern, solve the problem of printing errors caused by brick blank merging, and improve the yield rate.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to propose a precise identification and matching method for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines, which applies the precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines as described above.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic brick blanks is applied to a ceramic production line with multiple branch conveyor devices and a single main conveyor device. The system includes a vision recognition device, a QR code printing device, a QR code recognition device, an inkjet printing device, and a controller. The visual recognition device is located at the end of each of the branch conveyors and the connection section between the main conveyor and the merging main conveyor. The QR code printing device, the QR code recognition device and the inkjet printing device are arranged sequentially along the conveying direction of the merging main conveyor. The visual recognition device is used to identify the product model and the pattern to be printed on the brick blank, and sends the identification information to the QR code printing device; The QR code printing device is used to generate a unique QR code based on the received identification information and print it on the brick blank. The QR code stores the product model and the pattern information to be printed. The QR code recognition device is used to read the QR code on the brick blank and parse out the product model and the pattern information to be printed, and send the parsed information to the inkjet printing device. The inkjet printing device is used to print brick blanks using inkjet printing based on the analysis information. The controller is electrically connected to the conveyor motors of the visual recognition device, the QR code printing device, the QR code recognition device, the inkjet printing device, the branch conveyor device, and the merging main conveyor device. The controller is used to control the conveying speed of the multiple branch conveyors and the merging main conveyor device according to the working rhythm of each device. The working rhythm includes the recognition timing of the visual recognition device, the printing timing of the QR code printing device, the recognition timing of the QR code recognition device, and the inkjet printing time of the inkjet printing device.

[0007] Preferably, the combined main conveyor includes a conveyor frame and two sets of conveyor components; Both sets of conveying components are arranged above the conveyor frame along the conveying direction of the combined main conveying device, and a clearance space is left between the two sets of conveying components. The clearance space is used to provide a laser printing channel for the QR code printing device and a recognition channel for the QR code recognition device. The conveying assembly includes a conveying motor, conveying wheels, and a conveyor belt. Two conveying wheels are disposed at both ends of the conveyor frame, and the conveyor belt is looped around the outer wheel surfaces of the two conveying wheels. The output end of the conveying motor is connected to one of the conveying wheels to drive the conveying wheel and drive the conveyor belt to rotate. The two sets of conveying components are connected by a conveying connecting roller.

[0008] Preferably, the visual recognition device includes a visual support, an industrial camera, and an interactive device; One end of the vision bracket is detachably mounted on one side of the main merging conveyor, and the other end of the vision bracket is equipped with the industrial camera and the interactive device. The lens of the industrial camera is directed toward the conveying surface of the main merging conveyor to photograph the brick blank to be identified. The interactive device includes an identification module and an identification database. The identification module is used to identify the product model and the pattern to be printed of the brick blank using template matching or OCR identification methods. The identification database is used to import product model and pattern data offline and update them online.

[0009] Preferably, the QR code printing device includes a printing bracket, a printing moving component, a laser printer, a mounting rod, and a photoelectric sensor; The two ends of the printing bracket are respectively fixedly installed below the conveyor frame. The printing moving component is installed on the printing bracket. The laser printer is fixedly installed at the moving end of the printing moving component. The printing moving component is used to drive the laser printer to move perpendicular to the conveying direction of the merging main conveyor. The printing moving assembly includes a U-shaped base, a lead screw, a printing moving motor, a printing slide rail, and a printing moving slider; The two ends of the lead screw are mounted on the two ends of the U-shaped base through bearings. One end of the lead screw is connected to the output end of the printing moving motor. The U-shaped base is provided with the printing slide rail. The bottom end of the printing moving slider is slidably connected to the printing slide rail. The printing moving slider is threadedly connected to the lead screw. The top end of the printing moving slider is fixedly mounted with the laser printer. The mounting rod is mounted on the printing bracket, and the photoelectric sensor is mounted on the top of the mounting rod with the detection end of the photoelectric sensor facing the clearance space, for detecting the position signal of the brick blank and sending it to the controller.

[0010] Preferably, the QR code recognition device includes a scanning bracket and a scanning machine; The two ends of the barcode scanning bracket are fixedly installed below the conveyor frame, and the barcode scanner is fixedly installed in the middle of the barcode scanning bracket with the camera lens facing the clearance space for reading the QR code on the brick blank.

[0011] Preferably, the inkjet printing device includes an inkjet frame, a printhead assembly, and an inkjet moving assembly; Multiple inkjet racks are spaced apart and spanned above the merging main conveyor. Each inkjet rack is provided with a set of inkjet moving components. A set of printhead assemblies is fixedly installed at the moving end of each set of inkjet moving components. The inkjet moving components are used to drive the corresponding printhead assemblies to move along a conveying direction perpendicular to the merging main conveyor. The inkjet moving assembly includes an inkjet moving motor, an inkjet conveyor belt, inkjet moving wheels, an inkjet slide rail, and an inkjet moving base. Two inkjet moving wheels are respectively disposed at both ends of the inkjet frame. The inkjet slide rail is installed along the length of the inkjet frame and disposed between the two inkjet moving wheels. The output end of the inkjet moving motor is connected to one of its inkjet moving wheels. The inkjet conveyor belt is wrapped around the outer wheel surface of the two inkjet moving wheels. The inkjet moving base is fixedly installed on the inkjet conveyor belt and slidably installed on the inkjet slide rail. Each printhead assembly includes a pigment storage tank, a negative pressure ink supply pump, an ink supply line, and multiple inkjet printheads arranged in an array. The negative pressure ink supply pump connects the pigment storage tank and the inkjet printheads through the ink supply line. The pigment storage tank stores a specific type of inkjet pigment.

[0012] A precise identification and matching method for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines, applied to the precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines as described above, includes the following steps: S1: The controller controls the branch conveyor to transport the pressed and dried brick blanks, and at the same time controls the main conveyor to run at a preset speed. When the brick blanks run to the vision recognition area, the controller synchronously triggers the vision recognition device to start, the industrial camera takes pictures of the brick blanks, and the interactive device identifies and parses the product model and the pattern to be printed of the brick blanks through template matching or OCR. S2: The visual recognition device sends the recognition information to the QR code printing device. The controller triggers the laser printer to start synchronously based on the position signal of the photoelectric sensor. The printing moving component drives the laser printer to move to the preset printing position along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The laser head of the laser printer engraves the exclusive QR code from the bottom of the brick through the clearance space. S3: After the brick blank with the QR code is conveyed to the front of the inkjet printing station by the main conveyor, the controller simultaneously triggers the QR code recognition device to start. The scanner reads the QR code on the brick blank through the clearance space, parses the product model and the pattern information to be printed, and sends it to the controller. S4: After receiving the parsed information, the controller analyzes the pattern to be printed, matches at least one inkjet pigment and corresponding printhead assembly corresponding to the pattern, and establishes a correspondence between "pattern-pigment-printhead assembly". When the brick blank moves with the merging main conveyor to the area below the inkjet pigment and printhead assembly in the correspondence, the controller controls the merging main conveyor to maintain a constant speed, synchronously triggering the corresponding inkjet moving assembly to start, driving the printhead assembly to move along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction to the preset printing position. The negative pressure ink supply pump delivers the corresponding pigment to the inkjet printhead through the ink supply pipeline, and multiple arrayed inkjet printheads start inkjet printing according to the pattern data. When the brick blank moves to the area below inkjet pigment and printhead assembly that is not in the correspondence, the corresponding inkjet moving assembly and printhead assembly remain in the non-starting state. S5: After all corresponding patterns have been printed by inkjet printing, the controller controls the main conveyor to continue operating and convey the printed brick blanks away.

[0013] One of the above technical solutions has the following beneficial effects: (1) Targeted solution to the core defect in the background technology of “the chaotic position of the brick blanks after merging leads to printing errors”: Through the exclusive identification mechanism of “visual recognition + QR code encoding + QR code decoding”, each brick blank is given a unique identity information. Even if the brick blanks of different lines are arranged in a staggered manner on the main conveyor device and the order is reversed, they can still be accurately matched with the corresponding pattern to be printed through the QR code, completely avoiding the problem of “pattern and product mismatch” and significantly improving the yield rate. (2) Retain the efficiency advantage of "separate production lines and combined printing lines": without changing the existing efficient production layout, simply by adding identification, encoding, decoding devices and precise control logic, the existing technical shortcomings can be made up without reducing the production pace, so as to achieve the unity of "efficient production" and "precise printing" and avoid equipment idleness caused by a single production line corresponding to a single printer. (3) Comprehensive and precise control logic: The controller achieves coordination with all devices through multi-interface communication, controlling the conveying speed of the main conveying device and adapting to the working time of each device in sync, ensuring no delay in signal transmission and no error in action coordination, improving the stability of the production process, and solving the problem of "lack of unified control mechanism leading to production disorder" in the existing technology. (4) Strong compatibility: It can adapt to different models and patterns of brick blanks produced by multiple production lines, without the need to adjust the production line layout for different products, reducing the cost of product changeover and solving the problems of "poor compatibility and complicated changeover" in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank assembly lines; Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a visual recognition device in a precision recognition and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blanks; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a QR code printing device in a precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blanks; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a QR code recognition device in a precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blanks; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an inkjet printing device in a precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blanks. Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the main conveyor device in a precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic brick blanks. In the attached diagram: 1. Visual recognition device; 11. Visual support; 12. Industrial camera; 13. Interactive device; 2. QR code printing device; 21. Printing support; 22. Printing moving assembly; 23. Laser printer; 24. Mounting rod; 25. Photoelectric sensor; 221. U-shaped base; 222. Lead screw; 223. Printing moving motor; 224. Printing sliding rail; 225. QR code recognition device; 31. Scanning bracket; 32. Scanner; 4. Inkjet printing device; 41. Inkjet frame; 42. Printhead assembly. 5. Inkjet moving assembly 43, inkjet moving motor 431, inkjet conveyor belt 432, inkjet moving wheel 433, inkjet slide rail 434, inkjet moving base 435, pigment storage tank 421, negative pressure ink supply pump 422, ink supply pipeline 423, inkjet printhead 424, controller 5. Main conveyor 6. Conveyor frame 61, conveyor assembly 62, clearance space 63, conveyor motor 621, conveyor wheel 622, conveyor belt 623, conveyor connecting roller 624, branch line conveyor 7. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0016] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "level," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0017] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0018] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0019] A precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic brick blanks is applied to a ceramic production line with multiple branch conveyor devices 7 and a single main conveyor device 6. The system includes a vision recognition device 1, a QR code printing device 2, a QR code recognition device 3, an inkjet printing device 4, and a controller 5. The visual recognition device 1 is located at the end of each of the branch conveyor devices 7 and the connection section between it and the merging main conveyor device 6. The QR code printing device 2, the QR code recognition device 3, and the inkjet printing device 4 are arranged sequentially along the conveying direction of the merging main conveyor device 6. The visual recognition device 1 is used to identify the product model and the pattern to be printed on the brick blank, and sends the recognition information to the QR code printing device 2. The QR code printing device 2 is used to generate a unique QR code based on the received identification information and print it on the brick blank. The QR code stores the product model and the pattern information to be printed. The QR code recognition device 3 is used to read the QR code on the brick blank and parse out the product model and the pattern information to be printed, and send the parsed information to the inkjet printing device 4. The inkjet printing device 4 is used to inkjet print the brick blank according to the analysis information. The controller 5 is electrically connected to the conveyor motors 621 of the visual recognition device 1, the QR code printing device 2, the QR code recognition device 3, the inkjet printing device 4, the branch conveyor device 7, and the merging main conveyor device 6. The controller 5 is used to control the conveying speed of the multiple branch conveyor devices 7 and the merging main conveyor device 6 according to the working rhythm of each device. The working rhythm includes the recognition timing of the visual recognition device 1, the printing timing of the QR code printing device 2, the recognition timing of the QR code recognition device 3, and the inkjet printing time of the inkjet printing device 4.

[0020] like Figure 1-6 As shown, this system is applied to a ceramic production line with "multiple separate production lines and combined printing," achieving precise correspondence between the brick blank and the pattern through a closed-loop logic of "identification-encoding-decoding-precise matching printing." First, the visual recognition device 1 is placed at the connection section between the end of each branch conveyor 7 and the main conveyor 6 to ensure that the brick blanks are "identified" before entering the main conveyor; and then it is set up in sequence with the QR code printing device 2, QR code recognition device 3, and inkjet printing device 4 along the direction of the main conveyor to form a "encoding-decoding-printing" process connection. After the visual recognition device 1 identifies the product model and the pattern to be printed on the brick blank, it sends the information to the QR code printing device 2 to generate a unique QR code and print it; the QR code recognition device 3 reads the QR code and parses the information, and transmits it to the inkjet printing device 4; the controller 5, as the core control unit, is electrically connected to the conveyor motor 621 of all devices and the branch line / main conveyor, communicates with the visual recognition device 1, the QR code printing device 2, and the inkjet printing device 4 via Ethernet, and communicates with the QR code recognition device 3 and the conveyor motor 621 of the main conveyor via the RS485 interface to achieve real-time signal transmission; Most importantly, the controller 5 not only controls the conveying speed of each of the branch conveying devices 7 and the main conveying device 6, but also synchronizes and adapts to the working timing of each device: precisely triggering the recognition action of the visual recognition device 1, the printing action of the QR code printing device 2, the reading action of the QR code recognition device 3, and the inkjet printing action of the inkjet printing device 4, ensuring that each link matches the rhythm of brick conveying and avoiding delays or errors in action.

[0021] To further explain, the main conveying device 6 includes a conveyor frame 61 and two sets of conveying components 62; Both sets of conveying components 62 are arranged above the conveyor frame 61 along the conveying direction of the merging main conveying device 6, and a clearance space 63 is left between the two sets of conveying components 62. The clearance space 63 is used to provide a laser printing channel for the QR code printing device 2 and a recognition channel for the QR code recognition device 3. The conveying assembly 62 includes a conveying motor 621, conveying wheels 622, and a conveyor belt 623. The two conveying wheels 622 are disposed at both ends of the conveyor frame 61, and the conveyor belt 623 is wrapped around the outer wheel surface of the two conveying wheels 622. The output end of the conveying motor 621 is connected to one of the conveying wheels 622 to drive the conveying wheel 622 to drive the conveyor belt 623 to rotate. The two sets of conveying components 62 are connected by a conveying connecting roller 624.

[0022] like Figure 1 and 6As shown, the main conveyor device 6, as the core carrier of the brick blank assembly line, has a structural design and working logic that are closely adapted to the requirements of QR code printing and recognition. The main conveying device 6 includes a conveyor frame 61 and two sets of symmetrically arranged conveying components 62. The two sets of conveying components 62 are installed above the conveyor frame 61 along the conveying direction, and a clearance space 63 is reserved between the two sets of conveying components 62. The two sets of conveying components 62 drive the conveying wheel 622 through the conveying motor 621, which drives the conveying connecting roller 624 to rotate synchronously, thereby driving the conveyor belt 623 to run, so as to realize the stable conveying of brick blanks. It should be noted that the clearance space 63 provides a laser printing channel for the QR code printing device 2 (allowing the laser to penetrate from below to the back of the brick blank), and also provides a recognition channel for the QR code recognition device 3 (allowing the scanner 32 to read the QR code on the back of the brick blank from below); the two sets of conveying components 62 support the two sides of the brick blank through a symmetrical layout, so that the back of the brick blank (non-decorative surface) is suspended directly facing the clearance space 63, which ensures the stability of the brick blank during the conveying process, and does not block the path of laser printing and QR code recognition, ensuring the clarity of QR code engraving and the accuracy of recognition, avoiding encoding failure or decoding errors caused by channel obstruction, and further ensuring the realization of "precise matching"; at the same time, the QR code printing device 2 and the QR code recognition device 3 are located below the main conveying device, and the laser engraves the back of the brick blank from the bottom, avoiding the front of the brick blank (decorative surface) from directly contacting the support structure or being pressured, and preventing indentations on the front.

[0023] To further explain, the visual recognition device 1 includes a visual support 11, an industrial camera 12, and an interactive device 13; One end of the vision bracket 11 is detachably mounted on one side of the merging main conveyor 6, and the other end of the vision bracket 11 is equipped with the industrial camera 12 and the interactive device 13. The lens of the industrial camera 12 is directed toward the conveying surface of the merging main conveyor 6 for photographing the brick blank to be identified; The interactive device 13 includes an identification module and an identification database. The identification module is used to identify the product model and the pattern to be printed of the brick blank using template matching or OCR identification methods. The identification database is used to import product model and pattern data offline and update them online.

[0024] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the visual recognition device 1, as the initial step in the "identity recognition" of the brick blank, focuses on the accurate collection of brick blank information in its working logic: First, detach one end of the vision bracket 11 is installed on one side of the main conveyor, and the other end is simultaneously fixed with the industrial camera 12 and the interactive device 13. The lens of the industrial camera 12 faces the conveyor surface to ensure that the shooting angle covers all the bricks that pass through. When the brick blank moves to the visual recognition area, the controller 5 triggers the industrial camera 12 to capture an image of the brick blank, and the image data is transmitted to the interactive device 13; the recognition module of the interactive device 13 parses out the product model and the pattern to be printed by template matching (comparing the brick blank size, outline and other preset templates) or OCR recognition (reading the model engraving on the brick blank). In an optional embodiment, the identification database supports offline import and online updates, and can promptly supplement template data according to new product models or patterns to be printed, adapting to new production needs without changing equipment.

[0025] To further explain, the QR code printing device 2 includes a printing bracket 21, a printing moving component 22, a laser printer 23, a mounting rod 24, and a photoelectric sensor 25; The two ends of the printing bracket 21 are respectively fixedly installed below the conveyor frame 61. The printing moving component 22 is installed on the printing bracket 21. The laser printer 23 is fixedly installed at the moving end of the printing moving component 22. The printing moving component 22 is used to drive the laser printer 23 to move perpendicular to the conveying direction of the merging main conveyor 6. The printing moving assembly 22 includes a U-shaped base 221, a lead screw 222, a printing moving motor 223, a printing slide rail 224, and a printing moving slider 225; The two ends of the lead screw 222 are mounted on the two ends of the U-shaped base 221 through bearings. One end of the lead screw 222 is connected to the output end of the printing moving motor 223. The printing slide rail 224 is provided on the U-shaped base 221. The bottom end of the printing moving slider 225 is slidably connected to the printing slide rail 224. The printing moving slider 225 is threadedly connected to the lead screw 222. The laser printer 23 is fixedly installed on the top end of the printing moving slider 225. The mounting rod 24 is mounted on the printing bracket 21, and the photoelectric sensor 25 is mounted on the top of the mounting rod 24 with the detection end of the photoelectric sensor 25 facing the clearance space 63. It is used to detect the position signal of the brick blank and send it to the controller 5.

[0026] like Figure 1 and 3As shown, the two ends of the printing bracket 21 are fixedly installed below the conveyor frame 61 of the merging main conveyor device 6. The structure is simple and the connection is firm, providing stable support for the printing moving component 22 and the laser printer 23. The printing moving component 22 is installed on the printing bracket 21, and the laser printer 23 is fixed to the moving end of the printing moving component 22, forming an integrated layout of "bracket-moving component-printer". The printing moving component 22 is specifically used to drive the laser printer 23 to move along the conveying direction perpendicular to the merging main conveyor device 6. The lateral position of the laser printer 23 can be flexibly adjusted according to the width of the brick blank and the preset printing position of the QR code to ensure that the laser head is accurately aligned with the target area on the back of the brick blank.

[0027] When the printing moving component 22 receives the product model and print pattern information sent by the visual recognition device 1, it generates a unique QR code containing the information. When the brick blank moves to the QR code printing area, the photoelectric sensor 25 first detects the position signal of the brick blank and immediately sends the signal to the controller 5. The controller 5 synchronously triggers the laser printer 23 to start engraving according to the position signal, ensuring that the laser printer 23 starts just when the brick blank reaches the printing position, avoiding missed printing or wrong printing.

[0028] To further explain, the QR code recognition device 3 includes a scanning bracket 31 and a scanner 32; The two ends of the barcode scanning bracket 31 are fixedly installed below the conveyor frame 61, and the barcode scanner 32 is fixedly installed in the middle of the barcode scanning bracket 31, with the lens of the barcode scanner 32 facing the clearance space 63, for reading the QR code on the brick blank.

[0029] like Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the scanning bracket 31 is fixed at both ends to the bottom of the conveyor frame 61 of the main conveyor device, and the barcode scanner 32 is fixed in the middle of the scanning bracket 31 with its lens facing the clearance space 63, ensuring that the lens can pass through the clearance space 63 to align with the QR code on the back of the brick blank. When the brick blank with the printed QR code moves to the recognition area with the main conveyor device, the controller 5 triggers the barcode scanner 32 to start. The barcode scanner 32 reads the QR code on the back of the brick blank through the clearance space 63, parses out the product model and the pattern information to be printed, and sends the parsed information to the controller 5 and the inkjet printer 4. Since the installation position of the barcode scanner 31 is precisely aligned with the clearance space 63, it ensures that the lens of the barcode scanner 32 is unobstructed and the reading path is unobstructed.

[0030] To further explain, the inkjet printing device 4 includes an inkjet frame 41, a printhead assembly 42, and an inkjet moving assembly 43; Multiple inkjet racks 41 are spaced apart and spanned above the merging main conveyor 6. Each inkjet rack 41 is provided with a set of inkjet moving components 43. A set of printhead assemblies 42 is fixedly installed at the moving end of each set of inkjet moving components 43. The inkjet moving components 43 are used to drive the corresponding printhead assemblies 42 to move along a conveying direction perpendicular to the merging main conveyor 6. The inkjet moving assembly 43 includes an inkjet moving motor 431, an inkjet conveyor belt 432, inkjet moving wheels 433, an inkjet slide rail 434, and an inkjet moving base 435. Two inkjet moving wheels 433 are respectively disposed at both ends of the inkjet frame 41. The inkjet slide rail 434 is installed along the length of the inkjet frame 41 and disposed between the two inkjet moving wheels 433. The output end of the inkjet moving motor 431 is connected to one of its inkjet moving wheels 433. The inkjet conveyor belt 432 is arranged around the outer wheel surface of the two inkjet moving wheels 433. The inkjet moving base 435 is fixedly installed on the inkjet conveyor belt 432 and is slidably installed on the inkjet slide rail 434. Each printhead assembly 42 includes a pigment storage tank 421, a negative pressure ink supply pump 422, an ink supply line 423, and multiple arrayed inkjet printheads 424. The negative pressure ink supply pump 422 connects the pigment storage tank 421 and the inkjet printheads 424 through the ink supply line 423. The pigment storage tank 421 stores a specific type of inkjet pigment.

[0031] like Figure 1 and 5 As shown, multiple inkjet racks 41 are spaced apart and span across the main conveyor. Inkjet moving components 43 are mounted on the inkjet racks 41. Each group of inkjet moving components 43 has a set of printhead assemblies 42 fixed to its moving end, forming a multi-printhead array layout. Each set of printhead assemblies 42 corresponds to a type of inkjet pigment (such as red, yellow, blue, black, etc.) and includes a pigment storage tank 421 (stores the specific pigment), a negative pressure ink supply pump 422 (provides stable ink supply pressure), an ink supply line 423 (transports pigment), and an array of inkjet printheads 424 (perform inkjet actions). The inkjet moving components 43 can drive the printhead assemblies 42 to move along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby achieving fine adjustment of the printing position.

[0032] After receiving the parsed information from the QR code recognition device 3, the device matches the corresponding pigment and the corresponding printhead assembly 42 according to the requirements of the pattern to be printed. The position of the printhead assembly 42 is adjusted by the inkjet moving component 43, and the negative pressure ink supply pump 422 delivers pigment to the inkjet printhead 424. The printhead assembly 42 starts inkjet printing according to the pattern data to form a precise pattern.

[0033] A precise identification and matching method for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines, applied to the precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines as described above, includes the following steps: S1: Controller 5 controls the branch conveyor 7 to convey the pressed and dried brick blanks, and at the same time controls the main conveyor 6 to run at a preset speed; when the brick blanks run to the visual recognition area, controller 5 synchronously triggers the visual recognition device 1 to start, the industrial camera 12 captures the image of the brick blanks, and the interactive device 13 identifies and parses the product model and the pattern to be printed of the brick blanks through template matching or OCR recognition. S2: The visual recognition device 1 sends the recognition information to the QR code printing device 2. The controller 5 triggers the laser printer 23 to start synchronously according to the position signal of the photoelectric sensor 25. The printing moving component 22 drives the laser printer 23 to move along the conveying direction to the preset printing position. The laser head of the laser printer 23 engraves the exclusive QR code from the bottom of the brick through the clearance space 63. S3: After the brick blank with the QR code is conveyed to the front of the inkjet printing station by the main conveyor 6, the controller 5 synchronously triggers the QR code recognition device 3 to start. The barcode scanner 32 reads the QR code on the brick blank through the clearance space 63, parses out the product model and the pattern information to be printed, and sends it to the controller 5. S4: After receiving the parsed information, the controller 5 analyzes the pattern to be printed, matches at least one inkjet pigment and the corresponding printhead assembly 42 to establish a correspondence between "pattern-pigment-printhead assembly 42". When the brick blank moves with the merging main conveyor 6 to below the inkjet pigment and printhead assembly 42 in the correspondence, the controller 5 controls the merging main conveyor 6 to maintain a constant speed, synchronously triggering the corresponding inkjet moving assembly 43 to start, driving the printhead assembly 42 to move along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction to the preset printing position. The negative pressure ink supply pump 422 delivers the corresponding pigment to the inkjet printhead 424 through the ink supply pipeline 423, and the multiple arrayed inkjet printheads 424 start inkjet printing according to the pattern data. When the brick blank moves to below the inkjet pigment and printhead assembly 42 that is not in the correspondence, the corresponding inkjet moving assembly 43 and printhead assembly 42 remain in the non-starting state. S5: After all corresponding patterns have been printed by inkjet printing, controller 5 controls the main conveyor 6 to continue operating and convey the printed brick blanks away.

[0034] This method, based on the aforementioned system, achieves precise matching of inkjet printing lines for brick blanks through a five-step closed-loop process: S1 mainly involves information acquisition steps: Controller 5 controls the branch conveyor 7 and the main conveyor to operate at a preset speed. When the brick runs to the visual recognition area, Controller 5 triggers the visual recognition device 1, and the industrial camera 12 captures the image. Interactive device 13 identifies and parses the product model and the pattern to be printed by template matching or OCR. S2 mainly involves the encoding process: the visual recognition device 1 sends information to the QR code printing device 2, the controller 5 triggers the laser printer 23 based on the position signal of the photoelectric sensor 25, and the laser head engraves a unique QR code from the bottom of the brick blank through the clearance space 63. S3 is mainly the decoding step: the brick blank is conveyed to the front of the inkjet printing station by the main conveyor device, the controller 5 triggers the QR code recognition device 3, the barcode scanner 32 reads the QR code and parses the information through the clearance space 63, and transmits it to the controller 5. S4 mainly involves the precise printing process: the controller 5 analyzes the pattern to be printed, matches the corresponding inkjet pigment and printhead assembly 42, and establishes a correspondence; when the brick moves to the bottom of the corresponding printhead assembly 42, the moving assembly drives the printhead assembly 42 to adjust its position, the negative pressure ink supply pump 422 delivers pigment, and the printhead assembly 42 sprays ink; non-corresponding printhead assemblies 42 remain unactivated. S5 is mainly for the finishing steps: After all patterns are printed, controller 5 controls the main conveyor to continue operating and convey the printed brick blanks away from the workstation.

[0035] In summary, this method forms a complete closed loop of "acquisition-encoding-decoding-printing", which completely solves the core defect of the background technology that "the chaotic position after the brick blank is joined leads to printing errors": each step is centered around "precise matching", from information acquisition to final printing, ensuring that the pattern requirements of each brick blank are accurately executed, and greatly improving the yield.

[0036] The technical principles of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. These descriptions are merely for explaining the principles of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the invention in any way. Based on this explanation, those skilled in the art can readily conceive of other specific embodiments of the invention without inventive effort, and these equivalent variations or substitutions are all included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines, characterized in that, A ceramic production line used for production by multiple branch conveyor devices (7) and printing by a single combined main conveyor device (6) includes a vision recognition device (1), a QR code printing device (2), a QR code recognition device (3), an inkjet printing device (4), and a controller (5). The visual recognition device (1) is located at the end of each of the branch conveying devices (7) and the connecting section of the merging main conveying device (6). The QR code printing device (2), QR code recognition device (3) and inkjet printing device (4) are arranged sequentially along the conveying direction of the merging main conveying device (6). The visual recognition device (1) is used to identify the product model and the pattern to be printed on the brick blank, and sends the identification information to the QR code printing device (2). The QR code printing device (2) is used to generate a unique QR code based on the received identification information and print it on the brick blank. The QR code stores the product model and the pattern information to be printed. The QR code recognition device (3) is used to read the QR code on the brick blank and parse out the product model and the pattern information to be printed, and send the parsed information to the inkjet printing device (4). The inkjet printing device (4) is used to inkjet print the brick blank according to the analysis information; The controller (5) is electrically connected to the conveyor motor (621) of the visual recognition device (1), the QR code printing device (2), the QR code recognition device (3), the inkjet printing device (4), the branch conveyor device (7), and the main conveyor device (6). The controller (5) is used to control the conveying speed of the multiple branch conveyors (7) and the main conveyor device (6) according to the working rhythm of each device. The working rhythm includes the recognition timing of the visual recognition device (1), the printing timing of the QR code printing device (2), the recognition timing of the QR code recognition device (3), and the inkjet printing time of the inkjet printing device (4).

2. The precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blanks according to claim 1, characterized in that, The combined main conveying device (6) includes a conveyor frame (61) and two sets of conveying components (62); Both sets of conveying components (62) are arranged above the conveyor frame (61) along the conveying direction of the combined main conveying device (6), and a clearance space (63) is left between the two sets of conveying components (62). The clearance space (63) is used to provide a laser printing channel for the QR code printing device (2) and a recognition channel for the QR code recognition device (3). The conveying assembly (62) includes a conveying motor (621), a conveying wheel (622), and a conveyor belt (623). The two conveying wheels (622) are disposed at both ends of the conveyor frame (61), and the conveyor belt (623) is wrapped around the outer wheel surface of the two conveying wheels (622). The output end of the conveying motor (621) is connected to one of the conveying wheels (622) to drive the conveying wheel (622) to drive the conveyor belt (623) to rotate. The two sets of conveying components (62) are connected by a conveying connecting roller (624).

3. The precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank assembly lines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The visual recognition device (1) includes a visual support (11), an industrial camera (12), and an interactive device (13). One end of the vision bracket (11) is detachably mounted on one side of the main conveyor (6), and the other end of the vision bracket (11) is equipped with the industrial camera (12) and the interactive device (13). The lens of the industrial camera (12) is directed toward the conveying surface of the main conveying device (6) for photographing the brick blank to be identified; The interactive device (13) includes an identification module and an identification database. The identification module is used to identify the product model and the pattern to be printed of the brick blank by means of template matching or OCR identification. The identification database is used to import product model and pattern data offline and update them online.

4. The precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank assembly lines according to claim 2, characterized in that, The QR code printing device (2) includes a printing bracket (21), a printing moving component (22), a laser printer (23), a mounting rod (24), and a photoelectric sensor (25). The two ends of the printing bracket (21) are respectively fixedly installed below the conveyor frame (61), the printing moving component (22) is installed on the printing bracket (21), and the laser printer (23) is fixedly installed at the moving end of the printing moving component (22). The printing moving component (22) is used to drive the laser printer (23) to move perpendicular to the conveying direction of the merging main conveyor (6). The printing moving assembly (22) includes a U-shaped base (221), a lead screw (222), a printing moving motor (223), a printing slide rail (224), and a printing moving slider (225). The two ends of the lead screw (222) are mounted on the two ends of the U-shaped seat (221) through bearings. One end of the lead screw (222) is connected to the output end of the printing moving motor (223). The printing slide rail (224) is provided on the U-shaped seat (221). The bottom end of the printing moving slider (225) is slidably connected to the printing slide rail (224). The printing moving slider (225) is threadedly connected to the lead screw (222). The laser printer (23) is fixedly installed on the top end of the printing moving slider (225). The mounting rod (24) is mounted on the printing bracket (21), and the photoelectric sensor (25) is mounted on the top of the mounting rod (24), with the detection end of the photoelectric sensor (25) facing the clearance space (63) to detect the position signal of the brick blank and send it to the controller (5).

5. The precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank assembly lines according to claim 2, characterized in that, The QR code recognition device (3) includes a scanning bracket (31) and a scanner (32). The two ends of the barcode scanning bracket (31) are fixedly installed below the conveyor frame (61), and the barcode scanner (32) is fixedly installed in the middle of the barcode scanning bracket (31), with the lens of the barcode scanner (32) facing the clearance space (63) for reading the QR code on the brick blank.

6. The precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inkjet printing device (4) includes an inkjet frame (41), a printhead assembly (42), and an inkjet moving assembly (43). Multiple inkjet racks (41) are spaced apart and span across the top of the merging main conveyor (6). Each inkjet rack (41) is provided with a set of inkjet moving components (43). A set of printhead assemblies (42) is fixedly installed at the moving end of each set of inkjet moving components (43). The inkjet moving components (43) are used to drive the corresponding printhead assemblies (42) to move along the conveying direction perpendicular to the merging main conveyor (6). The inkjet moving assembly (43) includes an inkjet moving motor (431), an inkjet conveyor belt (432), inkjet moving wheels (433), an inkjet slide rail (434), and an inkjet moving base (435). The two inkjet moving wheels (433) are respectively disposed at both ends of the inkjet frame (41). The inkjet slide rail (434) is installed along the length of the inkjet frame (41) and disposed between the two inkjet moving wheels (433). The output end of the inkjet moving motor (431) is connected to one of the inkjet moving wheels (433) for transmission. The inkjet conveyor belt (432) is arranged around the outer wheel surface of the two inkjet moving wheels (433). The inkjet moving base (435) is fixedly installed on the inkjet conveyor belt (432) and is slidably installed on the inkjet slide rail (434). Each printhead assembly (42) includes a pigment storage tank (421), a negative pressure ink pump (422), an ink supply line (423), and multiple arrayed inkjet printheads (424). The negative pressure ink pump (422) connects the pigment storage tank (421) and the inkjet printheads (424) through the ink supply line (423). The pigment storage tank (421) stores a specific type of inkjet pigment.

7. A precise identification and matching method for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines, characterized in that, A precise identification and matching system for inkjet printing of ceramic tile blank mating lines, as described in any one of claims 1-6, comprises the following steps: S1: The controller (5) controls the branch conveyor (7) to convey the pressed and dried brick blanks, and at the same time controls the main conveyor (6) to run at a preset speed. When the brick blanks run to the visual recognition area, the controller (5) synchronously triggers the visual recognition device (1) to start, the industrial camera (12) takes pictures of the brick blanks, and the interactive device (13) identifies and parses the product model and the pattern to be printed of the brick blanks through template matching or OCR recognition. S2: The visual recognition device (1) sends the recognition information to the QR code printing device (2). The controller (5) triggers the laser printer (23) to start synchronously according to the position signal of the photoelectric sensor (25). The printing moving component (22) drives the laser printer (23) to move to the preset printing position along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The laser head of the laser printer (23) engraves the exclusive QR code from the bottom of the brick blank through the clearance space (63). S3: After the brick blank with the QR code is transported to the front of the inkjet printing station by the main conveyor (6), the controller (5) synchronously triggers the QR code recognition device (3) to start. The barcode scanner (32) reads the QR code on the brick blank through the clearance space (63), parses out the product model and the pattern information to be printed, and sends it to the controller (5). S4: After receiving the parsing information, the controller (5) analyzes the pattern to be printed, matches at least one inkjet pigment and the corresponding printhead assembly (42) corresponding to the pattern, and establishes a correspondence of "pattern-pigment-printhead assembly (42)"; when the brick blank moves with the merging main conveying device (6) to the position below the inkjet pigment and printhead assembly (42) in the correspondence, the controller (5) controls the merging main conveying device (6) to maintain a constant speed, and synchronously triggers the start of the corresponding inkjet moving assembly (43), driving the printhead assembly (42) to move along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction to the preset printing position. The negative pressure ink supply pump (422) delivers the corresponding pigment to the inkjet printhead (424) through the ink supply pipeline (423), and the multiple array-distributed inkjet printheads (424) start inkjet according to the pattern data; when the brick blank moves to the position below the inkjet pigment and printhead assembly (42) in a non-corresponding relationship, the corresponding inkjet moving assembly (43) and printhead assembly (42) remain in a non-starting state; S5: After all the corresponding patterns have been printed by inkjet printing, the controller (5) controls the main conveyor (6) to continue operating and convey the printed brick blanks away.

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