An ink path valve block structure, an inkjet printer, and a cleaning method

Abstract

This application provides an ink path valve block structure, an inkjet printer, and a cleaning method, relating to the field of inkjet printing technology. By employing a stacked structure with a detachable top cover and valve block body, and featuring multiple interconnected ink path grooves and multiple ink outlets, as well as through-hole pairs and valve components on the top cover, the application effectively solves the problems of limited pipeline layout, difficulty in expansion, ink residue, and ineffective cleaning inherent in existing integrated drilled valve blocks. Furthermore, ink, under the influence of gravity, first fills the ink path grooves in the valve block body's flow channel before entering the valve component through the through-hole pairs and flowing downwards. This gravity-driven filling-before-discharge design ensures sufficient ink diffusion and uniform distribution, reduces dead zones and ink residue, and improves ink utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and more specifically, to an ink path valve block structure, an inkjet printer, and a cleaning method. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of inkjet printing technology, especially in multi-printer parallel printing systems for large display equipment, it is necessary to use valve blocks to precisely distribute ink from a single ink supply path to multiple printheads. Currently, such multi-ink path valve blocks generally adopt a one-piece structure, and their internal flow channels are formed by a complex cross-drilling process.

[0003] However, this integrated drilled valve block has significant drawbacks: First, limited by the feasibility of the drilling process and the risk of interference, its internal pipeline layout and path design are severely restricted, making it difficult to flexibly and economically expand to more branches (e.g., 8, 16, or more). Second, the flow channels formed by drilling contain a lot of unusable extra space and dead corners, which not only cause ink residue and waste but also easily become sites for ink sedimentation and solidification. Most importantly, the integrated, non-removable structure makes it impossible to effectively clean and unclog the internal flow channels after long-term use. Once ink solidification and blockage occur, it will directly lead to the failure of the valve block's distribution function or even complete scrapping, resulting in high maintenance costs.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of ink circuit valve block structure to solve the technical problems of poor pipeline expandability, excessive ink residue, and inability to clean and maintain the existing technology.

[0005] There is currently no effective technical solution to the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide an ink circuit valve block structure, an inkjet printer, and a cleaning method, aiming to solve many problems existing in the prior art of integrated drilled valve blocks in terms of pipeline layout, expandability, ink residue, and cleaning and maintenance.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides an ink circuit valve block structure, including: an upper cover and a valve block body;

[0008] The valve block body is provided with multiple ink path grooves and multiple ink outlets. The multiple ink path grooves are interconnected, and each ink outlet is spaced apart from each ink path groove. Each ink outlet runs through the valve block body from top to bottom.

[0009] The top cover is detachably fitted onto the valve block body, forming a sealed flow channel together with multiple ink path grooves. The top cover is provided with multiple through hole pairs and a fluid inlet. The fluid inlet is connected to the flow channel. Each through hole pair is used to connect an ink path groove and an ink outlet to form an independent ink path. The top cover is also provided with multiple valve components. Each valve component is connected to a through hole pair. The valve component is used to receive control signals from an external controller to control the opening and closing of the through hole pair. The fluid inlet is used to allow external ink to flow in and enter the ink path groove.

[0010] Through this technical solution, this application provides a stacked ink circuit valve block structure, which has a flexible assembly method, a clear ink flow path, and adopts a gravity-filled design for the valve block body to dispense ink. This effectively solves the problems of traditional integrated valve blocks in terms of pipeline expansion, ink residue, and cleaning and maintenance, and realizes the disassembly, easy cleaning, and efficient dispensing of the ink circuit valve block structure.

[0011] Optionally, a seal is provided between the top cover and the valve block body. The seal has a first through hole that matches multiple ink path grooves, and a second through hole that matches multiple ink outlets.

[0012] This technical solution, by stacking the components on top of each other and sandwiching a sealing element in the middle, effectively overcomes the flow limitations caused by traditional valve block processing technology, ensuring the sealing of the flow channel and the smooth flow of ink.

[0013] Alternatively, the seal may be made of an elastic material resistant to ink chemical corrosion.

[0014] This technical solution utilizes corrosion-resistant and highly elastic materials as seals, further enhancing the sealing reliability and service life of the valve block structure.

[0015] Optionally, the through hole pair includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet is connected to the ink path groove, and the first outlet is connected to the ink outlet. Both the first inlet and the first outlet pass through the top cover from top to bottom, and a valve component connects the first inlet and the first outlet.

[0016] This technical solution clarifies the specific structure and connection method of the through-hole pair, ensuring an independent and controllable flow path for ink from the ink channel groove to the ink outlet.

[0017] Optionally, multiple ink grooves are symmetrically arranged along the length of the valve block body, with the length of each ink groove extending towards the width of the valve block body. The ink grooves are connected by an H-shaped main channel, and the fluid inlet is located at the center of the H-shaped main channel.

[0018] This technical solution optimizes the layout and connection of the ink path grooves, enabling ink to be evenly and efficiently distributed to each ink path, thus improving the distribution efficiency and stability of the ink path valve block.

[0019] Optionally, each ink groove has an ink outlet at both ends along its length.

[0020] This technical solution has increased the quantity and distribution of ink exports.

[0021] Optionally, along the direction away from the center point of the H-shaped main groove, the width of the multiple ink path grooves in each row gradually increases, and the width of each ink path groove in the same row is the same.

[0022] Optionally, the top cover is connected to the valve block body by screws.

[0023] Secondly, this application also provides an inkjet printer with an ink path valve block structure as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0024] By applying the ink circuit valve block structure of this application to an inkjet printer, the ink supply stability and maintenance convenience of the printer can be effectively improved, and the service life of the equipment can be extended.

[0025] Thirdly, this application also provides a cleaning method for an ink circuit valve block structure, based on an ink circuit valve block structure described in any of the preceding claims. The cleaning method for the ink circuit valve block structure includes the following steps:

[0026] Inject cleaning medium into the fluid inlet to discharge residual ink in the ink path grooves from each ink outlet;

[0027] Remove the top cover to fully expose all ink grooves on the valve block body;

[0028] Perform physical cleaning on all exposed ink path grooves;

[0029] After cleaning, the top cover and valve block body are assembled.

[0030] This technical solution provides an effective cleaning method for detachable ink circuit valve block structures, solving the problem of traditional integrated valve blocks being impossible to clean, significantly reducing maintenance costs, and extending the service life of the valve block.

[0031] As can be seen from the above, the ink path valve block structure, inkjet printer, and cleaning method provided in this application effectively solve the problems of limited pipeline layout, difficulty in expansion, ink residue, and ineffective cleaning of the existing integrated drilled valve block by adopting a stacked structure with a detachable cover and valve block body, and setting multiple interconnected ink path grooves and multiple ink outlets, as well as through holes and valve components on the cover. Specifically, this stacked structure makes the internal flow channel design more flexible and easy to expand to multi-path distribution, overcoming the limitations of traditional drilling processes. At the same time, the detachable cover design allows the ink path grooves on the valve block body to be fully exposed, facilitating physical cleaning and completely solving the problem of ink solidification and blockage leading to valve block scrapping, significantly reducing maintenance costs. In addition, the ink fills the ink path grooves in the flow channel of the valve block body under the action of gravity, then enters the valve component through the through holes and flows downward. This gravity-filled design ensures sufficient diffusion and uniform distribution of ink, reduces dead corners and ink residue, and improves ink utilization. In summary, the ink circuit valve block structure of this application has achieved significant technical progress in terms of structural design, functional implementation, and ease of maintenance.

[0032] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing embodiments of this application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 An exploded view of the ink circuit valve block structure provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ink circuit valve block structure provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0035] Labeling explanation: 100, top cover; 101, first inlet; 102, first outlet; 103, fluid inlet; 104, screw; 200, valve block body; 201, ink groove; 202, ink outlet; 300, seal; 400, valve component. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this application, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1-2 This application provides an ink circuit valve block structure, an inkjet printer, and a cleaning method, aiming to solve many problems existing in the prior art of integrated drilled valve blocks in terms of pipeline layout, expandability, ink residue, and cleaning and maintenance.

[0039] In a first aspect, this application provides an ink circuit valve block structure, including: an upper cover 100 and a valve block body 200;

[0040] The valve block body 200 is provided with multiple ink path grooves 201 and multiple ink outlets 202. The multiple ink path grooves 201 are interconnected, and each ink outlet 202 is spaced apart from each ink path groove 201. Each ink outlet 202 passes through the valve block body 200 from top to bottom.

[0041] The top cover 100 is detachably fitted onto the valve block body 200, and together with multiple ink path grooves 201, it forms a sealed flow channel. The top cover 100 is provided with multiple through hole pairs and a fluid inlet 103. The fluid inlet 103 communicates with the flow channel. Each through hole pair is used to connect the ink path groove 201 and an ink outlet 202 to form an independent ink path. The top cover 100 is also provided with multiple valve components 400. Each valve component 400 is connected to a through hole pair. The valve component 400 is used to receive control signals from an external controller to control the opening and closing of the through hole pair. The fluid inlet 103 is used to allow external ink to flow in and enter the ink path groove 201.

[0042] "Ink path groove 201" is a recessed structure on the valve block body 200 used to form an ink flow channel; "Ink outlet 202" is a channel through which ink flows out from the valve block body 200; "Through hole pair" is a combination of holes on the top cover 100 used to connect the ink path groove 201 and the ink outlet 202; "Fluid inlet 103" is a channel through which external ink enters the valve block structure; "Valve component 400" is a switching device used to control the flow of ink.

[0043] Specifically, the ink channel valve block structure of this application includes a top cover 100 and a valve block body 200. The valve block body 200 can be made of various materials; for example, it can be made of polymer materials through injection molding or of metal materials through precision machining. The valve block body 200 is provided with multiple ink channel grooves 201 and multiple ink outlets 202. These ink channel grooves 201 can be designed in various shapes, such as U-shaped, V-shaped, or rectangular, and they are interconnected to ensure that ink can flow freely within them. Each ink outlet 202 is spaced apart from each ink channel groove 201 and extends through the valve block body 200 from top to bottom, ensuring smooth ink discharge.

[0044] The top cover 100 is detachably fitted onto the valve block body 200. The material of the top cover 100 can be the same as or different from that of the valve block body 200. The top cover 100 and multiple ink path grooves 201 together form a sealed flow channel, ensuring that the ink does not leak when flowing inside. The top cover 100 is provided with multiple pairs of through holes and a fluid inlet 103. The fluid inlet 103 can be located at any position on the top cover 100, for example, it can be located at the center of the top cover 100 to facilitate uniform ink distribution. Each pair of through holes is used to connect the ink path groove 201 and an ink outlet 202, thereby forming an independent ink path. The pair of through holes can consist of two independent holes. The top cover 100 is also provided with multiple valve components 400, each valve component 400 connected to a pair of through holes. The valve component 400 can be in various forms such as a solenoid valve, piezoelectric valve, or pneumatic valve, used to receive control signals from an external controller to control the opening and closing of the through hole pairs, thereby achieving precise control of ink flow. The fluid inlet 103 is used to allow external ink to flow in and enter the ink path groove 201.

[0045] In practical applications, external ink enters the ink path valve block structure through the fluid inlet 103. The ink first enters the closed flow channel formed by the upper cover 100 and the valve block body 200, and flows to multiple ink path grooves 201. Due to gravity, the ink preferentially diffuses and fills the ink path grooves 201, rather than immediately flowing into the ink outlet 202. When the ink path grooves 201 are completely filled with ink, the ink flows upward through the through-hole pair of the upper cover 100 and into the valve component 400 connected to the through-hole pair. At this time, the valve component 400 is in the closed state, and the ink temporarily remains inside the valve component 400. When the external controller sends a control signal, the corresponding valve component 400 is opened, and the ink flows downward again through the valve component 400, through the ink outlet 202, and finally flows out to the external fluid outlet end (e.g., the printhead of an inkjet printer). Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The dotted lines in the diagram represent the ink flow path. This method allows for precise control and distribution of the ink flow.

[0046] The ink path valve block structure of this application, through the adoption of a detachable top cover 100 and a valve block body 200, as well as a gravity-filled dispensing design, effectively solves many problems existing in the integrated drilled valve block of the prior art. Compared with the traditional cross-drilling process, the layered structure of this application makes the internal flow channel design more flexible, and can be easily expanded to more branches, such as 8, 16 or more, thereby meeting the needs of multi-printer parallel printing systems for large display equipment. In addition, the detachable design allows for effective cleaning and unblocking of the internal flow channels after long-term use, avoiding the problem of valve block scrapping caused by ink solidification and blockage, and significantly reducing maintenance costs. At the same time, the spacing between the ink path groove 201 and the ink outlet 202, as well as the gravity-filled dispensing design, effectively reduces ink residue and dead zones, and improves ink utilization. Therefore, the ink path valve block structure of this application shows significant progress in terms of flow channel design flexibility, ink residue control, cleaning and maintenance, and cost-effectiveness.

[0047] In some embodiments, a sealing element 300 is provided between the upper cover 100 and the valve block body 200. The sealing element 300 is provided with a first through hole that matches a plurality of ink path grooves 201, and a second through hole that matches a plurality of ink outlets 202.

[0048] Specifically, the seal 300 is positioned between the upper cover 100 and the valve block body 200, its main function being to provide a reliable fluid seal. The first through-hole on the seal 300 matches the shape, size, and position of the multiple ink channel grooves 201 on the valve block body 200, ensuring unobstructed ink flow within the ink channel grooves 201 and preventing ink leakage from the contact surface between the ink channel grooves 201 and the seal 300. Similarly, the second through-hole on the seal 300 matches the shape, size, and position of the multiple ink outlets 202 on the valve block body 200, ensuring smooth ink flow through the ink outlets 202 and effectively preventing ink leakage from the contact surface between the ink outlets 202 and the seal 300. Through this design, the seal 300 precisely defines the ink flow path and ensures the integrity and tightness of the flow channel. In practical applications, the sealing element 300 is set up by stacking the top cover 100, the sealing element 300 and the valve block body 200 on top of each other, and clamping the sealing element 300 between the two to form a tightly integrated whole structure.

[0049] The first and second through holes on the seal 300 precisely match the ink channel groove 201 and the ink outlet 202, respectively, ensuring smooth ink flow within the channel and preventing ink leakage in unintended areas. It is precisely this precise flow guidance and sealing function of the seal 300 that enables the ink channel valve block structure to achieve more reliable fluid control. Furthermore, the assembly method of stacking the seal 300 on top of each other and clamping it in the middle allows the valve block body 200 and the top cover 100 to be machined independently, reducing the requirements for the overall machining accuracy of individual components. This overcomes the flow limitations that may arise from traditional integrated valve block machining processes when implementing complex flow channel structures, improving the manufacturing accuracy and reliability of the flow channel.

[0050] In some embodiments, the seal 300 is made of an elastic material resistant to ink chemical corrosion.

[0051] The solution proposed in this application utilizes an elastic material resistant to ink chemical corrosion as the material for the seal 300, effectively addressing challenges such as chemical corrosion, temperature variations, and mechanical stress that the ink circuit valve block structure may encounter during long-term use. Specifically, the elastic materials resistant to ink chemical corrosion include, but are not limited to, silicone, rubber, or Teflon. These materials possess excellent chemical inertness, resisting the erosion of various ink components and cleaning media, thus preventing the seal 300 from swelling, hardening, or degrading due to chemical reactions. Simultaneously, they also possess good elasticity and temperature resistance, ensuring that the seal 300 maintains stable deformation recovery and a tight fit under different operating temperatures, effectively preventing ink leakage. It is precisely due to the comprehensive properties of these materials that the ink circuit valve block structure can adapt to more complex and harsh working environments.

[0052] In some embodiments, the through hole pair includes a first inlet 101 and a first outlet 102. The first inlet 101 is connected to the ink path groove 201, and the first outlet 102 is connected to the ink outlet 202. Both the first inlet 101 and the first outlet 102 penetrate the top cover 100 from top to bottom. The valve component 400 is connected to the first inlet 101 and the first outlet 102.

[0053] Specifically, the first inlet 101 can be understood as the entrance for ink to enter the internal channel of the upper cover 100 from the ink channel groove 201. The first outlet 102 can be understood as the outlet for ink to flow from the internal channel of the upper cover 100 to the ink outlet 202. The valve 400 connects the first inlet 101 and the first outlet 102, forming a complete ink channel. When the external controller sends a control signal, the corresponding valve 400 is opened, and the ink enters the valve 400 from the first inlet 101, passes through the valve 400 again, and flows downward through the first outlet 102 to the ink outlet 202.

[0054] In some embodiments, multiple ink grooves 201 are symmetrically arranged along the length of the valve block body 200, and the length of each ink groove 201 extends into the width of the valve block body 200. The ink grooves 201 are connected to each other through an H-shaped main channel, and the fluid inlet 103 is located at the center point of the H-shaped main channel.

[0055] Specifically, the symmetrical arrangement of multiple ink path grooves 201 means that, with the center line of the valve block body 200 as a reference, the ink path grooves 201 are mirrored or equidistantly distributed on both sides, aiming to ensure that the ink can diffuse evenly to both sides after entering the flow channel. Arranged along the length of the valve block body 200, the ink path grooves 201 can fully utilize the internal space of the valve block body 200, providing sufficient storage and flow paths for the ink. The length of each ink path groove 201 extends into the width of the valve block body 200, easily expanding to more branches, such as 8, 16, or more, thereby meeting the needs of multi-head parallel printing systems for large display equipment. The H-shaped main channel can be understood as the main channel connecting the various ink path grooves 201; its H-shaped structure provides multiple branch paths, ensuring that the ink is evenly distributed from the fluid inlet 103 to each ink path groove 201. The fluid inlet 103 is located at the center of the H-shaped main channel. Its purpose is to introduce external ink directly into the geometric center of the H-shaped main channel, thereby maximizing the initial diffusion uniformity of ink in the H-shaped main channel and further promoting the balanced distribution of ink to each ink path groove 201.

[0056] The solution of this application provides a structured path for ink diffusion within the valve block body 200 by symmetrically arranging multiple ink channel grooves 201 along the length of the valve block body 200 and extending the length of each ink channel groove 201 towards the width of the valve block body 200. Because the H-shaped main channel serves as the core distribution channel, and the fluid inlet 103 is precisely positioned at its center, external ink, upon entering the valve block body 200, can first achieve initial uniform diffusion in the central region of the H-shaped main channel. Subsequently, the ink is guided through the symmetrical branches of the H-shaped main channel to the symmetrically arranged ink channel grooves 201 along the length direction. This layout effectively utilizes gravity and fluid dynamics principles, ensuring that the ink fills all ink channel grooves 201 with a more balanced speed and distribution, thereby avoiding uneven filling caused by local ink accumulation or flow obstruction, and improving the overall consistency and reliability of the ink outlet of the ink valve block structure.

[0057] In some embodiments, each ink channel groove 201 has an ink outlet 202 at both ends along its length.

[0058] When each valve 400 receives a control signal from an external controller and opens the through-hole pair, the ink in each ink groove 201 enters upward into the first inlet 101, passes through the first outlet 102, and then exits downward from the ink outlets 202 at both ends of the ink groove 201. Since the ink can be discharged evenly from both ends, it helps to avoid the formation of dead corners or low flow rate areas inside the ink groove 201, ensuring that the ink can be emptied more thoroughly. Especially during cleaning operations, the cleaning medium can more effectively flush the entire ink groove 201.

[0059] In some embodiments, the width of the multiple ink grooves 201 in each row gradually increases along the direction away from the center point of the H-shaped main groove, and the width of each ink groove 201 in the same row is the same.

[0060] Specifically, the aforementioned "direction away from the center point of the H-shaped main channel" refers to the direction extending towards both sides or ends of the valve block body 200, with the center point of the H-shaped main channel as the reference. In this direction, the width of the ink path grooves 201 is designed to gradually increase. For example, the row of ink path grooves 201 closest to the center point of the H-shaped main channel can have the smallest width, while the row of ink path grooves 201 furthest away has the largest width. The phrase "the width of multiple ink path grooves 201 in each row gradually increases" means that there is a gradient change in width between different rows of ink path grooves 201 to adapt to the flow characteristics of ink in the flow channel. Simultaneously, "the width of each ink path groove 201 in the same row is the same" ensures that all ink path grooves 201 have consistent fluid characteristics at the same lateral position, thereby guaranteeing the uniformity of ink distribution within that row.

[0061] The solution in this application effectively compensates for the fluid resistance that ink may encounter in a long flow channel by designing the width of the ink grooves 201 further away from the center point of the H-shaped main channel to gradually increase. When ink flows into the H-shaped main channel from the fluid inlet 103 and diffuses into the ink grooves 201 on both sides, the fluid resistance is relatively reduced because the width of the ink grooves 201 farther from the center point is larger. This design allows the ink to fill all ink grooves 201 at a more uniform speed, avoiding uneven filling problems caused by distance differences. Thus, even the ink grooves 201 located at the edge of the valve block body 200 can receive a timely and sufficient ink supply.

[0062] As a specific implementation method, such as Figure 1 As shown, the H-shaped main channel of the valve block body 200 is located in its center, and the fluid inlet 103 is set at the center point of the H-shaped main channel. The ink path grooves 201 are symmetrically arranged along the length of the valve block body 200, forming four rows, and symmetrically arranged along the width of the valve block body 200, forming two columns. Therefore, the width of the two rows of ink path grooves 201 closest to the center point of the H-shaped main channel in the first and second columns can be set to a first preset value, and the width of the two rows of ink path grooves 201 furthest from the center point can be set to a second preset value, which is larger than the first preset value. When ink enters the H-shaped main channel from the fluid inlet 103, it flows simultaneously into these two columns of ink path grooves 201. Because the ink path grooves 201 farther from the center point have a larger width, their fluid resistance is relatively small, allowing the ink to fill all ink path grooves 201 at approximately the same speed, ensuring uniform ink supply.

[0063] In some embodiments, the top cover 100 is connected to the valve block body 200 by screws 104.

[0064] The solution in this application employs screws 104 for connection, thereby establishing a stable and controllable mechanical fixation between the upper cover 100 and the valve block body 200. The tightening force of the screws 104 is evenly applied to the contact surfaces of the upper cover 100 and the valve block body 200, thus enhancing the rigidity and stability of the overall structure. Furthermore, the tightening effect of the screws 104 helps to create a continuous compressive force between the two, which is crucial for ensuring the effective compression and sealing performance of the seal 300, thereby effectively avoiding the risk of ink leakage.

[0065] Secondly, this application also provides an inkjet printer, such as the ink path valve block structure described in any of the preceding claims.

[0066] Specifically, an inkjet printer is a device that forms images or text by ejecting ink droplets onto a medium. The aforementioned ink path valve block structure, as the core ink supply component of the inkjet printer, is responsible for receiving external ink supply and precisely distributing the ink to each printhead according to printing needs. External ink first flows into the flow channels and ink path grooves 201 inside the ink path valve block structure through the fluid inlet 103. When the inkjet printer needs to perform a printing operation, its control unit sends a control signal to the valve component 400 in the ink path valve block structure, causing the corresponding through-holes to open or close, thereby controlling the ink to flow from the ink path groove 201 to a specific ink outlet 202, and finally to the printhead for ejection. This integrated method allows for effective distribution and control of ink before it enters the printhead, avoiding the uneven ink supply or clogging problems that may occur in traditional ink supply systems. It is precisely because of the gravity-filling design adopted in the ink path valve block structure that the ink path groove 201 is ensured to diffuse and fill before liquid exits, enabling the inkjet printer to obtain a stable ink supply, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the ink supply. In addition, the detachable design of the ink path valve block structure facilitates the maintenance and cleaning of inkjet printers, extending the service life of the equipment.

[0067] Thirdly, this application also provides a cleaning method for an ink circuit valve block structure, based on any of the preceding claims. The cleaning method for the ink circuit valve block structure includes the following steps:

[0068] A cleaning medium is injected into the fluid inlet 103 to discharge residual ink in the ink path groove 201 from each ink outlet 202;

[0069] Remove the top cover 100 to fully expose all ink grooves 201 on the valve block body 200;

[0070] Perform physical cleaning on all exposed ink path grooves 201;

[0071] After cleaning, the top cover 100 and the valve block body 200 are assembled.

[0072] With the ink path valve block structure in its assembled state, a cleaning medium, such as a cleaning fluid or solvent, is introduced into the fluid inlet 103. This cleaning medium flows along the same path as the ink, entering the flow channel through the fluid inlet 103, passing through the ink path groove 201, and exiting through the through-hole and the ink outlet 202. The purpose is to initially flush and dilute any residual ink in the ink path groove 201, discharging it from the ink outlet 202, thereby reducing the difficulty and contamination of subsequent physical cleaning.

[0073] After initial rinsing, the top cover 100 is detached from the valve block body 200. Since the top cover 100 and the valve block body 200 are typically connected in a detachable manner, such as by screws 104, disassembly is convenient. After removing the top cover 100, the ink path grooves 201 that were previously covered by the top cover 100 are fully exposed, facilitating direct observation and operation. This provides physical accessibility for thoroughly removing stubborn residues and performing fine cleaning.

[0074] In practical applications, the aforementioned "physical cleaning of all exposed ink grooves 201" refers to directly cleaning the exposed ink grooves 201 mechanically or physically using appropriate tools and methods. For example, soft brushes, cotton swabs, ultrasonic cleaning equipment, or high-pressure airflow can be used in conjunction with cleaning media to wipe, brush, or vibrate the inner walls of the ink grooves 201 to remove stubborn ink stains or particles adhering to the surface. The purpose is to ensure the cleanliness of the inside of the ink grooves 201 and prevent any residue from affecting subsequent ink flow and print quality.

[0075] Furthermore, after all ink path grooves 201 have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, the top cover 100 is reattached to the valve block body 200 and secured according to the original assembly method. For example, the screws 104 can be retightened, and the seals 300 (if present) can be ensured to be correctly positioned to restore the sealing and functionality of the ink path valve block structure. The purpose is to restore the ink path valve block structure to a normal working state and ensure its sealing performance to prevent ink leakage.

[0076] This application's solution effectively solves the problem of thoroughly cleaning residual ink from the aforementioned ink path valve block structure by combining fluid flushing and physical cleaning methods. First, by injecting cleaning medium into the fluid inlet 103, the flushing action of the fluid removes most of the uncured residual ink from the ink path grooves 201 and ink outlet 202, achieving preliminary cleaning. This pre-cleaning allows subsequent physical cleaning to be performed more efficiently, reducing the potential for significant ink spillage and contamination after direct disassembly. Second, by removing the top cover 100, all ink path grooves 201 on the valve block body 200 are fully exposed, providing operators with direct access to and observation of the ink path interior. This complete exposure allows physical cleaning tools to penetrate every corner of the ink path grooves 201, thoroughly removing stubborn ink stains and particles—an effect difficult to achieve with fluid flushing alone. Finally, after cleaning, reassembly ensures the functional restoration and sealing of the ink path valve block structure.

[0077] In this document, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0078] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A type of ink circuit valve block structure, characterized in that, include: Top cover (100) and valve block body (200); The valve block body (200) is provided with multiple ink path grooves (201) and multiple ink outlets (202). The multiple ink path grooves (201) are interconnected, and each ink outlet (202) is spaced apart from each ink path groove (201). Each ink outlet (202) passes through the valve block body (200) from top to bottom. The top cover (100) is detachably fitted onto the valve block body (200), forming a sealed flow channel together with multiple ink path grooves (201). The top cover (100) is provided with multiple through hole pairs and a fluid inlet (103). The fluid inlet (103) communicates with the flow channel. Each through hole pair is used to connect the ink path groove (201) and an ink outlet (202) to form an independent ink path. The top cover (100) is also provided with multiple valve components (400). Each valve component (400) is connected to a through hole pair. The valve component (400) is used to receive control signals from an external controller to control the opening and closing of the through hole pair. The fluid inlet (103) is used to allow external ink to flow in and enter the ink path groove (201). Multiple ink grooves (201) are symmetrically arranged along the length of the valve block body (200), and the length of each ink groove (201) extends into the width of the valve block body (200). The ink grooves (201) are connected to each other through an H-shaped main channel, and the fluid inlet (103) is located at the center of the H-shaped main channel. Along the direction away from the center point of the H-shaped main channel, the width of the multiple ink path grooves (201) in each row gradually increases, and the width of each ink path groove (201) in the same row is the same, so that the ink in the flow channel of the valve block body (200) first fills the ink path groove (201) under the action of gravity, and then enters the valve component (400) through the through hole and flows downward from the ink outlet (202).

2. The ink circuit valve block structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing element (300) is provided between the top cover (100) and the valve block body (200). The sealing element (300) is provided with a first through hole that matches a plurality of ink path grooves (201), and the sealing element (300) is also provided with a second through hole that matches a plurality of ink outlets (202).

3. The ink circuit valve block structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The material of the seal (300) is an elastic material resistant to ink chemical corrosion.

4. The ink circuit valve block structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The through hole pair includes a first inlet (101) and a first outlet (102). The first inlet (101) is connected to the ink channel groove (201), and the first outlet (102) is connected to the ink outlet (202). The first inlet (101) and the first outlet (102) both penetrate the top cover (100) from top to bottom. The valve component (400) is connected to the first inlet (101) and the first outlet (102).

5. The ink circuit valve block structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each ink groove (201) has an ink outlet (202) at both ends along its length.

6. The ink circuit valve block structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top cover (100) is connected to the valve block body (200) by screws (104).

7. An inkjet printer, characterized in that, Includes the ink circuit valve block structure as described in any one of claims 1-6.

8. A cleaning method for an ink circuit valve block structure, characterized in that, Based on the ink circuit valve block structure according to any one of claims 1-6, the cleaning method for the ink circuit valve block structure includes the following steps: A cleaning medium is injected into the fluid inlet (103) to discharge residual ink in the ink path groove (201) from each ink outlet (202); Remove the top cover (100) to fully expose all ink grooves (201) on the valve block body (200); Physically clean all exposed ink path grooves (201); After cleaning, the top cover (100) and valve block body (200) are assembled.

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