Inkjet printing system with ink droplet observation device

Abstract

An ink jet printing system with an ink droplet observation device includes: a head position control device; an ink-jet printing station and an ink droplet observation station; the ink droplet observation device is arranged on the ink droplet observation station and comprises an installation platform, and an ink droplet observation light source, a spray hole detection light source, an ink droplet observation ink jetting station, a spray hole detection camera and an ink droplet observation camera which are arranged on the installation platform and are sequentially arranged at intervals in the second horizontal direction, and the second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction; the ink droplet observation ink jet station is located in an intersection area of the second horizontal direction and the first horizontal direction; a distance adjusting assembly is arranged between the ink droplet observation camera and the installation platform and used for adjusting the position of the ink droplet observation camera in the second horizontal direction. Finally, flying ink droplet observation work can be effectively executed according to needs in ink-jet printing work, the flying ink droplet state and the spraying hole state are mastered, and the overall working state of an ink-jet printing system is comprehensively and systematically mastered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of inkjet printing droplet observation technology, specifically to an inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of inkjet printing technology, observing and analyzing the flying ink droplets ejected from the printhead is a crucial step in ensuring print quality, detecting nozzle status, and optimizing printing parameters. By observing the shape, velocity, and direction of the ink droplets, it is possible to determine in a timely manner whether the inkjet system is functioning properly, thereby ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the final print results. This technology is particularly important in high-precision industrial printing, electronic circuit manufacturing, and biomedical applications.

[0003] With technological advancements, the use of array-type printhead modules with multiple nozzles has become an industry trend to improve printing efficiency. Correspondingly, it is necessary to observe the ink droplets from each of the multiple nozzles arranged in the array individually to ensure that the performance of each nozzle meets requirements. Currently, the conventional observation method mainly involves controlling the printhead module or observation system to move one nozzle under test precisely to a preset fixed observation position. After completing the ink droplet imaging and data acquisition for that single nozzle at that position, the system moves to the next nozzle position, and so on, until all nozzles on the entire module have been tested.

[0004] However, the intermittent "movement-positioning-observation" working mode described above has obvious efficiency bottlenecks. Since the observation of each nozzle requires a process of movement, mechanical positioning, and stabilization waiting, the entire inspection process is divided into multiple independent steps. This results in a long total time consumed when performing full inspection of an array of nozzle modules containing multiple nozzles, becoming a major obstacle to improving production efficiency and online inspection capabilities. There is an urgent need for a solution that can achieve rapid and continuous observation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device, which can solve the problem in the prior art that the nozzle state and the flying ink droplet state cannot be obtained synchronously within the same observation period when performing ink droplet observation.

[0006] This application provides an inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device, employing the following technical solution: An inkjet printing system with a droplet observation device includes: A nozzle position control device includes a nozzle mounting part for mounting a nozzle and a nozzle drive assembly for driving the nozzle mounting part to move in a first horizontal direction. The inkjet printing station and the droplet observation station are distributed at intervals below the printhead mounting part in the first horizontal direction; A droplet observation device, disposed on the droplet observation station, includes a mounting platform and, disposed on the mounting platform and arranged sequentially at intervals along a second horizontal direction, a droplet observation light source, a nozzle detection light source, a droplet observation inkjet station, a nozzle detection camera, and a droplet observation camera. The second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and the droplet observation inkjet station is located at the intersection of the second and first horizontal directions. The optical axes of the droplet observation light source and the droplet observation camera are both arranged along the second horizontal direction. A distance adjustment component is provided between the droplet observation camera and the mounting platform, the distance adjustment component being used to adjust the position of the droplet observation camera in the second horizontal direction. The nozzle detection light source and the nozzle detection camera are both located below the optical axis of the droplet observation light source, and both are tilted towards the printhead above the droplet observation inkjet station, for illuminating the nozzle and capturing nozzle images, respectively. In one embodiment, the inkjet printing system with the droplet observation device further includes: A control device, which is controlled and connected to the nozzle detection camera and the distance adjustment component, is configured to determine the nozzle position based on the printhead image obtained by the nozzle detection camera as it moves to the ink droplet observation inkjet station, and to determine whether to adjust the position of the ink droplet observation camera in the second horizontal direction based on the printhead position.

[0007] In one embodiment, the mounting platform is provided with a positioning marker structure; a vision acquisition device is provided on the printhead mounting part located on one side of the printhead and is used to acquire the scene image below the printhead mounting part; the vision acquisition device is controlled and connected to the drive component, and is used to control the drive component to adjust the position of the printhead mounting part according to the positional relationship of the acquired positioning marker structure, until the printhead is directly above the ink droplet observation inkjet station.

[0008] In one embodiment, the nozzle detection light source is rotatably mounted on the mounting platform, with the rotation axis parallel to the first horizontal direction and located near the light-emitting end, so as to reduce the rotation radius of the light-emitting end.

[0009] In one embodiment, a single-axis moving stage is provided between the nozzle detection camera and the mounting platform. The bottom of the single-axis moving stage is rotatably connected to the mounting platform. The nozzle detection camera is mounted on the single-axis moving stage so that its position can be adjusted in a straight line through the single-axis moving stage, thereby adjusting the distance between the nozzle detection camera and the nozzle.

[0010] In one embodiment, the mounting platform is provided with a first mounting plate for docking the nozzle detection light source and a second mounting plate for docking the nozzle detection camera; the first mounting plate and the nozzle detection light source, and the second mounting plate and the nozzle detection camera are rotatably connected by connecting shafts; The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are provided with an arc-shaped waist hole located on one side of the connecting shaft, and the extension arc of the arc-shaped waist hole is concentric with the connecting shaft; the outer surfaces of the nozzle detection light source and the nozzle detection camera are provided with locking holes corresponding to the arc-shaped waist hole; the arc-shaped waist hole is provided with a locking bolt for unlocking / locking the nozzle detection light source and the nozzle detection camera.

[0011] In one embodiment, the ink droplet observation inkjet station includes an assembly slot on the mounting platform, an ink collection box for receiving ink droplets ejected by the printhead, and a calibration plate for assisting in the installation and positioning of the ink droplet observation camera; wherein, the ink collection box and the calibration plate are selectively and detachably positioned and installed in a mating position within the assembly slot.

[0012] In one embodiment, the ink droplet observation light source installation station includes: A light source mounting base includes a docking part for mounting the ink droplet observation light source, and a mounting base rotatably connected to one end of the docking part, wherein the rotation axis of the docking part is horizontal and perpendicular to the second horizontal direction; An angle adjustment structure is used to support the other end of the docking part, and its height in the vertical direction is adjustable to adjust the tilt angle of the ink droplet observation light source on the docking part relative to the horizontal direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the angle adjustment structure includes a support base, a support plate extending horizontally is provided on the top of the support base, and one or more adjustment screws are passed through the support plate in a vertical direction. The top of the adjustment screws supports the docking part so as to adjust the tilt angle of the ink droplet observation light source relative to the horizontal direction by adjusting the height of the top of the adjustment screws.

[0014] In one embodiment, the angle adjustment structure further includes a locking nut that passes through the support plate from below and is threaded into the mating portion. The nut of the locking nut is located below the support plate. The angle of the mating portion is fixed by screwing the locking nut until the nut abuts against the support plate.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in this application include: The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device provided in this application has the following beneficial effects: The inkjet printing system with a droplet observation device provided in this application, by setting up a droplet observation station on one side of the inkjet printing station, and having the printhead mounting part reciprocate between the two stations, allows the printhead to be moved to the droplet observation station for droplet observation when needed within the inkjet printing system. During droplet observation, in addition to observing flying droplets using droplet observation light sources and droplet observation cameras arranged on both sides of the droplet observation inkjet station, a nozzle detection light source tilted between the droplet observation light source and the printhead mounting part, and a nozzle detection camera tilted between the printhead mounting part and the droplet observation camera, can achieve the following: without affecting flying droplet observation, the nozzle detection light source illuminates the nozzles on the bottom surface of the printhead, and the nozzle detection camera acquires the nozzle image from the other side, thereby achieving nozzle status detection and understanding the nozzle status information, such as nozzle wettability, during inkjet printing. Ultimately, this effectively enables the observation of flying ink droplets as needed during inkjet printing, allowing for a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the overall operating status of the inkjet printing system, as well as the status of the flying ink droplets and nozzles. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structural layout of an embodiment of the inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device according to this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ink droplet observation device in one embodiment of the inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device according to this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the ink droplet observation light source in one embodiment of the array-type printhead flying ink droplet observation device of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle detection light source and nozzle detection camera of the droplet observation device in one embodiment of the array-type printhead flying ink droplet observation device of this application. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the droplet observation device with a calibration plate installed in one embodiment of the array-type printhead droplet observation device of this application. Figure label: 1. Nozzle position control equipment; 2. Inkjet printing station; 3. Ink droplet observation station; 4. Droplet observation device; 40. Mounting platform; 41. Droplet observation light source; 411. Light source mounting base; 4111. Docking part; 4112. Mounting base; 412. Angle adjustment structure; 4121. Bearing base; 4122. Bearing plate; 4123. Adjusting screw; 4124. Locking nut; 4201. First mounting slot; 4202. Second mounting slot; 421. Nozzle detection light source; 422. Nozzle detection camera; 4220. Single-axis moving stage; 423. First mounting plate; 424. Second mounting plate; 425. Connecting shaft; 426. Arc-shaped waist hole; 43. Droplet observation inkjet station; 430. Assembly slot; 431. Ink collection box; 432. Calibration plate; 44. Droplet observation camera; 440. Distance adjustment component; 45. Positioning mark structure. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0018] The key point of this invention is that the inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device 4 provided in this application provides an ink droplet observation station 3 on one side of the inkjet printing station 2, and the printhead mounting part installed on the printhead can move back and forth between the two stations, so that the printhead can be moved to the ink droplet observation station 3 for ink droplet observation when needed in the inkjet printing system. Furthermore, during droplet observation, in addition to observing flying droplets using the droplet observation light source 41 and droplet observation camera 44 arranged on both sides of the droplet observation inkjet station 43, the nozzle detection light source 421, which is tilted between the droplet observation light source 41 and the printhead mounting part, and the nozzle detection camera 422, which is tilted between the printhead mounting part and the droplet observation camera 44, can simultaneously provide supplementary lighting to the nozzles on the bottom surface of the printhead using the nozzle detection light source 421, and acquire nozzle images from the other side using the nozzle detection camera 422. This allows for nozzle status detection, enabling the monitoring of nozzle status information, such as nozzle wettability, during inkjet printing. Ultimately, this effectively allows for the performance of flying droplet observation as needed during inkjet printing, enabling the monitoring of flying droplet and nozzle status, and achieving a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the overall working status of the inkjet printing system.

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] This application provides an inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device 4.

[0021] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structural layout of an inkjet printing system with a droplet observation device 4 provided in this application. The inkjet printing system as a whole includes a printhead position control device 1, an inkjet printing station 2, and a droplet observation station 3. The inkjet printing station 2 and the droplet observation station 3 are distributed at intervals below the printhead mounting part in the first horizontal direction. The inkjet printing station 2 is the area where the inkjet system performs inkjet printing operations, and it contains inkjet printing related equipment, such as a substrate transport platform, etc., which are not limited in this application. The droplet observation device 4 is located in the droplet observation station 3, and it is used to observe droplets from the printhead transferred to the droplet observation station 3 by the printhead position control device 1 when needed. For ease of understanding, the first horizontal direction mentioned in this application is the x-direction in the coordinate system shown in the figure, and the second horizontal direction is the AND direction in the figure.

[0022] The printhead control device, used for conveying printheads in a first horizontal direction, includes a printhead mounting section and a printhead drive assembly for driving the printhead mounting section in the first horizontal direction. The printhead mounting section is specifically a printhead mounting fixture, which may vary in different embodiments depending on the type or specification of the printhead; examples are not provided here. In this embodiment, the printhead drive assembly is preferably a gantry structure with a moving track and a drive mechanism, on which the printhead mounting section is movably mounted and can achieve reciprocating motion in the first horizontal direction via the drive mechanism. Furthermore, when it is necessary to perform droplet observation on the printhead, the printhead can be moved to the droplet observation station 3 using the printhead drive assembly.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The ink droplet observation device 4 includes an installation platform 40 and ink droplet observation light source 41, a first installation slot 4201, an ink droplet observation inkjet station 43, a second installation slot 4202, and an ink droplet observation camera 44 arranged sequentially and at intervals along the second horizontal direction on the installation platform 40. The second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and the ink droplet observation inkjet station 43 is located at the intersection of the second horizontal direction and the first horizontal direction. The optical axes of both the droplet observation light source 41 and the droplet observation camera 44 are arranged along the second horizontal direction, enabling the observation of flying ink droplets falling from the printhead. Furthermore, the droplet observation device 4 also includes a nozzle detection light source 421 and a nozzle detection camera 422. The nozzle detection light source 421 is located within the first mounting slot 4201 and below the optical axis of the droplet observation light source 41. It is tilted and points towards the printhead above the droplet observation inkjet station 43, and is rotatably mounted with an adjustable tilt angle. Its rotation axis is horizontal and perpendicular to the second horizontal direction, used to illuminate the nozzle. The nozzle detection camera 422 is located within the second mounting slot 4202 and below the optical axis of the droplet observation camera 44. It is tilted and points towards the printhead above the droplet observation inkjet station 43, and is rotatably mounted with an adjustable tilt angle. Its rotation axis is horizontal and perpendicular to the second horizontal direction, used to capture images of the nozzle.

[0024] Finally, by using the two sets of detection devices in the ink droplet observation device 4—the ink droplet observation camera 44 and the ink droplet observation light source 41, and the nozzle detection camera 422 and the nozzle detection light source 421—it is possible to simultaneously detect the nozzle status of the nozzle during the flight ink droplet observation process.

[0025] Furthermore, due to potential structural errors in the printhead mounting section and the moving track, when the printhead mounted on it moves in the first horizontal direction, it may deviate from the predetermined focusing distance with the droplet observation camera 44 in the second direction due to structural errors. Therefore, to address this issue, this application provides a distance adjustment component 440 between the droplet observation camera 44 and the mounting platform 40. The distance adjustment component 440 is used to adjust the position of the droplet observation camera 44 in the second horizontal direction, ensuring that the droplet observation camera 44 and the printhead moving to the intersection area have the required focusing distance in the second horizontal direction. Simultaneously, when dealing with printheads with a large number of nozzles, where multiple nozzles are distributed in the second horizontal direction, the distance adjustment component 440 is also needed to adjust the position of the droplet observation camera 44 in the second horizontal direction to detect the ink droplets ejected from different nozzles and the nozzle status. In this embodiment, the distance adjustment component 440 adopts a single-axis moving platform, on which the ink droplet observation camera 44 is mounted, enabling it to move in the second horizontal direction. In other embodiments, the distance adjustment component 440 may adopt other devices, which are not limited in this application.

[0026] Ultimately, by using the distance adjustment component 440 to adjust the position of the ink droplet observation camera 44, the influence of equipment structural errors on ink droplet observation was effectively overcome, and different nozzles could be successfully detected when inspecting a large number of nozzles.

[0027] To facilitate the adjustment of the droplet observation camera 44's position in the second horizontal direction to match the printhead position or the position of the nozzles to be observed, this application further includes a control device (not shown in the figure) in some embodiments. This control device is connected to the nozzle detection camera 422 and the distance adjustment component 440. It is configured to determine the printhead position based on the printhead image acquired by the nozzle detection camera 422 as it moves to the droplet observation inkjet station 43, and to determine whether to adjust the position of the droplet observation camera 44 in the second horizontal direction based on the printhead position. This configuration allows the printhead image acquired by the nozzle detection camera 422 to assist in the relative positioning of the printhead and the droplet observation camera 44 before subsequent nozzle detection, ensuring accurate subsequent droplet observation and nozzle status detection processes.

[0028] Furthermore, referring to Figure 3 To ensure that the printhead is in the correct position when it moves to the ink droplet observation station 3 in the first horizontal direction, the mounting platform 40 is provided with a positioning mark structure 45; a vision acquisition device (not shown in the figure) is provided on the printhead mounting part located on one side of the printhead. The vision acquisition device is used to acquire the scene image below the printhead mounting part; at the same time, the vision acquisition device is controlled and connected to the drive component, and is used to control the drive component to adjust the position of the printhead mounting part according to the positional relationship of the acquired positioning mark structure 45, until the printhead is directly above the ink droplet observation inkjet station 43.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the positioning mark structure 45 is a positioning cross engraving set on the mounting platform 40, and the number of positioning cross engravings is not less than two. Therefore, during the printhead transport process at the printhead mounting section, the multiple positioning cross engravings can be used to make a more accurate position determination, ensuring that the printhead is successfully delivered directly above the ink droplet observation inkjet station 43. In other embodiments, the positioning mark structure 45 may take other structural forms, which are not limited herein.

[0030] Furthermore, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3In order to ensure that the optical axis direction of the ink droplet observation light source 41 is consistent with the second horizontal direction during installation, in some embodiments, the mounting platform 40 is also provided with a light source mounting base 411 and an angle adjustment structure 412 for mounting the ink droplet observation light source 41 and adjusting the vertical angle of the optical axis of the ink droplet observation light source 41.

[0031] The light source mounting base 411 includes a docking part 4111 for mounting the ink droplet observation light source 41, and a mounting base 4112 rotatably connected to one end of the docking part 4111. The rotation axis of the docking part 4111 is horizontal and parallel to the second horizontal direction. The angle adjustment structure 412 is used to support the other end of the docking part 4111, and its height in the vertical direction is adjustable to adjust the tilt angle of the ink droplet observation light source 41 on the docking part 4111 relative to the horizontal direction.

[0032] Specifically, the docking part 4111 has mating holes at both ends for assembling and fixing the ink droplet observation light source 41. One end of the docking part 4111 is rotatably mounted on the top of the mounting base 4112 via a rotating shaft, with the rotation axis being horizontal. The angle adjustment structure 412 includes a bearing base 4121 located at the other end of the docking part 4111. The top of the bearing base 4121 has a bearing plate 4122 extending horizontally. One or more adjusting screws 4123 are threaded vertically through the bearing plate 4122. The top of the adjusting screws 4123 supports the docking part 4111, so that the height of the end of the docking part 4111 can be adjusted by rotating the height of the top of the adjusting screw 4123 extending out of the bearing plate 4122, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of the ink droplet observation light source 41 relative to the horizontal direction.

[0033] Furthermore, to ensure that the ink droplet observation light source 41 can be stably maintained at a suitable tilt angle, the angle adjustment structure 412 also includes a locking nut 4124. The locking nut 4124 passes through the support plate 4122 from below and is threaded into the docking part 4111. The nut of the locking nut 4124 is located below the support plate 4122. The angle of the docking part 4111 is fixed by screwing the locking nut 4124 until the nut abuts against the support plate 4122.

[0034] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4The nozzle detection light source 421 is located in the first mounting groove 4201 and below the optical axis of the ink droplet observation light source 41. It is tilted and points towards the printhead above the ink droplet observation inkjet station 43 and is rotated with an adjustable tilt angle. Its rotation axis is horizontal and parallel to the first horizontal direction to emit illumination light to the nozzle. By rotating the nozzle detection light source 421, the operator can adjust the tilt angle of the nozzle detection light source 421 as needed to make it smoothly aligned with the target nozzle on the bottom surface of the printhead.

[0035] Meanwhile, the light-emitting end of the nozzle detection light source 421, near the nozzle mounting plate, vertically passes through the first mounting groove 4201 and extends between the ink droplet observation light source 41 and the upper surface of the mounting platform 40. The rotation axis of the nozzle detection light source 421 is located near the light-emitting end to reduce its rotation radius. This configuration places the nozzle detection light source 421 below the optical axis of the ink droplet observation light source 41, preventing interference with the observation path of flying ink droplets and ensuring successful ink droplet observation. Furthermore, because the rotation axis of the nozzle detection light source 421 is near its light-emitting end, this end has a smaller rotation radius. Consequently, when adjusting the tilt angle of the nozzle detection light source 421, the amount of rotation can be smaller, achieving more precise alignment between the light source and the nozzle.

[0036] On the other hand, the nozzle detection camera 422 is disposed in the second mounting slot 4202 and below the optical axis of the droplet observation camera 44. It is tilted and points to the printhead above the droplet observation inkjet station 43 and is rotated with an adjustable tilt angle. Its rotation axis is horizontal and parallel to the first horizontal direction, so as to capture nozzle images.

[0037] Furthermore, referring to Figure 2 A single-axis moving stage 4220 is also provided between the nozzle detection camera 422 and the mounting platform 40. The bottom of the single-axis moving stage 4220 is rotatably connected to the mounting platform 40. The nozzle detection camera 422 is mounted on the single-axis moving stage 4220. The position of the nozzle can be adjusted in a straight line through the single-axis moving stage 4220, thereby adjusting the distance between the nozzle detection camera 422 and the nozzle.

[0038] In this embodiment, to accommodate the nozzle detection light source 421 and the nozzle detection camera 422, the mounting platform 40 is provided with a first mounting plate 423 for docking the nozzle detection light source 421 and a second mounting plate 424 for docking the nozzle detection camera 422. The first mounting plate 423 is located on one side of the first mounting groove 4201 and its surface is parallel to the second horizontal direction. The second mounting plate 424 is located on one side of the second mounting groove 4202 and its surface is parallel to the second horizontal direction. Specifically, to allow the rotation axis of the nozzle detection light source 421 to be closer to its light-emitting end, the first mounting plate 423 is located on the upper surface of the mounting platform 40, while the second mounting plate 424 is located on the lower surface of the mounting platform 40.

[0039] Furthermore, referring to Figure 4 The first mounting plate 423 and the nozzle detection light source 421, and the second mounting plate 424 and the nozzle detection camera 422 are all rotatably connected via connecting shafts 425. To enable movable positioning of the nozzle detection light source 421 and the nozzle detection camera 422, both the first mounting plate 423 and the second mounting plate 424 have arc-shaped waist holes 426 extending through them, located on one side of the connecting shaft 425. The extended arc of the arc-shaped waist hole 426 is concentric with the connecting shaft 425. Simultaneously, the nozzle detection light source 421 and the nozzle detection camera 422 are rotatably connected via connecting shafts 425. The outer surface of the hole detection camera 422 is provided with a locking hole (not shown in the figure) corresponding to the arc-shaped waist hole 426. When a locking bolt passes through the arc-shaped waist hole 426 and is threaded into the locking hole, the angle of the nozzle detection light source 421 and the nozzle detection camera 422 can be fixed when the nut of the locking bolt abuts against the first mounting plate 423 or the second mounting plate 424. Conversely, when the locking bolt is released, the nozzle detection light source 421 and the nozzle detection camera 422 can be unlocked and their angles can be adjusted within the allowable angle range of the arc-shaped waist hole 426.

[0040] Furthermore, referring to Figure 5In some embodiments, the ink droplet observation inkjet station 43 includes an assembly slot 430 formed on the mounting platform 40, an ink collection box 431 for receiving ink droplets ejected by the printhead, and a calibration plate 432 for assisting in the installation and positioning of the ink droplet observation camera 44. The ink collection box 431 and the calibration plate 432 are optionally and detachably positioned in a mating position within the assembly slot 430. This configuration allows the calibration plate 432 to be installed in the assembly slot 430 during the installation phase of the ink droplet observation equipment. The calibration plate 432 assists in the movement and alignment of the printhead, the alignment of the optical axis of the ink droplet observation light source 41 and the ink droplet observation camera 44. After completing the alignment, the calibration plate 432 can be replaced with the ink collection box 431, enabling a faster and more efficient completion of the pre-use preparation and debugging work for this equipment.

[0041] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the ink droplet observation light source includes a fiber optic light source emitting element and a collimating lens connected to the end of the fiber optic light source emitting element. The collimating lens ensures that the light emitted by the ink droplet observation light source at the emitting end has higher straightness, thereby ensuring more accurate observation of flying ink droplets. Simultaneously, the illumination mode of the fiber optic light source emitting element is preferably a constant-on mode, ensuring better brightness in the captured images of flying ink droplets even with smaller droplet sizes. Furthermore, since the emitting element uses a cold-light fiber optic light source, the uniformity of illumination received by the flying ink droplets during observation is better, ensuring the image quality of the camera during ink droplet observation. In this embodiment, the color of the fiber optic light source is preferably red, avoiding the use of a white light source that is closer to UV light, thereby preventing problems such as ink droplet solidification that alter the properties of the ink droplets.

[0042] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" 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 mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0043] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0044] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. An inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device, characterized in that, It includes: A nozzle position control device includes a nozzle mounting part for mounting a nozzle and a nozzle drive assembly for driving the nozzle mounting part to move in a first horizontal direction. The inkjet printing station and the droplet observation station are distributed at intervals below the printhead mounting part in the first horizontal direction; A droplet observation device, mounted on a droplet observation station, includes a mounting platform and, mounted on the platform and arranged sequentially at intervals along a second horizontal direction, a droplet observation light source, a nozzle detection light source, a droplet observation inkjet station, a nozzle detection camera, and a droplet observation camera. The second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and the droplet observation inkjet station is located at the intersection of the second and first horizontal directions. The optical axes of both the droplet observation light source and the droplet observation camera are arranged along the second horizontal direction. A distance adjustment component is provided between the droplet observation camera and the mounting platform to adjust the position of the droplet observation camera in the second horizontal direction. The nozzle detection light source and the nozzle detection camera are both located below the optical axis of the droplet observation light source and are both tilted towards the printhead above the droplet observation inkjet station, respectively for illuminating the nozzle and capturing images of the nozzle.

2. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A control device, which is controlled and connected to the nozzle detection camera and the distance adjustment component, is configured to determine the nozzle position based on the printhead image obtained by the nozzle detection camera as it moves to the ink droplet observation inkjet station, and to determine whether to adjust the position of the ink droplet observation camera in the second horizontal direction based on the printhead position.

3. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting platform is provided with a positioning marker structure; a vision acquisition device is provided on the printhead mounting part located on one side of the printhead and is used to acquire the scene image below the printhead mounting part; the vision acquisition device is controlled and connected to the drive component, and is used to control the drive component to adjust the position of the printhead mounting part according to the positional relationship of the acquired positioning marker structure, until the printhead is directly above the ink droplet observation inkjet station.

4. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle detection light source is rotatably mounted on the mounting platform, with the rotation axis parallel to the first horizontal direction and located near the light-emitting end, so as to reduce the rotation radius of the light-emitting end.

5. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A single-axis moving stage is also provided between the nozzle detection camera and the mounting platform. The bottom of the single-axis moving stage is rotatably connected to the mounting platform. The nozzle detection camera is mounted on the single-axis moving stage so that its position can be adjusted in a straight line through the single-axis moving stage, thereby adjusting the distance between the nozzle detection camera and the nozzle.

6. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The mounting platform is provided with a first mounting plate for docking the nozzle detection light source and a second mounting plate for docking the nozzle detection camera; the first mounting plate and the nozzle detection light source, and the second mounting plate and the nozzle detection camera are rotatably connected by connecting shafts. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are provided with an arc-shaped waist hole located on one side of the connecting shaft, and the extension arc of the arc-shaped waist hole is concentric with the connecting shaft; the outer surfaces of the nozzle detection light source and the nozzle detection camera are provided with locking holes corresponding to the arc-shaped waist hole; the arc-shaped waist hole is provided with a locking bolt for unlocking / locking the nozzle detection light source and the nozzle detection camera.

7. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ink droplet observation inkjet station includes an assembly slot on the mounting platform, an ink collection box for receiving ink droplets ejected by the printhead, and a calibration plate for assisting in the installation and positioning of the ink droplet observation camera; wherein, the ink collection box and the calibration plate are selectively and detachably positioned and installed in a mating position within the assembly slot.

8. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The installation station for the ink droplet observation light source includes: A light source mounting base includes a docking part for mounting the ink droplet observation light source, and a mounting base rotatably connected to one end of the docking part, wherein the rotation axis of the docking part is horizontal and perpendicular to the second horizontal direction; An angle adjustment structure is used to support the other end of the docking part, and its height in the vertical direction is adjustable to adjust the tilt angle of the ink droplet observation light source on the docking part relative to the horizontal direction.

9. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The angle adjustment structure includes a support base, a support plate extending horizontally on the top of the support base, and one or more adjustment screws passing through the support plate in a vertical direction. The top of the adjustment screws supports the docking part, so as to adjust the tilt angle of the ink droplet observation light source relative to the horizontal direction by adjusting the height of the top of the adjustment screws.

10. The inkjet printing system with an ink droplet observation device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The angle adjustment structure also includes a locking nut, which passes through the support plate from below and is threaded into the mating part. The nut of the locking nut is located below the support plate. The angle of the mating part is fixed by screwing the locking nut until the nut abuts against the support plate.

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