An ink path switching system and a printer using the same

Abstract

This application relates to an ink path switching system and a printer using the same. The ink path switching system includes a first ink line, a second ink line, a first valve, a second ink pump, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a printhead. The input end of the first ink line is connected to a first ink cartridge, and the output end of the first ink line is connected to the first valve. The input end of the second ink line is connected to a second ink cartridge, and the output end of the second ink line is connected to the second valve. Ink path switching is achieved by controlling the on / off state of the first valve, the second ink pump, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve. This application significantly reduces the possibility of printhead and related ink path clogging, improves printhead utilization efficiency, and expands the machine's application range by enabling ink switching, thus broadening the types of printing media and improving printing effects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printers, and more particularly to an ink path switching system and a printer that uses the same for switching between scanning and direct output modes. Background Technology

[0002] In the current market, with the expansion of the printing field, white ink printing is becoming increasingly common. This is due to two main reasons: 1) the need to mask different background colors of the printing medium, reducing color differences in the finished product; and 2) the requirement for white areas in some printing media designs. However, current white inks are based on titanium dioxide, a mineral with high density and specific gravity, exhibiting instability in both water-based and solvent-based inks. Despite the efforts of ink manufacturers, these improvements only address the symptoms, not the root cause. Existing application technologies rely on mechanical stirring and ink circulation printheads, which are either costly or structurally complex, limiting their application.

[0003] Regarding ink switching: Current printer printheads, in terms of function and application scenarios, are designed to use a fixed type of ink after ink is added, without considering the need for ink replacement, and only in extremely special circumstances. This design often results in the printhead containing filters or other complex tubing, sometimes even with dead volume in the tubing. These structures make ink replacement inconvenient. For example, switching from color ink to white ink requires a significant waste of new ink and carries the risk of incomplete cleaning. Even for inks that are similar in type and chemical properties and could be switched, people are reluctant to change them. Furthermore, some inks, although compatible with the same type of printhead, are reactive, making switching even more risky. If any ink remains inside the printhead and reacts, it can directly damage the printhead. This is something rarely seen in the current market where the same machine uses different inks.

[0004] Meanwhile, ink path switching is problematic because standard ink configurations typically include at least four colors (CMYK), and some even have eight or more. Without an automated system, manually changing inks is cumbersome, error-prone, and can easily lead to contaminants entering and damaging the printhead. This is one of the reasons why ink switching systems are rarely used in the market.

[0005] Another scenario involves white ink. On some printing media, the medium's absorbency leads to insufficient color development. Increasing the titanium dioxide content in the ink causes some key ink parameters to exceed the permissible values ​​of certain printheads, limiting their use. For example, the viscosity range of Epson I3200A1 and E1 inks is 3-4 mP.s, and I3200U1 is 5-6 mP.s. This is far lower than the 10-14 mP.s, or even 20 mP.s, of some industrial printheads. This means that when using Epson's cost-effective printheads on cardboard boxes and other printed materials, with a standard printhead configuration (e.g., one printhead for color ink and one for white ink), the white ink often fails to develop sufficiently. Increasing the number of white ink printheads is too costly. Using high-viscosity industrial printheads is also too expensive. This limitation also restricts the application of white ink in related fields.

[0006] A special treatment fluid has emerged on the market to address this issue. Its internal components react with those in the ink, preventing the pigments from settling and penetrating. Successful applications in leather and textiles are already documented. In a typical printhead setup, the treatment fluid occupies several printheads, white ink occupies several, and then color ink occupies several. During printing, the treatment fluid is applied first as a base, followed by white ink, and then color ink for coverage. This type of ink places specific requirements on the printhead mounting plate; the distance between the treatment fluid printhead and the white and color printheads must be appropriate in the scanning and printing direction. If a traditional, tightly packed printhead layout is used, some droplets from the treatment fluid may drift to the white or color ink printheads during inkjet printing, causing a reaction between the two inks and leading to printhead clogging.

[0007] In the current market, white ink printheads are often set up for fixed use, meaning that only this printhead uses white ink (although there are some cases where one or more channels of the printhead are converted to white ink). Once white ink is used, it will not be replaced with other inks later. This leads to situations where, when the printing media does not require white ink, the white ink printhead occupies limited printhead resources, or even has no ink or very little ink output for a long time, resulting in clogging of the white ink printhead. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide an ink path switching system and a printer that uses it.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0010] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an ink path switching system, including a first ink line, a second ink line, a first valve, a second ink pump, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a printhead.

[0011] The first ink line input end is connected to the first ink cartridge, and the first ink line output end is connected to the first valve;

[0012] The second ink line input end is connected to the second ink cartridge, and the second ink line output end is connected to the second valve;

[0013] The first valve is connected to the first ink line, the second ink pump, and the third valve, respectively.

[0014] The input end of the second ink pump is connected to the first valve, and the output end of the second ink pump is connected to the waste ink cartridge;

[0015] The third valve is connected to the first valve, the second valve, and the fourth valve respectively;

[0016] The second valve is connected to the second ink line, the third valve, and the fourth valve, respectively;

[0017] The fourth valve is connected to the nozzle, the second valve, and the third valve respectively;

[0018] The ink path switching is achieved by controlling the on / off state of the first valve, the second ink pump, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve.

[0019] A first ink pump is provided between the first ink line and the first ink cartridge.

[0020] The input end of the first ink pump is connected to the third port of the first three-way valve, the output end of the first ink pump is connected to the third port of the second three-way valve, the first port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first ink cartridge, the second port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first port of the second three-way valve, and the second port of the second three-way valve is connected to the first interface of the first valve.

[0021] The first interface of the first valve is connected to the first ink line, the second interface is connected to the second ink pump, and the third interface is connected to the first interface of the third valve.

[0022] The first interface of the third valve is connected to the third interface of the first valve, the second interface of the third valve is connected to the second interface of the second valve, and the third interface of the third valve is connected to the second interface of the fourth valve.

[0023] The first interface of the second valve is connected to the second ink line, the second interface of the second valve is connected to the second interface of the third valve, and the third interface of the second valve is connected to the first interface of the fourth valve.

[0024] The third interface of the fourth valve is connected to the nozzle.

[0025] Secondly, this application provides another ink path switching system, including a first ink line, a second ink line, a cleaning fluid line, valve A, valve B, and valve C. The output end of the second ink line is connected to valve A, the output end of the cleaning fluid line is connected to valve B, and the output end of the first ink line is connected to valve C. It also includes a printhead interface connected to the printhead and a waste ink interface connected to the waste ink pump. Valves A, B, and C are rotary three-way valves, and ink path switching is achieved by rotating the three rotary three-way valves.

[0026] Valve A is connected to the second ink line through the first interface, valve B is connected to the cleaning fluid line through the second interface, and valve C is connected to the first ink line through the third interface.

[0027] A printer, which is a scanning printer, a direct-output printer, or a printer that can switch between scanning and direct output, includes an ink path switching system as described above.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0029] Compared with existing technologies, the printhead and ink path do not require white ink filling under normal conditions. White ink is only filled in the printhead and related ink path during printing, which greatly reduces the possibility of the printhead and related ink path being blocked. It also improves the efficiency of printhead use. At the same time, the use of ink changes increases the machine's range of applications and expands the types and effects of printing media. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first ink path switching system of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second ink path switching system of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following drawings indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0035] The terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a 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 limitation, 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.

[0036] The terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor as requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0037] Example 1, such as Figure 1 As shown, this application embodiment provides an ink path switching system, including a first ink line, a second ink line, a first valve 4, a second ink pump 5, a second valve 7, a third valve 6, a fourth valve 8, and a printhead 9.

[0038] The first ink line input end is connected to the first ink cartridge, and the first ink line output end is connected to the first valve 4;

[0039] The second ink line input end is connected to the second ink cartridge, and the second ink line output end is connected to the second valve 7;

[0040] The first valve 4 is connected to the first ink line, the second ink pump 5, and the third valve 6, respectively;

[0041] The input end of the second ink pump 5 is connected to the first valve 4, and the output end of the second ink pump 5 is connected to the waste ink box;

[0042] The third valve 6 is connected to the first valve 4, the second valve 7 and the fourth valve 8 respectively;

[0043] The second valve 7 is connected to the second ink line, the third valve 7, and the fourth valve 8, respectively;

[0044] The fourth valve is connected to the nozzle, the second valve, and the third valve respectively;

[0045] The ink path switching is achieved by controlling the on / off state of the first valve 4, the second ink pump 5, the second valve 7, the third valve 6, and the fourth valve 8.

[0046] A first ink pump 3 is provided between the first ink line and the first ink cartridge.

[0047] The input end of the first ink pump 3 is connected to the third port of the first three-way valve 1, the output end of the first ink pump 3 is connected to the third port of the second three-way valve 2, the first port of the first three-way valve 1 is connected to the first ink cartridge, the second port of the first three-way valve 1 is connected to the first port of the second three-way valve 2, and the second port of the second three-way valve 2 is connected to the first interface of the first valve 4.

[0048] The first interface of the first valve 4 is connected to the first ink line, the second interface is connected to the second ink pump 5, and the third interface is connected to the first interface of the third valve 6.

[0049] The first interface of the third valve 6 is connected to the third interface of the first valve 4, the second interface of the third valve 6 is connected to the second interface of the second valve 7, and the third interface of the third valve 6 is connected to the second interface of the fourth valve 8.

[0050] The first interface of the second valve 7 is connected to the second ink pipeline, the second interface of the second valve 7 is connected to the second interface of the third valve 6, and the third interface of the second valve 7 is connected to the first interface of the fourth valve 8.

[0051] The third interface of the fourth valve 8 is connected to the nozzle 9.

[0052] Specific printing process: When printing color ink, the G-section pipeline formed by the second valve 7 and the fourth valve 8, and the H-section pipeline formed by the fourth valve 8 and the printhead 9 are open; the D-section pipeline formed by the second valve 7 and the third valve 6, and the E-section pipeline formed by the fourth valve 8 and the third valve 6 are closed. Color ink enters the printhead through the ink path of the second valve 7 and the fourth valve 8. The printer operates according to the normal inkjet printing procedure, prints, and then enters standby mode.

[0053] When white ink needs to be printed, firstly, section A of the pipeline from the second three-way valve 2 to the first valve 4 and section B of the pipeline from the first valve 4 to the second ink pump 5 are connected, while section C of the pipeline from the first valve 4 to the third valve 6 is closed. The second ink pump 5 begins drawing ink, removing the stagnant waste white ink that has been stored between the second three-way valve 2 and the first valve 4, allowing fresh white ink to circulate between the first three-way valve 1, the second three-way valve 2, and the first ink pump 3, or a stable supply of white ink to fill section A of the pipeline from the second three-way valve 2 to the first valve 4. At this time, section C of the pipeline between the first valve 4 and the third valve 6 is closed. After this step is completed, section G of the pipeline between the fourth valve 8 and the second valve 7, and section D of the pipeline between the third valve 6 and the second valve 7 are closed. Section H of the pipeline between the printhead 9 and the fourth valve 8, and section C of the pipeline between the third valve 6 and the first valve 4 are connected to section A of the white ink inlet, while section B of the pipeline between the first valve 4 and the second ink pump 5 is closed. The printhead and ink pump draw in ink, filling sections A, C, E, and H with white ink. Then, the white ink printing operation is performed according to the standard inkjet printing procedure.

[0054] After the white ink printing operation is completed, section E of the pipeline formed by the fourth valve 8 and the third valve 6 is closed. Sections D, C, and B of the pipeline between the second valve 7, the third valve 6, the first valve 4, and the second ink pump 5 remain open. Section A of the white ink pipeline between the second three-way valve 2 and the first valve 4 is closed. The second ink pump 5 draws ink, replacing the white ink in sections D, C, and B of the pipeline between the second valve 7, the third valve 6, the first valve 4, and the second ink pump 5 with colored ink. After the pipeline is completely filled with colored ink, the third valve 6 switches. Section C of the pipeline between the third valve 6 and the first valve 4 is closed, and the second ink pump 5 stops drawing ink. Sections E and H of the pipeline between the third valve 6, the fourth valve 8, and the printhead 9 are open. The printhead and ink suction pump draw ink, replacing all the white ink in sections E and H of the pipeline between the third valve 6, the fourth valve 8, and the printhead 9 with colored ink. In standby mode, the ink path is filled with colored ink in sections H, E, C, and B of the printhead 9, fourth valve 8, third valve 6, first valve 4, and second ink pump 5. The ink path is stable and safe. The valves mentioned above refer to two-way three-way valves.

[0055] The above-mentioned valves can also be replaced by three ordinary straight-through valves to replace one of the two-way three-way valves to complete the above ink circuit switching logic.

[0056] Example 2, as Figure 2 As shown, an ink path switching system includes a first ink line, a second ink line, a cleaning fluid line, valve A 10, valve B 11, and valve C 12. The output end of the second ink line is connected to valve A 10, the output end of the cleaning fluid line is connected to valve B 11, and the output end of the first ink line is connected to valve C 12. It also includes a printhead interface 16 connected to the printhead and a waste ink interface 17 connected to a waste ink pump 18. Valves A 10, B 11, and C 12 are rotary three-way valves, and ink path switching is achieved by rotating the three rotary three-way valves.

[0057] Valve A 10 is connected to the second ink line through the first interface 13, valve B 11 is connected to the cleaning fluid line through the second interface 14, and valve C 12 is connected to the first ink line through the third interface 15.

[0058] Specific printing process: Option 1 (Color ink standby state): Step 1, Color ink printing: Ink path printhead interface 16 ~ valve A10 ~ first interface 13 are connected, valve A10 ~ valve B11 are closed. Print color ink according to the normal operation of inkjet printer.

[0059] Step 2: Print white ink. First, close the first ink path interface 13 to valve A 10 and valves B11 to C 12. Keep the second ink path interface 14 to valve B11 to valve A 10 to printhead interface 16 open. Use the printhead or the matching ink pump to draw ink. After filling the printhead to printhead interface 16 to valve A 10 to valve B 11 with cleaning fluid, rotate valve B 11 to open the second interface 14 to valve B11 to valve C 12 to waste ink interface 17 to waste ink pump 18. Close valves A 10 to valve B11. The third ink path interface 15 to valve C 12 is closed. Turn on waste ink pump 18 to draw ink and fill the second ink path interface 14 to valve B11 to valve C 12 to waste ink interface 17 with cleaning fluid. Afterwards, the ink circuit valves B11 to C12 are closed, the waste ink pump 18 remains in the start state, the ink circuit third interface 15 to valve C12 is opened, and the waste ink interface 17 remains in the conductive state. The stationary waste white ink in the white ink inlet section of the ink circuit third interface 15 and the pipeline section from the third interface 15 to valve C12 is discharged by the waste ink pump 18.

[0060] Step 3: Afterwards, close valve C12 to waste ink interface 17, and connect the third interface 15 to valve C12, valve B11, valve A10, printhead interface 16, and printhead. Close the second interface 14 to valve B11, while the first interface 13 to valve A10 remains closed. The printhead or its associated ink pump will begin operating, filling the pipeline with fresh or recirculated, stable white ink. The printhead or associated ink pump will then stop, and white ink printing will begin as per standard inkjet printing procedures.

[0061] Step 4: After the white ink printing is complete, close the third interface 15 ~ valve C 12, open the second interface ~ valve B 11 ~ valve C 12 ~ waste ink interface 17, close valve A 10 ~ valve B 11, and the waste ink pump 18 will start drawing ink to fill the second interface 14 ~ valve B 11 ~ valve C 12 ~ waste ink interface 17 with cleaning fluid.

[0062] Step 5: Close valves B11 to C12, open valves B11 to A10 to printhead interface 16 (ink path), start the printhead or its matching ink pump, and fill the second ink path interface 14 to valves B11 to A10 to printhead interface 16 to the printhead with cleaning fluid.

[0063] Step six: Close ink path valves A 10 to B 11, open the first interface 13 to valve A 10, and turn on the printhead or its associated ink pump to fill the ink path between the first interface 13, valve A 10, printhead interface 16, and printhead with color ink, preparing for the next color ink print. The advantage of Solution 1 is that the color ink printer can be operated like a regular inkjet printer from the moment it's turned on, making it more convenient to use.

[0064] Option 2 (Cleaning Fluid Standby State): Unlike Option 1, step one, the ink path switching action stops in step five, and the ink path and printhead are filled with cleaning fluid in the standby state.

[0065] When printing color ink, the ink path first interface 13 ~ valve A 10 ~ printhead interface 16 is open, and valve A 10 ~ valve B 11 is closed. The printhead or its associated ink pump draws ink, filling the ink path from valve A 10 to printhead interface 16 to the printhead with color ink. Then, color ink printing begins. The other steps are the same as in Solution 1. The advantage of Solution 2 is that it carries a lower risk of printhead damage.

[0066] The cleaning fluid mentioned in the text can also be a nozzle moisturizing fluid, to ensure long-term protection of the nozzle. The valves mentioned primarily refer to rotary three-way valves; however, three straight-through valves can also be used to replace one rotary three-way valve to achieve the same logical action.

[0067] The white ink mentioned in the text could also refer to other types of unstable inks, such as pigment inks, coating inks, and some unstable dispersion inks.

[0068] Figure 2 The system incorporates a cleaning solution, which allows for a more thorough cleaning of the ink path during ink switching. It also prevents the contact between two reactive inks, thus avoiding unpredictable chemical reactions that could damage the ink path and printhead.

[0069] A printer, which is a scanning printer, a direct-output printer, or a printer that switches between scanning and direct output, the printer including the ink path switching system described above.

[0070] 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. An ink path switching system, characterized in that, This includes a first ink line, a second ink line, a first valve, a second ink pump, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a printhead. The first ink line input end is connected to the first ink cartridge, and the first ink line output end is connected to the first valve; The second ink line input end is connected to the second ink cartridge, and the second ink line output end is connected to the second valve; The first valve is connected to the first ink line, the second ink pump, and the third valve, respectively. The input end of the second ink pump is connected to the first valve, and the output end of the second ink pump is connected to the waste ink box; The third valve is connected to the first valve, the second valve, and the fourth valve respectively; The second valve is connected to the second ink line, the third valve, and the fourth valve, respectively; The fourth valve is connected to the nozzle, the second valve, and the third valve respectively; The ink path switching is achieved by controlling the on / off state of the first valve, the second ink pump, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve.

2. The ink path switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first ink pump is provided between the first ink line and the first ink cartridge.

3. The ink path switching system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The input end of the first ink pump is connected to the third port of the first three-way valve, the output end of the first ink pump is connected to the third port of the second three-way valve, the first port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first ink cartridge, the second port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first port of the second three-way valve, and the second port of the second three-way valve is connected to the first interface of the first valve.

4. The ink path switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first interface of the first valve is connected to the first ink line, the second interface is connected to the second ink pump, and the third interface is connected to the first interface of the third valve. The first interface of the third valve is connected to the third interface of the first valve, the second interface of the third valve is connected to the second interface of the second valve, and the third interface of the third valve is connected to the second interface of the fourth valve. The first interface of the second valve is connected to the second ink line, the second interface of the second valve is connected to the second interface of the third valve, and the third interface of the second valve is connected to the first interface of the fourth valve. The third interface of the fourth valve is connected to the nozzle.

5. A printer, characterized in that, The printer is a scanning printer, a direct-output printer, or a printer that can switch between scanning and direct output, and the printer includes the ink path switching system as described in any one of claims 1-4.

6. An ink path switching system, characterized in that, It includes a first ink line, a second ink line, a cleaning fluid line, valve A, valve B, and valve C. The output end of the second ink line is connected to valve A, the output end of the cleaning fluid line is connected to valve B, and the output end of the first ink line is connected to valve C. It also includes a printhead interface connected to the printhead and a waste ink interface connected to the waste ink pump. Valves A, B, and C are rotary three-way valves, and the ink path switching is achieved by rotating the three rotary three-way valves.

7. The ink path switching system according to claim 6, characterized in that, Valve A is connected to the second ink line through the first interface, valve B is connected to the cleaning fluid line through the second interface, and valve C is connected to the first ink line through the third interface.

8. A printer, characterized in that, The printer is a scanning printer, a direct-output printer, or a printer that can switch between scanning and direct output, and the printer includes the ink path switching system as described in any one of claims 6 or 7.

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