A wide-format digital printing machine nozzle module

Abstract

The present application provides a wide digital printing machine nozzle module, relates to the technical field of digital inkjet printer, and aims to solve the problem that the printing process is prone to ink breakage and color deviation defects due to different lengths of ink pipes in the prior art. The wide digital printing machine nozzle module comprises an inner frame, a nozzle bottom plate and an ink supply system. The ink supply system is used to supply ink to the nozzle and control the operation of the nozzle. The ink supply system is connected to the first layer frame and the second layer frame. The ink supply system comprises a plurality of third-level ink pipes. The plurality of third-level ink pipes are connected to the lower side of the second layer frame. The axis of the third-level ink pipe is parallel to the plate surface of the nozzle bottom plate. A plurality of ink outlets are arranged on the lower side of each third-level ink pipe along the length direction of the third-level ink pipe. Each ink outlet is connected to the corresponding nozzle below through a second ink delivery pipe. The nozzle module ensures that all nozzles obtain stable and consistent ink supply pressure during operation, thereby significantly improving the uniformity of printing ink droplet ejection and color consistency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of digital inkjet printer technology, and in particular to a printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine. Background Technology

[0002] A printhead module is an integrated module that combines one or more printheads with a mounting frame, adjustment mechanism, ink supply system, control system, and other components. It is a core functional component of industrial inkjet printers. Typically, printhead modules can be raised and lowered to adjust the distance between the printhead and the printing media to accommodate substrates of varying thicknesses. OnePass wide-format digital printers often have printhead modules containing dozens or even hundreds of printheads, each with its own signal lines and ink tubes. The total number of printheads is enormous, depending on the specific printhead configuration, number of color channels, and functional complexity; high-end models can have hundreds. An improperly designed module layout can result in inconsistent ink tube lengths and a chaotic array of signal lines. These uneven lengths and curvatures lead to varying pressure losses along the ink tube flow path, ultimately causing inconsistent ink pressure at the printhead inlet. This can cause printing problems such as color cast and ink gaps. A chaotic array of signal lines not only affects the appearance but also makes it difficult for technicians to quickly locate problematic lines during maintenance, complicating troubleshooting. The key factor determining the routes of these pipelines is the layout and placement of the pipeline nodes. These node units include: motherboards, headboards, switches, secondary ink cartridges, etc.

[0003] In the aforementioned traditional technologies, due to the lack of a unified design and inconsistent length of the ink tube paths, the ink inlet pressure of each printhead is unbalanced, leading to printing defects such as color deviation, ink breakage, and uneven color banding, which seriously affects the printing quality and thus restricts the reliability and consistency of wide-format digital printing machines in high-precision application scenarios such as high-end textiles and personalized customization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine to solve the problems of ink interruption and color deviation in the printing process caused by unreasonable ink tube arrangement in the prior art. The printhead module of this invention ensures that all printheads obtain stable and consistent ink supply pressure during operation, thereby significantly improving the uniformity of ink droplet ejection and color consistency.

[0005] The present invention provides a printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine, comprising an inner frame. The inner frame has a four-sided open structure and has a first direction and a second direction. The inner frame includes a first shelf and a second shelf with a length along the first direction, the first shelf being connected above the second shelf. A nozzle base plate, on which multiple nozzles are arranged, is connected to the lower part of the second shelf. An ink supply system is provided to supply ink to the printhead and control its operation. The ink supply system is connected to the first shelf and the second shelf. The ink supply system includes multiple tertiary ink tubes, which are arranged along a second direction on the lower side of the second shelf. The axis of each tertiary ink tube is parallel to the surface of the printhead base plate. Multiple ink outlets distributed along the length of each tertiary ink tube are provided on the lower side of each tertiary ink tube. Each ink outlet is connected to the corresponding printhead below it through a second ink supply tube.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all the second ink supply tubes are of equal length.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner frame further includes an upright plate along a first direction and two side plates along a second direction, the two side plates being respectively connected to both ends of the second shelf, and the upright plate being erected below the second shelf and connected between the two side plates.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the first shelf (103) and the second shelf (104) are rectangular frame structures. The first shelf (103) is connected in parallel above the second shelf (104) by a plurality of vertical profiles (105). The top of the vertical profiles (105) is perpendicularly connected to the edge of the first shelf (103), and the bottom of the vertical profiles (105) is perpendicularly connected to the edge of the second shelf (104). The length of the first shelf (103) in the first direction is greater than the length of the second shelf (104) in the first direction. The two ends of the first shelf (103) extend out of the two ends of the second shelf (104) respectively. The width of the first shelf (103) in the second direction is equal to the width of the second shelf (104) in the second direction.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are notches on both sides of the side panel, and the two ends of the first shelf extend through the two notches to the outside of the two side panels, and the frame of the first shelf is connected to the side panel at the notch.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second shelf includes two first profiles along a first direction and a plurality of second profiles along a second direction, the plurality of second profiles being spaced apart between the two first profiles, and the first shelf includes two third profiles along the first direction and two fourth profiles along the second direction, the two third profiles and the two fourth profiles being connected end to end to form a rectangular frame structure.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle base plate includes a nozzle mounting plate, a base frame and a plurality of nozzles. The base frame has a rectangular frame structure, and the nozzle mounting plate is connected to the base frame. The nozzle mounting plate has a plurality of mounting holes, and the nozzles are installed at the mounting holes with their outlets facing downwards.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ink supply system includes a main control board, a power supply copper busbar, a switch, and a plurality of headboards connected in sequence. The main control board is connected to the first end of the first shelf and located outside the two side panels. The power supply copper busbar is connected to the frame of the first shelf along a first direction. The switch is connected to the upper side of the second shelf. The plurality of headboards are arranged and connected to the frame of the second shelf.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ink supply system further includes a secondary ink cartridge, which is connected to the second end of the first shelf and located on the outside of the two side plates. The secondary ink cartridge is connected to the multiple tertiary ink tubes through multiple first ink supply tubes, and the first ink supply tubes are provided to pass through the notches of the side plates.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes an outer frame, the inner frame being connected to the outer frame via a lifting mechanism, the second shelf being disposed inside the outer frame, and vertical slots being provided on both sides of the outer frame, the frame of the first shelf extending out to the outside of the outer frame through the vertical slots, and the main control board and the secondary ink cartridge being respectively connected to both ends of the first shelf on the outside of the outer frame.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following positive effects: The wide-format digital printing machine printhead module provided by this invention adopts a four-sided open frame structure. Multiple tertiary ink tubes of the ink supply system are directly installed on the lower side of the second layer frame, with the axes of the tertiary ink tubes parallel to the surface of the printhead base plate. Simultaneously, multiple ink outlets are arranged along the length of each tertiary ink tube, and each ink outlet is directly connected to the corresponding printhead directly below via a second ink supply pipe. This ensures that the physical length, direction, and curvature of each ink supply path are highly consistent. Because the tertiary ink tubes are arranged parallel to the printhead base plate, and the ink outlets correspond one-to-one with the printheads and are distributed along a straight line, each second ink supply pipe does not need to cross lateral or longitudinal offset distances, avoiding the flow resistance differences caused by the dispersed printhead layout, varying lengths of ink supply pipes, and crisscrossing bends in traditional structures. This structural design fundamentally eliminates ink pressure fluctuations caused by uneven ink supply line resistance, ensuring that all printheads receive stable and consistent ink supply pressure during operation. This significantly improves the uniformity of ink droplet ejection and color consistency, solving quality problems such as printing streaks, color differences, and pattern distortion caused by inconsistent ink supply pressure in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of the printhead module of the wide-format digital printing machine in an embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upper structure of the printhead module of the wide-format digital printing machine in an embodiment, when the outer frame is removed; Figure 3 The front view of the upper side of the printhead module of the wide-format digital printing machine in the embodiment, with the outer frame removed; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the lower structure of the printhead module of the wide-format digital printing machine in an embodiment, with the outer frame and part of the head plate removed; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the frame and the nozzle base plate are connected in an embodiment. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the framework of the embodiment; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle base plate in an embodiment; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the ink supply system in an embodiment; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the outer frame structure of an embodiment.

[0018] In the diagram: 100, Inner frame; 101, Side panel; 1011, Notch; 102, Vertical panel; 103, First shelf; 1031, Third profile; 1032, L-shaped connector; 1033, Fourth profile; 1034, Corner connector; 104, Second shelf; 1041, First profile; 1042, Second profile; 105, Vertical profile; 200, Nozzle base plate; 201, Nozzle; 202, Nozzle mounting plate; 2021, Mounting hole; 203, First connecting rod; 204, Second connecting rod; 205, Third connecting rod; 206, Fourth connecting rod ; 207, Handle; 300, Lifting mechanism; 301, Drive motor; 302, Drive shaft; 303, Vertical converter; 304, Lead screw; 305, Connecting seat; 400, Ink supply system; 401, Main control board; 402, Power supply copper busbar; 403, Switch; 404, Headboard; 405, Secondary ink cartridge; 406, Tertiary ink tube; 4061, Ink outlet; 407, First ink supply tube; 4071, Filter; 4072, Degasser; 4073, Ink tube holder; 500, Outer frame; 501, Top frame; 502, Side frame; 503, Vertical bar hole. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "head," "tail," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying it, 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 the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] For ease of description, a first direction x and a second direction y are introduced in the following embodiments, wherein the first direction x is the length direction of the inner frame 100, the second direction y is the width direction of the inner frame 100, and the first direction x and the second direction y are perpendicular to each other.

[0023] This embodiment provides a printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine, such as... Figures 1-9 As shown, it includes a frame, a printhead base plate 200, and an ink supply system 400.

[0024] The frame has a four-sided open structure to facilitate the inspection and maintenance of the components installed on the frame. The frame includes a first shelf 103 and a second shelf 104, with the first shelf 103 connected above the second shelf 104.

[0025] like Figure 7 As shown, multiple nozzles 201 are arranged in a matrix on the nozzle base plate 200. The nozzle base plate 200 is connected to the lower part of the second shelf 104.

[0026] The ink supply system 400 is used to supply ink to the printhead and control its operation. The ink supply system 400 is connected to the first shelf 103 and the second shelf 104. The ink supply system 400 includes multiple tertiary ink tubes 406, which are arranged along a second direction y on the lower side of the second shelf 104. The axes of the tertiary ink tubes 406 are parallel to the surface of the printhead base plate 200 and are arranged along a first direction x. Figure 4 As shown, multiple ink outlets 4061 distributed along the length direction are provided on the lower side of each three-stage ink tube 406, and each ink outlet 4061 is connected to the corresponding printhead below it through a second ink supply tube.

[0027] In this embodiment, by horizontally arranging the three-stage ink tubes 406 parallel to the surface of the printhead base plate 200, and ensuring that the length of the second ink supply tube between each ink outlet 4061 and the printhead below it is completely consistent with the arrangement path, it is ensured that the ink inlet resistance and ink flow path of all printheads are exactly the same. This results in equal ink pressure loss at the ink inlet of each printhead, avoiding pressure deviation caused by differences in ink supply tube length or uneven layout. It effectively solves the problem of uneven printing color depth and pattern distortion caused by inconsistent ink supply pressure of printheads in the prior art, and achieves high-precision and high-consistency ink supply under wide-format printing.

[0028] To ensure that the connection path between each ink outlet 4061 and the printhead below it is equal, all second ink supply tubes are set to the same length, and the axes of all second ink supply tubes are set vertically to ensure that all second ink supply tubes are of equal length, have the shortest path, and have minimal ink supply pressure loss.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, both the first shelf 103 and the second shelf 104 are rectangular frame structures. The first shelf 103 is connected in parallel to the upper part of the second shelf 104 by multiple vertical profiles 105. The top of the vertical profiles 105 is perpendicularly connected to the frame of the first shelf 103, and the bottom of the vertical profiles 105 is perpendicularly connected to the frame of the second shelf 104, forming a rigid support system. This significantly enhances the structural integrity and anti-deformation ability between the upper and lower shelves, effectively suppressing the relative displacement between the shelves caused by equipment operation or vibration. This ensures that the three-stage ink tube 406 connected to the lower side of the second shelf 104 maintains precise longitudinal alignment with the printhead 201 on the printhead base plate 200 below. This ensures that the connection between each ink outlet 4061 and the corresponding printhead through the second ink supply tube is stable and reliable, avoiding ink path deviation, pressure fluctuation, or uneven ink supply caused by structural loosening. Ultimately, this guarantees the consistency of ink droplet ejection and the uniformity of the pattern during wide-format printing.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the inner frame 100 also includes a vertical plate 102 along a first direction x and two side plates 101 along a second direction y. The two side plates 101 are respectively connected to both ends of the second shelf 104. The vertical plate 102 is erected below the second shelf 104 and connected between the two side plates 101. The vertical plate 102 has multiple perforations, which reduces the overall weight of the inner frame and the load on the lifting drive while ensuring the supporting strength. The nozzle base plate 200 is connected to the lower side of the vertical plate 102. In this embodiment, the inner frame 100, together with the second shelf 104, forms a closed-end support structure through two side plates 101 along the second direction y. The two side plates 101 are fixedly connected to the two ends of the second shelf 104 and the upright plate 102, respectively. The upright plate 102 is erected below the second shelf 104, forming a rigid constraint on the frame in the entire circumference, which significantly improves its longitudinal bending stiffness and lateral torsional stiffness. When the printhead module is subjected to dynamic loads during the lifting and lowering process, this structure effectively suppresses the overall deformation of the frame and prevents the printhead base plate 200 from tilting or displacing due to unstable support, thereby ensuring that the distance between each printhead and the substrate remains constant.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the length of the first shelf 103 in the first direction x is greater than the length of the second shelf 104 in the first direction x, and the two ends of the first shelf 103 extend beyond the two ends of the second shelf 104, respectively. The width of the first shelf 103 in the second direction y is equal to the width of the second shelf 104 in the second direction y. This structural design allows the first shelf 103 to form an effective installation space beyond the boundary of the second shelf 104 in the extended area of ​​the first direction x. This allows functional components of the ink supply system 400, such as the secondary ink cartridge 405, to be directly arranged in this extended area, avoiding component offset or pipe bending caused by space constraints. Since the tertiary ink tube 406 is arranged along the entire length of the lower side of the second shelf 104, and its axis is parallel to the surface of the printhead base plate 200, and the ink outlet 4061 corresponds one-to-one with the lower printhead 201 and is connected through the second ink supply tube, the extended structure of the first shelf 103 ensures that the ink supply paths from all secondary ink cartridges 405 to the tertiary ink tube 406 can be laid out in the shortest and equidistant manner, keeping the length of each ink supply tube consistent and improving the stability and effectiveness of ink supply.

[0032] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, there are notches 1011 on both sides of the side panel 101, and the two ends of the first shelf 103 extend through the two notches 1011 to the outer sides of the two side panels 101. The frame of the first shelf 103 is connected to the side panel 101 at the notches. Specifically, the frame of the first shelf 103 is connected to the side panel 101 by an L-shaped connector 1032, making the connection more secure.

[0033] The two ends of the first-layer frame 103 extend through two notches 1011 to the outside of the two side plates 101, thus achieving the structural goal of expanding the installation space outward without raising the overall height of the printhead module. This design avoids the problem of increased module height caused by raising the frame or external brackets in traditional methods. At the same time, it uses the structure of the side plate 101 itself as a support reference, so that the extended part of the first-layer frame 103 is stably and reliably fixed, effectively eliminating the risk of crowded layout, vibration displacement or unstable connection of ink supply system 400 or other functional components due to limited installation space. In addition, the first-layer frame 103 is located above the second-layer frame 104 and is cooperatingly fixed to the side plate 101 through the notch structure. This allows the entire frame system to maintain a lightweight design with open sides while achieving dual optimization of external expansion of functional components and structural stability, providing a reliable load-bearing foundation for balanced control of ink supply pressure.

[0034] In one preferred embodiment, the second shelf 104 includes two first profiles 1041 along a first direction x and a plurality of second profiles 1042 along a second direction y. The plurality of second profiles 1042 are spaced apart and connected between the two first profiles 1041 to form a stable rectangular frame structure. The first profiles 1041 are connected to the side panels 101 by corner connectors 1034 to enhance the stability of the connection. The plurality of second profiles 1042 can form multiple mounting points to facilitate the installation of the ink supply system 400.

[0035] The first shelf 103 includes two third profiles 1031 along a first direction x and two fourth profiles 1033 along a second direction y. The two third profiles 1031 and the two fourth profiles 1033 are connected end-to-end to form a rectangular frame structure. The two third profiles 1031 and the two fourth profiles 1033 are connected by corner connectors 1034. The corner connectors 1034 are located on the inner side of the frame and connect at right angles, providing a stable support connection and strengthening the first shelf 103. Figure 6 As shown, the first shelf 103 and the second shelf 104 are arranged vertically and vertically to form an open overall frame on all four sides (top, bottom, front, and back). The first profile 1041 and the third profile 1031 are connected by a vertical profile 105. This structure provides a clear and unified installation reference surface for the ink supply system 400, enabling the three-stage ink tubes 406 connected to the lower side of the second shelf 104 to be arranged parallel to the fixed axis. The multiple ink outlets 4061 below them are precisely positioned in relation to the printheads on the printhead base plate 200.

[0036] Preferably, both the first shelf 103 and the second shelf 104 are made of aluminum profiles. The aluminum profiles themselves have extruded grooves for installing bolts and nuts. Utilizing this characteristic, when adding components later, simply placing nuts or bolts in the grooves allows for installation and fixation without drilling, thus avoiding damage to the equipment and providing flexibility in installation location. In this component and all components described below, unless otherwise specified, the interconnection and assembly of all parts is achieved through screw fastening. The upper side of the first shelf 103 of the inner frame 100 is open, and the second shelf is supported by multiple second profiles 1042. This fully utilizes the internal space of the inner frame 100, allowing functional components to be installed on the second profiles 1042. The open upper layer facilitates installation and subsequent maintenance.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 7As shown, the nozzle base plate 200 includes a nozzle mounting plate 202, a base frame, and multiple nozzles. The base frame has a rectangular frame structure, and the nozzle mounting plate 202 is connected to the base frame to form an integral rigid load-bearing structure. Specifically, the base frame includes a first connecting rod 203, a second connecting rod 204, a third connecting rod 205, and two fourth connecting rods 206. The first connecting rod 203, the second connecting rod 204, and the third connecting rod 205 are respectively arranged parallel to a first direction x. The two fourth connecting rods 206 are arranged parallel to a second direction y and connected to the two ends of the first connecting rod 203, the second connecting rod 204, and the third connecting rod 205, forming a stable support frame. A handle 207 is connected to the outside of the second connecting rod 204 to facilitate the removal of the nozzle base plate 200 for maintenance.

[0038] Multiple mounting holes 2021 are provided on the printhead mounting plate 202. Each printhead is precisely fitted into the corresponding mounting hole 2021, and its outlet is strictly limited to facing downwards, ensuring that the axial direction of all printheads is perpendicular to the surface of the printhead base plate 200. This structure forms a four-sided constraint on the printhead mounting plate 202 through the rectangular frame of the base frame, effectively suppressing the deformation and displacement of the printhead mounting plate 202 during operation. This ensures that the ink inlet of each printhead and the ink outlet 4061 of the three-stage ink tube 406 maintain precise axial alignment when connected through the second ink supply tube, avoiding connection deviations caused by printhead loosening or angular misalignment.

[0039] In one preferred embodiment, the ink supply system 400 includes a main control board 401, a power supply copper busbar 402, a switch 403, and multiple printheads 404 connected in sequence. The number of printheads 404 corresponds to the number of printheads. Each printhead 404 is connected to a printhead via a wire and is used to control the operation of that printhead.

[0040] The main control board 401 is connected to the first end of the first layer frame 103 and located on the outside of the two side plates 101. The power supply copper busbar 402 is connected to the frame of the first layer frame 103 along the first direction x. The switch 403 is connected to the upper side of the second layer frame 104. Multiple headboards 404 are arranged and connected to the frame of the second layer frame 104.

[0041] In this embodiment, the ink supply system 400 connects the main control board 401 to the first end of the first shelf 103 and positions it outside the two side plates 101, achieving centralized input of control signals and independent layout of external interfaces, thus avoiding cross-interference of signal lines within the frame. The power supply copper busbar 402 is fixed along the first direction x on the frame of the first shelf 103, forming a stable power backbone running through the entire module, ensuring that power is delivered to each headplate 404 with low impedance and a uniform path, effectively eliminating power imbalance caused by dispersed lines. The switch 403 is installed on the upper side of the second shelf 104 and connected to the second profile 1042, located directly above the printhead base plate 200, facilitating shorter control signal transmission paths and reducing electromagnetic interference. Multiple headplates 404 are evenly arranged and connected along the frame of the second shelf 104, forming a one-to-one electrical and mechanical cooperative layout with the corresponding three-stage ink tubes 406 and printheads below, allowing the headplate 404 to directly drive the corresponding printhead, achieving parallel distribution and precise positioning of control signals and power supply. This overall layout forms a clear, orderly, and centralized electrical circuit chain between the main control board 401, the power supply copper busbar 402, the switch 403, and the headboard 404, which significantly improves the stability of signal transmission and the consistency of power supply, while also facilitating fault diagnosis and daily maintenance.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown, the ink supply system 400 also includes a secondary ink cartridge 405, which is connected to the second end of the first shelf 103 and located on the outside of the two side plates 101. The secondary ink cartridge 405 is connected to a plurality of tertiary ink tubes 406 via a plurality of first ink supply tubes 407. Preferably, a filter 4071 and a deaerator 4072 are provided on the first ink supply tube 407. The filter 4071 is connected to the first shelf 103 below the first ink supply tube 407 via a fixing plate, and the deaerator 4072 is connected to the upper side of the second shelf 104. The ink flowing from the secondary ink cartridge 405 first passes through the filter 4071 to remove impurities, and then passes through the deaerator 4072 to remove air bubbles before flowing into the tertiary ink tubes 406, thus making the ink output more uniform.

[0043] The first ink supply tube 407 passes through the notch in the side plate 101. The first ink supply tube 407 is connected to the side plate 101 at the notch 1011 via the ink tube socket 4073. This enables ink to be directionally delivered from the external secondary ink cartridge 405 to the tertiary ink tube 406 via an independent ink supply path. This avoids the pressure attenuation and path interference caused by the traditional ink supply layout that is mainly internally integrated. It ensures that the ink received by each tertiary ink tube 406 comes from a unified pressure source, thereby stabilizing its internal ink pressure. This ensures that the ink flow and pressure connected to each printhead through the second ink supply tube remain highly consistent. At the same time, the open structure of the frame provides ample space for the layout and maintenance of the first ink supply tube 407, improving the overall reliability and scalability of the system.

[0044] In one preferred embodiment, the wide-format digital printing machine printhead module of this embodiment further includes an outer frame 500, and the inner frame 100 is connected to the outer frame 500 via a lifting mechanism 300. The lifting mechanism 300 can drive the inner frame 100 to move up and down relative to the outer frame 500. Specifically, as Figure 9 As shown, the outer frame 500 includes a top frame 501 and two side frames 502, which are respectively connected to the two ends of the top frame 501. The outer frame 500 has a gantry structure. The lifting mechanism 300 includes a drive motor 301, a drive shaft 302, a vertical converter 303, and a lead screw 304. The drive motor 301 is connected to the top frame 501 and its output end is connected to the drive shaft 302. The drive shaft 302 is rotatably connected to the top frame 501 and its axis is set along the first direction x. The other end of the drive shaft 302 is connected to the lead screw 304 through the vertical converter 303. The lead screw 304 is rotatably connected to the side frame 502 vertically. The two ends of the inner frame 100 are respectively movably connected to the lead screw 304 through connecting seats 305. The drive motor 301 drives the drive shaft 302 to rotate. The drive shaft 302 converts the horizontal rotation of the drive shaft 302 into the vertical rotation of the lead screw through the vertical converters 303 at both ends, thereby driving the inner frame 100 to move up and down vertically along the lead screw.

[0045] The second shelf 104 is located inside the outer frame 500. Vertical slots 503 are located on both sides of the outer frame 500. The frame of the first shelf 103 extends outwards through these slots 503 to the outside of the outer frame 500, ensuring uninterrupted lifting and lowering movement of the first shelf 103. The main control board 401 and the secondary ink cartridge 405 are connected to both ends of the first shelf 103 on the outside of the outer frame 500. This arrangement ensures that the main control board 401 and the secondary ink cartridge 405 remain outside the outer frame 500 during lifting and lowering, avoiding installation interference or increased height caused by space constraints within the outer frame 500 due to components being placed inside the module. Furthermore, the relative fixation between the first shelf 103 and the second shelf 104 ensures that the overall structural rigidity and positioning accuracy of the printhead module are unaffected. During lifting and lowering, the connection between the main control board 401 and the secondary ink cartridge 405 is stably threaded, maintaining the center of gravity in the center, effectively improving printing stability and accuracy.

[0046] The process of the technical solution in this embodiment is described below: The printhead module is connected to the outer frame 500 via a lifting mechanism 300, which synchronously raises and lowers the printhead base plate, allowing for free adjustment of the distance between the printhead and the printing medium to accommodate fabrics of different thicknesses. The second shelf 104 is located inside the outer frame 500, and the frame of the first shelf 103 extends to the outside of the outer frame 500 through vertical slots 503 on both sides. The main control board 401 and the secondary ink cartridge 405 are respectively fixed to the outside of the outer frame 500 and connected to both ends of the first shelf 103. During the raising and lowering of the printhead module, the main control board 401 and the secondary ink cartridge 405 remain on the outside of the outer frame 500, avoiding installation interference or increased height due to space limitations caused by components placed inside the module, while ensuring that the overall structural rigidity and positioning accuracy of the printhead module are not affected.

[0047] Electrical control process: After receiving the printing control signal, the main control board 401 transmits the signal to the switch 403 connected to the upper side of the second shelf 104 via a network cable. The switch 403 divides the signal into corresponding branches according to the number of printheads 404, forwarding the control signal to multiple printheads 404 arranged on the frame of the second shelf 104. Each printhead 404 then transmits the signal to the corresponding printhead on the printhead base plate 200 via a printhead data cable, realizing individual control of each printhead. The power supply copper busbar 402 is connected along the frame of the first shelf 103, serving as the power backbone, and splits the power into multiple branches to supply each printhead 404, ensuring that each printhead 404 receives a stable and uniform power supply, eliminating power imbalance caused by scattered lines. Each printhead independently controls the inkjet action of the printhead in its corresponding area. The lines are arranged in layers and sections in a neat and orderly manner, allowing for quick location of lines and components in case of fault.

[0048] Ink supply process: The secondary ink cartridge stores inks of various colors. The ink in the secondary ink cartridge 405 is transported to the corresponding tertiary ink tube via the first ink supply tube. The first ink supply tube 407 passes through the notch in the side plate 101 to achieve directional delivery from the outer secondary ink cartridge 405 to the tertiary ink tube 406. The axis of the tertiary ink tube 406 is parallel to the surface of the printhead base plate 200. Each tertiary ink tube 406 has multiple ink outlets 4061 along its length on its lower side. Each ink outlet 4061 is connected to the corresponding printhead below through a second ink supply tube, ensuring that the length and curvature of the matching pipelines for all printheads are consistent, the ink pressure loss along the pipeline is the same, and the ink inlet pressure of each printhead is uniform, avoiding color deviation and ink interruption.

[0049] Function of the inner frame structure: The double-layer, four-sided open profile frame has no obstruction inside, allowing pipelines to pass freely. The inner frame consists of a first layer frame 103 and a second layer frame 104. The first layer frame 103 is located above the second layer frame 104 and is vertically connected by multiple vertical profiles 105. The length of the first layer frame 103 in the first direction is greater than the length of the second layer frame 104 in the first direction, and both ends extend out of the second layer frame 104 and pass through the notches in the side plate 101, providing installation space for the secondary ink cartridge 405 and the main control board 401. It does not occupy the internal space of the module, does not require raising the module, and ensures the stability of the center of gravity.

[0050] During the operation of the printhead module, the electrical and ink supply paths of the ink supply system 400 work together: the main control board 401, the power supply copper busbar 402, the switch 403, and the printhead board 404 form a clear and orderly electrical circuit chain. The three-stage ink tubes 406 are connected to the printheads one by one through the second ink supply tube to form a pressure equalization ink supply structure, ensuring the consistency of ink droplets ejected by each printhead and achieving the effect of uniform color and no color deviation or distortion in wide-format printing.

[0051] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine, characterized in that, include The inner frame has a four-sided open structure and has a first direction and a second direction. The inner frame includes a first shelf (103) and a second shelf (104) with a length along the first direction. The first shelf (103) is connected above the second shelf (104). A nozzle base plate (200) is provided, on which multiple nozzles are arranged, and the nozzle base plate (200) is connected to the lower part of the second shelf (104). And an ink supply system (400) for supplying ink to the printhead and controlling the printhead operation. The ink supply system (400) is connected to the first shelf (103) and the second shelf (104). The ink supply system (400) includes a plurality of three-stage ink tubes (406). The plurality of three-stage ink tubes (406) are arranged along a second direction on the lower side of the second shelf (104). The axis of the three-stage ink tubes (406) is parallel to the surface of the printhead base plate (200). A plurality of ink outlets (4061) distributed along the length direction are provided on the lower side of each three-stage ink tube (406). Each ink outlet (4061) is connected to the corresponding printhead below it through a second ink supply tube.

2. The printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, All of the second ink supply tubes are of equal length.

3. The printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner frame also includes a vertical plate (102) along a first direction and two side plates (101) along a second direction. The two side plates (101) are respectively connected to the two ends of the second shelf (104). The vertical plate (102) is erected below the second shelf (104) and connected between the two side plates (101).

4. The printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are notches on both sides of the side panel (101), and the two ends of the first shelf (103) extend through the two notches to the outside of the two side panels (101), and the frame of the first shelf (103) is connected to the side panel (101) at the notches.

5. The printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first shelf (103) and the second shelf (104) are rectangular frame structures. The first shelf (103) is connected in parallel above the second shelf (104) by multiple vertical profiles (105). The top of the vertical profiles (105) is perpendicularly connected to the edge of the first shelf (103), and the bottom of the vertical profiles (105) is perpendicularly connected to the edge of the second shelf (104). The length of the first shelf (103) in the first direction is greater than the length of the second shelf (104) in the first direction. The two ends of the first shelf (103) extend out of the two ends of the second shelf (104). The width of the first shelf (103) in the second direction is equal to the width of the second shelf (104) in the second direction.

6. The printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second shelf (104) includes two first profiles (1041) along a first direction and a plurality of second profiles (1042) along a second direction. The plurality of second profiles (1042) are spaced apart between the two first profiles (1041). The first shelf (103) includes two third profiles (1031) along the first direction and two fourth profiles (1033) along the second direction. The two third profiles (1031) and the two fourth profiles (1033) are connected end to end to form a rectangular frame structure.

7. The printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle base plate (200) includes a nozzle mounting plate (202), a base frame, and a plurality of nozzles (201). The base frame has a rectangular frame structure. The nozzle mounting plate (202) is connected to the base frame. The nozzle mounting plate (202) has a plurality of mounting holes (2021). The nozzles are installed at the mounting holes (2021) and their outlets are oriented downwards.

8. A printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ink supply system (400) includes a main control board (401), a power supply copper busbar (402), a switch (403), and multiple headboards (404) connected in sequence. The main control board (401) is connected to the first end of the first shelf (103) and located outside the two side panels (101). The power supply copper busbar (402) is connected to the frame of the first shelf (103) along a first direction. The switch (403) is connected to the upper side of the second shelf (104). The multiple headboards (404) are arranged and connected to the frame of the second shelf (104).

9. A printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The ink supply system (400) also includes a secondary ink cartridge (405), which is connected to the second end of the first shelf (103) and located on the outside of the two side plates (101). The secondary ink cartridge (405) is connected to the multiple tertiary ink tubes (406) through multiple first ink supply tubes (407), and the first ink supply tubes (407) are arranged through the notches of the side plates (101).

10. A printhead module for a wide-format digital printing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes an outer frame (500), the inner frame is connected to the outer frame (500) by a lifting mechanism (300), the second shelf (104) is disposed inside the outer frame (500), and there are vertical slots (503) on both sides of the outer frame (500). The frame of the first shelf (103) extends to the outside of the outer frame (500) through the vertical slots (503), and the main control board (401) and the secondary ink cartridge (405) are respectively connected to the two ends of the first shelf (103) on the outside of the outer frame (500).

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