Support assembly for printing cylindrical supports and digital printing machine

Abstract

The application discloses a support assembly for printing a cylindrical printing substrate and a digital printing machine. The support assembly comprises a central rotating shaft, a sliding block sleeved on the central rotating shaft and configured to slide along the axial direction of the central rotating shaft, a plurality of support rods arranged around the central rotating shaft, a first swing rod corresponding to each of the support rods, a first end of the first swing rod being hinged to the central rotating shaft, and a second end of the first swing rod being hinged to the corresponding support rod at a first position, a second swing rod corresponding to each of the support rods, a first end of the second swing rod being hinged to the sliding block, and a second end of the second swing rod being hinged to the corresponding support rod at a second position, wherein the first position and the second position are arranged on the support rod along the length direction of the support rod. The support assembly of the quadrilateral linkage mechanism of the application can adjust the diameter and the taper of the envelope surface formed by the plurality of support rods, so as to adapt to the conical or cylindrical articles with different sizes and angles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of digital inkjet printing technology, and more specifically, to a support component and a digital printing machine including the support component. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of digital printing, printing operations are often required on the surface of cylindrical items (such as thermos cups, industrial pipes, etc.). For rigid cylindrical items, especially conical items with inclined outer walls, how to stably support them and maintain a suitable distance between their surface and the printhead is a challenge to achieving high-quality printing.

[0003] Existing technologies lack a support solution that can adaptively adjust to substrates with different diameters and outer wall tilt angles. When the specifications of the substrate change, it is often necessary to replace the entire support fixture, resulting in low production efficiency and poor compatibility. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a support component and a digital printing machine, which aims to solve the problem that the support device in the prior art cannot adaptively adjust to match the substrates of different sizes and tilt angles.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a support assembly for printing cylindrical substrates, comprising: Central pivot; A slider is fitted onto the central pivot and configured to slide along the axial direction of the central pivot. Multiple support rods are arranged around the central rotating shaft; A number of first swing arms corresponding to the support rod, wherein the first end of the first swing arm is hinged to the central pivot, and the second end is hinged to the corresponding support rod at a first position; A number of second swing arms corresponding to the support rod, the first end of the second swing arm is hinged to the slider, and the second end is hinged to the corresponding support rod at a second position, wherein the first position and the second position are arranged along the length direction of the support rod.

[0006] Furthermore, an elastic element is provided on one side of the slider, the elastic element being configured to keep the slider away from the first end of the first rocker arm, and a nut is abutted on the other side of the slider, the nut engaging with the thread on the outer side of the central pivot.

[0007] Furthermore, a rocker arm connector is provided at one end of the central rotating shaft, and the elastic element is a helical spring. One end of the helical spring abuts against the rocker arm connector, and the other end is connected to abut against the slider.

[0008] Furthermore, an elastic element is provided on one side of the slider, and the elastic element is configured to keep the slider tending to be close to the first end of the first rocker arm.

[0009] Furthermore, the slider is made of magnetic material, and an electromagnet is provided on one side of the slider. The SN poles of the slider and the SN poles of the electromagnet are both arranged along the axial direction of the central rotating shaft; one or more rubber sleeves are fitted on the outer side of the support rod.

[0010] The present invention also provides a digital printing machine, comprising: A guide rail on which a nozzle assembly is provided for reciprocating sliding; A sliding seat, disposed on a slide rail, is configured to approach or move away from the guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail when sliding on the slide rail; A rotating seat, disposed on the sliding seat, is configured to rotate relative to the sliding seat; The support component according to any one of claims 1-5 is disposed on the rotating base; Also includes: A first driving device, connected to the central rotating shaft, is configured to drive the central rotating shaft to rotate.

[0011] Furthermore, the first driving device includes a first motor, a first pulley is provided on the output shaft of the motor, and a second pulley is provided at one end of the central rotating shaft. The first pulley and the second pulley are connected by a belt.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes: A second driving device, connected to the sliding seat, is configured to drive the sliding seat to slide along the slide rail to approach or move away from the guide rail. The second driving device includes a lead screw, and the sliding seat is provided with a threaded hole. The lead screw passes through the threaded hole on the sliding seat and is configured to be driven to rotate by a second motor.

[0013] Furthermore, an angle adjustment mechanism is provided between the rotating seat and the sliding seat. The angle adjustment mechanism includes a first screw and a second screw with threads in opposite directions. The first end of the first screw is hinged to the sliding seat, and the first end of the second screw is hinged to the rotating seat. The second ends of the first screw and the second screw are connected by an adjusting nut. The threads at both ends of the adjusting nut are respectively matched with the threads of the first screw and the second screw.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes: A detection device, disposed on one side of the support assembly, is used to detect the distance and / or parallelism between the outer surface of the substrate supported on the support assembly and the guide rail. The detection device is a laser emitter.

[0015] Based on the support component structure of this invention, when the slider slides axially along the central axis, the second rocker arm drives the support rod to move. Simultaneously, constrained by the first rocker arm, the support rod undergoes radial displacement and deflection angle changes relative to the central axis. This quadrilateral linkage mechanism allows for adjustable diameter and taper of the envelope formed by multiple support rods, thus adapting to conical or cylindrical items of different sizes and angles. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the support component of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of an embodiment of the support component of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the support rod, the first pendulum rod, and the second pendulum rod in this invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the digital printing machine of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the digital printing machine of the present invention from another perspective.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Central pivot; 101. Swing rod connector; 102. Helical spring; 2. Support rod; 201. First position; 202. Second position; 203. Receiving groove; 3. First swing rod; 4. Second swing rod; 5. Slider; 6. Nut; 7. Guide rail; 8. Nozzle assembly; 9. Sliding seat; 10. Lead screw; 11. Rotating seat; 12. First motor; 13. First pulley; 14. Second pulley; 15. Second motor; 16. Adjusting nut; 17. First screw; 18. Second screw; 19. Detection device. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present invention. However, the embodiments described are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the support assembly for printing cylindrical substrates according to the present invention includes: Central pivot 1; The slider 5 is fitted onto the central rotating shaft 1 and configured to slide along the axial direction of the central rotating shaft 1; Multiple support rods 2 are arranged around the central rotating shaft 1; The first swing rod 3 corresponds to the number of support rods 2. The first end of the first swing rod 3 is hinged to the central rotating shaft 1, and the second end is hinged to the corresponding support rod 2 at the first position 201. A second rocker arm 4, corresponding in number to the support rod 2, has its first end hinged to the slider 5 and its second end hinged to the corresponding support rod 2 at a second position 202. The first position 201 and the second position 202 are arranged along the length of the support rod 2. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In the drawing, only one set of support rod 2, first pendulum rod 3, and second pendulum rod 4 are shown.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, during operation, the posture of the support rod 2 can be adjusted by changing the position of the slider 5 on the central rotating shaft 1, thereby adapting to cylindrical substrates of different diameters and tilt angles. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown in (a), in this state, a cylindrical substrate with no inclined outer wall can be supported; as Figure 2 (b) and Figure 2 As shown in (c), cylindrical printing substrates with different inclination angles and directions and different diameters are used to support the outer walls.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, an elastic element is provided on one side of the slider 5, which is configured to keep the slider 5 away from the first end of the first rocker arm 3. A nut 6 is abutted on the other side of the slider 5, and the nut 6 is threaded into the outer side of the central rotating shaft 1. By rotating the nut 6, the slider 5 compresses the elastic element to adjust the position of the slider 5 on the central rotating shaft 1 to accommodate cylindrical substrates of different diameters and tilt angles.

[0026] Specifically, such as Figure 1As shown, a rocker arm connector 101 is provided at one end of the central rotating shaft 1, and a coil spring 102 is provided as the elastic element. One end of the coil spring 102 abuts against the rocker arm connector 101, and the other end is connected to the slider 5. In use, first rotate the nut 6 to move it away from the rocker arm connector 101. The slider 5 moves with the spring under its elasticity, increasing the distance between the slider 5 and the rocker arm connector 101, and the support rod 2 is pulled towards the central rotating shaft 1. When the circumferential diameter defined by the support rod 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical printing substrate, stop rotating the nut 6. At this point, the cylindrical substrate is placed over the outside of the support rod 2, and then the nut 6 is rotated in the opposite direction, causing the nut 6 to push the slider 5 toward the rocker arm connector 101. The helical spring 102 is compressed, and the support rod 2 is pushed away from the central pivot 1. During this process, usually one end of the support rod 2 will first contact the inner wall of the substrate, while the other end of the support rod 2 remains movable and is pushed outward until at least two points of the support rod 2 contact the inner wall of the substrate, thereby firmly supporting the cylindrical substrate. The advantage of this embodiment is that the slider 5 can be held at any position within its stroke range, maintaining the support dimension of the support rod 2. When continuously printing the same substrate, the substrate can be changed directly without adjusting the slider 5 each time.

[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, an elastic element is provided on one side of the slider 5. The elastic element is configured to keep the slider 5 close to the first end of the first swing rod 3. In this embodiment, when the slider 5 is not subjected to external force, it remains close to the first end of the first swing rod 3, at which time the support rod 2 is in a supported state. When printing on the substrate is required, the slider 5 is pulled away from the first end of the first swing rod 3, causing the support rod 2 to retract towards the central axis 1. When the circumference of the outer side of the support rod 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the substrate, the substrate is placed on the outer side of the support rod 2, and the slider 5 is released. Under the action of the elastic element, the slider 5 slides towards the first end of the first swing rod 3, pushing the support rod 2 away from the central axis 1 until at least two points on the support rod 2 contact the inner wall of the substrate, thus firmly supporting the substrate. The elastic element can be a tension spring disposed between the slider 5 and the first end of the first swing rod 3, or a compression spring disposed on the side of the slider 5 away from the first end of the first swing rod 3. The advantage of this embodiment is that operating the slider 5 only requires pulling, which is quick and convenient.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the slider 5 is made of magnetic material, and an electromagnet is provided on one side of the slider 5. The SN poles of both the slider 5 and the electromagnet are arranged axially along the central rotating shaft. By energizing the electromagnet, it generates magnetism. The polarity of the electromagnet can be controlled by the direction of the current, causing the electromagnet to attract or repel the slider 5, thereby controlling the slider 5 to slide on the central rotating shaft 1, causing the support rod 2 to retract or expand. The advantage of this embodiment is that it enables automatic control, further realizing automatic loading and unloading of the printing substrate.

[0029] In the above embodiments, a longer rubber sleeve (not shown in the figure) can be fitted over the outside of the support rod 2, or multiple relatively shorter rubber sleeves can be fitted. The purpose of the rubber sleeve is twofold: first, to increase the friction with the inner wall of the substrate, so as to make the support more stable; and second, to prevent hard friction between the support rod 2 and the inner wall of the substrate, which could damage the substrate.

[0030] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, the ends of the first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4 that are hinged to the support rod 2 have bends 301 and 401, respectively. The bent portions extend into the receiving groove 203 on the support rod 2 and are hinged. This structure allows the support rod 2 to be in close contact with the first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4 when it is retracted to the position closest to the central pivot 1. At this time, the circumference diameter of the outer side of the support rod 2 can be minimized to accommodate a wider range of printing substrates.

[0031] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, one embodiment of the digital printing machine of the present invention includes: Guide rail 7, on which a nozzle assembly 8 is provided that can slide back and forth; The sliding seat 9 is disposed on the slide rail and is configured to approach or move away from the guide rail 7 in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail 7 when sliding on the slide rail; Rotary seat 11, disposed on sliding seat 9, is configured to rotate relative to sliding seat 9; The aforementioned support components are mounted on the rotating base 11; Also includes: The first drive unit, connected to the central rotating shaft 1, is configured to drive the central rotating shaft 1 to rotate.

[0032] The substrate is supported by a support assembly. A rotating base 11 aligns the upper surface of the substrate's outer wall with the guide rail 7. The distance between the upper surface of the substrate's outer wall and the printhead is controlled by adjusting the height of the sliding base 9. After adjustment, the first drive device drives the support assembly to rotate the substrate, simultaneously controlling the printhead to slide on the guide rail 7, moving it from one end of the substrate to the other. The printhead then sprays ink onto the substrate according to the pattern to be printed, completing the printing process.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first driving device includes a first motor 12, a first pulley 13 is disposed on the output shaft of the motor, and a second pulley 14 is disposed at one end of the central rotating shaft 1. The first pulley 13 and the second pulley 14 are connected by a belt. To prevent the printhead from drying and clogging the nozzles when the digital printing machine is not working, a moisturizing device is usually required below the printhead. To avoid interference between the moisturizing device and the first motor 12, the axis of the motor is offset from the axis of the support assembly and connected by belt drive.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the digital printing machine further includes a second driving device connected to the sliding seat 9 and configured to drive the sliding seat 9 to slide along the slide rail to approach or move away from the guide rail 7. The second driving device includes a lead screw 10, and the sliding seat 9 is provided with a threaded hole. The lead screw 10 passes through the threaded hole on the sliding seat 9 and is configured to be driven to rotate by a second motor 15. In this embodiment, the height of the sliding seat 9 is adjusted by rotating the lead screw 10 driven by the second motor 15.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, an angle adjustment mechanism is provided between the rotating seat 11 and the sliding seat 9. The angle adjustment mechanism includes a first screw 17 and a second screw 18 with threads in opposite directions. The first end of the first screw 17 is hinged to the sliding seat 9, and the first end of the second screw 18 is hinged to the rotating seat 11. The second ends of the first screw 17 and the second ends of the second screw 18 are connected by an adjusting nut 16. The threads at both ends of the adjusting nut 16 are respectively matched with the threads of the first screw 17 and the second screw 18. By rotating the adjusting nut 16, the first screw 17 and the second screw 18 can be pulled closer or pushed away from each other, thereby driving the rotating seat 11 to rotate and adjust the angle of the support assembly.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes: The detection device 19, located on one side of the support assembly, is used to detect the parallelism between the outer surface of the substrate supported on the support assembly and the guide rail 7, as well as the distance between the substrate and the printhead. The detection device 19 can be a laser emitter. By observing whether the laser emitted by the laser emitter is blocked, the parallelism between the outer surface of the substrate and the guide rail 7 can be easily determined, and the distance between the outer surface of the substrate and the printhead can be precisely controlled.

[0037] The above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments provided to fully illustrate the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A support assembly for printing cylindrical substrates, characterized in that, include: Central pivot; A slider is fitted onto the central pivot and configured to slide along the axial direction of the central pivot. Multiple support rods are arranged around the central rotating shaft; A number of first swing arms corresponding to the support rod, wherein the first end of the first swing arm is hinged to the central pivot, and the second end is hinged to the corresponding support rod at a first position; A number of second swing arms corresponding to the support rod, the first end of the second swing arm is hinged to the slider, and the second end is hinged to the corresponding support rod at a second position, wherein the first position and the second position are arranged along the length direction of the support rod.

2. The support component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An elastic element is provided on one side of the slider, which is configured to keep the slider away from the first end of the first rocker arm. A nut is abutted on the other side of the slider, and the nut is threaded into the outer side of the central pivot.

3. The support component as described in claim 2, characterized in that, One end of the central rotating shaft is provided with a rocker arm connector, and the elastic element is a helical spring. One end of the helical spring abuts against the rocker arm connector, and the other end is connected to abut against the slider.

4. The support component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An elastic element is provided on one side of the slider, and the elastic element is configured to keep the slider tending to be close to the first end of the first rocker arm.

5. The support component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The slider is made of magnetic material, and an electromagnet is provided on one side of the slider. The SN poles of the slider and the SN poles of the electromagnet are both arranged along the axial direction of the central rotating shaft. One or more rubber sleeves are fitted on the outside of the support rod.

6. A digital printing machine, characterized in that, include: A guide rail on which a nozzle assembly is provided for reciprocating sliding; A sliding seat, disposed on a slide rail, is configured to approach or move away from the guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail when sliding on the slide rail; A rotating seat, disposed on the sliding seat, is configured to rotate relative to the sliding seat; The support component according to any one of claims 1-5 is disposed on the rotating base; Also includes: A first driving device, connected to the central rotating shaft, is configured to drive the central rotating shaft to rotate.

7. The digital printing machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first driving device includes a first motor, a first pulley is provided on the output shaft of the motor, and a second pulley is provided at one end of the central rotating shaft. The first pulley and the second pulley are connected by a belt.

8. The digital printing machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A second driving device, connected to the sliding seat, is configured to drive the sliding seat to slide along the slide rail to approach or move away from the guide rail. The second driving device includes a lead screw, and the sliding seat is provided with a threaded hole. The lead screw passes through the threaded hole on the sliding seat and is configured to be driven to rotate by a second motor.

9. The digital printing machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, An angle adjustment mechanism is provided between the rotating seat and the sliding seat. The angle adjustment mechanism includes a first screw and a second screw with threads in opposite directions. The first end of the first screw is hinged to the sliding seat, and the first end of the second screw is hinged to the rotating seat. The second ends of the first screw and the second screw are connected by an adjusting nut. The threads at both ends of the adjusting nut are respectively matched with the threads of the first screw and the second screw.

10. The digital printing machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A detection device, disposed on one side of the support assembly, is used to detect the distance and / or parallelism between the outer surface of the substrate supported on the support assembly and the guide rail. The detection device is a laser emitter.

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