Ink-jet printer nozzle contact detection circuit

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ink-jet printer nozzle contact detection circuit, which comprises four display units and two switching devices, one end of the first display unit is connected with a power supply, the other end of the first display unit is electrically connected with the first end of the first switching device, and the second end of the first switching device is grounded. The third end of the first switching device is electrically connected with the power supply through the second display unit; one end of the third display unit is grounded, the other end of the third display unit is electrically connected with the first end of the second switching device, the second end of the second switching device is connected with the power supply, and the third end of the second switching device is grounded through the fourth display unit; point positions of the carriage unit are respectively connected with a power supply and the ground, and nozzle contacts are respectively connected between the third display unit and the second switching device and between the first display unit and the first switching device. The circuit has the advantages that the circuit is low in cost, whether the nozzle contact circuit breaks down or not can be checked, and whether the carriage unit point position has installation defects or not can also be checked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of inkjet printers, in particular to a nozzle contact detection circuit of an inkjet printer. Background Art

[0002] Most of the existing inkjet printers transmit the print signal to the carriage circuit board through the printer motherboard, and the carriage circuit board then transmits the print signal to the print head to control the nozzle on the print head to spray ink dots onto the printing medium such as paper to form the text or pattern to be printed.

[0003] The connection between the nozzle and the carriage circuit board in a traditional inkjet printer is mainly achieved through contacts. Because the contacts of this connection structure are in contact with each other and there are many contacts, it is easy for some contacts to have poor contact, which will cause the printer to be unable to perform printing work and seriously affect the printing quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide an inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit which can detect the nozzle contact and the carriage installation in view of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0005] The utility model solves the above technical problems by adopting the following technical solution: an inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit, the inkjet printer comprises a carriage and a nozzle arranged on the carriage, the nozzle has a contact, and the carriage is provided with a point for the nozzle contact to contact; the inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit comprises:

[0006] A first detection branch includes a first display unit, a second display unit and a first switch device, wherein one end of the first display unit is connected to a power supply, the other end of the first display unit is electrically connected to a first end of the first switch device, a second end of the first switch device is grounded, and a third end of the first switch device is electrically connected to the power supply through the second display unit;

[0007] The second detection branch comprises a third display unit, a fourth display unit and a second switch device, wherein one end of the third display unit is grounded, the other end of the third display unit is electrically connected to a first end of the second switch device, a second end of the second switch device is connected to a power supply, and a third end of the second switch device is grounded through the fourth display unit;

[0008] The points of the carriage are respectively connected to the power supply and the ground, and the nozzle contacts are respectively connected between the third display unit and the second switch device and between the first display unit and the first switch device.

[0009] Preferably, the first switching device is a triode. The base of the triode is the first end of the first switching device, the emitter of the triode is the second end of the first switching device, and the collector of the triode is the third end of the first switching device.

[0010] To distinguish different detection results, both the first display unit and the second display unit are light-emitting diodes, and the first display unit and the second display unit have different light-emitting colors.

[0011] Preferably, the second switching device is a MOS transistor. The gate of the MOS transistor is the first end of the second switching device, the source of the MOS transistor is the second end of the second switching device, and the drain of the MOS transistor is the third end of the first switching device.

[0012] Furthermore, both the third display unit and the fourth display unit are light-emitting diodes, and the third display unit and the fourth display unit have different light-emitting colors.

[0013] Preferably, the first display unit and the third display unit have the same light-emitting color, and the second display unit and the fourth display unit have the same light-emitting color.

[0014] To protect each display unit from being burned out due to too large a working current, the first detection branch further includes a first resistor connected in series with the first display unit and a second resistor connected in series with the second display unit, and the second detection branch further includes a third resistor connected in series with the third display unit and a fourth resistor connected in series with the fourth display unit.

[0015] For convenient detection, the inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit further includes a first connector for mounting the nozzle contacts. The nozzle contacts are electrically connected to a first flexible cable, and the first flexible cable is engaged with the first connector in a pluggable manner. The first connector has a first port and a second port. The first port of the first connector is connected between the third display unit and the second switching device, and the second port of the first connector is connected between the first display unit and the first switching device.

[0016] Furthermore, the inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit further includes a second connector for mounting the carriage position. The carriage position is electrically connected to a second flexible cable, and the second flexible cable is engaged with the second connector in a pluggable manner. The second connector has a first end and a second end. The first end of the second connector is connected to the power supply, and the second end of the second connector is grounded.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present utility model are as follows: By the conduction and cut-off of the first switching device and the second switching device, the display of each display unit is controlled, thereby realizing the detection of the nozzle contact. Therefore, the circuit scheme for detecting the nozzle contact of the inkjet printer is simple and low-cost. It can not only check whether the nozzle contact circuit is faulty, but also check whether there are installation defects in the carriage position points, which is beneficial to improving the printing quality of the inkjet printer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 FIG. is a circuit diagram of a circuit for detecting the nozzle contact of an inkjet printer in an embodiment of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments of the drawings.

[0020] The inkjet printer includes a carriage and a nozzle provided on the carriage. The nozzle has contacts, and the carriage is provided with position points for the nozzle contacts to contact.

[0021] The circuit for detecting the nozzle contact of the inkjet printer in this embodiment includes a first detection branch, a second detection branch, a first connector J1, and a second connector J2. For the convenience of detection, a first flexible cable is electrically connected to the nozzle contact in this embodiment, and the first flexible cable is engaged with the first connector J1 in a pluggable manner. A second flexible cable is electrically connected to the carriage position point, and the second flexible cable is engaged with the second connector J2 in a pluggable manner.

[0022] The first detection branch includes a first display unit 11, a second display unit 12, and a first switching device 13. One end of the first display unit 11 is connected to the power supply VCC, the other end of the first display unit 11 is electrically connected to the first end of the first switching device 13, the second end of the first switching device 13 is grounded, and the third end of the first switching device 13 is electrically connected to the power supply VCC through the second display unit 12. As Figure 1 shown, the first switching device 13 in this embodiment is a triode Q1. The base of the triode Q1 is the first end of the first switching device 13, the emitter of the triode Q1 is the second end of the first switching device 13, and the collector of the triode Q1 is the third end of the first switching device 13; the power supply VCC in this embodiment is 3.3V, and the triode Q1 is an NPN transistor.

[0023] The second detection branch includes a third display unit 21, a fourth display unit 22, and a second switching device 23. One end of the third display unit 21 is grounded, the other end of the third display unit 21 is electrically connected to the first end of the second switching device 23, the second end of the second switching device 23 is connected to the power supply VCC, and the third end of the second switching device 23 is grounded through the fourth display unit 22. As Figure 1As shown in the figure, the second switching device 23 in this embodiment is a MOS transistor Q2. The gate of the MOS transistor Q2 is the first end of the second switching device 23, the source of the MOS transistor Q2 is the second end of the second switching device 23, and the drain of the MOS transistor Q2 is the third end of the first switching device 13. This MOS transistor Q2 is a PMOS transistor.

[0024] Both the first display unit 11 and the second display unit 12 are light-emitting diodes, and the light-emitting colors of the first display unit 11 and the second display unit 12 are different. Both the third display unit 21 and the fourth display unit 22 are light-emitting diodes, and the light-emitting colors of the third display unit 21 and the fourth display unit 22 are different. Preferably, the light-emitting colors of the first display unit 11 and the third display unit 21 are the same, and the light-emitting colors of the second display unit 12 and the fourth display unit 22 are the same. In this embodiment, the light-emitting colors of the first display unit 11 and the third display unit 21 are both green, and the light-emitting colors of the second display unit 12 and the fourth display unit 22 are both red.

[0025] The first connector J1 has a first port and a second port for electrically connecting the nozzle contacts. The first port of the first connector J1 is connected between the third display unit 21 and the second switching device 23, and the second port of the first connector J1 is connected between the first display unit 11 and the first switching device 13; the second connector J2 has a first end and a second end for electrically connecting the carriage positions. The first end of the second connector J2 is connected to the power supply VCC, and the second end of the second connector J2 is grounded.

[0026] In order to protect each light-emitting diode, the first detection branch further includes a first resistor R1 connected in series with the first display unit 11 and a second resistor R2 connected in series with the second display unit 12. The second detection branch further includes a third resistor R3 connected in series with the third display unit 21 and a fourth resistor R4 connected in series with the fourth display unit 22. In addition, a fifth resistor R5 is also provided between the first display unit 11 and the first switching device 13.

[0027] The working process of the nozzle contact detection circuit of the inkjet printer in this embodiment is as follows:

[0028] Before detection, insert the first flexible cable into the first connector J1, insert the second flexible cable into the second connector J2, and then apply a 3.3V power supply to start the detection;

[0029] When both the first display unit 11 and the third display unit 21 are lit (corresponding to both the first light-emitting diode D1 and the third light-emitting diode D3 in Figure 1 lighting green), and both the second display unit 12 and the fourth display unit 22 are not lit (corresponding to Figure 1When the second light-emitting diode D2 and the fourth light-emitting diode D4 in [[]] are not lit, it indicates that the nozzle contact is in good contact with the carriage position;

[0030] When at least one of the second display unit 12 and the fourth display unit 22 is lit (corresponding to Figure 1 at least one of the second light-emitting diode D2 and the fourth light-emitting diode D4 in [[]] is lit red), it indicates that the nozzle contact is not in good contact with the carriage position, and the location of the fault needs to be confirmed according to the inspection of the green light illumination situation. Specifically, there are the following situations:

[0031] 1. Figure 1 The first end of the second connector J2 in [[]] is connected to the power supply (corresponding to J2-1 accessing 3.3V), and the second end of the second connector J2 is grounded (corresponding to J2-2 accessing 0V) to detect whether there is a short circuit between two adjacent signals. The principle is as follows: If there is a short circuit between the two signals, the voltage of J1-1 is 0V, the third display unit 21 (green light) will not be lit, and at the same time, the MOS transistor Q2 is turned on, causing the fourth display unit 22 (red light) to be lit, which can prompt the detector that there is a fault;

[0032] 2. If the first end (corresponding to J1-1) of the first connector J1 is in good contact with the J2-1 contact, 3.3V voltage will be introduced into the circuit at J1-1, and the third display unit 21 (green light) will be lit. Since the gate voltage of the MOS transistor Q2 is 3.3V, the MOS transistor Q2 is not turned on, and the fourth display unit 22 (red light) will not be lit; conversely, if J1-1 is not in contact with J2-1, the voltage of J1-1 is 0V, and the third display unit 21 (green light) cannot be lit. At this time, the gate voltage of the MOS transistor Q2 is 0V, the MOS transistor Q2 is turned on, and the fourth display unit 22 (red light) is lit, which can prompt the detector that there is a fault;

[0033] 3. If the second end (corresponding to J1-2) of the first connector J1 is in good contact with the J2-2 contact, the voltage of J1-2 is 0V at this time, and the first display unit 11 (green light) is lit. Since the base voltage of the triode Q1 is also 0V at this time, the triode Q1 is turned off, and the second display unit 12 (red light) will not be lit; conversely, if J1-2 is not in contact with J2-2, the measured voltage of J1-2 is 1.577V, and the first display unit 11 (green light) cannot be lit. At this time, the measured base voltage of the triode Q1 is 0.572V, the triode Q1 is turned on, and the second display unit 12 (red light) is lit, which can prompt the detector that there is a fault.

[0034] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the technical principle of the present utility model, several improvements and modifications can be made, and these improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit, the inkjet printer comprising a carriage and a nozzle provided on the carriage, the nozzle having contacts, and a position on the carriage for the nozzle contacts to contact; characterized in that The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit includes: A first detection branch, including a first display unit (11), a second display unit (12), and a first switching device (13). One end of the first display unit (11) is connected to the power supply (VCC), the other end of the first display unit (11) is electrically connected to the first end of the first switching device (13), the second end of the first switching device (13) is grounded, and the third end of the first switching device (13) is electrically connected to the power supply (VCC) through the second display unit (12); A second detection branch, including a third display unit (21), a fourth display unit (22), and a second switching device (23). One end of the third display unit (21) is grounded, the other end of the third display unit (21) is electrically connected to the first end of the second switching device (23), the second end of the second switching device (23) is connected to the power supply (VCC), and the third end of the second switching device (23) is grounded through the fourth display unit (22); The positions of the carriage are respectively connected to the power supply (VCC) and grounded, and the nozzle contacts are respectively connected between the third display unit (21) and the second switching device (23) and between the first display unit (11) and the first switching device (13).

2. The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first switching device (13) is a triode (Q1). The base of the triode (Q1) is the first end of the first switching device (13), the emitter of the triode (Q1) is the second end of the first switching device (13), and the collector of the triode (Q1) is the third end of the first switching device (13).

3. The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the first display unit (11) and the second display unit (12) are light-emitting diodes, and the first display unit (11) and the second display unit (12) have different light-emitting colors.

4. The inkjet printer head contact detection circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second switching device (23) is a MOS transistor (Q2). The gate of the MOS transistor (Q2) is the first end of the second switching device (23), the source of the MOS transistor (Q2) is the second end of the second switching device (23), and the drain of the MOS transistor (Q2) is the third end of the first switching device (13).

5. The inkjet printer head contact detection circuit according to claim 3, wherein: Both the third display unit (21) and the fourth display unit (22) are light-emitting diodes, and the third display unit (21) and the fourth display unit (22) have different light-emitting colors.

6. The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first display unit (11) and the third display unit (21) have the same light-emitting color, and the second display unit (12) and the fourth display unit (22) have the same light-emitting color.

7. The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit according to claim 6, wherein: The first detection branch further includes a first resistor (R1) connected in series with the first display unit (11) and a second resistor (R2) connected in series with the second display unit (12). The second detection branch further includes a third resistor (R3) connected in series with the third display unit (21) and a fourth resistor (R4) connected in series with the fourth display unit (22).

8. The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit further includes a first connector (J1) for mounting the nozzle contacts. The nozzle contacts are electrically connected to a first flexible cable, and the first flexible cable is engaged with the first connector (J1) in a pluggable manner. The first connector (J1) has a first port and a second port. The first port of the first connector (J1) is connected between the third display unit (21) and the second switching device (23), and the second port of the first connector (J1) is connected between the first display unit (11) and the first switching device (13).

9. The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The inkjet printer nozzle contact detection circuit further includes a second connector (J2) for mounting the carriage position. The carriage position is electrically connected to a second flexible cable, and the second flexible cable is engaged with the second connector (J2) in a pluggable manner. The second connector (J2) has a first end and a second end. The first end of the second connector (J2) is connected to the power supply (VCC), and the second end of the second connector (J2) is grounded.

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