Ink supply system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of printing, and discloses an ink supply system, which comprises a first ink supply unit, a second ink supply unit and a third ink supply unit, the second ink supply unit comprises an ink storage bin and at least one ink supply bin, the ink storage bin is communicated with the material containing bin and is suitable for storing the fluid ink body, and the ink supply bin is communicated with the ink storage bin and is suitable for being communicated with an external spray head; the heat supply assemblies are arranged on the material containing bin, the ink storage bin and the ink supply bin respectively and are suitable for heating the material containing bin, the ink storage bin and the ink supply bin respectively; and the power assembly is arranged on a pipeline for connecting the material containing bin, the ink storage bin and the ink supply bin and is suitable for providing flowing power for the fluid ink body. The ink storage bin is arranged so that fluid ink can be supplemented to the ink supply bin at any time, the ink supply stability is improved, and the problems of grid breakage of jet printing patterns or low product yield are effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of printing, in particular to an ink supply system. Background Art

[0002] In the field of printing, especially in jet printing, solid ink printing is often used. Solid ink is usually stored in a closed ink cartridge. By heating, the solid ink can be transformed from a solid state to a molten fluid, and then ejected through a nozzle to complete printing. This printing method can be used in photovoltaic, semiconductor, and display manufacturing equipment, specifically for printing battery cells.

[0003] However, in the practice of solid ink jet printing, unstable ink supply to the nozzle sometimes causes broken grids in the graphics, thereby increasing the defective rate of the printed products. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an ink supply system to solve the problem in the prior art of solid ink printing that the ink supply to the nozzle is unstable, resulting in broken screens in the printed pattern and low product yield.

[0005] In the first aspect, the utility model provides an ink supply system, comprising: a first ink supply unit, comprising a material storage bin, wherein the material storage bin is suitable for accommodating hot-melt ink; a second ink supply unit, comprising an ink storage bin and at least one ink supply bin, wherein the ink storage bin is connected to the material storage bin and is suitable for storing the fluid ink, and the ink supply bin is connected to the ink storage bin and is suitable for connecting to an external nozzle; a heating component, which is separately arranged on the material storage bin, the ink storage bin and the ink supply bin, and is suitable for heating the material storage bin, the ink storage bin and the ink supply bin respectively; a power component, which is arranged on the pipeline connecting the material storage bin, the ink storage bin and the ink supply bin, and is suitable for providing flow power for the fluid ink.

[0006] Beneficial effects:

[0007] In conjunction with the heating component for heating the ink and the power component for driving the flow of the ink, the material storage bin can melt the ink from solid to fluid, and the ink supply bin is connected to the external nozzle, which can spray the fluid ink. On this basis, by setting an ink storage bin for storing the fluid ink between the material storage bin and the ink supply bin, the fluid ink can be replenished for the ink supply bin at any time, avoiding temporary heating and melting of the solid ink, resulting in insufficient supply of the fluid ink and ink interruption, improving the stability of the ink supply, and effectively avoiding the problem of broken screens in the printed pattern or low product yield.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the second ink supply unit also includes: a first liquid level detection unit, arranged on the ink supply tank, including at least two liquid level detection components, the liquid level detection components are arranged in a height direction, and are suitable for detecting the liquid level height of the fluid ink in the ink supply tank; an ink supply switch, arranged between the ink supply tank and the ink storage tank, and the ink supply switch is communicatively connected to the first liquid level detection unit.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the second ink supply unit further includes: an ink return tank, which is connected to the ink supply tank; a circulation pipeline, including an ink supply pipeline and an ink return pipeline, one end of the ink supply pipeline is connected to the ink supply tank, and the other end is suitable for connecting to an external nozzle, one end of the ink return pipeline is connected to the ink return tank, and the other end is suitable for connecting to an external nozzle, and the ink in the ink return tank is suitable for flowing to the ink supply tank under the action of gravity or a power component; an ink return switch, which is correspondingly arranged on the ink return pipeline and is suitable for adjusting the opening and closing of the ink return pipeline.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the second ink supply unit also includes: a second liquid level detection unit, which is arranged on the ink return tank and is communicatively connected to the ink return switch, and includes at least two liquid level detection components, and the liquid level detection components are arranged along the height direction and are suitable for detecting the liquid level height of the fluid ink in the ink return tank.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the power assembly includes: a first driving member, which is arranged on the pipeline between the material storage tank and the ink storage tank, and is suitable for driving the melted ink in the material storage tank to flow toward the ink storage tank; a second driving member, which is arranged on the pipeline between the ink storage tank and the ink supply tank, is communicatively connected with the first liquid level detection unit and / or the ink supply switch, and is suitable for driving the ink in the ink storage tank to flow toward the ink supply tank.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the power assembly further includes: a pressure regulating unit, which is respectively connected to the ink return tank and the ink supply tank, and is suitable for correspondingly adjusting a preset pressure difference between the ink return tank and the ink supply tank so that the ink in the ink return tank flows toward the ink supply tank; a reverse driving member, which is arranged between the ink return tank and the ink supply tank, and is communicatively connected to the first liquid level detection unit, and is suitable for driving the ink in the ink return tank to stop flowing toward the ink supply tank, or driving the ink in the ink supply tank to flow toward the ink return tank.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the second driving member and the reverse driving member have the same structure.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the ink supply system also includes: a dosing pipeline, which is arranged between the ink storage tank and the ink supply tank, the second ink supply unit includes multiple ink supply tanks, the ink supply tanks correspond one-to-one to the ink return tanks, and the ink storage tank is connected to each of the ink supply tanks through the dosing pipeline, and is suitable for uniformly feeding materials toward each of the ink supply tanks under the action of the second driving member.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the heating component includes: a plurality of first heating rods, which are respectively arranged in the material storage bin, the ink storage bin, the ink supply bin and the ink return bin, and the first heating rods are suitable for heating the corresponding chambers; a second heating element, which is wrapped around the outside of the pipeline connecting the material storage bin, the ink storage bin and the ink supply bin, and is suitable for keeping the ink in the pipeline warm or heating the ink so that the ink is in a fluid state.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the first ink supply unit further includes: a heat-insulating cover; a heat-insulating shell, which is openably connected to the heat-insulating cover and has the material storage bin built in, and an ink outlet is provided on the heat-insulating shell, suitable for the pipeline to pass through. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an ink supply system according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the first ink supply unit and the first driving member of the ink supply system and their connecting pipelines is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A transparent structural diagram of the first ink supply unit and the first driving member and their connecting pipelines;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second ink supply unit and part of the heating component and power component of the central ink supply system;

[0022] Description of reference numerals:

[0023] 1. Material storage bin; 2. Ink storage bin; 3. Ink supply bin; 4. Ink return bin; 5. First liquid level detection unit; 6. Ink supply switch; 7. Ink return switch; 8. Second liquid level detection unit; 9. First drive member; 10. Second drive member; 11. First opening; 12. Second opening; 13. Reverse drive member; 14. First heating rod; 15. Second heating member; 16. Insulation cover; 17. Insulation shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] like Figure 1-Figure 4 The utility model provides an ink supply system, including: a first ink supply unit, a second ink supply unit, a heating component and a power component.

[0026] The first ink supply unit includes a storage bin 1, which is suitable for accommodating hot-melt ink. The ink is solid or partially solid before being placed in the storage bin 1. The storage bin 1 heats the ink inside by a heating component to melt the solid or partially solid ink into a fluid state, and then flows to the second ink supply unit under the action of a power component or gravity.

[0027] The second ink supply unit includes an ink storage tank 2 and an ink supply tank 3 .

[0028] The ink storage tank 2 is respectively connected to the material storage tank 1 and the ink supply tank 3. The interior is suitable for storing fluid ink and is heated and insulated by a heating component to keep the ink in a fluid state. The ink supply tank 3 is respectively connected to the ink storage tank 2 and the external nozzle. The number of ink supply tanks 3 can be single, two or more according to the needs. The ink supply tank 3 is heated and insulated by a heating component to keep the ink in a fluid state and meet the requirements of inkjet printing, ensuring the effective implementation of high-temperature ink supply printing.

[0029] The heating components are respectively arranged on the material storage bin 1, the ink storage bin 2 and the ink supply bin 3, and are suitable for heating the material storage bin 1, the ink storage bin 2 and the ink supply bin 3 respectively;

[0030] The power assembly is disposed on the pipeline connecting the ink storage tank 1, the ink storage tank 2, and the ink supply tank 3, and is suitable for providing flow power for the fluid ink. The power assembly can be driven by a motor and / or a pneumatic drive, etc. It is understood that the ink flow power can also be achieved by combining gravity, etc.

[0031] In conjunction with the heating component for heating the ink and the power component for driving the ink flow, the material storage bin 1 can melt the ink from solid to fluid, and the ink supply bin 3 is connected to the external nozzle, which can be used to spray the fluid ink. On this basis, by setting an ink storage bin 2 for storing the fluid ink between the material storage bin 1 and the ink supply bin 3, the fluid ink can be replenished for the ink supply bin 3 at any time, avoiding temporary heating and melting of the solid ink, resulting in insufficient supply of the fluid ink and ink interruption, improving the stability of the ink supply, and effectively avoiding the problem of broken screens in the printed pattern or low product yield.

[0032] The second ink supply unit further includes a first liquid level detection unit 5 and an ink supply switch 6 .

[0033] The first liquid level detection unit 5 is disposed on the ink supply reservoir 3 and includes two liquid level detection components, specifically liquid level sensors, arranged in a height direction and suitable for detecting the liquid level of the fluid ink in the ink supply reservoir 3. In this embodiment, the two liquid level detection components can respectively provide identification signals when the ink supply reservoir 3 is insufficient or excessive. It is understood that if a single liquid level detection component can identify insufficient or excessive ink in the ink supply reservoir 3, the first liquid level detection unit 5 may also include only a single liquid level detection component. As an alternative embodiment, multiple liquid level detection components may also be provided on the ink supply reservoir 3.

[0034] The ink supply switch 6 is disposed on the ink supply reservoir 3 and is adapted to connect the ink supply reservoir 3 and the ink storage reservoir 2. The ink supply switch 6 is electrically connected to the first liquid level detection unit 5. The ink supply switch 6 is specifically a solenoid valve, and its specific form can be configured to correspond to the number of ink storage reservoirs 2 that a single solenoid valve connects to. In this embodiment, the solenoid valves are configured to correspond to the number of ink storage reservoirs 2, and are configured as two-position, two-way valves.

[0035] With this arrangement, the ink supply switch 6 can be adjusted to open and close according to the liquid level information in the ink supply tank 3, thereby preventing the ink from flowing in when the ink is sufficient and ensuring the ink from flowing in when the ink is insufficient, thereby achieving stable regulation of the internal ink amount.

[0036] The second ink supply unit further includes an ink return tank 4 , a circulation pipeline, and an ink return switch 7 .

[0037] The ink return tank 4 is interconnected with the ink supply tank 3. The circulation circuit includes an ink supply line and an ink return line. The ink supply line is connected to the ink supply tank 3 at one end and is suitable for connecting to an external printhead at the other end. The ink return line is connected to the ink return tank 4 at one end and is suitable for connecting to an external printhead at the other end. The ink in the ink return tank 4 is suitable for flowing to the ink supply tank 3 under the action of a gravity power assembly. It is understood that the bottom of the ink return tank 4 can be located above the bottom of the ink supply tank 3, directing the ink flow by gravity.

[0038] The ink return switch 7 is provided on the ink return line. In this embodiment, the ink return switch 7 is provided at the connection between the ink return line and the ink return reservoir 4, and is suitable for regulating the opening and closing of the ink return line. The ink return switch 7 is specifically a solenoid valve, and its specific form can be adjusted according to the number of ink storage reservoirs 2 connected to the solenoid valve. In this embodiment, the solenoid valves are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the number of ink return reservoirs 4, and are configured as two-position, two-way valves.

[0039] In addition, the second ink supply unit further includes a second liquid level detection unit 8 .

[0040] The second liquid level detection unit 8 is disposed on the ink return reservoir 4 and is electrically or wirelessly connected to the ink return switch 7. It includes two liquid level detection components, specifically liquid level sensors, arranged in a heightwise arrangement and adapted to detect the level of the fluid ink within the ink return reservoir 4. In this embodiment, the two liquid level detection components can respectively provide signals indicating insufficient or excessive ink within the ink return reservoir 4. As an alternative embodiment, the number of liquid level detection components can be single or multiple.

[0041] Preferably, the ink return switch 7 is also communicatively connected to the first liquid level detection unit 5 and the ink supply switch 6. Since the ink supply tank 3 simultaneously receives ink from the ink return tank 4, this arrangement can more accurately adjust the amount of ink in the ink supply tank 3.

[0042] Further preferably, to save space and shorten piping, the second ink supply unit comprises an integrated ink storage tank 2, ink supply tank 3, and ink return tank 4, with brackets provided at their lower ends to facilitate supporting the integrated structure. In this embodiment, several ink supply tanks 3 and several ink return tanks 4 are grouped relative to each other and arranged evenly in the same direction, with the ink storage tank 2 provided at one end of the arrangement. As an alternative embodiment, the ink storage tank 2, ink supply tank 3, and ink return tank 4 may also be provided separately.

[0043] The power assembly includes a first driving member 9 and a second driving member 10 .

[0044] The first driving member 9 is disposed in the pipeline between the material storage bin 1 and the ink storage bin 2 and is adapted to drive the melted ink in the material storage bin 1 to flow toward the ink storage bin 2. Specifically, the first driving member 9 is a pump, specifically a liquid transfer pump. Other driving members, such as a pressure pump, may also be used.

[0045] The second driving member 10 is arranged on the pipeline of the ink storage tank 2 and the ink supply tank 3, and is electrically or wirelessly connected to both or only one of the first liquid level detection unit 5 and the ink supply switch 6. In this embodiment, it is a gear pump, which is suitable for driving the ink in the ink storage tank 2 to flow toward the ink supply tank 3.

[0046] Furthermore, the power assembly further includes: a pressure regulating unit and a reverse driving component 13 .

[0047] The pressure regulating unit is connected to the ink return tank 4 and the ink supply tank 3, respectively. The ink return tank 4 and the ink supply tank 3 are respectively provided with a first opening 11 and a second opening 12 connected to the pressure regulating unit. The pressure regulating unit is specifically an air pump or vacuum pump, etc., which can supply or extract air to the two openings to create a pressure differential between the ink return tank 4 and the ink supply tank 3. In this embodiment, the air pressure in the ink return tank 4 is greater than the air pressure in the ink supply tank 3, and the air pressure differential drives the ink to flow into the ink supply tank 3. Preferably, the pressure regulating unit adjusts the pressure differential between the ink return tank 4 and the ink supply tank 3 within a fixed preset range, i.e., a preset pressure differential. This configuration can ensure stable ink supply pressure to the external nozzle and improve ink material utilization. Further preferably, a pressure detection component, such as a pressure sensor, can be provided in the ink supply tank 3, which is communicatively connected to the pressure regulating unit to dynamically adjust the air pressure in the ink supply tank 3.

[0048] The reverse driving component 13 is arranged between the ink return tank 4 and the ink supply tank 3, and is electrically or wirelessly connected to the first liquid level detection unit 5. It is suitable for driving the ink in the ink return tank 4 to stop flowing toward the ink supply tank 3, or driving the ink in the ink supply tank 3 to flow toward the ink return tank 4.

[0049] As a convertible embodiment, the reverse driving member 13 may not be provided, and only the pressure regulating unit may be provided.

[0050] In this embodiment, preferably, the second driving member 10 and the reverse driving member 13 are of the same structure. This arrangement can reduce the space occupied by the driving member and reduce the structural mass.

[0051] As a convertible embodiment, the second driving member 10 and the reverse driving member 13 can be provided at the same time, the two can be separate and different structures, or two structures formed in one piece.

[0052] In addition, when the ink consumption of each external nozzle is the same, the ink supply system further includes a dosing pipeline.

[0053] The dosing pipeline is arranged between the ink storage tank 2 and the ink supply tank 3. The second ink supply unit includes multiple ink supply tanks 3, and the ink supply tanks 3 correspond one to one to the ink return tanks 4. The ink storage tank 2 is connected to each ink supply tank 3 through the dosing pipeline, and is suitable for uniformly feeding materials toward each ink supply tank 3 under the action of the second driving member 10.

[0054] As a convertible implementation, when the ink consumption of each external nozzle is different, the dosing pipeline may not be provided, and the ink storage tank 2 supplies ink to each ink supply tank 3 separately.

[0055] The heating assembly includes a plurality of first heating rods 14, which are respectively disposed within the material storage bin 1, ink storage bin 2, ink supply bin 3, and ink return bin 4. Each first heating rod 14 is adapted to heat a corresponding compartment, which refers to the material storage bin 1, ink storage bin 2, ink supply bin 3, and ink return bin 4. Preferably, a predetermined number of first heating rods 14 are uniformly inserted into each compartment as needed, with three to four being the number in this embodiment. As an alternative embodiment, the first heating rods 14 can also be configured as heating plates or heating wires, etc., disposed on the inner or outer walls of each compartment.

[0056] The second heating element 15 is disposed outside the pipeline connecting the ink storage tank 1, ink reservoir 2, and ink supply tank 3. Specifically, it can be a heating wire or heating mesh, suitable for insulating or heating the ink in the pipeline to maintain a fluid state. As an alternative embodiment, the second heating element 15 can also be omitted and replaced with a heat-insulating elastic shell, which is disposed outside the pipeline.

[0057] The first ink supply unit further includes a heat-insulating cover 16 and a heat-insulating shell 17, which are hingedly connected or sealed together to enable an openable and closable connection, allowing for easy opening when needed to place solid ink into the ink hopper 1. The heat-insulating shell 17 is made of an insulating material, such as insulating ceramic, and contains the ink hopper 1 and a stopper to prevent movement of the ink hopper 1. The heat-insulating shell 17 is provided with an ink outlet suitable for passage of a pipeline.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations shall fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ink supply system, characterized in that: include: A first ink supply unit comprises a material storage bin (1), wherein the material storage bin (1) is suitable for storing hot-melt ink; The second ink supply unit comprises an ink storage bin (2) and at least one ink supply bin (3), wherein the ink storage bin (2) is connected to the material storage bin (1) and is suitable for storing the fluid ink, and the ink supply bin (3) is connected to the ink storage bin (2) and is suitable for connecting to an external nozzle; A heating component is separately arranged on the material storage bin (1), the ink storage bin (2) and the ink supply bin (3), and is suitable for heating the material storage bin (1), the ink storage bin (2) and the ink supply bin (3) respectively; The power component is arranged on a pipeline connecting the material storage bin (1), the ink storage bin (2) and the ink supply bin (3), and is suitable for providing flow power for the fluid ink.

2. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein: The second ink supply unit further includes: A first liquid level detection unit (5) is provided on the ink supply bin (3), comprising at least two liquid level detection members, the liquid level detection members being arranged in a height direction and being suitable for detecting the liquid level height of the fluid ink in the ink supply bin (3); An ink supply switch (6) is arranged between the ink supply bin (3) and the ink storage bin (2), and the ink supply switch (6) is communicatively connected to the first liquid level detection unit (5).

3. The ink supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second ink supply unit further includes: an ink return bin (4), the ink return bin (4) being in communication with the ink supply bin (3); A circulation pipeline, comprising an ink supply pipeline and an ink return pipeline, wherein one end of the ink supply pipeline is connected to the ink supply tank (3), and the other end is suitable for connecting to an external nozzle; one end of the ink return pipeline is connected to the ink return tank (4), and the other end is suitable for connecting to an external nozzle; the ink in the ink return tank (4) is suitable for flowing to the ink supply tank (3) under the action of gravity or a power component; The ink return switch (7) is correspondingly arranged on the ink return pipeline and is suitable for adjusting the opening and closing of the ink return pipeline.

4. The ink supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second ink supply unit further includes: A second liquid level detection unit (8) is arranged on the ink return bin (4) and is in communication with the ink return switch (7). The second liquid level detection unit (8) comprises at least two liquid level detection components, which are arranged in a height direction and are suitable for detecting the liquid level height of the fluid ink in the ink return bin (4).

5. The ink supply system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The power assembly includes: A first driving member (9) is provided on a pipeline between the material storage bin (1) and the ink storage bin (2), and is adapted to drive the melted ink in the material storage bin (1) to flow toward the ink storage bin (2); The second driving member (10) is arranged on the pipeline between the ink storage tank (2) and the ink supply tank (3), is communicatively connected with the first liquid level detection unit (5) and / or the ink supply switch (6), and is suitable for driving the ink in the ink storage tank (2) to flow toward the ink supply tank (3).

6. The ink supply system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The power assembly further comprises: a pressure regulating unit, which is in communication with the ink return bin (4) and the ink supply bin (3), and is adapted to correspondingly regulate a preset pressure difference between the ink return bin (4) and the ink supply bin (3), so as to cause the ink in the ink return bin (4) to flow toward the ink supply bin (3); A reverse driving member (13) is arranged between the ink return tank (4) and the ink supply tank (3), is communicatively connected to the first liquid level detection unit (5), and is suitable for driving the ink in the ink return tank (4) to stop flowing toward the ink supply tank (3), or driving the ink in the ink supply tank (3) to flow toward the ink return tank (4).

7. The ink supply system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second driving member (10) and the reverse driving member (13) have the same structure.

8. The ink supply system according to claim 5, wherein: Also includes: A dosing pipeline is arranged between the ink storage bin (2) and the ink supply bin (3); the second ink supply unit includes a plurality of ink supply bins (3); the ink supply bins (3) correspond one to one with the ink return bin (4); the ink storage bin (2) is connected to each ink supply bin (3) through the dosing pipeline, and is suitable for uniformly feeding ink toward each ink supply bin (3) under the action of the second driving member (10).

9. The ink supply system according to any one of claims 3-4, 6-8, characterized in that: The heating component comprises: A plurality of first heating rods (14) are respectively arranged in the material storage bin (1), the ink storage bin (2), the ink supply bin (3) and the ink return bin (4), and the first heating rods (14) are suitable for heating the corresponding bins; The second heating element (15) is disposed on the outside of the pipeline connecting the material storage bin (1), the ink storage bin (2) and the ink supply bin (3), and is suitable for keeping the ink in the pipeline warm or heating it so that the ink is in a fluid state.

10. The ink supply system according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-8, characterized in that: The first ink supply unit further includes: Insulation cover (16); The heat-insulating shell (17) is connected to the heat-insulating cover (16) in an openable and closable manner, and contains the material storage bin (1). The heat-insulating shell (17) is provided with an ink outlet suitable for a pipeline to pass through.

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