Ink supply system

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ink supply system, which belongs to the technical field of printing and dyeing and comprises a plurality of dye storage units, a static mixer, an ink barrel and a control unit. Weighing units for weighing are respectively arranged between the outlet of the dye storage unit and the inlet end of the static mixer, the static mixer is used for fully mixing different inks, the outlet end of the static mixer is connected with the inlet end of the ink barrel through a pipeline, and the control unit is electrically connected with the weighing units. According to the ink supply system, the use problems that a rotary power type stirring mode adopted in an existing ink supply system is inconvenient to clean, the maintenance cost of a power part is high, and the energy consumption is large can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The ink supply system is an essential component of the printing and dyeing process, ensuring a continuous supply of ink, thus providing a stable ink source for fabric dyeing. However, current ink supply systems, particularly those using rotary powered agitation, present several significant challenges: 1. Inconvenient Cleaning: Due to its complex structure and the numerous sealed areas involved, the rotary powered agitation system is relatively difficult to clean. Long-term ink deposits and impurity accumulation can clog the nozzles in subsequent steps, impacting print quality. 2. High Maintenance Cost: Power components, such as the motor and transmission, require regular maintenance and replacement. These components require relatively high maintenance costs, increasing the overall cost of using the ink supply system. 3. High Energy Consumption: The rotary powered agitation system consumes significant energy during operation. This not only increases operating costs but also contradicts current environmental protection principles of energy conservation and emission reduction. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the defects of the existing technology, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose an ink supply system to solve the problems of the rotary power stirring method used in the current ink supply system being inconvenient to clean, and the power components having high maintenance costs and high energy consumption.

[0004] To achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] The utility model provides an ink supply system, which includes several dye storage units, a static mixer, an ink barrel and a control unit. The outlets of the several dye storage units are respectively connected to the inlet pipes of the static mixer. Weighing units for weighing are respectively arranged between the outlets of the dye storage units and the inlet ends of the static mixer. The static mixer is used to fully mix different inks. The outlet end of the static mixer is connected to the inlet end of the ink barrel by a pipe, and the control unit is electrically connected to the weighing unit.

[0006] The preferred technical solution of the present invention is that two or more sets of static mixers and ink barrels are provided, and electromagnetic valves are provided on the pipes connecting the static mixers and the plurality of dye storage units, and the electromagnetic valves are electrically connected to the control unit.

[0007] A preferred technical solution of the present invention is that a temperature sensor and a heater are provided in the static mixer for stabilizing the temperature in the static mixer, and the control unit and the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the heater.

[0008] A preferred technical solution of the present invention is that fins are provided on the inner wall of the static mixer.

[0009] The preferred technical solution of the present invention is that a plurality of static mixing elements are provided in the static mixer, and the static mixing elements are in one or more of the following shapes: network shape, spiral shape, and staggered plate shape.

[0010] A preferred technical solution of the present invention is that the static mixing element comprises a network-shaped static mixing element, and is made of elastic material.

[0011] An optimal technical solution of the present invention is that the housing of the static mixer is made of a transparent material.

[0012] The preferred technical solution of the present invention is that the weighing unit includes an electronic scale and a flow meter, the dye storage unit is arranged on the electronic scale for weighing the weight change of the dye storage unit, the flow meter is arranged on the pipeline connecting the dye storage unit and the static mixer, and the control unit is electrically connected to the electronic scale and the flow meter respectively.

[0013] A preferred technical solution of the present invention is that it further comprises a first filter, which is arranged on a pipe connecting the outlet of the dye storage unit and the inlet end of the static mixer.

[0014] An optimal technical solution of the present invention is that it further includes a second filter, which is arranged at the outlet of the ink barrel.

[0015] Beneficial effects of the utility model:

[0016] The present utility model adopts an ink supply system, which does not require any external power by introducing a static mixer into the system, and completely gets rid of the dependence of traditional rotary agitators on electrical energy or mechanical energy. This change not only significantly reduces the energy consumption of the system, but also fundamentally eliminates the wear and maintenance problems of power components, thereby greatly reducing maintenance costs and failure rates during use. Another major advantage of the static mixer is that it has a simple structure, no dead angles, diverse design methods, and easy assembly, and is not easy to accumulate impurities and residues. The technical solution of the present utility model successfully solves the problems of difficult cleaning, high maintenance costs and high energy consumption in traditional ink supply systems through innovative static mixing methods, precise weighing control and intelligent management systems. This innovative solution not only improves the overall performance of the ink supply system, but also brings a more efficient, energy-saving and easy-to-maintain ink supply system option to related industries. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

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

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a static mixer of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an electrical connection diagram of an ink supply system of the present utility model.

[0021] In the picture:

[0022] 1-dye storage unit; 2-static mixer; 21-temperature sensor; 22-heater; 23-fin; 24-static mixing element; 25-housing; 3-ink barrel; 4-control unit; 5-weighing unit; 51-electronic scale; 52-flow meter; 6-solenoid valve; 71-first filter; 72-second filter; 8-ink pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0024] In the following embodiments, the same or similar numbers throughout represent the same or similar components or elements with the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0025] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms: center, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, thickness, up, down, front, back, left, right, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, inside, outside, clockwise, counterclockwise, etc. indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms: first, second, etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features shown. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms: install, connect, connect, etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and ordinary technicians in this field can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] See also Figure 1-3 In this embodiment, an ink supply system is provided, comprising a plurality of dye storage units 1, a static mixer 2, an ink barrel 3, and a control unit 4. The outlets of the plurality of dye storage units 1 are connected to the inlet pipes of the static mixer 2, which are pumped by an ink pump 8. A weighing unit 5 for weighing is provided between the outlet of the dye storage unit 1 and the inlet of the static mixer 2. The static mixer 2 is used to fully mix different inks. The outlet of the static mixer 2 is connected to the inlet of the ink barrel 3 by a pipe, which is pumped by an ink pump 8. The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the weighing unit 5. In this embodiment, there are five dye storage units 1. The technical solution of this embodiment introduces a static mixer. The adoption of this core component is an innovation in the traditional power stirring method used in the printing and dyeing field. The static mixer does not require any external power, thus completely getting rid of the dependence of traditional rotary agitators on electrical or mechanical energy. This change not only significantly reduces the energy consumption of the system, but also fundamentally eliminates the wear and maintenance problems of the power components, thereby significantly reducing maintenance costs and failure rates during use. Another major advantage of static mixers is their simple structure, lack of dead corners, diverse design options, and easy assembly, which reduces the accumulation of impurities and residue. Compared to complex rotary agitation systems, static mixers offer superior cleanability, effectively resolving a long-standing cleaning challenge for users. This allows users to more easily maintain equipment hygiene, ensuring ink purity and printing quality. In addition to the innovative application of the static mixer, this technical solution also incorporates a high-precision weighing unit. This feature not only enables precise control of the flow rate of each ink but also ensures the accuracy of the mixing ratio. During the mixing process, the weighing unit monitors the ink flow rate in real time and feeds data back to the control unit, ensuring that the mixed ink ratio strictly meets the preset requirements. This precise control not only improves mixing quality but also makes the entire ink supply process more reliable and stable. Furthermore, the electrical connection between the control unit and the weighing unit further enhances the system's intelligence and automation. Based on the data provided by the weighing unit, the control unit can adjust the mixing process in real time to ensure uniformity and stability. This intelligent management approach not only improves production efficiency but also reduces the risk of human error, making the entire ink supply process more efficient and safer. In summary, this technical solution successfully addresses the cleaning difficulties, high maintenance costs, and high energy consumption inherent in traditional ink supply systems through its innovative static mixing method, precise weighing control, and intelligent management system. This innovative solution not only improves the overall performance of the ink supply system but also provides a more efficient, energy-efficient, and easy-to-maintain ink supply system option for related industries.

[0027] Preferably, there are two or more sets of static mixers 2 and ink barrels 3, and electromagnetic valves 6 are provided on the pipes connecting the static mixers 2 and several dye storage units 1, and the electromagnetic valves 6 are electrically connected to the control unit 4. The provision of two or more sets of static mixers and ink barrels significantly improves the redundancy and reliability of the system. During the dyeing process, when one set is working, the static mixer and the main ink barrel of the other set are cleaning, so that the color preparation work can be completed quickly, and the printing and dyeing of the next product can be carried out immediately after the printing and dyeing of the previous product is completed, thereby reducing downtime and improving production efficiency. In addition, if one set of static mixers or ink barrels fails, the other set can also take over the work immediately to ensure the continuity and stability of the production line. This design greatly reduces the risk of production stoppages due to equipment failure, which is particularly important for production environments that require high reliability guarantees. In this embodiment, there are two sets of static mixers 2 and ink barrels 3.

[0028] Preferably, a temperature sensor 21 and a heater 22 are provided in the static mixer 2 to stabilize the temperature in the static mixer 2, and the control unit 4 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 21 and the heater 22. It solves the influence of temperature on the ink mixing effect. Temperature is an important factor affecting chemical reactions and physical mixing. Maintaining a stable temperature environment is crucial to ensuring the consistency and quality of ink mixing. By setting a temperature sensor, the system can monitor the temperature in the static mixer in real time and accurately control it through the heater to ensure temperature stability during the mixing process. In addition, the electrical connection between the control unit, the temperature sensor and the heater enables the system to automatically adjust according to temperature feedback, thereby improving the system's degree of automation and the accuracy of mixing.

[0029] Preferably, the inner wall of the static mixer 2 is provided with fins 23. The presence of the fins increases the surface area of the mixer's inner wall, thereby providing more contact points, allowing the ink to more fully contact the inner wall as it flows through the mixer, thereby improving the mixing effect. Furthermore, the fins may also induce more eddies and turbulence, and these changes in flow state contribute to the rapid and uniform mixing of the ink. Therefore, by providing fins on the inner wall, the static mixer can perform its tasks more efficiently, improving the performance of the overall ink supply system.

[0030] Preferably, a plurality of static mixing elements 24 are provided in the static mixer 2, and the static mixing element 24 is one or more of a network-like, spiral-like, and staggered plate-like shape. The diversity and combination of static mixing elements can significantly improve the mixing effect and efficiency. The network-like, spiral-like, and staggered plate-like static mixing elements each have their own characteristics. The network-like element can increase the contact area between the fluids, the spiral-like element can produce a rotating flow to enhance mixing, and the staggered plate-like element can induce shear force to promote dispersion. By combining these elements of different forms, a complex flow pattern and a strong turbulent effect can be formed inside the static mixer, so that different inks can be mixed together faster and more evenly. In addition, this diversified mixing element design also increases the flexibility and adjustability of the mixing process. According to different mixing requirements, the type and combination of elements can be adjusted to achieve the best mixing effect. In the present embodiment, the static mixer 2 is provided with a spiral static mixing element at the inlet end, and a network-like static mixing element is provided extending to the outlet end.

[0031] Preferably, the static mixing element 24 comprises a network of static mixing elements made of an elastic material. The elastic material allows the element to deform to a certain extent under fluid pressure, which not only increases the contact area between the element and the fluid, but also generates more eddies and turbulence through deformation, thereby improving mixing efficiency.

[0032] Preferably, the housing 25 of the static mixer 2 is made of a transparent material. The housing made of transparent material allows the operator to directly observe the mixing process and state of the ink inside the static mixer, thereby adjusting the operating parameters in a timely manner to obtain the best mixing effect. This instant feedback mechanism not only improves the convenience and accuracy of operation, but also helps to promptly discover and solve problems such as ink blockage and uneven mixing. In addition, the transparent housing is also easy to clean and maintain. The operator can clearly see the cleanliness of the inside of the mixer, ensuring the hygiene and safety of the equipment. Therefore, the static mixer housing made of transparent material has significant advantages in improving operational efficiency, ensuring mixing quality, and simplifying equipment maintenance.

[0033] Preferably, the weighing unit 5 includes an electronic scale 51 and a flowmeter 52. The dye storage unit 1 is mounted on the electronic scale 51 to measure weight changes in the dye storage unit 1. The flowmeter 52 is mounted on the pipeline connecting the dye storage unit 1 and the static mixer 2. The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the electronic scale 51 and the flowmeter 52, respectively. First, by monitoring the weight changes of the dye storage unit in real time using the electronic scale, the system can accurately monitor dye consumption, enabling timely replenishment and ensuring production continuity. This direct weight monitoring method is more accurate than traditional liquid level sensors because it is unaffected by factors such as dye density and temperature, providing more accurate data support for the ink supply system. Second, the flowmeter enables the system to monitor the dye flow rate in real time, which is crucial for controlling the mixing ratio and ensuring mixing quality. Through its electrical connection to the control unit, the flowmeter data can be fed back in real time, allowing the system to quickly adjust the dye supply rate to meet the needs of different printing or dyeing tasks. Finally, the electrical connection between the control unit, the electronic scale, and the flowmeter enables automatic data collection and processing, significantly improving the system's automation level. This not only reduces manual operation errors and labor intensity, but also enables the ink supply system to respond more intelligently to various production scenarios, improving production efficiency and product quality.

[0034] Preferably, a first filter 71 is also included, located on the pipe connecting the outlet of the dye storage unit 1 and the inlet of the static mixer 2. This first filter effectively removes impurities and particulate matter from the dye, ensuring the quality of the dye entering the static mixer. This not only prevents impurities from clogging or damaging the mixer but also ensures the purity and stability of the mixed ink, thereby improving the quality of printing or dyeing. Furthermore, installing a filter at the outlet of the dye storage unit can extend the service life of the static mixer and other downstream equipment. Because the filter blocks most contaminants, it reduces wear and corrosion on these equipment, lowering maintenance costs and replacement frequency. Similarly, a second filter 72 is further included, located at the outlet of the ink barrel 3. This second filter further ensures the purity of the ink. This final filtration before the ink flows out of the ink barrel effectively removes any impurities or particulate matter that may have been generated during storage or transfer, ensuring the quality of the output ink. Furthermore, the presence of this filter is crucial for protecting downstream equipment, such as the nozzles or print heads. These devices are often highly sophisticated and require extremely high ink purity. The second filter prevents the passage of any particles that could clog or damage these devices, thus extending their lifespan and reducing repair costs.

[0035] The present invention is described through preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes or equivalent substitutions may be made to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and other embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink supply system, characterized in that: It comprises a plurality of dye storage units (1), a static mixer (2), an ink barrel (3) and a control unit (4); The outlets of the plurality of dye storage units (1) are respectively connected to the inlet end pipes of the static mixer (2); weighing units (5) for weighing are respectively provided between the outlets of the dye storage units (1) and the inlet end of the static mixer (2); the static mixer (2) is used for fully mixing different inks; the outlet end of the static mixer (2) is connected to the inlet end pipe of the ink barrel (3); The control unit (4) and the weighing unit (5) are electrically connected.

2. The ink supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The static mixer (2) and ink barrel (3) are provided with two or more sets; Solenoid valves (6) are provided on the pipelines connecting the static mixer (2) and the plurality of dye storage units (1); The solenoid valve (6) is electrically connected to the control unit (4).

3. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein: A temperature sensor (21) and a heater (22) are provided in the static mixer (2) for stabilizing the temperature in the static mixer (2); The control unit (4) and the temperature sensor (21) are electrically connected to the heater (22).

4. An ink supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner wall of the static mixer (2) is provided with fins (23).

5. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein: The static mixer (2) is provided with a plurality of static mixing elements (24); The static mixing element (24) is in the shape of a network, a spiral, or a staggered plate, or more.

6. The ink supply system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The static mixing element (24) comprises a network-shaped static mixing element and is made of elastic material.

7. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein: The housing (25) of the static mixer (2) is made of a transparent material.

8. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein: The weighing unit (5) includes an electronic scale (51) and a flow meter (52); The dye storage unit (1) is arranged on an electronic scale (51) for measuring the weight change of the dye storage unit (1); the flow meter (52) is arranged on a pipe connecting the dye storage unit (1) and the static mixer (2); The control unit (4) is electrically connected to the electronic scale (51) and the flow meter (52) respectively.

9. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a first filter (71); The first filter (71) is arranged on a pipe connecting the outlet of the dye storage unit (1) and the inlet end of the static mixer (2).

10. The ink supply system according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a second filter (72); The second filter (72) is arranged at the outlet of the ink barrel (3).

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