Ink supply system for ink-jet printer and ink-jet printer
By using a continuously operating ink supply pump and drain valve in the inkjet printer, the secondary ink cartridge is eliminated, solving the problems of high cost and complex structure of traditional inkjet printer ink supply systems, and achieving a low-cost and simplified ink supply effect.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423080335.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-13
AI Technical Summary
Traditional inkjet printer ink supply systems require frequent pump start-up and shutdown, resulting in high costs and complex structures, as well as the need for secondary ink cartridges with liquid level detection devices.
It employs a continuously operating ink supply pump and a drain valve to achieve dynamic ink balance through the ink pump pipeline and the ink return pipeline, eliminating the need for a secondary ink cartridge and using the drain valve to control ink flow based on internal pressure.
This resulted in a low-cost, simplified ink supply system, eliminating the need for frequent pump start-ups and shutdowns and liquid level detection devices, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of ink supply.
Smart Images
Figure CN223478567U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to an ink supply system and an inkjet printer. Background Technology
[0002] Inkjet printing technology refers to the technology of spraying ink onto a printing medium through nozzles on a printhead to obtain images or text.
[0003] Figure 1 This illustrates the ink supply system of a traditional inkjet printer. It utilizes a method where ink flows from ink tank 1' to secondary ink cartridge 2' and then to printhead 3' to achieve ink supply. The flow of ink from ink tank 1' to secondary ink cartridge 2' is typically driven by pump 4'. A level detection device is installed in secondary ink cartridge 2'. When the level detection device detects that the ink level in secondary ink cartridge 2' is below a predetermined level, pump 4' activates to draw ink from ink tank 1' to secondary ink cartridge 2'. When the level detection device detects that the ink level in secondary ink cartridge 2' is above or equal to the predetermined level, pump 4' shuts off. Therefore, pump 4' needs to be frequently started and stopped. The flow of ink from the secondary ink cartridge to the printhead is achieved using a siphon principle, requiring no additional power components.
[0004] However, traditional ink supply systems require a secondary ink cartridge with a liquid level detection device as an intermediate ink storage component, and the pump needs to be frequently started and stopped, which can easily lead to fatigue failure and reduced ink supply timeliness, resulting in higher costs and more complex structures.
[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a low-cost, simplified ink supply system and inkjet printer. Utility Model Content
[0006] This utility model addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as high cost and complex structure, by providing an ink supply system for an inkjet printer. The system includes: an ink supply pump; at least one sub-ink supply system, comprising: an ink reservoir, a printhead, a drain valve, and a T-connector, the T-connector having a first port, a second port, and a third port; a pumping line connecting the ink reservoir to the first port of the T-connector; an ink supply line connecting the second port of the T-connector to the printhead; and a return line connecting the T-connector. The third port of the tube is connected to the ink reservoir. A bleed valve is connected in series on the ink return line. Compared with the internal pressure of the ink pump line and / or the ink supply line, when the internal pressure is less than or equal to the preset pressure, the bleed valve is closed to prevent ink from flowing back into the ink reservoir. When the internal pressure is greater than the preset pressure, the bleed valve is opened to allow ink to flow back into the ink reservoir. The ink supply pump is connected in series on the ink pump line of all sub-ink supply systems. When the ink supply pump is working, the ink in the ink reservoir of the sub-ink supply system is supplied to the printhead through the ink pump line and the ink supply line.
[0007] Furthermore, the sub-ink supply system is configured as one, with the ink supply pump connected in series on the ink pump pipeline. Relative to the vertical center line of the ink reservoir, the ink reservoir is connected to the ink pump pipeline at a position close to or intersecting the vertical center line, and the ink reservoir is connected to the return ink pipeline at a position far from the vertical center line.
[0008] Furthermore, there are two sub-ink supply systems, with ink pumps connected in series on the two ink pump pipelines. The two ink pump pipelines of the two sub-ink supply systems are arranged adjacent to each other, and the two return ink pipelines are arranged relatively far apart.
[0009] Furthermore, for each sub-ink supply system, the pipe length between the drain valve and the third port of the tee is shorter than the pipe length between the ink supply pump and the first port of the tee.
[0010] Furthermore, for each sub-ink supply system, the ink reservoir is placed below the plane of the printhead.
[0011] Furthermore, when there is only one sub-ink supply system, the ink supply pump is set as a single-channel peristaltic tubular pump; when there are multiple sub-ink supply systems, the ink supply pump is set as a multi-channel peristaltic tubular pump. When the inkjet printer is in operation, the ink supply pump continues to work.
[0012] Furthermore, the multi-channel peristaltic tubular pump includes multiple thick-walled pump tubes and a chuck pump head or a multi-channel pump head, with each of the multiple thick-walled pump tubes connected in series with a pump ink line.
[0013] Furthermore, the drain valve is a one-way valve and the preset pressure for determining the opening and closing of the valve orifice is adjustable. The preset pressure is adjusted and determined based on the maximum pressure determined by the difference between the ink consumption per unit time of the printhead and the ink pumping volume per unit time of the ink supply pump.
[0014] Furthermore, the ink supply system also includes a controller, which is communicatively connected to the ink tank, printhead, and ink supply pump. The ink tank is equipped with a residual ink detector. The controller controls the amount of ink pumped per unit time for each ink pump line according to the residual ink detection result of each residual ink detector and the ink consumption per unit time required for each printhead's printing job.
[0015] To achieve another objective of this utility model, an inkjet printer is provided, including any of the ink supply systems for inkjet printers described above.
[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0017] This invention's ink supply system and printer do not require the use of existing secondary ink cartridges. Ink supply to the printhead can be achieved by setting a continuously operating ink supply pump and a drain valve on the corresponding pipeline, thus having the advantages of low cost and simplified structure. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments of this utility model will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, and these are all within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a traditional ink supply system;
[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the ink supply system provided by this utility model;
[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the ink supply system provided by this utility model;
[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0023] 1' Ink tank; 2' Secondary ink cartridge; 3' Printhead; 4' Pump; 1. Ink reservoir; 2. Ink supply pump; 3. Printhead; 4. Drain valve; 5. T-connector; 6. Pump ink line; 7. Ink supply line; 8. Return ink line; 9. Controller. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element limited by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element. Unless otherwise specified, embodiments of the present invention and the various features thereof can be combined with each other, all within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0025] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3As an objective of this invention, an ink supply system for an inkjet printer is provided, comprising an ink supply pump 2 and at least one sub-ink supply system. The sub-ink supply system includes an ink reservoir 1 for storing ink, a printhead 3, a drain valve 4, a three-way pipe 5, an ink pump line 6, an ink supply line 7, and an ink return line 8. The three-way pipe 5 has a first port, a second port, and a third port. The ink pump line 6 connects the ink reservoir 1 to the first port of the three-way pipe 5. The ink supply line 7 connects the second port of the three-way pipe 5 to the printhead 3. The ink return line 8 connects the third port of the tee pipe 5 to the ink reservoir 1. The drain valve 4 is connected in series with the ink return line 8. Compared with the internal pressure of the ink pump line 6 and / or the ink supply line 7, when the internal pressure is less than or equal to the preset pressure, the drain valve 4 is closed to prevent ink from flowing back into the ink reservoir 1. When the internal pressure is greater than the preset pressure, the drain valve 4 is opened to allow ink to flow back into the ink reservoir 1. The preset pressure can be understood as the pressure relief value. Thus, in each sub-ink supply system, the pressure relief valve can keep the pressure of the ink pump line 6 and the ink supply line 7 at around the pressure relief value of the drain valve 4 during continuous printing of the inkjet printer, thereby achieving dynamic balance of ink flow during printing. The ink supply pump 2 is connected in series on the pump lines 6 of all sub-ink supply systems. When the ink supply pump 2 is working, the ink in the ink tank 1 of the sub-ink supply system is supplied to the printhead 3 through the pump lines 6 and the ink supply lines 7. Thus, one ink supply pump 2 can simultaneously supply ink from more than one ink tank 1 to more than one printhead 3. Therefore, the ink supply system for inkjet printers provided by this utility model does not require the use of existing secondary ink cartridges. Ink supply to the printhead 3 can be achieved by setting a continuously operating ink supply pump 2 and a drain valve 4 on the corresponding lines, thus having the advantages of low cost and simplified structure.
[0026] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 In one embodiment of this utility model, specifically, a sub-ink supply system is configured as one unit, with an ink supply pump 2 connected in series on an ink pumping line 6. Relative to the vertical centerline of the ink reservoir 1, the ink reservoir 1 is connected to the ink pumping line 6 at a position close to or intersecting the vertical centerline, and at a position away from the vertical centerline, it is connected to the return ink line 8. This sub-ink supply system is particularly suitable for monochrome inkjet printers. Furthermore, the return ink line 8, being located away from the center of the ink reservoir 1 where the ink pumping line 6 is located, helps to reduce the adverse effects on the ink supply pump 2 when drawing ink through the ink pumping line 6, especially when the remaining ink level is low, due to large fluctuations in the ink level.
[0027] Please refer to the reference. Figure 3In another embodiment of this utility model, specifically, two sub-ink supply systems are configured, with ink supply pumps 2 connected in series on two ink pump lines 6. The two ink pump lines 6 of the two sub-ink supply systems are arranged adjacent to each other, and the two return ink lines 8 are arranged relatively far apart. In this way, the sub-ink supply system is particularly suitable for color inkjet printers. The adjacent arrangement of the two ink pump lines 6 facilitates the simultaneous connection of ink supply pumps 2 in series on the two ink pump lines 6, making the structure simple and compact. Each return ink line 8 is located away from the center of the ink tank 1 where the ink pump line 6 is located, thereby ensuring that the amount and efficiency of the ink supply pump 2 in drawing ink from each ink tank 1 are not affected by the backflow of ink.
[0028] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Preferably, for each sub-ink supply system, the pipe length between the drain valve 4 and the third port of the three-way pipe 5 is shorter than the pipe length between the ink supply pump 2 and the first port of the three-way pipe 5. In this way, the drain valve 4 is relatively far away from the ink supply pump 2, which is the pressure source for pumping ink. This reduces the impact of the initial internal pressure instability at the ink supply pump 2, thereby allowing for more accurate and sensitive sensing of the internal pressure. Consequently, it can open and close accurately and promptly to drain ink based on the comparison between the internal pressure and the preset pressure.
[0029] Preferably, for each sub-ink supply system, the ink reservoir 1 is placed below the plane of the printhead 3, for example, under the base of the inkjet printer. Since there is no secondary ink cartridge as in the prior art, the structure is simple, and the ink reservoir 1 can be placed under the base of the inkjet printer, thus facilitating its replacement.
[0030] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 Specifically, when there is only one ink supply system, ink supply pump 2 is set as a single-channel peristaltic tubular pump. Please refer to the reference. Figure 3 When there are multiple ink supply systems, ink supply pump 2 is set as a multi-channel peristaltic tubular pump, and ink supply pump 2 keeps working continuously when the inkjet printer is in operation. In this way, it ensures that the printhead 3 receives a continuous supply of ink to avoid ink interruption, and also prevents the ink supply pump 2 from frequently starting and stopping.
[0031] Preferably, the multi-channel peristaltic tubular pump includes multiple thick-walled pump tubes and a chuck pump head or a multi-channel pump head, with each thick-walled pump tube connected in series with an ink pumping line 6. Since the chuck pump head and the multi-channel pump head can accurately pump fluid flow, especially the chuck pump head with adjustable occlusion, which offers higher precision between channels, fine-tuning the occlusion of a single channel can effectively compensate for minor flow rate changes caused by small variations in pump tube size. Furthermore, the suction lift of the thick-walled pump tube is greater than that of a thin-walled pump tube of the same inner diameter, making it more suitable for inks with higher viscosity. Therefore, the multi-channel peristaltic tubular pump of this embodiment is particularly suitable for pumping inks.
[0032] Preferably, the drain valve 4 is a one-way valve, and the preset pressure for determining the opening and closing of the valve orifice is adjustable. The preset pressure is adjusted and determined based on the maximum pressure determined by the difference between the ink consumption per unit time of the printhead 3 and the ink pumping volume per unit time of the ink supply pump 2. It is known that different inks have different viscosities, so the drain valve 4 can adjust the preset pressure specifically according to different inks. Therefore, as a one-way valve, the drain valve 4 only allows ink to flow back to the ink reservoir 1 from the direction of the three-way pipe 5. During the operation of the ink supply system of the inkjet printer, the ink supply pump 2 continuously draws out ink, and the ink flows to the printhead 3 through the three-way pipe 5. The printhead 3 continuously consumes ink when printing. The ink pumping speed of the ink supply pump 2 is a constant value, so when the amount of ink consumed by the printhead 3 is less than the amount of ink pumped by the ink supply pump 2, the internal pressure of the pipeline from the pump to the printhead 3 will rise. When the internal pressure rises to the preset pressure of the drain valve 4 as the pressure relief value, the passage in the drain valve 4 opens, and the ink flows back to the ink reservoir 1 through the drain valve 4.
[0033] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Preferably, the ink supply system also includes a controller 9, such as a PLC or a microcontroller. The controller 9 communicates with the ink tank 1, printhead 3, and ink pump 2 via fiber optic, wired, or wireless means such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or IoT. The ink tank 1 is equipped with a residual ink detector. The controller 9 controls the ink pump 2 to pump ink into each ink supply line 6 per unit time based on the residual ink level detection result of each detector and the ink consumption per unit time required for each printhead 3's printing job. Therefore, by using the controller 9, the ink supply to the printhead 3 can be dynamically and accurately adjusted according to the printing status of the printhead 3 and the residual ink level of the ink tank 1 in each sub-ink supply system, reducing ink backflow and thus reducing the wasted power consumption of the ink pump 2 and extending its service life.
[0034] As another objective of this invention, it also provides an inkjet printer comprising any of the ink supply systems described above. The inkjet printer can obtain the beneficial effects brought by any of these ink supply systems, which will not be elaborated further here. Therefore, the inkjet printer can obtain a lower-cost, simpler-structured ink supply system, thereby also contributing to a reduction in the cost of the inkjet printer.
[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An ink supply system for an inkjet printer, characterized in that, include: Ink supply pump; At least one sub-ink supply system, including: An ink reservoir for storing ink, a printhead, a drain valve, and a three-way pipe, wherein the three-way pipe has a first port, a second port, and a third port; The ink pump pipeline connects the ink reservoir to the first port of the three-way pipe; The ink supply line connects the second port of the three-way pipe to the printhead; The ink return line connects the third port of the three-way pipe to the ink storage tank. The drain valve is connected in series on the ink return line. Compared with the internal pressure of the ink pump line and / or the ink supply line, when the internal pressure is less than or equal to a preset pressure, the drain valve is closed to prevent ink from flowing back into the ink storage tank. When the internal pressure is greater than the preset pressure, the drain valve is opened to allow ink to flow back into the ink storage tank. The ink supply pump is connected in series on the ink pumping pipeline of all the sub-ink supply systems. When the ink supply pump is working, the ink in the ink storage tank of the sub-ink supply system is supplied to the printhead through the ink pumping pipeline and the ink supply pipeline.
2. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sub-ink supply system is configured as one, and the ink supply pump is connected in series on the ink pumping pipeline. Relative to the vertical center line of the ink storage tank, the ink storage tank is connected to the ink pumping pipeline at a position close to or intersecting the vertical center line, and the ink storage tank is connected to the ink return pipeline at a position far from the vertical center line.
3. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sub-ink supply system is configured as two, and the ink supply pumps are connected in series on the two ink pumping pipelines. The two ink pumping pipelines of the two sub-ink supply systems are arranged adjacent to each other, and the two ink return pipelines are arranged relatively far apart.
4. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, For each sub-ink supply system, the pipe length between the drain valve and the third port of the three-way pipe is shorter than the pipe length between the ink supply pump and the first port of the three-way pipe.
5. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, For each sub-ink supply system, the ink reservoir is positioned below the plane of the printhead.
6. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, When there is one sub-ink supply system, the ink supply pump is a single-channel peristaltic tubular pump; when there are multiple sub-ink supply systems, the ink supply pump is a multi-channel peristaltic tubular pump. When the inkjet printer is in operation, the ink supply pump continues to operate.
7. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The multi-channel peristaltic tubular pump includes multiple thick-walled pump tubes and a chuck pump head or a multi-channel pump head, with each of the multiple thick-walled pump tubes connected in series with one of the pump ink lines.
8. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drain valve is a one-way valve and the preset pressure for determining the opening and closing of the valve orifice is adjustable. The preset pressure is adjusted and determined based on the maximum pressure determined by the difference between the ink consumption per unit time of the printhead and the ink pumping volume per unit time of the ink supply pump.
9. The ink supply system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ink supply system also includes a controller, which is communicatively connected to the ink tank, the printhead, and the ink supply pump. The ink tank is equipped with a residual ink detector. The controller controls the ink supply pump's ink pumping rate per unit time for each ink pumping line according to the residual ink detection result of each residual ink detector and the ink consumption per unit time required for each printhead's printing job.
10. An inkjet printer, characterized in that, Including the ink supply system for an inkjet printer as described in any one of claims 1-9.