Self-cleaning pad printing machine
By introducing automatic cleaning components and a drive system into the pad printing machine, the problem of insufficient cleaning and safety hazards in the pad printing machine is solved by using cleaning tape to automatically clean the pad printing head, thus achieving efficient printing results and cost reduction.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423311287.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing pad printing machines require manual cleaning of the pad printing head, which leads to problems such as insufficient cleaning and safety hazards.
A self-cleaning pad printing machine was designed, comprising a frame, a pad printing mechanism, a cleaning component, and a drive component. The machine automatically cleans the pad printing head using cleaning tape, and the cleaning component is driven by a power source to contact and separate from the pad printing head, thus achieving automatic cleaning.
It enables automatic cleaning of the pad printing head, improving printing efficiency, reducing operating costs, ensuring printing quality, and avoiding the inadequacy and safety hazards of manual cleaning.
Smart Images
Figure CN223507918U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of printing equipment technology, specifically relating to a pad printing machine capable of self-cleaning the pad printing head. Background Technology
[0002] A pad printing machine is a printing device used to transfer patterns from etched plates to target products, such as plastics, toys, glass, metals, ceramics, electronics, and IC packaging. It has become a primary tool for printing and decorating various object surfaces. During use, the pad printing head needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid unclear printing and ensure print quality. Current pad printing machines typically use manual wiping to clean the printing head, which may result in insufficient cleaning and could even lead to safety accidents.
[0003] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pad printing machine that solves the problem of cleaning the pad printing head.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a specific embodiment of this utility model provides a pad printing machine, including a frame, a pad printing mechanism, a cleaning component, and a driving component. The pad printing mechanism is disposed on the frame and includes a pad printing head. The cleaning component is disposed on the frame and includes a cleaning element and a first power source connected to and driving the cleaning element to clean the surface of the pad printing head. The driving component is fixed to the frame and is connected to and drives the pad printing head to approach or move away from the cleaning element.
[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning assembly includes a feeding shaft and a receiving shaft fixed to the frame, and the cleaning component is a cleaning tape wound around the feeding shaft and the receiving shaft.
[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning assembly further includes a support plate fixed to the frame, the support plate being disposed between the feeding shaft and the receiving shaft, and the cleaning tape being supported on the support plate to form a cleaning station.
[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pad printing mechanism includes an etching plate, an oil can, and a fourth power source. The surface of the etching plate is provided with a pattern to be printed. The oil can is supported on the etching plate and is configured to supply oil to the surface of the etching plate. The fourth power source is connected to and drives the etching plate to move so that the pattern on the etching plate moves below the oil can or is exposed above the oil can to reach the pad printing station.
[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning assembly further includes a support plate fixed to the frame, and the etching plate is located above the support plate when it reaches the pad printing station.
[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pad printing mechanism further includes a limiting frame fixed to the frame, the limiting frame surrounding the oil reservoir to prevent it from moving.
[0011] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, when the etching plate is located at the etching station, the driving component drives the transfer head to contact the etching plate at the etching station to print a pattern.
[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the driving assembly includes a second power source that connects to and drives the pad printing head to approach or move away from the cleaning station in the vertical direction, and a third power source that connects to and drives the pad printing head to approach or move away from the cleaning unit in the horizontal direction.
[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the frame further includes a support guide rod extending along the output direction of the second power source, the third power source is supported on the support guide rod, and the third power source is connected to and drives the second power source to move on the support guide rod.
[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pad printing mechanism further includes a damping rod fixed to the frame, the damping rod being disposed at one or both ends of the support guide rod to limit the movement range of the second power source.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the pad printing machine of this invention can automatically clean the pad printing head after working for a period of time to ensure the printing effect. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a pad printing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a pad printing machine in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning component in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 4 This is a side view of the pad printing mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Explanation of key figure labels:
[0022] 100-Pad printing machine, 10-Frame, 11-Support guide rod, 12-Damping rod, 20-Cleaning component, 21-Feeding shaft, 22-Receiving shaft, 23-Cleaning component, 24-Support plate, 25-First power source, 30-Pad printing mechanism, 31-Etching plate, 32-Oil can, 33-Pad printing head, 34-Fourth power source, 35-Second power source, 36-Third power source, 371-Guide rail, 372-Slider, 38-Limiting frame, 39-Base plate. Detailed Implementation
[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0024] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a self-cleaning pad printing machine 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a frame 10, a cleaning component 20, a pad printing mechanism 30, and a drive component. The pad printing mechanism 30 is disposed on the frame 10 and includes a pad printing head 33 for pad printing patterns. The cleaning component 20 is fixed on the frame 10 and includes a cleaning element 23 for cleaning the pad printing head 33, and a first power source 25 connected to and driving the cleaning element 23 to move at the cleaning station. The drive component is fixed on the frame 10 and is used to drive the pad printing head 33 and the cleaning element 23 to approach and contact each other, so that the cleaning element 23 cleans the surface of the pad printing head 33 at the cleaning station, and after cleaning is completed, drives the pad printing head 33 and the cleaning element 23 to move away from each other.
[0025] After a period of operation, the pad printing head 33 of the pad printing machine 100 in this invention becomes contaminated with oil, affecting subsequent printing results. Therefore, after a certain number of printing cycles (e.g., 50 cycles), a cleaning operation is performed on the pad printing head 33. During this operation, the drive assembly drives the pad printing head 33 to contact the cleaning component 23 at the cleaning station to clean the surface of the pad printing head 33, completely removing all printing oil before continuing printing. This pad printing machine 100 can clean the pad printing head 33 automatically without human intervention or external mechanisms, thus reducing operating costs, improving pad printing efficiency, and ensuring print quality.
[0026] In one embodiment, the cleaning assembly 20 includes a feed shaft 21 and a take-up shaft 22 fixed to the frame 10. The cleaning component 23 is a cleaning tape wound on the feed shaft 21 and the take-up shaft 22. The cleaning tape is positioned at a cleaning station directly opposite the pad printing head 33. A first power source 25 drives the take-up shaft 22 to rotate. During the cleaning operation, when the pad printing head 33 moves to the cleaning station and contacts the cleaning tape at that station, the cleaning tape removes the oil and dirt from the pad printing head 33. The pad printing head 33 then moves upward and detaches from the cleaning tape. The first power source 25 drives the take-up shaft 22 to rotate, thereby moving the portion of the tape that has been used (after cleaning the pad printing head 33) a certain distance toward the take-up shaft 22, so that the cleaning tape to be used is moved to the cleaning station for the next cleaning of the pad printing head.
[0027] Preferably, the cleaning assembly 20 further includes a support plate 24 fixed to the frame 10. The support plate 24 is disposed between the feeding shaft 21 and the receiving shaft 22. The cleaning tape is supported on the support plate 24, and the cleaning station is also formed on the support plate 24. The support plate 24 is used to provide support for the cleaning tape when entering the cleaning operation, preventing the pad printing head 33 from squeezing the cleaning tape and causing it to break due to excessive force when descending, while ensuring its contact with the pad printing head 33, thereby ensuring the cleaning effect.
[0028] For ease of setup, in one embodiment, during cleaning of the pad printing head 33, a drive assembly drives the pad printing head 33 to approach or move away from the cleaning tape. The drive assembly includes a second power source 35 that drives the pad printing head 33 to approach or move away from the cleaning tape in the vertical direction, and a third power source 36 connected to and driving the pad printing head 33 to approach or move away from the cleaning tape in the horizontal direction. During the cleaning operation, the third power source 36 drives the second power source 35 and the pad printing head 33 to move above the cleaning tape, and then the second power source 35 drives the pad printing head 33 to move downward to abut against the cleaning tape.
[0029] like Figure 2As shown, the pad printing mechanism 30 includes an etching plate 31, an oil can 32, and a fourth power source 34. The surface of the etching plate 31 is provided with a pattern to be printed. The oil can 32 is supported on the etching plate 31. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the etching plate forms the bottom surface of the oil can. The fourth power source 34 is connected to and drives the etching plate 31 to move, so that the pattern portion on the etching plate 31 moves below the oil can 32. At this time, the oil can 32 applies oil to the pattern portion of the etching plate 31. Then, the fourth power source 34 drives the etching plate 31 to move in the opposite direction, so that the pattern portion is exposed above the oil can 32 and moves to the pad printing station. Then, the third power source 36 drives the pad printing head 33 to move above the etching plate 31. Then, the second power source 35 drives the pad printing head 33 to move downward and contact the pattern portion on the etching plate 31, printing the pattern onto the surface of the pad printing head 33.
[0030] like Figure 2 and 4 As shown, the cleaning component 20 is positioned on one side of the etching plate 31 along the output direction of the fourth power source 34. That is, when the pattern portion on the etching plate 31 is exposed above the oil reservoir 32, it moves to the top of the support plate 24. This arrangement allows the pad printing station and the cleaning station to overlap horizontally, differing only in height, making the entire pad printing machine 100 more compact. Furthermore, since the etching plate 31 is positioned above the support plate 24 when exposed above the oil reservoir 32, meaning both are at the same horizontal position when in contact with the pad printing head 33, there is no need to adjust the horizontal position of the pad printing head 33 during the cleaning operation. Only the vertical movement distance (i.e., the output parameters of the second power source 35) needs to be adjusted to perform the pad printing or cleaning operation.
[0031] The pad printing mechanism 30 also includes a guide rail 371 fixed on the frame 10 and a slider 372 supported on the guide rail 371. The etching plate 31 is supported on the slider 372, so that the fourth power source 34 is only used to drive the etching plate 31 to move. The weight of the etching plate 31, oil can 32, etc. is borne by the guide rail 371 and the slider 372, thus reducing the load on the fourth power source 34 and ensuring its stable operation for a long time.
[0032] Similarly, two parallel support guide rods 11 are provided on the frame 10. The second power source 35 is supported on the support guide rods 11 and moves on the support guide rods 11 driven by the third power source 36. The weight of the second power source 35, the pad printing head 33, etc. is borne by the support guide rods 11, while the third power source 36 is only used to drive the second power source 35, the pad printing head 33, etc. to move in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the load on the third power source 36 is reduced, ensuring stable operation over a long period of time.
[0033] Furthermore, a damping rod 12 is fixed at one or both ends of the support guide rod 11 in the extension direction. The damping rod 12 is used to limit the range of movement of the second power source 35 and prevent it from moving excessively and impacting the frame 10.
[0034] In one embodiment, the oil container 32 is directly supported on the etching plate 31. To prevent the oil container 32 from moving, the pad printing mechanism 30 also includes a limiting frame 38 fixed to the frame 10. Figure 2 In the process, the oil can 32 is a cylindrical container, while the limiting frame 38 is a rectangular frame that surrounds the oil can 32 to fix the position of the oil can 32 when the etching plate 31 moves, preventing it from moving and thus ensuring the oiling effect.
[0035] Preferably, the limiting frame 38 is movably mounted on the frame 10. For example, when it is necessary to replace or maintain the oil can 32, the limiting frame 38 can be moved upwards and away from the oil can 32 to release it. Of course, in other embodiments, the limiting frame 38 can also be pivotally connected to the frame 10, and can be flipped upwards when the oil can 32 needs to be removed; or an openable limiting frame 38 can be used, that is, one side of the limiting frame 38 can be detachably fixed to the two adjacent sides, and the oil can 32 can be removed by removing the movable side.
[0036] In one embodiment, the fourth power source 34, the second power source 35, and the third power source 36 are cylinders, while the first power source 25 is an electric motor. It is readily apparent that other forms of power sources can also be used, and this embodiment is not limiting.
[0037] Preferably, the pad printing head 33 and the second power source 35 are detachably fixed, and different sizes of pad printing heads 33 can be replaced to adapt when different sizes of patterns need to be printed, so as to improve flexibility.
[0038] Furthermore, the etching plate 31 is fixed on the base plate 39. When it is necessary to replace the etching plate 31 with a different pattern, the original etching plate 31 can be removed from the base plate 39 and the new etching plate 31 can be fixed on the base plate 39.
[0039] The pad printing machine 100 in this embodiment will be further described in conjunction with a specific usage scenario. The operation of the pad printing machine 100 in this embodiment is divided into two parts: a printing step and a cleaning step. In the printing step, the fourth power source 34 drives the etching plate 31 to move below the oil reservoir 32, so that the oil reservoir 32 applies oil to the pattern portion on the etching plate 31. Subsequently, the fourth power source 34 drives at least the pattern portion of the etching plate 31 to be exposed above the oil reservoir 32, positioning the etching plate 31 at the pad printing station. The pad printing head 33 moves above the etching plate 31 under the drive of the third power source 36, and the second power source 35 drives the pad printing head 33 downwards to... The pad printing station contacts the etching plate 31. The pad printing head 33, made of soft silicone or other materials, contacts the etching plate 31 under the drive of the second power source 35 to print a pattern, transferring the pattern from the etching plate 31 to the surface of the pad printing head 33. Subsequently, the second power source 35 drives the pad printing head 33 upward and detaches it from the etching plate 31. The third power source 36 drives the pad printing head 33 to move above the target product. The second power source 35 then drives the pad printing head 33 downward and contacts the surface of the product, transferring the pattern from the etching plate 31 to the surface of the target product. During this process, the fourth power source 34 drives the etching plate 31 to move below the oil can 32, causing the oil can 32 to apply oil to the etching plate 31 again. This process is repeated.
[0040] After the number of prints reaches the system-set number, the pad printing machine 100 enters the cleaning step. At this time, the fourth power source 34 stops working, and the pad printing head 33 moves to the cleaning station and comes into contact with the cleaning tape under the drive of the second power source 35 and the third power source 36. The cleaning tape cleans the pad printing head 33, and then the pad printing head 33 detaches from the cleaning tape. Subsequently, the first power source 25 drives the take-up shaft 22 to rotate, winding the portion of the cleaning tape contaminated with oil onto the take-up shaft 22, ready for the next cleaning step. After the cleaning step is completed, the pad printing machine 100 repeats the previous printing steps.
[0041] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
[0042] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A self-cleaning pad printing machine, characterized in that, include: frame; A pad printing mechanism, mounted on the frame, includes a pad printing head; A cleaning assembly, disposed on the frame, includes a cleaning component and a first power source connected to and driving the cleaning component to clean the surface of the pad printing head; A drive assembly, fixed to the frame, is connected to and drives the pad printing head to move closer to or away from the cleaning component.
2. The pad printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning assembly includes a feeding shaft and a receiving shaft fixed to the frame, and the cleaning component is a cleaning tape wound around the feeding shaft and the receiving shaft.
3. The pad printing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning assembly also includes a support plate fixed to the frame, the support plate being disposed between the feeding shaft and the receiving shaft, and the cleaning tape being supported on the support plate to form a cleaning station.
4. The pad printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pad printing mechanism includes an etching plate, an oil can, and a fourth power source. The surface of the etching plate is provided with a pattern to be printed. The oil can is supported on the etching plate and is configured to supply oil to the surface of the etching plate. The fourth power source is connected to and drives the etching plate to move so that the pattern on the etching plate moves below the oil can or is exposed above the oil can to reach the pad printing station.
5. The pad printing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cleaning assembly also includes a support plate fixed to the frame, with the etched plate positioned above the support plate when it reaches the pad printing station.
6. The pad printing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pad printing mechanism also includes a limiting frame fixed to the frame, which surrounds the oil reservoir to prevent it from moving.
7. The pad printing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the etching plate is located at the etching station, the driving component drives the printing head to contact the etching plate located at the etching station to print a pattern.
8. The pad printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a second power source that connects to and drives the pad printing head to approach or move away from the cleaning station in the vertical direction, and a third power source that connects to and drives the pad printing head to approach or move away from the cleaning unit in the horizontal direction.
9. The pad printing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The frame also includes a support guide rod extending along the output direction of the second power source, the third power source is supported on the support guide rod, and the third power source is connected to and drives the second power source to move on the support guide rod.
10. The pad printing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The pad printing mechanism also includes a damping rod fixed to the frame. The damping rod is disposed at one or both ends of the support guide rod to limit the movement range of the second power source.