Nozzle ink-jet detection device and ink-jet printer

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of ink-jet printing, and provides a nozzle ink-jet detection device and an ink-jet printer in order to solve the problems of low detection reliability and tedious use in the prior art, the nozzle ink-jet detection device is used for detecting whether the ink jet of a nozzle is abnormal or not, and the nozzle ink-jet detection device comprises a main body frame; the signal transmitter and the signal receiver are arranged at the two end parts of the main body frame; a signal emitted by the signal emitter is transmitted to the signal receiver through a signal path; the ink fountain is used for receiving ink which is ejected by the nozzle through an ink path and is used for detection, and the ink path intersects with the signal path; the mounting plate and the connecting plate are arranged on two opposite side surfaces of the main body frame, the mounting plate is detachably fixed with the main body frame, and the connecting plate is detachably fixed with the ink-jet printer; the signal receiver generates a nozzle abnormality judgment signal according to the blocking condition of the signal by the ink jetted on the ink path in the signal path transmission process. The device has the advantages of high detection reliability and convenience in use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to a nozzle inkjet detection device and an inkjet printer. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing technology is a technique that uses nozzles on a printhead to eject ink droplets onto a printing medium to obtain images or text. It mainly includes reciprocating scanning printing, one-pass scanning printing, and multi-head side-by-side scanning printing. Reciprocating scanning printing, also known as multi-pass scanning printing, requires multiple interpolations for each unit of the image to be printed. Each unit consists of multiple pixels; for example, in 2-pass scanning printing, each unit consists of 2 pixels, and in 3-pass scanning printing, each unit consists of 3 pixels. One-pass scanning printing, also known as single-pass scanning printing, requires only one scan for each unit of the image to be printed. Multi-head side-by-side scanning printing, also known as one-pass scanning printing, prints the entire image in a single pass. Feathering technology in inkjet printing can increase the number of scans for a specific area of ​​the image, improving the accuracy of the printed image.

[0003] However, regardless of the printing method used, after the inkjet printer printhead has been working for a long time, ink flow may be interrupted due to abnormal conditions such as ink blockage caused by ink path contamination, ink sedimentation, dust, and moisture. If the printhead is still used after the printhead nozzles are abnormal, it will cause problems such as streaks and blank spaces in the printed image, which will seriously affect the quality of the printed product.

[0004] Although detection devices for detecting ink output from nozzles have emerged, existing detection devices are easily contaminated by the ink ejected from the nozzles, and the disassembly, assembly, and maintenance of the devices and their components are quite difficult, which not only reduces the reliability of the detection but also makes them cumbersome to use.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a nozzle inkjet detection device and inkjet printer that are highly reliable and easy to use. Utility Model Content

[0006] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as low detection reliability and cumbersome operation. To achieve one objective, it provides a nozzle inkjet detection device for detecting abnormal inkjet output. The device includes: a main frame; a signal transmitter and a signal receiver located at both ends of the main frame, the signal transmitter transmitting a signal to the signal receiver via a signal path; an ink fountain positioned above the main frame and below the signal path, receiving ink ejected from the nozzle along the ink path for detection purposes, the ink path intersecting the signal path; mounting plates and connecting plates on opposite sides of the main frame, one end of the mounting plate fixed to the ink fountain and the other end detachably fixed to the main frame, one end of the connecting plate fixed to the main frame and the other end detachably fixed to the inkjet printer, the inkjet printer having a printhead with nozzles; and a signal receiver generating a nozzle abnormality judgment signal based on whether the signal emitted by the signal transmitter is obstructed by the ink ejected along the ink path during signal transmission.

[0007] Furthermore, one end of the mounting plate is detachably fixed to the first side of the main frame and the other end extends toward the signal path, one end of the connecting plate is fixed to the second side of the main frame and the other end extends away from the signal path, and in the horizontal direction, the signal path is located between the mounting plate and the connecting plate.

[0008] Furthermore, while the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the main frame and the inkjet printer, when the ink fountain is full of ink, the mounting plate connected to the ink fountain can be removed from the first side of the main frame, so that the ink fountain can be removed from the main frame and the ink in the ink fountain can be poured out.

[0009] Furthermore, the connecting plate includes a connecting part, a handle part, and a fixing part. The handle part is located between the connecting part and the fixing part. The connecting part is fixed to the second side of the main frame. The fixing part is fixedly connected to the inkjet printer. The handle part is used for gripping to install and remove the fixing part relative to the inkjet printer.

[0010] Furthermore, the ink fountain is designed as an open, hollow rectangular container, with the main frame in the shape of a rectangle. In the vertical direction, the projection of the ink fountain is located within the projection of the main frame.

[0011] Furthermore, the mounting plate is detachably fixed to the first side of the main frame using a quick-release mechanism.

[0012] Furthermore, each side of the ink fountain is designed as an inclined surface sloping towards the bottom to guide the received ink into the interior of the ink fountain, and a hydrophobic coating is applied to the inner and outer surfaces of the ink fountain.

[0013] Furthermore, the signal transmitter is set as a laser transmitter, the signal receiver is set as a laser receiver, and the signal is a laser beam.

[0014] To achieve another objective of this utility model, an inkjet printer is provided, including at least one printhead, each printhead including multiple nozzles, and the inkjet printer further includes: a nozzle inkjet detection device for detecting whether the inkjet from the nozzles is abnormal, wherein the nozzle inkjet detection device is any of the above-mentioned nozzle inkjet detection devices.

[0015] Furthermore, the inkjet printer also includes a controller, a printing platform, and a printing carriage located above the printing platform that is equipped with multiple nozzles. The controller can control the ink jetting of any nozzle and the signal transmission of the signal transmitter to proceed synchronously.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: the nozzle inkjet detection device and the inkjet printer can generate a nozzle abnormality judgment signal according to the signal received by the signal transmitter and the obstruction of the ink jet in the ink path during the signal transmission process. This enables the detection of inkjet abnormalities in the nozzles that need to be detected. Moreover, the mounting plate and the connecting plate are set on the opposite sides of the main frame, which not only ensures that the fixed connection between the main frame and the printing equipment and the fixed installation between the ink fountain and the main frame do not interfere with each other, but also facilitates the maintenance of the ink fountain, thereby helping to prevent the nozzle inkjet detection device from being contaminated by the ink jet from the nozzle. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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.

[0018] Figure 1 A front view of the nozzle inkjet detection device provided in an embodiment of this utility model from one perspective;

[0019] Figure 2 A front view of the nozzle inkjet detection device provided in an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective;

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0021] 1-Main frame; 2-Signal transmitter; 3-Signal receiver; 4-Ink fountain; 5-Mounting plate; 6-Connecting plate; 61-Connecting part; 62-Handle part; 63-Fixing part; 10-Signal path. Detailed Implementation

[0022] 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.

[0023] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As an objective of this utility model, a nozzle inkjet detection device is provided for detecting whether the inkjet from the nozzle is abnormal. The device includes a main frame 1, a signal transmitter 2, a signal receiver 3, an ink fountain 4, a mounting plate 5, and a connecting plate 6. The signal transmitter 2 and signal receiver 3 are located at opposite ends of the main frame 1. The signal emitted by the signal transmitter 2 is transmitted to the signal receiver 3 via a signal path 10. The ink fountain 4 is positioned above the main frame 1 and below the signal path 10. The ink fountain 4 receives the ink ejected from the nozzle (not shown) along the ink path for detection purposes. The ink path intersects the signal path 10, for example, perpendicularly. It should be noted that... Figure 1 and Figure 2The signal path 10 shown is merely exemplary. In reality, the signal path 10 is invisible, while the ink path is extremely thin. With multiple nozzles arranged in multiple rows parallel to the signal path 10 on the printhead, each ink path of each row of nozzles intersects with a signal path 10, thus each row of nozzles corresponds to a signal path 10. This correspondence can be achieved by controlling the printhead to move a predetermined distance in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of each row of nozzles. This predetermined distance is the distance between the center points of adjacent nozzles in a vertical direction between two adjacent rows of nozzles. Mounting plates 5 and connecting plates 6 are located on opposite sides of the main frame 1. One end of mounting plate 5 is fixed to the ink fountain 4, and the other end is detachably fixed to the main frame 1. One end of connecting plate 6 is fixed to the main frame 1, and the other end is detachably fixed to the inkjet printer (not shown). The inkjet printer is equipped with a printhead containing nozzles. The signal receiver 3 generates a nozzle abnormality judgment signal based on whether the signal emitted by the signal transmitter 2 is blocked by ink ejected on the ink path during signal transmission through the signal path 10. Therefore, if the signal receiver 3 does not receive a signal, it means that the signal is blocked by the ink ejected from a certain nozzle, and it can be determined that the ink ejection of that nozzle is normal. If the signal receiver 3 receives a signal, it means that the signal is not blocked by the ink ejected from a certain nozzle, and it can be determined that the ink ejection of that nozzle is abnormal. Thus, this method can be used to detect ink ejection abnormalities for all nozzles that need to be tested. Moreover, since the mounting plate 5 and the connecting plate 6 are located on opposite sides of the main frame 1, not only does the fixed connection between the main frame 1 and the printing equipment and the fixed installation of the ink fountain 4 and the main frame 1 not interfere with each other, but also, for maintenance such as emptying ink and cleaning the ink fountain 4, it is only necessary to remove the mounting plate 5 relative to the main frame 1, while keeping the connecting plate 6 fixed to the inkjet printer. This significantly improves the ease of use of the nozzle inkjet detection device. Furthermore, since the ink fountain 4 is easy to maintain, it helps to prevent the nozzle inkjet detection device from being contaminated by the ink ejected from the nozzle.

[0024] Please refer to the reference. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Specifically, one end of the mounting plate 5 is detachably fixed to the first side of the main frame 1, and the other end extends towards the signal path 10. One end of the connecting plate 6 is fixed to the second side of the main frame 1, and the other end extends away from the signal path 10. In other words, the free ends of the mounting plate 5 and the connecting plate 6 extend in opposite and mutually distant directions relative to the main frame 1. In the horizontal direction, the signal path 10 is located between the mounting plate 5 and the connecting plate 6. Because the mounting plate 5 is cantilevered, the ink fountain 4 is suspended close to the nozzle, thus ensuring that the ink fountain 4 receives all the ink ejected by the nozzle.

[0025] Specifically, with the connecting plate 6 maintaining the main frame 1 fixedly connected to the inkjet printer, when the ink fountain 4 is full of ink, the mounting plate 5 connected to the ink fountain 4 can be removed from the first side of the main frame 1, thereby removing the ink fountain 4 from the main frame 1 so that the ink in the ink fountain 4 can be poured out. Since the ink fountain 4 needs to be emptied frequently, the mounting plate 5 can be independently attached and detached from the first side, which greatly facilitates the fixing and disassembly of the ink fountain 4 relative to the main frame 1.

[0026] Please refer to the reference. Figure 1 Specifically, the connecting plate 6 includes a connecting part 61, a handle part 62, and a fixing part 63. The handle part 62 is located between the connecting part 61 and the fixing part 63. The connecting part 61 is fixed to the second side of the main frame 1, and the fixing part 63 is fixedly connected to the inkjet printer. The handle part 62 is used for gripping to install and remove the fixing part 63 relative to the inkjet printer. In this way, by placing the handle part 62 between the connecting part 61 and the fixing part 63, it is not only convenient to grip the connecting plate 6 as a whole, but also convenient to install and remove the fixing part 63 relative to the inkjet printer.

[0027] Please refer to the reference. Figure 1 Preferably, the ink fountain 4 is an open, hollow rectangular container, so that the open shape of the ink fountain 4 is adapted to the surface shape of a commonly used nozzle with multiple nozzles. The main frame 1 is rectangular, and in the vertical direction, the projection of the ink fountain 4 is located in the projection of the main frame 1. Therefore, the overall structure of the nozzle inkjet detection device is compact, and even if a small amount of ink overflows from the ink fountain 4, it will only drip onto the upper surface of the main frame 1, reducing the area that may be contaminated by ink.

[0028] Preferably, the mounting plate 5 is detachably fixed to the first side of the main frame 1 using a quick-release mechanism such as a snap, latch, or pin, which makes it easier to disassemble the ink fountain 4, which is a component of the nozzle inkjet detection device, and thus facilitates maintenance operations such as emptying the ink fountain 4 and cleaning the ink fountain 4.

[0029] Preferably, each side of the ink fountain 4 is configured as an inclined surface sloping towards the bottom to guide the received ink into the interior of the ink fountain 4, thereby facilitating the timely guidance of ink into the interior of the ink fountain 4 and preventing accumulation in localized areas of the ink fountain 4. The inner and outer surfaces of the ink fountain 4 are provided with a hydrophobic coating, such as a non-stick coating, which not only reduces the resistance to the flow of ink in the ink fountain 4, but also prevents ink residue during subsequent cleaning of the ink fountain 4.

[0030] Specifically, the signal transmitter 2 is configured as, for example, a laser diode as a laser emitter, and the signal receiver 3 is configured as, for example, a photodiode, phototransistor, or photovoltaic cell as a laser receiver. The signal is a laser beam. Alternatively, the signal transmitter 2 can also be a light-emitting diode (LED) or an infrared emitting diode. In this way, because lasers have high collimation, it can be ensured that the laser receiver 3 can accurately detect whether the signal emitted by the laser transmitter 2 is not blocked by ink ejected from a certain printhead along the signal path 10.

[0031] As another objective of this invention, it also provides an inkjet printer comprising at least one printhead, each printhead including multiple nozzles. The inkjet printer further comprises a nozzle inkjet detection device for detecting whether the nozzle inkjet is abnormal, wherein the nozzle inkjet detection device is any of the aforementioned nozzle inkjet detection devices. The inkjet printer can obtain the beneficial effects brought by any of the nozzle inkjet detection devices, which will not be elaborated further here. Therefore, the inkjet printer achieves the technical effect of high reliability in detecting whether the nozzle inkjet is abnormal and high ease of use of the nozzle inkjet detection device.

[0032] Preferably, the inkjet printer also includes a controller, a printing platform, and a printing carriage with multiple nozzles that are movable above the printing platform. The controller can control the ink ejection of any nozzle and the signal transmission of the signal transmitter 2 to proceed synchronously. Therefore, the controller can precisely control the synchronous operation of the nozzles and the signal transmitter 2, thereby timely and accurately determining whether the nozzle is ejecting ink and the specific amount of ink ejected, and thus accurately determining whether the nozzle is abnormal. Furthermore, the controller can quickly and automatically select to perform abnormality detection on preferably all nozzles, saving time based on comprehensive detection.

[0033] 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. A nozzle inkjet detection device, used to detect whether the inkjet from the nozzle is abnormal, characterized in that, include: Main framework; Signal transmitters and signal receivers are located at both ends of the main frame. The signal emitted by the signal transmitter is transmitted to the signal receiver along the signal path. The ink fountain is located above the main frame and below the signal path. The ink fountain is used to receive the ink ejected by the nozzle through the ink path for detection. The ink path intersects with the signal path. Mounting plates and connecting plates are located on opposite sides of the main frame. One end of the mounting plate is fixed to the ink fountain and the other end is detachably fixed to the main frame. One end of the connecting plate is fixed to the main frame and the other end is detachably fixed to the inkjet printer. The inkjet printer is equipped with a printhead having the nozzle. The signal receiver generates a nozzle abnormality judgment signal based on whether the signal emitted by the signal transmitter is blocked by the ink sprayed on the ink path during signal transmission.

2. The nozzle inkjet detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the mounting plate is detachably fixed to the first side of the main frame and the other end extends toward the signal path. One end of the connecting plate is fixed to the second side of the main frame and the other end extends away from the signal path. In the horizontal direction, the signal path is located between the mounting plate and the connecting plate.

3. The nozzle inkjet detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, With the connecting plate still securing the main frame to the inkjet printer, when the ink fountain is full of ink, the mounting plate connected to the ink fountain can be removed from the first side of the main frame, thereby removing the ink fountain from the main frame so that the ink in the ink fountain can be poured out.

4. The nozzle inkjet detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting plate includes a connecting part, a handle part, and a fixing part. The handle part is located between the connecting part and the fixing part. The connecting part is fixed to the second side of the main frame. The fixing part is fixedly connected to the inkjet printer. The handle part is used for gripping to install and remove the fixing part relative to the inkjet printer.

5. The nozzle inkjet detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ink fountain is designed as an open, hollow rectangular container, and the main frame is rectangular in shape. In the vertical direction, the projection of the ink fountain is located within the projection of the main frame.

6. The nozzle inkjet detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting plate is detachably fixed to the first side of the main frame using a quick-release mechanism.

7. The nozzle inkjet detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each side of the ink fountain is designed as an inclined surface sloping towards the bottom to guide the received ink into the interior of the ink fountain, and the inner and outer surfaces of the ink fountain are provided with a hydrophobic coating.

8. The nozzle inkjet detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal transmitter is configured as a laser transmitter, the signal receiver is configured as a laser receiver, and the signal is a laser beam.

9. An inkjet printer, comprising at least one printhead, each printhead comprising a plurality of nozzles, characterized in that, The inkjet printer further includes a nozzle inkjet detection device for detecting whether the inkjet from the nozzle is abnormal, wherein the nozzle inkjet detection device is the nozzle inkjet detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The inkjet printer according to claim 9, characterized in that, The inkjet printer also includes a controller, a printing platform, and a printing carriage located above the printing platform and equipped with multiple nozzles. The controller can control the ink jetting of any of the nozzles and the signal emission from the signal transmitter to proceed synchronously.

Images