Printing head temperature control device and ink-jet printer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of ink-jet printing, and particularly discloses a printing head temperature control device and an ink-jet printer, at least comprising a heat exchange container, a fluid cavity used for accommodating heat exchange liquid is arranged in the heat exchange container, the heat exchange container is provided with a liquid inlet interface and a liquid outlet interface which are communicated with the fluid cavity, and the liquid inlet interface and the liquid outlet interface are communicated with the fluid cavity. The heat exchange container is at least provided with a heat exchange wall attached to the printing head, the heat exchange wall is a flexible wall, and the flexible wall is attached to the outer wall of the printing head based on fluid pressure in the fluid cavity. Wherein the heat exchange container enables the flexible wall to be attached to the outer wall of the printing head based on the fluid pressure in the fluid cavity, compared with the prior art, the requirements for machining precision, assembling precision, surface roughness and the like are lower, production and assembling cost is remarkably reduced, however, the attaching precision is higher, the attaching stability is better, the size of a medium participating in heat exchange is larger, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved. The heat exchange efficiency is higher, and temperature control over the printing head is more accurate and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, specifically to a printhead temperature control device and an inkjet printer. Background Technology

[0002] The printhead of an inkjet printer contains a series of electronic components, heating elements, actuators, ink flow channels, and other structures. The electronic components are susceptible to performance instability due to significant temperature fluctuations, especially since the inkjet performance is highly sensitive to temperature changes. Temperature variations directly affect ink viscosity, which in turn influences the size and movement parameters of ink droplets. Therefore, effectively cooling the printhead, which generates heat during operation, or controlling it within a reasonable temperature range, is crucial for improving the performance stability of inkjet printing equipment.

[0003] Conventionally, heat dissipation can be achieved by attaching metal heat sinks to the surface of the printhead. The heat sinks are generally made of aluminum alloy with good thermal conductivity, and preferably, the heat sinks are made in the form of fins, so as to have a larger heat dissipation area and better heat dissipation performance.

[0004] In addition, existing technologies also include a medium channel inside the heat sink, through which cold air or cooling medium is introduced to improve the cooling speed. For example, Chinese utility model patent CN215204073U discloses a printhead cooling device for an inkjet printer, and Chinese utility model patent CN218966512U discloses a printhead cooling device for a digital printer.

[0005] While the aforementioned air-cooling or liquid-cooling methods can improve cooling efficiency, they still have certain shortcomings. Specifically, these methods suffer from drawbacks because, due to factors such as machining accuracy, assembly accuracy, and surface roughness errors, achieving a large-scale fit between two relatively large hard surfaces requires high precision, presents significant manufacturing challenges, and results in a more complex structure and higher cost. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a structurally improved printhead temperature control device to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a printhead temperature control device, comprising at least a heat exchange container, wherein the interior of the heat exchange container is provided with a fluid cavity for containing heat exchange liquid, the heat exchange container is provided with an inlet port and an outlet port communicating with the fluid cavity, the heat exchange container is provided with at least a heat exchange wall that is in contact with the printhead, the heat exchange wall is a flexible wall, and the flexible wall is in contact with the outer wall of the printhead based on the fluid pressure in the fluid cavity.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange container is a soft bag, and all walls constituting the soft bag are flexible walls.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the soft bags are provided on both opposite sides of the printhead.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the device further includes a fixing frame fixedly disposed relative to the printhead, the fixing frame having a receiving cavity for accommodating the soft bag.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange wall on the heat exchange container that is in contact with the printhead is a flexible wall, while the remaining walls constituting the heat exchange container are rigid walls.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, heat exchange containers are provided on both opposite sides of the printhead, and the heat exchange containers are fixedly disposed relative to the printhead.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, a mutually compatible connecting mechanism is provided between the heat exchange containers located on both sides of the printhead.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting mechanism includes a connecting arm located at one end of the heat exchange container, a buckle located at the free end of the connecting arm, a connecting end located at the other end of the heat exchange container, and a slot on the connecting end that is adapted to and connected to the buckle.

[0015] This utility model also discloses an inkjet printer, which includes at least the aforementioned printhead temperature control device.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the printhead temperature control device and inkjet printer of this utility model have the following advantages:

[0017] (1) The heat exchange container and the heat exchange wall that are attached to the print head are flexible walls. Based on the fluid pressure in the fluid cavity and the outer wall of the print head, compared with the hard metal heat sink in the prior art, the requirements for processing accuracy, assembly accuracy and surface roughness are lower, and the production and assembly costs are significantly reduced. However, its bonding accuracy is higher, the bonding stability is better, and the heat exchange effect is better.

[0018] (2) The interior of the heat exchange container is a fluid cavity for containing the heat exchange liquid. Compared with the form of setting a cooling channel in the heat sink in the prior art, the volume of the heat exchange medium is larger and the number is greater, the heat exchange efficiency is higher, and the temperature control of the print head is more precise and efficient. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the printhead temperature control device shown in Embodiment 1;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the combination of the printhead temperature control device and the printhead in Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the combination of the printhead temperature control device and the printhead in Embodiment 2;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure in its explosive state. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0024] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, an integral connection, or a detachable connection; they can refer to the internal connection of two components; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] Example 1: A printhead temperature control device for an inkjet printer, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the heat exchange containers are disposed on opposite sides of the printhead 30. Preferably, the heat exchange container in this embodiment is a flexible bag 10, and all walls 11 of the flexible bag 10 are flexible walls. The flexible bag heat exchange container in this embodiment has a fluid cavity 1 inside for containing heat exchange liquid 50, and the heat exchange container is provided with an inlet port 2 and an outlet port 3 communicating with the fluid cavity 1.

[0027] The printhead temperature control device in this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, based on the fluid pressure of the heat exchange liquid 50 in the fluid cavity 1, the flexible wall of the soft bag 10 on the side that is in contact with the print head 30 is in contact with the outer wall of the print head. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the specific material of the flexible wall is not limited.

[0028] In this embodiment, to limit the position of the soft bag 10 relative to the print head 30, a fixing frame 40 is also provided, which is fixedly disposed relative to the print head 30. The fixing frame 40 has a receiving cavity 41 for accommodating the soft bag 10. Based on the arrangement of the receiving cavity 41, when the fluid cavity 1 of the soft bag 10 is filled with heat exchange liquid 50, it can be ensured that the flexible wall on the side in contact with the print head 30 is completely in contact with the outer wall of the print head.

[0029] It should be noted that the heat exchange fluid 50 in this embodiment is a conventional technology, and its specific composition is not limited in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the printhead temperature control device can both increase and decrease the printhead temperature through heat exchange.

[0030] Example 2: A printhead temperature control device for an inkjet printer, as described in this example. Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the heat exchange container in this embodiment is a rigid container 20, and the heat exchange wall 21 that is in contact with the printhead is a flexible wall, while the remaining walls constituting the heat exchange container are all rigid walls. In the printhead temperature control device of this embodiment, the rigid container 20 has a fluid cavity inside for containing the heat exchange liquid 50. The rigid container 20 is provided with an inlet port 2 and an outlet port 3 communicating with the fluid cavity. When the fluid cavity inside the rigid container 20 is filled with heat exchange liquid, the heat exchange wall 21 is tightly fitted to the outer wall of the printhead based on the fluid pressure, thereby achieving heat exchange in the printhead.

[0031] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the material of the rigid wall is not limited; it can be either metal or plastic.

[0032] In this embodiment, heat exchange containers are provided on both opposite sides of the printhead 30, and the heat exchange containers are fixedly disposed relative to the printhead. Specifically, in a preferred fixing method, a mutually adaptable connecting mechanism is provided between the rigid containers 20 located on both sides of the printhead 30. The connecting mechanism includes a connecting arm 22 located at the end of one rigid container 20, a latch 23 located at the free end of the connecting arm 22, a connecting end 24 located at the end of the other rigid container 20, and a slot 25 on the connecting end 24 that is adapted to and connected to the latch 23.

[0033] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the method of fixing the rigid containers on both sides of the printhead by snap-fit ​​is merely a preferred embodiment of this application.

[0034] In summary, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A printhead temperature control device, characterized in that, It includes at least a heat exchange container, the interior of which is provided with a fluid cavity for containing heat exchange liquid. The heat exchange container is provided with an inlet port and an outlet port communicating with the fluid cavity. The heat exchange container is provided with at least a heat exchange wall that is in contact with the print head. The heat exchange wall is a flexible wall, and the flexible wall is in contact with the outer wall of the print head based on the fluid pressure in the fluid cavity.

2. The printhead temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange container is a soft bag, and all the walls of the soft bag are flexible walls.

3. The printhead temperature control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The soft bags are provided on both sides opposite to the print head.

4. The printhead temperature control device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, It also includes a fixing frame fixedly disposed relative to the print head, wherein the fixing frame is provided with a receiving cavity for accommodating the soft bag.

5. The printhead temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange wall that is in contact with the printhead on the heat exchange container is a flexible wall, while the remaining walls that make up the heat exchange container are rigid walls.

6. The printhead temperature control device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat exchange containers are provided on both sides of the print head, and the heat exchange containers are fixedly positioned relative to the print head.

7. The printhead temperature control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A mutually compatible connection mechanism is provided between the heat exchange containers located on both sides of the print head.

8. The printhead temperature control device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connection mechanism includes a connecting arm located at one end of the heat exchange container, a buckle located at the free end of the connecting arm, a connecting end located at the other end of the heat exchange container, and a slot on the connecting end that is adapted to and connected to the buckle.

9. An inkjet printer, characterized in that, It includes at least the printhead temperature control device as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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