Ink flow divider, ink path system and digital printing equipment

Abstract

The utility model is suitable for the technical field of digital printing, and provides an ink diverter, an ink path system and digital printing equipment. The ink flow divider comprises a body part which is internally provided with an ink cavity for accommodating ink; the ink inlet pipe is arranged on the body part and communicated with the ink cavity, and the ink inlet pipe is used for being communicated with an ink box; and the number of the ink distributing pipes is at least two, the at least two ink distributing pipes are arranged on the body part at intervals and communicate with the ink cavity, and the at least two ink distributing pipes are used for being connected with the ink inlets or the ink outlets of the same ink channels in the nozzle one by one. According to the ink diverter provided by the utility model, the complexity and the installation cost of a diverting connection structure of the ink box and the nozzle can be reduced, and the occupied space is reduced, so that the installation difficulty is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of digital printing technology, and in particular relates to an ink distributor, an ink path system, and digital printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] To improve image printing resolution, existing digital inkjet printing processes typically use multiple channels for the same ink chamber in the printhead. Therefore, when connecting the printhead to the ink cartridge, ink of the same color needs to be split into multiple streams before entering the printhead (the number of streams depends on the specific printhead required for production). The ink path connection structure usually adopts a multi-stage diversion method, that is, at least one stage is diverted from the ink outlet of the ink cartridge, and then the next stage is performed according to actual needs. Each stage uses existing connectors on the market for diversion. This diversion method results in a large number of connectors, making installation cumbersome and inefficient. At the same time, the connectors also occupy too much space, increasing the difficulty of installation. Utility Model Content

[0003] The ink diverter provided by this utility model aims to solve the problems of cumbersome installation of ink path interception between ink cartridges and printheads, resulting in low installation efficiency and excessive space occupation, which increases the difficulty of installation in the prior art.

[0004] This invention is implemented as follows: an ink diverter, comprising:

[0005] The main body has an ink chamber inside for holding ink;

[0006] An ink inlet tube is located in the main body and communicates with the ink cavity; the ink inlet tube is used to communicate with the ink cartridge.

[0007] The ink distribution tubes are at least two in number, and the at least two ink distribution tubes are spaced apart on the main body and communicate with the ink cavity. The at least two ink distribution tubes are used to connect one by one to the ink inlet or ink outlet of the same ink channel in the printhead.

[0008] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube and the ink distributor tube are integrally formed with the main body.

[0009] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube and the ink distributor tube are made of non-rigid materials.

[0010] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube and the ink distributor tube are made of transparent material.

[0011] Furthermore, both the ink inlet tube and the ink distributor tube have a pagoda-like external structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube is located at the top of the main body, and the ink distribution tube is located at the bottom of the main body.

[0013] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube is provided with a first fastener, and the ink distribution tube is provided with a second fastener. The first fastener fixes the first ink tube that is connected to the ink inlet tube, and the second fastener fixes the second ink tube that is connected to the ink distribution tube.

[0014] Furthermore, both the first and second fasteners are clamps.

[0015] This utility model also provides an ink path system, including an ink cartridge, a printhead, and the aforementioned ink distributor.

[0016] This utility model also provides a digital printing device, including the aforementioned ink path system.

[0017] The beneficial effects achieved by this utility model are that by connecting the ink inlet tube of the ink distributor to the ink cartridge, and then using the ink distributor to distribute the ink to different channels of the printhead, the structural complexity of connecting the ink to the multi-channel printhead can be reduced and the installation efficiency can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an ink distributor provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an ink distributor provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an application scenario diagram of an ink distributor provided by this utility model.

[0021] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0022] 1. Main body; 11. Ink chamber; 2. Ink inlet tube; 3. Ink distributor tube; 10. Ink cartridge; 101. Connector; 20. Printhead; 30. Ink distributor; 40. Ink tube. 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] See Figures 1-3This utility model provides an ink distributor 30, which includes a main body 1, an ink inlet tube 2, and an ink distribution tube 3. The main body 1 has an ink cavity 11 for containing ink. An ink inlet tube 2 is located in the main body 1 and communicates with the ink cavity 11. The ink inlet tube 2 is used to communicate with the ink cartridge 10, so that the ink in the ink cartridge 10 can be introduced into the ink cavity 11 through the ink inlet tube 2. The ink cartridge 10 has multiple ink outlets so that the ink cartridge can communicate with multiple printheads. Each ink outlet has a connector 101. The ink tube 40 is connected to the connector 101 and the ink inlet tube 2 respectively. There are at least two ink distribution tubes 3. The at least two ink distribution tubes 3 are spaced apart in the main body 1 and communicate with the ink cavity 11 so that the ink in the ink cavity 11 is diverted through the at least two ink distribution tubes 3. The at least two ink distribution tubes 3 are used to connect one by one to the ink inlet or ink outlet of the same ink channel in the printhead 20. The same ink channel refers to the number of channels used when the same color ink is connected to the current printhead 20. The terminal is the ink inlet or ink outlet of the ink channel.

[0025] For example, when the ink splitter 30 is applied to the non-circulating printhead 20 and the current printhead 20 uses single-color ink, all the terminals of the current printhead 20 are ink inlets. Depending on the printing resolution requirements, the same type of ink is usually set to multiple channels, and different channels have corresponding ink inlets. Therefore, at least two ink splitting tubes 3 on the main body 1 correspond one-to-one with the ink inlets of the printhead 20 and are connected. If the current printhead 20 uses multi-color ink, such as two-color ink, then different colors are connected to the printhead 20 by an ink splitter 30 for splitting.

[0026] When the ink splitter 30 is applied to the circulating printhead 20, the number of ink inlet and ink outlet ends on the printhead 20 is the same. When the ink inlet end is connected to the main ink cartridge 10, the ink inlet of the printhead and the main ink cartridge 10 can be connected through one ink splitter 30. When the ink outlet end is connected to the circulating ink cartridge 10, the ink outlet end and the circulating ink cartridge 10 can be connected through another ink splitter 30. Different colors are split using one ink splitter 30.

[0027] In other words, the ink inlet pipe 2 of the ink distributor 30 is connected to an ink cartridge 10. The ink cartridge 10 can be the ink cartridge 10 of the non-circulating printhead 20, the main ink cartridge 10 of the circulating printhead 20, or the circulating ink cartridge 10 of the circulating printhead 20. The ink distribution pipe 3 is connected to the ink inlet or outlet of the same color from which the ink in the ink cartridge 10 flows to the printhead 20.

[0028] Specifically, in this embodiment, a 4-channel dual-color non-circulating printhead can be used, that is, each color ink chamber has 4 ink inlets. Therefore, the ink distribution tubes 3 of the ink distributor 30 can be set to 4. Each printhead uses 2 ink distributors 30 to connect to the ink cartridges 10 of the two colors respectively. In addition, the number of ink distribution tubes 3 of the ink distributor 30 can be set according to the actual printhead, which is not limited here.

[0029] The ink inlet pipe 2 of the ink splitter 30 is connected to the ink cartridge 10, and the ink is then split into different channels of the printhead 20 through the ink splitter 30. The required number of ink streams can be directly split using a single-stage splitter, which can reduce the structural complexity when the ink is connected to the multi-channel printhead 20 and improve installation efficiency.

[0030] The ink diverter 30 provided by this utility model can reduce the complexity of the diversion connection structure between the ink cartridge 10 and the printhead 20, as well as the installation cost, and reduce space occupation, thereby reducing the difficulty of installation.

[0031] In this embodiment, the main body 1 can be configured as a flat structure to reduce space occupation and facilitate the installation of a corresponding number of ink distributors in a limited space when multiple printheads 20 are connected to the ink cartridge 10.

[0032] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink distributor tube 3 are integrally formed with the main body 1, which simplifies the structural processing of the ink distributor 30 and improves production efficiency.

[0033] Specifically, the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink outlet tube 3 are made of non-rigid materials. Non-rigid materials include, but are not limited to, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), etc.

[0034] It should be noted that when the main body 1, the ink inlet tube 2, and the ink distributor tube 3 are manufactured as a single piece, the main body 1 can be made of the same material as the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink distributor tube 3.

[0035] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink outlet tube 3 are made of transparent material, that is, non-rigid material. This makes it easy to observe the color of the ink and the internal condition of the ink, avoids incorrect ink connection to the printhead, and allows for immediate troubleshooting of ink abnormalities.

[0036] Furthermore, both the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink distributor tube 3 have a pagoda-like external structure. Thus, the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink distributor tube 3 are connected separately, and the ink tube 40 can be directly engaged with the pagoda structure without the need for additional fasteners, simplifying installation and saving costs.

[0037] In this embodiment, the ink inlet tube 2 can be located at the top of the main body 1, and the ink distribution tube 3 can be located at the bottom of the main body 1. This allows the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink distribution tube 3 to be located on the side of the main body 1 that is closer to the ink cartridge 10 and the print head 20, thereby facilitating the installation of the ink distributor 30 and preventing the ink tubes 40 connected to the ink distributor 30 from crossing, thus keeping the entire space neat.

[0038] Furthermore, the ink inlet tube 2 is provided with a first fastener (not shown in the figure), and the ink distributor tube 3 is provided with a second fastener (not shown in the figure). The first fastener fixes the ink tube 40 connected to the ink inlet tube 2, and the second fastener fixes the ink tube 40 connected to the ink distributor tube 3. Thus, by using the first and second fasteners, when the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink distributor tube 3 do not adopt a pagoda structure with fixing capabilities, such as a straight-wall structure, the ink tube 40 can be fixed by fitting it onto the ink distributor tube 3 or the first and second fasteners of the ink inlet tube 2.

[0039] In addition, even if the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink outlet tube 3 adopt a pagoda structure, if the pagoda structure cannot meet the requirements for fixing the ink tube 40, such as when the force on the ink tube 40 increases or the ink tube 40 deforms after a certain period of use, resulting in insufficient fixing capacity with the ink outlet tube 3 and the ink inlet tube 2, the first fastener and the second fastener can be used for fixing.

[0040] Specifically, both the first and second fasteners are clamps, so that the first and second fasteners can be used only when needed, instead of being placed on the ink inlet tube 2 and the ink outlet tube 3 all the time, making them more flexible to use.

[0041] This utility model embodiment also provides an ink path system, including an ink cartridge 10, a printhead 20, and the aforementioned ink distributor 30. The ink inlet pipe 2 of the ink distributor 30 is connected to the ink cartridge 10, and the ink distribution pipe 3 is connected to the printhead 20. The ink path system provided by this utility model, by using the ink distributor 30 to connect the ink cartridge 10 and the printhead 20, can save space, reduce installation complexity, and improve installation efficiency.

[0042] This utility model also provides a digital printing device, including the aforementioned ink path system. The digital printing device provided by this utility model can save space, reduce installation complexity, and improve installation efficiency.

[0043] 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. An ink shunt, characterized by The ink shunt comprises: a body portion, which is internally provided with an ink cavity for containing ink; an ink inlet pipe, which is arranged in the body portion and communicates with the ink cavity, and is used for communicating with an ink cartridge; a plurality of ink distribution pipes, which are arranged in the body portion in a spaced manner and communicate with the ink cavity, and are used for one-to-one connection with ink inlet ports or ink outlet ports of the same ink passage in the inkjet head.

2. The ink diverter of claim 1, wherein The ink inlet pipe and the ink distribution pipes are integrally arranged with the body portion.

3. The ink diverter of claim 1 or 2, wherein The ink inlet pipe and the ink distribution pipes are made of a non-rigid material.

4. The ink diverter of claim 3, wherein The ink inlet pipe and the ink distribution pipes are made of a transparent material.

5. The ink diverter of claim 1, wherein The ink inlet pipe and the ink distribution pipes are both in a pagoda structure.

6. The ink diverter of claim 1, wherein The ink inlet pipe is arranged at the top of the body portion, and the ink distribution pipes are arranged at the bottom of the body portion.

7. The ink diverter of claim 1 or 5, wherein The ink inlet pipe is provided with a first fastener, and the ink distribution pipes are provided with a second fastener, the first fastener is used for fixing a first ink pipe which communicates with the ink inlet pipe, and the second fastener is used for fixing a second ink pipe which communicates with the ink distribution pipes.

8. The ink diverter of claim 7, wherein, The first fastener and the second fastener are both clamps.

9. An ink path system characterized by comprising: The ink shunt is used in an ink cartridge, an inkjet head and an ink path system.

10. A digital printing apparatus characterized by comprising: The ink path system comprises the ink shunt.

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