Ink heating device and printing equipment

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of ink-jet printing, and provides an ink heating device, which comprises a conduction structure and a heating element, and is characterized in that the conduction structure provides a stable ink flowing channel and provides structural support for the arrangement of the heating element; the heating element may be disposed outside the conductive structure or outside and / or inside the ink channel in the interior to achieve efficient heat transfer. According to the ink heating device, the ink is heated before flowing into the nozzle, so that the temperature of the ink can be uniformly and effectively increased, the required temperature can be quickly reached and maintained before the ink enters the nozzle, the ink jet stability is ensured, and the printing effect is favorably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to an ink heating device and printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing technology is widely used in image, text, and industrial printing. Its basic principle is to precisely control the ejection of ink droplets through tiny nozzles on the printhead, forming predetermined patterns or characters on the printing medium. Due to its advantages such as high precision, non-contact printing, and wide applicability to various materials, inkjet printing technology has been widely used in many fields, including home printing, advertising printing, textile printing, and electronics manufacturing.

[0003] To ensure the stability and print quality of inkjet printing, the physical properties of the ink need to be maintained within a suitable range. Factors such as viscosity, surface tension, and volatility all affect droplet formation, flight stability, and the final ink application. Changes in ambient temperature can alter ink viscosity, thus affecting inkjet smoothness. Currently, some high-end printheads on the market (such as certain thermal inkjet printheads or some industrial-grade piezoelectric printheads) have built-in heating functions that automatically adjust ink temperature to optimize printing performance. However, some piezoelectric printheads, such as the I3200 printhead, do not have their own ink heating devices and instead rely on external ink path system temperature control to regulate ink temperature. This can easily lead to unstable or insufficient ink heating, manifesting as ink interruptions and blurry white ink during printing, severely impacting image print quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an ink heating device to solve the technical problem of unstable or insufficient ink heating in inkjet printing equipment.

[0005] In a first aspect, this utility model provides an ink heating device, the ink heating device comprising:

[0006] The conductive structure includes several through-type ink channels. One end of each ink channel is an inlet for connecting to an ink tube, and the other end is an outlet for connecting to an ink inlet of a printhead. The inlet is also equipped with an ink tube connector for connecting to the ink tube.

[0007] A heating element is disposed outside or inside the conductive structure and is used to heat the ink flowing through the ink channel.

[0008] Preferably, the ink channel is any one or a combination of straight, curved, and spiral types.

[0009] Preferably, a fixing member is further provided on the outside of the conductive structure, the fixing member being used to fix the conductive structure above the nozzle.

[0010] Preferably, the conductive structure is rectangular in shape and made of metal. The heating element is attached to the outside of the conductive structure. The heating element includes one or more of the following: resistance heating element, ceramic heating element, PTC heating element, metal thin film heating element, conductive polymer heating film, carbon nanotube coating, or graphene conductive coating.

[0011] Preferably, the heating element is disposed on the outside and / or inside the ink channel, and the heating element includes any one or more of the following: resistance wire, thin film resistance heating device, MEMS heating device, and nanomaterial heating device.

[0012] Preferably, the heating elements are arranged in one or more of the following patterns: linear, mesh, spiral, or array, along the outer and / or inner sides of the ink channel.

[0013] Preferably, the device further includes a temperature sensing element disposed outside or inside the conductive structure, for obtaining the temperature of the ink in the ink channel.

[0014] Preferably, the temperature sensing element includes one or more of the following: thermocouple, resistance temperature detector (RTD), thermistor, and MEMS temperature sensor.

[0015] Preferably, the ink heating device further includes a bubble detection module, which is disposed on the outside and / or inside of the ink channel, and is used to detect the bubble content in the ink channel.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a printing device, characterized in that the device comprises:

[0017] An ink supply device, the ink supply device comprising at least an ink sac for storing ink and an ink tube for guiding ink flow;

[0018] A printhead, the printhead comprising at least one row of nozzles for ejecting ink;

[0019] And the ink heating device described in any of the first aspects, disposed above the printhead.

[0020] In summary, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0021] The ink heating device and printing equipment provided in this embodiment include a conductive structure and a heating element. The conductive structure provides a stable ink flow channel and structural support for the arrangement of the heating element. The heating element can be arranged outside or inside the ink channel of the conductive structure to achieve more efficient heat transfer. The ink heating device of this invention heats the ink before it flows into the printhead, effectively improving the temperature control accuracy of the ink. This allows the ink to quickly reach and maintain the required temperature before entering the printhead, ensuring ink jet stability and improving printing results.

[0022] Furthermore, this ink heating device can integrate a temperature sensing element to monitor the ink temperature in real time and feed it back to the printing equipment's control module, thereby precisely adjusting the heating power to maintain the ink at a suitable temperature. The bubble detection module can monitor air bubbles within the ink channel and feed this information back to the printing equipment's control module to perform bubble removal, preventing bubbles from affecting ink droplet ejection and ensuring print quality and stability. Attached Figure Description

[0023] 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.

[0024] Figure 1a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ink heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ink heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ink heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the ink heating device and printhead according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the linear ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the curved ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the spiral ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the heating element disposed outside the ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the heating element disposed inside the ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the heating element disposed on the outside and inside of the ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a temperature sensing element disposed on the outside of the ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a temperature detection element disposed inside the ink channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the bubble detection module of this utility model disposed on the outside of the ink channel.

[0037] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the bubble detection module of this utility model disposed inside the ink channel. Detailed Implementation

[0038] 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," and "outer," 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 defined 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, the various features in the embodiments and examples of this utility model can be combined with each other, all within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0039] Please see Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figures 2-6As shown, this embodiment of the present invention provides an ink heating device 1, which includes a conductive structure 10 and a heating element 20. Preferably, the conductive structure 10 is rectangular in shape. In other embodiments, it can also be other shapes, such as cylindrical blocks. It has several through-type ink channels 11 inside. One end of each ink channel 11 is an inlet 111 for connecting to the ink tube, and the other end is an outlet 112 for connecting to the ink inlet of the printhead. The number of ink channels 11 can be determined according to the number of ink inlets of the printhead; one ink channel 11 corresponds to one ink inlet of the printhead. A heating element 20 for generating heat is provided on the outside or inside of the conductive structure 10. The ink tube (not shown) is a conduit connecting the ink sac (not shown) and the ink heating device 1. Ink flows from the ink sac through the ink tube into the ink heating device 1. During the flow of ink through the ink channels 11 in the ink heating device 1, the heating element 20 in the ink heating device 1 generates heat to heat the ink. Preferably, the inlet 111 is further provided with an ink tube connector 113 for connection to the ink tube. For example, the ink tube connector 113 can be inserted into the ink tube and fit tightly against the ink tube wall, thereby reducing the risk of leakage when ink flows into the ink heating device 1 and ensuring that the ink can stably enter the ink channel 11 for heating treatment. The ink tube connector 113 can be made of a high-temperature resistant and elastic material to improve the sealing of the connection and prevent air bubbles or ink leakage caused by external environmental factors.

[0040] Preferably, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the ink heating device 1 also includes a fixing member 30, which is arranged on the left and right sides outside the conductive structure 10 (the side where the ink tube connector 113 is located is called the upper side, the side where the ink outlet 112 is located is called the lower side, the side where the heating element 20 is located is called the front side, the side opposite to the front side is called the rear side, and the other two sides are the left and right sides). The fixing member 30 is provided with a screw through hole 31 for installing screws. The ink heating device 1 can be fixed above the printhead 2 through the screw channel 31, and the printhead 2 is fixed in the printhead base plate 3.

[0041] The ink heating device 1 of this invention generates heat through the heating element 20, heating the ink flowing through the ink channel 11, thereby reducing ink viscosity, improving jetting stability, and reducing problems such as ink breakage, stringing, and nozzle clogging. Compared to traditional methods of heating in the ink path system (such as the ink cartridge) (in traditional ink cartridge heating schemes, due to the long transport path between the ink cartridge and the printhead, the ink is easily affected by the ambient temperature during flow, causing its temperature to fluctuate before entering the printhead, especially in low-temperature environments, where the ink may cool rapidly during transport, leading to increased viscosity and affecting jetting performance), the ink heating device 1 of this invention heats the ink before it flows into the printhead, effectively improving the temperature control accuracy of the ink. This allows the ink to quickly reach and maintain the required temperature before entering the printhead, ensuring jetting stability and avoiding nozzle clogging or ink breakage. The ink heating device 1 of this invention is suitable for temperature-sensitive inks such as UV inks, white inks, or high-viscosity inks.

[0042] In some embodiments, such as Figures 4-6 As shown, the shape of the ink channel 11 can be designed as follows, depending on different heating requirements and ink flow characteristics. Figure 4 The linear type shown, or as shown Figure 5 The curve shown, or as Figure 6 The combination of one or more spiral shapes shown optimizes the uniformity of ink heating and the stability of ink flow. When the ink channel 11 is designed in a straight line, the ink flows in from the inlet 111 and can flow directly to the outlet 112 along the shortest path and enter the printhead ink inlet. This design is suitable for applications with lower heating temperature requirements because the ink has a shorter residence time in the channel, allowing for rapid heating and entry into the printhead, which helps to improve printing speed and reduce overheating problems caused by prolonged ink retention. When the ink channel 11 is designed in a curved shape, its internal passage can have a certain tortuous structure, making the ink's path longer as it flows through the channel, thereby extending the heating time and ensuring that the ink can absorb heat more fully, improving heating uniformity. Curved channels are suitable for situations requiring uniform heating, such as certain types of pigment inks or high-viscosity inks. When the ink channel 11 is designed in a spiral shape, the ink can take a longer heating path before entering the printhead. This structure can further improve heating efficiency and provide a longer heating channel within a limited space, thereby ensuring that the ink reaches the predetermined temperature before entering the printhead. In addition, the spiral channel can also generate a certain fluid disturbance effect, which helps to reduce the accumulation of air bubbles and prevent air bubbles from entering the printhead and causing problems such as ink interruption or reduced print quality.

[0043] In practical implementation, the shape of the ink channel 11 can be optimized and combined according to the type of printing equipment, the working mode of the printhead, and the characteristics of the ink. For example, in scenarios requiring high-speed printing, a straight channel can be used to reduce ink flow resistance; in scenarios requiring enhanced heating uniformity, a curved or spiral channel can be combined to ensure that the ink is fully preheated before entering the printhead. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the ink channel 11 can also be optimized, such as using different geometric shapes like circles, ellipses, or squares, to improve flow characteristics and reduce ink residue.

[0044] In one embodiment, the heating element 20 is disposed outside the conductive structure 10. In such a case... Figures 1a-6 In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive structure 10 is a rectangular block structure integrally formed with the ink channels 11 internally disposed. Preferably, the material of the conductive structure 10 is a metal material, which has excellent thermal conductivity. In other embodiments, other materials with excellent thermal conductivity can also be used. A heating element 20 is disposed on the outside of the conductive structure 10. The heating element 20 is used to generate heat. Due to the high thermal conductivity of the metal material, the heat can be quickly and evenly conducted to all the internal ink channels 11, thereby heating the flowing ink. The heating element 20 can be of various types, including resistance heating elements, ceramic heating elements, PTC heating elements, metal thin film heating elements, conductive polymer heating films, carbon nanotube coatings, or graphene conductive coatings, etc., which can be determined according to actual conditions and requirements. Since the heating patch can be directly attached to the outer surface of the conductive structure 10, there is no need to perform complex internal processing on the conductive structure 10. It is only necessary to ensure that the material of the conductive structure 10 has good thermal conductivity to efficiently transfer heat to the internal ink channels 11. Furthermore, the power supply for the heating patch is relatively simple, allowing direct connection to the power system of the printing equipment. Therefore, compared to methods such as integrating a resistance wire inside the conductive structure 10, it reduces the complexity of the manufacturing process, lowers production costs, and offers good maintainability and reliability.

[0045] Preferably, a heating element 20 is disposed on the outer side and / or inner side of each ink channel 11 inside the conductive structure 10. In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 The heating element 20 is located inside the conductive structure 10 and close to the outside of the ink channel 11 to ensure that heat can be quickly and efficiently conducted to the ink in the ink channel 11. At the same time, the heating element 20 and the ink are isolated by a thin wall to avoid direct contact with the ink, reduce the risk of contamination on the surface of the heating element 20, and effectively extend the service life of the heating element 20.

[0046] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8As shown, the heating element 20 is positioned inside the ink channel 11 and in contact with the ink. The heating element 20 can efficiently heat the ink through direct contact. Because the heating element 20 is in direct contact with the ink, its heat transfer path is shorter, avoiding heat loss through the channel walls and ensuring uniform heating of the ink as it flows through the channel. This method is particularly suitable for inkjet printing applications requiring precise temperature control and rapid temperature response.

[0047] In one embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, heating elements 20 are simultaneously positioned on both the outer and inner sides of the ink channel 11 to further heat the ink efficiently. This dual arrangement utilizes the outer heating element to provide uniform heating, while the inner heating element can directly act on the ink, increasing the local heating rate and enabling the ink to quickly reach the appropriate viscosity and flowability before flowing through the nozzle.

[0048] Heating elements 20 disposed on the outer and / or inner sides of the ink channel 11 include, but are not limited to, one or more of thin-film resistance heaters, micro-metal resistance wires, MEMS heaters, and nanomaterial heaters. Thin-film resistance heaters can deposit resistive material thin films onto the outer and inner sides of the ink channel 11 using thin-film deposition techniques such as sputtering, evaporation, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The resistive material can be a metal thin film (e.g., gold, platinum, nickel-chromium alloys), a semiconductor thin film (e.g., doped polycrystalline silicon, indium tin oxide), or a carbon-based thin film (e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene). Micro-metal resistance wires are fabricated using microfabrication techniques, often employing high-temperature resistant and corrosion-resistant metal materials (e.g., nickel-chromium alloys, tungsten alloys). These micro-metal resistance wires can be embedded or fixed on the outer or inner sides of the ink channel 11, generating heat through current. During integration, micro-metal resistance wires can be precisely fabricated into microstructures using processes such as laser engraving, etching, or 3D printing and embedded into the conductive structure. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) heaters utilize micro-electro-mechanical technology to fabricate micro-heating structures, such as microbridge structures and microbeam structures. These small and sophisticated structures can rapidly heat and precisely control the temperature through electric current or electrothermal effects. During integration, MEMS heaters can be directly attached to the inner and outer sides of the ink channel 11 using microfabrication techniques. The advantages of MEMS heaters include their small size, rapid response, and high-precision heating control, making them suitable for applications with very strict temperature control requirements. Nanomaterial heaters utilize nanomaterials with excellent electrothermal properties (such as carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbons, and metal nanowires) to fabricate the heating element. These nanomaterials possess extremely high electrical and thermal conductivity, generating heat when current passes through them and rapidly and uniformly transferring the heat to the ink. Nanomaterial heaters can be integrated into the inner and outer sides of the ink channel 11 through coating, deposition, or composite methods.

[0049] To further optimize the ink heating effect, multiple heating elements 20 are arranged along the outer and / or inner sides of the ink channel 11. These heating elements 20 employ different distribution patterns, including linear, mesh, spiral, and array distributions. Linearly distributed heating elements are suitable for uniform heating in a single direction, meeting the heating requirements of long, straight ink channels. Mesh-distributed heating elements provide more uniform temperature coverage, suitable for ink channels with complex shapes, reducing ink viscosity changes caused by localized temperature gradients. Spiral-distributed heating elements allow the ink to gradually and uniformly heat up during flow. Array-distributed heating elements enable more precise regional temperature control; by dynamically adjusting the heating power of different regions, the ink heating process becomes more flexible and controllable.

[0050] Preferably, the ink heating device 1 is further provided with a temperature detection element 40, which includes any one or more of thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, thermistors, and MEMS temperature sensors.

[0051] In one embodiment, when the material of the conductive structure 10 is a metal or other thermally conductive material, as shown in Figure 1- Figure 6 As shown, the temperature sensing element 40 is disposed on the outside of the conductive structure 10, and can be used to detect the temperature of the conductive structure 10 in real time, indirectly measuring the temperature of the ink through the heat conducted by the conductive structure 10. The advantage of placing the temperature sensing element 40 on the outside of the conductive structure 10 is that it is easier to process, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The external placement method also facilitates subsequent maintenance and replacement. If the temperature sensing element 40 is damaged or needs calibration, there is no need to disassemble the ink heating device 1, reducing equipment downtime and improving production efficiency.

[0052] In one embodiment, miniaturized temperature sensing elements 40 (such as miniaturized thermistors, thin-film thermocouples, or MEMS temperature sensors) may also be disposed on the outer and / or inner sides of each of the ink channels 11. Figure 10 The temperature sensing element 40 is located inside the conductive structure 10 and is in close contact with the outside of the ink channel 11; in one embodiment, such as Figure 11 As shown, the temperature sensing element 40 is placed inside the ink channel 11 and in contact with the ink to directly measure the ink temperature.

[0053] Furthermore, in certain high-precision inkjet applications, multiple temperature sensing elements 40 can be arranged at different positions in the ink channel 11 to obtain more uniform temperature data, thereby optimizing the overall temperature control strategy. In one embodiment, the temperature sensing element 40 and the heating element 20 are integrated into the same module. Multiple modules can be distributed along the outer and / or inner sides of the ink channel in different ways, including linear distribution, mesh distribution, spiral distribution, and array distribution, thereby forming a highly integrated ink temperature control system to achieve precise temperature monitoring and dynamic adjustment. Compared to the potential heat conduction delay and errors that may occur when measuring outside the conductive structure 10, placing the temperature sensing element 40 inside the conductive structure 10, outside and / or inside the ink channel 11, allows for faster and more accurate measurement of ink temperature. Moreover, since the temperature sensing element 40 is embedded inside the conductive structure 10, it does not occupy additional external space, which is beneficial for the miniaturization design of the ink heating device 1.

[0054] In one embodiment, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, a bubble detection module 50 is also provided on the outer and / or inner side of the ink channel 11. The bubble detection module 50 includes one or more of the following: a light detection module, an ultrasonic detection module, a conductivity detection module, a pressure sensing detection module, and a capacitive detection module. The optical detection module uses the principles of light transmission, scattering, or interference to identify bubbles by detecting changes in light intensity in the ink using LED, laser, or infrared light sources. The ultrasonic detection module uses the propagation characteristics of ultrasonic waves to detect the size, position, and number of bubbles by using ultrasonic transmission or reflection. The conductivity detection module identifies bubbles by measuring changes in conductivity using a dual-electrode or multi-electrode array based on the difference in conductivity between the ink and the bubbles. The pressure sensing detection module uses a miniature pressure sensor to detect changes in fluid resistance or pressure fluctuations caused by the presence of bubbles to determine the size and position of the bubbles. The capacitive detection module uses the difference in dielectric constant between bubbles and ink to determine the presence of bubbles by measuring changes in capacitance. The bubble detection module can monitor the bubble status inside the ink in the ink channel in real time and send the detection results to the printing equipment control module. The control module takes corresponding bubble removal measures based on the detection results to reduce problems such as ink interruption, nozzle clogging or print quality degradation caused by bubble accumulation, and ensure the stability of ink supply during printing, thereby improving the overall reliability and service life of the printing equipment.

[0055] In summary, the ink heating device of this utility model embodiment includes at least a conductive structure and a heating element. The conductive structure provides a stable ink flow channel and structural support for the arrangement of the heating element. The heating element can be arranged outside or inside the conductive structure, on the outside and / or inside the ink channel, to achieve more efficient heat transfer. The ink heating device of this utility model heats the ink before it flows into the printhead, effectively improving the temperature control accuracy of the ink. This allows the ink to quickly reach and maintain the required temperature before entering the printhead, ensuring ink jet stability and contributing to improved printing results.

[0056] Furthermore, this ink heating device can integrate a temperature sensing element to monitor the ink temperature in real time and feed it back to the printing equipment's control module, thereby precisely adjusting the heating power to maintain the ink at a suitable temperature. The bubble detection module can monitor air bubbles within the ink channel and feed this information back to the printing equipment's control module to perform bubble removal, preventing bubbles from affecting ink droplet ejection and ensuring print quality and stability.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] Based on the above embodiment one, embodiment two of this utility model provides a printing device, the device comprising:

[0059] An ink supply device, the ink supply device comprising at least an ink sac for storing ink and an ink tube for guiding ink flow;

[0060] A printhead, the printhead comprising at least one row of nozzles for ejecting ink;

[0061] And an ink heating device as described in Embodiment 1, disposed above the printhead.

[0062] The ink supply device provides a continuous and stable ink flow and includes at least an ink sac for storing ink and an ink tube for guiding the flow. The ink sac stores ink, while the ink tube connects the ink sac to the ink heating device. The printhead, as the core component of the printing equipment, includes at least one row of nozzles for ejecting ink. Each nozzle is driven by a high-speed voltage pulse, precisely ejecting ink droplets onto the surface of the printing medium to achieve high-precision image or text output. The ink heating device is located above the printhead and regulates the temperature of the ink entering the printhead. The ink heating device includes a conductive structure and a heating element. The conductive structure has several through-type ink channels, one end of which is an inlet for connecting to the ink tube, and the other end is an outlet for connecting to the printhead ink inlet. The ink flows into the printhead ink inlet through the channels. The heating element heats the ink in the ink channels, maintaining it at a suitable temperature, improving ink flow, and optimizing printing results. The ink heating device also includes a temperature detection element, which detects the ink temperature and adjusts the ink temperature in conjunction with the heating element. In addition, an integrated bubble detection module can be used to detect bubble information in the ink channel, and by eliminating bubbles, nozzle clogging can be avoided, thus improving inkjet stability.

[0063] In summary, the printing device of Embodiment 2 of this utility model heats and controls the ink temperature and removes air bubbles by integrating an ink heating device, which can significantly improve the printing quality and equipment stability, and is suitable for the field of high-precision inkjet printing.

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended 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 therein. 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.

Claims

1. An ink heating device, characterized by, The ink heating device includes: The conductive structure includes several through-type ink channels. One end of each ink channel is an inlet for connecting to an ink tube, and the other end is an outlet for connecting to an ink inlet of a printhead. The inlet is also equipped with an ink tube connector for connecting to the ink tube. A heating element is disposed outside or inside the conductive structure and is used to heat the ink flowing through the ink channel.

2. The ink heating device according to claim 1, characterized by The ink channel can be any one or a combination of straight, curved, and spiral types.

3. The ink heating device according to claim 1, characterized by A fixing member is also provided on the outside of the conductive structure, which is used to fix the conductive structure above the nozzle.

4. The ink heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by The conductive structure is rectangular in shape and made of metal. The heating element is attached to the outside of the conductive structure. The heating element includes any one or more of the following: resistance heating element, ceramic heating element, PTC heating element, metal thin film heating element, conductive polymer heating film, carbon nanotube coating, or graphene conductive coating.

5. The ink heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by The heating element is disposed on the outside and / or inside the ink channel, and the heating element includes any one or more of the following: resistance wire, thin film resistance heating device, MEMS heating device, and nanomaterial heating device.

6. The ink heating device according to claim 5, characterized by The heating elements are arranged in one or more of the following patterns: linear, mesh, spiral, or array, along the outer and / or inner sides of the ink channel.

7. The ink heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by The device also includes a temperature sensing element, which is disposed outside or inside the conductive structure to obtain the temperature of the ink in the ink channel.

8. The ink heating device according to claim 7, characterized by The temperature sensing element includes any one or more of thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermistors, and MEMS temperature sensors.

9. The ink heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by The ink heating device further includes a bubble detection module, which is disposed on the outside and / or inside of the ink channel and is used to detect the bubble content in the ink channel.

10. A printing apparatus characterized by comprising: The device includes: An ink supply device, the ink supply device comprising at least an ink sac for storing ink and an ink tube for guiding ink flow; A printhead, the printhead comprising at least one row of nozzles for ejecting ink; And an ink heating device as described in any one of claims 1-9, disposed above the printhead.

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