Printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment

Abstract

This utility model discloses an environmentally friendly printhead cleaning device for printing equipment, belonging to the technical field of printing equipment. It includes a stopper cylinder and a storage cylinder, connected by a connecting block. A one-way feeding component connects the stopper cylinder and the storage cylinder, and a one-way discharging component is connected to the bottom of the stopper cylinder. The stopper cylinder is made of transparent plastic and has graduations on its outer side. A stopper rod slides inside the stopper cylinder, with a stopper handle installed at the top and a piston installed at the bottom. The stopper handle is located outside the stopper cylinder, and the piston is located inside. A protective box is installed at the top of the stopper cylinder. A rack is installed on the side of the stopper rod, and a gear is installed inside the protective box, meshing with the rack. A knob is located on the outside of the protective box, coaxially connected to the gear. A sealing cap is used to seal the inkjet nozzle of the printhead. This technical solution can achieve precise control of the cleaning agent injection volume, protect the precision structure of the printhead, and improve cleaning efficiency and stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of printing equipment technology, specifically to a nozzle cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing, as a digital printing technology, offers advantages such as high speed, low-volume reproduction, and ease of combination. An inkjet printer mainly consists of an inkjet controller and printheads, with the printheads mounted on a moving carriage. Under the control of the inkjet controller, ink is ejected at a certain pressure from the nozzles of the printheads and then printed onto the substrate.

[0003] In the maintenance of environmentally friendly printing equipment, printhead cleaning is a crucial step in ensuring print quality and equipment lifespan. Currently, the main method for cleaning internal printhead blockages is to inject cleaning agents into the printhead. The core of this method lies in using the chemical dissolving action of the cleaning agent and a certain amount of pressure to remove dried ink, pigment particles, or other impurities from inside the printhead. The amount of cleaning agent injected in this method must be controlled within a specific range.

[0004] The nozzle typically contains a sophisticated diaphragm structure that is extremely sensitive to pressure changes. Excessive cleaning agent injection can cause a sudden increase in internal pressure, potentially leading to diaphragm deformation, rupture, or separation from the substrate, directly impacting the nozzle's spray performance and even rendering it unusable. Current methods for controlling cleaning agent injection volume primarily rely on manually moving the syringe plunger. Operators must rely on experience to judge the plunger's advance distance to control the injection volume. However, this method has significant drawbacks: firstly, the manually applied force is difficult to control precisely, easily leading to excessive plunger movement and exceeding safe injection limits; secondly, different operators have varying operating habits and force levels, resulting in inconsistent cleaning effects.

[0005] Therefore, we propose an environmentally friendly printhead cleaning device for printing equipment to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an environmentally friendly printhead cleaning device for printing equipment, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the technical solution proposed by this utility model is as follows:

[0008] An environmentally friendly printing equipment printhead cleaning device includes a stopper cylinder, a storage cylinder, and a sealing cap. The stopper cylinder and the storage cylinder are connected by a connecting block. A one-way feeding component connects the stopper cylinder and the storage cylinder. A one-way discharging component is connected to the bottom of the stopper cylinder. The stopper cylinder is made of transparent plastic and has graduations on its outer side. A stopper rod slides inside the stopper cylinder. A stopper handle is installed at the top of the stopper rod, and a piston is installed at the bottom of the stopper rod. The stopper handle is located outside the stopper cylinder, and the piston is located inside the stopper cylinder. A protective box is installed at the top of the stopper cylinder. A rack is installed on the side of the stopper rod, and a gear is installed inside the protective box. The gear and the rack are meshed together. A knob is located on the outside of the protective box. The knob and gear are coaxially connected. The sealing cap is used to seal the inkjet orifice of the printhead. By rotating the gear with the knob, the fixed transmission ratio of the gear and rack can precisely control the movement of the stop rod, ensuring that the volume of the piston's downward movement strictly corresponds to the amount of cleaning agent injected, avoiding over-injection caused by manual pushing. The sealing cap seals the inkjet orifice of the printhead, allowing the cleaning agent to be stored inside the printhead. This ensures that the cleaning agent has sufficient reaction time with the ink residue inside. After sufficient reaction time, the sealing cap can be removed, allowing the cleaning agent to flow out. The one-way feed and one-way discharge components prevent the cleaning agent from flowing back and contaminating the ink, ensuring the safety of the cleaning process.

[0009] Furthermore, the one-way feeding component includes a feeding pipe, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the plug cylinder and the storage cylinder, and the feeding pipe is connected to a first one-way valve. The inlet of the first one-way valve is close to the bottom end of the storage cylinder, the connection between the feeding pipe and the plug cylinder is close to the bottom end of the plug cylinder, and the connection between the feeding pipe and the storage cylinder is located at the bottom end of the storage cylinder. The first one-way valve uses the fluid pressure difference to achieve one-way flow. When the piston moves upward, it opens to draw in the cleaning agent, and when it moves downward, it closes to prevent backflow.

[0010] Furthermore, the one-way discharge component includes a discharge pipe that is connected to a plug cylinder. The discharge pipe is connected to a second one-way valve. The inlet of the second one-way valve is close to the bottom end of the plug cylinder. The connection between the discharge pipe and the plug cylinder is located at the bottom end of the plug cylinder. The second one-way valve opens when the piston is pressed down and closes when the piston moves up, preventing impurities in the nozzle or outside air from flowing back into the plug cylinder.

[0011] Furthermore, a third one-way valve is connected to the top of the storage cylinder, and the outlet of the third one-way valve is close to the top of the storage cylinder. The third one-way valve supports the positive replenishment of cleaning agent while preventing the cleaning agent in the storage cylinder from flowing out.

[0012] Furthermore, the free end of the discharge tube is connected to a rubber tube. The flexibility of the rubber tube allows the discharge tube to bend by more than 90° to adapt to ink inlet holes of different nozzles, avoiding damage to the nozzles due to hard contact. At the same time, the elasticity of the rubber tube can buffer the fluctuation of the spray pressure, making the injection of cleaning agent more stable.

[0013] Furthermore, a sliding hole is provided at the center of the top surface of the plug cylinder, and a sliding groove is also provided on the top surface of the plug cylinder. The sliding hole and the sliding groove are connected. The plug rod slides in the sliding hole, and the rack slides in the sliding groove. The sliding hole and the sliding groove form a "T-shaped" guide structure, thereby providing space for the movement of the plug rod and the rack.

[0014] Furthermore, the protective box has a connecting groove on its side, and the meshing part of the rack and gear is located inside the connecting groove. The protective box isolates most of the dust, ink particles and other impurities, reducing the wear on the meshing surface of the gear and rack.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: the printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment can accurately control the movement of the piston rod by using the fixed transmission ratio of gears and racks, so that the volume of piston movement corresponds strictly with the amount of cleaning agent injected, avoiding over-injection caused by manual pushing, and ensuring that the diaphragm inside the printhead will not be damaged during cleaning. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a first three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment disclosed in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment disclosed in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of structure A in the middle;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a second three-dimensional structural diagram of the printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment disclosed in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified schematic diagram of the B-structure.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Plug cylinder; 2. Storage cylinder; 3. Feed pipe; 4. First check valve; 5. Third check valve; 6. Discharge pipe; 7. Second check valve; 8. Sealing cap; 9. Plug rod; 10. Plug handle; 11. Protective box; 12. Rack; 13. Knob; 14. Sliding hole; 15. Sliding groove; 16. Connecting groove; 17. Piston; 18. Gear. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0023] Please see Figures 1-5 This utility model provides a technical solution: an environmentally friendly printhead cleaning device for printing equipment, including a stopper cylinder 1, a storage cylinder 2, and a sealing cap 8. The stopper cylinder 1 and the storage cylinder 2 are connected by a connecting block. A one-way feeding component is connected between the stopper cylinder 1 and the storage cylinder 2. A one-way discharging component is connected to the bottom end of the stopper cylinder 1. The stopper cylinder 1 is made of transparent plastic and has graduations on its outer side. A stopper rod 9 slides inside the stopper cylinder 1. A stopper handle 10 is installed at the top end of the stopper rod 9, and a piston 17 is installed at the bottom end of the stopper rod 9. The stopper handle 10 is located outside the stopper cylinder 1, and the piston 17 is located inside the stopper cylinder 1. A protective box 11 is installed at the top end of the stopper cylinder 1. A rack 12 is installed on the side of the stopper rod 9, and a toothed rack is installed inside the protective box 11. Wheel 18, gear 18 and rack 12 are meshed and connected. A knob 13 is provided on the outside of the protective box 11. The knob 13 and gear 18 are coaxially connected. The sealing cap 8 is used to seal the inkjet hole of the printhead. Manually pulling the plug handle 10 moves the plug rod 9 upward. The piston 17 forms a negative pressure in the plug cylinder 1. The cleaning agent in the storage cylinder 2 is sucked into the plug cylinder 1 through the one-way feed device. At this time, the gear 18 rotates passively with the rack 12 without hindering the upward movement speed. Rotating the knob 13 drives the gear 18 to mesh with the rack 12, so that the plug rod 9 moves down slowly. The piston 17 squeezes the cleaning agent and sprays it out through the one-way discharge device. The rotation angle of the knob 13 is linearly related to the displacement of the plug rod 9. The injection volume can be precisely controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the knob 13.

[0024] As an embodiment of this utility model, the one-way feeding component further includes a feeding pipe 3, with both ends of the feeding pipe 3 connected to the plug cylinder 1 and the storage cylinder 2 respectively. The feeding pipe 3 is also connected to a first one-way valve 4. The inlet of the first one-way valve 4 is close to the bottom end of the storage cylinder 2, and the connection between the feeding pipe 3 and the plug cylinder 1 is close to the bottom end of the plug cylinder 1. The connection between the feeding pipe 3 and the storage cylinder 2 is located at the bottom end of the storage cylinder 2. When the piston 17 moves upward, the air pressure inside the plug cylinder 1 decreases, and the first one-way valve 4 opens due to the pressure difference between the storage cylinder 2 and the plug cylinder 1. The cleaning agent flows into the plug cylinder 1 through the feeding pipe 3. When the piston 17 moves downward, the pressure inside the plug cylinder 1 increases, and the valve core of the first one-way valve 4 is closed under pressure, blocking the backflow path.

[0025] As an embodiment of this utility model, the one-way discharge component further includes a discharge pipe 6, which is connected to the plug cylinder 1. The discharge pipe 6 is connected to a second one-way valve 7. The inlet of the second one-way valve 7 is close to the bottom end of the plug cylinder 1. The connection between the discharge pipe 6 and the plug cylinder 1 is located at the bottom end of the plug cylinder 1. When the piston 17 moves down, the pressure inside the plug cylinder 1 is greater than the external pressure, and the valve core of the second one-way valve 7 is pushed open, and the cleaning agent is sprayed out through the discharge pipe 6. When the piston 17 moves up, a negative pressure is formed inside the plug cylinder 1, and the valve core of the second one-way valve 7 automatically closes due to the external pressure difference, blocking the reverse flow.

[0026] As an embodiment of this utility model, the top of the storage cylinder 2 is further connected to a third one-way valve 5, and the outlet of the third one-way valve 5 is close to the top of the storage cylinder 2. When the cleaning agent is injected from the outlet of the third one-way valve 5, the one-way valve structure allows the fluid to flow into the storage cylinder 2. During normal use, the valve disc closes due to the balance between the air pressure inside the storage cylinder 2 and the outside, preventing the cleaning agent from leaking out.

[0027] As an embodiment of this utility model, the free end of the discharge pipe 6 is further connected to a rubber tube, which adapts to the nozzle installation position by deformation, and its inner wall is smooth to reduce fluid resistance.

[0028] As an embodiment of this utility model, a sliding hole 14 is further provided at the center of the top surface of the plug cylinder 1, and a sliding groove 15 is also provided on the top surface of the plug cylinder 1. The sliding hole 14 and the sliding groove 15 are connected. The plug rod 9 slides in the sliding hole 14, and the rack 12 slides in the sliding groove 15. The plug rod 9 moves linearly in the sliding hole 14, and the rack 12 slides synchronously in the sliding groove 15. The two are linked by the connecting structure. The side wall of the sliding groove 15 forms a lateral limit on the rack 12 to ensure the straightness of the transmission trajectory.

[0029] As an embodiment of this utility model, the protective box 11 is further provided with a connecting groove 16 on its side. The meshing part of the rack 12 and the gear 18 is located inside the connecting groove 16. The rack 12 extends into the protective box 11 through the connecting groove 16 and meshes with the gear 18. The protective box 11 can block most of the external debris.

[0030] It should be noted that all standard parts used in this application can be purchased from the market, and can be customized according to the description and drawings. The specific connection methods of each part adopt conventional methods such as bolts, rivets, and welding that are mature in the prior art. The machinery, parts and equipment adopt conventional models in the prior art.

Claims

1. A printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment, characterized in that, Includes a stopper cylinder (1), a storage cylinder (2), and a sealing cap (8). The stopper cylinder (1) and the storage cylinder (2) are connected by a connecting block. A one-way feeding device is connected between the stopper cylinder (1) and the storage cylinder (2). A one-way discharging device is connected to the bottom end of the stopper cylinder (1). The stopper cylinder (1) is made of transparent plastic and has scales on the outside. A stopper rod (9) slides inside the stopper cylinder (1). A stopper handle (10) is installed at the top end of the stopper rod (9). A piston (17) is installed at the bottom end of the stopper rod (9). The stopper handle (10)... The piston (17) is located outside the stopper cylinder (1), and the piston (18) is located inside the stopper cylinder (1). A protective box (11) is installed at the top of the stopper cylinder (1). A rack (12) is installed on the side of the stopper rod (9). A gear (18) is installed inside the protective box (11). The gear (18) and the rack (12) are meshed together. A knob (13) is provided on the outside of the protective box (11). The knob (13) and the gear (18) are coaxially connected. The sealing cap (8) is used to seal the inkjet hole of the printhead.

2. The printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way feeding component includes a feeding pipe (3), the two ends of which are connected to the plug cylinder (1) and the storage cylinder (2) respectively. The feeding pipe (3) is connected to a first one-way valve (4). The inlet of the first one-way valve (4) is close to the bottom end of the storage cylinder (2). The connection between the feeding pipe (3) and the plug cylinder (1) is close to the bottom end of the plug cylinder (1). The connection between the feeding pipe (3) and the storage cylinder (2) is located at the bottom end of the storage cylinder (2).

3. The printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way discharge component includes a discharge pipe (6), which is connected to a plug cylinder (1). The discharge pipe (6) is connected to a second one-way valve (7). The inlet of the second one-way valve (7) is close to the bottom end of the plug cylinder (1). The connection between the discharge pipe (6) and the plug cylinder (1) is located at the bottom end of the plug cylinder (1).

4. The printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the storage cylinder (2) is connected to a third one-way valve (5), and the outlet of the third one-way valve (5) is close to the top of the storage cylinder (2).

5. The printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The free end of the discharge pipe (6) is connected to a rubber tube.

6. The printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the plug cylinder (1) is provided with a sliding hole (14) and a sliding groove (15) is also provided on the top surface of the plug cylinder (1). The sliding hole (14) and the sliding groove (15) are connected. The plug rod (9) slides in the sliding hole (14) and the rack (12) slides in the sliding groove (15).

7. The printhead cleaning device for environmentally friendly printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective box (11) has a connecting groove (16) on its side, and the meshing point of the rack (12) and the gear (18) is located inside the connecting groove (16).

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