An adjustable angle spray module

Abstract

The utility model relates to a spray drawing instrument field more specifically, relate to a spray drawing angle adjustable spray drawing module, including a plurality of spray drawing mechanism, a plurality of spray drawing mechanism correspond to a plurality of different color or glaze spray drawing channel, the spray drawing of each spray drawing mechanism realizes a color or glaze, the spray drawing mechanism includes the spray head and action mechanism, the action mechanism drives the spray head to realize the motion of three degrees of freedom of translation, lifting and rotating. Through setting up action mechanism drive spray head to realize the motion of three degrees of freedom of translation, lifting and rotating, adjust the spray head to the suitable position and angle, make the ink drop of spray head perpendicular injection to the inner surface or the outer surface of container, thereby improve the precision and image expressiveness of spray drawing pattern, avoid the phenomenon such as the pattern edge blur or diffusion that the spray drawing is caused due to the distance of spray orifice and the inner surface or the outer surface of each area of container is different, and the phenomenon such as the pattern edge sawtooth that the ink drop oblique impact, edge accumulation form burr, cause.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of inkjet printing equipment, and more specifically, to an inkjet printing module with an adjustable printing angle. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing is a modern ceramic decoration technology that uses high-precision printheads to directly spray ceramic-specific inks or glazes onto the ceramic body, followed by high-temperature firing to permanently solidify the design. This technology combines digital design with traditional ceramic craftsmanship and is widely used for creating designs on tableware such as plates, bowls, and cups. Compared to traditional screen printing and decal printing, inkjet printing offers significant advantages in efficiency, quality, cost, and environmental friendliness. For example, it boasts ultra-high precision and image quality, with a resolution of up to 1440 dpi, achieving photo-realistic detail, and supports multi-color channels for true color reproduction. It offers production flexibility and customization, with digital files directly transferred to the inkjet printer, eliminating the need for screen printing or decal production. This seamless transition from design to printing, coupled with low minimum order quantities, makes it suitable for personalized orders, eliminating the inventory risks associated with large-volume printing and allowing for on-demand production. Furthermore, it is highly efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly, with precise on-demand inkjet printing achieving an ink utilization rate of over 95%, reducing ink waste and eliminating the need for screen cleaning or decal backing paper waste.

[0003] However, existing inkjet printing equipment is limited by its precision and process complexity, supporting printing only on flat or regular cylindrical containers. For containers with inclined or curved surfaces, the varying distances between the nozzle and different areas of the container surface cause ink droplets to travel longer trajectories in areas farther from the surface, resulting in blurred or diffused patterns. Furthermore, while ink droplets are perpendicular to the surface on flat or regular cylindrical containers, they accumulate at an angle when printing on inclined surfaces, creating burrs that result in jagged edges or deviations in the normal angle, leading to uneven color density. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome at least one defect (deficiency) of the prior art and provide a printing module with adjustable printing angle to solve the problem that the printing accuracy of the pattern is low and stretching deformation occurs when the existing printing equipment prints on containers with inclined or curved inner and outer surfaces.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is an adjustable printing module, which includes multiple printing mechanisms. The multiple printing mechanisms correspond to multiple different color or glaze printing channels. Each printing mechanism realizes the printing of one color or glaze. The printing mechanism includes a printhead and an action mechanism. The action mechanism drives the printhead to realize three degrees of freedom of movement: translation, lifting and rotating.

[0006] The printing tunnel provides different colors or enamels to the printing mechanism, enabling it to print. The printing mechanism's motion mechanism moves the printhead horizontally, adjusting the distance between the printhead and the container; it also raises and lowers the printhead, adjusting its height to match the container's height; and it rotates the printhead, adjusting its angle to match the container's surface. This ensures that the distance between the nozzles at the top and bottom of the printhead and the container surface is consistent, allowing ink droplets to be sprayed vertically onto the container surface. This improves the accuracy and quality of the printed pattern, preventing blurry or diffused edges due to varying distances between the nozzles and different areas of the container's inner or outer surface, as well as preventing burrs and jagged edges caused by oblique ink droplet impacts.

[0007] Furthermore, the rotational degree of freedom of the nozzle is a range of 150° rotation to the front or rear, with the vertical downward angle as 0°.

[0008] When printing on the inner or outer surface of a container, the printhead may need to rotate in different directions. Setting the printhead to rotate both forward and backward allows for selection as needed, and a 150° rotation range can accommodate various container surfaces. By enabling the printhead to rotate 150° forward or backward, it becomes suitable for printing on the inner or outer surfaces of various containers. Preferably, the printhead can be set to rotate only forward or only backward; more preferably, the printhead rotation range is 140°.

[0009] Furthermore, the actuation mechanism also includes driving the printhead to move upward or downward a distance δ along the printing surface.

[0010] When the nozzles on the printhead cannot meet the accuracy requirements of the printing, multiple printing cycles can be performed on the inner or outer surface of the container. During each printing cycle, the printhead is moved up or down a distance δ along the printing surface by the action mechanism to achieve interpolation printing, which can improve the printing accuracy without replacing the printhead.

[0011] Furthermore, the nozzle is provided with multiple rows of staggered spray holes.

[0012] By setting up multiple rows of staggered nozzles, interpolation printing can be performed, allowing the ink dots from each row of nozzles to fill the gaps between other rows. This brings the ink dots of adjacent nozzles closer together, improving printing resolution and thus increasing printing accuracy. During printing, depending on the required accuracy, one row of nozzles can be selected to print on the inner or outer surface of the container at a time, or multiple rows of nozzles can be selected for interpolation printing on either the inner or outer surface of the container.

[0013] Furthermore, the multiple nozzles are arranged in a straight line, and all nozzles share a single actuation mechanism.

[0014] The printing module has multiple workstations below it, with multiple printheads corresponding to each workstation. During use, containers move sequentially to each workstation, where the printing mechanism performs the printing. The workstations and printheads are arranged in a straight line because straight sections are free from centrifugal force interference, ensuring a stable container trajectory and facilitating precise positioning. Furthermore, straight sections are suitable for incorporating stoppers or blocking mechanisms to temporarily store, queue, or synchronize containers. Curved sections, due to trajectory changes, make precise control of the stopping position difficult. Therefore, arranging the workstations and printheads in a straight line achieves precise positioning and improves printing quality. During printing, containers in the same batch have identical shapes, and all printheads share the same horizontal distance, vertical height, and rotation angle. All printheads share a single actuation mechanism, simplifying the equipment structure, saving costs, and facilitating maintenance. It also avoids errors caused by different printheads using different actuation mechanisms, preventing the accumulation of errors.

[0015] Furthermore, the distance between two adjacent nozzles is equal.

[0016] Equal-spaced printheads allow for unified control of the spraying time of each color, such as calculating trigger timing based on container rotation or movement speed. Unequal spacing necessitates individual timing programming for each printhead, increasing control complexity. Equally spaced printheads of different colors ensure precise alignment of each pattern on the container surface. Unequal spacing can lead to color misalignment, such as color differences or ghosting at the edges, affecting pattern clarity and color reproduction. Furthermore, equal-spaced printheads can be integrated with conveyor mechanisms to improve production efficiency.

[0017] Furthermore, the actuation mechanism includes a forward and backward translation mechanism, a vertical lifting mechanism, and a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism is mounted on the vertical lifting mechanism, and the vertical lifting mechanism is mounted on the forward and backward translation mechanism.

[0018] The forward and backward translation mechanism adjusts the horizontal distance between the nozzle and the container to a suitable level. The up and down lifting mechanism adjusts the height of the nozzle to match the height of the container. The rotation mechanism adjusts the angle of the nozzle to match the inner or outer surface of the container. The rotation mechanism is mounted on the up and down lifting mechanism, which in turn is mounted on the forward and backward translation mechanism. The up and down lifting mechanism drives the rotation mechanism and the nozzle fixed on the rotating shaft to achieve up and down movement. The forward and backward translation mechanism drives the up and down lifting mechanism, the rotation mechanism, and the nozzle on the rotating shaft to achieve translational movement.

[0019] Furthermore, the rotating mechanism includes a rotating shaft and a rotating shaft drive device. All printheads are fixed on the rotating shaft at the same angle. The rotating shaft drive device drives the rotating shaft to rotate, and the rotation of the rotating shaft drives the change of the printing angle of all printheads.

[0020] A rotating shaft is driven by a rotating shaft drive device, which in turn drives all the printheads fixed on the shaft to rotate, thus changing the printing angle of all printheads on the same side. The rotating shaft must be parallel to the workstation arrangement direction to ensure that the distance and angle between all printheads and the inner or outer surface of the container are consistent. All printheads must be fixed on the rotating shaft at the same angle to ensure that the initial angle of the printheads is the same, so that the angle of all printheads after rotation is also the same.

[0021] Furthermore, an ink cartridge bracket is provided above the rotating shaft along the axis of the rotating shaft. Multiple ink cartridges are installed in the ink cartridge bracket, and each ink cartridge corresponds to a printing channel to supply ink to the corresponding printhead. The front and rear translation mechanism and the up and down lifting mechanism each include a pair that are set synchronously and are respectively installed at the head and tail ends of the ink cartridge bracket.

[0022] Ink cartridges are used to hold pigments or glazes. Each cartridge holds one color of pigment or glaze, and different cartridges hold different colors, allowing each printing unit to print one color or glaze. Because the equipment is quite long and wide, installing a forward / backward translation mechanism or a vertical lifting mechanism only at one end may result in inconsistent translation or lifting distances at both ends, causing errors. Therefore, a pair of forward / backward translation mechanisms and vertical lifting mechanisms are simultaneously installed at both ends of the ink cartridge holder to ensure consistent translation and lifting distances for the printheads at both ends.

[0023] Furthermore, the ink cartridge holder includes an outer shell, a back slide rail, and a bottom slide rail, and the plurality of ink cartridges are supported on the back slide rail and the bottom slide rail.

[0024] The cartridge holder's outer casing serves as a dustproof and protective layer. This casing is removable for easy maintenance, repair, and cartridge replacement. Supporting the cartridge on the back and bottom rails ensures stability, preventing displacement due to equipment vibration during printing and wobbling due to ink flow inertia. The rail structure allows for adjustable cartridge position, facilitating installation and maintenance.

[0025] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By setting an action mechanism to drive the printhead to achieve three degrees of freedom of movement—translation, lifting, and rotation—the printhead is adjusted to a suitable position and angle, allowing the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles to be sprayed vertically onto the inner or outer surface of the container. This improves the accuracy and effect of the printed pattern, avoiding blurring or diffusion of the printed pattern edges due to varying distances between the nozzles and different areas of the container's inner or outer surface, as well as the formation of burrs and jagged edges caused by oblique ink droplet impacts. The printhead can rotate 150° forward or backward, making it suitable for the inner or outer surfaces of various containers. The printhead features multiple rows of staggered nozzles, allowing for interpolation printing, where the ink dots from one row fill the gaps in another, bringing the ink dots of adjacent nozzles closer together, improving printing resolution and thus enhancing printing accuracy. The printhead can move upwards or downwards a distance δ along the printing surface. This allows for multi-round printing, with the printhead moving upwards or downwards by δ in each round, achieving interpolation printing and further improving printing accuracy. Arranging the printheads in a straight line facilitates precise positioning and allows for container storage, queuing, or synchronization. All printheads share a single actuation mechanism, simplifying the equipment structure, saving costs, and facilitating maintenance. It also avoids errors caused by different printheads using different actuation mechanisms, which could affect printing accuracy and quality. The actuation mechanism includes a forward / backward translation mechanism, a vertical lifting mechanism, and a rotation mechanism. The forward / backward translation mechanism moves all printheads, the vertical lifting mechanism raises and lowers all printheads, and the rotation mechanism rotates all printheads. Fixing all printheads at the same angle on the rotating shaft ensures that all printheads on the same side have the same starting angle and rotation angle, allowing printing to be performed on the inner or outer surface of the container at the same angle. The inkjet printing assembly also includes ink cartridges for holding pigments or glazes. Each cartridge holds one color or glaze, and different cartridges hold different colors of pigments or glazes. Each cartridge corresponds to a printing channel that supplies ink to the corresponding printhead, enabling each printing unit to print one color or glaze. The forward and backward translation mechanism and the up and down lifting mechanism are both set up as a pair and installed at the head and tail ends of the cartridge holder, respectively, to ensure that the forward and backward translation and up and down lifting distances of the printheads at the head and tail ends are consistent, preventing large errors. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a front view of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of B.

[0029] Figure 4 This is the right view of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle and spray hole.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention in use.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention being applied to the inner surface of a container.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention being applied to the outer surface of a container.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation of the inkjet printing module on both sides of the workstation. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model. To better illustrate the following embodiments, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual product dimensions. It is understandable that those skilled in the art will find that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings. In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that terms such as front, back, left, and right indicate orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationships commonly used when the product is in use. These are merely for the convenience of describing this utility model or simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed or operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, an adjustable printing module includes multiple printing mechanisms 200 mounted on a frame body 100. Each printing mechanism 200 corresponds to multiple printing channels for different colors or glazes. Each printing mechanism 200 prints one color or glaze. Each printing mechanism 200 includes a printhead 210 and an actuation mechanism 220. The actuation mechanism 220 drives the printhead 210 to achieve translation, lifting, and rotation—three degrees of freedom. The multiple printheads 210 are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between any two adjacent printheads 210 is equal. Figure 5 As shown, the nozzle 210 is provided with multiple rows of staggered nozzle holes 211.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, an ink cartridge holder 230 is disposed above the printhead 210. The ink cartridge holder 230 is arranged parallel to the arrangement direction of the printhead 210 and includes a housing plate 2301, a back slide rail 2302, and a bottom slide rail 2303. Multiple ink cartridges 231 are installed inside the ink cartridge holder 230. Slider blocks 2311 are respectively disposed on the bottom of the ink cartridge 231 and the side facing the back slide rail 2302. The multiple ink cartridges 231 are mounted on the back slide rail 2302 and the bottom slide rail 2303 via the sliders 2311. Each ink cartridge 231 corresponds to a printing channel and supplies ink to the corresponding printhead 210. Each ink cartridge 231 contains a pigment or glaze of one color. Different ink cartridges 231 contain different colors of pigment, and the pigment color contained in the front ink cartridge 231 is also different from the pigment color contained in the rear ink cartridge 231, thus enabling each printing mechanism 200 to print a single color or glaze.

[0038] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the actuation mechanism 220 includes a forward and backward translation mechanism 221, a vertical lifting mechanism 222, and a rotation mechanism 223. The rotation mechanism 223 is mounted on the vertical lifting mechanism 222, and the vertical lifting mechanism 222 is mounted on the forward and backward translation mechanism 221. The forward and backward translation mechanism 221 drives the nozzle 210 to achieve translational movement, the vertical lifting mechanism 222 drives the nozzle 210 to achieve vertical lifting movement, and the rotation mechanism 223 drives the nozzle 210 to achieve rotational movement. The rotational freedom of the nozzle 210 is 0° with vertical downward as the angle, and it can rotate 150° to the front or rear. Preferably, the nozzle 210 can be configured to rotate only to the front or only to the rear. When the nozzle 210 is located at the front of the workstation, the nozzle 210 rotates to the rear; when the nozzle 210 is located at the rear of the workstation, the nozzle 210 rotates to the front. Preferably, the nozzle 210 rotates 140° to the front or rear. The action mechanism 220 can also drive the printhead 210 to move up or down a distance δ along the printing surface. When the multiple rows of nozzles 211 on the printhead 210 still cannot meet the printing accuracy requirements, multiple rounds of printing can be carried out on the inner or outer surface of the container. During each round of printing, the printhead 210 moves up or down a distance δ along the printing surface to achieve interpolation printing and improve printing accuracy.

[0039] like Figure 2 , Figure 4As shown, there are two forward and backward translation mechanisms 221, which are synchronously arranged at the head and tail ends of the ink cartridge holder 230, respectively. Each mechanism includes a first drive motor 2211, a first lead screw 2212, and a first nut 2213 mounted on the first lead screw 2212. The first lead screw 2212 is perpendicular to the workstation arrangement direction and connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor 2211. A first fixed seat 2214 is mounted on the first nut 2213, and the up-and-down lifting mechanism 222 is mounted on the first fixed seat 2214. When the first drive motor 2211 operates, it can drive the first nut 2213 and the first fixed seat 2214 to move via the first lead screw 2212, thereby causing the up-and-down lifting mechanism 222 to translate.

[0040] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, two lifting mechanisms 222 are also provided, and the two lifting mechanisms 222 are also synchronously set at the head and tail ends of the ink cartridge bracket 230, respectively. Each mechanism includes a vertically arranged bracket 2221, a second drive motor 2222 at the top of the bracket 2221, a second lead screw 2223, and a second nut 2224 on the second lead screw 2223. The bracket 2221 is connected to the first fixed seat 2214. The second lead screw 2223 is vertically arranged and connected to the second drive motor 2222 via a reducer 2225. The reducer 2225 can amplify the output torque of the second drive motor 2222 by reducing its rotational speed, thereby improving control accuracy and achieving more precise position control. A second fixed seat 2226 is also provided on the second nut 2224, and the rotating mechanism 223 is mounted on the second fixed seat 2226. When the second drive motor 2222 is working, the second lead screw 2223 drives the second nut 2224 and the second fixed seat 2226 to rise and fall, thereby causing the rotating mechanism 223 to rise and fall.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the rotating mechanism 223 includes a rotating shaft 2231 parallel to the workstation arrangement direction and a rotating shaft drive device 2232. Both ends of the rotating shaft 2231 are rotatably connected to the second fixed seats 2226 of the lifting mechanisms 222 at both ends. The rotating shaft drive device 2232 is connected to the rotating shaft 2231 and drives the rotating shaft 2231 to rotate. The multiple nozzles 210 are fixed on the rotating shaft 2231 at the same angle. When the rotating shaft drive device 2232 is working, it drives the rotating shaft 2231 to rotate, thereby causing all the nozzles 210 to rotate. All nozzles 210 have the same initial angle, the same rotation angle, and the same final angle after rotation.

[0042] like Figures 6 to 8As shown, when this printing module is in use, the container moves to each station, and the printhead 210 at that station moves to a suitable printing distance on the inner or outer surface of the container. When the inner or outer surface of the container is a slope or arc, the printhead 210 rotates to a printing angle that matches the inner or outer surface of the container, then the container is rotated, and the printhead 210 begins printing. After printing is complete, the container moves to the next station, where the printhead 210 continues printing until all stations are completed. Figure 9 As shown, the printing module can also be set on both sides of the workstation, so that each workstation has two printheads 210 corresponding to two printing channels.

[0043] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the technical solution of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the specific implementation of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the claims of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A printing module with adjustable printing angle, comprising multiple printing mechanisms, each printing mechanism corresponding to multiple printing channels for different colors or glazes, each printing mechanism realizing the printing of one color or glaze, characterized in that, The printing mechanism includes a printhead and an actuation mechanism, which drives the printhead to achieve three degrees of freedom of movement: translation, lifting, and rotation.

2. The inkjet printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle has a rotational degree of freedom of 0° with vertical downward as the angle, and can rotate 150° to the front or back.

3. The inkjet printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuation mechanism also includes driving the printhead to move upward or downward a distance δ along the printing surface.

4. The inkjet printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle is provided with multiple rows of staggered spray holes.

5. A printing module with adjustable printing angle according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The multiple nozzles are arranged in a straight line, and all nozzles share a single actuation mechanism.

6. A printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The distance between any two adjacent nozzles is equal.

7. A printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The actuation mechanism includes a forward and backward translation mechanism, a vertical lifting mechanism, and a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism is mounted on the vertical lifting mechanism, and the vertical lifting mechanism is mounted on the forward and backward translation mechanism.

8. A printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The rotating mechanism includes a rotating shaft and a rotating shaft drive device. All printheads are fixed on the rotating shaft at the same angle. The rotating shaft drive device drives the rotating shaft to rotate, and the rotation of the rotating shaft drives the change of the printing angle of all printheads.

9. A printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 8, characterized in that, Above the rotating shaft, there is also an ink cartridge bracket distributed along the axis of the rotating shaft. Multiple ink cartridges are installed in the ink cartridge bracket, and each ink cartridge corresponds to a printhead corresponding to a printing channel for ink supply. The front and rear translation mechanism and the up and down lifting mechanism each include a pair that are set synchronously and are respectively installed at the head and tail ends of the ink cartridge bracket.

10. A printing module with adjustable printing angle according to claim 9, characterized in that, The ink cartridge holder includes an outer shell, a back slide rail, and a bottom slide rail, and the plurality of ink cartridges are supported on the back slide rail and the bottom slide rail.

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