Printing trolley and UV inkjet printer

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the field of UV inkjet printing technology, and solves the shortcomings of existing UV inkjet printing, such as large color differences and poor inkjet display effect. It provides a printing carriage and a UV inkjet printer. The printing carriage includes: a frame; an inkjet unit mounted at the bottom of the frame, including a printhead plate and printheads mounted in corresponding holes on the printhead plate; a first UV lamp and a second UV lamp arranged on opposite sides of the printheads to cure the ink ejected from the printheads. In the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet unit relative to the printing medium, the first distance between the first UV lamp and the printhead is equal to the second distance between the second UV lamp and the printhead. The printing carriage and UV inkjet printer provided by this utility model ensure consistent color depth, natural color transitions, and uniform overall display effect, thus improving inkjet printing quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of UV inkjet printing technology, and in particular to a printing carriage and a UV inkjet printer. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing technology refers to the technology of spraying ink onto the printing medium through nozzles on the printhead to obtain images or text. Conventional printing carriages are usually equipped with UV lamps on both sides to cure the ink. Each pass of the printing carriage sprays ink onto the printing medium, and the UV lamps on both sides of the printing carriage then sweep across the ink to cure it.

[0003] The final inkjet display effect is affected by a variety of factors, such as the time interval between ink being ejected from the printing medium and being irradiated by UV light. Within a certain time range, the longer the interval, the better the ink leveling effect, the deeper the printed color, and the more natural the color transition and display effect, thus resulting in a better inkjet display effect.

[0004] For ease of design or manufacturing, existing printing carriages typically have two UV lamps symmetrically positioned on either side of the carriage. However, the printhead is often not centered on the inkjet unit of the printing carriage, resulting in unequal distances d1 and d2 between the two UV lamps and the printhead.

[0005] Taking d1>d2 as an example, the time from when the ink falls onto the medium to when the light emitted by the UV lamp with d1 illuminates the ink is t1, and the time from when the ink falls onto the medium to when the light emitted by the UV lamp with d2 illuminates the ink is t2. Since the speed of the printing carriage is constant, t1>t2. Therefore, the color obtained by the printing carriage curing the "one-pass pattern" printed during the time t1 is slightly darker than the color obtained by the printing carriage curing the "one-pass pattern" printed during the time t2.

[0006] The patterns in each pass of the printing carriage are printed alternately and pieced together, so there will be a certain difference in color between adjacent passes. This is the reason for the formation of color blocks and textures in the print, especially at high speeds where the color differences become more noticeable. The greater the offset of the printhead from the center of symmetry of the two UV lamps, the greater the difference between d1 and d2, which will also lead to a greater color difference.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a printing carriage and a UV inkjet printer that can ensure minimal color differences and good inkjet display effects. Utility Model Content

[0008] This utility model addresses the shortcomings of the prior art, such as significant color differences and poor inkjet display effects. To achieve one objective of this utility model, a printing carriage is provided, comprising: a frame; an inkjet device mounted on the bottom of the frame, including a printhead plate and printheads mounted in corresponding holes on the printhead plate; a first UV lamp and a second UV lamp arranged on opposite sides of the printheads to cure the ink ejected from the printheads, wherein in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device relative to the printing medium, a first distance between the first UV lamp and the printhead is equal to a second distance between the second UV lamp and the printhead.

[0009] Furthermore, the inkjet unit also includes a connecting frame, with its two ends fixedly connected to the frame and the printhead plate, respectively. The connecting frame includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate that are opposite each other in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet unit relative to the printing medium. The first UV lamp and the second UV lamp are respectively disposed on the outer sides of the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the printhead includes multiple printheads, one of which is designated as the reference printhead. The reference printhead has the greatest impact on the inkjet display effect. In the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device relative to the printing medium, the first distance is the distance between the first UV lamp and the reference printhead, and the second distance is the distance between the second UV lamp and the reference printhead.

[0011] Furthermore, the printheads include white ink printheads, varnish printheads, and color ink printheads, with the color ink printheads serving as the reference printhead.

[0012] Furthermore, the color ink printhead can be movably mounted on the printhead plate, and the first UV lamp and / or the second UV lamp can be adjusted according to the different positions of the color ink printhead on the printhead plate to adjust the spacing distance between it and the outer side of the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the printhead or reference printhead and the light-emitting areas of the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp have mutually parallel printhead symmetry center lines and first light-emitting symmetry center lines and second light-emitting symmetry center lines in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device relative to the printing medium. The first distance is the vertical distance between the first light-emitting symmetry center line and the printhead symmetry center line, and the second distance is the vertical distance between the second light-emitting symmetry center line and the printhead symmetry center line.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting frame also includes a third connecting plate and a fourth connecting plate parallel to the reciprocating motion direction. The third connecting plate and the fourth connecting plate are parallel and spaced apart from each other and are both connected to the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate. The printing carriage includes a first lamp holder and a second lamp holder on which the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp are respectively mounted. The first lamp holder and the second lamp holder are movably connected to the third connecting plate and the fourth connecting plate respectively through a pair of movable adjustment mechanisms, thereby adjusting the distance values ​​of the first distance and the second distance respectively.

[0015] Furthermore, the movable adjustment mechanism includes a slide rail on the third or fourth connecting plate and a slider on the first or second lamp holder. The slide rail is parallel to the reciprocating direction, and the slider is slidably connected to the slide rail. A long slot is provided in the length direction of the slide rail, and two fixing bolts are detachably fixed in the long slot. The two fixing bolts abut against the end walls of the slider in the reciprocating direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the printing carriage also includes a first anti-collision mechanism and a second anti-collision mechanism fixed on the first lamp holder and the second lamp holder, respectively, which are further away from the printhead relative to the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp in the reciprocating direction.

[0017] To achieve another objective of this utility model, a UV inkjet printer is provided, including a crossbeam and a printing carriage that reciprocates on the crossbeam relative to the printing medium. The printing carriage can be any of the above-mentioned printing carriages, and the carriage frame is slidably connected to the slide rail on the crossbeam.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0019] The printing carriage and UV inkjet printer provided by this utility model ensure that the two UV lamps located on both sides of the printhead are equidistant from the printhead during reciprocating motion, thereby ensuring that the two UV lamps cure the ink on the printing medium sprayed by the same printhead 22 at equal intervals. As a result, the color depth of each "pass pattern" is the same, and there will be no difference in color between adjacent passes. This prevents the formation of printed color blocks and ensures the consistency of color depth, the naturalness of color transition, and the uniformity of the overall display effect, thus improving the inkjet printing quality. Attached Figure Description

[0020] 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.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front view of the printing carriage provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the printing carriage from a low-angle front view provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 A simplified structural diagram of the printing carriage provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 10. Printing carriage; 1. Carriage frame; 2. Inkjet unit; 21. Printhead plate; 22. Printhead / reference printhead; 23. Connecting frame; 231. First connecting plate; 232. Second connecting plate; 233. Third connecting plate; 234. Fourth connecting plate; 3. First UV lamp; 4. Second UV lamp; 5. First lamp holder; 6. Second lamp holder; 7. First anti-collision mechanism; 8. Second anti-collision mechanism; D1. First distance; D2. Second distance. Detailed Implementation

[0026] 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," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," 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 limited 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, embodiments of the present invention and the various features thereof can be combined with each other, all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] refer to Figures 1 to 3As an objective of this utility model, a printing carriage 10 is provided, comprising a frame 1, an inkjet unit 2, a first UV lamp 3, and a second UV lamp 4. The inkjet unit 2 is mounted on the bottom of the frame 1 and includes a printhead plate 21 and printheads 22 mounted in corresponding holes on the printhead plate 21. The first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4 are arranged on opposite sides of the printheads 22 and respectively cure the ink ejected by the printheads 22. It should be noted that both the first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4 include multiple UV lamp beads. In the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet unit 2 relative to the printing medium, the first distance D1 between the first UV lamp 3 and the printhead 22 is equal to the second distance D2 between the second UV lamp 4 and the printhead 22.

[0028] Therefore, the printing carriage 10 provided by this utility model sets the two UV lamps to be equidistant from the printhead 22. This ensures that during the reciprocating motion, the two UV lamps cure the ink on the printing medium sprayed by the same printhead 22 at equal intervals. As a result, the color depth of each "pass pattern" is the same, so there will be no difference in color between adjacent pass patterns, and no printing color block texture will be produced. This ensures the consistency of the printed color depth, the naturalness of the color transition, and the uniformity of the overall display effect, thus improving the inkjet printing quality.

[0029] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Preferably, the inkjet unit 2 further includes a connecting frame 23, which is fixedly connected to the carriage 1 and the printhead plate 21 respectively. The connecting frame 23 includes a first connecting plate 231 and a second connecting plate 232 opposite to each other in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet unit 2 relative to the printing medium. The first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4 are respectively disposed on the outer sides of the first connecting plate 231 and the second connecting plate 232. Therefore, the overall structure of the printing carriage 10 is compact, and the positions of the first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4 on the outer sides of the first connecting plate 231 and the second connecting plate 232 are easily adjustable to ensure that the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 are equal.

[0030] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Preferably, the printhead 22 includes multiple printheads, one of which is designated as a reference printhead. The reference printhead has the greatest impact on the inkjet display effect. In the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device 2 relative to the printing medium, the first distance D1 is the distance between the first UV lamp 3 and the reference printhead, and the second distance D2 is the distance between the second UV lamp 4 and the reference printhead. Therefore, by using the reference printhead, which has the greatest impact on the inkjet display effect, as the reference for determining the first distance D1 and the second distance D2, a good inkjet display effect is guaranteed to the greatest extent.

[0031] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2Preferably, the printhead 22 includes a white ink printhead, a varnish printhead, and a color ink printhead. The color ink printhead is set as the reference printhead 22. Since the printed image of the color ink printhead has the greatest impact on the overall display effect, while the white ink printhead and the varnish printhead have little impact on the overall display effect, the color ink printhead is selected as the reference printhead 22 to provide a reference for setting the position of the two UV lamps.

[0032] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Preferably, the color ink printhead is movably mounted on the printhead plate 21. The first UV lamp 3 and / or the second UV lamp 4 can be adjusted according to the different positions of the color ink printhead on the printhead plate 21 to maintain the distance between the printhead and the outer side of the first connecting plate 231 and the second connecting plate 232. Since the color ink printhead needs to change its mounting position on the printhead plate 21 for certain ink types or different printing media, the distance between the two UV lamps and the color ink printhead is adjusted synchronously to ensure that the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 remain equal.

[0033] Please refer to the reference. Figure 3 Preferably, the luminous areas of the printhead 22 or reference printhead, the first UV lamp 3, and the second UV lamp 4 are parallel to the printhead symmetry center line, the first luminous symmetry center line, and the second luminous symmetry center line in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device 2 relative to the printing medium. The first distance D1 is the vertical distance between the first luminous symmetry center line and the printhead symmetry center line, and the second distance D2 is the vertical distance between the second luminous symmetry center line and the printhead symmetry center line. Since the curing ability of the UV lamp for ink corresponds to the luminous area, the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 are determined by using the symmetry center line of the luminous area (which can also be described as a row of rectangularly arranged UV lamp beads) as the distance to the printhead symmetry center line, which has the advantage of high correlation with the curing effect.

[0034] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3Preferably, the connecting frame 23 further includes a third connecting plate 233 and a fourth connecting plate 234 parallel to the reciprocating motion direction. The third connecting plate 233 and the fourth connecting plate 234 are parallel and spaced apart from each other and are both connected to the first connecting plate 231 and the second connecting plate 232. The printing carriage 10 includes a first lamp holder 5 and a second lamp holder 6 on which the first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4 are respectively mounted. The first lamp holder 5 and the second lamp holder 6 are movably connected to the third connecting plate 233 and the fourth connecting plate 234 respectively through a pair of movable adjustment mechanisms (not shown), thereby adjusting the distance values ​​of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 respectively. In this way, by setting the movable adjustment mechanism, the position of the first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4 can be conveniently adjusted according to the position of the printhead 22 on the printhead plate 21 to ensure that the distance values ​​of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 are the same.

[0035] Preferably, the movable adjustment mechanism includes a slide rail on the third connecting plate 233 or the fourth connecting plate 234 and a slider on the first lamp holder 5 or the second lamp holder 6. The slide rail is parallel to the reciprocating direction, and the slider is slidably connected to the slide rail. A long slot is provided in the length direction of the slide rail, and two fixing bolts are detachably fixed in the long slot. The two fixing bolts abut against the end walls of the slider in the reciprocating direction. In this way, when it is necessary to adjust the distance between the first lamp holder 5 and the second lamp holder 6, i.e., the first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4, and the nozzle 22, it is only necessary to first remove the two fixing bolts, then slide the slider to the corresponding position on the slide rail, and then fix the two fixing bolts, thereby reliably limiting the displacement of the slider in both directions of the slide rail. In this way, the advantage of being able to flexibly adjust the position of each UV lamp as needed is obtained, improving adaptability.

[0036] Please refer to the reference. Figure 2 Preferably, the printing carriage 10 further includes a first anti-collision mechanism 7 and a second anti-collision mechanism 8 fixed on the first lamp holder 5 and the second lamp holder 6. The first anti-collision mechanism 7 and the second anti-collision mechanism 8 are respectively further away from the printhead 22 relative to the first UV lamp 3 and the second UV lamp 4 in the reciprocating direction. Therefore, when there is a foreign object on the printing platform that is higher than the printing surface of the printing medium, during the reciprocating movement of the printing carriage 10, the foreign object will first come into contact with one of the anti-collision mechanisms located in front of a UV lamp in the direction of movement of the printing carriage 10. Since both anti-collision mechanisms are equipped with induction switches, the induction switches will send a signal to stop the printing carriage 10 to protect the printhead 22. More preferably, in the reciprocating movement direction of the printing carriage 10, the distance between the first UV lamp 3 and the first anti-collision mechanism 7 and the distance between the second UV lamp 4 and the second anti-collision mechanism 8 are equal. Thus, the distances of the first anti-collision mechanism 7 and the second anti-collision mechanism 8 relative to the printhead 22 are equal, thereby ensuring that both anti-collision mechanisms can provide the same reliable protection for the printhead 22.

[0037] As another objective of this utility model, it also provides a UV inkjet printer (not shown), which includes a crossbeam and a printing carriage 10 that reciprocates on the crossbeam relative to the printing medium. The printing carriage 10 can be any of the above-described types. The carriage frame 1 is slidably connected to a slide rail on the crossbeam. The UV inkjet printer can obtain the beneficial effects brought by any type of printing carriage 10, which will not be elaborated further here. Therefore, the UV inkjet printer has the advantages of small color differences in the printed output and good inkjet display effect.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not 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. 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. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A printing cart, characterized in that, include: Frame; The inkjet unit installed at the bottom of the vehicle frame includes a printhead plate and printheads installed in corresponding holes on the printhead plate; The first UV lamp and the second UV lamp, which are arranged on opposite sides of the printhead and respectively cure the ink ejected from the printhead, are positioned in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device relative to the printing medium. The first distance between the first UV lamp and the printhead is equal to the second distance between the second UV lamp and the printhead.

2. The printing carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inkjet device also includes a connecting frame, with its two ends fixedly connected to the vehicle frame and the printhead plate, respectively. The connecting frame includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate that are opposite to each other in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device relative to the printing medium. The first UV lamp and the second UV lamp are respectively disposed on the outer sides of the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate.

3. The printing carriage according to claim 2, characterized in that, The printhead includes multiple printheads, one of which is designated as a reference printhead. The reference printhead has the greatest impact on the inkjet display effect. In the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device relative to the printing medium, the first distance is the distance between the first UV lamp and the reference printhead, and the second distance is the distance between the second UV lamp and the reference printhead.

4. The printing carriage according to claim 3, characterized in that, The printhead includes a white ink printhead, a varnish printhead, and a color ink printhead, with the color ink printhead serving as the reference printhead.

5. The printing carriage according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inkjet head is movably mounted on the printhead plate, and the first UV lamp and / or the second UV lamp can be adjusted to maintain a distance from the outside of the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate according to the different positions of the inkjet head on the printhead plate.

6. The printing carriage according to claim 3, characterized in that, The printhead or the reference printhead, as well as the luminous areas of the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp, have mutually parallel printhead symmetry center lines, a first luminous symmetry center line, and a second luminous symmetry center line in the reciprocating motion direction of the inkjet device relative to the printing medium. The first distance is the vertical distance between the first luminous symmetry center line and the printhead symmetry center line, and the second distance is the vertical distance between the second luminous symmetry center line and the printhead symmetry center line.

7. The printing carriage according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting frame further includes a third connecting plate and a fourth connecting plate parallel to the reciprocating motion direction. The third connecting plate and the fourth connecting plate are parallel and spaced apart from each other and are both connected to the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate. The printing carriage includes a first lamp holder and a second lamp holder on which the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp are respectively mounted. The first lamp holder and the second lamp holder are movably connected to the third connecting plate and the fourth connecting plate respectively through a pair of movable adjustment mechanisms, thereby adjusting the distance values ​​of the first distance and the second distance respectively.

8. The printing carriage according to claim 7, characterized in that, The movable adjustment mechanism includes a slide rail disposed on the third connecting plate or the fourth connecting plate and a slider disposed on the first lamp holder or the second lamp holder respectively. The slide rail is parallel to the reciprocating motion direction, and the slider is slidably connected to the slide rail. A long slot is provided in the length direction of the slide rail, and two fixing bolts are detachably fixed in the long slot. The two fixing bolts abut against the two end walls of the slider in the reciprocating motion direction respectively.

9. The printing carriage according to claim 7, characterized in that, The printing carriage also includes a first anti-collision mechanism and a second anti-collision mechanism fixed on the first lamp holder and the second lamp holder, wherein the first anti-collision mechanism and the second anti-collision mechanism are respectively further away from the nozzle relative to the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp along the reciprocating motion direction.

10. A UV inkjet printer, comprising a beam and a printing carriage that reciprocates on said beam relative to a printing medium, characterized in that, The printing carriage is the printing carriage according to any one of claims 1-9, and the frame is slidably connected to the slide rail on the crossbeam.

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