A print head applied to a continuous inkjet printer and a continuous inkjet printer

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of printing head and continuous inkjet printer applied to continuous inkjet printer, printing head includes printing head body, and printing head body is provided with luminous indicating device and drive module, luminous indicating device and drive module are electrically connected, luminous indicating device is used to provide visual light source output to outside, wherein, luminous indicating device is configured as, under the driving effect of drive module, by changing the light source output characteristics of luminous indicating device, for indicating the progress of continuous inkjet printer execution inkjet marking job. By the utility model, when being located in inkjet marking work position production line end side, only according to the different light source output state of luminous indicating device on printing head body, the real-time working state of continuous inkjet printer can be efficiently and conveniently understood.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of printer technology, and in particular relates to a printhead for use in a continuous inkjet printer and a continuous inkjet printer. Background Technology

[0002] A continuous inkjet printer (CIJ printer) is a device widely used for marking and coding tasks on high-speed production lines. The main body includes a printhead, an ink supply tube, and a main unit. The printhead and the main unit are connected via the ink supply tube to deliver ink and exchange electrical signals.

[0003] Under current technology, the working status of a conventional continuous inkjet printer can only be viewed directly through the display screen set on the host. However, in the actual production line layout, there is often a certain distance between the print head and the host, which makes it impossible for operators to conveniently understand the progress and status of the inkjet printing process from the host display screen when they are working on the production line on the side of the print head. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a printhead and a continuous inkjet printer for use in a continuous inkjet printer, in order to solve the technical problem that conventional printheads and continuous inkjet printers cannot efficiently and conveniently display the real-time progress and status of inkjet printing jobs on one side of the printhead.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solution of this utility model is: a printhead for a continuous inkjet printer, comprising: Printhead body; The printhead body is provided with a light-emitting indicator and a driving module. The light-emitting indicator is electrically connected to the driving module and is used to provide a visual light source output to the outside. The light-emitting indicator is configured to, under the driving action of the driving module, change the light source output characteristics of the light-emitting indicator to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer in performing inkjet marking operations.

[0006] Preferably, the light-emitting indicator includes a plurality of light-emitting units, and the light-emitting indicator is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, the light-emitting indicator can change its illumination intensity and / or illumination color.

[0007] Preferably, a plurality of the light-emitting units are arranged sequentially on the outer surface or inside the printhead body to form a linear light path trajectory. The light-emitting indicator device is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, the plurality of light-emitting units change their illumination intensity and / or illumination color along the light path trajectory to produce a dynamic visual effect.

[0008] Preferably, the light-emitting indicator is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, a plurality of the light-emitting units light up and turn off sequentially along the light path, for indicating the inkjet marking operation progress of the continuous inkjet printer.

[0009] Preferably, the light-emitting indicator is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, a plurality of light-emitting units are lit sequentially along the light path trajectory, and the different lighting ratios of the light path trajectory are used to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer in performing inkjet marking operations.

[0010] Preferably, the plurality of light-emitting units include a plurality of different lighting colors.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of the light-emitting units are arranged sequentially on the outer surface or inside the printhead body to form a linear closed light path trajectory.

[0012] Preferably, the printhead body has a cylindrical shaft, and the closed light path trajectory of the light-emitting indicator is arranged in a horizontal ring along the outer periphery of the shaft of the printhead body.

[0013] Based on the same concept, this utility model also provides a continuous inkjet printer, including a printhead for use in a continuous inkjet printer as described in any of the above.

[0014] Preferably, the continuous inkjet printer includes a main control unit electrically connected to a drive module in the printhead body. The continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide the drive module with printer start operation signals, printer stop operation signals, printhead self-cleaning operation signals, and / or inkjet marking workpiece transport signals through the main control unit, so as to enable the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer in performing inkjet marking operations by changing its light source output characteristics.

[0015] Preferably, the inkjet marking workpiece transport signal provided by the continuous inkjet printer includes a first inkjet marking workpiece transport signal and a second inkjet marking workpiece transport signal. The continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide the first inkjet marking workpiece transport signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to change its light source output characteristics, indicating that the inkjet marking workpiece has entered the inkjet marking station; and to provide the second inkjet marking workpiece transport signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to change its light source output characteristics, indicating the transport progress of the inkjet marking workpiece along the inkjet marking station.

[0016] Preferably, the continuous inkjet printer includes an input panel for remotely controlling the light source output characteristics of the light-emitting indicator device.

[0017] Preferably, the continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide an inkjet marking station operation signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to change its light source output characteristics, indicating the conveying direction and speed of the inkjet-marked workpiece along the inkjet marking station.

[0018] Because of the adoption of the above technical solution, this utility model has the following advantages and positive effects compared with the prior art: This invention provides a printhead and a continuous inkjet printer for use in a continuous inkjet printer. The printhead is equipped with a light-emitting indicator that provides a visual light source output. The drive module for the light-emitting indicator in the printhead is electrically connected to the main control unit of the continuous inkjet printer. Under the drive of the drive module, the light-emitting indicator changes its light source output characteristics, such as light source color, light source brightness, and on / off action, to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer's inkjet marking operation. This enables visualization of different operation progress or states of the continuous inkjet printer, allowing operators to efficiently and conveniently understand the real-time working status of the continuous inkjet printer simply by observing the different light source output states of the light-emitting indicator on the printhead when they are located on one side of the inkjet marking station production line. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This utility model provides a structural schematic diagram of a continuous inkjet printer; Figure 2 This utility model provides a schematic diagram of the printhead structure.

[0020] Figure labeling: 1: Printhead body; 2: Main unit; 3: Connecting pipe; 4: Nozzle; 5: Illuminating indicator; 6: Illuminating unit; 7: Inkjet marking workpiece; 8: Inkjet marking station; 9: Input panel; 10: Cleaning station. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides a further detailed account of a printhead for a continuous inkjet printer and the continuous inkjet printer itself, based on the present invention. The advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description and claims.

[0022] First Embodiment See Figures 1-2 This embodiment provides a printhead for a continuous inkjet printer, which enables operators to quickly and clearly understand the real-time operating status of the continuous inkjet printer based solely on the printhead body 1 when they are located on the production line position away from the display screen of the continuous inkjet printer host 2.

[0023] Specifically, the overall structure of the continuous inkjet printer includes a host 2, a printhead body 1, and a connecting pipe 3. The printhead body 1 and the host 2 are connected via the connecting pipe 3. The connecting pipe 3 enables both fluid connection for ink delivery from the host 2 to the printhead body 1 and electrical connection for data exchange between the host 2 and the printhead body 1. The length of the connecting pipe 3 can be extended according to the actual layout requirements of the inkjet marking station 8, allowing for flexible layout of the continuous inkjet printer at different positions of the inkjet marking station 8. In a conventional structure, the top of the printhead body 1 is equipped with a nozzle 4 for high-speed ink spraying. In this embodiment, the printhead is positioned above the inkjet marking station 8 production line, with the nozzle 4 of the printhead body 1 facing the surface of the inkjet marking workpiece 7. When the inkjet marking station 8 production line drives the inkjet marking workpiece 7 to be transported, the continuous spraying of ink from the nozzle 4 of the printhead body 1 achieves the continuous marking and encoding of the inkjet marking workpiece 7 transported in the inkjet marking station 8 production line.

[0024] It is worth noting that the inkjet marking operation described in this embodiment does not refer to a single inkjet marking action of the printhead, but rather to the sequential inkjet marking of several inkjet marking workpieces 7. Therefore, the inkjet marking operation progress described in this embodiment refers to the progress of completing inkjet marking among several inkjet marking workpieces 7.

[0025] In this embodiment, a light-emitting indicator 5 and a driving module are provided on the printhead body 1. The light-emitting indicator 5 is electrically connected to the driving module. The light-emitting indicator 5 is used to provide a visual light source output to the outside, that is, the operator can directly observe the light source output provided by the light-emitting indicator 5 in the printhead.

[0026] The light-emitting indicator 5 is configured to, under the drive of the drive module, change its light source output characteristics to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer's inkjet marking operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, the operator can remotely control the printhead body 1 to perform inkjet marking operations via the host 2. Simultaneously, the light-emitting indicator 5 can output corresponding light source indicators in real time based on the continuous inkjet printer's operation progress. This allows the operator, when positioned on one side of the production line at the inkjet marking station 8, to efficiently and conveniently understand the real-time operation progress of the continuous inkjet printer based on the visual indication of the light-emitting indicator 5, effectively improving printing efficiency and making the arrangement of the continuous inkjet printer more flexible and diverse.

[0027] The following will provide a more detailed description of the specific structure and functions of a printhead used in a continuous inkjet printer, as provided in this embodiment: Preferably, in one embodiment, the light-emitting indicator 5 includes a plurality of light-emitting units 6, which can be selected as LEDs, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or light films, etc. The light-emitting indicator 5 is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, the plurality of light-emitting units 6 can change their illumination intensity and / or illumination color. Taking LEDs as an example, the illumination intensity of the light-emitting indicator 5 can be achieved by adjusting the switching frequency and / or duty cycle output of the LEDs, and the illumination color of the light-emitting indicator 5 can be achieved by using LEDs of different wavelengths to turn on and off.

[0028] Furthermore, in one embodiment, a plurality of light-emitting units 6 are arranged sequentially on the outer surface or inside the printhead body 1 to form a linear light path trajectory. The light-emitting indicator 5 is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, the plurality of light-emitting units 6 change their illumination intensity and / or illumination color along the light path trajectory, that is, change the overall illumination intensity and / or illumination color of the light-emitting indicator 5, so as to make the light-emitting indicator 5 produce a dynamic visual effect, thereby indicating the progress or status of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer. For example, at the beginning stage of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer, the overall illumination brightness of the light-emitting indicator 5 is low. As the progress of the inkjet marking operation continues to increase, the overall illumination brightness of the light-emitting indicator 5 gradually increases. Or, at the beginning stage of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer, the illumination color of the light-emitting indicator 5 is displayed as green. When the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer is completed, the illumination color of the light-emitting indicator 5 changes to red.

[0029] Preferably, in one embodiment, the light-emitting indicator 5 is configured such that, driven by the driving module, a plurality of light-emitting units 6 sequentially light up and turn off along the optical path to indicate the progress of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer. Specifically, assuming there are n groups of light-emitting units 6, at the beginning of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer, the first light-emitting unit 6 is lit. As the progress of the inkjet marking operation increases, the first light-emitting unit 6 turns off, the second group of light-emitting units 6 lights up, and so on, until the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer is completed, at which point the (n-1)th group of light-emitting units 6 turns off and the nth group of light-emitting units 6 lights up. Visually, this allows the unique light spot in the light-emitting indicator 5 to move dynamically along the optical path. Based on the real-time position of the light spot in the optical path of the light-emitting indicator 5, the progress of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer can be indicated.

[0030] In another embodiment, the light-emitting indicator 5 is configured such that, driven by the driving module, several light-emitting units 6 are sequentially illuminated along the light path. The different illumination ratios along the light path indicate the progress of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer. Specifically, assuming there are n groups of light-emitting units 6, at the beginning of the inkjet marking operation, the first light-emitting unit 6 is illuminated. As the inkjet marking operation progresses, the second group of light-emitting units 6 illuminates, and so on, until all n groups of light-emitting units 6 are illuminated when the inkjet marking operation is completed. Visually, the illumination ratio of the light path changes synchronously with the progress of the inkjet marking operation. Based on the different illumination ratios along the light path, the progress of the inkjet marking operation of the continuous inkjet printer can be indicated.

[0031] Preferably, in one embodiment, the plurality of light-emitting units 6 each include a plurality of different illumination colors. When the unique light spot in the light-emitting indicator device 5 moves dynamically along the light path trajectory, or when the illumination ratio of the light path trajectory changes synchronously with the progress of the inkjet marking operation, the light spot located at different positions on the light path trajectory can be illuminated with different colors, thereby further optimizing the visual display effect.

[0032] Preferably, in one embodiment, a plurality of light-emitting units 6 are arranged sequentially on the outer surface or inside the printhead body 1 to form a linear closed light path trajectory.

[0033] Furthermore, the printhead body 1 is provided with a cylindrical shaft, the nozzle 4 of the printhead body 1 is located at one end of the printhead body 1, and the closed light path trajectory of the light-emitting indicator 5 is arranged in a horizontal ring along the outer periphery of the shaft of the printhead body 1. That is, taking the vertical arrangement of the printhead body 1 as an example, the extension direction of the light path trajectory of the light-emitting indicator 5 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the printhead body 1.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a track arranged in a ring along the outer periphery of the printhead body 1 can be embedded in the outer surface of the printhead body 1. The light-emitting indicator 5 can be fitted into the track. After the light-emitting indicator 5 is spliced ​​with the printhead body 1, the outer diameter of the original printhead body 1 is not changed. At the same time, a sealing cover is fitted on the outside of the light-emitting indicator 5. The sealing cover is made of semi-transparent plastic material, which protects the light-emitting unit 6 from liquid intrusion and damage without affecting the light transmission performance of the light-emitting indicator 5.

[0035] Second Embodiment Based on the same concept, this embodiment also provides a continuous inkjet printer, including a printhead for use in a continuous inkjet printer as described in any one of the first embodiments.

[0036] In this embodiment, the main unit 2 of the continuous inkjet printer also includes a main control unit, an input panel 9, and a cleaning station 10. The main control unit is electrically connected to the drive module in the printhead body 1 to realize data interaction between the main unit 2 and the printhead body 1. The input panel 9 is used to remotely control the light source output characteristics of the light-emitting indicator 5, such as controlling the light source color, brightness, and on / off action of the light-emitting indicator 5. When the continuous inkjet printer is in standby mode, the operator can manually insert the printhead body 1 into the cleaning station 10. The cleaning station 10 is used to realize the self-cleaning operation of the printhead body 1, wherein the light-emitting indicator 5 can be used to indicate the progress of the self-cleaning operation of the printhead body 1.

[0037] Preferably, in one embodiment, the continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide a printer start operation signal, a printer stop operation signal, a printhead self-cleaning operation signal, and / or an inkjet marking workpiece transport signal to the drive module via a main control unit, so as to enable the light-emitting indicator device 5 of the printhead body 1 to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer's inkjet marking operation by changing its light source output characteristics.

[0038] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the inkjet marking workpiece transport signal provided by the continuous inkjet printer includes a first inkjet marking workpiece transport signal and a second inkjet marking workpiece transport signal. The first inkjet marking workpiece transport signal is related to whether the inkjet marking workpiece 7 has entered the inkjet marking station 8 in preparation for inkjet marking operation, and the second inkjet marking workpiece transport signal is related to the transport progress of the inkjet marking workpiece 7 along the inkjet marking station 8. The continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide the first inkjet marking workpiece transport signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device 5 of the printhead body 1 to change its light source output characteristics, indicating that the inkjet marking workpiece 7 has entered the inkjet marking station 8. Moreover, by providing the second inkjet marking workpiece transport signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device 5 of the printhead body 1 to change its light source output characteristics, indicating the transport progress of the inkjet marking workpiece 7 along the inkjet marking station 8, the progress of the inkjet marking operation of several inkjet marking workpieces 7 can be displayed.

[0039] Preferably, in one embodiment, the continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide an operation signal for the inkjet marking station 8 to the drive module via the main control unit, so as to enable the light-emitting indicator device 5 of the printhead body 1 to change its light source output characteristics, indicating the conveying direction and speed of the inkjet-marked workpiece 7 along the inkjet marking station 8, wherein the conveying direction indication can be achieved by the movement direction of the light spot in the light-emitting indicator device 5 along the light path trajectory.

[0040] Preferably, in one embodiment, to facilitate the equipment statistics and management of continuous inkjet printers, different continuous inkjet printers and host 2 are assigned different numbers. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the continuous inkjet printer is in the in-position or standby state, and the light-emitting indicator 5 has more light-emitting units 6 than the maximum number of continuous inkjet printer numbers, the host 2 can light up a specific number of light-emitting units 6 in the light-emitting indicator 5 that is paired with it. The number of light-emitting units 6 that are lit corresponds to the number of the host 2 connected to the printhead body 1. When multiple continuous inkjet printers are arranged in an alternating manner in the inkjet marking station 8 production line, the operator can know which continuous inkjet printer the current printhead body 1 belongs to by the number of light spots in the light-emitting indicator 5 in the printhead body 1, which facilitates the rapid positioning of the equipment.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Even if various changes are made to the present invention, if these changes fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, they shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printhead for use in a continuous inkjet printer, characterized in that, include: Print head body; The printhead body is provided with a light-emitting indicator and a driving module. The light-emitting indicator is electrically connected to the driving module and is used to provide a visual light source output to the outside. The light-emitting indicator is configured to, under the driving action of the driving module, change the light source output characteristics of the light-emitting indicator to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer in performing inkjet marking operations.

2. The printhead for a continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting indicator includes several light-emitting units, and the light-emitting indicator is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, the light-emitting indicator can change its illumination intensity and / or illumination color.

3. The printhead for a continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A plurality of light-emitting units are arranged sequentially on the outer surface or inside the printhead body to form a linear light path trajectory. The light-emitting indicator device is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, the plurality of light-emitting units change their illumination intensity and / or illumination color along the light path trajectory to produce a dynamic visual effect.

4. The printhead for a continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The light-emitting indicator is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, a plurality of the light-emitting units light up and turn off sequentially along the light path, in order to indicate the inkjet marking process of the continuous inkjet printer.

5. The printhead for a continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The light-emitting indicator is configured such that, under the driving action of the driving module, a plurality of light-emitting units are sequentially lit along the light path trajectory, and the different lighting ratios of the light path trajectory are used to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer in performing inkjet marking operations.

6. The printhead for a continuous inkjet printer as described in any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The light-emitting units include several different lighting colors.

7. The printhead for a continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Several of the light-emitting units are arranged sequentially on the outer surface or inside the printhead body to form a linear closed light path.

8. The printhead for a continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The printhead body is provided with a cylindrical shaft, and the closed light path trajectory of the light-emitting indicator is arranged in a horizontal ring along the outer periphery of the shaft of the printhead body.

9. A continuous inkjet printer, characterized in that, Includes a printhead for use in a continuous inkjet printer as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The system includes a main control unit electrically connected to a drive module in the printhead body. The continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide the drive module with printer start operation signals, printer stop operation signals, printhead self-cleaning operation signals, and / or inkjet marking workpiece transport signals through the main control unit. This enables the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to indicate the progress of the continuous inkjet printer in performing inkjet marking operations by changing its light source output characteristics.

11. The continuous inkjet printer as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The continuous inkjet printer provides inkjet marking workpiece transport signals including a first inkjet marking workpiece transport signal and a second inkjet marking workpiece transport signal. The continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide the first inkjet marking workpiece transport signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to change its light source output characteristics, indicating that the inkjet marking workpiece has entered the inkjet marking station; and to provide the second inkjet marking workpiece transport signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to change its light source output characteristics, indicating the transport progress of the inkjet marking workpiece along the inkjet marking station.

12. The continuous inkjet printer as described in any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The continuous inkjet printer includes an input panel for remotely controlling the light source output characteristics of the light-emitting indicator device.

13. The continuous inkjet printer as described in any one of claims 10-11, characterized in that, The continuous inkjet printer is configured to provide an inkjet marking station operation signal to the drive module through the main control unit, which enables the light-emitting indicator device of the printhead body to change its light source output characteristics, indicating the conveying direction and speed of the inkjet-marked workpiece along the inkjet marking station.

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