A digital inkjet ink path system and printing apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of digital ink-jet ink path system and printing equipment, it is related to ink-jet printing technical field, including main ink tank, ink inlet box, nozzle, ink return box, further include the shunt backflow mechanism of input end and ink return box output end intercommunication, the shunt backflow mechanism output end shunts and respectively with ink inlet box input end, main ink tank input end intercommunication.Main ink tank ink to ink inlet box, ink inlet box ink to nozzle, part of ink in nozzle is transported to ink return box, ink in ink return box is transported to shunt backflow mechanism, part of ink of output of ink return box is returned to ink inlet box, another part of ink is returned to main ink tank by shunt backflow mechanism, so that the ink amount supplied by ink inlet box is sufficient, solve the problem of insufficient ink supply under the condition of fast printing speed and large ink-jet amount in prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of inkjet printing technology, specifically relating to a digital inkjet ink path system and printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As the printing accuracy and speed requirements of digital inkjet printers continue to increase, the required ink flow rate for internal ink circulation within the printhead is also growing. For example, some existing printheads require a flow rate exceeding 80 ml / min, while traditional circulation systems cannot meet the circulation flow rate demands of printheads with high ink volume. Existing technologies suffer from issues such as line breaks and insufficient ink flow due to excessively high printing speeds. To address at least one of these technical problems, it is necessary to develop a digital inkjet ink path system and printing equipment. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a digital inkjet ink path system and printing equipment to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. By using a diversion and return mechanism, a portion of the ink output from the return ink cartridge is returned to the ink inlet cartridge, and another portion of the ink is returned to the main ink tank, so that the ink supply provided by the ink inlet cartridge is sufficient, thus solving the problems of line breakage and insufficient ink flow in the prior art when printing speed is fast and ink volume is large.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0005] A digital inkjet ink path system includes a main ink tank, an ink inlet cartridge with its input end connected to the output end of the main ink tank, a printhead with its input end connected to the output end of the ink inlet cartridge, and a return ink cartridge with its input end connected to the output end of the printhead. It also includes a flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism with its input end connected to the output end of the return ink cartridge. The output end of the flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism diverts ink and connects to the input ends of the ink inlet cartridge and the main ink tank, respectively. The main ink tank supplies ink to the ink inlet cartridge, the ink inlet cartridge supplies ink to the printhead, a portion of the ink in the printhead is supplied to the return ink cartridge, and the ink in the return ink cartridge is supplied to the flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism. Through the flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism, a portion of the ink output from the return ink cartridge is returned to the ink inlet cartridge, and another portion of the ink is returned to the main ink tank. This ensures a sufficient ink supply from the ink inlet cartridge, solving the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink flow in existing technologies when printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes.

[0006] Preferably, the diversion and return mechanism includes a first conveying mechanism whose input end is connected to the output end of the return ink cartridge. The first conveying mechanism is a liquid pump.

[0007] Preferably, the diversion and return mechanism further includes a first filter whose input end is connected to the output end of the first conveying mechanism. The output end of the first filter diverts the ink and connects to the input end of the ink cartridge and the input end of the main ink tank, respectively. The first filter is a recirculation filter. In this technical solution, the ink delivered from the output end of the return ink cartridge is conveyed to the first filter by the first conveying mechanism, and then filtered by the first filter before being delivered to the ink cartridge and the main ink tank, respectively. This ensures a sufficient ink supply from the ink cartridge, solving the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink flow in existing technologies when printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes.

[0008] Preferably, a one-way valve is provided between the output end of the first filter and the input end of the ink cartridge. This prevents ink in the ink cartridge from flowing back from the output end of the first filter to the first filter, thus protecting the normal operation of the diversion and return mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, the output end of the return ink cartridge is connected to the input end of the first conveying mechanism, the output end of the first conveying mechanism is connected to the input end of the first filter, and the output end of the first filter is connected to the input end of the ink inlet cartridge via a first conduit. The first conduit is an ink tube for conveying ink.

[0010] Preferably, the main ink tank output is connected to the second filter input, the second filter output is connected to the second conveying mechanism input, and the second conveying mechanism output is connected to the ink inlet cartridge input. The second conveying mechanism is a liquid pump. The ink inlet cartridge output and printhead input, and the printhead output and return cartridge input are all connected via a first conduit; the main ink tank output and second filter input, the second filter output and second conveying mechanism input, and the second conveying mechanism output and ink inlet cartridge input are all connected via the first conduit. The ink in the main ink tank, after being filtered by the second filter, is conveyed to the ink inlet cartridge via the second conveying mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, the digital inkjet ink path system further includes a positive pressure mechanism that provides constant pressure to the ink cartridge. Maintaining a constant positive pressure in the ink cartridge increases the ink delivery flow rate, thus solving the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink supply in existing technologies when printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes.

[0012] Preferably, the positive pressure mechanism includes a positive pressure system connected to the air inlet end of the ink cartridge and a sealing end connected to the air outlet end of the ink return cartridge.

[0013] Preferably, the air outlet of the positive pressure system is connected to the air inlet of the first protection mechanism, and the air outlet of the first protection mechanism is connected to the air inlet of the ink cartridge.

[0014] The air outlet of the ink return cartridge is connected to the air inlet of the second protection mechanism, and the air outlet of the second protection mechanism is connected to the air inlet of the sealing end. Both the first and second protection mechanisms are protective bottles; these mechanisms are provided to protect the normal operation of the positive pressure mechanism.

[0015] This technical solution also provides a printing device, including the aforementioned digital inkjet ink path system.

[0016] This application has achieved beneficial technical effects:

[0017] This invention uses a diversion and return mechanism to return a portion of the ink output from the ink cartridge to the ink inlet cartridge and another portion of the ink to the main ink tank, ensuring a sufficient ink supply from the ink inlet cartridge and solving the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink flow in existing technologies when printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic of a digital inkjet ink path system.

[0019] Figure Labels

[0020] 1-Main ink tank; 2-Ink inlet cartridge; 3-Print head; 4-Ink return cartridge; 51-First conveying mechanism; 52-First filter; 53-One-way valve; 61-Second filter; 62-Second conveying mechanism; 71-Positive pressure system; 72-Sealed end; 73-First protection mechanism; 74-Second protection mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0022] The technical solution of this utility model will be described in detail below with specific embodiments.

[0023] Reference Figure 1A digital inkjet ink path system includes a main ink tank 1, an ink inlet cartridge 2 with its input end connected to the output end of the main ink tank 1, a printhead 3 with its input end connected to the output end of the ink inlet cartridge 2, and a return ink cartridge 4 with its input end connected to the output end of the printhead 3. It also includes a flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism with its input end connected to the output end of the return ink cartridge 4. The output end of the flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism diverts ink and connects to the input ends of the ink inlet cartridge 2 and the main ink tank 1, respectively. The main ink tank 1 supplies ink to the ink inlet cartridge 2, the ink inlet cartridge 2 supplies ink to the printhead 3, a portion of the ink in the printhead 3 is supplied to the return ink cartridge 4, and the ink in the return ink cartridge 4 is supplied to the flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism. Through the flow-diverting and recirculation mechanism, a portion of the ink output from the return ink cartridge 4 is returned to the ink inlet cartridge 2, and another portion of the ink is returned to the main ink tank 1, ensuring a sufficient ink supply from the ink inlet cartridge 2 and solving the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink flow in existing technologies when printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes.

[0024] The diversion and return mechanism includes a first conveying mechanism 51 whose input end is connected to the output end of the ink return cartridge 4. The first conveying mechanism 51 is a liquid pump.

[0025] The diversion and return mechanism also includes a first filter 52 whose input end is connected to the output end of the first conveying mechanism 51. The output end of the first filter 52 diverts the ink and connects it to the input end of the ink cartridge 2 and the input end of the main ink tank 1, respectively. The first filter 52 is a circulation filter. In this technical solution, the ink delivered from the output end of the return ink cartridge 4 is conveyed to the first filter 52 by the first conveying mechanism 51, and then filtered by the first filter 52 before being delivered to the ink cartridge 2 and the main ink tank 1, respectively. This ensures a sufficient ink supply from the ink cartridge 2, solving the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink flow in existing technologies when printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes.

[0026] A one-way valve 53 is provided between the output end of the first filter 52 and the input end of the ink cartridge 2. This prevents ink in the ink cartridge 2 from flowing back from the output end of the first filter 52 to the first filter 52, thus protecting the normal operation of the diversion and return mechanism.

[0027] The output end of the return ink cartridge 4 is connected to the input end of the first conveying mechanism 51, the output end of the first conveying mechanism 51 is connected to the input end of the first filter 52, the output end of the first filter 52 is connected to the input end of the ink inlet cartridge 2, and the output end of the first filter 52 is connected to the input end of the main ink tank 1 via a first conduit. This first conduit is an ink delivery tube for transporting ink.

[0028] The output end of the main ink tank 1 is connected to the input end of the second filter 61, the output end of the second filter 61 is connected to the input end of the second conveying mechanism 62, and the output end of the second conveying mechanism 62 is connected to the input end of the ink inlet cartridge 1. The second conveying mechanism 62 is a liquid pump. The output end of the ink inlet cartridge 2 is connected to the input end of the printhead 3, and the output end of the printhead 3 is connected to the input end of the return ink cartridge 4 via a first conduit. The output end of the main ink tank 2 is connected to the input end of the second filter 61, the output end of the second filter 61 is connected to the input end of the second conveying mechanism 62, and the output end of the second conveying mechanism 62 is connected to the input end of the ink inlet cartridge 2 via the second conveying mechanism 62. The ink in the main ink tank 1, after being filtered by the second filter 61, is conveyed to the ink inlet cartridge 2 via the second conveying mechanism 62.

[0029] The digital inkjet ink path system also includes a positive pressure mechanism that provides constant pressure to the ink cartridge 2. This maintains a constant positive pressure in the ink cartridge 2, increasing the ink delivery flow and solving the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink flow in existing technologies, particularly when printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes.

[0030] The positive pressure mechanism includes a positive pressure system 71 connected to the air inlet end of the ink cartridge 2 and a sealing end 72 connected to the air outlet end of the return ink cartridge 4.

[0031] The positive pressure system 71 is connected to the air inlet of the first protection mechanism 73, and the air outlet of the first protection mechanism 73 is connected to the air inlet of the ink cartridge 2.

[0032] The air outlet of the ink cartridge 4 is connected to the air inlet of the second protection mechanism 74, and the air outlet of the second protection mechanism 74 is connected to the air inlet of the sealing end 72. Both the first protection mechanism 73 and the second protection mechanism 74 are protective bottles; the first protection mechanism 73 and the second protection mechanism 74 are provided to protect the normal operation of the positive pressure mechanism.

[0033] The solid arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of liquid flow.

[0034] A connection point for connecting to the atmosphere is also provided between the air outlet of the positive pressure system and the first protection mechanism 73;

[0035] The positive pressure system's air outlet is connected to the first protection mechanism 73's air inlet, the first protection mechanism 73's air outlet is connected to the ink cartridge 2's air inlet, the ink return cartridge 4's air outlet is connected to the second protection mechanism 74's air inlet, and the second protection mechanism 74's air outlet is connected to the sealing end's air inlet via a second pipeline. This second pipeline is a gas delivery pipe.

[0036] This technical solution provides a novel circulating ink supply system to achieve high-flow circulating inkjet printing. The digital inkjet circulating ink path system using this technical solution solves the problems of line breaks and insufficient ink flow supply when printheads with large and small ink droplet nozzles are printing at high speeds and with large ink volumes.

[0037] This technical solution also provides a printing device, including the aforementioned digital inkjet ink path system.

[0038] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0039] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

[0040] The embodiments of the digital inkjet ink path system and printing device provided by this utility model have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the core ideas of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from the principles of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A digital inkjet ink path system, comprising a main ink tank (1), an ink inlet cartridge (2) with its input end connected to the output end of the main ink tank (1), a printhead (3) with its input end connected to the output end of the ink inlet cartridge (2), and a return ink cartridge (4) with its input end connected to the output end of the printhead (3), characterized in that, It also includes a diversion and recirculation mechanism whose input end is connected to the output end of the ink return cartridge (4). The output end of the diversion and recirculation mechanism is diverted and connected to the input end of the ink inlet cartridge (2) and the input end of the main ink tank (1), respectively.

2. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diversion and return mechanism includes a first conveying mechanism (51) whose input end is connected to the output end of the return ink cartridge (4).

3. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diversion and return mechanism also includes a first filter (52) whose input end is connected to the output end of the first conveying mechanism (51). The output end of the first filter (52) diverts the flow and is connected to the input end of the ink cartridge (2) and the input end of the main ink tank (1), respectively.

4. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 3, characterized in that, A one-way valve (53) is provided between the output end of the first filter (52) and the input end of the ink cartridge (2).

5. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The output end of the return ink cartridge (4) is connected to the input end of the first conveying mechanism (51), the output end of the first conveying mechanism (51) is connected to the input end of the first filter (52), the output end of the first filter (52) is connected to the input end of the ink inlet cartridge (2), and the output end of the first filter (52) is connected to the input end of the main ink tank (1) through the first pipeline.

6. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output end of the main ink tank (1) is connected to the input end of the second filter (61), the output end of the second filter (61) is connected to the input end of the second conveying mechanism (62), and the output end of the second conveying mechanism (62) is connected to the input end of the ink cartridge (2).

7. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The digital inkjet ink system also includes a positive pressure mechanism that provides constant pressure to the ink cartridge (2).

8. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The positive pressure mechanism includes a positive pressure system (71) connected to the air inlet end of the ink cartridge (2) and a sealing end (72) connected to the air outlet end of the ink return cartridge (4).

9. The digital inkjet ink path system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The positive pressure system (71) has an air outlet connected to the air inlet of the first protection mechanism (73), and the air outlet of the first protection mechanism (73) has an air inlet connected to the air inlet of the ink cartridge (2). The air outlet of the ink cartridge (4) is connected to the air inlet of the second protection mechanism (74), and the air outlet of the second protection mechanism (74) is connected to the air inlet of the sealing end (72).

10. A printing device, characterized in that, Including the digital inkjet ink path system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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