A catheter outer surface treatment and printing apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of catheter outer surface processing and printing equipment, including for providing continuous catheter's discharging device, for winding the catheter's material collecting device, and the plasma processing device and printing device sequentially arranged along the conveying path of catheter;The catheter is led out from the discharging device, sequentially passes through the working area of the plasma processing device and the printing device, and is wound by the material collecting device, forms a continuous conveying path.The utility model is driven by single power source by integrating discharging device, plasma processing device, printing device and material collecting device into a continuous production line, and realizes the driven rotation of discharging roller by tensioned catheter, structure is simple and compact, control is convenient, synchronism is good, and plasma processing device and printing device closely arranged, so that the catheter surface activated by plasma is sent into printing station without delay, ensure that ink can be more firmly attached to catheter surface, and not easy to fall off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of surface treatment and printing technology, and in particular to a device for treating and printing the outer surface of a conduit. Background Technology

[0002] In many fields such as medical devices and industrial hoses, it is often necessary to print markings, scales, or patterns on the outer surface of catheters. Catheters typically have low surface energy and strong chemical inertness; if printed directly, the ink struggles to adhere well, easily resulting in unclear printing, poor adhesion, and easy peeling, severely impacting product performance and the durability of the markings. Therefore, pre-treating the catheter's outer surface to improve surface adhesion before printing is a crucial step. Existing technologies typically employ plasma treatment as a catheter surface modification technique, effectively cleaning the surface and increasing surface roughness without damaging the material's inherent properties, thereby significantly improving surface energy. However, current solutions usually treat plasma treatment and printing as two independent, discontinuous processes; that is, a section of catheter is first subjected to batch plasma treatment before being transferred to another device or workstation for printing. Since the surface activation effect of plasma treatment has a certain time-limited effect, if the treated surface is not subsequently processed in a timely manner, its activity will decay over time, severely affecting ink adhesion and durability. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides a catheter outer surface treatment and printing device, aiming to solve the technical problems of low printing efficiency and poor adhesion on the outer surface of catheters in the prior art.

[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: it includes a feeding device for providing a continuous guide tube, a receiving device for winding the guide tube, and a plasma processing device and a printing device arranged sequentially along the conveying path of the guide tube; the guide tube is led out from the feeding device, passes through the working areas of the plasma processing device and the printing device in sequence, and is then wound up by the receiving device to form a continuous conveying path.

[0005] A further technical solution is as follows: the plasma processing device includes an insulating shell and an electrode assembly housed within the insulating shell; the electrode assembly includes at least one tubular high-voltage electrode and at least one tubular grounding electrode, the high-voltage electrode and the grounding electrode being arranged to extend along the axial direction of the insulating shell.

[0006] A further technical solution is that the high-voltage electrode and the grounding electrode are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, and their outer peripheries are tightly fitted with dielectric tubes made of dielectric material.

[0007] A further technical solution is as follows: the electrode assembly includes two high-voltage electrodes and two grounding electrodes arranged in a square on the cross-section of the insulating shell; the two high-voltage electrodes are symmetrically arranged along the first diagonal direction, and the two grounding electrodes are symmetrically arranged along the second diagonal direction.

[0008] A further technical solution is that the bottom of the insulating shell is an open structure, through which ambient air freely enters the insulating shell and serves as the working gas for the plasma.

[0009] A further technical solution is that the insulating outer shell is covered with an outer shell cover, and the top of the outer shell cover is provided with several exhaust ports.

[0010] A further technical solution is as follows: the printing device includes a frame, a printing mechanism mounted on the frame, and a drying mechanism for curing the printed ink; the printing mechanism includes a printing head and an adjustment drive assembly, wherein the printing head is driven by the adjustment drive assembly to achieve relative position adjustment with respect to the guide tube.

[0011] A further technical solution is that the printing device also includes an annular guide groove on the frame that is adapted to the outer diameter of the conduit, and the annular guide groove extends along the conduit conveying path.

[0012] A further technical solution is that the receiving device includes a receiving bracket, a receiving roller rotatably mounted on the receiving bracket via bearings, and a drive motor drivenly connected to the roller shaft of the receiving roller.

[0013] A further technical solution is that the feeding device includes a feeding bracket and a feeding roller rotatably mounted on the feeding bracket via a bearing.

[0014] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are as follows: By integrating the feeding device, plasma treatment device, printing device, and take-up device into a continuous production line, the entire process from feeding the guide tube, surface treatment, printing to rewinding is fully automated. The entire line is driven by a single power source, and the feeding roller is driven to rotate by the tensioned guide tube. The structure is simple and compact, easy to control, and has good synchronization, significantly improving production efficiency and product consistency. The plasma treatment device and printing device are arranged adjacent to each other, so that the plasma-activated guide tube surface is delivered to the printing station without delay, effectively avoiding the problem of surface activity decay caused by process intervals, ensuring that the ink can adhere more firmly to the guide tube surface and is not easy to fall off. At the same time, the plasma treatment device adopts a square staggered symmetrical distribution structure of two high-voltage electrodes and two grounded electrodes. Combined with the dielectric barrier discharge mechanism, it can form a symmetrical alternating electric field with uniform intensity distribution and alternating direction around the guide tube, exciting and generating a high-density, full-coverage plasma zone, ensuring that the outer surface of the guide tube can obtain uniform and stable bombardment and activation, providing an ideal high-activity surface foundation for subsequent printing. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view (sectional view) of the plasma treatment device of this utility model along the axial direction.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a radial cross-sectional view (i.e., a longitudinal cross-sectional view) of the plasma treatment device of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the printing device of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a utility model Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle;

[0020] Among them: 1. Catheter;

[0021] 100. Feeding device; 110. Feeding support; 120. Feeding roller; 200. Plasma treatment device; 210. Insulating shell; 220. Electrode assembly; 221. High voltage electrode; 222. Grounding electrode; 223. Dielectric tube; 230. High frequency power module; 240. Housing cover; 250. Exhaust port; 300. Printing device; 310. Printing mechanism; 311. Printing head; 312. Adjustment drive assembly; 320. Drying mechanism; 321. Drying lamp; 330. Guiding mechanism; 331. Annular guide groove; 400. Receiving device; 410. Receiving support; 420. Receiving roller; 430. Drive motor. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the conduit outer surface treatment and printing equipment of this utility model includes a feeding device 100, and a plasma treatment device 200, a printing device 300 and a receiving device 400 arranged sequentially along the conveying path of the conduit 1, forming a continuous automated production line for the conduit 1 from feeding to receiving.

[0024] The feeding device 100 includes a feeding bracket 110 and a feeding roller 120 rotatably mounted on the feeding bracket 110 via bearings. The receiving device 400 includes a receiving bracket 410, a receiving roller 420 rotatably mounted on the receiving bracket 410 via bearings, and a drive motor 430 fixedly mounted on the receiving bracket 410. The output end of the drive motor 430 is drivenly connected to the roller shaft of the receiving roller 420 via a coupling.

[0025] In this embodiment, the guide tube 1 is a continuous flexible long material that is led out from the feeding roller 120, passes through the working areas of the plasma treatment device 200 and the printing device 300 in sequence, and is finally wound on the receiving roller 420, so that the entire line is in a taut state.

[0026] During operation, the drive motor 430 drives the take-up roller 420 to rotate actively around its axis to wind up the guide tube 1. This winding action simultaneously generates a continuous traction force on the guide tube 1. After the traction force is transmitted through the guide tube 1 which is in a tensioned state, the traction unloading roller 120 overcomes its rotational damping and rotates passively, thereby realizing the linkage and synchronization of take-up and unloading under the drive of a single power source. The structure is simple, the control is convenient, and the synchronization is good, which ensures the stability and coordination of the production line operation speed, thereby improving production efficiency and product consistency.

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 The plasma processing device 200 includes an insulating housing 210 and an electrode assembly 220 housed within the insulating housing 210.

[0028] In this embodiment, the bottom of the insulating shell 210 is an open structure, allowing ambient air to freely enter the insulating shell 210 and serve as the plasma working gas. This adapts to the working gas requirements of atmospheric pressure plasma processes, ensuring the effectiveness and continuity of plasma treatment. The insulating shell 210 includes an insulating cover plate and two electrode mounting brackets respectively fixed to both axial ends of the insulating cover plate.

[0029] The electrode assembly 220 includes at least one tubular high-voltage electrode 221 and at least one tubular grounding electrode 222. The high-voltage electrode 221 and the grounding electrode 222 are parallel to each other and extend along the axial direction of the insulating shell 210. Their two ends are respectively fixed by mounting holes on the electrode mounting bracket to achieve precise mechanical positioning and reliable insulation.

[0030] The outer periphery of both the high-voltage electrode 221 and the grounding electrode 222 is tightly fitted with a dielectric tube 223 made of high-purity ceramic material, which together constitutes a dielectric barrier discharge structure to ensure uniform and stable discharge and prevent arc discharge.

[0031] One end of the high-voltage electrode 221 is electrically connected to a high-frequency line interface disposed on a corresponding electrode mounting bracket. The high-frequency line interface is connected to an external high-frequency power module 230 via a high-frequency line to feed high-frequency high-voltage electrical energy into the high-voltage electrode 221. One end of the grounding electrode 222 is electrically connected to a grounding wire via a conductive metal plate disposed on a corresponding electrode mounting bracket to achieve a grounding potential.

[0032] Preferably, the electrode assembly 220 includes four dielectric tubes 223 arranged in a square shape in cross-section within the insulating housing 210. Two high-voltage electrodes 221 are symmetrically disposed within two of the dielectric tubes 223 along a first diagonal direction, and two grounding electrodes 222 are symmetrically disposed within the other two dielectric tubes 223 along a second diagonal direction. This results in the two high-voltage electrodes 221 and the two grounding electrodes 222 being spatially staggered and symmetrically distributed.

[0033] Preferably, the conduit 1 is led out from the feeding device 100 and coaxially runs along the axial direction of the insulating shell 210, and is equidistant from the four dielectric tubes 223 arranged in a square inside the insulating shell 210, so as to ensure that the outer circumferential surface of the conduit 1 can be in a uniform plasma, thereby improving the uniformity and effect of plasma treatment.

[0034] To maintain process stability and ensure a safe working environment, the insulating outer shell 210 is covered by an outer shell cover 240, the top of which is provided with several exhaust ports 250. The outer shell cover 240 is fixed to the electrode mounting brackets at both ends by bolts, and serves to effectively isolate and protect the equipment. The exhaust ports 250 are used to collect and discharge gaseous byproducts generated during the plasma treatment process.

[0035] like Figure 4 The printing device 300 is located immediately adjacent to the rear end of the plasma processing device 200 and is used to perform instant printing on the surface of the plasma-activated conduit 1.

[0036] The printing apparatus 300 includes a frame, a printing mechanism 310 mounted on the frame, a drying mechanism 320, and a guiding mechanism 330. The printing mechanism 310 includes a printing head 311 and an adjustment drive assembly 312. The adjustment drive assembly 312 is mounted on the frame via an adjustment bracket. The printing head 311 is driven by the adjustment drive assembly 312 to adjust its relative position with the conduit 1, ensuring appropriate printing pressure. The drying mechanism 320 is located on one side of the printing head 311 and includes a drying lamp 321 for instantaneous curing of the printed ink, improving printing efficiency and quality. The guiding mechanism 330 includes an annular guide groove 331 on the frame that matches the outer diameter of the conduit 1. The annular guide groove 331 extends along the conveying path of the conduit 1, providing stable support for the conduit 1 and ensuring its path accuracy during printing, preventing swaying. Figure 5 .

[0037] The drive motor 430, the adjustment drive assembly 312, and the drying mechanism 320 are all electrically connected to the main control system of the equipment. The main control system synchronously controls the conveying speed of the guide tube 1, the printing action, and the ink curing process to ensure coordinated operation of each process.

[0038] The operation of the plasma processing device 200 and the printing device 300 is as follows: The high-frequency power module 230 is activated, and its two output terminals feed high-frequency high-voltage electrical energy to the two high-voltage electrodes 221 respectively. At the same time, the two grounding electrodes 222 maintain a reliable grounding potential. With the diagonal symmetrical distribution of the two high-voltage electrodes 221 and the two grounding electrodes 222, each high-voltage electrode 221 forms an effective discharge electric field with the two adjacent grounding electrodes 222, so as to form a symmetrical alternating electric field with a highly uniform intensity distribution and a high-speed alternating direction around the conduit 1. This electric field penetrates the dielectric tube 223 and excites the air between them to generate plasma through the dielectric barrier discharge mechanism, forming a high-density plasma region that surrounds the conduit 1 in all directions. When the conduit 1 continuously passes through this plasma region at a constant speed, its outer peripheral surface is simultaneously bombarded and activated by high-energy particles in the plasma, effectively cleaning the surface and significantly improving its surface energy and adhesion through molecular chain breakage and micro-roughening. The plasma-activated surface of the conduit 1 is transferred to the printing device 300 immediately behind it without delay. Because the plasma treatment and printing process are continuous and uninterrupted, and the activated surface has good uniformity, it ensures that the ink and the surface of the conduit 1 can form a strong chemical bond and mechanical interlock, ultimately achieving a printing effect with extremely strong adhesion and that is not easy to fall off.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A device for treating and printing the outer surface of a conduit, characterized in that: It includes a feeding device (100) for providing a continuous guide tube (1), a receiving device (400) for winding the guide tube (1), and a plasma processing device (200) and a printing device (300) arranged sequentially along the conveying path of the guide tube (1); the guide tube (1) is led out from the feeding device (100), passes through the working areas of the plasma processing device (200) and the printing device (300) in sequence, and is wound up by the receiving device (400) to form a continuous conveying path.

2. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plasma processing device (200) includes an insulating housing (210) and an electrode assembly (220) housed within the insulating housing (210); the electrode assembly (220) includes at least one tubular high-voltage electrode (221) and at least one tubular grounding electrode (222), the high-voltage electrode (221) and the grounding electrode (222) being arranged to extend along the axial direction of the insulating housing (210).

3. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The high-voltage electrode (221) and the grounding electrode (222) are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, and their outer peripheries are tightly fitted with dielectric tubes (223) made of dielectric material.

4. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The electrode assembly (220) includes two high-voltage electrodes (221) and two grounding electrodes (222) arranged in a square on the cross-section of the insulating shell (210); the two high-voltage electrodes (221) are symmetrically arranged along the first diagonal direction, and the two grounding electrodes (222) are symmetrically arranged along the second diagonal direction.

5. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the insulating shell (210) is an open structure, through which ambient air freely enters the insulating shell (210) and serves as the plasma working gas.

6. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The insulating outer shell (210) is covered by an outer shell cover (240), and the top of the outer shell cover (240) is provided with several exhaust ports (250).

7. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printing apparatus (300) includes a frame, a printing mechanism (310) mounted on the frame, and a drying mechanism (320) for curing the printed ink; the printing mechanism (310) includes a print head (311) and an adjustment drive assembly (312), the print head (311) being driven by the adjustment drive assembly (312) to achieve relative position adjustment with respect to the guide tube (1).

8. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The printing apparatus (300) also includes an annular guide groove (331) on the frame that is adapted to the outer diameter of the conduit (1), the annular guide groove (331) extending along the conveying path of the conduit (1).

9. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving device (400) includes a receiving bracket (410), a receiving roller (420) rotatably mounted on the receiving bracket (410) via bearings, and a drive motor (430) drivenly connected to the roller shaft of the receiving roller (420).

10. The catheter outer surface treatment and printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding device (100) includes a feeding bracket (110) and a feeding roller (120) rotatably mounted on the feeding bracket (110) via a bearing.

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