TWI698284B

TWI698284B - Printhead cleaning module

Info

Publication number: TWI698284B
Application number: TW106140072A
Authority: TW
Inventors: 莫皓然; 朱睿淵; 胡鴻君; 郭勇志; 黃建誌; 劉文雄; 廖偉辰; 黃啟峰; 蔡長諺
Original assignee: 研能科技股份有限公司
Priority date: 2017-11-20
Filing date: 2017-11-20
Publication date: 2020-07-11
Also published as: TW201922356A

Abstract

A printhead cleaning module is disclosed and comprises a base which comprises a concaved position groove; a plurality of scrapers which are disposed within the concaved position groove; a plurality of bearing shafts which are rotatablely disposed on two sides of the concaved position groove, and adjacent to the scrapers; a plurality of sponges covering on each of the bearing shafts.

Description

噴頭清潔模組 Nozzle cleaning module

本案係關於一種噴頭清潔模組，尤指一種用於清潔三維快速成型裝置之噴頭的噴頭清潔模組。 This case is about a nozzle cleaning module, especially a nozzle cleaning module for cleaning the nozzle of a three-dimensional rapid prototyping device.

近年來隨著個人電腦的普及與網際網路的快速發展，三維快速成型裝置已經漸漸普及。對一般的使用者而言，一台三維快速成型裝置就足以應付各種三維成型物品之列印的需求。其中，噴墨頭的結構設計更是攸關噴墨印表機所產生的成型物品質的重要影響因素。在一般三維噴墨列印技術中，其係利用噴頭將墨水或膠合劑噴印於成型材料上，例如陶瓷粉末等等，並透過層層堆疊的噴印方式而成型出三維成型物，然而，在噴印過程中，墨水噴頭周圍會容易堆積使用後殘餘之墨滴與受粉塵覆蓋，膠合劑噴頭亦可能堆積膠合劑殘餘物、粉塵或結晶物，如此將會造成噴頭噴孔阻塞，進而影響到列印品質，造成墨水及膠合劑噴印不均勻、噴頭阻塞或是噴墨顏色失準等問題，大大降低了噴頭之壽命。因此為了保持噴頭的清潔以延長噴墨頭的使用壽命，以及維持列印品質，噴墨頭馬達理所當然的是噴墨印表機中不可或缺的一項裝置。 In recent years, with the popularity of personal computers and the rapid development of the Internet, three-dimensional rapid prototyping devices have gradually become popular. For average users, a 3D rapid prototyping device is sufficient to meet the printing needs of various 3D molded objects. Among them, the structural design of the inkjet head is an important factor affecting the quality of the molded product produced by the inkjet printer. In general three-dimensional inkjet printing technology, it uses a nozzle to spray ink or glue onto molding materials, such as ceramic powder, etc., and form a three-dimensional molded object through layer-by-layer printing. However, During the printing process, the ink nozzles will easily accumulate residual ink droplets after use and be covered by dust. The glue nozzles may also accumulate glue residue, dust or crystals, which will cause the nozzle nozzles to be blocked and affect In terms of printing quality, problems such as uneven printing of ink and glue, clogged nozzles, or inaccurate inkjet colors are caused, which greatly reduces the life of the nozzles. Therefore, in order to keep the nozzle clean to prolong the service life of the inkjet head and maintain the printing quality, the inkjet head motor is of course an indispensable device in the inkjet printer.

雖然習知的三維快速成型裝置中，通常皆設有噴墨頭馬達，然而，習知的噴墨頭馬達多半透過刮板以刮除殘餘物，然而此種清潔方式效果有限，無法完全刮除殘餘物，且容易造成噴頭的損傷，導致成本提高。 Although the conventional three-dimensional rapid prototyping device usually has an inkjet head motor, the conventional inkjet head motor mostly wipes the residue through the scraper. However, this cleaning method has limited effect and cannot completely scrape off. Residues, and easily cause damage to the nozzle, leading to increased costs.

因此，如何發展一種可清潔噴頭使用後之殘餘墨水、堆積的粉塵或結晶物，以減少噴頭噴孔阻塞機會，增加噴頭壽命及增進三維成型物之品質之噴頭清潔模組，實為目前迫切需要解決之問題。 Therefore, how to develop a method that can clean the residual ink, accumulated dust or crystals after using the nozzle To reduce the chance of nozzle clogging, increase the life of the nozzle and improve the quality of the three-dimensional molding, the nozzle cleaning module is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

本案之主要目的在於提供一種噴頭清潔模組，用以清潔噴墨頭使用後之殘餘墨水、堆積的粉塵或結晶物，減少噴頭噴孔阻塞機會，並增加噴墨頭壽命及增進三維成型物之品質。 The main purpose of this case is to provide a nozzle cleaning module to clean the residual ink, accumulated dust or crystals of the inkjet head after use, reduce the chance of nozzle clogging, and increase the life of the inkjet head and improve the three-dimensional molding. quality.

為達上述目的，本案之一較廣義實施樣態為提供一種噴頭清潔模組，適用於一三維快速成型裝置，包含複數個墨匣、一承載座、一位移機構及一建構平台，該複數墨匣嵌合設置於該承載座上，且該複數墨匣之底部設有一噴墨頭，該噴頭清潔模組嵌設於該建構平台上，該噴頭清潔模組包含：一基座，設有一凹置定位槽；複數個刮板，嵌設於該凹置定位槽內；複數個承載軸，可轉動地嵌設於該凹置定位槽之兩側，並鄰近該刮板；複數個海綿，套設於該每一承載軸上。 In order to achieve the above purpose, a broader implementation of this case is to provide a nozzle cleaning module suitable for a three-dimensional rapid prototyping device, including a plurality of ink cartridges, a carrier, a displacement mechanism and a construction platform. The cartridge is fitted on the carrier, and the bottom of the plurality of ink cartridges is provided with an inkjet head, the nozzle cleaning module is embedded on the construction platform, and the nozzle cleaning module includes: a base with a recess A plurality of scrapers are embedded in the concave positioning groove; a plurality of bearing shafts are rotatably embedded on both sides of the concave positioning groove and adjacent to the scraper; a plurality of sponges, sleeves Set on each bearing shaft.

1:噴印模組 1: Jet printing module

11:墨匣 11: ink cartridge

111:噴墨頭 111: inkjet head

12:位移機構 12: Displacement mechanism

13:建構平台 13: Building a platform

131:建構槽 131: Construction Slot

14:承載座 14: bearing seat

100:三維快速成型裝置 100: Three-dimensional rapid prototyping device

2:噴頭清潔模組 2: Nozzle cleaning module

20:刮板 20: scraper

21:基座 21: Pedestal

21a:凹置定位槽 21a: Recessed positioning slot

22:承載軸 22: Bearing shaft

23:海綿 23: Sponge

24:導管 24: Catheter

25:驅動裝置 25: drive device

第1圖為本案噴頭清潔模組組設於三維快速成型裝置實施例示意圖。 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the nozzle cleaning module assembly in the three-dimensional rapid prototyping device.

第2圖為本案噴頭清潔模組之結構示意圖。 Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nozzle cleaning module of the project.

第3A圖至第3C圖為本案噴頭清潔模組對噴頭結構進行清潔作業示意圖。 Figures 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams of the nozzle cleaning module cleaning the nozzle structure.

體現本案特徵與優點的一些典型實施例將在後段的說明中詳細敘述。應理解的是本案能夠在不同的態樣上具有各種的變化，其皆不脫離本案的範圍，且其中的說明及圖示在本質上係當作說明之用，而非架構於限制本案。 Some typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of this case will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that this case can have various changes in different aspects, which do not depart from the scope of this case, and the descriptions and diagrams therein are essentially for illustrative purposes, rather than structured as limitations. This case.

請參閱第1圖，於本實施例中，三維快速成型裝置100主要包含噴印模組1及噴頭清潔模組2，其中噴印模組1更包含複數個墨匣11、承載座14、位移機構12及建構平台13。墨匣11之底部設有噴墨頭111(如第3A圖所示)，本實施例係以兩個墨匣11為例進行說明，但其數量不以此為限，可依據實際情形任施變化。本實施例之位移機構12架構於建構平台13上，並可沿該建構平台13作X方向的往復式位移；本實施例之墨匣11架構於承載座14上，並可沿位移機構12作Y方向之往復式位移，藉此可使承載座14於X-Y平面上任意位置對建構平台13之建構槽131進行噴印作業，俾層層堆疊出三維成型物。本實施例之噴頭清潔模組2嵌設於噴印模組1之建構平台13上，當墨匣11之噴墨頭111位移經過噴頭清潔模組2上方時，噴頭清潔模組2對墨匣11之噴墨頭111進行清潔作業，藉此以清除噴墨頭111使用後之殘餘墨水、堆積的粉塵或結晶物，以避免噴墨頭111阻塞，並增加墨匣11壽命，亦可提升三維成型物之品質。 Please refer to Figure 1. In this embodiment, the three-dimensional rapid prototyping apparatus 100 mainly includes a printing module 1 and a nozzle cleaning module 2. The printing module 1 further includes a plurality of ink cartridges 11, a carrier 14, and a displacement Organization 12 and construction platform 13. The bottom of the ink cartridge 11 is provided with an inkjet head 111 (as shown in Figure 3A). This embodiment takes two ink cartridges 11 as an example for description, but the number is not limited to this, and can be implemented according to actual conditions. Variety. The displacement mechanism 12 of this embodiment is structured on the construction platform 13 and can be reciprocated in the X direction along the construction platform 13; the ink cartridge 11 of this embodiment is structured on the carrier 14 and can be moved along the displacement mechanism 12 The reciprocating displacement in the Y direction allows the bearing base 14 to print on the construction groove 131 of the construction platform 13 at any position on the XY plane, thereby stacking layers of three-dimensional molded objects. The nozzle cleaning module 2 of this embodiment is embedded on the construction platform 13 of the printing module 1. When the inkjet head 111 of the ink cartridge 11 moves over the nozzle cleaning module 2, the nozzle cleaning module 2 faces the ink cartridge The inkjet head 111 of 11 performs a cleaning operation to remove the residual ink, accumulated dust or crystals of the inkjet head 111 after use, so as to avoid clogging of the inkjet head 111, increase the life of the ink cartridge 11, and improve the three-dimensional The quality of the molded object.

請參閱第2圖所示，噴頭清潔模組2包含複數個刮板20、一基座21、一承載軸22、複數個海綿23、複數個導管24、及一供液裝置(未圖示)，其中本實施例係以兩個刮板20、兩個海綿23及兩個導管24為例進行說明，然此非用以限制本案之刮板20、海綿23及導管24的數量，其數量均可依據實際情形任施變化。於本實施例中，基座21包含一凹置定位槽21a，以使兩個刮板20嵌設於凹置定位槽21a內，而承載軸22也可轉動地裝設於凹置定位槽21a之兩側，並鄰近該刮板20。本實施例之海綿23套設於承載軸22上，並可隨承載軸22轉動，兩個導管24嵌置於凹置定位槽21a內，且其一端分別對應一刮板20，其另一端連接一液體輸送裝置(未圖示)，以供清潔液體流通之用。 Please refer to Figure 2, the nozzle cleaning module 2 includes a plurality of scrapers 20, a base 21, a bearing shaft 22, a plurality of sponges 23, a plurality of conduits 24, and a liquid supply device (not shown) In this embodiment, two scrapers 20, two sponges 23, and two ducts 24 are taken as examples. However, this is not intended to limit the number of scrapers 20, sponges 23, and ducts 24 in this case. The numbers are all It can be changed according to the actual situation. In this embodiment, the base 21 includes a recessed positioning groove 21a, so that the two scrapers 20 are embedded in the recessed positioning groove 21a, and the bearing shaft 22 is also rotatably installed in the recessed positioning groove 21a , And adjacent to the scraper 20. The sponge 23 of this embodiment is sleeved on the bearing shaft 22 and can rotate with the bearing shaft 22. Two conduits 24 are embedded in the recessed positioning groove 21a, and one end of the sponge 23 corresponds to a scraper 20, and the other end is connected A liquid delivery device (not shown) for the circulation of clean liquid.

請同時參閱第1圖、第2圖、第3A圖、第3B圖及第3C圖，如第3A圖所示，本實施例之兩個墨匣11架構於承載座14上，透過往復式位移以進行三維噴印，且兩個墨匣11之噴墨頭111之X軸方向分別對應一個刮板20，而噴頭清潔模組2之海綿23部分凸出於基座21之表面上，且略高於建構平台13，刮板20係為基座21之表面向上延伸凸設之結構，刮板20凸出於基座21之頂部表面，並鄰設於海綿23之一側，如此當承載座14之墨匣11受位移機構12之驅動沿X軸方向往復移動時，此時藉由導管24噴出清潔液體，以清潔刮板20，使刮板20表面保持清潔不沾汙；如第3B圖所示，承載座14往左方向移動，使墨匣11之噴墨頭111抵觸刮板20，此時承載座14持續往左方向移動，即可使刮板20刮除噴墨頭111上所殘餘的結晶、粉塵與墨水，而當承載座14再往右方向移動時，刮板20可再刮除噴墨頭111上所殘餘的結晶、粉塵與墨水；如第3C圖所示，當承載座14往右方向移動到達噴墨頭111抵觸海綿23時，同時刮板20仍可透過導管24噴出清潔液體來清潔刮板20，因此再進行下一次清潔時，才能保持刮板20表面不沾汙維持最佳刮除作業，而當海綿23摩擦墨匣11之噴墨頭111時，而使承載軸22上海綿23受到噴墨頭111往右位移動能，進而能自主滾動，讓海綿23整個圓周部位能吸附清除帶走兩個噴墨頭111上所刮除殘餘的結晶、粉塵與墨水，達成第二次清潔作業，當墨匣11之噴墨頭111離開接觸海綿23時，即可使噴墨頭111表面無水漬，達到絕對清潔度，完成最佳清潔效果，藉此以避免噴墨頭111阻塞，並增加墨匣11壽命，亦可提升三維成型物之品質。於本實施例中，清潔液體係為水，但不以此為限。於本案另一些實施例中，清潔液體可為有機溶劑，以使噴墨頭111之殘墨能更完整地清除，但不以此為限。於本案另一些實施例中，噴頭清潔模組2更包含複數個承載軸22，且均設置於凹置定位槽21a中，以供複數個海綿23設置於其上，使噴墨頭111可透過更多海綿23進行清潔，俾提升清潔效果。 Please refer to Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3A, Figure 3B, and Figure 3C at the same time. As shown in Figure 3A, the two ink cartridges 11 of this embodiment are structured on the carrier 14 and move back and forth through In order to perform three-dimensional printing, the X-axis directions of the inkjet heads 111 of the two ink cartridges 11 respectively correspond to a squeegee 20, and the sponge 23 of the nozzle cleaning module 2 protrudes from the surface of the base 21. Higher than the construction platform 13, the scraper 20 is a structure in which the surface of the base 21 extends upward. The scraper 20 protrudes from the top surface of the base 21 and is adjacent to one side of the sponge 23, so as When the ink cartridge 11 of 14 is driven by the displacement mechanism 12 to move back and forth along the X axis, the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the conduit 24 to clean the scraper 20, so that the surface of the scraper 20 is kept clean and free from contamination; as shown in Figure 3B As shown, the carrier 14 moves to the left to make the inkjet head 111 of the ink cartridge 11 abut the squeegee 20. At this time, the carrier 14 continues to move to the left, and the squeegee 20 can scrape off the inkjet head 111. When the carrier 14 moves to the right, the scraper 20 can scrape the remaining crystal, dust and ink on the inkjet head 111; as shown in Figure 3C, when the carrier 14 moves to the right When the seat 14 moves to the right to reach the inkjet head 111 against the sponge 23, the squeegee 20 can still spray cleaning liquid through the duct 24 to clean the squeegee 20. Therefore, the surface of the squeegee 20 can be kept clean when the next cleaning is performed. When the sponge 23 rubs against the inkjet head 111 of the ink cartridge 11, the sponge 23 on the bearing shaft 22 receives the movement energy of the inkjet head 111 to the right, and then can roll autonomously, allowing the sponge 23 The entire circumference can absorb and remove the residual crystals, dust and ink scraped from the two inkjet heads 111 to achieve the second cleaning operation. When the inkjet head 111 of the ink cartridge 11 leaves the contact sponge 23, it can The surface of the inkjet head 111 is free of water stains, achieves absolute cleanliness, and achieves the best cleaning effect, thereby avoiding clogging of the inkjet head 111, increasing the life of the ink cartridge 11, and improving the quality of the three-dimensional molded product. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid system is water, but it is not limited to this. In some other embodiments of the present case, the cleaning liquid may be an organic solvent, so that the residual ink of the inkjet head 111 can be removed more completely, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present case, the nozzle cleaning module 2 further includes a plurality of bearing shafts 22, which are all arranged in the recessed positioning groove 21a for a plurality of The sponge 23 is arranged on it, so that the inkjet head 111 can be cleaned through more sponges 23 to improve the cleaning effect.

於本案另一些實施例中，噴頭清潔模組2更包含一驅動裝置25，驅動裝置25與承載軸22相連接，用以驅動承載軸22旋轉，但不以此為限，海綿23亦隨承載軸22轉動，且驅動裝置25驅動承載軸22旋轉的方向與墨匣11位移的方向相反，當墨匣11位移至與噴頭清潔模組2之海綿23之上方，並與其接觸時，驅動裝置25驅動承載軸22及海綿23以反方向旋轉，使海綿23快速吸附墨匣11之噴墨頭111上大部分的結晶物、殘墨及粉塵，並提升清潔效果。 In other embodiments of the present case, the nozzle cleaning module 2 further includes a driving device 25 connected to the bearing shaft 22 for driving the bearing shaft 22 to rotate, but it is not limited to this. The sponge 23 also carries The shaft 22 rotates, and the direction in which the drive device 25 drives the bearing shaft 22 to rotate is opposite to the direction in which the ink cartridge 11 is displaced. When the ink cartridge 11 is displaced above the sponge 23 of the nozzle cleaning module 2 and contacts it, the drive device 25 The bearing shaft 22 and the sponge 23 are driven to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the sponge 23 quickly absorbs most of the crystals, residual ink and dust on the inkjet head 111 of the ink cartridge 11, and improves the cleaning effect.

綜上所述，本案之噴頭清潔模組係應用於三維快速成型裝置中，並透過導管噴出清潔液體清潔刮板，以保持刮板表面不沾汙維持最佳刮除狀態，當噴頭結構位移置噴頭清潔模組上方時，使海綿對噴墨頭摩擦清潔，搭配刮板對噴墨頭進行髒污刮除作業，以清除噴墨頭使用後之殘餘墨水、堆積的粉塵或結晶物，進而避免噴墨頭產生阻塞的情況，並增加噴墨頭壽命，提升三維成型物之品質。 In summary, the nozzle cleaning module of this case is used in a three-dimensional rapid prototyping device, and sprays a cleaning liquid to clean the squeegee through the pipe to keep the surface of the squeegee free from contamination and maintain the best scraping state. When the nozzle structure is displaced When the nozzle is cleaning the top of the module, the sponge is used to rub and clean the inkjet head, and the scraper is used to clean the inkjet head to remove residual ink, accumulated dust or crystals after the inkjet head is used, and avoid The inkjet head is clogged, and the life of the inkjet head is increased, and the quality of the three-dimensional molded product is improved.

本案得由熟知此技術之人士任施匠思而為諸般修飾，然皆不脫如附申請專利範圍所欲保護者。 This case can be modified in various ways by those who are familiar with this technology, but none of them deviates from the protection of the scope of the patent application.

2:噴頭清潔模組 2: Nozzle cleaning module

20:刮板 20: scraper

21:基座 21: Pedestal

21a:凹置定位槽 21a: Recessed positioning slot

22:承載軸 22: Bearing shaft

23:海綿 23: Sponge

24:導管 24: Catheter

25:驅動裝置 25: drive device

Claims

一種噴頭清潔模組，適用於一三維快速成型裝置，該三維快速成型裝置包含複數個噴墨頭，該噴頭清潔模組包含：一基座，設有一凹置定位槽；複數個刮板，嵌設於該凹置定位槽內；複數個承載軸，可轉動地嵌設於該凹置定位槽之兩側，並鄰近該刮板；以及複數個海綿，套設於該每一承載軸上；一液體輸送裝置；以及複數個導管，嵌置於該凹置定位槽內，且其一端分別對應該複數個刮板，另一端連接該液體輸送裝置；其中，該液體輸送裝置控制一清潔液體至傳輸至該複數個刮板，該複數個刮板對該噴墨頭實施一往復刮除作業，且該複數個海綿對該噴墨頭實施一乾式擦拭作業。 A nozzle cleaning module is suitable for a three-dimensional rapid prototyping device. The three-dimensional rapid prototyping device includes a plurality of inkjet heads. The nozzle cleaning module includes: a base with a recessed positioning groove; and a plurality of scrapers, embedded Are arranged in the concave positioning groove; a plurality of bearing shafts are rotatably embedded on both sides of the concave positioning groove and adjacent to the scraper; and a plurality of sponges are sleeved on each bearing shaft; A liquid delivery device; and a plurality of conduits embedded in the recessed positioning groove, one end of which corresponds to the plurality of scrapers, and the other end is connected to the liquid delivery device; wherein the liquid delivery device controls a cleaning liquid to Transfer to the plurality of squeegees, the plurality of squeegees perform a reciprocating scraping operation on the inkjet head, and the plurality of sponges perform a dry wiping operation on the inkjet head.

如請求項第1項所述之噴頭清潔模組，其中該清潔液體為水。 The nozzle cleaning module according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid is water.

如請求項第1項所述之噴頭清潔模組，其中該噴頭清潔模組更包含一驅動裝置，該驅動裝置與該承載軸相連接，用以驅動該承載軸旋轉。 The nozzle cleaning module according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle cleaning module further includes a driving device connected to the bearing shaft for driving the bearing shaft to rotate.