JP2004160672A - Electrostatic liquid ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrostatic liquid ejector capable of ejecting thread-like liquid. <P>SOLUTION: The electrostatic liquid ejector comprises a housing 5 for storing ink 1, a first voltage source E1 for applying an ejection voltage not lower than a specified level between an ejection electrode 2 for causing an electric field to act on an ink ejecting section 21 and an auxiliary electrode 3, and an ink ejection control section 6 for controlling the first voltage source E1 to sustain application of the ejection voltage for a specified time wherein thread-like ink 1 is ejected from the ink ejecting section 21 to the surface of a material P continuously for a specified time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid charged by Coulomb force.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a technique of digitally printing original data or photographic image data read in advance using a piezo-type or thermal-type inkjet apparatus. This device has a structure in which ink is once injected into an ink chamber, and pressure is applied to the ink injected into the ink chamber, thereby discharging the ink one dot at a time from a nozzle. Is determined by the capacity of the ink chamber.
[0003]
Also, there is known an electrostatic ink jet apparatus that discharges a charged ink droplet by Coulomb force without using an ink chamber as in a piezo method or a thermal method (for example, see Patent Document 1). Such an electrostatic ink jet device has been applied to a device for digitally printing the original data and the photographic image data.
[0004]
In other words, in these apparatuses, continuous line image data is drawn so as to partially overlap dot patterns by discharging droplet-like ink while shifting the position little by little (see FIG. 6).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-11475
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when a continuous line is drawn by partially overlapping the dot patterns, as shown in FIG. 6, both edges of the line are uneven at the seam portion of the dot in a microscopic manner.
[0007]
By the way, there is known a technique of forming a circuit pattern by discharging an ink in which metal fine particles are mixed in an organic solvent onto a substrate used for mounting circuit components by using a piezo-type or thermal-type inkjet device. I have. However, when a voltage is applied to the circuit pattern drawn and formed in this way, electric field concentration occurs at the projecting portions of the circuit pattern, so that sparks easily occur with other circuit patterns, or Since the resistance value is increased in the portion where the thickness is small, there is a new problem that when a current is supplied, heat is generated in the thinned portion and disconnection is likely to occur.
[0008]
That is, unlike a simple image drawing, a new problem is raised when another function is given to a pattern formed by drawing (for example, voltage is applied). In particular, when a fine circuit pattern is drawn in accordance with the recent increase in the density of circuit boards, the influence of unevenness generated at the seam of dots becomes remarkable.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic liquid discharging apparatus which discharges a liquid in a thread form and realizes drawing without unevenness.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, by applying a discharge voltage of a predetermined level or more by a discharge drive unit between a discharge electrode for applying an electric field to the discharge unit to which the charged liquid material is guided and an external electrode, In an electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting the liquid material from the ejection section onto a surface of a material arranged opposite to the ejection section, the discharge voltage is controlled so as to eject the liquid material in a string form from the ejection section. It is characterized by having a discharge control unit for continuing the application time for a required time.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the charged liquid material is discharged by continuously applying a discharge voltage of a predetermined level or more between the discharge electrode and the external electrode for a required time. It is discharged in the form of a thread on the surface of the material arranged opposite to the part.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first aspect, the liquid material includes electrically conductive particles dispersed in an insulating liquid and the conductive particles. Are connected to form a conductor. According to the second aspect of the present invention, a liquid material in which charged conductive particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid is discharged in a thread form onto the surface of the material disposed opposite to the discharge portion. The conductive particles can be connected to each other on the surface of the material to form a conductor.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a position between the ejection portion and the material with respect to a direction substantially orthogonal to an ejection direction of the liquid material. The image forming apparatus further includes a driving unit that changes the relationship, and a driving control unit that drives the driving unit according to image data representing the image so as to draw an image using the liquid material as the material. According to the third aspect of the present invention, a positional relationship between the discharge unit and the material in a direction substantially orthogonal to a discharge direction of the liquid material by a driving unit driven in accordance with image data representing the image. Is changed, so that the image is drawn by a line having no unevenness by using the liquid material as the material.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the ejection driving unit is configured to adjust the ejection voltage. . According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the amount of the liquid material ejected from the ejection unit per unit time is adjusted by adjusting the ejection voltage, whereby the liquid material is ejected in a thread shape. The thread thickness of the liquid material can be changed and adjusted.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the external electrode is an auxiliary electrode, and a position between the ejection portion and the material. The liquid material is provided so as to avoid a path until the discharged liquid material reaches the material. According to the invention described in claim 5, since the external electrode is provided at a position between the discharge portion and the material while avoiding a path until the discharged liquid material reaches the material, The path until the discharged liquid material reaches the material is not blocked by the external electrode. Further, since the external electrode is provided at a position between the discharge portion and the material, that is, a position closer to the discharge portion than the material, an electric field acting on the discharge portion is affected by the material. Is reduced.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an electrostatic liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a side.
[0017]
The electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes an ejection electrode 2 for ejecting charged ink 1, an ink ejection section 21 formed at an end of the ejection electrode 2 in an isosceles triangular shape, and facing the ink ejection section 21. Electrode 4, an auxiliary electrode 3 disposed between the discharge electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4, a housing 5 for storing ink, and a third electrode for applying a potential difference between the discharge electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 3. The first voltage source E1, the second voltage source E2 for giving a potential difference between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the counter electrode 4, the ink discharge control unit 6 for outputting the discharge voltage to the first voltage source E1, and the position of the material P on a plane. An XY table 7 to be moved and an XY table drive control unit 8 for controlling the position of the XY table 7 are provided.
[0018]
Ink 1 is a dispersion of charged conductive particles dispersed in an insulating liquid. In a state where the conductive particles are applied to a substrate or a semiconductor wafer, for example, the conductive particles are fused and connected by heating. , To form a conductor pattern. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the ink 1 is positively charged. In addition, the insulating property of the liquid in this case may be an insulating property that does not cause the charge charged on the conductive particles to flow through the liquid and be lost. For example, the conductivity k (S / cm) of the liquid may be: 100 × 10 ^-12 (S / cm) ≦ k ≦ 1500 × 10 ^-12 (S / cm).
[0019]
Ink 1 is a dispersant that disperses the conductive particles so that they do not come into direct contact with each other. When ink 1 is heated and the temperature rises, the dispersant is removed to promote fusion of the conductive particles. It may include various materials such as an auxiliary agent, a binder for adjusting the viscosity of the ink 1, and a reducing agent for accelerating the welding of the conductive particles.
[0020]
In addition, conductive particles include silver, copper, gold, zinc, cadmium, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, platinum, iron, cobalt, nickel, indium, tin, antimony, lead, bismuth, and oxides thereof. , A mixture, a metal particle containing another compound, or the like, or a conductive particle other than a metal such as carbon.
[0021]
Further, the ink 1 is not limited to one in which the conductive particles are fused and connected by being heated. For example, the ink 1 includes an adhesive and is connected by bonding the conductive particles. Alternatively, a conductor pattern may be formed. Further, the ink 1 may be dried so that the conductive particles come into contact with each other to form a conductor pattern.
[0022]
The material P is, for example, a substrate used for mounting circuit components, a semiconductor wafer, or the like, and serves as a base material on which a conductor pattern and the like are formed.
[0023]
For example, three ejection electrodes 2 are arranged in a line as shown in FIG. Returning to FIG. 2, the ejection electrode 2 applies the ink 1 stored in the housing 5 to the opposite electrode 4 from the ink ejection unit 21 by an electric field formed by the first voltage source E1 and the second voltage source E2. Discharge in the direction. In order to discharge the ink 1 from the ink discharge unit 21, it is necessary to continuously apply an electric field having a predetermined strength or more to the discharge electrode 2 for a predetermined time or more. In addition, as the electric field applied to the ejection electrode 2 becomes stronger, the time required after the generation of the electric field to start the ejection of the ink 1 from the ink ejection unit 21 becomes shorter, and the responsiveness is improved.
[0024]
The ink ejection unit 21 is formed, for example, in an isosceles triangle shape with the tip of the ejection electrode 2 as a top. Then, when the voltage output from the first voltage source E1 is applied to the ejection electrode 2, the conductive particles in the ink 1 are concentrated on the top by the electric field formed by the applied voltage. The conductive particles therein are concentrated.
[0025]
The distance between the discharge electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 3 between the material P held in contact with the counter electrode 4 and the discharge electrode 2 is smaller than the distance between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the counter electrode 4. It is arranged as follows. The auxiliary electrode 3 is provided with a slit 31 through which the ink 1 passes. Thus, by controlling the voltage applied to the auxiliary electrode 3, it is possible to control the intensity of the electric field near the ink ejection unit 21. That is, when a voltage lower than that of the ejection electrode 2 is applied to the auxiliary electrode 3, a strong electric field is generated in the direction in which the ink 1 is ejected, so that the responsiveness of ink ejection from the ink ejection unit 21 can be improved. .
[0026]
Further, since the auxiliary electrode 3 is disposed at a position closer to the ejection electrode 2 than the material P, the material P is made of a material that can affect the intensity and distribution of the electric field, such as a metal or a dielectric. Also, the electric field near the ink discharge portion 21 is less affected by the material P. Accordingly, a stable electric field can be generated in the vicinity of the ink discharge unit 21 by the discharge electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 3, and the ink 1 can be discharged from the ink discharge unit 21 stably.
[0027]
The auxiliary electrode 3 is provided with a taper 32 so that a discharge does not occur between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the discharge electrode 2 due to electric field concentration near the slit 31. Note that the taper 32 is configured so that the distance between the ejection electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 3 is minimized near the ink ejection unit 21 in order to increase the electric field near the ink ejection unit 21.
[0028]
The counter electrode 4 is arranged to face the ink discharge unit 21. Further, the material P is set so as to be in contact with the opposing electrode 4, and the distance between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the material P is kept constant. Further, the opposing electrode 4 is grounded and generates an electric field with the auxiliary electrode 3.
[0029]
The housing 5 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, is provided with an opening in the vicinity of the ink discharge unit 21, and is disposed so as to cover the entire discharge electrodes 2 arranged on a line.
Further, an ink supply port 52 and an ink discharge port 51 are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 5 with the ejection electrode 2 interposed therebetween. The ink supply port 52 and the ink discharge port 51 are connected to an ink tank (not shown) by an ink supply pipe. Ink is supplied from the ink tank into the housing 5 through the ink supply port 52, The ink that has become unnecessary is returned to the ink tank through the ink discharge port 51.
[0030]
The first voltage source E1 includes a bias voltage source E11 for applying a predetermined first bias voltage to all the ejection electrodes 2 with reference to the auxiliary electrode 3, and an ink ejection unit connected in series to the bias voltage source E11 and connected to each ejection electrode 2. And a discharge voltage source E12 for individually applying a discharge voltage for discharging the ink 1 from the discharge electrode 21. The negative electrode side of the first voltage source E1 is used for the auxiliary electrode 3, and the positive electrode side of the first voltage source E1 is used for the discharge electrode 2. Connected respectively. The bias voltage source E11 outputs a voltage of, for example, 900 V as the first bias voltage. The ejection voltage source E12 applies a voltage of, for example, 500 V to 700 V to the ejection electrode 2 in addition to the first bias voltage in accordance with a control signal from the ink ejection control unit 6.
[0031]
The second voltage source E2 is a bias voltage source that applies a predetermined second bias voltage to the auxiliary electrode 3 with reference to the counter electrode 4, and outputs a voltage of, for example, 600 V as the second bias voltage. The negative electrode side of E2 is connected to the counter electrode 4, and the positive electrode side of the second voltage source E2 is connected to the auxiliary electrode 3, respectively. Thereby, a second bias voltage, for example, a voltage of 600 V is applied to the auxiliary electrode 3, and a bias voltage obtained by adding the output voltage of the first voltage source E1 and the output voltage of the second voltage source E2 to the ejection electrode 2, For example, a voltage of 1500 V can be applied, and the discharge voltage source E12 outputs a voltage of 500 V in response to a control signal from the ink discharge control unit 6, so that a discharge voltage, for example, 2000 V Is applied, and the ink 1 can be ejected from the ink ejection unit 21. In this case, while the ejection voltage is applied to the ejection electrode 2, the ink 1 is continuously ejected from the ink ejection unit 21, so that the ink 1 is ejected in the form of a thread instead of a droplet.
[0032]
Here, the threshold value of the voltage at which the ink is ejected from the ejection electrode 2 is, for example, 2000 V. When the ejection voltage is 2000 V, the diameter of the ink 1 ejected from the ejection electrode 2 in the form of a thread becomes the thinnest. When the ejection voltage source E12 outputs a voltage of 700 V in response to a control signal from the ink ejection control unit 6 and the ejection voltage is set to 2200 V, the diameter of the ink 1 ejected from the ejection electrode 2 in a thread form is larger. Become.
[0033]
The ink ejection control unit 6 outputs a control signal to the ejection voltage source E12 based on image data or the like representing the conductor pattern when drawing the conductor pattern on the material P, and outputs an ejection voltage according to the image data or the like. The voltage is applied to the ejection electrode 2 from the ejection voltage source E12. Further, when writing a continuous linear pattern such as a signal line, the ink discharge control unit 6 continues to apply the discharge voltage from the discharge voltage source E12 to the discharge electrode 2 while drawing the pattern. Then, a linear pattern is drawn with the ink 1 discharged in a thread form.
[0034]
In this case, when drawing a conductor pattern such as a thin signal line, for example, the ink discharge control unit 6 reduces the discharge voltage to make the diameter of the ink 1 discharged in a thread form from the ink discharge unit 21 thinner. When drawing a linear pattern and drawing a conductor pattern such as a thick signal line, the ejection voltage is increased to increase the diameter of the ink 1 ejected from the ink ejection section 21 in a thread form, thereby forming a thick line pattern. Draw a pattern.
[0035]
The XY table 7 movably holds the counter electrode 4 and the material P. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the XY table 7 for holding the counter electrode 4 and the material P. The XY table 7 shown in FIG. 3 includes an X-axis motor 71 and a Y-axis motor 72 that perform a rotation operation according to a control signal from the XY table drive control unit 8 shown in FIG. A rod 73, an X-axis nut 74 that is screwed with the spiral rod 73, converts the rotational movement of the spiral rod 73 into a parallel movement in the X-axis direction, and translates the opposing electrode 4 in the X-axis direction, and a Y-axis motor. A spiral rod 75 rotated by 72, and a Y-axis nut that is screwed with the spiral rod 75 to convert the rotational movement of the spiral rod 75 into a parallel movement operation in the Y-axis direction and translate the opposing electrode 4 in the Y-axis direction. 76.
[0036]
Then, the material P is fixed to the counter electrode 4 so as to be sandwiched from both sides by the fixed rail 9, and the X-axis motor 71 and the Y-axis motor 72 rotate according to a control signal from the XY table drive control unit 8. Thus, the counter electrode 4 and the material P can freely move on a two-dimensional plane along the X-axis and Y-axis of the XY table 7.
[0037]
Returning to FIG. 2, when drawing the conductor pattern on the material P, the XY table drive control unit 8 outputs a control signal to the XY table 7 based on image data or the like representing the conductor pattern, and By driving the Y-axis motor 72, the position of the material P is moved so that the position of the ink discharge unit 21 facing the material P follows the shape of the conductor pattern.
[0038]
In this case, the XY table drive control unit 8 outputs a control signal to the XY table 7 in synchronization with the ink discharge control unit 6, and the ink 1 is discharged from the ink discharge unit 21 in accordance with the control signal from the ink discharge control unit 6. Since the position of the material P is moved so as to follow the shape of the conductor pattern in a state where the conductor pattern is ejected in a thread form, the conductor pattern is drawn by the ink 1 ejected from the ink ejection section 21 in a thread form. . This makes it possible to draw a smooth linear conductor pattern with little unevenness on the surface of the material P, as shown in FIG.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the electrostatic liquid ejection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, a second bias voltage, for example, a voltage of 600 V, is applied to the auxiliary electrode 3 from the bias voltage source E11 and the second voltage source E2 connected in series by turning on the main switch of the apparatus or receiving a drawing start signal, and the discharge electrode 2 A first bias voltage, for example, 900 V is applied to the electrode 3 and a voltage of 1500 V is applied to the ejection electrode 2. As a result, an electric field in the ink discharge direction is generated in the vicinity of the ink discharge unit 21, and the Coulomb force in the ink discharge direction acts on the positively charged conductive particles in the ink 1, and in the vicinity of the ink discharge unit 21. The conductive particles in the ink 1 are concentrated and concentrated.
[0040]
Next, a voltage of, for example, 500 V is output from the discharge voltage source E12 in addition to the first bias voltage from the discharge voltage source E12 according to a control signal output from the ink discharge control unit 6 based on image data or the like representing the conductor pattern. When a voltage of, for example, 2000 V is applied to the electrode 2 as a discharge voltage, the electric field near the ink discharge portion 21 is further increased at the discharge electrode 2 to which the discharge voltage is applied, and the electric field is concentrated by receiving the Coulomb force due to the electric field. The discharged ink 1 is ejected from the ink ejection unit 21 toward the material P.
[0041]
The ejected ink 1 is accelerated by Coulomb force due to the electric field formed between the ejection electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 3 and passes through the slit 31 of the auxiliary electrode 3. The ink 1 that has passed through the slit 31 receives Coulomb force due to an electric field formed between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the counter electrode 4, and proceeds further forward, and eventually reaches the material P. In this case, the ink 1 continues to receive the Coulomb force due to the electric field formed between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the counter electrode 4 until it reaches the material P even after passing through the slit 31, so that the ink 1 spreads and flies. Is suppressed.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the ink 1 is being ejected in a thread form from the ink ejection unit 21 by the control signal from the ink ejection control unit 6, the XY table drive control unit 8 performs control according to image data representing a conductor pattern or the like. A signal is output, and the position of the material P is moved so as to follow the shape of the conductor pattern. As a result, the conductive pattern is drawn on the surface of the material P by the ink 1 discharged in a thread form from the ink discharge unit 21.
[0043]
Although three ejection electrodes 2 are arranged, for example, when three straight lines are drawn in parallel, the ink ejection control unit 6 applies an ejection voltage from the ejection voltage source E12 to the three ejection electrodes 2. To draw three straight conductor patterns as shown in FIG. 5, while drawing a complicated conductor pattern that is difficult to draw with parallel straight lines, the three discharge electrodes 2 Of these, the discharge voltage may be applied to only one of them to draw the conductor pattern. In short, the number of the ejection electrodes 2 does not matter. For example, a conductor pattern can be created by ejecting the ink 1 with one ejection electrode and appropriately moving the XY table 7. The only problem is that it takes time to create.
[0044]
In addition, of the three ejection electrodes 2 arranged as an example (shown as an example), two ejection electrodes 2 on both sides and an auxiliary electrode 3 at a position facing these ejection electrodes 2 are inclined inward. Thus, the ink 1 may be ejected obliquely from the two ejection electrodes 2 on both sides, and the ink 1 ejected from the three ejection electrodes 2 arranged on the surface of the material P may land at substantially the same location. In this case, for the three ejection electrodes 2, the number of ejection electrodes 2 for ejecting the ink 1 is large. For example, by simultaneously ejecting the ink 1 from the three ejection electrodes 2, the total ejection amount of the ink 1 is reduced. It is possible to increase the thickness of the conductor pattern drawn on the material P, or to increase the thickness of the conductor pattern. Similarly, the number of the discharge electrodes 2 for discharging the ink 1 is reduced, for example, the discharge amount of the ink 1 is reduced by discharging the ink 1 from only one discharge electrode 2, and the conductor pattern drawn on the material P And the thickness of the conductor pattern can be reduced.
[0045]
In this case, for example, an auxiliary electrode that generates an electric field for causing the ink 1 ejected from the three ejection electrodes 2 arranged on the surface of the material P to land at substantially the same location may be separately provided. Further, for example, by making the shape of the opposing electrode 4 small or making it a convex shape with respect to the material P, the electric field is concentrated at substantially the same location of the opposing electrode 4, and three discharges are arranged by the action of the electric field. The ink 1 discharged from the electrode 2 may be landed at substantially the same location on the surface of the material P.
[0046]
Next, the material P on which the conductor pattern is drawn with the ink 1 is heated using a heater or the like, whereby the conductive particles are fused and connected to each other, so that the conductor pattern is formed on the material P.
[0047]
Next, a change in voltage applied to the ejection electrode 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents voltage, the horizontal axis represents time, the solid line waveform represents the voltage of the discharge electrode 2, and the broken line waveform represents the voltage of the auxiliary electrode 3.
[0048]
In FIG. 4, “concentration 1” indicates a period during which the conductive particles in the ink 1 are concentrated after the main switch of the apparatus is turned on or the drawing start signal is received. During this period, a bias voltage of 900 V from the bias voltage source E11 is applied between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the ejection electrode 2, and the concentration of the conductive particles in the ink 1 near the ink ejection unit 21 is concentrated. Thus, the viscosity of the ink 1 is increased before the ink 1 is ejected from the ink ejection unit 21. During the period of “concentration 1”, the ejection voltage source E12 is turned off by the ink ejection control unit 6.
[0049]
“Discharge 1” indicates, for example, a period during which one thin continuous conductor pattern is drawn. During this period, a control signal is output by the ink discharge control unit 6 to the discharge voltage source E12 in accordance with the image data representing the conductor pattern, and the discharge voltage for drawing a thin conductive pattern from the discharge voltage source E12 to the discharge electrode 2 is output. For example, a voltage of 2000 V is applied.
[0050]
When a discharge voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 2, a Coulomb force in the discharge direction is applied to the ink 1 near the ink discharge unit 21, and the ink 1 is discharged from the ink discharge unit 21 toward the material P. Then, the ink 1 stored in the housing 5 is supplied to the ink ejection unit 21 and the ink 1 is ejected from the ink ejection unit 21 as long as the ejection voltage is applied to the ejection electrode 2, so that the ink 1 is interrupted. It reaches the surface of the material P without a thread.
[0051]
On the other hand, during the period of “ejection 1”, as described above, the position of the material P is moved so as to follow the shape of the conductor pattern in accordance with the control signal from the XY table drive control unit 8, and the conductor pattern is formed in a thread shape. Is drawn on the surface of the material P by the ink 1 discharged on the surface of the material P.
[0052]
In this case, since the ink 1 is concentrated in advance and the viscosity is increased, when the ink 1 lands on the surface of the material P, bleeding or spreading is reduced, so that a finer conductive pattern can be drawn. According to an experiment, it was confirmed that a conductor pattern having a line width of about 10 to 20 μm could be formed.
[0053]
“Concentration 2” indicates a period during which the concentration of the conductive particles in the ink 1 is concentrated, for example, after one continuous conductor pattern is drawn and before the next conductor pattern is drawn. The operation in this case is the same as that in the case of “concentration 1”. Further, “ejection 2” indicates a period during which a new conductor pattern is drawn on the material P, and in this example, a case where a conductor pattern having a wider line width than the case of “ejection 1” is depicted. .
[0054]
During the “ejection 2” period, a control signal is output from the ejection voltage source E12 to the first bias voltage by the ink ejection control unit 6 to the ejection voltage source E12 according to the image data representing the thick conductor pattern. In addition, a discharge voltage of 2200 V is applied to the discharge electrode 2. In this case, since the ejection voltage applied to the ejection electrode 2 is higher than that in the case of “ejection 1”, the Coulomb force acting on the ink 1 in the vicinity of the ink ejection section 21 becomes stronger, and The amount of the ink 1 ejected from the unit 21 to the material P side per unit time increases, and the line width of the conductor pattern drawn on the surface of the material P increases. Thereafter, the conductor pattern is drawn on the surface of the material P by the ink 1 discharged in the form of a thread in the same manner as in the case of “discharge 1”.
[0055]
(1) In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the “concentration” period for concentrating the concentration of the ink 1 is provided before the “ejection” period for drawing the conductor pattern, but the “concentration” period is not provided. Alternatively, a configuration may be employed in which the “discharge” period is started by applying a discharge voltage in a state where no voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 2. Further, by using a high-viscosity ink 1, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which it is not necessary to increase the viscosity by concentrating the ink 1. Further, a configuration may be employed in which the ink 1 is ejected from the ink ejection unit 21 while the ink 1 is concentrated by the ejection voltage.
[0056]
(2) In the “ejection 2” period, by increasing the ejection voltage, the amount of ink 1 ejected per unit time from the ink ejection unit 21 to the material P side is increased, and the conductor drawn on the surface of the material P An example in which the line width of the pattern is made thicker has been described. For example, when the ink 1 having a higher viscosity is ejected from the ink ejection unit 21 to the material P, the amount of the ink 1 ejected per unit time increases. The thickness of the conductor pattern drawn on the surface of the material P may be increased.
[0057]
(3) A configuration in which the auxiliary electrode 3 and the counter electrode 4 are provided is shown, but the auxiliary electrode 3 is not provided, and the ink 1 is discharged by applying a discharge voltage between the discharge electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4. It may be. Further, the ink 1 ejected by the ejection voltage applied between the ejection electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 3 without the opposing electrode 4 reaches the material P arranged opposite to the ejection electrode 2 due to its inertia. The configuration may be as follows.
[0058]
(4) Although the example in which the ink 1 is ejected downward from the ink ejection unit 21 has been described, a configuration in which the ink 1 is ejected, for example, from bottom to top or in the horizontal direction may be employed.
[0059]
(5) The case where the conductive particles in the ink 1 are positively charged has been described. However, when the conductive particles are negatively charged, the voltage polarity of the first voltage source E1 and the second voltage source E2 is used. May be reversed.
[0060]
(6) The configuration in which the conductive pattern is drawn on the surface of the material P by moving the position of the material P by the XY table 7 while discharging the ink 1 has been described. However, similar to the XY table 7 with the material P fixed. The conductive pattern may be drawn on the surface of the material P by moving the position of the ink discharge unit 21 by the driving mechanism of (1). Alternatively, the conductive pattern may be drawn on the surface of the material P by moving one of the material P and the ink discharge unit 21 in the X-axis direction and the other in the Y-axis direction by a driving mechanism using a belt or the like.
[0061]
(7) An example in which a linear conductor pattern is drawn with the ink 1 discharged in the form of a thread by changing the positional relationship between the ink discharge unit 21 and the position of the material P in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. However, for example, a plurality of ejection electrodes 2 are arranged in a line in the X-axis direction, and the dot patterns are partially overlapped by the ink 1 ejected from the plurality of ejection electrodes 2 in the X-axis direction. It may be configured to draw a linear conductor pattern.
[0062]
In this case, the XY table 7 does not need to include a drive mechanism in the X-axis direction. For example, when a conductor pattern is drawn in the Y-axis direction, the ink 1 is ejected from the ejection electrodes 2 arranged in a line so as to partially overlap the dot patterns, thereby forming a linear conductor pattern in the X-axis direction. When drawing a conductor pattern in the Y-axis direction, a driving mechanism such as a table or a transport roller having a driving unit in the Y-axis direction is driven in the Y-axis direction to move the material P. A configuration in which a linear conductor pattern is drawn on the surface of the material P with the ink 1 discharged in a thread form from the discharge electrode 2 may be adopted.
[0063]
(8) An example in which charged conductive particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid to form a conductive pattern is used as the ink 1, but the ink 1 has a structure in which the conductive particles are dispersed. The liquid is not limited and may be a chargeable liquid. In this case, the electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus may draw a fine figure using, for example, ink for the purpose of optical coloring, and may apply a chemical or the like in a planar shape or a three-dimensional shape. It may be applied to an object. By discharging these liquids in a thread form, for example, it becomes possible to draw fine figures with smooth lines, and it is possible to apply chemicals and the like precisely and evenly.
[0064]
(9) An example in which a conductor pattern is drawn by discharging ink 1 and a conductor is formed by ink 1 has been described. For example, a mask pattern is drawn on a metal film using a mask material such as a photoresist as ink 1. The conductor pattern may be formed by forming and removing the metal film in a portion where the mask pattern is not formed by etching or the like.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to discharge the charged liquid material in a thread form onto the surface of the material disposed opposite to the discharge unit.
[0066]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a liquid material in which charged conductive particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid is discharged in a thread form on the surface of the material disposed opposite to the discharge portion. Thus, it is possible to form a conductor in which the conductive particles are connected on the surface of the material.
[0067]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image can be drawn by discharging the liquid material onto the material in the form of a thread, so that the image can be drawn with smooth lines. Further, in the case of using a material in which charged conductive particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid and the conductive particles are connected to form a conductor as the liquid material, a smooth conductor pattern is formed. It can be formed.
[0068]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the amount of the liquid material discharged from the discharge unit per unit time can be adjusted by adjusting the discharge voltage. The thread thickness of the liquid material can be changed and adjusted.
[0069]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the electric field acting on the discharge section is less affected by the material, so that the state of the electric field acting on the discharge section is stabilized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an electrostatic liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrostatic liquid ejection device according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a side.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of an XY table 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the electrostatic liquid ejection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a drawing pattern drawn by using the electrostatic liquid ejection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a drawing pattern according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Ink (liquid material)
2 Discharge electrode (discharge electrode)
3 Auxiliary electrode (external electrode)
4 Counter electrode (external electrode)
5 Housing
6. Ink ejection control unit (ejection control unit)
7 XY table (drive unit)
8 XY table drive control unit (drive control unit)
9 Fixed rail
21 Ink ejection unit (ejection unit)
31 slit
32 taper
51 Ink outlet
52 Ink supply port
71 X-axis motor
72 Y-axis motor
73 spiral rod
74 X-axis nut
75 spiral rod
76 Y-axis nut
E1 First voltage source (ejection drive unit)
E11 Bias voltage source
E12 Ejection voltage source
E2 Second voltage source
P material

Claims (5)

By applying a discharge voltage of a predetermined level or more by a discharge drive unit between a discharge electrode for applying an electric field to the discharge unit to which the charged liquid material is guided and an external electrode, the liquid material is discharged from the discharge unit. In an electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects the liquid material from the ejection section in a thread form, the application time of the ejection voltage is continued for a required time in an electrostatic liquid ejection apparatus that ejects the material onto a surface of a material disposed opposite to an ejection section. An electrostatic liquid discharge device comprising a discharge control unit for causing the liquid to be discharged. 2. The liquid material according to claim 1, wherein charged conductive particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid, and the conductive particles are connected to form a conductor. Electrostatic liquid ejection device. A driving unit that changes a positional relationship between the ejection unit and the material with respect to a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the liquid material is ejected, and forming the image using the liquid material as the material. The electrostatic liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving control unit configured to drive the driving unit in accordance with the represented image data. The electrostatic discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the discharge drive unit is configured to adjust the discharge voltage. The external electrode is an auxiliary electrode, and is provided at a position between the discharge unit and the material, avoiding a path until the discharged liquid material reaches the material. Item 5. An electrostatic liquid discharge device according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

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