JP2007268532A - Nozzle for liquid discharge and nozzle unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nozzle which can be assembled without using an adhesive and a nozzle unit to which the nozzle is fitted. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid discharge nozzle is constituted of an upper half part of a cylindrical shape and a lower half part of a truncated conical shape, the apex surface 13 being formed with a flat surface 13 orthogonal with an axial core. In addition, the rear end surface forms an insertion surface, and a flow path 15 leading from the apex surface 13 to the rear end surface, is concentrically formed. The flow path 15 of the apex surface 13 constitutes a liquid discharge nozzle, and is forcibly fitted into a nozzle insertion hole bored through a nozzle holder. Further, the liquid discharge nozzle projects from the nozzle holder to expose its apex surface 13 to the outside. Thus, the liquid discharge nozzle configures a nozzle unit for liquid discharge having the liquid discharge nozzle provided at the apex position together with the nozzle holder. The liquid discharge nozzle is manufactured of a polycrystalline material composed of corundum and ruby as a main mineral phase. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for discharging and precisely applying a liquid material such as a liquid and a paste, and more specifically, a nozzle and a nozzle unit that precisely discharge a minute amount of liquid or apply a minute amount of liquid with high accuracy. About.

  Techniques for discharging liquid from the discharge port at the tip of the nozzle are widely known, and techniques for accurately discharging a minute amount of liquid or applying a minute amount of liquid with high accuracy include, for example, a storage container storing liquid. There is known a method in which a nozzle is disposed so as to be detachably communicated, and a predetermined amount of liquid is discharged from the nozzle by applying a pre-controlled air pressure to the liquid in the storage container. .

  The general form of the nozzle includes an inflow port for flowing liquid from another discharge member into the nozzle, a connection portion for connecting to the other discharge member, and a discharge port for discharging liquid. Specifically, the nozzle holder includes the inlet and the connection portion, and the nozzle includes a discharge port. The side surface portion of the nozzle holder facing the inlet and the tip portion The discharge port and the side surface opposite to each other are joined and communicated.

  The nozzle used in such a technique is generally a metal material. However, since a nozzle made of a metal material is difficult to process precisely and finely, a very small amount of liquid is discharged, or In order to apply a very small amount of liquid to a desired position with high accuracy, it is made of a high-hardness material that can be processed precisely and finely compared to a metal material, for example, an inexpensive mineral material such as an industrial ruby material. .

  However, since the ruby material used in the past is a single crystal ruby, it is easy to cleave, and there is a risk of breakage or damage due to contact with other objects. The shape is irregular and uneven, resulting in a uniform drawing shape, and in order to provide a desired distance between the workpiece surface and the nozzle tip, the distance from the position where the nozzle tip contacts the workpiece surface is used as a reference. Although a technique is known in which the workpiece and the nozzle are moved relative to each other, the technique cannot be used because the nozzle is broken or damaged. did not become.

  Further, when the nozzle holder and the nozzle are made of different materials, that is, when the nozzle holder and the nozzle are assembled separately and then the nozzle holder and the nozzle are assembled into a nozzle, a single crystal is used. Since the ruby is easy to cleave, it is impossible to press-fit the nozzle to the nozzle holder, and the nozzle was assembled by joining the nozzle holder and the nozzle with an adhesive. However, depending on the type of liquid, when the component of the adhesive elutes into the liquid material, the liquid is contaminated by the adhesive component, and the liquid is a functional material, the desired function does not work, and the liquid In some cases, the effect expected of the material could not be obtained.

Therefore, the present invention effectively prevents damage and damage due to cleaving of the nozzle tip in a nozzle that uses a mineral material that can be processed more precisely and finely than metal materials, and dispenses a minute amount. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for discharging a liquid that enables precise application, and a nozzle for use in the method.
That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle capable of assembling a nozzle without using an adhesive and a nozzle unit equipped with the nozzle.

  The gist of the present invention is a liquid discharge nozzle made of a polycrystalline material.

  The polycrystalline material is a polycrystalline material obtained by modifying a single crystalline material. In this case, the present invention is a liquid discharge nozzle made of the polycrystalline material obtained by modifying the single crystalline material. .

  The polycrystalline material is corundum, and in this case, the present invention is a liquid discharge nozzle made of polycrystalline corundum, preferably polycrystalline corundum obtained by modifying monocrystalline corundum.

  The polycrystalline material is ruby, and in this case, the present invention is a liquid discharge nozzle made of polycrystalline ruby, preferably polycrystalline ruby obtained by modifying monocrystalline ruby.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid discharge nozzle unit comprising a nozzle having a fluid inlet and a liquid discharge port, and a nozzle holder, wherein the nozzle is made of a polycrystalline material. The gist of the discharge nozzle unit.

  A nozzle is press-fitted and joined to a nozzle holder.In this case, the present invention is a liquid discharge nozzle unit composed of a nozzle having a fluid inlet and a liquid outlet, and a nozzle holder. The liquid discharge nozzle unit is characterized in that the nozzle is made of a polycrystalline material, and the nozzle is press-fitted and joined to a nozzle holder.

  The polycrystalline material is a polycrystalline material obtained by modifying a single crystalline material. In this case, the present invention is directed to a liquid discharge device composed of a nozzle having a fluid inlet and a liquid discharge port, and a nozzle holder. A nozzle unit for a liquid, characterized in that the nozzle is made of a polycrystalline material obtained by modifying a monocrystalline material, preferably the nozzle is press-fitted and joined to a nozzle holder Nozzle unit.

  The polycrystalline material is corundum, and in this case, the present invention relates to a nozzle unit for liquid discharge composed of a nozzle having a fluid inlet and a liquid outlet, and a nozzle holder. A liquid discharge nozzle unit characterized in that it is made of a corundum, preferably a polycrystalline corundum obtained by modifying a monocrystalline corundum, preferably a nozzle is press-fitted and joined to a nozzle holder. .

  The polycrystalline material is ruby, and in this case, the present invention relates to a nozzle unit for liquid discharge composed of a nozzle having a fluid inlet and a liquid outlet, and a nozzle holder. A liquid discharge nozzle unit characterized in that it is made of a ruby, preferably a polycrystalline ruby obtained by modifying a monocrystalline ruby, preferably a nozzle is press-fitted and joined to a nozzle holder. .

  Thus, according to the present invention, since the nozzle is formed of a polycrystalline material, it is possible to effectively prevent breakage and damage due to cleaving of the nozzle tip, enabling a small amount of discharge and precise application, and also a polycrystalline property. Since it is possible to press-fit the nozzle made of a material and the nozzle holder part made of a material different from the polycrystalline material, no adhesive is required to join the nozzle and the nozzle holder. There is no elution of the agent component into the liquid, and the liquid can be discharged cleanly.

  The raw material of the liquid discharge nozzle of the present invention is a mineral polycrystalline material, preferably a polycrystalline material whose mineral phase is made of corundum. Corundum (steel balls) is an aluminum oxide mineral with a hexagonal crystal system and a Mohs hardness of 9, and includes red ruby based on chromium and blue sapphire based on titanium and iron. In the present invention, it is preferable to use a polycrystalline material obtained by modifying these single crystalline materials. The nozzle for micro discharge and precision coating can be effectively prevented from being broken or damaged by cleaving the nozzle tip by forming it from a polycrystalline material. Examples of the polycrystalline corundum raw material include an electrofusion method and a sintering method.

  In the liquid discharge nozzle of the present invention, the production method is not particularly limited. As is conventionally performed, a binder is added to a corundum raw material, and the mixture is kneaded at room temperature or under heating, and then kneaded. Can be produced by molding and baking.

  Details of the present invention will be described in Examples. The present invention is not limited by these examples.

  1 to 6, as an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the nozzle, the configuration of the nozzle unit with the nozzle attached to the nozzle holder, and the nozzle unit connected to the storage container used for the liquid supply of the liquid ejection device. Will be described based on the configuration for use.

"nozzle"
A nozzle 10 shown in FIG. 1 is formed of a polycrystalline ruby material, and includes a cylindrical upper half 11 and a frustoconical lower half 12, and a tip surface is a plane 13 orthogonal to the axis. The rear end surface constitutes the insertion surface 14. Further, the flow path 15 extending from the front end surface to the rear end surface is formed concentrically, and the hole diameter is appropriately determined according to the use conditions such as the liquid to be used.

  In the above embodiment, the nozzle 10 is formed in a bullet shape with the upper half of the cylindrical shape and the lower half of the truncated cone. However, the conditions such as the type of liquid, the discharge amount, the application shape, etc. The shape of the flow path 15 can be a desired shape such as a cylindrical shape, and the shape of the flow path 15 is a straight shape in this embodiment. Depending on the conditions such as, a desired shape such as a tapered shape can be obtained.

《Nozzle holder》
The nozzle holder 20 shown in FIG. 2 has a cylindrical main body portion 21, a tip portion 25 having a smaller diameter than the main body portion 21, which is formed integrally with the lower portion of the main body portion 21, and other discharge parts on the upper portion of the main body portion 21. It is comprised by the connection part formed integrally with the main-body part 21 for connecting to other discharge members, such as a member, for example, a storage container, The said connection part and the small diameter part 22 following the main-body part 21 and The flange portion 23 is provided with notches 24 and 24 facing the peripheral surface formed on the upper surface of the small diameter portion 22. In addition, a mounting hole 28 for mounting to another discharge member is formed over the flange portion 23, the small diameter portion 22, and the main body portion 21, and the nozzle 10 extends from the distal end portion 25 to the main body portion 21. A nozzle insertion hole 26 for press-fitting the cylindrical portion is formed, and the nozzle insertion hole 26 and the mounting hole 28 are formed concentrically, and the insertion surface 14 of the nozzle 10 is brought into contact with the boundary therebetween. For this purpose, a stepped portion 27 having an annular plane perpendicular to the axis is formed.

<Nozzle unit>
3 and 4 show a nozzle unit in which the nozzle 10 shown in FIG. 1 is press-fitted to the nozzle holder 20 shown in FIG.
This nozzle unit is assembled by press-fitting until the insertion surface 14 of the nozzle 10 comes into contact with the stepped portion 27 of the nozzle insertion hole 26 of the nozzle holder 20 and fixing the nozzle 10 at a specified position of the nozzle holder 20.
At this time, since the nozzle 10 is made of a polycrystalline material, it can be press-fitted and joined to the nozzle holder 20 without cleavage, breakage, or damage, and a nozzle unit can be obtained.

Next, a configuration for connecting the nozzle unit having the above configuration to a storage container used for liquid supply of the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
The storage container 30 used in the present embodiment includes a container body 31, a dispensing nozzle 32, a sleeve 33 surrounding the nozzle 32 having a thread 34 formed on the inner peripheral surface, and a flange for mounting on a liquid ejection device. 35.
In this way, the flange portion 23 of the nozzle holder is screwed and fixed to the thread 34 formed at the tip of the storage container 30. At that time, the nozzle 32 of the storage container 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 of the nozzle holder 20, and the outer wall surface of the nozzle 32 of the storage container is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the insertion hole 28 to prevent unnecessary leakage of liquid.

  In nozzles using mineral materials, which can be processed more precisely and finely than metal materials, it is possible to effectively prevent breakage and damage due to cleaving of the nozzle tip, enabling minute dispensing and precision application. A liquid discharge method and a nozzle for use in the method can be provided.

It is a perspective view of the nozzle of one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of the nozzle holder of one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of the nozzle unit of one Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the nozzle unit of FIG. It is a front view of the storage container equipped with the nozzle unit of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the mounting state of a nozzle unit to a storage container.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Nozzle 15 Flow path 20 Nozzle holder 26 Nozzle insertion hole 27 Step part 30 Storage container 34 Thread

Claims (5)

The upper half portion 11 of the cylindrical shape and the lower half portion 12 of the frustoconical shape are formed, the front end surface is formed by a plane 13 orthogonal to the axis, and the rear end surface constitutes an insertion surface 14. A flow path 15 reaching the rear end face 14 is formed concentrically, and the flow path 15 on the front end face 13 forms a liquid discharge port and is press-fitted into a nozzle insertion hole 26 formed in the nozzle holder. Is a liquid discharge nozzle for constituting a liquid discharge nozzle unit having a liquid discharge port provided at the most advanced position together with a nozzle holder, the tip surface 13 being exposed to the outside, and the main mineral phase being corundum A nozzle for discharging liquid, wherein the nozzle is made of a polycrystalline material. 2. The liquid discharge nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the main mineral phase is made of a polycrystalline material made of ruby. The upper half portion 11 of the cylindrical shape and the lower half portion 12 of the frustoconical shape are formed, the front end surface is formed by a plane 13 orthogonal to the axis, and the rear end surface constitutes an insertion surface 14. A flow path 15 reaching the rear end face 14 is formed concentrically, and the flow path 15 on the front end face 13 is formed by a liquid discharge nozzle constituting a liquid discharge port and a nozzle holder, and the nozzle is formed in the nozzle holder. A liquid discharge nozzle unit having a liquid discharge port provided at the foremost position, press-fitted into a nozzle insertion hole 26, protruded from the nozzle holder, exposed to the outside and exposed to the nozzle holder. The liquid discharge nozzle unit is characterized in that the liquid discharge nozzle is made of a polycrystalline material whose main mineral phase is made of corundum. The liquid discharge nozzle unit according to claim 3, wherein the liquid discharge nozzle is a nozzle made of a polycrystalline material whose main mineral phase is ruby. A mounting hole 28 for mounting the nozzle holder on another discharge member is formed, and a nozzle insertion hole 26 for press-fitting the cylindrical portion of the nozzle 10 is formed from the tip 25 to the main body 21. The nozzle insertion hole 26 and the mounting hole 28 are formed concentrically, and have an annular plane perpendicular to the axis for the insertion surface 14 of the nozzle 10 to abut on the boundary between them. A stepped portion 27 is formed, press-fitted until the insertion surface 14 of the nozzle 10 comes into contact with the stepped portion 27 of the nozzle insertion hole 26 of the nozzle holder 20, and the nozzle 10 is fixed at a specified position of the nozzle holder 20 for assembly. The liquid discharge nozzle unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein

Images