JP2008188806A - Sealing cap for functional liquid droplet delivering head, and method for transporting/storing functional liquid droplet delivering head using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sealing cap for a functional liquid droplet delivering head capable of sealing surely the nozzle face of the functional liquid droplet delivering head with a simple structure in transporting and storing. <P>SOLUTION: The sealing cap 20 for the functional liquid droplet delivering head 1 fitted and mounted to the nozzle face 8 side of the functional liquid droplet delivering head 1 with an inkjet type in transporting and storing, is formed of an elastic material, and is equipped with a cap main body 21 for sealing the nozzle face 8 of the functional liquid droplet delivering head 1 under a fitted and mounted condition, and an absorbing material 22 laid down on the bottom part of the cap main body 21, opposing a plurality of delivering nozzles 9 formed on the nozzle face 8 at an interval, and impregnated with a humectant liquid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a functional liquid droplet ejection head sealing cap fitted to and mounted on an ink jet type functional liquid droplet ejection head during transportation and storage, and a method of transporting and storing a functional liquid droplet ejection head using the same. is there.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sealing cap that is not used during transportation or storage but is used to maintain a functional liquid droplet ejection head or perform functional liquid suction during drawing suspension is known. The sealing cap includes an annular seal packing that seals so as to include the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head, and a cap body that supports the seal packing. The seal packing is integrally formed with an annular convex portion that is in close contact with the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head and an annular base portion that supports the annular convex portion. Further, a concave portion is formed on the upper surface of the cap body along the inside of the annular convex portion of the seal packing, and an absorbing material that absorbs the functional liquid is laid in the concave portion. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
JP 2006-272679 A

  By the way, the manufactured functional liquid droplet ejection head is shipped with the internal flow path filled with a storage liquid in order to prevent the internal flow path from being altered. Alternatively, the storage liquid is filled in the internal flow path of the head also when transporting from the assembly apparatus incorporating a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads to the carriage to the inspection apparatus, and further to the drawing apparatus. In these cases, it is necessary to provide a cap on the functional liquid droplet ejection head and seal the nozzle surface in order to prevent the stored liquid from dripping or drying. If such a conventional sealing cap is to be used as such a sealing cap, in addition to the sealing cap, an attachment member for fixing it to the functional liquid droplet ejection head is required. It is assumed that costs will be incurred. Moreover, it is assumed that the attachment and detachment of the sealing cap by such an attachment member becomes complicated.

  The present invention provides a functional liquid droplet ejection head sealing cap capable of reliably sealing the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head with a simple structure during transportation and storage, and a functional liquid droplet ejection head using the same. The issue is to provide transportation and storage methods.

  The functional liquid droplet ejection head sealing cap of the present invention is a functional liquid droplet ejection head sealing cap fitted and mounted on the nozzle surface side of an ink jet type functional liquid droplet ejection head during transportation and storage, A cap body that is made of an elastic material and seals the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head in a fitted state, and a plurality of ejection nozzles that are laid on the bottom of the cap body and formed on the nozzle surface. And an absorbent material impregnated with a facing moisturizing liquid.

  According to this configuration, the absorbent material laid on the bottom of the cap is impregnated with the moisturizing liquid, thereby preventing the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head and the solvent filled in the functional liquid droplet ejection head from drying or dripping. can do. In addition, since the cap body is formed of an elastic material and is fitted and mounted to the functional liquid droplet ejection head, it can be easily attached to and detached from the functional liquid droplet ejection head when transporting and storing the functional liquid droplet ejection head. it can. In particular, since it can be fixed to the functional liquid droplet ejection head by an elastic material in a self-holding manner, a separate mounting member or the like is not required. In addition, the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head can be protected from dust and the like, and damage can be prevented.

  In this case, the cap main body is provided between the annular fitting portion that is in close contact with the peripheral side surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head, and the annular fitting portion and the bottom portion, and is in contact with the peripheral portion of the nozzle surface to form a gap. And a stepped portion.

  According to this configuration, when the cap is mounted on the functional liquid droplet ejection head, the position of the functional liquid droplet ejection head is regulated by the annular stepped portion of the cap body, so that the nozzle surface does not directly contact the absorbent material. This prevents the moisturizing liquid from leaking to the outside due to capillary action, and keeps the functional liquid droplet ejection head clean.

  In this case, it is preferable that the cap body is formed in a rectangular container shape with an open top, and the fitting intersection between the functional liquid droplet ejection head and the annular fitting portion is −0.3 to −0.7 mm. .

  According to this configuration, since the cap main body and the functional liquid droplet ejection head are securely fitted and mounted, it is possible to effectively prevent the cap body and the functional liquid droplet ejection head from falling off during transportation.

  In these cases, it is preferable that the cap body is integrally formed of chemical-resistant silicon rubber.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the cap body from being corroded by the storage liquid or the like filled in the functional liquid droplet ejection head. Moreover, since it is integrally formed of silicon rubber, it can be easily formed.

  The method for transporting and storing the functional liquid droplet ejection head according to the present invention is a method for transporting and storing the functional liquid droplet ejection head in a state of being capped by the sealing cap of the functional liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is characterized by doing.

  According to this configuration, by using the sealing cap of the present invention, drying of the functional liquid droplet ejection head during transportation and storage, dripping of the filled solvent (preservation liquid, etc.) and protection of the nozzle surface are performed. It can be transported and stored while keeping the functional liquid droplet ejection head in a stable state.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The sealing cap of the functional liquid droplet ejection head according to this embodiment is a nozzle of the functional liquid droplet ejection head to prevent dripping or drying of storage liquid (solvent etc.) filled in the flow path in the functional liquid droplet ejection head. For example, the function droplet discharge head is transported from the manufacturing apparatus to the assembly apparatus, transported from the assembly apparatus to the inspection apparatus, transported from the inspection apparatus to the drawing apparatus, and functions in each apparatus. It is used when storing the droplet discharge head.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is a so-called double series, a functional liquid introduction unit 2 having two series of connecting needles 3, and a dual head substrate connected to the functional liquid introduction unit 2. 4 and a head main body 5 which is connected to the lower side of the functional liquid introduction unit 2 and has an internal head flow path filled with a solvent (such as a storage liquid or a functional liquid). When discharging the functional liquid, the connection needle 3 is connected to a functional liquid tank (not shown) and supplies the functional liquid to the functional liquid introduction unit 2. The head body 5 is composed of a cavity 6 (piezo piezoelectric element) and a nozzle plate 7 having a nozzle surface 8 with a large number of discharge nozzles 9 opened. When the functional liquid droplet discharge head 1 is driven to discharge, (piezo piezoelectric) A voltage is applied to the element), and the functional droplet is discharged from the discharge nozzle 9 by the pump action of the cavity 6.

  A large number of discharge nozzles 9 formed on the nozzle surface 8 are arranged at an equal pitch to form two divided nozzle rows 9a each consisting of 180 discharge nozzles 9. The two divided nozzle rows 9a are displaced from each other by a half pitch. That is, the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 can perform high-resolution drawing by the two divided nozzle rows 9a.

  Further, a plurality of the functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 are incorporated in a carriage unit 10 (see FIG. 2). For example, the carriage unit 10 is mounted on a liquid droplet ejection device (not shown), and a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 are installed. By ejecting the functional liquid from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 by an ink jet method, each pixel is formed of a filter material or a light emitting material in a color filter or an organic EL device of a liquid crystal display device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage unit 10 includes twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 and a carriage plate 11 that supports the twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 in two groups. ing. The carriage plate 11 is a thick plate made of stainless steel or the like and is formed in a substantially parallelogram in plan view, and holds the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 via the head holding plate 12. The carriage plate 11 is provided with an opening (not shown) for positioning and mounting the head holding plate 12, and the six head holding plates 12 have approximately one head in the nozzle row direction of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1. The nozzle rows are displaced by the length of the minute nozzle row and are arranged in a staircase pattern.

  Each of the six head holding plates 12 is a thick plate made of stainless steel or the like and is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and is mounted for positioning and mounting the two functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 side by side in the longitudinal direction. Two openings (not shown) are provided. The twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 mounted on the head holding plate 12 are divided into two groups in the Y-axis direction, and six heads constitute the head group 13 side by side in the X-axis direction. Thus, a drawing line continuous in the Y-axis direction is formed by the all-function liquid droplet ejection heads 1 (for example, 12 × 10) mounted on the plurality of carriage units 10.

  The length of the drawing line corresponds to the width of the maximum size work that can be mounted on the set table of the droplet discharge device (both not shown). The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 assumes an R, G, B single color device. However, in an apparatus capable of drawing R, G, B colors, two functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 each in two groups R A color head, a G color head, and a B color head are used.

  Next, the sealing cap 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 is an external perspective view of the sealing cap 20, FIG. 4A is a top view of the sealing cap 20, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view cut along BB. The sealing cap 20 includes a cap main body 21 that seals the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1, and an absorbent material 22 that is laid on the bottom of the cap main body 21 and receives storage liquid from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1. It is equipped with.

  The cap body 21 is formed of an elastic material such as chemical-resistant silicon rubber (for example, silicon Hs 40 ° (red)) and has a rectangular shape in plan view with the upper part opened. And it has the annular fitting part 23 closely_contact | adhered to the surrounding side surface of the functional liquid droplet discharge head 1, and the cyclic | annular step part 24 contact | abutted to the peripheral part of the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet discharge head 1, and functions by these. The droplet discharge head 1 is fixed and the nozzle surface 8 is sealed.

  The annular fitting portion 23 is a portion that is fitted and attached to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1, and the fitting intersection with the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is −0.3 in the long side direction and the short side direction, respectively. To -0.7 mm. More preferably, this fitting error is -0.5 mm. In this way, considering the deformation (within the elastic range) of the elastic material, the inner surface of the annular fitting portion 23 is formed slightly smaller than the peripheral side surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1, so The droplet discharge head 1 is in close contact with each other, and the cap main body 21 is effectively prevented from falling off during transportation of the functional droplet discharge head 1 or the like.

  On the other hand, the annular step portion 24 regulates the lower limit position of the nozzle surface 8 when the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is mounted on the cap body 21. This prevents the nozzle surface 8 from coming into direct contact with the absorbent 22, prevents the solvent (moisturizing liquid) impregnated in the absorbent 22 from leaking to the outside due to capillary action, and cleans the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1. Can keep.

  The absorbent 22 is laid on the bottom of the cap body 21 so as to face the plurality of ejection nozzles 9 formed on the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 with a gap. The absorbent 22 is made of a porous resin or the like, and is entirely impregnated with a moisturizing liquid (for example, a functional liquid solvent). As a result, when the solvent is dropped from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1, the solvent is absorbed, and the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 and the solvent filled in the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 are prevented from being dried. ing.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, how the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is sealed with the sealing cap 20 will be described. FIG. 2A is a diagram in which a sealing cap 20 is attached to a single functional droplet discharge head 1. In this case, since the sealing cap 20 is made of an elastic material and is formed so that the fitting intersection with the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 falls within the above-described range, the sealing cap 20 is fitted so as to sandwich the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1. And can be fixed in a self-holding manner.

  Further, the lower limit position of the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is regulated by the annular step portion 24 described above, so that the sealing cap 20 can It is mounted so as to cover approximately half of the peripheral surface. This prevents the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 from coming into direct contact with the absorbent material 22, and the distance between the upper portion of the sealing cap 20 and the head substrate 4 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 (above. The remaining half of the peripheral surface) can be taken, and the sealing cap 20 can be easily removed.

  Furthermore, since the gap between the bottom of the cap body 21 and the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is in a sealed state, the moisturizing effect of the moisturizing liquid impregnated in the absorbent 22 can be enhanced, and functional liquid droplet ejection is performed. It is possible to prevent the storage liquid filled in the nozzle surface 8 of the head 1 and the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 from drying or dripping.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram in which the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is incorporated in the carriage unit 10. Also in this case, since the sealing cap 20 is attached in the same manner as described above, it is possible to prevent the storage liquid filled in the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 from dripping and the carriage unit 10 from becoming dirty.

  In addition, since the sealing caps 20 mounted on the functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 arranged in the X-axis direction are mounted so as not to come into contact with each other, the sealing cap 20 can be easily attached and detached. When the sealing cap 20 attached to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is removed, the sealing cap 20 attached to another functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is prevented from coming out and unintentionally coming off. Of course, even when the head main body 5 comes into contact with or collides with other members during transportation or storage, the sealing cap 20 functions as a protector to prevent the head main body 5 from being damaged.

  Next, a method for transporting and storing the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 sealed with the sealing cap 20 will be described with reference to FIG. After the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is manufactured by the head manufacturing apparatus 30, it is assembled into the carriage unit 10 by the assembly apparatus 31, and then the ejection inspection of the ejection nozzle 9 is performed by the inspection apparatus 32, and then the drawing apparatus 33. Mounted on.

  In the head manufacturing apparatus 30, after the single functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is manufactured, the internal flow path is filled with a storage liquid in order to prevent the internal flow path of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 from being altered. And it is conveyed by the assembly apparatus 31, and is stored in the vicinity. During the transportation and storage, the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 and the filled preservative liquid may be dried or dripped. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 nozzle surface 8 is sealed with a sealing cap 20 to prevent this reliably.

  In the assembling apparatus 31, a plurality of stored functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 are incorporated into the carriage unit 10. In this case, the sealing cap 20 is removed, and the assembling work is performed, and then transported to the inspection device 32 and stored in the vicinity thereof. In carrying and storing, the carriage unit 10 in a state where each of the twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 1 is sealed with the sealing cap 20 is carried and stored as shown in FIG.

  In the inspection device 32, the ejection inspection of the ejection nozzle 9 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 incorporated in the carriage unit 10 is performed. In this case, the sealing cap 20 is removed from the all-function liquid droplet ejection head 1, the inside of the head is cleaned, a solvent (ink or the like) for ejection inspection is filled, and the ejection inspection is performed. After completion of the inspection, the discharge inspection solvent is discharged, the storage liquid is filled again, and the storage unit is sealed with the sealing cap 20, and the carriage unit 10 in a state where the all-function liquid droplet ejection head 1 is sealed (see FIG. 5 (b)) is stored near the drawing device 33.

  In the drawing device 33, the carriage unit 10 after the inspection is mounted on the drawing device 33 (for example, a droplet discharge device), and a drawing process is performed on the workpiece. When the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 is mounted, the sealing cap 20 is removed from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1, the filled storage liquid is discharged, the functional liquid is filled, and a drawing process is performed on the workpiece. In addition, when a malfunction or failure such as ejection failure of the mounted functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 occurs during the drawing process, the carriage unit 10 in a state of being sealed with the sealing cap 20 so as to be immediately replaceable (see FIG. 5 (b)) is stored in a storage device near the drawing device 33.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, functional droplets are formed by the sealing cap 20 that is integrally formed of an elastic material such as silicon rubber and in which the absorbent 22 impregnated with the moisturizing liquid is laid on the bottom of the cap body 21. By sealing the discharge head 1, it can be easily attached to and detached from the functional liquid droplet discharge head 1 during transportation and storage, and corrosion of the cap body 21 can be prevented.

  In addition, the nozzle surface 8 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 1 can be dried, the filled solvent (preservation liquid, etc.) can drip and the nozzle surface 8 can be protected from dust, etc. It can be transported and stored while keeping Furthermore, the sealing cap 20 can be used repeatedly by washing it.

2 is an external perspective view of a functional liquid droplet ejection head according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a figure of the functional droplet discharge head which comprises a head group. It is an external appearance perspective view of a sealing cap. It is the top view (a) of a sealing cap, sectional drawing (b) which cut | disconnected the sealing cap by AA, and sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the sealing cap by BB. FIG. 4A is a diagram in which a sealing cap is attached to a functional liquid droplet ejection head, and FIG. 5B is a diagram in which the functional liquid droplet ejection head having a sealing cap is mounted on a carriage unit. It is a figure explaining the flow of conveyance and storage of a functional droplet discharge head.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Functional droplet discharge head 8 ... Nozzle surface 9 ... Discharge nozzle 20 ... Sealing cap 21 ... Cap main body 22 ... Absorbent material 23 ... Annular fitting part 24 ... Annular step part

Claims (5)

When carrying and storing, the functional liquid droplet ejection head sealing cap fitted and mounted on the nozzle surface side of the ink jet type functional liquid droplet ejection head,
A cap body that is formed of an elastic material and seals the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head in the fitted mounting state;
A functional liquid droplet ejection head, comprising: an absorbent material laid on the bottom of the cap body and impregnated with a moisturizing liquid facing the plurality of ejection nozzles formed on the nozzle surface with a gap. Sealing cap. The cap body has an annular fitting portion that is in close contact with a peripheral side surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head;
The annular step portion provided between the annular fitting portion and the bottom portion and contacting the peripheral edge portion of the nozzle surface to form the gap is provided. Sealing cap for functional droplet discharge head. The cap body is formed in a rectangular container shape with an open top,
3. The functional liquid droplet ejection head sealing cap according to claim 2, wherein a fitting intersection between the functional liquid droplet ejection head and the annular fitting portion is −0.3 to −0.7 mm. 4. .   4. The functional liquid droplet ejection head sealing cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body is integrally formed of a chemical resistant silicon rubber.   5. The functional liquid droplet ejection head is transported and stored in a state where the functional liquid droplet ejection head is capped by the sealing cap of the functional liquid droplet ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Storage method.

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