JP2009202432A - Fluid jetting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid jetting apparatus which can automatically harden a fluid waste, and can safely and easily carry out processing of the fluid waste. <P>SOLUTION: The fluid jetting apparatus 10 is equipped with a tank 50 for collecting a fluid hardened by irradiation of light as the fluid waste. A hardener 60 is disposed at a predetermined position in the height direction in the tank 50, which comes in contact with the fluid waste thereby hardening the fluid waste. The tank 50 has an introducing inlet 58 for introducing the fluid waste into the tank 50. The fluid waste introduced from the introducing inlet 58 into the tank 50 stays in the tank 50 and comes in contact with the hardener 60, thereby starting hardening. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects fluid as droplets using a fluid ejecting head, such as an ink jet recording apparatus, a display manufacturing apparatus, an electrode forming apparatus, or a biochip manufacturing apparatus.

  In recent years, research and development of an ink jet recording apparatus using an ultraviolet curable ink capable of applying an image to various recording media has progressed. As a method of treating ink discharged by purging or ink replacement in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus using water-based ink, a waste liquid tank is provided in the ink jet recording apparatus, and after a certain amount or more of waste liquid ink has accumulated in the waste liquid tank It has been common to dispose of them outside the recording device.

  However, the ultraviolet curable ink has skin irritation and odor in a liquid state. For this reason, in the ink jet recording apparatus using ultraviolet curable ink, if the conventional waste ink treatment method is adopted, the waste ink may adhere to the hand and the skin of the hand may be eroded or a strange odor may be emitted. There is. Therefore, when waste ink is discarded, there arises a problem that protective equipment and odor countermeasures are required.

  As a method for solving this problem, a method is proposed in which a curing accelerator is injected into a waste liquid tank, the waste liquid tank in which the curing accelerator is injected is heated, the waste ink is cured to a solid state, and then discarded. Has been.

JP 2006-21343 A (abstract)

  However, in the waste liquid ink processing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the waste liquid tank must be heated after the curing accelerator is injected into the waste liquid tank. For this reason, in order to cure the waste ink, it is necessary to provide a heating means in the waste ink tank portion of the ink jet recording apparatus, which complicates the ink jet recording apparatus. As a result, there is a problem that it takes time to cure the waste liquid and the cost increases. In addition, since the waste ink is cured using heat, there is a risk that the apparatus may be damaged due to the influence of heat.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to automatically cure fluid waste and to safely and easily treat fluid waste. A fluid ejecting apparatus is to be provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a fluid ejecting apparatus including a tank for recovering a fluid that is cured by light irradiation as fluid waste, and is provided at a predetermined position in the height direction in the tank. A curing agent that contacts the fluid waste and hardens the fluid waste is disposed, and the tank has an inlet for introducing the fluid waste into the tank, and is introduced into the tank from the inlet The fluid waste stored in the tank comes into contact with the curing agent and begins to cure.

  In such a configuration, the fluid waste stored in the tank comes into contact with the curing agent, and the fluid waste begins to harden. Therefore, the fluid waste can be automatically cured only by storing the fluid waste up to a predetermined height in the tank. Therefore, the fluid waste can be easily cured, and the cost for processing the fluid waste can be reduced.

  In another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, a plurality of hardeners are arranged at a certain distance from the bottom surface of the tank in the height direction in the tank. When configured in this manner, the fluid waste stored in the tank can be cured in stages. For this reason, it becomes possible to cure | harden fluid waste reliably.

  In addition to the above-described invention, another invention is such that a curing agent is suspended from the top surface of the tank. When configured in this manner, the curing agent can be held at a predetermined height.

  Furthermore, in another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, a curing agent is further applied to the inner wall surface of the tank. When configured in this manner, the curing agent can be held at a predetermined height.

  In another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the temperature of the fluid waste is further increased by the heat generated when the fluid waste is cured at the same position in the height direction as the position where the curing agent is disposed. A temperature sensor for detecting the rise is arranged. In such a configuration, the temperature sensor detects an increase in the temperature of the fluid waste, and the detection signal is displayed as information on the display unit or the like, thereby informing the user of the tank usage or the replacement time. It becomes possible.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to harden a fluid waste automatically, the fluid injection apparatus which can process a fluid waste safely and easily can be provided.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus 10 which is an example of a fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention will be described. First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of main components provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The carriage 12 is slidably held on the carriage shaft 14 and is fixed to a part of the belt 16. The belt 16 is stretched over a main pulley 18 and a driven pulley 20.

  The main pulley 18 is driven to reciprocate by the carriage motor 22, and the belt 16 reciprocates in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. As the belt 16 reciprocates, the carriage 12 also reciprocates in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 1 while being guided by the carriage shaft 14.

  The printing paper 24 is sandwiched between a paper feed roller (not shown) and a counter roller (not shown). When the paper feed roller is driven to rotate by the paper feed motor 26, the counter roller also rotates. In this way, the printing paper 24 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 1 as the paper feed roller and the opposing roller rotate.

  An ink head 30 is formed on the carriage 12 so as to protrude toward the printing paper 24. An ink cartridge 34 of black ink and color ink such as cyan, magenta, and yellow is mounted on the carriage 12 and can supply ink (corresponding to fluid) to the ink head 30.

  The ink head 30 reciprocates in the X direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 and ejects ink droplets toward the printing paper 24 moving in the Y direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Form, that is, print on the printing paper 24. As the ink, an ultraviolet curable ink is preferably used.

  A capping mechanism 36 is provided in a region where the printing paper 24 does not pass, that is, a non-printing region, inside the ink jet recording apparatus 10. The capping mechanism 36 sucks the clogged ink in the ink solidified body or the ink ejection port in the ink head 30 when the ink in the ink head 30 is solidified or the ink ejection port of the ink head 30 is clogged. The ink head 30 is used for suction cleaning.

  The outer peripheral portion of the capping mechanism 36 is formed of an elastic body 39 such as rubber, and is configured so that the inside of the capping mechanism 36 is airtight when in contact with the ink head 30.

  A suction pump 38 (see FIG. 2) for applying a negative pressure to the internal space of the capping mechanism 36 is disposed at a position adjacent to the capping mechanism 36. A waste liquid tank (corresponding to the tank) 50 (see FIG. 2) for collecting the ink discharged from the suction pump 38 as waste liquid (corresponding to fluid waste) is disposed below the suction pump 38. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the suction pump 38, the waste liquid tank 50, and the peripheral portion thereof. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the waste liquid tank 50 for explaining a state where the stored waste liquid is in contact with the curing agent 60.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the suction pump 38 includes a suction side tube 42 that is a side for sucking air and a discharge side tube 44 that is a side for discharging air. The suction side tube 42 is connected to the bottom of the capping mechanism 36 and sucks air inside the capping mechanism 36 to generate a negative pressure. The discharge side tube 44 is connected to the waste liquid tank 50 and sends the ink sucked from the ink head 30 to the waste liquid tank 50. The suction side tube 42 and the discharge side tube 44 are not particularly limited as long as they have resistance to ultraviolet curable ink flowing in the tube, and are made of, for example, an elastic member such as rubber. A flexible tube can be suitably used.

  As described above, the waste liquid tank 50 is a tank for collecting ultraviolet curable ink as waste liquid. The waste liquid tank 50 includes a casing 52 for storing the waste liquid, a curing agent 60 for curing the waste liquid, and a temperature sensor 62 that detects a temperature change of the stored waste liquid. The casing 52 has a box shape in which the top, bottom, left and right are closed, and has an internal space 55 for storing waste liquid therein. The upper wall 56 of the housing 52 is provided with a circular introduction hole 58 that passes through the upper wall 56. By connecting the leading end of the discharge side tube 44 to the introduction hole 58, the waste liquid is introduced into the waste liquid tank 50 through the discharge side tube 44. A vent hole 57 is formed in the upper wall 56. The vent hole 57 is a vent hole for releasing moisture evaporated by the curing heat described later to the outside. In order to prevent the ink from overflowing to the outside through the vent hole 57, the vent hole 57 may be configured to be provided with a moisture-proof film that does not allow the ink to pass but allows the vapor to pass. The material of the casing 52 is not particularly limited as long as it is resistant to ultraviolet curable ink. For example, a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum, a plastic resin, or the like can be used. .

  The curing agent 60 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the bottom surface 59c in the height direction in the waste liquid tank 50. The curing agent 60 is suspended from the inner surface 56a of the upper wall 56 by a wire 61 such as a wire. Further, the surface of the curing agent 60 is covered with a resin film so as not to cause a chemical reaction with the atmosphere or the like. Examples of the curing agent 60 include a cationic photopolymerization initiator represented by tetrafluoroborate (BF4) and trifluoromethylsulfite ion (CF3SO3), an anionic photopolymerization initiator, an alkylphenone photopolymerization initiator, and the like. The photopolymerization initiator can be suitably used. The curing agent 60 is not limited to these photopolymerization initiators as long as the ink can be cured. Moreover, as a material of the resin film, for example, water-soluble vinylon fiber can be used, but it is not particularly limited as long as it can be dissolved by ink.

  Moreover, the temperature sensor 62 is arrange | positioned by the side of the right side wall 59a among the four side walls 59 which comprise the housing | casing 52, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature sensor 62 is disposed so as to be the same height as the curing agent 60. As shown in FIG. 3, when the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid tank 50 (hereinafter referred to as the stored waste liquid 64) reaches the height of the curing agent 60 and comes into contact with the curing agent 60, the curing agent 60 causes a chemical reaction. Then, hardening of the stored waste liquid 64 starts. Further, when the stored waste liquid 64 is cured, curing heat is generated. For this reason, when hardening of the stored waste liquid 64 starts, the temperature of the stored waste liquid 64 rises. As described above, the temperature sensor 62 is disposed at the same height as the curing agent 60. For this reason, the temperature sensor 62 can detect the temperature change of the stored waste liquid 64. When the temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature change of the stored waste liquid 64 and the detection signal is transmitted to a control unit (not shown), the control unit (not shown) indicates that it is time to replace the waste liquid tank 50. For example, it can be displayed on a display unit (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 10. Further, the waste liquid tank 50 is attached so as to be replaceable with respect to the ink jet recording apparatus 10. For this reason, a user who knows the replacement time of the waste liquid tank 50 on the display unit (not shown) can replace the waste liquid tank 50 with a new one.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 10 configured as described above, the stored waste liquid 64 stored in the waste liquid tank 50 comes into contact with the curing agent 60 and the stored waste liquid 64 begins to harden. Therefore, the waste liquid can be stored up to a predetermined height in the waste liquid tank 50, and the stored waste liquid 64 can be automatically cured. Therefore, the waste liquid can be easily cured, and the cost for waste liquid treatment can be reduced.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 10, a temperature sensor 62 is disposed at the same position as the curing agent 60 in the height direction. Therefore, by causing the temperature sensor 62 to detect the temperature rise of the stored waste liquid 64 and displaying the detection signal on the display unit or the like as information, the user can be notified of the replacement time of the waste liquid tank 50.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus 70 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that, in the ink jet recording apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to items common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified. In the second embodiment, since the configuration of the waste liquid tank is different from that of the first embodiment, only the configuration will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the waste liquid tank 80 provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 70 in FIG. 1 and the process of curing the waste liquid. FIG. 4A shows the curing agent 82 having the lowest waste liquid. It is a figure which shows the structure of the waste liquid tank 80 of the state immediately after contacting and before starting hardening, (B) shows the state which the waste liquid hardened | cured with the hardening | curing agent 82 apply | coated to the lowest position. (C) is a figure which shows the state which the waste liquid hardened | cured with the hardening | curing agent 82 apply | coated to the 2nd position from the bottom.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 70 includes a waste liquid tank 80 for storing waste liquid (see FIG. 1). The waste liquid tank 80 includes a casing 52 having an internal space 55 and four temperature sensors 62, as with the waste liquid tank 50 in the first embodiment described above. An introduction hole 58 is provided in the upper wall 56 of the housing 52, and the leading end of the discharge side tube 44 is connected to the introduction hole 58. The waste liquid tank 80 is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 70 so as to be replaceable.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, a curing agent 82 is applied to four positions that divide the four side walls 59 constituting the casing 52 into approximately five equal parts along the height direction. Specifically, the curing agent 82 is applied at a position spaced apart from the bottom surface 59c along the height direction in FIG. Moreover, the hardening | curing agent 82 is apply | coated to the position of each height in the inner wall surface 59b over the perimeter. As the curing agent 82, for example, a photopolymerization initiator similar to that in the first embodiment can be suitably used.

  In addition, four temperature sensors 62 are arranged on the side of the right side wall 59a constituting the casing 52. As shown in FIG. 4, the temperature sensor 62 is disposed at the same height as each curing agent 82. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the stored waste liquid 64 is stored in the waste liquid tank 80 and reaches the height of the curing agent 82 applied to the lowest position (hereinafter referred to as the curing agent 82a), the storage waste liquid 64 is stored. The curing agent 82a that has come into contact with the waste liquid 64 causes a chemical reaction, and the storage waste liquid 64 begins to harden. Further, when the stored waste liquid 64 is cured, a large heat of curing is generated. For this reason, when hardening of the stored waste liquid 64 starts, the temperature of the stored waste liquid 64 rises. Therefore, when the stored waste liquid 64 is cured by the curing agent 82a, the temperature sensor 62 disposed at a position adjacent to the curing agent 82a detects the temperature change of the stored waste liquid 64. Then, a detection signal from the temperature sensor 62 is transmitted to a control unit (not shown) or the like. In addition, information unique to each temperature sensor 46 is incorporated in the detection signals transmitted from the four temperature sensors 62. When a detection signal is transmitted from the temperature sensor 46 to a control unit (not shown), information on the detection signal is stored in a memory (not shown) of the control unit. Each time a detection signal is transmitted from each temperature sensor 64 to the control unit, information stored in the memory is rewritten. Therefore, the amount of the stored waste liquid 64 can be detected based on the information stored in the memory. When the waste liquid is stored up to the level of the curing agent 82a and the temperature sensor 62 arranged at the height of the curing agent 82a transmits a detection signal to the control unit or the like, it is detected that the waste liquid exists up to the level of the curing agent 82a. . Then, the control unit or the like displays the detected amount of waste liquid on, for example, a display unit (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 10, so that the user can know the amount of waste liquid. .

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, the uncured waste liquid is stored on the storage waste liquid 64 cured by the curing agent 82a (hereinafter, the cured storage waste liquid 64 is referred to as the cured storage waste liquid 64a). Store. However, the uncured storage waste liquid 64 (hereinafter, the uncured storage waste liquid 64 will be referred to as the uncured storage waste liquid 64b) is applied to the curing agent 82 (hereinafter referred to as the curing agent 82b) applied to the second position from the bottom. It will not cure until it touches. When the stored waste liquid 64 is stored until it comes into contact with the curing agent 82b, the stored uncured stored waste liquid 64b starts to be cured by the curing agent 82b. Then, the temperature sensor 62 disposed at a position adjacent to the curing agent 82b detects the temperature change of the stored waste liquid 64. The information of the detection signal is stored in the memory as new information. Based on this stored information, it is detected that the waste liquid exists up to the height of the curing agent 82b. Further, the amount of waste liquid is displayed on a display unit (not shown). In this state, the cured storage waste liquid 64a is stacked in two layers in the waste liquid tank 80 (see FIG. 4C).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4C, the uncured waste liquid is stored on the cured storage waste liquid 64a cured by the curing agent 82b. However, the uncured storage waste liquid 64b does not cure until it comes into contact with the curing agent 82 applied to the second position from the top (hereinafter referred to as the curing agent 82c). When the stored waste liquid 64 is stored until it comes into contact with the curing agent 82c, the stored uncured stored waste liquid 64b starts to be cured by the curing agent 82c. Then, the temperature sensor 62 disposed at a position adjacent to the curing agent 82c detects the temperature change of the stored waste liquid 64. The information of the detection signal is stored in the memory as new information. From this stored information, it is detected that the waste liquid exists up to the level of the curing agent 82c. Further, the amount of waste liquid is displayed on a display unit (not shown). Further, when the waste liquid is stored in the internal space 55 and the stored uncured stored waste liquid 64b comes into contact with the curing agent 82 applied to the uppermost position (hereinafter referred to as the curing agent 82d), the uncured stored waste liquid 64b. Begins to cure. Then, the temperature sensor 62 disposed at a position adjacent to the curing agent 82d detects a temperature change of the stored waste liquid 64. The information of the detection signal is stored in the memory as new information. From this stored information, it is detected that the waste liquid exists up to the height of the curing agent 82d. Further, it is displayed on the display unit (not shown) that it is time to replace the waste liquid tank 80.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 70 configured as described above, the stored waste liquid 64 stored in the waste liquid tank 50 is sequentially brought into contact with each of the curing agents 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d, and the stored waste liquid 64 is several times. It is possible to cure by dividing into two. Thus, since the stored waste liquid 64 can be cured stepwise in order from the lower side, the stored waste liquid 64 can be reliably cured. Therefore, no uncured portion remains in the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid tank 80. Further, by curing the stored waste liquid 64 in stages, it is possible to prevent a large amount of curing and curing heat from being generated. As a result, troubles such as failure of the device 70 due to curing heat can be prevented, and the safety of replacing the waste liquid tank 80 can be ensured.

  Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus 70, temperature sensors 62 are disposed at the same height as the curing agents 82a, 82b, 82, 82d applied to the waste liquid tank 80, respectively. For this reason, it becomes possible to detect the storage amount of the storage waste liquid 64 via the temperature sensor 62. Therefore, by displaying these pieces of information on a display unit or the like, it is possible to appropriately inform the user of the usage amount of the waste liquid tank 80 and the replacement time of the waste liquid tank 80.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modifications.

  In the first embodiment described above, the curing agent 60 is disposed at one location in the height direction of the waste liquid tank 50. However, the location where the curing agent 60 is disposed is not limited to one location. As shown in FIG. 5, the curing agent 60 may be disposed at a plurality of locations such as four locations in the height direction. In the second embodiment described above, the curing agent 82 is applied to four locations in the height direction of the waste liquid tank 80, but the location of the applied curing agent 82 is not limited to four locations. Alternatively, it may be 3 or less, or 5 or more. Moreover, although the hardening | curing agent 82 is apply | coated with a fixed space | interval in the height direction, you may make it apply | coat with a different space | interval. Further, the curing agent 82 is applied over the entire circumference of the side wall 59, but the curing agent 82 is not limited to being applied over the entire circumference. For example, only the inner wall surface 59b of the right side wall 59a. You may make it apply | coat. At this time, it is preferable to arrange the temperature sensor 62 so as to correspond to the curing agents 60 and 82 arranged in the waste liquid tanks 50 and 80.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the temperature sensor 62 is used as a means for detecting the amount of the stored waste liquid 64. However, the detection means is not limited to the temperature sensor 62. For example, a plurality of electrodes may be used. A means for detecting the liquid level by using the conductivity of the ink provided in the waste liquid tanks 50 and 80, a means for detecting the position of the float floating on the liquid level, a means for detecting using the light emitting element and the light receiving element, etc. Other means may be adopted.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the ink jet recording apparatuses 10 and 70 as described above are shown as typical examples of the fluid ejecting apparatus. However, the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention may be a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, for example. Devices equipped with color material ejection heads used for manufacturing, devices equipped with electrode material (conductive paste) ejection heads used for electrode formation such as organic EL displays, surface emitting displays (FEDs), etc., living bodies used for biochip manufacturing The present invention can also be applied to various other fluid ejecting apparatuses such as an apparatus including an organic matter ejecting head and an apparatus including a sample ejecting head as a precision pipette.

1 illustrates a configuration of main components provided inside an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of the suction pump in FIG. 1, a waste liquid tank, and its peripheral part. It is a block diagram of the waste liquid tank for demonstrating the state which the stored waste liquid contacted the hardening | curing agent. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the waste liquid hardening in the waste liquid tank with which the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was equipped, (A) is the waste liquid contacted the lowermost hardening | curing agent. It is a figure which shows the structure of the waste liquid tank immediately after and before hardening, (B) is a figure which shows the state which the waste liquid hardened | cured with the hardening | curing agent apply | coated to the lowest position, (C) is It is a figure which shows the state which the waste liquid hardened | cured with the hardening | curing agent apply | coated to the 2nd position from the bottom. It is a figure which shows the modification of the waste liquid tank with which the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention was equipped.

Explanation of symbols

10, 70 ... Inkjet recording apparatus (fluid ejecting apparatus)
50, 80 ... Waste liquid tank (tank)
56a ... Inner side (top)
58 ... Inlet 59b ... Inner wall surface 59c ... Bottom surface 60,82 ... Curing agent 62 ... Temperature sensor

Claims (5)

A fluid ejecting apparatus including a tank for recovering a fluid that is cured by light irradiation as a fluid waste,
At a predetermined position in the height direction in the tank, a curing agent that contacts the fluid waste and hardens the fluid waste is disposed.
The tank has an inlet for introducing the fluid waste into the tank,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid waste introduced into the tank from the introduction port starts to be cured by being stored in the tank and contacting the curing agent.   2. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the curing agents are arranged at a position spaced apart from a bottom surface of the tank in a height direction in the tank.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curing agent is suspended from a top surface of the tank.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the curing agent is applied to an inner wall surface of the tank.   A temperature sensor that detects that the temperature of the fluid waste has risen due to heat generated when the fluid waste is cured is disposed at the same position in the height direction as the position where the curing agent is disposed. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid ejecting apparatus is provided.

Images