JP2010012733A - Suction device and liquid droplet ejecting apparatus equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suction device or the like performing suction processing by different suction pressure and also achieving simplification or the like of structure. <P>SOLUTION: The suction device includes: n cap units 71 corresponding to n head units 42, which are constituted by assembling m kinds of caps 81 classified by functional liquids corresponding to m kinds of functional liquid droplet ejecting heads classified by the functional liquids in a cap plate 82; a contacting and separating mechanism 73 which makes the cap units 71 contact/separate for each cap unit 71; p suction means which suck the functional liquids from the respective caps for each cap unit and have different suction pressure respectively; m×n individual suction channels 93 whose upstream sides are connected to the respective caps; p main suction channels 98 whose downstream sides are connected to the respective suction means; and a joining channel system which joins the m×n individual suction channels 93 and makes the joined channels selectively communicate with the p main suction channels 98. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a suction device for sucking a functional liquid while being in contact with a nozzle surface of a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads of an ink jet method for each functional liquid, and a liquid droplet ejection apparatus including the same.

Conventionally, a suction device including seven suction units mounted with 12 caps corresponding to seven carriage units mounted with twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads is known (see Patent Document 1). ). Each suction device includes a cap unit in which 12 caps are mounted on a cap plate, a separation / contact mechanism for separating 12 caps from / to 12 functional liquid droplet ejection heads via the cap plate, A waste liquid tank connected to the cap, an ejector for connecting the secondary side to the waste liquid tank and applying a suction pressure to the waste liquid tank, and a suction tube for connecting the 12 caps to the waste liquid tank are provided.
In this suction device, each cap is in close contact with each functional liquid droplet ejection head, and when the ejector is driven so as to introduce compressed air to the primary side, the inside of the waste liquid tank and the suction flow path become negative pressure. Thus, the functional liquid is sucked from the 12 functional liquid droplet ejection heads via the 12 caps. In addition, each cap is slightly separated from each functional droplet discharge head, and the ejector is driven while discarding (flushing) each functional droplet discharge head, so that it can receive the discard discharge. It has become. Thus, the function maintenance and function recovery of the twelve function liquid droplet ejection heads are performed by two functions.
JP 2005-254798 A

In such a conventional suction device, since the seven suction units are independent from each other, a single waste liquid tank and a single ejector are provided independently. For this reason, there is a problem that the space efficiency is deteriorated and the structure is complicated.
In this case, the problem can be solved by integrating the waste liquid tanks and ejectors of the seven suction devices into a single unit. However, the suction pressure for sucking the functional liquid from a large number of discharge nozzles and the suction pressure for sucking the functional liquid discharged to the cap are higher in the former and lower in the latter. When an operation method in which a suction device that receives discarded discharge is mixed is used, it is impossible to perform both operations at the same time. Further, even if the suction pressure is switched between high and low, it takes time until the set pressure is stabilized, and therefore suction cannot be performed efficiently.

  The present invention provides a suction device that can freely perform suction processing with different suction pressures in units of cap units, and that can improve space efficiency and simplify the structure, and a droplet discharge device including the suction device. The issue is to provide.

  The suction device of the present invention is a suction device that sucks and draws a functional liquid by coming into contact with a nozzle surface of a plurality of types of ink jet type functional droplet discharge heads for each functional liquid, and a plurality of types of functions for each functional liquid Cap unit equipped with multiple types of caps for each functional liquid corresponding to the droplet discharge head, a separation / contact mechanism that allows each cap to separate / contact each cap unit, and suction of the functional liquid from each cap for each cap unit And a plurality of suction means each having a different suction pressure, a plurality of individual suction channels connected to each cap on the upstream side, a plurality of main suction channels connected to each suction means on the downstream side, It is interposed between a plurality of individual suction channels and a plurality of main suction channels, and combines the plurality of individual suction channels and selectively communicates the merged channels with the plurality of main suction channels. A merging channel system Characterized in that was.

  According to this configuration, the merging channel system allows the individual suction channels to be merged according to the type of the functional liquid, and the individual suction channels after merging are selectively communicated with the plurality of main suction channels. It can be selectively communicated with any one suction means. That is, the same number of main suction flow paths as the suction means are provided, and by selecting an arbitrary main suction flow path, a high-pressure or low-pressure suction means can be selected. Can be implemented. In addition, since the individual suction channels can be joined and communicated with the main suction channel connected to each suction unit, the number of suction units can be reduced as compared with the case where a suction unit is provided for each individual suction channel. Thus, space efficiency can be improved and the structure can be simplified.

  The other suction devices are provided corresponding to n units (n is a plurality) of head units in which m types (m is a plurality) of ink jet type functional liquid droplet ejection heads mounted on a carriage. A suction device for sucking a functional liquid by coming into contact with the nozzle surface of each functional liquid droplet ejection head, and cap plates for m functional liquids corresponding to m functional liquid droplet ejection heads for each functional liquid N cap units corresponding to the n head units, a separation / contact mechanism for separating each cap through the cap plate, and a functional liquid from each cap in the cap unit. P units (p is a plurality) having different suction pressures, mxn individual suction channels connected to the caps on the upstream side, and the suction units on the downstream side. The p main suction channels, the m × n individual suction channels, and the p main suction channels are interposed between the m × n individual suction channels, And a merged channel system for selectively communicating the merged channels with the p main suction channels.

According to this configuration, m × n individual suction channels can be merged with p main suction channels by the merge channel system. Further, by selecting p main suction channels, it is possible to selectively communicate with any one suction means. As a result, a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads can be simultaneously subjected to suction processing using different suction pressures via a plurality of cap units, and the function of the functional liquid droplet ejection head can be appropriately maintained and recovered. be able to. Further, the number of suction means can be reduced for each cap unit, and space efficiency can be improved and the structure can be simplified.
Further, for example, even if the number of individual suction channels increases with the increase in the number of functional liquid droplet ejection heads (number of caps), the individual suction channels can be merged by the merge channel system. There is no need to increase the number of channels and suction means. Furthermore, even if the cap units increase with the increase in the number of head units, the increased p main suction flow paths only need to be connected to the original p suction means. There is no need to increase the number.

  In this case, the merging channel system includes n primary manifolds for merging mxn individual suction channels in cap units, and p secondary manifolds connected to the upstream side of each main suction channel. And n × p distribution suction passages for individually connecting n primary manifolds and p secondary manifolds, and n × p distribution flow passage opening / closing valves provided in each distribution suction passage It is preferable to have.

  According to this configuration, the m × n individual suction channels are grouped for each cap unit by the primary manifold. Further, the number of suction means, the number of secondary manifolds, and the number of distribution suction channels per cap unit (number of distribution channel opening / closing valves) are the same, and suction means are provided downstream of the primary manifold. Are summarized for each pressure level. As a result, for example, even when the number of individual suction flow paths increases with an increase in the number of functional liquid droplet ejection heads (cap number), the primary manifold merges and the increased primary manifold is The secondary manifold can be joined via the distribution suction channel. For this reason, the structure of the suction device can be simplified, and troubles can be prevented and maintenance can be improved. In addition, the pressure loss of the m × n individual suction channels can be made uniform.

  Moreover, it is preferable to further include m × n individual flow path opening / closing valves interposed in the individual suction flow paths.

  According to this configuration, the individual suction channel can be opened / closed with respect to each functional liquid droplet ejection head by the individual channel opening / closing valve. Accordingly, when there are a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads that perform and do not perform suction processing, this can be implemented by opening and closing each individual flow path opening and closing valve.

  In addition, each of the m types of functional liquid droplet ejection heads is configured by a plurality of the same types, and each of the m types of caps corresponding thereto is configured by a plurality of the same types. It is preferable that a plurality of caps of the same kind are connected via a homogeneous flow path branched by a branch joint provided upstream.

  According to this structure, the same kind flow path connected to each cap with respect to a plurality of types of functional liquid droplet ejection heads can be merged into one individual suction flow path for each type of functional liquid by the branch joint. That is, one individual flow path opening / closing valve is provided for each type of functional liquid, and a plurality of similar flow paths can be opened / closed by opening / closing the single individual flow path opening / closing valve. Thereby, the number can be reduced and the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the individual channel opening / closing valves are provided in each cap. In addition, when there are a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads that perform a suction process for each functional liquid and those that do not, this can be performed by opening and closing each individual flow path opening / closing valve.

  In this case, each suction means has a waste liquid tank connected to the downstream side of the main suction flow path, and an ejector that introduces compressed air to the primary side and connects the secondary side to the upper space of each waste liquid tank. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the structure of the suction unit can be simplified, and a structure excellent in chemical resistance against the functional liquid can be obtained.

  Each suction means preferably further includes pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the compressed air on the primary side and control means for controlling the pressure adjusting means.

  According to this configuration, the negative pressure (suction pressure) for suction introduced into each waste liquid tank can be easily adjusted according to the viscosity of the functional liquid and the form of suction processing. Of course, it is possible to easily cope with a case where a different kind of functional liquid is newly introduced or a suction mode is changed. In addition, it is preferable to use a regulator (electro-pneumatic regulator) as the pressure adjusting means.

  In this case, each control means controls the pressure adjusting means according to the number of open distribution flow path opening / closing valves among the distribution flow path opening / closing valves so that the suction pressure in each cap unit is constant. It is preferable to do.

  According to this configuration, the suction pressure in each cap unit (cap) can be made constant by controlling the pressure adjusting means in accordance with the number of opened distribution flow path opening / closing valves. Accordingly, the suction flow rate of each cap unit (cap) can be made constant regardless of the number of functional droplet discharge heads that perform the suction process.

  Further, a pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of each waste liquid tank at the time of suction is further provided, and each control means controls the pressure adjustment means so that the pressure in the waste liquid tank becomes a predetermined pressure corresponding to the number of opened. It is preferable to do.

  On the other hand, a flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the functional liquid flowing into each waste liquid tank by suction is further provided, and each control means is configured so that the flow rate of the functional liquid flowing into each waste liquid tank becomes a predetermined flow rate corresponding to the number of open circuits. In addition, it is preferable to control the pressure adjusting means.

  According to these configurations, in any cap unit (cap), the suction pressure can be controlled to be always constant, and the suction process for the functional liquid droplet ejection head is appropriately performed in consideration of the type of the functional liquid. Can be done.

  In this case, the plurality of suction means are composed of two suction means, and one suction means is for sucking each cap in close contact with each functional liquid droplet ejection head, and the other suction means. The means is preferably for sucking each cap while being separated from each functional liquid droplet ejection head.

  According to this configuration, for example, one of the suction means is used for recovering the function of sucking the functional liquid from the functional liquid droplet ejection head, and the other suction means is the functional liquid discharged from the functional liquid droplet ejection head. It can be used for maintaining the function of sucking from the cap. Thereby, the suction means can be used properly depending on the clogging of each functional liquid droplet ejection head. Note that high and low pressure operations may be alternately performed on the two suction units so that the waste liquid storage amounts of the two waste liquid tanks are equal.

  The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the present invention includes a drawing unit that performs drawing by ejecting functional liquid droplets from each functional liquid droplet ejection head while moving a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads with respect to a work, and the above-described suction device And.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately maintain and recover the function of the functional liquid droplet ejection head, to reduce the size of the apparatus, and to improve productivity in workpiece processing.

  In this case, it is further provided with a plurality of flushing receiving means for receiving discharge from the plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads, and the flushing receiving means is connected to any one of the plurality of suction means via the waste liquid pipe. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a separate suction unit for the flushing receiving unit, the structure of the droplet discharge device can be simplified, and the function of the functional droplet discharge head can be maintained and recovered. This can be performed appropriately, and productivity in workpiece processing can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a droplet discharge device to which a suction device (suction unit) of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This droplet discharge device is incorporated in a flat panel display production line, and uses, for example, a functional droplet discharge head into which a special ink or a functional liquid that is a light-emitting resin liquid is introduced. A light emitting layer to be a pixel, a filter element of a color filter, and the like are formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the droplet discharge device 1 is disposed on an X-axis support base 21 supported by a stone surface plate, and extends in the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, to extend a workpiece W. Are arranged on a pair of Y-axis support bases 31 that are bridged across the X-axis table 2 via a plurality of columns 11 and in the sub-scanning direction. A Y-axis table 3 extending in the Y-axis direction, and 13 carriage units 4 suspended in a movable manner on the Y-axis table 3 and mounted with a plurality (twelve) functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13; , Is composed of. Further, the droplet discharge device 1 has a chamber 5 that accommodates these devices in an atmosphere in which temperature and humidity are controlled, and a function of supplying the functional liquid to the functional droplet discharge head 13 through the chamber 5. A liquid supply unit 6 is provided, and a tank cabinet 50 for storing a main tank 60 and the like constituting the main part of the functional liquid supply unit 6 is provided in a part of the side wall of the chamber 5. The droplet discharge device 1 discharges and drives the functional droplet discharge head 13 in synchronization with the driving of the X-axis table 2 and the Y-axis table 3, thereby providing six-color functional droplets supplied from the functional liquid supply unit 6. And a predetermined drawing pattern is drawn on the workpiece W.

  The droplet discharge device 1 also includes a maintenance device 7 including a flushing unit 15, a suction unit 16, a wiping unit 17, and a discharge performance inspection unit 18, and these units are used for maintenance of the functional droplet discharge head 13. The function of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 is maintained and recovered. In the droplet discharge device 1 of the present embodiment, the workpiece W is drawn with the carriage unit 4 facing the portion where the X-axis table 2 and the Y-axis table 3 intersect, and the Y-axis table 3 and the maintenance device 7 (suction unit) 16, the carriage unit 4 faces the portion where the wiping unit 17) intersects to perform the function maintenance / recovery of the function liquid droplet ejection head 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the X-axis table 2 has a set table 22 having a mechanism capable of sucking and setting the workpiece W and correcting in the θ-axis direction, and the set table 22 slidably supported in the X-axis direction. An X-axis first slider 23, an X-axis second slider 24 that slidably supports the flushing unit 15 and the discharge performance inspection unit 18 in the X-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction. And a pair of left and right X-axis linear motors (not shown) that move the slider 23 and the X-axis second slider 24 in the X-axis direction.

  The Y-axis table 3 includes 13 bridge plates 32 each having 13 carriage units 4 suspended therein, 13 sets of Y-axis sliders (not shown) that support the 13 bridge plates 32 in both ends, and a pair. And a pair of Y-axis linear motors (not shown) that move the bridge plate 32 in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the Y-axis table 3 performs sub-scanning of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 during drawing via each carriage unit 4 and causes the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 to face the suction unit 16 and the wiping unit 17. In this case, the carriage units 4 can be moved independently and individually, or the 13 carriage units 4 can be moved together. The drawing means described in the claims includes the X-axis table 2, the Y-axis table 3, and the carriage unit 4 (the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 and the head unit 42).

  Each carriage unit 4 has six colors of R, G, B, C, M, and Y, each of two (total 12) functional droplet ejection heads 13 and 12 functional droplet ejection heads 13 The head unit 42 includes a head plate 41 that is supported in two groups each (see FIG. 4). Each carriage unit 4 has a θ rotation mechanism 43 that supports the head unit 42 so as to be capable of θ correction (θ rotation), and a suspension member 44 that supports the head unit 42 on the bridge plate 32 via the θ rotation mechanism 43. And. In addition, each of the carriage units 4 has a sub tank 45 disposed thereon (actually disposed on the bridge plate 32), utilizes a natural water head from the sub tank 45, and a pressure regulating valve (not shown). The functional liquid is supplied to each functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 via (omitted). In the present embodiment, the number of carriage units 4 and the number of functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13 mounted on each carriage unit 4 are arbitrary.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 is a so-called double ink jet head, which includes a functional liquid introduction part 51 having two connection needles 54, and a double series head connected to the functional liquid introduction part 51. A substrate 52 and a head main body 53 that discharges the functional liquid are provided below the head substrate 52 (see FIG. 5A).

  The functional liquid introduction part 51 has a pair of connecting needles 54 and is supplied with the functional liquid from the sub tank 45. The head main body 53 includes a double pump unit 55 configured by a piezo element and the like, and a nozzle plate 56 having a nozzle surface 58 on which a plurality of discharge nozzles 57 are formed. A large number of discharge nozzles 57 formed on the nozzle surface 58 of the nozzle plate 56 constitute two nozzle rows NL arranged in parallel with each other and shifted by a half nozzle pitch position. , 180 discharge nozzles 57 arranged at equal pitches (see FIG. 5B). The head substrate 52 is provided with two series of connectors 59, and each connector 59 is connected to the control device via a flexible flat cable (not shown). The drive waveform output from the control device is applied to each pump unit 55 (piezoelectric element) via each connector 59, so that the functional liquid is discharged from each discharge nozzle 57.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the flushing unit 15 includes a pair of pre-drawing flushing units 61 and 61 and a regular flushing unit 62, and the drawing process immediately before the drawing process or when the workpiece W is replaced. It receives the discarded discharge of the functional liquid droplet discharge head 13 that is performed during the pause. The suction unit 16 has 13 cap units 71, forcibly sucks the functional liquid from the discharge nozzle 57 of each functional liquid droplet discharge head 13, and performs capping. The wiping unit 17 wipes the nozzle surface 58 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 after suction. The ejection performance inspection unit 18 inspects the presence / absence of ejection of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 and the flight bend.

  The regular flushing unit 62 includes a regular flushing box 64 that receives the functional liquid, a pair of box support members 65 that are mounted on the X-axis second slider 24 and support both ends of the regular flushing unit 62 so that the height of the regular flushing unit 62 can be adjusted. have. The regular flushing unit 62 is a function of regular flushing performed by ejecting and driving the all-function liquid droplet ejection head 13 of the head unit 42 when drawing processing is temporarily suspended, such as when the workpiece W is replaced. For receiving liquid. As a result, it is possible to prevent the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 from drying and clogging the nozzles when drawing is suspended.

  The pre-drawing flushing unit 61 includes a pair of pre-drawing flushing boxes 63 that receive the functional liquid, and a pair of box support members (not shown) that support the pair of pre-drawing flushing boxes 63 on the set table 22. Yes. The pre-drawing flushing unit 61 is for receiving the functional liquid for pre-drawing flushing performed by ejecting and driving the all-function liquid droplet ejection head 13 of the head unit 42 immediately before ejecting the functional liquid onto the workpiece W. Thereby, the ejection of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 immediately before the drawing can be stabilized, and the drawing process with high accuracy can be performed on the workpiece W.

  Next, the suction unit (suction device) 16 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The suction unit 16 moves up and down each cap unit 71 through 13 cap units 71 in which 12 head caps 81 corresponding to 12 functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13 are arranged on a cap plate 82 and a support member 83. 13 lifting / lowering mechanisms (separating / disconnecting mechanisms) 73, 13 suction channel systems 74 (see FIG. 8) connected to each cap unit 71 and having a functional fluid suction channel, and each suction channel system 74 And a suction mechanism 75 (see FIG. 8) having two waste liquid tanks 101 corresponding to two pressure levels. The suction unit 16 is connected to a compressed air supply facility 76 that supplies compressed air for control to a pressure control mechanism 102 and the like, which will be described later, an exhaust facility 77 for exhausting from each part, and a waste liquid tank 101, and is stored. And a functional liquid waste liquid facility 78 for draining the used functional liquid.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cap unit 71 includes a head cap 81 corresponding to a total of twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13 for each color, and a cap plate 82 on which these are mounted. The cap 81 is mounted on the cap plate 82 in the same arrangement as the twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13 and in the same inclination posture.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lifting mechanism 73 includes a lifting cylinder 84 that lifts and lowers the head cap 81 directly via a support member 83, a pair of linear guides 85 that guide lifting by the lifting cylinder 84, and a base that supports these. Part 86. The support member 83 has a support member main body 87 having a support frame 72 that supports the cap unit 71 at the upper end, and an atmosphere release frame 88 for opening the atmosphere release valves (not shown) of the 12 head caps 81 at once. And a pair of air cylinders 89 and 89 for moving the atmosphere release frame 88 downward. The elevating mechanism 73 moves the cap unit 71 in three stages between the close position for suction, the separated position for flushing, and the replacement position for replacement of the head unit 42 and consumables of the cap unit 71 (maintenance). Move up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each suction flow path system 74 includes a cap side flow path system 90 that is continuous with each cap unit 71 and a tank side flow path system 91 that is continuous with the cap side flow path system 90. . The cap-side channel system 90 includes a homogeneous channel 92 having an upstream end connected to each head cap 81 and an individual suction channel in which the downstream side of the homogeneous channel 92 is merged according to the color of the functional liquid via the junction joint 108. 93 and a primary manifold 94 to which the downstream end of the merged individual suction flow path 93 is connected. That is, each of the two same-type flow paths 92 connected to the 12 head caps 81 corresponding to the above-described six colors, each of the two (total 12) functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13, are connected via the junction joint 108. Combined and connected to a total of six individual suction channels 93, and these six individual suction channels 93 are connected to the primary manifold 94 at their downstream ends. Further, an individual flow path opening / closing valve 95 that opens and closes the individual suction flow path 93 for each color of the functional liquid is interposed in the individual suction flow path 93 that merges on the downstream side.

  The tank-side channel system 91 includes a plurality of distribution suction channels 96 whose upstream ends are connected to the primary manifold 94, two secondary manifolds 97 connected to the downstream ends of the plurality of distribution suction channels 96, and an upstream end. The main suction channel 98 is connected to each secondary manifold 97 and has a downstream end connected to each waste liquid tank 101. In addition, two distribution suction channels 96 are connected to each cap unit 71 corresponding to two pressure levels, and two pressure levels are selectively switched to each distribution suction channel 96. A distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 is interposed. Each main suction channel 98 is provided with a flow meter (flow rate detecting means) 100 for detecting the flow rate of the functional liquid flowing into each waste liquid tank 101. The downstream end of the main suction channel 98 is disposed at the waste liquid tank. It is inserted deeply to the vicinity of the bottom surface of 101. The individual flow path opening / closing valve 95 and the distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 are mere opening / closing valves, and the flow path can be switched by setting one to “open” and the other to “close”.

  The primary manifold 94 and the secondary manifold 97 are constituted by a disk-shaped manifold formed in a funnel shape whose upper end is closed by a disk-shaped lid. In this case, in the primary manifold 94, the downstream ends of the six individual suction passages 93 are connected to the lid so as to be evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the disk-like manifold. Similarly, in the secondary manifold 97, the downstream ends of the thirteen distribution suction channels 96 are arranged so as to be evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the disk-like manifold, or double and equally arranged in the circumferential direction. It is connected to the.

  The suction mechanism 75 includes two waste liquid tanks 101 for waste of the sucked functional liquid and a pair of pressure control mechanisms 102 for controlling the internal pressure of each waste liquid tank 101. The internal pressure of 101 is individually adjusted, and each head cap 81 is controlled to a negative pressure (suction) via the distribution suction channel 96.

  The waste liquid tank 101 includes a first waste liquid tank 103 used at a high pressure (first level) and a second waste liquid tank 104 used at a low pressure (second level). Both tanks 103, 104 are connected to a tank main body 105 constituted by a so-called sealed tank, an upper space of the tank main body 105, a pressure gauge (pressure detection means) 106 for detecting internal pressure, and a side of the tank main body 105. And a liquid level detecting means 107 for detecting the liquid level of the stored functional liquid. When the liquid level detecting means 107 detects the upper limit liquid level, the liquid level detecting means 107 opens the waste liquid on-off valve 79 interposed in the flow path on the side of the functional liquid waste liquid equipment 78 and wastes the functional liquid in the functional liquid waste liquid equipment 78. On the other hand, when the lower limit liquid level is detected, the waste liquid on-off valve 79 is closed. The waste liquid tank 101 is connected to a functional liquid waste liquid facility 78 that wastes the stored functional liquid. Furthermore, the above-described regular flushing unit 62 and the pre-drawing flushing unit 61 are connected to the second waste liquid tank 104 via a flushing flow channel 66. In addition, the flushing flow path 66 may be connected to both the first waste liquid tank 103 and the second waste liquid tank 104 via a flow path switching valve 67 (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8).

  The pressure control mechanism 102 includes a communication channel 109 whose upstream side is connected to the upper space of the tank body 105, an ejector 110 connected to the communication channel 109, the compressed air supply facility 76, and the exhaust facility 77, and the ejector 110 and the compression An electropneumatic regulator (pressure adjusting means) 111 that adjusts the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the ejector 110 and is installed adjacent to the electropneumatic regulator 111. A flow sensor 112. That is, the ejector 110 introduces compressed air from the compressed air supply facility 76 to the primary side, and connects the secondary side to the upper space of the waste liquid tank 101. The pressure is adjusted by the electropneumatic regulator 111, and the inside of the tank body 105 is controlled to be depressurized in such a manner that the air in the communication passage 109 is pulled toward the exhaust equipment 77 by the accompanying flow of the compressed air supplied to the ejector 110. The As a result, each of the waste liquid tanks 101 is individually adjusted to an appropriate suction pressure by the pressure control mechanism 102.

  Here, a method for calculating the appropriate suction pressure will be described. The appropriate suction pressure by the pressure control mechanism 102 is determined based on the number of openings of the distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 and the detected value of the pressure gauge 106. An appropriate suction pressure is obtained from the number of open distribution channel opening / closing valves 99 by using a coefficient table obtained in advance through experiments. Thereafter, the electropneumatic regulator 111 is controlled so that the pressure of the waste liquid tank 101 detected by the pressure gauge 106 becomes an appropriate suction pressure (feedback control).

  As described above, by controlling the electropneumatic regulator 111 according to the number of the distribution channel opening / closing valves 99 opened, the suction pressure in each cap unit 71 (head cap 81) can be made constant. Accordingly, the suction flow rate of each cap unit 71 (head cap 81) can be made constant regardless of the number of functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13 that perform suction processing. Further, by controlling the electropneumatic regulator 111 based on the detection value of the pressure gauge 106, it is possible to control the suction pressure to be always constant in any cap unit 71 (head cap 81). In the coefficient table, it is preferable that an appropriate suction pressure is set based on the viscosity of the functional liquid in addition to the number of head caps 81.

  In the above suction processing example, the method of controlling the electropneumatic regulator 111 based on the detection value of the pressure gauge 106 is used as the control method. However, the following control method may be used. In another control method, the electropneumatic regulator 111 is controlled using the flow meter 100. An appropriate flow rate is obtained, and the pressure control of the electropneumatic regulator 111 is adjusted so that the functional liquid flow rate flowing into the waste liquid tank 101 becomes an appropriate flow rate (feedback control). According to this configuration, by controlling the electropneumatic regulator 111 based on the flow meter 100, the suction pressure is always maintained in any cap unit 71 (head cap 81) as in the case where the pressure gauge 106 is used. It can be controlled to be constant, and the suction process for the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 can be appropriately performed while considering the type of the functional liquid.

  Next, the main control system of the droplet discharge device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the droplet discharge device 1 includes a droplet discharge unit 191 having a head unit 42, a workpiece moving unit 192 having an X-axis table 2 and moving the workpiece W in the X-axis direction. And a Y-axis table 3, a head moving unit 193 that moves the head unit 42 in the Y-axis direction, a maintenance unit 194 that includes each unit of the maintenance device 7, and a functional liquid supply unit 6. A functional liquid supply unit 198 that supplies the functional liquid to the ejection head 13, a detection unit 195 that includes various sensors and performs various detections, and a drive unit 196 that includes various drivers that drive and control the respective units, and are connected to the respective units. And a control unit (control means) 197 for controlling the entire droplet discharge device 1.

  The control unit 197 includes an interface 201 for connecting each means, a storage area that can be temporarily stored, a RAM 202 that is used as a work area for control processing, and various storage areas. ROM 203 for storing control programs and control data; drawing data for drawing a predetermined drawing pattern on the work W; various data from each means; and a program for processing various data A hard disk 204, a CPU 205 that performs arithmetic processing on various data according to programs stored in the ROM 203 and the hard disk 204, and a bus 206 that connects them to each other.

  Then, the control unit 197 inputs various data from each means via the interface 201 and causes the CPU 205 to perform arithmetic processing according to the program stored in the hard disk 204, and the processing result is sent via the driving unit 196. Output to the means. Thereby, the whole apparatus is controlled and various processes of the droplet discharge apparatus 1 are performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 197 causes the first waste liquid tank 103 and the second waste liquid tank 104 to be fixedly operated via the pressure control mechanism 102, with the former being high-pressure suction and the latter being low-pressure suction. The two types of operation methods can be implemented, and the first waste liquid tank 103 and the second waste liquid tank 104 are alternately operated at high pressure and low pressure. The alternating operation in this case includes a case where it is performed as necessary, such as maintenance of one tank, and a case where it is periodically performed based on a predetermined operation time, a predetermined number of workpieces, and the like.

  Here, using the above-described appropriate suction pressure, the first functional liquid suction processing by the above-described suction unit 16 will be described. This suction process is a suction sequence when the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 is initially filled with the functional liquid. In the initial stage, suction is performed at a high pressure (first level), and in the final stage, suction is performed at a low pressure (second level). The functional liquid is filled. Here, a case where all the carriage units 4 are sucked at a high pressure and then sucked at a low pressure will be described as an example.

  First, the corresponding cap unit 71 is raised to a close position by the elevating mechanism 73, and the distribution channel opening / closing valve 99 is controlled to make the cap unit 71 and the first waste liquid tank 103 communicate with each other. Then, both the high pressure and low pressure control mechanisms 102 are driven to start the initial filling at high pressure.

  After suction by high pressure, the distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 connected to the first waste liquid tank 103 is “closed”, and the distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 connected to the second waste liquid tank 104 is “open”. As a result, the cap unit 71 and the second waste liquid tank 104 are communicated with each other to perform filling at a low pressure.

  In this way, by switching the two distribution flow path opening / closing valves 99, 99, the main suction flow path 98 is selectively switched to any one waste liquid tank 101, so that a plurality of cap units 71 are capped. The unit 71 can communicate with the waste liquid tank 101 having different suction pressures. Thereby, the suction pressure can be switched from a high pressure to a low pressure only by controlling the distribution channel opening / closing valve 99. Therefore, the pressure stabilization waiting time when switching from high pressure to low pressure can be shortened as compared with the case where the pressure level is one.

  Next, the suction process of the second functional liquid by the suction unit 16 will be described. In this suction process, the functional liquid is sucked from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 by alternately using the suction mechanisms 75 with the suction pressure set to the same level. Here, a case will be described in which each even-numbered head unit 42 is sucked into the second waste liquid tank 104 after each odd-numbered head unit 42 is sucked into the first waste liquid tank 103. First, the distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 is controlled, and the odd-numbered head cap 81 and the first waste liquid tank 103 are communicated and sucked.

  After sucking the functional liquid from the odd-numbered head units 42, the distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 connected to the first waste liquid tank 103 is closed, and the distribution flow path opening / closing valve 99 connected to the second waste liquid tank 104 is opened. The individual flow path opening / closing valve 95 corresponding to the odd-numbered head unit 42 is set to “closed”, and the individual flow path opening / closing valve 95 corresponding to the even-numbered head unit 42 is set to “open”. Thereby, the even-numbered head unit 42 and the second waste liquid tank 104 are communicated and sucked. For example, if the first waste liquid tank 103 is full while the suction process is performed by the suction mechanism 75 having the second waste liquid tank 104, the waste liquid (functional liquid) stored in the first waste liquid tank 103 is discarded. be able to. Therefore, when the number of the suction mechanisms 75 is one, it is necessary to temporarily stop the suction processing, discard the waste liquid, and suction again. In this embodiment, the suction processing is continued without stopping the suction processing. Therefore, the time for the suction process can be shortened. Further, by alternately sucking at the same level of pressure, the amount of waste liquid stored in the first waste liquid tank 103 and the second waste liquid tank 104 can be made equal.

  Finally, the third functional liquid suction process by the suction unit 16 will be described. This suction processing is performed simultaneously with suction by the suction unit 16 and suction for flushing. Note that suction for suction is performed at a high pressure, and suction for flushing is performed at a low pressure. Here, a case where flushing is performed on the five carriage units 4 and suction is performed on the remaining eight carriage units 4 will be described as an example.

  In the carriage unit 4 that performs suction processing for suction, the corresponding cap unit 71 is lifted to the close position by the lifting mechanism 73 and the distribution channel opening / closing valve 99 is controlled to control the cap unit 71 and the first waste liquid tank 103. To communicate with. In the carriage unit 4 that performs the suction processing for flushing, the corresponding cap unit 71 is moved up to the separated position by the lifting mechanism 73 and the distribution channel opening / closing valve 99 is controlled to control the head cap 81 and the second waste liquid tank 104. To communicate. In these states, simultaneous parallel suction processing is performed. In this way, by the control of the pair of distribution flow path opening / closing valves 99, the plurality of cap units 71 can be simultaneously subjected to suction processing with different suction pressures. Further, since each suction mechanism 75 is configured to perform suction processing of a plurality of cap units 71, the number of suction mechanisms can be reduced as compared with the case where suction means are provided in units of cap units 71, and space efficiency can be reduced. Improvement and simplification of the structure can be achieved.

  In the third functional liquid suction process, for example, the first waste liquid tank 103 and the second waste liquid tank 104 are alternately operated at high pressure and low pressure every other day, so that the first waste liquid tank 103 and the second waste liquid are operated. It is preferable to equalize the amount of waste liquid stored in the tank 104. In order to cope with this alternate operation, the flushing flow path 66 of the flushing unit 15 is connected to both the first waste liquid tank 103 and the second waste liquid tank 104 via the flow path switching valve 67, respectively. Is preferred. The flow path switching valve 67 is provided with a flow path switching mechanism capable of selecting any one flushing flow path 66, so that the flushing unit 15 can be operated even if the pressure level is changed (pattern setting change). It is switched so as to be connected to the waste liquid tank 101 having a low level.

  Note that, as in the above-described two types of suction processing, the suction processing can be performed for each head unit 42, but can also be performed for each functional droplet discharge head 13 to be sucked. In this case, since the head cap 81 is separated from and in contact with the functional liquid droplet ejection head 13 in units of the cap unit 71, the individual cap opening / closing valve 95 provided in the individual suction channel 93 is controlled, so that any function can be achieved. A suction process can be performed only on the droplet discharge head 13. Further, a plurality of suction mechanisms 75 (waste liquid tanks 101) may be configured as required, such as medium pressure, in addition to high pressure and low pressure.

  In the present embodiment, functional liquid droplets supplied with six functional liquids of R (red), G (green), B (blue), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are supplied. Although the one using the discharge head 13 is used, the number of colors and color types of the supplied functional liquid are arbitrary.

  According to the above configuration, various suction processes can be flexibly handled as described above. Further, the number of suction mechanisms 75 can be reduced as compared with the case where the suction mechanisms 75 are provided for each cap unit 71, and space efficiency can be improved and the structure can be simplified. Furthermore, an increase in the number of functional liquid droplet ejection heads 13 (the number of head caps 81) and an increase in the number of head units 42 can be flexibly accommodated without greatly changing the suction mechanism 75. .

1 is a perspective view of a droplet discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of a droplet discharge device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a droplet discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a head unit equipped with a functional liquid droplet ejection head. FIG. It is a front and back external perspective view of a functional liquid droplet ejection head. It is a side view of a suction unit. It is a top view of a cap unit. It is a piping system diagram of a suction unit. It is the block diagram explaining the main control system of the droplet discharge apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  1: droplet ejection device, 13: functional droplet ejection head, 15: flushing unit, 16: suction unit, 58: nozzle surface, 71: cap unit, 76: compressed air supply equipment, 81: head cap, 93: individual Suction channel, 94: primary manifold, 95: individual channel switching valve, 96: distribution suction channel, 97: secondary manifold, 98: main suction channel, 99: distribution channel switching valve, 100: flow meter, 101 waste liquid tank, 103: first waste liquid tank, 104: second waste liquid tank, 106: pressure gauge, 110: ejector, 111: electropneumatic regulator, W: work

Claims (13)

A suction device for sucking a functional liquid by separating from and contacting the nozzle surface of a plurality of types of ink jet type functional liquid droplet discharge heads for each functional liquid,
A cap unit equipped with a plurality of types of caps for each functional liquid corresponding to the plurality of types of functional liquid droplet ejection heads for each functional liquid;
Separation / contact mechanism for separating / connecting each cap in units of cap units;
While sucking the functional liquid from each cap in units of the cap unit, a plurality of suction means each having a different suction pressure;
A plurality of individual suction channels connected to the caps on the upstream side;
A plurality of main suction channels connected to the suction means on the downstream side;
The plurality of individual suction flow paths and the plurality of main suction flow paths are interposed, and the plurality of individual suction flow paths are merged, and the merged flow paths are defined with respect to the plurality of main suction flow paths. And a merging channel system that selectively communicates with the suction device. M types (m is a plurality) of ink jet type functional droplet discharge heads for each functional liquid are provided corresponding to n units (n is a plurality) of head units mounted on a carriage. A suction device that separates and contacts the nozzle surface to suck the functional liquid,
N cap units corresponding to the n head units, wherein m types of caps corresponding to functional liquids corresponding to m types of functional liquid droplet ejection heads are incorporated in a cap plate;
Separation / contact mechanism for separating / contacting each cap through the cap plate in units of the cap unit;
While sucking the functional liquid from the caps in units of the cap unit, each of the p units (p is a plurality) of suction means having different suction pressures;
M × n individual suction channels connected to the caps on the upstream side;
P main suction channels connected to the respective suction means on the downstream side;
The m × n individual suction flow paths and the p main suction flow paths are interposed between the m × n individual suction flow paths and merge the m × n individual suction flow paths. And a merging channel system for selectively communicating with the main suction channel of the book. The merging channel system is
N primary manifolds for merging the m × n individual suction flow paths in units of the cap units;
P secondary manifolds connected to the upstream side of each main suction channel;
N × p distribution suction channels for individually connecting the n primary manifolds and the p secondary manifolds;
The suction apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising n × p distribution flow path opening / closing valves interposed in the distribution suction flow paths.   The suction device according to claim 2, further comprising m × n individual channel opening / closing valves interposed in the individual suction channels. Each of the m kinds of functional liquid droplet ejection heads is composed of a plurality of the same kind,
Each of the m kinds of caps corresponding to this is composed of a plurality of the same kind,
The plurality of caps of the same type are connected to the individual suction channels through the same type of channels branched by a branch joint provided on the upstream side. The suction device according to any one of the above. Each of the suction means includes a waste liquid tank connected to the downstream side of the main suction channel;
6. A suction device according to claim 1, further comprising: an ejector that introduces compressed air to the primary side and connects the secondary side to an upper space of each of the waste liquid tanks. . Each of the suction means includes pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of compressed air on the primary side,
The suction device according to claim 6, further comprising control means for controlling the pressure adjusting means.   Each of the control means is configured to adjust the pressure adjusting means according to the number of the distribution flow path opening / closing valves that are open among the distribution flow path opening / closing valves so that the suction pressure in each cap unit is constant. The suction device according to claim 7, wherein the suction device is controlled. Pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of each waste liquid tank during suction, further comprising:
9. The suction device according to claim 8, wherein each of the control units controls the pressure adjusting unit so that the pressure in the waste liquid tank becomes a predetermined pressure corresponding to the number of opened. A flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the functional liquid flowing into each of the waste liquid tanks by suction;
9. The suction according to claim 8, wherein each of the control units controls the pressure adjusting unit so that a flow rate of the functional liquid flowing into each of the waste liquid tanks becomes a predetermined flow rate corresponding to the open number. apparatus. The plurality of suction means is composed of two suction means,
One of the suction means is for sucking the caps in close contact with the functional liquid droplet ejection heads,
11. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the other suction means is for sucking each cap in a state of being separated from each functional liquid droplet ejection head. A drawing means for performing drawing by discharging functional liquid droplets from each of the functional liquid droplet discharge heads while moving the plurality of functional liquid droplet discharge heads with respect to a workpiece;
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus comprising: the suction device according to claim 1. A plurality of flushing receiving means for receiving a discharge from the plurality of functional liquid droplet discharge heads;
13. The droplet discharge device according to claim 12, wherein the flushing receiving means is connected to any one of the plurality of suction means via a waste liquid pipe.

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