JP2010274211A - Method for controlling ink jet device, and ink jet device for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for controlling an ink jet device, capable of accurately keeping constant the supply pressure of a functional liquid to a functional droplet delivery head by absorbing pressure drop in a supply channel that is fluctuated in accordance with the drawing, and an ink jet device for the same. <P>SOLUTION: The method for controlling a droplet delivery device 1 is employed to supply the functional liquid to the functional droplet delivery head 14 from a sub-tank 46 through a downstream functional liquid channel 48 in accordance with the droplet delivery of the functional droplet delivery head 14 that draws a picture in an ink jet system, wherein the supply pressure of the functional liquid that is introduced into the sub-tank 46 is being varied so as to exclude the affection of the pressure drop in the downstream functional liquid channel 48 that is fluctuated in accordance with an increase/a decrease in droplet delivery amount of the functional droplet delivery head 14, is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of controlling an ink jet apparatus that supplies a functional liquid from a functional liquid tank to a functional liquid droplet ejection head via a supply flow path along with the liquid droplet ejection of a functional liquid droplet ejection head that performs drawing by an ink jet method, and an ink jet It relates to the device.

Conventionally, as a control method of this type of ink jet device, a method of supplying a functional liquid to a functional liquid droplet ejection head using a natural water head from a sub tank (functional liquid tank) installed at a predetermined height position is known. (See Patent Document 1).
In this case, the functional liquid sent from the main tank to the sub-tank by the pressure liquid feeding device is pressure-cut by the sub-tank, and then pumped by the liquid droplet ejection (drawing) of the functional liquid ejection head. Gravity is supplied from the sub tank to the functional droplet discharge head via

JP 2003-320302 A

  However, in such a functional liquid supply method, since functional droplets are selectively ejected from a plurality of nozzles of the functional liquid droplet ejection head and drawing is performed, the flow rate of the functional liquid flowing through the tube changes with the drawing content. At the same time, the pressure loss due to the tube changes. That is, the pressure loss of the tube fluctuates with the increase / decrease of the droplet discharge flow rate, so that the supply pressure to the functional droplet discharge head is changed and the functional liquid is not discharged according to the set value.

  The present invention relates to a method for controlling an ink jet apparatus and an ink jet apparatus capable of absorbing the pressure loss of a supply flow path that fluctuates with drawing and making the supply pressure of a functional liquid to a functional liquid droplet ejection head constant accurately. It is an issue to provide.

  The ink jet apparatus control method according to the present invention is an ink jet that supplies a functional liquid from a functional liquid tank to a functional liquid droplet ejection head via a supply channel along with the liquid droplet ejection of a functional liquid droplet ejection head that performs drawing by an ink jet method. A control method of the apparatus, wherein the functional liquid supply pressure introduced into the functional liquid tank is reduced so as to eliminate the influence of the pressure loss of the supply flow path that fluctuates with the increase or decrease of the droplet discharge flow rate of the functional liquid droplet discharge head. It is variable.

  An inkjet apparatus according to the present invention includes a functional liquid tank that supplies a functional liquid to a functional liquid droplet ejection head along with the liquid droplet ejection of the functional liquid droplet ejection head that performs drawing by an ink jet method, and the functional liquid tank and the functional liquid droplet ejection. The function liquid supply flow path for connecting the head, the supply pressure adjusting means for adjusting the function liquid supply pressure in the function liquid tank, and the supply pressure adjusting means are controlled to control the droplet discharge flow rate of the function droplet discharge head. And a control means for varying the functional liquid supply pressure so as to eliminate the influence of the pressure loss of the supply flow path that fluctuates with the increase / decrease.

  According to these configurations, for example, when the droplet discharge flow rate of the functional droplet discharge head increases, the function liquid supply pressure introduced into the function liquid tank is adjusted to be high by the supply pressure adjusting means, Eliminate the effects of pressure loss in the supply flow path. In addition, when the droplet discharge flow rate of the functional droplet discharge head decreases, the supply pressure adjusting means adjusts the functional liquid supply pressure introduced into the functional liquid tank to a low level, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the supply flow path. Eliminate the impact. That is, by adjusting the functional liquid supply pressure introduced into the functional liquid tank by the supply pressure adjusting means, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the pressure loss of the supply flow path caused by the liquid droplet discharge. The functional liquid is supplied to the head at a constant pressure, and the functional liquid can be discharged according to a set value.

  In this case, it is preferable that the droplet discharge flow rate is calculated based on drawing data for driving the functional droplet discharge head.

  In this case, it is preferable that the control unit includes a discharge amount calculation unit that calculates a droplet discharge flow rate based on drawing data for driving the functional droplet discharge head.

  According to these configurations, since the droplet discharge flow rate of the functional liquid is calculated based on the drawing data (discharge amount calculation means), the functional liquid introduced into the functional liquid tank based on the calculated droplet discharge flow rate If the supply pressure is adjusted, the control responsiveness does not become a problem, and the supply pressure to the functional liquid droplet ejection head can be controlled with high accuracy.

  In this case, the supply pressure adjusting means includes one end communicated with the upper space of the functional liquid tank and the other end communicated with the compressed gas source, and the tank pressure adjusting means provided in the compressed gas passage. It is preferable to have

  According to this configuration, the internal pressure in the functional liquid tank can be easily controlled by controlling the tank internal pressure adjusting means, and the supply pressure to the functional liquid droplet ejection head can be controlled easily and accurately. Can do. When the functional liquid tank is provided at a higher position than the functional liquid droplet ejection head, the pressure of the compressed gas is adjusted and negative pressure is supplied to the functional liquid tank using an ejector or the like. On the other hand, when the functional liquid tank is provided at a low position, the compressed gas is decompressed and the positive pressure is supplied to the functional liquid tank.

It is a perspective view of a droplet discharge device. It is a top view of a droplet discharge device. It is a side view of a droplet discharge device. It is an external appearance perspective view of a carriage. It is a front and back external perspective view of a functional liquid droplet ejection head. It is a schematic diagram of a functional liquid supply apparatus. It is a schematic diagram around a sub tank. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between pressure loss and functional liquid supply pressure. It is a flowchart for adjusting a functional liquid supply pressure.

  Hereinafter, a method for controlling a droplet discharge device (inkjet device) and a droplet discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This droplet discharge apparatus control method eliminates the influence of pressure loss of the downstream functional liquid flow path (supply flow path) that fluctuates with the liquid droplet discharge by the ink jet type functional liquid droplet discharge head. In this method, the functional liquid is supplied to the droplet discharge head at a constant pressure. In addition, this liquid droplet ejection device is incorporated in a flat panel display production line. For example, a liquid crystal display device using a functional liquid droplet ejection head into which a special liquid such as special ink or a light-emitting resin liquid is introduced. The light emitting element to be each pixel of the color filter and the organic EL device is formed. First, the droplet discharge device will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the droplet discharge device 1 is disposed on an X-axis support base 11 supported by a stone surface plate, and extends in the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, to extend a workpiece W. Is disposed on a pair of Y-axis support bases 13 that are bridged across the X-axis table 2 via a plurality of columns 12 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 14; , Is composed of. Further, the droplet discharge device 1 includes a chamber 5 that houses these devices in an atmosphere in which temperature and humidity are controlled, and a functional liquid that passes through the chamber 5 and supplies the functional liquid to the functional droplet discharge head 14. And a supply unit 6. In addition, a tank cabinet 7 for storing a main tank 49 and the like for storing the functional liquid is provided on a part of the side wall of the chamber 5. The liquid droplet ejection device 1 is supplied from the functional liquid supply unit 6 by driving the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 based on the drawing data in synchronization with the driving of the X-axis table 2 and the Y-axis table 3. R, G, and B3 functional droplets are ejected to draw a predetermined drawing pattern on the workpiece W.

  The droplet discharge device 1 includes a maintenance device 8 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 14. The function of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 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 area where the X-axis table 2 and the Y-axis table 3 intersect, and the Y-axis table 3 and the maintenance device 8 (suction unit) 16, the carriage unit 4 faces the area where the wiping unit 17) intersects, and the function of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 is maintained and recovered.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the X-axis table 2 includes a set table 21 that sucks and sets the workpiece W, an X-axis first slider 22 that slidably supports the set table 21 in the X-axis direction, and the above-described configuration. An X-axis second slider 23 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 the X-axis first slider 22 and the X-axis second slider 23 are X A pair of left and right X-axis linear motors (not shown) that move in the axial direction.

  The Y-axis table 3 includes 13 bridge plates 24 each having 13 carriage units 4 suspended therein, 13 sets of Y-axis sliders (not shown) that support the bridge plates 24 in both ends, and a pair of Y-axis tables. A pair of Y-axis linear motors (not shown) are provided on the shaft support base 13 and move the bridge plate 24 in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the Y-axis table 3 performs sub-scanning of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 during drawing via each carriage unit 4 and causes the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 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.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each carriage unit 4 includes three color droplets of R, G, and B, each of four (total 12) functional droplet ejection heads 14 and 12 functional droplet ejection heads 14. A head unit 26 including a head plate 25 that is supported in two groups is provided. Each carriage unit 4 includes a θ rotation mechanism 28 that supports the head unit 26 so as to be capable of θ correction (θ rotation), and a suspension member 29 that supports the head unit 26 on the bridge plate 24 via the θ rotation mechanism 28. (Both see FIG. 3). In addition, each carriage unit 4 is provided with a sub tank 46 (functional liquid tank: see FIG. 1) for temporarily storing the functional liquid (actually disposed on the bridge plate 24). By adjusting the pressure of the compressed nitrogen gas introduced into the sub tank 46 (functional liquid supply pressure) based on the drawn data, the functional liquid is supplied to each functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 at a constant negative pressure. (Details will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 is a so-called double ink jet head, which is a functional liquid introduction part 31 having two connection needles 34, and a double head connected to the functional liquid introduction part 31. A substrate 32 and a head main body 33 that discharges the functional liquid connected to the head substrate 32 are provided (see FIG. 5A). The functional liquid introduction unit 31 has two connection needles 34 corresponding to the number of nozzle rows 39, and the functional liquid from the sub tank 46 is supplied via a downstream functional liquid channel 48 described later. It is like that. The head body 33 includes a double cavity 35 constituted by a piezoelectric element and a nozzle plate 36 having a nozzle surface 38 on which a plurality of discharge nozzles 37 are formed. A large number of discharge nozzles 37 formed on the nozzle surface 38 of the nozzle plate 36 constitute two nozzle rows 39 arranged in parallel with each other and shifted by a half nozzle pitch position. , 180 discharge nozzles 37 arranged at an equal pitch (see FIG. 5B). When the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 is driven to be ejected, the functional liquid droplets are ejected from the ejection nozzle 37 in a drawing pattern based on the drawing data by the pump action of the cavity 35. That is, the functional liquid ejection amount ejected from each functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 changes every moment depending on the drawing data.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the functional liquid supply unit 6 includes three sets of functional liquid supply devices 41 corresponding to the three colors. The functional liquid supply unit 6 supplies a nitrogen gas supply facility (gas supply source) 42 for supplying compressed nitrogen gas for control to the main tank 49, the sub tank 46 and the like, and supplies compressed air for control to various on-off valves. Compressed air supply equipment 43 and gas exhaust equipment 44 for exhausting gas from each part are provided. The three sets of functional liquid supply devices 41 are connected to the functional liquid droplet ejection heads 14 corresponding to the R, G, and B colors, respectively. Functional fluid is supplied.

  Each functional liquid supply device 41 includes a tank unit 45 having two main tanks 49 and 49 constituting a functional liquid supply source, 13 sub tanks 46 provided corresponding to each carriage unit 4, and a tank unit 45. And an upstream functional liquid channel 47 that connects each sub tank 46 and a downstream functional liquid channel (supply channel) 48 that connects each sub tank 46 and each functional liquid droplet ejection head 14. The functional liquid in each main tank 49 is pressurized by compressed nitrogen gas from the nitrogen gas supply equipment 42 connected thereto, and selectively supplied to the 13 sub-tanks 46 via the upstream-side functional liquid channel 47. The At that time, the various on-off valves are controlled to open and close by compressed air from the compressed air supply equipment 43. Each sub tank 46 is opened to the atmosphere via the gas exhaust facility 44 and receives the functional liquid. The functional liquid in each sub tank 46 is supplied to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 at a constant pressure by adjusting the pressure of the compressed nitrogen gas introduced into the sub tank 46.

  The upstream functional liquid channel 47 includes a main upstream channel 51 having an upstream end connected to the tank unit 45, a 13-branch channel 52 having an upstream end connected to the main upstream channel 51, and a 13-branch upstream end. 13 branch flow paths 53 connected to the flow path 52 and connected at the downstream end to the sub-tank 46 are configured. The functional liquid supplied from the tank unit 45 is branched into 13 by the 13-branch flow path 52 and is supplied to each sub tank 46. The downstream functional liquid channel 48 includes a main downstream channel 54 having an upstream end connected to the sub-tank 46, a four-branch channel 55 having an upstream end connected to the main downstream channel 54, and a four-branch flow upstream. It is composed of four individual channels 56 connected to the channel 55 and connected at the downstream end to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14. The functional liquid from the sub-tank 46 is branched into four by the four-branch channel 55 and supplied to each functional liquid droplet ejection head 14.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-tank 46 includes a sub-tank main body 61 that temporarily stores functional liquid, a lid float 62 that is dropped on the sub-tank main body 61 and floats like a lid, and a transparent that is connected to the side of the sub-tank main body 61. A liquid column pipe 63, a liquid level detection mechanism 64 that faces the liquid column pipe 63 and detects the liquid level of the stored functional liquid, a liquid pressure sensor 65 disposed at a lower side of the sub tank main body 61, It has. A nitrogen gas supply facility 42 and a gas exhaust facility 44 are connected to the sub tank 46 via a ventilation tube 66, and the sub tank main body 61 is opened to the atmosphere and functions when liquid is supplied from the main tank 49. The pressure can be controlled when supplying the liquid.

  The ventilation tube 66 includes a main ventilation tube 71 having one end communicating with the upper space of the sub-tank main body 61, and a supply tube 72 communicating with the nitrogen gas supply equipment 42 via the two-branch joint 74 that is connected to the main ventilation tube 71. And an exhaust tube 73 communicated with the gas exhaust facility 44. An exhaust opening / closing valve 75 is interposed in the exhaust tube 73, a supply opening / closing valve 76 is provided in the supply tube 72, an ejector 77 connected to the nitrogen gas supply facility 42, and an amount of compressed nitrogen gas sent to the ejector 77 is adjusted. And a regulator (tank pressure adjusting means) 78 is interposed. In the embodiment, since the sub-tank 46 is installed at a sufficiently high position with respect to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14, the nitrogen gas whose pressure is adjusted by the regulator 78 is mainly used as the primary fluid via the ejector 77. Thus, the secondary side, that is, the negative pressure is applied to the sub tank 46. The exhaust opening / closing valve 75, the supply opening / closing valve 76, and the regulator 78 are connected to a control device 79 that controls the entire droplet discharge device 1, and are controlled by the control device 79. Note that the compressed gas flow path referred to in the claims includes a main ventilation tube 71 and a supply tube 72.

  When supplying the functional liquid from the subtank 46 to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14, the exhaust on-off valve 75 is closed and the supply on-off valve 76 is opened so that the amount of compressed nitrogen gas from the nitrogen gas supply equipment 42 is opened. Is adjusted by the regulator 78 to eliminate the influence of the pressure loss that occurs in the downstream functional liquid channel 48 due to the liquid droplet ejection by the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14. The supply pressure adjusting means described in the claims includes a hydraulic pressure sensor 65, an ejector 77, and a regulator 78.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the control device 79 adjusts the negative pressure introduced into the sub tank 46 by adjusting the pressure of the compressed nitrogen gas based on the drawing data described above. Specifically, the control device 79 calculates the droplet discharge flow rate of the functional liquid discharged from each functional droplet discharge head 14 from the drawing data (discharge amount calculation means) (S1). Next, in the downstream functional liquid flow path 48 (the flow path (including tubes and joints) from the sub tank 46 to each functional liquid droplet discharge head 14 (cavity 35)) corresponding to the calculated droplet discharge flow rate. The pressure loss (see the solid line in FIG. 8) is calculated (S2). Then, an adjustment pressure (S3) in the sub tank 46 necessary for eliminating the influence of this pressure loss is obtained, and an introduction pressure (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8) that takes into account the adjustment pressure into the sub tank 46 is calculated (see FIG. 8). S4). That is, the control device 79 adjusts the regulator 78 so as to achieve the calculated introduction pressure in synchronization with the progress of the drawing data. As described above, the adjustment of the regulator 78 is the adjustment of the strength of the negative pressure of the introduction pressure applied to the sub tank 46 (S5). This process is continuously performed over time until the drawing data is completed (S6). As a result, the functional liquid is supplied to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 at a constant pressure (see the broken line in FIG. 8). That is, the control device 79 applies an ideal supply pressure (refer to the broken line in FIG. 8) when the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 is not driven to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 that is ejected based on the drawing data. The pressure of the compressed nitrogen gas introduced into the sub tank 46 is adjusted so that it is always applied.

  Furthermore, the adjusted pressure in the sub tank 46 may be detected by the hydraulic pressure sensor 65, and the regulator 78 may be feedback controlled (corrected) (S7 and S8). Thereby, the adjustment pressure can be adjusted with higher accuracy (in the present embodiment, the ideal supply pressure to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 is adjusted to be −25 mmHg. The compressed nitrogen gas pressure introduced into the sub tank 46 may be adjusted in accordance with the control table in accordance with the ejection drive of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14 by creating a control table in advance based on the drawing data.

  According to the above configuration, by adjusting the pressure of the compressed nitrogen gas introduced into the sub tank 46, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the pressure loss of the downstream functional liquid channel 48. The functional liquid is supplied at a constant pressure, and the functional liquid can be discharged according to the set value. Moreover, in the droplet discharge device 1, since the functional liquid is discharged with high accuracy according to the set value, the drawing accuracy can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the sub tank 46 is provided at a position sufficiently higher than the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14. However, when the sub tank 46 is provided at a position lower than the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14. The ejector 77 is omitted, and compressed nitrogen gas is directly introduced into the sub tank 46, and the pressure in the sub tank 46 is adjusted by the regulator 78, thereby adjusting the supply pressure to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 14. In this case, the supply pressure adjusting means of the claims is constituted by the regulator 78 and applies a positive pressure to the sub tank 46.

  Further, the supply pressure adjusting means of the present invention may be constituted by a small cylinder mechanism connected to the upper space of the sub tank main body 61 (not shown). In such a case, the pressure in the sub tank 46 is adjusted (excludes pressure loss) by moving the piston back and forth with respect to the cylinder by an actuator connected to the control device 79.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Droplet discharge device 14 ... Functional droplet discharge head 46 ... Sub tank 48 ... Downstream side functional liquid flow path 65 ... Fluid pressure sensor 71 ... Main ventilation tube 72 ... Supply tube 77 ... Ejector 78 ... Regulator 79 ... Control device

Claims (5)

A method of controlling an ink jet apparatus that supplies a functional liquid from a functional liquid tank to a functional liquid droplet ejection head via a supply flow path along with a liquid droplet ejection of a functional liquid droplet ejection head that performs drawing by an inkjet method,
The function liquid supply pressure introduced into the function liquid tank is varied so as to eliminate the influence of the pressure loss of the supply flow path that fluctuates with an increase or decrease in the droplet discharge flow rate of the function liquid droplet discharge head. A method for controlling an inkjet apparatus.   The method of controlling an ink jet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the droplet discharge flow rate is calculated based on drawing data for driving the functional droplet discharge head. A functional liquid tank that supplies a functional liquid to the functional liquid droplet ejection head along with the liquid droplet ejection of the functional liquid droplet ejection head that performs drawing by an inkjet method;
A supply path for the functional liquid that connects the functional liquid tank and the functional liquid droplet ejection head;
Supply pressure adjusting means for adjusting the functional liquid supply pressure in the functional liquid tank;
The function liquid supply pressure is varied so as to control the supply pressure adjusting means and eliminate the influence of the pressure loss of the supply flow path that fluctuates with the increase / decrease of the droplet discharge flow rate of the functional droplet discharge head. An ink jet apparatus comprising: a control unit; The supply pressure adjusting means has one end communicating with the upper space of the functional liquid tank and the other end communicating with a compressed gas source,
The inkjet apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a tank internal pressure adjusting unit interposed in the compressed gas flow path.   5. The control unit according to claim 3, further comprising: a discharge amount calculation unit that calculates the droplet discharge flow rate based on drawing data for driving the functional droplet discharge head. The inkjet apparatus as described.

Images