JP2011183647A - Countersunk hole plate for longitudinal inkjet head, and apparatus and method for sticking countersunk hole plate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect a nozzle face of a longitudinal line head formed by connecting short length head modules, and to enable to smoothly wipe by absorbing a step difference so as to make a surface become even if the step difference arises between nozzle faces of respective short length head modules. <P>SOLUTION: A countersunk hole plate for the longitudinal inkjet head is formed by providing such a length that has approximately the same or larger length of the longitudinal inkjet head constituted by arranging horizontally in a line a plurality of short length inkjet head modules having each a nozzle face on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged, and a width larger than the width of the longitudinal inkjet head, and has countersunk holes formed by having openings larger than the diameters of the nozzles at positions corresponding to respective nozzles, wherein the countersunk holes are positioned so as to include the nozzles therein, and is stuck on the whole face of the nozzle face of the longitudinal inkjet head so as to make the surface after sticking become even. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a counterbore plate for long ink jet heads, a counterbore plate attaching apparatus, and a method, and more particularly, only a nozzle portion of a long ink jet head configured by arranging a plurality of short ink jet head modules in a horizontal row. The present invention relates to a counterbore plate for a long inkjet head that is attached so as to be completely covered from above in an opened state, an attaching device thereof, and an attaching method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an ink jet head (droplet discharge head) that performs recording by supplying ink to a nozzle and discharging the ink as a fine droplet from the nozzle toward a recording medium is known. Further, while relatively moving such an inkjet head in which a large number of nozzles are arranged and a recording medium, ink is ejected as droplets from the nozzles according to image data (printing data), and an image is formed on the recording medium. An ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet printer) is known as an image forming apparatus that forms the image.

  The inkjet recording device uses a serial (shuttle type) head that performs recording while reciprocating a short inkjet head in the width direction of the recording medium, and supports the entire length corresponding to the maximum width of the recording medium. A long line head in which nozzles are arranged is known.

  At this time, in the case of using the serial type head, every time one to several lines are recorded by scanning in the width direction of the recording medium, the recording medium is recorded by the number of lines recorded in one scan in the direction orthogonal to the width direction. It is only transported relative to the serial type head. Therefore, complicated scanning control is required between the short head and the recording medium.

  On the other hand, in the case of using a long line head, an image can be recorded on the entire surface of the recording medium only by relatively scanning the recording medium in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. In this case, complicated scanning control is not required, and higher-speed recording is possible.

  However, in a long line head, there are problems that the number of nozzles increases in the manufacturing process, yield decreases, and a cumulative pitch error tends to increase in processing. Therefore, it is known that a long line head is configured by arranging a plurality of short heads (head modules) in a horizontal row and positioning and connecting them with high accuracy.

  In such a long head formed by combining a plurality of short heads (head modules), if the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles go around and accumulate in the gaps between the short head modules, the recording surface of the recording medium is soiled. The image quality may be degraded. On the other hand, in order to protect the nozzle surface and seal the gaps between the head modules, it is conceivable to attach a protective plate (or protective film) so as to cover the entire surface of the head nozzle surface.

  For example, a protective member that covers and protects the nozzle surface of a single inkjet head is provided, and a through hole larger than the discharge hole is provided in the protective member at a position facing the discharge hole, and the nozzle is pushed out from the discharge hole. By collecting the collected ink in the through hole and sucking the ink stored in the through hole, foreign matter and the like adhering to the vicinity of the discharge hole is sucked and removed together with the ink to prevent the occurrence of printing defects and An ink jet recording apparatus is known in which a nozzle surface is protected from damage due to contact or collision of a recording medium with the nozzle surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-338244 A

  However, when a long line head is formed by connecting a plurality of short head modules, it is difficult to smoothly connect the nozzle surfaces of each short head module during the assembly, and there is a step between each short head module. Can be done. When a protective member (plate or film) that covers the entire surface of the long line head formed in this way is attached to the nozzle surface in the same manner as described in Patent Document 1 above. If there is a step between the nozzle surfaces of each short head module constituting the long head, the protective member attached to the step also causes a step on the surface. At this time, for example, if wiping with a blade from the top of the protective member, the steps and gaps between the head modules will rattle and the wiping will not be smooth, and the wiped ink will be collected in these stepped parts etc. Therefore, there is a problem that an image defect is caused by the ink accumulated in these stepped portions and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and protects the ink from entering the gaps between the short head modules of the long line head formed by connecting the short head modules, and the short head modules. Provided are a counterbore plate for a long inkjet head, a counterbore plate attaching device, and a method capable of smooth wiping by absorbing the step even if a step occurs between the nozzle surfaces of the nozzles and smoothing the surface. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is substantially the same as the length of a long ink jet head configured by arranging a plurality of short ink jet head modules having a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a horizontal row. It has a larger length and a width larger than the width of the long inkjet head, and has counterbore holes formed with openings larger than the diameter of the nozzles at positions corresponding to the nozzles. The counterbored hole is positioned so as to include the nozzle therein, and is attached to the entire nozzle surface of the long inkjet head so that the surface after application is flat. A counterbore plate for a long inkjet head is provided.

  This protects the nozzle surface of the long line head formed by connecting the short head modules, and absorbs the level difference between the nozzle surfaces of each short head module so that the surface becomes flat. And smooth wiping is possible.

  Further, as shown in claim 2, the thickness of the adhesive applied in accordance with the step is changed so as to absorb the step between the nozzle surfaces of each short ink jet head module constituting the long ink jet head. Thus, the surface after the pasting is made flat.

  As a result, even if a step is generated between the nozzle surfaces of each short head module, smooth wiping is possible by absorbing the step and flattening the surface.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an end surface of the long ink jet head is formed with a portion having a length larger than the length of the long ink jet head and a width larger than the width of the long ink jet head. It can be bent to the side or the side.

  Thereby, it can protect so that an ink may not penetrate | invade into the clearance gap between each short head module of the long line head formed by connecting the short head module.

  Further, as shown in claim 4, as the material, either polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate or stainless steel is used.

  Thereby, it can apply | coat by changing the thickness of an adhesive agent easily according to the shape of the detected level | step difference.

  Similarly, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 5 is an example of a long inkjet head in which a plurality of short inkjet head modules each having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged are arranged in a horizontal row. A level difference measuring means for measuring a level difference on the nozzle surface between the short inkjet head modules and a counterbored plate having a counterbore hole formed with an opening larger than the diameter of the nozzle at a position corresponding to each nozzle. Measured by the step measuring means, the conveying means, the adhesive applying means for applying an adhesive to the adhesive surface of the counterbore plate that adheres to the nozzle face of each short ink jet head module constituting the long ink jet head, and the step measuring means According to the step between the nozzle surfaces of each of the short inkjet head modules, the step An adhesive thickness adjusting means for changing the thickness of the adhesive applied to the counterbored plate so as to absorb the adhesive, and the long inkjet head so that the nozzle surface of the elongated inkjet head faces the adhesive surface of the counterbored plate A long inkjet head moving means that moves the opposed inkjet plate to face the counterbore plate, and the long inkjet head so that the position of the step and the thickness of the adhesive corresponding to the step substantially coincide with each other. Positioning control means for controlling the long inkjet head moving means so as to move in accordance with conveyance, so that the surface of the counterbore plate after bonding to the nozzle surface of the long inkjet head becomes flat The counterbore plate is attached to the long inkjet head. Providing counterbore plate applier for a long ink jet head.

  This protects the nozzle surface of the long line head formed by connecting the short head modules, and absorbs the level difference between the nozzle surfaces of each short head module so that the surface becomes flat. And smooth wiping is possible.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive, and further includes an ultraviolet light source for curing the adhesive.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive that can be cured by heating, and further includes an ultraviolet light source and heating means for curing the adhesive.

  Thereby, it is possible to cure the adhesive immediately after bonding, and to prevent the adhesive from protruding excessively.

  Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 8 is the length of a long inkjet head in which a plurality of short inkjet head modules each having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged are arranged in a horizontal row. And a counterbore hole formed with an opening larger than the diameter of the nozzle at a position corresponding to each nozzle. A step between the nozzle surfaces of each of the short inkjet head modules is measured on the counterbore plate, and an adhesive having a thickness corresponding to the step is absorbed so as to absorb the step obtained by the measurement. Apply to the position corresponding to the step on the adhesive surface of the plate, align the long inkjet head and the counterbore plate As the surface of the counterbore plate after bonding is flat, providing a long ink jet head countersunk plate paste wherein the paste the counterbore plate to the nozzle face.

  This protects the nozzle surface of the long line head formed by connecting the short head modules, and absorbs the level difference between the nozzle surfaces of each short head module so that the surface becomes flat. And smooth wiping is possible.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a portion of the counterbore plate that is larger than the length of the long inkjet head and a portion that is larger than the width of the long inkjet head are arranged on the end surface side or side surface side of the long inkjet head. It is characterized by the fact that it is bent.

  Thereby, it can protect so that an ink may not penetrate | invade into the clearance gap between each short head module of the long line head formed by connecting the short head module.

  Further, according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive is a silicone adhesive.

  Thus, by using a soft adhesive, it becomes easy to apply the adhesive to a thickness corresponding to the level difference of the nozzle surface.

  In addition, as shown in claim 11, the adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive, and the counterbore plate is bonded to the long inkjet head and then cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays. And

  In addition, as shown in claim 12, the adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive that can be cured by heating. After the counterbore plate is bonded to the long inkjet head, the adhesive is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and heated. It is characterized by being cured.

  Thereby, it is possible to cure the adhesive immediately after bonding, and to prevent the adhesive from protruding excessively.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the nozzle surface of the long line head formed by connecting the short head modules is protected, and even if a step occurs between the nozzle surfaces of each short head module, the step is absorbed. Thus, smooth wiping is possible by making the surface flat.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus including an inkjet head to which a counterbore plate for a long inkjet head according to the present invention is applied. It is a principal block diagram showing the system configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus. It is a top view which shows a mode that a long inkjet head is formed by connecting several short head modules in a horizontal direction, (a) shows the short head module used as one unit which comprises a long inkjet head, (b ) Shows a long inkjet head constructed by connecting a plurality of short head modules. It is a top view which shows a counterbore plate. It is the top view which stuck the counterbore plate on the nozzle surface of a long inkjet head, and was seen from the nozzle surface side. It is a top view which shows a mode that the area | region of the width direction both ends of a counterbore plate is bend | folded to the side surface side of a long inkjet head. It is a side view which shows a mode that the area | region of the width direction both ends of a counterbore plate is bend | folded to the side surface side of a long inkjet head. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the area | region of the width direction both ends of a counterbore plate is bend | folded to the side surface side of a long inkjet head. It is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus for affixing a counterbore plate to the nozzle surface of the long inkjet head comprised by the some short head module. It is a top view which shows a mode that the adhesive agent protruded from the counterbore hole is hardened and the protrusion beyond it is prevented.

  Hereinafter, a counterbore plate for a long inkjet head, a counterbore plate attaching apparatus, and a method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus including an inkjet head to which a counterbore plate for a long inkjet head according to the present invention is applied.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 100 ejects a plurality of colors of ink from ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y onto a recording surface of a recording medium 124 held on an impression cylinder (drawing drum 170) of the drawing unit 116, and performs desired printing. It is an impression cylinder direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus for forming a color image.

  The ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the counterbore plate for a long ink jet head of the present invention is applied is not particularly limited, but here, a case where an aqueous ultraviolet curable ink is used will be described as an example.

  Furthermore, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment applies a treatment liquid (including an aggregating agent that agglomerates components in the ink composition) onto the recording medium 124 before ink ejection, and the treatment liquid and the ink liquid are applied. An on-demand type image forming apparatus to which a two-liquid reaction (aggregation) method for forming an image on the recording medium 124 by reacting is applied, but the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied is limited to this. is not.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 mainly includes a paper feed unit 112, a treatment liquid application unit 114, a drawing unit 116, a drying unit 118, a fixing unit 120, and a paper discharge unit 122.

  The paper feeding unit 112 is a mechanism that supplies the recording medium 124 to the processing liquid application unit 114, and the recording medium 124 that is a sheet is stacked on the paper feeding unit 112. The paper feed unit 112 is provided with a paper feed tray 150, and the recording medium 124 is fed from the paper feed tray 150 to the processing liquid application unit 114 one by one. In order to prevent the recording medium 124 from being lifted, the paper feed tray 150 may be provided with a suction hole on the outer surface, and a suction unit that performs suction from the suction hole may be connected.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality of types of recording media 124 having different paper types and sizes (paper sizes) can be used as the recording medium 124. A mode is also possible in which a plurality of paper trays (not shown) are provided in the paper feed unit 112 to distinguish and collect various recording media and the paper to be fed to the paper feed tray 150 is automatically switched from among the plurality of paper trays. In addition, a mode is also possible in which the operator selects or replaces the paper tray as necessary. In this example, a sheet (cut paper) is used as the recording medium 124, but a configuration in which continuous paper (roll paper) is cut to a required size and fed is also possible.

  The processing liquid application unit 114 is a mechanism that applies the processing liquid to the recording surface of the recording medium 124. The treatment liquid includes an aggregating agent that agglomerates the components in the ink composition applied by the drawing unit 116, and causes an aggregation reaction with the ink when the treatment liquid comes into contact with the ink. Separation is promoted, and it is possible to form a high-quality image without causing blurring after ink landing, landing interference (unification), or color mixing. In addition, as a process liquid, it can also comprise using another component other than a coagulant | flocculant as needed. By using the treatment liquid together with the ink composition, it is possible to increase the speed of ink jet recording, and an image with excellent density and resolution can be obtained even with high speed recording (for example, reproducibility of fine lines and fine portions).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the treatment liquid application unit 114 includes a paper feed drum 152, a treatment liquid drum 154, and a treatment liquid application device 156. The treatment liquid drum 154 is a drum that holds and rotates the recording medium 124. The processing liquid drum 154 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 155 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the recording medium 124 is sandwiched between the claw of the holding means 155 and the peripheral surface of the processing liquid drum 154. The tip can be held. The treatment liquid drum 154 may be provided with a suction hole on the outer peripheral surface thereof and connected to a suction unit that performs suction from the suction hole. As a result, the recording medium 124 can be held in close contact with the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 154.

  A processing liquid coating device 156 is provided outside the processing liquid drum 154 so as to face the peripheral surface thereof. In the recording medium 124, the processing liquid is applied to the recording surface by the processing liquid application device 156.

  The recording medium 124 to which the processing liquid is applied by the processing liquid applying unit 114 is transferred from the processing liquid drum 154 to the drawing drum 170 of the drawing unit 116 via the intermediate transfer unit 126 (first transfer cylinder transfer unit).

  The drawing unit 116 includes a drawing drum 170 and inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a sheet suppression roller for removing the wrinkles of the recording medium 124 is disposed on the front side of the ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y with respect to the drawing drum 170. Also good.

  Similar to the treatment liquid drum 154, the drawing drum 170 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 171 on its outer peripheral surface, and holds and fixes the leading end of the recording medium. The drawing drum 170 has a plurality of suction holes on the outer peripheral surface, and the recording medium 124 is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 170 by negative pressure. As a result, contact with the head due to paper floating is avoided, and paper jam is prevented. In addition, image unevenness due to fluctuations in the clearance with the head is prevented.

  The recording medium 124 thus fixed to the drawing drum 170 is conveyed with the recording surface facing outward, and water-based ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y onto this recording surface. Is done. The aqueous ultraviolet curable ink contains a pigment, polymer particles, and a water-soluble polymerization compound that is polymerized by active energy rays. Thereby, it can be hardened by irradiating with ultraviolet rays, and has excellent abrasion resistance and high film strength.

  The ink-jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y, which will be described in detail later, are configured by arranging a plurality of short ink-jet head modules side by side to form a long ink-jet head, and the maximum width of the image forming area in the recording medium 124 Is a full-line ink jet recording head (ink jet head) having a length corresponding to. The ink discharge surface (nozzle surface) is configured to form a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ink discharge are arranged over the entire width of the image forming region, and the nozzle surface has a position corresponding to each nozzle portion. A counterbore plate (film) having an opening (borehole) is attached. The inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are installed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 124 (the rotation direction of the drawing drum 170).

  The droplets of the corresponding color ink are ejected from the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y toward the recording surface of the recording medium 124 held in close contact with the drawing drum 170, whereby the processing liquid application unit 114 The ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid previously applied to the recording surface, and the color material (pigment) dispersed in the ink is aggregated to form a color material aggregate. As a result, the color material flow on the recording medium 124 is prevented, and an image is formed on the recording surface of the recording medium 124.

  In this example, the configuration of CMYK standard colors (four colors) is illustrated, but the combination of ink colors and the number of colors is not limited to this embodiment, and light ink, dark ink, and special ink are used as necessary. Color ink may be added. For example, it is possible to add an ink jet head that discharges light ink such as light cyan and light magenta, and the arrangement order of the color heads is not particularly limited.

  The drawing unit 116 configured as described above can perform drawing on the recording medium 124 in a single pass. Thereby, high-speed recording and high-speed output are possible, and productivity can be improved.

  The recording medium 124 on which an image is formed by the drawing unit 116 is transferred from the drawing drum 170 to the drying drum 176 of the drying unit 118 via the intermediate conveyance unit 128 (second transfer cylinder conveyance unit).

  The drying unit 118 is a mechanism that dries moisture contained in the solvent separated by the color material aggregating action, and includes a drying drum 176 and a solvent drying device 178 as shown in FIG.

  Similar to the processing liquid drum 154, the drying drum 176 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 177 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, holds the tip of the recording medium 124 by the holding unit 177, and sucks holes on the outer peripheral surface of the drum. The recording medium 124 can be adsorbed to the drying drum 176 by a negative pressure. Further, an air blowing means 180 (adsorption assisting means) and a solvent drying device 178 are provided so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 176.

  The blowing unit 180 is for assisting the adsorption of the recording medium 124 to the drying drum 176, and blows air obliquely toward the end of the recording medium 124 in the width direction, and the front end thereof is held by the holding unit 177. Is ensured to be sucked from the front end side toward the rear end side without generating wrinkles.

  The solvent drying device 178 is arranged at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 176, and includes hot air drying means 182 in which a plurality of combinations of IR heaters and fans are arranged. Various drying conditions can be realized by appropriately adjusting the temperature and air volume of the hot air blown from each hot air jet nozzle of the hot air drying means 182 toward the recording medium 124. The recording medium 124 is transported while being attracted and restrained to the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 176 so that the recording surface faces outward, and the recording surface is dried by the IR heater and the hot air jet nozzle.

  Further, the drying drum 176 has suction holes on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and has suction means for performing suction from the suction holes. As a result, the recording medium 124 can be held in close contact with the peripheral surface of the drying drum 176. Further, by performing negative pressure suction, the recording medium 124 can be restrained by the drying drum 176, so that the recording medium 124 can be prevented from being clogged.

  The recording medium 124 that has been dried by the drying unit 118 is transferred from the drying drum 176 to the fixing drum 184 of the fixing unit 120 via the intermediate conveyance unit 130 (third transfer cylinder conveyance unit).

  The fixing unit 120 includes a fixing drum 184, a pressure roller 188 (smoothing unit), and an ultraviolet light source 190 (ultraviolet irradiation unit). Like the processing liquid drum 154, the fixing drum 184 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 185 on the outer peripheral surface, and the leading end of the recording medium 124 can be held by the holding unit 185.

  With the rotation of the fixing drum 184, the recording medium 124 is conveyed with the recording surface facing outward. The recording surface is smoothed by the pressing roller 188, and then irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light source 190. Curing / fixing is performed.

  The pressure roller 188 smoothes the recording medium 124 by pressurizing the recording medium 124 dried with ink.

  The ultraviolet light source 190 irradiates the image formed with the aqueous ultraviolet curable ink discharged on the recording medium 124 with ultraviolet rays to fix the ink.

  An in-line sensor that inspects an image formed on the recording medium 124 may be provided so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the fixing drum 184. The in-line sensor is a measuring unit for measuring a check pattern, a moisture content, a surface temperature, a glossiness, and the like for an image fixed on the recording medium 124. For example, a CCD line sensor can be preferably used.

  Subsequent to the fixing unit 120, a paper discharge unit 122 is provided. A paper discharge unit 192 is installed in the paper discharge unit 122. Between the fixing drum 184 and the paper discharge unit 192 of the fixing unit 120, transfer cylinders 194 and 195 and a transport chain 196 are provided. The transport chain 196 is wound around stretching rollers 197 and 198. The recording medium 124 that has passed through the fixing drum 184 is sent to the transport chain 196 via the transfer drums 194 and 195, and is transferred from the transport chain 196 to the paper discharge unit 192.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 of the present example has an ink storage / loading unit that supplies ink to each of the ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y, and a treatment liquid application, in addition to the above configuration. A head maintenance unit for supplying a processing liquid to the unit 114 and cleaning the ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y (wiping, purging, nozzle suction, etc. of the nozzle surface) A position detection sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium 124, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of each part of the apparatus, and the like are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a principal block diagram showing the system configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 100.

  The inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a communication interface 80, a system controller (system controller) 82, an image memory 84, a motor driver 86, a heater driver 88, a print controller 90, a maintenance controller 92, a head driver 94, and the like.

  The communication interface 80 is an interface unit that receives image data sent from the host computer 96. As the communication interface 80, a serial interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless network, or a parallel interface such as Centronics can be applied. In this part, a buffer memory for speeding up communication may be mounted. The image data sent from the host computer 96 is taken into the ink jet recording apparatus 100 via the communication interface 80 and temporarily stored in the image memory 84.

  The image memory 84 is a storage unit that temporarily stores an image input via the communication interface 80, and data is read and written through the system control unit 82. The image memory 84 is not limited to a memory composed of semiconductor elements, and a magnetic medium such as a hard disk may be used.

  The system control unit 82 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits, and functions as a control device that controls the entire inkjet recording apparatus 100 according to a predetermined program, and also functions as an arithmetic device that performs various calculations. To do. That is, the system control unit 82 controls the communication interface 80, the image memory 84, the motor driver 86, the heater driver 88, and the like, and generates control signals for controlling the heater 99 and the host computer 96.

  The image memory 84 stores programs executed by the CPU of the system control unit 82 and various data necessary for control. Note that the image memory 84 may be a non-rewritable storage means or a rewritable storage means such as an EEPROM. The image memory 84 may be used as a temporary storage area for image data, and may be used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU.

  The system control unit 82 is connected to an EEPROM 85 that stores various control programs and an image processing unit 87 that performs various image processes on image data. In response to a command from the system control unit 82, a control program is read from the EEPROM 85 and executed. Note that the EEPROM 85 may also be used as a storage unit for operating parameters and the like.

  The motor driver 86 is a driver that drives the motor 98 in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 82. In FIG. 2, the motor (actuator) disposed in each part of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is represented by reference numeral 98. For example, the motor 98 shown in FIG. 2 includes motors that drive the intermediate transport units 126, 128, and 130, the paper feed drum 152, the processing liquid drum 154, the drawing drum 170, the drying drum 176, and the fixing drum 184 shown in FIG. included.

  The heater driver 88 is a driver that drives the heater 99 in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 82. In FIG. 2, a plurality of heaters provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 100 are represented by reference numeral 99. For example, the heater 99 shown in FIG. 2 includes the heater of the treatment liquid application unit 114 and the IR heater of the drying unit 118 shown in FIG.

  In addition, a maintenance control unit 92 is connected to the system control unit 82. The maintenance control unit 92 controls a maintenance drive unit 93 that drives a maintenance unit (not shown) including a cap and a cleaning blade in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 82.

  The print control unit 90 has a signal processing function for performing various processes and corrections for generating a print control signal from the image data in the image memory 84 under the control of the system control unit 82. The controller is a controller that controls the treatment liquid application driver 95 to apply the treatment liquid from the treatment liquid application device 156 to the recording medium 124 and supplies the generated print data (dot data) to the head driver 94. . Necessary signal processing is performed in the print controller 90, and the ejection droplet amount (droplet ejection amount) and ejection timing of the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y are controlled via the head driver 94 based on the image data. Is done. Thereby, a desired dot size and dot arrangement are realized.

  Further, a UV irradiation means driver 97 for controlling the ultraviolet light source 190 is connected to the system control unit 82.

  Hereinafter, a counterbore plate attached to the entire nozzle surface of a long ink jet head formed by connecting a plurality of short ink jet heads (hereinafter simply referred to as short head modules), which is a point of the present invention, will be described.

  First, in FIG. 3, a plurality of short head modules are connected in the horizontal direction (only five are shown in the figure, but actually a lot more than this, for example, a dozen or so) to form a long inkjet head. Indicates. In the following, since the structures of the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are all the same, they are simply represented by the reference numeral 172 as the long inkjet head 172.

  FIG. 3A shows a short head module 173 as a unit constituting a long ink jet head, and FIG. 3B shows a long ink jet head 172 configured by connecting a plurality of short head modules 173 to each other. Are respectively shown in plan views.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the short head module 173 has a plurality of nozzles 175 formed in a nozzle area 174 at the center of the nozzle surface 173a. In FIG. 3A, the nozzles 175 are arranged in two rows so as to shift the positions of the corresponding nozzles 175 in each row.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the long inkjet head 172 is formed by connecting a plurality of short head modules 173 in a horizontal row. At this time, a gap 172 a exists between the short head modules 173 constituting the long inkjet head 72. Since the nozzle surface of the long inkjet head 172 configured by connecting a plurality of short head modules 173 in this way is constituted by the nozzle surface 173a of each short head module 173, when the nozzle surface of the long inkjet head 172 is referred to The nozzle surface 173a of each short head module 173 is meant.

  FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the counterbore plate. As shown in FIG. 4, the counterbore plate 200 has substantially the same length (the horizontal direction in the figure) as the long inkjet head 172, and the width (the vertical direction in the figure) is larger than the width of the long inkjet head 172. The region 202 inside the broken line shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the nozzle surface 173a of the long inkjet head 172, and the region 203 (at both ends in the width direction) outside the broken line is above and below the nozzle surface 173a of the long inkjet head 172. Rather than stick out. The left and right end portions of the counterbore plate 200 may be sized so as to protrude from both the left and right ends of the long inkjet head 172.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a counterbore hole 204 having an opening several times larger than the diameter of the nozzle 175 is formed in a region 202 inside the broken line of the counterbore plate 200 at a position corresponding to the nozzle 175 of the long inkjet head 172. Is formed.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the counterbore plate 200 attached to the nozzle surface 173a of the long inkjet head 172 formed by the short head module 173 and viewed from the nozzle surface 173a side.

  When the counterbore plate 200 is attached to the long ink jet head 172, the nozzle surface 173a of the long ink jet head 172 is exactly within the region 202 inside the broken line of the counterbore plate 200, and the center of each counterbore hole 204 is Are positioned and pasted so that the center of each nozzle 175 matches as much as possible.

  As described above, the counterbore hole 204 having an opening larger than the diameter of the nozzle 175 is provided at substantially the same position as the nozzle 175, and the counterbore plate 200 having the same length as that of the long ink jet head 172 is provided over the entire width of the long ink jet head 172. Thus, by sticking to the nozzle surface 173a, protection is provided when the paper hits the nozzle surface 173a, and by protecting the gap 172a between the short head modules 173, a special protection against the gap 172a is achieved. No sealant or sealing process is required.

  Further, after the counterbore plate 200 is attached to the nozzle surface 173 a of the long inkjet head 172, an area 203 outside the broken line of the counterbore plate 200 is formed on the side surface side of the long inkjet head 172 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 6. Bend it. Thus, when the counterbore plate 200 protrudes beyond the length of the long inkjet head 172 not only in the width direction but also in the length direction (left and right direction), these left and right end portions are also end surfaces of the long inkjet head 172. Bend it to the side.

  In this way, by bending the end portion of the counterbore plate 200 to the side surface side of the long inkjet head 172 (and also to the end surface side in some cases), there is no need for a particular seal configuration, and between each short head module 173. Ink inflow into the gap 172a can be prevented.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the region 203 outside the broken lines (both ends in the width direction) of the counterbore plate 200 is bent toward the side surface of the long inkjet head 172 as viewed from the side surface of the long inkjet head 172. Further, FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of this when viewed obliquely from above.

  As shown in these drawings, each short head module 173 is fixed to a frame 210 to constitute a long inkjet head 172.

  In addition, a portion surrounded by a broken line A in FIG. Thus, as shown in the broken line B, the counterbore plate 200 is affixed to the nozzle surface 173a of each short head module 173, and the counterbore plate 200 at a position corresponding to each nozzle 175 has a diameter from each nozzle 175. A counterbore 204 having a large opening is formed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of short head modules 173 are fixed by a frame 210 to form a long ink jet head 172, and the counterbore adhered to the nozzle surface 173a (see FIG. 7). Since the regions 203 at both ends in the width direction of the plate 200 are bent toward the side surface of the long inkjet head 172, the gap 172a between the respective short head modules 173 can be closed, so that the ink flows into the gap 172a. Can be prevented.

  Further, when some failure occurs in some of the short head modules 173 constituting the long inkjet head 172 and the present invention is not applied, a sealant for the gap 172a between the short head modules 173 is used. After removing, it is necessary to remove each short head module 173, attach a new short head module and perform sealing again, and the replacement operation of the short head module is very difficult.

  However, when the present invention is applied, when a failure occurs in some of the short head modules 173 in this way, the counterbore plate 200 is removed once and the short head module 173 in which the failure has occurred is replaced. Since it is only necessary to attach the counterbore plate 200 again, the load of the repair process of the short head module 173 can be greatly reduced.

  Further, as the material of the counterbore plate 200, it is desirable that the overall dimensional change due to thermal expansion is close to the linear expansion coefficient of the frame 210 supporting each short head module 173. However, by making the counterbore hole 204 relatively large (100 μm to 200 μmφ), it is possible to absorb the difference in linear expansion between the two.

  Specifically, materials such as PI (polyimide), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and SUS (stainless steel) are suitably used as the material for the counterbore plate 200.

  Also, the counterbore plate 200 can be selected from various materials and added with various functions simply by combining the linear expansion coefficients, and the counterbore plate 200 can be made liquid-repellent or vice versa. It is also possible to realize maintenance-free property by forming a water-absorbing material like that on the surface.

  The counterbore shape does not need to be a circle as shown in FIG. 6 or the like, and may be an ellipse, a rectangle, a polygon, or any other shape.

  FIG. 9 shows a method of attaching the counterbore plate to the nozzle surface in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 9 shows an apparatus configuration for adhering a counterbore plate to the nozzle surface 173a of the long inkjet head 172 constituted by a plurality of short head modules 173 with an adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a counterbore plate (film) 200 is transported in the direction of arrow C in the figure by transport rollers 212 and 214, and the slot die 216 is placed on the back side (bonding side) of the counterbore plate 200 during the transport. Thus, the adhesive 218 is applied and attached to the nozzle surface 173a of the long inkjet head 172.

  At this time, since there is a step between the nozzle surfaces 173a of the short head modules 173 constituting the long inkjet head 172, the adhesive 218 is applied to the counterbore plate 200 with a uniform thickness. If it exists, a level | step difference will also arise in the surface of the counterbore plate 200 after adhesion | attachment.

  Therefore, in order to absorb this step and flatten the surface of the counterbore plate 200 after bonding, the thickness of the adhesive 218 to be applied is changed according to each step.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the device for attaching the counterbore plate includes a step measuring unit 230 and an adhesive thickness adjusting unit 235, and further includes a long head moving unit 240 and an alignment unit 250. Yes.

  When the counterbore plate 200 is attached to the nozzle surface 173a of the long ink jet head 172, the long ink jet head 172 is placed with the nozzle surface facing upward as shown by the arrow D in FIG. While moving from the right side to the left side, the slot die 216 transports the counterbore plate 200 coated with the adhesive 218 with the thickness changed according to each step, and the alignment unit 250 controls the long head moving unit 240. In synchronization, each step and the thickness of the adhesive 218 corresponding thereto are aligned and pasted.

  In order to change the thickness of the adhesive 218 to be applied, according to the level difference measured by the level difference measuring unit 230, the adhesive thickness adjusting unit 235 causes the slot die 216 to be moved forward, backward, left and right as indicated by arrows in the figure. The thickness can be adjusted by moving it.

  The step between the nozzle surfaces 173a of each short head module 173 constituting the long ink jet head 172 is measured by the step measuring means 230. This measurement is performed in advance before the counterbore plate 200 is attached. 172 is measured, the measured data is stored, and when the counterbore plate 200 is pasted, the slot die 216 is moved by the adhesive thickness adjusting means 235 based on the data, and the adhesive 218 to be applied is applied. The thickness may be changed. Alternatively, when the counterbore plate 200 is attached, the step of the nozzle surface 173a of each short head module 173 constituting the long inkjet head 172 is measured in real time by the step measuring unit 230, and the slot thickness is adjusted by the adhesive thickness adjusting unit 235. The gap between 216 and the counterbore plate 200 may be adjusted. At this time, the thicknesses of the reference nozzle surface 173a and the adhesive 218 are set in advance.

  Further, the positions of the conveying rollers 212 and 214 of the counterbored plate 200 are fixed and rotated, and the counterbored plate (film) 200 coated with the adhesive 218 is conveyed by the conveying rollers 212 and 214, A counterbore plate 200 is attached while a long inkjet head 172 composed of a short head module 173 is moved from the right side to the left side by a long head moving means 240. At this time, the positioning unit 250 controls the driving of the long head moving unit 240, and the positioning of each step, the thickness of the adhesive 218 corresponding to the step, and the nozzle 175 and the counterbore hole 204 is performed.

  In this way, adhesion between the counterbore plate 200 (film) and the nozzle surface 173a of the long inkjet head 172 is performed by detecting a step of the nozzle surface 173a between the respective short head modules 173, and a soft adhesive such as silicone, for example. Is applied to the back surface of the counterbore plate 200 so as to be in a tape-like state while the thickness and level difference of the adhesive and the positions of the counterbore hole 204 and the nozzle 175 are aligned.

  Thus, by changing the thickness of the adhesive 218 in accordance with the level difference of the nozzle surface 173a between the respective short head modules 173, the surface of the counterbore plate 200 after bonding can be always flat. As a result, distortion or the like of the counterbore plate 200 can be prevented, and the deviation between the nozzle position and the counterbore hole position can be minimized.

  When the adhesive 218 is applied to the counterbore plate 200, the counterbore 204 is normally opened by the surface tension of the adhesive 218, but after the adhesive 218 is applied to the back side of the counterbore plate 200, Alternatively, air or the like may be blown from the surface side of the counterbore plate 200 to remove the adhesive 218 clogged in the counterbore hole 204, so that the counterbore hole 204 is reliably opened.

  In addition, when the counterbore plate 200 is attached to the nozzle surface 173a, in order to minimize the protrusion of the adhesive 218 from the counterbore hole 204, the adhesive 218 is made of, for example, a UV (ultraviolet curable) material, A UV light source (ultraviolet light source) 220 is disposed immediately downstream of the conveying roller 212 in the counterbore plate conveying direction, and at the same time, the UV light source 220 irradiates and cures the UV light to force further protrusion. A method of stopping is conceivable.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when the counterbore plate 200 having the counterbore holes 204 is attached with the adhesive 218, the adhesive 218 is irradiated with UV light as soon as the adhesive 218 protrudes from the counterbore holes 204. By curing, further protrusion is prevented.

  When a completely transparent material is selected for the counterbore plate 200 (film), it is possible to cure portions other than the counterbore holes 204 at the same time by irradiating the entire area of the counterbore plate 200.

  In addition, when an opaque material such as SUS is selected as the counterbore plate 200, only the adhesive that protrudes into the open part such as the counterbore hole 204 is cured by ultraviolet rays, so that the adhesive can be cured by heating. It is also possible to use a UV curable material and provide a heating means in addition to the UV light source 220, and finally the adhesive curing can be completed by curing by heating.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, since the gap between each short head module is protected in a form surrounded by a counterbore plate, no special sealant or sealing process is required, and the short head By folding the counterbore plate width direction end on the side surface of the module, it is possible to prevent ink from entering the gaps between the short head modules without a seal structure. In addition, by changing the thickness of the adhesive to which the counterbore plate is attached according to the level difference between each short head module, the surface of the counterbore plate can always be flat, preventing distortion of the counterbore plate adhered, The positional deviation between the nozzle and the counterbore hole can be minimized, and the counterbore plate surface is flat, so that the nozzle surface can be wiped smoothly over the entire surface without damaging the nozzle.

  As described above, the counterbore plate for long inkjet head and the counterbore plate attaching apparatus and method of the present invention have been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and in a range not departing from the gist of the present invention, Of course, various improvements and modifications may be made.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Inkjet recording device, 110 ... Level difference measuring means, 112 ... Paper feed unit, 114 ... Processing liquid application unit, 116 ... Drawing unit, 118 ... Drying unit, 120 ... Fixing unit, 122 ... Paper discharge unit, 124 ... Recording medium , 150 ... paper feed tray, 154 ... treatment liquid drum, 156 ... treatment liquid application device, 170 ... drawing drum, 172 ... (long) inkjet head, 173 ... short head module, 173a ... nozzle surface, 175 ... nozzle, 176 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Drying drum, 178 ... Solvent drying apparatus, 180 ... Air blower, 182 ... Hot air drying means, 184 ... Fixing drum, 190 ... Ultraviolet light source, 200 ... Counterbore plate, 203 ... Region (at both ends in the width direction of the counterbore plate), 204 ... counterbore holes, 210 ... (short head module mounting) frame, 216 ... slot die, 218 ... adhesive, 220 ... V light (ultraviolet light)

Claims (12)

A length that is substantially the same as or larger than the length of the long ink jet head constituted by arranging a plurality of short ink jet head modules having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a horizontal row, and a width larger than the width of the long ink jet head. Formed with
Having counterbore holes formed with openings larger than the diameter of the nozzles at positions corresponding to the nozzles,
The counterbore hole is positioned so as to include the nozzle therein, and is attached to the entire nozzle surface of the long inkjet head so that the surface after application is flat. Counterbore plate for long inkjet heads.   The surface after pasting is made flat by changing the thickness of the adhesive applied in accordance with the step so as to absorb the step between the nozzle surfaces of each short ink jet head module constituting the long ink jet head. The counterbore plate for a long inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein   A portion formed to have a length larger than the length of the long ink-jet head and a width larger than the width of the long ink-jet head can be bent to the end face side or the side face side of the long ink-jet head. The counterbore plate for a long inkjet head according to claim 1 or 2.   4. A counterbore plate for a long inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein either polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate or stainless steel is used as the material. A step measuring means for measuring a step on the nozzle surface between each short ink jet head module in a long ink jet head configured by arranging a plurality of short ink jet head modules having a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a horizontal row; and
Conveying means for conveying a counterbore plate having counterbore holes formed with openings larger than the diameter of the nozzles at positions corresponding to the nozzles;
An adhesive application means for applying an adhesive to the adhesive surface of the counterbore plate to be bonded to the nozzle surface of each short inkjet head module constituting the long inkjet head;
An adhesive thickness adjusting means for changing the thickness of the adhesive applied to the counterbore plate so as to absorb the step according to the step between the nozzle surfaces of each short ink jet head module measured by the step measuring means;
A long inkjet head moving means for moving the long inkjet head so as to face the counterbore plate so that the nozzle surface of the long inkjet head faces the adhesive surface of the counterbore plate;
The long ink jet head moving means is controlled so that the long ink jet head moves in accordance with the conveyance of the counterbore plate so that the position of the step and the thickness of the adhesive corresponding to the step substantially coincide with each other. Alignment control means;
A counterbore for a long inkjet head, wherein the counterbore plate is affixed to the long inkjet head so that a surface of the counterbore plate after bonding to a nozzle surface of the long inkjet head is flat. Plate pasting device.   6. The counterbore plate attaching device for a long inkjet head according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive, and further includes an ultraviolet light source for curing the adhesive.   6. The long inkjet head according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive that can be cured by heating, and further includes an ultraviolet light source and a heating means for curing the adhesive. Counterbore plate pasting device.   A length that is substantially the same as or larger than the length of the long ink jet head constituted by arranging a plurality of short ink jet head modules having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a horizontal row, and a width larger than the width of the long ink jet head. And measuring a step between the nozzle surfaces of each short ink jet head module with respect to a counterbore plate having a counterbore hole formed with an opening larger than the diameter of the nozzle at a position corresponding to each nozzle. An adhesive having a thickness corresponding to the step so as to absorb the step obtained by the measurement is applied to a position corresponding to the step on the bonding surface of the counterbore plate; The nozzle is aligned with the counterbore plate so that the surface of the counterbore plate after bonding is flat. Counterbore plate attaching method for a long ink jet head, characterized in that paste the counterbore plate surface.   A portion of the counterbore plate larger than the length of the long ink jet head and a portion larger than the width of the long ink jet head are bent toward an end surface side or a side surface side of the long ink jet head. A counterbored plate attaching method for a long inkjet head according to claim 8.   The method for attaching a counterbore plate for a long inkjet head according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the adhesive is a silicone adhesive.   10. The adhesive according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive, and the counterbore plate is bonded to the long inkjet head and then cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. A counterbore plate attaching method for a long inkjet head.   The adhesive is an ultraviolet curable adhesive that can be cured by heating. The adhesive plate is bonded to the long inkjet head, and then irradiated with ultraviolet rays and heated to be cured. A counterbored plate attaching method for a long inkjet head according to claim 8 or 9.

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