JP2012020461A - Droplet ejection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in a conventional droplet ejection apparatus that there is difficulty in improving light shielding of light from a light source.SOLUTION: A droplet ejection apparatus includes: an ejection head for ejecting a liquid body of photocuring nature as a droplet; a feeding device for feeding a recording sheet W of optical transparency; a light source 87 that is provided facing the recording sheet W in a more downstream than the ejection head in a feeding direction of the recording sheet W, and that emits the light to be irradiated to the liquid body that is ejected on the recording sheet W; a cover 89 whose optical transparency is lower than that of the recording sheet W, that covers the light source 87 from an opposite side of the recording sheet W of the light source 87 and where an outlet of a UV ray 88 heading the recording sheet W is provided facing the recording sheet W; and a cover 91 whose optical transparency is lower than that of the recording sheet W and that is provided to face the cover 89 while interposing the recording sheet W on the opposite side of the cover 89 of the recording sheet W and to overlap at least a region of the outlet of the cover 89.

Description

  The present invention relates to a droplet discharge device and the like.

Conventionally, there is a droplet discharge device that can discharge a liquid material as droplets. In a droplet discharge device, for example, a pattern can be drawn on a workpiece with a liquid material by discharging droplets from a discharge head toward the workpiece.
As an ink jet apparatus that is one of the droplet discharge apparatuses, there is a recording apparatus that performs recording with a liquid ink on a recording medium as a workpiece. As such a recording apparatus, there is conventionally known an apparatus capable of performing recording with ink whose curing is accelerated by being irradiated with ultraviolet light (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-82970 A

The recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a light source that emits ultraviolet light. By irradiating the ink adhering to the recording medium with ultraviolet light from the light source, the ink adhering to the recording medium can be cured. For this reason, the material of the recording medium is not limited to paper, and various materials can be employed.
By the way, it is desirable that the area covered by the ultraviolet light from the light source is limited to the required area. This is desired from the viewpoint of avoiding various effects caused by leakage of ultraviolet light from the light source. For this reason, in a recording apparatus provided with a light source that emits ultraviolet light, it is desirable to improve the light shielding property against ultraviolet light.

As a light shielding method for ultraviolet light, for example, various methods such as covering the light source with a highly light-shielding member are conceivable. Further, a light shielding method that considers the light shielding property with respect to the reflected light reflected by the recording medium is conceivable. However, depending on the material of the recording medium, it may be difficult to obtain sufficient light shielding properties by these light shielding methods.
That is, in the conventional droplet discharge device, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the light shielding property against the light from the light source.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  [Application Example 1] A discharge head that discharges, as droplets, a liquid material having photocurability, which is a property of promoting curing by receiving light, and light transmission that transmits at least a part of the light. And a recording apparatus that conveys the recording medium in a state where the ejection head faces the recording medium, and the recording medium on the downstream side of the ejection head in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A light source that emits the light that irradiates the liquid material ejected to the recording medium, and has a lower light transmission than the recording medium, and the light source from the opposite side of the light source to the recording medium side And a first light-shielding portion provided with an exit of the light facing the recording medium facing the recording medium, and the first light-shielding portion of the recording medium having lower light transmittance than the recording medium Opposite to the side And a second light-shielding portion provided on at least a region facing the first light-shielding portion with the recording medium interposed therebetween and overlapping at least the exit region of the first light-shielding portion. Drop ejection device.

The liquid droplet ejection device of this application example includes an ejection head, a transport device, a light source, a first light shielding unit, and a second light shielding unit.
The discharge head discharges a liquid material having photocurability as droplets. The photo-curing property is a property that curing is accelerated by receiving light irradiation.
The transport device transports the recording medium. The recording medium has optical transparency. The light transmissive property is a property of transmitting at least part of light. The conveying device conveys the recording medium in a state where the ejection head faces the recording medium.
The light source is provided downstream of the ejection head in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The light source is provided to face the recording medium. The light source emits light for irradiating the liquid material discharged onto the recording medium.
The first light-shielding part has lower light transmission than the recording medium. The first light shielding portion covers the light source from the side opposite to the recording medium side of the light source. The first light-shielding part has an exit for light directed to the recording medium. The light exit faces the recording medium.
The second light-shielding part has lower light transmission than the recording medium. The second light shielding part is provided on the side opposite to the first light shielding part side of the recording medium. The second light shielding portion faces the first light shielding portion with the recording medium interposed therebetween. The second light shielding part is provided over at least an area overlapping the area of the exit of the first light shielding part.

In this droplet discharge device, the first light shielding portion covers the light source from the side opposite to the recording medium side of the light source. For this reason, the light which goes to the opposite side to the recording medium side of a light source from a light source can be made easy to block with the 1st light shielding part. Accordingly, it is possible to easily suppress light from the light source from leaking to the side opposite to the recording medium side of the light source.
In addition, this droplet discharge device is provided with a second light-shielding portion that faces the first light-shielding portion with the recording medium interposed therebetween. In this droplet discharge device, the second light shielding part extends over at least the area overlapping the exit area of the first light shielding part. For this reason, the light that has passed through the recording medium from the light source through the exit can be easily blocked by the second light blocking portion. Accordingly, it is possible to easily suppress the light transmitted through the recording medium from leaking to the side opposite to the recording medium side of the second light shielding portion.
As described above, in this droplet discharge device, it is possible to easily improve the light shielding property against light from the light source.

  Application Example 2 In the above-described droplet discharge device, the light source is provided on the discharge head side of the recording medium.

  In this application example, since the light source is provided on the ejection head side of the recording medium, the light from the light source reaches the liquid material without passing through the recording medium. For this reason, the light from the light source reaches the liquid without being weakened by the recording medium. As a result, the liquid adhering to the recording medium can be easily cured.

  Application Example 3 In the above-described droplet discharge device, the recording medium is provided in an area overlapping the exit area of the first light-shielding portion between the second light-shielding portion and the recording medium. A second light source that emits light to irradiate the liquid material attached to the second light source, wherein the second light-shielding portion covers the second light source from a side opposite to the recording medium side of the second light source, and the second light source The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outlet of the light directed from the light source toward the recording medium is provided to face the outlet of the first light shielding unit with the recording medium interposed therebetween.

The droplet discharge device of this application example includes a second light source.
The second light source is provided in a region overlapping the exit region of the first light shielding unit between the second light shielding unit and the recording medium. The second light source emits light for irradiating the liquid material attached to the recording medium.
In this droplet discharge device, the second light shielding portion covers the second light source from the side opposite to the recording medium side of the second light source. The second light-shielding portion is provided such that the light exit from the second light source toward the recording medium faces the exit of the first light-shielding portion with the recording medium interposed therebetween.
As described above, in this droplet discharge device, the liquid adhering to the recording medium can be irradiated with light from both the discharge head side of the recording medium and the side opposite to the discharge head side of the recording medium.
Further, in this droplet discharge device, the second light shielding portion covers the second light source from the side opposite to the recording medium side of the second light source. For this reason, the light which goes to the opposite side to the recording medium side of a 2nd light source from a 2nd light source can be made easy to block with a 2nd light shielding part. Accordingly, it is possible to easily suppress the light from the second light source from leaking to the side opposite to the recording medium side of the second light source.
Further, in this droplet discharge device, the outlet of the second light shielding part and the outlet of the first light shielding part are opposed to each other across the recording medium. For this reason, the light transmitted through the recording medium from the second light source through the outlet of the second light shielding part can be easily shielded by the first light shielding part. Accordingly, it is possible to easily suppress the light that has exited the second light source and transmitted through the recording medium from leaking to the side opposite to the recording medium side of the first light shielding portion.
As described above, in this droplet discharge device, it is possible to easily improve the light shielding property against light from the light source.

  Application Example 4 In the above-described droplet discharge device, it is preferable that at least a part of the region inside the first light shielding part has a light reflectivity that reflects at least a part of the light. A droplet discharge apparatus characterized by the above.

  In this application example, at least a part of the region inside the first light shielding portion has light reflectivity. Light reflectivity is a property of reflecting at least part of light. In this droplet discharge device, it is possible to easily reflect at least part of the light traveling from the light source toward the inside of the first light shielding unit toward the outlet of the first light shielding unit. For this reason, the utilization efficiency of the light from a light source can be made easy to improve.

  Application Example 5 In the above-described droplet discharge device, at least a part of the surface on the recording medium side of the second light shielding unit reflects at least a part of the light. A droplet discharge apparatus comprising:

  In this application example, at least a partial region of the surface on the recording medium side of the second light shielding portion has light reflectivity. Light reflectivity is a property of reflecting at least part of light. In this droplet discharge device, it is possible to easily reflect at least a part of the light transmitted from the light source through the recording medium toward the second light shielding portion toward the recording medium. For this reason, the utilization efficiency of the light from a light source can be made easy to improve.

  Application Example 6 In the above-described droplet discharge device, a concave surface that is concave toward the side opposite to the light source is provided inside the first light shielding portion, and the first light shielding portion has the concave surface. At least a part of the concave surface has light reflectivity, which is a property of reflecting at least part of the light, toward the side opposite to the second light source inside the second light shielding part. A liquid having a concave surface to be concave, and at least a part of the concave surface of the second light shielding part has a light reflectivity that reflects at least a part of the light. Drop ejection device.

In this application example, a concave surface that is concave toward the side opposite to the light source is provided inside the first light shielding portion. In addition, a concave surface that is concave toward the side opposite to the second light source is provided inside the second light shielding portion. In this droplet discharge device, at least a part of the concave surface of the first light shielding portion has light reflectivity. Further, at least a part of the concave surface of the second light-shielding part has light reflectivity. Light reflectivity is a property of reflecting at least part of light.
As described above, at least a part of the light traveling from the light source toward the inside of the first light shielding part can be easily reflected toward the exit of the first light shielding part by the concave light reflective region. Further, at least a part of the light traveling from the second light source toward the inside of the second light shielding part can be easily reflected toward the exit of the second light shielding part by the concave light reflective region. Accordingly, it is possible to easily increase the light use efficiency from the light source and the light use efficiency from the second light source.

  Application Example 7 In the above-described droplet discharge device, the concave surface of the first light-shielding portion and the concave surface of the second light-shielding portion are each defined by a curve having a focal point, and the light source and the second Each of the light sources is provided at a position overlapping with the focal point.

  In this application example, the concave surface of the first light shielding part and the concave surface of the second light shielding part are each defined by a curved line having a focal point. The light source and the second light source are each provided at a position overlapping the focal point. For this reason, the light that exits the light source and travels toward the concave surface of the first light shielding portion can be converted into parallel light or condensed. Moreover, the light which goes out of a 2nd light source and goes to the concave surface of a 2nd light-shielding part can be made into parallel light, or can be condensed. As a result, it is possible to further enhance the light use efficiency from the light source and the light use efficiency from the second light source.

  Application Example 8 In the above-described liquid droplet ejection apparatus, the curved line is a parabola.

  In this application example, since the curve is a parabola, the light from the light source and the second light source can be easily converted into parallel light. For this reason, in this droplet discharge device, it is possible to easily align the traveling directions of the light from the light source and the second light source, so that it is difficult to scatter the light from the light source and the second light source. As a result, in this droplet discharge device, it is possible to easily suppress leakage of light from the light source and the second light source.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge device according to the present embodiment. The front view when the carriage in this embodiment is seen in the A viewing direction in FIG. The bottom view of the head unit in this embodiment. Sectional drawing in the BB line in FIG. Sectional drawing in CC line of FIG. 2 of the exposure apparatus in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing in the CC line in FIG. 2 of the exposure apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing in CC line in FIG. 2 of the exposure apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing in CC line of FIG. 2 of the exposure apparatus in 4th Embodiment.

  Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a droplet discharge device which is one of the recording devices. In addition, in each drawing, in order to make each structure the size which can be recognized, the structure and the scale of a member may differ.

As shown in FIG. 1, the droplet discharge device 1 in the present embodiment includes a delivery device 3, a winding device 5, a table device 7, a carriage 9, a carriage transport device 11, and an exposure device 13. Have.
The carriage 9 is provided with a head unit 15 and two irradiation devices 17.
In the droplet discharge device 1, the liquid material is ejected as droplets from the head unit 15 while changing the relative position of the head unit 15 and the recording sheet W in plan view, and the liquid material is desired on the recording sheet W. The drawing pattern can be drawn. In the drawing, the Y direction indicates the feeding direction of the recording sheet W, and the X direction indicates a direction orthogonal to the Y direction in plan view. A direction orthogonal to the XY plane defined by the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction.
In the present embodiment, as the liquid material for drawing the drawing pattern on the recording sheet W, a liquid material that is cured by being irradiated with light is employed. In the present embodiment, ultraviolet light is employed as light for promoting the curing of the liquid material.

Such a droplet discharge device 1 can be applied to drawing on a recording medium, such as a resin film, into which a liquid does not easily penetrate. In the present embodiment, a material having optical transparency to ultraviolet light, which will be described later, is employed as the material of the recording sheet W that is a recording medium. For this reason, the recording sheet W has a property of transmitting at least part of ultraviolet light described later.
The recording sheet W is set in the droplet discharge device 1 as a roll 19a. The recording sheet W before drawing is wound around the roll 19a. The recording sheet W is unwound from the roll 19 a by the delivery device 3 and then sent out along the Y direction while facing the head unit 15.
The recording sheet W on which the drawing pattern is drawn with the liquid material is wound as a roll 19 b by the winding device 5 on the downstream side in the Y direction from the head unit 15.
As described above, the droplet discharge device 1 can perform drawing on the recording sheet W in the form of roll-to-roll.

The delivery device 3 includes a delivery roller 21 and a delivery motor 23.
The winding device 5 includes a winding roller 25 and a winding motor 27.
As shown in FIG. 2, the feed roller 21 and the take-up roller 25 each extend in the X direction. The feed roller 21 and the take-up roller 25 are arranged in a state spaced from each other in the Y direction. Each of the delivery roller 21 and the take-up roller 25 is configured to be rotatable.
The roll 19 a described above is set on the delivery roller 21. The recording sheet W on which the drawing pattern is drawn is wound up as a roll 19b by the winding roller 25. The recording sheet W is sent in the Y direction along the conveyance path 28.
The delivery motor 23 generates power for rotationally driving the delivery roller 21. The power from the delivery motor 23 is transmitted to the delivery roller 21 via the power transmission mechanism 29a.
The winding motor 27 generates power for rotationally driving the winding roller 25. The power from the winding motor 27 is transmitted to the winding roller 25 through the power transmission mechanism 29b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the table device 7 is provided between the feeding roller 21 and the winding roller 25 in a plan view. The table device 7 is provided at a position overlapping the transport path 28 in plan view.
The table device 7 is provided on the side opposite to the head unit 15 side (lower side in this embodiment) of the transport path 28. The table device 7 has a table surface 7a directed to the head unit 15 side.
The table device 7 maintains the flatness of the recording sheet W by supporting the recording sheet W from below with the table surface 7a.

The head unit 15 has a head plate 31 and an ejection head 33 as shown in FIG. 3 which is a front view when the carriage 9 is viewed in the direction A in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 which is a bottom view, the discharge head 33 has a nozzle surface 35. A plurality of nozzles 37 are formed on the nozzle surface 35. In FIG. 4, the nozzles 37 are exaggerated and the number of the nozzles 37 is reduced in order to easily show the nozzles 37.
In the ejection head 33, the plurality of nozzles 37 constitute four nozzle rows 39 arranged along the Y direction. The four nozzle rows 39 are arranged in a state where there is a gap in the X direction. In each nozzle row 39, the plurality of nozzles 37 are formed at a predetermined nozzle interval P along the Y direction.
Hereinafter, when each of the four nozzle rows 39 is identified, the notation of the nozzle row 39a, the nozzle row 39b, the nozzle row 39c, and the nozzle row 39d is used.
In the ejection head 33, the nozzle row 39a and the nozzle row 39b are shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction. The nozzle row 39c and the nozzle row 39d are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two irradiation devices 17 are provided at positions facing each other across the head unit 15 in the X direction. Hereinafter, when each of the two irradiation devices 17 is identified, the notation of the irradiation device 17a and the irradiation device 17b is used.
Each of the irradiation device 17 a and the irradiation device 17 b includes a light source 43 that emits ultraviolet light 41. The ultraviolet light 41 from the light source 43 promotes curing of the functional liquid 53 (liquid material) discharged from the discharge head 33.
As described above, in the present embodiment, as the functional liquid 53, a liquid material that is cured by being irradiated with light is employed. Then, when the functional liquid 53 is irradiated with the ultraviolet light 41, curing is accelerated.
In addition, as the light source 43, various light sources 43, such as LED, LD, a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, an excimer lamp, can be employ | adopted, for example.
In the present embodiment, the length of the light source 43 in the Y direction is set to a length that covers the nozzle row 39 of the ejection head 33.

The ejection head 33 includes a nozzle plate 46, a cavity plate 47, a vibration plate 48, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 49, as shown in FIG. is doing.
The nozzle plate 46 has a nozzle surface 35. The plurality of nozzles 37 are provided on the nozzle plate 46.
The cavity plate 47 is provided on the surface opposite to the nozzle surface 35 of the nozzle plate 46. A plurality of cavities 51 are formed in the cavity plate 47. Each cavity 51 is provided corresponding to each nozzle 37 and communicates with each corresponding nozzle 37. The functional liquid 53 is supplied to each cavity 51 from a tank (not shown).

The diaphragm 48 is provided on the surface of the cavity plate 47 opposite to the nozzle plate 46 side. The vibration plate 48 vibrates in the Z direction (longitudinal vibration), thereby enlarging or reducing the volume in the cavity 51.
The plurality of piezoelectric elements 49 are respectively provided on the surface of the diaphragm 48 opposite to the cavity plate 47 side. Each piezoelectric element 49 is provided corresponding to each cavity 51 and faces each cavity 51 with the diaphragm 48 interposed therebetween. Each piezoelectric element 49 expands based on the drive signal. Thereby, the diaphragm 48 reduces the volume in the cavity 51. At this time, pressure is applied to the functional liquid 53 in the cavity 51. As a result, the functional liquid 53 is discharged as droplets 55 from the nozzle 37. The method of discharging the droplet 55 by the discharge head 33 is one of ink jet methods. The ink jet method is one of coating methods.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ejection head 33 having the above configuration is supported by the head plate 31 with the nozzle surface 35 protruding from the head plate 31.
The carriage 9 supports the head unit 15 as shown in FIG. The head unit 15 is supported by the carriage 9 with the nozzle surface 35 facing downward in the Z direction.
As described above, the functional liquid 53 can be applied to the recording sheet W from the ejection head 33.
In the present embodiment, the longitudinal vibration type piezoelectric element 49 is adopted, but the pressurizing means for applying pressure to the functional liquid 53 is not limited to this, and for example, the lower electrode and the piezoelectric layer A flexural deformation type piezoelectric element in which an electrode and an upper electrode are laminated may be employed. Further, as the pressurizing means, a so-called electrostatic actuator that generates static electricity between the diaphragm and the electrode, deforms the diaphragm by electrostatic force, and ejects droplets from the nozzles can be employed. Furthermore, the structure which generate | occur | produces a bubble in a nozzle using a heat generating body, and gives a pressure to a functional liquid with the bubble may be employ | adopted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage transport device 11 includes a gantry 61 and a guide rail 63.
The gantry 61 extends in the X direction, and straddles the table device 7 and the conveyance path 28 in the X direction. The gantry 61 faces the table device 7 with the transport path 28 interposed therebetween, and faces the table surface 7a with the transport path 28 interposed therebetween. The gantry 61 is supported by a column 67a and a column 67b. The support 67a and the support 67b are provided at positions facing each other in the X direction across the transport path 28 in plan view. The column 67 a and the column 67 b protrude above the table surface 7 a of the table device 7 in the Z direction. Thereby, a gap is maintained between the gantry 61 and the table device 7.

The guide rail 63 is provided on the table device 7 side of the gantry 61 in the Z direction. The guide rail 63 extends along the X direction, and is provided across the width of the gantry 61 in the X direction.
The carriage 9 described above is supported by the guide rail 63. In a state where the carriage 9 is supported by the guide rail 63, the nozzle surface 35 of the discharge head 33 faces the table device 7 side in the Z direction. The carriage 9 is guided along the X direction by the guide rail 63, and is supported by the guide rail 63 so as to reciprocate in the X direction. Note that, in a plan view, the nozzle surface 35 and the table surface 7a of the table device 7 face each other with a gap therebetween when the carriage 9 overlaps the table device 7.

The carriage 9 is configured to reciprocate in the X direction by a moving mechanism and a power source (not shown). As the moving mechanism, for example, a mechanism combining a ball screw and a ball nut, a linear guide mechanism, or the like may be employed. In the present embodiment, a carriage transport motor is employed as a power source for moving the carriage 9 along the X direction. As the carriage conveyance motor, various motors such as a stepping motor, a servo motor, and a linear motor can be employed.
The power from the carriage transport motor is transmitted to the carriage 9 via the moving mechanism. Thus, the carriage 9 can reciprocate along the guide rail 63, that is, along the X direction. That is, the carriage transport device 11 can reciprocate the head unit 15 supported by the carriage 9 along the X direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure device 13 is provided on the downstream side of the ejection head 33 in the Y direction that is the feeding direction of the recording sheet W. The exposure apparatus 13 has a first unit 81 and a second unit 83.
The first unit 81 is located on the ejection head 33 side of the recording sheet W in the Z direction. The second unit 83 is located on the opposite side of the recording sheet W from the ejection head 33 side in the Z direction, that is, on the table device 7 side of the recording sheet W.

The first unit 81 and the second unit 83 are provided at positions overlapping each other in plan view. Further, the first unit 81 and the second unit 83 are opposed to the recording sheet W, respectively. That is, the first unit 81 and the second unit 83 are opposed to each other with the recording sheet W interposed therebetween.
A gap is provided between the first unit 81 and the recording sheet W. A gap is also provided between the second unit 83 and the recording sheet W. For this reason, the first unit 81 and the second unit 83 do not hinder the conveyance of the recording sheet W, respectively.

(First embodiment)
The first unit 81 in the first embodiment has a light source 87 and a cover 89 as shown in FIG. 6 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
The second unit 83 has a cover 91.
The cover 89 is provided with a recess 93 on the recording sheet W side. The recess 93 has an opening 94. The concave portion 93 is concave in a direction away from the recording sheet W.
The light source 87 emits ultraviolet light 88. The light source 87 is provided between the recording sheet W and the cover 89. The light source 87 is accommodated in the recess 93 of the cover 89. For this reason, the light source 87 is surrounded by the recording sheet W and the concave portion 93 of the cover 89.
In addition, as the light source 87, various light sources 87, such as LED, LD, a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, an excimer lamp, can be employ | adopted, for example.

The cover 91 is provided with a recess 95 on the recording sheet W side. The recess 95 has an opening 96. The concave portion 95 is concave in a direction away from the recording sheet W.
Here, the cover 89 and the cover 91 are provided at positions overlapping each other in plan view. Further, the cover 89 and the cover 91 are opposed to the recording sheet W, respectively. That is, the cover 89 and the cover 91 are opposed to each other with the recording sheet W interposed therebetween.
The concave portion 93 of the cover 89 and the concave portion 95 of the cover 91 are provided at positions overlapping each other in plan view. Further, the concave portion 93 of the cover 89 and the concave portion 95 of the cover 91 are concave in a direction away from each other. That is, the concave portion 93 and the concave portion 95 face each other with the recording sheet W interposed therebetween.
For this reason, the light source 87 is surrounded by the concave portion 93 of the cover 89 and the concave portion 95 of the cover 91 in the absence of the recording sheet W.

The cover 89 and the cover 91 are each made of a material having a high light shielding property against the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87. In the present embodiment, the cover 89 and the cover 91 are each made of a material having high absorbability with respect to the ultraviolet light 88. Thereby, in each of the cover 89 and the cover 91, the light shielding property with respect to the ultraviolet light 88 is ensured.
The ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 in the recess 93 exits from the recess 93 through the opening 94. The ultraviolet light 88 that has come out of the recess 93 is irradiated onto the recording sheet W. A part of the ultraviolet light 88 irradiated to the recording sheet W reaches the cover 91 after passing through the recording sheet W. The ultraviolet light 88 that reaches the cover 91 is absorbed by the cover 91.
In the present embodiment, the cover 91 is provided over an area wider than the area of the opening 94 of the cover 89. For this reason, the ultraviolet light 88 that has come out of the recess 93 from the opening 94 can be easily blocked by the cover 91.

In the droplet discharge device 1 having the above-described configuration, the droplet 55 is discharged from the discharge head 33 while the discharge head 33 and the recording sheet W are relatively displaced while the discharge head 33 is opposed to the recording sheet W. By discharging, a drawing pattern is drawn on the recording sheet W.
The relative displacement between the ejection head 33 and the recording sheet W can be realized by transporting the recording sheet W in the Y direction and reciprocating movement of the carriage 9 in the X direction.
A drawing pattern can be drawn by discharging the functional liquid 53 from the discharge head 33 toward the recording sheet W while reciprocating the carriage 9 in the X direction. Here, in the reciprocating movement of the carriage 9, the time when the carriage 9 goes from the column 67 a side to the column 67 b side is taken as the forward path, and the time when the carriage 9 goes from the column 67 b side to the column 67 a side is taken as the return path.

In the forward path of the carriage 9, the functional liquid 53 on the recording sheet W is temporarily cured by turning on the light source 43 of the irradiation device 17 a while ejecting the functional liquid 53 from the ejection head 33 toward the recording sheet W. it can.
On the other hand, in the return path of the carriage 9, the functional liquid 53 on the recording sheet W is temporarily cured by turning on the light source 43 of the irradiation device 17 b while ejecting the functional liquid 53 from the ejection head 33 toward the recording sheet W. Can be made.

By the above method, the drawing pattern can be quickly fixed on the recording sheet W while drawing the drawing pattern in each of the forward path and the return path of the carriage 9. In addition, since the functional liquid 53 can be temporarily cured, even when a new functional liquid 53 is applied to the drawing pattern on the recording sheet W in an overlapping manner, mixing with each other can be easily suppressed.
Then, the drawing pattern irradiated with the ultraviolet light 41 from the irradiation device 17 moves downstream of the ejection head 33 in the Y direction by conveying the recording sheet W in the Y direction. The drawing pattern that has moved downstream from the ejection head 33 is irradiated with ultraviolet light 88 from the exposure device 13. Curing of the drawn pattern is further promoted by exposure by the exposure device 13.
The drawing pattern is drawn on the recording sheet W by the above method.

In the present embodiment, the recording sheet W corresponds to the recording medium, the light source 87 corresponds to the light source, the cover 89 corresponds to the first light shielding part, the opening 94 corresponds to the outlet, and the cover 91 corresponds to the second light shielding part. , The delivery device 3 and the winding device 5 correspond to the transport device.
In the present embodiment, the exposure apparatus 13 employs a configuration in which the light source 87 is surrounded by a cover 89 and a cover 91 that face each other with the recording sheet W interposed therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to easily suppress the ultraviolet light 88 transmitted through the recording sheet W from leaking to the opposite side of the cover 91 from the recording sheet W. As a result, it is possible to easily improve the light shielding property against the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87.

  In the present embodiment, the light source 87 is provided on the recording sheet W on the ejection head 33 side in the Z direction. For this reason, the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 reaches the drawing pattern without passing through the recording sheet W. Thereby, the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 reaches the drawing pattern without being weakened by the recording sheet W. As a result, the drawing pattern drawn on the recording sheet W can be easily cured.

(Second Embodiment)
The droplet discharge device 1 in the second embodiment has the same configuration as the droplet discharge device 1 in the first embodiment except that the configuration of the exposure device 13 is different. For this reason, in the following second embodiment, the same components as those of the droplet discharge device 1 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The exposure apparatus 13 in the second embodiment has the same configuration as the exposure apparatus 13 in the first embodiment, except that the first unit 81 has a reflective film 101, as shown in FIG. have. For this reason, in the following, the same components as those of the exposure apparatus 13 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the reflective film 101 is provided in the recess 93 of the cover 89. The reflective film 101 has a property of reflecting at least a part of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87. The reflective film 101 covers the recess 93.
In the second embodiment, the above configuration makes it easy to reflect at least a part of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 toward the concave portion 93 to the recording sheet W side through the opening 94. it can. As a result, the utilization efficiency of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 can be easily improved.

In the second embodiment, the reflective film 101 is provided in the recess 93 of the cover 89. However, the configuration of the exposure apparatus 13 is not limited to this. As a configuration of the exposure apparatus 13, for example, a configuration in which the reflective film 101 is provided in the concave portion 95 of the cover 91 may be employed. In this configuration, it is possible to easily reflect at least a part of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 toward the concave portion 95 through the recording sheet W to the recording sheet W side through the opening 96. As a result, the utilization efficiency of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 can be easily improved.
Further, as the configuration of the exposure apparatus 13, for example, a configuration in which the reflective film 101 is provided in the concave portion 93 of the cover 89 and the concave portion 95 of the cover 91 can be adopted. According to this configuration, the utilization efficiency of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 can be further enhanced.

(Third embodiment)
The droplet discharge device 1 in the third embodiment has the same configuration as the droplet discharge device 1 in the first embodiment, except that the configuration of the exposure device 13 is different. For this reason, in the following third embodiment, the same components as those of the droplet discharge device 1 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The exposure apparatus 13 in the third embodiment has the same configuration as the exposure apparatus 13 in the first embodiment, except that the second unit 83 has a light source 105 as shown in FIG. Have. For this reason, in the following, the same components as those of the exposure apparatus 13 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The light source 105 emits ultraviolet light 107. The light source 105 is provided between the recording sheet W and the cover 91. The light source 105 is accommodated in the recess 95 of the cover 91. For this reason, the light source 105 is surrounded by the recording sheet W and the concave portion 95 of the cover 91.
In addition, as the light source 105, various light sources 105, such as LED, LD, a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, an excimer lamp, can be employ | adopted, for example.
In a state where there is no recording sheet W, the light source 105 is surrounded by the concave portion 95 of the cover 91 and the concave portion 93 of the cover 89.

The cover 89 and the cover 91 are each made of a material that has a high light shielding property against the ultraviolet light 107 from the light source 105. In the present embodiment, the cover 89 and the cover 91 are each made of a material having high absorbability with respect to the ultraviolet light 107. Thereby, in each of the cover 89 and the cover 91, the light shielding property with respect to the ultraviolet light 107 is ensured.
The ultraviolet light 107 from the light source 105 in the recess 95 exits from the recess 95 through the opening 96. The ultraviolet light 107 that has come out of the recess 95 is applied to the recording sheet W. A part of the ultraviolet light 107 irradiated to the recording sheet W is irradiated to the drawing pattern drawn on the first unit 81 side of the recording sheet W. Further, another part of the ultraviolet light 107 irradiated to the recording sheet W reaches the cover 89 after passing through the recording sheet W. The ultraviolet light 107 that has reached the cover 89 is absorbed by the cover 89.

In the present embodiment, the cover 89 is provided over a region wider than the region of the opening 96 of the cover 91. For this reason, the ultraviolet light 107 that has come out of the recess 95 from the opening 96 can be easily blocked by the cover 89.
In the present embodiment, in the Z direction, the light source 87 is provided on the discharge head 33 side of the recording sheet W, and the light source 105 is provided on the opposite side of the recording sheet W from the discharge head 33 side. That is, the recording sheet W is sandwiched between the light source 87 and the light source 105 in the Z direction.
Therefore, the drawing pattern drawn on the recording sheet W can be easily cured by the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 and the ultraviolet light 107 from the light source 105.

(Fourth embodiment)
The droplet discharge device 1 in the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the droplet discharge device 1 in the first embodiment, except that the configuration of the exposure device 13 is different. For this reason, in the following fourth embodiment, the same components as those of the droplet discharge device 1 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the exposure apparatus 13 according to the fourth embodiment is the third embodiment except that the first unit 81 and the second unit 83 each have a reflective film 101. It has the same configuration as the exposure apparatus 13 in the embodiment. For this reason, in the following, the same components as those of the exposure apparatus 13 in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The reflective film 101 has a property of reflecting at least part of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 and at least part of the ultraviolet light 107 from the light source 105.
With the above configuration, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily improve the utilization efficiency of the ultraviolet light 88 from the light source 87 and the ultraviolet light 107 from the light source 105.
In each of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the light source 105 corresponds to the second light source, and each of the concave portion 93 and the concave portion 95 corresponds to the concave surface.

In the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the ultraviolet light 88 and the ultraviolet light 107 may be the same or different from each other as long as the curing of the functional liquid 53 can be promoted. For example, the type of ultraviolet light 88 or ultraviolet light 107 includes the wavelength of light.
In the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light 88 and the wavelength of the ultraviolet light 107 may be the same or may include different wavelengths. In this case, for example, i-line can be adopted as the ultraviolet light 88 and h-line can be adopted as the ultraviolet light 107.
In general, the h-line having a longer wavelength than the i-line has higher transparency. For this reason, it is preferable to employ h rays as the ultraviolet light 107 irradiated to the drawing pattern through the recording sheet W.
Note that the types of wavelengths are not limited to i-line and h-line, and various types such as a type obtained by adding g-line to these and a type referred to as UVA or UVB.

In each of the first to fourth embodiments, if a cross-sectional shape defined by a curve having a focal point is adopted as the cross-sectional shape of the cover 89 or the cover 91 provided with the reflective film 101, the ultraviolet light 88 or the ultraviolet light The utilization efficiency of the light 107 can be easily increased.
For example, when the cross-sectional shape of the cover 89 or the cover 91 is an elliptical shape and the light source 87 or the light source 105 is provided at a position overlapping the focal point of the ellipse, the ultraviolet light 88 or the ultraviolet light 107 is reflected by the reflective film 101 to collect light. It can be made easy.
For example, if the cross-sectional shape of the cover 89 or the cover 91 is a parabolic shape and the light source 87 or the light source 105 is provided at a position overlapping the focal point of the parabola, the ultraviolet light 88 or the ultraviolet light 107 is reflected by the reflective film 101. It can be made parallel light easily.
Thus, the utilization efficiency of the ultraviolet light 88 and the ultraviolet light 107 can be easily increased.
Further, in each of the first to fourth embodiments, the light source 87 and the light source 105 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are exemplified as the form of a tubular lamp, but in the case of a light source such as an LED, You may install in the inner surface of the recessed part 93 or the recessed part 95. FIG. Furthermore, a light source such as an LED may be embedded in the inner surface of the recess 93 or the recess 95.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Droplet discharge apparatus, 3 ... Delivery apparatus, 5 ... Winding apparatus, 9 ... Carriage, 11 ... Carriage conveyance apparatus, 13 ... Exposure apparatus, 15 ... Head unit, 28 ... Conveyance path, 33 ... Discharge head, 53 ... Functional liquid, 55 ... droplet, 81 ... first unit, 83 ... second unit, 87 ... light source, 88 ... ultraviolet light, 89 ... cover, 91 ... cover, 93 ... recess, 94 ... opening, 95 ... recess, 96: opening, 101: reflective film, 105: light source, 107: ultraviolet light, W: recording sheet.

Claims (8)

A discharge head for discharging a liquid having photocurability, which is a property of promoting curing by receiving light irradiation, as droplets;
A transporting device that transports a recording medium having a light transmission property that transmits at least a part of the light in a state where the ejection head faces the recording medium;
A light source that emits the light that is provided on the downstream side of the ejection head in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, facing the recording medium, and that irradiates the liquid material ejected to the recording medium;
The light transmission is lower than that of the recording medium, the light source covers the light source from the side opposite to the recording medium side, and the light exit toward the recording medium is provided facing the recording medium. 1 light shield,
The light transmission is lower than that of the recording medium, the recording medium is opposed to the first light-shielding part on the side opposite to the first light-shielding part, and at least the first light-shielding part A second light-shielding portion provided over a region overlapping the region of the exit,
A droplet discharge apparatus characterized by the above. The light source is provided on the ejection head side of the recording medium;
The droplet discharge device according to claim 1. A second light source that emits light for irradiating the liquid material attached to the recording medium, provided in a region overlapping the exit region of the first light shielding unit between the second light shielding unit and the recording medium. Have
The second light-shielding portion covers the second light source from a side opposite to the recording medium side of the second light source, and an exit of the light from the second light source toward the recording medium sandwiches the recording medium. Provided to face the outlet of the first light-shielding portion;
The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein At least a part of the inner side of the first light shielding part has light reflectivity that is a property of reflecting at least part of the light.
The droplet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein At least a partial region of the surface on the recording medium side of the second light shielding portion has light reflectivity that is a property of reflecting at least a part of the light.
The droplet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein A concave surface that is concave toward the side opposite to the light source is provided inside the first light shielding portion,
At least a partial region of the concave surface of the first light-shielding portion has light reflectivity that is a property of reflecting at least a part of the light;
A concave surface that is concave toward the side opposite to the second light source is provided inside the second light shielding portion,
At least a part of the concave surface of the second light-shielding part has light reflectivity that is a property of reflecting at least part of the light.
The droplet discharge device according to claim 3. The concave surface of the first light-shielding portion and the concave surface of the second light-shielding portion are each defined by a curved line having a focal point,
The light source and the second light source are each provided at a position overlapping the focal point.
The droplet discharge device according to claim 6. The curve is a parabola,
The droplet discharge device according to claim 7.

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