JP2012218341A - Method for maintenance of liquid droplet ejection apparatus and the liquid droplet ejection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for maintenance of a liquid droplet ejection apparatus for maintaining a clean state, and to provide the liquid droplet ejection apparatus.SOLUTION: The method for maintenance of the liquid droplet ejection apparatus including a liquid droplet ejection head for ejecting a liquid cured by receiving energy as a liquid droplet and a supply part supplying the liquid to the liquid droplet ejection head, includes a replacement step of replacing at least a portion of the liquid droplet ejection head and the supply part and an energy application step of applying the energy to the part replaced in the replacement step, of the liquid droplet ejection head and the supply part prior to the replacement step.

Description

  The present invention relates to a maintenance method for a droplet discharge device and a droplet discharge device.

A liquid droplet ejection apparatus that includes a liquid droplet ejection head and accurately disposes a predetermined amount of liquid material at a predetermined position by discharging the liquid material as liquid droplets from the liquid droplet ejection head and landing the liquid material on an arbitrary position. It has been known. Various liquid materials are handled and various images and films are formed by using a droplet discharge device. A colorless and transparent liquid material is used to draw a marker that is difficult for humans to see, and a transparent film for coating is formed on a drawn image (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In such a droplet discharge device, ink is supplied from a main tank to a droplet discharge head via a sub tank and a supply tube. In some cases, each part of the flow path of the functional liquid from the main tank to the droplet discharge head via the sub tank and the supply tube is replaceable. In this case, part of the flow path may be exchanged during maintenance of the droplet discharge device.

JP 2009-23092 A

However, when the functional liquid remains in a part of the flow path, the functional liquid may leak from the flow path when the part of the flow path is replaced, and the inside of the droplet discharge device may be soiled .

In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a maintenance method for a droplet discharge device and a droplet discharge device capable of maintaining a clean state.

A maintenance method for a droplet discharge device according to the present invention includes a droplet discharge head that discharges liquid that is cured by receiving energy as droplets, and a supply unit that supplies the liquid to the droplet discharge head. A maintenance method for an ejection apparatus, wherein an exchange step of exchanging at least a part of the droplet ejection head and the supply unit, and an exchange step of the droplet ejection head and the supply unit prior to the exchange step The energy provision process which provides the said energy to the part exchanged in FIG.

According to the present invention, since energy is applied to the exchanged portion of the droplet discharge head and the supply unit prior to the exchange, the liquid remaining in the exchange portion can be cured. Thereby, since it is possible to suppress the liquid from leaking from the replacement part, it is possible to maintain the droplet discharge device in a clean state.

In the maintenance method for the droplet discharge device, the energy is preferably ultraviolet light.
According to the present invention, the liquid remaining in the replacement portion is cured by applying ultraviolet rays to the exchanged portion of the droplet discharge head and the supply unit prior to the exchange, so that the ultraviolet rays are received. In the case of using a liquid that hardens, the liquid can be prevented from leaking from the replacement part. Thereby, the droplet discharge device can be maintained in a clean state.

In the maintenance method for the droplet discharge device, the energy is preferably heat.
According to the present invention, the liquid remaining in the replacement part is cured by applying heat to the exchanged part of the droplet discharge head and the supply part prior to the exchange, so that the heat is received. In the case of using a liquid that hardens, the liquid can be prevented from leaking from the replacement part. Thereby, the droplet discharge device can be maintained in a clean state.

In the maintenance method of the droplet discharge device, the droplet discharge head includes a nozzle that discharges the droplet, and the exchange step includes replacing the droplet discharge head, and the energy applying step includes It is preferable to include applying the energy to the nozzle.
According to the present invention, when the droplet discharge head has a nozzle for discharging a droplet, when the droplet discharge head is replaced, energy is applied to the nozzle, so that the liquid leaks from the nozzle. Can be prevented.

In the maintenance method of the droplet discharge device, the droplet discharge head includes a liquid introduction unit connected to the supply unit, and the replacing step includes replacing the droplet discharge head, It is preferable that an energy provision process includes providing the said energy to the said liquid introduction part.
According to the present invention, when the droplet discharge head has the liquid introduction portion connected to the supply portion, when the droplet discharge head is replaced, energy is applied to the liquid introduction portion. The liquid can be prevented from leaking out from the part.

In the maintenance method of the droplet discharge device, the supply unit includes a joint portion connected to the droplet discharge head, and the replacement step replaces a portion of the supply unit including the joint portion. It is preferable that the energy applying step includes applying the energy to the joint portion.
According to the present invention, in the case where the supply unit has a joint portion connected to the droplet discharge head,
Since energy is given to the joint part when the part including the joint part in the supply part is replaced, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking from the first joint part.

In the maintenance method of the droplet discharge device, the supply unit includes a storage unit that stores the droplets, and a pipe unit that is connected to the storage unit via a second joint unit, and the replacement Preferably, the process includes exchanging the pipe part, and the energy applying process includes applying the energy to the second joint part.
According to the present invention, when the supply unit has a storage unit that stores liquid droplets and a pipe unit that is connected to the storage unit via the second joint unit, the second joint unit Since energy is applied to the liquid, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking from the second joint portion.

In the maintenance method for the droplet discharge device, the supply unit includes a deaeration unit that removes a gas component contained in the liquid, and the replacement step includes a part of the supply unit including the deaeration unit. It is preferable that the energy applying step includes applying the energy to the deaeration part.
According to the present invention, when the connection portion has a deaeration part that removes a gas component contained in the liquid, when the connection part is replaced, energy is applied to the deaeration part. It is possible to prevent the liquid remaining in the liquid from leaking out.

In the maintenance method for the droplet discharge device, the method further includes a detection step of detecting leakage of the liquid in the flow path of the liquid from the supply unit to the droplet discharge head, and the energy application step includes the detection step It is preferable to include applying the energy to a location corresponding to the detection result in.
According to the present invention, the liquid droplet ejection device detects the leakage of the liquid in the liquid flow path from the reservoir to the liquid droplet ejection head, and applies energy to the location according to the detection result. Energy for preventing leakage can be efficiently applied.

In the maintenance method of the droplet discharge device, prior to the energy application step,
It is preferable to perform a pressurizing step of pressurizing the flow path.
According to the present invention, it is possible to make it easier to detect a liquid leakage location by pressurizing the flow path.

A droplet discharge apparatus according to the present invention includes a droplet discharge head that discharges liquid that is cured by receiving energy as droplets, a supply unit that supplies the liquid to the droplet discharge head, the droplet discharge head, An energy application unit that applies the energy to at least a part of the supply unit.

According to the present invention, energy can be applied to the exchanged portion of the droplet discharge head and the supply unit prior to the exchange, so that the liquid remaining in the exchange portion can be cured. Thereby, since it can suppress that a liquid leaks from an exchange part,
The droplet discharge device can be maintained in a clean state.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge device. FIG. 3A is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge head. (B) is a perspective sectional view showing the structure of a droplet discharge head. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the discharge nozzle portion of the droplet discharge head. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a head unit. Explanatory drawing which shows the electrical structure and signal flow of a droplet discharge head. The figure which shows the exchange operation | movement of a part of droplet discharge device. The figure which shows the exchange operation | movement of a part of droplet discharge device. The figure which shows the exchange operation | movement of a part of droplet discharge device. The figure which shows the exchange operation | movement of a part of droplet discharge device. The figure which shows the exchange operation | movement of a part of droplet discharge device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the droplet discharge device 1 includes a head mechanism unit 2, a work mechanism unit 3, a functional liquid supply unit (supply unit) 4, a maintenance device unit 7, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit (energy application unit). EG).

The head mechanism unit 2 includes a droplet discharge head 20 that discharges a functional liquid (liquid) containing a predetermined solute component as droplets. Examples of such functional liquids include colorless and transparent functional liquids and functional liquids containing white, black, and color pigment components as solute components. In addition, the functional liquid in the present embodiment includes a component that is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The work mechanism unit 3 includes a work mounting table 30 on which a work W that is a discharge target of liquid droplets discharged from the liquid droplet discharge head 20 is mounted.

The functional liquid supply unit 4 includes a storage tank (storage unit) 41, a relay tank (storage unit) 42, and supply tubes (connection units) 43 and 44. The storage tank 41 is provided to be replaceable and stores the functional liquid. The storage tank 41 is connected to the relay tank 4 via the supply tube 43.
2 is connected.

The relay tank 42 stores the functional liquid supplied from the storage tank 41. Relay tank 42
Is connected to the droplet discharge head 20 via a supply tube 43. The functional liquid stored in the relay tank 42 is supplied to the droplet discharge head 20 via the supply tube 43.

The maintenance device unit 7 includes devices that perform inspection or maintenance of the droplet discharge head 20.
The droplet discharge device 1 is also provided with a control unit CONT that comprehensively controls these mechanism units.

The ultraviolet irradiation unit EG is supported by a moving frame 22 in which, for example, the droplet discharge head 20 is installed in the droplet discharge device 1. The ultraviolet irradiation unit EG has a light source (not shown) that emits ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet irradiation unit EG is detachably provided to the support frame 22. The ultraviolet irradiation unit EG irradiates part of the functional liquid supply unit 4 and the droplet discharge head 20 with ultraviolet rays.
The ultraviolet irradiation unit EG may be provided in another part different from the moving frame 22. Moreover, the structure provided with the drive mechanism which moves the ultraviolet irradiation part EG automatically may be sufficient.

The droplet discharge device 1 includes a plurality of support legs 8 installed on the floor and a surface plate 9 installed on the upper side of the support legs 8. On the upper side of the surface plate 9, the work mechanism unit 3 is disposed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the surface plate 9.

Above the work mechanism 3, the head mechanism 2 supported by two support columns fixed to the surface plate 9 extends in a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the work mechanism 3. It is arranged.

Further, a functional liquid tank of the functional liquid supply unit 4 having a supply pipe suitable for the droplet discharge head 20 of the head mechanism unit 2 is disposed beside the surface plate 9. In the vicinity of one support column of the head mechanism unit 2, a maintenance device unit 7 is arranged in the X-axis direction along with the work mechanism unit 3. Further, a control unit CONT is accommodated below the surface plate 9.

The head mechanism unit 2 includes a head unit 21 having a droplet discharge head 20, a head carriage 27 having a head unit 21, and a moving frame 22 on which the head carriage 27 is suspended.
And. The head mechanism unit 2 includes two sets of the head carriage 27 and the moving frame 22. The head mechanism unit 2 also includes a Y-axis scanning mechanism that moves the moving frame 22 in the Y-axis direction.

By moving the moving frame 22 in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis scanning mechanism, the droplet discharge head 2
0 is freely moved in the Y-axis direction. Moreover, it holds at the moved position. The two moving frames 22 can be moved and held independently, or the two moving frames 22 can be moved and held together.

The work mechanism unit 3 includes a work mounting table 30 and an X-axis scanning mechanism. The workpiece mechanism unit 3 moves the workpiece mounting table 30 in the X-axis direction by the X-axis scanning mechanism, thereby freely moving the workpiece W mounted on the workpiece mounting table 30 in the X-axis direction. Moreover, it holds at the moved position.

The droplet discharge head 20 moves to the discharge position in the Y-axis direction and stops, and the workpiece W located below is moved.
In synchronism with the movement in the X-axis direction, the functional liquid is discharged as droplets. By controlling the work W moving in the X-axis direction and the liquid droplet ejection head 20 moving in the Y-axis direction relatively, the liquid droplets are landed at an arbitrary position on the work W, so that a desired plane is obtained. It is possible to perform shape drawing.

The maintenance device unit 7 includes various inspection devices, various maintenance devices, and a maintenance device scanning mechanism 75. The inspection apparatus is a discharge inspection unit 70 for inspecting the discharge state of the droplet discharge head 20.
It is an apparatus for inspecting the droplet discharge head 20. The maintenance device is a device that performs various types of maintenance of the droplet discharge head 20. The maintenance device scanning mechanism 75 converts each of these devices to X
It is a device that is movable in the axial direction and is supported so as to be held at an arbitrary position.

When performing inspection and maintenance of the droplet discharge head 20, the head unit 21 (droplet discharge head 20) is moved to a position facing the maintenance device unit 7 using the Y-axis scanning mechanism. Also,
The inspection device or maintenance device corresponding to the inspection or maintenance to be performed is moved by the maintenance device scanning mechanism 75 to a position facing the head unit 21 (droplet ejection head 20).

  The discharge inspection unit 70 includes an inspection sheet mounting table 71 and an imaging camera 72.

The inspection sheet mounting table 71 has a mounting surface that is substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the workpiece mounting table 30, and can support the inspection sheet by suction. The inspection sheet placing table 71 can be moved in the X-axis direction by the maintenance device scanning mechanism 75 and supported so as to be held at an arbitrary position.

By moving the inspection sheet mounting table 71 in the X-axis direction by the maintenance device scanning mechanism 75, the inspection sheet held on the mounting surface of the inspection sheet mounting table 71 is moved to a position facing the maintenance device unit 7. The head unit 21 (droplet discharge head 20) is allowed to face. By discharging the liquid material from the droplet discharge head 20 in the position state, the droplet can be landed on the inspection sheet held on the inspection sheet mounting table 71. X of inspection sheet by maintenance device scanning mechanism 75
The landing position in the X-axis direction can be adjusted by discharging the liquid material from the discharge nozzle 24 (see FIG. 2) provided in the droplet discharge head 20 in synchronization with the movement in the axial direction.

The imaging camera 72 is supported by the camera support frame 73 so as to be movable up and down in the Z-axis direction by a lifting mechanism (not shown) and held at an arbitrary position. The camera support frame 73 is erected on the surface plate 9 beside the maintenance device scanning mechanism 75, and the imaging camera 72 is supported by the maintenance device scanning mechanism 75 so as to face from substantially the Z-axis direction. The inspection sheet placement table 71 faces the imaging camera 72 by the maintenance device scanning mechanism 75, and can be moved to a position where the imaging camera 72 can shoot. By moving the inspection sheet mounting table 71 to a position facing the imaging camera 72 by the maintenance device scanning mechanism 75, the surface of the inspection sheet held on the inspection sheet mounting table 71 can be photographed by the imaging camera 72.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the droplet discharge head. 2A is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the droplet discharge head, FIG. 2B is a perspective sectional view showing the structure of the droplet discharge head, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the part of the discharge nozzle of a droplet discharge head. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in FIG. 2 are the same as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in FIG. 1 when the droplet discharge head 20 is mounted on the droplet discharge device 1. I'm doing it.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the droplet discharge head 20 includes a functional liquid introduction needle 29 and a nozzle substrate 25. The functional liquid introduction needle 29 is connected to the first joint portion 44 a of the supply tube 44. The functional liquid is introduced into the droplet discharge head 20 via the functional liquid introduction needle 29.

The nozzle substrate 25 has two nozzle rows 24A in which a large number of discharge nozzles 24 are arranged in a substantially straight line.
A line is formed. The functional liquid is ejected as droplets from the ejection nozzle 24 and landed on a drawing object or the like at an opposing position, thereby arranging the functional liquid at the position. The nozzle row 24A
With the droplet discharge head 20 mounted on the droplet discharge device 1, it extends in the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. In the nozzle row 24A, the discharge nozzles 24 are arranged at equal nozzle pitches, and the position of the discharge nozzle 24 is shifted by a half nozzle pitch in the Y-axis direction between the two nozzle rows 24A. Therefore, as the liquid droplet ejection head 20, functional liquid droplets can be arranged at half nozzle pitch intervals in the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, in the droplet discharge head 20, the pressure chamber plate 51 is stacked on the nozzle substrate 25, and the vibration plate 52 is stacked on the pressure chamber plate 51. The pressure chamber plate 51 is formed with a liquid pool 55 in which the functional liquid supplied to the droplet discharge head 20 is always filled. The liquid pool 55 is connected to the functional liquid introduction needle 29.

The liquid pool 55 is a space surrounded by the diaphragm 52, the nozzle substrate 25, and the wall of the pressure chamber plate 51. The functional liquid is supplied from the functional liquid supply unit 4 to the droplet discharge head 20 and is supplied to the liquid pool 55 via the liquid supply hole 53 of the vibration plate 52. Further, the pressure chamber plate 51 is formed with a pressure chamber 58 partitioned by a plurality of head partition walls 57. Diaphragm 52
A space surrounded by the nozzle substrate 25 and the two head partition walls 57 is a pressure chamber 58.

The pressure chambers 58 are provided corresponding to the respective discharge nozzles 24, and the number of the pressure chambers 58 and the number of the discharge nozzles 24 are the same. The functional fluid is supplied from the liquid pool 55 to the pressure chamber 58 via the supply port 56 located between the two head partition walls 57. A set of the head partition wall 57, the pressure chamber 58, the discharge nozzle 24, and the supply port 56 is arranged in a line along the liquid pool 55, and the discharge nozzles 24 arranged in a line form a nozzle line 24A. .

Although not shown in FIG. 2B, there is another discharge nozzle 24 arranged in a line in a substantially symmetrical position with respect to the liquid pool 55 with respect to the nozzle row 24 </ b> A including the discharge nozzle 24 shown in the figure.
A row of nozzle rows 24A is formed. A set of a head partition wall 57, a pressure chamber 58, and a supply port 56 corresponding to the nozzle row 24A is arranged in one row. One end of each piezoelectric element 59 is fixed to the portion of the diaphragm 52 that constitutes the pressure chamber 58.

The other end of the piezoelectric element 59 is fixed to a base (not shown) that supports the entire droplet discharge head 20 via a fixing plate (not shown). The piezoelectric element 59 has an active part in which an electrode layer and a piezoelectric material are stacked. In the piezoelectric element 59, by applying a driving voltage to the electrode layer, the active portion contracts in the longitudinal direction (the thickness direction of the diaphragm 52 in FIG. 2B or 2C). When the drive voltage applied to the electrode layer is released, the active portion returns to its original length.

When the driving voltage is applied to the electrode layer and the active portion of the piezoelectric element 59 is contracted, the vibration plate 52 to which one end of the piezoelectric element 59 is fixed receives a force that is pulled to the side opposite to the pressure chamber 58. Diaphragm 52
Is pulled to the opposite side of the pressure chamber 58, so that the diaphragm 52 bends to the opposite side of the pressure chamber 58. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 58 is increased, so that the functional liquid is supplied from the liquid pool 55 to the supply port 56.
Then, the pressure is supplied to the pressure chamber 58. Next, when the driving voltage applied to the electrode layer is released, the active portion returns to the original length, and the piezoelectric element 59 presses the diaphragm 52. When the diaphragm 52 is pressed, it returns to the pressure chamber 58 side. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 58 suddenly returns to the original, that is, the increased volume is reduced, so that pressure is applied to the functional liquid filled in the pressure chamber 58 and the pressure chamber 58 communicates with the pressure chamber 58. The functional liquid is discharged as droplets from the discharge nozzle 24 formed in this manner.

Next, a schematic configuration of the head unit 21 provided in the head mechanism unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the head unit. The X axis and the Y axis shown in FIG. 3 are the same as those in FIG. 1 in a state where the head unit 21 is attached to the droplet discharge device 1.
The X axis and the Y axis shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head unit 21 includes a unit plate 23 and nine droplet discharge heads 20 mounted on the unit plate 23. Droplet discharge head 20
Is fixed to the unit plate 23 via a head holding member (not shown). The fixed liquid droplet ejection head 20 has its head body in a hole (not shown) formed in the unit plate 23, and the nozzle substrate 25 is located at a position protruding from the surface of the unit plate 23.

FIG. 3 is a view as seen from the nozzle substrate 25 side. The nine droplet discharge heads 20 are divided in the Y-axis direction, and each of three groups of head groups 20A each having three droplet discharge heads 20 is provided.
Forming. The nozzle row 24A of each droplet discharge head 20 is connected to the head unit 21.
Extends in the Y-axis direction when attached to the droplet discharge device 1.

The three droplet discharge heads 20 included in one head set 20A are more than the discharge nozzles 24 at the ends of one droplet discharge head 20 of the droplet discharge heads 20 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction. The discharge nozzle 24 at the end of one of the droplet discharge heads 20 is disposed at a position that is shifted by a half nozzle pitch.

In the three droplet discharge heads 20 included in the head set 20A, if the positions of all the discharge nozzles 24 in the X-axis direction are the same, the discharge nozzles 24 are arranged at equal intervals of a half nozzle pitch in the Y-axis direction. In other words, at the same position in the X-axis direction, the droplets ejected from the ejection nozzles 24 constituting each nozzle row 24A included in each droplet ejection head 20 are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction by design. To land on a straight line.

Six nozzle rows 24 of the three droplet discharge heads 20 included in one head set 20A
A can also be handled as a single nozzle row. The nozzle row has, for example, 180 times six times and 1080 discharge nozzles 24, the nozzle pitch in the Y-axis direction is 70 μm, and the distance between the centers of the discharge nozzles 24 at both ends in the Y-axis direction (nozzle row) Length) is about 75.5mm
It is. Since the droplet discharge heads 20 overlap with each other in the Y-axis direction, the head set 20A is configured in a stepwise manner in the X-axis direction.

The three head sets 20A included in the head unit 21 are arranged at positions where the nozzle arrays that can be regarded as one nozzle array included in each of the head units 21 are shifted by a half nozzle pitch of the nozzle array 24A in the Y-axis direction. . In other words, each head unit 21 has the other of the droplet discharge heads 20 constituting the adjacent head set 20A with respect to the discharge nozzle 24 at the end of the droplet discharge head 20 in one head set 20A. The discharge nozzle 24 at the end of the droplet discharge head 20 in the head set 20A is disposed at a position shifted by a half nozzle pitch in the Y-axis direction.

The 18 nozzle rows 24A included in the nine droplet discharge heads 20 in the three head sets 20A provided in one head unit 21 can be handled as one nozzle row. The nozzle row is referred to as “unit nozzle row 240A”. The unit nozzle row 240A
For example, 180 18 times, 3240 discharge nozzles 24, the nozzle pitch in the Y-axis direction is 70 μm, and the center-to-center distance (nozzle row length) of the discharge nozzles 24 at both ends in the Y-axis direction is It is about 226.7 mm. That is, when one droplet is discharged from the discharge nozzle 24 of one head unit 21 and landed so that the X-axis direction is at the same position, a straight line is formed in which 3240 points are connected at a pitch interval of 70 μm.

As described above, the droplet discharge device 1 includes the two head units 21 and the two unit nozzle rows 240A. Two head units 21 can be arranged to form a nozzle row in which two unit nozzle rows 240A are continuous in the Y-axis direction. The nozzle row can form a straight line in which, for example, 6480 points are connected at a pitch interval of 70 μm during one scan.

Next, a discharge control method from the droplet discharge head 20 in the droplet discharge apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical configuration of the droplet discharge head and a signal flow.

As described above, the droplet discharge device 1 includes the control unit C that controls the operation of each unit of the droplet discharge device 1.
It has ONT. The control unit CONT includes a CPU 84 that outputs a control signal and a head driver 20 d that performs electrical drive control of the droplet discharge head 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the head driver 20d is electrically connected to each droplet discharge head 20 via an FFC cable. In addition, the droplet discharge head 20 includes a shift register (SL) 85 corresponding to the piezoelectric element 59 provided for each discharge nozzle 24 (see FIG. 2),
A latch circuit (LAT) 86, a level shifter (LS) 87, and a switch (SW) 88 are provided.

The ejection control in the droplet ejection apparatus 1 is performed as follows. First, the CPU 84 transmits the dot pattern data obtained by converting the arrangement pattern of the functional liquid on the drawing object such as the workpiece W to the head driver 20d. Then, the head driver 20d decodes the dot pattern data to generate nozzle data that is ON / OFF (discharge / non-discharge) information for each discharge nozzle 24. The nozzle data is converted into a serial signal (SI) and transmitted to each shift register 85 in synchronization with the clock signal (CK).

The nozzle data transmitted to the shift register 85 is latched at the timing when the latch signal (LAT) is input to the latch circuit 86, and the switch 88 is further switched by the level shifter 87.
Is converted into a gate signal. That is, when the nozzle data is “ON”, the switch 88 is opened and the drive signal (COM) is supplied to the piezoelectric element 59. When the nozzle data is “OFF”, the switch 88 is closed and the piezoelectric element 59 is closed. The drive signal (COM) is not supplied. Then, the functional liquid is discharged as droplets from the discharge nozzle 24 corresponding to “ON”, and the discharged droplets of the functional liquid land on the drawing object such as the workpiece W, and the drawing object The functional liquid is placed on the top.

Next, the configuration of the functional liquid supply unit 4 and the droplet discharge head 20 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the functional liquid supply unit 4 and the droplet discharge head 20.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the supply tube 43 includes a pipe portion 43 t and joint portions 43 a and 43.
b. The joint part 43a is provided in a connection part with the storage tank 41 in the pipe part 43t. Moreover, the joint part 43b is provided in the connection part with the relay tank 42 among the pipe parts 43t.

The supply tube 44 has a pipe part 44t, joint parts 44a and 44b, and a deaeration part 44c. The joint portion 44a is provided in a connection portion with the droplet discharge head 20 in the tube portion 44t. The joint part 44b is provided in a connection part with the relay tank 42 in the pipe part 44t.
The deaeration part 44c removes the gas contained in the functional liquid flowing through the pipe part 44t. Deaeration part 44c
Is provided in a part of the pipe portion 44t.

The droplet discharge head 20 is connected to the supply tube 44 via the functional liquid introduction needle 29. The functional liquid introduction needle 29 is connected to each nozzle 24 via a liquid pool 55.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ultraviolet irradiation unit EG can irradiate the irradiation sites L <b> 1 to L <b> 7 with ultraviolet rays from the functional liquid supply unit 4.

The irradiation part L1 is a joint part 43a connected to the storage tank 41 in the pipe part 43t.
The irradiation part L2 is a joint part 43b connected to the relay tank 42 in the pipe part 43t. The irradiation part L3 is a joint part 44b connected to the relay tank 42 in the pipe part 44t. The irradiation part L4 is a deaeration part 44c provided in a part of the pipe part 44t. The irradiation part L5 is a joint part 44a connected to the droplet discharge head 20 in the pipe part 44t. The irradiation site L6 is a functional liquid introduction needle 29 of the droplet discharge head 20. The irradiation site L7 is each nozzle 24 of the droplet discharge head 20.

Next, an operation of exchanging at least a part of the functional liquid supply unit 4 and the carriage 27 in the droplet discharge device 1 will be described. In the following description, the case where the supply tube 44 is replaced will be described as an example.

When exchanging the supply tube 44, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the ultraviolet ray irradiation part EG is used to irradiate the irradiation site L3, that is, the joint part 44b with ultraviolet rays (energy application step). By this step, the functional liquid remaining in the joint portion 44b is cured. For this reason, the joint part 44b is obstruct | occluded by the hardened functional liquid, and the leakage of the functional liquid from the joint part 44b is avoided.

After closing the joint part 44b, as shown in FIG. 7, the ultraviolet ray irradiation part EG is used to irradiate the irradiation site L5, that is, the joint part 44a with ultraviolet rays. By this process, the joint portion 44 is
The functional liquid remaining in a is cured. For this reason, the joint part 44a is obstruct | occluded with the hardened functional liquid, and the leakage of the functional liquid from the joint part 44a is avoided.

After closing the joint portion 44a, the joint portion 44a is connected to the droplet discharge head 20 as shown in FIG.
And the joint 44b is removed from the relay tank 42. By this operation, the supply tube 44 is removed. Since the joint portions 44a and 44b are respectively closed by the hardened functional liquid, the joint portion 44 in a state where the supply tube 44 is removed.
Leakage of functional fluid from a and 44b is avoided. For this reason, the droplet discharge device 1 is kept clean.

Thereafter, the joint portion 44a of the new supply tube 44 is attached to the droplet discharge head 20, and the joint portion 44b is attached to the relay tank 42 (exchange process). Thereby, the replacement of the supply tube 44 is completed. In this way, leakage of the functional liquid from the supply tube 44 is avoided by closing both ends of the flow path of the supply tube 44 with the hardened functional liquid.
In addition, when replacing | exchanging the supply tube 44, you may irradiate an ultraviolet-ray with respect to the deaeration part 44c using the ultraviolet irradiation part EG.

When replacing the supply tube 44, the ultraviolet irradiation unit EG may be used to irradiate the irradiation part L3 with ultraviolet rays after irradiating the irradiation part L5 with ultraviolet rays first.

Next, although not shown, a case where the supply tube 43 is replaced will be described.
When the supply tube 43 is replaced, first, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit EG is used to irradiate the irradiation site L1, that is, the joint portion 43a with ultraviolet rays. By this step, the functional liquid remaining in the joint portion 43a is cured. For this reason, the joint part 43a is obstruct | occluded with the hardened functional liquid, and the leakage of the functional liquid from the joint part 43a is avoided.

After closing the joint portion 43a, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit EG is used to irradiate the irradiation site L2, that is, the joint portion 43b with ultraviolet rays. By this step, the functional liquid remaining in the joint portion 43b is cured. For this reason, the joint part 43b is obstruct | occluded with the hardened functional liquid, and the joint part 4
Leakage of functional fluid from 3b is avoided.

After closing the joint portion 43b, the joint portion 43a is removed from the storage tank 41, and the joint portion 43b is removed from the relay tank 42. By this operation, the supply tube 43 is removed. Since the joint portions 43a and 43b are respectively closed by the hardened functional liquid, leakage of the functional liquid from the joint portions 43a and 43b is avoided in a state where the supply tube 43 is removed. For this reason, the droplet discharge device 1 is kept clean.

Then, while attaching the joint part 43a of the new supply tube 43 to the storage tank 41,
The joint portion 43b is attached to the relay tank 42. Thereby, replacement | exchange of the supply tube 43 is completed. In this way, the both ends of the flow path of the supply tube 43 are closed by the hardened functional liquid, so that leakage of the functional liquid from the supply tube 43 is avoided.

Note that when the supply tube 43 is replaced, the irradiation site L1 may be irradiated with ultraviolet rays after the irradiation site L2 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays using the ultraviolet irradiation unit EG.

Next, although not shown, a case where the droplet discharge head 20 is replaced will be described. in this case,
Although the droplet discharge head 20 is replaced together with the carriage 27, a case where the droplet discharge head 20 is replaced alone will be described below as an example in order to make it easy to distinguish the drawings.
First, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the irradiation site L6, that is, the functional liquid introduction needle 29 using the ultraviolet irradiation unit EG. By this step, the functional liquid remaining in the functional liquid introduction needle 29 is cured. Since the functional liquid introduction needle 29 is closed by the hardened functional liquid, leakage of the functional liquid from the functional liquid introduction needle 29 is avoided.

After the functional liquid introduction needle 29 is closed, the irradiation site L7, that is, each nozzle 24 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays using the ultraviolet irradiation unit EG. By this step, the functional liquid remaining in each nozzle 24 is cured. Since each nozzle 24 is blocked by the hardened functional liquid, leakage of the functional liquid from each nozzle 24 is avoided.

Thereafter, the droplet discharge head 20 is detached from the joint portion 44a, and a new droplet discharge head 20 is obtained.
Is attached to the joint portion 44a. Thereby, the replacement of the droplet discharge head 20 is completed. Thus, also in the case of the droplet discharge head 20, leakage of the functional liquid can be avoided by closing both ends of the flow path with the hardened functional liquid.

When the droplet discharge head 20 is replaced, the ultraviolet irradiation unit EG may be used to irradiate the irradiation part L6 with ultraviolet rays after irradiating the irradiation part L7 with ultraviolet rays first. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, energy is applied to the exchanged portion of the droplet discharge head 20 and the supply unit 4 by irradiating ultraviolet rays prior to the exchange. The functional liquid remaining in the portion can be cured. Thereby, since it can suppress that a functional liquid leaks from an exchange part, the droplet discharge apparatus 1 can be maintained in a clean state.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the droplet discharge device 1 is provided with a detection unit DT. Prior to replacing at least a part of the supply unit 4 and the droplet discharge head 20, the detection unit DT detects leakage of the functional liquid Q in the flow path of the functional liquid Q from the supply unit 4 to the droplet discharge head 20. Detect (detection step).

In the case where the detection unit DT is provided, for example, a location where the functional liquid Q is leaking can be grasped, and ultraviolet rays can be irradiated to the leaking location using the ultraviolet irradiation unit EG. Thereby, the leaking location of the functional liquid can be blocked by the cured functional liquid. Note that the pressurizing unit 40 may be used to pressurize the flow path from the supply unit 4 to the droplet discharge head 20 (pressurizing step). In this case, since the leakage of the functional fluid is promoted, the detection unit DT can easily detect the leakage location of the functional fluid Q.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated taking the case where a functional liquid received the irradiation of an ultraviolet-ray and hardened | cured, it is not restricted to this. For example, the same explanation can be made even when the functional liquid is cured by receiving other energy such as heat. In this case, the energy provision part which provides the energy which can harden a functional liquid should just be provided.

In the above embodiment, the droplet discharge device 1 includes two head units 21, and the one head unit 21 is a transparent liquid unit to which a colorless and transparent transparent functional liquid is supplied. The other head unit 21 is a colored liquid unit to which a colored functional liquid including, for example, white is supplied. However, it is not essential that the functional liquid discharged by the discharge head provided in the head unit is the same. In the drawing apparatus, a plurality of different types of functional liquids such as different colors may be discharged. Color drawing is also possible by discharging a plurality of types of functional liquids having different colors. The type of functional liquid may be different for each head unit with a plurality of head units like the droplet discharge device 1, or may be different for each head set.
It may be different for each droplet discharge head, or may be different for each nozzle row. Different functional liquids may be ejected from one ejection nozzle to another by using a droplet ejection head that can individually supply functional liquid to each ejection nozzle. In addition, when carrying out color drawing, a plurality of,
For example, by using a head unit or a droplet discharge head having a configuration capable of landing functional liquids having different colors, or using a scanning method, finer drawing can be performed. It may be a liquid that changes tone.

In the above embodiment, the droplet discharge device 1 includes two head units 21.
However, it is not essential that the drawing apparatus has two head units. There may be one or three or more head units provided in the drawing apparatus.

In the above embodiment, the head unit 21 includes nine droplet discharge heads 20, but it is not essential that the head unit includes nine discharge heads. Any number of ejection heads may be included in the head unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the droplet discharge head 20 includes the two nozzle rows 24A in which a large number of discharge nozzles 24 are arranged in a substantially straight line. However, any number of nozzle rows may be provided in the discharge head. . In addition, the discharge nozzles 24 included in the droplet discharge head 20 were displaced from each other in the extending direction of the nozzle row 24A.
A configuration including a plurality of discharge nozzles located at substantially the same position may be employed.

In the above embodiment, the workpiece W 30 is moved in the X-axis direction by moving the workpiece mounting table 30 in the X-axis direction by the X-axis scanning mechanism, and the droplet discharge head 20 is moved to the Y-axis by the Y-axis scanning mechanism.
By moving in the axial direction, the workpiece W and the droplet discharge head 20 are relatively moved in the plane direction. It is not essential to move both the drawing object and the ejection head in order to move the drawing object and the ejection head relative to each other. A configuration may be adopted in which either the drawing object or the ejection head is moved in the plane direction to move the drawing object and the ejection head relative to each other.

Here, in the above description, a droplet discharge method for discharging a liquid material as droplets will be described. Examples of the discharge technique of the droplet discharge method include a charge control method, a pressure vibration method, an electromechanical conversion method, an electrothermal conversion method, and an electrostatic suction method.

In the charge control method, a charge is applied to a liquid material by a charging electrode, and the flying direction of the liquid material is controlled by a deflection electrode and discharged from a discharge nozzle. In addition, the pressure vibration method is 30 k
Applying an ultra-high pressure of about g / cm 2 to discharge the liquid material to the tip side of the discharge nozzle,
When the control voltage is not applied, the liquid material goes straight and is discharged from the discharge nozzle. When the control voltage is applied, electrostatic repulsion occurs between the liquid materials, and the liquid material is scattered and is not discharged from the discharge nozzle.
In addition, the electromechanical conversion method utilizes the property that a piezo element (piezoelectric element) deforms in response to a pulsed electrical signal. The pressure is applied through the liquid, and the liquid material is pushed out from the space and discharged from the discharge nozzle.

In addition, the electrothermal conversion method is a method in which a liquid material is rapidly vaporized by a heater provided in a space in which the liquid material is stored to generate bubbles, and the liquid material in the space is discharged by the pressure of the bubbles. It is. In the electrostatic suction method, a minute pressure is applied to the space in which the liquid material is stored, a meniscus of the liquid material is formed on the discharge nozzle, and the liquid material is drawn out after applying an electrostatic attractive force in this state. In addition to this, it is also possible to apply a technique such as a system that uses a change in the viscosity of a fluid caused by an electric field or a system that uses a discharge spark.

The droplet discharge method has an advantage that a liquid material is less wasted and a desired amount of the liquid material can be accurately disposed at a desired position. Among these, the piezo method has an advantage that it does not affect the composition or the like of the liquid material because heat is not applied to the liquid material. In the present embodiment, the above-described piezo method is used from the viewpoints of a high degree of freedom in selecting a liquid material and good controllability of droplets.

CONT ... Control unit 20 ... Droplet ejection head Q ... Functional liquid 4 ... Functional liquid supply unit (supply unit)
41 ... Reservoir tank (reservoir) 42 ... Relay tank (reservoir) 43, 44 ... Supply tube

Claims (11)

A liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid that is cured by receiving energy as liquid droplets;
A droplet discharge apparatus maintenance method comprising: a supply unit that supplies the liquid to the droplet discharge head;
An exchange step of exchanging at least a part of the droplet discharge head and the supply unit;
Prior to the replacement step, a method of maintaining a droplet discharge device, comprising: an energy applying step of applying the energy to a portion of the droplet discharge head and the supply unit to be replaced in the replacement step. The maintenance method for the droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the energy is ultraviolet light. The maintenance method for the droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the energy is heat. The droplet discharge head has a nozzle for discharging the droplet,
The replacing step includes replacing the droplet discharge head;
The method for maintaining a droplet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the energy applying step includes applying the energy to the nozzle. The droplet discharge head has a liquid introduction part connected to the supply part,
The replacing step includes replacing the droplet discharge head;
The method for maintaining a droplet discharge apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the energy applying step includes applying the energy to the liquid introduction unit. The supply unit has a joint connected to the droplet discharge head,
The exchange step includes exchanging a part including the joint part in the supply part,
The droplet ejection apparatus maintenance method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the energy application step includes applying the energy to the joint portion. The supply unit includes a storage unit that stores the droplets, and a pipe unit that is connected to the storage unit via a second joint unit,
The exchange step includes exchanging the pipe part;
The method for maintaining a droplet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the energy applying step includes applying the energy to the second joint portion. The supply unit has a deaeration unit for removing a gas component contained in the liquid,
The exchange step includes exchanging a part of the supply unit including the deaeration unit,
The method for maintaining a droplet discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy applying step includes applying the energy to the deaeration unit. A detection step of detecting leakage of the liquid in the flow path of the liquid from the supply unit to the droplet discharge head,
The maintenance method for a droplet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the energy application step includes applying the energy to a location corresponding to a detection result in the detection step. The droplet discharge device maintenance method according to claim 9, wherein a pressurizing step of pressurizing the flow path is performed prior to the energy applying step. A liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid that is cured by receiving energy as liquid droplets;
A droplet discharge apparatus comprising: a supply unit that supplies the liquid to the droplet discharge head; and an energy applying unit that applies the energy to at least a part of the droplet discharge head and the supply unit.

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