JP2013014148A - Fluid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light emitting unit and a fluid ejecting apparatus which can prevent output of light from decreasing and can be fully arranged in a limited space without using a complicated configuration.SOLUTION: The light emitting unit set in the fluid ejecting apparatus which ejects towards a medium a fluid that includes a material cured when receiving irradiation of a predetermined light, is equipped with a substrate, a light emitting element which is set on the substrate and projects the predetermined light from a light projection part, a first protecting layer prepared to at least cover the light projection part and formed of a first material that transmits the predetermined light, and a second protecting layer prepared replaceably on the first protecting layer and formed of a second material that transmits the predetermined light.

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting unit and a fluid ejecting apparatus.

  The ultraviolet curable ink has a preferable characteristic as a printing ink, in which the curing is very slow until it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and it is rapidly cured when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. In addition, since the solvent is not volatilized during curing, there is also an advantage that the environmental load is small.

  In addition, UV curable inks exhibit high adhesion to various media depending on the composition of the vehicle, and are chemically stable after curing, such as adhesion, chemical resistance, weather resistance, and friction resistance. And has excellent characteristics such as withstanding outdoor environments.

  For this reason, an image can be formed not only on a thin sheet-like medium such as paper, a resin film, or a metal foil, but also on an optical recording medium having a three-dimensional surface shape such as a label surface or a textile product.

  As a method for attaching the ultraviolet curable ink to the medium, there may be coating, printing, and the like, but use of an ink jet recording apparatus that can form an arbitrary image or pattern with high accuracy without a printing plate is expected. In addition, a structure in which main scanning for moving the recording head for ejecting ink and sub scanning for moving the medium in a direction crossing the main scanning direction is combined, so that a long or narrow nozzle is used. An image can be recorded in an arbitrary area even on a medium having a large area.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes that in an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink contains an ultraviolet curing agent, and the recording surface immediately after recording is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to improve the quick drying property of the recording surface. More specifically, in an inkjet printer, ultraviolet curable ink is used as the ink, and the ink attached to the medium is immediately cured and fixed by ultraviolet lamps installed at both ends of the recording head in the main scanning direction. It is described.

  When the ultraviolet curable ink is jetted onto the medium, there is a problem that the solvent of the ultraviolet curable ink is scattered and mist is easily generated. For example, in the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the ultraviolet light source is provided at a position adjacent to the recording head, the generated mist is deposited on the light emitting portion of the light source, and the output of the ultraviolet light is weakened. There was a problem.

  On the other hand, as shown in Patent Document 2, a configuration in which a light transmission film is disposed between a light source and a recording sheet has been proposed. According to this configuration, it is possible to avoid the deposition of mist on the light source by disposing a film that transmits ultraviolet light between the light source and the recording paper. Patent Document 2 also proposes a configuration in which a light transmission film is provided so as to be able to be wound. According to this configuration, by winding up the light transmission film in accordance with the degree of mist accumulation, a portion of the light transmission film on which the mist is not deposited can be disposed on the light emitting portion.

JP 2004-1555046 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-223916

  However, the above light-transmitting film has a complicated and large winding structure and is difficult to arrange in a limited space in the ink jet printer main body.

  In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention provides a light emitting unit and a fluid ejecting apparatus that can prevent a decrease in light output and can be sufficiently arranged in a limited space without using a complicated configuration. It is an object.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a light emitting unit according to the present invention is a light emitting unit provided in a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid containing a material that is cured by irradiation of predetermined light toward a medium, A light-emitting element that is provided on the substrate and emits the predetermined light from a light emitting portion; and a first protection made of a first material that is provided so as to cover at least the light emitting portion and transmits the predetermined light And a second protective layer that is exchangeably provided on the first protective layer and is made of a second material that transmits the predetermined light.

  According to the present invention, the first protective layer made of the first material that transmits the predetermined light is provided so as to cover at least the light emitting portion, and further the second protection made of the second material that transmits the predetermined light. Since the layer is provided interchangeably on the first protective layer, the double protective layer can reliably protect the fluid mist from adhering to the light source with almost no attenuation of the predetermined light. it can. In the present invention, since the upper second protective layer to which fluid mist easily adheres is provided so as to be replaceable, it can be replaced when a certain amount of mist adheres to the second protective layer. The light transmittance can be maintained. In addition, the first protective layer and the second protective layer only have to be provided at least in a portion covering the light emitting portion, and a complicated mechanism such as a winding mechanism is not required, so that the limited space is limited. Even so, it can be arranged sufficiently. Thereby, while being able to prevent the light output fall, the light emitting unit which can fully be arrange | positioned in the limited space can be obtained, without using a complicated structure. In the present invention, the first material and the second material may be the same material or different materials.

In the light emitting unit, the predetermined light is ultraviolet light, the first material is silicone resin, and the second material is silicone oil.
It is known that ultraviolet rays pass through the silicone layer with little attenuation. According to the present invention, the predetermined light is an ultraviolet ray, the first material is a silicone resin, and the second material is a silicone oil. It is possible to obtain a light-emitting unit that can be prevented from being lowered and can be sufficiently arranged in a limited space without using a complicated configuration.

  A fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes an ejecting head that ejects a fluid containing a material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light toward a medium, and a light source that emits the predetermined light toward the medium. In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the light emitting unit is used as the light source.

  According to the present invention, a fluid ejecting apparatus including an ejecting head that ejects a fluid containing a material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light toward a medium, and a light source that emits predetermined light toward the medium. Since the light emitting unit can be used as a light source and can prevent light output from being lowered and can be sufficiently arranged in a limited space without using a complicated configuration, the light is emitted toward the medium. A highly reliable fluid ejecting apparatus in which the output of predetermined light does not decrease can be obtained, and a fluid ejecting apparatus having a simple configuration can be obtained.

The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes an exchange mechanism for exchanging the second protective layer provided in the light emitting unit.
The above-described winding type light transmitting film needs to be manually replaced after the film is completely wound. On the other hand, according to the present invention, since it is further provided with an exchange mechanism for exchanging the second protective layer provided in the light emitting unit, it is possible to save the trouble of manually exchanging the second protective layer. . Thereby, maintenance can be simplified.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the replacement mechanism includes a removal mechanism that removes the second protective layer, and a supply mechanism that supplies the predetermined material to a position where the second protective layer is provided. To do.
According to the present invention, the replacement mechanism includes the removal mechanism that removes the second protective layer and the supply mechanism that supplies a predetermined material to the position where the second protective layer is provided. It is possible to disperse and arrange the removal mechanism having the function of removing the two protective layers and the supply mechanism having the function of supplying the second protective layer. Thereby, it can avoid that an exchange mechanism enlarges.

The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes a holding member that holds the ejection head and the light source, and at least one of the removal mechanism and the supply mechanism is provided inside the holding member. It is characterized by that.
According to the present invention, the holding member for holding the ejection head and the light source is further provided, and at least one of the removal mechanism and the supply mechanism is provided inside the holding member. Therefore, the removal mechanism and the supply mechanism are arranged. To save space.

The fluid ejecting apparatus may further include a maintenance unit that maintains the ejecting head, and at least one of the removal mechanism and the supply mechanism is provided in the maintenance unit.
According to the present invention, the fluid ejecting apparatus further includes a maintenance unit for maintaining the ejecting head, and at least one of the removal mechanism and the supply mechanism is provided in the maintenance unit. In addition, the second protective layer can be exchanged together. Thereby, the time required for maintenance can be saved.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the removal mechanism includes a scraping unit that scrapes off the second protective layer.
According to the present invention, since the removal mechanism of the replacement mechanism has the scraping portion that scrapes off the second protective layer, the second protective layer is physically removed by the scraping portion. Thereby, the mist of the fluid adhering to the second protective layer and the second protective layer can be reliably removed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part around a recording head. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a nozzle formation surface of a recording head. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a carriage. The sectional side view which shows the structure of a maintenance part. FIG. 6 is a process diagram illustrating an operation of a printer. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a serial inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as printer 1) is exemplified as the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view showing a schematic configuration of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment.
The printer 1 includes a printer main body 5 and a carriage 4 provided in the printer main body 5. A sub tank 2, a recording head (ejection head) 3, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit (light emitting unit) 7 are mounted on the carriage 4.

  The printer main body 5 stores a carriage moving mechanism 65, a maintenance unit 14 that performs a cleaning operation and a moisturizing operation of the recording head 3, a maintenance operation such as a maintenance operation of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 7, and ink L supplied to the sub tank 2. An ink cartridge 6 is provided. The printer body 5 is provided with a paper feed mechanism (not shown) that transports the recording paper. The paper feed mechanism is composed of a paper feed motor or the like, and the paper feed mechanism sequentially feeds the recording paper onto the platen 13 so as to be linked to the recording (printing / printing) operation. In addition, the printer body 5 is provided with a control unit 60 that comprehensively controls the operation of the printer 1.

  The carriage moving mechanism 65 is a moving mechanism that reciprocates the carriage 4 along the longitudinal direction (width direction) of the printer body 5, and includes a guide shaft 8, a pulse motor 9, and a pulse motor that are installed in the width direction of the printer body 5. The driving pulley 10 connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 9, the idle pulley 11 provided at the end in the width direction of the printer body 5, and the timing spanned between the drive pulley 10 and the idle pulley 11. A belt 12 is provided. The carriage 4 is connected to the timing belt 12. By driving the pulse motor 9, the carriage 4 reciprocates along the guide shaft 8 between the drive pulley 10 and the idle pulley 11.

  The maintenance mechanism 14 includes a cap member 15 and a protective liquid supply mechanism 16. The cap member 15 is a tray-shaped member made of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber. The cap member 15 is located outside the recording area in the moving area of the carriage 4, for example, at the end of the printer body 5 (on the driving pulley 10 side). Has been placed. The place where the cap member 15 is disposed is the home position of the carriage 4. The home position is a place where the carriage 4 stands by when the printer 1 is turned off or when recording is not performed for a long time. The cap member 15 is provided with a suction pump 15a. The protective liquid supply mechanism 16 supplies a protective liquid that protects the irradiation surface of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 7.

  The ink cartridge 6 is a fluid storage part in which ink L used for recording is stored. The ink cartridge 6 and the sub tank 2 are connected by an ink supply tube (fluid circulation part) 34. The ink L in the ink cartridge 6 is supplied to the sub tank 2 through the ink supply tube 34. In this embodiment, four types of ink L, black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are used.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the sub tank 2 and the recording head 3.
As shown in the figure, the sub tank 2 is a widened portion provided at the end of the ink supply tube 34, and is molded from a resin material such as polypropylene. The sub tank 2 has an ink chamber 27, an elastic sheet 26, a needle connection portion 28, a connection flow path 29, and a tank portion filter 30.

  The ink chamber 27 is a concave portion having a bowl shape in cross section, and is a portion that holds ink supplied from the ink supply tube 34. The ink chamber 27 is connected to an ink supply tube 34 via an ink inlet (not shown). The left side of the ink chamber 27 in the figure is formed to be narrow, and the right side in the figure is an opening.

  The elastic sheet 26 is a transparent sheet attached to the opening of the ink chamber 27. The elastic sheet 26 can be deformed in both directions of contracting the ink chamber 27 and expanding the ink chamber 27. The pressure variation of the ink L is absorbed by the deformation of the elastic sheet 26, and the ink L is supplied to the recording head 3 side in a state where the pressure variation is absorbed in the sub tank 2. Thus, the sub tank 2 functions as a pressure damper.

  The needle connection portion 28 is a portion into which the ink introduction needle 22 is inserted, and is provided so as to protrude below the sub tank 2. A seal member 31 is fitted into the needle connection portion 28. The seal member 31 is configured such that the ink introduction needle 22 is fitted in a liquid-tight manner. The connection channel 29 is a channel through which ink flows between the ink chamber 27 and the needle connection part 28. The tank filter 30 is a filter that filters ink moving from the ink chamber 27 to the connection flow path 29, and is attached to the boundary between the connection flow path 29 and the ink chamber 27.

The recording head 3 includes an introduction needle unit 17, a head case 18, a flow path unit 19, and an actuator unit 20.
The introduction needle unit 17 has an ink introduction needle 22, a filter 21, and an ink introduction path 23. The ink introduction needle 22 is a cylindrical member having a tapered upper end, and the tapered upper end is attached to the sub tank 2. At the upper end of the ink introduction needle 22, an introduction port for introducing the ink L from the sub tank 2 into the introduction needle is provided. The filter 21 is disposed so as to cover the lower end surface of the ink introduction needle 22. The ink introduction path 23 communicates with the inside of the ink introduction needle 22 via the filter 21. The lower end of the ink introduction path 23 is connected to the inside of the head case 18 via the packing 24.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the head case 18 and the flow path unit 19 of the recording head 3.
As shown in the figure, the flow path unit 19 is joined to the bottom of the head case 18.

  The head case 18 is a hollow box-shaped member made of synthetic resin, and a case flow path 25 and a housing empty portion 37 are formed inside the head case 18. The case channel 25 is formed so as to penetrate the height direction of the head case 18. The upper end of the case flow path 25 communicates with the ink introduction path 23 of the introduction needle unit 17 through the packing 24. The lower end of the case flow path 25 communicates with the common ink chamber 44 in the flow path unit 19, and the ink L introduced from the ink introduction needle 22 passes through the ink introduction path 23 and the case flow path 25 to the common ink chamber 44 side. To be supplied.

  The introduction needle unit 17 is attached to the upper end surface of the accommodation hollow portion 37 with the packing 24 interposed. The actuator unit 20 is housed in the housing space 37. The actuator unit 20 includes a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 38 arranged in a comb-like shape, a fixed plate 39 to which the piezoelectric vibrators 38 are joined, and wiring for supplying a drive signal from the printer main body side to the piezoelectric vibrators 38. It is comprised from the flexible cable 40 as a member. Each piezoelectric vibrator 38 has a fixed end portion joined to a fixed plate 39 and a free end portion protruding outward from the front end surface of the fixed plate 39, and is attached to the fixed plate 39 in a so-called cantilever state. Yes. The fixed plate 39 that supports each piezoelectric vibrator 38 is made of, for example, stainless steel having a thickness of about 1 mm. The actuator unit 20 is housed and fixed in the housing space 37 by bonding the back surface of the fixing plate 39 to the inner wall surface of the case that defines the housing space 37.

  The flow path unit 19 includes a vibration plate (sealing plate) 41, a flow path substrate 42, and a nozzle substrate 43. The diaphragm 41, the flow path substrate 42, and the nozzle substrate 43 are stacked in this order, and are joined and integrated with an adhesive (not shown). The diaphragm 41, the flow path substrate 42, and the nozzle substrate 43 are members that form a series of ink flow paths (liquid flow paths) from the common ink chamber 44 to the nozzle openings 47 through the ink supply ports 45 and the pressure chambers 46. It is. The pressure chamber 46 is formed as an elongated space in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction (nozzle row direction) of the nozzle openings 47. The common ink chamber 44 communicates with the case channel 25 and is a space into which the ink L from the ink introduction needle 22 side is introduced. The ink L introduced into the common ink chamber 44 is distributed to each pressure chamber 46 through the ink supply port 45.

  The nozzle substrate 43 is a plate material made of a metal such as stainless steel, for example, and has a plurality of nozzle openings 47 arranged at a pitch (for example, 180 dpi) corresponding to the dot formation density. The nozzle openings 47 are provided in a total of 22 rows corresponding to each sub tank 2. One nozzle row is composed of, for example, 180 nozzle openings 47.

  A flow path substrate 42 disposed between the nozzle substrate 43 and the vibration plate 41 is a flow path portion that becomes an ink flow path, specifically, a common ink chamber 44, an ink supply port 45, and an empty space that becomes a pressure chamber 46. It is a plate-like member in which a section is formed. The flow path substrate 42 is produced, for example, by subjecting a silicon wafer, which is a crystalline base material, to anisotropic etching. The vibration plate 41 is a double-structured composite plate material in which an elastic film is laminated on a metal support plate such as stainless steel. An island portion 48 to which the tip surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is joined is formed in a portion corresponding to the pressure chamber 46 of the vibration plate 41 by removing the support plate in an annular shape by etching or the like. This island part 48 functions as a diaphragm part.

  The vibration plate 41 is configured such that the elastic film around the island portion 48 is elastically deformed in response to the operation of the piezoelectric vibrator 38, seals one opening surface of the flow path substrate 42, and the compliance portion 49. It has come to function as. As for the portion corresponding to the compliance portion 49, the support plate is removed by etching or the like as in the diaphragm portion, and only the elastic film remains.

  In the recording head 3, when a drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 through the flexible cable 40, the piezoelectric vibrator 38 expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the element, and accordingly, the island portion 48 approaches the pressure chamber 46. It moves in the direction or the direction away from it. The volume of the pressure chamber 46 is changed by the movement of the island portion 48, and a pressure fluctuation occurs in the ink L in the pressure chamber 46, and the ink droplet D is ejected from the nozzle opening 47 by this pressure fluctuation.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration on the carriage 4, and particularly shows the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 7 in detail.
As shown in the figure, for example, one ultraviolet irradiation unit 7 is provided on each side of the moving direction of the carriage 4 with respect to the recording head 3. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 7 includes a substrate 71, a light emitting element 72, a frame member 73, a first protective layer 74, a second protective layer 75, a heat pipe 76 and a fan 77. The light emitting element 72, the frame member 73, the first protective layer 74, and the second protective layer 75 are provided on the lower surface 71a side of the substrate 71, and the heat pipe 76 and the fan 77 are provided on the upper surface 71b side of the substrate 71. .

  The substrate 71 is provided with wiring (not shown) connected to the outside. The light emitting element 72 is, for example, an LED element that emits ultraviolet rays by an electrical signal, and is mounted on the substrate 71 via, for example, a wire 72a. The wire 72a is connected to a wiring (not shown) provided on the substrate, and an electric signal is supplied from the outside to the light emitting element 72 via the wire 72a and the wiring (not shown). The frame member 73 is disposed along the outer periphery of the substrate 71 so as to surround the light emitting element 72.

  The first protective layer 74 is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light emitted from the light emitting element 72, for example, a material such as silicone rubber, and is provided so as to cover the entire light emitting element 72 and the wire 72a. In the present embodiment, the first protective layer 74 is provided so as to cover the entire light emitting element 72 and the wire 72 a, but the first protective layer 74 is provided so as to cover at least the light emitting surface 72 b of the light emitting element 72. It only has to be done. Therefore, for example, the first protective layer 74 may be provided only on the light emission surface 72b.

  The second protective layer 75 is made of, for example, a material such as silicone oil that transmits ultraviolet rays, and is disposed on the surface 74 a of the first protective layer 74. The second protective layer 75 is provided so as to be replaceable, for example, by replacing silicone oil that is a constituent material.

  The heat pipe 76 includes a heat absorbing member 76a, a heat radiating member 76b, and a circulating member 76c. The heat absorbing member 76 a is made of, for example, a material having high thermal conductivity, such as a metal, and is disposed on the upper surface 71 b of the substrate 71. The heat radiating member 76b is provided at a position distant from the heat absorbing member 76a, and is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, such as a metal. The heat radiating member 76b is provided in a plurality of layers in a thin plate shape so as to increase the efficiency of heat dissipation, and the layers are arranged with a space therebetween. The circulation member 76c is a tubular member provided so as to be in contact with the heat absorbing member 76a and the heat radiating member 76b, and a liquid having a high heat capacity such as water is enclosed in the tube. The fan 77 is provided in the vicinity of the heat radiating member 76b of the heat pipe 76, and diffuses heat released by the heat radiating member 76b of the heat pipe 76.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the maintenance unit 14.
As shown in the figure, the maintenance unit 14 is provided with a cap member 15 and a protective liquid supply mechanism (supply mechanism) 16. For example, one protective liquid supply mechanism 16 is provided on each side of the cap member 15 in the moving direction of the carriage 4.

  In a state where the recording head 3 is disposed at a position overlapping the cap member 15 in plan view by the movement of the carriage 4, the two ultraviolet light emitting units 7 are respectively disposed at positions overlapping the protective liquid supply mechanism 16 in plan view. It has become. Thus, the positional relationship between the cap member 15 and the protective liquid supply mechanism 16 corresponds to the positional relationship between the recording head 3 and the ultraviolet light emitting unit 7.

  The protective liquid supply mechanism 16 includes a protective liquid storage member 16a, a protective liquid layer 16b, and a protective liquid application member 16c. The protective liquid storage member 16a is formed in a bowl shape, and a silicone oil that is a constituent material of the second protective layer 75 is stored in the storage portion as the protective liquid layer 16b.

  The protective liquid application member 16c is made of, for example, a sponge, and is provided inside the protective liquid storage member 16a so as to be in contact with the protective liquid layer 16b. The protective liquid application member 16c is impregnated with silicone oil while in contact with the protective liquid layer 16c. Each protective liquid supply mechanism 16 is provided so as to be independently movable in a direction approaching the carriage 4 and a direction away from the carriage 4 (vertical direction in the drawing).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a scraper 33 is provided in a region between the maintenance unit 14 and the platen 13. The scraper 33 is a removal mechanism that removes the second protective layer 75 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 7. The scraper 33 includes a shaft portion 33a, a support portion 33b, and a scraping portion 33c, and is formed in an L shape in a side view.

The shaft portion 33a is a portion erected in the vertical direction in the figure, and is provided so as to be rotatable about its own shaft. The support portion 33b is provided in a direction that is bent with respect to the extending direction of the shaft portion 33a from the tip of the shaft portion 33a, and supports the scraping portion 33c. The scraping portion 33c is attached to the tip of the support portion 33b. The scraper 33 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure.
The protective liquid supply mechanism 16 and the scraper 33 constitute an exchange mechanism 80 for exchanging the second protective layer 75.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 configured as described above will be described.
When recording on the recording paper R, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the recording paper R is arranged on the platen 13, and ink is ejected from the recording head 3 while moving the carriage 4 to inject the ink onto the recording paper R. Deploy. Due to the ejection of ink, mist is generated between the recording head 3 and the recording paper R, and a part of the mist adheres to the second protective layer 75. The attached mist enters the second protective layer 75 and is held in a floating state in the second protective layer 75.

  When the ink is ejected, an electric signal is supplied from the outside to the light emitting element 72 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 7, and the ultraviolet light UV is emitted from the light emission surface 72a. Since the material constituting the first protective layer 74 and the second protective layer 75 provided on the light emitting element 72 is silicone that transmits ultraviolet rays, the emitted ultraviolet rays UV are emitted from the first protective layer 74 and the second protective layer 75. To fall on the recording paper R.

  If the ultraviolet ray UV is continuously emitted, the light emitting element 72 generates heat. This heat is absorbed by the heat absorbing member 76a of the heat pipe 76 from the substrate 71. In the heat pipe 76, heat moves to the heat radiating member 76b via the liquid circulating in the circulation member 76c, and heat is released from the heat radiating member 76b. The fan 77 is rotated when the ultraviolet rays are emitted so that the heat released from the heat radiating member 76b can be diffused.

  By moving the carriage 4 while emitting ultraviolet light, the ink disposed on the recording paper R is irradiated with ultraviolet light as shown in FIG. When the ink is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the ink is solidified and fixed on the recording paper R. In this way, recording on the recording paper R is performed.

  When performing maintenance of the recording head 3 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 7, the carriage 4 is moved to the maintenance unit 14. First, the supply of the electrical signal to the light emitting element 72 is stopped, and the emission of ultraviolet rays is stopped. In this state, the carriage 4 is moved toward the maintenance unit 14.

  When the carriage 4 reaches between the platen 13 and the maintenance unit 14, as shown in FIG. 8, the scraper 33 is brought close to the carriage 4 and the scraping portion 33 c at the tip of the scraper 33 bites into the second protective layer 75. . In this state, when the scraper 33 is rotated while moving the carriage 4, the scraper 33c slides on the surface 74a of the first protective layer 74, and the second protective layer 75 containing mist is scraped off. .

  After the carriage 4 reaches the maintenance unit 14, as shown in FIG. 9, the cap member 15 is brought into contact with the recording head 3 to seal the ink discharge portion, and the sealed space is sucked by the suction mechanism 15a. By this suction, the meniscus of the nozzle is adjusted.

  After the suction, the cap member 15 is returned to the home position, and the protective liquid coating mechanism 16 is brought close to the ultraviolet irradiation unit 7. Since the second protective layer 75 containing mist is removed in the step shown in FIG. 8, the surface 74 of the first protective layer 74 is exposed. In this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the surface 16d of the protective liquid application member 16c is pressed against the surface 74a of the first protective layer 74, and the silicone oil impregnated in the protective liquid application member 16c is applied to the first protective layer 74. It is applied on the surface 74a.

  When the protective liquid application mechanism 16 is returned to the original position after the application of the silicone oil, the silicone oil remains in a layered state on the surface 74a of the first protective layer 74 as shown in FIG. The layer of silicone oil held in this layer form becomes a new second protective layer 75. After the second protective layer 75 is formed on the surface 74a of the first protective layer 74, the carriage 4 is moved again toward the platen 13, and recording is newly performed on the recording paper R.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first protective layer 74 made of silicone rubber that transmits ultraviolet light is provided so as to cover the light emitting surface 72b of the light emitting element 72, and further from the silicone oil that transmits ultraviolet light. Since the second protective layer 75 is replaceably provided on the first protective layer 74, the mist during ink ejection adheres to the light emitting surface 72b with almost no attenuation of ultraviolet rays. It can protect reliably by a protective layer.

  In the present embodiment, since the upper second protective layer 75 to which mist easily adheres is provided so as to be exchangeable, it can be exchanged when a certain amount of mist adheres to the second protective layer 75, and second protection The light transmittance of the layer 75 can be maintained. In addition, the first protective layer 74 and the second protective layer 75 only have to be provided in a portion that covers the light emitting surface 72a, and a complicated mechanism such as a winding mechanism is not required. Even if the space is large, it can be arranged sufficiently. Thereby, while being able to prevent the output fall of an ultraviolet-ray, the ultraviolet irradiation part 7 which can fully be arrange | positioned in the limited space can be obtained, without using a complicated structure.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the printer 1 including the recording head 3 that ejects the ultraviolet curable ink toward the recording paper R and the light source that irradiates the ultraviolet light UV toward the recording paper R is used as a light source. In this case, the above-described ultraviolet irradiation unit 7 that can be sufficiently disposed in a limited space without using a complicated configuration is used, so that the recording sheet R is irradiated. It is possible to obtain a highly reliable printer 1 in which the output of ultraviolet rays UV does not decrease, and to obtain a printer 1 having a simple configuration.

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.
As long as it is a material that transmits ultraviolet light without being attenuated, a material different from silicone or a mixed material of silicone and a material different from silicone may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure where the scraper 33 was arrange | positioned between the platen 13 and the maintenance part 14 was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this, For example, it is the structure which arrange | positions the scraper 33 in the maintenance part 14. It does not matter. Conversely, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the protective liquid supply mechanism 16 is disposed in the maintenance unit 14 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protective liquid supply mechanism 16 includes the platen 13, the maintenance unit 14, and the like. The configuration may be arranged between the two. Further, the scraper 33 and the protective liquid supply mechanism 16 may be mounted on the carriage 4.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the scraper 33 has the scraping portion 33c at the tip has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an absorbent member such as a sponge is disposed instead of the scraping portion 33c. It does not matter.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the protective liquid supply mechanism 16 is configured to apply the silicone oil on the surface 74a of the first protective layer 74 by the protective liquid application member 16c. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may arrange | position the mechanism which can pour a silicone oil directly on the surface 74a of the protective layer 74. FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (fluid ejecting apparatus) 3 ... Recording head (ejection head) 7 ... Ultraviolet irradiation part (light emission unit, light source) 14 ... Maintenance part 16 ... Protection liquid supply mechanism (supply mechanism) 33 ... Scraper (removal mechanism) 33c ... Scraping portion 71 ... substrate (base) 72 ... light emitting element 72b ... light emitting surface (light emitting portion) L ... ink (fluid) recording paper R ... (medium) UV ... ultraviolet light (predetermined light).

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a fluid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention ejects a fluid containing a material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light toward a medium, and the medium is ejected onto the medium. A light emitting unit that emits predetermined light toward the fluid, wherein the light emitting unit includes a base, a light emitting element that emits the predetermined light from a light emitting unit, and at least the A first protective layer made of a first material that is provided on the surface of the light emitting element and transmits the predetermined light; and a second protective layer made of a second material that is replaceably provided and transmits the predetermined light; The light emitting element is electrically connected to a wiring provided on the base, and the light emitting element and the first protective layer are disposed between the base and the second protective layer. It is characterized by that.
Moreover, the fluid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a heat pipe disposed so as to contact a surface of the base opposite to the side on which the base and the first protective layer are disposed. It is characterized by.
Further, a light emitting unit according to a reference example of the present invention is a light emitting unit provided in a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid containing a material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light toward a medium. A light emitting element that is provided on a substrate and emits the predetermined light from a light emitting portion; and a first protective layer that is provided so as to cover at least the light emitting portion and is made of a first material that transmits the predetermined light; And a second protective layer made of a second material that is exchangeably provided on the first protective layer and transmits the predetermined light.

Claims (8)

A light emitting unit provided in a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid containing a material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light toward a medium,
A substrate;
A light emitting element that is provided on the substrate and emits the predetermined light from a light emitting portion;
A first protective layer made of a first material provided so as to cover at least the light emitting portion and transmitting the predetermined light;
And a second protective layer made of a second material that is exchangeably provided on the first protective layer and transmits the predetermined light. The predetermined light is ultraviolet light;
The first material is a silicone resin;
The light emitting unit according to claim 1, wherein the second material is silicone oil. A fluid ejecting apparatus comprising: an ejecting head that ejects a fluid containing a material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light toward a medium; and a light source that emits the predetermined light toward the medium.
The fluid ejecting apparatus, wherein the light emitting unit according to claim 1 or 2 is used as the light source. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an exchange mechanism for exchanging the second protective layer provided in the light emitting unit. The exchange mechanism is
A removal mechanism for removing the second protective layer;
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a supply mechanism that supplies the predetermined material to a position where the second protective layer is provided. A holding member for holding the ejection head and the light source;
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the removal mechanism and the supply mechanism is provided inside the holding member. A maintenance unit for maintaining the ejection head;
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the removing mechanism and the supply mechanism is provided in the maintenance unit. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the removing mechanism includes a scraping unit that scrapes off the second protective layer.

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