JP2016211930A - Sticking strength measuring apparatus and sticking strength measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sticking strength capable of measuring sticking strength of a sticking material in a desired period after sticking on a body.SOLUTION: A sticking strength measuring apparatus 1a comprises: sticking material coating means 2 of coating a recording material with a sticking material (for example, ink); a contact piece to be brought into contact with the sticking material applies to the recording material; first driving means of moving the recording material between a position opposed to the sticking material coating means 2 and a position (sticking strength measurement position) opposed to the contact piece; second driving means of moving the recording material opposed to the contact piece in a direction of movement to the contact piece and in a direction of movement away from the contact piece; and measuring means of measuring displacement caused by deformation of the contact piece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an adhesive force measuring device and an adhesive force measuring method, and more particularly to an adhesive force measuring device and an adhesive force measuring method for measuring the adhesive force of an adhesive material.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an adhesion force measuring device that measures the adhesion force of powder is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this adhesive force measuring device, after the powder held by the holding member is brought into contact with the plate-like member, the powder is obtained from information on the amount of warpage of the plate-like member when the plate-like member and the powder are separated from each other. Find the body's adhesion.

  However, with the adhesive force measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to measure the adhesive force of the adhesive material at a desired time after adhering to the object.

  The present invention is an adhesive force measuring device for measuring the adhesive force of an adhesive material, an application means for applying the adhesive material to an object, and a contact for contacting the adhesive material applied to the object; Adhesive force measurement, comprising: a drive unit that relatively moves the opposing object and the contact in a direction toward and away from each other; and a measurement unit that measures the displacement of the contact. Device.

  According to the present invention, the adhesive force of an adhesive material can be measured at a desired time after adhering to an object.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the moving means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the adhesive force measuring means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the adhesive force measuring method by the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. Fig.5 (a)-FIG.5 (f) are the figures (the 1-the 6) for demonstrating the measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment, respectively. It is a figure which shows an example of the displacement of a contactor during the measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the displacement of a contactor when viscosity exists in the adhering material in the measurement operation | movement of the adhesion force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the deformation | transformation by the viscosity of the adhering material in the measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the displacement of the recording material in the measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the difference of the displacement of a contactor during the measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and the displacement of a recording material. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the moving means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the adhesive force measuring means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14F are views (No. 1 to No. 6) for explaining the measurement operation of the adhesion measuring apparatus of the second embodiment, respectively. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the adhesive force measuring means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the displacement of a contactor and contactor support means in measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring device of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the difference of the displacement of a contactor and a contactor support means in measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the displacement of a contactor and a contactor support means when viscosity exists in the adhesion material in the measurement operation | movement of the adhesion force measuring apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the deformation | transformation by the viscosity of the adhering material in the measurement operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring device of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the adhesive force measuring method by the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the drying means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the foreign material removal operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the displacement of a contactor during the foreign material removal operation | movement of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 7th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the suspension means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 8th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the adhesive force measuring means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 8th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the picked-up image by the observation means of the adhesive force measuring apparatus of 8th Embodiment. FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B are diagrams (No. 1 and No. 2) for explaining the adhesive force measuring device of Modification Example 1, respectively. It is a figure for demonstrating the adhesive force measuring apparatus of the modification 2. FIG.

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The adhesive force measuring device 1a of the first embodiment is a device that measures the adhesive force of an adhesive material.

  In particular, as will be described in detail below, the adhesion measuring apparatus 1a can measure the adhesion force of an adhesion material while the adhesion material can be measured immediately after adhering to an object, or while managing the elapsed time from the adhesion time. There is a feature in the point.

In this specification, “object” refers to sheet-like recording materials such as paper and film, building structures such as walls, pillars, beams, roofs, doors, windows, furniture, stationery, toys, and electrical appliances. In addition, living and business items such as clothing, and moving objects such as vehicles, aircraft, and ships are included.
In this specification, “adhesive material” includes ink, toner, paint, adhesive (including glue), coating agent, lubricant, detergent, antibacterial agent, medical product (including drug), cosmetics, dye, and the like. Is included.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1a. As shown in FIG. 1, the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1a measures an adhesive material applying means 2 for applying an adhesive material to a recording material as an object, a moving means 3 for moving the recording material, and an adhesive force of the adhesive material. Adhesive force measuring means 4, adhesive material applying means 2, moving means 3 and control means 5 for controlling adhesive force measuring means 4, and support for supporting adhesive material applying means 2, moving means 3 and adhesive force measuring means 4. And a body 9. In the following description, an XYZ three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system with the Z direction shown in FIG.

  Here, the adhering material application means 2 is an ink jet head, and the adhering material is ink. The control means 5 is a personal computer, for example. The calculation of the adhesive force of the adhesive material is performed by the calculation unit 53 included in the control means 5. The control means 5 includes a storage unit 54 and a measurement time measurement unit 55 that measures the measurement time in addition to the calculation unit 53. The storage unit 54 is a memory, for example. The measurement time measuring unit 55 is, for example, a timer.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the moving means 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the moving unit 3 includes a first driving unit 31, a second driving unit 32, and a sample stage 33 that holds a recording material.

  Here, the second drive means 32 is installed on the first drive means 31, and the sample stage 33 is installed on the second drive means 32.

  The first drive unit 31 includes, for example, a piezoelectric actuator 311 and a linear actuator 312. In the present embodiment, the second drive unit 32 includes, for example, a piezoelectric actuator 321 and a linear actuator 322.

  The first driving means 31 drives the sample stage 33 in the Y direction. Specifically, the first drive unit 31 applies the recording material placed on the sample stage 33 to a position where the recording material can be applied by the adhesive material applying unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as “adhesive material application”). The position is referred to as “position”) and a position (hereinafter referred to as “adhesive force measurement position”) where the adhesive force measuring means 4 performs the adhesive force measurement.

  The second driving means 32 drives the sample stage 33 in the Z direction. Specifically, the second driving means 32 moves the sample stage 33 on which the recording material positioned at the adhesion force measurement position is placed in a direction in which the recording material approaches and separates from a contact 41 described later. Move.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesive force measuring means 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the adhesive force measuring means 4 includes a contact 41, a measuring means 42 for measuring the displacement of the contact 41, a contact support means 411, a measurement means support means 423, an observation means 43, a recording material. The position measuring means 44 is included.

  As an example, the contact 41 is supported by the contact support means 411 so as to be positioned on the upper side (+ Z side) of the recording material positioned at the adhesion force measurement position.

  Here, the contact 41 is an elastic body, for example, a cantilever used in an atomic force microscope. There are various shapes and spring constants of cantilevers. By using a cantilever with a small spring constant, the displacement of the adhesive material is small relative to the minute adhesive force of the adhesive material described below. Therefore, it is possible to improve the measurement sensitivity of the adhesive force of the adhesive material. Specifically, it is desirable to use a spring constant of 1 N / m or less.

  The measuring means 42 includes, for example, a laser displacement sensor head 421 and an amplifier 422.

  The observation unit 43 includes, for example, an episcopic microscope and a camera. The measuring means 42 measures the displacement due to the deformation of the contact 41 and outputs it as a signal. The observation means 43 observes and records the contactor 41, the recording material and the adhering material as a moving image. The recording material position measuring means 44 is a means for measuring the Z position (position in the Z direction) on the surface of the recording material, and is, for example, a laser displacement sensor head 441 and an amplifier 442.

  Next, an adhesion force measuring method by the adhesion force measuring apparatus 1a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart from the start of measurement to the end of measurement in the adhesion measuring method. The flowchart of FIG. 4 is based on a processing algorithm executed by the control means 5.

  FIGS. 5A to 5F sequentially show the measurement operation by the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1a. Hereinafter, the measurement time is described as T, the number of measurements as n (≧ 1), the total number of measurements as n_all, and the time for starting the n-th measurement as Tn. n_all and Tn are input to the control means 5 in advance, for example.

  In the first step S1, the measurement time T is set to 0, and the counter n for counting the number of measurements is set to 1. That is, initialization is performed.

  In the next step S2, the moving means 3 is controlled to move the recording material to the adhering material application position. Specifically, the recording material is moved to a position facing the nozzle of the ink jet head as the adhering material application unit 2. The position is determined, for example, according to the adhesive material application condition input in advance to the control means 5. The movement is performed, for example, by finely moving the recording material with the piezoelectric actuator 311 and the piezoelectric actuator 321 and roughly moving the recording material with the linear actuator 312 and the linear actuator 322.

  In the next step S3, the adhering material application unit 2 is controlled to discharge (apply) the adhering material onto the recording material. The amount and speed of the adhering material to be discharged are determined in accordance with the adhering material application condition input to the control means 5 in advance. At the time when the adhering material is discharged, the measurement time measuring unit 55 is operated, and counting of the measurement time T is started.

  In the next step S4, the moving means 3 is controlled to move the recording material to the adhesion force measuring position (position facing the contact 41).

  In the next step S5, it is determined whether or not the measurement time T has reached Tn. If the determination in step S5 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is negative, the same determination is made again.

  In the next step S6, the adhesion force measuring means 4 is controlled to measure the adhesion force of the adhesion material adhering to the recording material. At this time, the position of the recording material is adjusted by controlling the moving means 3 so that the contact portion of the contact 41 is located on the + Z side of the position where the adhesive force is desired to be measured. Note that the time from when the adhering material is ejected to the recording material until the recording material is moved to the adhering force measurement position and the moving speed of the recording material by the moving means 3 are the conditions for measuring the adhering force input to the control means 5 in advance. Determined according to.

  Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 5A, the adhering material applied to the recording material is brought close to and brought into contact with the contact 41 using the second driving means 32. The movement start time and movement speed at which the adhering material is brought close to the contact 41 are determined according to the adhesive force measurement conditions input in advance to the control means 5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the adhering material is pressed against the contact 41 using the second driving means 32. The pressing amount and moving speed at which the adhesive material is pressed against the contact 41 are determined in accordance with the adhesive force measurement conditions previously input to the control means 5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the adhering material is kept stationary while being pressed against the contact 41. The time for pressing the adhering material against the contact 41 and allowing it to stand still is determined in accordance with the adhering force measurement conditions previously input to the control means 5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5D, the adhering material is moved away from the contact 41 using the second driving means 32. The moving speed and the moving distance for moving the adhering material are determined in accordance with the adhering force measurement conditions previously input to the control means 5. When there is an adhesive force on the adhesive material, the contact 41 adheres to the adhesive material and bends as shown in FIG.

  When the adhesive material is continuously moved away from the contact 41 and the adhesive force reaches the limit, as shown in FIG. 5 (f), the contact 41 is separated from the adhesive and is in an initial state (an unbent state). Return to).

  The control means 5 measures the time T from FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F and the displacement of the contactor 41 by the measurement time measuring unit 55 and the measuring means 42.

  Further, the control means 5 detects the measured time T, the displacement information of the contact 41 and the displacement information of the recording material with respect to the time T, the time T when the adhesive force measurement starts, that is, the time T when the operation starts in FIG. Information relating to adhesive force measurement such as time T when the adhesive force is generated, that is, when the operation shown in FIG. 5F (when the contactor 41 returns to the initial state) is stored in the storage unit 54.

  In the next step S7, it is determined whether n = n_all. If the determination here is affirmed, the flow ends. On the other hand, if the determination here is negative (if n <n_all), the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, n is incremented. When step S8 is executed, the process returns to step S5.

  As described above, after the adhering material is applied to the recording material, the adhering force of the adhering material is measured n times in total during preset times T1 to Tn. That is, the adhesive force of the adhesive material at different times (periods) after the adhesive material is applied, that is, the temporal characteristics of the adhesive force can be acquired.

  Next, a method for calculating the adhesive force from the displacement of the contact 41 measured by the measuring means 42 will be described.

  Here, the calculation of the adhesion force is performed by the calculation unit 53 of the control means 5. FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the displacement of the contact 41 measured by the measuring means 42, where the horizontal axis is the elapsed time, and the vertical axis is the displacement of the contact 41 in the Z direction. This change in displacement will be described in order by dividing it into six sections (a) to (f) in FIG. The sections (a) to (f) in FIG. 6 correspond to FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f), respectively.

  The section (a) in FIG. 6 is a section where the contact 41 and the adhering material are not in contact with each other, and the contact 41 is stationary.

  The section (b) in FIG. 6 is a section in which the contact 41 and the adhering material are in contact with each other at point A, and the adhering material is pushed into the contact 41 by the second driving means 32.

  The section (c) in FIG. 6 is a section in which the adhering material is pushed into the contact 41 to a preset pushing amount (point B) and is stopped for a preset rest time.

  The section (d) in FIG. 6 is a section in which the adhering material is separated from the contact 41 by the second driving means 32. If the adhesive force is 0, the adhesive 41 and the contact 41 are separated from each other at the point D, and the contact 41 should be stationary, but the contact 41 is pulled while being in contact with the adhesive due to the adhesive force of the adhesive. ing.

  The section (e) in FIG. 6 is a section in which the adhering material is continuously separated from the contact 41 by the second driving means 32. The point E is a point where the maximum value of the adhesion force due to the adhesion material coincides with the force due to the bending of the contact 41. When the adhering material is further separated from the contact 41, the contact 41 is peeled off from the adhering material, and the contact 41 returns to the point F and stops. The displacement difference between point E and point F corresponds to the adhesive force of the adhesive material.

  In the section (f) of FIG. 6, after the contact 41 is separated from the adhering material, the adhering material is continuously removed from the contact 41 by the second driving means 32 until the preliminarily designated stationary position of the second driving means 32 is reached. It is a section that is separated.

  The calculation unit 53 calculates the adhesion force of the adhesion material from the displacement difference between the points E and F in FIG. First, a value zf corresponding to point F is calculated. For example, the average value of the displacement of the contact 41 in the Z direction in the section (a), the average value of the displacement of the contact 41 in the Z direction in the section (f), or the contact in the sections (a) and (f). It calculates from the average value of the displacement of the child 41 in the Z direction. Alternatively, the position of the contact 41 measured in advance in the Z direction may be used.

  Next, a value ze corresponding to the point E is calculated. This is obtained from the minimum value of the displacement of the contact 41 in the Z direction, for example.

  The computing unit 53 calculates the adhesion force F of the adhesion material from zf, ze and the spring constant N of the contactor 41 according to F = N × (zf−ze).

  Information relating to the adhesion force measurement such as the measured displacement information of the contact 41, the displacement information of the recording material, and the calculated adhesion force information is stored in the storage unit 54.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the displacement of the contact 41 when viscosity is present in the adhering material. Sections (a) to (f) in FIG. 7 correspond to FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f), respectively. FIG. 8 schematically shows how the adhering material deforms in the tensile direction due to its viscosity.

  In this case, since the adhering material is deformed in the direction of being pulled by the contact 41 in the section (e) of FIG. 7, the displacement of the contact 41 increases in the positive direction. The change in the displacement of the contact 41 is evaluated as the elongation L of the adhering material.

  An example of a method for calculating the elongation L will be described. FIG. 9 shows the displacement of the recording material in the Z direction relative to an example of the displacement of the contact 41 in the Z direction shown in FIG.

  Here, the displacement of the contact 41 in the Z direction is zc, and the displacement of the recording material in the Z direction is zp. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the difference Δzcp = (zc−zp) in the Z direction between the contact 41 and the recording material. Points A to F and sections (a) to (f) in FIGS. 9 and 10 coincide with FIG.

  From the difference between z1 which is Δzcp at point E in FIG. 10 and z0 in FIG. 10, the elongation L of the adhering material L = z1−z0 is calculated. Here, z0 is, for example, an average value of Δzcp in the section (b), an average value of Δzcp in the section (c), an average value of Δzcp in the section (d), or an average value of two or more of these average values. Calculate from Alternatively, Δzcp when the contactor 41 and the recording material come into contact with each other in advance may be obtained and set as z0.

  The measured elongation L of the adhering material is stored in the storage unit 54.

  Incidentally, an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer or a multifunction peripheral forms an image by ejecting ink onto a recording material typified by recording paper. Here, if the ink contacts the ink in an insufficiently dried state, the ink adheres to the contact object due to the adhesion force of the ink, and the contact object is contaminated, or the image is disturbed by peeling off the ink from the recording material. The problem that it ends up occurs. In order to evaluate the occurrence conditions of these defects, it is necessary to measure the adhesion force of the ink adhered to the recording material.

  However, the adhesion force of ink changes with time due to penetration into the recording material and evaporation.

  For this reason, in order to accurately evaluate the ink adhesion, the ink adhesion immediately after image formation (immediately after ink adhesion) is measured, or the elapsed time from image formation (ink adhesion) is managed. Therefore, a function for measuring the adhesion force of ink adhering to the recording material is required.

  From the first viewpoint, the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1a according to the first embodiment described above is applied to an adhesive material applying means 2 for applying an adhesive material (for example, ink) to an object (for example, a recording material), and applied to the object. A contact 41 for contacting the adhering material, and a first position for moving the object between a position facing the adhering material applying means 2 (adhering material applying position) and a position facing the contact 41 (adhesive force measuring position). The first driving means 31, the second driving means 32 that moves the object facing the contact 41 in the direction approaching the contact 41 and the direction away from the contact 41, and the displacement of the contact 41 are measured. Measuring means 42.

  Further, from the second viewpoint, the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1a of the first embodiment applies an adhesive material (for example, ink) to an object (for example, a recording material) located at a first position (adhesive material application position). The adhering material applying means 2, the first driving means 31 for moving the object between the first position and a second position (adhesive force measuring position) different from the first position; A measuring system including second driving means 32 and adhesive force measuring means 4 for measuring the adhesive force of the adhesive applied to the object located at the position.

  In the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1a, it is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring apparatus that can measure the adhesive force of the adhesive material while managing the elapsed time immediately after applying the adhesive material to the object or from the time of applying the adhesive material. It becomes.

  As a result, the adhesion force of the adhering material can be measured at a desired time after adhering to the object.

  In addition, the adhesive force of the adhesive material can be measured with high accuracy. It is also possible to evaluate the elongation of the adhering material from the displacement of the contact 41.

  The adhesive force measuring device 1a further includes a control means 5 for controlling the adhesive material applying means 2, the first driving means 31 and the adhesive force measuring means 4, and the control means 5 uses the adhesive material applying means 2. The adhering material is applied to the object located at the first position, the object is moved from the first position to the second position using the first driving means 31, and the object is located at the second position using the adhesion measuring means 4. The adhesion force of the adhesion material applied to the object to be measured is measured at least once.

  In this case, the adhesive force of the adhesive material can be measured efficiently.

  Further, since the adhering material applying means 2 is an ink jet head that discharges ink onto a recording material, it is possible to quickly apply substantially the same ink as that used in an ink jet image forming apparatus equipped with the ink jet head to the recording material. The adhesion force of the ink can be measured at a desired time.

  Moreover, when the contactor 41 is a plate-like member having a spring constant of 1 N / m or less, the measurement sensitivity of the adhesion force of the adhesion material can be improved.

  Moreover, since the contact means 41 and the observation means 43 for observing an object and an adhesion material from a bird's-eye view direction are further provided, for example, positioning of the adhesion material and the contact element 41 in a direction parallel to the XY plane, the adhesion material and the contact element 41 Thus, it is possible to accurately perform an adhesion measuring operation including an approaching and separating operation in the Z direction.

  In addition, from the first viewpoint, the adhesion force measuring method according to the first embodiment is a process of applying an adhesive material (for example, ink) to an object (for example, a recording material) located at a first position (adhesive material application position). And a step of moving the object coated with the adhering material from the first position to a second position different from the first position, and an adhering force of the adhering material applied to the object located at the second position Measuring.

  In this case, the adhesive force of the adhesive can be measured while managing the elapsed time immediately after applying the adhesive to the object or from the time of applying the adhesive.

  As a result, the adhesion force of the adhering material can be measured at a desired time after adhering to the object.

  Further, the second position is a position where the object to which the adhesive material is applied faces the contact 41, and the measuring step includes a sub-process in which the adhesive material applied to the object and the contact 41 are brought into contact with each other. A sub-step of separating the contact 41 that contacts the adhering material and the object, a sub-step of measuring displacement due to deformation of the contact 41 when the adhering material and the contact 41 are separated, and a sub-step of measuring And a sub-process for calculating the adhesion force of the adhesion material from the measurement result.

  In this case, the adhesive force of the adhesive material can be accurately measured. It is also possible to evaluate the elongation of the adhering material from the displacement of the contact 41.

  Further, when the sub-process to be measured is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the adhesive material was applied to the object, the measurement time of the adhesive force of the adhesive material can be set more pinpointed.

  Further, from the second point of view, the adhesion measuring method according to the first embodiment is an adhesion measuring method for measuring the adhesion of an adhesion material (for example, ink), and the adhesion material is applied to an object (for example, a recording material). The step of applying, the step of making the adhering material and the contact applied to the object face each other, the step of bringing the adhering material and the contact into contact with each other, and the object and the contact are moved relative to each other in a direction away from each other. And a step of measuring the displacement of the contact when the adhering material and the contact are separated.

  In this case, the adhesion force of the adhering material can be measured at a desired time after adhering to the object.

  In addition, the adhesive force of the adhesive material can be measured with high accuracy. It is also possible to evaluate the elongation of the adhering material from the displacement of the contact 41.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted (the same applies to other embodiments and modifications). To do).

  FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesion measuring apparatus 1b of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1 b includes an adhesive material applying unit 2 that applies an adhesive material to a recording material, a moving unit 3 that moves the recording material, and an adhesive force that measures the adhesive force of the adhesive material. The measuring unit, the adhering material applying unit 2, the moving unit 3, the control unit 5 for controlling the adhering force measuring unit, and the support 9 are configured.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of the moving means 3 of the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1b. The moving means 3 includes a first driving means 31 and a sample stage 33 for holding a recording material. Here, the first driving means 31 includes, for example, a piezoelectric actuator 311 and a linear actuator 312.

  The first driving means 31 drives the sample stage 33 in the Y direction. Specifically, the first drive unit 31 moves the recording material placed on the sample stage 33 between the adhesion material application position and the adhesion force measurement position.

  FIG. 13 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesive force measuring means of the adhesive force measuring device 1b. This adhesion force measuring means includes a contact 41, a measuring means 42, a contact supporting means 411, a measuring means supporting means 423, an observing means 43, a recording material position measuring means 44, and a second driving means 32. . The second drive unit 32 includes, for example, a piezoelectric actuator 321 and a linear actuator 322.

  Here, the contactor 41 is a cantilever used for an atomic force microscope, for example. The measuring means 42 includes, for example, a laser displacement sensor head 421 and an amplifier 422, measures the displacement due to the deformation of the contact 41, and outputs it as a signal. The observation means 43 includes, for example, an episcopic microscope and a camera, and observes and records the contactor 41, the recording material, and the adhering material as a moving image. The recording material position measuring means 44 is a means for measuring the Z position (position in the Z direction) on the surface of the recording material, and includes, for example, a laser displacement sensor head 441 and an amplifier 442.

  The second drive means 32 moves the contact support means 411 and the measurement means support means 423 in the Z direction. That is, the contact 41 and the laser displacement sensor head 421 are moved in a direction (Z direction) in which the distance from the recording material or the adhering material is changed. As described above, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second driving unit 32 moves the contact 41 and the laser displacement sensor head 421 instead of the recording material or the adhering material.

  Next, an adhesion force measuring method by the adhesion force measuring device 1b of the second embodiment will be described. The control flow executed by the control unit 5 here is different from the flowchart of FIG. 4 which is the control flow in the first embodiment, except that the content of step S6, that is, the measurement operation by the adhesive force measurement unit is partially different. The same.

  Therefore, the measurement operation by the adhesive force measuring means of the adhesive force measuring device 1b of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14A to FIG. 14F sequentially show the measurement operation by the adhesive force measuring means of the second embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 14A, the contact 41 is brought close to and brought into contact with the adhering material by the second driving means 32. The movement start time and the movement speed at which the contact 41 is brought close to the adhering material are determined in accordance with the adhering force measurement conditions input to the control means 5 in advance.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, the contact 41 is pressed against the adhering material by the second driving means 32. The pressing amount and moving speed at which the contact 41 is pressed against the adhering material are determined according to the adhering force measurement conditions input to the control means 5 in advance.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), the contact 41 is kept stationary while being pressed against the adhering material. The time for pressing the contact 41 against the adhering material and allowing it to stand still is determined in accordance with the adhering force measurement conditions previously input to the control means 5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14 (d), the contact 41 is moved in a direction in which it is separated from the adhesive material. The moving speed and moving distance for moving the contact 41 are determined in accordance with the adhesive force measurement conditions previously input to the control means 5.

  When there is an adhesive force on the adhesive material, the contact 41 adheres to the adhesive material and bends as shown in FIG.

  When the contact 41 is continuously moved away from the adhesive and the adhesive force reaches the limit, the contact 41 is separated from the adhesive as shown in FIG. Return to).

  The control means 5 measures the time T from FIG. 14A to FIG. 14F and the displacement of the contact 41 relative to the measurement means 42 by the measurement time measuring unit 55 and the measurement means 42. .

  The control means 5 measures the measured time T and the displacement information of the contact 41 and the displacement information of the recording material with respect to the time T, the time T when the adhesive force measurement starts, that is, the time T when the operation starts in FIG. Information related to adhesive force measurement, such as time T at the time of operation of FIG. 14F (when the contactor 41 returns to the initial state), is stored in the storage unit 54.

  The control means 5 refers to the number of measurements n, and if n = n_all, ends the measurement. On the other hand, if n <n_all, n is updated to n + 1 and the measurement is continued.

  The method for calculating the adhesive force from the displacement of the contact 41 measured by the measuring means 42 is the same as in the first embodiment, and will not be described.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the adhesion force of the adhesive material (for example, ink) is measured while managing the elapsed time immediately after the adhesive material is applied to the object (for example, the recording material) or since the time of applying the adhesive material. It is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring device that can perform the above. It is also possible to evaluate the elongation of the adhering material from the displacement of the contact 41.

<< Third Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesion measuring apparatus 1c of the third embodiment. The adhesive force measuring device 1c includes an adhesive material applying means 2 for applying the adhesive material to the recording material, a moving means 3 for moving the recording material, an adhesive force measuring means for measuring the adhesive force of the adhesive material, and an adhesive material applying means. 2. A control means 5 for controlling the moving means 3 and the adhesion force measuring means, and a support 9 are included.

  Since the schematic configuration of the moving means 3 in the third embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 16 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesion measuring means of the adhesion measuring apparatus 1c of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the adhesion force measuring means includes a contact 41, a measuring means 42, a contact supporting means 411, a measuring means supporting means 423, an observation means 43, a recording material position measuring means 44, a second drive. Means 32 and contact support means position measuring means 45 are included.

  Here, the contactor 41 is a cantilever used for an atomic force microscope, for example. The measuring means 42 includes, for example, a laser displacement sensor head 421 and an amplifier 422, measures the displacement due to the deformation of the contact 41, and outputs it as a signal. The observation means 43 includes, for example, an episcopic microscope and a camera, and observes and records the contact 41, the recording material, and the adhering material as a moving image. The recording material position measuring means 44 is a means for measuring the Z position (position in the Z direction) on the surface of the recording material, and includes a laser displacement sensor head 441 and an amplifier 442, for example.

  The second drive means 32 moves the contact support means 411 in the Z direction. That is, the contact 41 is moved in a direction (Z direction) in which the distance from the recording material or the adhering material is changed. The second driving means 32 of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the contact 41 and the laser displacement sensor head 421 are moved instead of the recording material or the adhering material. The contact support means position measuring means 45 is a means for measuring the Z position of the contact support means 411 and includes, for example, a laser displacement sensor head 451 and an amplifier 452.

  The adhesive force measuring method by the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1c of the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. However, in the third embodiment, in the process from FIG. 14A to FIG. 14F, the displacement of the contact support means 411 is also measured by the contact support means position measuring means 45 and recorded in the storage unit 54. Is done.

  Here, a method for calculating the adhesion force from the displacement of the contact 41 measured by the measuring means 42 and the displacement of the contact support means 411 measured by the contact support means position measuring means 45 will be described.

  In the third embodiment, the adhesion force of the adhesion material is calculated by the calculation unit 53 of the control means 5.

  FIG. 17 is a graph showing an example of the displacement of the contact 41 measured by the measurement means 42 and the displacement of the contact support means 411 measured by the contact support means position measurement means 45, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time. The vertical axis represents the displacement zc of the contact 41 in the Z direction and the displacement zs of the contact support means 411 in the z direction. FIG. 18 is a graph showing the difference (hereinafter referred to as displacement difference) Δz between the displacement of the contact 41 and the displacement of the contact support means 411 in FIG. Δz is obtained by Δz = zs−zc. Changes in these displacements will be described in order by dividing into sections (a) to (g) in FIG. 17 and sections (a) to (g) in FIG.

  The section (a) in FIG. 17 and the section (a) in FIG. 18 are sections in which the contact 41 and the adhering material are not in contact.

  The section (b) in FIG. 17 and the section (b) in FIG. 18 are sections in which the contact 41 and the adhering material are in contact with each other at point A, and the contact 41 is pushed into the adhering material by the second driving means 32. .

  The section (c) in FIG. 17 and the section (c) in FIG. 18 are sections in which the contactor 41 is pushed into the adhering material up to a preset pushing amount (point B) and is stopped for a preset stationary time. is there.

  A section (d) in FIG. 17 and a section (d) in FIG. 18 are sections in which the contact 41 is separated from the adhering material by the second driving means 32. If the adhesive force is 0, the adhesive 41 and the contact 41 are separated from each other at the point D, and the contact 41 should follow the contact support means 411. However, the contact 41 is affected by the adhesive force of the adhesive. Is kept in contact with the adhering material.

  The section (e) in FIG. 17 and the section (e) in FIG. 18 are sections in which the contact 41 is continuously separated from the adhesive by the second driving means 32. The point E is a point where the maximum value of the adhesion force due to the adhesion material coincides with the force due to the bending of the contact 41. When the contactor 41 is further separated from the adhesive material, the contactor 41 peels from the adhesive material and moves to the point F, and the contactor 41 follows the contactor support means 411 and operates. The displacement difference between point E and point F corresponds to the adhesive force of the adhesive material.

  In the section (f) in FIG. 17 and the section (f) in FIG. 18, the second drive means continues until the stationary position G of the second drive means 32 specified in advance after the contact 41 is separated from the adhering material. This is a section in which the contact 41 is operated by 32.

  The section (g) in FIG. 17 and the section (g) in FIG. 18 are sections in which the second driving means 32 is stationary.

  The calculation unit 53 calculates the adhesion force of the adhesion material from the displacement difference between the points E and F in FIG. First, a displacement difference value Δzf corresponding to point F is calculated. This is, for example, the average value of the Z-direction displacement difference Δz in the section (a) of FIG. 18, the average value of the Z-direction displacement difference Δz in the section (f), or the average value of the Z-direction displacement difference Δz in the section (g). Alternatively, it is calculated from the average value of the Z-direction displacement difference Δz in two or more sections (a), (f), and (g). Next, a displacement difference value Δze corresponding to point E is calculated. This is obtained, for example, from the maximum value of the z-direction displacement difference Δz in FIG. The calculation unit 53 calculates the adhesion force F of the adhesion material according to F = N × (Δze−Δzf) from Δzf, Δze, and the spring constant N of the contactor 41.

  FIG. 19 shows a graph representing an example of the displacement zc of the contact 41 when the adhesive material has viscosity. FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a state in which the adhering material is deformed in the tensile direction due to its viscosity. In this case, since the adhering material is deformed in the direction pulled by the contact 41 in the section (e), zc increases in the positive direction. This change in zc is evaluated as the elongation L of the adhering material.

  According to the third embodiment described above, the adhesive force of an adhesive material (for example, ink) is measured while managing the elapsed time immediately after applying the adhesive material to the object (for example, the recording material) or since the time of applying the adhesive material. It is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring device that can perform the above. It is also possible to evaluate the elongation of the adhering material from the displacement of the contact 41.

  Further, since the adhesion force of the adhering material is calculated based on the difference between the displacement of the contact 41 and the displacement of the contact support means 411, the adhesion force can be calculated with high accuracy.

<< 4th Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.

  FIG. 21 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesive force measuring device 1d of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, the adhesion measuring apparatus 1d includes a drying unit 6 on the moving unit 3 for heating and drying the recording material and the adhering material.

  The moving means 3 of the adhesion measuring apparatus 1d includes a first driving means 31, a second driving means 32, and a sample table 33 that holds a recording material.

  Here, the second driving means 32 is provided on the first driving means 31, the drying means 6 is provided on the second driving means 32 via the heat insulating material 61, and the sample table is provided on the drying means 6. 33 is provided. Further, a dry state measuring unit that measures the dry state of the recording material and the adhering material is disposed above the recording material placed on the sample stage 33 located at a position (adhering material applying position) facing the adhering material applying unit 2. 62 is provided. Here, the dry state measuring means 62 is provided integrally with the sample stage 33.

  The drying means 6 is a heater, for example, and is controlled by the control means 5. The heat generated by the drying means 6 is transmitted to the recording material and the adhering material via the sample stage 33, and the adhering material is heated and dried. The dry state measuring unit 62 is a temperature / humidity sensor, for example, and outputs a measurement result to the control unit 5.

  Next, an adhesive force measuring method by the adhesive force measuring device 1d of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 22 is based on a processing algorithm executed by the control means 5.

  Here, T is the measurement time, n is the number of measurements, n_all is the total number of measurements, Tn is the time to start the n-th measurement, and Td is the drying start time. n_all, Tn, and Td are input to the control unit 5 in advance, for example.

  In the first step S11, the measurement time T is set to 0, and the counter n for counting the number of measurements is set to 1.

  In the next step S <b> 12, the moving unit 3 is controlled to move the recording material to a position facing the adhering material application unit 2 (adhering material application position).

  In the next step S13, the adhering material is discharged (applied) onto the recording material using the adhering material applying means 2. At the time when the adhering material is discharged, the measurement time measuring unit 55 is operated, and counting of the measurement time T is started.

  In the next step S14, it is determined whether or not the measurement time T has reached Td (<Tn). For example, Td is set to the time from the end of ink ejection to the start of ink drying in an inkjet image forming apparatus having an ink drying apparatus. If the determination in step S14 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the determination in step S14 is negative, the same determination is made again.

  In step S15, the adhering material is dried. Specifically, the drying means 6 is operated to heat and dry the recording material and the adhering material. The amount of heat to be applied and the heating time are determined according to the dry state measured by the dry state measuring unit 62, for example, the temperature and humidity near the surface of the recording material or the adhering material, and the drying conditions previously input to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 stores information related to the dry state measured by the dry state measuring unit 62 in the storage unit 54.

  In the next step S16, it is determined whether or not the measurement time T has reached Tn. If the determination in step S16 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the determination in step S16 is negative, the same determination is made again.

  In step S17, the moving means 3 is controlled to move the recording material to the adhesive force measurement position.

  In the next step S18, the adhesion force of the adhesion material adhering to the recording material is measured using the adhesion force measuring means. Since the measurement operation of the adhesive force measuring means is the same as that in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the next step S19, it is determined whether n = n_all. If the determination here is affirmed, the flow ends. On the other hand, if the determination here is negative (if n <n_all), the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, n is incremented. When step S20 is executed, the process returns to step S16.

  As described above, after the adhering material is applied to the recording material and subjected to the drying process, the adhering force of the adhering material is measured n times in total at preset times T1 to Tn. That is, it is possible to obtain the adhesive force of the adhesive material at different times after the adhesive material is applied to the recording material and dried, that is, the temporal characteristics of the adhesive force.

  According to the fourth embodiment described above, an object (for example, a recording material) is forcibly dried by the drying means 6 while managing an elapsed time immediately after applying the adhering material or after applying the adhering material. It is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring device that can measure the adhesive force of an adhesive material (for example, ink). And it becomes possible to provide the adhesive force measuring apparatus which can measure the adhesive force of this adhesive material, managing the dry state of an adhesive material.

  In the fourth embodiment, the drying means 6 is operated at the position where the adhesive material is applied by the adhesive material application means 2 (adhesive material application position). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The drying means 6 may be operated after moving the adhering material application position to another position.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, the example in which the adhering material is dried by the drying unit 6 has been described. However, for example, when the adhering material is a substance that melts like toner of an electrophotographic printer, drying using a heater is performed. The adhesion force of the adhered material heated and melted by the means 6 may be measured.

  In the fourth embodiment, the heater is used as the drying unit 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a microwave heating apparatus that selectively heats only the adhering material applied to the recording material may be used. .

  Moreover, in the said 4th Embodiment, although the contact type heater was employ | adopted as the drying means 6, for example, you may employ | adopt a radiation type heater.

<< 5th Embodiment >>

  Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.

  FIG. 23 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesive force measuring device 1e of the fifth embodiment. The adhesive force measuring apparatus 1e according to the fifth embodiment is a drying unit that applies an air current to the adhesive material applied to the recording material and dries it on the moving path of the recording material between the adhesive material application position and the adhesive force measurement position. 7. A wind tunnel 71 is installed. The dry state measuring means 72 is provided integrally with the sample stage 33 so as to be positioned above the recording material and the adhering material. The sample stage 33 on which the recording material is placed and provided with the dry state measuring means 72 can be passed through the wind tunnel 71 in the Y-axis direction by the first driving means 31.

  FIG. 24 shows a schematic configuration of the moving means 3 of the fifth embodiment. The moving means 3 includes a first driving means 31, a second driving means 32, and a sample stage 33 that holds a recording material.

  Here, the drying means 7 is an airflow generator (for example, a blower, a fan, etc.). The dry state measuring means 72 is, for example, a temperature / humidity sensor.

  In the adhesion measuring method using the adhesion measuring apparatus 1e of the fifth embodiment, the recording material is moved to a position facing the drying means 7 in the wind tunnel 71 (hereinafter also referred to as “drying position”) when the adhered material is dried. Except for the measurement operation by the adhesive force measuring means, it is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, and will be described in a simplified manner.

  First, the recording material on which the adhering material is applied at the adhering material application position by the adhering material applying means 2 is moved to the drying position by the moving means 3.

  Next, when the measurement time T reaches Td, the drying means 7 is operated and air is applied to the adhering material to dry it. The amount of air to be applied and the operation time are determined according to the dry state measured by the dry state measuring unit 72, for example, the temperature and humidity near the surface of the recording material or the adhering material, and the drying conditions previously input to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 stores information on the dry state measured by the dry state measuring unit 72 in the storage unit 54.

  Next, when the measurement time T reaches Tn, the moving means 3 is controlled to move the recording material to the adhesion force measuring position, and the adhesion force of the adhesion material adhering to the recording material is measured by the adhesion force measuring means. .

  A method for measuring and calculating the adhesion force of the adhering material adhering to the recording material is the same as that in the first embodiment, and will not be described.

  According to the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1e of the fifth embodiment described above, for an adhesive applied to an object (for example, a recording material), while managing the elapsed time immediately after applying the adhesive or after applying the adhesive. In addition, it is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring device that can measure the adhesive force of an adhesive material (for example, ink) that has been forcibly dried by the drying means 7.

  In the fifth embodiment, the drying means 7 is an airflow generation device. However, for example, a heating means such as a heater is added to the drying means 7 to heat the airflow generated by the airflow generation device and use it as an adhesive. It may be applied and dried.

  In this case, for example, when the adhering material is a substance that melts like toner of an electrophotographic printer, the adhering force of the adhering adhering material may be measured by applying an air current heated by heating means.

  In the fifth embodiment, the recording material is moved to a position facing the drying means 7 (drying position), and the drying means 7 is operated when the measurement time T reaches Td. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the drying unit 7 may be operated in advance, and the recording material may be moved to the drying position by the moving unit 3 when the measurement time T reaches Td.

  Further, instead of moving the recording material to the drying position, a configuration in which the drying means 7 is moved to a position facing the recording material may be adopted.

  Alternatively, a configuration in which an airflow is applied to the adhering material applied to the recording material from the airflow generator while the recording material is positioned at the adhering material application position may be employed.

<< 6th Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 25 shows a schematic configuration of the adhesive force measuring device 1f of the sixth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the adhesive force measuring device 1f has a configuration in which a transfer material 331 for transferring foreign matter attached to the contact 41 and removing foreign matter from the contact 41 is placed on the sample stage 33. ing. The adhesive force measuring method of the sixth embodiment is obtained by adding a step of removing foreign matter from the contact 41 to the adhesive force measuring method of the first embodiment. The “foreign matter” is, for example, an adhering material that is peeled off from the recording material and attached to the contact 41.

  Next, an adhesion force measuring method according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

  First, the adhesion force of the adhesion material is measured in the same manner as the adhesion force measurement method in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the foreign matter removing operation of the contact 41 is performed.

  A foreign matter removing method for the contact 41 according to the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 26 shows a flowchart of the foreign substance removal operation in the sixth embodiment. This flowchart is based on a processing algorithm executed by the control means 5. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the displacement of the contact 41 during the foreign substance removing operation in the sixth embodiment is measured.

  In the following, the number of operations for bringing the transfer material 331 and the contact element 41 into contact with each other and separating them is nd, the number of operations for bringing the transfer material 331 and the contact element 41 into contact with each other at the same location of the transfer material 331 and NL is performed. The adhesion force of the foreign matter at the nd time, that is, the Z direction displacement of the contact 41 at the end point in FIG. 27 is zend, and the initial position of the contact 41 at the nd number of operations, that is, the Z direction of the contact 41 at the Fnd point in FIG. The displacement is described as zfnd. The difference between zend and zfnd is Lfnd, that is, Lfnd = zfnd-zend. In addition, Δzd in FIG. 27 is a threshold used when determining whether to continue or end the foreign substance removal operation. NL and Δzd are input to the control means 5 in advance, for example.

  In the first step S31, the first driving unit 31 is controlled so that the transfer material 331 is positioned on the Z-direction extension line (for example, −Z side) of the contact 41 (the transfer material 331 faces the contact 41). The sample stage 33 is moved.

  In the next step S32, 1 is set to nd.

  In the next step S33, the second driving means 32 is controlled to bring the transfer material 331 into contact with the contact 41, separate it, and measure the displacement of the contact 41.

  Specifically, first, the transfer material 331 is brought close to and brought into contact with the contact 41 using the second drive unit 32. The movement start time and movement speed at which the transfer material 331 approaches the contact 41 are determined according to the foreign substance removal conditions input to the control means 5 in advance. These correspond to points O1 to A1 in FIG.

  Next, the transfer material 331 is pressed against the contact 41 using the second driving unit 32. The amount of pressing and the moving speed at which the transfer material 331 is pressed against the contact 41 are determined according to the foreign substance removal conditions input in advance to the control means 5. These correspond to points A1 to B1 in FIG.

  Next, the transfer material 331 is stopped while being pressed against the contact 41. The time during which the transfer material 331 is pressed against the contact 41 and stopped is determined in accordance with the foreign matter removal conditions input in advance to the control means 5. These correspond to points B1 to C1 in FIG.

  Next, the transfer material 331 is moved away from the contact 41 using the second driving unit 32. The moving speed and the moving distance for moving the adhering material are determined in accordance with the foreign substance removal conditions input in advance to the control means 5. These correspond to points C1 to D1 in FIG.

  If there is an adhesive force on the foreign matter adhering to the contact 41, the contact 41 adheres to the transfer material 331 and bends. These correspond to points D1 to E1 in FIG.

  Subsequently, when the transfer material 331 is moved away from the contact 41 by using the second driving means 32 and the adhesion force of the foreign matter reaches the limit, the contact 41 is separated from the transfer material 331 and returns to the initial state. Return. These correspond to points E1 to F1 in FIG.

  In the next step S34, the displacement of the contact 41 from point O1 to point F1 in FIG. From the result, the control means 5 calculates zend and zfnd, and calculates Lfnd.

  In the next step S35, it is determined whether zend <zfnd and | Lfnd | <Δzd. For example, if the foreign matter adhesion force is less than Δzd, that is, zend <zfnd and | Lfnd | <Δzd, as in the foreign matter removal operation from the Ond to the Fnd points in FIG. The determination in step S35 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step S36. On the other hand, if the adhesion force of the foreign matter is equal to or greater than Δzd, that is, zend <zfnd and | Lfnd | ≧ Δzd, it is determined that the foreign matter has not been removed from the contact 41, the determination in step S35 is denied, and the process returns to step S37. Transition.

  In step S36, the first drive means 31 is controlled to make the sample stage 33 so that the contact portion of the contact 41 is positioned on the + Z side of the surface of the adhesive material on the recording material where the adhesive force is to be measured. Is moved, that is, the recording material is moved to the adhesion measuring position. When step S36 is executed, the flow ends.

  In step S37, it is determined whether nd has reached NL. If the determination in step S37 is negative, the process proceeds to step S38. On the other hand, if the determination in step S37 is positive, the process proceeds to step S39.

  In step S38, nd is incremented. When step S38 is executed, the process returns to step S33, and the foreign matter removing operation corresponding to O2 and subsequent steps in FIG. 27 is performed again.

  In step S39, the first driving unit 31 is controlled to move the transfer material 331 by a predetermined displacement, for example, ΔX in the X direction and ΔY in the Y direction. ΔX and ΔY are determined according to the foreign substance removal conditions input to the control means 5 in advance. These correspond to points G1 to O2 in FIG. If step S39 is performed, it will return to step S32 and will perform the foreign material removal operation | movement equivalent to O2 after FIG. 27 again.

  By performing the measurement of the adhesion force of the adhering material again after performing the foreign substance removing operation as described above, the measurement can be performed in a clean state where no foreign substance adheres to the surface of the contact 41, and the measurement accuracy is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  According to the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1f of the sixth embodiment described above, the adhesive force of an adhesive material (for example, ink) applied to an object (for example, a recording material) is maintained while maintaining the surface of the contact 41 in a clean state. It is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring device capable of measuring. As a result, it becomes possible to measure the adhesive force of the adhesive material stably and accurately.

  In the sixth embodiment, an example in which the transfer material 331 and the recording material are separately placed on the sample stage 33 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a portion where no recording material adhering material exists is used as the transfer material. It may be used.

  In the sixth embodiment, as an example of the method for removing the foreign matter from the contactor 41, the transfer is performed by bringing the foreign material into contact with the transfer material 331. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cleaning liquid may be applied to the surface of the transfer material 331 and foreign matters may be removed with the cleaning liquid.

  Further, as a method for removing the foreign matter from the contact 41, for example, instead of the transfer material 331, a cleaning tank in which a cleaning liquid is stored may be provided, and the contact 41 may be immersed in the cleaning liquid to remove the foreign matter. . At this time, the foreign matter removal effect can be enhanced by operating the contact 41.

  Further, as a method for removing the foreign matter from the contact 41, the contact 41 may be brought into contact with the friction member, and both may be slid to rub the foreign matter. In this case, in order to increase the removal efficiency of the foreign matter, it is preferable that the friction member is pressed against the contact 41 to displace the contact 41 to some extent and slide them.

  In the sixth embodiment, the foreign matter removing operation is performed after the adhesive force measuring operation is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the foreign matter removing operation is performed after performing a predetermined number of times of the adhesive force measuring operation. The foreign matter removing operation may be performed after the adhesive force measuring operation is performed a predetermined number of times according to the setting. Alternatively, for example, when the user recognizes the contamination of the contact 41, the foreign matter removal operation may be performed.

  In the sixth embodiment, the example in which the foreign object removal operation is repeated until the displacement of the contact 41 due to the foreign object becomes smaller than a predetermined displacement is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be repeated.

  Further, in the sixth embodiment, the example in which the foreign matter removing operation is repeated until the displacement of the contact 41 due to the foreign matter becomes smaller than a predetermined displacement is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The adhesion force may be calculated from the displacement of the contact 41, and the foreign substance removal operation may be repeated until the adhesion force becomes smaller than a predetermined force.

<< 7th Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29.

  FIG. 28 schematically shows an adhesive force measuring apparatus 1g according to the seventh embodiment. The adhesive force measuring device 1g has a configuration in which a support body 9 on which an adhesive material applying unit 2, a moving unit 3, an adhesive force measuring unit, and a drying unit 6 are mounted is suspended by a suspended unit 8.

  FIG. 29 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of the suspension unit 8 according to the seventh embodiment. The suspension unit 8 includes a plurality of elastic bodies 81, a plurality of support columns 82, and another support body 83. The elastic body 81 is, for example, a spring.

  The support 82 is supported by another support 83. Each elastic body 81 has a lower end connected to the support 9 and an upper end connected to the upper end of the support 82 via a connecting portion. As a result, the support body 9 is supported in a suspended state on the plurality of support columns 82 and another support body 83 via the elastic body 81.

  In the seventh embodiment, when vibration is mixed into another support 83 and support column 82 from around the adhesion measuring apparatus 1g, the support 9 is vibrated by the elastic body 81, but the adhering material placed on the support 9 Since the relative positions of the coating means 2, the moving means 3, the adhesion force measuring means, and the drying means 6 do not change, the adhesion force of the adhesion material applied to the recording material is measured while reducing the influence of surrounding vibration. Can do.

  As the elastic body 81, it is desirable to select an elastic body having a natural frequency that does not match the vibration mixed from around the adhesive force measuring device 1g or the natural frequency of the component of the adhesive force measuring device 1g.

  Since the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1g has such a suspended structure, the length of the elastic body 81 can be increased, so that a spring having a small spring constant can be used as the elastic body 81. Further, since the spring constant of the spring that can be used as the elastic body 81 can be selected from a wider range, it is easy to select an elastic body having a natural frequency that does not match the vibration mixed from around 1 g of the adhesive force measuring device. .

  According to the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1g of the seventh embodiment described above, the adhering material (for example, ink) applied to the object (for example, the recording material) is reduced while reducing the mixing of vibrations from the periphery of the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1g. It is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring device capable of measuring the adhesive force.

  In the seventh embodiment, an example in which the support body 9 is suspended in the air by the elastic body 81 has been described. However, for example, a viscoelastic body may be used instead of the elastic body 81 to attenuate the mixed vibration.

  Further, in the seventh embodiment, the example in which the adhering material applying unit 2, the moving unit 3, the adhering force measuring unit, and the drying unit 6 are placed on the first support body 9 is shown. When it is desired to reduce only the relative displacement of the material applying means 2, the moving means 3, and the adhesion force measuring means, they are placed on the support 9, the drying means 6 is placed on the second support 83, etc. The configuration can be changed as appropriate.

  Moreover, although the example which supports the support body 9 in suspension was shown in 7th Embodiment, for example, the elastic body is installed on another support body 83, and the vibration resistance which mounts the support body 9 on the elastic body is shown. A structure (isolation structure) may be used. Also in this case, even if vibration is mixed in another support 83, the vibration can be absorbed, so that the adhesive force of the adhesive applied to the recording material can be measured while reducing the influence of the surrounding vibration. .

<< Eighth Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 to 32.

  FIG. 30 shows a schematic configuration of an adhesive force measuring device 1h according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 31 is a schematic configuration diagram of the adhesive force measuring means in the eighth embodiment.

  In the adhesion measuring apparatus 1h, the control means 5 is further provided with an index calculation means 51 and a display means 52, and an observation means 43 is installed at a position overlooking the recording material, the adhesion material and the contact 41.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image of the camera of the observation unit 43 according to the eighth embodiment. This captured image is displayed on the display means 52.

  In the adhesion force measuring means of the eighth embodiment, the observation means 43 is installed at a position overlooking the recording material, the adhesion material and the contact 41, and the positions of the recording material, the adhesion material and the contact 41 are observed three-dimensionally. To do.

  The index calculation unit 51 calculates the positions of the recording material, the adhering material, and the contact 41 based on the coordinate system 431 and the length index 432. The index calculation means 51 calculates the length index 432 for each of the XYZ directions of the coordinate system 431 and displays it on the display means 52. The coordinate system 431 and the length index 432 are an index object whose size and orientation are known, for example, the orientation and dimensions of the contact 41 are photographed by the observation means 43, and the coordinate system 431 is calculated from the orientation of the index object in the photographed image. The calculation is performed by the means 51, and the number of pixels corresponding to the dimension of the index object in the captured image with respect to the XYZ directions is calculated by the index calculation means 51. The index calculation means 51 calculates the position of the recording material, the adhering material and the contact 41 or their relative positions based on the captured image, the coordinate system 431 and the length index 432. The display means 52 displays the calculated recording material, adhering material and the position of the contactor 41 or their relative positions.

  According to the adhesion measuring apparatus 1h of the eighth embodiment described above, the surfaces of the contact 41, the object (for example, a recording material) and the adhesion material (for example, ink) are observed with one image, and their relative positions and It is possible to provide an adhesive force measuring device capable of measuring the adhesive force of the adhesive while visually confirming the distance as a three-dimensional image.

  Further, when the adhesive material has viscosity and causes a shape change such as the adhesive material expanding and contracting due to an operation of measuring the adhesive force, the shape change can be visually confirmed as a three-dimensional image. .

  In the eighth embodiment, the example of calculating the position of the recording material, the adhering material and the contact 41 or the relative position thereof from the photographed image is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the contact measured by the measuring unit 42 is used. Even if the position of the recording material, the adhering material and the contact 41 or the relative position thereof is calculated from the position of the recording element 41 and the recording material position measured by the recording material position measuring means 44 and displayed on the display means 52. good.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the method of measuring the adhesive force of the adhesive material n times at preset times T1 to Tn has been described, but it may be measured n times (periodically) at predetermined time intervals. . In this case, the time interval is determined according to a set value input in advance to the control means 5, for example.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first driving unit 31 is configured to move the recording material only in the Y direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first driving unit 31 moves the recording material in two directions XY (along the XY plane). ) It may be configured to move.

  Further, for example, as in the adhesive force measuring device 1i of the first modification shown in FIGS. 33 (a) and 33 (b), the first driving means 31 is replaced with the adhesive material applying means 2 and the adhesive force measuring means. The recording material and the adhering material application means 2 are opposed to each other in the Y direction (see FIG. 33A), and the adhering material adhering to the recording material and the contact of the adhering force measuring means May be opposed (see FIG. 33B).

  Further, for example, the recording material and the contact are arranged opposite to each other in the Z direction, and the first driving means includes a position between the recording material and the contact and the retraction position where the adhesive material applying means 2 is retracted from the position. You may comprise so that it may move between.

  Further, for example, the recording material and the adhering material applying means 2 are arranged to face each other in the Z direction, and the first driving means retracts the contact between the recording material and the adhering material applying means 2 and the position. You may comprise so that it may move between retracted positions.

  Further, for example, the first driving unit may be configured to move the adhering material application unit 2 to a position facing the recording material and move the contact to a position facing the recording material.

  In short, the first driving means is capable of moving at least one of the recording material, the adhering material applying means 2 and the contact, and the first positional relationship where the recording material and the adhering material applying means 2 face each other; What is necessary is just to change a positional relationship between the 2nd positional relationship which a recording material and a contact oppose.

  The second drive means may be any means as long as it moves the opposing recording material and contact in the direction approaching and separating from each other.

  Also, for example, as in Modification 2 shown in FIG. 34, the recording material is moved in a direction (for example, a direction parallel to the XY plane) that intersects the driving direction (for example, the Z direction) of the second driving means 32. A configuration in which one driving means is not provided may be employed.

  More specifically, in the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1j of the second modification, a recording material is placed on the second driving unit 32 via the sample stage 33, and a position facing the recording material (for example, + Z side of the recording material) B) The contact 41 is arranged, and the adhering material application means 2 is installed at a position where the adhering material can be applied to the recording material. The position where the adhering material applying means 2 is installed is a position that does not hinder the approach / separation operation of the contact 41 and the recording material by the second driving means 32. The adhering material application unit 2, the second driving unit 32, and the laser displacement sensor head 421 are connected to the control unit 5.

  In this case, after applying the adhering material by the adhering material applying means 2 with the recording material positioned at substantially the same position in the XY plane, the second driving means 32 and the laser displacement sensor head 421 are used. Adhesion can be measured. That is, in Modification 2, the adhering material application position and the adhering force measurement position substantially coincide.

  According to the adhesive force measuring apparatus 1j of the second modification, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the adhesive force of the adhesive material can be measured with a simple configuration in which the first driving unit 31 is not provided.

  According to the adhesion force measuring method of the second modification, simple control that does not include the step of moving the recording material in the direction intersecting the driving direction of the second driving means 32 (step of making the recording material face the contact) ( Method), the adhesion force of the adhering material can be measured.

  However, in the case of adopting a configuration in which the adhesive material application position and the adhesion force measurement position are substantially coincident as in the second modification, it is not necessary to provide the first driving means 31 compared to the above embodiments and the first modification. On the other hand, there are restrictions on the layout of the adhering material application means 2 and the contacts 41.

  That is, in each of the above-described embodiments and Modification 1, the configuration in which the first driving unit 31 moves the recording material between the adhering material application position and the adhering force measurement position is employed. In addition, each of the contacts 41 can be installed at an optimum position with respect to the recording material.

  In each of the embodiments and modifications described above, ink is used as the adhesive material applied to the object. However, materials other than ink may be used. Further, although the recording material is used as the object to which the adhering material is applied, an object other than the recording material may be used.

  In addition, as an object to which the adhesive material is applied, from the viewpoint of accurately measuring the adhesive force of the adhesive material in accordance with the actual situation, the object to which the adhesive material actually adheres or depending on the type of the adhesive material It is preferable to use an object of a material similar to the object.

  In each of the above embodiments, an ink jet head is used as the adhering material application means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main point is that it can apply the adhering material to the recording material. It may be a spray head or the like.

  Further, the configurations of the first driving means and the second driving means can be changed as appropriate. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, each driving unit is configured by two actuators, but may be configured by one or three or more actuators.

  The measuring means for measuring the displacement of the contact may be an optical lever system including a light source (for example, a laser) and an N-divided (N ≧ 2) photodetector.

  In addition, the heater as the drying means may be anything as long as it heats at least one of the adhering material and the recording material.

  Further, the airflow generation device as the drying means may be any device that blows gas on at least one of the adhering material and the recording material.

  Below, the thought process that the inventors of the present invention have come up with the above embodiments will be described.

  For example, an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer or a multifunction peripheral forms an image by ejecting ink as an adhering material onto a recording material typified by recording paper. Here, if the ink contacts the ink in an insufficiently dried state, the ink adheres to the contact object due to the adhesion force of the ink, and the contact object is contaminated, or the image is disturbed by peeling off the ink from the recording material. The problem that it ends up occurs. In order to evaluate the occurrence conditions of these defects, it is necessary to measure the adhesion force of the ink adhered to the recording material.

  An apparatus and method for measuring an “ink elongation amount” that is a change amount when a constant tension is applied to the ink and an “ink pulling strength” that is a stress when a forced displacement in the tensile direction is applied to the ink. For example, it is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3766907.

  However, for example, since the size of one drop of ink in an inkjet image forming apparatus is very small, the adhesion force of one drop of ink is also minute. Therefore, it is difficult to measure the adhesion force of one drop of ink at the micro level with an apparatus and method (Japanese Patent No. 3766907) that performs measurement at the macro level.

  An apparatus and a method for measuring a micro level micro force are disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  However, the adhesion force of ink changes with time due to permeation and evaporation of the recording material (changes with time).

  In order to accurately evaluate the adhesion of ink, measure the adhesion of ink immediately after image formation, or measure the adhesion of adhesion to the recording material while managing the elapsed time from image formation. However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to achieve this function.

  Therefore, the inventors can measure the minute adhesion force of the adhering material such as ink adhering to the recording material, and manage the elapsed time from the adhering material while controlling the adhering material adhering to the recording material. In order to provide an adhesive force measuring device and an adhesive force measuring method capable of measuring the adhesive force, the above embodiments have been proposed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1h ... Adhesion force measuring device, 2 ... Adhesive material application means (application means), 4 ... Adhesion force measurement means, 5 ... Control means, 6, 7 ... Drying means, 9 ... Support, 31 ... First drive Means (another driving means), 32 ... second driving means (driving means), 41 ... contacts, 42 ... measuring means (measuring means), 43 ... observing means, 81 ... elastic body, 82 ... support, 83 ... Another support.

JP 2014-119305 A

Claims (28)

An adhesive force measuring device for measuring the adhesive force of an adhesive material,
Application means for applying the adhesive to an object;
A contact for contacting the adhering material applied to the object;
Drive means for relatively moving the opposed object and the contact in a direction toward and away from each other;
And a measuring means for measuring the displacement of the contact.   A first positional relationship in which at least one of the object, the application unit, and the contact is movable, the object and the application unit face each other, and a second position in which the object and the contact face each other. The adhesive force measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising another driving unit that changes the positional relationship with the positional relationship.   The adhesion measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the another driving unit moves the object between a position facing the application unit and a position facing the contact.   The adhesive force measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drying unit that dries the adhesive material applied to the object.   The adhesion force measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the drying unit heats at least one of the adhesion material and the object.   The adhesive force measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the drying unit sprays gas onto at least one of the adhering material and the object.   The adhesive force measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact is a plate-like member having a spring constant of 1 N / m or less.   The adhesion measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a removing unit that removes foreign matter adhering to the contact.   The adhesive force measuring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the removing unit transfers foreign matter attached to the contact. A support for supporting the object, the contact, the measuring means, the driving means and another driving means;
The adhesion measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising support means for supporting the support through an elastic body. The support means is
A support that supports the support in a suspended manner via the elastic body,
The adhesion measuring apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: another support that supports the support column.   The adhesive force measuring apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the elastic body is a spring.   The said support body supports at least one of the said application | coating means and the said drying means, The adhesive force measuring apparatus as described in any one of Claims 10-12 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The adhesion measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising observation means for observing the contact, the object, and the adhering material from an overhead direction. An adhesive force measuring device for measuring the adhesive force of an adhesive material,
Application means for applying the adhesive to an object;
A measuring system that measures the adhesive force of the adhesive material applied to the object. A control means for controlling the coating means and the measurement system;
The control means applies the adhesion material to the object using the application means, and measures the adhesion force of the adhesion material applied to the object at least once using the measurement system. The adhesion measuring apparatus according to claim 15. A drying means for drying the adhering material applied to the object;
The said control means dries the said adhesive material using the said drying means, after apply | coating the said adhesive material to the said object, and before measuring the adhesive force of this adhesive material. Adhesion measuring device.   The adhesive force measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the applying unit discharges the adhesive material onto the object.   The adhesive force measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is any one of ink, toner, paint, and adhesive.   The adhesion measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object has a sheet shape. Applying an adhesive to an object;
Measuring the adhesive force of the adhesive material applied to the object. The measuring step includes
A sub-step of bringing the adhesive material applied to the object into contact with the contact;
A sub-step of moving the contact and the object relatively away from each other;
The adhesion measuring method according to claim 21, further comprising a sub-step of measuring a displacement of the contact.   The adhesion measuring method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the measuring step is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed after the applying step.   The adhesive force measuring method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising a step of drying the adhesive applied to the object prior to the measuring step.   The adhesion measuring method according to claim 24, wherein the measuring step is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the drying step was performed.   The adhesion measuring method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, further comprising a step of removing foreign matter adhering to the contact.   27. The adhesion measuring method according to claim 26, wherein in the step of removing the foreign matter, the foreign matter attached to the contact is transferred to a transfer material and removed. An adhesive force measuring method for measuring the adhesive force of an adhesive material,
Applying the adhesive material to an object;
Contacting the adhesive and the contact;
Relatively moving the object and the contact in a direction away from each other;
Measuring the displacement of the contactor.

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