JP2019147340A - Gas mixer, and ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a gas mixer in which a condensed solvent component is not dropped.SOLUTION: A gas mixer for an ink jet recording device which has an exhaust route for exhausting a gas has: an exhaust gas taking-in part which takes an exhaust gas, which contains a solvent, from the exhaust route thereinto; a mixing part which is connected to the exhaust gas taking-in part, and takes air thereinto and mixes the exhaust gas and air; and an exhaust part which is connected to the mixing part, and exhausts the gas in the mixing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas mixing device for an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink from a nozzle.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of a so-called continuous type ink jet recording apparatus. The disclosed ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink from a nozzle, charges only ink particles used for printing with a charging electrode, performs printing by deflecting the flying direction of the charged ink particles with a deflection electrode, and is used for printing. Ink particles that have not been sucked into the gutter are collected and used again for printing. In the gutter, ambient air is also sucked at the same time when ink particles are sucked and collected. It is described that the sucked air continues to be sent into the ink container, and is thus configured to be discharged out of the apparatus from the ink container.

JP 2009-172932 A

  In the ink jet recording apparatus, since the gas discharged from the exhaust path passes through the ink container, the solvent component is saturated in the gas. Also, the temperature inside the inkjet recording apparatus is higher than that outside the inkjet recording apparatus due to heat generated by the operation of the apparatus. As in Patent Document 1, when the sucked air is discharged, the sucked air contains a solvent component, and when the air containing the solvent component is discharged outside the apparatus, it is saturated due to a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the apparatus. The solvent component in the state may condense and become a liquid state and drop from the outlet of the exhaust path.

  An object of the present application is to provide a gas mixing device that prevents the condensed solvent component from dripping.

  A preferred example of the present invention is a gas mixing device for an ink jet recording apparatus having an exhaust path for exhausting a gas, the exhaust gas intake section taking in an exhaust gas containing a solvent from the exhaust path, and the exhaust gas intake section. It is a gas mixing device having a mixing unit that connects and takes in air to mix the exhaust gas and the air, and an exhaust unit that connects to the mixing unit and exhausts the gas in the mixing unit.

  According to the present invention, the condensed solvent can be prevented from dripping.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exhaust path of the first embodiment. 1 is a detailed view of a gas mixing device of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the gas mixing apparatus of Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the gas mixing apparatus of Example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the gas mixing apparatus of Example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the connection method of the gas mixing apparatus of Example 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the connection method from which the gas mixing apparatus of Example 4 differs. It is a figure which shows the connection structure of the gas mixing apparatus of Example 5. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of an inkjet recording device. It is the schematic which shows the principle of operation of an inkjet recording device. It is a figure which shows the path | route structure of an inkjet recording device.

  Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus 400 according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 9, 1 is an ink jet recording apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as a main body), 2 is a print head, 3 is an operation display unit, and 4 is a conduit. The ink jet recording apparatus 400 includes an operation display unit 3 in a main body 1 and a print head 2 outside. The main body 1 and the print head 2 are connected by a conduit 4.

  Next, the usage state of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the ink jet recording apparatus 400 is installed in a production line in a factory where food, beverages, and the like are produced, for example. The main body 1 is installed at a position where the user can operate. The print head 2 is installed at a position where it can be close to the print object 13 fed on the production line such as the belt conveyor 15.

  In order to print on the production line such as the belt conveyor 15 with the same width regardless of the feeding speed, the encoder 16 that outputs a signal corresponding to the feeding speed to the ink jet recording apparatus 400 and the printing object 13 are detected. A print sensor 17 that outputs a signal for instructing printing to the inkjet recording apparatus 400 is installed, and each is connected to a control unit (not shown) in the main body 1. While the control unit controls the charge amount and charging timing of the ink particles 7C ejected from the nozzles 8 in accordance with signals from the encoder 16 and the print sensor 17, the print object 13 passes through the vicinity of the print head 2. Printing is performed by adhering the charged and deflected ink particles 7C to the print target 13.

Next, the operation principle of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIG.
18 is a main ink container, 7A is ink, 24 is a pump (for supply) that pressurizes and feeds ink 7A, 9 is an electrostrictive element that vibrates at a predetermined frequency when a voltage is applied, and 8 is ink 7A. The nozzle 7B for discharging is an ink column. 10 is a charging electrode for charging ink particles, 7C is ink particles, 11 and 12 are deflection electrodes, 13 is a printing object to be printed, and 14 is a gutter for collecting ink particles that are not used for printing. is there. Reference numeral 25 denotes a pump (for collection) that sucks the ink collected by the gutter 14 and sends it to the main ink container 18.

  The ink 7A in the main ink container 18 is sucked and pressurized by a pump (for supply) 24 to become an ink column 7B and is discharged from the nozzle 8. The nozzle 8 is provided with an electrostrictive element 9. The ink column 7B ejected from the nozzle 8 is made into particles by applying vibration to the ink 7A at a predetermined frequency. The number of ink particles 7C thus generated is determined by the frequency of the excitation voltage applied to the electrostrictive element 9, and is the same as the frequency. The ink particles 7 </ b> C can be given an electric charge by applying a voltage having a magnitude corresponding to the print information to the deflection electrodes 11 and 12.

  The ink particles 7 </ b> C charged by the charging electrode 10 fly in the electric field between the deflection electrodes 11 and 12. The deflection electric field is formed between a high voltage electrode to which a high voltage of 5 to 6 kV is applied and a ground electrode installed, and the charged ink particles 7C are deflected by receiving a force proportional to the charge amount. Then, it flies toward the printing object 13 and lands. At that time, the landing position of the ink particle 7C changes in the deflection direction according to the charge amount, and the production line moves the print target 13 in the direction orthogonal to the deflection direction, so that the ink particle 7C also moves in the direction orthogonal to the deflection direction. Particles can be landed, and a character is composed of a plurality of landed particles for printing. The ink particles 7C that have not been used for printing fly linearly between the deflection electrodes 11 and 12, are captured by the gutter 14, are then sucked by the pump (for recovery) 25, and are recovered in the main ink container 18. .

  Next, the path configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The inkjet recording apparatus 400 includes a main body 1, a print head 2, and a conduit 4 that connects the main body 1 and the print head 2.

  First, the ink supply path of the ink jet recording apparatus 400 of this embodiment will be described. The main body 1 is provided with a main ink container 18 that holds the circulating ink 7A. The main ink container 18 is connected to the viscosity measuring device 33 via the path 200 in order to grasp the viscosity of the ink 7A in the main ink container 18.

  The viscosity measuring device 33 is connected to an electromagnetic valve (for supply) 34 that opens and closes the path via the path 201, and the electromagnetic valve (for supply) 34 supplies the ink 7 </ b> A via the path 202 and the path 203. It is connected to a pump (for supply) 24 used for suction and pressure feeding.

  The pump (for supply) 24 is connected via a path 204 to a filter (for supply) 28 that removes foreign matters mixed in the ink 7A. The filter (for supply) 28 is connected to a pressure reducing valve 31 that adjusts the pressure to an appropriate pressure for printing the ink 7 </ b> A fed from the pump (for supply) 24 via the path 205. The pressure reducing valve 31 is provided with a pressure gauge 32 that measures the pressure of the ink 7 </ b> A supplied to the nozzle 8 via the path 206.

  The pressure gauge 32 is connected to the heater 40 provided in the print head 2 via a path 207 passing through the conduit 4. The heater 40 performs heating control so that the ink 7A has an appropriate ink temperature when used in a low temperature environment. The heater 40 is connected to a sealing valve 41 that opens and closes a path via a path 208, and the sealing valve 41 is connected to the nozzle 8 via a path 209. The nozzle 8 includes an ejection port that ejects the ink 7A. A gutter 14 for capturing the ink particles 7C that fly straight without being charged and deflected because they are not used for printing is disposed in the straight direction of the discharge port of the nozzle 8.

  Next, the ink supply path of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 will be described. The main body 1 includes an auxiliary ink container 19 that holds ink for replenishment. The auxiliary ink container 19 is connected to an electromagnetic valve (for replenishment) 36 that opens and closes a path via a path 221. . The electromagnetic valve (for replenishment) 36 is connected via a path 222 to a merging path 223 connected to the path 203.

  Next, the solvent supply path of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 will be described. The main body 1 is provided with a solvent container 20 for holding a solvent for solvent replenishment. The solvent container 20 is connected to a pump (for solvent) 27 used for sucking and pumping the solvent through a path 231. It is connected. The pump (for solvent) 27 is connected to a solenoid valve (for solvent) 38 in order to open and close the flow path via a path 232. The solenoid valve (for solvent) 38 is connected to the main ink container 18 via a path 233, and the solvent is supplied from the solvent container 20 to the main ink container 18.

  Next, the ink collection path of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 will be described. The gutter 14 is connected to a filter (for recovery) 30 that removes foreign matters mixed in the ink disposed in the main body 1 via a path 212 passing through the conduit 4. Reference numeral 30 denotes a solenoid valve (for recovery) 35 that opens and closes the path via the path 213. The electromagnetic valve (for recovery) 35 is connected to a pump (for recovery) 25 that sucks the ink particles 7 </ b> C captured by the gutter 14 via the path 214. The pump (for recovery) 25 is connected to the main ink container 18 via a path 215 (ink recovery).

  Next, the discharge path of the air in which the solvent vapor of the ink jet recording apparatus 400 is mixed will be described. Since the ink 7A uses a highly volatile solvent, the solvent flowing near the saturated vapor concentration is mixed in the air flowing through the paths 212 to 215. In the main ink container 18, the air mixed with the solvent vapor flowing from the path 215 is discharged from the exhaust path 217 to the outside of the apparatus. The exhaust path 217 is configured to communicate with the outside of the main body 1 through the duct 410.

  Next, the gas mixing apparatus of an Example is demonstrated using FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas mixing device 500 is disposed between the exhaust path 217 and the duct 410 inside the main body 1. The duct 410 is for connecting the inkjet recording apparatus 400 to an exhaust facility (not shown). Note that the duct 410 can be extended and contracted to facilitate connection with the exhaust equipment.

  In FIG. 2, the structure of the gas mixing apparatus 500 is shown. The gas mixing device 500 includes a connection part 510, a mixing part 520, and an exhaust part 530. The arrows in the figure schematically represent the direction in which each gas flows. The mixing unit 520 is connected to the exhaust path 217 by a connection unit 510 as an example of an exhaust gas intake unit.

  Furthermore, the mixing unit 520 is connected to the exhaust unit 530 and is connected to the duct 410 (shown in FIG. 1) by the exhaust unit 530. A power cord 521 connected to a power source, an inflow device 522 that operates by a power source that works in conjunction with the main body 1, and a shutter 523 are attached to the mixing unit 520. The ambient air of the gas mixing device 500 can be taken in by the operation of the inflow device 522.

  An example of the inflow device 522 is a fan. The taken-in ambient air is mixed in the chamber 524 with a gas containing solvent vapor close to the saturated vapor concentration that has passed through the exhaust path 217. The shutter 523 can be closed when the inflow device 522 is not operating, and can separate the chamber 524 from the inflow device 522. A replaceable exhaust filter 525 is provided on the outlet side of the chamber 524 so that ink components contained in the mixed gas can be removed. Further, the inflow device 522 can be removed, and the inside of the chamber 524 can be cleaned.

  The tip of the exhaust filter 525 is connected to the exhaust unit 530 and is connected to the outside of the inkjet recording apparatus 400 via the duct 410. Since these gas mixing devices 500 are exposed to a gas atmosphere containing a solvent component, a material having high solvent resistance is used.

  Note that since the inflow device 522 is separated from the chamber 524 exposed to the gas containing the solvent component by the shutter 523, a material having high solvent resistance is not necessarily used. The shutter 523 can be replaced with a filter. Further, the exhaust filter 525 may be configured to remove the solvent component.

  According to the first embodiment, the gas containing the solvent component close to the saturated vapor concentration passing through the exhaust path 217 and the ambient air are mixed, so that the vapor concentration of the solvent component is released before the ink jet recording apparatus 400 is released to the outside. It is possible to prevent the solvent component from condensing at the outlet of the duct 410 and dripping onto the floor or the like to contaminate the floor.

  Next, in the gas mixing device 500 attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 400, a different form of the mixing unit 520 is shown in FIG. An inflow device 522 that operates by a power source that operates in conjunction with the main body 1, a power cord 521 that is connected to the power source, and a shutter 523 are attached to the mixing unit 520. Ambient air can be taken in by the operation of the inflow device 522.

  Ambient air taken in from the inflow device 522 passes through the intake path 526 arranged to cover the chamber 524 and flows into the chamber 524 through the opening 527 provided at one end. At this time, the inflowing ambient air flows in the same direction as the exhausted gas. The ambient air mixed in the chamber 524 and the gas exhausted are subjected to removal of ink components contained in the mixed gas by a replaceable exhaust filter 525 disposed on the outlet side, and pass through the exhaust unit 530. It is structured to be exhausted.

  Moreover, the wall surface which comprises the chamber 524, and the outer wall surface which comprises the taking-in path | route 526 are comprised by the separate structure, and it can rotate independently on the same axis | shaft, respectively. In addition, the opening 527 has a structure that protrudes toward the chamber 524 that is the mixing space, so that even if the solvent component condensed in the chamber 524 becomes liquid, the intake path 526, the exhaust filter 525, and the like are inclined. The structure is such that it does not touch the surface.

  According to the second embodiment, since the inflow device 522 is separated from the chamber 524, it is difficult to be affected by the gas containing the solvent component. Moreover, since the taken-in ambient air flows from the circumference centering on the gas to be exhausted, the gas containing the solvent component to be exhausted can be mixed more efficiently. Further, by making the wall surfaces of the chamber 524 and the intake path 526 separate structures, it is possible to attach them without worrying about the direction of the inflow device 522, and the solvent component condensed in the chamber 524 is removed from the chamber 524. It can be prevented from leaking outside.

  Next, different shapes of the mixing unit 520 in the gas mixing device 500 attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 400 are shown in FIG. In addition to the mixing unit 520 as shown in the second embodiment, a gas flow path 543 for allowing the exhausted gas to flow into the chamber 524 and a gas flow path 544 for flowing out of the chamber 524 to the exhausting part 530 are coaxial. The gas exhausted and disposed inside the chamber 524 without being above is meandering and flows out to the exhaust part 530.

  According to Example 3, since the flow of the gas containing the solvent component is not linear, the gas mixing device 500 is not only in the horizontal direction, but also as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B). , It may be tilted in the vertical direction. Even if the gas mixing device 500 is tilted in the vertical direction, the gas flow path 543 for flowing into the chamber 524 and the gas flow path 544 for flowing out from the chamber 524 to the exhaust section 530 are not coaxial, and thus condensed. The solvent component does not flow out of the mixing unit 520. Therefore, the third embodiment is effective when the gas mixing device 500 is desired to be arranged in the vertical direction because of the space in the main body 1.

  Next, a different form of the gas mixing device 500 attached to the inkjet recording apparatus 400 is shown in FIG. The forms of the first to third embodiments can be arranged outside the main body 1. In FIG. 6, the gas mixing device 500 includes a connection portion 510, a mixing portion 520, an exhaust portion 530, and an inflow device 522 that is not shown. The exhaust unit 530 is connected to the duct 420 and connected to an exhaust facility (not shown). Note that the duct 420 may be configured to be extendable and contractible.

  The gas mixing device 500 is disposed outside the main body 1, and is connected to a duct 410 that is an outlet of gas exhausted from the main body 1 by a connection portion 510. The power cord 521 is connected to a power source for operating the inflow device 522. The power source may be a power source independent from the main body 1. Examples of the shape of the connecting portion 510 include a collet chuck shape as a fixed portion using the outer cylinder 511 and the claw 512.

  If it is this shape, the connection part 510 can be fixed to the duct 410 from which a diameter differs by replacing the outer cylinder 511 and the nail | claw 512. FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, there is a shape in which a protruding guide 545 and an O-ring 547 are provided in the duct 410 and an L-shaped guide groove 546 is cut in the connection portion 510.

  If it is this shape, after connecting along an axial direction, it can be prevented from coming out when it is pulled by rotating in the circumferential direction.

  According to the fourth embodiment, it is easy to connect to the main body 1, and it is difficult to come out even when pulled. Note that the portions where the guide 545 and the guide groove 546 are provided may be reversed. Furthermore, as a simple shape, the connecting portion 510 can be formed of a flexible tubular object, and after being connected to the duct 410, it can be fixed with a clip or the like.

  Next, another embodiment of the mixing unit 520 is shown in FIG. 8 in the case where the gas mixing device 500 attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 400 is attached to the outside. FIG. 8A is a simplified diagram of the main body 1 before the gas mixing device 500 is attached. FIG. 8B is a simplified view after the gas mixing device 500 is attached. The mixing unit 520 includes an exhaust gas intake unit that is connected to the exhaust path 217 and has an opening that takes in the exhaust gas from the duct 410 that extends from the main body 1 to the outside, and a gas path 528 instead of the inflow device 522. Yes. Inside the main body 1, a main body fan 540 and an exhaust port 541 are provided for circulating and exhausting air in the housing.

  The gas path 528 has an opening enough to cover the exhaust port 541 of the main body 1, and can be fixed to the main body 1 with a flange 529 so that the gas path 528 can be fixed in close contact with the main body 1. In addition, as long as it can adhere and fix with the main body 1, it is not limited to a thing like the flange 529, A shape like a magnet or an attachment may be sufficient. The air exhausted from the exhaust port 541 to the outside of the main body by the main body fan 540 passes through the gas path 528 and is mixed in the chamber 524 with the exhausted gas flowing in from the duct 410 as the exhaust gas intake portion.

  A replaceable exhaust filter 525 is disposed on the outlet side of the chamber 524, and is configured to be exhausted through the exhaust unit 530 after the ink component contained in the gas to be mixed is removed. The gas path 528 is provided with a check valve 542 so that the exhausted gas containing the solvent component does not flow back into the main body 1 when the main body fan 540 is stopped. Yes.

  According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to mix the exhausted gas and the taken-in air while circulating the air inside the main body 1 without adding a new fan.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 217 ... Exhaust path, 400 ... Inkjet recording apparatus, 500 ... Gas mixing apparatus, 510 ... Connection part, 520 ... Mixing part, 522 ... Inflow apparatus, 524 ... Chamber, 525 ... Exhaust filter, 526 ... Intake path 527 ... opening, 528 ... gas path, 530 ... exhaust part

Claims (11)

A gas mixing device for an ink jet recording apparatus having an exhaust path for exhausting gas,
An exhaust gas intake section for taking in exhaust gas containing a solvent from the exhaust path;
A mixing unit that connects to the exhaust gas intake unit, takes in air, and mixes the exhaust gas and the air;
A gas mixing apparatus comprising: an exhaust unit that is connected to the mixing unit and exhausts gas from the mixing unit. 2. The gas mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust path is connected to an ink container for holding the recovered ink, and the ink container is connected to a path for supplying a solvent. apparatus. The gas mixing device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection portion connected to the exhaust path,
The gas mixing device, wherein the mixing unit includes an inflow device, and the air is taken in by the operation of the inflow device. The gas mixing device according to claim 3, wherein the inflow device is a fan,
The gas mixing apparatus, wherein the mixing unit includes a shutter, and the shutter is closed when the fan is not operating. 5. The gas mixing device according to claim 3, wherein the exhaust unit includes a filter that removes an ink component or a solvent component contained in the exhaust gas. 6. 6. The gas mixing device according to claim 3, wherein the mixing unit includes an intake path and a chamber that take in the air from the inflow device, and the intake path and the chamber. A gas mixing apparatus characterized in that the opening disposed between the two is configured to protrude into the chamber. The gas mixing device according to claim 6, wherein in the mixing portion, an inflow gas path through which the exhaust gas flows into the chamber and an outflow gas exhaust path through which the gas flows out from the chamber to the exhaust section are coaxial. A gas mixing device characterized in that the gas mixing device is arranged so as not to be in the range. 8. The gas mixing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus includes a duct connected to the exhaust path and extending to the outside, and the exhaust gas intake unit is configured to be the duct. And a gas mixing device characterized by having a fixing part for fixing. 2. The gas mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus has a duct extending to the outside connected to the exhaust path, and the exhaust gas intake unit is connected to an end of the duct. A gas mixing device characterized by The gas mixing device according to claim 9, wherein the inkjet recording device includes a ventilation device and an exhaust port, and operates the ventilation device to flow the air from the exhaust port into the mixing unit. Characterized gas mixing device. An ink container for holding ink for printing on a print object;
A nozzle that is connected to the ink container and ejects pressurized ink;
A charging electrode that is charged with ink discharged from the nozzle and used for printing;
A deflection electrode for deflecting ink charged by the charging electrode;
A gutter for collecting ink that is not used for printing;
A collection path for collecting the ink sucked from the ink container into the ink container;
An exhaust path connected to the ink container for discharging gas from the ink container;
A gas mixing device connected to the exhaust path,
The gas mixing device includes:
A mixing unit connected to the exhaust path and taking in air and mixing the gas and air;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an exhaust unit that is connected to the mixing unit and exhausts the gas in the mixing unit.

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