JP4146066B2 - Fluid circuit for liquid ejector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus that supplies a liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus that can be used to appropriately apply an image forming solvent to an image recording material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus that performs image recording processing using a photosensitive material and an image receiving material, as exemplified in JP-A-11-15124.
[0003]
In this image forming apparatus, after an image forming solvent is applied to the photosensitive material by the image forming solvent applying unit, the image receiving material is superimposed on the photosensitive material and heated by the heat development transfer unit to thermally develop the photosensitive material. At the same time, an image is transferred to the image receiving material, and a heat development transfer process for forming (recording) a predetermined image on the image receiving material is performed.
[0004]
In this image forming apparatus, a coating apparatus 310 illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12 is used in order to apply the image forming solvent to the photosensitive material in a non-contact manner.
[0005]
The application device 310 sprays the liquid with the liquid ejecting device 312 and applies it to the photosensitive material while supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting device 312 with a fluid circuit.
[0006]
The liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is supplied with liquid by a fluid circuit into a liquid chamber 321A provided therein. Then, by vibrating the nozzle plate 322 arranged at the bottom of the liquid chamber 321A, when the pressure of the liquid in the liquid chamber 321A is increased, the nozzle plate 322 is perforated so as to be lined up linearly in the nozzle plate 322. Inject droplets.
[0007]
The fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 fills the liquid chamber 321A with liquid when the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 ejects liquid droplets, and continues supplying the liquid while maintaining a predetermined pressure. At the same time, at the end of use of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, the liquid in the liquid chamber 321A is extracted.
[0008]
For this reason, the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is configured as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12. In this fluid circuit, a bottle 332 for storing liquid is disposed on the lower left side of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, and a filter 334 for filtering the liquid is disposed above the bottle 332. The bottle 332 and the filter 334 are connected by a liquid supply pipe 342 in which a liquid supply pump 336 is disposed in the middle.
[0009]
Further, on the right side of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, a sub tank 338 for temporarily storing the liquid sent from the bottle 332 is disposed. A liquid feed pipe 344 drawn from the filter 334 is connected to the bottom surface of the sub tank 338. A heater 352 for heating and adjusting the temperature of the liquid is disposed in the middle of the liquid supply pipe 344. The pump 336 and the heater 352 are connected to a controller 354 that controls these operations.
[0010]
When the pump 336 and the heater 352 are actuated by the controller 354, the liquid is sent from the bottle 332 to the filter 334 side by the pump 336, and further, the liquid passes through the filter 334 and is filtered. The liquid is heated and sent to the sub tank 338, and the liquid is temporarily stored in the sub tank 338.
[0011]
An air release pipe 356 having one end opened to the outside is attached to the upper end of the sub tank 338, and the inside of the sub tank 338 can be communicated with the outside air through the air release pipe 356 to increase the atmospheric pressure in the sub tank 338. The air pressure can be maintained.
[0012]
As shown in the drawing, a liquid level sensor 358 for detecting the position of the liquid level in the sub tank 338 is installed at a position higher than the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 in a portion near the upper portion of the sub tank 338, and the liquid level is detected by the liquid level sensor 358. By performing the detection, a control operation for preventing the liquid from overflowing from the sub tank 338 is performed.
[0013]
Further, a portion closer to the lower portion of the sub tank 338 toward the figure and a side portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 are connected by a liquid feeding pipe 346, and the liquid sent from the bottle 332 by the pump 336 is supplied to the filter 334 and the heater. The liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is filled through 352, the sub tank 338, the liquid feeding pipe 346, and the like.
[0014]
A tray 340 is disposed below the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, the tray 340 is connected to the circulation pipe 348, and the liquid overflowing from the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is collected by the tray 340, and the bottle 332 is collected via the circulation pipe 348. Return to.
[0015]
One end of the circulation pipe 348 is branched into two connection pipes 348A and 348B, and one connection pipe 348A is connected to a position lower than the height position of the sub tank 338 to which the liquid feeding pipe 346 is connected. The other connecting pipe 348B is connected to a position higher than the height position of the sub tank 338 to which the liquid feeding pipe 346 is connected.
[0016]
In addition, a lower discharge valve 362 that is a circulation path opening / closing valve is disposed on one connection pipe 348A, and an upper discharge valve 366 that is a liquid level adjustment valve is disposed on the other connection pipe 348B.
[0017]
With this configuration, when the lower discharge valve 362 or the upper discharge valve 366 is opened, more liquid than is necessary stored in the sub tank 338 is returned to the bottle 332 via the connection pipes 348A and 348B. It is like that.
[0018]
That is, one end side is connected to the sub tank 338 at a position lower than the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and the other end side is connected to the bottle 332 by the connection pipe 348B and the circulation pipe 348, and the liquid level of the liquid stored in the sub tank 338 is constant. Constructing a discharge pipe that keeps on.
[0019]
Further, the connection pipe 348A and the circulation pipe 348 constitute a circulation pipe that connects the portion of the sub tank 338 below the portion connected to the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and the bottle 332, and these and the liquid feeding pipes 342, 344. And constitutes a fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus for circulating the liquid.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the fluid circuit when the coating device 310 is activated will be described. At the time of starting, as shown in FIG. 11, the controller 354 opens the lower discharge valve 362, starts operation of the heater 352 and starts driving the pump 336.
[0021]
Accordingly, the connection pipe 348A and the circulation pipe 348 that connect the portion of the sub-tank 338 below the portion that is connected to the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 by the liquid supply pipe 346 and the bottle 332 form a circulation path for circulating the liquid. . The liquid flowing in the circulation path is filtered by the filter 334 and heated by the heater 352.
[0022]
When the coating apparatus 310 is started, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 11, the liquid passes through the filter 334 from the bottle 332 and is removed even if dust is contained in the liquid, and the temperature of the liquid is adjusted by the heater 352. It will be in a standby state.
[0023]
Next, a case where the liquid is filled into the liquid chamber 321A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 will be described. In this case, the controller 354 opens the tank opening / closing valve 364, closes the lower discharge valve 362 and the upper discharge valve 366, and enters the bottle 332 by the pump 336 to the sub tank 338 side opened at the top by the air release pipe 356. The stored liquid is fed in, the sub tank 338 temporarily stores the liquid, and the liquid level in the sub tank 338 rises sequentially.
[0024]
As a result, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 12, the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 connected by the sub tank 338 and the liquid feeding pipe 346 is filled with the liquid from the sub tank 338 side.
[0025]
At this time, the liquid overflowing from the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 passes through the tank opening / closing valve 364 as shown by the arrow in FIG.
[0026]
Further, even after the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is filled with the liquid, the liquid level in the sub tank 338 rises, but the liquid level sensor 358 detects the liquid level in the sub tank 338 at a position higher than the liquid ejecting apparatus 312.
[0027]
When this detection signal is sent to the controller 354, the controller 354 opens the upper discharge valve 366 that opens and closes the connecting pipe 348B connected to the sub tank 338 at a position lower than the liquid ejecting apparatus 312. As a result, excess liquid in the sub tank 338 is discharged by the connection pipe 348B and the circulation pipe 348, and the liquid level of the liquid stored in the sub tank 338 is lowered at a liquid level lower than that of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 as shown in FIG. Keep constant.
[0028]
Further, the controller 354 closes the previously opened tank opening / closing valve 364 that is connected to the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 before the upper discharge valve 366 is opened, and the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 as shown in FIG. The liquid level of the liquid filled therein is maintained.
[0029]
In this state, a plurality of nozzle holes provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 eject liquid while the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is maintained at a constant negative pressure and the liquid level of the liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is maintained. become able to.
[0030]
In addition, the liquid stored in the sub tank 338 is supplied into the liquid chamber 321A in accordance with the atomization operation of ejecting the liquid from the plurality of nozzle holes of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312.
[0031]
For this reason, during the atomization operation, the liquid level in the sub-tank 338 is kept constant by operating the pump 336 at a low speed, and at the same time, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 321A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 that is at a negative pressure The liquid is automatically replenished from the sub tank 338 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 using the pressure difference with the liquid pressure (atmospheric pressure) in the sub tank 338.
[0032]
Next, when the atomization operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is to be ended, the tank opening / closing valve 364 is opened according to a command from the controller 354.
[0033]
As a result, the liquid filled in the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 flows backward through the liquid feeding pipe 346 and flows to the sub tank 338 side, and further returns to the bottle 332 via the connection pipe 348B and the circulation pipe 348, and is in a standby state shown in FIG. It becomes.
[0034]
Further, when a certain period of time elapses in the standby state, the controller 354 determines that the atomization operation has been completed, the controller 354 opens the lower discharge valve 362, returns all the liquid into the bottle 332, and enters the stopped state. To do.
[0035]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 as described above, when the liquid circuit is activated, when the liquid chamber 321A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is filled with liquid, the atomization operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is finished and the standby state is established. In the case of further stopping, the controller 354 appropriately controls the lower discharge valve 362, the tank opening / closing valve 364 or the upper discharge valve 366 so that the liquid circulation path of this fluid circuit corresponds to each case. It is configured to change and set.
[0036]
In such a fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, piping of the pipes constituting the flow path becomes complicated, and many valves are used. There is a problem that the control operation to be changed and set becomes complicated.
[0037]
In consideration of the above fact, the present invention simplifies the configuration of the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus, and simplifies the control operation by reducing the number of on-off valves that are controlled to change the liquid circulation path of the fluid circuit. An object is to newly provide a fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0038]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a flow path for feeding a liquid in a main tank into a sub tank for setting a lower liquid level than the liquid ejecting apparatus by a pump; The flow passing through the liquid chamber provided with a plurality of nozzle holes for injecting the liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus through the liquid suction port and passing through the open on-off valve with a negative pressure by the pump. And a road.
[0039]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus in the sub tank for setting the liquid level lower than the plurality of nozzle holes for ejecting the liquid of the liquid ejecting apparatus from the liquid suction port facing the main tank. A first pipe line connected in series to a liquid discharge port facing the liquid, a liquid feed pump disposed in a part of the first pipe line, and a second tank connected from the sub tank to the liquid chamber inlet of the liquid ejecting apparatus. A conduit, a third conduit connected between the liquid suction port in the first conduit and the pump from the outlet of the liquid chamber, and an on-off valve disposed in a part of the third conduit It is characterized by.
[0040]
With the configuration described above, the pump is driven with the on-off valve opened, whereby the liquid in the main tank is sent to the sub tank side, and the liquid in the sub tank is filled in the liquid chamber of the liquid ejecting apparatus. . Further, after the liquid chamber of the liquid ejecting apparatus is filled with the liquid, the on-off valve is closed and the liquid ejecting apparatus is driven so that the liquid is automatically supplied by the amount reduced from the sub tank while ejecting the liquid. At the same time, the pump can be driven to supply the liquid from the main tank to the sub tank, and the liquid ejecting operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be continued.
[0041]
Accordingly, the configuration of the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus can be simplified, and the number of on-off valves that are controlled to change the liquid circulation path used in the fluid circuit can be reduced to simplify the control operation.
[0042]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the liquid level in the sub tank is changed from the sub tank to the main tank so that the liquid level is lower than the liquid ejecting apparatus. It is characterized in that it is configured so as to be drained.
[0043]
By configuring as described above, in addition to the operation and effect of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the liquid level in the sub tank is kept constant, thereby filling the liquid chamber of the liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid can maintain a constant negative pressure state with respect to the atmospheric pressure, and the liquid ejecting state of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be stabilized.
[0044]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the liquid chamber of the liquid ejecting apparatus is filled with liquid and required when not in use. In some cases, the plurality of nozzle hole portions are hermetically sealed, and caps that are detached from the plurality of nozzle hole portions when the liquid ejecting apparatus is used are mounted.
[0045]
By configuring as described above, in addition to the operation and effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to prevent the liquid from inadvertently leaking from the plurality of nozzle holes of the liquid ejecting apparatus. , Preventing the components dissolved in the liquid from precipitating in the plurality of nozzle holes, and filling the liquid chamber of the liquid ejecting apparatus with the liquid and the liquid from the plurality of nozzle holes when necessary when not in use. Even if it leaks, this can be received by the cap and liquid can be prevented from adhering to an unnecessary place.
[0046]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the pump is driven to fill the liquid in the main tank into the sub tank, and the on-off valve The liquid in the sub-tank is filled into the liquid chamber having a plurality of nozzle hole portions, and the liquid is filled in the liquid chamber and then the on-off valve is closed. It is characterized by mounting a controller that controls the above.
[0047]
With the configuration described above, in addition to the operation and effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the circulation path of the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus can be set by a simple control operation of the controller. By changing the liquid, the liquid can be sent from the main tank to the sub tank, the liquid can be filled in the liquid chamber, and the liquid can be continuously ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0048]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same members in FIGS. 1 to 9 corresponding to FIGS. 10 to 12 described above are provided with the same reference numerals for convenience of explanation.
[0049]
1 to 3 show a schematic configuration of a liquid coating apparatus 310. FIG. The coating apparatus 310 includes a liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and a fluid circuit unit 100 for supplying a liquid into the liquid chamber 321A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312.
[0050]
As can be seen from FIGS. 5 to 8, the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is provided with a liquid chamber 321 </ b> A along the longitudinal direction inside a substantially rectangular parallelepiped apparatus main body. In addition, a nozzle plate 322 serving as a part of a partition wall in the liquid chamber 321A is disposed on the bottom surface of the apparatus main body.
[0051]
That is, in the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, a long groove that opens to the bottom surface along the longitudinal direction is formed in the structural member of the apparatus main body, and the opening on the bottom surface is formed by bending an elastically deformable rectangular thin plate. The nozzle plate 322 is closed to form an integral structure.
[0052]
The structural member of the main body of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is configured by overlapping a pair of frame members 314 and screwing them with bolts (not shown).
[0053]
Each frame member 314 is formed symmetrically, and a lever plate 320, a side wall 312A, a support portion 312B, and a top wall 312C are integrally formed.
[0054]
Each lever plate 320 is formed in a rectangular long plate shape, and is supported by a narrow elastically deformable support portion 312B integrally formed at the lower portion of each side wall 312A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312. It is formed integrally with 312B.
[0055]
Each frame member 314 integrally forms a pair of top walls 312C on top of each side wall 312A. A part of each of the top walls 312C has a shape projecting to both lateral sides, and a plurality of actuators are formed between the lower side of the projecting top wall 312C and the outer end of the lever plate 320. Both ends of the piezoelectric element 326 (three in each side in this embodiment) are bonded and installed.
[0056]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, the nozzle plate 322 is attached to the pair of lever plates 320 with an adhesive or the like, as shown in FIG. 7, on both sides parallel to the longitudinal direction of the linearly arranged nozzle holes 324. Are arranged.
[0057]
The nozzle plate 322 has a plurality of nozzle holes 324 (for example, an image forming solvent which is a processing liquid, water is used in the present embodiment) filled in the liquid chamber 321A (for example, water is used). A diameter of several tens of μm) is perforated in a straight line at regular intervals.
[0058]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, a plurality of nozzle holes 324 arranged in a straight line on the bottom surface thereof are arranged so as to be aligned with, for example, a direction intersecting the conveyance direction A of the photosensitive material 16 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. A plurality of nozzle holes 324 arranged in a line are set so as to correspond to the entire width direction of the photosensitive material 16. Thus, as will be described later, the processing liquid in the liquid chamber 321A can be applied from the nozzle holes 324 to the entire surface of the photosensitive material 16 to be conveyed.
[0059]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a thin sealing plate 328 is attached to each portion partitioned by both ends of the nozzle plate 322 in the longitudinal direction and both ends of the pair of frame members 314.
[0060]
The sealing plate 328 is applied by an elastic adhesive, for example, a silicon rubber-based adhesive, which is applied between each end of the nozzle plate 322 and each end of the pair of frame members 314. Yes.
[0061]
Thus, the sealing plate 328, the end portions of the nozzle plate 322, and the end portions of the pair of frame members 314 are elastically sealed without hindering movement of both ends of the nozzle plate 322. It will be.
[0062]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, liquid guide pipes 331 and 347 communicating with the liquid chamber 321 </ b> A are disposed on the respective sealing plates 328 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. In addition, you may provide each liquid introduction pipe | tube connected in the liquid chamber 321A in the both ends of the frame member 314. FIG.
[0063]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 configured as described above, when each piezoelectric element 326 is energized from a power source, the piezoelectric element 326 extends as shown in FIG. 8 and rotates the lever plate 320 around the support portion 312B. As a result, the piezoelectric element 326 raises the central portion of the nozzle plate 322 along the direction of the arrow B while elastically deforming the nozzle plate 322, and increases the pressure of the processing liquid in the liquid chamber 321A, thereby arranging a plurality of linearly arranged elements. A small amount of the processing liquid L is collectively ejected from the nozzle hole 324 in a linear shape.
[0064]
As shown in the schematic perspective view of FIG. 4, a cap 351 is provided for covering the nozzle hole 324 in a sealed state when the atomizing operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is not performed.
[0065]
The cap 351 is a dish-shaped member having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is configured by providing a sealing packing 353 for closely contacting the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 at the peripheral end portion of the opening.
[0066]
The cap 351 is moved to a position that covers the nozzle hole 324 when necessary when the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is not used, so that the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 does not interfere with the operation when performing the processing liquid atomization operation. It is mounted so as to be used as a droplet receiver for the processing liquid that has been moved away from the nozzle hole 324 and ejected from the nozzle hole 324 and has not adhered to the photosensitive material 16.
[0067]
The liquid ejecting apparatus 312 configured as described above is supplied with a processing liquid by the fluid circuit unit 100 configured as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0068]
The fluid circuit unit 100 for the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 fills the liquid chamber 321A with liquid when the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 ejects liquid droplets, and continues supplying the liquid while maintaining a predetermined pressure.
[0069]
The fluid circuit unit 100 for the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 includes a main tank 102 and a sub tank 104 that store processing liquid at a position below a predetermined distance from the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, and the main tank 102, the sub tank 104, and the liquid. It connects and comprises between the injection apparatus 312 by a pipe line.
[0070]
The main tank 102 is configured as a large container for storing and storing the processing liquid.
[0071]
The sub tank 104 is used to supply the processing liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 at a constant pressure, and is configured as a relatively small container. The sub-tank 104 is supplied with processing liquid into the sub-tank 104 as liquid level position setting means for setting the liquid level of the processing liquid stored in the sub-tank 104 at a certain height position with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus 312. A configuration is provided in which it overflows and returns to the main tank 102.
[0072]
For this reason, the sub tank 104 is arranged inside the main tank 102 and, for example, a weir (not shown) that opens according to a predetermined liquid surface position of the sub tank 104 is provided, and the processing liquid supplied into the sub tank 104 is supplied from the weir to the main tank 102. It is constituted so as to be refluxed inside.
[0073]
In addition, a first conduit 106 that constitutes a flow path for supplying the processing liquid from the main tank 102 to the sub tank 104 is provided. That is, the first pipe line 106 is piped so that the liquid supply port faces the main tank 102 and the liquid discharge port faces the sub tank 104.
[0074]
At the same time, the first pipe line 106 is processed from the liquid suction port facing the main tank 102 to the liquid discharge port facing the sub tank 104 while adjusting the liquid feed amount by interposing the variable capacity pump 110 at the intermediate portion. It is configured so that the liquid can be fed. The variable displacement pump 110 is configured to control the drive or stop or change adjustment of the liquid feeding amount by the controller 354.
[0075]
Furthermore, a second pipe 108 that constitutes a flow path for processing liquid circulation is provided between the sub tank 104 and the liquid ejecting apparatus 312. The second pipe 108 has one end facing the sub tank 104 and the other end connected to the liquid guide pipe 347 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 between the sub tank 104 and the liquid chamber 321A. The processing liquid can be distributed.
[0076]
Further, a third pipe 112 that constitutes a flow path for processing liquid flow is provided between the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and a predetermined portion on the pipe of the first pipe 106. That is, the third pipe 112 has one end connected to the liquid introduction pipe 331 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and the other end connected to a predetermined portion from the main tank 102 to the variable capacity pump 110 of the first pipe 106. Are connected to each other by a branch pipe so that the processing liquid can flow between the liquid chamber 321 </ b> A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and a predetermined portion of the first pipe line 106.
[0077]
At the same time, an on-off valve 114 is provided in the middle portion of the third pipe 112 to switch the state of the third pipe 112 to a state where the processing liquid can flow or a state where the processing liquid cannot flow. The on-off valve 114 is configured to control its opening / closing operation by a controller 354.
[0078]
Further, in this coating apparatus 310, when the processing liquid is filled in the liquid chamber 321 </ b> A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and the on-off valve 114 is closed, air does not flow backward from the nozzle holes 324, and the processing is performed from each nozzle hole 324. The size of the diameter of the nozzle hole 324, the height from the liquid level of the sub tank 104 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and the like are set from the relationship with the surface tension of the processing liquid so that the liquid does not leak.
[0079]
The fluid circuit unit 100 may be configured such that a filter (not shown) is disposed at an appropriate position to filter the processing liquid, or a heater (not illustrated) is disposed at an appropriate position to heat the processing liquid and control the temperature. .
[0080]
Next, the operation and operation of the coating apparatus 310 configured as described above will be described.
[0081]
In the state before use shown in FIG. 2, the coating device 310 fills the main tank 102 of the fluid circuit unit 100 with a necessary amount of processing liquid. That is, the liquid chamber 321 </ b> A of the sub tank 104 and the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is empty without being filled with the processing liquid.
[0082]
Next, a case where the liquid is filled in the liquid chamber 321A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 in order to start using the coating apparatus 310 will be described. In this case, the controller 354 opens the on-off valve 114 and drives the variable displacement pump 110 with a relatively large output.
[0083]
As a result, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, first, the processing liquid in the main tank 102 is filled into the sub tank 104 through the first conduit 106. At the same time, the processing liquid filled in the sub-tank 104 is filled into the liquid chamber 321A through the second conduit 108, and further sent from the third conduit 112 to the middle of the first conduit 106 to the sub-tank 104. Refluxed.
[0084]
Further, when the processing liquid is filled to a predetermined level in the sub tank 104, excess processing liquid sent from the first pipe 106 thereafter is returned to the main tank 102 through a weir (not shown) of the sub tank 104. The preparation state shown in FIG. 1 is reached.
[0085]
When the state shown in FIG. 2 is shifted to the preparation state shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is stopped and the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is covered with a cap 351 so that the processing liquid is not used. Even when the processing liquid leaks from the plurality of nozzle holes 324 when passing through the liquid chamber 321A of the 312, it is received by the cap 351, and the processing liquid is inadvertently attached to the object to which the processing liquid is applied from the liquid ejecting apparatus 312. To prevent.
[0086]
Next, a case where the preparation state shown in FIG. 1 is shifted to the use state shown in FIG. 3 will be described.
[0087]
In this case, first, the controller 354 closes the on-off valve 114. Then, the processing liquid inside the liquid chamber 321 </ b> A of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 becomes a negative pressure having a predetermined value proportional to the height from the liquid level of the sub tank 104.
[0088]
In this way, even when the inside of the liquid chamber 321A has a negative pressure of a predetermined value, the surface tension of the processing liquid works at each nozzle hole 324 portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312, so that the processing liquid is supplied from each nozzle hole 324 to the liquid chamber 321A. It is possible to prevent backflow into the inside. At the same time, since the inside of the liquid chamber 321A has a predetermined negative pressure, it is possible to prevent the processing liquid from leaking from each nozzle hole 324.
[0089]
Then, when the on-off valve 114 is closed, in a state where the processing liquid does not leak from each nozzle hole 324, the cap 351 placed on the liquid ejecting device 312 is removed by an automatic operation device (not shown) to the standby position. Moving.
[0090]
At the same time, the controller 354 drives the variable displacement pump 110 with a relatively small output, and the sub-tank 104 passes a larger amount of processing liquid than the amount of processing liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 from the main tank 102 through the first conduit 106. To supply.
[0091]
Accordingly, the sub tank 104 is always in a state where the processing liquid overflows from the weir while the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is being driven, and the liquid level in the sub tank 104 is constant.
[0092]
Therefore, the height from the liquid level of the sub tank 104 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 can be kept constant at all times, so that the negative pressure in the liquid chamber 321A is always maintained at a predetermined constant value and processed from the liquid ejecting apparatus 312. It is possible to stably maintain a state where the liquid can be jetted properly.
[0093]
In the coating apparatus 310, the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained by the operation as described above, and after the operation state is stabilized, the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is driven under the control of the controller 354, and the processing liquid coating operation is executed. .
[0094]
Next, when the coating operation of the treatment liquid of the coating apparatus 310 is finished, the controller 354 stops the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and the variable capacity pump 110 in the state shown in FIG. At the same time, the cap 351 at the standby position is put on the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 by an automatic operation device (not shown) and waits until the next use.
[0095]
At this time, the cap 351 is placed in close contact with the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 with the sealing packing 353 at the peripheral end of the opening. For this reason, the portion provided with the plurality of nozzle holes 324 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is sealed in the sealing packing 353, so that the processing liquid may inadvertently leak from the plurality of nozzle holes 324, or components of the processing liquid may be discharged from the nozzle holes 324. It is possible to prevent the nozzle hole 324 from being deposited on the portion of the nozzle and blocking the nozzle hole 324.
[0096]
Next, when the use of the coating apparatus 310 is resumed, the controller 354 drives the variable displacement pump 110 with a relatively small output. At the same time, the cap 351 covering the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is removed by an automatic operation apparatus (not shown) and moved to the standby position.
[0097]
Then, the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 is driven under the control of the controller 354, and the coating operation of the processing liquid is resumed.
[0098]
In addition to the function of opening the on-off valve 114 of the fluid circuit unit 100 described above so that the processing liquid passes through the third pipe 112 or closing the processing pipe so that the processing liquid does not pass through the third pipe 112, A configuration in which a function of opening the atmosphere so that the atmosphere enters the pipe 112 may be added. In the case of such a configuration, the controller 354 stops the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 and the variable displacement pump 110 from the use state of FIG. At the same time, the cap 351 at the standby position is put on the liquid ejecting apparatus 312 by an automatic operation device (not shown).
[0099]
Furthermore, the controller 354 opens the on-off valve 114 so that the atmosphere enters the third pipeline 112. Then, air enters the liquid chamber 321A, the first pipe line 106, the second pipe line 108, and the third pipe line 112. Instead, the liquid chamber 321A, the first pipe line 106, the second pipe line 108, and the second pipe line The processing liquid in the three pipe lines 112 returns to the main tank 102 and the sub tank 104.
[0100]
As a result, the fluid circuit unit 100 waits until the next use in a state where the liquid chamber 321A, the first conduit 106, the second conduit 108, and the third conduit 112 are emptied. When the use of the coating apparatus 310 is resumed, the controller 354 drives the variable displacement pump 110 with a relatively large output in the same manner as when the state shown in FIG. 2 is shifted to the state shown in FIG. The operation state shown in FIG. 3 is started by the same operation as described above, and the use of the coating apparatus 310 is resumed.
[0101]
Next, an outline of an image forming apparatus using the above-described coating apparatus 310 will be described with reference to FIG. First, an image original is input by a scanner or the like, and image processing is performed to prepare for the operation of the exposure unit 18.
[0102]
Next, when a command for forming an image of the document on the photosensitive material 16 is input to a control unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body, the paper feeding unit 12 is operated by the command of the control unit, and the belt-shaped photosensitive material 16 is moved on the conveyance path 14. Sent out. Thus, the photosensitive material 16 sent to the conveying path 14 for a predetermined length is cut into a predetermined size by the cutter 38 and sent to the exposure unit 18.
[0103]
Next, the exposure unit 18 exposes a required original image onto the emulsion surface 16A on one side of the photosensitive material 16, and then sends it to the development assisting processing unit 20. In the development intensifying processing unit 20, a first development intensification processing solution (water is used here) is applied onto the emulsion surface 16 </ b> A of the photosensitive material 16 by the coating device 310, and the temperature of a predetermined temperature (40 degrees Celsius) is set. The developing process is performed for 20 seconds while transporting 280 millimeters on the transport path 14 of the processing temperature control section 355 to be produced, and the remaining first developing intensification processing liquid is squeezed by the roller 367 and then sent to the cleaning section 24.
[0104]
Next, in the cleaning unit 24, cleaning water is poured on the emulsion surface 16A of the photosensitive material 16 by the shower device 52, and the alkaline component is removed by rinsing for 5 seconds while transporting 140 mm on the transport path 14, and then the squeezing roller At 56, the remaining washing water adhering to the photosensitive material 16 is squeezed out and sent to the stabilization unit 25.
[0105]
In the stabilizing unit 25, the first stabilizing solution is applied to the emulsion surface 16A of the photosensitive material 16 by the shower device 58, and after 5 seconds of stabilization processing (desilvering processing) while transporting 70 millimeters on the transport path 14, The first stabilizing solution adhered to the photosensitive material 16 is squeezed down by the squeezing roller 60 and then the photosensitive material 16 is sent to the drying unit 26.
[0106]
In the drying unit 26, a predetermined range on the transport path 14 is covered with a cover member 64, and hot air is blown and dried on the emulsion surface 16 A of the photosensitive material 16 inside the cover member 64 and heated to a predetermined temperature. The roller 66 is in contact with the photosensitive material 16 and dried for 10 seconds while being conveyed 140 mm on the conveying path 14 while being dried. Then, the dried photosensitive material 16 is sent out from the discharge port onto the tray as a finished product on which an image is formed, and a series of control operations of the image forming process is completed.
[0107]
Such a coating apparatus 310 is suitable for use in an image forming apparatus because it can quickly and evenly apply a small amount of processing solution to the surface of the photosensitive material 16 without contact.
[0108]
The application device 310 can be applied to application of a developer to photographic paper in a developing machine, application of immersion water in a printing machine, coating machine, and the like.
[0109]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention, the configuration of the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus can be simplified, and the on-off valve that is controlled to change the liquid circulation path of the fluid circuit. This has the effect of simplifying the control operation by reducing the number.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a fluid circuit diagram showing a state in which liquid is filled in a liquid chamber and a sub tank of a liquid ejecting apparatus in a fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a fluid circuit diagram showing a state where a liquid chamber and a sub tank of the liquid ejecting apparatus are not filled with liquid in the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a fluid circuit diagram illustrating a usage state in which the liquid ejecting apparatus ejects liquid in the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the liquid ejecting apparatus and the cap in the fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention are separated from each other.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment in a fluid circuit for the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating a state in which a photosensitive material is conveyed under the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, taken along line VII-VII in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which water is ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention in a cross section corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a case where a fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is used in an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a usage state of a liquid ejecting apparatus in a fluid circuit for a conventional liquid ejecting apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state in which a liquid chamber of a liquid ejecting apparatus in a fluid circuit for a conventional liquid ejecting apparatus is empty.
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state in which a liquid chamber of a liquid ejecting apparatus in a fluid circuit for a conventional liquid ejecting apparatus is filled with liquid.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Fluid circuit part
102 Main tank
104 Sub tank
106 1st pipeline
108 Second pipeline
110 Variable displacement pump
112 3rd pipeline
114 On-off valve
310 Coating device
312 Liquid injection device
322 Nozzle plate
324 nozzle hole
351 cap
353 Sealed packing
354 controller

Claims (5)

A flow path for feeding the liquid in the main tank by the pump into the sub tank for setting a lower liquid level than the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A portion passing through the liquid chamber provided with a plurality of nozzle holes for ejecting the liquid in the liquid ejecting device from the liquid suction port in the sub tank and passing through the open on-off valve is made negative pressure by the pump, and the inside of the sub tank A flow path for sucking in liquid,
A fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus. A first pipe lined in series from a liquid suction port facing in the main tank to a liquid discharge port facing in the sub tank for setting a liquid level lower than a plurality of nozzle holes for ejecting liquid of the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A pump for feeding liquid disposed in a part of the first conduit;
A second pipe connected from the sub tank to the inlet of the liquid chamber in the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A third pipe connected from the outlet of the liquid chamber between the liquid suction port in the first pipe and the pump;
An on-off valve disposed in a part of the third conduit;
A fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus. 3. The liquid ejection according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is discharged from the sub tank to the main tank so that a liquid level in the sub tank is lower than the liquid ejection device. Fluid circuit for equipment. A cap that seals the plurality of nozzle hole portions when filling the liquid chamber of the liquid ejecting apparatus and when not in use, and separates from the plurality of nozzle hole portions when the liquid ejecting apparatus is used. The fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid circuit is mounted. Drive the pump to fill the liquid in the main tank into the sub tank,
Opening the on-off valve and filling the liquid in the sub-tank into the liquid chamber having the plurality of nozzle hole portions;
2. A controller for controlling the liquid in the liquid chamber to be negative with respect to atmospheric pressure by closing the on-off valve after the liquid chamber is filled with liquid. A fluid circuit for a liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4.

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