JP4824222B2 - Method and apparatus for holding liquid storage container - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for holding a liquid storage container in a liquid application apparatus that discharges and applies liquid from a nozzle provided in a liquid storage container that stores liquid, and relates to a technique for detachably holding the liquid storage container. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the liquid application apparatus holds a liquid storage container, for example, a syringe 111 in a holder 112 and discharges liquid from a nozzle 113 provided in the syringe 111. The liquid is applied in a desired shape on the workpiece 114 by being relatively moved. When applying such a liquid, it is necessary to remove the syringe 111 held in the holder 112 from the holder 112 in order to maintain it or to replace it with a new syringe containing liquid. May be removed more than 10 times.
[0003]
By the way, in the conventional holding structure of the syringe 111 by the holder 112, as shown in FIG. 8, the holder 112 is provided with a through-hole 117 for accommodating the sleeve 116 with the slit 115 as shown in FIG. In addition, a thumbscrew 118 reaching the sleeve 116 is screwed into a female screw portion formed on the side wall.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 9, the syringe 111 is held under such a structure by inserting the syringe 111 into the sleeve 116 and tightening the thumb screw 118 and pressing the sleeve 116 with the screw 118 to 116 can be deformed by reducing the diameter of the slit 115 based on the narrowing of the slit 115, thereby holding the syringe 111 in the sleeve 116.
On the other hand, the syringe 111 can be removed by loosening the thumbscrew 118, widening the sleeve slit 115, and releasing the tightening of the syringe 111 by the sleeve 116.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional structure using the thumb screw 118, there is a problem that dust is generated from the screw portion due to wear of the screw 118, and the dust prevents a precise liquid application operation.
In other words, even when the screw 118 is not operated, the dust spills or rises from the staying screw part, fouls the object to be coated, the nozzle, etc., and applies the liquid. Will result in poor quality.
This is particularly serious when it is necessary to apply the liquid with a high accuracy of about several μm.
[0006]
In addition, in this conventional technique, there is no standard for adjusting the tightening force of the thumbscrew 118 for fixing the syringe 111, so that the syringe tightening force changes every time the syringe 111 is fixed and held. When the tightening force is weak, the syringe 111 is loosened, the position of the nozzle discharge port is shifted, and the product cannot be applied at an accurate position, resulting in a defective product.
On the other hand, if the tightening force of the syringe 111 is too strong, the syringe 111 may be damaged or deformed, and if the internal shape of the syringe 111 changes, the liquid application will be affected and it will be accurate. Can not be applied.
[0007]
The object of the present invention is to solve such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to hold the liquid storage container in the holder and to remove it. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for holding a liquid storage container that does not generate dust and that can always reliably hold the liquid storage container with a constant force.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the liquid storage container holding method according to the present invention, in the liquid application apparatus, in holding the liquid storage container such as a syringe detachably with respect to the holder,
The holder is provided with a holder main body having an insertion hole of the liquid storage container as a through hole, and a nozzle holder into which a nozzle provided at the tip of the liquid storage container is inserted,
Elastic film body with a liquid storage container which is inserted and arranged in the insertion hole of the holder body, the supply of fluid pressure to between the elastic film body and the holder body provided over the entire circumference of the insertion hole into the insertion holes of the diameter reducing deformation Therefore, to fix hold to match the central axes of its insertion hole and the liquid tank,
The nozzle inserted in the nozzle holder is positioned in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle center axis by engagement between the nozzle holder and the nozzle .
[0009]
Here, the fluid pressure such as a predetermined liquid pressure, gas pressure, etc., for example, by holding the syringe at the expected position with the required force, is caused by the generation of wear dust and hence the dust adhesion. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of poor quality, and at the same time, by holding the syringe with sufficient force based on the predetermined supply pressure, a predetermined amount of liquid can be placed at the expected position. Can be applied accurately.
[0010]
In addition, here , the elastic film body is reduced in diameter by supply of fluid pressure between the elastic film body provided in the insertion hole of the holder body over the entire circumference of the insertion hole and the holder body, and the elastic film body To press and hold the liquid storage container. According to this, compared with the case where the liquid storage container is floated and held under the constant flow of the pressurized fluid, the consumption amount of the pressurized fluid can be greatly reduced , and the insertion hole of the holder body and the liquid storage container The liquid storage container can be fixedly held by aligning the central axes thereof .
Furthermore, here, the nozzle inserted into the nozzle holder with the insertion hole of the holder main body and the central axis of the liquid storage container aligned as described above is connected to the central axis of the nozzle by engagement of the nozzle holder and the nozzle. Position in the orthogonal direction.
[0011]
An apparatus for holding a liquid storage container according to the present invention, which is suitable for implementing such a method,
A holder body;
An insertion hole of the liquid storage container provided by penetrating the holder body; and
A pressurized fluid supply hole provided through the side wall of the holder body;
An elastic membrane attached to the holder body in a fluid-tight manner over the entire circumference of the insertion hole ;
A nozzle holder that is attached to the holder body, is inserted with a nozzle provided at the tip of the liquid storage container, and positions the nozzle in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle central axis by engaging with the nozzle;
It is something that has.
[0012]
In this apparatus, when the liquid storage container is inserted into the insertion hole of the holder main body and, for example, pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized fluid supply hole, the elastic film body bends and deforms inwardly of the insertion hole, so that the liquid While closely contacting the entire circumference of the side surface of the storage container and pressing it, the liquid storage container is securely fixed to the holder with a required force.
[0013]
In this case, by setting the pressure of the pressurized air to be supplied to a desired pressure, the syringe holding force by the holder can be as expected, and this holding force can be used to replace the liquid storage container. However, it is substantially constant.
[0015]
Wherein preferably, the holder body, provided with an annular groove which surrounds the insertion hole in communication with the pressurized fluid supply hole, in the holder body, the elastic membrane body was cylindrical, across the annular groove Install fluid tight. According to this, in equal shrink-deformed under the cylindrical elastic film body by pressure of the pressurized fluid in the annular groove, because the liquid storage container can be fixed maintained over the entire circumference of its sides, it held more reliably Can be.
[0016]
Even when liquid storage containers having different diameters are inserted into the insertion hole, the elastic membrane body tightens the liquid storage container over its entire circumference, so that the central axis of the liquid storage container is coaxial with the central axis of the insertion hole. According to this, the nozzle discharge port is positioned on the central axis of the liquid storage container as in the case where the nozzle is directly attached to the liquid storage container and the liquid is applied. Sometimes, the discharge port can always be aligned on the center line of the insertion hole, so that in applying the liquid, it is possible to effectively prevent a change in the application position due to the displacement of both of them. Can do.
[0017]
By the way, when the cylindrical elastic film body is arranged in this way, it is preferable that both end portions in the axial direction of the cylindrical elastic film body are sandwiched and fixed by the holder body. Can be realized easily and reliably.
[0018]
More specifically, this means that the holder body is divided into an intermediate member and an end member, and the end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical elastic film body is sandwiched between the intermediate member and the end member. This can be done.
By doing so, the sandwiched end portion of the elastic film body is crushed and closely adhered to the intermediate member and the end member, so that the pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid supply hole enters the insertion hole. Leakage can be effectively prevented.
[0019]
Here, when the elastic film body is formed of any one of rubber, plastic, and metal, the liquid storage container can be held more reliably.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a holder body having a hexahedral shape as a whole.
[0021]
Here, the holder body 1 is provided with a liquid storage container, for example, a syringe insertion hole 2 that penetrates in the vertical direction in the figure, and supply of pressurized fluid, for example, pressurized air, that penetrates the side wall of the holder body 1. A hole 3 is provided, and an elastic film body 4 is airtightly attached to the corresponding portion of the insertion hole corresponding to the pressurized air supply hole 3 by bonding or the like, and the supplied pressurized air enters the insertion hole. Prevent extrusion.
[0022]
In the holding device configured as described above, the syringe 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 2 up to a predetermined position as shown by the phantom line in FIG. The supplied pressurized air causes the elastic film body 4 to be elastically deformed into a shape that protrudes toward the center of the insertion hole 2 and partially adheres to the syringe 5, and the syringe 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 2・ Pressurized air supply hole 3 is pressed against the opposite wall surface corresponding to the diametrical direction with a force corresponding to the pressure of the pressurized air, so that the syringe 5 is fixed and held with an appropriate force without generating abrasion dust. can do.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment, in which an annular groove 6 that communicates with the pressurized air supply hole 3 and surrounds the insertion hole 2 is provided in the holder main body 1, and a cylindrical elastic film body is provided. 4 is fixed to the holder main body 1 in an airtight manner across the annular groove 6. According to this, by elastically deforming the cylindrical elastic membrane body 4 by supplying pressurized air to the pressurized air supply hole 3, the syringe 5 can be uniformly clamped and held over its entire circumference. As described above, the syringe 5 and thus the nozzle 7 provided thereon can be coaxial with the insertion hole 2.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows an example for embodying the structure shown in FIG. 2, in which the holder body 1 is divided into an intermediate member 8 positioned at the central portion in the axial direction and both end members 9. Constructed and cylindrical, preferably both ends of rubber elastic film body 4, here each end flange 10 is sandwiched between both members under crushing deformation of these end flanges 10 Thus, according to this configuration, the airtight attachment of the elastic film body 4 can be realized easily and reliably.
[0025]
By the way, any of these devices can be used in place of the holder 112 described in the prior art, and the pressurized fluid supply hole 3 is connected to a pressurized air supply source or the like via a switching valve or the like. Thus, the elastic film body 4 can be elastically deformed according to the supply pressure.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing still another embodiment. Here, the entire holder body 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a screw portion for quick joint screwing is provided on the peripheral wall of the pressurized air supply hole 3. The intermediate member 8 is provided with a small-diameter portion for fitting the end member 9 to the both ends of the intermediate member 8, and the members 8 and 9 can be screwed or fixed together at the small-diameter portion corresponding portion.
[0027]
Further, here, the cylindrical elastic film body 4 is provided with a large-diameter portion 11 continuous to the end flange 10, and both the end flange 10 and the large-diameter portion 11 are connected to the intermediate member 8 and the end member 9. By crushing and deforming, the end portion of the cylindrical elastic film body 4 can be more securely held and clamped, and the cylindrical elastic body 4 can be clamped more airtightly.
[0028]
The liquid storage container holding device configured as described above can be used by being housed in a holder case 12 as shown in FIG. 5, and the syringe 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 2 thereof. By supplying pressurized air with a required pressure into the annular groove 6 through a hose connected to the quick joint 13 attached to the apparatus, the cylindrical elastic membrane body 4 is entirely in its shape as shown in FIG. The diameter is uniformly reduced over the circumference, whereby the syringe 5 is brought into close contact with the same force over the entire circumference and is held in the holder case 12.
[0029]
On the other hand, when removing the syringe 5 from it, the compressed air is discharged through the quick joint 13 to elastically return the elastic film body 4 that has been in close contact with the syringe 5 to its original shape, thereby restraining the syringe 5. To release.
[0030]
Incidentally, the holder case 12 here supports the holding device at the inner diameter step portion as is apparent from FIG. 6, but this alone is insufficient in the positioning and fixing accuracy of the holding device. In this case, the holding device can be fixed to the holder case 12 by screwing, bonding or the like. Since the screw in this case is only turned for fixing at the time of assembly, if the generated dust is removed beforehand, the screw will not be turned each time the syringe is replaced. No dust is generated.
[0031]
When such a holder case 12 is used, the position in the axial direction can be fixed by the nozzle holder 14 having the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the nozzle 7, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the coating position coordinates can be set with high accuracy, so that the coating can be performed with higher accuracy.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6, the pressurized air supply circuit can be configured by connecting a pressurized air supply source 15 to the quick joint 13 via a regulator 16 and a switching valve 17 in order.
According to this, the pressure of the pressurized air supplied to the holding device can be set to a required pressure by the regulator 16, and the supply of the pressurized air can be turned ON / OFF by the switching valve 17. When 17 is in the OFF state, the pressurized air in the apparatus is discharged from the switching valve 17 to the outside air.
[0033]
As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the insertion hole of the liquid storage container can have various cross-sectional shapes other than a circle as required. As the liquid storage container, various shapes other than the illustrated syringe can be used.
[0034]
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the elastic film body is formed from rubber | gum, it is not limited to this, What is necessary is just the material which has the elasticity and fluid tightness which a syringe can hold | maintain, for example, Of course, plastic or metal may be used.
[0035]
In addition, the switching valve can be omitted by reducing the pressure of the regulator 16 to 0 in the pressurized air supply circuit. Further, the regulator and the switching valve are not limited to the manual type, and may be mechanically or electrically operated by the control means.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
Thus, according to the present invention, since the liquid storage container can be fixedly held with the pressurized fluid without using a screw, the generation of dust can be reliably prevented.
Therefore, precise work is not hindered by dust.
In addition, since the workpieces, nozzles and the like are not contaminated with dust, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of quality defects regardless of the liquid application environment.
[0037]
Further, here, the holding force of the liquid storage container can be specified based on the setting of the pressure of the pressurized fluid, so that the holding force of the liquid storage container is maintained at a constant force before and after the replacement thereof. For this reason, there is no possibility of displacement of the nozzle discharge port due to the holding power of the liquid storage container being too weak, and the liquid application position accuracy can be improved. Further, the influence on the liquid application amount due to the change of the internal shape of the liquid storage container can be eliminated without the possibility of damage or deformation of the liquid storage container due to the excessive holding force.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view showing a specific example of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing still another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an application example of the apparatus shown in FIG.
6 is a view showing a cross section of FIG. 5 together with a pressurized air supply circuit. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional technique.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a syringe holding structure.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the action of the thumbscrew.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Holder body
2 Insertion hole
3 Supply hole
4 Elastic membrane
5 Syringe
6 Annular groove
7 nozzles
8 Intermediate member
9 End member
10 End flange
11 Large diameter part
12 Holder case
13 Quick joint
14 Nozzle holder
15 Pressurized air supply source
16 Regulator
17 Switching valve

Claims (6)

A method of holding a liquid storage container of a liquid application device detachably with respect to a holder,
The holder is provided with a holder main body having an insertion hole of the liquid storage container as a through hole, and a nozzle holder into which a nozzle provided at the tip of the liquid storage container is inserted,
Elastic film body with a liquid storage container which is inserted and arranged in the insertion hole of the holder body, the supply of fluid pressure to between the elastic film body and the holder body provided over the entire circumference of the insertion hole into the insertion holes of the diameter reducing deformation Therefore, to fix hold to match the central axes of its insertion hole and the liquid tank,
A method for holding a liquid storage container , comprising: positioning a nozzle inserted into a nozzle holder in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the nozzle by engagement between the nozzle holder and the nozzle . A holder body;
An insertion hole of the liquid storage container provided by penetrating the holder body; and
A pressurized fluid supply hole provided through the side wall of the holder body;
An elastic membrane attached to the holder body in a fluid-tight manner over the entire circumference of the insertion hole ;
A nozzle holder that is attached to the holder body, is inserted with a nozzle provided at the tip of the liquid storage container, and positions the nozzle in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle central axis by engaging with the nozzle;
A device for holding a liquid storage container. The holder body, provided with an annular groove which surrounds the insertion hole in communication with the pressurized fluid supply hole, an elastic membrane member which is tubular, to claim 2 comprising mounting the fluid-tight across the annular groove The holding device of the liquid storage container as described. The holding device for a liquid storage container according to claim 3 , wherein an end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical elastic film body is sandwiched and fixed by a holder body. The liquid storage according to claim 4 , wherein the holder main body is divided into an intermediate member and an end member, and an end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical elastic film body is sandwiched between the intermediate member and the end member. Container holding device. Elastic film body, rubber, plastic or the holding device of a liquid storing container according to any one of claims 2-5 obtained by forming either metal.

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