JP5273555B2 - Ink coating system and ink coating method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink coating system and an ink coating method for coating an ink containing an organic EL material on a substrate, and in particular, to maintain the film thickness of the ink coated on the substrate with high accuracy and to apply the ink. The present invention relates to an ink coating system and an ink coating method capable of improving efficiency.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a coating apparatus that coats an ink containing an organic EL material on a substrate is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-98004 A JP 2006-93165 A

  However, in the coating apparatus shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, one pump is provided for each color ink. As a result, when the remaining amount of ink filled in the pump decreases while applying ink, the operation of applying ink is interrupted and the pump is filled with ink. During this time, the ink remaining in the flow path of the nozzle from which the ink is ejected and the tip of the nozzle may dry and clog the nozzle. In this case, an operation such as removing ink clogged in the nozzle or replacing the nozzle is necessary, and the operation of applying the ink is interrupted. For this reason, there exists a problem that the working efficiency which apply | coats ink falls.

  Further, when ink application is resumed with a pump filled with ink, a certain amount of time is required until the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle is stabilized. For this reason, it is conceivable that the film thickness of the ink applied to the substrate becomes non-uniform until the amount of ink is stabilized, and the print quality is lowered.

  Furthermore, the time required for filling the pump with ink and discharging the ink from the pump to stabilize the discharge amount is generally longer than the substrate replacement time. For this reason, it is difficult to fill the pump with ink while replacing the substrate, and it is difficult to improve the working efficiency of applying the ink.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and maintains the film thickness of the ink applied on the substrate with high accuracy to improve the printing quality and improve the working efficiency of applying the ink. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink coating system and an ink coating method that can be applied.

  The present invention relates to an ink supply system for applying ink containing an organic EL material onto a substrate, an ink supply tank for supplying ink, and a flow path switching device connected to the ink supply tank by an ink supply line and a three-way valve. A pair of syringe pumps connected via the ink, an ink discharge nozzle connected to the flow path switching device via the ink discharge line, and discharging ink sent from one syringe pump to the substrate, and an ink on the three-way valve An ink application system comprising: an ink discharge tank which is connected via a discharge line and receives ink discharged from the other syringe pump.

  In the present invention, a flow meter is provided in each of the ink discharge line connected between the flow path switching device and the ink discharge nozzle, and the ink discharge line connected between the three-way valve and the ink discharge tank. Is an ink coating system characterized by

  The present invention is an ink application system in which an ink supply tank and an ink discharge tank are formed of the same tank.

  The present invention provides an ink coating system characterized in that the channel length between the channel switching device and the ink discharge tank is the same as the channel length between the channel switching device and the ink discharge nozzle. is there.

  The present invention is an ink application system in which an ink discharge nozzle having the same flow path shape as that of the ink discharge nozzle is provided between the ink discharge line and the ink discharge tank.

  The present invention is the ink application system in which the ink discharge nozzle is mounted at the same height as the ink discharge nozzle is mounted.

  The present invention is an ink application system in which the flow path switching device switches a flow path when switching a substrate and switches a syringe pump connected to an ink discharge nozzle.

  The present invention is provided with an ink discharge tank on the substrate side for receiving ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles while replacing the substrate, and ink is continuously discharged from the ink discharge nozzles even during replacement of the substrate. An ink application system characterized by the above.

  The present invention is the ink coating system, wherein the ink discharge tank is purged with nitrogen gas.

  The present invention relates to an ink application method for applying an ink containing an organic EL material onto a substrate, and is connected to an ink supply tank and an ink supply tank via a flow switching device connected by an ink supply line and a three-way valve. A pair of syringe pumps, connected to the flow path switching device via an ink discharge line, connected to an ink discharge nozzle that discharges ink to the substrate, and a three-way valve via an ink discharge line to discharge ink. Preparing the ink discharge tank and operating the three-way valve to fluidly connect the ink supply line to one syringe pump of the pair of syringe pumps, so that the ink is supplied from the ink supply tank to the one syringe pump. Ink supply is performed by operating the three-way valve and fluidly connecting the ink discharge line to the one syringe pump. The step of discharging ink from the one syringe pump to the ink discharge tank, and operating the flow path switching device to fluidly connect the one syringe pump to the ink discharge line on the substrate side, and the other syringe to the three-way valve A step of fluidly communicating the pump, a step of sending ink from the one syringe pump to the ink discharge nozzle, and discharging ink from the ink discharge nozzle to the substrate, and operating the three-way valve to the other syringe pump. Supply ink by fluid communication with the ink supply line and supplying ink from the ink supply tank to the other syringe pump, and operating the three-way valve to fluidly connect the ink discharge line to the other syringe pump. Discharging the ink from the other syringe pump to the ink discharge tank and the flow path switching device To fluidly communicate the other syringe pump with the ink ejection line on the substrate side, and to fluidly communicate the one syringe pump to the three-way valve, and to send ink from the other syringe pump to the ink ejection nozzle. And a step of ejecting ink from the ink ejection nozzle onto the substrate.

  According to the present invention, while ink is being discharged from one syringe pump of the pair of syringe pumps to the substrate via the ink discharge nozzle, ink is supplied from the ink supply tank to the other syringe pump, When the remaining amount of ink in the one syringe pump decreases, the flow switching device is operated to fluidly communicate the other syringe pump filled with ink in the ink discharge line. Thereby, the ink can be continuously discharged without interrupting the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the ink remaining in the flow path of the ink discharge nozzle from drying and clogging the ink discharge nozzle. Further, the operation of applying the ink is not interrupted in order to fill the one syringe pump in which the remaining amount of ink is reduced. For this reason, the working efficiency of applying ink can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, before operating the flow path switching device to fluidly connect the other syringe pump to the ink discharge line, the three-way valve is operated to fluidly connect the other syringe pump to the ink discharge line. Thus, the ink can be discharged from the other syringe pump to the ink discharge tank, and the flow rate of the discharged ink can be stabilized. As a result, when the flow path switching device is operated to switch the syringe pump in fluid communication with the ink discharge line from the one syringe pump to the other syringe pump, the flow rate of ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle is constant. Can be maintained. For this reason, it is possible to maintain the film thickness of the ink applied on the substrate with high accuracy and improve the printing quality.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ink application system in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a substrate to which ink is applied. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which ink is supplied to the first syringe pump and ink is discharged from the second syringe pump in the ink application method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 (b) is a view showing a state in which ink is discharged from the first syringe pump and ink is discharged from the second syringe pump, and FIG. 3 (c) is a state in which ink is discharged from the first syringe pump and FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating a state in which ink is supplied to a two-syringe pump, and FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating a state in which ink is discharged from the first syringe pump and ink is discharged from the second syringe pump. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ink coating system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are diagrams showing the ink application system in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the overall configuration of the ink application system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the ink application system 1 is for applying an ink containing an organic EL material onto the substrate 30.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ink application system 1 is connected to an ink supply tank 2 for supplying ink and a flow path switching device 5 connected to the ink supply tank 2 by an ink supply line 3 and a three-way valve 4. A pair of syringe pumps 6 and 7 are provided. Of these, the flow path switching device 5 is connected to an ink discharge nozzle 9 for discharging ink sent from one syringe pump (for example, the first syringe pump 6) to the substrate 30 via the ink discharge line 8. ing. An ink fluid communication line 14 is connected between the flow path switching device 5 and the three-way valve 4.

  The flow path switching device 5 fluidly communicates one of the syringe pumps 6 and 7 with the ink discharge line 8 and fluidly communicates the other syringe pump with the three-way valve 4. The syringe pump is switched. The three-way valve 4 allows the flow path switching device 5 to fluidly communicate either the ink supply line 3 or the ink discharge line 10 described later.

  As the ink discharge nozzle 9, it is preferable to use a droplet discharge nozzle by an ink jet method or a continuous discharge nozzle by a dispenser method. The ink discharge nozzle 9 preferably has a flow path diameter of, for example, 15 μm, and the number of ink discharge nozzles 9 connected to the ink discharge line 8 is not limited to one, and may be plural. .

  An ink discharge line 10 is connected between the three-way valve 4 and the ink supply tank 2, and ink discharged from the other syringe pump (second syringe pump 7) is received by the ink supply tank 2. Thus, in the present embodiment, the ink discharged from the syringe pumps 6 and 7 is configured to be received by the ink supply tank 2, and the ink supply tank 2 and the ink discharge tank 11 are formed of the same tank. ing. In this way, the discharged ink can be easily reused.

  The ink supply tank 2 (ink discharge tank 11) is purged with nitrogen gas. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink filled in the ink supply tank 2 from being deteriorated by oxygen or moisture.

  A discharge-side flow meter 12 is provided in an ink discharge line 8 connected between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge nozzle 9. A discharge-side flow meter 13 is provided in the ink discharge line 10 connected between the three-way valve 4 and the ink supply tank 2. A control device (not shown) is connected to the discharge side flow meter 12 and the discharge side flow meter 13, and this control device is based on the ink flow rate measured by the discharge side flow meter 12 and the discharge side flow meter 13. Thus, the operation (ink supply and discharge) of the pair of syringe pumps 6 and 7 and the switching operation of the three-way valve 4 and the flow path switching device 5 are controlled.

  The flow path length between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink supply tank 2 (ink discharge tank 11) via the ink discharge line 10 is determined by the ink discharge nozzle 9 via the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge line 8. It is the same as the channel length between. The ink discharge line 10 and the ink discharge line 8 have the same flow path shape.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a receiving table 20 is provided facing the ink discharge nozzle 9, and a stage 21 on which the substrate 30 is placed is provided on the receiving table 20. A pair of ink discharge tanks 22 for receiving ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles 9 during the replacement of the substrate 30 are provided on both sides of the stage 21.

  A pair of side walls 23 are provided at both ends of the cradle 20, and guide rails 24 for guiding the ink discharge nozzles 9 are provided between the side walls 23. The ink discharge nozzle 9 is slidably attached to the guide rail 24 and is configured to be movable between the ink discharge tanks 22 by a drive unit (not shown). The stage 21 is slidably attached to the cradle 20 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24, and is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail 24 by a drive unit (not shown). Has been.

  Next, the substrate 30 on which the ink is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate 30 is provided on a base plate 31, a plurality of partition walls 32 provided on the base plate 31 at a predetermined distance, and between the partition walls 32. And a plurality of ink application portions 33 to be applied. In FIG. 2, each ink application portion 33 extends to the edge of the base plate 31 and both ends of each ink application portion 33 are open. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each ink application portion 33 is not limited thereto. An end wall (not shown) or the like may be provided at both ends of the ink coating unit 33 so that both ends of each ink application unit 33 are closed.

  The width of each ink application part 33 of the substrate 30 is, for example, 80 μm, the width of each partition wall 32 is, for example, 20 μm, and the height of each partition wall 32 is, for example, 2 μm. In addition, the space | interval of each partition 32 does not need to be constant, and may differ as needed. Even in this case, the stage 21 is movable in accordance with the interval between the partition walls 32.

  In addition, the material used for the ink is not particularly limited as long as it is a material usually used as a light emitting material, and either a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material can be used. Specifically, materials such as a dye-based light emitting material and a metal complex-based light emitting material can be given, and either a low molecular compound or a high molecular compound can be used.

(Specific examples of dye-based luminescent materials)
Examples of the dye-based luminescent material include arylamine derivatives, anthracene derivatives, (phenylanthracene derivatives), oxadiazole derivatives, oxazole derivatives, oligothiophene derivatives, carbazole derivatives, cyclopentadiene derivatives, silole derivatives, distyrylbenzene derivatives, Distyrylpyrazine derivatives, distyrylarylene derivatives, silole derivatives, stilbene derivatives, spiro compounds, thiophene ring compounds, tetraphenylbutadiene derivatives, triazole derivatives, triphenylamine derivatives, trifumanylamine derivatives, pyrazoloquinoline derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, pyras Examples include zoline dimer, pyridine ring compound, fluorene derivative, phenanthroline, perinone derivative, perylene derivative and the like. These dimers, trimers, oligomers, and compounds of two or more derivatives can also be used.

  Specifically, as the triphenylamine derivative, N, N′-bis- (3-methylphenyl) -N, N′-bis- (phenyl) -benzidine (TPD), 4,4,4-tris (3 -Methylphenylphenylamino) triphenylamine (MTDATA), bis (N- (1-naphthyl-N-phenyl) benzidine) (α-NPD) as arylamines, (2- (4 -Biphenylyl) -5- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole) (PBD), as an anthracene derivative, 9,10-di-2-naphthylanthracene (DNA), as a carbazole derivative Is 4,4-N, N′-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP), 1,4-bis (2,2-diphenylvinyl) benzene (D Examples of VBi) phenanthrolines, bathocuproin, bathophenanthroline, and the like. These materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

(Specific examples of light emitting materials with metal cages)
Examples of the metal complex light emitting material include an aluminum quinolinol complex, a benzoquinolinol perillium complex, a benzoxazole zinc complex, a benzothiazole zinc complex, an azomethylzinc complex, a porphyrin zinc complex, a europium complex, etc., or a central metal such as Al, Zn, Be Or a metal complex having a rare earth metal such as Tb, Eu, or Dy and having a oxadiazole, thiadiazole, phenylpyridine, phenylbenzimidazole, quinoline structure, or the like as a ligand.

  Specifically, a tris (8-quinolinolato) aluminum complex (Alq3), a bis (2-methyl-8-quinolinato) (p-phenylphenolate) aluminum complex (BAlq), a tri (dibenzoylmethyl) phenanthroline europium complex, Bis (benzoquinolinolato) beryllium complex (BeBq) can be mentioned. These materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

(Polymer-based luminescent materials)
As the high molecular weight light emitting material, a material in which the above low molecular weight material is introduced into the molecule as a linear or side chain as a functional group, a polymer, a dendrimer, or the like can be used.

  Examples thereof include polyparaphenylene vinylene derivatives, polythiophene derivatives, polyparaphenylene derivatives, polysilane derivatives, polyacetylene derivatives, polyvinyl carbazole, polyfluorenone derivatives, polyfluorene derivatives, polyquinoxaline derivatives, and copolymers thereof.

(Specific examples of dopant)
A doping material may be added to the ink material for the purpose of improving the light emission efficiency or changing the light emission wavelength. In the case of a polymer material, these may be included as a light emitting group in the molecular structure. Examples of such doping materials include perylene derivatives, coumarin derivatives, rubrene derivatives, quinacdrine derivatives, squalium derivatives, porphyrin derivatives, styryl dyes, tetracene derivatives, pyrazoline derivatives, decacyclene, phenoxazone, quinoxaline derivatives, carbazole derivatives, and fluorene derivatives. Can be mentioned. Moreover, the compound which introduce | transduced the spiro group into these can also be used.

  Specifically, 1-tert-butyl-perylene (TBP), coumarin 6, Nile red, 1,4-bis (2,2-diphenylvinyl) benzene (DPVBi), 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl -1,3-butadiene (TPB). These materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As a phosphorescent dopant, an organometallic complex having heavy metal ions such as platinum and iridium as a center and exhibiting phosphorescence can be used. Specifically, Ir (ppy) ₃ , (ppy) ₂ Ir (acac), Ir (BQ) ₃ , (BQ) ₂ Ir (acac), Ir (THP) ₃ , (THP) ₂ Ir (acac), Ir (BO) ₃ , (BO) ₂ (acac), Ir (BT) ₃ , (BT) ₂ Ir (acac), Ir (BTP) ₃ , (BTP) ₂ Ir (acac), FIr6, PtOEP, or the like is used. be able to. These materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration, that is, the ink coating method according to the present invention will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply tank 2 and a pair of syringe pumps connected to the ink supply tank 2 via a flow path switching device 5 connected by an ink supply line 3 and a three-way valve 4 (first 1 syringe pump 6, second syringe pump 7) and an ink discharge nozzle 9 that is connected to the flow path switching device 5 through an ink discharge line 8 and discharges ink to the substrate 30. At this time, the ink discharge line 10 is connected between the three-way valve 4 and the ink supply tank 2 (ink discharge tank 11), and the ink fluid communication line 14 is connected between the flow path switching device 5 and the three-way valve 4. Are concatenated. Further, the substrate 30 is placed on the stage 21 so that the longitudinal direction of each ink application part 33 is along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, the flow path switching device 5 is operated, and one syringe pump of a pair of syringe pumps 6 and 7 is connected to the three-way valve 4 via the ink fluid communication line 14, for example, The first syringe pump 6 is in fluid communication. In this case, the second syringe pump 7 is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line 8.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, the three-way valve 4 is operated and the ink supply line 3 is in fluid communication with the first syringe pump 6. Next, the first syringe pump 6 is controlled by a control device (not shown) and is driven so as to supply ink therein. As a result, ink is supplied from the ink supply tank 2 to the first syringe pump 6.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the three-way valve 4 is operated and the ink discharge line 10 is in fluid communication with the first syringe pump 6. Next, the first syringe pump 6 is driven to discharge ink from the inside by the control device. As a result, the ink is discharged from the first syringe pump 6 supplied with the ink to the ink supply tank 2 (ink discharge tank 11). During this time, the flow rate of ink flowing through the ink discharge line 10 is measured by a discharge-side flow meter 13 (see FIG. 1) provided in the ink discharge line 10, and the control device determines that the measured flow rate of ink is a predetermined flow rate. The first syringe pump 6 is driven so that the ink is discharged until it becomes stable.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, after the flow rate of the ink discharged from the first syringe pump 6 is stabilized at a predetermined flow rate, the flow path switching device 5 is operated and the substrate 30 (see FIG. 1). The first syringe pump 6 is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line 8 on the side, and the other second syringe pump 7 is in fluid communication with the three-way valve 4. That is, the syringe pump that is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line 8 is switched from the second syringe pump 7 to the first syringe pump 6. During this time, the first syringe pump 6 is driven so as to keep the flow rate of ink discharged by the control device constant at a predetermined flow rate.

  Next, ink is sent from the first syringe pump 6 to the ink discharge nozzle 9 (see FIG. 1), and the ink is discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9 to the substrate 30. In this case, first, the ink discharge nozzle 9 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the ink application part 33 (see FIG. 2) of the substrate 30 while being guided by the guide rail 24 by a drive part (not shown). Ink is applied to the surface. Next, the stage 21 moves in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24, and the ink discharge nozzle 9 is adjacent to the ink application part 33 to which ink has been applied and to the ink application part 33 to which ink has not been applied. Move to the opposite position. Next, the ink discharge nozzle 9 moves along the longitudinal direction of the ink application part 33 and ink is applied. As the ink discharge nozzle 9 and the stage 21 move in this way, ink is sequentially applied to the ink application portions 33 of the substrate 30 shown in FIG. During this time, the first syringe pump 6 is driven by the control device so as to discharge ink while maintaining a constant flow rate. Further, the flow rate of ink flowing through the ink discharge line 8 is measured by a discharge-side flow meter 12 provided in the ink discharge line 8.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, while the ink sent from the first syringe pump 6 is being ejected to the substrate 30 via the ink ejection nozzle 9, the three-way valve 4 is operated and the second syringe is operated. The ink supply line 3 is in fluid communication with the pump 7, and the second syringe pump 7 is controlled by a control device (not shown) and driven to supply ink inside. As a result, ink is supplied from the ink supply tank 2 to the second syringe pump 7.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the three-way valve 4 is operated and the ink discharge line 10 is fluidly connected to the second syringe pump 7. Next, the second syringe pump 7 is driven so as to discharge ink from the inside by the control device. Thus, the ink is discharged from the second syringe pump 7 supplied with the ink to the ink supply tank 2 (ink discharge tank 11). During this time, the flow rate of ink flowing through the ink discharge line 10 is measured by the discharge side flow meter 13 provided in the ink discharge line 10, and the control device measures the measured flow rate of ink by the discharge side flow meter 12. The second syringe pump 7 is driven so that the ink is discharged until it becomes the same as the flow rate of the ink flowing through the ink discharge line 8 and becomes stable.

  Here, in the step of discharging ink from the second syringe pump 7 to the ink supply tank 2, the remaining amount of ink in the first syringe pump 6 is monitored, and the remaining amount of ink reaches a specified value. Done. Here, the specified value is the amount of ink required to stabilize the flow rate of the discharged ink so that it becomes a predetermined flow rate after starting to discharge the ink from the syringe pump. This is a value determined according to the amount of ink ejected from the ink ejection nozzle 9. Thus, after stabilizing the flow rate of the ink discharged from the second syringe pump 7, the flow switching device 5 is operated to fluidly connect the second syringe pump 7 to the ink discharge line 8 on the substrate 30 side. Can do. For this reason, the flow rate of the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9 can be stabilized immediately after the second syringe pump 7 is fluidly connected to the ink discharge line 8.

  Next, after the flow rate of the ink discharged from the second syringe pump 7 becomes the same as the flow rate of the ink flowing through the ink discharge line 8 and is stabilized, the flow path switching device 5 is operated and the ink discharge line on the substrate 30 side. The second syringe pump 7 is in fluid communication with 8, and the first syringe pump 6 is in fluid communication with the three-way valve 4 (see FIG. 3A). That is, the syringe pump connected to the ink discharge line 8 is switched from the first syringe pump 6 to the second syringe pump 7. The switching operation of the flow path switching device 5 is preferably performed when the substrate 30 is replaced. In addition, it is desirable not to perform switching when the flow rate of the ink discharged from the second syringe pump 7 varies within a predetermined range. This can prevent the film pressure of the ink applied to each ink application portion 33 of the substrate 30 from becoming uneven.

  While the syringe pump is switched, the second syringe pump 7 is driven by the control device so as to discharge while maintaining the ink flow rate constant at a predetermined flow rate. At this time, the ink discharge nozzle 9 is moved to a position opposite to the ink discharge tanks 22 located on both sides of the substrate 30 by the driving unit, and the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9 is received by the ink discharge tank 22. . As a result, ink can be continuously discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9 without discharging ink onto the stage 21. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the flow path of the ink discharge nozzle 9 and the tip of the ink discharge nozzle 9 from being dried and clogged.

  Next, ink is sent from the second syringe pump 7 to the ink discharge nozzle 9, and ink is discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9 to the substrate 30. During this time, as described above, the ink discharge nozzle 9 and the stage 21 move, and ink is sequentially applied to the ink application portions 33 of the substrate 30. During this time, the second syringe pump 7 is driven by the control device so as to discharge ink while maintaining a constant flow rate. Further, the flow rate of ink flowing through the ink discharge line 8 is measured by a discharge-side flow meter 12 provided in the ink discharge line 8.

  While the ink sent from the second syringe pump 7 is being discharged to the substrate 30 via the ink discharge nozzle 9, the three-way valve 4 is operated and the ink supply line 3 is in fluid communication with the first syringe pump 6. Ink is supplied from the ink supply tank 2 to the first syringe pump 6.

  In this way, ink is discharged from the first syringe pump 6 and the second syringe pump 7 filled with ink to the substrate 30 through the ink discharge nozzle 9 and the remaining amount of ink. Ink is supplied from the ink supply tank 2 through the ink supply line 3 to the other syringe pump in which the amount of ink is reduced. Thereby, ink can be continuously discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, while ink is being ejected from one of the pair of syringe pumps, for example, the first syringe pump 6 to the substrate 30 via the ink ejection nozzle 9, the other When ink is supplied from the ink supply tank 2 to the second syringe pump 7 and the remaining amount of ink in the first syringe pump 6 decreases, the flow path switching device 5 is operated to fill the ink discharge line 8 with ink. The second syringe pump 7 thus made is in fluid communication. Thus, the ink can be continuously discharged without interrupting the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the ink remaining in the flow path of the ink discharge nozzle 9 from drying and clogging the ink discharge nozzle 9.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the substrate 30 is replaced, the syringe switch that is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line 8 by operating the flow path switching device 5 is replaced with the one in which the remaining amount of ink is reduced. It is possible to switch from a syringe pump, for example, the first syringe pump 6 to the other second syringe pump 7 filled with ink. This makes it possible to improve the work efficiency of applying ink without interrupting the work of applying ink to fill the first syringe pump 6 with ink.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, before operating the flow path switching device 5 and fluidly communicating the second syringe pump 7 with the ink discharge line 8, the three-way valve 4 is operated and the second syringe pump 7 is connected to the ink. The ink is discharged from the second syringe pump 7 to the ink discharge tank 11 in fluid communication with the discharge line 10, and the flow rate of the discharged ink is set to the flow rate of the ink sent from the first syringe pump 6 to the ink discharge line 8. And can be stabilized. Thus, when the flow path switching device 5 is operated to switch the syringe pump in fluid communication with the ink discharge line 8 from the first syringe pump 6 to the second syringe pump 7, the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle 9 is changed. The flow rate can be kept constant. For this reason, it is possible to maintain the film thickness of the ink applied on the substrate 30 with high accuracy and improve the printing quality.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the flow path length between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink supply tank 2 (ink discharge tank 11) via the ink discharge line 10 is the same as that of the flow path switching device 5 and the ink. The length of the flow path between the discharge nozzle 9 and the ink discharge line 10 is the same as the length of the flow path between the discharge nozzle 9 and the same flow path shape. As a result, the pressure loss received by the ink between the second syringe pump 7 and the ink supply tank 2 (ink discharge tank 11) via the ink discharge line 10 is reduced between the first syringe pump 6 and the ink discharge nozzle 9. Can be made equal to the pressure loss experienced by the ink. For this reason, when the syringe pump that is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line 8 is switched by operating the flow path switching device 5, the flow rate of the ink sent to the ink discharge line 8 can be maintained accurately and constant.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the ink supply tank 2 and the ink discharge tank 11 are composed of the same tank is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink supply tank 2 and the ink discharge tank 11 may be configured separately. In this case, the ink supply line 3 is connected between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink supply tank 2, and the ink discharge line 10 is connected between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge tank 11. The In addition, the flow path length between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge tank 11 is preferably configured to be the same as the flow path length between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge nozzle 9.

  Furthermore, in this case, the ink discharge tank 11 is preferably connected to the ink supply tank 2 so that the ink discharged to the ink discharge tank 11 is sent to the ink supply tank 2. Thus, the discharged ink can be easily reused. The ink discharge tank 11 and the ink supply tank 2 are preferably purged with nitrogen gas. Accordingly, the discharged ink can be easily reused, and the ink can be reliably prevented from being deteriorated by oxygen or moisture.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the example in which the stage 21 is configured to be movable in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24 by the driving unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink discharge nozzle 9 may be configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24.

Second Embodiment Next, an ink coating system in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the ink application system is provided with an ink discharge nozzle having the same flow path shape as that of the ink discharge nozzle between the ink discharge line and the ink discharge tank. The other differences are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an ink discharge nozzle 40 having the same flow path shape as that of the ink discharge nozzle 9 is connected to the ink discharge line 10. The ink discharge nozzle 40 is provided adjacent to the ink discharge nozzle 9 and is mounted at the same height as the ink discharge nozzle 9 is mounted. An ink receiving port 41 that receives ink discharged from the ink discharging nozzle 40 is provided below the ink discharging nozzle 40, and the ink receiving port 41 is connected to the ink discharging tank 11 and discharged to the ink receiving port 41. Ink is supplied to the ink supply tank 2. In this manner, the ink discharge nozzle 40 is provided between the ink discharge line 10 and the ink supply tank 2. Further, the ink discharge line 10 is provided close to the ink discharge line 8.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, the ink discharge nozzle 40 is provided adjacent to the ink discharge nozzle 9, and the flow path shape of the ink discharge nozzle 40 is the same as the flow path shape of the ink discharge nozzle 9. The mounting height of the ink discharge nozzle 40 is the same as the mounting height of the ink discharge nozzle 9, and the ink discharge line 10 is provided close to the ink discharge line 8. Thereby, the flow path between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge nozzle 9 and the flow path between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge nozzle 40 can be formed equally. For this reason, the pressure loss received by the ink between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge nozzle 40 should be made equal to the pressure loss received by the ink between the flow path switching device 5 and the ink discharge nozzle 9. Can do. As a result, when the syringe pump that is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line 8 is switched by operating the flow path switching device 5, the flow rate of the ink sent to the ink discharge line 8 can be maintained accurately and constant. It is possible to improve the printing quality by accurately maintaining the thickness of the ink applied on the top.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink application system 2 Ink supply tank 3 Ink supply line 4 Three-way valve 5 Flow path switching device 6 First syringe pump 7 Second syringe pump 8 Ink discharge line 9 Ink discharge nozzle 10 Ink discharge line 11 Ink discharge tank 12 Discharge side flow rate Total 13 Discharge side flow meter 14 Ink fluid communication line 20 Receiving base 21 Stage 22 Ink discharge tank 23 Side wall 24 Guide rail 30 Substrate 31 Base plate 32 Partition 33 Ink application part 40 Ink discharge nozzle 41 Ink receiving port

Claims (10)

In an ink application system for applying an ink containing an organic EL material on a substrate,
An ink supply tank for supplying ink;
This ink supply tank, a pair of syringe pump connected via an ink supply line,
A three-way valve interposed between the ink supply line and the pair of syringe pumps;
A flow path switching device interposed between the three-way valve and the pair of syringe pumps;
Are connected via an ink discharge line to the flow path switching apparatus, and an ink discharge nozzle for discharging the Lee Nki with respect to the substrate,
Are connected via an ink discharge line to the three-way valve, and an ink discharge tank for receiving the ink issued discharged,
The three-way valve allows the flow path switching device to fluidly communicate either the ink supply line or the ink discharge line,
The flow path switching device is configured to fluidly communicate one syringe pump of the pair of syringe pumps to the three-way valve and fluidly communicate the other syringe pump to the ink discharge line.
With the flow path switching device, one syringe pump of the pair of syringe pumps is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line, and ink is sent from the one syringe pump to the ink discharge nozzle, and the other syringe pump is a three-way valve. When the three-way valve is in fluid communication with the ink supply line, the other syringe pump is supplied with ink from the ink supply tank, and when the three-way valve is in fluid communication with the ink discharge line, the other Ink application system characterized in that ink is discharged from the syringe pump to an ink discharge tank .   A flow meter is provided in each of the ink discharge line connected between the flow path switching device and the ink discharge nozzle and the ink discharge line connected between the three-way valve and the ink discharge tank. The ink application system according to claim 1.   The ink application system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ink supply tank and the ink discharge tank are composed of the same tank.   The flow path length between the flow path switching device and the ink discharge tank is the same as the flow path length between the flow path switching device and the ink discharge nozzle. The ink coating system described in 1.   The ink according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an ink discharge nozzle having the same flow path shape as that of the ink discharge nozzle is provided between the ink discharge line and the ink discharge tank. Application system.   6. The ink application system according to claim 5, wherein the ink discharge nozzle is attached at the same height as the ink discharge nozzle is attached. Flow path switching apparatus, ink applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 by switching the flow path when replacing the substrate, and switches the syringe pump in fluid communication with the ink ejection nozzle. An ink discharge tank is provided on the substrate side for receiving ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles while replacing the substrate.
The ink application system according to claim 7, wherein the ink is continuously discharged from the ink discharge nozzle even while the substrate is replaced.   The ink application system according to claim 1, wherein the ink discharge tank is purged with nitrogen gas. In an ink coating method for coating an ink containing an organic EL material on a substrate,
An ink supply tank, a pair of syringe pumps connected to the ink supply tank via an ink supply line and a flow switching device connected by a three-way valve, and an ink discharge line connected to the flow switching device; A step of preparing an ink discharge nozzle for discharging ink to the substrate and an ink discharge tank connected to a three-way valve via an ink discharge line and discharging ink;
Operating the three-way valve to fluidly connect the ink supply line to one syringe pump of the pair of syringe pumps, and supplying ink from the ink supply tank to the one syringe pump;
Operating the three-way valve to fluidly communicate the ink discharge line to the one syringe pump, and discharging the ink from the one syringe pump supplied with ink to the ink discharge tank;
Operating the flow path switching device to fluidly connect the one syringe pump to the ink discharge line on the substrate side, and fluidly communicating the other syringe pump to the three-way valve;
Sending ink from the one syringe pump to the ink discharge nozzle, and discharging ink from the ink discharge nozzle to the substrate; and
Operating the three-way valve to fluidly communicate the ink supply line to the other syringe pump and supplying ink from the ink supply tank to the other syringe pump;
Operating the three-way valve to fluidly communicate the ink discharge line to the other syringe pump, and discharging the ink from the other syringe pump supplied with ink to the ink discharge tank;
Operating the flow path switching device to fluidly communicate the other syringe pump to the ink discharge line on the substrate side, and fluidly communicating the one syringe pump to the three-way valve;
A step of sending ink from the other syringe pump to the ink discharge nozzle and discharging the ink from the ink discharge nozzle to the substrate.

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