JP6850502B2 - Liquid material discharge device and discharge method and coating device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stirring a liquid material containing solid particles and applying the solid particles in a dispersed state.

As a device for distributing various liquid materials by a predetermined amount, a container for storing the liquid material is provided, and a predetermined amount is discharged from the nozzle connected to the container by the action of gas pressure or mechanical pressure, which is called a "dispenser". The device is known. As a dispenser proposed by the applicant, for example, the liquid material to be discharged by retracting the plunger that is in sliding contact with the inner wall of the measuring hole, which is disclosed in Patent Document 1, is filled in the measuring hole and the plunger is advanced to advance the nozzle. There is a dispenser that discharges the liquid material from.

Among the various types of liquid materials that are discharged by the dispenser, especially when trying to discharge a liquid that is a mixture of solid particles with a higher specific gravity than the liquid, the solid particles will move to the bottom of the container or the flow path over time. Problems such as settling in dents occur. Further, if the solid particles are not sufficiently dispersed, problems such as clogging of the nozzle and inability to eject the particles occur. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to stir so that the solid particles are kept dispersed in the liquid.
In recent years, a dispenser having a structure as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been widely used for discharging a liquid mixed with solid particles (for example, a translucent resin mixed with a phosphor for LED). However, since the dispenser of Patent Document 1 does not have a means for stirring the liquid, a means for stirring the liquid is required.

The liquid is generally agitated by providing a agitator in the container. However, even if the container is provided with a stirrer, solid particles often settle in the middle of the pipe connecting the container and the discharge mechanism, and the solid particles cannot be discharged in a dispersed state. The following methods and devices have been proposed so far in order to solve such a problem.

Patent Document 2 applies a pressure of 0.001 MPa to 10 MPa to a liquid containing solid particles filled in at least one of two or more containers, while applying a pressure of 0.001 MPa to 10 MPa to the liquid in the remaining at least one container. An adjustment step of adjusting the flow rate of the liquid in the flow passage by a flow rate adjusting means while flowing the liquid between the two or more containers by making the pressure smaller than the pressure of the liquid in the container. The liquid discharge method is characterized by including a discharge step of discharging the liquid from the flow passage by a valve.

In Patent Document 3, a discharge passage having a substantially uniform inner diameter up to the discharge port is provided at the lower end of a container for containing a liquid material containing a filler, and a through passage is provided at a position in the vicinity of the discharge port of the discharge passage. It is a filler-containing liquid material discharge device in which a valve having a rotary valve body is arranged and a reciprocating pump is connected to the discharge passage on the upstream side of the valve.

Japanese Patent No. 4774407 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-300000 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-80464

There has been a demand for a technical means for stirring a liquid material containing solid particles with a simple equipment configuration and accurately quantitatively discharging the solid particles in a dispersed state.

In a discharge device of a type in which back pressure is applied to a container for storing a liquid material and discharged as in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the discharge control conditions change in a complicated manner as the remaining amount in the container changes. , It was difficult to accurately discharge the desired amount.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for accurately quantitatively discharging a liquid containing solid particles in a state in which the solid particles are dispersed.

The liquid material discharge device of the present invention includes a first storage container for storing the liquid material, a measuring unit having a measuring hole, a plunger moving back and forth in the measuring hole, and a discharge port for discharging the liquid material. The plunger, the switching valve having the first position for communicating the outlet of the first storage container and the measuring hole, and the second position for communicating the measuring hole and the nozzle, and the plunger are moved forward and backward. In a liquid material discharge device including a plunger drive device and a switching valve drive device for switching between the first position and the second position of the switching valve, a second storage container for storing the liquid material and the weighing container are further provided. A branch portion provided above the hole and having a branch flow path, and an opening / closing mechanism for communicating or blocking the outlet of the second storage container and the measuring hole are provided, and the flow of the second storage container is provided. The outlet is provided at the lower end of the second storage container.
The discharge device may be characterized in that the outlet of the first storage container is provided at the lower end of the first storage container.
In the discharge device, the liquid material in the first storage container is further transferred to the second storage container through the measuring hole, and the liquid material in the second storage container is transferred to the measuring hole. It may be characterized by including a transfer means for transferring to the first storage container via the container.
In the discharge device, wherein the transfer means includes a first pressurized air supply source communicating with the first reservoir, and a second pressurized air supply source communicating with the second reservoir, It may be characterized by including.
The discharge device may be characterized in that the volume ratio of the first storage container to the second storage container is 1: 0.5 to 1 or 0.5 to 1: 1.
The discharge device further includes a discharge control device including a processor and a storage device in which a discharge control program is stored, and the discharge control program has the switching valve as the first position and the opening / closing mechanism as the open position. Then, with the first transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the first storage container to the second storage container and the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position, the above. A second transfer step for transferring the liquid material in the second storage container to the first storage container, and a continuous transfer step for alternately executing the first transfer step and the second transfer step are provided. It may be characterized by that.
The discharge device may be characterized in that, in the first and second transfer steps, the tip of the plunger is located above the branch flow path.
In the discharge device, the discharge control program ends the execution of the continuous transfer step after the completion of the second transfer step, the opening / closing mechanism is in the closed position, and the switching valve is in the second position. The plunger may be provided with a discharge step for lowering the plunger to discharge the liquid material in the measuring hole.
The discharge device may be characterized in that the liquid material in the measuring hole is discharged a plurality of times by repeating the lowering and stopping of the plunger a plurality of times in the discharge step.
In the discharge device, a first liquid sensor arranged in a liquid delivery pipe communicating with the first storage container or the outlet of the first storage container, and the second storage container or the first storage container or the first. It may be characterized by including a second liquid sensor arranged in a liquid delivery pipe communicating with the outlet of the storage container (2).
The discharge device may further include a seal provided below the branch portion and having an opening through which the plunger is in sliding contact.

The discharge device may be characterized in that the on-off mechanism is composed of an on-off valve.
The coating device of the present invention is characterized by including the above-mentioned discharge device and a relative moving device for relatively moving the liquid material discharging device and the object to be coated.
The liquid material discharge method of the present invention is a discharge method using the discharge device, and the second storage container is filled with the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position. The first transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the first storage container, and the second in the first storage container with the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position. A second transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the storage container, a discharge preparation step in which the switching valve is in the second position, and a discharge step of lowering the plunger to discharge the liquid material in the measuring hole. It is characterized by having.
In the above discharge method, the liquid material is transferred so that the liquid level does not reach the switching valve in the first transfer step, and the liquid material is transferred so that the liquid level does not reach the opening / closing mechanism in the second transfer step. May be characterized by transporting.
In the discharge method, in the first transfer step, 60% or more of the liquid material in the first storage container is transferred, and in the second transfer step, the liquid material in the second storage container is transferred. It may be characterized by transferring 60% or more of the above.

The liquid material discharge device containing solid particles according to the second aspect of the present invention supplies pressurized air to a first storage container for storing the liquid material containing solid particles and the first storage container. A first pneumatic supply pipe, a measuring unit having a measuring hole filled with the liquid material, a plunger moving back and forth in the measuring hole, a nozzle having a discharge port for discharging the liquid material, and the first. A switching valve having a first position for communicating the storage container 1 and the measuring hole and a second position for communicating the measuring hole and the nozzle, and a first position for communicating the first storage container and the switching valve. In a liquid material discharge device including the liquid feed pipe of No. 1, a plunger drive device for moving the plunger forward and backward, and a switching valve drive device for switching between the first position and the second position of the switching valve, the liquid is further provided. A second storage container for storing materials, a second pneumatic supply pipe for supplying pressurized air to the second storage container, and a branch portion provided above the measuring hole and having a branch flow path. The switching valve is provided with a second liquid feeding pipe that communicates the branch flow path and the second storage container, and an opening / closing mechanism that communicates or shuts off the second storage container and the measuring hole. With the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position, the liquid in the first storage container is supplied to the second storage container by supplying pressurized air from the first pneumatic supply pipe. With the material being transferable, the switching valve in the first position, and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position, pressurized air is supplied from the second pneumatic supply pipe to the first storage container. It is characterized in that the liquid material in the second storage container can be transferred.

The discharge device according to the second aspect is also characterized in that the volume ratio of the first storage container to the second storage container is 1: 0.5 to 1 or 0.5 to 1: 1. Good.
The discharge device according to the second aspect further includes a discharge control device including a processor and a storage device in which the discharge control program is stored, and the discharge control program has the switching valve as the first position and the opening / closing mechanism. With the first transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the first storage container to the second storage container by supplying pressurized air from the first pneumatic supply pipe in the open position. With the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position, the second storage container is filled with pressurized air by supplying pressurized air from the second pneumatic supply pipe. It may be characterized by including a second transfer step for transferring the liquid material in the container, and a continuous transfer step in which the first transfer step and the second transfer step are alternately executed.
In the discharge device including the discharge control program of the second aspect, the tip of the plunger may be positioned above the branch flow path in the first and second transfer steps. ..
In the discharge device including the discharge control program of the second aspect, the discharge control program ends the execution of the continuous transfer step after the completion of the second transfer step, sets the opening / closing mechanism in the closed position, and sets the switching valve. It may be characterized by including a discharge preparation step in which the second position is set to, and a discharge step in which the plunger is lowered by a desired amount to discharge the liquid material in the measuring hole. In this case, in the discharge step, The liquid material in the measuring hole may be discharged a plurality of times by repeating the lowering and stopping of the plunger a plurality of times.

In the discharge device of the second aspect, the constant pressure pressurized air is continuously supplied from the first pneumatic supply pipe, and the constant pressure pressurized air is continuously supplied from the second pneumatic supply pipe. In this case, the pressurized air is supplied from the first pneumatic supply pipe for a predetermined time, and from the second pneumatic supply pipe. It may be characterized by supplying pressurized air for a predetermined time, or in addition, with a first liquid sensor disposed in the first storage vessel or the first liquid delivery tube. The second liquid sensor is provided with a second liquid sensor disposed in the second storage container or the second liquid delivery pipe, and in the first transfer step, the first liquid sensor detects the absence of liquid. It is characterized by supplying pressurized air until it is detected, and supplying pressurized air until the second liquid sensor detects the absence of liquid in the second transfer step. May be good.
The discharge device according to the second aspect further includes a seal provided at the lower part of the branch portion and having an opening with which the plunger is in sliding contact, and the opening position of the opening / closing mechanism is such that the tip of the plunger is more than the seal. It may be realized by locating it above, and may be characterized in that the closing position of the opening / closing mechanism is realized by locating the tip of the plunger below the seal.
The discharge device according to the second aspect may be characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism is composed of an on / off valve.

The coating device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a liquid material ejection device containing solid particles according to the second aspect, a work table on which an object to be coated is placed, a liquid material ejection device and an object to be coated. It is characterized by comprising a relative moving device for relatively moving the particles.
The method for discharging a liquid material containing solid particles according to the second aspect of the present invention is a method for discharging a liquid material containing solid particles according to the second aspect, wherein the switching valve is used. With the opening / closing mechanism in the open position in one position, the liquid material in the first storage container is supplied to the second storage container by supplying pressurized air from the first pneumatic supply pipe. The first transfer step of transfer and the first position by supplying pressurized air from the second pneumatic supply pipe with the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position. A second transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the second storage container to the storage container, a discharge preparation step of the opening / closing mechanism in the closed position and the switching valve in the second position, and a desired amount of the plunger. It is characterized by having a discharge step of lowering and discharging the liquid material in the measuring hole.
In the ejection method of the second aspect, the solid particles may contain solid particles having a specific gravity higher than that of the liquid material. In this case, the solid particles are a phosphor for LED. It may be a feature.
In the discharge method of the second aspect, in the first transfer step, 60% or more of the liquid material in the first storage container is transferred to the second storage container, that is, the second transfer step. In the above, 60% or more of the liquid material in the second storage container may be transferred to the first storage container.

According to the present invention, a liquid material containing solid particles can be accurately quantitatively discharged in a state in which the solid particles are dispersed.
Further, since the flow of the liquid material in the same flow path is reversed and stirring is performed, the deposition of solid particles in the flow path can be minimized.
Further, since the measuring hole is provided in the middle of the flow path communicating the two storage containers, it is possible to sufficiently stir the inside of the measuring hole.

It is a side view at the time of agitating operation of the discharge device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view at the time of the discharge operation of the discharge device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view of the discharge device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. (A) is a left side view of the discharge device according to the third embodiment, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a right side view. (A) is a left side view of the discharge device according to the fourth embodiment, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a right side view.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the "liquid material" used in the present specification is a liquid material containing solid particles.

<< Example 1 >>
(1) Configuration FIG. 1 is a side view of the discharge device according to the first embodiment, and the cross-sectional portion is hatched.
The discharge device 1 according to the first embodiment communicates between the storage container (11, 12) for storing the liquid material and the storage container (11, 12) and the measuring unit 3, or communicates between the measuring unit 3 and the nozzle 5. A switching valve unit 2 for switching, a measuring unit 3 filled with the liquid material to be discharged, a plunger 4 moving back and forth in the measuring unit 3, a nozzle 5 having a discharge port for discharging the liquid material, and a storage container (11). , 12) is provided with a holder 6 and a base body 7.

The storage container A11 and the storage container B12 are composed of syringes having the same capacity, and both are held by a holder 6 connected to the base body 7. It is not necessary for the storage container A11 and the storage container B12 to have the same volume, but if most of the liquid material stored in one storage container can be transferred to the other storage container, the stirring efficiency is improved, so that one storage container is used. The volume ratio of the container and the other storage container is preferably 1: 0.5 to 1, more preferably 1: 0.6 to 1, and the volume ratio is 1: 0.7 to 1. It is more preferable to become. Unlike the present embodiment, a stirring device may be separately provided in the storage container (11, 12).

The liquid feed pipe A13 is detachably connected to the outlet provided at the lower end of the storage container A11, and the liquid feed pipe B14 is detachably connected to the outlet provided at the lower end of the storage container B12. There is. A connector A15 is detachably attached to the brim provided at the upper end of the storage container A11, and the pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source A71 via the pneumatic supply pipe A17. A connector B16 is detachably attached to the brim provided at the upper end of the storage container B12, and the pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source B72 via the pneumatic supply pipe B18. In addition, in this specification, the term "air" is not used in the meaning limited to air, but is used in the meaning including other gases (for example, nitrogen gas).

The liquid feed pipe A13 communicates with the switching valve unit 2 and communicates with the measuring hole 31 via a communication groove 211 provided on the peripheral surface of the switching valve 21. The liquid feed pipe B14 communicates with the second area 38 of the branch portion 35. The liquid feed pipe A13 and the liquid feed pipe B14 can be made of a pipe of any material, may be made of a flexible pipe, or may be provided with a joint member.

The switching valve unit 2 includes a switching valve 21 and a valve block 22. The switching valve 21 is a columnar rotary valve, and includes an elongated communication groove 211 provided on the peripheral surface and a through hole 212 provided so as not to overlap the communication groove 211. The switching valve 21 is rotationally driven by the switching valve driving device 23 described later, and communicates the first position where the liquid feed pipe A13 and the measuring hole 31 are communicated by the communication groove 211, and the nozzle 5 and the measuring hole 31 by the through hole 212. Take the second position to do.

A nozzle connecting member 51 is arranged below the valve block 22, and a measuring unit 3 is arranged above the valve block 22.
The nozzle connecting member 51 is screwed to the valve block 22 and includes a straight discharge flow path having a center on the same straight line as the center of the measuring hole 31. A nozzle 5 having a discharge port is detachably attached to the lower end of the nozzle connecting member 51, and the center of the discharge port is located on the same straight line as the center of the measuring hole 31 and the discharge flow path.

The measuring portion 3 is a cylindrical member having a measuring hole 31 inside, and a branch portion 35 is provided at the upper portion. The measuring hole 31 is a straight columnar flow path, and has a diameter larger than that of the plunger 4. The branch portion 35 is formed with a flow path having a T-shaped cross section composed of a first area 37 and a second area 38. The first area 37 has the same diameter as the measuring hole 31, and the second area 38, which is a branch flow path, has a smaller diameter than the first area. A first seal 33 is arranged at the upper end of the first area 37 extending vertically, and a second seal 34 is arranged at the lower end. The first seal 33 and the second seal 34 are annular elastic members (for example, an O-ring and a spring load seal), and have an opening having a size in which the plunger 4 slides into contact with the first seal 33 and the second seal 34. The second seal 34 constitutes an opening / closing mechanism in cooperation with the plunger 4, as will be described later.

The plunger 4 is a rod-shaped member, and is moved in the vertical direction by the plunger driving device 43 and the slider 41. During the stirring operation described later, the tip of the plunger 4 is located between the upper end of the second area 38 and the lower end of the first seal 33 (see FIG. 1). During the discharge operation described later, the tip of the plunger 4 advances in the measuring hole 31 below the lower end of the second seal 34 (see FIG. 2).
When the plunger 4 enters the measuring hole 31, the volume of the measuring hole 31 is reduced, and the liquid material is discharged from the discharge port that opens downward. The plunger 4 may be moved to the minimum descending position by one advance operation, or may be moved to the minimum descending position by repeating the advance operation and the stop operation a plurality of times. That is, the entire amount of the liquid material in the measuring hole 31 may be discharged at one time, or may be discharged in a plurality of times.
The shape of the tip of the plunger 4 can be any shape other than the plane shown in the drawing, and it is disclosed that the shape is, for example, a bullet shape, a spherical shape, or a shape having a protrusion at the tip.

The slider 41 is movably attached to a slide rail 42 extending vertically. The upper end of the slider 41 is connected to the connecting member 44 of the plunger driving device 43, and is moved up and down by driving the plunger driving device 43. The plunger drive device 43 is fixed to the base body 7, and is composed of, for example, an electric actuator and a linear actuator.

A switching valve driving device 23 is arranged at the uppermost portion of the base body 7. The driving force of the switching valve driving device 23 is transmitted by a power transmission member (not shown) to rotate the switching valve 21. Here, as the power transmission member, for example, an annular chain, a belt, or the like is used (see Patent Document 1). By arranging the switching valve drive device 23 and the plunger drive device 43 in the vertical direction, the discharge device 1 can be configured narrowly.

The discharge control device 100 includes a processor and a storage device in which the discharge control program is stored. When the discharge control program is executed, the discharge operation and the stirring operation of the present invention, which will be described later, are automatically executed. The discharge control device 100, the drive devices (23, 43), and the pressurized air supply source (71, 72) are connected by a control wiring (partially not shown), and signals for control are communicated. Will be done.

(2) Operation (2-1) Stirring operation When the liquid material is agitated in the discharge device 1 having the above configuration, the following operation is performed by the discharge control program. It is assumed that the liquid material is stored only in the storage container A11.
1) First, the switching valve driving device 23 is driven to switch the switching valve 21 to the first position where the liquid feeding pipe A13 (storage container A11) and the measuring hole 31 communicate with each other (see the arrow i in FIG. 1).
2) Drive the plunger drive device 43 to raise the plunger 4 to the highest position, and position the tip of the plunger 4 between the upper end of the second area 38 and the lower end of the first seal 33 (see the arrow ii in FIG. 1). ..
3) Pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source A71 to the storage container A11 via the pneumatic supply pipe A17 at a constant pressure for a set time. As a result, the liquid material flows in the order of the liquid feed pipe A13, the communication groove 211 of the switching valve 21, the measuring hole 31, the first area 37, the second area 38, and the liquid feed pipe B14, and a certain amount of the liquid material flows into the storage container B12. Is supplied.
4) The operation of the pressurized air supply source A71 is stopped, and the supply of pressurized air via the pneumatic supply pipe A17 is stopped. When the supply of the pressurized air is stopped, the pressure in the storage container A11 drops to the pressure before the supply of the pressurized air, and the liquid material flowing toward the storage container B12 stops its flow.

5) Next, the pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source B72 to the storage container B12 via the pneumatic supply pipe B18 at a constant pressure for a set time. As a result, the liquid material flows in the order of the liquid feed pipe B14, the second area 38, the first area 37, the measuring hole 31, the communication groove 211 of the switching valve 21, and the liquid feed pipe A13, and a certain amount of the liquid material flows into the storage container A11. Is returned. Here, a function may be programmed in which the discharge control program monitors the execution status of the discharge operation and reduces the time for supplying the pressurized air according to the consumption of the liquid material.
6) The operation of the pressurized air supply source B72 is stopped, and the supply of pressurized air via the pneumatic supply pipe B18 is stopped. When the supply of the pressurized air is stopped, the pressure in the storage container B12 drops to the pressure before the supply of the pressurized air, and the liquid material flowing toward the storage container A11 stops its flow.
7) Repeat steps 3) to 6) above. In 3) and 5) above, most of the liquid material stored in one storage container (for example, 50% or more, preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more) is transferred to the other storage container. That is preferable to obtain sufficient agitation. It is also possible to transfer almost all of the liquid material stored in one storage container to the other storage container and stir it, but if the air reaches the valve unit 2 or the measuring hole 31, there is a problem of residual air. Therefore, it is preferable to transfer the water within the range where the head position (liquid level) can be contained in the liquid feeding pipes (13, 14).

(2-2) Discharge operation When the liquid material is discharged from the nozzle 5 in the discharge device 1 having the above configuration, the following operation is executed by the discharge control program. In the following, the stirring operation is completed, the switching valve 21 is in the first position, and the measuring hole 31, the first area 37, and the storage container A11 are filled with the liquid material (however, the storage container B12 is filled with a small amount of liquid). An example of shifting from the material may remain) to the discharge operation will be described.

1) First, the plunger drive device 43 is driven to lower the plunger 4, and the tip of the plunger 4 is positioned slightly below the lower end of the second seal 34 (see the arrow i in FIG. 2). That is, the plunger 4 is lowered to a position where the first seal 33 exhibits sufficient sealing property with respect to the plunger 4. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 4 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening of the second seal 34, and the communication between the storage container A11 and the storage container B12 is cut off (that is, the second seal 34 and the plunger 4 are separated from each other. It plays the role of an opening / closing mechanism that cuts off communication between the storage container A11 and the storage container B12). At this time, since the switching valve 21 is in the first position, unnecessary liquid material does not leak from the nozzle 5 even if the plunger 4 is moved downward.
2) The switching valve driving device 23 is driven to switch the nozzle 5 and the measuring hole 31 to the second position where the through hole 212 communicates with each other (see the arrow of ii in FIG. 2).
3) By driving the plunger driving device 43 and lowering the plunger 4 by a desired amount, the liquid material is discharged from the nozzle 5. Here, the plunger 4 may be moved to the minimum lowered position by one advance operation and discharged, or may be moved to the minimum lowered position by repeating the advance operation and the stop operation a plurality of times.
4) In order to fill the measuring hole 31 with a liquid material, first, the switching valve driving device 23 is driven, and the switching valve 21 is in the first position where the liquid feeding pipe A13 (storage container A11) and the measuring hole 31 communicate with each other. Switch to.
5) The plunger drive device 43 is driven to raise the plunger 4, and the tip of the plunger 4 is positioned slightly below the lower end of the second seal 34. As a result, the liquid material in the storage container A11 is filled in the measuring hole 31. At this time, pressurized air may be supplied to the liquid material in the storage container A11 via the pneumatic supply pipe A17 to promptly perform the filling operation.
6) By repeating the above 2) to 5), continuous discharge becomes possible.

(3) Discharge Control Program The discharge control program is programmed to execute the above-mentioned stirring operation at a preset timing (for example, between the discharge operation and the discharge operation). The stirring action may be enhanced by performing the stirring operation and then the discharging operation, or the program may be programmed to repeatedly execute the stirring operation while the stirring operation is not performed. More specifically, the discharge control device 100 is provided with a timer for detecting that the operation command is not received for a certain period of time (for example, the time when the problem of particle settling set by the predetermined measurement occurs), and the timer is set for a certain time. It may be programmed to perform one or more stirring operations when it detects progress (this timer is implemented by hardware or software).
A program that detects a timing in which there is time to execute the stirring operation before the execution of the next discharging operation at a fixed cycle regardless of the timing of discharge, and performs the stirring operation once or multiple times at that timing. You may.

(4) Coating device The discharging device 1 is mounted on the coating head of the coating device, and the coating head (discharge device 1) and the work table are relatively moved by the XYZ axis drive device to apply the liquid material on the work. Used. The XYZ drive device is configured to include, for example, a known XYZ-axis servomotor and a ball screw, and can move the discharge port of the discharge device 1 to an arbitrary position of the work at an arbitrary speed.

(5) Applications In the ejection device and method of the example of the present embodiment, a step of applying a liquid material containing solid particles having a higher specific gravity than the liquid material, for example, a liquid material mixed with a phosphor (which corresponds to solid particles) is used as an LED. It is used in the process of applying on the element. The liquid material used in the coating process to the LED element is, for example, an epoxy resin, a silicone resin, or an acrylic resin, and the phosphor is a nitride-based, oxynitride-based, oxide-based, or sulfide-based resin. Fluorescent material is included. Specific examples of the phosphor, yttrium, YAG-based phosphor is a yellow phosphor mixed with other elements in the crystal of garnet structure comprising a composite oxide of aluminum (chemical formula _{Y 3 Al 5 O 12: Ce} ), formula Lu ₃ Al ₅ O ₁₂ : LuAG-based phosphor which is a green phosphor represented by Ce, chemical formula (Sr, Ca) AlSiN ₃ : SCANS-based phosphor which is a red phosphor represented by Eu, chemical formula CaAlSiN ₃ : CASN-based fluorescence represented by Eu, chemical formula La ₃ Si ₆ N ₁₁ : LSN-based phosphor _{represented by Ce, chemical formula CaSc 2} O ₄ : Green fluorescence represented by Ce Examples thereof include a scandium oxide phosphor which is a body, and a sialon-based phosphor which is a green phosphor represented by the chemical formula SiAlON: Eu.

(6) Action and Effect The discharge device 1 of the first embodiment described above can perform a discharge operation in a state in which the solid particles are dispersed by stirring the liquid material containing the solid particles by a stirring operation. In the conventional discharge device, since the upper end of the measuring hole is the end of the flow path, it is not possible to sufficiently stir the inside of the measuring hole, but in the first embodiment, the measuring hole 31 is the storage container A11. Since it is located in the middle of the flow path communicating with the storage container B12, it is possible to sufficiently stir the inside of the measuring hole 31.
In addition, since it is a discharge method that discharges the volume of liquid material excluded by the plunger 4 that moves forward, it accurately delivers a desired amount of liquid material as compared with the discharge method that controls the discharge amount by the opening / closing time of the on-off valve. It is possible to discharge.
Further, in the filling operation and the inflow operation, the direction of the flow of the liquid material is reversed, so that the solid particles precipitated in the forward flow may be wound up in the reverse flow. The effect of preventing deposition is achieved.

<< Example 2 >>
The discharge device 1 according to the second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that it includes an on-off valve 39 that functions as an on-off mechanism. In the following, the configuration related to the differences will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the matching points will be omitted.

(1) Configuration FIG. 3 is a side view of the discharge device according to the second embodiment, and the cross-sectional portion is hatched.
Although the discharge device 1 according to the second embodiment is provided with the first seal 33 at the branch portion 35, the discharge device 1 is not provided with the second seal 34 provided in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the on-off valve 39 is provided at the end of the liquid feeding pipe B14 on the branch portion 35 side. The on-off valve 39 can be provided at an arbitrary position in the flow path communicating the storage container B12 and the first area 37 of the branch portion 35, but air enters the liquid feeding pipe B14 during the stirring operation and residual air is discharged. Since it is expected to occur, it is preferable to provide it at or near the open end of the second area 38. In other words, since it is preferable that the water head position (liquid level) does not reach the on-off valve 39 during the stirring operation, the water head position (liquid level) is opened and closed at the end of the liquid feeding pipe B14 on the side far from the storage container B12 or in the second area 38. It is preferable to provide a valve. The on-off valve 39 is connected to the discharge control device 100 by a control wiring (not shown), and is opened and closed by the discharge control device 100.

In the present embodiment, the branch portion 35 and the measuring portion 3 are integrally formed, but the branch portion 35 may be formed of a separate part and joined to the measuring portion 3.
The discharge control program is programmed to perform the operations described below.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(2) Operation (2-1) Stirring operation When the liquid material is agitated in the discharge device 1 having the above configuration, the following operation is performed by the discharge control program. It is assumed that the liquid material is stored only in the storage container A11.
1) First, the switching valve driving device 23 is driven to switch the switching valve 21 to the first position where the liquid feeding pipe A13 (storage container A11) and the measuring hole 31 communicate with each other (see the arrow i in FIG. 3). The on-off valve 39 is in the open position.
2) Drive the plunger drive device 43 to raise the plunger 4 to the highest position, and position the tip of the plunger 4 between the upper end of the second area 38 and the lower end of the first seal 33 (see the arrow ii in FIG. 3). ..
3) Pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source A71 to the storage container A11 via the pneumatic supply pipe A17 at a constant pressure for a set time. As a result, a certain amount of liquid material is supplied to the storage container B12.
4) The operation of the pressurized air supply source A71 is stopped, and the supply of pressurized air via the pneumatic supply pipe A17 is stopped. As a result, the liquid material that was flowing toward the storage container B12 stops its flow.

5) Next, the pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source B72 to the storage container B12 via the pneumatic supply pipe B18 at a constant pressure for a set time. As a result, a certain amount of liquid material is returned to the storage container A11.
6) The operation of the pressurized air supply source B72 is stopped, and the supply of pressurized air via the pneumatic supply pipe B18 is stopped. As a result, the liquid material that has been flowing toward the storage container A11 stops its flow.
7) Repeat steps 3) to 6) above. During this time, the on-off valve 39 remains in the open position.

(2-2) Discharge operation When the liquid material is discharged from the nozzle 5 in the discharge device 1 having the above configuration, the following operation is executed by the discharge control program. In the following, the stirring operation is completed, the switching valve 21 is in the first position, and the measuring hole 31, the first area 37, and the storage container A11 are filled with the liquid material (however, the storage container B12 is filled with a small amount of liquid). An example of shifting from the material may remain) to the discharge operation will be described.

1) First, the on-off valve 39 is set to the closed position. As a result, the communication between the liquid feeding pipe B14 and the measuring hole 31 is cut off.
2) The switching valve driving device 23 is driven to switch the nozzle 5 and the measuring hole 31 to the second position where the through hole 212 communicates with each other.
3) By driving the plunger driving device 43 and lowering the plunger 4 by a desired amount, the liquid material is discharged from the nozzle 5. Here, the plunger 4 may be moved to the minimum lowered position by one advance operation and discharged, or may be moved to the minimum lowered position by repeating the advance operation and the stop operation a plurality of times. Since the on-off valve 39 is in the closed position, the liquid material does not flow back into the liquid feed pipe B14 even if the plunger 4 moves downward.
4) In order to fill the measuring hole 31 with a liquid material, first, the switching valve driving device 23 is driven, and the switching valve 21 is in the first position where the liquid feeding pipe A13 (storage container A11) and the measuring hole 31 communicate with each other. Switch to.
5) Drive the plunger drive device 43 to raise the plunger 4, and position the tip of the plunger 4 in the first area 37 of the branch portion 35 (preferably, the tip of the plunger 4 is located above the second area 38). To do.). As a result, the liquid material in the storage container A11 is filled in the measuring hole 31.
6) By repeating the above 2) to 5), continuous discharge becomes possible. During this time, the on-off valve 39 remains in the closed position.

(3) Action and effect The same action and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by the discharge device 1 of the second embodiment described above.

<< Example 3 >>
The discharge device 1 according to the third embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that it includes a joint member 141 that supports the storage container B12. In the following, the configuration related to the differences will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the matching points will be omitted.

(1) Configuration FIG. 4 (a) is a left side view of the discharge device 1 according to the third embodiment, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a right side view. In FIG. 4A, a dotted line is provided on the transparent portion.
In this embodiment, the storage container A11 is arranged on the front side, and the storage container B12 is arranged on the right side. The body of the storage container A11 is supported by a holder 6 fixed to the base body 7. The holder 6 is provided with an L-shaped pipe support member 61 in a side view, and the liquid feed pipe A13 is provided by the pipe support member 61. I support it. The liquid feeding pipe A13 is composed of a thin pipe as in the first embodiment.

The liquid delivery pipe B14 of the present embodiment is composed of a thick pipe having sufficient strength to support the storage container B12 filled with the liquid. The liquid feed pipe B 14 extends horizontally from the branch portion 35 and is connected to the joint member 141. A connecting portion 142 is provided on the upper portion of the joint member 141, and the storage container B12 is detachably attached to the connecting portion 142. Although the storage container A and the storage container B12 are arranged at different heights, there is no effect on the agitation property.

A connector A15 is detachably attached to the brim provided at the upper end of the storage container A11, and the pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source A71 via the pneumatic supply pipe A17. A connector B16 is detachably attached to the brim provided at the upper end of the storage container B12, and the pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source B72 via the pneumatic supply pipe B18. The operation of each drive device (23, 43) and the pressurized air supply source (71, 72) is controlled by the discharge control device 100, which is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Unlike this embodiment, the storage container B12 may be arranged on the left side surface side.
Unlike this embodiment, the pressurized air supply source A71 and the pressurized air supply source B72 may be realized by a combination of one pressurized air supply source and a switching valve. That is, one switching valve having a first position for communicating the pressurized air supply source and the pneumatic supply pipe A17 and a second position for communicating the pressurized air supply source and the pneumatic supply pipe B18 is used. Pressurized air may be supplied from the pressurized air supply source to the two storage containers (11, 12).

(2) Operation The stirring operation and the discharging operation are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(3) Action and effect The same action and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by the discharge device 1 of the third embodiment described above.

<< Example 4 >>
The discharge device 1 according to the fourth embodiment is mainly different from the third embodiment in that it includes a liquid sensor (81, 82). In the following, the configuration related to the differences will be mainly explained, and the explanation of the matching points will be omitted.

(1) Configuration FIG. 5 (a) is a left side view of the discharge device 1 according to the fourth embodiment, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a right side view.
The liquid sensors (81, 82) are arranged below the storage containers (11, 12), respectively, and are composed of, for example, an optical sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. The liquid sensors (81, 82) are connected to the discharge control device 100 by a control wiring (not shown), and transmit a detection signal to the discharge control device 100. More specifically, it detects whether or not the liquid material is present at the detection position, sends a liquid presence signal to the discharge control device 100 if the liquid material is present, and sends a liquid no signal if the liquid material is not present. It is transmitted to the discharge control device 100.

When the liquid presence signal at the detection position changes to a liquid non-signal, the discharge control device 100 determines that the head position (liquid level) of the storage container (11, 12) has decreased, and the pressurized air supply source (pressurized air supply source 100). 71, 72) controls the operation. Here, the detection operation by the liquid sensor (81, 82) is linked with the pressurization operation of the pressurized air supply source (71, 72), and the detection operation is performed only on the liquid sensor (81, 82) related to the pressurization operation. May be done.

The switching valve driving device 23 is provided on the back surface of the valve block 22 with the base body 7 interposed therebetween. Also in the fourth embodiment, the discharge device 1 can be configured narrowly by arranging the switching valve drive device 23 and the plunger drive device 43 in the vertical direction.
The discharge control program is programmed to perform the operations described below.
Other configurations are the same as in the third embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which one liquid sensor is arranged in one storage container is disclosed, but two liquid sensors are arranged above and below one storage container, and the head position is between the two liquid sensors. The stirring operation may be performed under the condition of moving up and down with. Further, the liquid sensor does not necessarily have to be installed in the storage container (11, 12), and may be installed in the liquid feeding pipe (13, 14).

(2) Operation (2-1) Stirring operation When the liquid material is agitated in the discharge device 1 having the above configuration, the following operation is performed by the discharge control program. It is assumed that the liquid material is stored only in the storage container A11.

1) First, the switching valve driving device 23 is driven to switch the switching valve 21 to the first position where the liquid feeding pipe A13 (storage container A11) and the measuring hole 31 communicate with each other.
2) The plunger drive device 43 is driven to raise the plunger 4 to the highest position, and the tip of the plunger 4 is positioned between the upper end of the second area 38 and the lower end of the first seal 33.
3) The liquid sensor A81 detects whether or not the liquid material is present at the detection position, and transmits a detection signal to the discharge control device 100.
4) Pressurized air is supplied to the storage container A11 from the pressurized air supply source A71 via the pneumatic supply pipe A17 at a constant pressure. As a result, the liquid material flows in the order of the liquid feed pipe A13, the communication groove 211 of the switching valve 21, the measuring hole 31, the first area 37, the second area 38, and the liquid feed pipe B14, and the liquid material is supplied to the storage container B12. To.
5) When a liquid-free signal is transmitted from the liquid sensor A81 to the discharge control device 100, the supply of pressurized air from the pressurized air supply source A71 is stopped.

6) The liquid sensor B82 detects whether or not the liquid material is present at the detection position, and transmits a detection signal to the discharge control device 100.
7) Pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air supply source B72 to the storage container B12 at a constant pressure via the pneumatic supply pipe B18. As a result, the liquid material flows in the order of the liquid feed pipe B14, the second area 38, the first area 37, the measuring hole 31, the communication groove 211 of the switching valve 21, and the liquid feed pipe A13, and the liquid material is returned to the storage container A11. ..
8) When a liquid-free signal is transmitted from the liquid sensor B82 to the discharge control device 100, the supply of pressurized air from the pressurized air supply source B72 is stopped.
9) Repeat steps 3) to 8) above. In the above 5), the detection operation by the liquid sensor A81 may be stopped, and in the above 8), the detection operation by the liquid sensor A81 may be started. Similarly, in the above 8), the detection operation by the liquid sensor B82 may be stopped, and in the above 5), the detection operation by the liquid sensor B82 may be started.

(2-2) Discharge operation Since the discharge operation is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted. At the time of the discharge operation, the remaining amount of the liquid material may be detected by the liquid sensor (81, 82).

(3) Action and Effect According to the discharge device 1 of the fourth embodiment described above, the pressurizing time for transferring the liquid material from one storage container to the other storage container is set in advance during the stirring operation. Even if it is not present, the remaining amount of the liquid material can be detected by the liquid sensor (81, 82), and it is possible to transfer a sufficient amount of the liquid material and perform sufficient stirring.

1: Discharge device, 2: Switching valve unit, 3: Weighing unit, 4: Plunger, 5: Nozzle, 6: Holder, 7: Base body, 11: Storage container A (first storage container), 12: Storage container B (second storage valve), 13: liquid feed pipe A, 14: liquid feed pipe B, 15: connector A, 16: connector B, 17: pneumatic supply pipe A (first pneumatic supply pipe) ), 18: Pneumatic supply pipe B (second pneumatic supply pipe), 21: Switching valve, 22: Valve block, 23: Switching valve drive device, 31: Measuring hole, 33: First seal, 34: No. 2 seals, 35: branch part, 37: 1st area, 38: 2nd area (branch flow path), 39: on-off valve, 41: slider, 42: slide rail, 43: plunger drive device, 51: nozzle connecting member , 61: Pipe support member, 71: Pressurized air supply source A, 72: Pressurized air supply source B, 81: Liquid sensor A (first liquid sensor), 82: Liquid sensor B (second liquid sensor) , 100: Discharge control device

Claims (16)

A first storage container for storing liquid materials,
A measuring unit with a measuring hole and
A plunger that moves back and forth in the measuring hole and
A nozzle having a discharge port for discharging the liquid material and
A switching valve having a first position for communicating the outlet of the first storage container and the measuring hole and a second position for communicating the measuring hole and the nozzle.
A plunger drive device that moves the plunger forward and backward,
In a liquid material discharge device including a switching valve driving device for switching between a first position and a second position of the switching valve.
Further, a second storage container for storing the liquid material and
A branch portion provided above the measuring hole and having a branch flow path,
An opening / closing mechanism for communicating or shutting off the outlet of the second storage container and the measuring hole is provided.
A liquid material discharge device characterized in that an outlet of the second storage container is provided at the lower end of the second storage container. The liquid material discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet of the first storage container is provided at the lower end of the first storage container. Further, the liquid material in the first storage container is transferred to the second storage container through the measuring hole, and the liquid material in the second storage container is transferred to the first storage container through the measuring hole. The liquid material discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transfer means for transferring to the storage container of the above. The transport means
A first pressurized air supply source communicating with the first storage container,
The liquid material discharge device according to claim 3, further comprising a second pressurized air supply source communicated with the second storage container. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the volume ratio of the first storage container to the second storage container is 1: 0.5 to 1 or 0.5 to 1: 1. Liquid material discharge device. Further, a discharge control device including a storage device in which a processor and a discharge control program are stored is provided, and the second discharge control program has the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position. The first transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the first storage container to the storage container of
A second transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the second storage container to the first storage container with the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position.
The liquid material discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a continuous transfer step in which the first transfer step and the second transfer step are alternately executed. The liquid material discharge device according to claim 6, wherein the tip of the plunger is located above the branch flow path in the first and second transfer steps. The discharge control program ends the execution of the continuous transfer step after the completion of the second transfer step, the opening / closing mechanism is in the closed position, and the switching valve is in the second position.
The liquid material discharging device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a discharging step of lowering the plunger to discharge the liquid material in the measuring hole. The liquid material discharging device according to claim 8, wherein in the discharging step, the liquid material in the measuring hole is discharged a plurality of times by repeating the lowering and stopping of the plunger a plurality of times. Further, a first liquid sensor arranged in the first storage container or a liquid delivery pipe communicating with the outlet of the first storage container, and
The second storage container or any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a second liquid sensor arranged in a liquid delivery pipe communicating with an outlet of the second storage container. The liquid material discharge device according to the description. The liquid material discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a seal provided at the lower part of the branch portion and having an opening through which the plunger is in sliding contact. The liquid material discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the on-off mechanism is composed of an on-off valve. The liquid material discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A coating device including a relative moving device for relatively moving a liquid material discharging device and an object to be coated. A discharge method using the liquid material discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A first transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the first storage container to the second storage container with the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position.
A second transfer step of transferring the liquid material in the second storage container to the first storage container with the switching valve in the first position and the opening / closing mechanism in the open position.
A discharge preparation step in which the switching valve is in the second position, and
A method for discharging a liquid material, comprising a discharge step of lowering the plunger to discharge the liquid material in the measuring hole. In the first transfer step, the liquid material is transferred so that the liquid level does not reach the switching valve.
The method for discharging a liquid material according to claim 14, wherein in the second transfer step, the liquid material is transferred so that the liquid level does not reach the opening / closing mechanism. In the first transfer step, transferring 60% or more of the liquid material in the first storage container.
The method for discharging a liquid material according to claim 14 or 15, wherein in the second transfer step, 60% or more of the liquid material in the second storage container is transferred.

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