TW202146253A - Ink jet printing device and printing method capable of reducing number of parts for ink jet printing device with adjustable nozzle intervals - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an ink jet printing device, which comprises a first linear jet head unit including a first base member and a plurality of first ink jet heads, wherein the first ink jet heads are mounted to the first base member around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface and rotating with respect to the first base member and configured with a plurality of nozzles in a linear manner; and a linear jet head unit rotating mechanism portion enabling the first linear jet head unit rotating around the axis perpendicular to the printing surface with respect to the printing surface.

Description

Inkjet printing device and printing method

The present invention relates to an ink jet printing device and a printing method.

In recent years, a method of manufacturing a component using an ink jet printing apparatus has been attracting attention. The ink jet printing apparatus discharges liquid droplets from a plurality of nozzles while controlling the positional relationship between the nozzles and the application target portion of the printing object. As the printing object, there is a display element, for example, in which application target portions in which the printing object are arranged are arranged at a constant pitch.

In such a case, there has been disclosed a method of applying coating by rotating an ink jet head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged at a constant pitch around an axis perpendicular to the surface of the object to be printed. The pitch of the droplets of the landing point is aligned with the pitch of the coating target portion of the coating object (for example, Patent Document 1). prior art literature Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4971560

An inkjet printing apparatus in one aspect of the present invention includes a first linear head unit including a first base member and a plurality of first inkjet heads, the first inkjet heads are attached to the first base member, and The first base member is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the first base member around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface, and a plurality of nozzles are linearly arranged to apply the same type of ink; 1 The linear head unit rotates relative to the printing surface around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface.

Moreover, the printing method in one aspect of the present invention is a printing method using an ink jet printing apparatus, wherein the ink jet printing apparatus includes a first linear head unit including a first base member and a plurality of first ink jet heads, The first ink jet head is attached to the first base member, and is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the first base member around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface, and a plurality of nozzles are linearly arranged to apply the same type the ink; and the linear head unit rotation mechanism part, so that the first linear head unit rotates relative to the printing surface around the axis perpendicular to the printing surface, and the above-mentioned printing method comprises the steps of: making a plurality of first inkjet heads Rotate to set the distance between the plurality of nozzles in the direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the printing surface to a distance corresponding to a predetermined fineness; the first linear head unit is rotated by the linear head unit rotation mechanism , to set the distance between two first inkjet heads adjacent to each other among the plurality of first inkjet heads in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the printing surface moves to a distance corresponding to a predetermined fineness; and make the printing surface The first linear head unit is moved, and ink is ejected toward the printing surface from a plurality of nozzles to perform printing.

Form for carrying out the invention The conventional method will be described using FIG. 7 and FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1. FIG. FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1 is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the ink jet head unit, and FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1 is a diagram showing a printing object.

As shown in FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1, the inkjet head unit includes a head mounting base 120, reference surfaces 120a and 120b, R inkjet heads 121a to 121h, G inkjet heads 122a to 122h, and B inkjet heads 123a to 123a. 123h.

In each of the R inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 200 nozzles are formed linearly at a constant pitch. For example, in the R inkjet head 121a, the nozzle 121a shows the 1st nozzle, and the nozzle 121a200 shows the 200th nozzle. This is the same for the G inkjet heads 122a to 122h and the B inkjet heads 123a to 123h. In addition, each ink jet head is provided with a rotational drive mechanism in the θ direction and a translational drive mechanism in the nozzle row direction.

As shown in FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1, in the printing object, the red colored pixels 100a, the blue colored pixels 100b, and the green colored pixels 100c are sequentially repeated along the X direction, and the pitch of the same colored pixels is fixed at 190.5 μm to configure.

Next, a conventional method in which liquid droplets are discharged from the nozzles of the inkjet heads to apply the above-described printing objects will be described.

The nozzles at both ends of each of the inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 122a to 122h, and 123a to 123h mounted on the inkjet head unit, such as the X direction of the nozzle 121a1 and the nozzle 121a200 of the inkjet head 121a, are measured with a camera for measuring the nozzle hole position. Pitch. Next, based on the measurement result of the camera for measuring the nozzle hole position, the rotational drive mechanism is used to adjust the position of the inkjet head 121a in the rotational direction so that the distance between the nozzle 121a1 and the nozzle 121a200 in the X direction is 190.5 μm. This operation is performed for all the inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 122a to 122h, and 123a to 123h.

In addition, in the R inkjet heads 121a to 121h adjacent to each other in the X direction, the positions of the inkjet heads 121a to 121h are adjusted by a translation drive mechanism so that the first nozzle, for example, the nozzle 121a1 and the nozzle 121b1 in the X direction The pitch becomes 38.100mm. This operation is performed for all the inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 122a to 122h, and 123a to 123h.

Next, in the inkjet heads 121a, 122a, and 123a adjacent to each other in the Y direction, the positions of the inkjet heads 121a, 122a, and 123a are adjusted by the translation drive mechanism so that the nozzles 121a1, 122a1, and 123a1 are in the X direction. The pitches each become 63.5 μm, which is 1/3 of the pixel pitch. This operation is performed for all the inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 122a to 122h, and 123a to 123h.

By adjusting the positions of all the inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 122a to 122h, and 123a to 123h in this way, the nozzle pitches in the X direction of all the inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 122a to 122h, and 123a to 123h are aligned with the X direction of the printing object. Orientation pixel pitch alignment.

Next, after aligning the X, Y, and θ directions of the object to be printed, the object to be printed is scanned under the inkjet head unit, and the object is scanned by the inkjet heads 121a to 121h, 122a to 122h, and 123a to 123h for a required time. Tap to spit out ink. Thereby, the ink can be accurately applied to the printing object.

However, in recent years, display panels have been increased in size, and in order to suppress uneven coating and drying, there is an increasing desire to coat the entire width of the substrate to be printed in one scan. In addition, the number of inkjet heads to be used is increasing, and in the conventional method in which two drive mechanisms are mounted on each inkjet head, the number of drive shafts increases enormously, which is a problem from the viewpoints of cost and facility management .

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to suppress the number of parts in an ink jet printing apparatus in which the pitch of a plurality of nozzles can be adjusted arbitrarily.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, an inkjet printing apparatus in one aspect of the present invention includes a first linear head unit including a first base member and a plurality of first inkjet heads, and the first inkjet heads are attached to the first inkjet heads. a base member mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the first base member around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface, and a plurality of nozzles are linearly arranged; and a linear head unit rotation mechanism for making the first The linear head unit rotates relative to the printing surface around an axis orthogonal to the printing surface.

Moreover, the printing method in one aspect of the present invention is a printing method using an ink jet printing apparatus including: a first linear head unit including a first base member and a plurality of first ink jet heads , the first ink jet head is mounted on the first base member, and is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the first base member around an axis orthogonal to the printing surface, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged linearly; and The linear head unit rotation mechanism part makes the first linear head unit rotate relative to the printing surface around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface, and the printing method includes the steps of: rotating a plurality of first inkjet heads to The distance between the plurality of nozzles in the direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the printing surface is set to a distance corresponding to a predetermined fineness; The distance between two first inkjet heads adjacent to each other among the plurality of first inkjet heads in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the surface movement is set to a distance corresponding to a predetermined fineness; The head unit moves and prints by ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles toward the printing surface.

According to the ink jet printing apparatus and printing method of the present invention, the number of parts can be reduced in the ink jet printing apparatus in which the pitch of a plurality of nozzles can be adjusted arbitrarily.

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the ink jet printing apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display panel 2 to be applied by the inkjet printing apparatus 1 . As shown in FIG. 1 , red pixels 3a, blue pixels 3b, and green pixels 3c are repeatedly arranged on the substrate 3, and the pitch (Pp) is fixed within the substrate 3, and the aforementioned pitch (Pp) corresponds to the pixels of the same color. distance in the Y direction. The Y direction is the vertical direction in FIG. 1 . The board surface of the board|substrate 3 is an example of a "print surface".

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. 3 is a schematic plan view of the linear head unit 20 and the linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 that rotates the entire linear head unit 20 mounted on the inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 is an example of the "linear head unit rotation mechanism section".

The overall appearance of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 , and the linear head unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . In addition, in each drawing, the printing direction is the X direction, and the width direction orthogonal to the printing direction is the Y direction. The printing direction is the same as the direction in which the printing surface moves. In addition, the front side of the paper and the back side of the paper in each drawing will be described as the upper side and the lower side of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 .

＜Constitution＞ As shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes: a flat plate 17; a substrate transfer platform 12 provided on the flat plate 17; head unit support parts 16 provided on both sides of the flat plate 17 in the Y direction; and a linear head unit rotating The mechanism 20 is attached to the head unit support portion 16 through the linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 . In addition, the linear head unit 20 is an independent linear head unit according to each ink discharged. For example, the red ink, the blue ink, and the green ink are independent of each other. The coating is performed in sequence, respectively.

The substrate transfer stage 12 includes: an X-axis guide 13 provided on the flat plate 17 to extend in the X-direction; an X-axis slider 9 supported so as to be movable in the X-direction on the X-axis guide 13; and a substrate suction operation The stage 11 is mounted by a Yα drive mechanism (not shown) provided on the X-axis slider 9 . The display panel 2 to be printed can be adsorbed and fixed to the substrate adsorption stage 11 in parallel with the XY plane.

The position of the X-axis slider 9 is controlled by an X-axis slider control assembly (not shown). Specifically, the X-axis slider control assembly will feedback control the driving amount of the X-axis linear motor 14 that drives the X-axis slider 9 , so that the detection of the X-axis position detection assembly 15 that detects the position of the X-axis slider 9 is performed. The result is the target position of the X-axis slider 9 .

The Yα drive mechanism (not shown) moves the substrate suction table 11 with respect to the X-axis slider 9 in the Y direction, and rotates it about an axis perpendicular to the XY plane. Hereinafter, the direction around this axis will be referred to as the α direction. The Yα drive mechanism is controlled by a Yα control unit (not shown). The Yα control unit controls the Yα driving mechanism according to the target position in the Y direction and the target position in the α direction of the substrate suction table 11 .

Further, a calibration camera (not shown) for measuring the position in the X direction, the position in the Y direction, and the position in the α direction of the display panel 2 is provided on the flat panel 17 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the line head unit 20 includes a line head base 21 formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, a plurality of ink jet heads 24 , a fixed link 23 a and a movable link 23 b. The linear head base 21 is an example of the "first base member" and the "second base member". The movable link 23b is an example of a "connecting member". The inkjet head 24 is an example of the "first inkjet head" and the "second inkjet head".

The first ends of the inkjet heads 24a to 24j are connected to the fixed link 23a via the link rotation shaft member 23c, and are connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the central axis of the link rotation shaft member 23c. Moreover, the 2nd end part of each inkjet head 24a-24j is connected to the movable link 23b via the link rotation shaft member 23c, and is connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the central axis of the link rotation shaft member 23c. The fixed link 23a and the movable link 23b are arranged parallel to each other. The respective inkjet heads 24a to 24j are arranged in parallel with each other at equal intervals. That is, each of the ink jet heads 24 a to 24 j , the fixed link 23 a and the movable link 23 b constitute the parallel link mechanism 23 . The central axis of the link rotating shaft member 23c is orthogonal to the printing surface of the display panel 2 (that is, the board surface of the substrate 3).

The fixed link 23 a is fixed to the linear shower head base 21 such that the longitudinal direction of the fixed link 23 a is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the linear shower base 21 . The movable link 23b is arranged in the linear head base 21, and is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the movable link 23b is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the linear head base 21, and can be opposed to the linear head base 21 parallel movement.

Specifically, both ends of the movable link 23b are connected to the θ-axis table 25a through the movable link lateral sliding guide 23g. When the movable link slides the guide 23g laterally, the movable link 23b moves relative to the linear shower head base 21 along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the linear shower head base 21 . The θ-axis table 25a is disposed on the linear head base 21 through the θ-axis guide 25g. By the θ-axis guide 25g, the θ-axis table 25a is moved relative to the linear shower head base 21 along the longitudinal direction of the linear shower head base 21 . The θ-axis slide mechanism 25 is constituted by the θ-axis table 25a and the θ-axis guide 25g.

In addition, the θ-axis table 25a is connected to a nut portion not shown, and the aforementioned nut portion is fitted to the θ-axis ball screw 26s. The θ-axis ball screw 26s is coupled to the θ-axis motor 26m. The θ-axis motor 26m is fixed to the linear head base 21 through the θ-axis motor holder 26b. By driving the θ-axis motor 26m, the θ-axis table 25a moves along the θ-axis guide 25g. The θ-axis drive unit 26 is constituted by the θ-axis motor 26m, the θ-axis ball screw 26s, and the θ-axis motor holder 26b.

In addition, a θ-axis position detection unit (not shown) that detects the position of the θ-axis table 25a is attached to the θ-axis table 25a. The position of the θ-axis table 25a is controlled by a θ-axis position control unit (not shown). Specifically, the θ-axis position control unit performs feedback control of the drive amount of the θ-axis motor 26m so that the detection result of the θ-axis position detection unit becomes the target position of the θ-axis table 25a. The inkjet head θ rotation mechanism 29 is constituted by the parallel link mechanism 23 , the θ axis slide mechanism 25 and the θ axis drive unit 26 . The movable link 23 b is moved in parallel by the ink jet head θ rotation mechanism 29 , whereby the ink jet head 24 is rotated relative to the linear head base 21 . The angle obtained by rotating the inkjet head 24 in the X direction is referred to as the first angle θ. The first angle θ is an angle formed by the X direction and the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 24 . The inkjet head θ rotation mechanism 29 is an example of the "head rotation mechanism section".

The linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 includes a linear nozzle Φ rotation shaft member 22c, a Φ shaft guide 22g2, a Φ shaft table 22t, a rotary slide mechanism 22r, and a Φ shaft lateral slide guide 22g1. The linear shower head Φ rotating shaft member 22c is arranged on the upper surface of one side of the shower head unit support portion 16 provided on both sides of the flat plate 17 in the Y direction, and connects the shower head unit support portion 16 and the first linear shower head base 21. Ends. The linear head base 21 relatively rotates with respect to the head unit support part 16 around the central axis of the linear head Φ rotating shaft member 22c orthogonal to the XY plane by the linear head Φ rotating shaft member 22c. The central axis of the Φ rotating shaft member 22c is orthogonal to the printing surface of the display panel 2 (that is, the board surface of the substrate 3).

The Φ-axis guide 22g2 is arranged on the upper surface of the other side of the head unit support portion 16, and moves the Φ-axis table 22t relative to the head unit support portion 16 in the X direction. The rotation sliding mechanism 22r is arranged on the upper surface of the Φ-axis table 22t, and connects the Φ-axis table 22t and the Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 22g1. By rotating the sliding mechanism 22r, the Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 22g1 relatively rotates relative to the Φ-axis table 22t around the axis orthogonal to the XY plane and passing through the rotating sliding mechanism 22r. The second end portion of the linear head base 21 is connected to the Φ-axis lateral slide guide 22g1. The second end portion is located at a position facing the first end portion and sandwiching the plurality of ink jet heads 24 . With the Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 22g1, the linear nozzle base 21 relatively moves relative to the rotary sliding mechanism 22r in the direction in which the Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 22g1 extends.

Moreover, on the upper surface of the other side of the head unit support part 16, the phi-axis motor 22m is attached through the phi-axis motor holder 22b. The phi-axis motor 22m is connected to the phi-axis ball screw 22s, and a nut portion not shown that is fitted to the phi-axis ball screw 22s is connected to the phi-axis table 22t. With this configuration, the Φ-axis table 22t is moved in the X direction by the rotation of the Φ-axis motor 22m. On the other hand, the linear head unit 20 relatively rotates around the axis of the Φ rotating shaft member 22 c arranged on one side of the head unit support portion 16 . That is, by the linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 , the linear head unit 20 relatively rotates with respect to the head unit support portion 16 . The angle after the linear head unit 20 is rotated in the Y direction is described as a second angle Φ. The second angle Φ is an angle formed by the Y direction and the longitudinal direction of the linear head unit 20 . FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 when the inclination of the linear head unit 20 is in the state shown in FIG. 3 .

In addition, the ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes an ink jet discharge control unit (not shown), which controls the discharge drive of each nozzle, and each of the nozzles is provided on all the ink jets mounted on the line head unit 20 . Head 24. The ink jet discharge control unit can be based on the output signal of the X-axis position detection unit 15 , the angle between the longitudinal direction of the ink jet head 24 and the X direction (that is, the first angle θ), and the longitudinal direction of the linear head unit 20 . The discharge timing of each nozzle is controlled with respect to the angle in the Y direction (that is, the second angle Φ). Each nozzle ejects ink downward.

In addition, in FIG. 3, the state in which four nozzles 24a1-24a4 were linearly arranged in the inkjet head 24a is shown. However, this figure simply shows the arrangement of the nozzles, and in the actual inkjet head 24, as shown in FIG. 15A , 400 nozzles 24aA1 to 24aA400 are arranged at regular intervals along the linear A column. In addition, 400 nozzles 24aB1 to 24aB400 are arranged at constant intervals along the linear B row. Columns A and B are arranged parallel to each other. Row A and Row B are examples of the "nozzle row".

＜Action＞ Next, the printing operation of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. (1) First, the operation of matching the pitch in the Y direction among all the nozzles of the linear head unit 20 to the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 to be printed will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 .

5 is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the nozzle positions and the print target positions when printing the display panel 2a having the first fineness Pd in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. 6 is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the nozzle positions and the print target positions when printing the display panel 2b having the second fineness Pd in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. 7 is a plan view illustrating a situation in which the nozzle position and the printing target position do not match when printing the display panel 2c having the third fineness Pd in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. 8 is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the nozzle position and the printing target position when printing the display panel 2c of the third fineness Pd in the ink jet printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5, Mp is the distance between the center axes of the link rotation shaft members 23c adjacent to each other in the fixed link 23a. MpΦ is the distance in the Y direction of Mp, and corresponds to the interval in the Y direction of the inkjet heads 24 adjacent to each other. MpΦ is represented by formula (1). Φ is the second angle.

MpΦ=Mp×cosΦ ... Formula (1)

In addition, Np is the distance between mutually adjacent nozzles in the arbitrary inkjet head 24. FIG. θ is the first angle. Hp corresponds to the Y-direction distance between nozzles adjacent to each other in one inkjet head 24 . Hp is represented by formula (2). Hp can be adjusted by changing the first angle θ to match Pp corresponding to the Y-direction distance between the same colors of the display panel 2 . Hp may be changed by a factor of 2 or more before and after the relative rotation of the ink jet head 24 with respect to the linear head base 21 .

Hp=Np×sinθ…Formula (2)

Here, in order to set the pitch in the Y direction in all the nozzles arranged in the linear head unit 20 to be equal to Hp, it is necessary to satisfy the formula (3). Therefore, MpΦ is adjusted by changing the second angle Φ according to the formula (1). n is the number of nozzles required for printing in an arbitrary ink jet head 24 (the details will be described later).

MpΦ=n×Hp...Formula (3)

Moreover, the area|region (printing width in the Y direction) which discharges ink to the printing surface which moves is made into Pw. When the number of nozzles arranged linearly in one ink jet head 24 is Nn, Pw is represented by the formula (4).

Pw=Nn×Hp…Formula (4)

The state of the linear head unit 20 shown in FIG. 5 shows a state where Mp corresponding to the distance between the link rotating shaft members 23c is n times the pitch (Pp) between the same colors of the display panel 2 (in FIG. 3 ). 4 times), and the printing width (Pw) is the same as Mp.

In addition, the first angle θ of the ink jet head 24 shown in FIG. 5 is a state in which the pitch in the Y direction among all the nozzles arranged in the linear head unit 20 can be set to be equal to Hp and minimized. That is, the first angle θ of the inkjet head 24 shown in FIG. 5 is a state in which ink can be applied most precisely in one scan. When the first angle θ of the ink jet head 24 is smaller than the angle shown in FIG. 5 , there is a place where the pitch in the Y direction of all the nozzles arranged in the linear head unit 20 becomes wider than Hp. Therefore, since printing cannot be completed in one scan, it is necessary to perform printing by repeating a plurality of scans.

In FIGS. 2 to 4 , although only four nozzles are simply shown in one inkjet head 24 , the nozzles of the inkjet head 24 actually used in Embodiments 1 to 3 are shown in FIG. 15A . 400 nozzles are arranged in each of A row and B row. In the present embodiment, the nozzles in row A are used among the two rows in FIG. 15A . In addition, the first fineness Pd of the display panel 2a shown in FIG. 5 is 440ppi (pixels per inch). Hereinafter, the case where the display panel 2a is printed using the line head unit 20 in which the ink jet head 24 of FIG. 15A is arranged will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15A , the ink jet heads 24 are set to Np=0.16933333mm (=169.33333µm), and are set to Nn=400 as described above. In addition, the linear head unit 20 is set to Mp=23090.909 µm. Therefore, when the inkjet head θ rotation mechanism 29 is controlled to rotate the inkjet head 24 to θ=19.93227deg, Hp=57.727273µm (formula (2)).

At this time, Mp/Hp=400, and Mp becomes an integral multiple of Hp. Therefore, by setting the second angle Φ to 0deg in the formula (1), MpΦ=Mp becomes MpΦ=Mp, and the formula (3) is established. Therefore, the linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 is controlled to set the second angle Φ to 0°. At this time, n=400.

In addition, at this time, according to the formula (4), Pw=23090.90 µm. Therefore, it becomes Pw=Mp. In addition, since the formula (3) is established, the pitch in the Y direction among all the nozzles arranged in the linear head unit 20 is equal to Hp.

When printing on the display panel 2a is performed by the line head unit 20 thus set, the Y-direction distance (Pp) corresponding to the same color on the display panel 2a becomes equal to Hp (that is, Pp=Hp=57.72726µm). Therefore, the fineness Pd of the display panel 2a becomes 440 ppi according to the formula (5), which corresponds to the first fineness Pd.

Pd=25400/Pp ... Formula (5)

Also, in this case, the nozzles adjacent to each other along the printing direction (X direction) do not exist. That is, all nozzles are used for printing. Since 400 nozzles are formed in the inkjet head 24 as described above, the number of nozzles used for printing in one inkjet head 24 is 400. In addition, this point can be represented by n shown in Formula (3). That is, n shows the number of nozzles required for printing in one ink jet head 24 .

Next, in the present embodiment, the case of printing the display panel 2b having the second fineness Pd using the line head unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . The second fineness Pd was 220ppi.

When the fineness Pd is 220ppi, it becomes Pp=115.454545µm according to the formula (5). Since Hp=Pp is set, it is set to θ=42.98588deg according to formula (2). In addition, since Pw=46181.8 µm according to the formula (4), Pw/Mp=2. Therefore, since Mp/Hp=200 (=n), Mp becomes an integral multiple of Hp. Therefore, formula (3) is satisfied by setting the second angle Φ=0deg. In this case, the pitch in the Y direction among all the nozzles arranged in the linear head unit 20 is equal to Hp. According to these, it is only necessary to control the inkjet head θ rotation mechanism 29 to position the inkjet head 24 at θ=42.98588deg, and control the linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 to position the linear head unit 20 at Φ=0deg. .

In addition, in this case, since Pw/Mp=2, as shown in FIG. 6, the nozzles of the inkjet head 24 adjacent to each other along the printing direction (X direction) exist. Therefore, even if the ink is not ejected from one of the nozzles, the defect of one of the nozzles can be filled by ejecting ink from the other nozzle. In other words, it is not necessary to use all the nozzles for printing in one inkjet head 24 . In this case, the number of nozzles required for printing in one inkjet head 24 is n=200. As shown in FIG. 6 , the areas Pw in which two inkjet heads 24 adjacent to each other among the plurality of inkjet heads 24 discharge ink on the moving printing surface overlap each other. For example, the printing area Pw1 of the inkjet head 24b overlaps with half of the printing area Pw2 of the inkjet head 24c. In addition, not limited to this, the printing area Pw1 of the inkjet head 24b may be overlapped more than half of the printing area Pw2 of the inkjet head 24c.

Next, in the present embodiment, the case of printing the display panel 2c having the third fineness Pd using the line head unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 . The third fineness Pd is 222ppi.

When the fineness Pd is 222ppi, it becomes Pp=114.414414µm according to the formula (5). Since Hp=Pp is set, it is set to θ=42.50665deg according to formula (2). In addition, in the case of the second angle Φ=0deg, Pw=45765.76577 µm according to the formula (4), so Pw/Mp=1.9819812. Also, since Mp/Hp=201.8181, Mp is not an integral multiple of Hp. Therefore, in the second angle Φ=0deg, the formula (3) is not satisfied.

Here, the second angle Φ is adjusted so that Mp becomes an integral multiple of Hp. Hereinafter, the case where MpΦ is set to 201 times of Hp, that is, set to n=201 in the formula (3), will be described. It is set to n=201 because the integer will be the closest integer smaller than Mp/Hp (=201.8181) when the second angle Φ=0deg.

When n=201, it becomes MpΦ=201×Hp=22997.29µm according to formula (3). Here, since Mp=23090.9µm, the second angle is Φ=5.160897deg according to the formula (1).

In addition, the offset amount Δp in the Y direction of the nozzles of the inkjet head 24a and the nozzles of the inkjet head 24b shown in FIG. 7 in the state of the second angle Φ=0 and the state of the second angle Φ=5.160897deg is shown as follows .

Δp=(201.8181-201)×Hp=93.60242μm

Based on these, the inkjet head θ rotation mechanism 29 is controlled to position the inkjet head 24 at θ=42.50665deg. In addition, the linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 is controlled to position the linear head unit 20 at Φ=5.1608970° ( FIG. 8 ). Thereby, the pitches in the Y direction in all the nozzles arranged in the linear head unit 20 can be matched to Hp (=114.4144 µm). Therefore, since it becomes Pp=114.414414µm, the fineness Pd becomes 222ppi. In this case, since n=201, 201 nozzles are used for printing in one inkjet head 24 .

As described above, as shown in FIG. 8 , by setting the first angle θ according to the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 , the Y-direction distance ( Hp). In addition, by setting the second angle Φ according to the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 , the intervals in the width direction (Y direction) of the plurality of inkjet heads 24 can be adjusted. Thereby, the pitch in the Y direction in all the nozzles arranged in the linear head unit 20 can be matched to the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 .

Heretofore, the method for adjusting the pitch of the nozzles in the fineness Pd=440ppi, 220ppi, and 222ppi has been described. Here, the second angle Φ in the fineness Pd of the low-resolution side (220-230ppi) and the high-resolution side (430-440ppi) and the number of nozzles used for printing (hereinafter referred to as the number of nozzles used) The calculation results of are shown in Figure 17A, Figure 17B, Figure 18A, and Figure 18B.

FIG. 17A is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the second angle Φ of the linear head unit 20 (low fineness side). FIG. 17B is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the number of nozzles used in the ink jet head 24 (low fineness side). 18A is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the second angle Φ of the linear head unit 20 (high-definition side). 18B is a graph (high-definition side) showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the number of nozzles used in the inkjet head 24 .

In FIGS. 17A and 17B , when the fineness Pd=220ppi (second fineness Pd), as described above, the second angle Φ of the linear head unit 20 is 0deg ( FIG. 17A ), and the number of nozzles used is 200 (Fig. 17B).

When the fineness Pd is gradually increased from 220 ppi, the number of nozzles used is maintained at 200 and the second angle Φ is gradually increased. In addition, the fineness Pd when the number of nozzles used is 200 and the second angle Φ is around 6 degrees is almost the same as the fineness Pd when the number of nozzles is 201 and the second angle Φ is 0. As described above, when the fineness Pd is increased, the number of nozzles to be used is increased, and the second angle Φ is repeatedly increased and decreased.

18A and 18B, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B on the low-definition side, as the fineness Pd increases, the number of nozzles used increases, and the second angle Φ is repeated. increase or decrease. On the high-definition side, for example, the fineness Pd at the time point when the number of nozzles is 391 and the second angle Φ is around 4deg is used, and the fineness Pd at the time point when the number of nozzles is 392 and the second angle Φ is 0 is used. become almost the same. As described above, when the fineness Pd is in the range of 220ppi to 440ppi, it is sufficient if the range of the second angle Φ is set to 0 to 6deg in advance.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 18A , the fineness Pd at which the second angle Φ=0 exists approximately every 1 ppi. That is, the fineness Pd at which the linear head unit 20 does not need to be rotated can be printed about every 1 ppi.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the maximum fineness Pd that can be applied by one scan is designed to be 440 ppi as shown in FIG. 5 , but if it can be applied by a plurality of printing scans, it can correspond to a higher level. Fine panel.

Also, on the low-resolution side, although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the fineness Pd is 220ppi, in the setting of the fineness Pd shown in FIG. 1 to use, it can also correspond to 220ppi. In this case, by increasing the first angle θ and further adjusting the second angle Φ, it is possible to correspond to 110ppi. In addition, in this case, by increasing the pitch of the nozzles to be used, the fineness Pd can be further reduced. In this way, it is possible to correspond to any fineness Pd below 440ppi by designing it to correspond to anything from 440ppi to 220ppi, which is half of the nozzles in the state where all the nozzles are used.

In addition, in the ink jet head 24 used in this example, as shown in FIG. 15A , the column B is arranged in parallel with the column A at a distance of 8.0433 mm. Column B is staggered by 84.66667 µm to column A in the direction along column A. 15B is a plan view illustrating the smallest deviation ΔY in the Y direction between the nozzles arranged in row A and the nozzles arranged in row B when the inkjet head 24 is inclined by the first angle θ.

17C and 18C show the calculation results of the offset amount ΔY on the low-resolution side (220 to 230 ppi) and the high-resolution side (430 to 440 ppi). In FIGS. 17C and 18C , in the fineness Pd of the offset amount ΔY=0 indicated by the point 71 , the nozzles of row A and the nozzles of row B are adjacent to each other along the printing direction (X direction).

In this way, when a plurality of rows are provided in the inkjet head 24 and the fineness Pd at which the offset amount ΔY becomes 0 is selected, all the nozzles in one row can be set not to be used for printing. Therefore, since it is possible to cope with the inconvenience that ink is not discharged from the nozzles of another row, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the operation rate of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 .

(2) Next, the calibration method of the display panel 2 will be described using FIG. 2 .

The display panel 2 is adsorbed on the substrate adsorption stage 11 and arranged parallel to the XY plane. Next, the positions of calibration marks, pixels, etc., not shown, in the display panel 2 are detected by a calibration camera not shown. Further, a Yα drive mechanism (not shown) below the substrate suction table 11 is operated to rotate the substrate suction table 11 so that the arrangement of pixels is parallel to the printing direction (X direction).

In addition, the relative positions of the nozzle and the substrate 3 in the X direction and the Y direction are measured and adjusted with a calibration camera. At this time, the substrate (not shown) for testing is printed by the linear head unit 20 in which the first angle θ and the second angle Φ are adjusted in advance. The positional relationship between the nozzle and the calibration camera is corrected by measuring the pixels printed on the test substrate with the calibration camera. The positional offset of the pixel of the display panel 2 and the position of the nozzle is adjusted by the calibrated camera. In this case, the positional deviation with respect to the Y direction is adjusted by the Yα drive mechanism. In addition, the positional deviation with respect to the X direction is adjusted by the X-axis slider 9 . In addition, the positional relationship between the calibration camera and the nozzle is confirmed by performing test printing with a combination of the first angle θ and the second angle Φ of one type as described above, and measuring the pixels with the calibration camera.

Then, the first angle θ and the second angle Φ set in accordance with the target fineness Pd are input to the ink jet discharge control unit. The ink jet discharge control unit performs calculations based on the input first angle θ and second angle Φ so that the discharge timing of each nozzle can be matched to the pixel position in the X direction of the display panel.

(3) Finally, the actual printing operation will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . In the ink jet printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 , one linear head unit 20 is arranged. The above-mentioned one linear head unit 20 is configured to discharge one color of ink. Therefore, when the display panel 2 as shown in FIG. 1 needs to print three colors, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the three linear head units 20 that eject ink of different tones are arranged along the printing direction ( X direction) are arranged in a row.

For each of the three line head units 20, the pitch of the nozzles in the Y direction is adjusted in (1) above, and the relative position of the display panel 2 to be printed and the nozzles is adjusted in (2) above according to the color tone. Next, the X-axis slider 9 is scanned from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 2 . At this time, the display panel 2 on the substrate suction stage 11 passes under the ink jet heads 24 of the three linear head units 20 at a constant speed.

When the display panel 2 passes under the ink jet heads 24 of the three line head units 20, each nozzle of the three line head units 20 discharges droplets according to the discharge command sent from the ink jet discharge control unit. Thereby, a display panel having the target fineness Pd is printed.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described using FIGS. 9 to 13 . The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that the ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of linear head units 20 .

In the linear head unit 20 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the distance Mp between the link rotating shaft members 23c is set to Mp=46181.82µm (=46.18182mm), which is twice the above-mentioned first embodiment. When the width of the ink jet head 24 to be used is wide, or when the link rotating shaft member 23c is made larger in order to make the link rotating shaft member 23c a more precise member, it is conceivable to make the Mp set larger. Other unexplained matters are the same as those in the first embodiment.

When Mp is set in this way, to correspond to the fineness Pd=220ppi (ie, Pp=Hp=115.4545µm), the first angle θ=42.98588deg is set according to formula (2).

In addition, Pw becomes Pw=46181.82µm (=46.18182mm) according to the formula (4). In this case, since Pw=Mp, all the nozzles of the ink jet head 24 are used for printing.

In the present embodiment, when the resolution Pd higher than 220ppi is to be supported, the first angle θ is further reduced. In this case, between the adjacent inkjet heads 24, there is a place where the pitch of the nozzles in the Y direction becomes wider than Hp.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where the ink jet head 24 is rotated to correspond to the fineness of Pd=440ppi (that is, Pp=Hp=57.72727µm). In this case, the first angle θ is set to θ=19.93227deg according to the formula (2). In addition, the printing width Pw becomes Pw=23090.90µm (=23.09090mm). In this case, between the adjacent inkjet heads 24 with Pw=(1/2)×Mp, a non-printed area with the same width as Pw appears (the pitch of the nozzles in the Y direction becomes smaller than Hp wider area). The areas 30a, 30c, 30e, 30g, and 30i shown in FIG. 10 are areas to be printed. In addition, the regions 30b, 30d, 30f, and 30h are regions that are not printed.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 , the sub-line head unit 20B is arranged to complement the area not printed by the main line head unit 20A. Thereby, it is possible to create an area that does not appear to be unprinted. The main line head unit 20A is an example of the "first line head unit". The sub-line head unit 20B is an example of the "second line head unit".

The main line head unit 20A and the sub line head unit 20B constitute a double line head unit 43 . The bilinear head unit 43 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . In addition, the ink jet printing apparatus 1 in which the bilinear head unit 43 is mounted is shown in FIG. 13 .

＜Constitution＞ In this Example, the overhead frame 40 for linear head units is provided. The overhead line 40 for the line head unit rotates the two line head units 20A and 20B at the same time. In addition, the present embodiment further includes: an overhead Φ rotation mechanism 42; The linear head unit transfer mechanism 50 is an example of the "moving mechanism portion".

First, the configuration of the overhead Φ rotation mechanism 42 will be described. The elevated Φ rotating mechanism 42 includes an elevated Φ rotating shaft member 42c, a Φ-axis guide 42g2, a Φ-axis table 42t, a rotation sliding mechanism 42r, and a Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 42g1.

The elevated Φ rotating shaft member 42 c is arranged on the upper surface of one side of the head unit support portion 16 provided on both sides of the flat plate 17 . The overhead Φ rotating shaft member 42c connects the head unit support portion 16 and the first end portion of the overhead head 40 for the linear head unit. By the overhead Φ rotating shaft member 42c, the linear head unit overhead 40 relatively rotates with respect to the head unit support portion 16 around the center axis of the overhead Φ rotating shaft member 42c orthogonal to the XY plane.

The Φ-axis guide 42g2 is arranged on the upper surface of the other side of the head unit support portion 16, and moves the Φ-axis table 42t relative to the head unit support portion 16 in the X direction. The rotation sliding mechanism 42r is arranged on the upper surface of the Φ-axis table 42t, and connects the Φ-axis table 42t and the Φ-axis lateral slide guide 42g1. By rotating the sliding mechanism 42r, the Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 42g1 relatively rotates relative to the Φ-axis table 42t around the axis orthogonal to the XY plane and passing through the rotating sliding mechanism 42r. The second end portion of the linear head unit overhead 40 is connected to the Φ-axis lateral slide guide 42g1. By the Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 42g1, the linear head unit overhead 40 relatively moves relative to the rotary sliding mechanism 42r in the direction in which the Φ-axis lateral sliding guide 42g1 extends.

Moreover, on the upper surface of the other side of the head unit support part 16, the phi-axis motor 42m is attached through the phi-axis motor holder 42b. The Φ-axis motor 42m is connected to the Φ-axis ball screw 42s, and a nut portion not shown that is fitted to the Φ-axis ball screw 42s is connected to the Φ-axis table 42t. With this configuration, the Φ-axis table 42t is moved in the X direction by the rotation of the Φ-axis motor 42m. On the other hand, the linear head unit overhead 40 relatively rotates around the axis of the overhead Φ rotating shaft member 42 c arranged on one side of the head unit support portion 16 . That is, by the overhead Φ rotating mechanism 42 , the overhead 40 for the linear head unit is inclined with respect to the head unit support portion 16 .

The sub-line head unit 20B is arranged on one side of the overhead line head unit 40 . The main line head unit 20A is arranged on the other side of the overhead line 40 for the line head unit. With these arrangements, the two linear head units 20A and 20B are rotated by the rotation of the linear head unit elevated frame 40 .

Next, the configuration of the linear head unit transfer mechanism 50 will be described. The line head unit transfer mechanism 50 moves the sub line head unit 20B along one side surface of the line head unit elevated frame 40 .

On the side surface of one side of the elevated frame 40 for the linear sprinkler unit, a linear sprinkler unit transfer axis table 50t is arranged through the linear sprinkler unit transfer axis guide 50g, and the linear sprinkler unit transfer axis guide 50g is It extends along the side surface of one side of the overhead line 40 for the head unit. In the overhead line 40 for the line head unit, the line head unit transfer shaft motor 50m is arranged through the line head unit transfer shaft motor holder 50b. The linear head unit transfer shaft motor 50m is connected to the linear head unit transfer shaft ball screw 50s. The nut part not shown which moves along the linear head unit transfer shaft ball screw 50s is connected to the linear head unit transfer shaft table 50t.

In addition, the position of the line head unit transfer axis table 50t is controlled by the line head unit transfer axis control unit not shown. Specifically, the linear extruder unit transfer axis control assembly performs feedback control on the driving amount of the linear extruder unit transfer axis motor 50m on the linear extruder unit transfer axis table 50t, so as to detect the linear extruder unit transfer axis. The detection result of the linear head unit transfer shaft table position detection means, which is not shown, of the position of the shaft carrier table 50t becomes the target position of the linear head unit transfer shaft table 50t.

In addition, the sub-line head unit 20B is fixed to the line head unit transfer shaft table 50t. On the other hand, the main line head unit 20A is fixed to the other side surface of the line head unit elevated frame 40 through the line head unit mounting plate 41 . That is, the line head unit transfer mechanism 50 relatively moves the sub line head unit 20B to the line head unit overhead 40 along the line head unit transfer shaft guide 50g.

＜Action＞ Next, the printing operation of the ink jet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the overhead Φ rotation mechanism 42 for adjusting the nozzle position of the main linear head unit 20A is the same as the operation of the linear nozzle unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the adjustment of the nozzle position of the main linear head unit 20A is omitted, and the adjustment of the nozzle position of the sub linear head unit 20B will be described.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the case where the fineness Pd of 220 ppi or more is supported, as shown in FIG. 11 , it is necessary for the regions 30b, 30d, 30f, 30h, and 30j not to be printed by the main line head unit 20A. This is supplemented by the sub-line head unit 20B.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a case where the display panel 2 is coated with the same fineness Pd as in FIG. 10 , that is, 440ppi (Pp=Hp=57.72727 μm). In this case, the first angle θ of the ink jet head 24 is set to θ=19.93227deg. Therefore, the printing width is Pw=23090.90µm (=23.09090mm). Furthermore, in this example, since Mp=46181.82 µm (=46.18182 mm) is set, the printing width Pw=(1/2)×Mp. Thereby, as described above, between the ink jet heads 24 adjacent to each other, a region that is not printed occurs.

Also, since Mp=800×Hp, Mp becomes an integral multiple of Hp. Therefore, the second angle Φ=0 is set. Specifically, it is adjusted to the second angle Φ=0 by the overhead Φ rotation mechanism 42 . In addition, regarding the ink jet head θ rotation mechanism 29 of each of the linear head units 20A and 20B, the first angle θ=19.93227deg is adjusted.

In addition, the position of the sub-line head unit 20B is adjusted by the line head unit transfer mechanism 50 . Specifically, the position of the sub-line head unit 20B is adjusted so that the regions 30b, 30d, 30f, 30h, and 30j that can be printed by the sub-line head unit 20B correspond to the regions 30b that are not printed by the main line head unit 20A , 30d, 30f, 30h, 30j, and the pitch of the nozzles in the Y direction becomes the same. The adjustment of the position of the nozzle of the sub-line head unit 20B is performed by measuring the pixels printed on the test substrate with a calibration camera, as in the first embodiment.

Next, the case where the fineness Pd=439.95ppi will be described using FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 shows a state in which the number of nozzles used for printing is reduced by one in the ink jet head 24 of the sub-line head unit 20B. Since the actual number of nozzles of the inkjet head 24 used for printing is 400, 399 nozzles are used for printing.

When the fineness is Pd=439.95ppi, it becomes Pp=Hp=57.733833µm according to the formula (5). In this case, the printing width Pw in the main linear head unit 20A becomes Pw=23093.533 µm according to the formula (4). On the other hand, in the sub-line head unit 20B, since 399 nozzles are used for printing, the printing width Pw of the sub-line head unit 20B is Pw=23035.799 µm. Therefore, the printing width Pw obtained by adding up the printing widths Pw of the linear head units 20A and 20B becomes Pw=46129.332 µm. The second angle Φ is set so that the total printing width Pw and MpΦ match.

In this case, the second angle Φ becomes Φ=2.731930deg according to the formula (1). On the other hand, the first angle θ becomes θ=19.934632deg according to the formula (2). The overhead Φ rotation mechanism 42 and the inkjet head θ rotation mechanism 29 are controlled so as to be the first angle θ and the second angle Φ calculated in this way.

In addition, as described above, the position of the sub-line head unit 20B is adjusted by the line head unit transfer mechanism 50 . That is, the regions 30b, 30d, 30f, 30h, 30j adjusted to be printable by the sub-line head unit 20B correspond to the regions 30b, 30d, 30f, 30h, 30j that are not printed by the main line head unit 20A, and The pitch of the nozzles in the Y direction becomes the same. Thereby, the fineness becomes Pd=439.95ppi.

Heretofore, the method for adjusting the pitch of the nozzles in the fineness Pd=440ppi and 439.95ppi has been described. Here, the second angle Φ in the fineness Pd on the low fineness side (220 to 230 ppi) and the fineness Pd on the high fineness side (430 to 440 ppi) and the number of nozzles used in the ink jet head 24 of the sub linear head unit 20B The calculation results are shown in Fig. 19A, Fig. 19B, Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B.

19A is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the second angle Φ of the linear head unit 20 (low fineness side). 19B is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the number of nozzles used in the sub-line head unit 20B (low fineness side). 20A is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the second angle Φ of the linear head unit 20 (high-definition side). 20B is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness Pd of the display panel 2 and the number of nozzles used in the sub-line head unit 20B (high-definition side).

In FIG. 19A , when the fineness Pd=220ppi, the second angle Φ=0. In addition, in FIG. 19B , the number of nozzles used is zero. In this case, it means that printing by the sub-line head unit 20B is unnecessary.

When the fineness Pd is gradually increased from 220 ppi, the number of nozzles used is maintained at 200 and the second angle Φ is gradually increased. The fineness Pd when the number of nozzles used is 0 and the second angle Φ is around 4deg is almost the same as the fineness Pd when the number of nozzles is 1 and the second angle Φ is 0. As described above, when the fineness Pd is increased, the number of nozzles to be used is increased, and the second angle Φ is repeatedly increased and decreased.

20A and 20B, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B on the low-definition side, as the fineness Pd increases, the number of nozzles used increases, and the second angle Φ increases as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B. Repeated additions and subtractions. On the high-definition side, for example, the fineness Pd at the time point when the number of nozzles is 382 and the second angle Φ is around 3deg is used, and the fineness Pd at the time point when the number of nozzles is 383 and the second angle Φ is 0 is used. become almost the same. As described above, in the range of the fineness Pd of 220ppi to 440ppi, it is sufficient that the range of the second angle Φ is set to 0 to 4deg in advance.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 20A , the second angle Φ=0, that is, the fineness Pd at which the rotary linear shower head unit 20 does not need to be rotated exists approximately every 0.5ppi. 17A and FIG. 19A in Embodiment 1 are compared, the period of the second angle Φ=0 in FIG. 19A is about half of the period of the second angle Φ=0 in FIG. 17A . This is because in Embodiment 1, the responsible section of 400 nozzles is adjusted in one nozzle unit, whereas in Embodiment 2, the in charge section of 800 nozzles is adjusted in one nozzle unit. Moreover, in Embodiment 2, compared with Embodiment 1, the maximum value of the second angle Φ can be reduced. 19C and 20C show the calculated results of the offset amount ΔY on the low-resolution side (220 to 230 ppi) and the high-resolution side (430 to 440 ppi).

(Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 will be described using FIG. 14 . In the point of adjusting the first angle θ, the θ-axis drive unit 26 is used in the first embodiment, whereas in the third embodiment, the both ends of the movable link 23b are driven by separate drive units. . Unexplained matters are the same as those in Embodiments 1 and 2.

In this embodiment, a movable link R drive motor 27m is attached to one side of the θ-axis table 25a through a movable link R drive motor bracket 27b. The movable link R drive ball screw 27s is connected to the movable link R drive motor 27m. The nut portion of the movable link R driving ball screw 27s is coupled to one end portion of the movable link 23b. The movable link R drive motor 27m is controlled by a not-shown movable link R drive shaft control unit. The movable link R drive shaft control unit feedback-controls the drive amount of the movable link R drive motor 27m so that the position of the movable link R drive shaft, not shown, which detects the position of one end of the movable link 23b is detected. The detection result of the detection means becomes the target position of the one end of the movable link 23b.

On the other hand, a movable link L drive motor 28m is attached to the other side of the θ-axis table 25a through a movable link L drive motor bracket 28b. The movable link L drive ball screw 28s is connected to the movable link L drive motor 28m. The nut portion of the movable link L driving ball screw 28s is coupled to the other end portion of the movable link 23b. The movable link L drive motor 28m is controlled by a not-shown movable link L drive shaft control unit. The movable link L drive shaft control unit feedback-controls the drive amount of the movable link L drive motor 28m so that the movable link L drive shaft (not shown) that detects the position of the end portion on the other side of the movable link 23b The detection result of the position detection means becomes the target position of the end portion on the other side of the movable link 23b. In addition, the movable link R drive shaft control unit and the movable link L drive shaft control unit can make the movement amount of the one end and the other end of the movable link 23b the same.

As described above, when the drive shafts are arranged at the ends on both sides of the movable link 23b, the movable link 23b can be driven with high accuracy compared to the case where one drive shaft is arranged as shown in the first embodiment. connecting rod 23b. Thereby, the ink jet head 24 can be rotated with higher precision.

In addition, in the present embodiment, although the ink jet head 24 having 400 nozzles formed in one row as shown in FIG. 15A is used, it may be changed to use the inkjet head 24 formed in one row as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B . Inkjet head 24 with 800 nozzles. When the first angle θ corresponding to the fineness Pd=440ppi is set, since the number of nozzles used is 400, the ink jet head 24 having 800 nozzles formed in one row may not be used for printed nozzles. In addition, at this time, in the ink jet heads 24 adjacent to each other, there are nozzles adjacent to each other along the printing direction (X direction). Therefore, it is possible to cope with the inconvenience that ink is not discharged from one of the nozzles adjacent to each other.

The condition that can correspond to this undesirable state is represented by the formula (6). When the fineness is Pd=440ppi, it becomes Pp=Hp=57.72727µm according to the formula (5). When the number of nozzles formed in one inkjet head 24 is 800, Pw=4681.818 µm is obtained according to the formula (4). Also, set Mp=23090.909 µm. In this case, since the formula (6) is satisfied, there are nozzles corresponding to the inconvenience of not discharging ink.

Pw≧2×Mp…Formula (6)

In addition, in this embodiment, the link rotation shaft member 23c is arrange|positioned at the both ends of the inkjet head 24, respectively. Here, the ink jet head 24 may need to be replaced due to nozzle clogging or the like. Therefore, the linear head unit 20 may further include a mounting plate (not shown) to which the inkjet heads 24 can be attached and detached. In this case, the link rotation shaft members 23c are arranged at both ends of the mounting plate. The ink jet head 24 is attached to this mounting plate so as to be detachable and replaceable. In addition, the ink jet head 24 needs to be accurately positioned with respect to the link rotating shaft member 23c. Therefore, the ink jet head 24 is mounted on the mounting plate using expansion pins or the like.

In addition, although the number of the inkjet heads 24 of the linear head unit 20 in this embodiment is 10, according to the method of the present invention, even if the number of the inkjet heads 24 is increased, the rotation of the inkjet heads 24 can be adjusted. The number of the linear head unit Φ rotation mechanism 22 and the ink jet head θ rotation mechanism 29 does not increase.

As described above, according to the ink jet printing apparatuses of Embodiments 1 to 3, even if the number of the ink jet heads 24 to be used is increased in order to widen the width of the object to be printed, it is possible without increasing the mechanism for driving the ink jet heads 24. In this case, the pitch in the direction orthogonal to the printing direction of the nozzles is arbitrarily adjusted.

industrial availability The inkjet printing apparatus according to the aforementioned aspect of the present invention is effective for applying ink to high-definition and fixed-pitch printing objects, and can be applied to the printing of organic EL emitters, hole transport layers or electron transport layers, or It is an ink jet printing apparatus for printing color filters, etc.

1: Inkjet printing device 2, 2a, 2b, 2c: Display panel 3: Substrate 3a: red pixel 3b: blue pixel 3c: green pixel 9: X-axis slider 11: Substrate adsorption table 12: Substrate transfer platform 13: X-axis guide 14: X-axis linear motor 15: X-axis position detection component 16: Nozzle unit support 17: Tablet 20: Linear nozzle unit 20A: Main Line Sprinkler Unit 20B: Sub-Linear Sprinkler Unit 21: Linear sprinkler base 22: Linear nozzle unit Φ rotation mechanism 22b: φ axis motor bracket 22c: Linear nozzle Φ rotating shaft member 22g1: Φ axis lateral sliding guide 22g2: φ shaft guide 22m: φ axis motor 22r: Rotary sliding mechanism 22s: Φ-axis ball screw 22t: Φ axis table 23: Parallel linkage 23a: Fixed connecting rod 23b: Movable link 23c: connecting rod rotating shaft member 23g: Lateral sliding guide of movable link 24, 24a～24j: Inkjet head 24a1~24a4, 24aA1~24aA800, 24aB1~24aB800: Nozzle 25: Theta axis sliding mechanism 25a: Theta axis table 25g: theta axis guide 26: Theta axis drive part 26b: Theta-axis motor bracket 26m: theta axis motor 26s: theta-axis ball screw 27b: Movable link R drive motor bracket 27m: Movable link R drive motor 27s: Movable link R drive ball screw 28b: Movable link L drive motor bracket 28m: Movable link L drive motor 28s: Movable link L drive ball screw 29: Inkjet head θ rotation mechanism 30a~30j: Area 40: Elevated rack for linear sprinkler unit 41: Linear nozzle unit mounting plate 42: Elevated Φ rotating mechanism 42b: φ axis motor bracket 42c: Elevated Φ rotating shaft member 42g1: Φ axis lateral sliding guide 42g2: Φ shaft guide 42m: φ axis motor 42r: Rotary sliding mechanism 42s: Φ axis ball screw 42t: Φ axis table 43: Double linear nozzle unit 50: Linear nozzle unit transfer mechanism 50b: Linear nozzle unit transfer shaft motor bracket 50g: Linear nozzle unit transfer shaft guide 50m: Linear nozzle unit transfer shaft motor 50s: Linear nozzle unit transfer shaft ball screw 50t: Linear nozzle unit transfer shaft table Hp, Mp, MpΦ, Np: distance Pd: fineness Pp: Pitch Pw: printing width Pw1, Pw2: printing area X,Y,α: direction θ: 1st angle Φ: 2nd angle Δp,ΔY: offset

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display panel. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a linear head unit and a Φ rotation mechanism of the linear head unit mounted on the inkjet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the linear head unit has been rotated in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the relationship between the nozzle position and the printing target position when printing the display panel of the first fineness in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the relationship between the nozzle position and the printing target position when printing the display panel of the second fineness in the inkjet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a situation in which the nozzle position and the printing target position do not match when printing the display panel of the third fineness in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 . 8 is a plan view showing the relationship between the nozzle position and the printing target position when printing a display panel with a third fineness in the ink jet printing apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . 9 is a schematic plan view of a linear head unit mounted on the ink jet printing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the inclination adjustment is performed to meet the first fineness in one linear head unit mounted in the inkjet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 9 . 11 is a plan view showing a double line head unit in which two line heads are combined in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 9 so as to enable printing of the first fineness. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the position of the twin-line head unit has been adjusted in order to perform fourth-fine printing in the inkjet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 9 . Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a linear head mounted on the ink jet printing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention and a rotating mechanism for rotating the linear head. 15A is a plan view showing the positions of the nozzles of the ink jet heads mounted on the line heads of Embodiments 1 to 3. FIG. 15B is a plan view showing the positional displacement in the Y direction of the nozzles in the A row and the nozzles in the B row when the ink jet heads mounted on the linear head unit are inclined at an inclination θ. 16A is a plan view showing the nozzle positions of an ink jet head having 800 nozzles in a row mounted on the linear head unit. 16B is a diagram showing Y of the nozzles of row A and the nozzles of row B when the ink jet head having 800 nozzles formed in one row mounted on the linear head unit of Embodiments 1 to 3 is inclined at an inclination θ Orientation position offset plan view. 17A is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the rotation angle of the linear head unit in Embodiments 1 and 3 (low fineness side). 17B is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the number of nozzles used in the ink jet head in the linear head unit in Embodiments 1 and 3 (low fineness side). 17C is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the shift amount of the nozzle positions of the nozzles in the B row in Embodiments 1 and 3 (low fineness side). 18A is a graph (high-definition side) showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the rotation angle of the linear head unit in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3. FIG. 18B is a graph (high-definition side) showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the number of nozzles used in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3. FIG. 18C is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the shift amount of the nozzle positions of the nozzles in the B row in Embodiments 1 and 3 (high-definition side). 19A is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the rotation angle of the linear head unit in Embodiment 2 (low fineness side). 19B is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the number of nozzles used in the ink jet head in the sub-line head unit in Embodiment 2 (low fineness side). 19C is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the shift amount of the nozzle positions of the nozzles in the B column in Embodiment 2 (low fineness side). 20A is a graph (high-definition side) showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the rotation angle of the corresponding linear head in Embodiment 2. FIG. 20B is a graph (high-definition side) showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the number of nozzles used in the ink jet head in the sub-line head in Embodiment 2. FIG. 20C is a graph showing the relationship between the fineness of the display panel and the displacement amount of the nozzle positions of the nozzles in the B column in Embodiment 2 (high-definition side).

20: Linear nozzle unit

21: Linear sprinkler base

22: Linear nozzle unit Φ rotation mechanism

22b: φ axis motor bracket

22c: Linear nozzle Φ rotating shaft member

22g1: Φ axis lateral sliding guide

22g2: φ shaft guide

22m: φ axis motor

22r: Rotary sliding mechanism

22s: Φ-axis ball screw

22t: Φ axis table

23: Parallel linkage

23a: Fixed connecting rod

23b: Movable link

23c: connecting rod rotating shaft member

23g: Lateral sliding guide of movable link

24,24a~24j: Inkjet head

24a1~24a4: Nozzle

25: Theta axis sliding mechanism

25a: Theta axis table

25g: theta axis guide

26: Theta axis drive part

26b: Theta-axis motor bracket

26m: theta axis motor

26s: theta-axis ball screw

29: Inkjet head θ rotation mechanism

Hp, Mp, MpΦ, Np: distance

X,Y: direction

θ: 1st angle

Φ: 2nd angle

Claims (15)

An ink jet printing device, comprising: A first linear head unit includes a first base member and a plurality of first inkjet heads, wherein the first inkjet heads are attached to the first base member and are attached so as to be able to revolve around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface. and the first base member is relatively rotated, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged linearly to apply the same type of ink; and The linear head unit rotation mechanism portion relatively rotates the first linear head unit with respect to the printing surface around an axis line orthogonal to the printing surface. As claimed in claim 1, the inkjet printing device further has: A second linear head unit includes a second base member and a plurality of second inkjet heads, wherein the second inkjet heads are attached to the second base member and are attached so as to be able to surround a surface perpendicular to the printing surface. The axis rotates relatively to the second base member, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged linearly to apply the same type of ink; and The moving mechanism portion relatively moves the first linear head unit with respect to the second linear head unit in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the printing surface moves. The inkjet printing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first linear nozzle unit further comprises: a connecting member for connecting one end of each of the plurality of first ink jet heads, The first base member, the plurality of first inkjet heads, and the connecting member constitute a parallel link mechanism. The inkjet printing device according to claim 3, wherein the first linear nozzle unit further comprises: The inkjet head rotation mechanism portion relatively rotates the plurality of first inkjet heads with respect to the first base member by relatively moving the coupling member with respect to the first base member. The inkjet printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein two first inkjet heads adjacent to each other among the plurality of first inkjet heads overlap areas where the ink is discharged from the moving printing surface. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the two first inkjet heads applying the same kind of inks overlap each other by more than half of the areas where the inks are ejected on the moving printing surface. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the nozzles arranged in one of the two first inkjet heads that apply the same kind of ink and the nozzles arranged in the other one of the two first inkjet heads The nozzles are configured so as to be located in the direction of movement along the printing surface. The inkjet printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distance between two nozzles that are arranged in one of the plurality of first inkjet heads and are adjacent to each other is equal to the distance between the plurality of first inkjet heads. The relative rotation of the inkjet head with respect to the first base member can be varied by a factor of two or more, and the distance is a distance along a direction in which the plurality of first inkjet heads are arranged. The inkjet printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of first inkjet heads are each provided with a plurality of nozzle rows formed of the plurality of nozzles, The nozzles arranged in one of the plurality of nozzle rows and the nozzles arranged in the other of the plurality of nozzle rows are configured to be able to be positioned in the direction of movement along the printing surface. The inkjet printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first linear nozzle unit further comprises: a mounting plate for detachably mounting the plurality of first ink jet heads, The plurality of first inkjet heads are mounted on the first linear head unit through the mounting plate. A printing method is a printing method using an inkjet printing device, wherein the inkjet printing device includes: A first linear head unit includes a first base member and a plurality of first inkjet heads, wherein the first inkjet heads are attached to the first base member and are attached so as to be able to revolve around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface. and the first base member is relatively rotated, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged linearly to apply the same type of ink; and a linear head unit rotation mechanism for relatively rotating the first linear head unit with respect to the printing surface around an axis perpendicular to the printing surface, The aforementioned printing method includes the following steps: rotating the plurality of first inkjet heads to set the distance between the plurality of nozzles in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the printing surface moves to a distance corresponding to a predetermined fineness; The first linear head unit is rotated by the linear head unit rotation mechanism to rotate two adjacent ones of the plurality of first ink jet heads in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the printing surface moves. The distances of the first ink jet heads are set to correspond to the distances of the aforementioned predetermined fineness; and The printing surface is moved to the first linear head unit, and ink is ejected from the plurality of nozzles toward the printing surface to perform printing. As claimed in the printing method of item 11, it further comprises the following steps: The first linear head unit is rotated by the linear head unit rotating mechanism, so that among the two first ink jet heads adjacent to each other among the plurality of first ink jet heads, one of the first ink jet heads is arranged. The nozzles of one inkjet head and the nozzles of the other first inkjet head are positioned along the moving direction of the printing surface. The printing method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inkjet printing device includes a plurality of nozzle rows formed by the plurality of nozzles in each of the plurality of first inkjet heads, The aforementioned printing method further comprises the following steps: The first linear head unit is rotated by the linear head unit rotation mechanism, so that the nozzles arranged in one of the plurality of nozzle rows and the nozzles arranged in the other of the plurality of nozzle rows are rotated A position in the direction of movement along the aforementioned printing surface. The inkjet printing device of claim 4, wherein the aforementioned inkjet head rotation mechanism comprises: The first motor relatively moves the connecting member with respect to the first base member. As claimed in the ink jet printing device of claim 1, it further has a flat plate, The aforementioned first base member has: end 1; and The second end portion is opposed to the first end portion and sandwiches the plurality of first ink jet heads, The first end portion is rotatably supported by the flat plate, The aforementioned linear nozzle unit rotation mechanism includes: The second motor rotates the first base member around the first end by moving the second end with respect to the flat plate.

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