WO2005021273A1 - 静電吸引型流体吐出方法およびその装置 - Google Patents
静電吸引型流体吐出方法およびその装置 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005021273A1 WO2005021273A1 PCT/JP2004/012027 JP2004012027W WO2005021273A1 WO 2005021273 A1 WO2005021273 A1 WO 2005021273A1 JP 2004012027 W JP2004012027 W JP 2004012027W WO 2005021273 A1 WO2005021273 A1 WO 2005021273A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- nozzle
- ink
- discharge
- collecting
- fluid
- Prior art date
Links
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/07—Ink jet characterised by jet control
- B41J2/075—Ink jet characterised by jet control for many-valued deflection
- B41J2/095—Ink jet characterised by jet control for many-valued deflection electric field-control type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/06—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by electric or magnetic field
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
- B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
- B41J2/16511—Constructions for cap positioning
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/18—Ink recirculation systems
- B41J2/185—Ink-collectors; Ink-catchers
Definitions
- the present invention provides a method of charging a fluid such as ink supplied into a nozzle by electrostatic attraction.
- the present invention relates to an electrostatic suction type fluid discharging method for discharging onto a target object and an apparatus therefor.
- the above ink is the ink volume density
- V is the droplet volume
- V is the droplet velocity
- Cd is the drag coefficient
- p air is the air density
- d is the ink droplet radius
- Cd is the ink volume density
- the influence of the droplet radius has a greater effect on the kinetic energy of the ink droplet on the left side than on the viscous resistance of air on the right side. For this reason, In the case of one speed, the smaller the droplet, the faster the droplet speed is reduced, and the droplet cannot reach the recording medium separated by a predetermined distance, or even if the droplet reaches, the landing accuracy deteriorates.
- the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric element is closely related to the amount of ink ejected, that is, the size of the ink droplet. To reduce the size of the droplet, it is necessary to reduce the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric element. For this reason, it is difficult to improve the ejection energy per unit volume of the ejection droplet.
- the ejected droplet receives an electrostatic force during flight separately from the ejection energy. For this reason, the discharge energy per unit volume can be reduced, and application to the discharge of minute droplets becomes possible.
- Patent Document 1 discloses such an electrostatic suction type inkjet device (hereinafter, referred to as an electrostatic suction type inkjet device).
- An ink jet device provided with an electrode for use is disclosed.
- Patent Document 2 discloses an ink jet apparatus that uses a nozzle as a slit, has a needle electrode protruding from the nozzle, and discharges ink containing fine particles.
- FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the ink jet device.
- 101 is an ink ejection chamber
- 102 is ink
- 103 is an ink chamber
- 104 is a nozzle hole
- 105 is an ink tank
- 106 is an ink supply path
- 107 is a rotating roller
- 108 is a recording medium
- 110 is a recording medium.
- a control element unit 111 indicates a process control unit.
- reference numeral 114 denotes an electrode portion for applying an electrostatic field disposed in the ink chamber 103 of the ink ejection chamber 101
- 115 denotes a counter electrode portion provided on the rotating roller 107 which also has a metal drum force
- 116 denotes a counter electrode portion
- a bias power supply that applies a negative voltage of several thousand volts to 115.
- Reference numeral 117 denotes a high-voltage power supply that supplies a high voltage of several hundred volts to the electrostatic field application electrode 114
- reference numeral 118 denotes a ground.
- a bias power supply section 116 having a negative voltage of several thousand V applied to the counter electrode section 115 and a several hundred V
- the high voltage of the high voltage power supply unit 117 is superimposed to form a superimposed electric field, and the superposed electric field controls the ejection of the ink 102 from the nozzle hole 104.
- Reference numeral 119 denotes a convex meniscus formed in the nozzle hole 104 by a bias voltage of several thousand volts applied to the counter electrode 115.
- the ink 102 in the ink tank 105 is transferred to the nozzle hole 104 of the ink ejection chamber 101 along the ink supply path 106 by a capillary phenomenon.
- the nozzle holes 104 A recording medium 108 is disposed on a surface of the electrode portion 115 disposed facing the nozzle hole 104.
- the ink 102 reaching the nozzle hole 104 is formed on a convex ink meniscus 119 by a bias voltage of several thousand V applied to the counter electrode 115.
- a signal voltage is applied from a high voltage power supply unit 117 of several hundred volts to the electrostatic field application electrode unit 114 disposed in the ink chamber 103, the voltage and the bias power supply unit 116 applied to the counter electrode unit 115 are applied.
- the ink 102 is ejected onto the recording medium 108 by the superimposed electric field to form a printed image.
- the meniscus 119b begins to cause the charge generated on the liquid surface to start moving toward the center of the liquid surface rising, thereby causing the liquid surface to rise.
- the center of the rise is higher.
- FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ink jet device.
- a line type recording head 211 made of a low dielectric material (acrylic resin, ceramics, etc.) as the ink jet head
- a counter electrode 210 made of metal or a high dielectric substance arranged to face the ink discharge port 211; an ink tank 212 for storing ink in which charged pigment particles are dispersed in a non-conductive ink medium;
- An ink circulation system (pumps 214a, 214b, pipes 215a, 215b) for circulating ink between the ink tank 212 and the recording head 211,
- a pulse voltage generator 213 for applying a pulse voltage for drawing ink droplets forming one pixel to each of the ejection electrodes 21 la, and a drive circuit (not shown) for controlling the pulse voltage generator 213 according to image data
- a recording medium transport mechanism (not shown) for passing the recording medium A through a gap provided between the recording head 211 and the counter electrode 210, a controller (not shown) for controlling the entire apparatus, and
- the ink circulation system is constituted by two pipes 215a and 215b connecting between the recording head 211 and the ink tank 212, and two pumps 214a and 214b driven by control of a controller. I have.
- the ink circulation system is divided into an ink supply system for supplying ink to the recording head 211 and an ink collection system for collecting ink from the recording head 211.
- the ink inside the ink tank 212 is also sucked up by the pump 214a, and is pumped to the ink supply unit of the recording head 211 via the pipe 215a.
- the ink collecting system ink is sucked from the ink collecting section of the recording head 211 by the pump 214b, and is forcibly collected in the ink tank 212 via the pipe 215b.
- the recording head 211 has an ink supply unit 220a for expanding the ink fed from the pipe 215a of the ink supply system to a line width, and a mountain-shaped ink supply unit for supplying the ink from the ink supply unit 220a.
- a partition wall made of a dielectric (for example, ceramic) is provided with 223 forces.
- Each of the ejection electrodes 21 la is formed of a metal such as copper or nickel, and a low dielectric film (for example, a polyimide film) having good wettability for preventing pigment adhesion is formed on the surface thereof. I have.
- the tip of each discharge electrode 21 la is formed in the shape of a triangular pyramid, and each has a proper length (70 ⁇ m-80 ⁇ m) from the ink discharge port 222 to the counter electrode 210. It is protruding.
- the above-described drive circuit (not shown) operates according to the control of the controller. Then, a control signal is supplied to the pulse voltage generator 213 for a time corresponding to the gradation data included in the image data. As a result, the pulse voltage generator 213 superimposes a high voltage signal in which the pulse Vp at the top of the pulse corresponding to the type of the control signal is applied to the bias voltage Vb on the bias voltage Vb, and outputs the signal.
- the controller drives the two pumps 214a and 214b of the ink circulation system.
- the ink is pressure-fed from the ink supply unit 220a and the ink recovery unit 220b becomes negative pressure, and the ink force flowing through the ink flow path 221 climbs up the gaps between the partition walls 223 by capillary action. It spreads to the tip of the discharge electrode 21 la.
- a negative pressure is applied to the ink liquid surface near the tip of each ejection electrode 21 la, an ink meniscus is formed at the tip of each ejection electrode 21 la.
- the recording medium transport mechanism by controlling the recording medium transport mechanism by the controller, the recording medium A is sent in a predetermined direction, and by controlling the driving circuit, the above-described height is set between the recording medium A and the ejection electrode 21 la. A voltage signal is applied.
- each of the charged pigment particles 201a in the ink solvent is moved toward the ink liquid surface by the electric field force fE (FIG. 25). Moving. Thus, the pigment concentration near the ink liquid level is concentrated.
- the pigment aggregate 201 formed from the n charged pigment particles 201a receives the electric field E force due to the pulse voltage, the electrostatic repulsion force FE, and the ink solvent force restraining force Fesc.
- the electrostatic repulsion force FE and the restraining force Fesc are balanced, the pigment aggregate 201 stabilizes while slightly protruding from the ink liquid surface.
- the electric charge is concentrated on the center of the meniscus, and the meniscus is raised.
- the radius of curvature of the tip of the raised tailor cone is determined by the amount of charge concentration, and when the electrostatic force due to the concentrated charge amount and the electric field strength exceeds the surface tension of the meniscus at that time, separation of droplets starts.
- the minimum droplet size depends on the physical properties of the ink (particularly, surface tension) and the electric field strength formed in the meniscus. Is determined.
- the surface tension of a liquid tends to be lower when the solvent contains a solvent than when the solvent is pure, and the actual ink also contains various solvents. Difficult to do. For this reason, a method has been adopted in which the surface tension of the ink is assumed to be constant and the droplet size is reduced by increasing the electric field strength.
- Patent Document 1 As a principle of ejection, a field having a strong electric field strength is formed in a meniscus region having an area much larger than the projected area of the ejected droplet. As a result, the electric charge is concentrated at the center of the meniscus, and the discharge is performed by the electrostatic force that also produces the concentrated electric charge and the formed electric field strength. It was difficult, and there was a problem in terms of safety in operating the inkjet apparatus.
- Patent Document 3 Patent Document 3
- Patent Document 4 Patent Document 4
- Patent Document 5 (Patent Document 5)
- the movement time of the charge in the meniscus region affects the ejection responsiveness. Is eliminated, and it is possible to improve the ejection speed of the droplet (the printing speed in the case of the ink having the droplet force).
- the ink flow path becomes narrower. If the ink is left in a state where the ink is held, the ink dries and solidifies or becomes in the solution. Exists Clogging of the particles causes clogging of the nozzle holes. Further, since the aggregates are easily fixed, they are fixed to the inner surface of the ink flow path, and the supply to the discharge start portion due to the reduced cross-sectional area of the flow path occurs, and the discharge becomes unstable. Such clogging and ejection instability fluctuate the size of the formed dots, cause defects, and are major factors that impair image quality.
- a method for preventing or eliminating clogging is required.
- a method of preventing clogging a method of supplying a solvent vapor (for example, JP-A-58-31757) and a method of washing (for example, JP-A-4-189548) can be cited.
- a multi-channel type ejection head is used.
- FIG. 29 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus.
- This ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head 305 supported by a support shaft 306, a cylindrical counter electrode 301 that faces a recording head 305 and holds a recording paper 302, and is adjacent to a counter electrode 301. And a moving means for moving the recording head 305 to a position facing the drawing position and the purging head 307.
- the recording head 305 can be purged as described below.
- the recording head 305 is moved from the front surface of the counter electrode 301 along the support shaft 306 to face the purging head 307, and in this state, the recording head 305 and the purging head 307 A stronger electric field is generated than when recording dots are formed. As a result, ink droplets are ejected toward the purging head 307 with stronger electrostatic force, and the deposits attached to the ink ejection portion of the recording head 305 are removed.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which a fluid is discharged by using an electrostatic force to quickly clog a discharge head at an arbitrary position.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic suction type fluid discharge method and a discharge device which can be eliminated and have a small initial discharge fluctuation and high discharge reliability.
- the electrostatic suction type fluid ejection device of the present invention charges a fluid supplied into a nozzle, and causes the first electric field reaching the ejection destination member from the nozzle to generate the electric field.
- the electrostatic discharge device is disposed at a position near the nozzle, has a conductive portion, and collects discharge discharged from the nozzle.
- a voltage that generates a second electric field that causes the fluid or a fluid having a changed viscosity to be ejected from the nozzle and attracts the ejected material by the conductive portion. It is characterized by comprising voltage applying means applied between the nozzle and the conductive part of the collecting means.
- a pre-discharge operation or a maintenance operation includes a conductive portion and a trap for collecting discharge discharged from the nozzle.
- Collecting means disposed at a position in the vicinity of the nozzle, and ejecting the fluid or the fluid having a changed viscosity from the nozzle from the nozzle; A voltage for generating an electric field is applied between the nozzle and a conductive portion of the trapping means.
- the first electric field reaching the discharge destination member from the nozzle causes the inside of the nozzle
- the fluid is discharged from the nozzle to the discharge destination member, and a fine pattern is formed on the discharge destination member by the fluid, that is, drawing is performed.
- a voltage for generating a second electric field is applied from the voltage applying means to the nozzle.
- the fluid or the fluid whose viscosity has changed, which has caused clogging of the nozzle is discharged from the nozzle. Can be sucked by the conductive portion of the collecting means.
- the above operation is the same as in the case of performing a preliminary ejection operation in order to stabilize the ejection amount of the fluid from the nozzle in, for example, the initial operation of the nozzle. Is applied between the nozzle and the conductive part of the collecting means, thereby ejecting a fluid having a fluid force from the nozzle, and the discharged matter of the bracket can be sucked by the conductive part of the collecting means. .
- the collecting means is arranged near the nozzle, even during the drawing operation by the nozzle, a maintenance operation for eliminating clogging and a spare operation for adjusting the discharge amount from the nozzle are performed.
- the discharge operation can be performed at any position of the nozzle at any time and quickly.
- the reliability of the electrostatic suction type fluid discharge device can be improved.
- the collecting means includes a collecting part having a shape of a container having an open surface on the side facing the tip of the nozzle and having the conductive part.
- the collection unit is configured to collect the discharged material from the nozzle at a collection position.
- the configuration is such that the normal direction of the center point of the bottom surface of the collection unit is arranged so as to pass through the tip of the nozzle.
- the collecting portion of the collecting means is provided at the collecting position for collecting the discharge from the nozzle, and the direction of the normal to the center point of the bottom surface of the collecting portion is the nozzle. Since it is arranged so as to pass through the tip of the nozzle, it is possible to reliably collect the discharge from the nozzle during the maintenance operation and the preliminary discharge. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation in which other components are contaminated by the discharged matter from the nozzle.
- the collection means includes a collection part having a shape of a container having an opening on the side facing the tip of the nozzle and having the conductive part. And the conductive portion is provided on a bottom wall portion of the collection portion. It is preferable that portions other than the electrode portion in the collecting portion are formed of a low dielectric material. In this case, for example, the relative permittivity ke can be 10 or less.
- the conductive portion is provided on the bottom wall portion of the collecting portion in the shape of a container, the fluid or the change in the viscosity of the fluid causes the ejection of the nozzle force. It can be appropriately collected near the bottom wall of the collection unit. As a result, the ejected matter adheres to the outer wall surface of the collection unit, and the adhered matter interferes with the nozzles and other components of the drawing system including the electrostatic attraction type fluid ejecting apparatus, for example, and causes the electrostatic attraction. The situation where the drawing operation by the fluid ejection device becomes unstable can be prevented.
- the discharge from the nozzle can be reliably collected inside the collection unit, the discharge force adheres to the outer wall surface of the collection unit, and then the positional force of the discharge separates and the recording medium is removed. It is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the recording medium is dropped, and the recording medium and the components of the drawing system are not contaminated by the discharge.
- an absorbent member having an absorptivity for the fluid is provided on the conductive portion inside the trapping portion.
- the material of the absorptive member is preferably a conductive material, although a sufficient function can be obtained even with a low dielectric material.
- the lines of electric force from the nozzles reach the surface of the absorbent member facing the nozzles. Absorption stability can be further improved.
- the collection means includes a collection part having a container shape with an opening on the side facing the tip of the nozzle and having the conductive part.
- the conductive portion is configured to be provided in a protruding shape toward the opening in a partial area of the bottom wall portion of the trapping portion. It is preferable that portions other than the electrode portion in the collecting portion are formed of a low dielectric material. In this case, for example, the relative permittivity ke can be 10 or less.
- the conductive portion is provided in a protruding manner toward the opening portion in a partial area of the bottom wall portion of the collecting portion, the fluid or the viscosity of the fluid changes.
- the ejected material from the nozzle formed in this way can be appropriately accumulated in a part of the bottom wall of the collection part where the force protrudes (a part of the conductive part).
- the ejected matter adheres to the outer wall surface of the collecting unit, and the adhered matter interferes with a nozzle or other components of, for example, a drawing system including an electrostatic attraction type fluid ejecting apparatus, thereby causing an electrostatic attraction
- the situation where the drawing operation by the fluid ejection device becomes unstable can be prevented.
- the ejected matter from the nozzle can be reliably collected inside the collecting section, the ejected substance adheres to the outer wall surface of the collecting section, and then its positional force is peeled off so that the recording medium is removed. It is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the recording medium is dropped, and the recording medium and the components of the drawing system are not contaminated by the discharge.
- the collection unit includes a collection unit having the conductive unit, a support unit that movably supports the collection unit, and the collection unit.
- the collection unit can be arranged at the collection position at which the ejection material having a nozzle force can be appropriately collected.
- the collection unit can be moved to the retreat position away from the nozzle, so that the presence of the collection unit is prevented from affecting the electric field in the drawing operation, and a high-precision drawing operation is performed. It can be performed.
- the degree of freedom for the material shape of the recording medium increases. That is, the degree of freedom of use of the electrostatic suction type fluid discharge device is increased. As a result, printing can be performed on a recording medium that has been conventionally difficult to use without being affected by the material shape or thickness. Further, the degree of freedom for the material of the ejected substance is increased. That is, the degree of freedom of use of the electrostatic suction type fluid discharge device is increased. As a result, printing can be performed using a quick-drying ejection material that has been difficult to use in the past, regardless of the solvent evaporation rate and ink thickening rate. Can be realized.
- the collection means includes a collection part having a container shape with an opening on the side facing the tip of the nozzle and having the conductive part.
- the collection unit has a solvent passage formed with one end opening to the outer surface of the collection unit and the other end opening to the inner surface of the collection unit, and a discharge port for discharging the solvent in the collection unit.
- the one end of the solvent passage is connected to a solvent supply means for supplying a solvent for dissolving the discharged matter collected in the collecting part.
- the inside of the collecting unit can be washed with the solvent, and the discharged material with the nozzle force collected during the maintenance operation and the preliminary discharging operation can be discharged. This makes it possible to enhance the ability of the collection unit to collect the discharged material and the durability of the collection unit.
- the solvent supply means has a function of managing the supply amount of the solvent into the collection section, and the discharge port is provided based on the instruction of the power of the solvent supply means.
- the recovery means for recovering the solvent in the collection section is connected.
- the collecting means includes a collecting part having the conductive part, a supporting part movably supporting the collecting part, and a collecting part.
- a collecting position for collecting the discharged matter with the nozzle force, and a position in a direction away from the nozzle with respect to the collecting position force, and the bottom surface of the collecting portion was supplied into the collecting portion.
- the voltage applying means is configured to perform a voltage applying operation such that the intensity of the electric field is higher in the second electric field than in the first electric field.
- the above-mentioned electrostatic suction type fluid ejection device includes an opposing electrode located on the back surface of the ejection destination member, and the voltage applying unit generates a first electric field between the nozzle and the opposing electrode.
- the voltage applied to the counter electrode is the same as the voltage applied to the nozzle. It is a configuration with polarity.
- the conductive portion for sucking the discharge from the nozzle is used.
- a voltage having the same polarity as that of the nozzle is applied to the counter electrode. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the discharge from the nozzle from being collected by the counter electrode.
- the electrostatic suction type fluid jet device of the present invention it is possible to perform a preliminary ejection in the vicinity of a recording medium which is not strong with the conventional electrostatic suction type fluid jet device, thereby enabling the ejection material to be ejected.
- the fluid is supplied into the nozzle as a normal discharging operation.
- the electrostatic suction type fluid discharging method in which the fluid is charged and the fluid is discharged from the nozzle hole to the discharge destination member by the first electric field reaching the discharge destination member from the nozzle, before performing the normal discharge operation, As a preliminary discharge operation, a collecting means having a conductive portion and collecting the discharged material discharged from the nozzle cap at a position near the nozzle is provided, and the discharged material having the fluid force is discharged from the nozzle. And applying a voltage for generating a second electric field for sucking the ejected material of the bracket by the conductive portion, between the nozzle and the conductive portion of the collecting means.
- the preliminary discharge operation before performing the normal discharge operation, that is, the drawing operation, the preliminary discharge operation of discharging the fluid from the nozzles and collecting the fluid by the conductive portion of the collection unit is performed.
- the preliminary discharge operation for a predetermined time before the normal discharge operation, for example, fluctuations in the discharge amount occurring at the initial stage of discharge from the nozzle due to an increase in the viscosity of the fluid are suppressed, and the discharge stability is improved. be able to.
- the time for performing the preliminary operation may be changed as appropriate according to the characteristics of the electrostatic suction type fluid discharge device.
- a collection operation for collecting a discharge discharged from the nozzle cap has a conductive portion as a maintenance operation.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a collecting position of an ink collecting unit shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state of a nozzle maintenance operation in the ink jet device shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a potential relationship of each part during a maintenance operation, a preliminary ejection operation, and a drawing operation of the inkjet apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of operation procedures up to a drawing operation in the inkjet apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 6 (a) is a plan view showing another example of the ink collecting section shown in FIG.
- FIG. 6 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.
- FIG. 7 (a) is a plan view showing still another example of the ink collecting unit shown in FIG.
- FIG. 7 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.
- FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of the ink collecting section shown in FIG. 7 (b).
- FIG. 9 (a) is a plan view showing still another example of the ink collecting section shown in FIG.
- FIG. 9 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.
- FIG. 10 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an ink collecting unit is arranged at a retracted position during a drawing operation in the inkjet apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 10 (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the ink collection unit is arranged at a collection position during a maintenance operation and a preliminary ejection operation in the inkjet apparatus.
- FIG. 11 (a) is a plan view showing still another example of the ink collecting unit shown in FIG.
- FIG. 11 (b) is a bottom view of the same.
- FIG. 11 (c) is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.
- FIG. 11 (d) is a side view of the same.
- FIG. 12 (a) is a plan view of a container inside member used for manufacturing the ink collecting section shown in FIG.
- FIG. 12 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the container inner member.
- FIG. 12 (c) is a perspective view showing an operation of forming an injection hole in a process of manufacturing the ink collecting section.
- FIG. 12 (d) is a plan view of a container outer member used for manufacturing the ink collecting unit.
- FIG. 12 (e)] is a longitudinal sectional view of the outer member of the container.
- FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state where the container inner member and the container outer member are overlapped.
- 13 (a)] is a plan view of an upper lid member used for manufacturing the ink collecting section shown in FIG.
- FIG. 13 (b)] is a plan view of the lower lid member.
- FIG. 13 (c) is a perspective view showing an operation of bonding the upper lid member and the lower lid member to the container inner member and the container outer member in the process of manufacturing the ink collecting unit.
- FIG. 13 (d) is a plan view of the ink collecting unit.
- FIG. 13 (e) is a perspective view showing a step of welding the upper lid member and the lower lid member to the container inner member and the container outer member by laser light irradiation.
- FIG. 14 (a) is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a drawing operation in the ink jet device including the ink collecting unit illustrated in FIG. 11.
- [14 (b)] is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the ink collecting unit in the ink jet device during a cleaning operation.
- FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the electric field strength of the nozzle in the base technology of the present invention.
- Fig. 16 is a graph showing a model calculation result of nozzle diameter dependence of surface tension pressure and electrostatic pressure in the base technology of the present invention.
- Fig. 17 is a graph showing a model calculation result of the nozzle diameter dependence of the discharge pressure in the base technology of the present invention.
- Fig. 18 is a graph showing a model calculation result of the nozzle diameter dependence of the discharge limit voltage in the base technology of the present invention.
- Fig. 19 is a graph showing a correlation between a mirror image force acting between a charged droplet and a substrate and a nozzle-substrate distance in the base technology of the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a graph showing a model calculation result of a correlation between a flow rate at which a nozzle force flows out and an applied voltage in the base technology of the present invention.
- FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration of a conventional electrostatic suction type inkjet apparatus.
- FIG. 22 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a behavior of an ink meniscus in the ink jet apparatus shown in FIG. 21, and showing a state in which a raised meniscus is formed on the ink surface. is there.
- FIG. 22 (b) is an explanatory view showing a state where the center of the rising of the liquid surface has become higher due to charges generated on the liquid surface from the state shown in FIG. 22 (a).
- FIG. 22 (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a meniscus in a cone shape is formed due to further concentration of charges generated on the liquid surface from the state shown in FIG. 22 (b).
- FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration diagram of another conventional electrostatic suction type inkjet apparatus.
- FIG. 24 is a schematic sectional perspective view of a nozzle portion of the ink jet device shown in FIG. 23.
- FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the principle of ink ejection of the ink jet device shown in FIG. 23.
- FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state of fine particles when a voltage is applied to a nozzle portion of the ink jet device shown in FIG. 23.
- FIG. 27 is a view for explaining the principle of the formation of fine particles at the nozzle portion of the ink jet apparatus shown in FIG. 23.
- FIG. 28 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a meniscus behavior of the ink in the ink jet device shown in FIG. 23, and showing a state in which a pigment aggregate has grown with respect to an ink liquid surface force.
- FIG. 28 (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state after the state shown in FIG. 28 (a) and before ink pigment surface pressure is discharged from the pigment aggregate.
- FIG. 28 (c) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the aggregated pigment of the state shown in FIG.
- FIG. 29 is a schematic configuration diagram of another conventional electrostatic suction type inkjet apparatus.
- the electrostatic suction type fluid discharge device has a nozzle diameter of 0.1 Ol ⁇ m to 25 m, and enables discharge control of the discharge fluid with a drive voltage of 1000 V or less. .
- Q electric charge (C) induced at the nozzle tip
- ⁇ 0 dielectric constant of vacuum (FZm)
- d nozzle diameter (diameter) (m)
- V total voltage applied to the nozzle It is.
- A is the nozzle shape, etc.
- a mirror image charge Q ′ having a polarity opposite to that of the charge Q is induced at a symmetric position in the substrate facing the nozzle.
- the substrate is an insulator
- a video charge Q ′ having a polarity opposite to that of the charge Q is similarly induced at a symmetric position determined by the dielectric constant.
- k is a proportional constant that depends on the nozzle shape, etc., and is a force that takes a value of about 1.5-8.5. In many cases, it is considered to be about 5 (PJ Birdseye and DA Smith, Surface Science, 23 ( 1970), p.198-210).
- R dZ2 to simplify the ink ejection model. This is induced by surface tension at the nozzle tip. This corresponds to a state in which the conductive ink is raised in a hemispherical shape having the same diameter as the nozzle diameter d.
- P is the liquid area at the nozzle tip, that is, the opening area of the nozzle tip hole is s, e
- ⁇ surface tension.
- the condition under which the ejection occurs due to the electrostatic force is that the electrostatic force exceeds the surface tension, so the e s relationship between the electrostatic pressure ⁇ and the pressure ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ due to the surface tension is
- FIG. 16 shows the pressure P due to surface tension and the electrostatic pressure s when a nozzle having a certain diameter d is given.
- FIG. 17 shows the dependence of the ejection pressure ⁇ ⁇ when the ejection condition is satisfied by the local electric field strength for a nozzle having a certain diameter d.
- the dependence of the ejection critical voltage (ie, the minimum voltage at which ejection occurs) Vc is shown in FIG. Figure 18 shows the characteristics.
- the upper limit of the nozzle diameter (assuming 72 mNZm) is 25 ⁇ m.
- the electric field intensity required for ejection depends on the locally concentrated electric field intensity, and thus the presence of the counter electrode is not essential.
- an electric field is applied between the nozzle and the substrate. Therefore, it is necessary to dispose a counter electrode on the side opposite to the nozzle or to make the substrate conductive for an insulating substrate. there were .
- the counter electrode is arranged, that is, when the substrate is an insulator, there is a limit to the thickness of the substrate that can be used.
- printing can be performed on an insulating substrate or the like without the need for a counter electrode, and the degree of freedom of the device configuration is increased.
- printing can be performed on a thick insulator. Since the liquid discharged from the nozzle is charged, a mirror image acts between the liquid and the substrate.
- FIG. 19 shows the correlation between the magnitude of the mirror image force and the distance h of the nozzle from the substrate.
- the flow rate Q in a cylindrical flow path is represented by the following Hagen-Poiseuille equation for a viscous flow.
- the flow rate Q of the fluid flowing through this nozzle is expressed by the following equation.
- This equation represents the outflow amount of the fluid flowing out of the nozzle force when the voltage V is applied to the nozzle having the diameter d and the length L. This is shown in FIG.
- the nozzle diameter is 50 ⁇ m, which is the minimum value of the prior art.
- a drive voltage of 700 V or less is sufficient for a nozzle with a diameter of 25 ⁇ m, and control is possible with a nozzle of 500 V or less for a nozzle with a diameter of 10 ⁇ m.
- Another factor is that 300V or less may be used for a nozzle with a diameter of 1 ⁇ m.
- the discharge by electrostatic suction is basically based on charging of a fluid at the nozzle end.
- the charging speed is considered to be about the time constant determined by dielectric relaxation.
- ⁇ relative permittivity of the fluid
- ⁇ conductivity of the fluid (S.m 1 ).
- the critical frequency is fc, f
- the frequency is about 10kHz.
- ⁇ the dielectric constant of vacuum
- ⁇ the dielectric constant of the insulator
- t the thickness of the insulator
- d the capacitance
- 0 r is the inner diameter.
- this value is calculated by considering water as the fluid, it is only 30000 Pa (0.3 atm) at most when the case of the embodiment of Patent Document 1 is calculated. In this case, it was found that an effect equivalent to 30 atm could be obtained by providing an electrode outside the nozzle. Thus, even when a fine nozzle is used, the supply of the fluid to the tip of the nozzle is quickly performed by this effect. This effect becomes more remarkable as the dielectric constant of the insulator increases and as the thickness of the insulator decreases. In order to obtain the electoral-capillary effect, it is necessary to strictly arrange the electrodes via an insulator, but the same effect can be obtained when a sufficient electric field is applied to a sufficient insulator.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the ink jet apparatus includes a nozzle 4 for discharging ink 2 as a fluid stored in an ink chamber 1.
- the nozzle 4 is connected to the ink chamber 1 via a packing 5.
- the ink 2 in the ink chamber 1 is sealed so as not to leak out to the outside of the connection between the nozzle 4 and the ink chamber 1.
- the nozzle 4 has a shape narrowed toward the end opposite to the connection portion with the ink chamber 1, that is, toward the tip 4a on the ink discharge side.
- the inner diameter (diameter) of the ink ejection hole 4b at the tip 4a of the nozzle 4 is set in consideration of, for example, the diameter of the thread 2 of the ink 2 ejected in the form of a thread with the force of the nozzle 4.
- the ink 2 discharged from the nozzle 4 is hereinafter referred to as a discharged ink 3.
- an electrostatic field applying electrode 9 for applying an electrostatic field to the ink 2 is provided inside the nozzle 4, inside the nozzle 4, an electrostatic field applying electrode 9 for applying an electrostatic field to the ink 2 is provided.
- the electrode 9 for applying an electrostatic field is connected to a process control unit 10, and the process control unit 10 controls an electric field intensity by a voltage applied from a drive circuit (not shown). By controlling the electric field strength by the process control unit 10, the discharge amount of the discharge ink 3 from the nozzle 4 is adjusted. That is, the process control unit 10 has a function as an applied voltage control unit that controls the voltage applied to the ink 2 via the electrostatic field applying electrode 9.
- An opposing electrode 7 is provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance on the side of the nozzle 4 opposing the ink ejection hole 4b.
- the counter electrode 7 charges the surface of the recording medium 8 conveyed between the nozzle 4 and the counter electrode 7 to a potential having a polarity opposite to the charging potential of the ink 3 discharged from the ink discharge hole 4b of the nozzle 4. It is. Thus, the ink 3 ejected from the ink ejection holes 4b of the nozzles 4 stably lands on the surface of the recording medium 8.
- the counter electrode 7 is supplied with the above potential from the process control unit 11.
- the discharged ink 3 since the discharged ink 3 needs to be charged, it is desirable that at least the ink discharge surface of the tip 4a of the nozzle 4 be formed of an insulating member and that the ink discharge hole 4b be formed.
- a glass cavity tube is used as the nozzle 4 because the inner diameter (hereinafter, referred to as a nozzle diameter) needs to be minutely formed.
- the nozzle 4 has a shape corresponding to the meniscus portion 12 of the Taylor cone-shaped ink 2 formed in the ink ejection hole 4b of the nozzle 4 in the process of electrostatic suction of the ink 2 as the fluid.
- the diameter of the nozzle 4 of the nozzle 4 is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the tip of the meniscus portion 12 immediately before ink ejection.
- an ink supply path 6 for supplying the ink 2 from an ink tank (not shown) is connected to the ink chamber 1.
- the ink 2 since the ink 2 is held in the ink chamber 1 and the nozzle 4 in a filled state, the ink 2 has a negative pressure.
- the nozzle 4 has a low conductance flow path provided near the nozzle 4, or the nozzle 4 itself has a low conductance.
- the nozzle 4 may be formed by coating a conductive material, which is preferably made of a glass cavity as described above, with an insulating material.
- the reason why the nozzle 4 is made of glass is that a nozzle hole of about several ⁇ m can be easily formed, a new nozzle end can be regenerated by crushing the nozzle end when the nozzle hole is closed, and in the case of a glass nozzle. Because of the taper angle, the unnecessary solution moves upward due to surface tension (the side opposite to the nozzle hole side when the nozzle 4 is arranged so that the nozzle hole is located at the lower end), It does not stay at the end and does not cause nozzle clogging, and the movable nozzle is easy to form because the nozzle 4 has moderate flexibility. by.
- the lower limit of the nozzle diameter is preferably 0.01 ⁇ m for convenience in production.
- the upper limit of the nozzle diameter is determined when the electrostatic force shown in Fig. 16 exceeds the surface tension.
- the upper limit of the nozzle diameter is 25 ⁇ m, and the upper limit of the nozzle diameter is 25 ⁇ m when the discharge condition is satisfied by the local electric field strength shown in Fig. 17, and a force of 25 ⁇ m is preferable. 15 ⁇ m is more preferred.
- the nozzle diameter is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 8 m.
- the nozzle 4 is not limited to a capillary tube, but may be a two-dimensional pattern nozzle formed by fine processing.
- the nozzle 4 is made of glass having good moldability, the nozzle 4 cannot be used as an electrode. Therefore, a metal wire (for example, a tungsten wire) is inserted into the nozzle 4 as the electrode 9 for applying an electrostatic field.
- the electrostatic field applying electrode 9 may be formed in the nozzle 4 by plating.
- the nozzle 4 itself is formed of a conductive material, an insulating material is coated thereon.
- the nozzle diameter of the nozzle 4 used in the present embodiment is ⁇ 5 ⁇ m!
- the radius of curvature of the tip of the meniscus can be regarded as substantially constant without gradually changing small due to the concentration of the surface charge as in the related art.
- the surface tension at the time of separation of the ejected ink 3 is substantially constant in the state of ejection by applying a voltage, and the amount of surface charge that can be concentrated is smaller than that of the ink 2.
- the maximum amount is unambiguously defined because it is below the surface tension, ie below the Rayleigh splitting value.
- the ink 2 used in the inkjet apparatus a dye-based ink including pure water and an ink containing fine particles can be used.
- the diameter of the fine particles to be contained must be small because the nozzle diameter is very small as compared with the conventional one. Generally, if the nozzle diameter is about 1Z20 to 1Z100, Less likely to cause clogging.
- the ink jet device of the present embodiment has an ink collecting device 13 near the nozzle 4.
- This ink collecting device 13 is for collecting an ink denatured substance such as a solidified product when the ink ejection hole 4b of the nozzle 4 is solidified by drying of the ink 2 or clogged due to a rise in viscosity. This is for collecting the ink 2 preliminarily ejected before starting drawing on the medium 8.
- the nozzle 4 has a very small nozzle diameter of ⁇ 5 ⁇ m as compared with the conventional one in order to be able to form a fine drawing pattern. For this reason, clogging of the ink ejection holes 4b tends to occur. Therefore, in the present ink jet apparatus, a stronger electrostatic force is applied to the nozzle 4 than at the time of drawing to eject a block of the ink 2 clogged in the ink discharge hole 4b, and this is collected by the ink collecting device 13. Like that.
- the ink collection device 13 includes an ink collection unit 14, a support unit 15 that supports the ink collection unit 14 at a position near the nozzle 4, a process control unit 16, and the like.
- a process control unit 16 is connected to the ink collecting unit 14, and the process control unit 16 controls the electric field intensity by a voltage applied from a drive circuit (not shown).
- the ink collection unit 14 electrically sucks the ink 3 discharged from the nozzle 4 and the denatured ink which is an ink lump solidified or increased in viscosity by drying. It can be collected. That is, the process control unit 16 has a function as an applied voltage control unit that controls a voltage applied to the ink collecting unit 14.
- the support section 15 has a structure in which, for example, a plurality of support members 17 are connected via a movable section 18.
- the ink collection unit 14 supported by the support unit 15 is capable of collecting the ink 3 ejected from the nozzle 4 shown in FIG. 1 by, for example, rotating the support member 17 about the movable unit 18. It is possible to move between the collecting position and the retracted position where the collecting position is retracted.
- the movement of the ink collecting unit 14 is performed by a moving device 19 that moves the ink collecting unit 14. That is, the moving device 19 moves the ink collecting unit 14 and controls the relative position of the ink collecting unit 14 with respect to the nozzle 4.
- the support section 15 may support the nozzle 4 and the ink collecting section 14, and may be configured to be movable with respect to the counter electrode 7. In this case, the support portion 15 is driven and moved by the support portion moving means (not shown), so that the recording medium 8 fixed to the counter electrode 7 is drawn with the ink 2 ejected from the nozzle 4 force. be able to.
- the ink collecting section 14 is made of a conductive metal material such as Cu, A1 or SUS, and is formed in a container shape with the nozzle 4 side open. Specifically, it has a cylindrical container shape with an outer diameter of 500 m, an inner diameter of 400 m and a thickness of 150 m, for example.
- the ink collecting section 14 having a cylindrical shape has a normal H force passing through the center of the cylindrical shape. It is arranged so as to pass through the discharge hole 4b.
- the distance L1 between the ink discharge port 4b of the nozzle 4 and the ink collecting section 14 is 300 ⁇ m
- the distance L2 between the ink discharge port 4b and the recording medium 8 is 500 ⁇ m
- the angle between the normal H passing through the center and the center tree of the ink ejection hole 4b is set to 45 °.
- the ink collecting portion 14 has the most shape from the ink discharge hole 4b in the shape of the ink collecting portion 14. It is preferable that the distance L between the distant portion and the ink ejection hole 4b be located at a position that satisfies the relationship of L and L2.
- the ink collection efficiency of the ink collecting unit 14 is high, and the ink that has been removed from the ink ejection holes 4b of the nozzles 4 is not ejected in the recording medium 8 direction. It can be collected by the collection unit 14.
- the normal H passing through the center of the ink collecting unit 14 and the center of the ink ejection hole 4b The force at which the angle between the tree and the tree is 45 ° If the collection position of the ink collection unit 14 is set in a range that satisfies the relationship of L ⁇ L2, the ink collection unit 14 It is possible to prevent mechanical interference with the head unit components such as the unit 15.
- the collection position of the ink collection unit 14 is, of course, a position that does not hinder the operation of drawing on the recording medium 8.
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the ink jet device during the maintenance operation.
- the positional relationship between the nozzle 4 and the ink collecting unit 14 is as described above with reference to FIG. 1, and the ink collecting unit 14 is arranged at the collecting position.
- the suction force by the electric field is used. That is, in the drawing operation, an electric field was generated between the nozzle 4 and the counter electrode 7 to attract the ink 2 in the direction of the counter electrode 7. An electric field for attracting the denatured ink 20 (see FIG. 3) toward the ink collecting unit 14 is generated between the unit 14 and the unit 14. In addition, the strength of the electric field is required to be stronger than that in the case of the drawing operation because the maintenance operation is to release the ink denatured material 20 and collect the ink in the ink collection unit 14 by the nozzle 4 force. Is done.
- FIG. 4 shows an example of the potential relationship (voltage applied to each part) of each part during the maintenance operation.
- FIG. 3 also shows the potential relationship of each part during the drawing operation and the preliminary ejection operation.
- 1000 V is applied from the process control unit 10 to the electrostatic field application electrode 9 of the nozzle 4 as an electrostatic field application voltage, and the ink collection unit 14 is supplied from the process control unit 16 500V is applied.
- the denatured ink 20 is released from the nozzle 4 between the nozzle 4 and the ink collection unit 14, and the electric field for sucking and collecting the ink denatured bracket 20 by the ink collection unit 14 is collected. Occurs.
- the electric power that also generates the force at the tip of nozzle 4 Almost the force of the line of force
- the ink denatured material 20, which has reached the S ink collecting section 14 and caused the clogging of the nozzle 4 due to aggregation, is ejected from the nozzle 4 due to the potential difference between the two voltages, and follows the electric line of force. While being accelerated, the ink reaches the ink collecting unit 14.
- the denatured ink 20 that has reached the ink collecting unit 14 reaches the bottom surface of the ink collecting unit 14 directly or while traveling along the inner wall surface of the ink collecting unit 14, and is accumulated there. In this case, if the modified ink 20 is in an unsolidified state, it is solidified there.
- the voltage applied to the counter electrode 7 was changed to the electrostatic field applying electrode 9 of the nozzle 4 so that the ink collecting portion 14 and the ink modified product 20 could be easily collected. It is preferable to use a voltage of the same polarity as the above (for example, 500 V), or OV, and more preferably a 0 / -5 OOV range!
- the lines of electric force coming out of the tip of the nozzle 4 do not cross the recording medium 8.
- the denatured ink 20 is not sucked in the direction of the counter electrode 7, does not adhere to the recording medium 8, and is reliably collected by the ink collection unit 14.
- the preliminary discharge operation of the ink 2 from the nozzle 4 is performed before the start of drawing, before the start of drawing after the maintenance operation is completed, or before the start of drawing after adjusting the discharge amount of ink 2 from the nozzle 4, the preliminary discharge operation of the ink 2 from the nozzle 4 is performed. I do.
- This preliminary ejection operation is for preventing the state where the ejection of the ink 2 becomes unstable at the initial stage of the ejection of the ink 2 during the drawing operation.
- the ink collecting unit 14 is arranged at the collecting position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 with respect to the nozzle 4, and the nozzle 4 is located between the nozzle 4 and the ink collecting unit 14.
- An electric field is generated that causes the ink 2 to be ejected from 4 and the ejected ink 3 to be attracted to the ink collection unit 14.
- the direction of the electric field is the same as in the case of the maintenance operation, but the intensity of the electric field is weaker than that in the case of the maintenance operation.
- 250 V is applied from the process control unit 10 to the electrostatic field applying electrode 9 of the nozzle 4 as a static electric field applying voltage, and the process control unit is applied to the ink collecting unit 14.
- 50V is applied from the control unit 16.
- an electric field is generated between the nozzle 4 and the ink collecting unit 14 for discharging the ink 2 from the nozzle 4 and for the ink collecting unit 14 to suck and collect the ejected ink 3 of the bracket.
- the ink 2 is ejected from the nozzle 4 in the form of a string as in the case shown in FIG.
- the ink 2 arriving at the ink collecting unit 14 reaches the bottom surface of the ink collecting unit 14 directly or along the inner wall surface of the ink collecting unit 14, where it is accumulated and solidified.
- the voltage applied to the opposing electrode 7 is applied to the electrostatic field of the nozzle 4 so that the ink collection unit 14 can easily collect the ink 3 ejected from the nozzle 4.
- a voltage of the same polarity as that of the additional electrode 9 for example, 50 V), or an OV, and more preferably a range of 0 to 50 V!
- FIG. 1 Another example of the combination of the voltages applied to the electrostatic field applying electrode 9, the counter electrode 7, and the ink collecting unit 14 during the preliminary ejection operation is as shown in FIG.
- the preliminary ejection operation is performed for a predetermined time, and the time is set to, for example, 1 second. This preliminary ejection time can be appropriately changed according to the characteristics of the drawing system.
- the ink collecting section 14 is arranged at the collecting position shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the nozzle 4, and discharges the ink 2 from the nozzle 4 between the nozzle 4 and the counter electrode 7 and discharges the ink.
- An electric field for attracting the magnetic field 3 to the counter electrode 7 is generated.
- the application to the ink collecting unit 14 is performed.
- the voltage should be the same polarity (for example, 50 V) as the electrostatic field applying electrode 9 of the nozzle 4, or OV, and the deviation force should be in the range of 0-50 V! Like! / ,.
- FIG. 4 shows the magnitude relationship and the polarity relationship of the potentials of the respective electrodes during the maintenance operation, the drawing operation, and the preliminary ejection operation.
- Each voltage value is an example, and is not limited to this. It is not done. Further, each voltage may be used as a reference voltage, for example, and may be appropriately adjusted so that each operation is performed favorably.
- the nozzle 4 When performing a drawing operation, the nozzle 4 is moved to a drawing position on the recording medium 8 arranged on the counter electrode 7 (S11).
- the above-described determination of ejection or non-ejection is performed by actually performing preliminary ejection to the ink collection unit 14, and determining whether ejection of the ink 2 to the ink collection unit 14 is performed by an optical detection system using a laser. It may be performed after confirming the presence or absence. In this case, irradiate the laser near the tip of nozzle 4. Ejection and non-ejection are detected by detecting the presence or absence of reflected light of the ejection force of four nozzles, for example, by photoelectric conversion. This is what is used in ordinary inkjet devices.
- the maintenance operation in S13 is performed as described above.
- the ink collecting section 14 is arranged at the collecting position.
- the inkjet device When the maintenance operation is completed, the inkjet device performs the preliminary ejection operation (preliminary ejection A) as described above, for example, for a predetermined time (S14). In this preliminary discharge operation!
- the value of the voltage applied to each unit may be appropriately adjusted as shown in FIG.
- the preliminary ejection operation (preliminary ejection B) in S16 is performed as described above.
- the preliminary discharge operation (preliminary discharge B) unlike the case of the preliminary discharge operation (preliminary discharge A), when the ink collecting unit 14 is not arranged at the collecting position, the ink collecting unit 14 It is necessary to move it to the collection position.
- Other operations are the same as those in the case of the preliminary ejection A.
- the shape of the ink collecting unit 14 is not limited to a cylindrical container (cylindrical container), but may be a container having any shape. Further, it is not indispensable that the container has a container shape. For example, a plate shape can be used.
- the ink collecting unit 14 is configured to be movable to the collecting position and its position force with respect to the nozzle 4 by the operation of the support unit 15 and to the retreat position.
- a configuration in which the nozzle 4 is fixed at a fixed collection position with respect to the nozzle 4 may be employed.
- FIG. 6 (a) is a plan view of the ink collecting section 31
- FIG. 6 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink collecting section 31.
- the outer shape and size of the ink collecting unit 31 are, for example, substantially the same as those of the ink collecting unit 14.
- the ink collecting section 31 includes, for example, a cylindrical container-shaped container section 32 and a suction electrode section 33.
- the process control section 16 is connected to the suction electrode section 33.
- the container section 32 also has a low dielectric strength such as organic resin, glass, or quartz.
- the suction electrode section 33 is made of a conductive material and is provided on the bottom wall of the container section 32.
- the container section 32 is made of a low dielectric material, electric lines of force generated from the tip of the nozzle 4 during maintenance operation are Without reaching the suction electrode portion 33 made of a conductive material. Therefore, the nozzle 4 forces the ink denatured material 20 flying during the maintenance operation, or the ink 3 discharged from the nozzle 4 during the preliminary ejection operation does not adhere to the container 32, and the suction electrode 33 in the container 32 does not adhere. Attaches to upper surface.
- the denatured ink 20 and the discharged ink 3 adhere to the outer peripheral portion of the ink collecting section 31, and the adhered substance interferes with the nozzle 4 and other components of the drawing system including the inkjet apparatus. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation where the drawing operation by the ink jet device becomes unstable.
- the denatured ink 20 and the discharged ink 3 can be reliably collected inside the container portion 32 of the ink collecting portion 31, the denatured ink 20 and the discharged ink 3 are attached to the container portion 32. After being attached, it can be reliably prevented from peeling off from the container part 32 and dropping on the recording medium 8 or the like, and becomes soiled by adhesion of the recording medium 8, a component of the drawing system, a denatured ink 20, and the ink 3. None.
- the ink jet device of the present embodiment is provided with an ink collecting unit 35 shown in Figs. 7 (a) and 7 (b) instead of the ink collecting unit 14.
- 7A is a plan view of the ink collecting unit 35
- FIG. 7B is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink collecting unit 35.
- FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of the structure of the ink collecting unit 35.
- the ink collecting unit 35 includes a container unit 32 having the same constituent force as the ink collecting unit 31 and a suction unit. An electrode part 33 is provided, and an absorber 36 made of an insulating material is provided inside the container part 32. The process control unit 16 is connected to the suction electrode unit 33.
- the absorber 36 is formed, for example, in the same size as the internal space of the container part 32, and has absorptivity to the collected matter by the ink collecting part 35. Note that the shape of the absorber 36 may be a container shape as shown in FIG.
- a porous body having a diameter of 400 m and a thickness of 10 O / zm (which is a cylindrical container in the case of Fig. 8), which also has a low dielectric material force, is used.
- a disc-shaped conductive material having a diameter of 400 ⁇ m and a thickness of 50 ⁇ m was used as the suction electrode section 33.
- the absorber 36 is not limited to a porous body, and for example, a similar function can be obtained by a fibrous substance.
- a conductive material such as steel wool may be used.
- a good opposing state between the conductive portion (absorber 36) in the ink collecting section 35 and the tip of the nozzle 4 is obtained, and the nozzle in the ink collecting section 35 with the electric force and linear force as much as four nozzles is obtained. 4 (the surface of the absorber 36 facing the nozzle 4).
- the collected matter discharged from the nozzle 4 reaches the opposed surface, that is, the amount of the collected matter attached to the side surface of the ink collecting part 35 can be reduced.
- the absorption stability of the collected matter can be further improved.
- the ink collection unit 35 including the absorber 36 collected matter such as the denatured ink 20 and the discharged ink 3 discharged from the nozzle 4 in the maintenance operation and the preliminary discharge operation are stored in the container. This prevents damage to the container section 32 and the suction electrode section 33 due to collision with the section 32 and the suction electrode section 33, and prevents the above-mentioned collected matter from being scattered outside the ink collection section 35. Can be suppressed.
- the collected matter collected by the ink collecting part 35 is quickly absorbed by the absorber 36, so that the collected matter attached to the container part 32 is separated from the container part 32 and recorded.
- the function of preventing a situation in which the medium 8 falls onto the medium 8 can be further enhanced.
- the ink collecting unit 35 may have a structure in which the absorber 36 covers a part of the inner wall of the ink collecting unit 35. Function can be obtained.
- the inkjet device of the present embodiment is provided with an ink collecting unit 40 shown in Figs. 9 (a) and 9 (b) instead of the ink collecting unit 14.
- 9A is a plan view of the ink collecting unit 40
- FIG. 9B is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink collecting unit 40.
- the ink collecting unit 40 includes, for example, a cylindrical container 41 having a low dielectric force such as organic resin, glass, or quartz, and a container 41 inside the container 41, for example, at a center position. Bottom force A conductive suction electrode portion 42 in the form of a bar rising in the vertical direction is provided.
- the process control section 16 is connected to the container section 41.
- the container section 41 has a cylindrical container shape with an outer diameter of 500 / ⁇ , an inner diameter of 400 / ⁇ , and a thickness of 150 m, and the suction electrode section 42 has a diameter of 50 m and a length of 50 m.
- the column is 100 m long and cylindrical.
- the container 41 is made of a low-dielectric material
- the electric power lines generated from the tip of the nozzle 4 at the time of the maintenance operation and the preliminary ejection operation. Reaches the tip of the arc-absorbing I-electrode 42 made of a conductive material.
- the collected matter of the ink collecting part 40 such as the denatured ink 20 and the discharged ink 3 discharged from the nozzle 4 adhere to the suction electrode part 42.
- the collected matter can be reliably collected inside the container part 41 of the ink collecting part 40, the collected matter adheres to the container part 41 and then is separated from the container part 41. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the recording medium 8 from dropping onto the recording medium 8 and the like, and the recording medium 8 and the components of the drawing system are not stained by the adhesion of the denatured ink 20 or the ejected ink 3.
- the collected matter collected by the ink collecting part 40 adheres to the suction electrode part 42, the collected matter collides with the inner wall of the container part 41, and the collected part It can prevent the inner wall from being damaged or soiled.
- the dimensions of the container 41 and the suction electrode 42 of the ink collecting unit 40 have been described as an example as described above. As long as there is a space for accumulating the ink, and the ink collecting unit 40 does not mechanically interfere with other device components, the above-mentioned configuration is possible irrespective of the shape, size and arrangement of each unit, and the number of the suction electrode units 42. Each function can be obtained.
- the electric field concentration at the front end of the suction electrode section 42 is enhanced by sharpening the front end of the rod-shaped suction electrode section 42 of the ink collecting section 40.
- the function of attaching the collected matter to the tip of the suction electrode section 42 can be further enhanced.
- a configuration in which the suction electrode section 42 is replaceable is preferable.
- the suction electrode portion 42 when the suction electrode portion 42 is damaged or deformed due to the collision between the collected matter and the suction electrode portion 42, the bow absorption I electrode portion 42 has a reduced absorption I capability, By exchanging the part 42, the suction ability can be restored.
- the ink jet device of the present embodiment includes, for example, the ink collecting unit 14, and the ink collecting unit 1 is operated in accordance with a drawing operation, a maintenance operation, and a preliminary ejection operation.
- FIG. 10A is a configuration diagram showing a state during a drawing operation in the inkjet apparatus.
- FIG. 10B is a configuration diagram showing a state during a maintenance operation and a preliminary ejection operation.
- the ink collecting unit 14 is not used at the time of the drawing operation, as shown in FIG. As a result, the ejection ink 3 from the nozzle 4 reaches the recording medium 8 appropriately without being affected by the electrostatic force of the ink collecting unit 14 or interfering with the ink collecting unit 14.
- the ink collection unit 14 is used during the maintenance operation and the preliminary ejection operation, it is arranged at a predetermined collection position close to the nozzle 4, as shown in Fig. 10 (b). As a result, in the maintenance operation and the preliminary ejection operation, the ejection from the nozzle 4 is performed. The modified ink 20 and the discharged ink 3 can be appropriately collected.
- the ink jet apparatus of the present embodiment is different from the ink collecting section 14 in FIG.
- FIG. 11 (a) is a plan view of the ink collecting unit 50
- FIG. 11 (b) is a bottom view of the ink collecting unit 50
- FIG. 11 (c) is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink collecting unit 50
- FIG. 11 (a) is a plan view of the ink collecting unit 50
- FIG. 11 (b) is a bottom view of the ink collecting unit 50
- FIG. 11 (c) is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink collecting unit 50
- FIG. 11 (b) is a plan view of the ink collecting unit 50
- FIG. 11 (c) is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink collecting unit 50
- the ink collecting section 50 has, for example, a cylindrical container section 51 and a suction electrode section 52 constituting a bottom wall of the container section 51.
- the container part 51 is made of the same low dielectric material as the container part 32, and the suction electrode part 52 is made of the same conductive material as the suction electrode part 33.
- a channel 53 is formed inside the side wall of the container section 51.
- the flow path 53 extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape of the container part 51, and has one end opening to the lower surface of the side wall and the other end opening to the inner surface of the side wall part, for example, the upper position force container part 51. .
- a solution supply device 55 is connected to the one end of the channel 53, and a solution (solvent) 54 can be injected from the solution supply device 55 into the ink collection unit 50 through the channel 53.
- the solution 54 is collected in the ink collecting unit 50 and can dissolve the solidified modified ink 20.
- a discharge port 56 is formed in the bottom wall of the ink collecting section 50.
- the discharge port 56 is provided with an opening / closing section 57. Outlet by this opening / closing part 57
- the opening / closing operation of 56 is performed by an opening / closing drive device 58.
- the solution 54 injected from one end of the flow channel 53 is discharged from the other end of the flow channel 53 into the ink collecting unit 50.
- the solution 54 travels along the inner surface of the side wall of the ink collecting unit 50, reaches the bottom surface of the ink collecting unit 50, and is stored therein. With the solution 54, the collected matter collected in the ink collecting part 50 is dissolved.
- the injection amount of the solution 54 into the ink collection unit 50 is controlled by the solution supply device 55.
- the opening and closing controlled by the solution supply device 55 The opening / closing section 57 is opened by the driving device 58, and the solution 54 is discharged from the discharge port 56. Discharged
- the solution 54 is recovered by a solution recovery device 59 connected to an outlet 56. Accordingly, the inside of the ink collecting unit 50 is appropriately washed with the solution 54, and the collected matter in the ink collecting unit 50 can be appropriately discharged.
- the solution 54 has a solvent component contained in the ink 2.
- FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) a ceramic material (insulating material) that also has an alumina force is subjected to IJ processing to form a cylindrical container inner member 61.
- FIG. 12 (a) is a plan view of the container inner member 61
- FIG. 12 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the container inner member 61.
- FIG. 12 (c) is a perspective view showing the operation of forming the injection hole 62.
- a container outer member 64 is made of the same material as the container inner member 61.
- the preparation method is the same as that for the container inner member 61.
- the inner diameter of the container outer member 64 is larger than the outer shape of the container inner member 61.
- FIG. 12 (d) is a plan view of the container outer member 64
- FIG. 12 (e) is a longitudinal sectional view of the container outer member 64.
- FIG. 12 (f) is a plan view showing a state where the container inner member 61 and the container outer member 64 are overlapped.
- an upper lid member 65 shown in FIG. 13 (a) and a lower lid member 66 shown in FIG. 13 (b) are created.
- the upper lid member 65 has a donut shape and has an opening 67 in the center so that the inside of the container can be exposed. That is, the upper lid member 65 closes the upper surface of the flow path 53.
- the lower lid member 66 has an inlet 68 for liquid into the channel 53 and an outlet 56 for liquid from the container. The inlet 68 and the outlet 56 can be formed by laser processing. 13A is a plan view of the upper lid member 65, and FIG. 13B is a plan view of the lower lid member 66.
- FIG. 13 (c) the container inner member 61 and the container outer member 64 shown in FIG. Upper lid member 65 and lower The lid member 66 is attached.
- an insulating epoxy adhesive is used for this attachment.
- the adhesive may be applied to the entire surface of the upper lid member 65 and the lower lid member 66 on the bonding side. In this case, the adhesive is applied by immersing the upper lid member 65 and the lower lid member 66 in the adhesive. Is also possible.
- FIG. 13C is a perspective view showing the bonding operation of the upper lid member 65 and the lower lid member 66 to the container inner member 61 and the container outer member 64.
- FIG. 13D is a plan view of the ink collecting unit 50.
- an opening / closing section 57 (opening / closing lid) for controlling the flow rate is provided at the discharge port 56, and the creation of the ink collecting section 50 is completed.
- the opening / closing section 57 is not limited to the configuration provided at the discharge port 56.
- the configuration provided in the discharge flow path between the discharge port 56 and the solution recovery device 59 shown in FIG. is not limited to the configuration provided at the discharge port 56.
- the ink collecting unit 50 can be easily prepared by using an existing precision machine by the above-described method.
- the container member is made of metal
- the joining of the upper lid member 65 and the lower lid member 66 to the container inner member 61 and the container outer member 64 is performed by local melting (welding) by laser light irradiation instead of the adhesive. You can also do it.
- the above-described container structure can be created by using a stereolithography technique.
- the ink collecting section 50 disposed at the collecting position during the drawing operation is moved to the ink collecting section 50 as shown in FIG. 14 (b).
- the ink collecting unit 50 is moved and rotated by the moving device 19 so that the bottom of the inner surface of the unit 50 and the liquid surface of the solution 54 stored in the ink collecting unit 50 are parallel.
- the inner surface, particularly the bottom, of the ink collecting unit 50 can be appropriately washed with the solution 54.
- the ink jet apparatus including the cylindrical ink collecting unit has been described for the sake of simplicity.
- the ink collecting portion is designed in consideration of the electric field between the nozzle 4 and the ink collecting portion, which is not limited to this, for example, the ink collecting portion may have a spherical or polygonal shape. It is also applicable.
- the force (gear) between force counter electrode 7 and ink ejection hole 4b of nozzle 4 described in the ink jet device including counter electrode 7 was used.
- a force including the process control unit 10 and the process control unit 11 is used. Since it can be formed by the potential difference between the nozzle 4 and the recording medium 8, it is also possible to omit the process control unit 11 from the configuration.
- the electrostatic suction type fluid discharge method and apparatus of the present invention can easily eliminate clogging of a nozzle due to a discharge force of a nozzle force, and can collect a discharge material that causes clogging by a collecting means. It can be appropriately collected by the conductive portion.
- a maintenance operation for eliminating clogging and a preliminary ejection operation for adjusting the ejection amount from the nozzle can be performed at any position of the nozzle at any time and quickly. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used for a high-resolution ink jet type fluid discharge method and a fluid discharge device in which droplets are miniaturized.
Landscapes
- Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/569,045 US7922295B2 (en) | 2003-08-29 | 2004-08-20 | Electrostatic attraction fluid ejecting method and apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2003-209829 | 2003-08-29 | ||
JP2003209829A JP4044012B2 (ja) | 2003-08-29 | 2003-08-29 | 静電吸引型流体吐出装置 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2005021273A1 true WO2005021273A1 (ja) | 2005-03-10 |
Family
ID=34263976
Family Applications (1)
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PCT/JP2004/012027 WO2005021273A1 (ja) | 2003-08-29 | 2004-08-20 | 静電吸引型流体吐出方法およびその装置 |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US7922295B2 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP4044012B2 (ja) |
TW (1) | TWI245709B (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2005021273A1 (ja) |
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CN111347792B (zh) * | 2018-12-21 | 2021-11-02 | 细美事有限公司 | 印刷装置及印刷方法 |
US11541658B2 (en) | 2019-01-31 | 2023-01-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Fluidic die with nozzle layer electrode for fluid control |
CN109808310B (zh) * | 2019-03-07 | 2020-11-06 | 浙江鸣春纺织股份有限公司 | 一种喷码机连续喷墨打印装置 |
CN110816055A (zh) * | 2019-11-28 | 2020-02-21 | 华中科技大学 | 一种基于等离子体射流引导的喷墨打印装置及喷印方法 |
CN110816055B (zh) * | 2019-11-28 | 2020-10-16 | 华中科技大学 | 一种基于等离子体射流引导的喷墨打印装置及喷印方法 |
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TW200520979A (en) | 2005-07-01 |
JP2005074634A (ja) | 2005-03-24 |
US20070195152A1 (en) | 2007-08-23 |
US7922295B2 (en) | 2011-04-12 |
JP4044012B2 (ja) | 2008-02-06 |
TWI245709B (en) | 2005-12-21 |
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