JP2010201384A - Suction device and droplet discharge apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suction device of which maintenance work is simplified without causing any trouble in preservation of a functional liquid droplet discharge head and a droplet discharge apparatus equipped with the suction device. <P>SOLUTION: The droplet discharge apparatus comprises a seal material 77 to be detachably attached to a functional liquid droplet discharge head 25 for discharging a functional liquid by an ink-jet system, a suction cap 58 having a suction groove 82 surrounded with the seal material 77, a suction means communicated with the suction groove 82 of the suction cap 58, a solvent supply means communicated with the suction groove 82 of the suction cap 58 for supplying a solvent of the functional liquid, and a control means for controlling the suction means and the solvent supply means. The control means operates the solvent supply means for feeding the suction groove with a solvent for retaining the humidity of the functional liquid droplet discharge head 25 when the suction cap 58 is closely attached to the functional liquid droplet discharge head 25 to carry out the maintenance work for the functional liquid droplet discharge head 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a suction device that sucks a functional liquid while being separated from a nozzle surface of an inkjet functional droplet discharge head, and a droplet discharge device including the suction device.

Conventionally, a functional liquid is discharged from a functional liquid droplet ejection head via a suction cap that is in close contact with the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head, an elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the suction cap to be in close contact with the nozzle surface, and a suction cap that is in close contact with the nozzle surface. There is known a suction unit (suction device) including a suction pump for sucking (see cited document 1). The suction cap is in direct contact with the nozzle surface and has a seal packing formed so as to surround a plurality of nozzle holes and an absorbent material laid on the inner bottom of the seal packing, and the cap body is attached to the nozzle surface by a spring. A cap holder that is slidably supported in the separating direction while being urged, and the cap body communicates with the suction pump.
This suction device seals in close contact with the nozzle surface and drives the suction pump to suck the functional liquid droplet ejection head, and seals in close contact with the nozzle surface to dry the nozzle of the functional liquid droplet ejection head. In the case of preventing (maintenance), and in the case of receiving waste discharge (flushing) from the functional liquid droplet ejection head, a plurality of types of maintenance functions are provided for the functional liquid droplet ejection head.

JP 2004-305978 A

  In such a conventional suction device, the functional liquid remaining in the cap body is sucked after suction or flushing, but the functional liquid slightly remains in the absorbent in the cap body. On the other hand, since the cap body is open except during capping, the functional liquid remaining in the absorbent material is dried and thickened, resulting in clogging, or the absorbent material sticking to the cap body, etc. There was a problem that maintenance work such as periodic replacement of the absorbent material was necessary. However, such a problem can be solved if the cap body is not provided with an absorbent material. However, when this is done, particularly when the nozzle surface is sealed to maintain the functional liquid droplet ejection head, the cap body cannot be maintained in a saturated atmosphere, and thus there is a possibility that the nozzle cannot be prevented from drying.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a suction device and a droplet discharge device including the suction device that do not hinder maintenance of a functional droplet discharge head and can simplify maintenance work.

  The suction device according to the present invention includes a seal portion that is detachably in contact with a functional liquid droplet ejection head that ejects a functional liquid by an ink jet method, a suction cap having a suction groove surrounded by the seal portion, and a suction groove of the suction cap A suction means that communicates with the suction cap, a solvent supply means that communicates with the suction groove of the suction cap and that supplies the solvent of the functional liquid, and a control means that controls the suction means and the solvent supply means. When maintaining the functional liquid droplet ejection head by bringing the suction cap into close contact with the liquid droplet ejection head, the solvent supply means is driven, and a solvent for keeping the functional liquid droplet ejection head moisturized is fed into the suction groove. .

  According to this configuration, the solvent fed into the suction groove of the suction cap by the solvent supply means is stored in the suction groove and plays the role of the absorbent, so that the absorbent can be omitted. In particular, when the functional liquid droplet ejection head is kept in close contact with the functional liquid droplet ejection head, the inside of the suction groove closed (sealed) by the suction cap is a saturated atmosphere of the solvent. It is possible to effectively prevent the droplet discharge head (nozzle) from drying. Moreover, since the functional liquid adhering in the suction groove is dissolved in the sent solvent, the suction groove is not contaminated by the solid component of the functional liquid. Therefore, it is not necessary to frequently maintain the suction cap.

  In this case, the control means drives the suction means when sucking the functional liquid droplet ejection head by bringing the suction cap into close contact with the functional liquid droplet ejection head, and sucks the sent solvent and the functional liquid droplet ejection head. It is preferable to suck the functional liquid from

  According to this configuration, even if the solvent sent instead of the absorbent material is contaminated, it can be discharged simultaneously with the functional liquid suction process. This makes it possible to always store a clean solvent in the suction groove without providing a separate suction means for exchanging and discharging the solvent. That is, maintenance management of the solvent in the suction groove can be easily performed (improvement of maintainability), and the suction groove can always be kept clean.

  Further, in this case, the control means drives the solvent supply means to receive the waste discharge in the suction groove when the suction cap is separated from the functional liquid droplet discharge head and the waste liquid discharge is performed from the functional liquid droplet discharge head. It is preferable to feed in the solvent.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to receive the discarded discharge while minimizing the rebound of the discarded functional liquid by the solvent sent into the suction groove. Moreover, since the discarded functional liquid is dissolved in the solvent in the suction groove, the suction groove is not contaminated by the solid component of the functional liquid. Therefore, it is not necessary to frequently maintain the suction cap, and the maintainability of the suction cap can be improved.

  In this case, it is preferable that the control means drives the suction means after the discarded discharge is completed, and sucks the sent solvent.

  According to this configuration, the solvent mixed with the functional liquid in the suction groove can be discharged by suction, and the suction groove can always be kept clean.

  In this case, the suction cap further has a drain groove that receives the solvent overflowed from the suction groove via the seal portion outside the suction groove, and the control means drives the solvent supply means to It is preferable that the suction groove and the seal portion are cleaned by feeding and overflowing.

  According to this configuration, the functional liquid adhering to the suction groove and the seal portion can be appropriately removed so as to be washed away at the time of suction processing or discard discharge. Thereby, the effort concerning the maintenance management work of the suction device (suction cap) can be further reduced (maintenance-free).

  In this case, it is preferable that the drain groove communicates with the suction means.

  According to this configuration, there is no need to provide a separate suction means or the like for discharging the solvent in the drain groove, and the structure can be simplified.

  Further, in this case, a solvent supply channel that connects the suction groove and the solvent supply means, an atmosphere release channel that communicates with the suction groove and opens the inside of the suction groove to the atmosphere, a solvent supply channel, and an atmosphere release channel And a flow path switching means for switching the flow path.

  According to this configuration, the flow path from the suction groove to the flow path switching unit can be shared. Thereby, since the flow path configuration of the suction device can be simplified, the maintainability is improved.

  Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that a wave-dissipating plate is provided in the suction groove.

  According to this configuration, for example, even when the suction device moves relative to the functional liquid droplet ejection head, it is possible to prevent the solvent stored in the suction groove from overflowing due to the reaction caused by the movement. .

  A droplet discharge device of the present invention includes the above-described suction device and a functional droplet discharge head, and discharges a functional liquid onto a workpiece while moving the functional droplet discharge head relative to the workpiece. It is characterized by drawing.

  According to this configuration, the functional liquid droplet ejection head can be appropriately maintained by suction processing or the like, so that high-quality drawing by stable ejection can be maintained.

1 is a perspective view of a droplet discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of a droplet discharge device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a droplet discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a head unit equipped with a functional liquid droplet ejection head. FIG. It is a front and back external perspective view of a functional liquid droplet ejection head. It is a side view of a suction unit. It is a top view of a cap unit. It is a piping system diagram of a suction unit. It is sectional drawing (a) and top view (b) of a suction cap. It is sectional drawing explaining the suction processing function (a) and capping function (b) by a suction unit. It is sectional drawing explaining the flushing function (c) and cleaning process function (d) by a suction unit. It is sectional drawing (a) and top view (b) of the suction cap concerning another form.

  Hereinafter, a droplet discharge device to which a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This droplet discharge device is incorporated in a flat panel display production line, and uses, for example, a functional droplet discharge head into which a special ink or a functional liquid that is a light-emitting resin liquid is introduced. A light emitting layer to be a pixel, a filter element of a color filter, and the like are formed. The suction device is used for maintenance and cleaning of the functional liquid droplet ejection head.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the droplet discharge device 1 is disposed on an X-axis support base 12a supported by a stone surface plate, and extends in the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction. Are arranged on a pair of Y-axis support bases 13a that span across the X-axis table 12 via a plurality of support columns 11, and in the sub-scanning direction. A Y-axis table 13 extending in the Y-axis direction, 13 carriage units 14 mounted on the Y-axis table 13 movably and mounted with a plurality (twelve) functional liquid droplet ejection heads 25, It is composed of Further, the droplet discharge device 1 has a chamber 15 that accommodates these devices in an atmosphere in which temperature and humidity are controlled, and a function of supplying the functional liquid to the functional droplet discharge head 25 through the chamber 15. A liquid supply unit 16 is provided, and a tank cabinet 41 for storing a main tank 40 and the like constituting the main part of the functional liquid supply unit 16 is provided in a part of the side wall of the chamber 15. The droplet discharge device 1 is controlled in its entirety by the control device 17, and discharges the function droplet discharge head 25 in synchronization with the drive of the X-axis table 12 and the Y-axis table 13, thereby providing a functional liquid supply unit. The six color functional droplets supplied from 16 are ejected, and a predetermined drawing pattern is drawn on the workpiece W.

  Further, the droplet discharge device 1 includes a maintenance device 18 including a flushing unit 21, a suction unit 22 (suction device), a wiping unit 23, and a discharge performance inspection unit 24. For maintenance, the function of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 is maintained and restored. In the droplet discharge device 1 of the present embodiment, the workpiece W is drawn with the carriage unit 14 facing the portion where the X-axis table 12 and the Y-axis table 13 intersect, and the Y-axis table 13 and the maintenance device 18 (suction unit) 22, the carriage unit 14 faces the portion where the wiping unit 23) intersects to perform the function maintenance / recovery of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the X-axis table 12 supports a set table 12b having a mechanism capable of adsorbing and setting the workpiece W and correcting in the θ-axis direction, and the set table 12b slidably in the X-axis direction. The X-axis first slider 12c, the X-axis second slider 12d for slidably supporting the flushing unit 21 and the ejection performance inspection unit 24 in the X-axis direction, and the X-axis first slider extending in the X-axis direction. A pair of left and right X-axis linear motors (not shown) that move the slider 12c and the X-axis second slider 12d in the X-axis direction are provided.

  The Y-axis table 13 includes 13 bridge plates 13b each having 13 carriage units 14 suspended therein, 13 sets of Y-axis sliders (not shown) that support the 13 bridge plates 13b in both ends, and a pair of And a pair of Y-axis linear motors (not shown) that move the bridge plate 13b in the Y-axis direction. Further, the Y-axis table 13 performs sub-scanning of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 at the time of drawing via each carriage unit 14 and causes the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 to face the suction unit 22 and the wiping unit 23. In this case, the carriage units 14 can be moved independently and individually, or the 13 carriage units 14 can be moved together.

  Each carriage unit 14 has six colors of R, G, B, C, M, and Y, each of two (total 12) functional droplet ejection heads 25 and six functional droplet ejection heads 25. The head unit 19 includes a head plate 19a that is divided into two groups and supported (see FIG. 4). Each carriage unit 14 includes a θ rotation mechanism 14a that supports the head unit 19 so as to be capable of θ correction (θ rotation), and a suspension member 14b that supports the head unit 19 on the bridge plate 13b via the θ rotation mechanism 14a. And. In addition, each of the carriage units 14 has a sub tank 42 disposed thereon (actually disposed on the bridge plate 13b), and utilizes a natural water head from the sub tank 42 and a pressure regulating valve (not shown). The functional liquid is supplied to each functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 through (omitted). In the present embodiment, the number of carriage units 14 and the number of functional liquid droplet ejection heads 25 mounted on each carriage unit 14 are arbitrary. In the present embodiment, functional liquid droplets supplied with six functional liquids of R (red), G (green), B (blue), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are supplied. Although the one using the discharge head 25 is used, the number of colors and color types of the supplied functional liquid are arbitrary.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 is a so-called double ink jet head, which is a functional liquid introduction part 31 having two connection needles 34 and 2 sideways connected to the side of the functional liquid introduction part 31. A series of head substrates 32, two series of pump units 33 that are continuous below the head substrate 32, and a nozzle plate 35 that is coupled to the pump unit 33 are provided. The functional liquid introduction unit 31 is supplied with the functional liquid from the sub tank 42 via the two connecting needles 34. Two nozzle rows NL are arranged in parallel to each other on the nozzle surface NF of the nozzle plate 35, and each nozzle row NL includes 180 discharge nozzles 36 arranged at an equal pitch. The head substrate 32 is connected to the control device 17 via a flexible flat cable (not shown), and the drive waveform output from the control device 17 is applied to each pump unit 33 (piezoelectric element thereof). Thus, the functional liquid is discharged from each discharge nozzle 36.

  Next, the suction unit 22 (suction device) will be described with reference to FIGS. The suction unit 22 moves up and down each cap unit 50 through 13 cap units 50 in which 12 suction caps 58 corresponding to 12 functional liquid droplet ejection heads 25 are arranged on a cap plate 59 and a support member 61. 13 lifting / lowering mechanisms 51, 13 suction channel systems 52 connected to each cap unit 50 and having a functional liquid channel, and connected to each suction channel system 52 and having two different pressure levels (high pressure) Low pressure) A suction mechanism 53 having two waste liquid tanks 66 corresponding to two ejectors 66e, a solvent supply mechanism 54 that communicates with the twelve suction caps 58 of each cap unit 50 and supplies a solvent of the functional liquid, It has. The suction unit 22 has a function of draining the functional liquid stored in the compressed air supply facility 55 for supplying compressed air for control to the suction mechanism 53 and the like, the exhaust facility 56 for exhausting from each part, and the waste liquid tank 66. The liquid waste liquid equipment 57 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, each cap unit 50 includes a suction cap 58 corresponding to a total of twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 25 for each color, a cap plate 59 on which these are collectively mounted, The twelve suction caps 58 are mounted on the cap plate 59 in the same arrangement as the twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 25 and in the same inclination posture. As will be described in detail later, the suction cap 58 has a seal member 77 that is in close contact with the nozzle surface NF of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 and a suction groove 82 surrounded by the seal member 77 (FIG. 9). reference).

  As shown in FIG. 6, each lifting mechanism 51 supports a lifting cylinder 51 a that lifts and lowers the suction cap 58 directly via a support member 61, a pair of linear guides 51 b that guide lifting by the lifting cylinder 51 a, and these. A base portion 51c. The support member 61 has a support frame 61a that supports the cap unit 50 at the upper end. The elevating mechanism 51 includes a close position for performing suction processing by bringing each suction cap 58 into close contact with the nozzle surface NF of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 and a slightly spaced position (also serves for flushing) from the close position. Then, the cap unit 50 is moved up and down in three stages between the replacement position for the replacement of the head unit 19 and the consumables replacement (maintenance) of the cap unit 50.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each suction flow path system 52 includes a cap side main flow path 62 and a cap side sub flow path 63 connected to each cap unit 50, a tank side flow path 64 connected to the cap side main flow path 62, and the like. It is composed of Each cap-side main channel 62 and each cap-side sub-channel 63 communicate with a suction groove 82 and a drain groove 84 of a suction cap 58, which will be described later. The cap-side main flow paths 62 are joined and connected by color (six colors) of the functional liquid, and the downstream ends of the six cap-side main flow paths 62 for each suction unit 22 are connected to the primary manifold 62a. Similarly, each cap side subchannel 63 is joined and connected to each color (six colors) of the functional liquid. Further, a suction flow path switching valve 65 is interposed in each cap side main flow path 62 that is merged by color, and the suction flow path switching valve 65 is downstream of each cap side sub flow path 63 that is merged by color. The ends are connected. By switching the suction flow path switching valve 65, any one of the cap side main flow path 62 or the cap side sub flow path 63 can be opened. Each cap-side main channel 62 and each cap-side sub-channel 63 may be connected to the primary manifold 62a.

  The tank side flow path 64 is connected to each waste liquid tank 66 through each secondary manifold 64a corresponding to two pressure levels by connecting the upstream end to the primary manifold 62a. The cap side main flow path 62 and the tank side flow path 64 are respectively provided with a cap side flow path opening / closing valve 62b and a tank side flow path opening / closing valve 64b for opening and closing the flow path.

  The waste liquid tank 66 of the suction mechanism 53 includes a first waste liquid tank 66a used at a high pressure (first level) and a second waste liquid tank 66b used at a low pressure (second level). Further, the above-described flushing unit 21 is connected to the second waste liquid tank 66b through a flushing flow channel 66c. Note that the flushing flow channel 66c may be connected to both the first waste liquid tank 66a and the second waste liquid tank 66b via a flow path switching valve 66d (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8). The ejector 66e introduces compressed air from the compressed air supply equipment 55 to the primary side, and connects the secondary side to the upper space of each waste liquid tank 66 through the communication channel 66f. The above two pressure levels (high pressure and low pressure) are such that the air in the communication channel 66f is pulled toward the exhaust facility 56 by the accompanying flow of the compressed air supplied to the ejector 66e, Depressurization is controlled.

  The solvent supply mechanism 54 includes a solvent tank 67 that stores the solvent of the functional liquid, and a solvent supply channel 68 that connects the solvent tank 67 and the suction cap 58 (more precisely, the suction groove 82). A compressed air supply facility 55 is connected to the solvent tank 67 via a compressed air channel 67 a, and the solvent tank 67 is pressurized so that the solvent is supplied to the suction groove 82 of each suction cap 58 through the solvent supply channel 68. Liquid. A dedicated compressor or air pump for pressurizing the inside of the solvent tank 67 may be provided.

  On the downstream side of the solvent supply channel 68 (in the vicinity of the cap unit 50), a supply opening / closing valve 68a for opening and closing the solvent supply channel 68 is provided. Further, a bifurcated joint 68b is interposed in the solvent supply flow path 68 between the supply opening / closing valve 68a and the cap unit 50, branching off from the solvent supply flow path 68, and the terminal is opened to the atmosphere. The open air flow path 68c is connected. An air opening / closing valve 68d for opening and closing the flow path is interposed in the air opening flow path 68c. The solvent supply flow path 68 from the two-branch joint 68b to the cap unit 50 is used as the air release flow path 68c by switching the supply open / close valve 68a and the air open / close valve 68d to be opposite to each other. It has become. Specifically, the supply opening / closing valve 68a is opened and the atmospheric opening / closing valve 68d is closed, thereby functioning as a solvent supply channel 68 for feeding the solvent to the suction groove 82 of each suction cap 58. On the other hand, by closing the supply opening / closing valve 68a and opening the atmosphere opening / closing valve 68d, the inside of each suction cap 58 can be opened to the atmosphere so that each suction cap 58 in close contact with the nozzle surface NF can be easily separated. (Details will be described later). The “flow path switching means” in the claims refers to the supply opening / closing valve 68a and the atmospheric opening / closing valve 68d.

  Note that the air release channel 68 c may be directly connected to the suction cap 58 separately from the solvent supply channel 68. A supply opening / closing valve 68a may be provided for each suction cap 58. In such a case, it is preferable to provide an immersion sensor in a suction groove 82 to be described later, and to control the individual supply opening / closing valve 68a based on the detection result of the immersion sensor.

  In the present embodiment, when the operation of the droplet discharge device 1 is stopped, the 13 carriage units 14 are moved to the positions of the 13 suction units 22 by the Y-axis table 13, and the cap unit 50 is brought into a close position by the lifting mechanism 51. The so-called capping (head maintenance) is performed on the all-function droplet discharge head 25. On the other hand, at the start of operation, the ejecting process is performed by driving the ejector 66e in the capped state with respect to each functional liquid droplet ejection head 25, and then the wiping process is performed on a carriage unit 14 basis. Then, the 13 carriage units 14 sequentially move onto the workpiece W set on the X-axis table 12. That is, the 13 carriage units 14 are individually controlled, and the 13 cap units 50 are also individually controlled in accordance with this.

  Next, the suction cap 58 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Each suction cap 58 has a cap body 71 that seals all the ejection nozzles 36 in close contact with the nozzle surface NF of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25, and a cap holder 72 that holds the cap body 71. . Further, on the lower surface of the cap body 71, there are a cap side main channel 62 and a cap side subchannel 63 communicating with the cap body 71, and a suction joint 73 and a drain suction joint 74 connected to the cap body 71 and the cap body 71, respectively. A supply joint 75 to which a solvent supply channel 68 is connected to supply the solvent and open to the atmosphere is attached. The cap body 71 (excluding the seal member 77) and the cap holder 72 are made of a corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel.

  The cap body 71 includes a seal holder 76 having a suction groove 82 formed in the center of the surface thereof, and a seal member (seal portion) 77 that is in close contact with the nozzle surface NF of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25. Further, a pair of U-shaped slide engaging portions 78 extending in a plan view are extended on both sides in the long side direction of the cap body 71, and the cap body 71 is a pair of guides erected on a cap holder 72 described later. The pin 93 is slidably held.

  The seal holder 76 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the suction groove forming wall 81 is rectangular in plan view so as to form a suction groove 82 for storing the solvent supplied from the solvent supply mechanism 54 at the center of the surface thereof. Projected in a frame shape. Further, on the outside of the suction groove forming wall 81, a drain groove forming wall 83 projects in a rectangular frame shape in plan view so as to form a drain groove 84 that receives the solvent overflowing from the suction groove 82. That is, the drain groove 84 is formed so as to surround the suction groove 82 from the outside. The drain groove forming wall 83 is formed slightly lower than the suction groove forming wall 81.

  The seal member 77 is made of corrosion-resistant rubber, resin, or the like, and is engaged and fixed to the upper end surface of the suction groove forming wall 81. The seal member 77 is in close contact with the nozzle surface NF so as to include the nozzle row NL and seals.

  The suction groove 82 is surrounded and formed by a suction groove forming wall 81 and a seal member 77 engaged and fixed thereto. A suction channel 85 and a supply channel 86 are opened on the bottom surface of the suction groove 82 so as to be aligned in the long side direction. The suction channel 85 communicates with the suction joint 73 and is connected to the supply channel. 86 communicates with the supply joint 75. As will be described in detail later, the solvent supplied from the solvent supply mechanism 54 via the supply flow path 86 is sent to and stored in the suction groove 82. Further, by driving the suction mechanism 53, the solvent (and the functional liquid) stored in the suction groove 82 is sucked through the suction channel 85.

  On the bottom surface of the drain groove 84, a drain suction flow path 87 is opened at one side in the short side direction and substantially at the center in the long side direction (see FIG. 9B). The drain suction joint 74 is communicated. Although details will be described later, when the inside of the suction cap 58 is cleaned, the drain groove 84 receives the solvent overflowing from the suction groove 82. Then, the solvent is sucked by the suction mechanism 53 through the drain suction flow path 87. Note that the groove bottom of the suction groove 82 preferably has a drainage gradient toward the opening of the suction flow path 85. Similarly, the groove bottom of the drain groove 84 is formed at the opening of the drain suction flow path 87. It is preferable to have a drainage gradient.

  On the other hand, the cap holder 72 has an opening 91 into which the suction joint 73, the drain suction joint 74, and the supply joint 75 are inserted in the center of the plane, and the cap holder 72 is received outside the opening 91. Thus, a pair of close springs 92 that urge the cap body 71 upward are positioned. As a result, the seal member 77 is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface NF. A pair of guide pins 93 are erected on both ends in the long side direction of the cap holder 72. Each guide pin 93 is a round pin with a so-called head 94, and the upper surface of the slide engagement portion 78 is in contact with the head 94, so that the upper side (nozzle surface NF side) of the cap body 71. Movement is restricted.

  In addition, a washer 95 is interposed between the head 94 of one guide pin 93 and the slide engagement portion 78, and the cap body 71 is slightly inclined by the thickness of the washer 95. It is held by the cap holder 72. Thus, by slightly tilting the cap body 71, when the suction cap 58 is pulled away from the nozzle surface NF, the seal member 77 is separated from one side with respect to the nozzle surface NF, and the functional liquid in the suction cap 58 is scattered. There is nothing. When the suction cap 58 is pulled away from the nozzle surface NF after the suction process, the supply opening / closing valve 68a is closed and the atmosphere opening / closing valve 68d is opened to open the atmosphere opening flow path 68c to the atmosphere, and the suction groove 82 and By releasing the negative pressure in the gap with the nozzle surface NF, each suction cap 58 can be smoothly and smoothly separated.

  Next, a maintenance method of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 using the suction unit 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. The suction unit 22 has a plurality of types of maintenance functions for the functional droplet discharge head 25, and the suction cap 58 is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface NF, and the suction mechanism 53 is driven to function from the functional droplet discharge head 25. A suction processing function for sucking the liquid, a capping function for preventing the discharge nozzle 36 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 from drying by bringing the suction cap 58 into close contact with the nozzle surface NF, and the functional liquid from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25. It has a flushing function for receiving discarded discharge (flushing) and a cleaning processing function for cleaning the inside of the suction cap 58.

The suction processing function is for forcibly performing suction processing on the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25. The suction process is performed when the functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 is initially filled with the functional liquid when the drawing process is performed on the workpiece W by the liquid droplet ejection apparatus 1, or when the apparatus starts operating, and further the ejection performance. This is performed, for example, when the function recovery is performed when the inspection unit 24 determines that the discharge is defective.
As shown in FIG. 10A, in the suction process, first, the corresponding cap unit 50 is driven to the close position by driving the elevating mechanism 51, and the suction flow path switching valve 65 and the cap side flow path opening / closing valve 62b. In addition, the tank-side flow path opening / closing valve 64b is controlled to open the cap-side main flow path 62 and to connect the suction groove 82 and the first waste liquid tank 66a. Further, the supply opening / closing valve 68a and the atmospheric opening / closing valve 68d are closed. In this state, the suction mechanism 53 is driven to perform suction processing at high pressure. The second waste liquid tank 66b may be communicated and sucked at a low pressure, or a combination of high pressure and low pressure (for example, alternately) may be sucked.

With the capping function, when the operation of the liquid droplet ejection apparatus 1 is stopped, the nozzle surface NF of each functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 is removed by a suction cap 58 in order to prevent the functional liquid in each ejection nozzle 36 from drying. This is a function of sealing (capping).
As shown in FIG. 10B, the capping first closes the cap-side flow path opening / closing valve 62b and the tank-side flow path opening / closing valve 64b, and opens the supply opening / closing valve 68a (the atmospheric opening / closing valve 68d is closed). Then, the solvent supply mechanism 54 is driven to supply the solvent to the suction groove 82. When the solvent is stored to the extent that it does not overflow from the suction groove 82, the supply of the solvent is stopped (the supply opening / closing valve 68a is closed). In this state, similarly to the suction process, the corresponding cap unit 50 is raised to the close position, and each functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 is sealed with the corresponding suction cap 58. As a result, the gap between the suction groove 82 and the nozzle surface NF becomes a saturated atmosphere of the solvent, and each discharge nozzle 36 is exposed to this saturated atmosphere, so that the functional liquid in each discharge nozzle 36 may be dried. Absent. Accordingly, even when the drawing process is stopped, the thickening of the functional liquid in each functional liquid droplet ejection head 25 (each ejection nozzle 36) can be appropriately prevented, and this is caused by nozzle clogging or the like. It is possible to prevent the ejection failure.

The flushing function is a function of performing a waste discharge from each discharge nozzle 36 to the suction cap 58 (suction groove 82) in order to prevent thickening of the functional liquid in the discharge nozzle 36 during standby such as a suction process. .
As shown in FIG. 11C, the flushing stores the solvent to such an extent that it does not overflow into the suction groove 82, as in the case of the capping described above. Then, the corresponding cap unit 50 is moved to the separation position by driving the lifting mechanism 51. At this separated position, the solvent stored in the suction groove 82 is discarded and flushed from each functional liquid droplet ejection head 25. The cap-side flow path opening / closing valve 62b, the tank-side flow path opening / closing valve 64b, and the supply opening / closing valve 68a are all closed. Since the discarded functional liquid droplets land on the solvent in the suction groove 82, the functional liquid droplets land compared to the case where the functional liquid droplets land on a solid such as the seal holder 76 itself or the functional liquid absorbing member. Will not scatter in the form of a mist due to the impact of. Therefore, the mist of the functional liquid does not float and adhere to the nozzle surface NF, and the subsequent wiping of the nozzle surface NF by the wiping unit 23 can be performed simply. When the flushing is completed or periodically, the cap-side main channel 62 is opened, the suction mechanism 53 is driven to perform a suction process, and the solvent and the functional liquid in the suction groove 82 are discharged. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately provide a suction means or the like only for exchanging and discharging the solvent, and the solvent that is always free of dirt can be stored in the suction groove 82, and the suction groove 82 can be cleaned. Can be easily performed. Furthermore, since the discarded functional liquid is dissolved in the solvent in the suction groove 82, the functional liquid is smoothly discharged without sticking in the suction groove 82.

The cleaning function is a function of intentionally overflowing the solvent in the suction groove 82 and cleaning the inside of the seal member 77 and the suction groove 82.
As shown in FIG. 11 (d), the cleaning process first controls the suction flow path switching valve 65, the cap side flow path opening / closing valve 62b, and the tank side flow path opening / closing valve 64b so that the cap side auxiliary flow path 63 is changed. The drain groove 84 is communicated with the first waste liquid tank 66a (or the second waste liquid tank 66b). Then, the solvent supply mechanism 54 is driven to start feeding the solvent into the suction groove 82, and the suction mechanism 53 is driven to perform suction processing at high pressure (or low pressure). Thereby, the solvent overflows from the suction groove 82 to the drain groove 84, and the functional liquid adhering to the seal member 77 and the suction groove 82 can be washed away by the flow of the solvent. The cleaning process may be performed at an arbitrary timing by a user operation, but is preferably performed periodically. Further, the suction mechanism 53 may be driven after the supply operation of the solvent supply mechanism 54.

  In the suction process or capping, the storage amount of the solvent in each suction groove 82 may be intentionally increased so that the nozzle surface NF is brought into contact with the solvent surface. Thereby, since the functional liquid adhering to the nozzle surface NF can be loosened by the wiping unit 23, dirt (functional liquid) can be more reliably removed. In this case, it is preferable that the surface of the suction groove 82 is subjected to water repellent treatment. Thereby, since the solvent stored in the suction groove 82 is stored so as to rise by its surface tension, the solvent can be easily brought into contact with the nozzle surface NF.

  In the droplet discharge device 1 according to the present embodiment, each carriage unit 14 moves (sub-scan) along the Y-axis table 13 so as to face the suction unit 22, but the suction unit 22 is moved. It may be configured to face each carriage unit 14. In this case, it is preferable that a plurality of wave-dissipating plates 96 are provided in each suction groove 82 (see FIG. 12). Each wave-dissipating plate 96 is provided in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the suction unit 22. Further, each wave-dissipating plate 96 is provided with a gap on the bottom surface of the suction groove 82 and is fixed to both side surfaces of the suction groove 82. Accordingly, the liquid level of the solvent stored in the suction groove 82 is kept constant, and the solvent stored in each suction groove 82 is not spilled due to the reaction caused by the movement of the suction unit 22. In FIG. 12, two wave-dissipating plates 96 are illustrated, but the number of wave-dissipating plates 96 disposed is arbitrary.

  According to the above configuration, since the solvent supplied and stored in the suction groove 82 by the solvent supply mechanism 54 plays the role of the absorbent, the absorbent can be omitted, and the suction cap 58 (suction groove 82) can be omitted. The functional liquid remaining in) is dissolved in the solvent and does not cause alteration due to drying. This eliminates the need for maintenance work such as periodic replacement of the absorbent material, thereby reducing costs and labor. In addition, since the functional droplet discharge head 25 (discharge nozzle 36) can be properly maintained by capping the functional droplet discharge head 25 especially when the operation of the droplet discharge device 1 is stopped, the droplet discharge device 1 High quality drawing with stable ejection can be maintained.

  1: droplet discharge device, 17: control device, 22: suction unit, 25: functional droplet discharge head, 53: suction mechanism, 54: solvent supply mechanism, 58: suction cap, 68: solvent supply channel, 68a: Supply opening / closing valve, 68c: Atmospheric release flow path, 68d: Atmospheric opening / closing valve, 77: Seal member, 82: Suction groove, 84: Drain groove, 96: Wave absorbing plate, W: Workpiece

Claims (9)

A suction part having a suction groove surrounded by the seal part, and a seal part that comes into close contact with a functional liquid droplet ejection head that ejects the functional liquid by an inkjet method; and
A suction means communicating with the suction groove of the suction cap;
A solvent supply means that communicates with the suction groove of the suction cap and supplies the solvent of the functional liquid;
Control means for controlling the suction means and the solvent supply means,
The control unit drives the solvent supply unit when the functional droplet discharge head is maintained by bringing the suction cap into close contact with the functional droplet discharge head, and the functional droplet discharge head is inserted into the suction groove. A suction device, wherein the solvent for keeping moisture is fed.   The control means drives the suction means when sucking the functional liquid droplet ejection head by bringing the suction cap into close contact with the functional liquid droplet ejection head, and sucks the sent solvent and the function. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the functional liquid is sucked from a droplet discharge head.   The control means drives the solvent supply means to separate the suction cap from the functional liquid droplet ejection head and perform the waste discharge from the functional liquid droplet ejection head, and discharges the waste ink into the suction groove. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the solvent for receiving is fed.   The suction device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit drives the suction unit to suck the fed solvent after the discarding and discharging is completed. The suction cap further has a drain groove that receives the solvent overflowed from the suction groove via the seal portion outside the suction groove,
The said control means drives the said solvent supply means, sends the said solvent to the said suction groove, it is made to overflow, and the said suction groove and the said seal part are wash | cleaned. Suction device.   The suction device according to claim 5, wherein the drain groove communicates with the suction means. A solvent supply channel connecting the suction groove and the solvent supply means;
An air opening flow path communicating with the suction groove and opening the inside of the suction groove to the atmosphere;
The suction device according to claim 1, further comprising: a channel switching unit that switches between the solvent supply channel and the atmosphere-open channel.   The suction device according to claim 1, wherein a wave-dissipating plate is provided in the suction groove. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The functional liquid droplet ejection head,
A droplet discharge apparatus for performing drawing by discharging the functional liquid onto the workpiece while moving the functional droplet discharge head relative to the workpiece.

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