JP5157948B2 - Device failure evaluation method for suction device and device failure evaluation device for suction device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device failure evaluation method for a suction device that evaluates a device failure and a device failure evaluation device for a suction device that sucks a functional liquid from a functional liquid droplet ejection head.

  Conventionally, a droplet discharge device sucks a functional liquid from the nozzles arranged in the functional droplet discharge head at the start of printing and periodically to prevent clogging of the nozzles of the functional droplet discharge head. Equipment. As this type of suction device, a cap closely attached to the nozzle surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head, a suction capacity pump connected to the cap, and a detection sensor for detecting that the functional liquid has reached the suction capacity pump What is provided is known (see Patent Document 1). In this suction device, the suction amount of the functional liquid by the suction capacity pump is grasped based on the drive amount of the suction capacity pump after the functional liquid reaches the suction pump. As a result, it is possible to grasp the suction amount by excluding the initial driving state of the suction capacity pump accompanied by the suction of air, so that the suction amount can be appropriately managed.

JP 2004-299295 A

  In the conventional suction device as described above, when air is mixed into the functional liquid due to capping failure, the solid component of the functional liquid adheres to the suction flow path connecting the cap and the suction capacity pump, and the pressure loss increases. If the suction device malfunctions, such as when the pumping capacity of the suction capacity pump changes over time, not only can the suction volume be accurately grasped, but also the device malfunction cannot be recognized. It was.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the fact that there is a correlation between the amount of suction per unit time by the suction device and the device failure, and the device of the suction device capable of efficiently managing the suction device An object of the present invention is to provide a defect evaluation method and a device defect evaluation apparatus for a suction device.

  The apparatus defect evaluation method for a suction device according to the present invention is a suction method for evaluating a device defect of a suction device that is in close contact with an ink jet type functional droplet discharge head connected to a functional liquid tank and sucks the functional liquid from the functional droplet discharge head. This is a device failure evaluation method for a device, and the actual reduction when the liquid level of the functional liquid tank descends as the functional liquid is sucked from the functional liquid droplet ejection head by the suction device when the liquid is lowered by a predetermined descending distance. Comparing the measurement process for measuring the liquid time with the appropriate liquid drop time when reducing the predetermined descent distance previously determined on a trial basis and the measured actual liquid drop time, to evaluate the device failure of the suction device And an evaluation step.

  In addition, the apparatus failure evaluation apparatus of the suction device according to the present invention evaluates the apparatus failure of the suction apparatus that sucks the functional liquid from the functional liquid droplet ejection head in close contact with the ink jet type functional liquid droplet ejection head connected to the functional liquid tank. An apparatus for evaluating a malfunction of a suction device, wherein the liquid level of the functional liquid tank that descends as the functional liquid is sucked from the functional liquid droplet ejection head by the suction apparatus is reduced when a predetermined drop distance is decreased. Measuring means for measuring the actual liquid reduction time, storage means for storing the appropriate liquid reduction time when reducing the predetermined descent distance previously obtained on a trial basis, and the actual liquid reduction time measured with the appropriate liquid reduction time And an evaluation means for evaluating a device failure of the suction device.

  According to these configurations, when the functional liquid is sucked from the functional liquid droplet ejection head, the functional liquid flows from the functional liquid tank through the functional liquid droplet ejection head to the suction device, and the liquid level in the functional liquid tank drops. go. Here, the volume of the functional liquid reduced by a predetermined drop distance corresponds to the suction amount accompanying the suction operation, and the liquid reduction time by the predetermined drop distance is proportional to the suction amount. Therefore, the appropriate liquid reduction time is compared with the measured actual liquid reduction time, and if the actual liquid reduction time is long, it is understood that the suction amount per unit time is small. That is, it can be understood that the suction device is not functioning properly, in other words, that the suction device is defective. Thereby, a suction device can be managed efficiently.

  In this case, in the measurement process, the time from the liquid level detection by the upper sensor to the liquid level detection by the lower sensor is determined by using a pair of sensors provided in the functional liquid tank separated by a predetermined descent distance. It is preferable to measure as

  According to this configuration, since the actual liquid reduction time is measured by the sensor, the liquid reduction time for a predetermined descent distance can be automatically detected, so that an actual measurement error does not occur. The liquid reduction time can be measured.

  In this case, the functional liquid tank is provided with an upper limit sensor for detecting an appropriate liquid level and a lower limit sensor for detecting an abnormal liquid reduction liquid level, and the upper limit sensor and the lower limit sensor have at least one of a pair of sensors. It is also preferable to serve as both.

  In the apparatus failure evaluation apparatus for a suction device, the functional liquid tank has an upper limit sensor for detecting an appropriate liquid level and a lower limit sensor for detecting an abnormal liquid reduction liquid level. It is preferable to measure the time from the position detection to the liquid level detection by the lower limit sensor as the actual liquid reduction time.

  According to these configurations, the actual liquid reduction time can be measured using the sensor provided in the functional liquid tank, and the device configuration can be simplified (the control system can be changed). . In addition, since the actual liquid reduction time is measured from the upper limit sensor that detects the appropriate liquid level, the measurement can be easily performed.

  In this case, in the evaluation step, it is preferable to notify that the apparatus is defective when the actual liquid reduction time is longer than the threshold value based on the appropriate liquid reduction time.

  Similarly, it is preferable that the evaluation unit has a notification unit that notifies that the apparatus is defective when the actual liquid reduction time is longer than the threshold value based on the appropriate liquid reduction time.

  According to these configurations, it is possible to promptly notify the operator of the occurrence of a device failure and prompt prompt response.

It is a perspective view of the droplet discharge device concerning an embodiment. It is a top view of a droplet discharge device. It is a side view of a droplet discharge device. It is an external appearance perspective view of a functional droplet discharge head. It is a piping system diagram of a functional liquid supply device. It is the block diagram explaining the main control system of the droplet discharge apparatus. It is a side view of a suction unit. It is a piping system diagram of a suction unit. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the area around a sub tank. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the measurement process of an apparatus defect evaluation method. It is the (a) schematic diagram showing the sub tank in the measurement process of an apparatus defect evaluation method, (b) Liquid reduction time measurement time chart.

  Hereinafter, a droplet discharge device to which 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 function droplet discharge head into which a special ink or a functional liquid that is a light-emitting resin liquid is introduced, and the color of a liquid crystal display device A light emitting element or the like to be used for each pixel of a filter or an organic EL device is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the droplet discharge device 1 is disposed on an X-axis support base 2 supported by a stone surface plate and extends in the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, An X-axis table 14 that moves W in the X-axis direction (main scanning direction) and a pair (two) of Y-axis support bases that span the X-axis table 14 via a plurality of columns 4 3, a Y-axis table 15 extending in the Y-axis direction which is the sub-scanning direction, and 13 carriage units 13 on which a plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads 20 (see FIG. 4) are mounted, The 13 carriage units 13 are suspended from the Y-axis table 15. Further, the droplet discharge device 1 includes a chamber 5 that accommodates these devices in an atmosphere in which temperature and humidity are controlled, and a functional droplet discharge head 20 that passes through the chamber 5 from the outside of the chamber 5 to the inside. And a functional liquid supply unit 6 having three sets of functional liquid supply devices 30 for supplying the functional liquid. The functional liquid droplet discharge head 20 is driven to discharge in synchronization with the driving of the X-axis table 14 and the Y-axis table 15, thereby discharging the R, G, B three-color functional liquid droplets supplied from the functional liquid supply unit 6. A predetermined drawing pattern is drawn on the workpiece W.

  The droplet discharge device 1 includes a maintenance device 7 including a flushing unit 8, a suction unit 9, a wiping unit 11, and a discharge performance inspection unit 12, and these units are used for maintenance of the functional droplet discharge head 20. The function of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 is maintained and recovered. Of the units constituting the maintenance device 7, the flushing unit 8 and the discharge performance inspection unit 12 are mounted on the X-axis table 14, and the suction unit 9 and the wiping unit 11 extend from the X-axis table 14 at a right angle, In addition, the carriage unit 13 is disposed on a gantry disposed at a position where the carriage unit 13 can be moved by the Y-axis table 15.

  The flushing unit 8 includes a pair of pre-drawing flushing units 8a and a regular flushing unit 8b, and is a function that is performed immediately before the ejection of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 or when the drawing process is suspended such as when the workpiece W is replaced. The liquid droplet ejection head 20 is subjected to waste ejection (flushing). The wiping unit 11 has a wiping sheet and wipes the nozzle surface 21 of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 after suction. The ejection performance inspection unit 12 recognizes an image of the functional liquid droplets ejected from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20, and inspects the ejection performance (the presence / absence of ejection and flight bending) of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20. Although the details will be described later, the suction unit 9 has a plurality of divided suction units 9a, forcibly sucks the functional liquid from the discharge nozzles 22 of the respective functional liquid droplet discharge heads 20, and performs capping.

  Each carriage unit 13 includes a head unit 17 including twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 20 and a carriage plate 18 that supports the twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 20 in two groups. (See FIG. 3). Each carriage unit 13 includes a θ rotation mechanism 19 that supports the head unit 17 so as to be capable of θ correction (θ rotation), and a suspension member that supports the head unit 17 on the Y-axis table 15 via the θ rotation mechanism 19. 43. In addition, each carriage unit 13 is provided with a sub-tank 33 to be described later, and a functional liquid is supplied from the sub-tank 33 to each functional liquid droplet ejection head 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 has a so-called double structure, a functional liquid introduction section 24 having two connection needles 23, and a dual head substrate that is continuous with the functional liquid introduction section 24. 25, and a head main body 26 which is connected to the lower side of the functional liquid introduction section 24 and has an in-head flow path filled with the functional liquid therein. The connection needle 23 is connected to the functional liquid supply unit 6, and when the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 is driven to eject, functional liquid droplets are ejected from the ejection nozzle 22 by the pumping action of the piezoelectric element. On the nozzle surface 21, two nozzle rows 22a and 22b made up of a large number of discharge nozzles 22 are formed in parallel to each other. The two nozzle rows 22a and 22b are displaced from each other by a half nozzle pitch.

  Next, the functional liquid supply unit 6 includes three sets of functional liquid supply devices 30 corresponding to R, G, and B3 colors. The functional liquid supply unit 6 includes a nitrogen gas supply facility 37 that supplies compressed nitrogen gas for control of the main tank 31, the sub tank 33, and the like, and a compressed air supply facility 38 that supplies compressed air for control of various on-off valves. And a gas exhaust equipment 39 for exhausting gas from each part, and a vacuum equipment 42 connected to the bubble removing unit 41. The three sets of functional liquid supply devices 30 are respectively connected to the functional liquid droplet ejection heads 20 corresponding to the R, G, and B colors. Liquid is supplied.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each functional liquid supply device 30 includes a tank unit 32 having two main tanks 31, 31 constituting a functional liquid supply source, and 13 units provided corresponding to each carriage unit 13. The sub tank 33, the upstream functional liquid flow path 34 connecting the tank unit 32 and the 13 sub tanks 33, and 13 sets of downstream functional liquid flow paths 35 connecting the sub tanks 33 and the functional liquid droplet ejection heads 20. And.

  The functional liquid in each main tank 31 is connected to this and pressurized by compressed nitrogen gas from the nitrogen gas supply equipment 37 and selectively supplied to the 13 sub tanks 33 via the upstream functional liquid flow path 34. Is done. At that time, various open / close valves are controlled to open / close by the compressed air of the compressed air supply equipment 38. At the same time, each sub tank 33 is opened to the atmosphere via the gas exhaust equipment 39 and receives a required amount of functional liquid. The functional liquid in each sub tank 33 is supplied to the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 via the downstream functional liquid flow path 35 while maintaining a predetermined hydraulic head pressure by driving the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 connected thereto. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the droplet discharge device 1 includes various sensors, a detection unit 58 that performs various detections, a drive unit 57 that includes various drivers that drive and control each unit, and a droplet connected to each unit. And a control unit (control means) 50 that controls the entire discharge device 1.

  The control unit 50 has an interface 51 for connecting each means, a storage area that can be temporarily stored, a RAM 52 that is used as a work area for control processing, and various storage areas. ROM 53 for storing control programs and control data; drawing data for drawing a predetermined drawing pattern on the work W; various data from each means; and a program for processing various data A hard disk 55, a CPU 54 for computing various data according to programs stored in the ROM 53 and the hard disk 55, and a bus 56 for connecting them to each other.

  The control unit 50 inputs various data from each means through the interface 51 and causes the CPU 54 to perform arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the hard disk 55 (or sequentially read out by a CD-ROM drive or the like). The processing result is output to each means via the drive unit 57 (various drivers). Thereby, the whole apparatus is controlled and various processes of the droplet discharge apparatus 1 are performed.

  Next, an apparatus defect evaluation method for the suction unit (suction apparatus) 9 according to the present embodiment will be described. The apparatus failure evaluation method of the suction unit 9 is performed by reducing a predetermined drop distance with respect to the liquid level of the sub tank 33 (functional liquid tank) that descends as the functional liquid is sucked from the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 by the suction unit 9. A measurement process for measuring the actual liquid reduction time when liquid is added, and an evaluation process for evaluating the apparatus failure of the suction unit 9 by comparing the actual liquid reduction time with the appropriate liquid reduction time obtained in advance. . Therefore, prior to the description of the apparatus failure evaluation method, the suction unit 9 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the suction unit (suction device) 9 includes 13 cap units 71 in which 12 head caps 81 corresponding to 12 functional liquid droplet ejection heads 20 are arranged on a cap plate 82, and a support unit. Thirteen elevating mechanisms (separating mechanisms) 75 for elevating and lowering each cap unit 71 through members 83, and 13 suction flow path systems 72 (FIG. 5) connected to each cap unit 71 and having functional liquid suction paths. 8) and a suction mechanism 73 (see FIG. 8) which is connected to each suction flow path system 72 and has two waste liquid tanks 88 corresponding to two pressure levels. The suction unit 9 is connected to and stored in a compressed air supply facility 108 that supplies compressed air for control to the pressure control mechanism 74 and the like, an exhaust facility 104 that exhausts air from each part, and a waste liquid tank 88. And a functional liquid waste liquid facility 99 for draining the functional liquid.

  The cap unit 71 includes a head cap 81 corresponding to a total of twelve functional liquid droplet ejection heads 20 for each color, and a cap plate 82 on which these are mounted. The elevating mechanism 75 has an elevating cylinder 84 that directly elevates and lowers the head cap 81 via a support member 83, a pair of linear guides 85 that guide elevating by the elevating cylinder 84, and a base portion 86 that supports these. ing. The elevating mechanism 75 of the embodiment has the cap unit 71 in three stages between the close position for suction, the separated position, and the replacement position for replacement of the head unit 17 and consumables of the cap unit 71 (maintenance). Move up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each suction flow path system 72 includes a cap side flow path system 77 connected to each cap unit 71 and a tank side flow path system 76 connected to the cap side flow path system 77. . The cap-side channel system 77 includes a homogeneous flow channel 91 having an upstream end connected to each head cap 81, and an individual suction flow channel in which the downstream side of the homogeneous flow channel 91 is merged according to the color of the functional liquid via the merge joint 92. 93 and a primary manifold 94 to which the downstream end of the merged individual suction flow path 93 is connected. The tank-side flow path system 76 includes a plurality of distribution suction channels 95 whose upstream ends are connected to the primary manifold 94, two secondary manifolds 96 connected to the downstream ends of the plurality of distribution suction channels 95, and an upstream The main suction channel 97 has an end connected to each secondary manifold 96 and a downstream end connected to each waste liquid tank 88. Two distribution suction channels 95 are connected to each cap unit 71 corresponding to two pressure levels, and two pressure levels are selectively switched to each distribution suction channel 95. A distribution flow path opening / closing valve 98 is interposed. The downstream end of the main suction channel 97 is inserted deeply to the vicinity of the bottom surface of the waste liquid tank 88.

  The suction mechanism 73 includes two waste liquid tanks 88 that waste the sucked functional liquid, and a pair of pressure control mechanisms 74 that control the internal pressure of each of the waste liquid tanks 88. The internal pressures 88 are individually adjusted, and each head cap 81 is controlled to a negative pressure (suction) via the distribution suction channel 95.

  The waste liquid tank 88 includes a first waste liquid tank 88a used at a high pressure (first level) and a second waste liquid tank 88b used at a low pressure (second level). Each waste liquid tank 88 is connected to a functional liquid waste liquid facility 99 that wastes the stored functional liquid. Furthermore, the pre-drawing flushing unit 8 a and the regular flushing unit 8 b described above are connected to the second waste liquid tank 88 b via the flushing flow path 101.

  The pressure control mechanism 74 includes a communication channel 103 whose upstream side is connected to the upper space of the tank body 102, an ejector 105 connected to the communication channel 103, the compressed air supply facility 108, and the exhaust facility 104, An electro-pneumatic regulator (pressure adjusting means) 106 that adjusts the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the ejector 105 and is installed adjacent to the electro-pneumatic regulator 106. A flow sensor 107.

  In the suction operation by the suction unit 9, the cap unit 71 is lifted by the lifting mechanism 75, the head cap 81 corresponding to each functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 is brought into close contact, and then the suction mechanism 73 is driven, whereby the functional liquid droplets are driven. This is performed by sucking the functional liquid from the discharge nozzle 22 of the discharge head 20.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, each sub tank 33 (functional liquid tank) will be described. Each sub-tank 33 includes a sub-tank main body 111 that stores functional liquid, a lid float 115 that is dropped on the sub-tank main body 111 and floats like a lid, a transparent liquid column pipe 112 that is disposed on the side of the sub-tank main body 111, a liquid A liquid level detection mechanism 113 that detects the liquid level of the stored functional liquid that faces the column pipe 112 and a hydraulic pressure sensor 114 that is disposed at a lower side of the sub tank main body 111 are provided. The sub tank 33 is connected to the upper part of the sub tank main body 111 so that a nitrogen gas supply equipment 37 and a gas exhaust equipment 39 can be switched (see FIG. 5), and the functional liquid is sent from the main tank 31 to the sub tank 33. When doing so, it connects to the gas exhaust equipment 39 and the inside of the sub tank 33 is opened to the atmosphere. On the other hand, when the functional liquid is fed back from the sub tank 33, the inside of the sub tank 33 is pressurized by connecting to the nitrogen gas supply equipment 37.

  The liquid level detection mechanism 113 includes an overflow detection sensor 116 that detects an abnormal liquid level increase of the functional liquid, an upper limit detection sensor (upper limit sensor) 117 that detects an appropriate liquid level of the functional liquid during replenishment, and an abnormal liquid reduction liquid. And a lower limit detection sensor (lower limit sensor) 118 for detecting the position. The overflow detection sensor 116 is provided to prevent the sub tank 33 from overflowing. When the overflow detection sensor 116 detects the liquid level, the liquid supply from the main tank 31 is stopped. On the other hand, the lower limit detection sensor 118 is provided to prevent the sub-tank 33 from becoming empty. When the lower limit detection sensor 118 detects the lower limit liquid level, the liquid is detected when the drawing of the current workpiece W is finished. The droplet discharge device 1 is stopped. The upper limit detection sensor 117 detects an appropriate liquid level in consideration of an ideal water head value of the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20, and the liquid level corresponding to the upper limit detection sensor 117 is used as a target value to open and close the sub tank 33 in front of it. The valve 36 is controlled. Specifically, when the appropriate liquid level located above the upper limit detection sensor 117 is lowered and the lowered liquid level is sensed by the upper limit detection sensor 117, the open / close valve 36 is opened, and the main level is detected. The liquid feeding from the tank 31 is started. Then, once the liquid level that has fallen rises again due to the liquid feeding, and the liquid level that has risen is sensed by the upper limit detection sensor 117, the open / close valve 36 is closed, and the liquid feeding is stopped.

  In the present embodiment, an automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 is further provided at a position between the upper limit detection sensor 117 and the lower limit detection sensor 118 in the liquid level detection mechanism 113 described above. Although details will be described later, the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 is used together with the upper limit detection sensor 117 in the measurement process in the apparatus failure evaluation of the suction unit 9. During the apparatus failure evaluation, the time for the liquid level of the functional liquid to decrease from the position of the upper limit detection sensor 117 to the position of the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 is measured. By providing the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 in the vicinity of the lower side of the upper limit detection sensor 117, the amount of functional liquid used for evaluation can be suppressed to a relatively small amount. Preferably, the position of the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 is set with reference to the amount of suction in the low pressure suction described above.

  Next, the apparatus defect evaluation method of the suction unit (suction apparatus) 9 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In the apparatus failure evaluation method, a suction step is performed by comparing a measuring step of measuring the actual liquid reduction time with respect to the liquid level of the functional liquid stored in each sub-tank 33, and an appropriate liquid reduction time measured in advance and the actual liquid reduction time. And an evaluation process for evaluating a device failure of the unit 9.

  In the measurement process, the liquid level of the functional liquid is detected by the upper limit detection sensor 117 and the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 installed in the sub tank 33, and the time taken for the liquid level to drop between both sensors (liquid reduction time) Is measured (see FIG. 11). Further, before carrying out the device failure evaluation, the time taken for the liquid level to drop between the two sensors, which is obtained by repeating the measurement process by the suction unit 9 functioning in advance on a trial basis, The controller 50 stores the appropriate liquid reduction time. In addition, a measurement process starts from the state which the liquid level of a functional liquid has the upper limit detection sensor 117 up.

  First, the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20 is sealed with the cap unit 71 of the suction unit 9 to be evaluated, and the suction mechanism 73 is driven to start sucking the functional liquid (S1). This suction operation may be dedicated to evaluation or may be a normal suction operation (cleaning). Further, except for special cases, the liquid level of the sub tank 33 is located at the substantially upper limit detection sensor 117 which is a target value. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the functional liquid stored in the sub tank 33 is sucked, the liquid level located at the upper limit detection sensor 117 is lowered and sensed below the upper limit detection sensor 117. Then, measurement of the liquid reduction time is started (S2). Then, when the liquid level drops to the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 installed almost immediately below the upper limit detection sensor 117 and falls below the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119, the measurement of the liquid reduction time is completed (S3). The time thus measured is defined as the actual liquid reduction time. After the measurement is stopped, the suction operation is stopped (S4), and the process proceeds to the evaluation process.

  In the evaluation step, the apparatus failure is evaluated from the suction amount per unit time based on the actual liquid reduction time measured in the measurement step and the sucked functional liquid amount. First, the appropriate liquid reduction time stored in the control unit 50 is compared with the measured actual liquid reduction time. At this time, when the actual liquid reduction time is longer than the threshold set based on the appropriate liquid reduction time, the notification means notifies that “the suction device is defective”. In this case, since the suction amount of the functional liquid per unit time is small, it can be understood that the suction unit 9 is not functioning properly. The device failure of the suction unit 9 may be caused by air leakage in the head cap 81 that seals the functional liquid droplet ejection head 20, generation of bubbles in the head flow path, or the like. Note that various notification means such as screen display, LED lighting, voice notification, notification using LAN or electronic mail, and the like can be considered. Although it is rare, even if the actual liquid reduction time is shorter than the appropriate liquid reduction time due to the runaway of the suction unit 9 or the like, the “suction device is defective”.

  According to the above configuration, the device failure of the suction unit 9 can be accurately evaluated by detecting and measuring the liquid reduction time of the functional liquid sucked into the suction unit 9 with the sensor. Further, by using a sensor installed in the sub tank 33, the apparatus configuration used for the evaluation can be simplified.

  In the measurement process of the liquid reduction time in the present embodiment, the upper limit detection sensor 117 and the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 are used as sensors for detecting the liquid level of the functional liquid. However, the present invention is not limited to these. Any two of the four sensors including the liquid level detection mechanism 113 and the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 described above may be used as the upper sensor and the lower sensor. For example, the actual liquid reduction time may be measured by the upper limit detection sensor 117 and the lower limit detection sensor 118. In this case, the automatic flow velocity detection sensor 119 can be omitted.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Suction unit 20 ... Functional droplet discharge head 33 ... Sub tank 117 ... Upper limit detection sensor 118 ... Lower limit detection sensor

Claims (7)

A device defect evaluation method for a suction device that evaluates a device failure of a suction device that is in close contact with an ink jet functional droplet discharge head connected to a functional liquid tank and sucks the functional liquid from the functional droplet discharge head,
A measuring step of measuring an actual liquid reduction time when the liquid level of the functional liquid tank descends with the suction of the functional liquid from the functional liquid droplet ejection head by the suction device when the liquid drops by a predetermined distance. When,
An evaluation step for comparing the appropriate liquid reduction time when the predetermined descent distance is reduced on a trial basis and the measured actual liquid reduction time to evaluate a device failure of the suction device; A device defect evaluation method for a suction device, characterized in that: In the measurement step, a pair of sensors provided in the functional liquid tank at a predetermined descent distance are used,
The apparatus failure evaluation method for a suction device according to claim 1, wherein a time from the liquid level detection by the upper sensor to the liquid level detection by the lower sensor is measured as the actual liquid reduction time. The functional liquid tank is provided with an upper limit sensor for detecting an appropriate liquid level and a lower limit sensor for detecting an abnormal liquid reduction liquid level,
3. The apparatus failure evaluation method for a suction device according to claim 2, wherein the upper limit sensor and the lower limit sensor also serve as at least one of the pair of sensors.   4. The evaluation step according to claim 1, wherein when the actual liquid reduction time is longer than a threshold value based on the appropriate liquid reduction time, the device is informed that the apparatus is defective. Device defect evaluation method for suction device. A device defect evaluation device for a suction device that evaluates device failure of a suction device that is in close contact with an ink jet type functional droplet discharge head connected to a functional liquid tank and sucks the functional liquid from the functional droplet discharge head,
Measuring means for measuring the actual liquid reduction time when the liquid level of the functional liquid tank descends with the suction of the functional liquid from the functional liquid droplet ejection head by the suction device when the liquid drops by a predetermined distance. When,
Storage means for storing the appropriate liquid drop time when the predetermined descent distance liquid is obtained on a trial basis in advance;
An apparatus failure evaluation apparatus for a suction device, comprising: an evaluation unit that compares the appropriate liquid reduction time with the measured actual liquid reduction time and evaluates the device failure of the suction device. The functional liquid tank has an upper limit sensor that detects an appropriate liquid level, and a lower limit sensor that detects an abnormal liquid level,
6. The apparatus failure evaluation of the suction device according to claim 5, wherein the measuring unit measures a time from the liquid level detection by the upper limit sensor to the liquid level detection by the lower limit sensor as the actual liquid reduction time. apparatus.   The said evaluation means has the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports that it is the said apparatus defect, when the said actual liquid reduction time is long with respect to the threshold value based on the said suitable liquid reduction time. The apparatus defect evaluation apparatus of the suction device of 6.

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