Patent Application
20240308222
The present invention relates to a cap device, a capping method, and a liquid jet system.
In a liquid jet head using an ink jet method, in a case in which a nozzle surface on which a nozzle opening is formed is dried, there is a concern that a jet abnormality of a nozzle occurs due to a decrease in jet performance of the nozzle. In a liquid jet system comprising the liquid jet head, capping of the nozzle surface is performed in order to suppress drying of the nozzle surface.
For example, the nozzle surface is brought close to a moisturizing solution reserved inside a cap, a seal member is brought into contact with a side surface of the liquid jet head to hermetically seal the moisturizing solution and the nozzle surface in the same space, and the nozzle surface is moisturized by the moisturizing solution.
On the other hand, in a case in which the cap is used as a liquid receiver and the liquid jet head is purged, the nozzle surface is separated from the cap in order to suppress the adhesion of a mist-like liquid generated during the purge to the nozzle surface.
JP2021-59013A discloses a capping device that moisturizes a nozzle surface of an ink jet head. In the device disclosed in JP2021-59013A, in a case in which an arm with the abutting nozzle surface in accordance with the lowering of the nozzle surface is pushed downward in accordance with the lowering of the ink jet head, the arm and an elastic member rotate, and the clastic member is pressed against a side surface of the ink jet head. As a result, the side surface of the ink jet head is sealed with the clastic member.
However, in a case in which the purge is performed by jetting an ink from the nozzle surface at a purge position at a position slightly higher than a cap height representing a position of the nozzle surface in a case of moisturizing the nozzle surface, the jetted ink adheres to the nozzle surface. In a case in which the ink adhering to the nozzle surface reaches the seal member through the nozzle surface, the ink that has reached the seal member may reach the side surface of the liquid jet head. In this case, in a case in which the ink that has reached the side surface of the liquid jet head enters a gap between the liquid jet heads and is stuck, it is difficult to finely adjust a position of the liquid jet head.
For example, in the liquid jet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules, in a case in which the ink enters a gap between adjacent head modules and is stuck, it is difficult to adjust a distance between the adjacent head modules.
In addition, in a case in which the ink that has entered the gap between the liquid jet heads and is stuck falls as a solid during liquid jetting, such as during printing, there is a concern about a decrease in a quality of a printed matter or the like and a failure of the device.
In the device disclosed in JP2021-59013A, in a case in which the ink jet head is purged in a state in which the nozzle surface is separated from the moisturizing solution, the arm is located below the nozzle surface, and the ink jetted during the purge may adhere to the arm. In this case, there is a concern that the ink adhering to the arm enters the gap between the ink jet heads and is stuck in a case in which the nozzle surface comes into contact with the arm.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cap device, a capping method, and a liquid jet system in which adhesion of a liquid to a seal member used in a case of moisturizing a nozzle surface is suppressed.
The present disclosure relates to a cap device that caps a liquid jet head, the cap device comprising: a seal member that is brought into contact with a seal position defined on a side surface of the liquid jet head; and a seal member support mechanism that supports the seal member to be movable with respect to the side surface, the seal member support mechanism including a swing member that supports the seal member to be swingable about a swing shaft along a first direction in which the seal member extends, in which, in the swing member, a head abutting position where a lower surface of the liquid jet head, which is a surface different from a nozzle surface of the liquid jet head and faces a direction parallel to a second direction in which the nozzle surface faces, abuts is defined, and in a case in which the seal member is moved in the second direction and a fourth direction in which a normal line of the side surface faces, as the liquid jet head of which the lower surface abuts on the head abutting position moves in a third direction opposite to the second direction, the seal member is moved in the fourth direction by a distance, which is at least twice a moving distance in the second direction, and separated from the seal position.
With the cap device according to the present disclosure, in a case in which the liquid jet head is moved in the third direction opposite to the second direction in which the normal line of the nozzle surface faces, and the seal member is moved in the second direction and the fourth direction in which the normal line of the side surface of the liquid jet head faces, the moving distance of the seal member in the fourth direction is set to be at least twice the moving distance of the seal member in the third direction. As a result, the contact between the nozzle surface and the seal member can be avoided, and the adhesion of the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface to the seal member can be suppressed.
The side surface of the liquid jet head may be defined as a surface parallel to the first direction and orthogonal to the second direction. In a case in which the liquid jet head comprises the support member that supports the body, a side surface of the support member may be applied to the side surface of the liquid jet head.
As the second direction and the third direction, a direction parallel to a vertical direction may be applied, or a direction intersecting the vertical direction may be applied. Examples of the second direction include a vertical downward direction. Examples of the third direction include a vertical upward direction.
In a case in which the liquid jet heads have two side surfaces parallel to each other, the liquid jet head may comprise a seal member that is brought into contact with one side surface and a seal member that is brought into contact with the other side surface.
In the cap device according to another aspect, the swing member may move the seal member in the third direction and a fifth direction opposite to the fourth direction as the liquid jet head of which the lower surface abuts on the head abutting position moves in the second direction, to bring the seal member into contact with the seal position.
According to such an aspect, the swing member can be pressed by using the liquid jet head that moves in the second direction to swing the seal member.
In the cap device according to still another aspect, the seal member support mechanism may include a biasing member that biases the swing member in the third direction.
According to such an aspect, the biasing force directed in the third direction can be applied to the swing member in a case in which the liquid jet head is moved in the third direction.
In the cap device according to still another aspect, the third direction may have a component in a vertical upward direction, and a distal end of the seal member may be located at a highest position in a case in which the seal member is brought into contact with the seal position.
According to such an aspect, the seal member comes into contact with a position on an upper side of the nozzle surface in a case in which the liquid jet head is moisturized. As a result, the adhesion of the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface to the seal member can be suppressed.
In the cap device according to still another aspect, the swing member may support at least any one of one end or the other end of the seal member in the first direction.
In such an aspect, an aspect is preferable in which the seal member includes the swing member at each of both ends in the first direction.
In the cap device according to still another aspect, the seal member support mechanism may include a rotation member that is rotatably supported by the swing member, and the rotation member may be disposed at a position abutting on the lower surface of the liquid jet head at the head abutting position.
According to such an aspect, wear of the lower surface of the liquid jet head can be suppressed.
In the cap device according to still another aspect, the seal member support mechanism may include a plate-shaped member having an abutting surface that abuts on the lower surface of the liquid jet head at the head abutting position.
According to such an aspect, the lower surface of the liquid jet head is in surface contact with the swingable member. As a result, partial wear of the lower surface of the liquid jet head can be suppressed.
In the cap device according to still another aspect, the lower surface may be formed with at least any one of a protruding portion or a recess portion, and the abutting surface may be formed with at least any one of a recess portion corresponding to the protruding portion formed on the lower surface or a protruding portion corresponding to the recess portion formed on the lower surface.
According to such an aspect, the accuracy of the positioning between the cap device and the liquid jet head can be improved.
The present disclosure relates to a capping method of capping a liquid jet head, the capping method comprising: via a cap device including a seal member that is brought into contact with a seal position defined on a side surface of the liquid jet head, and a seal member support mechanism that supports the seal member to be movable with respect to the side surface, the seal member support mechanism including a swing member that supports the seal member to be swingable about a swing shaft along a first direction in which the seal member extends, in which a head abutting position where a lower surface of the liquid jet head, which is a surface different from a nozzle surface of the liquid jet head and faces a direction parallel to a second direction in which the nozzle surface faces, abuts is defined in the swing member, moving, in a case in which the seal member is moved in the second direction and a fourth direction in which a normal line of the side surface faces as the liquid jet head of which the lower surface abuts on the head abutting position moves in a third direction opposite to the second direction, the seal member in the fourth direction by a distance, which is at least twice a moving distance in the second direction, to separate the seal member from the seal position.
With the capping method according to the present disclosure, the same effects as the effects of the cap device according to the present disclosure can be obtained. The configuration requirements of the cap device according to the other aspects may be applied to configuration requirements of the capping method according to still another aspect.
The present disclosure relates to a liquid jet system comprising: a liquid jet head; and a cap device that caps the liquid jet head, in which the cap device includes a seal member that is brought into contact with a seal position defined on a side surface of the liquid jet head, and a seal member support mechanism that supports the seal member to be movable with respect to the side surface, the seal member support mechanism including a swing member that supports the seal member to be swingable about a swing shaft along a first direction in which the seal member extends, and in the swing member, a head abutting position where a lower surface of the liquid jet head, which is a surface different from a nozzle surface of the liquid jet head and faces a direction parallel to a second direction in which the nozzle surface faces, abuts is defined, and in a case in which the seal member is moved in the second direction and a fourth direction in which a normal line of the side surface faces, as the liquid jet head of which the lower surface abuts on the head abutting position moves in a third direction opposite to the second direction, the seal member is moved in the fourth direction by a distance, which is at least twice a moving distance in the second direction, and separated from the seal position.
With the liquid jet system according to the present disclosure, the same effects as the effects of the cap device according to the present disclosure can be obtained. The configuration requirements of the cap device according to the other aspect may be applied to configuration requirements of the liquid jet system according to still another aspect.
The liquid jet system according to still another aspect may further comprise a head lifting/lowering device that lifts and lowers the liquid jet head along the second direction and the third direction, in which the head lifting/lowering device lifts and lowers the liquid jet head between a cap position at which the nozzle surface of the liquid jet head is moisturized and a purge position at which the liquid jet head is purged and at which a distance from the head abutting position is longer than a distance from the head abutting position at the cap position.
According to such an aspect, the lowering of the liquid jet head from the purge position to the cap position and the lifting of the liquid jet head from the cap position to the purge position can be realized.
In such an aspect, a head moving device that moves the liquid jet head from a jet position to a head maintenance position may be provided.
In the liquid jet system according to still another aspect, the lower surface of the liquid jet head may be located outside the nozzle surface in the first direction.
According to such an aspect, the contact between the seal member, the seal member support mechanism, and the nozzle surface is avoided. As a result, damage to the nozzle surface can be avoided.
In the liquid jet system according to still another aspect, the seal position may be defined at a position on a third direction side with respect to the nozzle surface.
According to such an aspect, the contact between the nozzle surface and the seal member can be avoided.
In a case in which the third direction has the component in a vertical upward direction, a position on the upper side of the nozzle surface may be a seal position.
According to the present invention, in a case in which the liquid jet head is moved in the third direction opposite to the second direction in which the normal line of the nozzle surface faces, and the seal member is moved in the second direction and the fourth direction in which the normal line of the side surface of the liquid jet head faces, the moving distance of the seal member in the fourth direction is set to be at least twice the moving distance of the seal member in the third direction. As a result, the contact between the nozzle surface and the seal member can be avoided, and the adhesion of the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface to the seal member can be suppressed.
Hereinafter, the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the same reference numeral will be given to the same configuration element and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
In the cap device 10, an opening 14 is formed in an upper surface 12 of a frame 11, and a seal blade 15 and a moisturizing solution reservoir 16 are disposed inside the frame 11. The cap device 10 comprises a pair of seal blades 15.
One of the pair of seal blades 15 is disposed at one end of the opening 14 in a Y direction, and the other of the pair of seal blades 15 is disposed at the other end of the opening 14 in the Y direction. Hereinafter, the term “seal blade 15” may indicate the pair of seal blades 15, or may indicate one or the other of the pair of seal blades 15.
The cap device 10 comprises a seal blade moving mechanism that supports the seal blade 15 to be swingable about a swing shaft extending in a direction parallel to an X direction. It should be noted that the seal blade moving mechanism is shown in
Here, the X direction is a longitudinal direction of the opening 14 having a rectangular shape, and is a direction in which the seal blade 15 extends. The Y direction is a direction orthogonal to the X direction and is a lateral direction of the opening 14. A Z direction is a direction orthogonal to each of the X direction and the Y direction. It should be noted that the X direction described in the embodiment is an example of a first direction. The seal blade 15 described in the embodiment is an example of a seal member.
In addition, the term “parallel” in the present specification may include substantial parallelism that can be regarded as parallelism even in a case in which two directions strictly intersect. The term “orthogonal” includes substantial orthogonality that an angle formed by two directions can be regarded as 90° even in a case in which the angle formed by the two directions is strictly less than 90° or more than 90°.
In a case in which the moisturizing processing of the liquid jet head 20 is performed in a state in which the cap device 10 is mounted on the liquid jet head 20, the nozzle surface of the liquid jet head 20 is disposed at a position equal to or less than a defined distance from a liquid level of the moisturizing solution reserved in the moisturizing solution reservoir 16, inside the frame 11. A position of the liquid jet head 20 in a case of moisturizing the nozzle surface will be referred to as a cap position.
In addition, in a case in which the purge processing of the liquid jet head 20 is performed, the nozzle surface is disposed at a position slightly away from the liquid level of the moisturizing solution as compared with a case in which the moisturizing processing of the nozzle surface of the liquid jet head 20 is performed. A position of the liquid jet head 20 in a case of performing the purge processing of the liquid jet head 20 will be referred to as a purge position. The purge position is a position in an upward direction of the Z direction with respect to the cap position.
Here, the upward direction of the Z direction is a direction opposite to a normal direction of the nozzle surface. The normal direction of the nozzle surface is a downward direction of the Z direction. It should be noted that the downward direction of the Z direction described in the embodiment is an example of a second direction. The upward direction of the Z direction described in the embodiment is an example of a third direction.
The side surface 20A of the liquid jet head 20 is a surface facing a direction orthogonal to a normal line of the nozzle surface 20D, and is a surface parallel to the X direction.
The seal position 20B is a position on the upper side in the Z direction with respect to the nozzle surface 20D and is a position on a lower side in the Z direction with respect to a lower surface 20C.
Pressing units 24A are formed at both ends of the head holding housing 24 in the X direction. The pressing unit 24A is a plate-shaped member extending in the X direction, and a lower surface thereof parallel to the nozzle surface 20D functions as the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head.
The lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 is located on the outer side in the X direction outside the nozzle surfaces 20D of the head modules 22 at both ends in the X direction. The lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 is located on an upper side in the Z direction with respect to the nozzle surface 20D.
It should be noted that the number of the head modules 22 and the disposition of the head modules 22 are not limited to the example shown in
The contact state 4A of the seal blade is a state in which the liquid jet head 20 is located at the cap position, and the separation state 4B of the seal blade is a state in which the liquid jet head 20 is located at the purge position.
In a case in which the moisturizing processing of the liquid jet head 20 is performed, the liquid jet head 20 shown in
That is, the seal blade 15 moves in a direction having a component in the Y direction opposite to the normal direction of the side surface 20A of the liquid jet head 20 and having a component in the upward direction of in the Z direction as the liquid jet head 20 moves in the downward direction of the Z direction, and comes into contact with the seal position 20B of the liquid jet head 20. As a result, the nozzle surface 20D and the moisturizing space of the cap device 10 including the moisturizing solution are sealed, and the preferred moisturizing of the nozzle surface 20D is realized.
In a case in which the liquid jet head 20 is lifted from the cap position, the seal blade 15 is opened in response to the lifting of the liquid jet head 20, and the distal end 15A of the seal blade 15 is separated from the seal position 20B of the liquid jet head 20. That is, the seal blade 15 moves in a direction having a component in the Y direction that is the normal direction of the side surface 20A of the liquid jet head 20 and having a component in the downward direction of in the Z direction as the liquid jet head 20 moves in the upward direction of the Z direction, and is separated from the seal position 20B of the liquid jet head 20.
As a result, in the purge processing, the adhesion of the ink mist generated due to the purge processing to the seal blade 15 is suppressed, and the adhesion of the ink mist adhering to the seal blade 15 to the liquid jet head 20 is suppressed.
It should be noted that the Y direction, which is the normal direction of the side surface 20A of the liquid jet head 20 described in the embodiment, is an example of a fourth direction, and the Y direction opposite to the normal direction of the side surface 20A of the liquid jet head 20 is an example of a fifth direction.
The seal blade moving mechanism 30 comprises a swing member 34 and a fixing member 36. The swing member 34 fixedly supported by a seal blade support member 32 is joined to each of both ends of the seal blade 15 in the X direction.
The seal blade 15 need only be supported on at least any one of one end or the other end in the X direction, but it is preferable that both ends of the seal blade 15 in the X direction are supported in consideration of the deflection of the seal blade 15 in the X direction.
The seal blade moving mechanism 30 is attached to the upper surface 12 of the cap device 10 using the fixing member 36 such that the position thereof with respect to the opening 14 shown in
A head abutting position 42 is defined in the swing member 34. The head abutting position 42 comes into contact with the lower surface of the liquid jet head 20 and is pressed from the liquid jet head 20 in response to the lowering of the liquid jet head 20. An outer peripheral surface of an abutting roller 46 that is rotatably supported by using a rotation shaft 44 is applied to the head abutting position 42.
The swing member 34 has a structure in which a moving distance of the seal blade 15 in the Y direction in a case of rotating at any angle is larger than a moving distance in the Z direction. The moving distance of the seal blade 15 in the Y direction in a case in which the swing member 34 rotates is preferably at least twice the moving distance in the Z direction.
A biasing member attachment portion 48 is formed in the swing member 34. A compression spring 50 shown in
Returning to
In a case of opening and closing the seal blade moving mechanism 30, the liquid jet head 20 and the seal blade 15 are moved in directions that are relatively opposite to each other in the Z direction. As a result, even in a case in which the position of the liquid jet head 20 and the position of the cap device 10 are shifted from each other in the Y direction, the contact between the nozzle surface 20D of the liquid jet head 20 and the seal blade 15 can be avoided.
In a case in which the liquid jet head 20 shown in
In a case in which the liquid jet head 20 is located at the cap position, the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 abuts on the head abutting position 42 and presses the head abutting position 42. A downward arrow line shown in
For example, in a case in which the liquid jet head 20 moves by 2 millimeters from the purge position to reach the cap position, the seal blade 15 can move by 4 millimeters in a direction approaching the liquid jet head 20 in the Y direction. Similarly, in a case in which the liquid jet head 20 moves by 2 millimeters from the cap position to reach the purge position, the seal blade 15 can move by 4 millimeters in the direction away from the liquid jet head 20 in the Y direction.
A Z-direction component of a distance from the rotation center of the swing member 34 to the distal end 15A of the seal blade 15 and a Y-direction component of a distance from the rotation center of the swing member 34 to the head abutting position 42 can be set to 2:1. For example, in a case in which the moving amount dZ of the head abutting position 42 in the downward direction of the Z direction is 2.4 millimeters, the moving amount dY of the distal end 15A of the seal blade 15 in the Y direction is 4.8 millimeters.
That is, in the seal blade moving mechanism 30, the outer peripheral surface of the abutting roller 46 is applied as the head abutting position 42. The abutting roller 46 rotates around the rotation shaft 44 in a case in which the abutting roller 46 is pressed from the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 in the downward direction of the Z direction.
The head abutting position 42 of the seal blade moving mechanism 30 comes into contact with the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 and moves while rubbing the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 in the Y direction. The abutting roller 46 reduces the friction between the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 and the head abutting position 42, and suppresses the wear of the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 and the head abutting position 42.
In a case in which the head abutting surface 42A shown in
Although
In addition, the number, the size, and the disposition of the recess portions 42C are not limited to the aspect shown in
The protruding portion 20E and the recess portion 42C are fitted to each other in a case in which the lower surface 20C of the liquid jet head 20 is brought into contact with the head abutting surface 42A. As a result, the accuracy of the relative positioning between the liquid jet head 20 and the cap device 10 can be improved.
The cap device and the capping method according to the embodiment can obtain the following actions and effects.
[1]
The seal blade moving mechanism 30 transitions from an open state to a closed state in response to the movement from the purge position to the cap position for lowering the liquid jet head 20. The seal blade 15 is brought into contact with the seal position 20B defined on the side surface 20A of the liquid jet head 20 and defined at a position on the upper side in the Z direction with respect to the nozzle surface 20D, in response to the operation of closing the seal blade moving mechanism 30.
The seal blade moving mechanism 30 transitions from the closed state to the open state in response to the movement from the cap position to the purge position for lifting the liquid jet head 20. The seal blade 15 is separated from the seal position 20B in response to the operation of opening the seal blade moving mechanism 30. In a case in which the seal blade 15 is separated from the seal position 20B, the seal blade 15 moves in the direction away from the liquid jet head 20 in the Y direction and in the downward direction of the Z direction.
As a result, the contact between the nozzle surface 20D and the seal blade 15 is avoided, the movement of the ink mist generated during the purge processing of the liquid jet head 20 from the nozzle surface 20D to the seal blade 15 is suppressed, and the adhesion of the ink mist moved to the seal blade 15 to the liquid jet head 20 is suppressed.
In addition, it is possible to avoid an adjustment failure of the liquid jet head 20 caused by the adhesion of the ink mist. Examples of the adjustment failure of the liquid jet head 20 include an example in which the position of the head module 22 with respect to the head holding housing 24 cannot be adjusted.
In an ink mist diffusion state 62, in a case in which the liquid jet head 2 and the seal blade 4 are close to each other, the ink mist IM moved to the lower end 3 of the liquid jet head 2 bridges the seal blade 4, and is expanded in the X direction between the seal blade 4 and the liquid jet head 2. It should be noted that the X direction is a direction orthogonal to the Y direction and the Z direction, and is a direction penetrating the paper surface of
An ink mist residual state 64 is a state in which the wiping of the nozzle surface 1 is performed by moving the liquid jet head 2 away from the seal blade 4. In the ink mist residual state 64, the ink mist IM adhering to the side surface 5 of the liquid jet head 2 remains.
On the other hand, with the cap device and the capping method according to the embodiment, the adhesion of the ink to the seal blade 15 shown in
[2]
An opening/closing link mechanism that operates the mechanical mechanism as the liquid jet head 20 moves in the Z direction is applied to the seal blade moving mechanism 30. As a result, the opening and closing of the seal blade moving mechanism 30 can be performed without driving using the motor.
[3]
A distance between the seal position 20B of the liquid jet head 20 and the seal blade 15 at the purge position is defined, and a trajectory of the opening and closing of the seal blade 15 is defined. As a result, the adhesion of the ink to the seal blade 15 is suppressed.
[4]
The seal blade moving mechanism 30 abuts the lower surface 20C different from the nozzle surface 20D of the liquid jet head 20 on the head abutting position 42. The lower surface 20C is defined at a position outside both ends of the nozzle surface 20D of the liquid jet head 20 in the X direction. As a result, it is possible to avoid the contact between the nozzle surface 20D and the seal blade moving mechanism 30 in a case in which the liquid jet head 20 abuts on the head abutting position 42.
Hereinafter, as the liquid jet system to which the cap device according to the embodiment is applied, a printing system to which an ink jet method is applied will be described. It should be noted that the term “system” can include the concept of “device”. That is, in the following liquid jet system, any of an aspect in which each portion of the components is continuously and integrally disposed or an aspect in which the components are dispersedly disposed may be applied.
As the substrate, a paper medium such as single-wafer paper and continuous paper, a sheet-like metal medium, a cloth medium such as a cloth, and the like may be applied. A soft package such as a plastic film may be applied to the substrate. The substrate may be a single layer or a plurality of layers superimposed on each other. The substrate may have a roll-to-roll continuous form or a single-wafer form cut to a defined length. It should be noted that the substrate will be referred to as a medium, media, a sheet, a film, a substrate, or the like in some cases.
The printing system 100 comprises a substrate supply device 102, a first intermediate transport device 104, the printing device 106, a second intermediate transport device 108, a measurement device 110, a drying device 112, and an accumulation device 114.
The printing system 100 further comprises a maintenance device. In
In a case in which the substrate has a continuous form, the substrate supply device 102 includes a roll accommodation portion that accommodates a roll around which the substrate is wound. In a case in which the substrate has a single-wafer form, the substrate supply device 102 comprises a tray in which the substrate is accommodated. The substrate supply device 102 supplies the substrate to the first intermediate transport device 104 in response to printing control of the printing device 106. The substrate supply device 102 may comprise a correction mechanism that corrects a posture of the substrate.
The first intermediate transport device 104 delivers the substrate supplied from the substrate supply device 102 to the printing device 106. A known configuration corresponding to the form of the substrate may be applied to the first intermediate transport device 104. It should be noted that an arrow line from the substrate supply device 102 toward the first intermediate transport device 104 indicates a substrate transport direction.
The printing device 106 comprises an ink jet head 120C, an ink jet head 120M, an ink jet head 120Y, and an ink jet head 120K. The ink jet head 120C, the ink jet head 120M, the ink jet head 120Y, and the ink jet head 120K are disposed in the order described above from an upstream side along the substrate transport direction.
The ink jet head 120C jets cyan ink. The ink jet head 120M jets magenta ink. The ink jet head 120Y jets yellow ink. The ink jet head 120K jets black ink.
A line head in which a plurality of nozzles are disposed in a substrate width direction over a length equal to or larger than the total length of the substrate may be applied to the ink jet head 120C or the like. Examples of the configuration example of the line head include a configuration in which a plurality of head modules are connected to each other. The two-dimensional disposition such as matrix disposition is applied to the plurality of nozzles provided in the ink jet head 120C or the like.
In the ink jet head 120C and the like, a piezoelectric jet method comprising a piezoelectric element as a jetting pressure element that generates a jetting pressure may be applied. For the ink jet head 120C and the like, a thermal method of jetting the ink by using a film boiling phenomenon of the ink may be applied.
The printing device 106 forms the color image on the substrate by using color ink such as cyan ink. The printing device 106 forms a white image, which serves as a background image of the color image, by using white ink.
Each of the ink jet head 120C, the ink jet head 120M, the ink jet head 120Y, and the ink jet head 120K shown in
A posture in which the normal line of the nozzle surface intersects the vertical direction is applied to the ink jet head 120C and the like shown in
The printing device 106 shown in
A rotation shaft of the printing drum 122 is connected to a motor (not shown) via a drive mechanism (not shown). In a case in which the motor is rotated, the printing drum 122 rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow line. In a case in which the printing drum 122 is rotated, the substrate supported on the peripheral surface of the printing drum 122 is transported along a rotation direction of the printing drum 122.
A plurality of suction holes are formed in the substrate support area. The plurality of suction holes are disposed based on a defined pattern. The plurality of suction holes communicate with a suction flow channel (not shown). The suction flow channel is connected to a suction pump (not shown). The suction pump is operated to support the substrate by suction on the peripheral surface of the printing drum 122 using the negative pressure generated in the plurality of suction holes.
A transport form of the substrate in the printing device 106 is not limited to the transport form using the printing drum 122. For example, a transport form using a transport belt and a transport form using a plurality of rollers can be applied.
The second intermediate transport device 108 delivers the substrate delivered from the printing drum 122 to the measurement device 110. The same configuration as the configuration of the first intermediate transport device 104 may be applied to the second intermediate transport device 108. It should be noted that an arrow line shown in the second intermediate transport device 108 represents the substrate transport direction of the second intermediate transport device 108.
The measurement device 110 reads a test pattern printed on the substrate to acquire read data of the test pattern. The measurement device 110 may detect a jet abnormality of the ink jet head 120C or the like based on the read data of the test pattern.
The measurement device 110 may read a print image printed on the substrate to acquire the read data of the print image. The measurement device 110 may detect a defect in the print image based on the read data of the print image.
The drying device 112 performs drying processing on the printed substrate. The drying device 112 comprises a heater and a fan, and may adopt a configuration in which hot air is blown onto the printed substrate. The drying device 112 comprises a drying transport unit that transports the printed substrate. As a transport form of the printed substrate, a known transport form such as drum transport, belt transport, and roller transport may be applied. It should be noted that an arrow line shown in the drying device 112 indicates the substrate transport direction in the drying device 112.
The accumulation device 114 accommodates the substrate delivered from the drying device 112. In a case in which the substrate has a continuous form, the accumulation device 114 comprises a roll accommodation portion that accommodates a roll around which the substrate is wound. In a case in which the substrate has a single-wafer form, the accumulation device 114 comprises a tray in which the substrate is accommodated.
The maintenance device 140 shown in
The printing position is a position of the ink jet head 120 that performs the printing on the substrate S by causing the ink jet head 120 to jet the ink.
The maintenance of the ink jet head 120 includes the wiping of the nozzle surface 124 to which the wiping device 144 is applied, the purge in which the jetting element of each nozzle is operated to discharge the ink from the nozzle opening to the cap device 146, and the moisturizing in which the moisturizing solution is applied to the inside of the cap device 146.
The cap device 146 is connected to a discharge tank 158 via a discharge flow channel 154 and a discharge pump 156. The ink discharged to the cap device 146 is fed to the discharge tank 158 by operating the discharge pump 156. The cap device 146 shown in
The wiping device 144 causes a web, which is a sheet-like wiping member to travel, and brings the traveling web into contact with the nozzle surface 124 to wipe the nozzle surface 124 of the ink jet head 120 that moves along the guide 152.
The maintenance device 140 comprises a head lifting/lowering device. The head lifting/lowering device lifts and lowers the ink jet head 120 at the printing position. The head lifting/lowering device lifts and lowers the ink jet head 120 in a case in which the purge processing of the ink jet head 120 is performed and in a case in which the moisturizing processing of the ink jet head 120 is performed by using the cap device. It should be noted that the head lifting/lowering device is not shown.
The lifting of the ink jet head 120 is the movement of the ink jet head 120 in the upward direction of the Z direction. The lowering of the ink jet head 120 is the movement of the ink jet head 120 in the downward direction of the Z direction. The upward direction is a direction having a component in the vertical upward direction, and the downward direction is a direction having a component in the vertical downward direction.
The cap device 146 shown in
The cap 147C, the cap 147M, the cap 147Y, and the cap 147K are integrally supported by a frame 148. The cap 147C has a posture inclined with respect to the horizontal direction in response to the direction of the nozzle surface 124 of the ink jet head 120C. The postures of the cap 147M, the cap 147Y, and the cap 147K are also the same.
The cap device 146 may apply an independent configuration in which the cap 147C, the cap 147M, the cap 147Y, and the cap 147K are separated from each other.
The system control unit 160 comprehensively controls an overall operation of the printing system 100. The system control unit 160 transmits command signals to various control units. The system control unit 160 functions as a memory controller that controls the storage of data in a memory 176 and the read of data from the memory 176.
The system control unit 160 acquires a sensor signal transmitted from a sensor 178 and transmits the command signals based on the sensor signal to various control units. The sensor 178 includes a position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like provided in each unit of the printing system 100.
The transport control unit 162 sets a transport condition based on the command signal transmitted from the system control unit 160, and controls the operation of the transport device 164 based on the set transport condition. The transport device 164 shown in
The printing control unit 166 sets a printing condition based on the command signal transmitted from the system control unit 160 and controls an operation of the printing device 106 based on the set printing condition. That is, the printing control unit 166 comprises an image processing unit that executes color separation processing, color conversion processing, correction processing of each processing, and halftone processing on the print data to generate halftone data for each color.
The printing control unit 166 comprises a drive voltage generation unit that generates a drive voltage supplied to the ink jet head 120C or the like based on the halftone data of each color. The printing control unit 166 comprises a drive voltage output unit that supplies the drive voltage to the ink jet head 120C.
The printing control unit 166 performs the correction of the printing device 106 based on the measurement data obtained using the measurement device 110. The printing system 100 may further comprise a correction processing unit that performs the correction of the printing device 106 based on the measurement data obtained using the measurement device 110, separately from the printing control unit 166.
The measurement control unit 168 sets a measurement condition based on the command signal transmitted from the system control unit 160, and controls an operation of the measurement device 110 based on the set measurement condition.
The drying control unit 170 sets a processing condition of main drying processing based on the command signal transmitted from the system control unit 160, and controls an operation of the drying device 112 based on the set processing condition.
The maintenance control unit 172 sets a maintenance condition based on the command signal transmitted from the system control unit 160, and controls an operation of the maintenance device 140 based on the set maintenance condition.
The maintenance control unit 172 functions as a wiping control unit that controls an operation of the wiping device 144 shown in
The information acquisition unit 174 acquires various information applied to the control of the printing system 100. The system control unit 160 transmits the command signals to various control units based on the various information acquired using the information acquisition unit 174.
The memory 176 can store various data, parameters, and programs applied to the printing system 100. The system control unit 160 controls an operation of the printing system 100 with reference to various data stored in the memory 176. The sensor 178 includes various sensors provided in the printing system 100.
A computer is applied as the control device 200. A form of the computer may be a server, a personal computer, a workstation, a tablet terminal, and the like.
The processor 202 includes a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 202 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU). The processor 202 is connected to the computer-readable medium 204, the communication interface 206, and the input/output interface 208 via a bus 210. An input device 212 and a display device 214 are connected to the bus 210 via the input/output interface 208.
The computer-readable medium 204 includes a memory as a main storage device, and a storage as an auxiliary storage device. A semiconductor memory, a hard disk apparatus, a solid state drive apparatus, and the like may be applied to the computer-readable medium 204. Any combination of a plurality of apparatuses may be applied to the computer-readable medium 204.
It should be noted that the hard disk apparatus can be referred to as HDD that is an abbreviation for hard disk drive in English. The solid state drive apparatus can be referred to as SSD that is an abbreviation for solid state drive in English notation.
The control device 200 is connected to a network via the communication interface 206, and is communicably connected to an external device. A local area network (LAN) and the like may be applied to the network. It should be noted that the network is not shown.
The computer-readable medium 204 stores a transport control program 220, a printing control program 222, a measurement control program 224, a drying control program 226, and a maintenance control program 228.
The transport control program 220 corresponds to transport control applied to the transport device 164 shown in
Various programs stored in the computer-readable medium 204 include one or more commands. Various data, various parameters, and the like are stored in the computer-readable medium 204. It should be noted that the memory 176 shown in
In the printing system 100, the processor 202 performs various programs stored in the computer-readable medium 204 to realize various functions in the printing system 100. It should be noted that the term “program” is synonymous with the term “software”.
The control device 200 communicates data to and from an external device via the communication interface 206. Various standards, such as universal serial bus (USB), may be applied to the communication interface 206. Either wired communication or wireless communication may be applied to a communication form of the communication interface 206.
The control device 200 is connected to the input device 212 and the display device 214 via the input/output interface 208. An input device, such as a keyboard and a mouse, is applied to the input device 212. The display device 214 displays various information applied to the control device 200.
A liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a projector, or the like may be applied to the display device 214. Any combination of a plurality of devices may be applied to the display device 214. It should be noted that EL of the organic EL display is an abbreviation for electro-luminescence.
Here, examples of the hardware structure of the processor 202 include a CPU, a GPU, a programmable logic device (PLD), and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The CPU is a general-purpose processor that performs the program and acts as various functional units. The GPU is a processor specialized in the image processing.
The PLD is a processor in which a configuration of an electric circuit can be changed after manufacturing the device. Examples of the PLD include a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The ASIC is a processor comprising a dedicated electric circuit specifically designed to execute specific processing.
One processing unit may be configured by one of these various processors or may be configured by two or more processors of the same type or different types. Examples of a combination of the various processors include a combination of one or more FPGAs and one or more CPUs, and a combination of one or more FPGAs and one or more GPUs. As another example of the combination of the various processors, there is a combination of one or more CPUs and one or more GPUs.
A plurality of functional units may be configured by using one processor. As an example in which the plurality of functional units are configured by using one processor, there is an aspect in which one processor is configured by applying a combination of one or more CPUs and software, such as system on a chip (SoC) represented by the computer, such as a client or a server, and this processor is made to act as the plurality of functional units.
As another example in which the plurality of functional units are configured by using one processor, there is an aspect in which a processor that implements the functions of the entire system including the plurality of functional units by using one IC chip is used. It should be noted that IC is an abbreviation for an integrated circuit.
As described above, various functional units are configured by using one or more of the various processors described above as the hardware structure. Further, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit (circuitry) in which circuit elements, such as semiconductor elements, are combined.
The computer-readable medium 204 may include a semiconductor element, such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM). The computer-readable medium 204 can include a magnetic storage medium, such as a hard disk. The computer-readable medium 204 can include a plurality of types of storage media.
In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the configuration elements can be changed, added, or deleted as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by those having ordinary knowledge in the field within the technical idea of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-196077 | Dec 2021 | JP | national |
The present application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2022/039843 filed on Oct. 26, 2022 claiming priority under 35 U.S.C § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-196077 filed on Dec. 2, 2021. Each of the above applications is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in its entirety, into the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2022/039843 | Oct 2022 | WO |
| Child | 18677811 | US |
