JP2011115701A - Drawing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drawing device and method capable of achieving both the ultraviolet illuminance for sufficiently curing an ultraviolet-curable functional liquid and the heat release amount which does not ruin a drawing medium. <P>SOLUTION: The drawing device, provided with a functional liquid disposition means that disposes the ultraviolet-curable functional liquid to the drawing medium and an ultraviolet irradiation means that irradiates the ultraviolet ray to the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is disposed, includes: a medium supporting means that supports the drawing medium to which the ultraviolet ray is irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation means; and an optical path interposing means at least a part of which is located at a position to intersect an optical path of the ultraviolet ray from the ultraviolet irradiation means to the medium supporting means, wherein the optical path interposing means has a negative pressure space disposed at a position to intersect the optical path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drawing apparatus and a drawing method for arranging a functional liquid on a drawing target, curing the functional liquid, and drawing an image or the like on the drawing target.

  Conventionally, a functional liquid placement device that places a functional liquid on a drawing medium as a drawing target and a curing unit that hardens the functional liquid placed on the drawing medium, and the functional liquid placed on the drawing medium is provided. A drawing apparatus is known that draws by hardening in a short time. For example, a drawing apparatus is known that includes a discharge device that discharges a UV (Ultraviolet) curable functional liquid as a functional liquid and a curing apparatus that irradiates UV light. In these drawing apparatuses, a metal halide lamp or the like is used as a curing apparatus that emits UV light that can be efficiently cured. However, since metal halide lamps and the like generate a large amount of heat due to the output of UV light, there has been a problem of applying thermal stress to the substrate to be drawn. Although the drawing device can draw on various drawing media, the drawing media made of resin have poor heat resistance, and the drawing media is damaged by the heat applied when the functional liquid is cured. was there. Therefore, there is a problem that the drawing medium is limited due to the curing device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity in the vicinity of ink landed on a recording medium, and a control that controls the illuminance of light emitted from the light irradiation unit based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit. An ink jet printer and an image recording method are disclosed in which by providing a portion, the curability of the cationic polymerization ink is improved while suppressing the temperature rise of the recording medium itself as much as possible. According to the ink jet printer and the image recording method of Patent Document 1, since the curing characteristics of the cationic polymerization ink are affected by humidity, the output of the light source is adjusted in a range that does not impair the curability, corresponding to the humidity, An increase in the temperature of the recording medium (the drawing medium) can be suppressed.

JP 2004-106543 A

  However, even if an ink jet printer and an image recording method disclosed in Patent Document 1 are used, it is not improved that light emission with sufficient illuminance is accompanied by emission of a large amount of heat in the light irradiation unit. However, there is a problem that it is sometimes impossible to realize both the illuminance of light for realizing sufficient curability and the heat radiation amount without damaging the drawing medium. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) that generates UV light has been developed as a medium that emits less heat than the illuminance of light. However, the integrated energy amount is smaller than that of a metal halide lamp, and the wavelength at which light can be emitted. Since it is limited to a specific area, a function sufficient for replacing the lamp has not been realized.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A drawing apparatus according to this application example includes a functional liquid disposing unit that disposes an ultraviolet curable functional liquid on a drawing medium, and an ultraviolet ray that irradiates the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is disposed. A drawing apparatus including an irradiation unit, the medium support unit supporting the drawing medium irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and an optical path of ultraviolet rays extending from the ultraviolet irradiation unit to the medium support unit An optical path interposing means at least partially disposed at a position, wherein the optical path interposing means has a negative pressure space arranged at a position intersecting the optical path.

  According to the drawing apparatus according to this application example, an ultraviolet curable functional liquid is arranged on the drawing medium by the functional liquid arranging unit, and the drawing medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation unit, thereby the drawing medium By irradiating the functional liquid disposed in the ultraviolet ray with ultraviolet light, the functional liquid can be cured at the disposed position. The ultraviolet rays applied to the drawing medium pass through a negative pressure space arranged at a position intersecting with the optical path of the ultraviolet rays included in the optical path interposing means. The ultraviolet irradiation means radiates heat as it irradiates ultraviolet rays, and the radiant heat is conducted to the drawing medium through the same path as the optical path of the ultraviolet rays. Since heat is less likely to be conducted in the negative pressure space than in the atmosphere, the heat conducted to the drawing medium can be reduced by the negative pressure space arranged at a position intersecting the optical path.

  Application Example 2 In the drawing apparatus according to the application example described above, the optical path interposing means is movable between a sealed position where the drawing medium supported by the medium support means is sealed and an open position where the drawing medium is not sealed. A space formed by a hermetically sealed casing formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays at a portion that intersects the optical path in the state positioned at the sealed position, and a space sealed by the hermetically sealed casing at the sealed position. It is preferable to include pressure adjusting means capable of adjusting the pressure of

  According to this drawing apparatus, the hermetically sealed casing can form a hermetically sealed space in which a portion intersecting the ultraviolet light path is formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays. Using the pressure adjusting means capable of adjusting the pressure in the sealed space, the sealed space can be set to a negative pressure. As a result, a negative pressure space can be interposed in the optical path of the ultraviolet rays.

  Application Example 3 In the drawing apparatus according to the application example described above, the optical path interposing means is disposed so as to intersect the optical path, and a portion intersecting the optical path is formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays. The space between the first intermediate body and the second intermediate body is sealed in cooperation with the first intermediate body and the second intermediate body, and the first intermediate body and the second intermediate body. It is preferable that the sealed space formed by the first interposed body, the second interposed body, and the sealed space forming body is the negative pressure space.

  According to this drawing device, a sealed space that intersects the optical path of the ultraviolet light can be formed by the first interposed body, the second interposed body, and the sealed space forming body. Since the sealed space has a negative pressure, the negative pressure space can be interposed in the optical path of the ultraviolet rays.

  Application Example 4 In the drawing apparatus according to the application example described above, the optical path interposing unit includes an irradiation unit sealing casing that seals the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and a space sealed by the irradiation unit sealing casing is the negative pressure. A space is preferable.

  According to this drawing apparatus, the sealed space that intersects the optical path of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation means can be formed by sealing the ultraviolet irradiation means with the irradiation means sealed casing. Since the sealed space has a negative pressure, the negative pressure space can be interposed in the optical path of the ultraviolet rays.

  Application Example 5 A drawing method according to this application example includes a functional liquid arranging step of arranging an ultraviolet curable functional liquid on a drawing medium, and an ultraviolet ray irradiating the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is arranged. An irradiation step, and in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the drawing medium is irradiated with ultraviolet light transmitted through a negative pressure space.

  According to the drawing method according to this application example, an ultraviolet curable functional liquid is arranged on the drawing medium in the functional liquid arranging step, and the drawing medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the ultraviolet irradiation step. By irradiating the functional liquid arranged in the ultraviolet ray with ultraviolet rays, the functional liquid can be cured at the arranged position. The ultraviolet rays applied to the drawing medium are ultraviolet rays that have passed through the negative pressure space. Many devices that irradiate ultraviolet rays also radiate heat as they irradiate ultraviolet rays, and the radiant heat is conducted to the drawing medium along the same path as the optical path of the ultraviolet rays. Since heat is less likely to be conducted in the negative pressure space than in the atmosphere, the heat conducted to the drawing medium can be reduced by the negative pressure space through which ultraviolet rays are transmitted.

  Application Example 6 In the drawing method according to the application example described above, the ultraviolet irradiation process is such that the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is arranged in the functional liquid arranging process can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays on the drawing medium. A sealed space forming step of forming a sealed space to be sealed in, a negative pressure forming step of forming the negative pressure space by setting the sealed space formed in the sealed space forming step to a negative pressure, and the negative pressure It is preferable that the method includes a step of irradiating the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is disposed, through the sealed space.

  According to this drawing method, the sealed space forming step can form a space for sealing the drawing medium in a state where the drawing medium can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The pressure in the sealed space can be set to a negative pressure in the negative pressure forming step. Thereby, the step of irradiating the drawing medium can transmit the ultraviolet rays to the functional liquid disposed on the drawing medium through the sealed space that is set to a negative pressure.

  Application Example 7 In the drawing method according to the application example described above, the negative pressure space is disposed so as to intersect with an optical path of ultraviolet rays, and a portion intersecting with the optical path is formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays. A space between the first and second inclusions is sealed in cooperation with the one and second inclusions and the first and second inclusions. It is preferable that the sealed space formed with the sealed space forming body to be a negative pressure space.

  According to this drawing method, it is possible to form a sealed space that intersects the optical path of the ultraviolet ray by the first interposed body, the second interposed body, and the sealed space forming body. Since the sealed space has a negative pressure, in the ultraviolet irradiation process, the sealed space that has been set to a negative pressure can be transmitted to irradiate the functional liquid disposed on the drawing medium.

  Application Example 8 In the drawing method according to the application example, the negative pressure space is a space in which the irradiation unit sealed space that seals the ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates the drawing medium with ultraviolet rays is set to a negative pressure. preferable.

  According to this drawing method, it is possible to form a sealed space that intersects the optical path of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation means by sealing the ultraviolet irradiation means with the irradiation means sealed casing. Since the sealed space has a negative pressure, in the ultraviolet irradiation process, the sealed space that has been set to a negative pressure can be transmitted to irradiate the functional liquid disposed on the drawing medium.

(A) is an external appearance perspective view which shows schematic structure of the whole drawing apparatus. FIG. 2B is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge head provided in the drawing apparatus. The flowchart which shows a drawing process. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the hardening unit in the process of arrange | positioning a functional liquid to a workpiece | work. (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the workpiece | work and hardening unit which moved to the hardening position. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the hardening unit which formed sealed space. (D) is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the hardening unit in a hardening process. (A) is explanatory drawing of the structural example of a fixed-type ultraviolet unit. (B) is explanatory drawing of the structural example of another fixed type ultraviolet unit.

  Hereinafter, a drawing apparatus and a drawing method will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a droplet discharge device for landing a droplet of a functional liquid on an arbitrary position on a workpiece, and the functional liquid arranged by landing the droplet on the workpiece is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be cured. A drawing apparatus including an ultraviolet unit will be described as an example. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the vertical and horizontal scales of members or portions may be shown differently from actual ones for convenience of illustration.

<Drawing device>
First, the drawing apparatus 10 including the droplet discharge device 100 and the ultraviolet unit 140 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the drawing apparatus. FIG. 1A is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the entire drawing apparatus, and FIG. 1B is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge head provided in the drawing apparatus.
As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the drawing apparatus 10 includes a droplet discharge device 100 and an ultraviolet unit 140.

  The droplet discharge device 100 includes a head mechanism unit 2, a work mechanism unit 3, a functional liquid supply unit 4, and a maintenance device unit 5. The head mechanism unit 2 includes a droplet discharge head 20 that discharges a functional liquid having ultraviolet curing characteristics as droplets. The work mechanism unit 3 includes a work mounting table 23 on which a work W that is a discharge target of droplets discharged from the droplet discharge head 20 is mounted. The functional liquid supply unit 4 includes a relay tank and a liquid supply tube. The liquid supply tube is connected to the droplet discharge head 20, and the functional liquid is discharged to the droplet discharge head 20 through the liquid supply tube. To be supplied. The maintenance device unit 5 includes devices that perform inspection or maintenance of the droplet discharge head 20. The droplet discharge device 100 also includes a discharge device control unit 6 that comprehensively controls these mechanisms and the like. Furthermore, a plurality of support legs 8 installed on the floor and a surface plate 9 supported by the support legs 8 and having a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape are provided.

  The head mechanism unit 2 supports a head unit 21 having a droplet discharge head 20, a head carriage 25 having a head unit 21, a moving frame 22 in which the head carriage 25 is suspended, and the moving frame 22 so as to be movable. Y-axis table 12 is provided. By moving the moving frame 22 in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis table 12, the droplet discharge head 20 is freely moved in the Y-axis direction. Moreover, it holds at the moved position.

The workpiece mechanism unit 3 includes a workpiece mounting table 23 and an X-axis table 11 that supports the workpiece mounting table 23 so as to be movable. The X-axis table 11 includes an X-axis rail 11 a that is disposed on the surface plate 9 so as to extend in the X-axis direction. The workpiece mounting table 23 includes a mounting portion 23a that sucks and fixes the mounted workpiece W, and a pair of mounting table sliders 23b and 23b that are fixed to the mounting portion 23a and support the mounting portion 23a. . The mounting table slider 23b is slidably engaged with the X-axis rail 11a, and a linear motor having a driver formed on the X-axis rail 11a and a slider formed on the mounting table slider 23b. It is moved in the X-axis direction. By moving the mounting table slider 23b along the X-axis rail 11a, the workpiece mounting table 23 moves in the X-axis direction. By moving the workpiece mounting table 23 in the X-axis direction, the workpiece W mounted on the workpiece mounting table 23 is freely moved in the X-axis direction. Moreover, it holds at the moved position.
The droplet discharge device 100 corresponds to a functional liquid arranging unit. The work mounting table 23 or the work mechanism unit 3 corresponds to a medium support unit. The work W corresponds to a drawing medium.

  The ultraviolet unit 140 includes a support frame 47, an elevating mechanism 48, a sealed housing 42, a UV (Ultraviolet) lamp 45, a lamp housing 44, and a suction pump 55 (see FIG. 3). The support frame 47 is erected on the side of the X-axis table 11. The elevating mechanism 48 is attached to the support frame 47, and the sealed casing 42 is supported by the support frame 47 so that it can be raised and lowered via the elevating mechanism 48 and can be held at an arbitrary position. The sealed housing 42 is positioned and supported above the X-axis table 11.

The sealed casing 42 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a casing chamber 43 (see FIG. 3) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and having one surface opened therein is formed. The housing chamber 43 is opened facing the X-axis table 11. A translucent window 54 (see FIG. 3) is formed on the wall opposite to the opening of the housing chamber 43. The lamp housing 44 is fixed on the hermetic housing 42 at a position covering the translucent window 54. Inside the lamp housing 44, a UV lamp 45 that emits ultraviolet rays is fixed in a state in which ultraviolet rays are emitted toward the transparent window 54 side.
The UV lamp 45 can irradiate the work W placed on the work placing table 23 moved to the position facing the housing chamber 43 by the X-axis table 11 through the translucent window 54. As the UV lamp 45, for example, a metal halide lamp is used because of its high luminance and long life.
The sealed casing 42 corresponds to the optical path interposing means, the sealed casing 42 corresponds to the sealed forming casing, and the UV lamp 45 corresponds to the ultraviolet irradiation means. The path from the UV lamp 45 to the workpiece mounting table 23 moved to the position facing the casing chamber 43 corresponds to the ultraviolet light path, and the translucent window 54 is a hermetically sealed casing. Corresponds to a portion formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the droplet discharge head 20 includes two nozzle rows 120A in which a large number of discharge nozzles 120 are arranged in a substantially straight line. The functional liquid is ejected as droplets from the ejection nozzle 120 and landed on the workpiece W or the like at the opposing position, thereby arranging the functional liquid at the position. The nozzle row 120A extends in the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A in a state where the droplet discharge head 20 is mounted on the droplet discharge device 100. In the nozzle row 120A, the discharge nozzles 120 are arranged at an equally spaced nozzle pitch, and the position of the discharge nozzle 120 is shifted by a half nozzle pitch in the X-axis direction between the two nozzle rows 120A. Therefore, as the liquid droplet ejection head 20, functional liquid droplets can be arranged at half nozzle pitch intervals in the X-axis direction.

In the droplet discharge device 100, first, the workpiece mounting table 23 is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis table 11, so that the workpiece W placed on the workpiece mounting table 23 is transferred to the droplet discharging head 20. Position it below. Next, while moving the droplet discharge head 20 in the Y-axis direction, the functional liquid is discharged as droplets in synchronization with the movement of the droplet discharge head 20 in the Y-axis direction. As a result, it is possible to perform drawing of a desired planar shape by causing droplets of the functional liquid to land at arbitrary positions within the range of the length of the nozzle row 120A.
The workpiece W in which the functional liquid is arranged in a desired planar shape is moved to a position facing the UV lamp 45 by moving the workpiece mounting table 23 in the X-axis direction by the X-axis table 11. At this position, the functional liquid disposed on the workpiece W is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the UV lamp 45, so that the functional liquid is cured at the disposed position.

In order to expand the drawing range in the X-axis direction, the droplet discharge head 20 may be connected in the X-axis direction, or the workpiece W is moved in the X-axis direction, and the droplet discharge head 20 moves in the Y-axis direction. And discharging may be performed a plurality of times.
In order to reduce the arrangement pitch of the droplets in the X-axis direction, a plurality of droplet ejection heads 20 may be arranged in the Y-axis direction by shifting the positions of the ejection nozzles 120 in the X-axis direction, or three or more rows A droplet discharge head having a nozzle row of may be used. Of course, a droplet discharge head having a small nozzle pitch can be used as long as it can be manufactured.

<Drawing process>
Next, a drawing process for forming a drawing pattern on the workpiece W using the drawing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the drawing process. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the curing unit in each step of the drawing step. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the curing unit in the step of placing the functional liquid on the workpiece, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the workpiece and the curing unit moved to the curing position. FIG. 3C is an explanatory view showing the state of the curing unit in which the sealed space is formed, and FIG. 3D is an explanatory view showing the state of the curing unit in the curing step.

  As described above, the ultraviolet unit 140 includes the support frame 47, the lifting mechanism 48, the sealed housing 42, the UV lamp 45, the lamp housing 44, and the suction pump 55. The support frame 47 is erected on the side of the X-axis table 11. The elevating mechanism 48 is attached to the support frame 47, and the sealed casing 42 is supported by the support frame 47 so that it can be raised and lowered via the elevating mechanism 48 and can be held at an arbitrary position. The sealed housing 42 is positioned and supported above the X-axis table 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hermetically sealed housing 42 includes a housing frame 52, a contact frame 53, and a translucent window 54. The housing frame 52 has a box shape having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and the housing chamber 43 described above is formed therein. The hermetic casing 42 is supported by the support frame 47 so that the casing frame 52 is supported by the support frame 47 via the elevating mechanism 48 so that it can be raised and lowered and held at an arbitrary position. The casing chamber 43 is a space having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and one surface opened. Of the five wall surfaces constituting the casing chamber 43, most of the wall opposite to the opening is a plate-shaped transparent window 54. Most of the four of the five wall surfaces are formed by the casing frame 52. A flat frame-shaped contact frame 53 is fixed to an end of the housing frame 52 on the open end side of the housing chamber 43 so as to surround the periphery of the opening. The housing frame 52 is formed of a tough material such as stainless steel. The translucent window 54 is formed of a material that easily transmits ultraviolet rays emitted from the UV lamp 45, such as quartz glass. The contact frame 53 is formed of a rubber-like elastic body.
One end of the conducting tube 56 opens into the housing chamber 43 on the wall surface of the housing frame 52, and the other end of the conducting tube 56 is connected to the suction pump 55. The housing chamber 43 is connected to the suction pump 55 via the conducting tube 56, and the fluid in the housing chamber 43 can be sucked using the suction pump 55.

In a state in which the ultraviolet unit 140 is attached to the drawing apparatus 10, the housing chamber 43 is opened facing the X-axis table 11. The lamp housing 44 is fixed to a position where the light transmitting window 54 is covered on the surface of the sealed housing 42 where the light transmitting window 54 is disposed. Inside the lamp housing 44, a UV lamp 45 that emits ultraviolet rays is fixed in a state in which ultraviolet rays are emitted toward the transparent window 54 side.
The UV lamp 45 can irradiate the work W placed on the work placing table 23 moved to the position facing the housing chamber 43 by the X-axis table 11 through the translucent window 54.

  In step S1 of FIG. 2, a predetermined functional liquid is disposed at a predetermined position of the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 3A, droplet discharge is performed by moving the workpiece mounting table 23 in the X-axis direction by the X-axis table 11 on the workpiece W sucked and fixed to the mounting unit 23 a of the workpiece mounting table 23. Move to a position facing the head 20 and hold it. Next, in synchronization with the movement of the droplet discharge head 20 in the Y-axis direction while moving the droplet discharge head 20 in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis table 12, a functional liquid having ultraviolet curing characteristics is discharged from the discharge nozzle 120. By discharging as a droplet, the functional liquid is arranged at a predetermined position of the workpiece W.

  Next, in step S <b> 2 of FIG. 2, the workpiece W on which the functional liquid is disposed is moved to the curing position. As shown in FIG. 3B, the curing position is such that the workpiece W faces the housing chamber 43, and the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the UV lamp 45 are irradiated to the functional liquid disposed on the workpiece W. Position.

  Next, in step S3 of FIG. 2, a sealed space for sealing the work W on which the functional liquid is disposed is formed. As shown in FIG. 3 (c), the closed casing 42 is lowered by the elevating mechanism 48, and the contact frame 53 of the sealed casing 42 is brought into contact with the mounting portion 23a. The abutting frame 53 made of a rubber-like elastic body is elastically deformed and is in close contact with the mounting portion 23a, whereby a sealed space 43a in which the opening of the housing chamber 43 is blocked by the mounting portion 23a is formed. The formed sealed space 43a is a space for sealing the workpiece W. The sealed space 43 a is connected to the suction pump 55 via a conducting pipe 56 that is opened in the wall surface of the housing frame 52.

  Next, in step S4 of FIG. 2, the formed sealed space 43a is negatively pressurized. The suction pump 55 is operated, and the air is sucked from the sealed space 43 a through the conduction pipe 56, thereby reducing the pressure in the sealed space 43 a. The suction pump 55 corresponds to a pressure adjusting unit. The negative pressure sealed space 43a corresponds to a negative pressure space.

Next, in step S5, the functional liquid disposed on the workpiece W is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be cured by irradiating the workpiece W with ultraviolet rays. As shown in FIG. 3D, by operating the UV lamp 45 to irradiate ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet rays are emitted toward the light transmitting window 54 that forms the upper surface of the sealed space 43a. The light passes through and enters the sealed space 43a. The ultraviolet light incident in the sealed space 43a passes through the negative pressure sealed space 43a and enters the functional liquid placed on the workpiece W placed on the placement portion 23a constituting the bottom surface of the sealed space 43a. Irradiated. By irradiating with ultraviolet rays, the functional liquid having ultraviolet curing properties is cured.
Step S5 is performed, and the drawing process of forming a drawing pattern on the workpiece W using the drawing apparatus 10 is completed.

<Other UV unit examples>
Next, a configuration example of an ultraviolet unit different from the ultraviolet unit 140 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the ultraviolet unit. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of a fixed type ultraviolet unit, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of another fixed type ultraviolet unit.

  The ultraviolet unit 160 shown in FIG. 4A is combined with a droplet discharge device similar to the droplet discharge device 100 described above to constitute a drawing device similar to the drawing device 10. The ultraviolet unit 160 includes a support frame (not shown), a sealed space housing 61, a UV lamp 45, and a lamp housing 44. The support frame is erected on the side of the X-axis table 11. The sealed space housing 61 is fixed to and supported by the support frame, and is positioned above the X-axis table 11.

The sealed space housing 61 includes a housing frame 64, a first light transmission window 62, and a second light transmission window 63. The housing frame 64 has a rectangular tube shape, and the side surface is fixed and supported by the support frame. The holes of the rectangular tube are on the side (lower side) facing the X-axis table 11 and on the opposite side (upper side). It is open. One end on the upper side of the hole of the rectangular tube is sealed with the first light transmitting window 62, and the other lower end is sealed with the second light transmitting window 63. A housing space 61 a surrounded by the housing frame 64, the first light transmitting window 62, and the second light transmitting window 63 is a sealed space and is set to a negative pressure. The housing frame 64 is formed of a tough material such as stainless steel. The first light transmissive window 62 and the second light transmissive window 63 are formed of a material that easily transmits ultraviolet rays emitted from the UV lamp 45, such as quartz glass.
The sealed space housing 61 corresponds to the optical path interposing means, the first light transmitting window 62 and the second light transmitting window 63 correspond to the first interposing body or the second interposing body, and the housing frame 64, It corresponds to a sealed space forming body. The first light transmissive window 62 and the second light transmissive window 63 correspond to a portion disposed at a position intersecting the ultraviolet light path. The housing space 61a corresponds to a negative pressure space.

The lamp housing 44 is fixed to a position covering the first light transmission window 62 on the surface of the sealed space housing 61 where the first light transmission window 62 is disposed. Inside the lamp housing 44, a UV lamp 45 that emits ultraviolet rays is fixed in a state of emitting ultraviolet rays to the first light transmission window 62 side.
The UV lamp 45 is formed on the work W placed on the work placing table 23 moved to a position facing the second light transmissive window 63 of the sealed space housing 61 by the X-axis table 11. Ultraviolet rays can be irradiated through the housing space 61 a and the second light transmission window 63.

  The ultraviolet unit 170 shown in FIG. 4B is combined with a droplet discharge device similar to the droplet discharge device 100 described above, and constitutes a drawing device similar to the drawing device 10. The ultraviolet unit 170 includes a support frame (not shown), a lamp housing 71, and a UV lamp 45. The support frame is erected on the side of the X-axis table 11. The lamp housing 71 is fixed to and supported by the support frame, and is positioned above the X-axis table 11.

The lamp housing 71 includes a housing frame 74 and a translucent window 72. The lamp housing 71 is supported by the support frame by fixing the housing frame 74 to the support frame. The housing frame 74 has a box shape having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a lamp chamber 71a is formed inside, one of which is open to the outside. A transparent window 72 is fixed to the opening of the lamp chamber 71a, and the opening is sealed by the transparent window 72, so that the lamp chamber 71a is a sealed space. The lamp chamber 71a, which is a sealed space, is maintained at a negative pressure. Inside the lamp chamber 71a, a UV lamp 45 is fixed in a state in which ultraviolet rays are emitted to the light transmitting window 72 side. The housing frame 74 is formed of a tough material such as stainless steel. The translucent window 72 is formed of a material that easily transmits ultraviolet rays emitted from the UV lamp 45, such as quartz glass.
The lamp casing 71 corresponds to the optical path interposing means or the irradiation means sealed casing, and the lamp chamber 71a corresponds to the negative pressure space or the irradiation means sealed space.

  The lamp housing 71 is supported above the X-axis table 11 with the light-transmitting window 72 facing the X-axis table 11. Ultraviolet light emitted from the UV lamp 45 passes through the light transmission window 72 and is applied to the X-axis table 11. That is, the UV lamp 45 is placed on the work W placed on the work placing table 23 moved to the position facing the light transmissive window 72 of the lamp housing 71 by the X-axis table 11, and the negative pressure lamp chamber 71 a and the transparent light. Ultraviolet light can be irradiated through the light window 72.

Hereinafter, the effect by embodiment is described. According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The housing chamber 43 is connected to the suction pump 55 via the conduction pipe 56, and the fluid in the housing chamber 43 can be sucked using the suction pump 55. Thereby, the sealed space 43 a in which the opening of the housing chamber 43 is blocked by the mounting portion 23 a can be made negative pressure by using the suction pump 55.

  (2) A contact frame 53 formed of a rubber-like elastic body is fixed to an end of the housing frame 52 on the open end side of the housing chamber 43 so as to surround the opening. When a sealed space 43a is formed by the sealed casing 42 and the work mounting table 23, the contact frame 53 contacts the mounting portion 23a of the work mounting table 23 and is elastically deformed to be in close contact with the mounting portion 23a. Therefore, the sealed space 43a can be reliably separated from the outside.

  (3) In the ultraviolet unit 140, the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV lamp 45 passes through the negative pressure sealed space 43 a and is irradiated to the functional liquid disposed on the workpiece W. Since the negative pressure sealed space 43a is difficult to conduct heat, it is difficult to pass the heat released when the UV lamp 45 emits ultraviolet rays, so that it is possible to suppress damage to the workpiece W or the like due to the heat. it can.

  (4) In the ultraviolet unit 160, the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV lamp 45 passes through the negative pressure housing space 61 a and is irradiated to the functional liquid disposed on the workpiece W. Since the negative pressure housing space 61a is difficult to conduct heat, it is difficult to pass the heat released when the UV lamp 45 emits ultraviolet rays, and thus the work W and the like are prevented from being damaged by the heat. Can do.

  (5) In the ultraviolet unit 170, the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV lamp 45 passes through the negative pressure lamp chamber 71 a and is irradiated to the functional liquid disposed on the workpiece W. Since the negative pressure lamp chamber 71a is difficult to conduct heat, it is difficult to pass the heat released when the UV lamp 45 emits ultraviolet rays, so that it is possible to suppress damage to the workpiece W or the like due to the heat. it can.

  (6) In the ultraviolet unit 140, when performing the curing process, the optical path of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the UV lamp 45 is changed to the drawing position where the droplet discharge head 20 is disposed, the lamp casing 44, and the casing. It is shielded by the frame 52. Thereby, it can suppress that the functional liquid in a drawing position is hardened | cured by the leakage light of the ultraviolet-ray inject | emitted from the UV lamp 45. FIG.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described referring an accompanying drawing, suitable embodiment is not restricted to the said embodiment. The embodiment can of course be modified in various ways without departing from the scope, and can also be implemented as follows.

  (Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, the drawing apparatus 10 includes the workpiece mechanism unit 3 including the workpiece mounting table 23, sets the workpiece W on the workpiece mounting table 23, and faces the droplet discharge head 20. Etc. However, the work transport device in the drawing apparatus is not limited to the work mechanism unit 3. For example, the apparatus may be a device that places a workpiece on a belt-shaped conveyance device and continuously conveys the workpiece from a position where drawing is performed to a position where curing is performed. The conveyance apparatus may be a conveyance apparatus common to a plurality of drawing apparatuses. Or the apparatus which hold | maintains a workpiece | work and feeds and discharges material to the drawing position of a conveying apparatus like the supply / discharge material apparatus may be sufficient.

  (Modification 2) In the embodiment described above, in the ultraviolet unit 140 that forms the sealed space 43a in the curing process, the sealed space 43a is formed by the sealed casing 42 and the work mounting table 23. However, it is not essential that the hermetically sealed casing that forms the hermetically sealed space in the curing process includes the part of the workpiece transfer means. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which two sealed housings are formed, and the sealed space is formed by sandwiching the workpiece and the transfer device. When the sealed housing is separate from the workpiece transport means, it is easy to form the sealed space even in a transport device that is difficult to be a component that forms a sealed space due to the lack of rigidity of the mounting table, such as a transport device using a belt. Can be formed.

  (Modification 3) In the said embodiment, although the hardening process of the drawing pattern in a drawing process was once, it is not essential that a hardening process is once. For example, a plurality of curing steps may be performed so as to perform temporary curing that cures to the extent that the functional liquid does not flow and main curing that sufficiently cures. The temporary curing may be performed in a drawing apparatus such as the drawing apparatus 10 within a short time from the arrangement of the functional liquid, and the main curing may be performed using another curing apparatus. In this case, an apparatus including the drawing apparatus 10 and the main-curing curing apparatus corresponds to the drawing apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Head mechanism part, 3 ... Work mechanism part, 10 ... Drawing apparatus, 11 ... X-axis table, 11a ... X-axis rail, 12 ... Y-axis table, 20 ... Droplet discharge head, 23 ... Work mounting table, 23a ... Placement part, 23b ... Placement table slider, 42 ... Sealed housing, 43 ... Housing room, 43a ... Sealed space, 44 ... Lamp housing, 45 ... UV lamp, 52 ... Housing frame, 54 ... Translucent window, 55 ... Suction pump, 61 ... Sealed space housing, 61a ... Housing space, 62 ... First light transmission window, 63 ... Second light transmission window, 64 ... Housing frame, 71 ... Lamp housing, 71a ... Lamp chamber 72: Translucent window, 74: Housing frame, 100: Droplet discharge device, 120: Discharge nozzle, 140: UV unit, 160: UV unit, 170: UV unit, W: Workpiece.

Claims (8)

A drawing apparatus comprising: functional liquid arranging means for arranging an ultraviolet curable functional liquid on a drawing medium; and ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is arranged with ultraviolet light,
Medium support means for supporting the drawing medium irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation means;
An optical path interposing means at least partially disposed at a position intersecting with an optical path of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation means to the medium support means,
The drawing apparatus, wherein the optical path interposing means has a negative pressure space arranged at a position intersecting with the optical path. The optical path interposing means is
It is movable between a sealed position that covers and seals the drawing medium supported by the medium support means, and an open position that does not seal, and a portion that intersects the optical path in the state positioned at the sealed position emits ultraviolet rays. A hermetically sealed housing formed of a permeating material;
The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a pressure adjusting unit capable of adjusting a pressure of a space sealed by the sealing formation housing at the sealing position. The optical path interposing means is
A first inclusion and a second inclusion, which are arranged to intersect with the optical path, and wherein a portion intersecting the optical path is formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays;
In cooperation with the first intermediate body and the second intermediate body, a sealed space forming body that seals a space between the first intermediate body and the second intermediate body,
The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sealed space formed by the first interposed body, the second interposed body, and the sealed space forming body is the negative pressure space. The optical path interposing means is
An irradiation means sealing casing for sealing the ultraviolet irradiation means;
The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the space sealed by the irradiation unit sealed casing is the negative pressure space. A functional liquid disposing step of disposing an ultraviolet curable functional liquid on the drawing medium;
An ultraviolet irradiation step of irradiating the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is arranged with ultraviolet rays,
In the ultraviolet irradiation step, the drawing medium is irradiated with ultraviolet light transmitted through a negative pressure space. The ultraviolet irradiation step includes
A sealed space forming step for forming a sealed space for sealing the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is arranged in the functional liquid arranging step in a state where the drawing medium can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays;
A negative pressure forming step of forming the negative pressure space by setting the closed space formed in the sealed space forming step to a negative pressure;
The drawing method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of irradiating the drawing medium on which the functional liquid is disposed, through the sealed space that is set to a negative pressure.   The negative pressure space is disposed so as to intersect with an optical path of ultraviolet rays, and the first and second inclusions formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays at a portion intersecting with the optical path; A sealed space formed by a sealed space forming body that seals a space between the first interposed body and the second interposed body in cooperation with one interposed body and the second interposed body is negative. The drawing method according to claim 5, wherein the drawing method is a pressurized space.   6. The drawing method according to claim 5, wherein the negative pressure space is a space in which an irradiation unit sealed space for sealing an ultraviolet irradiation unit for irradiating the drawing medium with ultraviolet rays is set to a negative pressure.

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