JP2011041879A - Ultraviolet irradiation device - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultraviolet irradiation device capable of easily obtaining a condensing characteristic suitable for an object to be irradiated is provided.
A plurality of LED modules 1 for irradiating ultraviolet light, a plurality of heat dissipating members 2 on which the LED modules 1 are mounted, and a pair of heat dissipating members 2 adjacent to each other in the juxtaposed direction are connected to each other, and the connected pair of heat dissipates. Each of the members 2 is provided with a connecting member 3 that is pivotably moved around an axis substantially orthogonal to the juxtaposed direction, and a condensing characteristic of ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED module 1 is variable.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultraviolet irradiation device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays in order to cure the ink of an object is installed in a subsequent stage of a printing apparatus that prints on the object using ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays.

  In recent years, various types of such ultraviolet irradiation apparatuses have been proposed in which an LED (light emitting diode) module is used as a light source instead of a discharge lamp or the like for the purpose of reducing power consumption or extending the life. The LED module is configured by arranging LED chips in a package, and uses a plurality of LED modules so that the same amount of light as a conventional ultraviolet irradiation device using a discharge lamp or the like can be obtained. And in order to obtain a desired condensing characteristic with respect to the irradiation object, a plurality of LED modules are juxtaposed in the width direction of the irradiation object on the surface parallel to the irradiation object, and further At both ends of the juxtaposed direction, there are surfaces that are inclined in a direction approaching the irradiation object, and LED modules are also disposed on the inclined surfaces. That is, the amount of light is constant at both ends in the width direction of the irradiation object, the condensing range can be expanded, and the printable range can be expanded. In addition, it has also been proposed to set a condensing range to a desired characteristic by providing a lens, a reflector, or the like on the instrument body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-61702 A

  In the conventional ultraviolet irradiation device, the light condensing characteristic is fixed to a predetermined characteristic by the shape of the instrument body, the lens, the reflector, and the like. Therefore, in order to obtain a light collecting characteristic suitable for each of a plurality of different shapes (flat plate shape, three-dimensional shape, etc.) of the irradiation object, a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices having a light collecting characteristic for each irradiation object are prepared. In particular, when the number of types of irradiation objects increases, it has become a factor of high cost and complicated work due to apparatus replacement.

  In addition, when an LED module is disposed opposite to an irradiation target and the LED module is brought close to the irradiation target in order to obtain a desired light collecting characteristic, the ink adheres to the lens of the LED module and becomes dirty. This has caused a decrease in luminous efficiency. However, if the LED module is disposed at a position away from the irradiation object, a desired light collecting characteristic cannot be obtained, and there is a possibility that a problem occurs in the ink curing process.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said reason, The objective is to provide the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus which can acquire the condensing characteristic suitable for the irradiation target object easily.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of LED modules that irradiate ultraviolet rays, a condensing unit that condenses the ultraviolet rays emitted by the LED modules onto an irradiation object, and a condensing unit that makes the condensing characteristic of the condensing unit variable Characteristic variable means.

  According to this invention, by condensing the condensing characteristic of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED module, the condensing characteristics such as the irradiation range and the irradiation direction can be obtained regardless of the planar irradiation object and the three-dimensional irradiation object. Condensing characteristics suitable for each can be easily obtained for a plurality of irradiation objects that can be easily changed and have different shapes.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the plurality of LED modules are arranged side by side, and the light condensing means and the light condensing characteristic variable means connect a pair of LED modules to each other, and the pair of connected LED modules Each of which is constituted by one or a plurality of connecting members that are pivotably moved around an axis substantially orthogonal to the parallel arrangement direction.

  According to this invention, since the LED modules are arranged in parallel so as to be rotatable via the connecting member, the light condensing in the irradiation range, the irradiation direction, etc. regardless of the planar irradiation object and the three-dimensional irradiation object. It is possible to easily change the characteristics, and it is possible to easily obtain a light collecting characteristic suitable for each of a plurality of irradiation objects having different shapes.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the condensing unit is configured by arranging a plurality of reflecting members that reflect ultraviolet rays in parallel to the irradiation direction of the LED module, and the condensing characteristic is variable. The means includes one or more connecting members that connect the pair of reflecting members to each other and move each of the connected pair of reflecting members so as to be rotatable about an axis substantially orthogonal to the parallel arrangement direction. Features.

  According to the present invention, the plurality of reflecting members facing the irradiation direction of the LED module are arranged in parallel so as to be rotatable via the connecting member, and the plurality of reflecting plates are individually rotated so that the reflection range, the reflecting direction, etc. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain a condensing characteristic suitable for each of a plurality of irradiation objects having different shapes. Moreover, since the irradiation direction of the LED module does not face the irradiation object to which the ink is applied, the ink does not adhere to the lens of the LED module, and the light emission efficiency is not lowered.

  As described above, in the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to easily obtain a light collecting characteristic suitable for an irradiation object.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultraviolet irradiation device of Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of an LED module same as the above. It is a figure which shows the structure of a connection member same as the above. It is a figure which shows one state of an ultraviolet irradiation device same as the above. It is a figure which shows one state of an ultraviolet irradiation device same as the above. It is a figure which shows one state of an ultraviolet irradiation device same as the above. It is a figure which shows the example of control of a connection member same as the above. (A) (b) It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultraviolet irradiation device of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a connection member same as the above. It is a figure which shows the example of control of a connection member same as the above.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultraviolet irradiation device of this embodiment includes a plurality of LED modules 1, heat dissipation members 2, and connecting members 3, and each LED module 1 is mounted on each heat dissipation member 2. Is constituted by connecting a pair of adjacent heat dissipating members 2, 2 to each other. The ultraviolet irradiation device is installed at a subsequent stage of the printing apparatus that prints on the object using ink that is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and irradiates the ultraviolet rays to cure the ink of the irradiation object W.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the LED module 1 is configured by housing an LED chip 11 in a package 12, and the package 12 includes a box-shaped body 12a and an optical glass 12b provided on one surface of the body 12a. Is provided. The LED chip 11 accommodated in the package 12 is an ultraviolet LED chip having a peak wavelength in the ultraviolet region, and irradiates ultraviolet rays to the outside of the package 12 through the optical glass 12b. The LED chip 11 is turned on when power is supplied from the outside through an electrode (not shown) formed on the body 12a, and emits ultraviolet rays.

  The heat radiating member 2 is formed of a rectangular parallelepiped copper plate and functions as a support base having a joint surface for mounting one to a plurality of LED modules 1 (one LED module 1 in FIG. 1). LED chip cooling coolant channels 21 and 22 are provided inside. The flow paths 21 and 22 are formed in the cylindrical shape, and are formed in the heat radiating member 2 so as to be parallel. As the coolant flowing in the flow paths 21 and 22, a known one such as water or silicone resin is used. In order to attach the LED module 1 to such a heat radiating member 2, the lower surface of the package 12 of the LED module 1 is directly joined to the joint surface of the heat radiating member 2 with solder or a heat conductive adhesive.

  A plurality of heat dissipating members 2 on which the LED module 1 is mounted are arranged side by side, and a pair of adjacent heat dissipating members 2 are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting member 3 constituting a condensing unit and a condensing characteristic varying unit. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting member 3 is provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the heat dissipating members 2 arranged side by side, and is provided on the connecting portion 31 provided on one of a pair of adjacent heat dissipating members 2 and on the other. And the connecting portion 32 formed. The connecting portion 31 has a spherical protrusion 31b formed at the tip of a rod-shaped arm 31a, and the connecting portion 32 has a spherical recess 32b formed at the tip of the rod-shaped arm 32a. A shaft portion X1 is projected so as to be substantially orthogonal to the two juxtaposed directions. Then, the shaft portion X1 pivotally supports the spherical protrusion 31b and the spherical protrusion 31b is pivotally connected to the spherical recess 32b, so that the connecting portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 are rotatable with respect to the shaft portion X1. Connected. The spherical protrusion 31b is slidably contacted with the spherical recess 32b and supported by pressure contact. The spherical protrusion 31b and the spherical recess 32b are rotatable relative to each other, and the spherical recess 32b is a spherical protrusion. 31b is pinched and the spherical protrusion 31b can be fixedly supported at an arbitrary position within the rotation range. Here, the rotation range of the connecting portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 around the shaft portion X1 is possible in a range where the arm 31a does not contact the opening edge of the spherical recess 32b.

  And in FIG. 1, it is the state which arranged the three heat radiating member 2 in parallel on the straight line via the connection member 3, and the irradiation direction (arrow in FIG. 1) of the three LED modules 1 becomes mutually parallel. . In other words, the planar irradiation object W is irradiated with ultraviolet rays on average over a wide range facing the three LED modules 1.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the three heat dissipating members 2 arranged side by side are rotated around the shaft portion X1 via the connecting member 3 and arranged in an arc shape, and the irradiation direction of the three LED modules 1 (Arrow in FIG. 4) goes to the center of the arc. That is, the three LED modules 1 irradiate the planar irradiation target W with ultraviolet rays toward one point (the center of the arc).

  Moreover, FIG. 5 irradiates the spherical or columnar irradiation object W with ultraviolet rays by setting the number of the heat radiating members 2 mounted with the LED module 1 to five. Then, the five heat dissipating members 2 arranged side by side are rotated around the shaft portion X1 via the connecting member 3 and arranged in an arc shape along the outer curved surface of the irradiation object W. The irradiation direction (arrow in FIG. 5) of the LED module 1 is directed to the center of the arc (the center of the irradiation object W). That is, the five LED modules 1 irradiate the spherical or columnar irradiation object W with ultraviolet rays on an average of the arcuate predetermined range of the outer curved surface.

  Moreover, FIG. 6 irradiates the spherical or cylindrical irradiation object W with ultraviolet rays, with 11 heat dissipating members 2 on which the LED modules 1 are mounted being arranged in parallel. Then, 11 heat dissipating members 2 arranged in parallel are rotated around the shaft portion X1 via the connecting member 3, and are arranged in a substantially circular shape along the outer curved surface of the irradiation object W. The irradiation direction of the LED module 1 (arrow in FIG. 6) is directed to the center of the circle (the center of the irradiation object W). That is, the eleven LED modules 1 irradiate the spherical or columnar irradiation object W with ultraviolet rays on the average of the entire circumference of the outer curved surface.

  Thus, since the several heat radiating member 2 which mounted LED module 1 was arranged in parallel so that rotation was possible via the connection member 3, it is irrespective of the planar irradiation target W and the solid irradiation target W. Condensation characteristics such as an irradiation range and an irradiation direction can be easily changed, and condensing characteristics suitable for each of a plurality of irradiation objects W having different shapes can be easily obtained.

  Further, although the connecting member 3 can be manually rotated, the connecting member 3 is provided with driving means such as a motor, and the connecting member 3 is instructed by a command from the control unit 91 of the printing apparatus 90 as shown in FIG. 3 rotation control may be performed. The control unit 91 stores the shape data of the irradiation object W (printing object) in the internal memory, generates a command corresponding to the shape of the irradiation object W, transmits the command to the connecting member 3, and connects the connecting member 3. Rotation control is performed. Therefore, the desired condensing characteristic can be more easily obtained by the automatic control of the connecting member 3.

  The configuration of the connecting member 3 is included in the present invention as long as it has the same function as described above even if it has other configurations.

(Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the ultraviolet irradiation device of the present embodiment includes one LED module 1 and reflects ultraviolet light in a direction facing the optical glass 12 b of the LED module 1. A plurality of reflecting plates 4 (reflecting members) are arranged, and the irradiation object W is arranged at a position facing the reflecting plate 4 with the LED module 1 interposed therebetween.

  The reflection plate 4 includes a reflection plate 4a having a substantially V-shaped cross section and a reflection plate 4b formed in a flat plate shape to constitute a light collecting unit, and the reflection plate 4b is provided on both sides of the reflection plate 4a. Are arranged side by side, and a pair of adjacent reflectors 4 are connected to each other by a connecting member 6 constituting a condensing characteristic varying means.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting member 6 is provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the reflectors 4 arranged side by side, provided with a connecting part 61 provided on one of the pair of adjacent reflectors 4, and the other. The connecting portion 62 is formed. The connecting portion 61 has a spherical protrusion 61b formed at the tip of a rod-shaped arm 61a. The connecting portion 62 has a spherical recess 62b formed at the tip of the rod-shaped arm 62a. A shaft portion X11 is projected so as to be substantially orthogonal to the four juxtaposed directions. Then, the shaft portion X11 pivotally supports the spherical protrusion 61b and the spherical protrusion 61b is pivotally connected to the spherical recess 62b, so that the connecting portion 61 and the connecting portion 62 can rotate with respect to the shaft portion X11. Connected. The spherical protrusion 61b is slidably contacted with the spherical recess 62b and supported by pressure contact. The spherical protrusion 61b and the spherical recess 62b are rotatable relative to each other, and the spherical recess 62b is a spherical protrusion. 61b is clamped, and the spherical protrusion 61b can be fixedly supported at an arbitrary position within the rotation range. Here, the rotation range of the connecting portion 61 and the connecting portion 62 around the shaft portion X11 is possible in a range in which the arm 61a does not contact the opening edge of the spherical recess 62b.

  8A and 8B show a state in which the condensing characteristics are changed by changing the connection state of the reflectors 4. FIG. First, in FIG. 8A, the angle formed between adjacent reflectors 4 is reduced to narrow the plurality of reflectors 4 in the juxtaposition direction, and ultraviolet rays irradiated from the LED module 1 are reduced. The light is reflected in a narrow range, and the reflected light is concentratedly irradiated near one point of the irradiation object W. On the other hand, in FIG. 8B, the angle formed between the adjacent reflectors 4 is increased to spread the plurality of reflectors 4 in the juxtaposition direction, and the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the LED module 1 are reduced. Reflected in a wide range, the reflected light irradiates a wide range of the irradiation object W.

  Thus, without making the optical glass 12b of the LED module 1 face the irradiation object W side, the reflection plate 4 is provided in the direction opposite to the irradiation object W when viewed from the LED module 1, and the optical glass 12b is disposed on the reflection plate 4 The object to be irradiated W is irradiated with the ultraviolet rays reflected so as to face the surface. Therefore, since the optical glass 12b of the LED module 1 does not face the irradiation object W to which ink is applied, the ink does not adhere to the optical glass 12b, and the light emission efficiency is not lowered. In addition, a plurality of reflecting plates 4 facing the irradiation direction of the LED module 1 are arranged in parallel so as to be rotatable via a connecting member 6, and the plurality of reflecting plates 4 are individually rotated so that a reflection range, a reflecting direction, etc. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain condensing characteristics suitable for each of a plurality of irradiation objects W having different shapes.

  Further, although the connecting member 6 can be manually rotated, a driving means such as a motor is provided in the connecting member 6 and the connecting member 6 is instructed by a command from the control unit 91 of the printing apparatus 90 as shown in FIG. 6 rotation control may be performed. The control unit 91 stores the shape data of the irradiation object W (printing object) in the internal memory, generates a command corresponding to the shape of the irradiation object W, transmits the command to the connecting member 6, and connects the connecting member 6. Rotation control is performed. Therefore, the desired condensing characteristic can be obtained more easily by the automatic control of the connecting member 6.

  In addition, the structure of the connection member 6 is included in this invention, even if it is another structure, if it has a function similar to the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 LED module 2 Heat radiation member 3 Connection member W Irradiation target object

Claims (3)

  One or a plurality of LED modules for irradiating ultraviolet rays, condensing means for condensing ultraviolet rays emitted by the LED modules onto an irradiation object, and condensing characteristic variable means for making the condensing characteristic of the condensing means variable. Ultraviolet irradiation device characterized by.   A plurality of the LED modules are arranged side by side, and the light collecting means and the light collecting characteristic variable means connect a pair of LED modules to each other, and each of the connected pair of LED modules is around an axis substantially orthogonal to the parallel arrangement direction. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation device is configured by one or a plurality of connecting members that are pivotably moved.   The condensing means is configured by arranging a plurality of reflecting members that reflect ultraviolet rays in parallel with each other in the irradiation direction of the LED module, and the condensing characteristic varying means connects a pair of reflecting members to each other, 2. The ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of connected reflecting members is composed of one or a plurality of connecting members that are rotatable about an axis substantially orthogonal to the juxtaposed direction.

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