JP5660283B2 - Liquid supply device and droplet discharge device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus and a liquid ejection apparatus using the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink supply system that supplies ink to an ejection head that can eject ink from an ink tank that contains ink via an ink supply pipe is known. When such an ink supply system is used, if ink is not supplied for a long time after ink is supplied to the ejection head, components contained in the ink remaining in the flow path of the ink supply pipe May settle. If the component contained in the ink settles, when supplying ink to the ejection head again, the ink may not be stably supplied to the ejection head, or ejection failure may occur.

  In particular, when an inorganic pigment (for example, titanium oxide) or a metal pigment (for example, aluminum) is included as an ink component, there is a problem that these pigments are liable to settle from the point of difference in specific gravity with respect to the solvent.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes an ink supply system provided with a sub tank that always holds a certain amount of ink in an ink flow path. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes that a stirring ball is provided in the sub tank in order to stir the ink in the sub tank. By providing such a subtank, sedimentation of components such as pigments contained in the ink can be reduced.

JP 2006-272648 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, the stirring sphere becomes difficult to move in the sub-tank, and the liquid stirring efficiency may be reduced.

  One of the objects according to some aspects of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply apparatus having excellent liquid stirring efficiency by solving the above-described problems.

  One of the objects according to some aspects of the present invention is to provide a droplet discharge device including the liquid supply device.

  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 aspects or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
One aspect of the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.
A container in which a liquid containing a component that can settle is circulated;
A stirring bar movably disposed inside the container;
A carriage mounted with the container and reciprocating in a predetermined direction;
Including
The stirrer moves in the container based on the reciprocating motion of the carriage,
The relationship between the height (Ht) in the vertical direction inside the container and the height (Hb) in the vertical direction of the stirrer satisfies the following formula (1).
0.4 × Ht ≦ Hb ≦ 0.9 × Ht (1)

  According to the invention described in Application Example 1, since Ht and Hb satisfy the above relational expression, the stirrer can easily move in the container, and a liquid supply apparatus having excellent liquid stirring efficiency can be obtained. it can.

[Application Example 2]
In application example 1,
Furthermore, the relationship between the height (Hi) in the vertical direction of the sediment that can occur in the container, the Ht, and the Hb can satisfy the following formula (2).
2.5 × Hi ≦ Hb ≦ 0.9 × (Ht−Hi) (2)

  According to the invention described in the application example 2, since Ht, Hb, and Hi satisfy the above relational expression, it is possible to obtain a liquid supply apparatus having excellent liquid stirring efficiency, particularly when the sediment is solidified.

[Application Example 3]
In application example 1 or application example 2,
Furthermore, including a liquid storage part and a discharge head,
The ejection head is mounted on the carriage;
The liquid can circulate from the liquid container to the discharge head via the container.

  According to the invention described in the application example 3, it is possible to supply the liquid with little variation in the component composition ratio to the ejection head.

[Application Example 4]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 3,
The component capable of sedimentation may include at least one selected from inorganic pigments, metal pigments, and hollow resin particles.

  According to the invention described in Application Example 4, even if a component that easily causes sedimentation is included, it can be dispersed well.

[Application Example 5]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 4,
The liquid includes a solvent,
The specific gravity difference between the sedimentable component and the solvent may be 1 or more.

  According to the invention described in Application Example 5, even if a component that easily causes sedimentation is included, it can be dispersed well.

[Application Example 6]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 5,
The shape of the stirring bar may be a sphere or an ellipsoid.

  According to the invention described in Application Example 6, the stirrer easily moves in the container, and the liquid can be stirred more efficiently.

[Application Example 7]
In any one of Application Examples 1 to 6,
The container has an upper surface portion, a bottom surface portion, a first side surface portion extending in the predetermined direction, and a second side surface portion facing the predetermined direction,
The cross section orthogonal to the predetermined direction of the bottom surface portion may include a curved line whose outer peripheral portion is convex toward the outside of the container.

  According to the invention described in Application Example 7, the sediment in the container is likely to gather on the convex portion of the bottom surface. In addition, the stirrer is likely to be positioned on the convex portion of the bottom surface portion, and is easily moved along the convex portion of the bottom surface portion. Thereby, a sediment can be stirred more efficiently by the movement of a stirring bar.

[Application Example 8]
In Application Example 7,
Furthermore, the cross section orthogonal to the predetermined direction of the first side surface portion and the upper surface portion may include a curved line whose outer peripheral portion is convex toward the outside of the container.

[Application Example 9]
In application example 8,
A cross section of the container perpendicular to the predetermined direction may be circular or elliptical.

[Application Example 10]
In any one of Application Example 7 to Application Example 9,
Furthermore, the cross section of the second side surface portion parallel to the predetermined direction may include a curved line whose outer peripheral portion is convex toward the outside of the container.

  According to the invention described in Application Example 10, the stirrer can easily come into contact with the connection portion between the second side surface portion and the bottom surface portion, so that the sediment can be stirred more efficiently.

[Application Example 11]
In any one of Application Examples 2 to 10,
Control means for controlling a first operation for moving the carriage without discharging the liquid and a second operation for moving the carriage with discharging the liquid;
The control means can perform the first operation at least when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the carriage stopped.

  According to the invention described in the application example 11, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after the movement of the carriage is stopped, the control unit controls the first operation. Therefore, even if sediment is generated in the container, a liquid with little variation in the component composition ratio can be supplied to the head.

[Application Example 12]
One aspect of the droplet discharge device according to the present invention is:
The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 11 is included.

  According to the invention described in Application Example 12, since any one of the liquid supply devices described above is included, it is possible to discharge liquid droplets that are excellent in liquid stirring efficiency and have little variation in component composition ratio.

The side view which shows typically the liquid supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The perspective view which shows typically the container in the liquid supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the sedimentation state of the component which can settle in the container of the liquid supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure explaining the functional block of the liquid supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process of the liquid supply apparatus according to the present embodiment. The perspective view which shows typically the droplet discharge apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, although embodiment of this invention is described, this invention is not restrict | limited to these.

1. Liquid supply apparatus The liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a container in which a liquid containing a component that can settle is circulated, a stirrer that is movably disposed inside the container, and the container mounted in a predetermined direction. A reciprocating carriage, and the stirrer moves in the container based on the reciprocating movement of the carriage, and the vertical height (Ht) of the inside of the container and the vertical of the stirrer The relationship between the height (Hb) in the direction satisfies the following formula (1).
0.4 × Ht ≦ Hb ≦ 0.9 × Ht (1)

  FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the container 20 in the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a sedimentation state of components that can settle in the container 20 of the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, the container 20 in which the sediment HI accumulates on the bottom surface of the container 20. It is the side view which showed typically. Hereinafter, the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The liquid supply apparatus according to this embodiment includes a container, a stirrer disposed inside the container, and a carriage. In the example of FIG. 1, the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid storage unit 10, a container 20, a liquid supply pipe 30, and a discharge head 40. The container 20 and the discharge head 40 are mounted on the carriage 50A. The container 20 includes a stirring bar 15 therein. The carriage 50 </ b> A can reciprocate in a predetermined direction (hereinafter also referred to as “main scanning direction”) MSD.

1.1. Liquid storage part The liquid supply apparatus in this embodiment may have a liquid storage part. The liquid storage unit 10 can store a liquid. In the example of FIG. 1, the liquid storage unit 10 is connected to the container 20 via a liquid supply pipe 30a. Thereby, the liquid can be circulated through the container 20.

  The liquid storage unit 10 is preferably configured to replenish the consumed liquid again, and more preferably configured to replenish the liquid during operation of the liquid supply apparatus 100. By replenishing the liquid container 10 with liquid without stopping the operation of the liquid supply apparatus 100, work efficiency can be improved.

  The liquid in this specification should just contain the component which can settle, for example, dispersions, such as a suspension and an emulsion, etc. can be mentioned. For example, the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 10 may be an ink composition, an organic EL display material, a color filter material such as a liquid crystal display, an FED (surface emitting display) material, an electrode such as an electrophoretic display, Examples thereof include color filter materials and bioorganic materials used for biochip production.

  In addition, as a component that can settle, for example, a component having a high specific gravity with respect to a solvent, and the ink composition includes, for example, at least one selected from inorganic pigments, metal pigments, and hollow resin particles And can include components bound or adsorbed thereto. The sediment HI is obtained by sedimenting components that can settle in the container 20.

  Examples of the inorganic pigment include titanium dioxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, and carbon black.

  Examples of the metal pigment include aluminum, gold, silver, copper, brass, titanium, and the like, or alloys thereof.

  Examples of the hollow resin particles include hollow resin particles described in specifications such as US Pat. No. 4,880,465 and Japanese Patent No. 3,562,754. The hollow resin particles are, for example, those having a cavity inside and an outer shell formed of a resin having liquid permeability. The hollow resin particles can be used as a white pigment.

  The liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 10 may further include a composition that includes a solvent such as an organic solvent or water and has a specific gravity difference between the component that can settle and the solvent of 1 or more. As described above, even when the specific gravity difference between the solvent in the liquid and the component that can settle is large, the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present invention can be used to sufficiently stir the liquid with little variation in the component composition ratio. Can be supplied.

  Hereinafter, the white ink composition typically used as the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 10 will be described. For example, in the white ink composition, the above-described titanium dioxide can be used as a white pigment. The content of titanium dioxide is preferably 5% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, more preferably 8% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, with respect to the total mass of the white ink composition. If the content of titanium dioxide exceeds the above range, clogging of the ejection head 40 may occur. Moreover, when the content of titanium dioxide is less than the above range, whiteness may be insufficient.

  The white ink composition can include a resin for fixing the pigment. Examples of the resin include an acrylic resin (for example, Almatex (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals)), a urethane resin (for example, WBR-022U (manufactured by Taisei Fine Chemical)), and the like. The content of the resin is preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the white ink composition.

  The white ink composition preferably contains at least one selected from alkanediols and glycol ethers. Alkanediols and glycol ethers can enhance the wettability of a recording surface such as a recording medium and improve the ink permeability.

  Examples of the alkanediol include 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, 1,2-octanediol, etc. , 2-alkanediol is preferred. Among these, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, and 1,2-octanediol having 6 to 8 carbon atoms are more preferable because of their particularly high permeability to recording media.

  As glycol ethers, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, triethylene glycol Mention may be made of lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether and tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether. Among these, good recording quality can be obtained by using triethylene glycol monobutyl ether.

  The content of at least one selected from these alkanediols and glycol ethers is preferably 1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, more preferably 1% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the white ink composition. It is 10 mass% or less.

  The white ink composition preferably contains an acetylene glycol surfactant or a polysiloxane surfactant. Acetylene glycol surfactants or polysiloxane surfactants can increase the wettability of a recording surface such as a recording medium to increase the ink permeability.

  Examples of the acetylene glycol surfactant include 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol, 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol, 3, Examples include 5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol, 2,4-dimethyl-5-hexyn-3-ol, and the like. Moreover, a commercial item can also be utilized for acetylene glycol type-surfactant, for example, Orphine E1010, STG, Y (above, Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.), Surfinol 104, 82, 465, 485, TG (above , Air Products and Chemicals Inc.).

  Commercially available products can be used as the polysiloxane surfactant, and examples thereof include BYK-347, BYK-348 (manufactured by BYK Japan).

  Further, the white ink composition may contain other surfactants such as an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant.

  The content of the surfactant is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, with respect to the total mass of the white ink composition. It is.

  The white ink composition preferably contains a polyhydric alcohol. For example, when the white ink composition is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, the polyhydric alcohol can suppress drying of the ink and prevent clogging of the ink in the discharge head portion.

  Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thioglycol, hexylene glycol, glycerin, and trimethylolethane. And trimethylolpropane.

  The content of the polyhydric alcohol is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, with respect to the total mass of the white ink composition. .

  The white ink composition can contain water as a solvent. It is preferable to use pure water or ultrapure water such as ion exchange water, ultrafiltered water, reverse osmosis water, or distilled water. In particular, water obtained by sterilizing these waters by ultraviolet irradiation or addition of hydrogen peroxide is preferable because generation of mold and bacteria can be suppressed over a long period of time.

  Further, the white ink composition may be prepared by using a fixing agent such as water-soluble rosin, an antifungal agent / preservative such as sodium benzoate, an antioxidant / ultraviolet absorber such as allophanate, a chelating agent, triethanol, as necessary. Additives such as pH adjusters such as amines and oxygen absorbers can be contained. These additives can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Although the water-based ink composition has been described as an example of the white ink composition, an ultraviolet curable ink or the like may be used. In the case of using an ultraviolet curable ink, examples of components that can settle include a photopolymerization initiator.

1.2. Liquid Supply Pipe The liquid supply apparatus in the present embodiment may have a liquid supply pipe. In the example of FIG. 1, the liquid supply pipe 30 is composed of a liquid supply pipe 30a and a liquid supply pipe 30b. In FIG. 1, the liquid supply pipe 30 a connects the liquid storage unit 10 and the container 20. The liquid supply pipe 30 a can distribute the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 10 to the container 20. In FIG. 1, the liquid supply pipe 30 b connects the container 20 and the ejection head 40. The liquid supply pipe 30b can circulate the liquid supplied to the container 20 to the ejection head 40.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a shape of the liquid supply pipe | tube 30, The following can be mentioned. For example, a straight line connecting the liquid storage unit 10 and the ejection head 40 with a simple straight line, a sagging shape, a wave shape including a portion where a locally high portion and a low portion are alternately repeated, and a plurality of loops are connected. And a loop shape including a portion.

  A partition portion (not shown) twisted along the liquid flow direction may be provided inside the liquid supply pipe 30. The partition has a function of stirring the liquid introduced into the liquid supply pipe 30. The liquid introduced into the liquid supply pipe 30 proceeds through the liquid supply pipe 30 along the partition portion having a twisted structure, and is supplied to the discharge head 40. Thereby, the liquid in the liquid supply pipe 30 can be sufficiently stirred.

  The material of the liquid supply pipe 30 is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility, and examples thereof include an elastomer. Examples of the elastomer include vulcanized rubber such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber, and elastomers such as vinyl chloride, styrene, olefin, silicone, and fluorine.

  The inner diameter of the liquid supply pipe 30 is not particularly limited as long as the stirrer 15 does not move into the liquid supply pipe 30. For example, when the liquid supply apparatus 100 is applied to a droplet discharge apparatus 300 described later, the inner diameter of the liquid supply pipe 30 is preferably 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

1.3. Container and Stirrer The liquid supply apparatus in the present embodiment includes a container that is mounted on a carriage and in which a liquid containing a component that can settle is circulated. When the container is mounted on the carriage, it is not necessary to provide a separate mechanism for moving only the container, and the container can be moved using the carriage moving mechanism. Therefore, mounting the container on the carriage is excellent from the viewpoint that a liquid supply device having excellent stirring efficiency can be easily obtained.

  Moreover, the liquid supply apparatus in this embodiment has the stirring bar arrange | positioned so that a movement inside the container is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the container 20 has a stirring bar 15 inside thereof. In FIG. 1, the container 20 is connected to the liquid storage unit 10 through a liquid supply pipe 30a. The connection part J1 of the container 20 and the liquid supply pipe 30a may be provided in any part of the container 20 as long as it is formed in a part other than J2 described later.

  In FIG. 1, the container 20 is connected to the ejection head 40 via a liquid supply pipe 30b. Moreover, the connection part J2 of the container 20 and the liquid supply pipe 30b may be provided in any part of the container 20 as long as it is formed in parts other than J1.

  The direction, angle, and the like in which the container 20 is attached are not particularly limited as long as the stirring bar 15 moves based on the reciprocating motion of the carriage 50A.

  Examples of the shape of the container 20 of the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment include a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a cylindrical shape, and an elliptical cylindrical shape. In addition, in this specification, the shape of a container means the internal shape of the container in which the stirring element is arrange | positioned.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the container 20 includes an upper surface portion 24, a bottom surface portion 22, a first side surface portion 26 extending in a predetermined direction MSD, a second side surface portion 28 facing the predetermined direction MSD, It is preferable that the cross section perpendicular to the predetermined direction MSD of the bottom surface portion 22 includes a curved line whose outer peripheral portion is convex toward the outside of the container. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 2A, the bottom surface portion 22 has a downwardly convex curved surface in the vertical direction VD, is connected to the first side surface portion 26 and the second side surface portion 28, and , Has a continuous surface. The upper surface portion 24 is connected to the first side surface portion 26 and the second side surface portion 28 and has a continuous surface. The first side surface portion 26 includes two opposing surfaces extending along a predetermined direction MSD. The second side surface portion 28 is connected to the liquid supply pipes 30a and 30b. The second side surface portion 28 is composed of two surfaces provided facing the predetermined direction MSD.

  In FIG. 2A, since the bottom surface portion 22 of the container 20 is a convex curved surface, the sediment HI tends to gather on the convex portion of the bottom surface portion 22. Further, the stirrer 15 is likely to be positioned on the convex portion of the bottom surface portion 22 and is likely to move along the convex portion of the bottom surface portion 22. As described above, since a large amount of the sediment HI remains in the trajectory along which the stirring bar 15 moves, the sediment HI can be stirred more efficiently by the movement of the stirring bar 15. Therefore, when the container has the shape of FIG. 2A, a liquid supply apparatus having excellent stirring efficiency can be obtained.

  In addition to the container 20 in FIG. 2A, a container 120 as shown in FIG. 2B may be used. The container 120 of FIG. 2B includes a curved line in which the outer peripheral portion of the cross section perpendicular to the predetermined direction MSD of the first side surface portion 26 and the upper surface portion 24 in FIG. For example, the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the predetermined direction MSD of the container 120 can be circular. Specifically, the container 120 includes a cylindrical portion 122 in which the upper surface portion 24, the bottom surface portion 22, and the first side surface portion 26 in FIG. 2A are integrated, and a second side surface portion 128. Liquid supply pipes 30 a and 30 b are connected to the side surface portion 128. The second side surface portion 128 includes two surfaces provided to face the main scanning direction MSD.

  In the example of FIG. 2B, the container 120 has a cylindrical portion 122 and has a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the moving direction MSD of the carriage 50A. However, depending on the direction and angle at which the container 120 is attached. In some cases, the cross-sectional shape is elliptical.

  Moreover, although the container 120 has the cylindrical part 122, it may replace with a cylindrical shape and may use an elliptical cylindrical shape.

  Since the container 120 in FIG. 2B has a cylindrical shape or an elliptical cylindrical shape, the sediment HI supplied into the container 120 tends to gather at the center of the bottom of the container 120. In addition, the stirrer 15 is easily located at the center of the bottom of the container 120 and is easily moved along the center of the bottom. As described above, since a large amount of the sediment HI remains in the orbit along which the stirrer 15 moves, the sediment HI can be more efficiently stirred by the movement of the stirrer 15.

  In the container 20 (120) in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral part of the cross section parallel to the predetermined direction MSD of the second side surface part 28 (128) further includes a convex curve toward the outside of the container 20. preferable. An example of such a container is the container 220 in FIG. The container 220 has the same shape as the container 120 in FIG. 2B except that the second side surface portion 228 has a curved surface shape that protrudes outward from the container 220. Specifically, the container 220 has a continuous surface in which the cylindrical portion 222 and the side surface (second side surface portion 228) are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the container 20 does not have a curved surface in which the second side surface portion 28 is convex toward the outside of the container 20. For this reason, since the sediment HI settled at the connection portion between the second side surface portion 28 and the bottom surface portion 22 is less likely to come into contact with the stirrer 15 when the stirrer 15 is a sphere or an ellipsoid (described later), Stirring efficiency may decrease. In addition, as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the second side surface portion 228 has a convex curved surface toward the outside of the container 220 as in the container 220 shown in FIG. 2C, the stirrer 15 is a sphere or an ellipsoid. In some cases (described later), the stirrer 15 easily comes into contact with the connection portion between the second side surface portion 228 and the cylindrical portion 222. Therefore, the sediment HI settled at the connection portion between the second side surface portion 228 and the cylindrical portion 222 can be effectively stirred by the stirrer 15.

  When the shape of the container 20 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the long side is preferably arranged so as to be parallel to the moving direction MSD of the carriage 50A. Thereby, the moving region of the stirring bar 15 in the container 20 is expanded, and the inside of the container 20 can be moved efficiently, so that the liquid stirring efficiency can be improved.

  When the shape of the container 20 is a cylindrical shape or an elliptical cylinder shape, the container 20 is installed so that the cross-sectional shape of the container 20 perpendicular to the main scanning direction MSD is circular or elliptical, and the longitudinal direction of the container 20 is the carriage 50A. It is preferable to arrange them so as to be parallel to the movement direction MSD. When the container 20 is installed so that the longitudinal direction of the container 20 and the moving direction MSD of the carriage 50A are parallel, the stirrer 15 is further easily moved along the convex portion at the bottom of the container 20. Thereby, the sediment which settled to the convex part of the bottom part of the container 20 by the movement of the stirring element 15 can be stirred more efficiently.

  A plurality of containers 20 may be provided. By providing a plurality of containers 20, the liquid stirring efficiency can be improved. Further, the container 20 may include a plurality of stirring bars 15 therein. Thereby, the stirring efficiency of the liquid supplied to the container 20 can be improved.

  The stirrer 15 can move inside the container 20 based on the reciprocating motion of the carriage 50 </ b> A to stir the liquid and sediment HI supplied to the container 20. The trajectory and moving direction of the stirrer 15 are determined by the reciprocating motion of the carriage 50A, the amount of liquid supplied to the container 20, the direction and angle in which the container 20 is attached, the shape of the container, and the like.

  The shape of the stirrer 15 may be any shape that can move in the container 20, and examples thereof include a sphere, an ellipsoid (for example, a rugby ball type), a cylinder, an elliptic cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, a cube, and the like. Among these, when the shape of the stirring bar 15 is a sphere or an ellipsoid, the moving efficiency of the stirring bar 15 can be improved. Moreover, when the outer peripheral part of the cross section orthogonal to the predetermined direction MSD of the bottom surface part 22 of the container 20 has a convex curve toward the outside of the container 20, the stirrer 15 can easily come into contact with the apex of the convex part. Moreover, the stirring efficiency of the sediment which settled on the convex part of the bottom face part 22 improves.

  The stirrer 15 is preferably made of a material having a specific gravity higher than that of the liquid supplied to the container 20, and more preferably a material having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more. For example, as the material of the stirrer 15, glass mainly composed of silicate, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, metal (for example, aluminum, titanium, chromium, nickel, iron, and an alloy containing any of these) Etc. Since the specific gravity of the stirrer 15 is higher than the specific gravity of the liquid supplied to the container 20, the sediment HI can be effectively stirred.

1.4. Relationship between container, stirrer, and sediment The liquid supply device according to the present embodiment has the following relationship between the height (Ht) in the vertical direction inside the container and the height (Hb) in the vertical direction of the stirrer: Equation (1) is satisfied.
0.4 × Ht ≦ Hb ≦ 0.9 × Ht (1)

Furthermore, the liquid supply apparatus according to the present embodiment satisfies the above formula (1), and the relationship between the height (Hi) in the vertical direction of the sediment that can be generated in the container, Ht, and Hb is the following formula ( It is preferable to satisfy 2).
2.5 × Hi ≦ Hb ≦ 0.9 × (Ht−Hi) (2)

  Here, the height (Ht) in the vertical direction inside the container means that from the highest part to the lowest part of the container in the vertical direction in the cross section of the container perpendicular to a predetermined direction (the direction in which the container moves). It means distance. The vertical height (Hb) of the stirring bar means the distance from the highest part to the lowest part of the stirring bar in the vertical direction. If the height in the vertical direction inside the container is not constant depending on the position in the predetermined direction within the range in which the stirrer moves in the predetermined direction, the height in the vertical direction inside the container (Ht) Indicates the shortest distance among the heights in the vertical direction inside the container excluding the second side surface portion of the container. In addition, it is preferable that the height in the vertical direction inside the container described above is constant from the viewpoint that the ease of movement of the stirring bar becomes constant within the range in which the stirring bar moves.

  The vertical height (Hi) of the sediment means that all of the components that can be settled contained in the liquid in the container are settled to the bottom of the container so that the upper surface of the sediment in the container is horizontal. In this case, the distance from the lowest part in the vertical direction inside the container to the upper surface of the sediment. Hi can be determined from the volume ratio of components that can settle in the liquid supplied into the container, the volume of the container, and the shape of the container.

  Hereinafter, the above formulas (1) to (2) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the liquid containing the component that can settle and stored in the liquid storage unit 10 is supplied to the container 20 via the liquid supply pipe 30 a and stirred by the stirrer 15 in the container 20, and then the container The fluid 20 flows and is supplied to the ejection head 40 via the liquid supply pipe 30b.

  In such a case, when the supply of the liquid containing the component that can settle to the ejection head 40 is stopped, the liquid flowing in the container 20 is held in the container 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the component that can be precipitated contained in the liquid may settle in the container 20, and the sediment HI may accumulate at the bottom of the container 20.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where all of the components that can settle in the liquid are settled when the liquid is supplied into the container 20.

  In FIG. 3, the container 20 is installed in parallel along a predetermined direction MSD, and is installed in parallel along the horizontal direction LD. In the vertical direction VD, the distance from the lowest position A0 to the highest position A3 in the container 20 is Ht. For example, when the container 20 is a rectangular parallelepiped, Ht represents the height of the container.

  In FIG. 3, the sediment HI accumulates on the bottom surface of the container 20, and the top surface of the sediment HI is horizontal. In the vertical direction VD, the distance from the lowest position A0 in the container 20 to the position A1 of the upper surface of the sediment is Hi.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the upper surface of the sediment is horizontal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the composition of the liquid is determined in advance and the shape of the container to be used is determined, the top surface of the sediment HI is leveled by calculation regardless of the form of sedimentation of the sediment. Hi can be calculated.

  In FIG. 3, the stirring bar 15 is disposed in contact with the lowest position A <b> 0 in the container 20. In the vertical direction VD, the distance from the lowest position A0 in the container 20 to the highest position A2 of the stirring bar 15 is Hb. For example, when the stirrer 15 is a sphere, Hb indicates the diameter of the sphere.

  As described above, in the liquid supply device 100 according to this embodiment, the relationship between Ht and Hb satisfies the above formula (1). Thereby, the stirring bar 15 can easily move in the container 20, and the sediment HI and the liquid in the container 20 can be sufficiently stirred. In particular, when the sediment HI is not solidified on the bottom surface of the container 20 and the stirrer 15 can move while contacting the bottom surface of the container 20, the stirrer is satisfied by satisfying the above formula (1). 15 can effectively agitate the sediment HI and the liquid in the container 20.

  On the other hand, when Hb is less than 40% of Ht, Hb becomes too small with respect to Ht, so that the stirring efficiency of the liquid is lowered and the precipitate HI and the liquid may not be sufficiently stirred. On the other hand, if Hb exceeds 90% of Ht, the stirrer 15 is likely to be subjected to resistance of the liquid, and the precipitate HI and the liquid may not be sufficiently stirred.

  In the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in Expression (2), it is preferable that Hb is [0.9 × (Ht−Hi)] or less. Thereby, even if the stirring bar 15 rides on the sediment HI when the sediment HI is solidified, the movement of the stirring bar 15 is less likely to be hindered, and the inside of the container 20 can be easily moved. And the liquid can be well stirred.

  On the other hand, when Hb exceeds [0.9 × (Ht−Hi)], the stirrer 15 is easily subjected to liquid resistance, or the stirrer 15 is clogged in the container 20 and cannot move. In some cases, the liquid and the precipitate HI are difficult to stir.

  In addition, when the component which can be settled contained in the liquid supplied to the liquid supply apparatus 100 is a thing of the property which does not solidify so that stirring operation may be inhibited, Formula (2) may not necessarily be satisfy | filled. Further, when the sediment HI is solidified in the container 20, when the liquid supply device 100 performs control such as changing the conditions of the stirring operation or discharging the sediment, the formula (2) is not necessarily satisfied. Also good.

  The liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is preferably set so that Hb is 2.5 times or more of Hi as shown in Expression (2). In particular, when the sediment HI is solidified, if Hb is 2.5 times or more of Hi, even if a part of the stirrer 15 is filled with the sediment HI, the stirrer 15 is moved by the operation of the carriage 50A. The container 20 can be moved.

  On the other hand, if Hb is less than 2.5 times Hi, the stirring bar 15 may be buried in the sediment HI and cannot move.

  In the present specification, solidification of the sediment HI means a portion where the stirrer 15 cannot be brought into contact with the bottom surface of the container 20 because the stirrer 15 is obstructed by the sediment HI when the stirrer 15 moves along the bottom surface of the container 20. It means a state having.

  The liquid supply apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is excellent in stirring efficiency by designing Ht and Hb so as to satisfy the above formula (1).

1.5. Discharge Head The liquid supply apparatus according to the present embodiment may have a discharge head. In the example of FIG. 1, the ejection head 40 is mounted on the carriage 50A and is connected to the container 20 via the liquid supply pipe 30b. The discharge head 40 can discharge the liquid supplied from the liquid supply pipe 30b.

  The liquid supplied to the discharge head 40 has been sufficiently stirred in the container 20. Therefore, the ejection head 40 can eject a liquid with little variation in the component composition ratio.

1.6. Carriage The liquid supply apparatus according to the present embodiment has a carriage that moves in a predetermined direction. In FIG. 1, the carriage 50A can reciprocate in the main scanning direction MSD by the power of a carriage motor (not shown) serving as a drive source, for example. As the carriage 50A moves, the stirrer 15 in the container 20 mounted on the carriage 50A moves, so that the liquid in the container 20 can be stirred. In addition, since the liquid can be discharged from the discharge head 40 as the carriage 50A moves, the liquid can be discharged to a desired position.

1.7. Suction Unit The liquid supply apparatus according to this embodiment can have a suction unit. Examples of the suction unit include a vacuum pump and a tube pump. For example, a mechanism described in FIG. 13 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-165231 can be used for suction of the liquid by the tube pump. Specifically, after the cap device is connected to the head and the liquid discharge surface of the head is sealed, the liquid is discharged by discharging the air in the hose (tube) by the pump roller connected to the cap device. Is.

  In the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the liquid is sucked from the discharge head 40, the liquid in the container 20 is discharged from the discharge head 40, and the liquid in the liquid storage unit 10 and the liquid supply pipe 30a is discharged from the container. 20 is supplied. In this way, the liquid in the container 20 is replaced with the liquid in the liquid container 10 or the liquid supply pipe 30a.

  In addition, although the method of sucking the liquid from the discharge head 40 and replacing the liquid in the container 20 with the liquid in the liquid container 10 or the liquid supply pipe 30a has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid is directly from the container 20 May be discharged and replaced with the liquid in the liquid container 10 or the liquid supply pipe 30a.

1.8. Control Unit The liquid supply apparatus according to this embodiment can include a control unit. The control means can be configured using, for example, a computer having a CPU and a memory. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4, the liquid supply apparatus 100 is controlled by the control means 60.

  The control unit 60 receives an input signal from the input unit, and controls the operation of the liquid storage unit 10, the ejection head 40, the carriage 50A, the suction unit 80, and the like. Specifically, the control means 60 cooperates each means mentioned later according to the received command, and controls the order of execution.

  Examples of command input means for the control means 60 include operation buttons provided on the main body of the liquid supply apparatus 100, a PC connected to the liquid supply apparatus 100, and the like. When the user operates such an input means, an input signal is sent to the control means 60.

  Examples of types of commands input by the user include maintenance commands and printing commands. The maintenance command refers to a maintenance work command for the liquid supply apparatus 100, and specifically refers to a command for supplying the ejection head 40 of the liquid supply apparatus 100 with a liquid having a small component composition ratio variation. . The print command refers to a command for creating an image on a recording medium based on print data.

  The control unit 60 can include a command determination unit 410. The command determination unit 410 determines the type of command received by the control unit 60 and transmits the command content to the control unit 60.

  The control unit 60 can include a liquid supply operation control unit 420. When the liquid is consumed by a replacement operation or a printing operation, which will be described later, the liquid supply operation control unit 420 supplies the liquid from the liquid storage unit 10 to the liquid supply pipe 30a, and sets the liquid supply timing, the liquid supply amount, and the like. Control.

  The control unit 60 can include a liquid discharge operation control unit 430. Upon receiving the print command, the liquid discharge operation control unit 430 determines the liquid discharge timing and the discharge amount according to the print data, and discharges the liquid from the discharge head 40.

  The control unit 60 can include a replacement operation control unit 440. When the replacement operation control unit 440 receives a maintenance command or a print command, the replacement operation control unit 440 operates the suction unit 80 to discharge the liquid in the container 20 through the discharge head 40 and controls the replacement amount of the liquid in the container 20 and the like. .

  The control means 60 can have a stirring operation control means 450. When receiving the maintenance command or the print command, the stirring operation control unit 450 reciprocates the carriage 50A in a predetermined direction MSD, and controls the moving speed and the number of times of movement of the carriage 50A. When the carriage 50A reciprocates in the predetermined direction MSD, the stirrer 15 moves in the container 20 as the carriage 50A moves, so that the liquid in the container 20 can be stirred. The “stirring operation” in the present specification corresponds to the “first operation” in the claims, and indicates the movement of the carriage 50A that is not accompanied by the discharge of the liquid from the head 40.

  The control unit 60 can include a printing operation control unit 460. When receiving the print command, the print operation control means 460 moves the carriage 50A in a predetermined direction MSD based on the print data. The control unit 60 causes the printing operation control unit 460 and the liquid ejection operation control unit 430 to cooperate to form an image based on the print data on the recording medium. The “printing operation” in this specification corresponds to the “second operation” in the claims.

  The control means 60 can have time measuring means 470. The time measuring means 470 is not particularly limited as long as it can record time, and a timer or the like can be used. The time measuring means 470 is preferably capable of recording time even when the power of the liquid supply apparatus 100 is turned off. For example, a rechargeable battery may be incorporated. The start of timing in the timing means 470, reset of the accumulated time, etc. can be controlled by the control means 60.

  The control unit 60 can include a storage unit 480. The storage unit 480 can be provided with a memory function capable of storing various information, and can store a predetermined time, which will be described later, or can read and store the accumulated time measured by the time measuring unit 470.

1.9. Control Flow FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process of the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, various control methods employed in the liquid supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

(1) Print Instruction Execution Flow First, the control means 60 determines whether or not an input signal from the input means has been received (step S11). When the input signal is not received by the control means 60 (N in step S11), the liquid supply apparatus 100 is in a standby state until the input signal is received again. On the other hand, when the control unit 60 receives a command from the input unit (Y in step S11), the type of command is determined by the command determination unit 410 (step S12).

If the determination types of instructions by the instruction determination unit 410 is a print command, the control unit 60 reads a time _{t 1} from the storage unit 480 (step S13). Time t ₁ is the time measured by the time measuring means 470, it indicates the time until the movement of the carriage 50A accepts instructions from the stop.

Next, the control unit 60 compares the time t ₁ with the time T1 and the time T2 stored in the storage unit 480 in advance (step S14). If the time t ₁ is the time T1 or more, substituents operation control unit 440 causes at least a portion of the liquid in the container 20 to execute the replacement operation to replace the liquid in the liquid supply pipe 30a (step S15).

  Here, the time T1 indicates a time longer than the time T2, and indicates a time until reaching a state where there is a possibility that sufficient stirring cannot be performed even if only the stirring operation is performed. The time T1 can be determined by the time until the sedimentation component contained in the liquid settles and solidifies, and can be stored in the recording means 480 in advance.

  By performing the replacement operation in this manner, at least a part of the solidified sediment in the container 20 can be removed, so that the liquid in the container 20 can be sufficiently stirred by the stirring operation described later.

  After completion of the replacement operation, the stirring operation control means 450 executes the stirring operation (step S16). The stirring operation is a reciprocating operation of the carriage 50A in a predetermined direction MSD. Thereby, the liquid in the container 20 can be sufficiently stirred. Control conditions such as the number of reciprocating motions and the moving speed of the carriage 50A are not particularly limited, and can be determined based on the type of sedimentation component, time t1, and the like.

  Next, after the stirring operation is completed, the printing operation control unit 460 causes the printing operation to be executed based on the printing data. The printing operation control means 460 is controlled by the control means 60 to cooperate with the liquid ejection operation control means 430 as described above. As a result, the liquid discharge operation control means 430 and the print operation control means 460 control the discharge amount and discharge timing of the liquid from the discharge head 40, the movement of the carriage 50A in the predetermined direction MSD, and the like. A recording medium on which data is printed can be obtained. The printing operation includes an operation of reciprocating the carriage 50A in a predetermined direction MSD. Therefore, the liquid in the container 20 can be stirred by the printing operation.

On the other hand, in step S14, in case the time _{t 1} is a by time T2 or less than the time _{T1 (T1> t 1 ≧ T2} ), without executing the substitution operation, the stirring operation by the churning operation control means 450 This is executed (step S16). And after completion | finish of stirring operation, the printing operation control means 460 performs printing operation based on printing data.

  Here, the time T2 indicates the time until the sediment component contained in the liquid settles in the container 20. Specifically, the time T <b> 2 refers to a time until a liquid with little variation in component composition ratio cannot be supplied to the ejection head 40 unless the liquid in the container 20 is sufficiently stirred. The time T2 can be determined based on the specific gravity and content of the sediment component contained in the liquid, and can be stored in the recording unit 480 in advance. In addition, “time T2” in the present specification corresponds to “predetermined time” in the claims.

Thus, the time t ₁ is at a by time T2 or less than the time T1, without replacing the liquid in the container 20, by performing a stirring operation, discharge less liquid variation in component composition ratios The head 40 can be supplied.

On the other hand, in step S14, in case the time _{t 1} is less than the time T2 (T2> _{t 1),} without executing the substitution operation and stirring operation, to perform the printing operation by the printing operation control unit 460 (step S17 ). When the time t ₁ is less than time T2, mostly because the absence of sediment in the liquid supply pipe 30a and the container 20, even without the replacement operation and stirring operation, the discharge head with less liquid variation in component composition ratios 40.

  Then, after the printing operation is completed (after the carriage 50A is stopped), the control means 60 resets the measurement time of the time measuring means 470 and starts time measurement again (step S18), and this flow ends.

(2) Maintenance Instruction Execution Flow Next, a flow when the instruction determination by the instruction determination means (step S12) is a maintenance instruction will be described with reference to FIG. This flow is different from “(1) Print command execution flow” in that the print operation is not mainly executed. In this flow, the same control means as those in “(1) Print command execution flow” are given the same names, and the description thereof is omitted.

If the determination types of instructions by the instruction determination unit 410 is a maintenance instruction, the control unit 60 reads a time _{t 1} from the storage unit 480 (step S21). Since the time t ₁ is the same as “(1) Print command execution flow”, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the control unit 60 compares the time t ₁ with the time T1 and the time T2 stored in the storage unit 480 in advance (step S22). In the case the time _{t 1} is the time T1 or more _{(t 1} ≧ T1), substituted operation control unit 440 to perform the replacement operation for replacing the liquid in the container 20 and the liquid in the liquid supply pipe 30a (step S23 ). Since the times T1 and T2 are the same as those in “(1) Print command execution flow”, description thereof is omitted. Also, the description thereof is omitted since the reason to perform the replacement operation when the time t ₁ is the time T1 or more, is similar to "(1) execution flow of a print instruction."

  After completion of the replacement operation, the stirring operation control unit 450 causes the stirring operation to move the carriage 50A in a predetermined direction MSD (step S23).

On the other hand, in step S22, in case the time _{t 1} is a by time T2 or less than the time _{T1 (T1> t 1 ≧ T2} ), without executing the substitution operation, the stirring operation by the churning operation control means 450 This is executed (step S24). When the time t ₁ is a by time T2 or less than the time T1, without executing the replacement operation, for thereby executing the stir operation is the same as "(1) execution flow of a print instruction" The description is omitted.

  Then, after the stirring operation is completed (after the carriage 50A is stopped), the control unit 60 resets the measurement time of the time measuring unit 470 and starts time measurement again (step S25), and the liquid supply apparatus 100 enters a standby state.

On the other hand, if the time _{t 1} at step S14 is less than the time T2 (T2> _{t 1),} the control unit 60 does not execute the replacement operation and stirring operation, and resets the time measured by the time measuring means 470 Instead, the liquid supply apparatus 100 is put into a standby state. In this case, since there is almost no sediment in the liquid supply pipe 30a and the container 20, a liquid with little variation in the component composition ratio can be supplied to the ejection head 40 without performing a replacement operation or a stirring operation. it can. Further, since the movement of the carriage 50A such as the replacement operation and the stirring operation is not performed, there is no need to reset the measurement time of the time measuring means 470.

(3) In the flow of other Figure 5, upon receiving a print command and maintenance instructions, but the t ₁ is compared with T1 and T2, it is not limited to this flow. For example, when the liquid supply device 100 satisfies the above-described formula (2) or when the above-described formula (2) is not satisfied but stirring can be sufficiently performed by the stirring operation, the above-described t ₁ and T ₁ The comparison may not be performed and the replacement operation may not be performed. In this case, the liquid supply apparatus 100 performs a comparison between t ₁ and T2, it is sufficient to perform the stirring operation if t ₁ was at or higher than T2.

Further, when the liquid supply apparatus 100 does not satisfy the above-described formula (2) and t ₁ exceeds T1, the liquid supply device 100 performs the agitation operation a plurality of times instead of performing the replacement operation, or performs the replacement operation and the agitation. The operation may be repeated alternately.

  The liquid supply system 100 can sufficiently stir the liquid in the container 20 not only by the flow of FIG. 5 but also by performing the control as described above.

2. Droplet Discharge Device A droplet discharge device according to the present invention includes the above-described liquid supply device. In the present embodiment, a droplet discharge device 300 having the liquid supply device 100 will be described. The droplet discharge device 300 according to this embodiment is a so-called inkjet printer.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a droplet discharge device 300 including the liquid supply device 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the droplet discharge device 300 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 360, a liquid storage unit 10, a liquid supply pipe 30, a driving unit 50, a paper feeding unit 70, and a suction unit 380. And can have.

  Since the liquid storage unit 10, the liquid supply pipe 30, and the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 10 have been described in “1. Liquid supply device”, description thereof will be omitted.

  The control unit 360 can be shared with the control unit 60 used in the droplet discharge device, and can be configured using a computer having a CPU and a memory. The control unit 360 has a function of controlling the liquid storage unit 10, the driving unit 50, the paper feeding unit 70, and the suction unit 380.

  The drive unit 50 can include a carriage 50A, a drive belt 50B, and a carriage motor 50C. The drive unit 50 is connected to the control unit 360 via the flexible cable 62 and is controlled by the control unit 360.

  The drive unit 50 has a function of reciprocating the carriage 50A in a predetermined direction MSD. Specifically, the driving belt 50B connected to the carriage 50A is driven by the power of the carriage motor 50C as a driving source of the carriage 50A, and the carriage 50A is reciprocated in a predetermined direction MSD.

  As described in “1. Liquid supply device”, the container 50 and the ejection head 40 are mounted on the carriage 50A.

  The printing on the recording paper P is the same as the content described in “1.9. Control Flow”, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The ejection head 40 can have a plurality of nozzles that eject droplets. Further, the method of discharging the droplets of the discharge head 40 is not particularly limited, and for example, an inkjet discharge method can be used. As the inkjet discharge method, any conventionally known method can be used, and examples thereof include a piezo inkjet and a thermal jet inkjet.

  The paper feed unit 70 includes a paper feed motor (not shown) serving as a drive source thereof, and a paper feed roller 72 that rotates by the operation of the paper feed motor. The paper feed unit 70 can transport the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction MSD.

  The suction unit 380 can have the same configuration as the suction unit 80 in the liquid supply apparatus 100. Specifically, the suction unit 380 can include a cap device 382 and a tube pump (not shown). The suction unit 380 connects the cap device 382 to the ejection head 40 to seal the liquid ejection surface of the ejection head 40, and then a tube (not shown) by a pump roller (not shown) connected to the cap device 382. By discharging the air inside, the liquid in the container 20 can be discharged via the discharge head 40. The suction method by the suction unit 380 is not particularly limited as long as the liquid in the container 20 can be discharged.

  The droplet discharge device 300 according to the present embodiment can efficiently stir the liquid by the stirrer 15. Therefore, the droplet discharge device 300 according to the present embodiment can discharge liquid from the discharge head 40 with little variation in the component composition ratio.

  In addition to the exemplified image recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, the droplet discharge apparatus 300 of the present invention includes a color material ejecting apparatus, an organic EL display, an FED (surface emitting display) used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, It is also suitably used as a liquid material ejecting apparatus used for forming an electrode such as an electrophoretic display or a color filter, and a bioorganic material ejecting apparatus used for biochip manufacture.

3. Examples Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described by way of examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

3.1. Preparation of white ink composition A white ink composition having the following composition was prepared.

(1) First white ink composition Titanium dioxide (average particle size 240 nm): 10% by mass
Styrene-acrylic acid copolymer: 2% by mass
1,2-hexanediol: 5% by mass
Glycerin: 10% by mass
Triethanolamine: 0.9% by mass
BYK-348 (Bic Chemie Japan Co., Ltd.): 0.5% by mass
Ultrapure water: remaining 100% by mass

(2) Second white ink composition Titanium dioxide (average particle size 240 nm): 20% by mass
Styrene-acrylic acid copolymer: 2% by mass
1,2-hexanediol: 5% by mass
Glycerin: 10% by mass
Triethanolamine: 0.9% by mass
BYK-348 (Bic Chemie Japan Co., Ltd.): 0.5% by mass
Ultrapure water: remaining 100% by mass

(3) Third white ink composition Titanium dioxide (average particle size 240 nm): 23% by mass
Styrene-acrylic acid copolymer: 2% by mass
1,2-hexanediol: 5% by mass
Glycerin: 10% by mass
Triethanolamine: 0.9% by mass
BYK-348 (Bic Chemie Japan Co., Ltd.): 0.5% by mass
Ultrapure water: remaining 100% by mass

3.2. Preparation of test samples 3.2.1. Preparation of sample for first evaluation test (1-1)
A first white ink composition prepared in the above “3.1. (1)” is used in a container having a stirrer disposed therein and using a cylindrical container having a diameter (Ht) of 15 mm and a height of 65 mm. Filled and sealed. Next, using a centrifuge, components that could settle and liquid contained in the first white ink composition in the container were separated. Centrifugation was performed for 2 hours under the conditions of a rotation radius of 21 cm and a centrifugal acceleration of 600 rpm. Moreover, after centrifugation, the sediment was not solidified, and the stirring bar was in contact with the bottom surface of the container.

  Thereafter, the container was attached to the carriage of an ink jet printer (product name “EPSON PX-G930”, manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation) so that the longitudinal direction of the container was parallel to the moving direction (horizontal direction) of the carriage. The container was hermetically sealed so that the ink composition was not supplied into the container and the ink composition was not supplied from the container to the head.

  Next, the carriage was reciprocated 100 times at a distance of 23 cm at a speed of 46 cm / second to stir the first white ink composition in the container. Thereafter, 1 g of the liquid in the container was taken out to obtain a sample (1-1) for the first evaluation test.

  The stirrer used was a spherical stainless steel (specific gravity 7.9) with a diameter (Hb) of 95% (14.3 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container.

(1-2)
The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that a stirring bar of 90% (13.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (1-2) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-3)
The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that a stirring bar of 70% (10.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (1-3) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-4)
The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that a 50% (7.5 mm) stirrer was used with respect to the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (1-4) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-5)
The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that a stir bar of 40% (6.0 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (1-5) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-6)
The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that a stirring bar of 30% (4.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (1-6) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-7)
The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that the stirring bar was not used. In this way, a sample (1-7) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-8)
The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that the second white ink composition obtained in “3.1. (2)” was used. In this way, a sample (1-8) for the first evaluation test was obtained. After centrifugation, the sediment was not solidified, and the stirring bar was in contact with the bottom surface of the container.

(1-9)
The same as “(1-1)” except that a cylindrical container having a diameter (Ht) of 25 mm and a height of 75 mm was used, and a stirrer of 95% (23.8 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. did. In this way, a sample (1-9) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-10)
The procedure was the same as “(1-9)” except that a 90% (22.5 mm) stirrer was used with respect to the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (1-10) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-11)
The procedure was the same as the above “(1-9)” except that a stirring bar of 40% (10.0 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (1-11) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-12)
The procedure was the same as “(1-9)” except that a stirring bar of 30% (7.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (1-12) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-13)
A rectangular parallelepiped container of 15 mm length x 15 mm width x 65 mm height is attached so that the height direction of the container is parallel to the moving direction of the carriage, and 90% (13.5 mm) of the sphere is stirred with respect to the diameter of the container. The procedure was the same as “(1-1)” except that a child was used. In this way, a sample (1-13) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-14)
The procedure was the same as “(1-13)” except that a 40% (6.0 mm) stirrer was used with respect to the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (1-14) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

(1-15)
The procedure was the same as “(1-13)” except that a 40% (6.0 mm) cubic stirrer was used with respect to the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (1-15) for the first evaluation test was obtained.

3.2.2. Preparation of sample for second evaluation test (2-1)
A first white ink composition prepared in the above “3.1. (1)” is used in a container having a stirrer disposed therein and using a cylindrical container having a diameter (Ht) of 15 mm and a height of 65 mm. Filled and sealed. Next, using a centrifuge, components that could settle and liquid contained in the first white ink composition in the container were separated. Centrifugation was performed for 2 hours under the conditions of a rotation radius of 21 cm and a centrifugal acceleration of 600 rpm. After centrifugation, the container was left at 20 ° C. for 1 month. The sediment in the container after being left for one month was solidified.

  After the container is left for one month, it is attached to the carriage of an inkjet printer (product name “EPSON PX-G930”, manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation) so that the longitudinal direction of the container is parallel to the moving direction (horizontal direction) of the carriage. It was. The container was hermetically sealed so that the ink composition was not supplied into the container and the ink composition was not supplied from the container to the head.

  Next, the carriage was reciprocated 100 times at a distance of 23 cm at a speed of 46 cm / second to stir the first white ink composition in the container. Thereafter, 1 g of the liquid in the container was taken out to obtain a sample (2-1) for the second evaluation test.

  The stirrer used was a spherical stainless steel (specific gravity 7.9) with a diameter (Hb) of 95% (14.3 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container.

  Moreover, the volume of the component (titanium dioxide) which can be precipitated in the first white ink composition in the container is 8% with respect to the volume of the container. Moreover, the height (Hi) in the vertical direction of the sediment when all the components (titanium dioxide) that can be settled contained in the first white ink composition in the container are settled in the container is the diameter of the container. 13.3%.

(2-2)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that a stirring bar of 90% (13.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. Thus, a sample (2-2) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-3)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that an 80% (12.0 mm) stirrer was used for the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (2-3) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-4)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that a stirring bar of 75% (11.3 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-4) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-5)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that a stirring bar of 70% (10.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-5) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-6)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that a stirring bar of 60% (9.0 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-6) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-7)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that a 50% (7.5 mm) stirrer was used with respect to the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (2-7) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-8)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that a stirring bar having a diameter of 40% (6.0 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-8) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-9)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that a stirring bar of 30% (4.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-9) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-10)
The procedure was the same as “(2-1)” except that no stirrer was used. In this way, a sample (2-10) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-11)
Except for using the second white ink composition obtained in the above “3.1. (2)” and using a spherical stirrer of 95% (14.3 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container, the “( 2-1) ". In this way, a sample (2-11) for the second evaluation test was obtained. In addition, the volume of the component (titanium dioxide) that can be precipitated contained in the second white ink composition in the container is 16% with respect to the volume of the container. Moreover, the height (Hi) in the vertical direction of the sediment when all the components (titanium dioxide) that can be settled contained in the first white ink composition in the container are settled in the container is the diameter of the container. 21.3%.

(2-12)
The procedure was the same as “(2-11)” except that a stirring bar of 90% (13.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-12) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-13)
The procedure was the same as “(2-11)” except that a stirring bar of 75% (11.3 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-13) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-14)
The procedure was the same as “(2-11)” except that a stirring bar of 70% (10.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-14) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-15)
The procedure was the same as the above “(2-11)” except that a stirrer 55% (8.3 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-15) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-16)
The procedure was the same as “(2-11)” except that a 50% (7.5 mm) stirrer was used with respect to the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (2-16) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-17)
The procedure was the same as “(2-11)” except that a stirring bar having a diameter of 40% (6.0 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-17) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-18)
The procedure was the same as “(2-11)” except that a stirring bar of 30% (4.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-18) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-19)
The procedure was the same as “(2-11)” except that no stirrer was used. Thus, a sample (2-19) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-20)
Except for using the third white ink composition obtained in the above “3.1. (3)” and using a spherical stirring bar of 95% (14.3 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container, the “( 2-1) ". In this way, a sample (2-20) for the second evaluation test was obtained. In addition, the volume of the component (titanium dioxide) that can be precipitated contained in the third white ink composition in the container is 18.5% with respect to the volume of the container. Moreover, the height (Hi) in the vertical direction of the sediment when all the components (titanium dioxide) that can be settled contained in the first white ink composition in the container are settled in the container is the diameter of the container. 24.0%.

(2-21)
The procedure was the same as “(2-20)” except that a 90% (13.5 mm) stirrer was used for the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (2-21) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-22)
The procedure was the same as “(2-20)” except that a stirring bar of 70% (10.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-22) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-23)
The procedure was the same as the above “(2-20)” except that a stirrer of 65% (9.8 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-23) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-24)
The procedure was the same as “(2-20)” except that a stirring bar of 60% (9.0 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-24) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-25)
The procedure was the same as “(2-20)” except that a 50% (7.5 mm) stirrer was used with respect to the diameter of the container. In this way, a sample (2-25) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-26)
The procedure was the same as “(2-20)” except that a stirring bar of 30% (4.5 mm) with respect to the diameter of the container was used. In this way, a sample (2-26) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

(2-27)
The procedure was the same as “(2-20)” except that the stirrer was not used. In this way, a sample (2-27) for the second evaluation test was obtained.

3.3. Evaluation test 3.3.1. First Evaluation Test Distilled water was added to 1 g of the samples (1-1) to (1-15) obtained as described above and diluted 1000 times. Subsequently, the absorbance (Abs value) at a wavelength of 500 nm of the diluted white ink composition was measured using a spectrophotometer (product name “Spectrophotometer U-3300”, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.). The absorbance of each sample thus obtained was compared with the absorbance of the white ink composition before the centrifugation operation, and the absorbance recovery rate was determined using the following formula (3).
Absorbance recovery rate (%) = 100 × (absorbance of each sample) / (absorbance before centrifugation) (3)

In addition, it shows that the stirring efficiency of an ink composition is excellent, so that the recovery rate of a light absorbency is high. The classification of evaluation criteria in the first evaluation test is as follows.
◎: Absorbance recovery rate is 80% or more ○: Absorbance recovery rate is 70% or more and less than 80% ×: Absorbance recovery rate is less than 70%

3.3.2. Second Evaluation Test The samples (2-1) to (2-27) obtained as described above were subjected to the same procedure as in “3.3.1. First Evaluation Test” to determine the absorbance recovery rate. Asked. The classification of evaluation criteria in the second evaluation test is as follows.
◎: Absorbance recovery rate is 80% or more ○: Absorbance recovery rate is 70% or more and less than 80% ×: Absorbance recovery rate is less than 70%

3.4. Evaluation results Table 1 shows the results of the first evaluation test. The results of the second evaluation test are shown in Table 2.

  In the first evaluation test, the containers of (1-2) to (1-5), (1-8), (1-10) to (1-11), (1-13) to (1-15) and It was confirmed that when a stirrer was used, a liquid supply apparatus having excellent absorbance recovery rate and excellent stirring efficiency was obtained.

  On the other hand, in the first evaluation test, when the containers (1-1), (1-6) to (1-7), (1-9), (1-12) and the stirrer were used, all of them had absorbance. It was confirmed that a liquid supply apparatus having an excellent recovery rate and an excellent stirring efficiency was obtained.

  In the second evaluation test, when the containers (2-4) to (2-8), (2-14) to (2-15), and (2-23) to (2-24) and a stirrer are used, It was confirmed that even when a solidified precipitate was generated in the container, the movement of the stirring bar was not hindered by the precipitate, and in all cases, a liquid supply apparatus excellent in absorbance recovery rate and excellent in stirring efficiency was obtained.

  In the second evaluation test, (2-2) to (2-3), (2-12) to (2-13), (2-16) to (2-17), (2-21) to (2 When the containers and the stirrer of -22) and (2-25) were used, the movement of the stirrer was hindered by the sediment. Therefore, (2-4) to (2-8) and (2-14) of Table 2 It was not excellent in stirring efficiency than the container and stirring bar which were used in-(2-15) and (2-23)-(2-24). However, it has been shown that a liquid supply apparatus having a good absorbance recovery rate and no problem in practical use can be obtained.

  On the other hand, in the second evaluation test, (2-1), (2-9) to (2-11), (2-18) to (2-20), (2-26) to (2-27) It was shown that when a container and a stirrer were used, the movement of the stirrer was significantly hindered by the sediment, and none of them was excellent in the recovery rate of absorbance, and a liquid supply device having excellent stirring efficiency was obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, the present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations that have the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations that have the same purposes and effects). In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. In addition, the present invention includes a configuration that achieves the same effect as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration that can achieve the same object. In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Liquid storage part, 15 Stirrer, 20,120,220 Container, 22 Bottom face part, 24 Upper surface part, 26 1st side part, 28,128,228 2nd side part, 30, 30a, 30b Liquid supply pipe, 40 Discharge head, 50 drive unit, 50A carriage, 50B drive belt, 50C carriage motor, 60 control means, 62 flexible cable, 70 paper feed unit, 72 paper feed roller, 80 suction means, 100 liquid supply device 122, 222 cylindrical part, 300 Liquid droplet ejection device, 360 control unit, 380 suction unit, 382 cap device, 410 command determination unit, 420 liquid supply operation control unit, 430 liquid ejection operation control unit, 440 replacement operation control unit, 450 agitation operation control unit, 460 Printing operation control means, 470 timing means, 480 storage means

Claims (11)

A container in which a liquid containing a component that can settle is circulated;
A stirring bar movably disposed inside the container;
A carriage mounted with the container and reciprocating in a predetermined direction;
Including
The stirrer moves in the container based on the reciprocating motion of the carriage,
Vertical height of the interior of the container and (Ht), the height (Hb) in the vertical direction of the stirrer, the relationship meets the following formula (1),
The liquid supply apparatus in which the relationship between the height (Hi) in the vertical direction of the sediment that may occur in the container, the Ht, and the Hb satisfies the following formula (2) .
0.4 × Ht ≦ Hb ≦ 0.9 × Ht (1)
2.5 × Hi ≦ Hb ≦ 0.9 × (Ht−Hi) (2) Oite to claim 1,
Furthermore, including a liquid storage part and a discharge head,
The ejection head is mounted on the carriage;
The liquid supply apparatus, wherein the liquid flows from the liquid storage portion to the discharge head via the container. Oite to claim 1 or claim 2,
The liquid supply apparatus, wherein the component capable of sedimentation includes at least one selected from an inorganic pigment, a metal pigment, and hollow resin particles. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 ,
The liquid includes a solvent,
The liquid supply apparatus in which the specific gravity difference between the component that can settle and the solvent is 1 or more. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 ,
The shape of the said stirring element is a liquid supply apparatus which is a spherical body or an ellipsoid. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5 ,
The container has an upper surface portion, a bottom surface portion, a first side surface portion extending in the predetermined direction, and a second side surface portion facing the predetermined direction,
The cross section orthogonal to the predetermined direction of the bottom surface part is a liquid supply device in which an outer peripheral part includes a convex curve toward the outside of the container. In claim 6 ,
Furthermore, the cross section orthogonal to the predetermined direction of the first side surface portion and the upper surface portion is a liquid supply apparatus in which an outer peripheral portion includes a convex curve toward the outside of the container. In claim 7 ,
The liquid supply apparatus, wherein a cross section of the container perpendicular to the predetermined direction is circular or elliptical. In any one of Claims 6 thru | or 8 ,
Furthermore, the cross section parallel to the predetermined direction of the second side surface part is a liquid supply apparatus in which an outer peripheral part includes a convex curve toward the outside of the container. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9 ,
Control means for controlling a first operation for moving the carriage without discharging the liquid and a second operation for moving the carriage with discharging the liquid;
The liquid supply apparatus, wherein the control unit causes the first operation to be performed when at least a predetermined time has elapsed since the carriage stopped. To any one of claims 1 to 10 comprising a fluid supply device described droplet discharge device.