Light irradiation device

Abstract

To provide a light irradiation device with easy maintenance of a window which emits ultraviolet light.SOLUTION: A light irradiation device comprises: an ultraviolet light source; a housing which houses the ultraviolet light source; and a light emission window which transmits ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source and emits the ultraviolet light to the outside of the housing, where the light emission window is constituted to be detachable in a direction parallel to a principal plane of the light emission window for the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a light irradiation device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, printing using a photocurable ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light has been performed. For example, by irradiating ultraviolet light onto a photocurable ink applied to a substrate such as paper or film using the light irradiation device described in Patent Document 1 below, the photocurable ink is cured, and a target image or the like is printed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The light irradiation device described in Patent Document 1 has a light source housed in a housing and a window that emits the ultraviolet light emitted by the light source to the outside. By irradiating the ultraviolet light emitted from the window, the photocurable ink applied to the substrate can be cured.

[0005] Here, when irradiating the photocurable ink with ultraviolet light, a part of the photocurable ink may vaporize, and the photocurable ink may adhere to the window that emits the ultraviolet light. Therefore, the window requires maintenance such as cleaning or replacement.

[0006] However, in the conventional light irradiation device, the process of removing the window that emits ultraviolet light is complicated, and there is room for improvement in terms of easily performing the maintenance of the window.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a light irradiation device in which maintenance of a window that emits ultraviolet light is easy.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The light irradiation device according to the present invention includes an ultraviolet light source, a housing that houses the ultraviolet light source, a light emission window that transmits ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source and emits the ultraviolet light to the outside of the housing, and the light emission window is configured to be detachable from the housing in a direction parallel to the main surface of the light emission window with respect to the housing.

[0009] As described above, when irradiating ultraviolet light to cure the photocurable ink applied to a substrate or the like, a part of the photocurable ink vaporizes, and thus the photocurable ink may adhere to the light emission window. Since the photocurable ink adhering to the light emission window absorbs ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source is blocked, which contributes to a decrease in the efficiency of ultraviolet light irradiation. Further, when the ultraviolet light source is turned on with the photocurable ink adhering to the light emission window, the region where the photocurable ink adheres is locally heated. When a local temperature difference occurs in the light emission window, problems such as deformation or cracking of the light emission window are likely to occur.

[0010] Therefore, it is preferable that the light emission window is maintained, such as being cleaned or replaced. Here, conventionally, the light emission window is fixed to the housing with an adhesive or the like, and the process of removing the light emission window from the housing is complicated.

[0011] In order to clean the light emission window, it is also conceivable to move the light irradiation device itself already installed at a predetermined position. However, when reinstalling the light irradiation device at the original position after cleaning, adjustments such as the separation distance between the light emission window and, for example, the transport surface of the transport mechanism that transports the substrate to be irradiated, and the angle between the light emission window and the transport surface are required, which is complicated. For this reason, it is preferable to clean the light emission window without moving the light irradiation device once installed at a predetermined position.

[0012] Here, as a method for cleaning the light-emitting window, there is also a method of wiping the surface of the light-emitting window with a cloth or the like with the light-emitting window attached to the housing. However, typically, a transport mechanism for transporting the substrate or the like is arranged at a position facing the main surface of the light-emitting window. Further, from the viewpoint of efficiently irradiating the substrate with ultraviolet light, the separation distance between the light-emitting window and the transport mechanism is made relatively small. For this reason, it is difficult to wipe the entire surface of the light-emitting window, and there are cases where photocurable ink remains on a part of the surface.

[0013] Further, even if the light irradiation device is configured to be able to change its position with respect to the transport mechanism and the separation distance between the light-emitting window and the transport mechanism can be increased, it is difficult to apply sufficient force to wipe off the photocurable ink on the light-emitting window attached to the light irradiation device. Therefore, the photocurable ink tends to remain on the surface of the light-emitting window. Furthermore, if the operator is too conscious of wiping off the photocurable ink attached to the light-emitting window, there is even a risk of causing problems such as damage to the light irradiation device due to incorrect force application.

[0014] On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the light-emitting window is configured to be detachable from the housing in a direction parallel to the main surface of the light-emitting window with respect to the housing, and the light-emitting window can be easily taken out from the housing. Even if a transport mechanism or the like is arranged at a position facing the light-emitting window, the light-emitting window can be easily taken out. By being able to easily take out the light-emitting window, maintenance such as cleaning and replacement of the light-emitting window becomes easy.

[0015] The housing has an insertion region formed by an insertion port or an insertion groove at a part of its side surface. The light-emitting window may be configured to be detachable through the insertion region.

[0016] In the above configuration, the light-emitting window is removed by being pulled out from the insertion region formed by the insertion port or the insertion groove. Also, the light-emitting window that has been cleaned or replaced can be attached by being inserted into the insertion region. According to the above configuration, the insertion port or the insertion groove serves as a guide for the light-emitting window, making it easier to remove and attach the light-emitting window.

[0017] The light-emitting window may have a shape extending in the longitudinal direction and may be configured to be detachable in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] Also, the light-emitting window may be disposed so as to protrude from the insertion region with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0019] According to the above configuration, for example, an operator can easily remove the light-emitting window while gripping a portion protruding from the insertion region.

[0020] The light irradiation device may have a pressing member that abuts on the light-emitting window from a direction orthogonal to the main surface of the light-emitting window.

[0021] When the light-emitting window is attached, it is preferable to suppress displacement of the light-emitting window. The above configuration is suitable because it can easily attach and detach the light-emitting window in a direction parallel to the main surface and suppress displacement of the light-emitting window.

[0022] Also, the pressing member may include an elastic member made of a metal material.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the light-emitting window is pressed by the elastic force generated by the elastic member. In the above configuration, since the pressing member hardly inhibits attachment and detachment of the light-emitting window, the light-emitting window can be attached and detached without removing the pressing member.

[0024] The insertion region consists of an insertion opening, The housing may have a closing portion configured to be detachable with respect to the insertion opening.

[0025] Since the housing has an insertion port, it is assumed that the vaporized photocurable ink may enter the inside of the housing through the insertion port. This is because even when the light emission window is inserted into the insertion port, a slight gap is generated between the insertion port and the light emission window. For example, if the photocurable ink adheres to the light emitting surface of the light source housed in the housing, malfunctions are likely to occur when the ultraviolet light source is turned on. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, since the insertion port is blocked by the blocking portion, the entry of the vaporized photocurable ink into the housing is suppressed.

[0026] The light emission window is arranged to protrude from the insertion port with respect to the longitudinal direction. The blocking portion may have an insertion port into which the light emission window protruding from the insertion port is inserted.

[0027] Also, the light emission window may be fixed to the insertion port in a state where it is inserted into the insertion port.

[0028] According to the above configuration, at the same time as removing the blocking portion, the light emission window can be pulled out from the insertion port, and the light emission window can be more easily removed from the housing.

[0029] The light emission window may be configured such that a first main surface located on the side opposite to the ultraviolet light source and a second main surface located on the ultraviolet light source side are distinguishable.

[0030] Since the light emission window has a planar shape, it has a first main surface and a second main surface on the side opposite to the first main surface. In the above configuration, the photocurable ink easily adheres to the first main surface of the light emission window, and mainly the first main surface side is cleaned. Here, it is assumed that a slight amount of photocurable ink remains on the surface of the first main surface during the cleaning. If the positional relationship between the first main surface and the second main surface is reversed when the light emission window is attached to the housing again, the photocurable ink remaining on the light emission window is likely to enter the ultraviolet light source side, that is, the inside of the housing.

[0031] In contrast, according to the above configuration, the first main surface and the second main surface of the light-emitting window are configured to be distinguishable. Therefore, when the light-emitting window is attached to the housing again, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the first main surface and the second main surface from being reversed. As a result, even when a small amount of photocurable ink remains on the light-emitting window during cleaning, it is possible to prevent the photocurable ink from entering the housing.

[0032] The light-emitting window may be composed of a glass material and include a window portion that transmits the ultraviolet light, and a protective portion formed on at least a part of the periphery of the window portion and composed of a metal material or a resin material.

[0033] For example, by forming a frame made of a metal material or a resin material as a protective portion on the periphery of the window portion, it is possible to protect the periphery of the window portion and suppress problems such as breakage of the window portion. Further, the protective portion may be used as a gripping portion of the light-emitting window, or the light-emitting window may be fixed to the housing via the protective portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0034] According to the present invention, there is provided a light irradiation device in which maintenance of a window for emitting ultraviolet light is easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18A

Figure 18B

Figure 19

Figure 20

[0036] Embodiments of the light irradiation device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following drawings are schematically illustrated, and the dimensional ratios and the number of elements on the drawings do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios and the number of elements.

[0037] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a first embodiment of a light irradiation device. Further, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the light irradiation device 1 includes a housing 3, an ultraviolet light source 6, and a light exit window 7.

[0038] In the following figures, an X - Y - Z coordinate system is appropriately referred to and described, where a plane parallel to the main surface 7a of the light exit window 7 is defined as the XY plane, and the direction orthogonal to the XY plane is defined as the Z direction.

[0039] In the following description, when distinguishing between positive and negative directions in expressing a direction, it is described with positive and negative signs, such as the “+X direction” and the “-X direction”. When expressing a direction without distinguishing between positive and negative directions, it is simply described as the “X direction”. That is, in this specification, when simply described as the “X direction”, both the “+X direction” and the “-X direction” are included. The same applies to the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1B, the light irradiation device 1 irradiates an object to be irradiated (not shown) with ultraviolet light L1 emitted by the ultraviolet light source 6 through the light exit window 7. Examples of the object to be irradiated include a substrate coated with a photocurable ink, and the light irradiation device 1 can be used for curing the photocurable ink.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1B, the ultraviolet light source 6 is housed in the housing 3. As an example, the ultraviolet light source 6 is composed of a plurality of LED elements. The wavelength of the ultraviolet light L1 emitted by the ultraviolet light source 6 is appropriately set according to the object to be irradiated. For example, when the object to be irradiated is a substrate coated with the above-mentioned photocurable ink, the ultraviolet light source 6 is configured to emit ultraviolet light L1 having a wavelength corresponding to the type of the ink. As a detailed example, the main wavelength of the ultraviolet light L1 belongs to 360 nm to 410 nm. The main wavelength refers to a wavelength range that exhibits a light intensity of 40% or more with respect to the highest light intensity (peak intensity) in the emission spectrum obtained by decomposing the light intensity by wavelength.

[0042] Further, the ultraviolet light source 6 may be constituted by a discharge lamp. As an example, the ultraviolet light source 6 may be, for example, an excimer lamp filled with a light-emitting gas containing KrCl, KrBr, or ArF, or a low-pressure mercury lamp.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a plan view when the light irradiation device 1 is viewed from the Z direction. In FIG. 2, the hidden part of the light emission window 7 is shown by a broken line. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the light emission window 7 has a rectangular shape with the Y direction as the longitudinal direction, and has a main surface 7a on the +Z side and a main surface 7b on the -Z side. The main surface 7a corresponds to the "first main surface", and the main surface 7b corresponds to the "second main surface".

[0044] The light emission window 7 is disposed on the +Z side of the ultraviolet light source 6, transmits the ultraviolet light L1 emitted by the ultraviolet light source 6, and emits it in the +Z direction. The light emission window 7 is made of a glass material such as quartz glass, for example. The transmittance of the light emission window 7 with respect to the ultraviolet light L1 is preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 90% or more.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the housing 3 has a main body portion 4 and a support portion 5. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5 of the housing 3. In FIG. 3, the illustration of the light emission window 7 is omitted. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 3 is configured by combining the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5.

[0046] The materials constituting the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5 are not particularly limited, but are preferably materials having resistance to the ultraviolet light L1. As an example, the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5 are made of a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or copper.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 3, the main body portion 4 has an opening 4a on the +Z side and houses the ultraviolet light source 6. The support portion 5 has an opening 5a at a position facing the opening 4a. The light emission window 7 is disposed so as to close the opening 4a and the opening 5a. That is, the ultraviolet light L1 is emitted from the housing 3 by passing through the opening 4a, the light emission window 7, and the opening 5a (see FIG. 1B).

[0048] FIG. 4 is a view of the light irradiation device 1 according to FIG. 1A when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the light exit window 7, i.e., the Y direction. In FIG. 4, the light exit window 7 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body portion 4 has a recess 4b that is recessed in the -Z direction and extends in the Y direction. Further, the support portion 5 has a recess 5b that is recessed in the +Z direction and extends in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 4, when the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5 are combined, the recess 4b and the recess 5b form an insertion port 10a. The light exit window 7 is disposed between the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5 by being inserted into the insertion port 10a (see also FIG. 1A). In the present embodiment, the insertion port 10a corresponds to the "insertion region".

[0049] As described above, maintenance such as cleaning or replacement of the light exit window 7 is appropriately performed. In the present embodiment, the light exit window 7 is configured to be detachable from the housing 3 by being pulled out from the insertion port 10a or inserted into the insertion port 10a. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a state where the light exit window 7 is pulled out from the insertion port 10a. As shown in FIG. 5, the light exit window 7 is configured to be detachable in the Y direction with respect to the housing 3. Thereby, for example, even if the support portion 5 is not removed from the main body portion 4, the light exit window 7 can be detached, so that maintenance such as cleaning and replacement of the light exit window 7 can be easily performed.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2 again, the light exit window 7 is disposed so as to protrude from the insertion port 10a in the Y direction. In FIG. 2, the region where the light exit window 7 protrudes from the insertion port 10a (hereinafter, referred to as the "protrusion region A1" for convenience) is hatched. By having the protrusion region A1, for example, an operator can easily pull out the light exit window 7 from the insertion port 10a while gripping the protrusion region A1.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 4, pressing members 11, 11... for pressing the light emitting window 7 toward the support portion 5 are arranged in the recess 4b of the main body portion 4 (see also Fig. 3). The pressing member 11 is configured to include, for example, a plate made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. In the present embodiment, the pressing member 11 is configured to generate an elastic force N1 in the +Z direction. The light emitting window 7 is pressed against the recess 5b by the elastic force N1 of the pressing member 11. Thereby, while the light emitting window 7 can be attached and detached through the insertion port 10a, displacement of the light emitting window 7 can be suppressed.

[0052] The elastic force N1 can be appropriately adjusted according to the constituent material of the pressing member 11, the thickness of the pressing member 11, or the separation distance between the pressing member 11 and the recess 5b.

[0053] In the example of Fig. 4, an example is shown in which the pressing member 11 is arranged in the recess 4b of the main body portion 4 and the pressing member 11 presses the light emitting window 7 against the support portion 5 in the +Z direction. However, the pressing member 11 may be arranged in the recess 5b of the support portion 5 and press the light emitting window 7 against the main body portion 4 in the -Z direction.

[0054] [Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the light irradiation device 1 will be described centering on the parts different from the first embodiment. In the following, descriptions of elements common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the second embodiment following Fig. 1A. As shown in Fig. 6, the difference from the first embodiment in the present embodiment is that the housing 3 has a closing portion 12 for closing the insertion port 10a.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the closing portion 12 is removed from the state shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the housing 3 has a closing portion 12 configured to be detachable with respect to the insertion port 10a. As shown in FIG. 7, the closing portion 12 is configured to be detachable in the Y direction. That is, the direction in which the closing portion 12 is removed is assumed to coincide with the direction in which the light emission window 7 is pulled out (see also FIG. 5).

[0057] Even when the light emission window 7 is inserted into the insertion port 10a, a slight gap is generated between the insertion port 10a and the light emission window 7. For this reason, for example, it is assumed that the photocurable ink vaporized by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light L1 enters the inside of the housing 3 from the gap. When the photocurable ink enters the housing 3 and dirt is generated inside the housing 3, the dirt absorbs the ultraviolet light L1, resulting in a locally heated region inside the housing 3. For example, when the photocurable ink adheres to the light emitting surface of the ultraviolet light source 6 or the like, malfunctions are likely to occur when the ultraviolet light source 6 is lit.

[0058] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the insertion port 10a is closed by the closing portion 12. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the vaporized photocurable ink to enter the inside of the housing 3, and for example, the occurrence of malfunctions in the ultraviolet light source 6 can be suppressed.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a drawing when the closing portion 12 is viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the closing portion 12 has, for example, a gripping portion 13 having a U shape from the viewpoint of facilitating removal.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 9, the closing portion 12 has an insertion port 14 that is recessed in the -Y direction and a protrusion 15 that has a convex shape in the +Y direction. The insertion port 14 is configured such that the protruding region A1 of the light emission window 7 described with reference to FIG. 2 can be disposed. That is, the closing portion 12 is fixed to the housing 3 in a state where the light emission window 7 is inserted into the insertion port 14.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the main body 4 has a hole 17 at a position corresponding to the protrusion 15. When the insertion port 10a is closed by the closing portion 12, the engagement of the protrusion 15 and the hole 17 suppresses the displacement of the position when the closing portion 12 is attached and detached. For example, it becomes difficult for the closing portion 12 and the light emission window 7 to collide.

[0062] Thus, from the viewpoint of suppressing the displacement of the position when the closing portion 12 is attached and detached, it is preferable that the closing portion 12 and the main body 4 are engaged with each other. In the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, the protrusion 15 is formed on the closing portion 12 and the hole 17 is formed on the main body 4. However, a hole may be formed on the closing portion 12 and a protrusion corresponding to the hole may be formed on the main body 4. Further, the closing portion 12 may have a hole in addition to the protrusion 15, and the main body 4 may have a protrusion corresponding to the hole provided in the closing portion 12 in addition to the hole 17.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a modified example of the closing portion 12. As shown in FIG. 10, the light emission window 7 may be fixed in a state of being inserted into the insertion port 14 provided in the closing portion 12. Thereby, when the closing portion 12 is removed from the main body 4, the light emission window 7 can be pulled out from the insertion port 10a at the same time.

[0064] For example, by disposing an elastic member (not shown) that sandwiches the light emission window 7 inside the insertion port 14, the light emission window 7 can be fixed to the insertion port 14. The fixing method of the light emission window 7 to the insertion port 14 is arbitrary, and for example, screwing or the like may be used. From the viewpoint of facilitating the cleaning or replacement of the light emission window 7, it is preferable that the light emission window 7 is detachably configured with respect to the insertion port 14.

[0065] [Third Embodiment] Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the light irradiation device 1 will be described centering on the parts different from the first embodiment. In the following, the description of the elements common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the housing 3 has been described as being composed of the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5. However, the configuration of the housing 3 is not limited to this example. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the third embodiment following FIG. 1A, and FIG. 12 is a drawing excluding the illustration of the light emission window 7 from FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a drawing when the light irradiation device 1 according to FIG. 11 is viewed in the Y direction following FIG. 4.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the housing 3 has an insertion groove 10b that is recessed in the -Z direction and extends in the Y direction. The light emission window 7 is attached to the housing 3 by being inserted into the insertion groove 10b. In this embodiment, the insertion groove 10b corresponds to the "insertion region". Also, as shown in FIG. 11, a part of the light emission window 7 protrudes from the insertion groove 10b. Regarding this point, in the first embodiment, a similar discussion can be made about the point where a part of the light emission window 7 protrudes from the insertion port 10a.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 13, on the +Z side of the housing 3, a pressing member 11 including an elastic member made of a metal material is disposed. The pressing member 11 is configured to generate an elastic force N1 in the -Z direction. That is, the pressing member 11 is located on the +Z side of the light emission window 7 and presses the light emission window 7 toward the housing 3.

[0069] Thereby, the light emission window 7 is detachable in the Y direction via the insertion groove 10b. Regarding the point that the ultraviolet light source 6 is housed inside the housing 3 and the point that an opening 3a for emitting the ultraviolet light L1 is formed on the +Z side of the housing 3, a similar discussion can be made as above.

[0070] [Alternative Embodiment] Hereinafter, an alternative embodiment of the light irradiation device 1 will be described.

[0071] <1> In the above description, it has been explained that a part of the light emission window 7 protrudes from the insertion port 10a or the insertion groove 10b. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in FIG. 1A, even when the light emission window 7 does not protrude from the insertion port 10a, for example, a rod-shaped member configured to be able to sandwich the light emission window 7 may be inserted into the insertion port 10a, and the light emission window 7 may be pulled out from the insertion port 10a while sandwiching the light emission window 7 with the rod-shaped member.

[0072] Further, for example, on the side surface of the support portion 5 related to the X direction, an opening having a predetermined length in the Y direction is provided, and the light emission window 7 is moved in the Y direction using an arbitrary rod-shaped member from the opening, so that the light emission window 7 may protrude from the insertion port 10a and be taken out.

[0073] <2> Whether the pressing member 11 includes a metal elastic member is arbitrary. For example, the pressing member may be composed of a screw, and the screw may be tightened into an arbitrary screw hole so that the screw abuts against the light emission window 7 and the light emission window 7 is pressed. Here, as described above, a case where a transport mechanism for transporting a base material or the like to be irradiated is arranged on the +Z side of the light irradiation device 1 is also assumed. Therefore, from the viewpoint of facilitating the work, the screw hole is preferably provided, for example, in a region near the end related to the Y direction on the side surface of the support portion 5 related to the X direction. Note that within the range where the work is possible, the screw hole may be provided on the +Z side surface of the support portion 5.

[0074] From the viewpoint of making the surface of the light emission window 7 less likely to be damaged when the screw abuts against the light emission window 7, the screw is preferably composed of a fluororesin such as PTFE.

[0075] <3> Whether the housing 3 has the pressing member 11 is arbitrary. For example, in FIG. 4, even when the pressing member 11 is not arranged with respect to the main body portion 4, the light emission window 7 may be attached to the housing 3 by being placed on the support portion 5 within the insertion port 10a.

[0076] Also, even when the light-emitting window 7 is attached to the insertion groove 10b described with reference to, for example, the third embodiment, the pressing member 11 can have an arbitrary configuration. FIG. 14 is a drawing showing another configuration example of the light irradiation device 1 following FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 14, a placement portion 25 is formed on the +Z side of the recess 3b of the housing 3, and the light-emitting window 7 may be attached to the housing 3 by being placed on the placement portion 25 within the insertion groove 10b.

[0077] 〈4〉 FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a modified example of the light-emitting window 7. As shown in FIG. 15, the light-emitting window 7 may have a window portion 20 that transmits ultraviolet light L1 and a protective portion 21 provided at the periphery of the window portion 20.

[0078] The window portion 20 is made of a glass material such as quartz glass. The protective portion 21, as an example, has a frame shape and is made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. By forming the metal protective portion 21 at the periphery of the window portion 20, for example, the impact on the window portion 20 when the light-emitting window 7 is inserted into the insertion port 10a can be alleviated, and cracking of the window portion 20 can be suppressed. Also, even if the light-emitting window 7 drops during an operation such as cleaning, cracking of the window portion 20 can be suppressed, which is preferable.

[0079] The protective portion 21 may be made of a resin material such as PTFE. By forming the resin protective portion 21 at the periphery of the window portion 20, it is also possible to improve the slidability of the light-emitting window 7 with respect to the housing 3.

[0080] Furthermore, the protective portion 21 can also be used as a gripping portion. More specifically, the protective portion 21 may constitute the protruding region A1 of the light-emitting window 7 (see FIG. 2).

[0081] The window portion 20 and the protective portion 21 are, for example, adhered with an adhesive, but the window portion 20 and the protective portion 21 may be configured to be detachable.

[0082] Also, FIG. 16 is a drawing showing another modified example of the light-emitting window 7. As shown in FIG. 16, the protective portion 21 may be formed only on a part of the periphery of the window portion 20.

[0083] <5> The light-emitting window 7 may be configured such that the main surface 7a and the main surface 7b (both are shown in FIG. 1B) located on the opposite side of the main surface 7a can be distinguished. Thereby, when the light-emitting window 7 is attached to the housing 3 again, the positional relationship between the main surface 7a and the main surface 7b is suppressed from being interchanged. Even if the photocurable ink adhering to the main surface 7a remains, by attaching the light-emitting window 7 so that the main surface 7a is located on the +Z side, it becomes difficult for the photocurable ink to enter the housing 3.

[0084]

[0085] <6> In the above, the light-emitting window 7 has been described as being pulled out from the insertion port 10a in the -Y direction. However, the direction in which the light-emitting window 7 is pulled out is not limited to the -Y direction.

[0086] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing another configuration example of the light irradiation device 1. For example, by providing the concave portion 4b of the main body portion 4 and the concave portion 5b of the support portion 5 described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 on the +Y side of the openings (4a, 5a), as shown in FIG. 16, the insertion port 10a may be formed on the +Y side of the light irradiation device 1. Thereby, the light-emitting window 7 can be pulled out in either the -Y direction or the +Y direction.

[0087] FIG. 18A is a drawing showing yet another configuration example of the light irradiation device 1. By making the concave portion 4b of the main body portion 4 and the concave portion 5b of the support portion 5 extend in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 18A, the insertion port 10a may be formed on the -X side of the light irradiation device 1. Thereby, the light-emitting window 7 can be pulled out in the -X direction.

[0088] ​Figure 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of Figure 18A. From the viewpoint of suppressing the misalignment of the light-emitting window 7, as shown in Figure 18B, a pressing member 11 including an elastic member may be disposed between the main body portion 4 and the support portion 5. For example, the pressing member 11 is disposed on the -Z side of the light-emitting window 7, and presses the +X side of the light-emitting window 7 against the support portion 5 by the elastic force N1.

[0089] Figure 19 is a drawing showing still another configuration example of the light irradiation device 1. As shown in Figure 19, the housing 3 may include a main body portion 4, a support portion 5, and a cover portion 30. The cover portion 30 is configured to be detachable from the support portion 5. The cover portion 30 is made of, for example, the same material as the support portion 5. Figure 20 is a drawing showing a state in which the cover portion 30 is removed from the support portion 5. As shown in Figure 20, by removing the cover portion 30, the light-emitting window 7 can be pulled out of the housing 3 in the Y direction or the X direction.

[0090] As an example, the cover portion 30 is formed with a recess (not shown) that engages with a region protruding from the support portion 5 at the light-emitting window 7. Further, the cover portion 30 and the support portion 5 are preferably formed with, for example, protrusions and holes corresponding to the protrusions, and are engaged with each other.

[0091] In addition, in the example described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, as described with reference to FIG. 18B, a pressing member for pressing the light-emitting window 7 may be disposed.

[0092] 〈7〉 Whether the light-emitting window 7 has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction is arbitrary. For example, the light-emitting window 7 may have a substantially rectangular shape in which the length in the X direction and the length in the Y direction are substantially the same. For example, the width of the insertion port 10a or the insertion groove 10b can be adjusted as appropriate.

[0093] 〈8〉 The above embodiments can be realized by appropriate combination. The configuration of the light irradiation device 1 is not limited to the above examples.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0094] 1: Light irradiation device 3: Housing 4: Main body part 5: Support part 3a, 4a, 5a: Opening 3b, 4b, 5b: Recessed part 6: Ultraviolet light source 7: Light exit window 7a, 7b: Main surface 10a: Insertion port 10b: Insertion groove 11: Pressing member 12: Closing part 13: Gripping part 14: Insertion opening 15: Protrusion 17: Hole 20: Window part 21: Protection part 25: Placing part 30: Cover part A1: Protruding region L1: Light N1: Elastic force

Claims

1. An ultraviolet light source, A housing for accommodating the ultraviolet light source, A light-emitting window that transmits the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source and emits the ultraviolet light to the outside of the housing, and The light-emitting window is configured to be detachable from the housing in a direction parallel to the main surface of the light-emitting window with respect to the housing. A light irradiation device.

2. The housing has an insertion region formed by an insertion port or an insertion groove at a partial location on the side surface, The light-emitting window is configured to be detachable through the insertion region. The light irradiation device according to claim 1.

3. The light-emitting window has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction and is configured to be detachable in the longitudinal direction. The light irradiation device according to claim 2.

4. The light-emitting window is arranged to protrude from the insertion region with respect to the longitudinal direction. The light irradiation device according to claim 3.

5. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pressing member that abuts against the light-emitting window from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the light-emitting window.

6. The pressing member includes an elastic member made of a metal material. The light irradiation device according to claim 5.

7. The insertion region consists of an insertion port, The housing has a closing portion configured to be detachable with respect to the insertion port. The light irradiation device according to claim 3.

8. The light-emitting window is arranged to protrude from the insertion port with respect to the longitudinal direction, The closing portion has an insertion port into which the light-emitting window protruding from the insertion port is inserted. The light irradiation device according to claim 7.

9. The light irradiation device according to claim 8, wherein the light exit window is fixed to the insertion port in a state of being inserted into the insertion port.

10. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light exit window is configured such that a first main surface located on the side opposite to the ultraviolet light source and a second main surface located on the ultraviolet light source side are distinguishable.

11. The light exit window is composed of a glass material and has a window portion that transmits the ultraviolet light, and a protective portion formed on at least a part of the periphery of the window portion and composed of a metal material or a resin material. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized by this.

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