Nozzle and liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a nozzle which prevents high impact from being applied to a workpiece, and to provide a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A nozzle 10 of the invention includes: a nozzle body 20 including a liquid supply passage 21 therein and a discharge port 22a for discharging a liquid to a liquid application surface Wa of a workpiece W at a tip part; a contact member 30 which is disposed arranged side by side with a tip part of the nozzle 10 and includes an apical surface protruding farther than the discharge port 22a along a liquid discharge direction; a holding member 40 which holds the tip part of the nozzle 10 and the contact member 30; an elastic body 50 for absorbing an impact caused when the contact member 30 contacts with the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W; and a nozzle holding member 60 which supports the elastic body 50 and may move relative to the holding member 40 along the liquid discharge direction and an opposite direction of the discharge direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle and a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquid ejection device that applies a small amount of liquid to an object (workpiece) has been proposed. This type of liquid ejection device ejects liquid, for example, by the operation shown in FIG. 11. First, the workpiece W is placed above the nozzle body 200, and the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W is positioned opposite the discharge port 201 of the nozzle body 200. Then, a small amount of liquid is pushed out from the discharge port 201 of the nozzle body 200, forming a liquid sphere 202 at the discharge port 201 (FIG. 11(A)). Next, the workpiece W is moved in a direction approaching the nozzle body 200 (downward in FIG. 11) until the distance between the discharge port 201 of the nozzle body 200 and the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W becomes a predetermined distance (FIG. 11(B)). At this time, the liquid sphere 102 comes into contact with the liquid application surface Wa. Next, by moving the workpiece W in a direction away from the nozzle body 200, the liquid sphere 102 is separated from the discharge port 201 and placed on the liquid application surface Wa (FIG. 11(C)). As a result, the liquid is applied to the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W.

[0003] In such a liquid ejection device, the distance between the ejection opening of the nozzle body and the liquid application surface of the workpiece is always constant when applying the liquid, so the amount and range of liquid ejected for each application are the same. The workpiece is moved by a moving means such as a robot, but since there is a slight error in the distance between the ejection opening of the nozzle body and the liquid application surface of the workpiece with each movement, there is also an error in the amount and range of liquid ejected for each application.

[0004] For this reason, for example, the discharge device described in Patent Document 1 has a contact portion that surrounds the tip of the nozzle body, including the discharge port. The contact portion protrudes further than the discharge port of the nozzle body toward the workpiece in the liquid discharge direction. When the workpiece is moved toward the nozzle body during liquid application, the contact portion first comes into contact with the liquid application surface of the workpiece, preventing the workpiece from moving further toward the nozzle body and causing it to stop. This ensures that the distance between the discharge port of the nozzle body and the liquid application surface of the workpiece is always constant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-96097 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that when the contact part comes into contact with the liquid application surface of the workpiece, a strong impact may be applied to the workpiece depending on the speed at which the workpiece is moving, which could result in damage to the workpiece.In addition, the impact is transmitted to the contact part and the nozzle body, which makes the nozzle body more susceptible to damage and shortens its lifespan.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a nozzle and liquid ejection device that, in a nozzle equipped with an abutment portion, maintains a constant distance between the workpiece and the nozzle outlet of the nozzle body while suppressing impact on the workpiece and nozzle when the abutment portion comes into contact with the workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention includes the following subject matter.

[0009] Section 1: a nozzle body having a liquid supply passage therein and a discharge port at a tip end for discharging the liquid onto a liquid application surface of a workpiece; a contact member disposed next to the tip of the nozzle body, the tip surface of which protrudes beyond the discharge port in the discharge direction of the liquid; a holding member that holds the tip end portion of the nozzle body and the abutment member; an elastic body for absorbing impact when the contact member contacts the liquid application surface of the workpiece; a nozzle support member that supports the elastic body and is movable relative to the holding member in the liquid ejection direction and in a direction opposite to the ejection direction.

[0010] Section 2: Item 2. The nozzle according to item 1, wherein the elastic body and the contact member are provided on the same straight line along the liquid ejection direction.

[0011] Section 3: Further provided is a support shaft body that supports the holding member, Item 3. The nozzle according to item 1 or 2, wherein the support shaft passes through a hole formed in the nozzle support member, one end of the support shaft is connected to the holding member, and the other end is provided with a stopper member for preventing the nozzle support member from coming off the support shaft.

[0012] Section 4: Item 4. The nozzle according to item 3, wherein the elastic body and the contact member are provided on the same straight line along the liquid ejection direction.

[0013] Section 5: The support shaft body has a cylindrical shape, Item 4. The nozzle according to item 3, wherein the elastic body is a coil spring.

[0014] Item 6: 6. The nozzle according to claim 5, wherein the support shaft passes through the inside of the coil spring.

[0015] Section 7: 7. The nozzle according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein a rear end of the nozzle body passes through a hole formed in the nozzle support member.

[0016] Section 8: the elastic body is a plurality of coil springs, Item 5. The nozzle according to item 3 or 4, wherein a plurality of the coil springs are arranged around the support shaft at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the support shaft in a plan view.

[0017] Section 9: Item 9. The nozzle according to any one of items 1 to 8, further comprising an air supply channel inside the holding member for supplying air to the discharge port of the nozzle body.

[0018] Section 10: Item 10. The nozzle according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising an adjusting means for adjusting the amount by which the tip end surface of the contact member protrudes beyond the discharge port.

[0019] Section 11: It has multiple nozzle bodies, Item 11. The nozzle according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of nozzle bodies are held by the holding member.

[0020] Section 12: The nozzle according to any one of items 1 to 11, a liquid supply means for supplying liquid to the nozzle body of the nozzle; The liquid ejection device includes a syringe containing liquid, a flexible tube connecting the syringe to the nozzle body, and a valve that turns on and off the supply of liquid from the syringe to the nozzle body.

[0021] Section 13: A plurality of nozzles according to any one of items 1 to 11; and a base for fixing the plurality of nozzles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nozzle and a liquid ejection device that maintains a constant distance between the workpiece and the nozzle outlet while reducing impact on the workpiece and nozzle when the abutment portion and the workpiece come into contact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic overall configuration of a nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic overall configuration of the nozzle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the entire nozzle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the entire nozzle when applying a liquid to a workpiece. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a nozzle. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view showing another example of the nozzle. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a nozzle. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a body ejection device having a plurality of nozzles. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejection device provided with a liquid supply unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of another example of a liquid ejection device provided with a liquid supply unit. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the ejection operation of a nozzle. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which liquid is pooled near the ejection port of the nozzle body and at the ejection port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] (Configuration of nozzle 10) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 3 show a nozzle 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle 10 is used to apply liquid supplied from a liquid supply means 100 (e.g., Figure 9) to a liquid application surface Wa of a workpiece W, and includes a nozzle body 20, a contact member 30, a holding member 40, an elastic body (coil spring 50), a nozzle holding member 60, an air supply pipe 70 forming an air supply path 71, and a support shaft body 51.

[0025] In the following description, the direction in which the liquid is ejected will be referred to as the upward or leading edge side, and the direction opposite to the ejection direction will be referred to as the downward or trailing edge side. In the embodiment shown in this specification, the ejection port 22a of the nozzle 10 faces upward, and the liquid is ejected from the bottom to the top. The workpiece W is located above the nozzle 10, and the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W faces the ejection port 22a of the nozzle body 20. Note that the direction in which the ejection port 22a of the nozzle 10 of the present invention faces, i.e., the ejection direction of the liquid from the nozzle 10, is not limited to the upward direction, and the ejection port 22a can be directed in any direction, such as downward or in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, to eject the liquid.

[0026] (liquid) The liquid ejected by the nozzle 10 of this embodiment is not particularly limited, but preferably used is adhesive, oil, grease, solder paste, etc. As long as the viscosity of the liquid is 200 Pa·s or less, there is no problem in use.

[0027] (holding member 40) As shown in Fig. 1, the holding member 40 is rectangular and holds the nozzle main body 20, the abutment member 30, the air supply pipe 70, and the support shaft 51. The holding member 40 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 3, a first recess 41 that is circular in plan view is formed on the top surface of the holding member 40 to hold the nozzle tip tube 22 (described later). The first recess 41 has a small-diameter portion 41a on the lower side that has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the nozzle tip tube 22 and into which the nozzle tip tube 22 is press-fitted, and a large-diameter portion 41b that is continuous with and above the small-diameter portion 41a and has a diameter larger than that of the small-diameter portion 41a.

[0028] A second recess 43 that is circular in plan view is formed in a position corresponding to the first recess 41 on the underside of the holding member 40 to hold the nozzle body tube 23 (described below). The inner diameter of the second recess 43 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the nozzle body tube 23, and the nozzle body tube 23 is press-fitted into it. A connecting passage 46 that connects the first recess 41 and the second recess 43 is formed inside the holding member 40, and ends of the connecting passage 46 open to the bottom of the first recess 41 and the bottom of the second recess 43 of the holding member 40.

[0029] An abutment member recess 42 into which the abutment member 30 is inserted is formed on the upper surface of the holding member 40, alongside the first recess 41. The abutment member recess 42 has a circular planar shape, and its inner diameter is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the abutment member 30.

[0030] A support shaft recess 44 for holding the support shaft 51 is formed on the underside of the holding member 40 at a position corresponding to the abutment member recess 42. The support shaft recess 44 has a circular planar shape, and its inner diameter is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the support shaft 51, and the support shaft 51 is press-fitted into it.

[0031] An air supply pipe recess 45 is formed on the underside of the holding member 40, on the opposite side of the second recess 43 from the support shaft recess 44. The air supply pipe recess 45 has a circular planar shape and an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the air supply pipe 70, into which the air supply pipe 70 is press-fitted. The holding member 40 is formed with an air supply connection passage 47 for connecting the internal space of the air supply pipe 70 press-fitted into the air supply pipe recess 45 with the first recess 41. The air supply connection passage 47 opens to the upper surface of the air supply pipe recess 45 and also opens to the lower end of the inner surface of the large-diameter portion 41b of the first recess 41. The air supply connection passage 47 communicates with a gap 72 formed between the large-diameter portion 41b of the first recess 41 and the nozzle tip pipe 22. The air supply connection passage 47 has a substantially L-shaped or T-shaped cross section. The air supply connecting passage 47 is formed by providing a hole from one side surface 40a of the holding member 40 toward the first recess 41, and therefore the opening of the hole on the side surface of the holding member 40 is closed by the closing member 49.

[0032] (Nozzle body 20) As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle body 20 is provided in the vertical direction at approximately the center of the rectangular holding member 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle body 20 has a liquid supply channel 21 formed therein. In this embodiment, the nozzle body 20 is composed of a cylindrical nozzle tip tube 22, a cylindrical nozzle main tube 23, and a connecting channel 46 with a circular cross section formed in the holding member 40, which is located between the nozzle tip tube 22 and the nozzle main tube 23 and communicates with the internal space of the nozzle tip tube 22 and the internal space of the nozzle main tube 23. The nozzle tip tube 22, the nozzle main tube 23, and the connecting channel 46 are formed coaxially. The liquid supply channel 21 is composed of the internal spaces of the nozzle tip tube 22 and the nozzle main tube 23, and the connecting channel 46. The liquid supply channel 21 is formed linearly in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the liquid is ejected.

[0033] In this embodiment, the nozzle tip tube 22 has an outer diameter of 0.7 mm and an inner diameter of 0.3 mm. The nozzle tip tube 22 is made of metal or ceramic to minimize its wall thickness while maintaining rigidity. The connecting passage 46 has an inner diameter of 0.5 mm. The nozzle main body tube 23 is a resin tube having an outer diameter of 1.5 mm and an inner diameter of 0.7 mm, and is made of any synthetic resin material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or PEEK (polyether ether ketone). By varying the diameter of the liquid supply passage 21 in this way, the liquid can flow more easily through the liquid supply passage 21, even when a highly viscous liquid is used.

[0034] The nozzle body 20 may be composed of a single cylindrical tube without being divided into the nozzle tip tube 22, the nozzle body tube 23, and the connecting passage 46. Such a nozzle body 20 is used particularly when discharging a low-viscosity liquid.

[0035] The rear end of the nozzle tip tube 22 is press-fitted into the small diameter portion 41a of the first recess 41 on the top surface of the holding member 40, thereby holding the nozzle tip tube 22 on the holding member 40. A gap 72 is formed between the inner wall of the large diameter portion 41b and the nozzle tip tube 22, and this gap 72 becomes part of an air supply path 71, which will be described later. The tip of the nozzle tip tube 22 is a discharge port 22a for discharging liquid onto the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W. The nozzle tip tube 22 is press-fitted so that the discharge port 22a protrudes from the top surface of the holding member 40.

[0036] The tip of the nozzle body tube 23 is press-fitted into a second recess 43 located on the underside of the holding member 40, thereby holding the nozzle body tube 23 in the holding member 40. A connecting passage 46 formed inside the holding member 40 connects the internal space of the nozzle tip tube 22 to the internal space of the nozzle body tube 23. The internal spaces of the nozzle tip tube 22 and the nozzle body tube 23 and the connecting passage 46 form the liquid supply path 21.

[0037] The rear end portion of the nozzle body tube 23 passes through a nozzle body tube hole 61 of the nozzle holding member 60, which will be described later. To the rear end portion of the nozzle body tube 23, for example, a liquid supply means 100 as shown in Figure 9 is connected. Note that the nozzle body tube 23 does not necessarily have to pass through the nozzle holding member 60, and the rear end portion of the nozzle body tube 23 may be located between the nozzle holding member 60 and the holding member 40 without reaching the nozzle holding member 60.

[0038] (contact member 30) The contact member 30 has a cylindrical shape. A cylindrical shape refers to a columnar shape in which the outer shape of a cross section along a plane perpendicular to the axis is circular, and includes a cylindrical shape with an internal space. The contact member 30 is made of any material, such as synthetic resin or metal, but a material is selected that will not deform upon impact when the contact member 30 contacts the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W.

[0039] The contact member 30 is arranged alongside the discharge port 22a at the tip of the nozzle 10. The distance between the contact member 30 and the discharge port 22a in a plan view is set to a distance that prevents the liquid from reaching the contact member 30 when the contact member 30 comes into contact with the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W and the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 22a of the nozzle body 20.

[0040] The contact member 30 is inserted into the contact member recess 42 of the holding member 40 so that its tip surface 30a protrudes from the upper surface of the holding member 40. The tip surface 30a of the contact member 30 is located at an upper position along the direction in which the liquid is discharged, closer to the workpiece W than the discharge port 22a. The distance between the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30 and the discharge port 22a along the direction in which the liquid is discharged is defined as the protrusion amount d. The protrusion amount d is set according to the type and amount of liquid to be discharged.

[0041] The abutment member 30 is held in the abutment member recess 42 and its protrusion amount d is adjusted by the adjustment means 31. In this embodiment, the adjustment means 31 is composed of a set screw 31a and a threaded hole 31b that is provided on the side surface of the holding member 40 and communicates with the abutment member recess 42.

[0042] (Support shaft body 51) The support shaft 51 supports the holding member 40 and guides the movement of the nozzle support member. The support shaft 51 is a cylindrical rod-like member, and its tip is press-fit into a support shaft recess 44 formed in the underside of the holding member 40. The rear end side of the support shaft 51 passes through a support shaft hole 62 of the nozzle holding member 60, which will be described later, and a retaining member 52 is attached to the rear end of the support shaft 51 below the nozzle holding member 60 to prevent the support shaft 51 from coming off the nozzle holding member 60. The nozzle holding member 60 is movable up and down along the support shaft 51.

[0043] The support shaft recess 44 into which the support shaft 51 is press-fitted is provided at a position corresponding to the abutment member recess 42 on the upper surface of the holding member 40, as described above. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the abutment member 30 and the support shaft 51 are provided on the same straight line along the liquid discharge direction (up and down direction). In other words, the cylindrical abutment member 30 and the cylindrical support shaft 51 are arranged coaxially along the liquid discharge direction. Note that the support shaft pair 51 and the abutment member 30 do not have to be cylindrical; if the cross-sectional shape is an elliptical or polygonal column shape, the axes passing through the centers of gravity in the cross-sectional shapes of the support shaft pair 51 and the abutment member 30 will be positioned on the same straight line.

[0044] By providing the support shaft 51, the nozzle holding member 60 can move stably in the vertical direction without tilting. Furthermore, by arranging the contact member 30 and the support shaft 51 on the same straight line, the support shaft 51 can receive almost all of the force from the workpiece W when the contact member 30 contacts the workpiece W, preventing a moment from acting on the entire nozzle 10. Note that the support shaft 51 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0045] (coil spring 50) The coil spring 50, which constitutes an elastic body, is intended to absorb the impact when the abutting member 30 abuts against the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W. A hollow portion is formed inside the coil spring 50, and a support shaft body 51 passes through this hollow portion. The coil spring 50 is provided between the holding member 40 and the nozzle holding member 60. Both ends of the coil spring 50 are fixed or locked to the holding member 40 and the nozzle holding member 60.

[0046] As described above, the support shaft 51 passes through the hollow portion of the coil spring 50, and therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, the coil spring 50 is provided on the same straight line as the contact member 30 and the support shaft 51 along the liquid discharge direction (up and down direction). In other words, the coil spring 50 is arranged coaxially with the contact member 30 and the support shaft 51 along the liquid discharge direction.

[0047] The elastic body is not limited to the coil spring 50, and any elastic body can be used as long as it can directly or indirectly apply a biasing force to the holding member 40. For example, it may be a cylindrical rubber member. It may also be a rod-shaped rubber member, a bellows-like structure, or the like. If the support shaft body 51 cannot be housed inside the elastic body, the elastic body may be provided near the support shaft body 51.

[0048] (Nozzle holding member 60) The nozzle holding member 60 has a rectangular plate shape in a plan view, and is disposed rearward of the holding member 40 so that the upper and lower surfaces of the nozzle holding member 60 are parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the holding member 40. The nozzle holding member 60 has the same length in the width direction as the holding member 40, and is longer in the length direction than the holding member 40. In this embodiment, the nozzle holding member 60 is disposed such that the position of one side surface 60a of the nozzle holding member 60 is aligned with the position of one side surface 40a of the holding member 40 along the length direction of the nozzle holding member 60.

[0049] The nozzle holding member 60 has a support shaft hole 62 formed therein, at a position corresponding to the support shaft 51 attached to the holding member 40, through which the support shaft 51 passes. The lower end of the coil spring 50 abuts against the upper surface around the support shaft hole 62 for support. Furthermore, a nozzle body tube hole 61 through which the nozzle body tube 23 passes is formed at a position corresponding to the nozzle body tube 23 of the nozzle body 20 attached to the holding member 40. An air supply tube hole 63 through which the air supply tube 70 passes is formed at a position corresponding to the air supply tube 70 attached to the holding member 40. The nozzle holding member 60 is not fixed to the support shaft 51, the nozzle body tube 23, or the air supply tube 70, and is movable relative to the holding member 40 in the up-and-down direction so as to move toward and away from the holding member 40.

[0050] In a plan view, a nozzle fixing hole 64 is formed in an area of ​​the nozzle holding member 60 that does not overlap with the holding member 40. The nozzle fixing hole 64 is for fixing the nozzle holding member 60 to a base 80 of the liquid ejection device 110, as shown in Fig. 8, for example. The nozzle fixing hole 64 is, for example, a screw hole, and is fixed to the base 80 with a screw 83 or the like.

[0051] (Air supply path 71) The air supply path 71 is made up of the internal space of the air supply pipe 70, the air supply connecting path 47 formed inside the holding member 40, and a gap 72 in the large diameter portion 41b of the first recess 41. The air supply pipe 70 is press-fitted into the air supply pipe recess 45 formed in the lower surface of the holding member 40.

[0052] An air supply source (not shown) is connected to the lower end of the air supply pipe 70. Air is supplied to the air supply pipe 70, passes through the air supply connecting passage 47, enters the gap 72 in the large-diameter portion 41b of the first recess 41, and is blown out from the upper end of the first recess 41 and supplied near the outlet 22a of the nozzle tip tube 22. As shown in FIG. 12, in conventional systems, repeated liquid discharge can cause liquid 203 to leak from the outlet 201 and remain around the outlet 201 or the nozzle body 200. However, according to this embodiment, air is supplied along the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle tip tube 22 toward the outlet 22a. The air flows in the opposite direction to the direction in which the liquid leaks from the outlet 22a onto the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle tip tube 22, preventing the liquid from leaking out of the outlet 22a. Furthermore, adjusting the air flow rate can blow away excess liquid that has accumulated on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle tip tube 22.

[0053] The rear end portion of the air supply pipe 70 passes through the nozzle main body pipe hole 61 of the nozzle holding member 60. However, the air supply pipe 70 does not necessarily have to pass through the nozzle holding member 60, and the rear end of the air supply pipe 70 may be located between the nozzle holding member 60 and the holding member 40 without reaching the nozzle holding member 60.

[0054] (Liquid application operation) The liquid application operation using the nozzle 10 of this embodiment will be described. First, the workpiece W is positioned above the discharge port 22a of the nozzle tip tube 22. Next, similar to the prior art shown in FIG. 11(A), liquid is discharged from the discharge port 22a to form a liquid sphere 11 at the discharge port 22a. In this state, the workpiece W is moved downward toward the discharge port 22a.

[0055] With the coil spring 50 biasing the support member 40 upward, the workpiece W is preset to move to a position (preset position) where its liquid application surface Wa is flush with the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30. When the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W contacts the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30, the liquid sphere 11 comes into contact with the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W, as shown in FIG. 4. Because the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30 protrudes upward by a protrusion amount d beyond the discharge port 22a of the nozzle body 20, the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W comes into contact with the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30 and stops, and the distance between the discharge port 22a of the nozzle body 20 and the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W is always kept constant. When the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W contacts the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30, a force (impact) is applied from the workpiece W to the contact member 30, and a force is also applied to the workpiece W due to the reaction force. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the coil spring 50 contracts and the support member 40 moves downward, whereby the coil spring 50 absorbs the impact and releases the force applied to the contact member 30 and the workpiece W.

[0056] When the workpiece W moves and stops exactly at the same height as the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30, the impact applied from the workpiece W to the contact member 30 is not very large. However, depending on the movement accuracy of the moving means, such as a robot, that moves the workpiece W, the workpiece W may attempt to move lower than the set position, causing a large impact from the workpiece W to be applied to the contact member 30. Even in this case, the workpiece W comes into contact with the tip surface 30a of the contact member 30, the coil spring 50 contracts, and the support member 40 moves downward. Therefore, the coil spring 50 absorbs the impact, releasing the force applied to the contact member 30 and the workpiece W, and the distance between the discharge port 22a of the nozzle body 20 and the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W is always kept constant.

[0057] 11(C) of the prior art, by moving the workpiece W in a direction away from the discharge port 22a of the nozzle 10, the liquid sphere 11 moves away from the discharge port 22a and is placed on the liquid application surface Wa. As a result, the liquid is applied to the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W.

[0058] In the above description, the nozzle 10 is fixed and does not move, and the workpiece W moves relative to the nozzle 10, but the workpiece W may be fixed and the nozzle 10 may be moved by a moving means such as a robot, or both the workpiece W and the nozzle 10 may be moved.

[0059] In the nozzle 10 of this embodiment, when the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W abuts against the tip surface 30a of the abutting member 30 during liquid application, the coil spring 50 contracts, thereby absorbing the impact and dissipating the force applied to the nozzle 10 including the abutting member 30 and the workpiece W. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the workpiece W or the abutting member 30 and to prevent impact from being applied to the discharge port 22a.

[0060] (Another example of the nozzle 10) Another example of the nozzle 10 is shown in Figure 5. In the embodiment of Figure 5, multiple coil springs 50A, 50B are provided as elastic bodies. The coil springs 50A, 50B do not house the support shaft 51 inside them, but are provided around the support shaft 51 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the support shaft 51. In the example of Figure 5, one coil spring 50A is provided between the support shaft 51 and the nozzle main tube 23, and one coil spring 50B is provided on the other side of the support shaft 51. In other words, two coil springs 50 are arranged along the long side of the holding member 40 when viewed from above, with the support shaft 51 sandwiched between them.

[0061] When the elastic body is composed of multiple components, the point equidistant and closest to the multiple components in a plan view is defined as the center of the elastic body, and an imaginary line passing through this center and extending along the liquid ejection direction is defined as the axis of the elastic body. The elastic body is arranged so that its axis is coaxial with the axis of the abutting member 30 along the liquid ejection direction; that is, the elastic body and the abutting member 30 are arranged on the same line along the liquid ejection direction. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the axis passing through the center point between the two coil springs 50 is on the same line as the axes of the abutting member 30 and the support shaft body 51.

[0062] A locking recess 48 for detachably locking the tip ends of coil springs 50A and 50B is formed on the lower surface of holding member 40 at a position corresponding to the arrangement position of coil spring 50. Furthermore, a locking recess 65 for detachably locking the lower ends of coil springs 50A and 50B is formed on the upper surface of nozzle holding member 60 at a position corresponding to the arrangement position of coil spring 50. By locking the ends of coil springs 50A and 50B in locking recesses 48 and 65, coil springs 50A and 50B are supported between holding member 40 and nozzle holding member 60. Because coil springs 50A and 50B are detachably attached to locking recess 48, replacement of coil spring 50 when it deteriorates is easy.

[0063] 5, for example, two coil springs 50 may be arranged on either side of the support shaft 51 in a direction along the short side of the holding member 40 as viewed from above, rather than between the support shaft 51 and the nozzle body tube 23, so as not to increase the distance between the support shaft 51 and the nozzle body tube 23. Also, three or more coil springs 50 may be arranged.

[0064] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1, so the same reference numerals are used for corresponding configurations and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0065] (Another example of the nozzle 10) FIG. 6 shows another example of the nozzle 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the coil spring 50 is positioned between the nozzle support member 60 and the retaining member 52 of the support shaft body 51. In this case, when the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W abuts against the tip surface 30a of the abutting member 30, a force (impact) is applied from the workpiece W to the abutting member 30, and the reaction force also applies a force to the workpiece W. In this embodiment, the coil spring 50 expands, thereby absorbing the impact and dissipating the force applied to the abutting member 30 and the workpiece W. Since the other configurations of the embodiment of FIG. 6 are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding configurations and their description will be omitted.

[0066] (Another example of the nozzle 10) FIG. 7 shows another example of the nozzle 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the nozzle 10 includes two sets of nozzle bodies 20A, 20B and air supply passages 71A, 71B mounted on a holding member 40. The members of each set are arranged symmetrically with respect to the abutment member 30 and the support shaft 51. A nozzle support member 60 is shared by both sets of members. Nozzle body tube holes 61A, 61B, through which the nozzle body tubes 23A, 23B pass, are formed at positions corresponding to the nozzle body tubes 23A, 23B of the nozzle bodies 20A, 20B, respectively. Air supply tube holes 63A, 63B, through which the air supply tubes 70A, 70B pass, are formed at positions corresponding to the air supply tubes 70A, 70B, respectively. The adjustment means 31 is located so as not to interfere with the nozzle bodies 20A, 20B and is not shown in FIG. 7.

[0067] According to this embodiment, one nozzle 10 is provided with one abutment member 30 and multiple nozzle bodies 20A, 20B, which reduces the installation space compared to a case where multiple nozzles 10 are provided. Furthermore, by reducing the distance between the nozzle bodies 20A, 20B in a plan view, it is possible to increase the amount of liquid applied per unit area.

[0068] The configuration of each nozzle main body 20A, 20B and other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of Fig. 1, so corresponding configurations are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof are omitted. Furthermore, the configurations belonging to each group are designated by the reference numerals with A and B added to the end. The number of nozzle main bodies 20 and groups is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided.

[0069] (Liquid ejection device 110 equipped with multiple nozzles 10) FIG. 8 shows an example of a liquid ejection device 110 in which a plurality of nozzles 10A-10C according to any of the above embodiments are mounted on a base 80. In the example of FIG. 8, three nozzles 10A-10C according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are mounted on the base 80. The base 80 may be fixed to a wall or the like (not shown) of the liquid ejection device 110, or the base 80 may be movable by a moving means such as a robot. The base 80 is plate-shaped and has mounting holes 82A-82C and through-holes 81A-81C formed therein for mounting the nozzles 10A-10C. The mounting holes 82A-82C have threads formed therein. By arranging the nozzles 10A-10C so that the upper surfaces of the nozzle holding members 60 of the nozzles 10A-10C abut against the lower surface of the base 80, the mounting holes 82A-82C communicate with the nozzle fixing holes 64 of the nozzle holding member 60. The nozzles 10A to 10C are attached to the base 80 by threading screws 83 into the mounting holes 82A to 82C and the nozzle fixing holes 64. At this time, the support shafts 51, nozzle main body tubes 23, and air supply tubes 70 of the nozzles 10A to 10C pass through the through holes 81A to 81C of the base 80. A holding member 40 is disposed above the base 80. In this embodiment, the protrusion amounts d of the abutting members 30 of the nozzles 10A to 10C relative to the discharge outlets 22a of the nozzle main bodies 20 are set to the same amount for all of the nozzles 10A to 10C. Note that the protrusion amounts d may be different for each of the nozzles 10A to 10C.

[0070] By providing multiple nozzles 10 in the liquid discharge device 110, multiple applications can be performed simultaneously on one workpiece W. As shown in Fig. 8, when the workpiece W comes into contact with the tip surfaces 30a of the contact members 30 of the nozzles 10A to 10C while slightly tilted from the horizontal, the contact members 30 of each nozzle 10 are moved by the coil springs 50 so that the contact members 30 are positioned at the same height as the part of the workpiece W that they are contacting. As a result, the distance between the discharge port 22a of the nozzle body 20 and the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W is always kept constant, and the coil springs 50 absorb impacts, allowing the force applied to the contact members 30 and the workpiece W to be released.

[0071] The application amounts of the multiple nozzles 10A to 10C may be different from one another. The application amount can be adjusted by adjusting the diameter of the discharge port 22a of the nozzle body 20 of each of the nozzles 10A to 10C, the magnitude of pressure applied to the syringe 101 (described later), the time for applying pressure to the syringe 101, etc. The protrusion amount d of the contact member 30 of each of the nozzles 10A to 10C relative to the discharge port 22a of the nozzle body 20 may be set according to the application amount. Furthermore, the multiple nozzles 10A to 10C may each discharge a different type of liquid. In this case, the protrusion amount d may be set according to the type of liquid.

[0072] (Liquid ejection device 110 equipped with liquid supply means 100) A liquid ejection device 110 according to this embodiment may include a nozzle 10 according to any of the above embodiments, a base 80 for fixing the nozzle 10, and a liquid supply means 100 for supplying liquid to the nozzle body 20 of the nozzle 10. The example of Figure 9 includes the nozzle 10 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, and the liquid supply means 100 is connected to the lower end of the nozzle body tube 23 of the nozzle body 20 of the nozzle 10.

[0073] Liquid supply means 100 includes syringe 101 that contains liquid, hollow tube 102 that connects syringe 101 and nozzle main body tube 23, pressure source 103 that is connected to syringe 101, and valve 104 such as an electronic valve that is provided between pressure source 103 and syringe 101 and turns on and off the pressure supplied from pressure source 103 to syringe 101, thereby turning on and off the supply of liquid from syringe 101 to nozzle main body 20. Syringe 101 is fixed to the same base 80 as nozzle 10, or is fixed to another member of liquid ejection device 110 so that its position relative to base 80 does not change.

[0074] The tube 102 is flexible. Flexibility refers to the property of having flexibility at room temperature and pressure, and being able to deform, such as bending, flexing, or folding, even when a force is applied, without shearing or breaking. In the example of FIG. 9, a coil tube wound in a spiral shape is used as the coil 102. The coil tube can contract and expand in the axial direction of the spiral.

[0075] During the liquid application operation, when the workpiece W descends toward the discharge port 22a of the nozzle 10 and the contact member 30 comes into contact with the liquid application surface Wa of the workpiece W, a downward force is applied from the workpiece W to the contact member 30. This downward force causes the holding member 40, including the contact member 30, to move downward, and the nozzle main body tube 23 attached to the holding member 40 also moves downward. If the tube 102 were not flexible, the nozzle main body tube 23 would not be able to move downward, and force would be applied to the nozzle main body tube 23, the nozzle tip tube 22, and the tube 102, which could damage the nozzle body 20 or the tube 102. However, in this embodiment, because the tube 102 is flexible, even if the nozzle main body tube 23 moves downward, the tube 102 deforms, preventing damage to the nozzle body 20 or the tube 102.

[0076] 10, a hollow L-shaped joint 24 is connected to the lower end of nozzle main body tube 23, and the direction of liquid flow is bent 90 degrees by L-shaped joint 24. Tube 102 connecting L-shaped joint 24 to syringe 101 is flexible. As such, because tube 102 of liquid supply means 100 is flexible, even if nozzle main body tube 23 moves downward together with L-shaped joint 24, tube 102 deforms, preventing damage to nozzle body 20 and tube 102.

[0077] The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and are merely illustrative examples. Expressions expressing the same state of things, such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "the same," "identical," "equal," and "homogeneous," not only refer to strict equality, but also to tolerances or differences to the extent that the same function is achieved. Expressions expressing triangular, rectangular, and circular shapes not only refer to shapes in the strict geometric sense, but also to shapes that include irregularities, chamfers, etc., to the extent that the same effect is achieved. Expressions such as "comprise," "include," "have," "includes," or "have" a component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the presence of other components. "Parallel" and "orthogonal" mean substantially "parallel" and "orthogonal," and include not only strict "parallel" and "orthogonal" states, but also include an error of several degrees. In addition, expressions such as "part" are sometimes used, such as "end." For example, "end" refers to a part having a certain range that includes the "end." The same applies to other expressions that include "... part." [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 nozzles 20 Nozzle body 21 Liquid supply path 22 Nozzle tip tube 22a Discharge port 23 Nozzle body tube 30 Contact member 30a Tip surface of contact member 31 Adjustment means 40 Retaining member 50 Elastic body (coil spring) 51 Support shaft 52 Anti-slip member 60 Nozzle support member 70 Air supply pipe 71 Air supply line 80 foundations 100 Liquid supply means 101 Syringe 102 tubes d Protrusion amount double work Wa Liquid application surface

Claims

1. a nozzle body having a liquid supply passage therein and a discharge port at a tip end for discharging the liquid onto a liquid application surface of a workpiece; a contact member disposed next to the tip of the nozzle body, the tip surface of which protrudes beyond the discharge port in the discharge direction of the liquid; a holding member that holds the tip end portion of the nozzle body and the abutment member; an elastic body for absorbing impact when the contact member contacts the liquid application surface of the workpiece; a nozzle support member that supports the elastic body and is movable relative to the holding member in the liquid ejection direction and in a direction opposite to the ejection direction.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic body and the contact member are provided on the same straight line along the liquid ejection direction.

3. Further provided is a support shaft body that supports the holding member, 2. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the support shaft passes through a hole formed in the nozzle support member, one end of the support shaft is connected to the holding member, and the other end is provided with a stopper member for preventing the nozzle support member from coming off the support shaft.

4. The nozzle according to claim 3 , wherein the support shaft body and the contact member are provided on the same straight line along the liquid ejection direction.

5. The support shaft has a cylindrical shape, The nozzle according to claim 3 , wherein the elastic body is a coil spring.

6. The nozzle according to claim 5 , wherein the support shaft passes through the interior of the coil spring.

7. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the rear end of the nozzle body extends through a hole formed in the nozzle support member.

8. the elastic body is a plurality of coil springs, The nozzle according to claim 5 , wherein a plurality of the coil springs are arranged around the support shaft body at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the support shaft body in a plan view.

9. The nozzle according to claim 1 , further comprising an air supply passage inside the holding member for supplying air to the discharge port of the nozzle body.

10. The nozzle according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjusting means for adjusting the amount by which the tip end surface of the contact member protrudes beyond the discharge port.

11. It has multiple nozzle bodies, The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nozzle bodies are held by the holding member.

12. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 11; a liquid supply means for supplying liquid to the nozzle body of the nozzle; The liquid ejection device includes a syringe containing liquid, a flexible tube connecting the syringe to the nozzle body, and a valve that turns on and off the supply of liquid from the syringe to the nozzle body.

13. A plurality of nozzles according to any one of claims 1 to 11; a base for fixing the plurality of nozzles.

Images