Liquid supply device and liquid discharge device

Abstract

The present invention provides an inkjet coating apparatus capable of preventing ejection defects even when using metallic paints containing glossy materials. [Solution] A liquid supply device 21 comprising a storage section 15 for storing a liquid 38 containing fine particles 38a, and a supply section 20 for supplying the liquid 38 stored in the storage section 15 to a predetermined member 2, wherein the supply section 20 has a flow path 37 through which the liquid 38 flows, a first permeable member 39 provided in the flow path 37 and having a first permeable hole through which the liquid 38 containing fine particles 38a passes, a second permeable member 40 provided downstream of the first permeable member 39 in the liquid flow direction of the flow path 37 and having a second permeable hole through which the liquid 38 passes, and a vibration-applying member 41 provided in contact with the flow path 37 sandwiched between the first permeable member 39 and the second permeable member 40 and vibrating the fine particles 38a in the flow path 37.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid supply device and a liquid ejection device.

Background Art

[0002] In automotive body painting, the air spray method of spraying atomized paint onto the vehicle body is the mainstream. In the air spray method, in addition to a large-scale painting booth for collecting the paint that is excessively discharged and scattered by means of an air current or water, a facility for treating exhaust gas and wastewater is required, which is one of the causes of carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, as an alternative to the air spray method, an automotive painting system that paints the vehicle body by an inkjet method has been proposed (see, for example, "Patent Document 1").

[0003] "Patent Document 1" discloses the configuration of an inkjet head unit and the operation of the head, and also discloses an application example to a painting robot for painting an automotive body. The operation of the inkjet head employs a valve jet method in which voltage is applied to a piezoelectric element to operate a needle, thereby ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle. The head unit of the valve jet method can be used for applications such as ink for inkjet, paint for painting, surface treatment liquid, components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements, resist pattern forming solution for electronic circuits, and material liquid for three-dimensional modeling.

[0004] Among the paints used for automotive body painting, there is also what is called a metallic paint in addition to solid colors. Metallic paint contains a brightening material of several tens of μm in the paint, and a metallic feeling and a glittery feeling can be expressed by uniformly orienting the brightening material. Known types of brightening materials contained in metallic paint include aluminum powder, mica, natural mica, artificial mica, glass powder, etc. In the technique disclosed in "Patent Document 2", a method for manufacturing a brightening material applicable to the painting of automobiles, railway vehicles, ships, aircraft, furniture, electrical appliances, sports goods, etc. has been proposed, and it is stated that the average length of the brightening material is preferably usually 20 to 250 μm.

[0005] Furthermore, a technology has been proposed in which an ink supply pipe is provided to deliver ink containing fine particles from the ink supply unit to the inkjet head, and an ultrasonic transducer is attached to the ink supply pipe (see, for example, "Patent Document 3"). In this technology, because an ultrasonic transducer is attached to the ink supply pipe, the dispersion of fine particles is promoted within the ink supply pipe when the ink containing fine particles is delivered, thereby preventing the fine particles from agglomerating and settling. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In the valve jet system disclosed in "Patent Document 2," the diameter of the ejection hole for ejecting ink is approximately 100 μm, but ejection failure occurs when the ejection hole becomes clogged with a large amount of glitter material. For example, if the flow path of the ejection hole is partially blocked, the amount of paint ejected from the nozzle decreases (reduced ejection volume), resulting in partial smudges on the painted surface. On the other hand, if the ejection hole becomes clogged with glitter material, the paint cannot be ejected from the ejection hole, resulting in smudges over a wide area of ​​the painted surface. Therefore, when using paint containing a large amount of glitter material with a conventional valve jet system head unit, ejection failures such as reduced ejection volume and clogging will occur.

[0007] Furthermore, even with the configuration disclosed in "Patent Document 3," namely by attaching an ultrasonic transducer to the ink piping path, it was difficult to prevent the occurrence of dispensing defects in metallic paints containing aggregated glossy material that cannot be dispersed by the ultrasonic transducer or glossy material of a size that cannot be pulverized by the ultrasonic transducer. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a liquid supply device that can prevent dispensing failures even when using metallic paints containing glossy materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention described in claim 1 comprises a storage unit for storing a liquid containing fine particles, and a supply unit for supplying the liquid stored in the storage unit to a predetermined member, wherein the supply unit comprises a flow path through which the liquid flows, a first permeable member provided in the flow path and having permeable holes for the liquid containing the fine particles, a second permeable member provided downstream of the first permeable member in the flow direction of the liquid in the flow path and having permeable holes for the liquid containing the fine particles, and a vibration-applying member provided in contact with the flow path sandwiched between the first permeable member and the second permeable member and applying vibration to the fine particles in the flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, larger particles are destroyed when the particles come into contact with each other or collide with each permeable member, thus preventing the supply of particles larger than a certain size. This provides a liquid supply device that can prevent dispensing failures even when using paint containing particles as a liquid. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a liquid dispensing unit used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a liquid supply device and liquid discharge unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of the control unit for one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the drive voltage generation unit. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the head in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of a supply unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram comparing the behavior of a glossy material in the first embodiment of the present invention with that of the prior art. [Figure 8]A schematic diagram for explaining the first through-hole of the first filter used in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram of a supply unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram of a supply unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] A schematic diagram of a supply unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram of a supply unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] A schematic front view of another liquid ejection device provided with a liquid ejection head according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] A schematic plan view for explaining a liquid ejection unit of another liquid ejection device provided with a liquid ejection head according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] A schematic plan view of still another liquid ejection device provided with a liquid ejection head according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] A schematic side view of still another liquid ejection device provided with a liquid ejection head according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] A schematic plan view for explaining a liquid ejection unit of still another liquid ejection device provided with a liquid ejection head according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] A schematic front view for explaining another liquid ejection unit of still another liquid ejection device provided with a liquid droplet ejection head according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] A schematic front view of a manufacturing device for an electrode, which is still another liquid ejection device provided with a liquid ejection head according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] A schematic diagram showing a coating device, which is an example of a liquid ejection device to which the present invention is applicable. [Figure 21] A schematic diagram showing another example of a coating device to which the present invention is applicable. [Figure 22] A schematic diagram showing another example of a coating device to which the present invention is applicable.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a liquid ejection unit used in one embodiment of the present invention. The inkjet head unit 1 (hereinafter referred to as the head unit 1), which is a liquid ejection unit, is composed of an inkjet head 2 (hereinafter referred to as the head 2) as a liquid ejection part and a drive control part 3 for controlling the drive of the head 2. The head 2 includes a housing 4 formed in a hollow shape and a nozzle plate 5 provided at the lower end of the housing 4. The nozzle plate 5 has a plurality of nozzles 7 for ejecting ink 6 which is a liquid.

[0012] An injection port 8 for injecting the ink 6 and a discharge port 9 for discharging the ink 6 are formed on the lower side surface of the housing 4. The ink 6 injected from the injection port 8 is sent to a liquid chamber 10 inside the housing 4, and the ink 6 that has not been ejected from the nozzles 7 among the ink 6 sent to the liquid chamber 10 is discharged to the outside of the housing 4 from the discharge port 9. The liquid chamber 10 is formed by a space between the nozzle plate 5 and a sealing member 11 provided inside the housing 4. A needle valve 12 which is a valve body is provided inside the liquid chamber 10, and a valve member 13 facing the nozzle 7 is fixed to the tip end on the lower end side of the housing 4 where the nozzle plate 5 of the needle valve 12 is provided. The valve member 13 is made of an elastic body such as rubber, for example. By providing the valve member 13, the adhesion to the nozzle 7 is improved, and the nozzle 7 can be closed more reliably. Note that the configuration of the needle valve 12 is not limited to this, and the nozzle 7 may be directly closed by the tip end of the needle valve 12 without providing the valve member 13. The sealing member 11 is made of, for example, an O-ring and is fitted onto the needle valve 12 to seal the gap between the inner surface of the housing 4 and the outer peripheral surface of the needle valve 12. With this configuration, the sealing member 11 prevents the ink 6 in the liquid chamber 10 from flowing into the piezoelectric element 14 side which is an example of a driving body.

[0013] The piezoelectric element 14 is positioned in a space formed above the liquid chamber 10, separated by the sealing member 11, and moves the needle valve 12 between a position that closes the nozzle 7 and a position that opens the nozzle 7, according to the drive waveform, which is a drive signal from the drive control unit 3. In the position that closes the nozzle 7, the valve member 13 is in contact with the nozzle plate 5, and in the position that opens the nozzle 7, the valve member 13 is separated from the nozzle plate 5. In the case where the valve member 13 is not provided, the needle valve 12 is in contact with the nozzle plate 5 in the position that closes the nozzle 7, and the needle valve 12 is separated from the nozzle plate 5 in the position that opens the nozzle 7. The piezoelectric element 14 is a piezoelectric element, formed using zirconia ceramics or the like, and its shape and other characteristics are appropriately set according to the amount of ink droplets to be ejected. The drive control unit 3 is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 14 and controls the driving of the piezoelectric element 14.

[0014] Next, the pressurizing mechanism that supplies ink 6 to the head 2 under pressure and the drive mechanism that drives the head 2 will be described using Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the pressurizing mechanism and drive mechanism, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system for the pressurizing mechanism and drive mechanism of the head unit 1, and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the drive voltage generation unit. In Figure 2, the ink 6 used in the print head 2 is contained in a sealed storage tank 15, and the tank 15 and the ink inlet 8 of the print head 2 are connected by a tube 16 that forms a flow path.

[0015] The tank 15 is also connected to the compressor 19 via a pipe 18 that includes an air regulator 17. The air regulator 17 adjusts the pressure of the compressed air generated by the compressor 19 to the required pressure and supplies pressurized air from the compressor 19 to the tank 15. As a result, pressurized ink 6 is supplied to the inlet 8 of the head 2, and the ink 6 is discharged from the nozzle 7, which opens and closes in accordance with the movement of the valve member 13. Here, the tube 16, air regulator 17, pipe 18, and compressor 19 function as a supply unit 20 that supplies pressurized ink 6 to the liquid chamber 10, and the configuration of the supply unit 20 plus the tank 15 functions as a liquid supply device 21.

[0016] In Figure 2, the upper part of the housing 4 is attached to the head holding member 22. The head holding member 22 is equipped with a drive device 23, and by driving the drive device 23, the head holding seat 22 is configured to move along the rail member 24 in the left-right direction in Figure 2. As the head holding member 22 moves, the head 2 also moves along the rail member 24 in the left-right direction. The head holding member 22, the drive unit 23, and the rail member 24 function as a head moving mechanism 25 that moves the head 2 relative to the object to be discharged. In the head moving mechanism 25, the drive unit 23 and the rail member 24 can be well-known configurations such as a feed screw mechanism using a ball screw, a feed mechanism using a rack and pinion, or a feed mechanism using a drive transmission belt and pulley. The head moving mechanism 25 is not limited to these configurations; for example, the head holding member 22 may be attached to the robot arm of a multi-joint robot, allowing the head 2 to move freely relative to the object to be discharged.

[0017] A tube 26 is connected to the discharge port 9 to send the discharged ink 6 to the outside, and a drain valve 27 is provided on the tube 26 to restrict the flow of ink 6 inside. The drain valve 27 is kept open for a predetermined time from the start of ink filling, for example, when filling the head 2 with ink 6, as air may be present in the tube 16 and liquid chamber 10 in the initial stage. After the predetermined time has elapsed and the air in the tube 16 and liquid chamber 10 has been removed, the drain valve 27 is closed and the ink ejection operation of the ink 6 starts thereafter. As a result, the pressure applied by the supply unit 20 is less likely to escape to the outside during the ink ejection operation, and the load on the supply unit 20 can be reduced.

[0018] The ink 6 pathway may also be configured to return the ink 6 discharged from the discharge port 9 back to the injection port 8, circulating and supplying the ink 6 to the liquid chamber 10. In the case of a so-called flow-through head configuration in which the ejection operation is performed while circulating the ink, it is not necessarily required to close the drain valve 27 after the predetermined time has elapsed as described above, and the head may also be configured without a drain valve 27. In the configuration described above, one tank 15 is connected to one head 2. However, it is also possible to connect multiple tanks 15 to one head 2 and use multiple types of ink 6 with one head 2. In that case, for example, multiple tanks 15 containing different colored inks 6 and a cleaning solution tank containing cleaning solution are connected to a tube 16, and the tube 16 is provided with a valve similar to the drain valve 27. Then, each time the ink 6 to be used is changed, the valve is operated to switch each tank 15 and the cleaning solution tank so that cleaning solution is sent into the liquid chamber 10 to clean the tubes 16, 26 and the liquid chamber 10, and then the ink 6 to be used is sent into the liquid chamber 10.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the head unit 1, the supply unit 20, the head moving mechanism 25, and the drain valve 27 are electrically connected to the control unit 28. The control unit 28 may, for example, control the overall operation of the coating apparatus described later, and additional components may be added as needed in addition to the components shown in Figure 3. The control unit 28 transmits, for example, an ink ejection cycle signal based on image data to the drive control unit 3, and receives status information of the head 2 via the drive control unit 3. The control unit 28 also transmits a switching signal to the supply unit 20 to switch the pressurization on and off, and transmits a signal to the head movement mechanism 25 to move the head 2. Furthermore, the control unit 28 transmits an opening / closing signal to the drain valve 27 to restrict the discharge of ink 6.

[0020] The head unit 1 comprises a head 2, a drive control unit 3, and a storage unit 29. The drive control unit 3 comprises an input unit 30, a drive voltage generation unit 31, an amplification unit 32, and an output unit 33. The functions of these components are realized by electrical circuits, and some of these functions can also be realized by software (CPU). Furthermore, these functions may be realized by multiple circuits or multiple software programs. The input unit 30 receives an ink ejection cycle signal and the like based on image data from the control unit 28. The drive voltage generation unit 31 generates a drive voltage to drive the piezoelectric element 14 according to the information such as the ink ejection signal received by the input unit 30. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the drive voltage generation unit 31 has an open-circuit voltage correction unit 34 and an open-circuit time correction unit 35, and generates the drive voltage using these. The open-circuit voltage correction unit 34 is an example of an open-circuit voltage correction means, and the open-circuit time correction unit 35 is an example of an open-circuit time correction means.

[0021] The amplification unit 32 amplifies the drive voltage generated by the drive voltage generation unit 31 and outputs the amplified signal to the output unit 33. The output unit 33 applies the drive voltage to the head 2 (piezoelectric element 14) based on the signal amplified by the amplification unit 32. The memory unit 29 is an example of a storage means and stores information on the open-circuit voltage of the needle valve 12, the ejection speed of the ink 6, and the ejection amount. The drive control unit 3 stores various data in the memory unit 29 and reads various data from the memory unit 29. The memory unit 29 may be connected to the drive control unit 3, or it may be connected to the control unit 28 as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3.

[0022] A computer 36 is connected to the control unit 28. The computer 36 receives instructions from the user via input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and outputs signals corresponding to the received instructions to the control unit 28. The computer 36 receives various signals from the control unit 28 and outputs information corresponding to the received signals to output devices such as a display or touch panel. As described above, the drive control unit 3 generates a drive voltage (drive waveform) based on the ink ejection cycle signal received from the control unit 28, and drives the head 2 using the generated drive voltage. The head 2 opens and closes the nozzle 7 in accordance with the drive voltage from the drive control unit 3 to eject ink.

[0023] The supply unit 20 switches the compressor 19 (or air regulator 17) on and off based on a switching signal received from the control unit 28, switching between a pressurized state and an unpressurized state for the ink 6 supplied to the liquid chamber 10. The head movement mechanism 25 drives the drive unit 23 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined distance based on a movement signal received from the control unit 28, and moves the head 2 to the desired position via the head holding member 22. The drain valve 27 regulates the discharge of ink 6 based on the drain valve open / close signal received from the control unit 28.

[0024] Next, the operation of head 2 will be explained using Figures 1 and 5. When the drive control unit 3 applies a closing voltage to the piezoelectric element 14 to close the nozzle 7, as shown in Figure 1, the valve member 13 is in contact with the nozzle plate 5, and the nozzle 7 is closed by the valve member 13. Therefore, the ink 6 in the liquid chamber 10 is not ejected from the nozzle 7. When an open-circuit voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 14 to open the nozzle 7, the piezoelectric element 14 contracts, as shown in Figure 5, causing the needle valve 12 to move upward. The movement of the needle valve 12 moves the valve member 13 to a position away from the nozzle plate 5, and a gap G is formed between the lower end of the valve member 13 and the nozzle 7. Since the ink 6 in the liquid chamber 10 is supplied under pressure at a predetermined pressure by the supply unit 20, the ink 6 in the liquid chamber 10 is ejected from the nozzle 7 as ink droplets 6a as the gap G is formed. In this manner, when a drive voltage (closing voltage and opening voltage) is applied to the piezoelectric element 14 from the drive control unit 3, the valve member 13 moves between a position in contact with the nozzle plate 5 and a position separated from the nozzle plate 5, and the valve member 13 opens and closes the nozzle 7.

[0025] Next, the features of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 shows a tube 37 used in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the tube 37 is used in place of the tube 16 in the configuration described above. In Figure 6, the tube 37 that constitutes the flow path is connected at the left end of the figure to the tank 15 and at the right end of the figure to the inlet 8. The tank 15 contains metallic paint 38 (hereinafter referred to as paint 38), which is a liquid containing fine particles, more specifically inorganic fine particles of a glossy material 38a, instead of ink 6, and the paint 38 flows in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 6.

[0026] In the tube 37, a first filter 39 having a first permeable hole, which is a first permeable member, and a second filter 40 having a second permeable hole, are positioned to restrict the flow of the paint 38. In the flow direction of the paint 38, the first filter 39 is positioned on the upstream side, and the second filter 40 is positioned on the downstream side. The size of the first through-hole in the first filter 39 is larger than the size of the second through-hole in the second filter 40, and the size of the first through-hole is set to be large enough for the largest size of the luminous material 38a to pass through. Here, the maximum size of the luminous material 38a is the circumscribed circle if the shape is circular, but if it is an irregular shape, it is the major axis when the object is represented by a major axis and a minor axis when viewed in two dimensions. The size of the second permeable hole in the second filter 40 is set to a size that prevents the luminous material 38a of a certain size or larger from passing through. The reason why the second filter 40 is configured in such a way that luminous material 38a of a certain size or larger cannot pass through is that if large pieces of luminous material 38a enter or clog the nozzle 7, it can cause discharge problems.

[0027] The first filter 39 and the second filter 40 are wire mesh filters. In the case of plain weave, the mesh represents the number of openings per 25.4 mm (1 inch), but the size of the permeable holes is determined by the wire diameter and the mesh size, and the permeable hole size is 25.4 mm / (mesh size - wire diameter (mm)). In the present embodiment, when the size of the first through-hole of the first filter 39 is a μm, the size of the second through-hole of the second filter 40 is b μm, and the maximum size of the phosphor 38a is c μm, it is configured to satisfy the relationship of b < c < a. For example, when the maximum size of the phosphor 38a is 100 μm, the size of the first through-hole of the first filter 39 is 100 mesh (154 μm), and the size of the second through-hole of the second filter 40 is 180 mesh (91 μm).

[0028] Here, the phosphor 38a with a maximum size of 100 μm is denoted as phosphor 38a1, the phosphor 38a with a size less than 91 μm that can pass through the second through-hole is denoted as phosphor 38a2, and the phosphor 38a with a size of 91 μm or more that is less than 100 μm and cannot pass through the second through-hole is denoted as phosphor 38a3, as shown in FIG. 6 respectively. According to this configuration, the phosphor 38a1 with a size of 100 μm passes through the first filter 39 but cannot pass through the second filter 40, so the flow is restricted by the second filter 40 and remains in the region between the filters 39 and 40 in the tube 37. Then, the phosphor 38a2 with a size less than the maximum size of 100 μm and that can pass through the second through-hole of 91 μm passes through the second filter 40 and is sent to the injection port 8. And at the position where the tube 37 in the region between the filters 39 and 40 is in contact, an ultrasonic vibrator 41, which is a vibration-applying member, is arranged. The ultrasonic vibrator 41 applies vibration to the phosphor 38a, whereby the phosphors 38a that remain in the region between the filters 39 and 40 and are restricted in movement come into contact with each other, or the phosphor 38a collides with the filters 39 and 40. Due to this contact or collision, the large phosphor 38a is gradually broken, and when the phosphor 38a becomes a size that can pass through the second filter 40, it is conveyed to the injection port 8.

[0029] With the above configuration, large pieces of luminous material 38a are destroyed when they come into contact with each other or collide with each filter 39, 40, thus preventing luminous material 38a larger than a certain size from being supplied to the head 2. This provides a liquid supply device 21 that can prevent discharge failures even when using metallic paint 38 containing luminous material 38a as a liquid. In the configuration shown in Figure 6, an example is shown in which the ultrasonic transducer 41 is placed below the tube 37. However, it may also be configured to be placed above the tube 37, or to be placed vertically to apply ultrasonic vibrations in a way that changes the phase between the upper and lower parts of the tube. When the ultrasonic transducer 41 is placed vertically, it is necessary to configure it so that the ultrasound does not resonate. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the timing for activating the ultrasonic transducer 41 may be either while the paint 38 in the tube 37 is being supplied to the head 2 or while the supply is stopped. When the paint is being supplied, the flow of the paint 38 makes it easier for the luminous material 38a to align in orientation, thus making it easier for the luminous material 38a to collide with the second filter 40. On the other hand, when the supply is stopped, the orientation of the luminous material 38a is random, making it easier for the luminous material 38a to collide with each other.

[0030] Here, we will explain the differences between the present invention and the prior art disclosed in "Patent Document 3," which is the prior art mentioned above. Figure 7(a) is a conceptual diagram showing the behavior of a luminous material in the prior art, and Figure 7(b) is a conceptual diagram showing the behavior of the luminous material 38a in the present invention. In Figure 7(a), an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the ink piping path, and a filter equivalent to the second filter 40 in the present invention is positioned downstream in the paint flow direction. When ultrasonic vibration is applied to the paint in this configuration, the luminescent material moves along the direction in which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted, that is, along the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 7(a). Since there is no filter on the upstream side to restrict the movement of the luminescent material, the luminescent material moves as indicated by the arrow, and the probability of the luminescent material coming into contact with each other is low. It is conceivable that the luminescent material moving downstream may come into contact with the filter, but if the size of the permeable holes in the filter in this configuration is not large enough for the luminescent material to pass through, the filter will become clogged, and the luminescent material that has moved downstream will pass through the filter.

[0031] In contrast, the configuration of the present invention applies ultrasonic vibrations to the luminous material 38a in the region between each filter 39, 40. Here, the luminous material 38a moves along the direction in which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted, as in the conventional configuration. However, in the configuration of the present invention, the moving luminous material 38a moves randomly as it comes into contact with each filter 39, 40, thus increasing the probability of the luminous material 38a coming into contact with each other. Furthermore, the random movement of the luminous material 38a also increases the probability of the luminous material 38a coming into contact with each filter 39, 40. Thus, in the configuration of the present invention, by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the region of the tube 37 separated by the two filters 39, 40, large pieces of luminous material 38a can be destroyed and large pieces of luminous material that cause discharge problems can be removed.

[0032] If the size of the luminous material 38a that passes through the second filter 40 is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle 7 (c μm), the luminous material 38a that has passed through the second filter 40 will not clog the nozzle 7. For this reason, the size of the second permeable hole of the second filter 40 (b μm) is made smaller than the diameter of the nozzle 7 (c μm). For example, if the diameter of the nozzle 7 is 150 μm, setting the size of the second permeable hole of the second filter 40 to 91 μm will prevent the supply of luminous material 38a with a size that would cause dispensing failure to the head unit 1. Since it is conceivable that the elongated luminous material 38a passes through the through-hole in an inclined state, when selecting the first filter 39, the size of the first through-hole may be set by the diagonal length. In FIG. 8, since the diagonal length a1 of the first through-hole 39a is √2 times the size a, it is set in the relationship of b < c < a×√2. The same applies to the second filter 40. When the size of the second through-hole of the second filter 40 is 250 mesh (62 μm), the diagonal length of the second through-hole is 87 μm, and it is possible to prevent the elongated luminous material 38a having a size of 88 μm or more from passing through.

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, similar to FIG. 6, the luminous material 38a having a maximum size of 100 μm is defined as the luminous material 38a1, the luminous material 38a having a size of less than 91 μm that can pass through the second through-hole is defined as the luminous material 38a2, and the luminous material 38a having a size of 91 μm or more that is less than 100 μm and cannot pass through the second through-hole is defined as the luminous material 38a3. This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the ultrasonic vibrator 41 is disposed directly below the second filter 40, that is, at a position where ultrasonic vibration is propagated to the second filter 40. In the configuration shown in the first embodiment, depending on the relationship between the size of the second through-hole and the size of the luminous material 38a, there may be a state where the second filter 40 is clogged by the luminous material 38a, or a state where the amount of the luminous material 38a remaining in the region between the filters 39 and 40 increases. That is, it is conceivable that the luminous material 38a3 having a size of 91 μm or more and less than 100 μm clogs the second filter 40, or the number of the luminous material 38a3 and the luminous material 38a1 increases according to the flow rate of the paint 38. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ultrasonic vibrator 41 is disposed directly below the second filter 40, vibration can be applied to the second filter 40 to shake off the luminous material 38a1 and the luminous material 38a3 clogged in the second through-hole, and the luminous material 38a1 and the luminous material 38a3 are likely to be broken by contacting the second filter 40. Thereby, the occurrence of clogging of the second filter 40 can be suppressed as compared with the first embodiment, and the fluidity of the paint 38 can be improved. Furthermore, the position of the ultrasonic transducer 41 is not limited to directly below the second filter 40; it may be placed anywhere as long as ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the second filter 40.

[0034] Figure 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. If there is sufficient space in the supply unit 20, it is also effective to increase the number of filters, which are permeable members, to divide the tube 37 into smaller sections. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a third filter 42, which is a third permeable member, on the upstream side of the first filter 39 in the paint flow direction, and a second vibration-applying member, an ultrasonic transducer 43, which is positioned in contact with the tube 37 sandwiched between the third filter 42 and the first filter 39. The third filter 42 and the first filter 39, located upstream in the paint flow direction, each have permeable holes large enough to allow the largest size of the luminous material 38a1 to pass through. For example, if the maximum size of the luminous material 38a is 100 μm, the size of the third permeable hole in the third filter 42 is set to 100 mesh (154 μm), the size of the first permeable hole is set to 120 mesh (132 μm), and the size of the second permeable hole is set to 180 mesh (91 μm). As a result, luminous material 38a with a maximum size of less than 100 μm that can pass through the second permeable hole is sent to the injection port 8.

[0035] The luminous material 38a, with a maximum size of 100 μm, passes through the third filter 42 and then moves into the region between the filters 42 and 39 in the tube 37. Next, the luminous material 38a passes through the first filter 39 and then moves into the region between the filters 39 and 40, but remains within this region because it cannot pass through the second filter 40. In this embodiment, ultrasonic transducers 41 and 43 are placed in the regions between filters 42 and 39 and between filters 39 and 40, respectively. As a result, the luminous materials 38a are more likely to come into contact with each other or collide with the third filter 42 or the first filter 43. This causes the larger luminous materials 38a to be gradually destroyed, and when the size of the luminous material 38a becomes luminous material 38a2, which is small enough to pass through the second filter 40, it is sent to the injection port 8. This configuration allows for the dispersion of the density of the luminous material 38a by arranging the third filter 42, thereby improving the fluidity of the paint 38. Furthermore, by varying the frequencies output by each ultrasonic transducer 41 and 43, the behavior of the luminous material 38a can be altered in the regions between filters 42 and 39 and between filters 39 and 40, thereby accelerating the breakdown of the luminous material.

[0036] Figure 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses a tube 44 as a flow path instead of tube 37. In the first and second embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer 41, which is a vibration-applying member, is attached to a linearly formed tube 37. In this configuration, since ultrasound propagates by acoustic vibration, the wavelength is calculated as sound speed / frequency. For example, if the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 41 is 30 kHz and the sound speed in the paint 38 is 1500 m / s, the wavelength is 1500 / 30 = 50 mm.

[0037] If the pipe is narrow and the paint 38 is vibrated at a long frequency, it is conceivable that the vibration will not be effectively propagated. For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, an ultrasonic transducer 41 is attached to a bent channel. The tube 44 has a first filter 39 and a second filter 40 arranged in its channel, and a bent portion 44a is formed in the region between the filters 39 and 40. The ultrasonic transducer 41 is positioned below the tube 44 corresponding to the bent portion 44a. This configuration makes it possible to apply ultrasonic vibrations, as indicated by arrow B, within the path having a bend 44a, even if the piping is narrow and the ultrasonic period is long. As a result, vibrations are effectively propagated to the luminous material 38a, and the destruction of the luminous material 38a can be accelerated.

[0038] Figure 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a vibrating member 45 in the paint 38. The vibrating member 45 is provided in the region between the filters 39 and 40 inside the tube 37. Here, when the first filter 39 is 100 mesh (154 μm) and the second filter 40 is 180 mesh (91 μm), the size of the vibrating member 45 is 200 μm. Since the size of the vibrating member 45 is such that it does not pass through the filters 39 and 40, the vibrating member 45 remains in the region between the filters 39 and 40. When vibration is applied from this state by the ultrasonic transducer 41, the luminous material 38a and the vibrating member 45 vibrate and collide, destroying the luminous material 38a. In this configuration, the vibrating member 45 and the luminous material 38a collide, causing the luminous material 38a to break, thus accelerating its destruction. Furthermore, because the size of the vibrating member 45 is larger than the size of each perforation hole in each filter 39, 40, the vibrating member 45 remains in the region between each filter 39, 40, further accelerating the destruction of the luminous material 38a.

[0039] In the fifth embodiment, the timing for vibrating the ultrasonic transducer 41 is the same as in the first embodiment, and can be either while the paint 38 is being supplied to the head 2 or while the supply has been stopped. However, since the position of the vibrating member 45 changes due to the fluid state of the paint 38, it is preferable to vibrate it while the supply has been stopped. The vibrating member 45 can be made from aggregated materials of the bright material 38a, such as silica, mica, or aluminum, or from plastic materials. If the specific gravity of the vibrating member 45 is less than the specific gravity of the paint 38, it will float, so it is preferable that the specific gravity of the vibrating member 45 is greater than the specific gravity of the paint 38. Furthermore, if the hardness of the vibrating member 45 is made higher than the hardness of the bright material 38a, the effect of destroying the bright material 38a when it comes into contact with the bright material 38a can be enhanced.

[0040] The ultrasonic transducers 41 and 43 used as vibration-impregnating members in each of the above embodiments are not particularly limited as long as they can transmit ultrasonic waves to the paint 38, and commercially available ultrasonic generators can be used. The frequency of the ultrasonic waves output by the ultrasonic transducers 41 and 43 is not particularly limited as long as it is within a range in which vibration can be impregnated to the glossy material 38a, but is usually preferably in the range of 15kHz to 3MHz, and particularly preferably in the range of 30kHz to 100kHz. It is also possible to use other configurations that can impregnate the glossy material 38a with vibration instead of ultrasonic transducers as vibration-impregnating members. Furthermore, by making the output frequency variable, it becomes possible to set the optimal frequency even if the type (density or hardness) of the bright material 38a or the flow path is changed, thereby providing the optimal vibration. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a metallic paint containing a brightening agent 38a, which is an inorganic fine particle, was used as the paint 38. However, the liquid applicable to the present invention is not limited to this, and any liquid containing fine particles may be used.

[0041] Next, other liquid dispensing devices equipped with the supply unit 20 described above will be explained. The liquid dispensing devices of the present invention include, as an example of a coating device for applying liquid, a painting robot for painting the body of an automobile. The painting robot will be explained below. Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a painting robot, which is an example of a liquid dispensing device to which the present invention can be applied. In Figure 20, the painting robot 50 is installed on an object to be painted 51, such as the side of an automobile body. The painting robot 50 includes a base 52, a first arm 53 connected to the base 52, a second arm 54 connected to the first arm 53, and an end effector 55 connected to the second arm 54. The painting robot 50 also includes a first joint 56 connecting the base 52 and the first arm 53, a second joint 57 connecting the first arm 53 and the second arm 54, and a third joint 58 connecting the second arm 54 and the end effector 55.

[0042] The painting robot 50 is an articulated robot. When the X, Y, and Z directions are as shown in Figure 20, the base 52 is rotatable in the direction of arrow a with respect to the Z axis. The base 52 also supports one end of the first arm 53 via the first joint 56, and the first arm 53 is rotatable in the direction of arrow b with respect to the X axis. The other end of the first arm 53 supports one end of the second arm 54 via the second joint 57, and the second arm 54 is rotatable in the direction of arrow c with respect to the X axis. The second arm 54 also has a rotation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis in the direction of arrow c, and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow d. The other end of the second arm 54 supports the end effector 55 via the third joint 58, and the end effector 55 is rotatable in the direction of arrow e with respect to the X axis. The end effector 55 also has a rotation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis in the direction of arrow e, and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow f.

[0043] The painting robot 50 can freely displace the end effector 55 relative to the object to be painted 51, and accurately position the head 2 attached to the end effector 55 at the painting position corresponding to the area to be painted on the object to be painted 51. Once positioned at the painting position, the head 2 discharges paint, which is an example of a liquid, toward the object to be painted 51 to paint it. The supply unit 20 described above is connected to the head 2, and paint is supplied from the supply unit 20. If the paint contains gloss material larger than the discharge port, nozzle clogging may occur. With this configuration, even if the paint contains gloss material larger than a certain size, the supply unit 20 can reduce the occurrence of nozzle clogging in the head 2. In this example, a configuration is shown in which one painting robot 50 is placed on each side of the object to be painted 51. However, the arrangement of the painting robots 50 is not limited to this, and the number of painting robots 50 can be appropriately selected considering the painting area of ​​the object to be painted 51, work efficiency, etc., and may be one or three or more. Furthermore, the object to be painted 51 is not limited to automobiles, but can be applied to vehicles other than automobiles, such as aircraft fuselages, ship hulls, and railway car bodies. Also, the painting robot 50 is not limited to a stationary robot, but may be configured to move by remote control or autonomous driving. In the case of a mobile robot, the object to be painted 51 is not limited to vehicles, and can be applied to painting the exterior walls of buildings or road markings (pedestrian crossings, stop lines, speed limits, etc.).

[0044] Next, we will describe yet another liquid dispensing device equipped with the supply unit 20 described above. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the printing apparatus 500, which is a liquid ejection device, includes an incoming means 501 for loading the continuous body 510, which is the recording medium, and a guiding and transporting means 503 for guiding and transporting the continuous body 510 loaded by the incoming means 501 toward the printing means 505. The printing apparatus 500 also includes a printing means 505 that performs a printing operation to form an image by ejecting droplets onto the continuous body 510, a drying means 507 for drying the continuous body 510 to which the droplets have adhered, and an outgoing means 509 for outgoing the continuous body 510. The continuous material 510 is fed out from the main winding roller 511 of the loading means 501, guided and transported by rollers of the loading means 501, the guiding and transporting means 503, the drying means 507, and the unloading means 509, and then wound onto the winding roller 591 of the unloading means 509. In the printing means 505, the continuous material 510 is transported on the transport guide member 559, facing the head unit 550, which is a liquid discharge unit, and an image is printed by droplets discharged from the head unit 550.

[0045] The printing apparatus 500 is equipped with a head unit 550 and liquid ejection units 100A and 100B, each of which is mounted on a common base member 552. Each liquid ejection unit 100A and 100B is connected to a supply unit 20 that supplies liquid to each liquid ejection unit. If the liquid contains fine particles, and the liquid is sent to each liquid ejection unit 100A and 100B as is, nozzle clogging may occur due to the fine particles. With this configuration, the supply unit 20 can crush the particles contained in the liquid before supplying them to the liquid ejection units 100A and 100B, thereby reducing the occurrence of nozzle clogging. Each liquid dispensing unit 100A and 100B, when the direction in which the liquid dispensing heads 2 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the continuum transport direction is defined as the head arrangement direction, will dispense droplets of the same color from the head row 2A1 and 2A2 of liquid dispensing unit 100A. Similarly, the head row 2B1 and 2B2 of liquid dispensing unit 100A, the head row 2C1 and 2C2 of liquid dispensing unit 100B, and the head row 2D1 and 2D2 of liquid dispensing unit 100B will dispense liquids of the desired color, respectively.

[0046] Next, yet another example of a printing apparatus which is a liquid dispensing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. The printing apparatus 400, as a liquid ejection device, is a serial type printing apparatus, and the carriage 403 reciprocates in the main scanning direction by the main scanning movement mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, etc. The guide member 401 is stretched across the left and right side plates 491A and 491B, and holds the carriage 403 in a movable position. The carriage 403 reciprocates in the main scanning direction by receiving the driving force of the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 stretched between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

[0047] The carriage 403 is equipped with a liquid discharge unit 440 which integrally includes a head 2 and a head tank 441. The head 2 discharges a liquid containing inorganic fine particles, such as a white liquid containing fine particles of white titanium dioxide. The head 2 is mounted with a nozzle row consisting of multiple nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and with the liquid discharge direction facing downwards. A supply unit 20 is connected to the head 2 to supply liquid of each color to the head 2. The supply unit 20 crushes the particles contained in the ink before supplying it, thereby reducing the occurrence of nozzle clogging.

[0048] The printing apparatus 400 is equipped with a transport mechanism 495 for transporting the paper 410, which is the recording medium. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412, which is a transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 that drives the transport belt 412. The transport belt 412, which is an endless belt, is stretched between a transport roller 413 and a tension roller 414, and is used to pick up the paper 410 and transport it to a position facing the head 2. Pickup is performed by electrostatic attraction or air suction, etc. The transport belt 412 is moved in a circular motion in the sub-scanning direction by the driving force of the sub-scanning motor 416 being transmitted via a timing belt 417 and a timing pulley 418.

[0049] A maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 for maintaining and recovering the head 2 is positioned on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, and to the side of the transport belt 412. The maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 consists of, for example, a cap member 421 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 2, and a wiper member 422 that wipes the nozzle surface. The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the maintenance and recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are mounted on a housing that includes side plates 491A, 491B, and a back plate 491C. In the printing apparatus 400 with the above configuration, the paper 410 is held in place by the transport belt 412, and the paper 410 is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the transport belt 412. At this time, the carriage 403 is moved in the main scanning direction, and the head 2 is driven according to the image signal, thereby ejecting liquid onto the stationary paper 410 to form an image.

[0050] Next, the liquid dispensing unit 440 described above will be explained based on Figure 17. The liquid ejection unit 440 is composed of a housing portion consisting of side plates 491A, 491B and a back plate 491C, which are components of the printing apparatus 400, which is a liquid ejection device, as well as the main scanning movement mechanism 493, carriage 403, head 2, etc. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure a liquid dispensing unit in which the maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 described above is further attached to, for example, the side plate 491B of the liquid dispensing unit 440.

[0051] Next, another example of a liquid dispensing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 18. The liquid discharge unit 450 shown in Figure 18 has a head 2 to which a flow path component 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444. The flow path component 444 is located inside a cover 442, and a connector 443 for electrical connection with the head 2 is provided on the upper part of the flow path component 444. A configuration including a head tank 441 instead of the flow path component 444 is also possible. In the liquid ejection units 100A, 100B, 440, 450, 550, and the printing devices 400, 500, which are liquid ejection devices, including the head 2 described above, the same effects as those of the head 2 described above, i.e., the effects of the supply unit 20, can be obtained.

[0052] In the present invention, the liquid used can be any liquid having viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be discharged from a liquid discharge head, and its properties are not particularly limited. More specifically, it can be a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a fine particle of an inorganic material such as a metal or ceramic particle, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a functional material such as a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids or proteins, or calcium, an edible material such as a natural pigment, or a solution, suspension or emulsion containing these. These can be used not only as paints for coating, but also in applications such as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, and three-dimensional molding material liquids.

[0053] The "liquid dispensing unit (head)" can be a valve-operated liquid dispensing head that dispenses liquid by opening and closing the nozzle with the needle valve described above, but other types of liquid dispensing heads may also be used. A "liquid discharge unit" is an integrated unit of functional components and mechanisms, such as a supply unit that supplies liquid to the head, and includes an assembly of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, a "liquid discharge unit" may include a combination of a liquid discharge head with at least one of the following components: a head tank, carriage, supply mechanism, maintenance and recovery mechanism, main scanning movement mechanism, and liquid circulation device. Here, integration includes, for example, cases where the head and functional parts or mechanisms are fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engaging, etc., or where one is held movably relative to the other. The head and functional parts or mechanisms may also be detachable from each other.

[0054] Liquid dispensing units can be configured with an integrated head and head tank, or with the two integrated by being connected via tubing or similar means. It is also possible to add a supply unit, including a filter, between the head and head tank of these liquid dispensing units. Furthermore, liquid dispensing units include those in which the head and carriage are integrated, and those in which the head, carriage, and main scanning movement mechanism are integrated. Additionally, liquid dispensing units may have the head movably held by a guide member that constitutes part of the scanning movement mechanism, with the head and scanning movement mechanism being integrated.

[0055] Some liquid discharge units integrate the head, carriage, and maintenance / recovery mechanism by fixing a cap component, which is part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism, to a carriage to which the head is attached. Other liquid discharge units integrate the head and supply mechanism by connecting a tube to a head to which a head tank or flow path component is attached. Liquid from a liquid storage source is supplied to the head via this tube. The main scanning movement mechanism shall include the guide member alone. The supply mechanism shall include the tube alone and the loading section alone.

[0056] In this invention, the liquid discharge unit is described in combination with a head, but the liquid discharge unit also includes a head module that includes the head described above, and a head unit in which the functional components and mechanisms described above are integrated. Liquid dispensing devices include those that include a head, liquid dispensing unit, head module, head unit, etc., and drive the head to dispense liquid. Liquid dispensing devices include not only those that can dispense liquid onto surfaces to which liquid can adhere, but also those that dispense liquid into gases or liquids.

[0057] The liquid dispensing device may also include means for feeding, conveying, and dispensing paper onto materials to which liquid can adhere, as well as other pre-treatment and post-treatment devices. Examples of liquid ejection devices include image forming devices that eject ink to form an image on a recording medium, and three-dimensional molding devices that eject molding liquid onto a powder layer formed in layers to create three-dimensional objects. Furthermore, liquid dispensing devices are not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, they also include devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0058] The above-mentioned objects to which liquids can adhere refer to objects to which liquids can adhere, at least temporarily, including those that adhere and solidify or adhere and penetrate. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic circuit boards and piezoelectric elements; powder layers; organ models; and inspection cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all objects to which liquids can adhere. The material to which the liquid can adhere may be any material, such as paper, thread, fibers, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, or ceramics, as long as the liquid can adhere to it, even temporarily.

[0059] Liquid dispensing devices include configurations in which a head and an object to which liquid can adhere move relative to each other, but the object that moves is not limited to either one or the other. Specific examples include serial type devices in which the head moves, and line type devices in which the head does not move. Other liquid dispensing devices include processing liquid coating devices that dispense processing liquid onto the surface of paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper, and injection granulation devices that granulate fine particles of raw materials by spraying a compositional liquid, in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution, through a nozzle. By applying the above-mentioned supply unit to these liquid dispensing devices, the occurrence of nozzle clogging can be reduced even when using liquids containing inorganic fine particles such as brightening agents.

[0060] The liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention also includes apparatus for manufacturing electrodes and electrochemical elements. The electrode manufacturing apparatus will be described below. Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode including a layer having electrode material by discharging a liquid composition using a liquid discharging unit including a head. First, the means and process for forming the layer containing the electrode material will be described. The liquid discharge means provided in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 shown in Figure 19 is the liquid discharge unit of the present invention described above. A liquid composition is discharged from the head of the liquid discharge unit, thereby applying the liquid composition to the target object and forming a liquid composition layer. The target object (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "discharge target object") is not particularly limited as long as it is an object on which a layer containing electrode material is formed, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the target object may be an electrode substrate (current collector), an active material layer, a layer containing solid electrode material, etc. The target object may also be an electrode composite layer containing active material on an electrode substrate. Furthermore, the discharge means and discharge process may be means and processes for forming a layer containing electrode material by directly discharging the liquid composition, as long as it is possible to form a layer containing electrode material on the discharge target object. Moreover, the discharge means and discharge process may be means and processes for forming a layer containing electrode material by indirectly discharging the liquid composition.

[0061] Next, we will describe the other components and processes. Other components included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Similarly, other steps included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing method are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, components and steps included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method include heating means and heating steps.

[0062] Next, the heating means and heating process will be described. The heating means included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus is a means for heating the liquid composition discharged by the discharge means. Furthermore, the heating step included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing method is a step for heating the liquid composition discharged in the discharge step. By heating the liquid composition, it can be dried.

[0063] Next, a configuration for forming a layer containing electrode material by direct discharge of a liquid composition will be described. Here, as an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus that forms a layer containing electrode material, an electrode manufacturing apparatus that forms an electrode composite layer containing active material on an electrode substrate (current collector) will be described. As shown in Figure 35, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 includes a discharge process section 110 which includes a step of applying a liquid composition onto a printing substrate 704 having an object to be discharged to form a liquid composition layer, and a heating process section 130 which includes a heating step of heating the liquid composition to obtain an electrode composite layer.

[0064] The electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 is equipped with a transport means 705 for transporting the printing substrate 704, and the transport means 705 transports the printing substrate 704 at a preset speed in the order of the discharge process section 110 and the heating process section 130. There are no particular restrictions on the method for manufacturing the printing substrate 704 having an object to be discharged, such as an active material layer, and a well-known method can be appropriately selected. The discharge process section 110 is equipped with a head 281a that realizes a dispensing process for applying a liquid composition onto the printing substrate 704, a container 281b that contains the liquid composition 707, a supply tube 281c that supplies the liquid composition 707 in the container 281b to the head 281a, etc. In this embodiment, the supply unit 20 described above is placed in the path for supplying the liquid composition 707 from the container 281b to the head 281a. If the liquid composition 707 contains fine particles, if the liquid composition 707 is sent to the head 281a in that state, nozzle clogging may occur due to the fine particles. This configuration allows for the pulverization of fine particles and other particles contained in the liquid composition 707, thereby reducing the occurrence of nozzle clogging.

[0065] In the discharge process section 110, the liquid composition 707 is discharged from the head 281a and applied to the printing substrate 704, forming a thin film layer of the liquid composition. The containment container 281b may be integrated with the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus, or it may be detachable from the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus. Alternatively, the containment container 281b may be a container used for adding to a containment container integrated with the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus, or a containment container detachable from the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus. The containment container 281b and the supply tube 281c can be arbitrarily selected as long as they are capable of stably containing and supplying the liquid composition 707.

[0066] In the heating section 130, a solvent removal step is performed to remove any solvent remaining in the liquid composition layer by heating. Specifically, the solvent remaining in the liquid composition layer is removed from the liquid composition layer by drying it with heating by the heating device 703 provided in the heating section 130, thereby forming the electrode composite layer. Furthermore, the solvent removal step in the heating section 130 may be performed under reduced pressure. There are no particular restrictions on the heating device 703, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the heating device 703 can be a substrate heater, an IR heater, a hot air heater, etc. The heating device 703 may also be a combination of at least two of the substrate heater, IR heater, and hot air heater. The heating temperature and heating time can be appropriately selected according to the boiling point of the solvent contained in the liquid composition 707 or the film thickness to be formed.

[0067] In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700, the same type of head 2 described above is used as head 281a. By using the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid composition can be discharged to a target position on the object to be discharged. The electrode mixture layer can be suitably used, for example, as part of the configuration of an electrochemical element. There are no particular restrictions on the components of the electrochemical element other than the electrode mixture layer, and well-known components can be appropriately selected. Examples of components other than the electrode mixture layer include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, etc.

[0068] Figures 21 and 22 show a printing apparatus, which is another example of a coating apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. Figure 21 is a perspective view of the carriage portion in another example of a coating apparatus, and Figure 22 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus equipped with the carriage shown in Figure 21. Figure 21 shows the carriage 61 mounted on the printing apparatus 60 shown in Figure 22 as viewed from the side of the object to be coated. In Figure 21, the carriage 61 is equipped with a head holder 62 and is configured to be movable in the Z direction. The head holder 62 is configured to be movable in the Z direction relative to the carriage 61 and is equipped with a head fixing plate 62a to which a head module 63 is attached. In this example, six head modules 63 are attached to the head fixing plate 62a, and the six head modules 63 are arranged in a stacked manner.

[0069] Each head module 63 is equipped with multiple nozzles 7. The type and number of ink colors used in each head module 63 may differ, or they may all be the same. For example, if the printing device 60 is a single-color device, the ink used in each head module 63 may be the same color. Also, the number of head modules 63 is not limited to six; it may be five or fewer, or seven or more. The head module 63 is fixed to the head fixing plate 62a with a nozzle array of eight nozzles 7 that intersects the XZ plane, and the arrangement direction of the multiple nozzle arrays is inclined with respect to the X axis. In this state, the nozzles 7 eject ink droplets in the Z direction (the direction the arrow points), which intersects the direction of gravity. The carriage 61 is connected to the aforementioned supply unit 20, and ink is supplied from the supply unit 20. This configuration allows for the crushing of fine particles and other particles contained in the ink, thereby reducing the occurrence of nozzle clogging in the head module 63.

[0070] The printing apparatus 60 shown in Figure 22 is positioned opposite the object to be printed 64 and includes an X-axis rail 65, a Y-axis rail 66 that intersects with the X-axis rail 65, and a Z-axis rail 67 that intersects with the X-axis rail 65 and the Y-axis rail 66. The Y-axis rail 66 holds the X-axis rail 65 so that the X-axis rail 65 can move in the Y direction. The X-axis rail 65 holds the Z-axis rail 67 so that the Z-axis rail 67 can move in the X direction. The Z-axis rail 67 holds the carriage 61 so that the carriage 61 can move in the Z direction.

[0071] The printing apparatus 60 includes a first Z-direction drive unit 68 that moves the carriage 61 along the Z-axis rail 67, an X-direction drive unit 69 that moves the Z-axis rail 67 along the X-axis rail 65, a Y-direction drive unit 70 that moves the X-axis rail 65 along the Y-axis rail 66, and a second Z-direction drive unit 71 that moves the head holder 62 in the Z-direction relative to the carriage 61. The printing apparatus 60 prints on the object to be printed 64 by ejecting ink droplets from the head module 63 provided on the head holder 62 while moving the carriage 61 in the X, Y, and Z directions. Note that the movement of the carriage 61 and the head holder 62 in the Z direction is not necessarily limited to being parallel to the Z direction, and may be oblique as long as it includes at least a component in the Z direction. In addition, although the surface shape of the object to be printed 64 is flat in this example, it may be a non-flat shape such as a car body, truck body, aircraft fuselage, etc., which is nearly vertical, has a large radius of curvature, or has some irregularities.

[0072] Examples of the present invention are as follows: [1] A liquid supply device comprising: a storage section for containing a liquid containing fine particles; and a supply section for supplying the liquid contained in the storage section to a predetermined member, wherein the supply section comprises: a flow path through which the liquid flows; a first permeable member provided in the flow path and having a first permeable hole through which the liquid containing the fine particles passes; a second permeable member provided downstream of the first permeable member in the direction of liquid flow in the flow path and having a second permeable hole through which the liquid containing the fine particles passes; and a vibration-applying member provided in contact with the flow path between the first permeable member and the second permeable member and for applying vibration to the fine particles in the flow path. [2] The liquid supply device according to [1], wherein when the size of the first through-hole is a, the size of the second through-hole is b, and the maximum size of the fine particles is c, b < c < a. [3] The liquid supply device according to [1] or [2], wherein the predetermined member has a nozzle for discharging the liquid, and the size of the second through-hole is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle. [4] The liquid supply device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the vibration applying member is disposed at a position where vibration is propagated to the second permeable member. [5] The liquid supply device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein a vibration member capable of vibrating by the vibration applying member is disposed in the flow path sandwiched between the respective permeable members. [6] The liquid supply device according to [5], wherein the size of the vibration member is larger than the size of each through-hole. [7] The liquid supply device according to [5] or [6], wherein the hardness of the vibration member is higher than the hardness of the fine particles. [8] The liquid supply device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the vibration applying member is an ultrasonic vibrator. [9] The liquid supply device according to [8], wherein the frequency output by the ultrasonic vibrator is variable.

[10] The liquid supply device according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the storage unit stores a liquid containing inorganic material fine particles as the liquid.

[11] The liquid supply device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the flow path has a bent portion at a position between the position where the first permeable member is disposed and the position where the second permeable member is disposed.

[12] A liquid supply device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized by comprising: a third permeable member provided upstream of the first permeable member in the flow direction of the liquid in the flow channel and having permeable holes for the liquid containing the fine particles; and a second vibration-applying member provided in contact with the flow channel sandwiched between the third permeable member and the first permeable member and vibrating the fine particles in the flow channel. A liquid dispensing device having a liquid supply device described in any one of [1] to

[12] , and a liquid dispensing unit that dispenses the liquid as the predetermined component.

[0073] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the invention as described in the claims, unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative of the most preferred effects that may arise from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 2. Liquid ejection unit (inkjet head) 7 nozzles 15. Storage section (tank) 20 Supply section 21 Liquid supply device 37,44 Flow channels (tubes) 38. Liquid (metallic paint) 38a Fine particles, inorganic fine particles (shining material) 39. First permeable member (first filter) 40. Second permeable element (second filter) 41. Vibration-applying component (ultrasonic transducer) 42 Third permeable element (third filter) 43. Second vibration-applying member (ultrasonic transducer) 44a Bend part 45 Vibrating Member 400,500 Liquid ejection device (printing device) 700 Liquid discharge equipment (electrode manufacturing equipment) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0075] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-59285 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-187631 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-90280

Claims

1. A storage section for containing a liquid containing fine particles, The system includes a supply unit that supplies the liquid contained in the storage unit to a predetermined member, The aforementioned supply unit is A channel through which the aforementioned liquid flows, A first permeable member provided in the flow path and having a first permeable hole through which the liquid containing the fine particles permeates, A second permeable member is provided downstream of the first permeable member in the flow direction of the liquid in the flow channel, and has a second permeable hole through which the liquid containing the fine particles permeates, A vibration-applying member is provided in contact with the flow path sandwiched between the first permeable member and the second permeable member, and applies vibration to the fine particles in the flow path, A liquid supply device having the following features.

2. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, A liquid supply device characterized in that, when the size of the first permeable hole is a, the size of the second permeable hole is b, and the maximum size of the fine particles is c, b < c < a.

3. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, The predetermined member has a nozzle for discharging the liquid, A liquid supply device characterized in that the size of the second permeable hole is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle.

4. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, The liquid supply device is characterized in that the vibration-applying member is positioned so as to transmit vibrations to the second permeable member.

5. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, A liquid supply device characterized in that a vibrating member, which can be vibrated by the vibration-applying member, is placed in the flow path sandwiched between the aforementioned permeable members.

6. In the liquid supply device according to claim 5, A liquid supply device characterized in that the size of the vibrating member is larger than the size of each of the perforations.

7. In the liquid supply device according to claim 5, A liquid supply device characterized in that the hardness of the vibrating member is higher than the hardness of the fine particles.

8. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, A liquid supply device characterized in that the vibration-applying member is an ultrasonic transducer.

9. In the liquid supply device according to claim 8, The liquid supply device is characterized in that the ultrasonic transducer has a variable output frequency.

10. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, A liquid supply device characterized in that the storage section contains a liquid containing inorganic material fine particles as the liquid.

11. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, The liquid supply device is characterized in that the flow path has a bent portion between the position where the first permeable member is located and the position where the second permeable member is located.

12. In the liquid supply device according to claim 1, A third permeable member is provided upstream of the first permeable member in the flow direction of the liquid in the flow channel, and has permeable holes for the liquid containing the fine particles, A liquid supply device characterized by having a second vibration-applying member provided in contact with the flow path sandwiched between the third permeable member and the first permeable member, and which applies vibration to the fine particles in the flow path.

13. A liquid dispensing device comprising a liquid supply device according to claim 1, and a liquid dispensing unit that dispenses the liquid as the predetermined component.

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