Nozzle and dispenser device

Abstract

To provide a novel nozzle which can increase processing efficiency in discharging a liquid.SOLUTION: A nozzle 1 includes a plurality of discharge ports 2 and discharges a liquid 4 from each of the plurality of the discharge ports 2 to an object 3 which faces the plurality of the discharge ports 2 and relatively moves to the plurality of the discharge ports 2. when a direction in which the plurality of the discharge ports 2 and the object 3 face each other is defined as a facing direction Z, a direction in which the object 3 moves relative to the plurality of the discharge ports 2 is defined as a moving direction X, and a direction which is perpendicular to the facing direction Z and the moving direction X is defined as a perpendicular direction Y, positions of the plurality of the discharge ports 2 in the perpendicular direction Y are different from each other. In choosing two discharge ports 2 adjacent in the perpendicular direction Y out of the plurality of the discharge ports 2, positions of the two discharge ports 2 in the moving direction X are different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle and a dispenser device, and more particularly to a nozzle that discharges a liquid material toward an object and a dispenser device including the nozzle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that discharges a plurality of drops simultaneously with a single device. The device includes a nozzle unit having a plurality of nozzles each having a discharge port, and the nozzles are arranged such that the intervals between one nozzle and the adjacent nozzles are all the same, and the nozzles are tilted and arranged such that the angles formed by the vertical lines and one nozzle are all the same.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a plurality of discharge ports are provided in a nozzle of a device that discharges a liquid material, in order to improve the processing efficiency, a plurality of discharge ports may be provided in the nozzle.

[0005] However, the inventor has found a problem that the processing efficiency may not be improved simply by providing a plurality of discharge ports as in the technique described in Patent Document 1.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel nozzle capable of enhancing the processing efficiency and a dispenser device including the nozzle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The nozzle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of discharge ports, and a liquid material is discharged from each of the plurality of discharge ports toward an object that faces the plurality of discharge ports and moves relative to the plurality of discharge ports. When the direction in which the plurality of discharge ports and the object face each other is defined as the facing direction, the direction in which the object moves relative to the plurality of discharge ports is defined as the moving direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the facing direction and the moving direction is defined as the orthogonal direction, the positions of the plurality of discharge ports along the orthogonal direction are different from each other, and no matter which two adjacent discharge ports in the orthogonal direction are selected from the plurality of discharge ports, the positions of the two discharge ports along the moving direction are different from each other.

[0008] The dispenser device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the nozzle, supply means for supplying a liquid material to the nozzle, and moving means for relatively moving the object in the moving direction with respect to the plurality of discharge ports at a position where the object faces the plurality of discharge ports of the nozzle.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the processing efficiency when discharging a liquid material from the nozzle can be increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. The following embodiments are only a part of various embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be made according to the design as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0012] The nozzle 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of discharge ports 2, and a liquid material 4 is discharged from each of the plurality of discharge ports 2 toward an object 3 that faces the plurality of discharge ports 2 and moves relative to the plurality of discharge ports 2. When the direction in which the plurality of discharge ports 2 and the object 3 face each other is defined as the facing direction Z, the direction in which the object 3 moves with respect to the plurality of discharge ports 2 is defined as the moving direction X, and the direction orthogonal to both the facing direction Z and the moving direction X is defined as the orthogonal direction Y, the positions of the plurality of discharge ports 2 along the orthogonal direction Y are different from each other. No matter which two adjacent discharge ports 2 in the orthogonal direction Y are selected from the plurality of discharge ports 2, the positions of the two discharge ports 2 along the moving direction X are different from each other (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C).

[0013] In this embodiment, the term "direction" means a straight line state without including direction such as the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Also, the position along the direction can be rephrased as the coordinate value of the coordinate axis of the orthogonal coordinate system set parallel to that direction.

[0014] Also, in the present embodiment, the liquid material 4 is a material that has fluidity at normal temperature or a material that exhibits fluidity when heated even if it does not have fluidity at normal temperature. The liquid material 4 may be a liquid, a paste, or a slurry. When the liquid material 4 is a material that exhibits fluidity when heated even if it does not have fluidity at normal temperature, the liquid material 4 is discharged from the nozzle 1 in a heated state.

[0015] According to the present embodiment, the liquid material 4 is discharged from each of the plurality of discharge ports 2 of the nozzle 1. Therefore, the liquid material 4 can reach a plurality of positions on the object 3. Further, since the positions of the plurality of discharge ports 2 along the orthogonal direction Y are different from each other, when the liquid material 4 is discharged from the discharge port 2 of the nozzle 1 to the object 3 while moving the object 3, the position where the liquid material 4 discharged from one discharge port 2 reaches on the object 3 and the position where the liquid material 4 discharged from the other discharge port 2 reaches do not overlap. Therefore, the liquid material 4 can reach more locations on the object 3.

[0016] Also, when the object 3 moves, if the position where the liquid material 4 discharged from one discharge port 2 reaches and the position where the liquid material 4 discharged from the other discharge port 2 reaches may overlap (for example, when the positions of two or more discharge ports 2 along the moving direction X are different but the positions along the orthogonal direction Y are the same), in order to prevent the liquid material 4 from reaching the same position repeatedly, it is necessary to increase the discharge cycle of the liquid material 4 or increase the moving speed of the object 3. However, increasing the discharge cycle of the liquid material 4 will reduce the processing efficiency, and increasing the moving speed of the object 3 will increase the burden of equipment design and control therefor. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the above problems do not occur.

[0017] Also, no matter which two adjacent discharge ports 2 in the orthogonal direction Y are selected from the plurality of discharge ports 2, the positions of the two discharge ports 2 along the moving direction X are different from each other. Therefore, even though the positions of the plurality of discharge ports 2 along the orthogonal direction Y are different from each other, the shortest distance between the two discharge ports 2 is not likely to become excessively small. For this reason, it becomes easier to arrange the discharge ports 2 in the nozzle 1, and while providing a plurality of discharge ports 2 in the nozzle 1, it is easy to miniaturize the nozzle 1. Note that two discharge ports 2 being adjacent in the orthogonal direction Y means that the positions of any other discharge ports 2 in the orthogonal direction Y are not between the positions of these two discharge ports 2 in the orthogonal direction Y.

[0018] As described above, in this embodiment, the processing efficiency when discharging the liquid material 4 from the nozzle 1 can be improved.

[0019] The dispenser device 7 according to this embodiment includes the above nozzle 1, a supply means 5, and a moving means 6 (see FIG. 6). The supply means 5 supplies the liquid material 4 to the nozzle 1. The moving means 6 relatively moves the object 3 in the moving direction X with respect to the plurality of discharge ports 2 at a position facing the plurality of discharge ports 2 of the nozzle 1.

[0020] When using the dispenser device 7 according to this embodiment, while moving the object 3 in the moving direction X, the liquid material 4 can be discharged from the nozzle 1 and reach the object 3. By the dispenser device 7 including the nozzle 1 according to this embodiment, the processing efficiency when discharging the liquid material 4 from the nozzle 1 can be improved.

[0021] A more specific configuration of the nozzle 1 according to this embodiment and the dispenser device 7 including the nozzle 1 will be described.

[0022] Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C show examples of the nozzle 1. In each of Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C, the above-described opposing direction Z, moving direction X, and orthogonal direction Y are also shown. The nozzle 1 has a front end face 8 and a rear end face 9 that are arranged in the opposing direction Z. In the examples shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C, the front end face 8 faces downward and the rear end face 9 faces upward. The nozzle 1 has a plurality of flow paths 10 (hereinafter referred to as branched flow paths 10) that penetrate the rear end face 9 and the front end face 8, and the end of each branched flow path 10 on the front end face 8 side is the discharge port 2, and the end on the rear end face 9 side is the inlet 11. For this reason, a plurality of discharge ports 2 are opened at the front end face 8 of the nozzle 1, and a plurality of inlets 11 are opened at the rear end face 9 of the nozzle 1.

[0023] As described above, in the present embodiment, the positions of the plurality of discharge ports 2 along the orthogonal direction Y are different from each other, and even if any two adjacent discharge ports 2 in the orthogonal direction Y are selected from the plurality of discharge ports 2, the positions of the two discharge ports 2 along the moving direction X are different from each other. It is preferable that the intervals S in the orthogonal direction Y between any two adjacent discharge ports 2 selected from the plurality of discharge ports 2 are all the same. That is, it is preferable that the positions of the plurality of discharge ports 2 along the orthogonal direction Y are arranged at equal intervals. The plurality of discharge ports 2 are preferably arranged around a virtual axis Ax along the opposing direction Z so as to surround the virtual axis Ax, and more preferably located on the circumference of a virtual circle C1 centered on the virtual axis Ax.

[0024] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the virtual axis Ax passes through the nozzle 1 in the vertical direction and is orthogonal to each of the front end face 8 and the rear end face 9. A plurality of discharge ports 2 are located on the circumference of a virtual circle C1 at the front end face 8 of the nozzle 1. Two of the plurality of discharge ports 2 are respectively located at one end and the other end in the orthogonal direction Y in the virtual circle C1, and the positions of the remaining discharge ports 2 are alternately assigned to one side and the other side in the movement direction X with respect to the virtual axis Ax as going from one end side to the other end side in the orthogonal direction Y of the virtual circle C1. Therefore, no matter which two adjacent discharge ports 2 in the orthogonal direction Y are selected from the plurality of discharge ports 2, the positions of these two discharge ports 2 along the movement direction X are different from each other. The intervals S in the orthogonal direction Y between two adjacent discharge ports 2 selected from these discharge ports 2 are all the same. That is, the positions of these plurality of discharge ports 2 along the orthogonal direction Y are arranged at equal intervals.

[0025] It is preferable that the opening direction of each of the plurality of discharge ports 2 is inclined with respect to the virtual axis Ax such that the discharge port 2 faces the side opposite to the virtual axis Ax side.

[0026] In particular, the angle θ (hereinafter also referred to as the inclination angle θ, see Fig. 3) formed by the opening direction of each of the plurality of discharge ports 2 and the virtual axis Ax is preferably the same for each. The opening direction of the discharge port 2 is the direction in which the liquid material 4 moves immediately after being discharged from the discharge port 2. In the examples shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the opening direction of the discharge port 2 coincides with the direction of the branch flow path 10, and the opening direction of the discharge port 2 coincides with the direction toward the discharge port 2 in the direction of the branch flow path 10. That is, it is preferable that the direction of each of the plurality of branch flow paths 10 is inclined with respect to the virtual axis Ax so as to be farther from the virtual axis Ax as it approaches the discharge port 2. Also, it is preferable that the angle θ formed by the direction of each of the plurality of branch flow paths 10 and the virtual axis Ax is the same for each. Since the discharge port 2 and the branch flow path 10 are formed in this way, at the rear end surface 9 of the discharge port 2, a plurality of inlets 11 are arranged on the circumference of a circle C2 (hereinafter also referred to as the second virtual circle C2) that is a concentric circle of the virtual circle C1 and has a smaller diameter than the virtual circle C1, and the lengths of the plurality of branch flow paths 10 are the same for each other.

[0027] When discharging the liquid material 4 from this nozzle 1 toward the object 3, the object 3 is arranged at a position facing the discharge port 2 of the nozzle 1, that is, at a position below the nozzle 1 in the examples shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, and 1C (see Fig. 3). While moving the object 3 relative to the nozzle 1 in the moving direction X in this state, the liquid material 4 is discharged from the discharge port 2 of the nozzle 1 to the object 3.

[0028] In this case, the liquid material 4 is discharged from each of the plurality of discharge ports 2 in the nozzle 1 and reaches the object 3. At this time, since the discharge ports 2 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle C1 and the inclination angles θ of each of the plurality of discharge ports 2 are the same as each other, the liquid material 4 discharged from the discharge ports 2 moves away from the virtual axis Ax while moving toward the object 3 and reaches the object 3. The liquid material 4 discharged from each discharge port 2 reaches the circumference of a circle C3 (hereinafter, also referred to as the third virtual circle C3) that is a concentric circle of the virtual circle C1 on the object 3 and has a diameter larger than that of the virtual circle C1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The positions of the liquid material 4 that has reached the object 3 along the orthogonal direction Y are arranged at equal intervals in the same manner as the discharge ports 2, and the interval between the positions of the liquid material 4 is larger than the interval between the discharge ports 2.

[0029] Further, when the object 3 moves with respect to the discharge ports 2 and the liquid material 4 is discharged from the discharge ports 2, the position where the liquid material 4 discharged from one discharge port 2 reaches and the position where the liquid material 4 discharged from the other discharge port 2 reaches do not overlap, and the liquid material 4 is likely to be arranged evenly on the object 3. FIG. 3 shows an example of the relationship between the positions of the discharge ports 2 and the positions of the liquid material 4 on the object 3 when the liquid material 4 is intermittently discharged from the discharge ports 2 while moving the object 3. According to FIG. 3, a plurality of granular liquid materials 4 are arranged below the path along which the nozzle 1 has moved. These granular liquid materials 4 are arranged at equal intervals in the orthogonal direction Y and also at equal intervals in the moving direction X.

[0030] The position reached by the liquid substance 4 on the object 3 is changed by changing the distance between the discharge port 2 and the object 3. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, since the discharge ports 2 are arranged on the circumference of the virtual circle C1 and the inclination angle θ of the direction in which the discharge ports 2 open is the same, even if the distance between the discharge port 2 and the object 3 varies, only the diameter of the third virtual circle C3 changes, and the liquid substance 4 reaches the circumference of the third virtual circle C3. That is, even if the distance between the discharge port 2 and the object 3 varies, a similar relationship is established between the positional relationship among the plurality of discharge ports 2 and the positional relationship of the liquid substance 4 reaching the object 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). For this reason, by adjusting the distance between the discharge port 2 and the object 3, the distribution density of the liquid substance 4 can be adjusted while the liquid substance 4 is evenly arranged on the object 3. That is, the larger the distance between the discharge port 2 and the object 3, the larger the diameter of the third virtual circle C3 on the object 3, and the larger the interval between the positions reached by the liquid substance 4 on the object 3. For this reason, by adjusting the distance between the discharge port 2 and the object 3, it is possible to adjust the distribution density of the liquid substance 4 on the object 3 without causing a bias in the liquid substance 4 on the object 3.

[0031] The above is merely a specific example of the nozzle 1 according to the present embodiment, and the nozzle 1 can have an appropriate structure other than the above.

[0032] For example, the number of the discharge ports 2 in the nozzle 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C above is four, but there is no limitation on the number of the discharge ports 2 other than the limitation according to the size of the nozzle. For example, when the diameter of the front end face 8 of the nozzle 1 is 4.5 mm and the diameter of the rear end face 9 is 7 mm, the nozzle 1 can include, for example, 2 or more and 9 or less discharge ports 2. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show an example of the structure of the nozzle 1 when the nozzle 1 includes six discharge ports 2. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show an example of the structure of the nozzle 1 when the nozzle 1 has nine discharge ports 2.

[0033] In the nozzle 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C above, each of the plurality of branch channels 10 penetrates the nozzle 1. However, as long as the discharge port 2 opens on the surface of the nozzle 1, the structure of the branch channel 10 is not limited to this. For example, the rear ends of the branch channels 10 may merge inside the nozzle 1. That is, for example, the nozzle 1 includes one merging channel and a plurality of branch channels 10. The rear end of the merging channel opens at the rear end surface 9, the front end of each branch channel 10 opens as the discharge port 2 at the front end surface 8, and the rear end of the branch channel 10 may merge inside the nozzle 1 and be connected to the front end of the merging channel.

[0034] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the positions along the orthogonal direction Y of the plurality of discharge ports 2 are arranged at equal intervals, so that the liquid substance 4 is particularly likely to be arranged on the object 3 without bias. However, if the positions along the orthogonal direction Y of the plurality of discharge ports 2 are different from each other, the intervals in the orthogonal direction Y of the discharge ports 2 do not have to be equal intervals. In this case, even if the liquid substance 4 is arranged somewhat biased on the object 3, the position reached by the liquid substance 4 discharged from one discharge port 2 and the position reached by the liquid substance 4 discharged from the other discharge port 2 do not overlap. Therefore, the processing efficiency is high.

[0035] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the plurality of discharge ports 2 are arranged around the virtual axis Ax so as to surround the virtual axis Ax, and are located on the circumference of a virtual circle C1 centered on the virtual axis Ax. Thus, even if the nozzle 1 is miniaturized, the plurality of discharge ports 2 are likely to be arranged neatly in the nozzle 1, and by adjusting the dimensions of the object 3 and the nozzle 1, the distribution density of the liquid substance 4 on the object 3 is easily adjusted. However, some or all of the discharge ports 2 may be at positions deviated from the circumference of the virtual circle C1. Also, as long as the discharge ports 2 can be arranged in the nozzle 1, the discharge ports 2 do not have to be arranged so as to surround the virtual axis Ax.

[0036] Also, as in the examples shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, it is preferable that the inclination angles θ of the opening directions of the plurality of discharge ports 2 are the same as each other. However, the inclination angles θ may be different from each other, and the opening directions of the discharge ports 2 do not have to be inclined with respect to the virtual axis Ax.

[0037] In the above description, the liquid material 4 is intermittently discharged from the nozzle 1, but the liquid material 4 may be continuously discharged from the nozzle 1. When the liquid material 4 is continuously discharged from the nozzle 1, the liquid material 4 discharged from each discharge port 2 is formed into a long linear shape in the moving direction X on the object 3. When the liquid material 4 is intermittently discharged from the nozzle 1, as described above, the liquid material 4 discharged from each discharge port 2 is formed into granular shapes arranged in the moving direction X on the object 3. However, even when the liquid material 4 is intermittently discharged from the nozzle 1, depending on the interval at which the liquid material 4 is discharged and the moving speed of the object 3, the grains of the liquid material 4 may be connected on the object 3, and the liquid material 4 may be formed into a linear shape.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows a schematic example of the structure of a dispenser device 7 including the nozzle 1 according to the present embodiment. This dispenser device 7 includes a base 12, a stage 13, a discharge unit 14, a first drive unit 15, a second drive unit 16, and a control unit.

[0039] The stage 13 has a flat upper surface and is disposed above the base 12. The object 3 is disposed on the stage 13. The stage 13 may be capable of fixing the object 3 to the stage 13. For example, the stage 13 may include a fastener for fixing the object 3. Further, the stage 13 may be a suction table that fixes the object 3 disposed on the stage 13 by negative pressure.

[0040] The first drive unit 15 holds the stage 13 above the base 12 and moves the stage 13 relative to the base 12 in one direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The first drive unit 15 includes, for example, an actuator and a motor.

[0041] The ejection unit 14 is disposed above the stage 13. The ejection unit 14 includes a main body 17 and a nozzle 1 attached to the lower end of the main body 17. The nozzle 1 is arranged such that the virtual axis Ax is disposed along the vertical direction and the ejection port 2 faces downward. A liquid material 4 is stored in the main body 17, and a mechanism (hereinafter referred to as an ejection mechanism) for continuously or intermittently supplying the liquid material 4 to the nozzle 1 is provided in the main body 17. This ejection mechanism corresponds to the above-described supply means 5. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the main body 17 includes a cylinder 20 having an axis in the vertical direction, a rod 22 inserted into the cylinder 20, and a supply pipe 21 such as a syringe connected to the cylinder 20. The rod 22 is configured to be reciprocally driven with a constant stroke by an appropriate actuator or the like. At the lower end of the cylinder 20, the nozzle 1 is arranged such that its rear end face 9 faces into the cylinder 20 above and its front end face 8 faces outward below. A valve seat 23 is overlaid on the rear end face 9 of the nozzle 1. The liquid material 4 is supplied into the cylinder 20 through the supply pipe 21, and the liquid material 4 in the supply pipe 21 is constantly pressurized toward the cylinder 20.

[0042] When the ejection unit 14 ejects the liquid material 4, the rod 22 is reciprocally driven with a constant stroke in the vertical direction. When the rod 22 moves toward the nozzle 1, the liquid material 4 in the cylinder 20 is ejected from the nozzle 1. When the rod 22 moves away from the nozzle 1, since the liquid material 4 in the supply pipe 21 is constantly pressurized as described above, the liquid material 4 is replenished from the supply pipe 21 into the cylinder 20 in response to the movement of the rod 22. By repeating this operation, the liquid material 4 is intermittently ejected from the nozzle 1.

[0043] The second drive unit 16 holds the ejection unit 14 with respect to the stage 13 and moves the ejection unit 14 in one direction that is orthogonal to the vertical direction and also orthogonal to the moving direction X of the stage 13 by the first drive unit 15. The second drive unit 16 includes, for example, an actuator and a motor. The second drive unit 16 corresponds to the above-described moving means 6.

[0044] Further, the second drive unit 16 holds the discharge unit 14 so that the vertical position of the discharge unit 14 can be changed. Thereby, the vertical distance between the object 3 and the nozzle 1 can be changed.

[0045] The control unit controls the operations of the discharge mechanism of the discharge unit 14, the first drive unit 15, and the second drive unit 16. The control unit is configured by, for example, a microcomputer having one or more processors and a memory. In other words, the control unit is realized by a computer system having one or more processors and a memory, and the computer system functions as the control unit by one or more processors executing a program stored in the memory. The program is recorded in advance in the memory of the control unit here, but may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card or through a communication line such as the Internet. A computer program product that loads a program via a computer system and executes program instructions for realizing the function of the control unit in the computer system may be used. The control unit is not limited to a microcomputer, and may be an integrated circuit having a logic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), for example.

[0046] Note that the dispenser device 7 may not include the control unit, and the control unit may exist separately from the dispenser device 7. That is, the dispenser device 7 and the control unit may constitute a dispenser system. In this case, the dispenser device 7 and the control unit are connected in a manner such as a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a connection via a telecommunication line.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the vertical direction is the above-described facing direction Z, the direction in which the stage 13 moves by the first drive unit 15 is the above-described orthogonal direction Y, and the direction in which the discharge unit 14 moves by the second drive unit 16 is the above-described movement direction X.

[0048] When the dispenser device 7 shown in FIG. 6 is operated, with the stage 13 stopped, the second drive unit 16 moves the discharge unit 14 above the object 3 in one direction (hereinafter referred to as the first direction) of the moving direction X. As a result, with the discharge port 2 of the nozzle 1 facing the object 3, the object 3 is moved in a direction opposite to the first direction (hereinafter referred to as the second direction) of the moving direction X relative to the nozzle 1. While the discharge unit 14 is moving, the discharge mechanism in the discharge unit 14 operates, and the liquid material 4 is discharged from each discharge port 2 of the nozzle 1 in the discharge unit 14. As a result, as already described, the liquid material 4 discharged from the discharge port 2 reaches the object 3. Subsequently, the discharge mechanism stops and the discharge of the liquid material 4 from the discharge port 2 stops, and the second drive unit 16 stops the movement of the discharge unit 14.

[0049] When the second drive unit 16 moves the discharge unit 14, first, the second drive unit 16 starts the movement of the discharge unit 14 from the state where the discharge unit 14 is stopped. At this time, for example, the second drive unit 16 first increases the moving speed of the discharge unit 14, then moves the discharge unit 14 at a constant speed, and subsequently decreases the moving speed of the discharge unit 14 to stop the discharge unit 14. In this case, preferably, the discharge mechanism is stopped while the discharge unit 14 is stopped so that the liquid material 4 is not discharged from the discharge port 2. Also, while the speed of the discharge unit 14 is increasing after the discharge unit 14 starts moving, the liquid material 4 is not discharged from the discharge port 2. After the moving speed of the discharge unit 14 becomes constant, the discharge mechanism operates, so that the liquid material 4 is discharged from the discharge port 2, and the discharge mechanism stops and the discharge of the liquid material 4 from the discharge port 2 stops before the moving speed of the discharge unit 14 decreases. Subsequently, with the liquid material 4 not being discharged from the discharge port 2, the moving speed of the discharge unit 14 decreases, and subsequently the discharge unit 14 stops. In this case, since the liquid material 4 is discharged from the discharge port 2 only while the discharge unit 14 is moving at a constant speed, the bias of the liquid material 4 disposed on the object 3 is particularly unlikely to occur.

[0050] When the second drive unit 16 stops the movement of the discharge unit 14, subsequently, the first drive unit 15 moves the stage 13 by a certain distance in one direction of the orthogonal direction Y (hereinafter referred to as the third direction) and then stops. As a result, the object 3 moves relative to the nozzle 1 by a certain distance in the third direction of the orthogonal direction Y.

[0051] Subsequently, with the stage 13 in a stopped state, the second drive unit 16 moves the discharge unit 14 above the object 3 in the second direction of the movement direction X. As a result, with the discharge port 2 of the nozzle 1 facing the object 3, the object 3 moves relative to the nozzle 1 in the first direction of the movement direction X. While the discharge unit 14 is moving, the discharge mechanism in the discharge unit 14 operates, and the liquid material 4 is discharged from each discharge port 2 of the nozzle 1 in the discharge unit 14. As a result, as already described, the liquid material 4 discharged from the discharge port 2 reaches the object 3. Subsequently, the discharge mechanism stops and the discharge of the liquid material 4 from the discharge port 2 stops, and the second drive unit 16 stops the movement of the discharge unit 14.

[0052] When the second drive unit 16 stops the movement of the discharge unit 14, subsequently, the first drive unit 15 moves the stage 13 by a certain distance in the third direction of the orthogonal direction Y and then stops. As a result, the object 3 moves relative to the nozzle 1 by a certain distance in the third direction of the orthogonal direction Y.

[0053] By repeating the above operations, the liquid material 4 is disposed on the object 3.

[0054] Note that the configuration and operation of the dispenser device 7 are not limited to the above. For example, in the above, the dispenser device 7 moves the object 3 relative to the discharge unit 14 in the movement direction X by moving the discharge unit 14 in the movement direction X. However, the dispenser device 7 may be configured to move the object 3 relative to the discharge unit 14 in the movement direction X by moving the stage 13 in the movement direction X without moving the discharge unit 14. In this case, the stage 13 corresponds to the above-described moving means 6.

[0055] In addition, in the above, the first driving unit 15 moves the stage 13 a certain distance in the third direction of the orthogonal direction Y and then stops, so that the object 3 is moved a certain distance in the third direction of the orthogonal direction Y relative to the nozzle 1. However, the dispenser device 7 may be configured to move the discharge unit 14 a certain distance in the direction opposite to the third direction of the orthogonal direction Y (hereinafter referred to as the fourth direction) and then stop, so that the object 3 is moved a certain distance in the third direction of the orthogonal direction Y relative to the nozzle 1.

[0056] In this embodiment, there is no limitation on the type of the liquid material 4 and the purpose of applying the liquid material 4 to the object 3. For example, when the liquid material 4 is an adhesive, the nozzle 1 and the dispenser device 7 according to this embodiment may be used to apply the adhesive to the object 3. In this case, the adhesive can be efficiently applied to the object 3, and the distribution of the adhesive on the object 3 is less likely to be biased.

[0057] Also, when the liquid material 4 is a molding material, after arranging the molding material on the object 3 using the nozzle 1 and the dispenser device 7 according to this embodiment, the molding material may be dried or cured to produce a granular or linear molded body on the object 3. In this case, the molded body can be efficiently produced on the object. In addition, the linear molded body can also be applied to a dam-shaped member for blocking a liquid crystal material in a liquid crystal panel or the like.

[0058] Also, when the liquid material is a molding material, the molding material may be molded into granules on the object 3 using the nozzle 1 and the dispenser device 7 according to this embodiment, and further dried if necessary, to produce a granular molding material on the object 3. In this case, a granular molding material with high shape uniformity can be efficiently produced.

[0059] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the nozzle 1, the discharge port 2, the branch flow path 10, etc. can be appropriately designed according to the type of the liquid material 4, the physical properties of the liquid material 4, the purpose of discharging the liquid material 4, etc. Examples of the dimensions of the nozzle 1 are shown below, but the dimensions of the nozzle 1 are not limited to the following.

[0060] The dimension between the front end face 8 and the rear end face 9 of the nozzle 1 is, for example, 1.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

[0061] Also, the diameter of the discharge port 2 is, for example, 60 μm or more and 500 μm or less. When the liquid material 4 contains particles such as an inorganic filler, the diameter of the discharge port 2 is preferably at least three times the dimension of the particles.

[0062] Also, the interval S in the orthogonal direction Y between two adjacent discharge ports 2 in the orthogonal direction Y is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

[0063] Also, the interval between any one discharge port 2 among the plurality of discharge ports 2 and another discharge port 2 located closest to this discharge port 2 is, for example, 60 μm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

[0064] Also, the diameter of the first virtual circle C1 is, for example, 2.0 mm or more and 4.44 mm or less. The diameter of the second virtual circle C2 is, for example, 0.8 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

[0065] Also, the inclination angle θ of the direction in which the discharge port 2 opens is, for example, 1 degree or more and 20 degrees or less.

[0066] As is clear from the above embodiment, the nozzle (1) according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of discharge ports (2), and from each of the plurality of discharge ports (2), a liquid material (4) is discharged toward an object (3) that faces the plurality of discharge ports (2) and moves relative to the plurality of discharge ports (2). When the direction in which the plurality of discharge ports (2) and the object (3) face each other is defined as the facing direction (Z), the direction in which the object (3) moves relative to the plurality of discharge ports (2) is defined as the moving direction (X), and the direction orthogonal to both the facing direction (Z) and the moving direction (X) is defined as the orthogonal direction (Y), the positions of the plurality of discharge ports (2) along the orthogonal direction (Y) are different from each other. No matter which two adjacent discharge ports (2) in the orthogonal direction (Y) are selected from the plurality of discharge ports (2), the positions of the two discharge ports (2) along the moving direction (X) are different from each other.

[0067] According to the first aspect, the processing efficiency when discharging the liquid material (4) from the nozzle (1) can be increased.

[0068] In the nozzle (1) according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the intervals (S) in the orthogonal direction (Y) between two adjacent discharge ports (2) selected from the plurality of discharge ports (2) in the orthogonal direction (Y) are all the same.

[0069] According to the second aspect, the distribution of the liquid material (4) disposed on the object (3) is less likely to be biased.

[0070] In the nozzle (1) according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the plurality of discharge ports (2) are arranged around a virtual axis (Ax) along the opposing direction (Z) so as to surround the virtual axis (Ax).

[0071] According to the third aspect, the discharge ports (2) are likely to be arranged neatly in the nozzle (1).

[0072] In the nozzle (1) according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, each of the plurality of discharge ports (2) is located on the circumference of a virtual circle (C1) centered on the virtual axis (Ax).

[0073] According to the fourth aspect, the discharge ports (2) are more likely to be arranged neatly in the nozzle (1).

[0074] In the nozzle (1) according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the opening direction of each of the plurality of discharge ports (2) is inclined with respect to the virtual axis (Ax) so that the discharge port (2) faces the side opposite to the virtual axis side (Ax).

[0075] According to the fifth aspect, the degree of dispersion of the liquid material (4) on the object (3) is defined according to the distance in the opposing direction (Z) between the discharge port (2) and the object (3).

[0076] In the nozzle (1) according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the angle (θ) formed by the direction in which each of the plurality of discharge ports (2) opens and the virtual axis (Ax) is the same for each.

[0077] According to the sixth aspect, by adjusting the distance in the facing direction (Z) between the discharge port (2) and the object (3), it is possible to adjust the distribution density of the liquid material (4) on the object (3) without causing a bias in the liquid material (4) on the object (3).

[0078] The dispenser device (7) according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes a nozzle (1) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a supply means (5) for supplying the liquid material (4) to the nozzle (1), and a moving means (6) for relatively moving the object (3) in the moving direction (X) with respect to the plurality of discharge ports (2) at a position facing the plurality of discharge ports (2) of the nozzle (1).

[0079] According to the seventh aspect, the processing efficiency when discharging the liquid material (4) from the nozzle (1) can be increased.

[0080] In the dispenser device (7) according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the supply means (5) supplies the liquid material (4) to the nozzle (1) so that the liquid material (4) is intermittently discharged from each of the plurality of discharge ports (2).

[0081] According to the eighth aspect, depending on the relative moving speed of the object (3) in the moving direction (X) and the period in which the liquid material (4) is discharged from the discharge port (2), granular or linear liquid material (4) can be dispersed and arranged on the object (3).

Explanation of reference numerals

[0082] 1 Nozzle 2 Discharge port 3 Object 4 Liquid material 5 Supply means 6 Moving means 7 Dispenser device

Claims

1. A nozzle having a plurality of discharge ports, and discharging a liquid material from each of the plurality of discharge ports toward an object that faces the plurality of discharge ports and moves relative to the plurality of discharge ports, wherein when the direction in which the plurality of discharge ports and the object face each other is defined as the facing direction, the direction in which the object moves relative to the plurality of discharge ports is defined as the moving direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the facing direction and the moving direction is defined as the orthogonal direction, the positions of the plurality of discharge ports along the orthogonal direction are different from each other, even if any two adjacent discharge ports in the orthogonal direction are selected from the plurality of discharge ports, the positions of the two discharge ports along the moving direction are different from each other, the plurality of discharge ports are arranged around a virtual axis along the facing direction so as to surround the virtual axis, the opening direction of each of the plurality of discharge ports is inclined with respect to the virtual axis such that the discharge port faces the side opposite to the virtual axis side, a nozzle.

2. The intervals in the orthogonal direction between any two adjacent discharge ports selected from the plurality of discharge ports are all the same, the nozzle according to Claim 1.

3. Each of the plurality of discharge ports is located on the circumference of a virtual circle centered on the virtual axis, the nozzle according to Claim 1.

4. The angles formed between the opening direction of each of the plurality of discharge ports and the virtual axis are the same as each other, the nozzle according to Claim 1.

5. The nozzle according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, supply means for supplying the liquid material to the nozzle, and moving means for relatively moving the object in the moving direction with respect to the plurality of discharge ports at a position where the object faces the plurality of discharge ports of the nozzle, a dispenser device.

6. The supply means supplies the liquid material to the nozzle such that the liquid material is intermittently discharged from each of the plurality of discharge ports, the dispenser device according to Claim 5.

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