Light irradiation device

Abstract

Provided is a light-radiating device that can efficiently cool a light source and can be arranged near a peripheral device.　A light-radiating device according to the present invention radiates light that has a prescribed line width in a first direction and extends in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction at an irradiated object and comprises: a light source unit that has a substrate that is defined by the first direction and the second direction and a plurality of light sources that are aligned in the second direction on the front surface of the substrate; a heat dissipation unit that has a plurality of heat dissipation fins and is thermally coupled to the back surface side of the substrate; a first housing that houses the light source unit and the heat dissipation unit and has a first intake port that takes in air from the outside and a first exhaust port that lets out air from the inside; and a first cooling fan that is installed at at least one of the first intake port and the first exhaust port and generates cooling air that passes between the plurality of heat dissipation fins. The first intake port is formed in one end surface of the first housing in the second direction, the first exhaust port is formed in another end surface of the first housing in the second direction, and the first intake port and the first exhaust port are positioned further to the outside in the second direction than the irradiated object.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light irradiation device that irradiates light, and more particularly to a light irradiation device that includes a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat emitted from a light source. [Background technology]

[0002] Printing devices that print using UV ink that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light are known. In such printing devices, ink is ejected onto a medium from the nozzles of the head, and then ultraviolet light is applied to the dots formed on the medium. The ultraviolet light exposure hardens the dots and fixes them to the medium, enabling good printing even on media that do not easily absorb liquid.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that includes a transport unit that transports the printing medium, six heads that are aligned in the transport direction and eject cyan, magenta, yellow, black, orange, and green color inks, six pre-curing irradiation units (light irradiation devices) that are positioned downstream between the heads in the transport direction and that pre-cure (pin) the ink dots ejected from each head onto the printing medium, and a main curing irradiation unit that main-cures the ink dots and fixes them to the printing medium. The pre-curing irradiation units use LEDs as light sources, in order to make the printing device lightweight and compact, and multiple LEDs are arranged in a row along the width direction of the printing medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-252720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When using an LED as a light source, as in the light irradiation device described in Patent Document 1, most of the input power becomes heat, which causes problems such as reduced light-emitting efficiency and lifespan due to the heat generated by the LED itself.

[0006] This problem becomes even more serious in devices equipped with multiple LEDs, such as the light irradiation device of Patent Document 1, because the number of LEDs that act as heat sources increases. Furthermore, when UV LEDs are used as the light source, as in the light irradiation device of Patent Document 1, the amount of heat generated by the LEDs themselves increases, making this problem even more serious. For this reason, light irradiation devices that use LEDs as light sources generally employ a configuration in which a heat dissipation member such as a heat sink is used to suppress heat generation from the LEDs.

[0007] However, when using such a heat dissipation component such as a heat sink, an intake and exhaust system is required to cool the heat dissipation component. When multiple peripheral devices are placed close to the light irradiation device, as in the printing device of Patent Document 1, problems arise such as insufficient intake and exhaust, and the heat dissipation component cannot be sufficiently cooled. It is also possible to lay out the printer so that sufficient space is provided between the peripheral device and the light irradiation device to allow for sufficient intake and exhaust, but this would result in the printer itself becoming larger.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a light irradiation device that can efficiently cool LEDs (light sources) and that can be arranged in close proximity to peripheral devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the light irradiation device of the present invention is a light irradiation device that irradiates an irradiation object with light having a predetermined line width in a first direction and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and includes a light source unit having a substrate defined by the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a plurality of light sources arranged on a surface of the substrate along the second direction and emitting light in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, a heat dissipation unit having a plurality of heat dissipation fins and thermally coupled to the back side of the substrate, and a first absorption unit that takes in air from the outside. The lamp comprises a first housing having a first air intake port and a first exhaust port for discharging the air inside, and accommodating a light source unit and a heat dissipation unit; and a first cooling fan attached to at least one of the first air intake port and the first exhaust port for generating cooling air passing between a plurality of heat dissipation fins, wherein the first air intake port is formed on one end face of the first housing in the second direction, and the first exhaust port is formed on the other end face of the first housing in the second direction, and the first air intake port and the first exhaust port are located outside the object to be irradiated in the second direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, the first intake port and the first exhaust port are formed on the end surface of the first housing in the second direction and are located outside the irradiation object, so that intake and exhaust are performed only along the second direction. Therefore, it is possible to arrange peripheral devices and multiple light irradiation devices of the same type or the same type closely along the first direction. Furthermore, when the irradiation object is transported in the first direction, the light source can be sufficiently cooled without the exhaust air or waste heat from the light irradiation device affecting the irradiation object.

[0011] It is also desirable that the device is provided with a partition plate that divides the space within the first housing, forming a first wind tunnel in the space connected to the first intake port, a second wind tunnel in the space where the multiple heat dissipation fins are arranged, and a third wind tunnel in the space connected to the first exhaust port, and that the partition plate has a communication port formed to connect the first wind tunnel and the second wind tunnel, and that the second wind tunnel and the third wind tunnel are connected via the heat dissipation fins.

[0012] Moreover, it is preferable that the communication opening is made up of a plurality of openings arranged along the second direction, and that the width of each opening in the first direction is equal.

[0013] Furthermore, it is desirable that the communication opening is made up of a plurality of openings arranged along the second direction, and that the width of each opening in the first direction varies depending on the distance from the first cooling fan. In this case, the width of each opening in the first direction can be configured to decrease with increasing distance from the first cooling fan. Also, the width of each opening in the first direction can be configured to increase with increasing distance from the first cooling fan.

[0014] Moreover, it is desirable that the first cooling fan takes in air from the outside and generates cooling air in the second direction in the first wind tunnel and the third wind tunnel.

[0015] Furthermore, it is desirable that the cooling air changes direction within the second wind tunnel from the first direction to the third direction, or from the third direction to the first direction.

[0016] The device also includes a shading unit that is arranged opposite the light source unit and blocks light irradiated from the light source unit so that it does not leak to the outside, and the shading unit has a light absorbing member that absorbs light irradiated from the light source unit, a second air intake port that takes in air from the outside, a second exhaust port that exhausts internal air, and a second housing that supports the light absorbing member, and inside the second housing is formed a fourth wind tunnel through which cooling air flows from the second air intake port toward the second exhaust port, and in the second direction, it is desirable that the second air intake port and the second exhaust port be located outside the object to be irradiated.

[0017] It is also desirable that the second intake port be formed on one end surface of the second housing in the second direction, the second exhaust port be formed on the other end surface of the second housing in the second direction, and a second cooling fan be attached to at least one of the second intake port and the second exhaust port to generate cooling air that flows through the fourth wind tunnel.

[0018] It is also preferable that the first intake port and the second intake port are formed on the same side in the second direction.

[0019] It is also preferable that the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port are formed on the same side in the second direction.

[0020] It is also desirable that the irradiation object is transported in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, a light irradiation device is realized that can efficiently cool a light source and that can be arranged in close proximity to peripheral devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing a configuration of a light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an external view of a light source unit included in a light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a light source unit included in the light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a light source unit included in the light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a light source unit included in the light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a light source unit included in the light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a light source unit included in the light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a light source unit included in the light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a light blocking unit included in the light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0024] Fig. 1 is an external view showing the configuration of a light irradiation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the light irradiation device 1 is a device for curing an ultraviolet curable resin applied to the surface of an irradiation object P (e.g., a recording medium) being transported, and is composed of a light source unit 10 disposed above the irradiation object P and emitting a line-shaped ultraviolet light toward the irradiation object P, and a light-shielding unit 20 disposed opposite the light source unit 10 so as to cover the irradiation object P from below. In this specification, the longitudinal direction of the line-shaped ultraviolet light emitted from the light source unit 10 is defined as the X-axis direction (second direction), the line width direction of the line-shaped ultraviolet light is defined as the Y-axis direction (first direction), and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis is defined as the Z-axis direction (third direction).

[0025] (Configuration of light source unit 10) FIG. 2 is an external view of the light source unit 10 of this embodiment, where FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the light source unit 10, FIG. 2(b) is a right side view of the light source unit 10, and FIG. 2(c) is a left side view of the light source unit 10. FIGS. 3 to 8 are views illustrating the internal configuration of the light source unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 2, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 2. Note that in FIGS. 3 to 8, some components such as wiring cables inside the light source unit 10 are omitted for ease of viewing.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4 , the light source unit 10 of this embodiment includes a box-shaped housing 100 that is long in the X-axis direction and that houses an LED module 200 (light source), a cooling fan 300 (first cooling fan), a heat sink 400 (heat dissipation unit), an LED drive circuit 500, and the like. The housing 100 includes a glass window 105 on its front surface 100a through which ultraviolet light is emitted. An exhaust port 101 consisting of multiple openings S is formed on a left side surface 100c of the housing 100 for exhausting air from within the housing 100, and an intake port 103 is formed on a right side surface 100b for supplying air into the housing 100. A connector (not shown) for supplying power to the light source unit 10 is provided on a rear surface 100d of the housing 100. The connector is electrically connected to a power supply device (not shown) so that power is supplied to the light source unit 10.

[0027] 3 to 8, the light source unit 10 of this embodiment includes, within a housing 100, four LED modules 200 (FIG. 4) arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, four heat sinks 400 (FIG. 4) arranged in close contact with each LED module 200, and four LED drive circuits 500 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 7) that supply power to each LED module 200. Each LED module 200, each heat sink 400, and each LED drive circuit 500 has the same configuration.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each LED module 200 includes a rectangular plate-shaped substrate 205 defined in the X-axis and Y-axis directions and made of a material with high thermal conductivity (e.g., aluminum nitride), and multiple (e.g., 500) LED elements 210 having the same characteristics, and is fixed onto one end face (end face in the Z-axis direction) of a heat dissipation plate 410 of a heat sink 400.

[0029] The LED elements 210 are arranged, for example, in an array of 50 elements (in the X-axis direction) by 10 rows (in the Y-axis direction) and mounted on a chip-on-board (COB). An anode pattern (not shown) and a cathode pattern (not shown) for supplying power to each LED element 210 are formed on the substrate 205, and each LED element 210 is electrically connected to the anode pattern and the cathode pattern, respectively. The substrate 205 of each LED module 200 is electrically connected to each LED drive circuit 500 by a wiring cable (not shown), and each LED element 210 is supplied with a drive current from each LED drive circuit 500 via the anode pattern and the cathode pattern. When a drive current is supplied to each LED element 210, each LED element 210 emits ultraviolet light (for example, a wavelength of 365 nm) with an amount of light corresponding to the drive current, and the LED module 200 emits linear ultraviolet light that extends in the X-axis direction and has a predetermined line width in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, toward the irradiation object P. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, four LED modules 200 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and the linear ultraviolet light emitted from each LED module 200 is continuous in the X-axis direction.

[0030] The heat sink 400 is a member that dissipates heat generated from the LED module 200. The heat sink 400 of this embodiment is composed of a rectangular metal (e.g., copper or aluminum) heat dissipation plate 410 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 420 brazed to the other end surface of the heat dissipation plate 410 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the LED module 200 is placed) (FIGS. 3 and 4). The heat dissipation fins 420 are rectangular metal (e.g., copper, aluminum, iron, magnesium, or an alloy containing any of these) members that protrude from the heat dissipation plate 410 in a direction opposite to the Z-axis direction and dissipate heat transferred to the heat dissipation plate 410 into the air.

[0031] 3, the LED module 200 and the heat sink 400 of this embodiment are fixed in the housing 100 by a fixing member 150. The fixing member 150 is a member that supports a portion of the LED module 200 and the heat sink 400, and when the LED module 200 and the heat sink 400 are fixed in the fixing member 150, each LED element 210 is disposed in a position facing the window portion 105. Furthermore, when the LED module 200 and the heat sink 400 are fixed in the fixing member 150, an end of the heat dissipation fin 420 in the direction opposite to the Z-axis direction is configured to abut against the first partition plate 161 of the partition member 160.

[0032] When a drive current flows through each LED element 210 and each LED element 210 emits ultraviolet light, the temperature rises due to self-heating of the LED elements 210, but the heat generated by each LED element 210 is quickly conducted (moved) to the heat dissipation fins 420 via the substrate 205 and the heat dissipation plate 410, and is dissipated into the surrounding air from each heat dissipation fin 420. The air heated by the heat dissipation fins 420 is then quickly exhausted through the exhaust port 101 by the cooling air flowing over the surface of each heat dissipation fin 420.

[0033] Cooling fan 300 is disposed opposite air intake 103, and is a member that takes in air from outside housing 100 and generates cooling air inside housing 100 (FIGS. 4 to 8). Cooling fan 300 of this embodiment is disposed at one end (end in the X-axis direction) of partition member 160 that divides the space inside housing 100 (FIG. 5).

[0034] 3, partition member 160 is a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section formed by bending a metal plate, and includes first partition plate 161 against which an end of heat dissipation fin 420 facing the Z-axis direction abuts, second partition plate 162 facing the upper surface (the surface facing the Y-axis direction) of housing 100, and third partition plate 163 facing the lower surface (the surface facing the Y-axis direction) of housing 100. First partition plate 161, second partition plate 162, and third partition plate 163 each extend from cooling fan 300 toward left side surface 100c of housing 100 in the direction facing the X-axis direction, and form a first air channel α that guides air taken in by cooling fan 300 in the direction facing the X-axis direction in a space surrounded by and rear surface 100d of housing 100 (i.e., a space continuous with air intake port 103). The other ends (ends opposite to the X-axis direction) of the first partition plate 161, the second partition plate 162, and the third partition plate 163 abut against the left side surface 100c of the housing 100, and the first wind tunnel α is closed by the left side surface 100c of the housing 100 in the direction opposite to the X-axis direction (Figure 4). In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, in this embodiment, four LED drive circuits 500 are arranged in the first wind tunnel α.

[0035] The first partition plate 161 is a partition plate parallel to the XY plane, and has four rectangular communication openings 161a-161d formed thereon that are aligned in the X-axis direction so as to face the heat dissipation fins 420 (FIGS. 7 and 8). Each of the communication openings 161a-161d is an opening for guiding the cooling air in the first air channel α to the space (second air channel β) between the heat dissipation fins 420. The widths Wa-Wd of each of the communication openings 161a-161d in the X-axis direction are approximately equal to the width of the heat sink 400 of each LED module 200, and the widths Ha-Hd of each of the communication openings 161a-161d in the Y-axis direction are formed to satisfy the relationship Ha>Hb>Hc>Hd (i.e., the widths vary depending on the distance from the cooling fan 300, becoming smaller the farther away from the cooling fan 300) (FIG. 8). As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first partition plate 161 in this embodiment abuts against approximately the center of the heat dissipation fin 420, and the upper end (end in the Y-axis direction) and lower end (end in the direction opposite to the Y-axis direction) of the heat dissipation fin 420 are exposed from the first partition plate 161 (i.e., located in the third wind tunnels γ1 and γ2).

[0036] In the configuration of this embodiment, the four LED modules 200 and heat sinks 400 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, which causes a problem of variations in the amount of light if the temperatures of the LED elements 210 of each LED module 200 differ. To solve this problem, this embodiment is configured so that air flows between each of the heat dissipation fins 420 through the communication holes 161a to 161d, thereby making the amount of air flowing through each of the heat sinks 400 approximately equal (i.e., making the wind speed approximately equal), and uniformly cooling the four heat sinks 400.

[0037] In this embodiment, the widths Ha to Hd of each communication opening 161a to 161d in the Y-axis direction are formed to satisfy the relationship Ha>Hb>Hc>Hd (i.e., they change depending on the distance from the cooling fan 300, becoming smaller the farther away from the cooling fan 300), but the widths Ha to Hd of each communication opening 161a to 161d in the Y-axis direction may be equal as long as the four heat sinks 400 can be cooled uniformly.

[0038] The second partition plate 162 is a partition plate parallel to the XZ plane, and is disposed so as to face the upper surface (surface in the Y-axis direction) of the housing 100, forming a third wind tunnel γ1 in the space within the housing 100 (FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 8). Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the third wind tunnel γ1 is a space continuous with the exhaust port 101, in which the upper end portion (end portion in the Y-axis direction) of the heat dissipation fin 420 is located, and which communicates with the second wind tunnel β via the heat dissipation fin 420.

[0039] The third partition plate 163 is a partition plate parallel to the XZ plane, and is disposed so as to face the lower surface of the housing 100 (the surface facing the opposite direction to the Y-axis direction), forming a third wind tunnel γ2 in the space within the housing 100 (FIGS. 3, 6, 7, and 8). As shown in FIG. 6, the third wind tunnel γ2, like the third wind tunnel γ1, is a space that is continuous with the exhaust port 101, and the lower end portion (the end portion facing the opposite direction to the Y-axis direction) of the heat dissipation fin 420 is located therein, and communicates with the second wind tunnel β via the heat dissipation fin 420.

[0040] 3 to 6, the cooling action of heat sink 400, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, will be described. Arrows in Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 indicate the direction of cooling air generated within heat sink 400 and housing 100.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the light source unit 10 of this embodiment includes a cooling fan 300 positioned opposite the air intake 103 on the right side surface 100b of the housing 100, and an exhaust port 101 formed on the left side surface 100c of the housing 100. Therefore, when the cooling fan 300 rotates, air outside the housing 100 is drawn in by the cooling fan 300, creating a positive pressure inside the housing 100, and air inside the housing 100 is exhausted through the exhaust port 101. Therefore, cooling air is generated inside the housing 100, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. 4 . Specifically, the air drawn into the housing 100 by the cooling fan 300 flows through a first air channel α in the housing 100, where the LED drive circuits 500 are arranged, between the LED drive circuits 500, in a direction opposite to the X-axis direction. Therefore, heat generated by each LED drive circuit 500 is dissipated into the air moving through the first air channel α. In this manner, in this embodiment, each LED drive circuit 500 is cooled by arranging the LED drive circuit 500 in the first wind tunnel α.

[0042] As described above, the first wind tunnel α is closed by the left side surface 100c of the housing 100 in the direction opposite to the X-axis direction, so the air in the first wind tunnel α passes through the four communication ports 161a to 161d formed in the first partition plate 161 and moves toward the space of the heat dissipation fin 420 (the second wind tunnel β) (Figures 3 and 4).

[0043] The air that has moved to the second wind tunnel β passes between the heat dissipation fins 420 and proceeds in the Z-axis direction, but hits the heat dissipation plate 410, causing it to bend in the Y-axis direction and in a direction opposite to the Y-axis direction between the heat dissipation fins 420 (FIG. 3).Then, the air that has left the space between the heat dissipation fins 420 (second wind tunnel β) moves to the third wind tunnels γ1 and γ2, moves within the third wind tunnels γ1 and γ2 in a direction opposite to the X-axis direction, and is discharged from the exhaust port 101 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, air taken in by the cooling fan 300 flows through the first wind tunnel α, moves to the second wind tunnel β, moves to the third wind tunnels γ1 and γ2, and is discharged from the exhaust port 101. This movement of air generates cooling air (airflow). As described above, the cooling air passes through the spaces between the heat dissipation fins 420 (second wind tunnel β), and the heat from each heat dissipation fin 420 is dissipated into the air.

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, the widths Ha to Hd in the Y-axis direction of the communication openings 161a to 161d of the first partition plate 161 satisfy the relationship Ha>Hb>Hc>Hd, and the amount of air flowing through each heat sink 400 is approximately equal (i.e., the wind speed is approximately equal), so that the four heat sinks 400 are uniformly cooled. As a result, the temperatures of the LED elements 210 of each LED module 200 become approximately equal, and variations in light intensity are also reduced.

[0046] In addition, the air intake port 103 and the air exhaust port 101 are arranged on one end surface and the other end surface of the housing 100, and are positioned outside the object to be irradiated P, and the air intake and exhaust directions are limited to only the direction opposite to the X-axis direction, so the air intake and exhaust do not affect the object to be irradiated P. Furthermore, since the air intake and exhaust directions are limited to only the direction opposite to the X-axis direction, even if a peripheral device is placed close to the housing 100 in the Y-axis direction or the direction opposite to the Y-axis direction, the peripheral device will not be affected, and the peripheral device will not interfere with the intake and exhaust of air.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the heat of the LED module 200 conducted to the heat sink 400 is cooled by air supplied through the space within the housing 100, so the housing 100 itself does not become hot.

[0048] (Configuration of light blocking unit 20) Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the light-shielding unit 20 of this embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 9, the light-shielding unit 20 is disposed opposite the light source unit 10 so as to cover the irradiation object P from below (the Z-axis direction side), and is a device that blocks ultraviolet light emitted from the light source unit 10 so as not to leak to the outside.

[0049] 1 and 9, the light-shielding unit 20 has a case 21 (second housing) in which a recess 21a is formed, which is recessed in the Z-axis direction so as to cover the irradiation object P from below. The case 21 is a box-shaped metal member, and the surface of the recess 21a facing the irradiation object P (i.e., the surface facing the window 105 of the light source unit 10) is made of a light-absorbing member 22. Ultraviolet light that does not hit the irradiation object P is absorbed by the light-absorbing member 22 and does not leak out of the light irradiation device 1.

[0050] However, when ultraviolet light from the light source unit 10 is irradiated onto the light-shielding unit 20, heat from the light-absorbing member 22 in the recess 21a is transferred to the case 21, raising the temperature of the light-shielding unit 20 itself. To address this issue, the present embodiment forms a space (fourth wind tunnel δ) within the case 21, allowing cooling air to flow through the fourth wind tunnel δ ( FIG. 9 ). More specifically, an intake port 21ba (second intake port) is formed in the right side plate 21b of the case 21 to draw air into the fourth wind tunnel δ from the outside, and an exhaust port 21ca (second exhaust port) is formed in the left side plate 21c of the case 21 to exhaust air from the fourth wind tunnel δ. An exhaust fan 30 (second cooling fan) is positioned opposite the exhaust port 21ca, allowing cooling air to flow through the space (fourth wind tunnel δ) that is continuous with the intake port 21ba and the exhaust port 21ca.

[0051] 9, when exhaust fan 30 rotates, air inside case 21 is exhausted from exhaust fan 30, creating a negative pressure inside case 21, and external air is drawn into case 21 through intake port 21ba. Therefore, cooling air is generated inside case 21 from intake port 21ba toward exhaust port 21ca, as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 9. In other words, the air drawn into case 21 through intake port 21ba flows along the rear surface of recess 21a through fourth air tunnel δ in a direction opposite to the X-axis direction, thereby cooling recess 21a. In this manner, in this embodiment, the heat in the recess 21a of the case 21 is cooled by the cooling wind (air) flowing through the space (fourth wind tunnel δ) inside the case 21, so the case 21 itself does not become hot.

[0052] In addition, the air intake port 21ba and the air exhaust port 21ca are arranged on one end face and the other end face of the case 21, and are positioned outside the object to be irradiated P, and the air intake and exhaust directions are limited to only directions opposite to the X-axis direction, so the air intake and exhaust do not affect the object to be irradiated P. Furthermore, since the air intake and exhaust directions are limited to only the direction opposite to the X-axis direction, even if a peripheral device is placed close to the housing 100 in the Y-axis direction or the direction opposite to the Y-axis direction, the peripheral device will not be affected, and the peripheral device will not interfere with the intake and exhaust of air.

[0053] The above is a description of this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0054] For example, the light irradiation device 1 of this embodiment has been described as including the light source unit 10 and the light blocking unit 20, but is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and the light blocking unit 20 may be provided as needed.

[0055] In addition, although the light irradiation device 1 of the present embodiment is an apparatus for curing an ultraviolet curable resin applied to the surface of an irradiation object P (e.g., a recording medium, etc.) being conveyed, it is only necessary that the device emits linear ultraviolet light to the irradiation object P, and it is not necessarily required that the irradiation object P be conveyed.

[0056] Further, although the light source unit 10 of the present embodiment is an apparatus for irradiating ultraviolet light, it is not limited to such a configuration, and the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus for irradiating irradiation light in other wavelength ranges (e.g., visible light such as white light, infrared light, etc.).

[0057] In addition, in the light source unit 10 of the present embodiment, although the cooling fan 300 has been described as an intake fan, it can also be an exhaust fan. In that case, the air flow is reversed, and air is inhaled from the exhaust port 101 and exhausted from the intake port 103 (i.e., the air intake direction and the exhaust direction of the air become the X-axis direction). Also, in this case, the widths Ha to Hd in the Y-axis direction of the respective communication ports 161a to 161d of the first partition plate 161 may be formed so as to satisfy the relationship Ha < Hb < Hc < Hd (i.e., change according to the distance from the cooling fan 300 and increase as the distance from the cooling fan 300 increases).

[0058] In addition, in the light shielding unit 20 of the present embodiment, the exhaust fan 30 is used, but the exhaust fan 30 can also be replaced with an intake fan. In that case, the air flow is reversed, and the air inside the case 21 is exhausted from the intake port 21ba (i.e., the air intake direction and the exhaust direction of the air become the X-axis direction).

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment, the intake port 103 of the light source unit 10 and the intake port 21ba of the light shielding unit 20 are formed on the same side (the end face in the X-axis direction), but it is not necessarily limited to such a configuration, and they may be formed on different sides in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, although the exhaust port 101 and the exhaust fan 30 are formed on the same side (the end face opposite to the X-axis direction), this is not necessarily limited to such a configuration, and they may be formed on different sides in the X-axis direction.

[0060] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1:Light irradiation device 10: Light source unit 20: Light blocking unit 21: Case 21a: recess 21b: Right side plate 21ba: Air intake 21c: Left side plate 21ca: Exhaust port 22: Light absorbing material 30: Exhaust fan 100: Housing 100a: Front 100b: Right side 100c: left side 100d: Back 101: Exhaust port 103: Air intake 105: Window section 150: Fixing member 160: Partition member 161: First partition 161a: Communication port 161b: Communication port 161c: Communication port 161d: Communication port 162: Second partition 163: Third partition 200: LED module 205: Substrate 210: LED element 300: Cooling fan 400: Heat sink 410: Heat sink 420: Heat dissipation fin 500: LED drive circuit P: Irradiation target S: Opening α: 1st wind tunnel β: 2nd wind tunnel γ1: 3rd wind tunnel γ2: 3rd wind tunnel δ: 4th wind tunnel

Claims

1. A light irradiation device that irradiates an irradiation object with light having a predetermined line width in a first direction and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a light source unit including a substrate defined by the first direction and the second direction, and a plurality of light sources arranged on a surface of the substrate along the second direction and emitting light in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; a heat dissipation unit having a plurality of heat dissipation fins and thermally coupled to the rear surface side of the substrate; a first housing having a first air intake port for taking in air from the outside and a first air exhaust port for exhausting air from the inside, and accommodating the light source unit and the heat dissipation unit; a partition plate that divides a space within the first housing, forming a first wind tunnel in a space continuous with the first air intake port, a second wind tunnel in a space in which the plurality of heat dissipation fins are disposed, and a third wind tunnel in a space continuous with the first air exhaust port; a first cooling fan attached to at least one of the first air intake port and the first air exhaust port, the first cooling fan generating cooling air that passes between the plurality of heat dissipation fins; Equipped with the first air intake port is formed on one end surface of the first housing in the second direction, the first exhaust port is formed on the other end surface of the first housing in the second direction, In the second direction, the first intake port and the first exhaust port are located outside the irradiation object, the partition plate has a communication port formed to communicate the first wind tunnel with the second wind tunnel, the second wind tunnel and the third wind tunnel communicate with each other via a heat dissipation fin; The communication port is made up of a plurality of openings aligned along the second direction, a width of each of the openings in the first direction decreasing with increasing distance from the first cooling fan;

2. 2. The light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the first cooling fan takes in air from the outside and generates cooling air in the second direction in the first wind tunnel and the third wind tunnel.

3. 2. The light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling air changes direction in the second air channel from the first direction to the third direction or from the third direction to the first direction.

4. a light-shielding unit disposed opposite the light source unit and configured to block light emitted from the light source unit so that the light does not leak to the outside; The light-shielding unit is a light absorbing member that absorbs light irradiated from the light source unit; a second housing having a second intake port for taking in air from the outside and a second exhaust port for exhausting air from the inside, and supporting the light absorbing member; and a fourth air channel is formed inside the second housing, through which cooling air flows from the second air intake port toward the second air exhaust port; In the second direction, the second intake port and the second exhaust port are located outside the irradiation object. The light irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the second intake port is formed on one end surface of the second housing in the second direction, the second exhaust port is formed on the other end surface of the second housing in the second direction, 5. The light irradiation device according to claim 4, further comprising a second cooling fan attached to at least one of the second air intake port and the second exhaust port, the second cooling fan generating cooling air flowing through the fourth wind tunnel.

6. 6. The light irradiation device according to claim 5, wherein the first air intake port and the second air intake port are formed on the same side in the second direction.

7. 7. The light irradiation device according to claim 6, wherein the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port are formed on the same side in the second direction.

8. The light irradiation device according to claim 4 , wherein the irradiation object is transported in the first direction.

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