JP2018140496A - Ink suction means, inkjet discharge device, and plate making apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink suction unit provided opposite to an ink discharge port provided in an ink jet unit maintains an appropriate distance between the ink discharge port and the ink suction port, and causes problems such as clogging or adhesion of foreign matter to the ink discharge port. Provided is a technology that can prevent such problems or eliminate such defects. A suction head having an ink suction port 311 facing the ink ejection port in a non-contact manner, and a spacer (roller) 313 that keeps the distance between the ink ejection port and the ink suction port 311 at a desired distance. The ink suction means 3 including the portion 31 was obtained. [Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink suction means that prevents or eliminates problems such as clogging and adhesion of dust and the like in an ink jet head in an ink jet discharge apparatus and the like.

  In an ink jet discharge apparatus such as an ink jet printer, an ink jet printer, or an ink jet modeling apparatus, ink, ink, and a three-dimensional shape are formed by ejecting ink from an ink discharge port onto a medium. Since the ink is ejected by intermittently ejecting ink droplets from a fine ink ejection port in a short time, the ink ejection port must always be kept clean. However, clogging or adhesion of foreign matter tends to occur at the ink discharge port due to the influence of ink solidification or dust.

As means for keeping the ink discharge port clean, there are a pressurization method that discharges ink at a high pressure at the time of cleaning and a suction method that sucks ink using a negative pressure. Among these, the suction method includes an ink discharge port There are a contact method in which a suction tool is brought into contact with a non-contact method in which suction is performed in a non-contact manner with respect to an ink discharge port. Of these methods, the pressure method is wasteful because it consumes more ink, and the suction method is preferred. In comparison with the suction method, the contact method is reasonable and excellent in terms of clogging and removal of foreign matter, but the ink discharge port may be damaged because the contact and non-contact are repeated with respect to the ink discharge port. On the other hand, a technique for cleaning the ink discharge port in a non-contact manner is preferably recommended because it does not have the disadvantage of damaging the ink discharge port.
As a prior art for the non-contact method, for example, JP-A-10-323996 (Patent Document 1) can be cited.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-323996

  The disadvantage of the non-contact method is that there is a gap between the ink discharge port and the suction tool, and if this gap is too wide, ink suction is insufficient. Therefore, it is considered that the gap as narrow as possible is excellent in the suction effect. However, if the gap is too narrow, there is a possibility that the ink discharge port and the suction tool may accidentally contact each other. Therefore, a high technique for keeping this interval constant, more preferably narrow, constant is required, but the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-323996 (Patent Document 1) does not describe such technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for preventing a problem such as clogging or adhesion of foreign matter from occurring at an ink discharge port or removing such a problem.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a technique for appropriately maintaining an interval between an ink discharge port and an ink suction port.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, an ink suction unit provided opposite to an ink discharge port provided in the ink jet unit, and a desired interval between the ink suction port facing the ink discharge port in a non-contact manner and the ink discharge port and the ink suction port is set as desired. Ink suction means including a suction head portion having a spacer held at intervals.

With respect to the ink suction means provided to face the ink discharge ports provided in the ink jet means, the ink suction ports that face the ink discharge ports in a non-contact manner are provided, so that the ink discharge ports are not damaged. In addition, since the spacer for keeping the distance between the ink discharge port and the ink suction port at a desired distance is provided, the ink suction port can be arranged at a constant interval with respect to the ink discharge port, and the desired suction force can be obtained. Sustained and lasting suction effect can be desired.
In addition, since the suction head portion having such an ink suction port and a spacer is provided, the ink suction port and the spacer can be moved together, and the spacer can function at the point where the ink suction port moves.

The ink suction means can be a roller provided with a spacer in the suction head portion.
Since the spacer is a roller provided in the suction head section, the size of the spacer can be easily changed depending on the size and mounting position of the roller, and the interval can always be kept constant, such as the size of the roller. it can. Further, the location can be easily moved by the rotation of the roller, and the spacer function can be easily exhibited at the destination. Furthermore, the grounding object of the roller is not damaged.

The ink suction means may have an annular bank protruding outward at the opening edge of the ink suction port.
Since there is an annular bank protruding outward at the opening edge of the ink suction port, the ink remaining in the ink suction port after the ink moved to the ink suction port can be reduced. Therefore, reverse ink adhesion from the ink suction port to the ink discharge port can be prevented.

The suction head unit may be an ink suction unit that further includes a floating support unit that can move in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface of the ink suction port.
Since it further includes a floating support means that allows the suction head section to move in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface of the ink suction port, the interval between the ink jet means and the ink suction means may be widened or narrowed during scanning of the ink suction port. However, the pressure can be released by moving the suction head portion in the direction perpendicular to the ink suction port, and the interval between the ink suction port and the ink discharge port can always be maintained at a desired constant interval.

The floating support means may be an ink suction means having a bush provided in the suction head portion, a compression spring on which the bush is placed, and a support shaft inserted through the bush.
Since the floating support means has a bush provided on the suction head portion, a compression spring on which the bush is mounted, and a support shaft inserted through the bush, the support shaft prevents the suction head portion from swinging more than necessary. The bush can move the suction head portion up and down in the axial direction of the support shaft, and the compression spring can press the suction head portion in the direction of the ink discharge port. Accordingly, it is possible to stably press and support the suction head unit in the direction of the ink discharge port.

And it can be set as the inkjet discharge apparatus provided with one of the said ink suction means and inkjet means.
Since any one of the above ink suction means and ink jet means is provided, the ink jet discharge apparatus is excellent in preventing troubles such as clogging and adhesion of dust etc. in the ink jet head or removing such troubles. be able to.

Furthermore, it can be set as the plate-making apparatus provided with one of the said ink suction means or the said inkjet discharge apparatus.
Since any one of the above ink suction means or the above inkjet discharge device is provided, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as clogging or adhesion of dust on the inkjet head, or to make a plate making apparatus excellent in removing such defects. be able to.

According to the present invention, problems such as clogging and adhesion of foreign matter can be made difficult to occur at the ink discharge port, and even when such problems occur, they can be easily eliminated.
In addition, the present invention can favorably maintain a distance from the ink discharge port, and can perform efficient suction.

It is a schematic plan view of a plate making apparatus. It is a schematic bottom view of a head receiving part. It is a front view of FIG. It is a right view of a cleaning unit. It is a front view of a cleaning unit. It is a perspective view of a suction wheel. It is the elements on larger scale of the cleaning unit which show the state where the suction wheel was connected to the suction wheel receiving part through the suction wheel support part. It is a schematic diagram which shows a suction mechanism. FIG. 4 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an ink head suction state. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between an ink discharge port and an ink suction port. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the suction wheel of a cleaning unit approaches an ink head. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the suction wheel of the cleaning unit contacted the ink head. It is explanatory drawing explaining the deformation | transformation form of the bank formed in an ink suction opening periphery.

  The present invention is further described below based on the embodiments.

<Embodiment>
In this embodiment, an aspect in which an ink jet means and an ink suction means for maintaining an ink discharge port provided in the ink jet means in a suitable state are incorporated in a plate making apparatus that performs plate making by an ink jet method will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of the plate making apparatus 100. In the plate making apparatus 100, an original plate P made of aluminum or the like (for example, a size of about 750 mm × about 450 mm) is placed on the table 1, and UV ink is ejected from the inkjet unit (ink jet means) 2 to be placed on the original plate P. This is an apparatus for forming an offset printing plate by forming an image line portion and forming a notch and a locking piece for mounting on a rotary press by a notch forming means and a bending means (not shown).

  In addition to the table 1 and the ink jet unit 2, the plate making apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a cleaning unit (ink suction means) 3 for sucking ink discharge ports of the ink jet printer, ink head maintenance and head surface maintenance. For this purpose, a flushing section 4 to which the discharged ink is discharged, a sub-scan linear rail 5 that allows the table 1 to move, a positioning pin 6 that positions the original plate P on the table 1, and the like are provided.

  In order to arrange the original plate P on the table 1, the positioning pin 6 is protruded from the surface of the table 1 by air pressure, and the edge of the original plate P is abutted against this. Thereby, the original plate P can always be set at a predetermined position. In addition, after the original plate P is set, air is sucked from a small hole (not shown) provided on the surface of the table 1 to fix the original plate P to the table 1 and cut the air of the positioning pins 6 and store it in the table 1. To do.

  The ink jet unit 2 is a part having a function of ejecting ink by an ink jet method. The ink jet unit 2 has two ink heads 21 (21a, 21b) mounted thereon. Both the ink heads 21a and 21b are formed in the Y direction (or “sub-scanning direction”) longer than the X direction (or “main scanning direction”) in FIG. 1, and one of the ink heads 21b. Is fixed to the head receiving portion 24 in parallel in two rows at a position slightly offset in the Y direction as compared with the other ink head 21a. The inkjet unit 2 further includes a UV irradiation device 25, a linear rail 26, and a support guide 27.

  As shown in the bottom view of the head receiving portion 24 in FIG. 2, each ink head 21a, 21b is formed with a discharge port region 23 composed of a collection of fine ink discharge ports 22. Similarly to the shape of the ink head 21, the Y direction is longer than the X direction. In this embodiment, the magnitude | size of the discharge outlet area | region 23 can be 10-30 mm in the length of a transversal direction, and can be 100-150 mm in the length of a longitudinal direction. In this way, the two ink heads 21a and 21b are provided with the ejection port region 23 in which about 2600 ink ejection ports 22 are two-dimensionally arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, thereby realizing high speed.

  In the inkjet unit 2 used in the plate making apparatus 100, the UV irradiation port 25a of the UV irradiation device 25 is formed on the right side of FIG. 2 of the ink head 21, and UV is irradiated immediately after the ink is discharged to solidify the UV ink. To be able to. Since the image area is formed by the ink ejected on the original plate P, it is necessary to prevent the ejected ink from causing ink flow and stain the non-image area, and quick curing after ejection is required. It is. The reason why the UV curable ink is used as the ink is that it has a preferable property as an ink receiving portion of the offset ink.

  Printing by the ink head 21 is performed by ejecting ink while moving the head receiving portion 24 in the main scanning direction from the left side to the right side in FIG. At this time, as shown in the front view of FIG. 3, the flushing portion 4 and the cleaning unit 3 to be described later are located below the surface of the table 1 by a length t so as not to interfere with the reciprocating scanning of the head receiving portion 24. I have to.

  When the ink head 21 moves in the main scanning direction to form an image line portion having the width of the two ink heads 21a and 21b, the sub scan linear rail 5 moves the table 1 by a predetermined distance in the sub scanning direction. The next area of the original plate P can be recorded. Then, the same operation as the previous operation is repeated to record the remaining half of the original plate P. Thus, in this plate making apparatus 100, the image line portion on the original plate P can be printed and formed by performing printing twice in the main operation direction.

  The cleaning unit 3 is disposed outside the table 1 and sucks ink remaining in the ink discharge ports 22 opened on the surface of the ink head 21. The cleaning unit 3 is shown in FIG. 4 which is a right side surface and FIG. 5 which is a front view. The cleaning unit 3 includes two suction wheels (suction head portions) 31 (31 a and 31 b) having ink suction ports, a suction wheel receiving portion 32 that holds the suction wheel 31, and a suction wheel receiving portion 32. A suction wheel support part (floating support means) 33 that floats and supports the suction wheel 31, a main movement mechanism 34 that enables the suction wheel receiver 32 to reciprocate in the Y-axis direction of FIG. 1, and the suction wheel receiver 32. A slide rail 35 that moves in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 1, a suction mechanism (see FIG. 8) that generates a suction force and separates gas and liquid, a linear motion cylinder 37 that moves the suction wheel receiver 32 up and down, And a base plate 38 on which the slide rail 35 is placed.

  The suction wheel 31 performs scanning so that the ink suction port 311 is opposed to the entire discharge port region 23 while holding the ink suction port 311 at a predetermined interval from the ink head 21. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 6, the suction wheel 31 includes a nozzle portion 312 having an ink suction port 311 that is exposed to the outside, four rollers 313 that are in contact with the surface of the ink head 21, and a suction mechanism that will be described later. The suction wheel main body 315 is provided with a joint 314 (see FIG. 7) leading to 36.

  The nozzle portion 312 is a portion that forms a passage for ink sucked in the suction wheel 31 and forms a portion that extends from the ink suction port 311 to a joint 314 described later. The nozzle portion 312 is preferably formed of a resin having a low coefficient of friction, such as polyacetal or fluororesin, in order to easily repel ink droplets.

  The ink suction port 311 exposed from the nozzle portion 312 is formed as a slit-shaped opening having a length corresponding to the ejection port region 23 of the corresponding ink head 21. By making the slit shape, the opening length is shortened in the moving direction of the ink suction port 311, and in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink suction port 311, the opening length is set in accordance with the width of the corresponding discharge port region 23. It can be lengthened and effective suction can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the ink suction port 311 has a length in the short direction of 0.1 to 2.0 mm, and the length in the long direction is slightly larger than the width in the short direction of the discharge port region 23. Each of the discharge port regions 23 can be formed larger by 1.0 to 3.0 mm from both ends. If the length in the short direction is shorter than 0.1 mm, sufficient ink cannot be sucked when the suction wheel 31 is scanned, and there is a possibility that ink remains in the ink discharge port 22. 311 becomes too wide and the suction force is weakened, the flow velocity generated around the ink suction port 311 is slowed down, and there is a possibility that ink may be left in the ink discharge port 22 due to effective suction. Also, fluctuations in mechanical elements, for example, suction cannot be performed.

  A protruding bank 316 is preferably formed at the opening edge of the ink suction port 311. When ink is sucked through the ink suction port 311 and the suction is completed, a phenomenon may occur in which the ink stays at the ink suction port 311 or the opening edge thereof. When this ink residue is generated, the interval between the ink suction port 311 and the ink discharge port 22 is narrow, so that the remaining ink may move to the ink discharge port 22 side and contaminate the surface of the ink discharge port 22. It is preferable not to generate it.

  That is, when the bank 316 is formed in the ink suction port 311, the area of the opening edge of the ink suction port 311 facing the ink head 21 can be reduced, and the ink does not easily stay on the opening edge (bank). It can be done. In other words, the bank 316 is a portion that avoids ink and does not cause ink adhesion in the vicinity of the ink suction port 311.

  The size of the bank 316 is preferably 5 mm or less from the opening end of the ink suction port 311. This is because if the length is longer than 5 mm, the area of the bank 316 increases, and ink adhesion is likely to occur.

  The rollers 313 are provided at four locations on the side of the suction wheel main body 315 where the ink suction port 311 exists, and function as a spacer that keeps the distance between the ink discharge port 22 and the ink suction port 311 constant. That is, the roller 313 serves as a wheel that contacts the surface of the ink head 21 that the ink discharge port 22 exposes, and rotates on the ink head 21 to rotate the suction wheel 31. The roller 313 is preferably formed of a rubber material or plastic material having flexibility so that the roller 313 can rotate stably without sliding on the ink head 21, but if it is too soft, Since the function is impaired, the rubber material preferably has a hardness of about 90 to 95 °. A material that is not affected by the ink component is preferable.

  In FIG. 6, the roller shafts 317 that are the support shafts of the four rollers 313 are four independent roller shafts 317, but two rollers 313 having the same center are connected by a common one roller shaft. You can also. However, it is preferable to provide a different roller shaft 317 for each roller 313. When one roller shaft that uses two rollers 313 in common is used, a portion connecting the two rollers 313 is necessary, and if the portion becomes heavy or ink is attached to a portion connecting the rollers 313, the roller 313 is used. This is because there is a possibility of adversely affecting the rotation of the machine, and it may become an obstacle during cleaning.

The joint 314 is a part to which a communication pipe (not shown) connected to the suction mechanism 36 that generates a suction force is connected, and a one-touch joint can be used.
The suction wheel main body 315 is a part that becomes a frame of the suction wheel 31 and is formed of a rigid material. The support shaft insertion port 315a provided in the suction wheel main body 315 is a connection part with the suction wheel support part 33 described later.

  Although one ink suction port 311 is provided for one suction wheel 31, two or more ink suction ports can be provided in parallel. With this configuration, since the ink suction port 311 is scanned twice with respect to one ink ejection port 22, even if suction by one ink suction port 311 is insufficient, another ink suction is performed. Suction by mouth is possible. However, it is preferable to provide a suction mechanism for each ink suction port so that the suction force from each ink suction port does not become insufficient.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the suction wheel 31 is connected to the suction wheel receiving part 32 through the suction wheel support part 33. The suction wheel support part 33 floats and supports the suction wheel 31 with respect to the suction wheel receiver 32, and is a floating support means for the suction wheel 31. By providing the suction wheel support portion 33, the distance between the suction wheel 31 and the suction wheel receiver 32 can be adjusted. That is, two support shafts 331 are fixed to the suction wheel receiving portion 32, and a compression spring 332 is passed through the support shaft 331. Two bushes 333 fixed to the suction wheel main body 315 are mounted on the compression spring 332, and a support shaft 331 is passed through the shaft of the bush 333 so that the bush 333 can move up and down on the support shaft 331. ing. With such a configuration, the suction wheel 31 can always be brought into contact with the ink head 21 in a pressed state due to the repulsive force of the compression spring 332, and the axial direction of the support shaft 331 is accompanied by a change in the surface state of the ink head 21. The suction wheel 31 can be moved up and down.

The suction wheel receiving portion 32 to which the two suction wheels 31 a and 31 b are fixed through the support shaft 331 is a table on the main moving mechanism 34. The main moving mechanism 34 is formed by a belt conveyor or a chain conveyor having a pulley 341, a belt 342, and the like so that the suction wheel receiving portion 32 can reciprocate linearly in the sub-scanning direction.
Since the two suction wheels 31a and 31b are fixed to the suction wheel receiver 32 through the support shaft 331, the two suction wheels 31a and 31b can be moved together by moving the suction wheel receiver 32 in the sub-scanning direction. The two rows of ink heads 21a and 21b can be cleaned simultaneously.

  The suction mechanism 36 is a part having a function of generating a suction force at the ink suction port 311 and separating the sucked ink and air. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the suction mechanism 36 includes a vacuum drain separator 361, a vacuum ejector 362, a compressor 363, and a one-way valve 364.

  When suction is performed from the ink suction port 311, the positive pressure generated by the compressor 363 is converted into a negative pressure by the vacuum ejector 362. As a result, the inside of the nozzle portion 312 has a negative pressure, and ink can be sucked from the ink suction port 311. The sucked ink is stored in the vacuum drain separator 361. Since the vacuum drain separator 361 is sucked, the ball 365 in the one-way valve 364 leading to the vacuum drain separator 361 is sucked, whereby the ball 365 closes the opening and the flow path to the recovery bottle is closed.

  On the other hand, when the suction from the ink head 21 is completed, the operation of the compressor 363 is stopped. As a result, since the pressure in the pipe returns to atmospheric pressure, the ball 365 of the one-way valve 364 is released from the suction and the flow path is opened, so that the ink accumulated in the vacuum drain separator 361 falls into the collection bottle 366 and accumulates. ing. In addition, although the example using the vacuum ejector 361 as a negative pressure generator was demonstrated, a vacuum pump can also be used.

Next, the cleaning procedure for the ink head 21 will be described.
When the printing on the original plate P is completed by the ink jet unit 2, as shown in FIG. 9, if necessary, the head receiver 24 moves out of the recording area of the table 1 and moves to a position where the cleaning unit 3 exists, and linearly moves. The drive motor 28 attached to the rail 26 is stopped.

  Next, the linear motion cylinder 37 of the cleaning unit 3 shown in FIG. 4 is operated to lift the suction wheel receiving portion 32 on which the suction wheel 31 is placed. Then, from the state shown in FIG. 11 where the ink head 21 and the roller 313 are separated, the roller 313 contacts the bottom surface of the ink head 21, and the roller 313 presses the bottom surface of the ink head 21 by the repulsive force of the compression spring 332. It will be in the state shown by. At this time, the roller 313 functions as a spacer between the ink discharge port 22 of the ink head 21 and the ink suction port 311 of the suction wheel 31 to create a slight gap.

  In this state, the vacuum ejector 362 is operated, the main moving mechanism 34 is operated, and the suction wheel receiving portion 32 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction. When the inside of the nozzle unit 312 is set to a negative pressure by the operation of the vacuum ejector 362, air flows from the gap between the ink head 21 and the roller 313 and an air flow sucked into the ink suction port 311 is generated. Then, excess air on the surface of the ink head 21 is sucked to the ink suction port 311 by this air flow. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the longitudinal direction of the ink suction port 311 is arranged at a right angle with respect to the moving direction of the ink suction port 311 (Y direction in FIG. 10), and the ink suction port 311 has a slit shape. Therefore, excess ink can be sucked efficiently. In addition, since one ink suction port 311 of one suction wheel 31a (or 31b) corresponds to the discharge port region 23 of one ink head 21a (or 21b), one scanning in the sub-scanning direction is performed. Thus, all the ink heads 21a and 21b can be cleaned.

  Note that the positional relationship between the roller 313 and the ink head 21 is not limited to the opening surface where the ink discharge port 22 of the ink head 21 opens as long as the roller 313 is disposed so as to avoid the discharge port region 23, and this ink head. In any case, the surface of the head receiving portion 24 may be flush with the plane on which the discharge port area 23 is formed. is necessary.

  In such a plate making apparatus 100, since the original plate is large and the printing area is widened, the large-sized printer head 21 is used accordingly. Therefore, the discharge port area 23 necessary for scanning is naturally long. Therefore, it is difficult to keep the interval between the ink discharge port 22 and the ink suction port 311 constant over the long range. However, since the interval by the roller 313 is always maintained in the long scanning range, a constant suction force and suction effect can be maintained. Since stable suction can be performed in this manner, problems such as clogging and adhesion of foreign matter can be prevented from occurring at the ink discharge ports 22, and even when such problems occur, they can be easily eliminated.

<Deformation of spacer>
In the above embodiment, the use of the roller 313 as the spacer has been described. However, instead of the roller 313, a fixed protrusion with a smooth tip that protrudes from the suction wheel 31 can be used. This is because if the length of the protrusion is fixed, the smooth tip can be abutted against the ink head 21 to function as a spacer.

<Deformation of the bank>
In the above embodiment, the description has been given as the annular bank 316 that protrudes the opening edge of the ink suction port 311 over the entire circumference, but the shape of the bank can be changed.
The shape of the top of the bank, that is, the portion closest to the ink discharge port 22 is a shape parallel to the surface of the ink head 21, but can be a shape having an oblique angle. In the plate making apparatus 100, ink is ejected downward from the ink head 21, so that the ink suction port 311 facing it is upward, and the ink droplets roll more when there is an angle than parallel and flat. This is because it becomes easy and ink is hardly generated on the bank.

  Moreover, the height of the bank can make the front side lower than the back side when the suction wheel 31 travels while performing suction. In other words, the interval from the ink discharge port 22 can be long on the front side and short on the rear side. This is because the suction force can reach the front side of the suction wheel 31 in the traveling direction, and suction leakage can be reduced. Moreover, a groove can be formed in the bank on the front side. This is because the suction force acts on the front side in the traveling direction of the suction wheel 31 because the suction force works through the groove.

  The bank is formed in a rectangular shape that surrounds the entire circumference of the ink suction port 311, but the shape of the bank can be changed along the shape of the ink suction port 311. For example, if the shape of the ink suction port is such that the end portion is located on the front side in the traveling direction of the suction wheel 31, that is, the shape of a V shape or U shape in plan view, the shape of the bank is also It is formed in a V-shaped or U-shaped border shape surrounding the ink suction port.

  Further, the bank 316 is not limited to the one protruding from the surface of the nozzle portion 312. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the opening surface of the ink suction port 311 may be flush with the surface of the nozzle portion 312. Alternatively, the ring may have not only complete ring closure but also part of the ring opening.

<Modified form of floating support means>
In the above embodiment, the suction wheel support portion 33 has been described as the floating support means. However, the floating support means can be changed as follows.
In the above-described embodiment, the suction wheel 31 is floatingly supported by the two suction wheel support portions 33. However, the suction wheel 31 can be provided at four positions. In the case of two places, the suction wheel 31 functions more effectively for height adjustment before and after the direction of travel than the height adjustment of the suction wheel 31 at the left and right in the direction of travel. If the portion 33 is provided, the height can be adjusted effectively in the same manner with respect to the front, rear, left and right of the suction wheel 31 in the traveling direction.

  Moreover, it can replace with the structure of the suction wheel support part 33, and can support the suction wheel 31 on the suction wheel receiving part 32 using a flexible and resilient material. In other words, a flexible and resilient material is interposed between the suction wheel receiver 32 and the suction wheel 31. Examples of the interposition material include a rubber-like elastic body such as rubber and a spring material such as a spiral spring. However, when a rubber-like elastic body is used, the pressing load tends to be large in order to increase the fluctuation stroke of the suction wheel 31, and when a spring material is used, there is a drawback that it is difficult to stabilize the suction wheel 31. It is preferable to provide the suction wheel support portion 33.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to such a form. The configuration, shape, material, and the like can be changed or replaced within the limits not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, an ink jet unit having two ink heads has been described. If an ink jet printer having a plurality of ink heads for each color ink is used, an ink jet unit having a plurality of suction heads can be used. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Plate making apparatus 1 Table 2 Inkjet unit (inkjet means)
21, 21a, 21b Ink head 22 Ink discharge port 23 Discharge port area 24 Head receiving portion 25 UV irradiation layer value 25a UV irradiation port 26 Linear rail 27 Support guide 28 Drive motor 3 Cleaning unit (ink suction means)
31, 31a, 31b Suction wheel (suction head)
311 Ink suction port 312 Nozzle part 313 Roller (wheel)
314 Joint 315 Suction wheel main body 315a Support shaft insertion hole 316 Bank 317 Roller shaft 32 Suction wheel receiving portion 33 Suction wheel support portion (floating support means)
331 Support shaft 332 Compression spring 333 Bush 34 Main movement mechanism 341 Pulley 342 Belt 35 Slide rail 36 Absorption mechanism 361 Vacuum drain separator 362 Vacuum ejector 363 Compressor 364 One-way valve 365 Ball 366 Recovery bottle 37 Direct acting cylinder 38 Base plate 4 Flushing section Sub-scan linear rail 6 Positioning pin P Master plate t Length

Claims (7)

Ink suction means provided opposite to an ink discharge port provided in the ink jet means,
An ink suction port facing the ink ejection port in a non-contact manner;
An ink suction means comprising a suction head portion having a spacer that keeps the interval between the ink discharge port and the ink suction port at a desired interval.   2. The ink suction means according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is a roller provided in the suction head portion.   The ink suction means according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an annular bank protruding outward at an opening edge of the ink suction port.   The ink suction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a floating support unit that allows the suction head unit to move in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface of the ink suction port.   The ink suction means according to claim 4, wherein the floating support means includes a bush provided in the suction head portion, a compression spring on which the bush is placed, and a support shaft inserted through the bush.   An inkjet discharge apparatus comprising the ink suction means and the inkjet means according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A plate making apparatus comprising the ink suction means according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the ink jet discharge apparatus according to claim 6.

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