阅读说明：本技术 墨水温度调整系统及墨水温度调整方法 (Ink temperature adjusting system and ink temperature adjusting method ) 是由 纪万军 松冈丰 板垣尚树 于 2021-06-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种墨水温度调整系统及墨水温度调整方法,能够以低成本管理供给至印刷机的墨水的温度。墨水温度调整系统具备：墨水罐(3),贮存供给至印刷机(1)的墨水；热交换罐(4),用于与墨水之间进行热交换；去路管(53),用于向热交换罐输送经温度调整后的循环水；水温控制机构(5),将循环水控制为指定温度；返路管(54),用于使循环水从热交换罐返回至水温控制机构；泵(55),用于使循环水循环；墨水迂回管(6),使墨水从热交换罐内通过；及墨水温度管理机构(2),管理墨水的温度。热交换罐具有能够贮存循环水的容量,墨水迂回管形成有热交换区域,所述热交换区域浸渍在热交换罐内贮存的循环水中。(The invention provides an ink temperature adjusting system and an ink temperature adjusting method, which can manage the temperature of ink supplied to a printing machine at low cost. The ink temperature adjustment system includes: an ink tank (3) that stores ink supplied to the printer (1); a heat exchange tank (4) for exchanging heat with the ink; a bypass pipe (53) for feeding the temperature-adjusted circulating water to the heat exchange tank; a water temperature control mechanism (5) for controlling the circulating water to a specified temperature; a return pipe (54) for returning the circulating water from the heat exchange tank to the water temperature control mechanism; a pump (55) for circulating the circulating water; an ink bypass pipe (6) for passing the ink through the heat exchange tank; and an ink temperature control means (2) for controlling the temperature of the ink. The heat exchange tank has a capacity capable of storing circulating water, and the ink bypass pipe is formed with a heat exchange region immersed in the circulating water stored in the heat exchange tank.)

1. An ink temperature adjustment system for adjusting the temperature of ink supplied to a printing press, comprising:

an ink tank for storing ink supplied to the printer;

a heat exchange tank for exchanging heat with the ink;

the de-circulation pipe is used for conveying the circulating water after temperature adjustment to the heat exchange tank;

a water temperature control mechanism for controlling the circulating water to be supplied to the heat exchange tank to a specified temperature;

a return pipe for returning circulating water from the heat exchange tank to the water temperature control mechanism;

a pump for circulating the circulating water through the bypass pipe and the return pipe;

an ink bypass pipe for allowing the ink to pass through the heat exchange tank in the middle of a supply path from the ink tank to the printer; and

an ink temperature management mechanism for managing a temperature of ink supplied from the ink tank to the printer;

the heat exchange tank has a capacity capable of storing circulating water,

the ink detouring tube is formed with a heat exchange region immersed in circulating water stored in the heat exchange tank.

2. An ink temperature adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the ink temperature management mechanism is provided as a viscosity controller that manages ink viscosity, the heat exchange tank being provided between the viscosity controller and a printing press.

3. An ink temperature adjustment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water temperature control mechanism comprises: a water temperature adjusting tank for storing a proper amount of water; and a heating part or a cooling part for supplying heat to the circulating water stored in the water temperature adjusting tank or absorbing heat from the circulating water stored in the water temperature adjusting tank.

4. The ink temperature adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a heat exchange region of the ink detour pipe is arranged to meander in the heat exchange tank and is immersed in circulating water at a predetermined length.

5. An ink temperature adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water temperature control mechanism is provided in a non-explosion-proof area; the bypass pipe and the return pipe are branched as appropriate, and circulating water is circulated between the bypass pipe and the return pipe and the plurality of heat exchange tanks provided in the explosion-proof area, the heat exchange tanks being provided in the vicinity of the plurality of printing presses and individually provided for each printing press, and heat is exchanged between the ink moving in the heat exchange area and the heat exchange area of the ink bypass pipe.

6. An ink temperature adjusting method for adjusting the temperature of ink supplied to a printing press using the ink temperature adjusting system according to claim 5, comprising:

supplying circulating water to a plurality of heat exchange tanks provided in an explosion-proof area, the temperature of the circulating water being set in advance by the water temperature control means provided in a non-explosion-proof area; and

moving the ink in the ink bypass pipe in the middle of a supply path from the ink tank to the printer;

the ink is moved through the ink detouring pipe, so that heat exchange is performed between the circulating water and the ink in the heat exchange tank.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for adjusting the temperature of ink supplied to a printing press, and more particularly, to an ink temperature adjusting system and an ink temperature adjusting method for supplying ink adjusted to a desired temperature to a printing press.

Background

The temperature of ink to be supplied to the printer may vary depending on the installation environment (different countries, regions, etc.) of the printer, and the viscosity may vary depending on the season, climate, etc. even if the location is the same, due to the variation in the temperature of ink. When the viscosity of the ink changes, the amount of the ink adhering to the object to be printed changes, and therefore the ink to be supplied to the printer is required to have a predetermined viscosity. Therefore, a viscosity controller is used to adjust the viscosity of the ink supplied to the printer (refer to patent document 1). The viscosity controller recognizes the viscosity of the ink as an ink concentration, and reduces the viscosity by dilution when the viscosity is large.

However, although density adjustment can be achieved by the viscosity management when the ink temperature is fixed, density adjustment cannot be managed by the viscosity management alone when the ink temperature is greatly changed. Therefore, a technique of directly providing a heat exchanger in an ink tank has been proposed (see patent document 2). Further, in order to suppress the increase in the temperature of the cylinder (printing plate cylinder) which is caused by the increase in the temperature of the ink in the continuous printing, a technique of cooling the cylinder (printing plate cylinder) has been proposed (see patent documents 3 and 4).

[ Prior art documents ]

[ patent document ]

[ patent document 1] Japanese patent laid-open No. 2015-13227

[ patent document 2] Japanese patent laid-open No. Sho 63-62734

[ patent document 3] Japanese patent laid-open No. 2015-104894

[ patent document 4] Japanese patent laid-open No. 2016-7851

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

In patent document 2, the ink is cooled during the operation of the printing press and heated during the stop of the operation, but since the heat exchanger is directly provided in the ink tank, an explosion-proof device must be provided (explosion-proof treatment must be performed). On the other hand, in patent documents 3 and 4, although the roller (plate roller) is cooled, the temperature of the supplied ink is not different depending on the installation place of the printing press, the temperature, the weather, and the like. That is, for example, the temperature in the factory may exceed 30 ℃ in summer, the temperature in the factory may be lower than 20 ℃ in winter, the environment is different, and the temperature of the ink stored in the ink tank is of course not fixed. In japan, the ink temperature varies depending on the region, and the ink temperature varies depending on the environment in foreign countries.

Further, even if the viscosity of ink to be supplied to the printer can be adjusted by the viscosity controller, when the temperature of the supplied ink (stored in the ink tank) is different, the density of the ink adjusted to the same viscosity becomes uneven. Therefore, even if the ink is heated or cooled to adjust the ink temperature, an explosion-proof device is required to be used when heat exchange is directly (or indirectly in the vicinity) performed in the ink tank, and thus an increase in the cost of the device for heating or cooling is necessarily caused.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ink temperature adjusting system and an ink temperature adjusting method capable of managing the temperature of ink supplied to a printer at low cost.

[ means for solving problems ]

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an ink temperature adjustment system for adjusting the temperature of ink supplied to a printing press, the ink temperature adjustment system including: an ink tank storing ink supplied to the printer; a heat exchange tank for exchanging heat with the ink; the de-circulation pipe is used for conveying the circulating water after temperature adjustment to the heat exchange tank; a water temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the circulating water to be supplied to the heat exchange tank to a predetermined temperature; a return pipe for returning circulating water from the heat exchange tank to the water temperature control mechanism; a pump for circulating the circulating water through the bypass pipe and the return pipe; an ink bypass pipe for allowing the ink to pass through the heat exchange tank in the middle of a supply path from the ink tank to the printer; and an ink temperature management mechanism for managing the temperature of the ink supplied from the ink tank to the printer; the heat exchange tank has a capacity capable of storing circulating water, and the ink bypass pipe is formed with a heat exchange region immersed in the circulating water stored in the heat exchange tank.

According to the above configuration, the circulating water having the adjusted temperature is supplied to the heat exchange tank, and the ink stored in the ink tank passes through the heat exchange region of the ink bypass pipe in the middle of the supply path from the ink tank to the printing press, thereby performing heat exchange in the heat exchange tank. The heat exchange is performed between the ink and the hot or cold water supplied to the heat exchange tank, and when the ink temperature is raised, the hot water in the heat exchange tank supplies heat to the ink, and when the ink temperature is lowered, the heat of the ink is absorbed. The circulating water stored in the heat exchange tank is circulated all the time with the water temperature thereof adjusted by the water temperature control means, so that the estimated temperature is decreased or increased by heat exchange, and the circulating water whose temperature has been adjusted is supplied all the time. With this configuration, the temperature of the ink can be adjusted using the circulating water subjected to temperature control at a location remote from the ink tank, and therefore, it is not necessary to provide an explosion-proof device in the heat exchange tank.

In this case, if the ink temperature management means is provided as a viscosity controller for managing the viscosity of the ink, the circulation of the ink can be performed by using a pump provided in the viscosity controller. Further, by disposing the heat exchange tank between the viscosity controller and the printer, the temperature of the ink to be supplied to the printer can be adjusted. In this case, the temperature of the ink finally supplied to the printer is heat-exchanged by the heat exchange tank, and the temperature managed by the viscosity controller (ink temperature management means) is managed as a temperature in which the heat exchange is assumed.

In the invention having the above configuration, the water temperature control means may include: a water temperature adjusting tank for storing a proper amount of water; and a heating part or a cooling part for supplying heat to the circulating water stored in the water temperature adjusting tank or absorbing heat from the circulating water.

In such a configuration, heat is supplied or absorbed by the heating portion or the cooling portion in the water temperature adjustment tank capable of storing a predetermined amount of water in the water temperature control mechanism, so that heating or cooling can be performed at a place appropriately distant from the printer (ink tank). The heating unit may use a heater, and the cooling unit may use a water cooler, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a general heating/cooling heat exchanger may be used.

In the invention of each configuration, the water temperature control means is provided in a non-explosion-proof area, the bypass pipe and the return pipe are branched as appropriate, circulating water can be circulated between the bypass pipe and the return pipe and the plurality of heat exchange tanks provided in the explosion-proof area, and the heat exchange tanks can exchange heat with ink to be supplied through the heat exchange area of the ink bypass pipe provided in the vicinity of the plurality of printing machines and individually provided for each printing machine.

In such a configuration, circulating water whose water temperature is adjusted by one water temperature control mechanism is supplied to the plurality of heat exchange tanks, and in a general printing process in which a plurality of printing presses are simultaneously operated, the temperature of ink supplied to each printing press can be simultaneously adjusted. When ink is supplied to each printer, each ink temperature control means controls the ink supply so that ink of a predetermined temperature can be supplied to each printer. Particularly, because the water temperature control mechanism is arranged in a non-explosion-proof area, an explosion-proof structure does not need to be arranged on the water temperature control mechanism, and the device cost can be reduced. Therefore, when the ink temperature needs to be raised, it is permissible to use an electric heater and other heating mechanisms, and also to use a device of a type using a gas combustion engine or the like as the cooling device.

On the other hand, the invention relating to the ink temperature adjusting method uses the ink temperature adjusting system configured as described above, and is characterized by including the steps of: supplying circulating water to a plurality of heat exchange tanks provided in an explosion-proof area, the temperature of the circulating water being set in advance by the water temperature control means provided in a non-explosion-proof area; and moving the ink in the ink bypass pipe in the middle of a supply path from the ink tank to the printer; the ink is moved through the ink detouring pipe, so that heat exchange is performed between the circulating water and the ink in the heat exchange tank.

According to the above configuration, the temperature of the ink can be adjusted by supplying the circulating water whose temperature has been adjusted in the non-explosion-proof region to the heat exchange tank. Since the water temperature control mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the circulating water is provided in the non-explosion-proof region, it is not necessary to provide an explosion-proof device or the like, and the ink temperature can be adjusted by a low-cost device. Further, since the ink can be circulated along the ink bypass pipe and can be applied to a plurality of printers, the ink temperature can be controlled at low cost. Further, the ink temperature can be managed by a viscosity controller or the like, and the ink temperature can be managed at a lower cost by using the conventional apparatus as well.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment of an ink temperature adjustment system.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the temperature of ink supplied to a plurality of printers is adjusted.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the ink temperature control mechanism and the water temperature control mechanism.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a control flow performed by the ink temperature management means.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the heat exchange tank.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of an ink bypass pipe.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

< basic structure of ink temperature adjusting system >

First, fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ink temperature adjustment system. When ink is supplied to a printer (gravure printer or the like) 1, the ink is passed through a viscosity controller 2 so as to be supplied at an appropriate viscosity. The viscosity controller 2 includes a main body 21 and a solvent tank 22, and a diaphragm pump 23 is provided in the main body 21. The diaphragm type pump 23 is driven by compressed air, which is adjusted to a prescribed pressure by a regulator and supplied to the diaphragm type pump 23. The diaphragm type pump 23 sucks an appropriate amount of ink from the ink tank 3 and detects viscosity according to the operating condition of the pump, and the valve 24 is operated to appropriately mix the diluting solvent in the solvent tank 22. The ink adjusted to an appropriate viscosity by appropriately mixing the dilution solvent is supplied to the printer 1.

The ink supplied to the printing press is continuously fed to the ink dish 10 and temporarily stored, and then supplied to the first cylinder 11 as a plate cylinder. The second roller 12 as the impression roller is opposed to the first roller, and the sheet-like printing object a is passed between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12, whereby the ink of the ink tray 10 can be printed on the printing object a. In this configuration, the ink remaining in the ink supplied to the ink tray 20 is discharged from the ink tray 10, returned to the ink tank 3, and then pumped again to the viscosity controller 2.

The embodiment of the present invention adjusts the temperature of the ink during the process of supplying the ink stored in the ink tank 3 to the ink tray 10. The heat exchanger tank 4 is provided with a heat exchange tank 4 for feeding circulating water and returning the circulating water, and a water temperature controller (water temperature adjusting mechanism) 5 for adjusting the water temperature of the circulating water. A part of the ink bypass pipe 6 is disposed inside the heat exchange tank 4. The ink detouring portion 6 is provided at an arbitrary position on a path from the ink tank 3 to the ink tray 10, and in the present embodiment, the ink detouring portion 6 is provided between the viscosity controller 2 and the printer 1 (ink tray 10). In turn, a heat exchange tank 4 is provided between the printing press 1 and the viscosity controller 2. The circulating water whose temperature has been adjusted by the water temperature adjusting unit 5 is supplied to the heat exchange tank 4, and heat is exchanged with the ink passing through the inside of the heat exchange tank 4. In addition, as the circulating water, not only distilled water but also ethylene glycol or the like having a heat storage effect may be used.

The ink bypass pipe 6 has a supply region 61 for supplying ink into the heat exchange tank 4, a discharge region 62 for discharging ink to the ink tray 10, and a heat exchange region 63 formed therein, and performs heat exchange by immersing the heat exchange region 63 in circulating water in the heat exchange tank 4. The supply area 61 is continuous with the discharge tube 25 for discharging ink from the viscosity controller 2 or serves as the discharge tube 25, and the discharge area 62 is opened near the ink tray 10. The ink flows through the ink bypass pipe 6 by the discharge pressure of the diaphragm pump 23 of the viscosity controller 2, and the ink can be continuously flowed by the pump 23. When the ink remaining in the ink tray 10 overflows from the ink tray 10, the ink naturally flows down and returns to the ink tank 3.

In general, the water temperature controller 5 includes a water temperature adjusting tank 51 and a heat exchanger 52, and the heat exchanger 52 adjusts the temperature of the circulating water stored in the water temperature adjusting tank 51. The heat exchanger 52 can be switched between heating (temperature rise) for raising the temperature of the circulating water and cooling for lowering the temperature. In addition to the configuration in which the heat exchanger 52 switches between cooling and heating, the configuration may include two types of portions, i.e., a portion for circulating the cooling catalyst and a heater portion for heating. The configurations of the water temperature adjusting tank 51 and the heat exchanger 52 are not particularly limited as long as circulating water at a predetermined temperature can be circulated. Therefore, when circulating water for cooling is supplied, for example, cooling water in a cooler for a printing machine (cooling water circulating apparatus) can be used, and the pumped groundwater can be circulated while adjusting the temperature. On the other hand, since it is not necessary to heat the circulating water to a high temperature, for example, a water heater generally used as a mold temperature adjusting device can be used.

In short, the water temperature controller 5 constantly adjusts the circulating water stored in the water temperature adjusting tank 51 to a predetermined temperature. And, circulation is allowed when the circulating water of the water temperature adjustment tank 51 is at a specified temperature (temperature within a specified range). The circulating water having reached a predetermined temperature (a temperature within a predetermined range) is supplied to the heat exchange tank 4 via the bypass pipe 53. At the same time, the circulating water stored in the heat exchange tank 4 is returned through the return pipe 54. Since the heat exchange tank 4 is formed of a closed container, an equal amount of circulating water is returned by supplying a predetermined flow rate of circulating water. Therefore, a circulation pump 55 is provided on the outgoing line 53 side.

The outgoing line 53 and the return line 54 may be formed in a branched manner, and the branched lines are also connected to a heat exchange tank 4 of the same type as shown in the drawing, which is separately provided, and used for temperature control of ink to be supplied to the same type of printing press 1.

The ink tank 3 is built in the viscosity controller 2 or provided in the vicinity of the viscosity controller 2, and the heat exchange tank 4 is provided in the vicinity of the ink tank 3. These components are provided in the explosion-proof area X separately from the printer 1, but the water temperature control unit 5 is provided in the non-explosion-proof area Y.

The "explosion-proof region" refers to a region in which a device or the like to be used needs to be explosion-proof (explosion-proof treatment) in order to prevent a region in which a combustible liquid such as ink is used from igniting, and the "non-explosion-proof region" refers to a region which is distant from a place in which the combustible liquid is used or is isolated from the place and does not need explosion-proof treatment.

Therefore, when the water temperature controller 5 is installed in the non-explosion-proof region Y and the supplied circulating water is supplied to the explosion-proof region X as described above, the heat exchange tank 4 does not cause ignition, and therefore the heat exchange tank 4 can be installed in the explosion-proof region X. As a result, the temperature of the ink can be adjusted in the explosion-proof area X in the vicinity of the individual printing press.

< circulation path of circulating water/ink >

Here, the circulation paths of the respective liquids when adjusting the temperature of the ink supplied to the plurality of printers will be described. Fig. 2 illustrates a case where one water temperature controller 5 adjusts the temperature of ink used by three printers 1A, 1B, and 1C. In addition, the figure shows the arrangement state of each device, and the size (dimension) of each device is appropriately shown.

One water temperature control unit 5 is installed in the non-explosion area Y as described above, and the outgoing pipe 53 is branched to supply circulating water to the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C installed in the vicinity of the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C. Similarly, the return pipe 54 is branched, and the return pipe 54 is connected to the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C, and returns the circulating water from the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C. Since the circulating water adjusted to a predetermined temperature set in advance is stored in the water temperature control unit 5, the temperature of the circulating water supplied to each of the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C is constant and is always circulating, and the temperature of the circulating water passing through the inside of the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C can be maintained within a range estimated on the premise of heat exchange.

On the other hand, the inks stored in the ink tanks 3A, 3B, and 3C are sucked by the viscosity controllers 2A, 2B, and 2C functioning as ink temperature control means, respectively, and supplied to the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C (ink trays 10A, 10B, and 10C) via the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C, and thereafter, the remaining inks are returned to the ink tanks 3A, 3B, and 3C again. Therefore, the ink supplied to each of the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C is configured to pass through the inside of the respective heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C. The ink passes through the inside of the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C, undergoes heat exchange to increase (or decrease) in temperature, and is supplied to the printing machines 1A, 1B, and 1C (ink trays 10A, 10B, and 10C). The ink returned to the ink tanks 3A, 3B, and 3C is mixed with other ink in the ink tanks 3A, 3B, and 3C, and if the ink stored in the ink tanks 3A, 3B, and 3C is appropriately temperature-adjusted by the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C, the temperature does not change (greatly increases or decreases) in the ink tanks 3A, 3B, and 3C.

However, there are the following cases: when the printer is started up, the temperature of the ink stored in the ink tanks 3A, 3B, and 3C is not within a predetermined range, and in a state where the temperature is deviated from the temperature at which printing is possible, even if the temperature is once adjusted by the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C, the ink cannot be supplied to the printer. Therefore, a temperature sensor is provided in each of the viscosity controllers (ink temperature control means) 2A, 2B, and 2C, and whether or not to operate the printing machines 1A, 1B, and 1C is determined based on the temperature of the ink sucked by the viscosity controllers 2A, 2B, and 2C. That is, the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may be repeatedly circulated only with the ink without operating until the temperature of the ink sucked by the viscosity controllers 2A, 2B, and 2C reaches a predetermined temperature (a temperature within a range of temperatures estimated to pass through the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, and 4C).

When the temperature of the ink sucked by the viscosity controllers 2A, 2B, 2C reaches an appropriate state, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C are operated, and the ink is circulated through the heat exchange tanks 4A, 4B, 4C while the ink temperature is constantly controlled. The viscosity controllers 2A, 2B, and 2C start ink viscosity management when the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C are operated, and adjust the viscosity by mixing a diluting solvent when the suction temperature is in an appropriate state but the viscosity is not appropriate.

< control Structure >

As described above, the temperature of the ink to be supplied to the printer 1 is adjusted by circulating the ink and the circulating water as necessary, and here, a configuration of control by the ink temperature management unit (ink temperature management means) and the water temperature control unit (water temperature control means) will be described. Fig. 3 illustrates control sections of two devices (two mechanisms).

As shown in fig. 3, the present embodiment illustrates a case where the viscosity controller 2 is used as an ink temperature control unit (ink temperature control means), and shows that management is performed by a control unit 21 provided in the viscosity controller 2. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the temperature needs to be adjusted by heat exchange, using the ink temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 for detecting the ink temperature as an input value. The temperature sensor 22 measures the temperature of the ink drawn from the ink tank 3 at a stage before the viscosity controller 2 adjusts the viscosity or at a stage passing through the inside of the diaphragm-type pump. The control signal of the controller 21 is output as an operation signal to the printing press 1 in addition to being output to the controller 56 of the water temperature controller 5 via the output interface 23. The operation/stop of the water temperature control unit 5 and the operation/stop of the printing press 1 can be controlled by the control of the control unit 21.

The ink temperature management unit (viscosity controller) 2 includes a display unit 24, and can display the ink temperature and the heat exchange state on a display panel or the like. In this case, the operation related to the operation state (operation/stop) of the printer 1 may be manually performed, and the administrator may visually confirm the ink temperature displayed on the display unit and operate the printer 1 based on the judgment of the administrator. When the input unit 25 is further provided, the temperature of the ink to be managed can be set or changed according to the printer and the type of ink. In either case, when the heat exchange tank 4 is provided between the viscosity controller 2 and the ink tray 10, the temperature adjustment is performed after the viscosity controller 2 measures the ink temperature, and is set to a temperature at which the temperature adjustment amount for heat exchange is estimated.

The water temperature control unit 5 has a controller 56 which receives a signal output from the ink temperature management unit 2 and controls the start, stop, and set temperature of the circulating water. The water temperature adjusting tank 51 of the water temperature controller 5 is provided with a temperature sensor, and the controller 56 controls the operation state of the heat exchanger 52 using the temperature of the circulating water detected by the temperature sensor as an input value. Accordingly, the control signal is output to the heat exchanger 52 via the output interface 57. When the temperature of the circulating water stored in the water temperature adjustment tank 51 reaches the appropriate range, the circulating pump 55 is operated to start the supply of the circulating water to the heat exchange tank 4. In this case, when the plurality of printing presses 1 (viscosity controllers 2) are individually controlled in ink temperature by one water temperature controller 5, a solenoid valve (not shown) may be provided in addition to the circulation pump 55 for each of the bypass pipes 53 connected to the plurality of heat exchange tanks 4, and each solenoid valve may be operated based on information input from each ink temperature controller 2.

In this manner, the operating state of the heat exchanger 52 is managed based on the information output from the ink temperature management unit 2, and the circulating water is supplied to the heat exchange tank 4 to the extent necessary. Further, by providing the display unit 58 in the water temperature control unit 5, the operation state, the set temperature, the temperature of the circulating water, and the like can be displayed. Further, by providing the input unit 59, the operation/stop, the set temperature, and the like can be input by manual input. When operated by the input unit 59, it is not necessary to output a signal from the ink temperature management unit 2 to the controller 56. That is, the temperature of the ink may be checked by the display unit 24 of the ink temperature management unit 2, and the operation state of the water temperature control unit 5 may be input to the input unit 59 according to the temperature of the ink. Further, when it is obviously necessary to adjust the ink temperature, the entire ink temperature adjusting system (the entire system including the water temperature control unit 5) can be operated at the beginning. In this case, the water temperature controller 5 may control only the temperature of the circulating water, but when it is obvious that the circulating water is set to a desired temperature in advance and the ink temperature is appropriate, the temperature of the circulating water may be set by manual input.

< working method (ink temperature adjusting method) >

Next, an operation mode when the ink temperature adjustment system of the embodiment is operated will be described. The conditions for the overall operation of the ink temperature adjustment system are that the temperature of the ink to be supplied to the printer 1 is not within a predetermined range, and whether the temperature of the ink is within the predetermined range is determined by the control unit 21 of the ink temperature management unit (viscosity controller) 2. But the system can be operated as a whole at the beginning under the environment that the temperature of the ink is obviously adjusted. Further, a suitable range of the temperature of the ink supplied to the printing press 1 is estimated to be approximately 24 to 26 ℃, and in summer, heat exchange is performed with cooling water when the ink temperature exceeds 26 ℃, and in winter, heat exchange is performed with hot water when the ink temperature is lower than 24 ℃.

First, under the condition that the ink temperature adjustment system should be operated as a whole, the circulating water is controlled to a set temperature in advance, and the circulating water whose water temperature has been adjusted is supplied to the heat exchange tank 4. The set temperature here differs depending on the degree to which the ink temperature deviates from the specified range. For example, when the ink temperature is about 20 ℃, the circulating water is set to about 28 ℃, and when the ink temperature is 10 ℃, the circulating water is set to 30 ℃. The circulating water is set to about 22 ℃ when the ink temperature is 30 ℃ and to about 10 ℃ when the ink temperature is 35 ℃ or higher.

In either case, when the ink temperature adjustment system is operated, the ink of the ink tank 3 is sucked by the ink temperature management mechanism (viscosity controller 2), and the temperature of the ink is measured. When the measured ink temperature deviates from the specified range, the water temperature control mechanism (water temperature control section) 5 operates, and the ink temperature adjustment system operates as a whole. However, when the adjustment of the ink temperature is apparently required, the water temperature control mechanism (water temperature control unit) 5 is initially operated. The circulating water having a preset temperature is supplied to the heat exchange tank 4 by the operation of the water temperature control mechanism (water temperature controller) 5. Then, the ink is moved through the ink bypass pipe 6 (heat exchange area 63) disposed in the heat exchange tank 4, so that heat is exchanged between the ink and the circulating water in the heat exchange area 63 of the ink bypass pipe 6. The ink whose temperature has been changed by the heat exchange is supplied to the ink tray 10 of the printing machine 1, and the remaining ink is returned to the ink tank 3.

When the temperature of the ink stored in the ink tank 3 (the measured value of the ink temperature by the ink temperature management means (viscosity controller 2)) falls within a predetermined range, the printer 1 is brought into an operable state. The start of the supply is determined by the control unit 21 of the ink temperature management unit 2, and the printer 1 is started up by outputting an instruction signal to the printer 1 or visually confirming the start by an operator. The temperature of the ink stored in the ink tank is also measured during the supply of the ink to the printing press 1, and whether the printing press 1 can be operated or not is determined. When the temperature of the ink is maintained within the specified range, the operation of the printer 1 is temporarily stopped (stopped by manual input). At this time, when the temperature of the ink fluctuates and approaches the lower limit or the upper limit, the ink temperature adjustment system can continue to operate to adjust the temperature of the circulating water. The temperature of the circulating water may be adjusted by controlling the rise and fall of the water temperature by the water temperature controller 5 based on the measured value of the ink temperature by the ink temperature control means (viscosity controller 2) or by manually inputting the temperature. Further, when the ink temperature greatly fluctuates, the water temperature controller 5 may be operated intermittently (repeatedly operated and stopped).

< control method >

Here, a method of controlling the control unit 21 of the ink temperature management unit (viscosity controller) 2 will be described. The water temperature control by the water temperature controller 5 is performed by the on/off operation of the heat exchanger 52, the on/off operation of the circulation pump 55, and the input of the set temperature, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted here.

Fig. 4 shows a control flow of the control unit 21. As shown in the figure, when the control is started, the viscosity controller 2 is first operated to operate the diaphragm pump (ink circulation pump) 23 provided therein (S101). At the same time, the water temperature controller 5 is operated (S102). Since the pump 23 of the viscosity controller 2 is operated to suck the ink stored in the ink tank 3, the ink temperature (information of the temperature sensor) is read in this state (S103), and it is determined whether or not the ink temperature is within a predetermined range (S104). The determination in this case may be made based on the upper limit and the lower limit of the ink temperature as the criteria for determining the range, or may be made based on whether or not the upper limit or the lower limit exceeds any limit (for example, only the upper limit or only the lower limit).

This is because it is common knowledge that the upper limit value in summer is a limit value and the lower limit value in winter is a limit value, and in the installation place, only the upper limit value becomes problematic when installed in a high-temperature area such as the south, while only the lower limit value becomes problematic when installed in a cold area such as the north, and these problems can be dealt with by using the upper limit value and the lower limit value as the judgment criteria. The set temperature may be a single value (e.g., 25 ℃) and the upper and lower temperatures (e.g., +/-1 ℃) may be set to the predetermined range. In addition, when the heat exchange tank 4 is provided between the viscosity controller 2 and the ink tray 10, since ink having a temperature (after heat exchange) different from the information of the temperature sensor is supplied to the ink tray 10, the specified range is set in advance as a range estimated after heat exchange.

As described above, when the ink temperature is out of the specified range as a result of the determination of the ink temperature, the process waits until the ink temperature reaches the specified range. During this standby period, since the water temperature controller 5 is constantly operated, the ink is heat-exchanged in the heat exchange tank 4, and the ink temperature gradually changes. During this period, information of the temperature sensor is appropriately read (S103), and it is determined whether or not the ink temperature is within a predetermined range (104). This action is repeated until the ink temperature reaches a specified range, and the state in which the printing press 1 is not operating (such as an operation to make it inoperative) is maintained.

Further, when it is judged that the ink temperature is within the specified range (S104) at the start of the control or after repeating the cycle, a signal for starting the operation is outputted to the printing press 1 (S105). In addition, when the printing press 1 is manually operated, the operation is performed based on information displayed on the display portion of the viscosity controller 2. The printing press 1 is normally operated in an operating state, and the temperature-adjusted ink is continuously supplied to the printing press 1 while the water temperature controller 5 is operated (ink temperature is adjusted).

During the normal operation, when a condition to terminate the operation, such as when the printing press 1 completes printing or needs to stop due to an accident, is present, the operation stop signal is output (or the operation is performed), and thus, whether or not the signal is input is determined (S106). When the operation stop condition is satisfied, the printing press 1 is stopped, and the control of the system is also ended. Before the signal or the like is input, the measured ink temperature (information of the temperature sensor) is input (S107), and the range of the temperature is determined (S108).

The specified temperature in the judgment here may be a range narrower than the specified temperature in the stop of the operation (a temperature range narrower than the current value). The reason is that even if the ink temperature is temporarily appropriate, the ink temperature changes in the later stage, and therefore the ink temperature is appropriately maintained until the temperature deviates from the temperature appropriate for printing. For example, the temperature of the ink may vary depending on the ambient temperature environment, particularly, the temperature of the ink may vary depending on the rollers 11 and 12 when the printing press 1 is operated, and may also vary when the ink is mixed with a diluting solvent. Further, in order to maintain the continuous operation without stopping the printing press 1 due to the deviation of the ink temperature from the predetermined range, it is preferable to manage within a range narrower than the limit value.

When the range of the ink temperature during the continuous operation is narrowed (S108), it may be determined whether or not the ink temperature is within the limit value of the ink temperature (S109). In this case, when it is determined that the range is out of the range in the determination (S108) within the narrow range, the water temperature controller 5 may be instructed to change the water temperature (not shown) and control the printing press 1 to continue the operation. However, when it is determined that the ink temperature is out of the limit value in the determination of the limit value (S109), the printing press 1 may be stopped (S110), and the standby period may be controlled (S103, S104) until the ink temperature is within the specified range again.

In this manner, the ink temperature used in the printing press 1 is adjusted to be within a predetermined range by appropriately checking the state of the ink temperature and controlling the operation of the printing press 1. In the processing flow, the ink temperature is managed for one printing press 1, and when the ink temperatures of a plurality of printing presses 1 are managed by one water temperature controller 5, the ink temperatures are managed by the viscosity controllers 2, and the printing presses 1 are operated/stopped. The processing steps are managed by software, and (S) shown in the drawing each represents a processing step.

< construction of Heat exchange tank >

As described above, the temperature of the ink can be raised or lowered by supplying circulating water to the heat exchange tank 4 and exchanging heat between the circulating water and the ink in the heat exchange tank 4, and the configuration of the heat exchange tank 4 used here will be described by way of example.

When the circulating water whose temperature has been adjusted is appropriately stored in the heat exchange tank 4 and the ink supply bypass pipe 6 is allowed to pass therethrough, heat exchange between the both can be performed via the ink bypass pipe 6, and the amount of ink passing through the inside of the heat exchange tank 4 varies depending on the heat exchange efficiency, so that, for example, a large amount of ink can be passed through the inside of the circulating water by meandering a portion (heat exchange region 63) immersed in the circulating water in the inside of the heat exchange tank 4.

Accordingly, the heat exchange tank 4 is illustrated in fig. 5. In fig. 5, (a) is a front view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a left side view, and (d) is a right side view. As shown in fig. 5, the heat exchange tank 4 may be formed in a box shape having a cubic shape, for example, and the heat exchange region 63 of the ink detouring pipe 6 may be formed in a spiral shape.

In the heat exchange tank 4, an upper port 41 and a lower port 42 are disposed at two positions (up and down) on a diagonal line of a rectangular side surface, and when one is a supply port, the other is an exhaust port. The supply port and the discharge port are connected to the bypass pipe 53 and the return pipe 54, respectively, and can supply and discharge circulating water. It is possible to determine which of the upper port 41 and the lower port 42 is the supply port or the discharge port in advance, and it is not changed thereafter, but it is also possible to change the upper port or the lower port depending on which of the circulating hot water and the cooling water is changed. For example, when cooling water is supplied in summer or the like, the upper port 41 is set as a supply port, and cooling water is supplied to the circulating water stored in the heat exchange tank 4 from above to generate convection as a whole, and when hot water is supplied in winter or the like, the lower port 42 is set as a supply port, and hot water is supplied to the circulating water in the lower portion to increase the temperature thereof to generate convection.

On the other hand, the heat exchange region 63 of the ink detouring tube 6, which is continuous with the supply region 61 and the discharge region 62, is provided inside the heat exchange tank 4, and the heat exchange region 63 spirally meanders, thereby increasing the length of the tube immersed in the circulating water. The heat exchange area 63 is supported inside the heat exchange tank 4 (the support portion is omitted in the drawing), and the spiral pipe is provided at an appropriate interval from the bottom surface, the upper surface, and the side surface to increase the surface in contact with the circulating water.

Here, fig. 6 shows only the heat exchange region 63. In fig. 6, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, and (c) is a plan view. As shown in fig. 6, the heat exchange area 63 is not simply spiral, but is in a circular shape in plan view, that is, a substantially elliptical shape in which a straight portion and an arc portion are combined. By adopting such a shape, an appropriate opening area can be formed inside the spiral (loop), and a passage for circulating water can be secured inside the heat exchange tank 4.

As described above, when the heat exchange tank 4 is a rectangular parallelepiped, the heat exchange tank 4 is rectangular (rectangular) in a plan view, and the entire tank is divided into the short-side wall surface and the long-side wall surface, so that the straight portion is arranged along the long-side wall surface, and the arc portion is arranged in the vicinity of the short-side wall surface. In this case, since the storage amount of the heat exchange tank 4 is not increased, the circulation rate of the circulating water can be increased, the circulating water whose temperature has been adjusted flows in appropriately, and the heat exchange area 63 can effectively utilize the inside of the heat exchange tank 4, thereby increasing the surface area in contact with the circulating water.

Further, in the heat exchange region 63 formed in a spiral shape, a plurality of stages of loops (pipes) overlapped in the vertical direction are close to each other, and a gap is formed in the vertical direction, so that circulating water can flow in. Thus, the circulating water passing through the inside of the loop and the circulating water passing through the outside of the loop can be replaced with each other, and at this time, a region in contact with the circulating water can be secured both above and below the loop (pipe).

< modification example >

The embodiments of the present invention are described above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Therefore, various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the heat exchange tank 5 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as an example, but the tank is not limited to the above shape and may be cylindrical or cubic. The heat exchanger 52 used in the water temperature controller 5 may be a gas heater, an electric heater, or the like as a heating means.

Further, the heat exchange area 63 of the ink bypass pipe 6 may be changed to another form other than the form of the above embodiment as long as the circulating water can be smoothly moved and the contact area can be increased, and copper or another material having excellent thermal conductivity may be used as the material of the pipe in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

In addition, although the software control method is exemplified as the control in the embodiment, various operations may be performed by manual work when the ink temperature adjustment system having the above-described configuration is used. In this case, the temperature of the circulating water may be controlled according to the feeling of the environment, such as the temperature and humidity in various installation places of the printing press 1.

[ description of symbols ]

1 printing machine

2 viscosity controller (ink temperature management part, ink temperature management mechanism)

3 ink tank

4 heat exchange tank

5 Water temperature control part (Water temperature control mechanism)

6 ink circuitous pipe

10 ink dish

11 printing roller (printing plate roller)

12 printing roller (impression roller)

21 control part

22 temperature sensor

23 output interface

24 display part

25 input unit

41 upper port of heat exchange tank

42 lower port of heat exchange tank

51 Water temperature adjusting tank

52 heat exchanger

53 go-way pipe

54 return pipe

55 Pump

56 controller

57 output interface

58 display part

59 input part

61 ink supply area of bypass pipe

62 discharge area of ink bypass pipe

63 ink bypass pipe heat exchange area

A printing object

X explosion-proof area

And Y is a non-explosion-proof area.