JP5212649B2 - Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting head that ejects droplets and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the same, and more particularly to an ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus that eject ink droplets as droplets.

  In an ink jet recording head, which is a typical example of a liquid ejecting head, generally, an ink supply needle serving as an ink supply body that is detachably inserted into an ink cartridge from a liquid storage means filled with ink. Ink is supplied to the head body via an ink flow path formed in a supply member such as a cartridge case that holds the ink cartridge, and the head is driven by driving pressure generating means such as a piezoelectric element provided in the head body. Ink supplied to the main body is ejected from the nozzle.

  In such an ink jet recording head, if bubbles that are present in the ink of the ink cartridge or bubbles that are mixed in the ink when the ink cartridge is attached / detached are supplied to the head body, such as dot dropout due to the bubbles. There is a problem that defective injection occurs.

  In order to solve such a problem, a filter is provided between the ink supply needle inserted into the ink cartridge and the supply member, and bubbles or dust in the ink are captured by this filter so that the bubbles or dust can be removed. There is one that is not supplied to the head body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a filter is fixed to the supply member by, for example, heat welding or the like, and the ink supply needle and the supply member are fixed by ultrasonic welding or the like.

JP 2000-2111130 A

  In the configuration in which the ink supply needle (second supply member) is fixed to the supply member (first supply member) as described above, a gap is generated between the ink supply needle and the supply member, and ink leaks from this gap. There is a risk of it. Further, since each of the ink supply needle and the filter is fixed to the supply member, it is necessary to secure a space for fixing each of the ink supply needle and the filter in the supply member, and there is a problem that the head is enlarged. is there. Further, since a plurality of ink supply needles are individually fixed to the supply member, there is a problem that the manufacturing is complicated and the cost is increased.

  Such a problem exists not only in the ink jet recording head but also in a liquid ejecting head that ejects droplets other than ink.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the first supply member and the second supply member can be satisfactorily fixed, so that the size can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can also be used.

The present invention that solves the above problems includes a plurality of head main bodies having nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets, and a first supply member provided with a plurality of first liquid supply paths that respectively communicate with the plurality of head main bodies. A plurality of second supply members each having a second liquid supply path communicating with the first liquid supply path, and a connection portion between the first liquid supply path and the second liquid supply path. A filter that is sandwiched between the first supply member and the second supply member, the first supply member, the plurality of second supply members, and the plurality of the plurality of the supply members. A liquid ejecting head, wherein a filter is integrated with a molding member made of a resin material, and a slit portion is provided in a region corresponding to the space between the second supply members of the molding member. is there.
In the present invention, since the first supply member that sandwiches the filter and the plurality of second supply members are integrated by the molding member, both the first supply member and the second supply member are connected to each other. It can fix well, without producing a clearance gap between. Further, since the second supply member is fixed to the first supply member, the space can be kept small, so that the head can be miniaturized and the cost can be reduced.

  By the way, if the first supply member and the second supply member are integrated by the molding member as described above, the first supply member and the like may be warped due to shrinkage caused by cooling of the molding member during manufacturing. There is. When such a warp occurs, there is a problem that, for example, a bonding failure with other parts such as a head body occurs.

  However, in the present invention, since the molding member is provided with the slit portion, the occurrence of such warpage can be suppressed by the slit portion.

  Here, it is preferable that the slit portion is provided across the first supply member. Thereby, curvature of the 1st supply member etc. is controlled more certainly.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said slit part is extended in the direction which cross | intersects the longitudinal direction of a said 1st supply member. Since the warpage caused by the shrinkage of the molded member is likely to occur in the longitudinal direction of the first supply member, the occurrence of warpage is more reliably suppressed by the above configuration.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said slit part is provided in the area | region corresponding between the said 2nd supply members in the longitudinal direction of a said 1st supply member. A slit part can be formed favorably and curvature of the 1st supply member etc. is controlled more certainly.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said slit part is provided through the said molding member in the thickness direction of the said molding member. Furthermore, it is preferable that the thickness of the molding member is thinner than the thickness of the first supply member. Thereby, curvature of the 1st supply member etc. is controlled more certainly.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head as described above. According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a liquid ejecting apparatus having improved reliability and durability while reducing the size of the head.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a recording head according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the head main body which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a top view schematically showing the recording head according to the first embodiment of the invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of a recording head according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a modification of the recording head according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a modification of the recording head according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a modification of the recording head according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet recording apparatus 10 that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an ink jet recording head that is an example of a liquid ejecting head that ejects ink droplets (hereinafter, a recording head). 11) is fixed to the carriage 12, and the recording head 11 has a plurality of different colors such as black (B), light black (LB), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Ink cartridges 13 which are liquid storage means storing ink are detachably fixed.

  The carriage 12 on which the recording head 11 is mounted is provided on a carriage shaft 15 attached to the apparatus main body 14 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Then, the driving force of the driving motor 16 is transmitted to the carriage 12 via a plurality of gears and a timing belt 17 (not shown), so that the carriage 12 is moved along the carriage shaft 15. On the other hand, the apparatus main body 14 is provided with a platen 18 along the carriage shaft 15, so that a recording medium S such as paper fed by a paper feeding device (not shown) is conveyed on the platen 18. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 11 includes a cartridge case 20, which is an example of a first supply member to which the ink cartridge 13 that is a liquid storage unit is fixed, and the cartridge case 20 on the opposite side to the ink cartridge 13. A plurality of (in the present embodiment, five) head bodies 30 fixed to the surface, and a cover head 50 provided on the liquid ejection surface side of the plurality of head bodies 30 are provided.

  Here, an example of the configuration of the head main body 30 will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of pressure generating chambers 32 are formed on the flow path forming substrate 31 constituting the head body 30. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, two rows of pressure generation chambers 32 arranged in parallel in the width direction are formed. The pressure generation chamber 32 is provided so as to penetrate the flow path forming substrate 31 in the thickness direction, and one surface side thereof is constituted by an elastic film 33 formed on the flow path forming substrate 31. In the flow path forming substrate 31, a communication portion 34 is formed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generating chambers 32 of each row. The communication portion 34 is in communication with one end portion in the longitudinal direction of each pressure generating chamber 32 via the supply portion 35.

  On the elastic film 33, for example, a piezoelectric element 36 composed of a pair of electrodes and a piezoelectric layer made of a piezoelectric material provided between the pair of electrodes is formed. On the other hand, a nozzle plate 38 having a plurality of nozzles 37 corresponding to the pressure generating chambers 32 is joined to the surface of the flow path forming substrate 31 opposite to the elastic film 33.

  A reservoir forming substrate 40 having a reservoir portion 39 is bonded to the surface of the flow path forming substrate 31 on the piezoelectric element 36 side. The reservoir section 39 is connected to the communication section 34 of the flow path forming substrate 31 and constitutes a reservoir 41 that serves as a common ink chamber for the pressure generating chambers 32. A piezoelectric element holding portion 42 having a space that does not hinder the movement of the piezoelectric element 36 is provided in a region facing the piezoelectric element 36 of the reservoir forming substrate 40.

  A compliance substrate 43 is bonded onto the reservoir forming substrate 40. In a region of the compliance substrate 43 facing the reservoir 41, an ink introduction port 44 for supplying ink to the reservoir 41 is provided penetrating in the thickness direction. A region other than the ink introduction port 44 in the region facing the reservoir 41 of the compliance substrate 43 is a flexible portion 45 formed thin in the thickness direction.

  Further, a head case 46 is fixed on the compliance substrate 43. The head case 46 is provided with an ink supply communication path 47 that communicates with the ink introduction port 44 and communicates with an ink supply path (described later) of the cartridge case 20.

  Each head main body 30 having such a configuration is fixed to the cartridge case 20 in a state of being relatively positioned and held by the cover head 50 having a box shape (see FIG. 2).

  In each head body 30, the interior corresponding to each pressure generating chamber 32 is filled in accordance with a recording signal from a drive circuit (not shown) in a state where the interior from the reservoir 41 to the nozzle 37 is filled with ink through the ink introduction port 44. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 36 and the piezoelectric element 36 is bent and deformed, the pressure in each pressure generating chamber 32 is increased and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 37.

  In the cartridge case 20 to which the plurality of head main bodies 30 are fixed, the ink of the ink cartridge 13 is supplied to the head main body 30 as shown in FIG. An ink supply path 21 that is a first liquid supply path is provided. Note that a plurality (five in this embodiment) of head bodies 30 are fixed to the cartridge case 20, and two ink supply paths 21 are provided corresponding to these head bodies 30.

  An ink introduction needle 25, which is a second supply member, is provided on the surface of the cartridge case 20 opposite to the head main body 30 so as to correspond to the openings of these ink supply paths 21. In the present embodiment, two ink introduction needles 25 corresponding to the head main bodies 30 are arranged in five rows along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 20. Each ink introduction needle 25 is provided with an ink introduction path 26 that is a second liquid supply path that communicates with the ink supply path 21, and a plurality of minute inks that communicate with the ink introduction path 26 are provided at the tip thereof. An ink introduction port 27 composed of holes is formed.

  The ink introduction needle 25 is inserted into the ink cartridge 13 so that the ink in the ink cartridge 13 passes through the ink introduction port 27, the ink introduction path 26, and the ink supply path 21. It is supplied to the passage 47.

  Further, a filter 60 is provided between the cartridge case 20 and the ink introduction needle 25, that is, at a connection portion between the ink supply path 21 and the ink introduction path 26. The filter 60 captures foreign matter and bubbles in the ink so that the foreign matter and bubbles do not flow into the head body 30.

  Here, the cartridge case 20 and each of the plurality of ink introduction needles 25 are integrated by a molding member 70 made of a resin material in a state where the filter 60 is sandwiched. That is, for example, the molding member 70 is integrally formed with the cartridge case 20 and the plurality of ink introduction needles 25. As a result, the cartridge case 20, the plurality of ink introduction needles 25, and the plurality of filters 60 are formed by the molding member 70. It is integrated.

  In the present embodiment, the wall portion 22 is provided on the surface side of the cartridge case 20 to which the ink introduction needle 25 is fixed, and the molding member 70 is disposed on the inner side of the wall portion 22. It is provided continuously over the entire area.

  In this way, the molding member 70 that fixes each ink introduction needle 25 and the cartridge case 20 via the filter 60 is continuously formed over a region corresponding to the plurality of ink introduction needles 25. The cartridge case 20 and each ink introduction needle 25 can be fixed very well. That is, since the contact area between the molded member 70 and each member such as the cartridge case 20 is increased, these members can be firmly fixed.

  Further, since the periphery of each ink introduction needle 25 is covered with the molding member 70, the connecting portion between the cartridge case 20 and each ink introduction needle 25 is well sealed. Therefore, it is possible to greatly suppress the occurrence of ink leakage or the like at the connection portion between the cartridge case 20 and the ink introduction needle 25.

  Further, by integrating the ink introduction needles 25 with the cartridge case 20 by the molding member 70 as described above, a space for fixing the ink introduction needles 25 necessary for the cartridge case 20 can be kept small. Thereby, the interval between the adjacent ink introduction needles 25 can be shortened, and the recording head 11 can be downsized.

  By the way, when the molding member 70 is continuously formed over the region corresponding to the plurality of ink introduction needles 25 on the cartridge case 20 as described above, the members such as the cartridge case 20 are caused by the stress of the molding member 70. There is a risk of warping. That is, when the molding member 70 is formed by molding, there is a possibility that the member such as the cartridge case 20 is warped due to the contraction accompanying the cooling of the molding member 70. If the member such as the cartridge case 20 is warped, for example, a bonding failure between the head main body 30 and the cartridge case 20 may occur, which may cause problems such as a decrease in print quality and ink leakage.

  However, in the present invention, since the slit portion 71 is provided in the molding member 70, it is possible to suppress warping of each member such as the cartridge case 20 and the like. That is, since the deformation due to the contraction of the molding member 70 is substantially absorbed by the slit portion 71, the occurrence of warping of the cartridge case 20 due to the deformation of the molding member 70 can be suppressed.

  The slit portion 71 is preferably extended in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 20, in the present embodiment, in a direction intersecting with the parallel arrangement direction of the head main bodies 30, particularly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit case 71. The warp of the cartridge case 20 is likely to occur along the longitudinal direction thereof. For this reason, the warp of the cartridge case 20 can be more effectively suppressed by forming the slit portion 71 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 20.

  Further, the slit portion 71 can be provided at any location as long as it is a region corresponding to the space between the ink introduction needles 25 of the molding member 70. For example, in this embodiment, each ink introduction in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 20 is performed. They are provided in areas corresponding to each other between the needles 25. By providing the slit portion 71 in these regions, the slit portion 71 can be continuously formed relatively long in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 20. Further, the slit portion 71 is preferably provided so as to penetrate the molding member 70 in the thickness direction. Thereby, the deformation | transformation accompanying the shrinkage | contraction of the shaping | molding member 70 is more reliably absorbed by the slit part 71. FIG. Therefore, warping of each member such as the cartridge case 20 is further reliably suppressed.

  Further, the thickness of the molding member 70 is preferably relatively thin as long as the ink introduction needles 25 sandwiching the filter 60 and the cartridge case 20 can be fixed with sufficient strength. It is preferable that the thickness is smaller. The thinner the molding member 70 is, the smaller the deformation caused by the contraction of the molding member 70 is, and the warping of the members such as the cartridge case 20 is further reliably suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the molding member 70 is continuously formed in a region corresponding to all the ink introduction needles 25, but the configuration of the molding member 70 is not limited to this.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the slit portion 71 is provided in the region between the ink introduction needles 25 corresponding to the head main bodies 30, but for example, as shown in FIG. You may make it provide the slit part 71A in the boundary part with the shaping | molding member 70 with the wall part 22. FIG. If the molding member 70 is in close contact with the wall portion 22, the wall portion 22 of the cartridge case 20 may be pulled due to contraction of the molding member 70. However, by providing the slit portion 71A, it is possible to suppress the wall portion 22 from being pulled by the molding member 70, and it is possible to more reliably suppress the warp of the cartridge case 20.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the slit portion 71 </ b> B may be formed continuously across the width direction of the molding member 70, that is, so as to cross the molding member 70. Further, the molding member 70 may be substantially separated for each ink introduction needle 25 corresponding to each head body 30 by the slit portion 71B.

  In the present embodiment, the slit portion 71 is formed in the molding member 70 in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 20. However, as necessary, for example, as shown in FIG. May be formed along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 20.

  In any configuration, since the molding member 70 is provided with the slit portion 71, the occurrence of warpage of the cartridge case 20 can be suppressed.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the basic composition of this invention is not limited to what was mentioned above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 13 that is the liquid storage means is detachable from the cartridge case (first supply member) 30 to which the ink introduction needle (second supply member) 25 is fixed. Although provided, the first and second supply members are not limited to such a configuration. For example, an ink tank or the like may be provided as a liquid storage unit at a position different from the recording head 11, and the liquid storage unit and the recording head 11 may be connected to the second supply member via a supply pipe such as a tube. Good. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the needle-like ink introduction needle 25 is exemplified as the second supply member, but the second supply member is not limited to the needle-like one. Anyway, what is necessary is just the structure by which the 1st supply member and the 2nd supply member were integrated by the shaping | molding member.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by exemplifying an ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets. However, the present invention broadly covers a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the same. It is. Examples of the liquid ejecting head include a recording head used in an image recording apparatus such as a printer, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an electrode formation such as an FED (field emission display). Electrode material ejecting heads used in manufacturing, bioorganic matter ejecting heads used in biochip production, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet recording device, 11 Recording head, 13 Ink cartridge, 20 Cartridge case, 21 Ink supply path, 22 Wall part, 25 Ink introduction needle, 26 Ink introduction path, 30 Head body, 50 Cover head, 60 Filter, 70 Molding Member, 71 slit part

Claims (7)

A plurality of head bodies having nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets; a first supply member provided with a plurality of first liquid supply paths that respectively communicate with the plurality of head bodies; and the first liquid supply path. A plurality of second supply members each having a second liquid supply path communicating with each other, and a filter disposed at a connection portion between the first liquid supply path and the second liquid supply path, A filter is sandwiched between the first supply member and the second supply member;
The first supply member, the plurality of second supply members, and the plurality of filters are integrated by a molding member made of a resin material, and corresponds between the second supply members of the molding member. A liquid ejecting head, wherein a slit portion is provided in a region to be operated.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the slit portion is provided across the first supply member.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the slit portion extends in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the first supply member.   The said slit part is provided in the area | region corresponding to between the said 2nd supply members in the longitudinal direction of a said 1st supply member, The liquid as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Jet head.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the slit portion is provided so as to penetrate the molding member in a thickness direction of the molding member.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the molding member is thinner than a thickness of the first supply member.   A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 1.

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