JP6897183B2 - Liquid injection head, liquid injection device and wiping method of liquid injection head - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid injection head for injecting a liquid, a liquid injection device including the liquid injection head, and a wiping method for wiping the liquid injection head with a wiper. In particular, an inkjet recording head for injecting ink as a liquid, an inkjet type. The present invention relates to a recording device and an inkjet recording head wiping method.

An inkjet recording head, which is an example of a liquid injection head, has a fixing plate such as a head cover provided on the nozzle surface side, a head body laminated in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface, and a nozzle surface of the head body. A holding member provided on the opposite side is provided. In such an inkjet recording head, wiping is performed to remove liquid and foreign matter adhering to a wiping surface such as a liquid injection surface by wiping with a wiper.

Further, in an inkjet recording head, it is difficult to increase the density or lengthening of the nozzle opening with a single head body because the yield of the head body is lowered and the manufacturing cost becomes effective. .. For this reason, an inkjet recording head in which a plurality of head bodies are fixed to a common holder and modularized (composite parts) has been proposed.

As such an inkjet recording head, an inkjet recording head has been proposed in which the gap between the head body and the gap between the head body and the holder are adjusted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 6019632

However, there is a problem that the position shift between the head bodies occurs by adjusting the gap between the head bodies adjacent to each other.

In addition, when the wiper used for wiping falls into the gap of the head body, the ink adhering to the wiper and the ink that has entered the gap are scattered by the impact, and there is a problem that the inside of the recording device and the injection medium are polluted. is there. It should be noted that such a problem exists not only in the gap between the head body but also in the gap between the wiped member such as the holder that is wiped at the same time as the head body.

Furthermore, if the gaps in the head body are filled with an adhesive or the like, stress due to shrinkage during curing of the adhesive is applied to the head body, causing a problem that the nozzle opening is misaligned, and the wiper comes into contact with the adhesive. There is a problem that foreign matter is easily generated by the foreign matter and the nozzle opening is clogged by the foreign matter, and there is a problem that it is difficult to disassemble the recording head and replace the head body.
It should be noted that such a problem exists not only in the inkjet recording head but also in the liquid injection head that injects a liquid other than ink.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a liquid injection head, a liquid injection device, and a wiping method for a liquid injection head that suppresses misalignment of the nozzle opening and suppresses at least one of liquid scattering during wiping. With the goal.

An aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is between a head body having a nozzle surface for injecting a liquid, a wiped member having a wiped surface wiped by a wiper, and the head body and the wiped member. The liquid injection head is provided with a spacer that is arranged with a gap provided between one of the head body and the wiped member, and is provided with a spacer that comes into contact with the wiper. is there.
In such an embodiment, by providing the spacer, the width between the head body and the wiped member can be narrowed so that the liquid does not easily collect in the space. Further, since a gap is provided between the spacer and either the head body or the wiped member, the reaction force due to elastic deformation of the spacer is not transmitted to the head body. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the stress due to the reaction force of the spacer from being applied to the head body and to prevent the nozzle opening of the head body from being displaced. Further, since a gap is formed between the spacer and one of the head body and the wiped member, the nozzle opening of the head body can be positioned with the spacer provided, which simplifies the positioning process. Can be transformed into.

Here, it is preferable that the spacer follows the wiper that wipes the nozzle surface and the wiped member. According to this, since the spacer follows the wiper, it is possible to prevent the wiper from falling between the head body and the wiped member, and the liquid between the head body and the wiped member falls in the wiper. It is possible to suppress the scattering due to the impact.

Further, the spacer has a non-fixed portion on one side in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface and a fixed portion on the other side, and the non-fixed portion is closer to the wiped surface than the fixed portion. It is preferable that the surface is separated from the surface to be wiped or the surface of the nozzle and is in contact with the wiper that wipes the surface of the nozzle and the member to be wiped. According to this, the non-fixed portion of the spacer can be easily made to follow the wiper.

Further, it is preferable that the spacer is fixed to the head body and the wiping member to be provided with the space between them, which the wiper comes into contact with first. According to this, the spacer can be brought into contact with the wiper first, and the spacer can be made to follow by the movement of the wiper, and the drop of the wiper between the head body and the wiped member can be reliably suppressed. ..

Further, it is preferable that the spacer is fixed at a plurality of places along the space between the spacers. According to this, it is possible to suppress the drop of the wiper in the part where the spacer is fixed, and the spacer is made to follow the wiper in the part where the spacer is not fixed, and the wiper falls in the back of the fixed part. Can be suppressed.

Further, it is preferable that the spacer has a notch for each fixed portion. According to this, it is possible to make it easier for the non-fixed portion of the spacer to follow the wiper and suppress the drop of the wiper between the head body and the wiped member.

Further, when a part of the wiper is in the position of the gap, it is preferable that the other part of the wiper comes into contact with any of the head body, the wiped member and the spacer. According to this, it is possible to prevent the wiper from falling between the head body and the wiped member.

Further, it is preferable that the head body has a tapered end portion in the direction along the gap, and the spacer has a thicker end portion in the direction along the gap than the center. According to this, the gap between the spacer and one of the head body and the wiped member is reduced to prevent the spacer from being excessively deformed, and the wiper falls between the head body and the wiped member. Can be suppressed.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is in a liquid injection device including the liquid injection head of the above aspect and the wiper.
In such an embodiment, it is possible to realize a liquid injection device that suppresses contamination of the injection medium due to a displacement of the landing position of the liquid or a drop of the liquid.

Another aspect of the present invention is the nozzle surface of the liquid injection head and the wiped surface having a head body having a nozzle surface for injecting liquid and a wiped member having a wiped surface wiped by a wiper. A method of wiping a liquid injection head that wipes a surface, wherein a spacer is provided between the head body and the wiped member, and the spacer is provided between either the head body and the wiped member. A liquid characterized in that a gap is formed in the head body, and the wiper maintains a state of being in contact with any of the head body, the wiped member, and the spacer to wipe the head body and the wiped member. It is in the wiping method of the injection head.
In such an embodiment, by providing the spacer, the width between the head body and the wiped member can be narrowed to prevent the liquid from accumulating between them. Further, when the wiper is wiped, it is in contact with any of the head body, the wiped member and the spacer, so that the wiper can be prevented from falling between the head body and the wiped member, and the head body and the wiper It is possible to prevent the liquid between the wiper and the wiper from splashing due to the impact of the wiper falling. Further, since a gap is provided between the spacer and either the head body or the wiped member, the reaction force due to elastic deformation of the spacer is not transmitted to the head body. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the stress due to the reaction force of the spacer from being applied to the head body and to prevent the nozzle opening of the head body from being displaced.

It is a schematic perspective view of the recording apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the recording head which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the recording head which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the recording head which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the recording head which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the recording head which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the recording head which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the spacer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the modification of the spacer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view explaining the operation of the spacer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the modification of the spacer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view explaining the operation of the spacer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view of the recording head which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the wiping method which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the wiper which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the wiper which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the modification of the wiper which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the modification of the wiper which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the spacer which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the spacer which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording device which is an example of the liquid injection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the inkjet recording device, which is an example of the liquid injection device of the present embodiment, the inkjet recording head, which is an example of the liquid injection head, is fixed, and printing is performed by transporting a recording sheet such as paper as an injection medium. This is a so-called line-type recording device.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording device 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 and a plurality of head main bodies 100, and an inkjet recording head 3 fixed to the device main body 2 (hereinafter, simply recording). (Also referred to as a head 3), a transport means 4 for transporting the recording sheet S, and a support member 7 for supporting the recording sheet S facing the recording head 3. In the present embodiment, the transport direction of the recording sheet S is referred to as the first direction X, and the recording sheet S is transported from the X1 side to the X2 side of the first direction X. Further, in the in-plane direction in which the nozzle opening of the recording head 3 opens, the direction orthogonal to the first direction X is referred to as the second direction Y, one end side of the second direction Y is referred to as the Y1 side, and the other end side is referred to as the Y1 side. It is called the Y2 side. Further, a direction orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a third direction Z. Further, in the third direction Z, the liquid injection direction side (the recording sheet S side with respect to the recording head 3) is referred to as the Z1 side, and the opposite side is referred to as the Z2 side.
The recording head 3 includes a plurality of head main bodies 100 and a holder 200 for holding the plurality of head main bodies 100.

The plurality of head bodies 100 are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the first direction X, which is the transport direction, in the second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X in the present embodiment, and fixed to the holder 200. There is. In this embodiment, the plurality of head main bodies 100 are arranged side by side on a straight line in the second direction Y. That is, the plurality of head main bodies 100 are not arranged so as to be displaced in the first direction X. As a result, the width of the recording head 3 in the first direction can be narrowed to reduce the size of the recording head 3. Further, the plurality of head main bodies 100 are arranged side by side with a first space 101 arranged between the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other.

Further, the holder 200 holds the plurality of head main bodies 100 so that the nozzle openings of the plurality of head main bodies 100 face the recording sheet S side, and is fixed to the device main body 2.

The transport means 4 transports the recording sheet S to the recording head 3 in the first direction X. The transporting means 4 includes, for example, a first transport roller 5 provided on both sides of the first direction X and a second transport roller 6.

The recording sheet S is conveyed by such a first transfer roller 5 and a second transfer roller 6. The transporting means 4 for transporting the recording sheet S is not limited to the transport rollers 5 and 6, and may be a belt, a drum, or the like.

The support member 7 supports the recording sheet S conveyed by the conveying means 4 at a position facing the recording head 3. The support member 7 is made of, for example, a metal or resin having a rectangular cross section provided between the first transfer roller 5 and the second transfer roller 6 so as to face the recording head 3.

The support member 7 may be provided with a suction means for sucking the conveyed recording sheet S on the support member 7. Examples of the suction means include those that suck and suck the recording sheet S by sucking it, those that electrostatically suck the recording sheet S by electrostatic force, and the like. For example, when the transport means 4 is a belt or a drum, the support member 7 supports the recording sheet S on the belt or the drum at a position facing the recording head 3.

Further, although not shown, a liquid storage means such as an ink tank or an ink cartridge in which ink is stored is connected to each head body 100 of the recording head 3 so that ink can be supplied. The liquid storage means may be held on the recording head 3, for example, or may be held at a position different from that of the recording head 3 in the apparatus main body 2. Further, a flow path or the like for supplying the ink supplied from the liquid storage means to the head body 100 may be provided inside the holder 200, and a flow path member may be provided separately from the holder 200 to provide the flow path member. Ink from the liquid storage means may be supplied to the head body 100 via the liquid storage means. Of course, the ink may be directly supplied from the liquid storage means to the head body 100 without going through the holder 200 or the flow path member fixed to the holder 200.

In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the recording sheet S is conveyed by the first conveying roller 5, and printing is executed on the recording sheet S supported by the recording head 3 on the support member 7. The printed recording sheet S is conveyed by the second transfer roller 6.

Further, the inkjet recording device 1 is provided with a wiper 150 that wipes the wiping surface of the recording head 3. In the present embodiment, the wiper 150 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or an elastomer having a plate shape. In such a wiper 150, the end portion on the Z1 side is supported by the support portion 151 so that the end portion on the Z2 side becomes a free end. The support portion 151 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the shaft portion 152 fixed to the device main body 2. The shaft portion 152 is arranged along the second direction Y, and the support portion 151 pivotally supported by the shaft portion 152 moves the wiper 150 in the second direction Y with respect to the recording head 3. It is in sliding contact with the wiped surface of the recording head 3. In the present embodiment, the wiper 150 is moved in the second direction Y, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and by moving the recording head 3 in the second direction Y, wiping is performed by the wiper 150. You may do it. That is, the wiper 150 and the recording head 3 may move relative to each other in the second direction Y.

Here, the recording head 3 mounted on such an inkjet recording device 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an inkjet recording head which is an example of the liquid injection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inkjet recording head on the liquid injection surface side. Yes, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in which the main part of the line AA'of FIG. 3 is cut out, FIGS. 5 to 7 are enlarged views of the main part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 is the first 6 is a second gap portion on the Y1 side, and FIG. 7 is a second gap portion on the Y2 side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the recording head 3 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of head main bodies 100 and a holder 200 for holding the plurality of head main bodies 100.
The head body 100 has a nozzle surface 20a provided with a nozzle opening 21 on the Z1 side in the third direction Z.
Such a head body 100 is fixed to the surface side of the holder 200 facing the recording sheet S, that is, the Z1 side which is the recording sheet S side in the third direction Z.

The holder 200 includes a wall portion 202 in which an accommodating portion 201, which is a space open to the Z1 side, is provided inside. The plurality of head bodies 100 are housed in the housing section 201. The accommodating unit 201 of the present embodiment has a size capable of accommodating a plurality of head main bodies 100, and in the present embodiment, four head main bodies 100 in one accommodating unit 201. Further, the accommodating portion 201 has a size such that the wall portion 202 does not abut on the side surface of the head main body 100 when accommodating a plurality of head main bodies 100.

A plurality of head bodies 100 are housed in the housing section 201 of the holder 200. In the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of head bodies 100 are arranged side by side along a straight line in the second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X, which is the transport direction, and the accommodating portion 201 of the holder 200. It is fixed inside. That is, the plurality of head main bodies 100 are not arranged so as to be displaced in the first direction X. As a result, the width of the first direction X of the recording head 3 can be narrowed to reduce the size of the recording head 3. Of course, the head main body 100 arranged side by side in the second direction Y may be arranged so as to be shifted in the first direction X, but if the head main body 100 is largely shifted in the first direction X, the holder 200 or the like may be arranged. The width of the first direction X of is widened. When the size of the first direction X of the recording head 3 is increased in this way, the distance between the first transfer roller 5 and the second transfer roller 6 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 becomes longer in the first direction X. , It becomes difficult to fix the posture of the recording sheet S. In addition, the recording head 3 and the inkjet recording device 1 become large in size.

In the present embodiment, four head bodies 100 are fixed to the holder 200, but the number of head bodies 100 is not particularly limited, and even if it is one, it may be two or more. You may.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of head main bodies 100 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y with the first space 101 arranged between the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other. By providing the first space 101 between the head bodies 100 arranged side by side in the second direction Y in this way, the nozzle openings 21 of the plurality of head bodies 100 can be relatively positioned. By the way, if a part of the adjacent head main bodies 100 are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, it becomes impossible to perform relative alignment with reference to the nozzle openings 21 of the plurality of head main bodies 100. In the present embodiment, the relative alignment of the head main bodies 100 can be performed by providing the first space 101 over the entire surface of the surfaces of the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y facing each other. it can. That is, the first space 101 between the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other is continuously opened over the surface on the Z1 side of the third direction Z and the surfaces on both sides of the first direction X. It is provided.

Further, a second space 102 is formed between the plurality of head main bodies 100 and the wall portion 202 forming the accommodating portion 201 accommodating the plurality of head main bodies 100. In the present embodiment, the second space 102 is continuous over the periphery of the plurality of head bodies 100 arranged side by side in the second direction Y, that is, both sides of the first direction X and the second direction. It is formed on both sides of Y. By providing the second space 102 between the head main body 100 and the wall portion 202 in this way, the nozzle openings 21 of the plurality of head main bodies 100 can be relatively positioned in the accommodating portion 201.

In the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 201 for accommodating a plurality of head main bodies 100 is provided, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and is composed of one head main body 100 or two or more head main bodies 100. Independent storage units 201 may be provided for each group. However, when the accommodating portion 201 is divided, the wall portion 202 is provided between the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y, and the first space 101, which is the distance between the adjacent head main bodies 100, is provided. The recording head 3 becomes larger in the second direction Y, and it becomes difficult to arrange the nozzle openings 21 of the adjacent head bodies 100 at the same position in the first direction X. In the present embodiment, by accommodating a plurality of head main bodies 100 in one accommodating portion 201, the head main bodies 100 can be arranged at a high density, and the second direction Y of the recording head 3 can be miniaturized. At the same time, the nozzle openings 21 of the adjacent head bodies 100 can be easily arranged at the same position in the first direction X.

In such a recording head 3, the surface of the head body 100 on the Z1 side and the surface of the wall portion 202 on the Z1 side are wiped by the wiper 150 to be a wiped surface. In the present embodiment, the Z1 side surface of the head body 100 is referred to as a first wiped surface 301, and the Z1 side surface of the wall portion 202 is referred to as a second wiped surface 302.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the position of the second wiped surface 302 of the wall portion 202 in the third direction Z is the position of the head body 100 housed in the accommodating portion 201 in the third direction Z. It is preferably arranged at the same height as the first wiped surface 301, that is, at a position where it is flush with each other, or at a position recessed from the first wiped surface 301, that is, on the Z2 side. Incidentally, if the second wiped surface 302 of the wall portion 202 is provided so as to project toward the Z1 side from the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100, the side surface of the head body 100 can be protected by the wall portion 202. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the member such as the cover 130 from being peeled off due to the collision of the recording sheet S with the side surface of the head body 100, but the wall portion 202 records the second wiped surface 302. The distance from the sheet S becomes wide, and there is a risk that the landing position of the ink droplets on the recording sheet S may shift.

Here, an example of the head body 100 mounted on the recording head 3 will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the head body 100 includes a plurality of head tips 110, a holding member 120 for holding the plurality of head tips 110, and a cover 130 provided on the nozzle surface 20a side of the head tip 110. , Are provided.

The head tip 110 has a nozzle surface 20a provided with a nozzle opening 21 on the Z1 side of the third direction Z. Further, the Z2 side of the plurality of head tips 110 is adhered to the Z1 side surface of the holding member 120. The head chip 110 has a nozzle surface 20a provided with a nozzle opening 21 for ejecting liquid ink as ink droplets on the surface on the Z1 side. Further, inside the head chip 110 (not shown), a flow path communicating with the nozzle opening 21 and a pressure generating means for causing a pressure change in the ink in the flow path are provided. As such a pressure generating means, for example, the volume of the liquid flow path is changed by the deformation of the piezoelectric actuator having the piezoelectric material exhibiting the electromechanical conversion function to cause a pressure change in the ink in the liquid flow path, and the ink is generated from the nozzle opening 21. Those that eject droplets, those that eject ink droplets from the nozzle opening 21 by a bubble generated by the heat generated by the heating element by arranging a heat generating element in the flow path, and those that generate electrostatic force between the vibrating plate and the electrode. A so-called electrostatic actuator or the like that generates ink droplets by deforming the vibrating plate by electrostatic force and ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening 21 can be used.

The holding member 120 has a holding portion 121 that forms a groove-like space on the Z1 side. The holding portion 121 is provided on the Z1 side surface of the holding member 120 continuously over the second direction Y, so that the holding portion 121 is provided so as to be open on both side surfaces in the second direction Y. Further, in the holding member 120, the holding portion 121 is provided at a substantially central portion in the first direction X, so that foot portions 122 are formed on both sides of the holding portion 121 in the first direction X. That is, the foot portions 122 are provided on the surface of the holding member 120 on the Z2 side only at both ends in the first direction X, and are not provided at both ends in the second direction Y.

A plurality of head tips 110 are adhered to each other in such a holding portion 121 by an adhesive 140. That is, the foot portions 122 are located on both sides of the head tip 110 in the third direction Z. The holding member 120 and the head tip 110 are adhered to each other by the adhesive 140 on the surfaces facing each other in the third direction Z. A flow path for supplying ink to the head chip 110 is provided inside the holding member 120 (not shown), and the flow path of the holding member 120 and the flow path of the head chip 110 are sealed with an adhesive 140. It is stopped and communicated. Further, the holding member 120 may be configured by laminating a plurality of members in the third direction Z.

Further, in the holding portion 121 of the holding member 120, a plurality of head chips 110 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y and adhered to each other. In this embodiment, six head tips 110 are adhered to one holding member 120. Of course, the number of head tips 110 fixed to one holding member 120 is not limited to those described above, and one head tip 110 may be one for one holding member 120, and two or more head tips 110 may be used. There may be more than one. By the way, by providing a plurality of head tips 110 for one head body 100 to increase the number of nozzle rows, a plurality of rows of nozzles are provided only for one head tip 110 for one head body 100. The yield can be improved as compared with the case where the number of rows is increased. That is, increasing the number of nozzle rows in a single head chip 110 lowers the yield of the head chip 110 and increases the manufacturing cost. On the other hand, by fixing a plurality of head tips 110 to a common holding member 120 and increasing the number of nozzle rows by the plurality of head tips 110, the yield of the head tips 110 is improved and the manufacturing cost is reduced. can do.

The plurality of head tips 110 of the present embodiment are fixed so that the nozzle rows are inclined with respect to the first direction X, which is the transport direction of the recording sheet S, in the in-plane direction of the nozzle surface 20a. That is, the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21 forming the nozzle row, is inclined with respect to the first direction X. In this way, the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21 of the head chips 110, is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the first direction X, and the plurality of head chips 110 are arranged in parallel in the second direction Y. By setting, at least a part of the nozzle openings 21 of the head tips 110 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y can be arranged at a position where they overlap each other in the first direction X.

Further, in the present embodiment, when viewed in a plan view from the nozzle surface 20a side in the third direction Z, the shapes on both sides of the second direction Y, which is the parallel direction of the head main body 100, are in the fourth direction Xa. It has a shape that follows it. That is, the side surfaces on both sides of the head body 100 on the Z1 side in the second direction Y are provided so as to be inclined in the same direction as the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21. That is, when the head main bodies 100 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y, the first spaces 101 of the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other extend along the fourth direction Xa. In this way, by making the side surfaces of the head main body 100 on both sides in the parallel arrangement direction the same direction as the fourth direction Xa which is the parallel arrangement direction of the nozzle openings 21, the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y At least a part of the nozzle openings 21 of the above can be arranged at a position where they overlap each other in the first direction X. Therefore, nozzle openings 21 arranged side by side at the same interval in the second direction Y of the recording head 3 can be formed.

The cover 130 corresponds to the fixing plate of the present embodiment, and is made of a plate-shaped member such as metal. The cover 130 is provided on the nozzle surface 20a side of the head body 100, that is, on the Z1 side of the head body 100 in the third direction Z.
The cover 130 is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped member, and the base portion 131 provided on the nozzle surface 20a side and both ends of the base portion 131 in the second direction Y are in the third direction Z. It is provided with a bent portion 132 that is bent and provided on the Z2 side of the above.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base portion 131 is joined to the Z1 side surface of the holding member 120 in the third direction Z, that is, to the Z1 side end surface of the foot portion 122 via the adhesive 141.
Further, the base portion 131 is provided with an exposed opening 133 for opening the nozzle opening 21 of each head tip 110. In the present embodiment, the exposed opening 133 is provided so as to open independently for each head tip 110. That is, since the head body 100 of the present embodiment has six head chips 110, the base portion 131 is provided with six independent exposed openings 133. Of course, depending on the configuration of the head chip 110 and the like, one common exposed opening 133 may be provided for the head main body group composed of the plurality of head chips 110.

Further, the exposed opening 133 is provided so as to open along the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21. That is, when viewed in a plan view from the third direction Z, the exposed opening 133 has a parallelogram in which both side surfaces in the second direction Y are provided in the direction along the fourth direction Xa.

In the present embodiment, since the foot portion 122 is not provided in the second direction Y of the holding portion 121, the exposed opening portion 133 is provided up to the vicinity of the bent portion 132 in the second direction Y. .. That is, the distance from the entire circumference of the base portion 131 to the exposed opening 133 is smaller in the second direction Y than in the first direction X.
The Z1 side of the holding portion 121 of the holding member 120 is covered by such a base portion 131.

Further, the bent portions 132 are provided at both ends of the base portion 131 in the second direction Y, and are formed in a size that covers the opening area that opens on the side surface of the holding portion 121 in the second direction Y. .. That is, the bent portion 132 is a region from the end portion of the base portion 131 in the second direction Y to the edge portion of the cover 130. Then, such a bent portion 132 is joined to the side surface of the holding member 120 in the second direction Y via an adhesive 141. As a result, the opening of the holding portion 121 to the side surface in the second direction Y is covered and sealed by the bent portion 132.

That is, the holding member 120 and the cover 130 have the end faces of the foot portion 122 in the third direction Z and the base portion 131 bonded to each other on both sides in the first direction X by the adhesive 141, and both sides in the second direction Y. Then, the opening side surface of the holding portion 121 and the bent portion 132 are adhered to each other by the adhesive 141, so that the head tip 110 is arranged in the holding portion 121 which is a space between the holding member 120 and the cover 130. .. That is, the adhesive 140 for adhering the head tip 110 and the holding member 120 is contained in the holding portion 121 which is a space formed by adhering the holding member 120 and the cover 130 with the adhesive 141. Therefore, even if the adhesive 140 that easily permeates the moisture contained in the ink is used as the adhesive 140 that adheres the holding member 120 and the head tip 110, the adhesive 141 that adheres the holding member 120 and the cover 130 holds the ink. Since the inside of the portion 121 is sealed, the evaporation of water contained in the ink can be suppressed. In order to seal the inside of the holding portion 121, it is preferable to bond the base portion 131 of the cover 130 and the nozzle surface 20a side of the head tip 110. That is, it is preferable that the periphery of the exposed opening 133 is adhered to the head tip 110 so that water does not evaporate to the outside through the exposed opening 133. Further, the adhesive 141 that adheres the holding member 120 and the cover 130 is less likely to permeate moisture than the adhesive 140 that adheres the holding member 120 and the head tip 110 and absorbs the height variation of the head tip 110. It is preferable to use one.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cover 130 and the holding member 120 are adhered to each other by providing the cover 130 with the bent portions 132 on both sides of the holding member 120 in the second direction Y. On both sides of the second direction Y of the 120, foot portions for adhering to the base portion 131 of the cover 130 are not required. Therefore, when the head main bodies 100 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y, since the feet do not exist in the first space 101 of the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other, the head main bodies adjacent to each other in the second direction Y The first space 101 of 100 can be narrowed. As a result, the head tips 110 of the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y can be provided close to each other, and the nozzle openings 21 provided in the head tips 110 of the adjacent head bodies 100 can be provided in the second direction. It can be arranged close to Y so that the nozzle openings 21 of the adjacent head bodies 100 overlap each other in the first direction X.

By the way, in order to suppress the evaporation of the water contained in the ink without providing the bent portions 132 to be adhered to the holding member 120 on both sides of the cover 130 in the second direction Y, the second holding member 120 is used. It is necessary to provide foot portions on both sides in the direction Y and to bond the end face of the foot portion on the Z1 side to the base portion 131. That is, it is necessary to provide the holding portion 121 so as to open only on the Z1 side of the third direction Z. When the feet are provided on both sides of the holding portions 121 in the second direction Y, the first space 101 between the holding portions 121 of the adjacent head main bodies 100 becomes wider, and the head tips 110 of the adjacent head main bodies 100 become wider. Can not be provided close to each other, and the nozzle openings 21 are arranged apart from each other in the second direction Y. That is, in order to provide the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other in close proximity to each other and to provide the head chips 110 of each head main body 100 in close proximity to each other, the foot portion 122 has a second direction which is a parallel direction of the head main bodies 100. It is better not to provide it on both sides of Y. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 121 provides openings communicating with the space in which the head chip 110 is arranged on both side surfaces in the second direction Y. Further, in such a configuration, when the cover 130 is adhered only to the end surface of the foot portion 122 of the holding member 120 on the Z1 side, the inside of the holding portion 121 opens to the outside on both side surfaces in the second direction Y, and the holding member 120 Moisture that has passed through the adhesive 140 that adheres the head tip 110 to the head chip 110 evaporates to the outside. In the present embodiment, the holding portions 121 opened on both side surfaces in the second direction Y are sealed by the bent portions 132 of the cover 130, so that the foot portions are not provided on both sides in the second direction Y. The first space 101 of the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other can be narrowed in the two directions Y, the nozzle openings 21 of the adjacent head bodies 100 can be provided close to each other, and the head tip 110 and the holding member 120 can be provided close to each other. It is possible to suppress the evaporation of water that has permeated the adhesive 140 that adheres to and.

In the present embodiment, the recess 123 is provided on the side surface of the holding member 120 in the second direction Y, and the bent portion 132 is adhered to the recess 123. The recess 123 of the present embodiment is provided by opening on both side surfaces in the second direction Y and is provided by opening in the surface on the Z1 side in the third direction Z. By providing the recess 123 in the holding member 120 in this way, the bent portion 132 is inserted into the recess 123 and adhered, so that the holding member 120 and the bent portion 132 of the cover 130 can be easily adhered. That is, since the holding member 120 is provided with the recess 123, the adhesive 141 can be obtained by simply applying the adhesive 141 between the end of the bent portion 132 of the cover 130 inserted into the recess 123 and the recess 123. Since the space between the holding member 120 and the bent portion 132 of the cover 130 is filled by capillary force, there is no recess 123 and the cover is oriented along the end of the bent portion 132 with respect to the gap between the holding member 120 and the bent portion 132. The step of applying the adhesive 141 to different surfaces becomes unnecessary, and the bonding step can be simplified. Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the recess 123 in the holding member 120, the amount of protrusion of the bent portion 132 of the cover 130 in the second direction Y is reduced, and the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y are reduced. The first space 101 can be further narrowed, and the distance between the nozzle openings 21 of the adjacent head bodies 100 can be further narrowed. Further, by providing the recess 123 in the holding member 120 and inserting the bent portion 132 into the recess 123, the amount of protrusion of the bent portion 132 in the second direction Y even if the bending angle of the bent portion 132 varies. Can be reduced, so that it is possible to prevent the bent portion 132 from interfering with the adjacent head body 100. This also makes it possible to narrow the first space 101 of the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other.

As described above, in the recording head 3 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of head main bodies 100 that suppress the evaporation of ink moisture are arranged side by side in the second direction Y, the heads that are adjacent to each other in the second direction Y Since the first space 101 of the main body 100 can be narrowed, the distance between the nozzle openings 21 of the adjacent head main bodies 100 can be narrowed. Further, since the distance between the nozzle openings 21 of the adjacent head bodies 100 can be narrowed, a plurality of head bodies 100 can be arranged side by side on a straight line extending in the second direction Y, and the first recording head 3 can be arranged. The width of the direction X can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, since the width of the first direction X of the recording head 3 can be reduced, the distance between the first transfer roller 5 and the second transfer roller 6 in the first direction X is shortened. This makes it easier to fix the posture of the recording sheet S, and the print quality can be improved. Further, the recording head 3 and the inkjet recording device 1 can be miniaturized.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head body 100 of the present embodiment has a shape of a substantially parallelogram when viewed in a plan view from the nozzle surface 20a side. This is because, as described above, the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21 forming the nozzle row of each head chip 110, is relative to the first direction X, which is the transport direction of the recording sheet S. This is because the head body 100 is provided so as to be inclined, and the outer shape of the head body 100 is formed to be a substantially parallelogram in the same manner as the fourth direction Xa which is the direction in which the nozzle row is inclined. Of course, the shape of the head body 100 when viewed in a plan view from the nozzle surface 20a side is not limited to a substantially parallelogram, and may be a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

By arranging a plurality of head main bodies 100 in this way to form the recording head 3, effects such as a manufacturing yield, ease of processing, and facilitation of flattening the flat surface of the cover 130, which is a fixing plate, can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the head body 100 has a nozzle surface 20a and a Z1 side surface of the cover 130 as a first wiped surface 301 that is wiped by the wiper 150. That is, the first wiped surface 301 is a surface of the head body 100 that faces the recording sheet S.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the wiper 150 of the present embodiment that wipes the first wiped surface 301 and the second wiped surface 302 of the recording head 3 is in the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21. Arranged along the direction Xa of 4, the relative movement direction Ya of the wiper 150 with respect to the head body 100 coincides with the second direction Y. As described above, such a wiper 150 can use an elastic material such as a plate-shaped rubber or an elastomer. Further, in the present embodiment, the wiper 150 continuously wipes the first wiped surface 301 of the plurality of head bodies 100. That is, the wiper 150 moves in parallel to the plurality of first wiped surfaces 301 in the relative moving direction Ya without moving up and down in the third direction Z for each first wiped surface 301. A plurality of first wiped surfaces 301 are continuously wiped. Similarly, the wiper 150 continuously wipes the second wiped surface 302 of the wall portion 202 and the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100. That is, the wiper 150 does not move up and down in the third direction Z each time the first wiped surface 301 and the second wiped surface 302 are wiped, and the first wiped surface 301 and the second wiped surface 301 By moving in parallel with the wiped surface 302 in the relative moving direction Ya, the first wiped surface 301 and the second wiped surface 302 are continuously wiped.

For example, when the wiper 150 is moved in the third direction Z for each first surface to be wiped 301, it becomes difficult to control the position of the wiper 150, and there is a possibility that an unwiped area may occur, and the wiping time may occur. This is because it takes. By continuously wiping the plurality of first wiped surfaces 301 without moving the wiper 150 in the third direction Z, it is possible to suppress wiping defects such as unwiped parts in a short time. The same applies to the case where the first wiped surface 301 and the second wiped surface 302 are continuously wiped.

Further, in the present embodiment, the wiper 150 is provided along the fourth direction Xa, and the wiper 150 is translated in the relative movement direction Ya to wipe the first wiped surface 301. At this time, while maintaining the angle of the wiper 150 parallel to the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21, the surface of the cover 130 on the first wiped surface 301 and Z2 rather than the surface of the cover 130. By wiping the nozzle surface 20a provided at the position lowered to the side, even if a step is provided between the cover 130 and the nozzle surface 20a, almost the entire surface of the nozzle surface 20a is wiped and the nozzle surface is wiped. It is possible to prevent the ink from remaining due to the unwiped portion of 20a. That is, since the exposed opening 133 that exposes the nozzle surface 20a has a parallel quadrilateral along the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21, the exposed opening 133 matches the inclined opening shape of the exposed opening 133. By inclining the wiper 150, it is possible to reduce the amount of unwiped residue of the nozzle surface 20a exposed by the exposed opening 133 and wipe. By the way, if the wiper 150 is arranged in a direction that does not coincide with the fourth direction Xa and wiping is performed, it is difficult to bring the wiper 150 into contact with almost the entire surface of the nozzle surface 20a. For example, when the wiper 150 is arranged along the first direction X and wiping is performed, when the wiper 150 is viewed in a plan view from the third direction Z, the wiper 150 is left unwiped at the acute angle of the exposed opening 133 of the nozzle surface 20a. Is likely to occur. Then, the ink remaining on the unwiped portion of the nozzle surface 20a adheres to the recording sheet S to stain the recording sheet S, and the ink remaining on the unwiped residue is thickened, and the thickened ink is opened by the wiper 150. Imprinting on the 21 may cause problems such as poor ejection of ink droplets. In the present embodiment, by arranging the wiper 150 along the fourth direction Xa and wiping the first wiped surface 301, the nozzle surface 20a at a position depressed from the surface of the cover 130 is left unwiped. This can be reduced to prevent the recording sheet S from being soiled by the ink remaining on the wiping residue and the ink ejection failure from occurring.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, as described above, in the second direction Y (relative movement direction Ya), which is the movement direction of the wiper 150, between the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other, A first space 101 is provided, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a second space 102 is provided between the wall portion 202 and the head body 100. That is, when viewed in a plan view from the third direction Z, a first space 101 is provided between the second wiped surfaces 302 of the head main body 100 adjacent to each other, and the wall portion 202 is provided. A second space 102 is provided between the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 and the second wiped surface 302 of the head body 100.

Here, spacers 160 are provided in the first space 101 and the second space 102, respectively, and the spacer 160 provides a part of the opening on the Z1 side of the first space 101 and the opening of the second space 102. Part of is blocked.

That is, in the first space 101, the head body 100 having one first wiped surface 301 corresponds to the head body having the nozzle surface described in the claims, and the other first wiped surface. The head body 100 having 301 corresponds to the wiped member having the wiped surface described in the claims. Further, in the second space 102, the head body 100 having the first wiped surface 301 corresponds to the head body having the nozzle surface described in the claims, and the first wiped surface 301 is provided. The wall portion 202 corresponds to a member to be wiped having a surface to be wiped within the scope of claims. That is, the wiped member having the wiped surface may be the head main body 100, a peripheral member other than the head main body 100, or a holder 200 in this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the spacer 160 provided in the first space 101 is referred to as a first spacer 161 and the spacer 160 provided in the second space 102 is referred to as a second spacer 162.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first spacer 161 is composed of a plate-shaped member continuously provided in the first space 101 in the fourth direction Xa. That is, the first spacer 161 is provided with the same length as the length of the head body 100 in the fourth direction Xa.

Such a first spacer 161 has a thickness thinner than the width of the first space 101 in the second direction Y. Therefore, the first spacer 161 is arranged in the first space 101 in a state where a first gap 103 is provided between one of the head main bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. ing. In the present embodiment, the wiper 150 moves from the Y1 side to the Y2 side in the second direction Y. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first spacer 161 is a head body with which the wiper 150 first contacts. 100, that is, fixed to the Y2 side of the head body 100 on the Y1 side, which is the upstream side in the moving direction of the wiper 150, and between the side surface of the head body 100 on the Y2 side, which is the downstream side of the wiper 150, on the Y1 side. The gap 103 of 1 is formed.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second spacer 162 is composed of a plate-like member continuously provided in the second space 102 in the fourth direction Xa. That is, the second spacer 162 is provided with the same length as the length of the head body 100 in the fourth direction Xa.

Such a second spacer 162 has a thickness thinner than the width of the second space 102 in the second direction Y. Therefore, the second spacer 162 is arranged in the second space 102 in a state where a second gap 104 is provided between the head main body 100 and either one of the wall portions 202. In the present embodiment, the wiper 150 moves from the Y1 side to the Y2 side in the second direction Y. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, in the second space 102 on the Y1 side, the second spacer 162 is The second gap 104 is fixed to the Y2 side of the wall portion 202, which is the upstream side of the wiper 150, and is formed between the side surface of the head body 100, which is the downstream side of the wiper 150, on the Y1 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the second space 102 on the Y2 side, the second spacer 162 is fixed to the Y2 side of the head body 100, which is the upstream side of the wiper 150, and is on the Y1 side of the wall portion 202. A second gap 104 is formed between the side surface and the side surface. That is, the spacers 160 provided in each of the first space 101 and the second space 102 are in a state where the first gap 103 and the second gap 104, which are gaps, are arranged on the downstream side in the moving direction of the wiper 150. , The wiper 150 is fixed to a member on the upstream side in the moving direction, that is, to the head body 100 or the wall portion 202.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the first spacer 161 is fixed to the Z1 side, which is the nozzle surface 20a side, in the third direction Z, which is the direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface 20a. It has a non-fixed portion 1611 and a fixed portion 1612 on the Z2 side opposite to the nozzle surface 20a.

The fixing portion 1612 is fixed to the side opposite to the side forming the first gap 103, that is, the Y1 side in the second direction Y to the Y2 side of the head body 100. The method of fixing the fixing portion 1612 to the head body 100 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, bonding using an adhesive, fixing with screws, clips, or the like. Since the first spacer 161 is fixed to only one of the two head bodies 100 forming the first space 101 and not to the other, before fixing the head body 100 to the holder 200, the first spacer 161 is fixed. It is possible to fix the first spacer 161 to the side surface of the head body 100 in advance. In this way, by fixing the first spacer 161 to the head body 100 in advance, the assembling property is improved as compared with providing the first spacer 161 after fixing the head body 100 to the holder 200. Can be done. Further, since the first spacer 161 is fixed only to one head body 100 forming the first space 101 and a first gap 103 is formed between the first spacer 161 and the other head body 100, the first spacer 161 is formed. With the first spacer 161 fixed to the head body 100, the relative positioning of the nozzle openings 21 of the plurality of head bodies 100 can be easily performed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second spacer 162 also has a non-fixed portion 1621 and a fixed portion 1622, similarly to the first spacer 161. The fixed portion 1622 has a second gap. The side opposite to the side forming 104, that is, the Y1 side in the second direction Y is fixed to the member on the Y2 side, that is, the head body 100 or the wall portion 202. The method of fixing the second spacer 162 to the head body 100 or the wall portion 202 is the same as that of the first spacer 161.

Since the second spacer 162 is fixed to only one of the wall portion 202 forming the second space 102 and the head body 100 and not the other, the head body 100 is fixed to the holder 200. Before that, the second spacer 162 can be fixed to the side surface of the head body 100 or the wall portion 202 in advance. By fixing the second spacer 162 to the head body 100 or the wall portion 202 in advance in this way, as compared with providing the second spacer 162 after fixing the head body 100 to the holder 200, the assemblability is as good as possible. Can be improved. Further, the second spacer 162 is fixed to only one of the head body 100 and the wall portion 202 forming the second space 102, and a second gap 104 is formed between the second spacer 162 and the other. Therefore, with the second spacer 162 fixed to the head body 100 or the wall portion 202, the relative positioning of the nozzle openings 21 of the plurality of head bodies 100 can be easily performed.

By providing the first spacer 161 in the first space 101 in this way, as shown in FIG. 5, a first gap 103 narrower than the first space 101 is formed in the first space 101. can do. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, by providing the second spacer 162 in the second space 102, the second space 102 has a second gap 104 having a width narrower than that of the second space 102. Can be formed. That is, a spacer is used in the gap between the head body 100 arranged side by side in the second direction Y and the head body 100 or the wall portion 202 which is the wiped member, that is, in the first space 101 and the second space 102. A first gap 103 and a second gap 103 are gaps between the head body 100 and the head body 100 or the wall portion 202, which are wiped members, of the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162. By arranging the gaps 104 of the above, it is possible to suppress the application of stress due to elastic deformation of the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 to the head body 100. By the way, when a spacer having a thickness slightly wider than these gaps is elastically deformed and press-fitted into the first space 101 or the second space 102, stress due to the reaction force of the spacer is applied to the head body 100, and the nozzle Due to the relative position of the opening 21, the landing position of the ink droplet is displaced. Further, although a method of filling the first space 101 and the second space 102 with an adhesive or a molding agent is conceivable, since the stress when the adhesive or the molding agent is cured and contracted is applied to the head body 100, the nozzle The landing position shift occurs due to the shift of the relative position of the opening 21. In the present embodiment, since the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 are not press-fitted into the first space 101 and the second space 102, the reaction force due to the elastic deformation of the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 Can be suppressed from being applied to the head body 100, and the landing position shift due to the relative position shift of the nozzle opening 21 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the print quality by suppressing the deviation of the landing position of the ink droplet on the recording sheet S.

In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 1612 of the first spacer 161 and the fixing portion 1622 of the second spacer 162 are fixed to the side surface of the head body 100 or the wall portion 202, but the present invention is particularly limited to this. Instead, the fixing portion 1612 of the first spacer 161 and the fixing portion 1622 of the second spacer 162 may be fixed to the Z1 side surface of the holder 200 or the like. That is, the place where the fixing portion 1612 of the first spacer 161 and the fixing portion 1622 of the second spacer 162 are fixed is not limited to the head body 100 and the wall portion 202. However, in a state where the wiper 150 is not in contact with the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162, there is a gap between the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 on the side surface of the head body 100 or the side surface of the wall portion 202. The first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 are fixed to the side surface of the head body 100 on the Y2 side or the side surface of the wall portion 202 on the Y2 side in order to arrange them in a non-formed state, that is, in an abutted state. It is preferable to do so.

Then, the Z1 side of the first spacer 161 in which the fixed portion 1612 on the Z2 side is fixed to the head main body 100 becomes a non-fixed portion 1611 that is not fixed to both of the two head main bodies 100 forming the first space 101. ing. That is, in the first spacer 161, the fixed portion 1612 side fixed to the head body 100 on the Z2 side is the fixed end in the third direction Z, and the non-fixed portion 1611 side not fixed to the head body 100 on the Z1 side is free. It is the edge.

Similarly, the Z1 side of the second spacer 162 in which the fixing portion 1622 on the Z2 side is fixed to the head main body 100 or the wall portion 202 is fixed to both the head main body 100 and the wall portion 202 forming the second space 102. It is a non-fixed portion 1621 that is not used. That is, in the second spacer 162, the fixed portion 1622 side fixed to the head body 100 on the Z2 side is the fixed end in the third direction Z, and the non-fixed portion 1621 side not fixed to the head body 100 on the Z1 side is free. It is the edge.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 are formed of an elastic material such as rubber, an elastomer, or a leaf spring.
Therefore, the non-fixed portion 1611 of the first spacer 161 can be elastically deformed to move the first gap 103 toward the Y2 side, which is the unfixed side in the second direction Y. .. Similarly, the non-fixed portion 1621 of the second spacer 162 can be elastically deformed to move the second gap 104 toward the Y2 side, which is the unfixed side in the second direction Y. ..

In the present embodiment, the wiper 150 moves from the Y1 side to the Y2 side in the second direction Y with respect to the recording head 3 to continuously connect the first wiped surface 301 and the second wiped surface 302. And wipe.

At this time, when the wiper 150 wipes the two adjacent first wiped surfaces 301 via the first space 101 in the second direction Y, the first space 101 is provided. The spacer 161 moves by elastically deforming following the wiper 150 when moving from the first wiped surface 301 on the Y1 side of the wiper 150 to the first wiped surface 301 on the Y2 side. Similarly, in the second space 102, the second spacer 162 moves by elastically deforming following the movement of the wiper 150.

Incidentally, the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 have a height that does not reach the Z1 side surface that holds the head body 100 of the holder 200 in the third direction Z. That is, in the third direction Z, the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 have a height lower than that of the first space 101 and the second space 102, and the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 161 and the second space 102. The spacer 162 is provided on the opening side of the first wiped surface 301 of the first space 101 and the second space 102, so that the holder 200 side of the first space 101 and the second space 102 is the first. A space is provided in which the spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 are not provided.

Further, in the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162, the end faces on the Z1 side are at the same height as the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 in the third direction Z, that is, at positions where they are flush with each other. Alternatively, it is arranged at a position recessed from the first wiped surface 301, that is, on the Z2 side. By the way, when the end faces of the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 on the Z1 side are recessed toward the Z2 side from the first wiped surface 301, the wiper 150 is provided in the first space 101 and When located in the second space 102, it is preferable that the wiper 150 is retracted so as to come into contact with the end faces of the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 on the Z1 side. That is, if the amount of the spacer 160 retracted from the first wiped surface 301 is too large, when the wiper 150 falls into the first space 101 and the second space 102, the impact causes the first space 101. This is because the ink accumulated in the second space 102 is scattered. The end faces of the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 on the Z1 side may be projected toward the Z1 side of the first wiped surface 301, but the spacer 160 is Z1 of the first wiped surface 301. When protruding to the side, the wiper 150 comes into contact with the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 to accelerate the consumption of the wiper 150, and the wiper 150 comes into contact with the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162. As a result, the wiper 150, the first spacer 161 and a part of the second spacer 162 may become foreign substances. Therefore, in the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162, the end surface on the Z1 side is at the same height as the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 in the third direction Z, or the first wiped surface. It is preferable that the surface 301 is arranged on the Z2 side. As a result, consumption due to contact with the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 of the wiper 150 can be suppressed, and foreign matter is generated from the wiper 150, the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162. Can be suppressed.

In this way, the recording head 3 provided with the first spacer 161 and the second spacer 162 is wiped by the wiper 150. Here, the wiping method of the recording head 3 of the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. 8 to 11 are cross-sectional views of a main part of the recording head showing the wiping method.

The wiper 150 of the present embodiment continuously wipes the wiping surface with respect to the recording head 3 by moving from the Y1 side to the Y2 side.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the wiper 150 wipes the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 on the Y1 side.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, when the wiper 150 moves to the first space 101, the wiper 150 comes into contact with the end face of the first spacer 161 on the Z1 side.
Next, as shown in FIG. 10, as the wiper 150 moves to the Y2 side, the non-fixed portion 1611 of the first spacer 161 elastically deforms, and the first spacer 161 follows the wiper 150 to the Y2 side. Move towards. Then, the non-fixed portion 1611 of the first spacer 161 comes into contact with the side surface of the head body 100 on the Y2 side on the Y1 side, so that the movement is restricted. In this state, when the wiper 150 further moves to the Y2 side, as shown in FIG. 11, the wiper 150 has a first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 on the Y2 side from the end surface of the first spacer 161 on the Z1 side. Move to. That is, when the wiper 150 moves from the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 on the Y1 side to the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 on the Y2 side and passes through the first gap 103, the wiper 150 Following 150, the first spacer 161 is elastically deformed. Therefore, the wiper 150 is always maintained in contact with the first spacer 161 in the first gap 103, so that the wiper 150 does not fall into the first space 101. That is, when the wiper 150 wipes the two first wiped surfaces 301 adjacent to each other through the first gap 103 in the second direction Y, the wiper 150 of the two head bodies 100 and the first spacer 161 The first wiped surface 301 of the two head bodies 100 can be wiped while maintaining the state of contact with any of them. It should be noted that the wiper 150 maintains the state of being in contact with any of the two head main bodies 100 and the first spacer 161 when the wiper 150 maintains the two first wiped surfaces 301 and the first of the two head main bodies 100. Wiping is performed in a state where there is no moment when all of the spacers 161 of the above are not in contact with each other. That is, the wiper 150 is always maintained in contact with any one of the two first wiped surfaces 301 and the first spacer 161. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the moment when the wiper 150 separates from all of the first wiped surface 301 and the first spacer 161 and suppress ink scattering due to contact with other members after the wiper 150 separates. Further, since the first spacer 161 moves following the movement of the wiper 150, it is difficult for the ink adhering to the wiper 150 to enter the first gap 103. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink that has entered the first gap 103 from falling onto the recording sheet S at an unexpected timing and contaminating the recording sheet S. Further, even if the ink enters the first gap 103, the ink that has entered the first gap 103 can be pushed out by the first spacer 161 because the first spacer 161 follows the wiper 150. .. Therefore, the ink in the first gap 103 can be pushed out and dropped at a desired timing, or can be received by the support portion 151 or the like that supports the wiper 150, so that the ink in the first gap 103 can be expected. It is possible to prevent the sheet S from falling on the recording sheet S at a different timing.

When the wiper 150 moves to the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 on the Y2 side, the first spacer 161 returns to the original state, that is, to the Y1 side due to the elastic force. Therefore, even when the next wiping is performed, the first spacer 161 can suppress the wiper 150 from falling into the first space 101.

Incidentally, although not particularly shown, in the second spacer 162 provided in the second space 102, the second spacer 162 is elastically deformed by the movement of the wiper 150 as in the case of the first spacer 161. Since it follows, the wiper 150 does not fall into the second space 102. Therefore, the wiper 150 is kept in contact with the head body 100, the wall portion 202, or the first spacer 161 and is kept in contact with the second wiped surface 302 of the wall portion 202 and the first wiped surface of the head body 100. The surface 301 can be wiped. Therefore, also in the second space 102, the moment when the wiper 150 is separated from all of the first wiped surface 301, the second wiped surface 302, and the first spacer 161 is eliminated, and after the wiper 150 is separated, the other It is possible to suppress the scattering of ink due to contact with the member of the above. Further, when the wiper 150 falls into the second space 102, it is possible to prevent the ink accumulated in the second space 102 from scattering due to the impact of the wiper. Therefore, it is possible to suppress stains caused by the scattered ink adhering to the inside of the inkjet recording device 1 or the recording sheet S or the like.

Further, by providing the spacer 160 in the first space 101 and the second space 102 and exposing the spacer 160 on the side of the first wiped surface 301, foreign matter is generated even if the wiper 150 comes into contact with the spacer 160. It is difficult to prevent the recording sheet S from being contaminated by foreign matter, and ink ejection failure due to clogging of the nozzle opening 21 due to foreign matter can be suppressed. Incidentally, a method of closing the first space 101 and the second space 102 with an adhesive or a molding agent is also conceivable, but when the adhesive or the molding agent is exposed to the opening on the side of the first wiped surface 301, the wiper 150 When the ink comes into contact with the adhesive or molding agent, a part of the ink falls off and becomes a foreign substance, and the foreign-made adhesive or molding agent falls on the recording sheet S and becomes contaminated. Is imprinted on the next nozzle opening 21 by the wiper 150, which causes a problem that ink ejection defects such as clogging of the nozzle opening 21 and deviation of the flying direction of ink droplets occur.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first spacer 161 is fixed to one of the two head bodies 100 forming the first space 101, and the second spacer 162 forms the second space 102. Since it is fixed to the wall portion 202 or the head body 100, the head body 100 can be easily attached to and detached from the holder 200 when the head body 100 is replaced or maintained. Further, even if the position shift of the head body 100 occurs, the position shift of the head body 100 can be corrected with the spacer 160 provided. On the other hand, for example, when the head bodies 100 are adhered to each other with an adhesive or a molding agent, the head body 100 cannot be easily removed from the holder 200, and the misalignment of the head body 100 with respect to the holder 200 is corrected. You will not be able to do it. Further, since the head body 100 cannot be removed and replaced, the entire recording head 3 must be replaced due to a malfunction of one head body 100, resulting in high cost. In the present embodiment, since the head main body 100 can be removed, only the defective head main body 100 can be replaced to reduce the cost.

In the present embodiment, the foot portions 122 are provided on both sides of the holding member 120 in the first direction X, but the foot portions 122 may not be provided. That is, the head tip 110 may be adhered to the Z1 side surface of the holding member 120, and the bent portions 132 may be provided on both sides of the cover 130 in the first direction X and the second direction Y. That is, the cover 130 may be provided with the bent portion 132 over the entire circumference of the nozzle surface 20a in the in-plane direction, and the cover 130 may be adhered over the entire circumference of the side surface of the holding member 120. This makes it possible to further reduce the width of the recording head 3 in the first direction X. Further, by reducing the width of the first direction X of the recording head 3, a plurality of recording heads 3 can be provided close to the first direction X. However, although the cover 130 having the bent portion 132 over the entire circumference of the base portion 131 needs to be formed by drawing or the like, the length of the bent portion 132 should be sufficiently secured in the drawing process. May be difficult to manufacture. Further, by adhering the end surface of the foot portion 122 on the Z1 side to the base portion 131 of the cover 130 as in the present embodiment, the strength of the head body 100 in the third direction Z can be improved. Further, by adhering the end surface of the foot portion 122 on the Z1 side to the base portion 131 of the cover 130, the pressure at the time of adhering the cover 130 and the holding member 120 can be supported by the foot portion 122, and the head tip 110 can be attached. It is possible to suppress the direct application of pressure and suppress the destruction of the head tip 110 and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the foot portions 122 are not provided on both sides of the holding member 120 in the second direction Y, but by providing the foot portions 122 on both sides of the second direction Y, the head body 100 can be provided. The strength of the third direction Z can be improved. In this case, the end faces on the Z1 side of the foot portions 122 provided on both sides of the first direction X are larger than the length of the end faces on the Z1 side of the foot portions 122 provided on both sides of the second direction Y. By shortening the length of the second direction Y, the first space 101 of the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y can be narrowed. Further, in this case, by adhering the bent portion 132 and the side surface of the holding member 120 with the adhesive 141 on both sides in the second direction Y, the area required for adhering to the cover 130 is secured on the side surface of the holding member 120. And can effectively suppress the evaporation of water.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head body 100 of the present embodiment has a shape of a substantially parallelogram when viewed in a plan view from the nozzle surface 20a side. This is because, as described above, the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21 forming the nozzle row of each head chip 110, is relative to the first direction X, which is the transport direction of the recording sheet S. This is because the head body 100 is provided so as to be inclined, and the outer shape of the head body 100 is formed to be a substantially parallelogram in the same manner as the fourth direction Xa which is the direction in which the nozzle row is inclined. Of course, the shape of the head body 100 when viewed in a plan view from the nozzle surface 20a side is not limited to a substantially parallelogram, and may be a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

By arranging a plurality of head main bodies 100 in this way to form the recording head 3, effects such as a manufacturing yield, ease of processing, and facilitation of flattening the flat surface of the cover 130, which is a fixing plate, can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the head main body 100 having the first wiped surface 301 including the nozzle surface 20a, the head main body 100 having the first wiped surface 301 which is the wiped member having the wiped surface, or the first A first gap, which is a gap between the head body 100 and either the head body 100 or the wall portion 202, which is a wiping member, between the wall portion 202 of the holder 200 having the wiping surface 302 of 2. The spacer 160 is arranged with the 103 or the second gap 104 provided, and the spacer 160 that comes into contact with the wiper 150 is provided. By providing the spacer 160 in this way, the head body 100 has a head body 100 and a head body 100 having a first wiped surface 301 which is a wiped member having a wiped surface, or a holder having a second wiped surface 302. The width of the first space 101 and the second space 102 between the wall portion 202 of the 200 can be narrowed to prevent liquid ink from accumulating in the first space 101 and the second space 102. .. Further, the spacer 160 is a wall portion of the head main body 100, the head main body 100 having a first wiped surface 301 which is a wiped member having a wiped surface, or a holder 200 having a second wiped surface 302. Since the first gap 103 and the second gap 104 are provided between the spacer 160 and the spacer 160, the deformed reaction force of the spacer 160 is not transmitted to the head body 100. Therefore, the stress due to the reaction force of the spacer 160 is suppressed from being applied to the head body 100, the nozzle opening 21 of the head body 100 is suppressed from being displaced, and the ink droplet landing position displacement is suppressed. be able to.

Further, in the present embodiment, the spacer 160 is the first wiped surface 301 including the nozzle surface 20a and the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 which is a wiped member or the second wiped surface 202 of the wall portion 202. The wiper 150 that wipes the surface 302 is followed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spacer 160 from falling into the gap between the head body 100 and the head body 100 or the wall portion 202, which is the wiping member, that is, the first space 101 and the second space 102. Further, since the spacer 160 follows the wiper 150, it is difficult for ink to enter the first gap 103 and the second gap 104 of the spacer 160. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink that has entered the first gap 103 and the second gap 104 from falling onto the recording sheet S at an unexpected timing.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the spacer 160 has a non-fixed portion on the Z1 side, which is the first wiped surface 301 side in the third direction Z orthogonal to the nozzle surface 20a, and is on the other side. It has a fixed portion on the Z2 side. That is, the first spacer 161 has a non-fixed portion 1611 on the Z1 side and a fixed portion 1612 on the Z2 side. Further, the second spacer 162 has a non-fixed portion 1621 on the Z1 side and a fixed portion 1622 on the Z2 side. The non-fixed portions 1611 and 1621 are separated from the first wiped surface 301 including the nozzle surface 20a or the first wiped surface 301 and the second wiped surface 302 which are the wiped surfaces, and the wiper. Contact 150. As a result, the non-fixed portions 1611 and 1621 of the spacer 160 can be easily made to follow the wiper 150.

In the present embodiment, the spacer 160 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, an elastomer, or a leaf spring that can be elastically deformed to simplify the structure of the spacer 160 so that the spacer 160 can easily follow the wiper 150. Can be done. However, if the end of the spacer 160 on the first wiped surface 301 side is not fixed to the head body 100 or the wiped member and can move between the first space 101 and the second space 102. , The structure and material are not particularly limited. For example, the spacer may have a structure in which the non-fixed portion is pivotally supported by the fixed portion and the non-fixed portion rotates about the shaft to follow the wiper 150. Further, the spacer may be one in which the base end portion on the Z2 side of the plate-shaped member is fixed with tape or the like so that the tip end portion is a free end.

Further, in the present embodiment, the spacer 160 is fixed to the head main body 100 and the head main body 100 or the wall portion 202 which is a wiped member, to which the wiper 150 comes into contact first. That is, in the present embodiment, the spacer 160 is fixed to the head body 100 or the wiped member on the upstream side in the moving direction of the wiper 150, so that the spacer 160 is formed by the spacer 160 when the wiper 150 wipes. It is possible to suppress the entry into the gap 103 of 1 and the gap 104 of the second.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 12 is a side view showing the spacer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views of a recording head showing a wiping method. The same members as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first spacer 161A, which is the spacer 160 provided in the first gap 103 of the present embodiment, is not fixed to both of the two head main bodies 100 forming the first space 101. It includes a fixing portion 1611A and a fixing portion 1612A fixed to either one.
The fixing portion 1612A is continuously provided on the Z2 side of the third direction Z over the fourth direction Xa.

Further, on the Z1 side of the third direction Z, the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A are alternately arranged in the fourth direction Xa. That is, the first spacer 161A is fixed at a plurality of locations along the first space 101.
The first spacer 161A is made of an elastic material such as rubber or an elastomer having a plate shape.

As shown in FIG. 13, such a first spacer 161A has a first gap 103 in the first space 101 between one of the head bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. Is arranged in a provided state. In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 1612A of the first spacer 161A is fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side, which is the upstream side in the moving direction of the wiper 150, and the first spacer 161A is on the Y2 side. A gap 103 is formed.

Therefore, the first spacer 161A is not press-fitted into the first space 101, the stress due to the reaction force of the first spacer 161A is suppressed from being applied to the head body 100, and the position of the nozzle opening 21 is suppressed. The deviation can be suppressed. Further, since the first gap 103 is provided, the relative positioning of the nozzle opening 21 of the head body 100 can be easily performed. Further, by providing the first spacer 161A in the first space 101, it is possible to form the first gap 103 having a smaller opening than the first space 101, and the ink in the first gap 103 can be formed. Ink can be suppressed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, after the wiper 150 wipes the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 on the Y1 side, the first wiped surface 301 of the head body 100 on the Y2 side is continuously wiped. At that time, as shown in FIG. 14, when the wiper 150 passes through the first space 101, the non-fixed portion 1611A of the first spacer 161A is elastically deformed following the wiper 150. As a result, the wiper 150 does not fall into the first gap 103, and ink scattering can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the first spacer 161A has been described, but the same spacers as the first spacer 161A may be used for the second spacer 162, and the second spacer of the first embodiment described above may be used. The same as 162 may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A are alternately and continuously arranged on the Z1 side of the first spacer 161A, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. Here, a modified example of the first spacer 161A is shown in FIGS. 15 to 18. 15 and 17 are side views showing a modified example of the spacer, and FIGS. 16 and 18 are plan views showing the operation of the spacer.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, on the Z1 side of the first spacer 161A, a slit 1613, which is a notch portion that discontinues the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A, is provided. That is, the slit 1613 is provided for each fixed portion 1612A that is fixed. By using the first spacer 161A having the slit 1613 in this way, as shown in FIG. 16, when the wiper 150 passes through the first space 101, the non-fixed portion 1611A is followed by the wiper 150 with a small force. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the drop of the wiper 150 into the first gap 103 due to poor tracking.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 15, a slit 1613 is provided between the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A so as to make them discontinuous, but the slit is not particularly limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, on the Z1 side of the first spacer 161A, the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A are alternately arranged along the fourth direction Xa. Of the boundaries between the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portions 1612A on both sides in the fourth direction Xa, one boundary is provided with a slit 1613A that discontinues the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A, and the other. The slit 1613A is not provided at the boundary of the above, and the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A are continuously provided. Further, the slit 1613A extends to the boundary portion between the non-fixed portion 1611A and the fixed portion 1612A in the third direction Z. That is, the non-fixed portion 1611A is supported by the fixed portion 1612A only on one side of the fourth direction Xa.

By using the first spacer 161A provided with such a slit 1613A, as shown in FIG. 18, when the wiper 150 passes through the first space 101, the non-fixed portion 1611A is moved to the fourth direction Xa. The fixing portion 1612A supported on one side can be deformed so as to rotate around the other side so as to follow the wiper 150.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a main part of an inkjet recording head which is an example of the liquid injection head according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 19, the head body 100 has a tapered shape at the end of the fourth direction Xa along the first gap 103. That is, the end of the head body 100 in the fourth direction Xa has a tapered shape in which the width of the second direction Y gradually decreases outward, and the end of the second direction Y has a tapered shape. At both ends of the fourth direction Xa, tapered surfaces 100a inclined with respect to the fourth direction Xa are provided. As a result, the width of the first gap 103 between the two head bodies 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y is gradually increased by the tapered surfaces 100a facing each other at the end of the fourth direction Xa. It is provided.

In the first spacer 161B, which is the spacer 160 provided in the first gap 103, the end portion of the fourth direction Xa along the first gap 103 is thicker than the center. That is, a thick portion 1614 thicker than the center is provided at the end portion of the first spacer 161B in the fourth direction Xa. The thick portion 1614 is provided so as to match the shape of the tapered surface 100a, that is, to gradually increase in thickness toward the end portion in the fourth direction Xa. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first gap 103 between the first spacer 161B and the head body 100 from widening at the end of the fourth direction Xa.

By using the first spacer 161B having the thick portion 1614 in this way, when the first spacer 161B is deformed following the wiper 150, the end portion of the first gap 103 in the fourth direction Xa is used. Excessive deformation of the first spacer 161B in the above can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wiper 150 from falling into the first gap 103 due to the excessive deformation of the first spacer 161B.

In the present embodiment, the first spacer 161B has been described, but the second spacer 162 may also be provided with a thick portion like the first spacer 161B, and the above-described first embodiment 1 may be used. And the same as the second spacer 162 or the first spacer 161A of 2 may be used.

(Embodiment 4)
20 and 21 are cross-sectional views of a main part showing a wiping method of an inkjet recording head, which is an example of the liquid injection head according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first spacer 161C, which is the spacer 160 provided in the first space 101 of the present embodiment, is the first of the two head main bodies 100 between the two head main bodies 100 and the first head main body 100. Is arranged in a state where the gap 103 is provided. In the present embodiment, the first spacer 161C is fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side, which is the upstream side in the moving direction of the wiper 150, and the first gap 103 is formed between the head body 100 and the head body 100 on the Y2 side. There is.

The end of the first spacer 161C on the Z1 side is also fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side. That is, the first spacer 161C of the present embodiment is not provided with the non-fixed portions 1611 and 1611A, and is substantially composed of only the fixed portion 1612.
As such a first spacer 161C, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, a material such as metal, resin, or ceramic can be used.

The width w of the first gap 103 formed by providing the first spacer 161C in the first space 101 in the second direction Y wipes the first wiped surface 301 of the wiper 150. It is smaller than the width of the tip. In the present embodiment, since the tip of the wiper 150 has a shape having a radius of curvature r, the width w of the first gap 103 in the second direction Y is twice the radius of curvature r of the tip of the wiper 150. Is smaller than 2r (w <2r). As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, when the wiper 150 is located in the first space 101, it is possible to suppress the wiper 150 from falling into the first gap 103, and it is possible to suppress ink scattering. That is, when a part of the wiper 150 of the present embodiment is in the first gap 103, another part of the wiper 150, in this embodiment, a part of the thickness of the second direction Y is the first. By contacting with the spacer 161C, the wiper 150 does not fall into the first gap 103. In other words, the wiper 150 of the present embodiment maintains a state of being in contact with either the two head main bodies 100 and the first spacer 161C, and wipes the first wiped surface 301 of the two head main bodies 100. .. The wiper 150 maintains the state of being in contact with any of the two head bodies 100 and the first spacer 161C, so that the wiper 150 maintains the two first wiped surfaces 301 and the first of the two head bodies 100. Wiping is performed in a state where there is no moment when the spacers 161C are not in contact with all of the spacers 161C. That is, the wiper 150 is always maintained in contact with any one of the two first wiped surfaces 301 and the first spacer 161. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the moment when the wiper 150 separates from all of the first wiped surface 301 and the first spacer 161C, and suppress ink scattering due to contact with other members after the wiper 150 separates. Further, when the wiper 150 falls into the first space 101, it is possible to prevent the ink accumulated in the first space 101 from scattering due to the impact of the wiper.

The shape of the wiper 150 is not particularly limited as long as a part of the wiper 150 is in the first gap 103 and the other part does not come into contact with the first spacer 161C and fall into the first gap 103. Here, a modified example of the wiper is shown in FIGS. 22 to 25. 22 and 23 are cross-sectional views of a main part of the recording head showing a modified example of the wiper, and FIGS. 24 and 25 are plan views of the main part of the recording head showing a modified example of the wiper.

As shown in FIG. 22, the wiper 150A has a thin-walled portion 153 having a radius of curvature r smaller than 1/2 of the width w of the first gap 103 at the tip on the Z1 side, and a wider portion than the thin-walled portion 153 on the Z2 side. It is provided with a thick portion 154 having a thickness t wider than the width w of the first gap 103.

In such a wiper 150A, as shown in FIG. 23, even when the thin portion 153 is located in the first gap 103, the thick portion 154 of the wiper 150A is the first of the head body 100 on the Y2 side. It comes into contact with the wiped surface 301 of 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wiper 150A from falling into the first gap 103 and suppress the scattering of ink.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24, the plate-shaped wiper 150B may be provided along the first direction X and moved in the second direction Y to wipe the first wiped surface 301. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the wiper 150C may be curved in a bow shape with respect to a straight line in the fourth direction Xa so that one surface is concave. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the wipers 150B and 150C have other parts of the wipers 150B and 150C, that is, the first direction X, even if a part of the wipers 150B and 150C is located in the first gap 103. A part of the head body 100 comes into contact with the first wiped surface 301 and the first spacer 161C. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wipers 150B and 150C from falling into the first gap 103 and suppress the scattering of ink.

That is, when the wipers 150 and 150A are located at the position of the first gap 103, the wipers 150 and 150A have the two head bodies 100 and the first spacer 161C in a part of the thickness direction of the second direction Y of the wipers 150 and 150A. By contacting any of them, the wipers 150 and 150A are suppressed from falling into the first gap 103. Further, when the wipers 150B and 150C are located at the position of the first gap 103, the wipers 150B and 150C have the two head bodies 100 and the first spacer 161C in a part of the width direction of the first direction X of the wipers 150B and 150C. By contacting any of them, the wipers 150B and 150C are suppressed from falling into the first gap 103. That is, if a part of the wipers 150 to 150C is in the position of the first gap 103 and the other part of the wipers 150 to 150C is in contact with any of the two head bodies 100 and the first spacer 161C. , It is possible to suppress the scattering of ink due to the wipers 150 to 150C falling into the first gap 103.

In the present embodiment, the first spacer 161C is fixed to the Y1 side, which is the upstream side in the moving direction of the wipers 150 to 150C, and forms the first gap 103 on the Y2 side. The first spacer 161C may be arranged on the downstream side of the first space 101 in the moving direction of the wipers 150 to 150C. That is, the first spacer 161C may be fixed to the head body 100 on the Y2 side, and the first gap 103 may be formed on the Y1 side.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first spacer 161C provided in the first space 101 has been described, but the same spacer 162 as the first spacer 161C may be used for the second spacer 162 as described above. The same ones as the second spacers 162 and the first spacers 161A and 161B of the first to third embodiments may be used.

(Embodiment 5)
26 and 27 are cross-sectional views showing a main part of an inkjet recording head which is an example of the liquid injection head according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 26, in the first gap 103, a plurality of first spacers 161D are arranged side by side as spacers 160 in the fourth direction Xa. In the plurality of first spacers 161D, the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side and the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y2 side are arranged in the fourth direction Xa. They are arranged alternately along.

Further, the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side and the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y2 side do not overlap in the second direction Y, and the distance w It is arranged with a space of _1. That is, a part of the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side and the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y2 side do not face each other in the fourth direction Xa. , Have been placed. Even in such a case, the first spacer 161D and the tip of the interval _{w 1} the wiper 150 of the first spacer 161D fixed to the Y2 side of the head main body 100 fixed to the Y1 side of the head main body 100 By making the width narrower than the width of, the wiper 150 falls between the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side and the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y2 side. It can be suppressed.

Of course, as shown in FIG. 27, the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y1 side and the first spacer 161D fixed to the head body 100 on the Y2 side are overlaid in the second direction Y. By arranging the wipers 150 so as to wrap, it is possible to prevent the wiper 150 from falling into the first space 101 between the two head bodies 100 regardless of the width of the tip of the wiper 150.

By the way, among the plurality of first spacers 161D, at least the first spacer 161D on the upstream side in the movement direction of the wiper 150 should follow the movement of the wiper 150 as shown in the above-described first and second embodiments. For example, regardless of the width of the tip of the wiper 150, it is possible to prevent the wiper 150 from falling into the first space 101 between the two head bodies 100.

Further, even when a plurality of such first spacers 161D are provided, the reaction force due to the elastic deformation of the first spacer 161D is not applied to the head body 100, so that the position of the nozzle opening 21 The deviation can be suppressed.

(Other embodiments)
Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the basic configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the second direction in which the plurality of head bodies 100 held in the holder 200 are arranged side by side is perpendicular to the first direction X, which is the transport direction of the recording sheet S. The direction Y is not particularly limited to this, and the recording heads in which the head main bodies 100 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the holder 200 are arranged, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of head main bodies 100 is the first conveying direction of the recording sheet S. It may be arranged so that the angle intersects the direction X of the above, that is, an angle smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the first direction X. At this time, in the in-plane direction of the nozzle surface 20a, even if the nozzle row is provided in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the holder 200, by tilting the entire recording head, the nozzle row can be set to the first direction X, which is the transport direction. On the other hand, an inclined nozzle row can be arranged.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a plurality of head main bodies 100 are provided in one recording head 3, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and one head main body 100 is provided in one recording head 3. You may. In this case, since the first space 101 is not formed in one recording head 3 and only the second space 102 is formed, if the second spacer 162 is provided in the second space 102, Good.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21 of the head chip 110, is inclined with respect to the second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X, which is the transport direction. However, the fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21, may be the same as the first direction X, which is the transport direction. The fourth direction Xa, which is the parallel direction of the nozzle openings 21, may be the same as the second direction Y. Further, the nozzle openings 21 are not limited to those provided in a row, and the nozzle openings 21 may be arranged in a matrix. Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the holding member 120 has a substantially parallel four-sided shape when viewed in a plan view from the third direction Z perpendicular to the nozzle surface 20a, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and is rectangular. It may have a shape, a trapezoidal shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, as the inkjet recording device 1, a so-called line-type recording device in which the recording head 3 is fixed to the device main body 2 and printing is performed only by transporting the recording sheet S has been illustrated. Not particularly limited to this, the recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage that moves in a direction intersecting the first direction X, which is the transport direction of the recording sheet S, for example, in the second direction Y, and the recording head 3 is mounted. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called serial type recording device that prints while moving in a direction intersecting the transport direction. Further, the printing is not limited to the configuration in which the recording sheet S is conveyed to the recording head 3, and printing may be performed by the configuration in which the recording head 3 is moved with respect to the recording sheet S, and the recording sheet S is transferred to the recording head 3. It may be relatively transported.

Further, the present invention is intended for a wide range of liquid injection heads in general, for example, for manufacturing recording heads such as various inkjet recording heads used in image recording devices such as printers, and color filters such as liquid crystal displays. It can also be applied to a color material injection head used, an organic EL display, an electrode material injection head used for electrode formation such as FED (field emission display), a bioorganic material injection head used for biochip production, and the like.

1 ... Inkjet recording device (liquid injection device), 2 ... Device body, 3 ... Inkjet recording head (liquid injection head), 4 ... Transfer means, 5 ... First transfer roller, 6 ... Second transfer roller, 7 ... Support member, 20a ... Nozzle surface, 21 ... Nozzle opening, 100 ... Head body (wiped member), 100a ... Tapered surface, 101 ... First space, 102 ... Second space, 103 ... First gap , 104 ... second gap, 110 ... head tip, 120 ... holding member, 121 ... holding part, 122 ... foot, 123 ... recess, 130 ... cover, 131 ... base part, 132 ... part, 133 ... exposed opening , 140, 141 ... Adhesive, 150, 150A, 150B, 150C ... Wiper, 151 ... Support part, 152 ... Shaft part, 153 ... Thin wall part, 154 ... Thick part, 160 ... Spacer, 161, 161A, 161B, 161C , 161D ... 1st spacer, 1611, 1611A ... Non-fixed part, 1612, 1612A ... Fixed part, 1613, 1613A ... Slit, 1614 ... Thick part, 162 ... Second spacer, 1621 ... Non-fixed part, 1622 ... Fixed part, 200 ... holder, 201 ... accommodating part, 202 ... wall part (wiping member), 301 ... first wiped surface, 302 ... second wiped surface, S ... recording sheet, X ... first Direction, Xa ... 4th direction, Y ... 2nd direction, Ya ... Relative movement direction, Z ... 3rd direction

Claims (9)

A head body with a nozzle surface that injects liquid,
A wiped member having a wiped surface wiped by a wiper,
A spacer arranged between the head body and the wiped member with a gap provided between the head body and the wiped member, and a spacer that comes into contact with the wiper. Equipped with
The head body has a tapered end in the direction along the gap.
The spacer is a liquid injection head characterized in that the end portion in the direction along the gap is thicker than the center. The liquid injection head according to claim 1, wherein the spacer follows the wiper that wipes the nozzle surface and the wiped member. The spacer has a non-fixed portion on one side in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface and a fixed portion on the other side.
The non-fixed portion is closer to the wiped surface than the fixed portion, is separated from the wiped surface or the nozzle surface, and hits the wiper that wipes the nozzle surface and the wiped member. The liquid injection head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid injection head is in contact with the liquid injection head. The spacer is a part of the head body and the wiping member provided between the spacers.
The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wiper is fixed to the one that comes into contact with the wiper first. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spacer is fixed at a plurality of places along the space between the spacers. The liquid injection head according to claim 5, wherein the spacer has a notch for each fixed portion. Any of claims 1 to 6, wherein when a part of the wiper is at the position of the gap, the other part of the wiper comes into contact with any of the head body, the wiped member, and the spacer. The liquid injection head according to one item. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A liquid injection device including the wiper. A method of wiping a liquid injection head that wipes the nozzle surface and the wiped surface of the liquid injection head having a head body having a nozzle surface for injecting liquid and a wiped member having a wiped surface wiped by a wiper. And
A spacer is provided between the head body and the wiping member.
In the spacer, a gap is formed between the head body and either one of the wiped members.
The head body has a tapered end in the direction along the gap.
The spacer has a thicker end than the center in the direction along the gap.
A method for wiping a liquid injection head, which comprises wiping the head body and the wiped member while maintaining the state in which the wiper is in contact with any of the head body, the wiped member, and the spacer.

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