JP6914892B2 - Liquid discharge head and recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a liquid discharge head and a recording device.

Conventionally, as a printing head, for example, a liquid ejection head that performs various types of printing by ejecting a liquid onto a recording medium is known. Liquid is supplied to the liquid ejection head from, for example, an ink tank via a flexible tube (hose) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 03-161348

The liquid discharge head according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a head main body having a discharge surface having a plurality of discharge holes open, and the head main body on the side opposite to the discharge surface. It has a housing and a tube unit that is connected to the head body inside the housing and extends out of the housing through a tube hole that the housing has. The tube unit has a buried member located in the tube hole, a hollow first relay portion embedded in the buried member, and a projecting portion from the buried member into the housing. It has a hollow first inner connecting portion that communicates with the relay portion, and a hollow first outer connecting portion that protrudes from the embedded member to the outside of the housing and communicates with the first relay portion. A flexible first joint, a tube packing interposed between the outer surface of the embedded member and the inner surface of the tube hole, and the first inner connection portion and the head body. It has one inner tube and a flexible first outer tube connected to the first outer connecting portion.

In one example, the tube unit has a hollow second relay portion embedded in the buried member, a hollow second relay portion protruding from the buried member into the housing and communicating with the second relay portion. An inner connection portion, a second joint projecting from the embedded member to the outside of the housing and having a hollow second outer connection portion leading to the second relay portion, and the second inner connection portion. It further has a flexible second inner tube connected to the head body and a flexible second outer tube connected to the second outer connecting portion.

In one example, the first joint has a plurality of first inner connecting portions leading to the first relay portion.

In one example, the housing has a plate-shaped guide portion between the tube hole and the head body that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing and faces the tube hole. Has a space through which the first inner tube is inserted.

In one example, the center of gravity of the first inner connection portion and the center of gravity of the vacant space are deviated from each other when viewed in the axial direction of the first inner connection portion.

In one example, the housing has a plate-shaped guide portion that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing and faces the head body between the tube hole and the head body, and the guide portion. Has a first space through which the first inner tube is inserted and a second space through which the second inner tube is inserted, and is viewed in the axial direction of the first inner connection portion. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the first inner connection portion and the second inner connection portion intersects with the arrangement direction of the first vacant space and the second vacant space.

In one example, the housing has a hole for the tube and an engaging portion for the buried member that is engaged with the buried member located in the hole for the tube from the inside of the housing. It has a housing body that is integrally molded, and a locking member that is connected to the housing body in a state of being engaged with the embedded member from the outside of the housing.

In one example, the liquid discharge head electrically connects the head body and the outside of the housing, which are located in the connector holes of the housing body in parallel with the tube holes. It further has a connector and a connector packing located between the outer surface of the connector and the inner surface of the connector hole, and the housing body engages with the connector from the inside of the housing. It further has an engaging portion for a connector to be fitted, and the locking member is also engaged with the connector from the outside of the housing.

In one example, the housing body faces the head body from a side opposite to the discharge surface via a space, and has a hole for a tube and an engaging portion for an embedded member. The housing has a side portion that surrounds the space between the head body and the facing surface portion, and a side opening that is open in the side portion. It also has a side member that closes the side opening.

In one example, the head body has a plurality of partial flow paths individually connected to the plurality of discharge holes, and a plurality of pressurizations individually connected to the plurality of discharge holes via the plurality of partial flow paths. Common for supply that is commonly connected to the chamber main body and at least a part of the plurality of partial flow paths via the main body of the pressurizing chamber and at least a part of the main body of the pressurizing chamber. For recovery, which is commonly connected to the flow path and at least a part of the plurality of partial flow paths without passing through the flow path and at least a part of the pressure chamber main body. It has a common flow path, and one of the first inner tube and the second inner tube is connected to the common flow path for supply, and of the first inner tube and the second inner tube. The other is connected to the common flow path for collection.

The recording device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above liquid discharge head and a moving unit that relatively moves the liquid discharge head and the recording medium.

In one example, the moving unit moves the liquid discharge head in an absolute coordinate system.

In one example, the moving portion moves the liquid discharge head in the absolute coordinate system in the alignment direction of the first outer connecting portion and the second outer connecting portion.

The perspective view which shows typically the main part of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The external perspective view which shows the head of the printer of FIG. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of a part of the head of FIG. 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c) are schematic views illustrating the head body of the head of FIG. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are perspective views showing the tube unit of the head of FIG. 6 (a) is an enlarged view of the region VIa of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIb-VIb of FIG. 6 (a). 7 (a) is a perspective view of the connector of the head of FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIb-VIIb of FIG. 7 (a). 8 (a) is an enlarged view of the region VIIIa of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIIb-VIIIb of FIG. 8 (a). 9 (a) is an enlarged view of the region IXa of FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IXb-IXb of FIG. 9 (a). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner tube in the head of FIG. 2 and a peripheral portion thereof. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are plan views showing a guide portion in the head of FIG. 12 (a) and 12 (b) are perspective views showing the configuration of the tube unit according to the modified example and other modified examples. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are schematic views illustrating a mounting structure according to a modified example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The figures used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like on the drawings do not always match the actual ones. Even in a plurality of drawings showing the same member, the dimensional ratios and the like may not match each other in order to exaggerate the shape and the like.

The drawings may be provided with a Cartesian coordinate system xyz for convenience. The head according to the present disclosure may be used in any direction with respect to the vertical direction, but for convenience, terms such as an upper surface or a lower surface may be used with the + z side facing upward.

[Overall configuration of printer]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of the printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The printer 1 is an inkjet printer. More specifically, for example, the printer 1 is a piezo head type, serial head type, and off-carriage type color printer. The printer 1 may realize a color image with an appropriate number of color inks. For example, a color image may be realized with four colors of ink (black, yellow, magenta and cyan).

The printer 1 includes, for example, a transport unit 3 that transports a recording medium (for example, paper) 101 in the transport direction indicated by an arrow y1, and a head unit 5 that ejects ink droplets (droplets) toward the transported recording medium 101. Controls the operations of the scanning unit 7 that reciprocates the head unit 5 in the scanning direction (arrow y2) orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium 101, the ink cartridge 9 that supplies ink to the head unit 5, and the printer 1. It has a control unit 11.

While the transport unit 3 transports the recording medium 101 and the scanning unit 7 reciprocates the head unit 5, ink droplets are repeatedly ejected from the head unit 5 to the recording medium 101 to the recording medium 101. A two-dimensional image is formed. The transport unit 3 and the scanning unit 7 form a moving unit 2 that relatively moves the head unit 5 and the recording medium 101.

For example, the transport unit 3 transports a plurality of recording media 101 stacked on a supply stack (not shown) one by one to a discharge stack (not shown). The transport unit 3 may have a known appropriate configuration. FIG. 1 exemplifies a transport unit 3 having a roller 13 having a straight path as a transport path and abutting on a recording medium 101, a motor 15 for rotating the roller 13, and a driver 17 for applying driving power to the motor 15. ing.

The scanning unit 7 may have a known appropriate configuration. For example, the scanning unit 7 has a guide rail (not shown) that supports a carriage (not shown) of the head unit 5 so as to be guided in the scanning direction, a belt (not shown) fixed to the carriage, and a belt to which the belt is hung. It has a pulley shown in the figure, a motor 19 for rotating the pulley, and a driver 21 for applying driving power to the motor 19.

The ink cartridge 9 is installed in a place different from the head unit 5 (so as not to move together with the head unit 5). The ink cartridge 9 is connected to the head unit 5 via a flexible tube. A plurality of ink cartridges 9 (four in this embodiment) are provided according to the number of ink colors ejected by the head unit 5.

The control unit 11 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an external storage device. The control unit 11 outputs a control signal to the driver 17 of the transport unit 3, the driver 21 of the scanning unit 7, and the driver of the head unit 5 (not shown) to control the operations of the transport unit 3, the scanning unit 7, and the head unit 5. do.

[Overall configuration of head]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the liquid discharge head 23 (hereinafter, may be referred to as a head 23) included in the head unit 5. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the configuration of the head 23. As can be understood from the Cartesian coordinate system xyz attached to FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower part of the paper surface in FIGS. 2 and 3 is the recording medium 101 side.

The head unit 5 has one or more heads 23. When the head unit 5 has a plurality of heads 23, the plurality of heads 23 are arranged in, for example, the scanning direction (x direction). For example, when one head 23 corresponds to the ejection of two colors of ink and the head unit 5 realizes printing with four colors of ink, the two heads 23 may be arranged in the x direction. Further, for example, when one head 23 corresponds to the ejection of one color ink and the head unit 5 realizes printing with four color inks, the four heads 23 may be arranged in the x direction. .. In the description of the present embodiment, a case where one head 23 corresponds to the ejection of two colors of ink is mainly taken as an example.

The approximate shape of the head 23 may be an appropriate shape. In the illustrated example, the head 23 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. This rectangular parallelepiped has, for example, a thin shape in the scanning direction (x direction) (the length in the x direction is shorter than the length in the y direction and the z direction). Either the length in the y direction or the length in the z direction may be long.

The head 23 has a head body 25 that faces the recording medium 101 and directly handles ink ejection. Further, the head 23 includes a housing 27 that is placed on the side of the head body 25 opposite to the recording medium 101, a connector 29 that is used for electrical connection between the head body 25 and the outside of the housing 27, and a head body 25. It has two sets of tube units 31 provided for supply and / or recovery of ink (both in the present embodiment).

The housing 27 houses, for example, one or more circuit boards (not shown here), and contributes to the holding and protection of the circuit boards and the like. One or more circuit boards are configured to include, for example, rigid printed circuit boards and / or flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs). For example, a drive IC (integrated circuit) that applies electric power (drive signal) to the head body 25 to drive the head body 25 is mounted on any of the printed circuit boards. The connector 29 contributes to the connection between the circuit board inside the housing 27 (from another viewpoint, the drive IC or the head body 25) and the external device (for example, the control unit 11) of the housing 27. The tube unit 31 is connected to the head body 25 by being inserted into the housing 27, and is directly or indirectly connected to the ink cartridge 9.

[Head body]
The shape of the head body 25 is, for example, roughly a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. More specifically, the shape of the head body 25 is a plate having a thickness (z direction) smaller than a width (x direction) and a length (y direction). Further, the shape in a plan view is generally rectangular in length (y direction) longer than width (x direction, scanning direction). The surface of the head body 25 facing the recording medium 101 is, for example, substantially flat, and is an ejection surface 25a for ejecting ink droplets.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the discharge surface 25a.

A plurality of ejection holes 33 (nozzles) for ejecting ink droplets are opened on the ejection surface 25a. The discharge holes 33 are arranged in a direction intersecting (for example, orthogonal to) the scanning direction (x direction) to form a discharge hole row 34. Therefore, by moving the head body 25 and the recording medium 101 relative to each other in the x direction while ejecting ink droplets from the plurality of ejection holes 33, the width corresponding to the projection length of the ejection hole row 34 in the x direction is x. A strip-shaped two-dimensional image extending in the direction is formed.

The number of discharge hole rows 34, the number of discharge holes 33 in each discharge hole row 34, the pitch, the arrangement method, and the like may be appropriately set. In FIG. 4A, as a simple example, one ejection hole row 34 is provided for each color of ink, and a total of two ejection hole rows 34 are provided corresponding to the two color inks. Illustrate. However, for example, two or more ejection hole rows 34 are provided for one color of ink, and the ejection holes 33 of each ejection hole row 34 are positioned between the other ejection hole rows 34 to increase the dot density. May be good. Further, in the illustrated example, in each discharge hole row 34, the plurality of discharge holes 33 are linearly arranged at a constant pitch. However, the pitch of the plurality of discharge holes 33 may change or may deviate from the straight line.

FIG. 4B is a plan perspective view schematically showing the flow path inside the head body 25. FIG. 4 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVc-IVc of FIG. 4 (b). In FIG. 4B, all the flow paths that overlap each other in the z direction are also drawn by solid lines. Further, FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c) are premised on the arrangement of the discharge holes 33 illustrated in FIG. 4 (a).

The head body 25 has, for example, a flow path member 35 having a flow path through which ink flows, and a piezoelectric actuator substrate 37 for applying pressure to the flow path member 35.

Although not particularly shown, the flow path member 35 is formed by laminating a plurality of plates made of metal, resin, or the like. Then, the grooves or holes formed in the plate communicate with each other to form a flow path in the flow path member 35. The flow path formed in the flow path member 35 is, for example, commonly connected to a plurality of discharge holes 33, a plurality of pressure chambers 39 individually connected to the plurality of discharge holes 33, and a plurality of pressure chambers 39. A common flow path for supply 41 and a common flow path for recovery 43 that are commonly connected to a plurality of pressurizing chambers 39.

The ink is supplied from the tube unit 31 to the supply common flow path 41, and flows from the supply common flow path 41 to the plurality of pressurizing chambers 39. Then, when pressure is applied to the plurality of pressurizing chambers 39, ink droplets are ejected from the ejection holes 33. Further, the ink that has not been ejected in the plurality of pressurizing chambers 39 flows into the common flow path 43 for collection and is collected in the tube unit 31.

The flow path from the supply common flow path 41 to the recovery common flow path 43 described above constitutes a circulation path together with, for example, the tube unit 31 and the ink cartridge 9. Circulation of the ink reduces, for example, the retention of the ink and thus the risk of pigment settling and / or ink sticking. The flow that circulates the ink may be generated, for example, by a pump (not shown) located at an appropriate position in the circulation path.

The positions and extending paths of the ends of the supply common flow path 41 and the recovery common flow path 43 may be appropriately set. FIG. 4B shows a relatively simple example described below.

The supply common flow path 41 and the recovery common flow path 43 generally extend along the longitudinal direction of the head body 25. Of the supply common flow path 41 and the recovery common flow path 43, the regions connected to the plurality of pressurizing chambers 39 (supply common flow path main body 41b and recovery common flow path main body 43b) are head main bodies 25. It extends linearly in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the head body 25 and has a length of half or more or two-thirds or more of the length of the head body 25. From another viewpoint, the supply common flow path main body 41b and the recovery common flow path main body 43b extend in parallel with each other.

Of both ends of the common supply flow path 41, the end 41e connected to the tube unit 31 is located on one side of the head body 25 in the longitudinal direction. The other end of the common supply flow path 41 is located on the side opposite to the end portion 41e in the longitudinal direction of the head main body 25, and is a dead end.

Of both ends of the recovery common flow path 43, the end 43e connected to the tube unit 31 is connected to the recovery common flow path 43 via a plurality of pressurizing chambers 10 in the longitudinal direction of the head body 25. It is located on the opposite side of the end 41e of the common supply flow path 41. The other end of the recovery common flow path 43 is located on the side opposite to the end portion 43e in the longitudinal direction of the head main body 25, and is a dead end.

In the combination of the supply common flow path 41, the plurality of pressurizing chambers 39, the plurality of discharge holes 33, and the recovery common flow path 43 (unit flow path 45), one head 23 ejects two colors of ink. Corresponding to, two are provided. The two unit flow paths 45 are basically arranged in the x direction (scanning direction, the lateral direction of the head body 25), for example. Specifically, for example, in the two unit flow paths 45, the supply common flow path main body 41b and the recovery common flow path main body 43b extend in parallel (for example, parallel) with each other in the y direction. In one unit flow path 45, either the supply common flow path main body 41b or the recovery common flow path main body 43b may be located on the other unit flow path 45 side, but in the illustrated example, any of them may be located. Also in the unit flow path 45, the recovery common flow path main body 43b is on the other unit flow path 45 side.

As described above, the two unit flow paths 45 are basically arranged in the x direction. However, this does not apply to the end portion 41e and the end portion 43e. For example, the end portion 41e of one unit flow path 45 and the end portion 43e of the other unit flow path 45 are lined up in the intersecting directions (y direction, longitudinal direction of the head body 25). The ends 41e and 43e arranged side by side at the ends of the head body 25 may be inside in the longitudinal direction, but in the illustrated example, the ends 43e are inside at any end of the head body 25. It has become. Further, the positions of the ends 41e and 43e of the head body 25 in the lateral direction are also arbitrary, but in the illustrated example, they are located at the center of the head body 25 in the lateral direction.

The pressurizing chamber 10 is, for example, a partial flow connecting the pressurizing chamber main body 10a which is open on the surface of the flow path member 35 opposite to the discharge surface 25a, the pressurizing chamber main body 10a, and the discharge hole 33. It has a road 10b. The opening of the pressurizing chamber main body 10a is closed by the actuator substrate 37. Then, when the actuator substrate 37 bends toward the pressurizing chamber main body 10a and / or the opposite side, pressure is applied to the ink in the pressurizing chamber main body 10a, and ink droplets are ejected from the ejection holes 33.

The common flow path 41 for supply is connected to the main body 10a of the pressurizing chamber and is connected to the partial flow path 10b via the main body 10a of the pressurizing chamber. The recovery common flow path 43 is connected to the partial flow path 10b without passing through the pressurizing chamber main body 10a. Taking into consideration the circulation path including the ink cartridge 9 and the like, for example, the supply common flow path 41 does not pass through the pressurizing chamber main body 10a (via the ink cartridge 9 and the recovery common flow path 43). Although it is connected to the partial flow path 10b, in the description of the present embodiment, the connection relationship of the flow paths in the head 23 may be described by ignoring the path on the ink cartridge 9 side.

The structure of the actuator board 37 may be various known structures. In the illustrated example, the actuator substrate 37 has a piezoelectric layer 47 that is polarized in the thickness direction, and a signal electrode 49S and a ground electrode 49G that are located on the piezoelectric layer 47.

In a plan view, the signal electrode 49S is located on the central side of the pressurizing chamber main body 10a, and the ground electrode 49G is located on the outer peripheral side (inside and / or outside of the outer edge) of the pressurizing chamber main body 10a. .. When a voltage is applied between the signal electrode 49S and the ground electrode 49G and an electric field intersecting the polarization direction is applied to the piezoelectric layer 47, the piezoelectric layer 47 is deformed in the share mode, and thus the pressurizing chamber. It bends to the main body 10a side or the opposite side.

The signal electrode 49S and the ground electrode 49G are provided for each of the plurality of pressurizing chambers 10. However, the plurality of ground electrodes 49G may be connected to each other to form one ground electrode. A reference potential is applied to the plurality of ground electrodes 49G, for example. For example, drive signals are individually input to the plurality of signal electrodes 49S according to the content of the image. As a result, ink droplets are ejected from the arbitrary ejection holes 33.

The configuration of the actuator (and the configuration of the pressurizing chamber) may be the same as various known configurations, and is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure. For example, although not particularly shown, the actuator may be, for example, a unimorph type or a bimorph type. Further, in the actuator, a plurality of piezoelectric layer layers and a plurality of electrode layers may be alternately laminated to utilize the piezoelectric horizontal effect or the piezoelectric vertical effect. Further, the actuator does not apply pressure to the surface of the pressurizing chamber opposite to the discharge hole 33, but applies pressure to the side surface of the pressurizing chamber (the surface along the opening direction of the discharge hole 33). It may be a configuration. The actuator does not have to be in the form of a substrate that spans a plurality of pressurizing chambers.

[Outline of housing]
Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 27 is roughly a box shape in which the head body 25 side is open (the box shape referred to here is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape). That is, the housing 27 has a front opening 27z on the head body 25 side, and the front opening 27z is closed by the head body 25. As a result, a space 26 is formed between the head body 25 and the housing 27. The inside of the housing 27 or the inside of the housing 27 basically refers to the inside of the space 26.

The approximate shape of the housing 27 may be an appropriate shape. In the illustrated example, the housing 27 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. This rectangular parallelepiped has, for example, a thin shape in the lateral direction (x direction) of the head body 25 (the length in the x direction is shorter than the length in the y direction and the z direction). The length in the y direction and the length in the z direction may be longer, but in the illustrated example, the former is longer than the latter.

The housing 27 includes, for example, a housing body 59 that is the main body of the housing 27, a side member 61 (FIG. 2, omitted in FIG. 3) that closes the side opening 59x of the housing body 59, and a housing such as a tube unit 31. It has a locking member 63 that contributes to attachment to the body body 59. Each member is integrally formed of an appropriate material such as resin and / or metal. Then, they are fixed to each other by screws 65 (for example, screws) and / or engaging portions (for example, engaging claws) (the former in the illustrated example). Although the plurality of screws 65 are designated by the same reference numerals, their specific shapes, dimensions, and the like may be different from each other.

The housing body 59 has a box shape in which the head body 25 side is open, and has a shape in which one or more (two in the illustrated example) side openings 59x are formed on a part of the side surface (outer peripheral surface). In other words, the housing body 59 includes a facing surface portion 59a facing the head body 25 via the space 26 and a side portion 59b surrounding the space 26 between the head body 25 and the facing surface portion 59a. It has a side opening 59x that is open in a part of the side portion 59b, and a front opening 27z that is open on the side opposite to the facing surface portion 59a (head body 25 side).

The facing surface portion 59a has, for example, a substantially flat plate shape. The tube unit 31 and the connector 29 are inserted into the facing surface portion 59a and exposed inside and outside the housing 27. That is, the facing surface portion 59a has a tube hole 59t through which the tube unit 31 is inserted and a connector hole 59c that exposes the connector 29.

The side portion 59b basically has a shape based on the concept of four side surfaces facing four sides, for example. However, in the illustrated example, since the side opening 59x is opened in a relatively wide range (for example, an area of 70% or more) of the two side surfaces facing each other, it seems as if it is composed of the remaining two side surfaces. ing.

The side opening 59x is formed on, for example, one or both (both in the illustrated example) of the widest two side surfaces (side surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the head body 25) among the four side surfaces of the side portion 59b. The side opening 59x contributes to facilitating, for example, accommodating a circuit board or the like in the housing body 59. The front opening 27z covers substantially the entire surface of the housing body 59 on the head body 25 side (for example, 80% or more excluding the flange 59f), and covers most of the head body 25 (for example, 80% or more). It has an overlapping area. A part of the tube unit 31 or the circuit board housed in the housing body 59 is connected to the head body 25 via the front opening 27z.

The side surface member 61 is, for example, a roughly plate-shaped member, and has a shape and size that is one size larger than the shape and size of the side opening 59x. From another viewpoint, the shape and size of the side surface member 61 are, for example, substantially the same shape and size as the shape and size of the side surface (outer edge thereof) where the side surface opening 59x of the housing body 59 is opened. Have. Specifically, for example, the side surface member 61 is rectangular, and 90% or more of the side surface member 61 and the side surface of the housing body 59 overlap each other except for the flange 59f of the housing body 59.

The locking member 63 is, for example, a substantially plate-shaped member, and has a shape and size substantially equivalent to the shape and size of the facing surface portion 59a. Specifically, the shape of the locking member 63 (the outer edge thereof) is rectangular, and has a width that overlaps 70% or more of the facing surface portion 59a, ignoring the opening. Further, the locking member 63 has a tube opening 63t through which the tube unit 31 is inserted and a connector opening 63c that exposes the connector 29.

As will be described in detail later, the locking member 63 may be able to lock the tube unit 31 and the connector 29 from above, and may not have a shape in which an opening is formed in such a plate, and the facing surface portion 59a may be formed. It does not have to have a shape and size substantially equivalent to those of the above. However, such a relatively wide plate-shaped locking member 63 can contribute to, for example, improving the airtightness of the tube hole 59t and the connector hole 59c of the housing body 59.

[Structure related to sealing inside the housing]
The head 23 has various configurations for improving the sealing property in the housing 27. As a result, for example, the influence of ink mist entering the housing 27 and affecting the circuit board and the like inside the housing 27 is reduced. Specifically, for example, the head 23 has the following configuration.

[Tube unit]
FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the tube unit 31. FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view showing a partial configuration of the tube unit 31. FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the region VIa of FIG. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIb-VIb of FIG. 6A.

Each tube unit 31 includes a buried member 51, one or a plurality of hollow joints (two in the illustrated example) (first joint 53A and second joint 53B) embedded in the buried member 51, and a buried member. It has a tube packing 55 arranged around 51. The buried member 51 is arranged in the tube hole 59t formed in the housing 27 (housing body 59). A tube packing 55 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the buried member 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the tube hole 59t. The first joint 53A and the second joint 53B project from the embedded member 51 into and out of the housing, and a plurality of tubes (57AI, 57AO, 57BI and 57BO) are connected to the first joint 53A and the second joint 53B. As a result, the tube unit 31 can be inserted from the outside to the inside of the housing 27 while improving the airtightness between the tube unit 31 and the housing 27. Specifically, it is as follows.

In the following, the first joint 53A and the second joint 53B are simply referred to as "joint 53", and these may not be distinguished. The first inner tube 57AI, the first outer tube 57AO, the second inner tube 57BI and the second outer tube 57BO are simply referred to as "tube 57" and may not be distinguished from each other. The first inner tube 57AI and the second inner tube 57BI are simply referred to as "inner tube 57I" and may not be distinguished from each other. The first outer tube 57AO and the second outer tube 57BO are simply referred to as "outer tube 57O" and may not be distinguished from each other.

The buried member 51 embeds an intermediate portion (relay portion 53a (FIG. 6B)) of the joint 53 in the longitudinal direction (flow path direction). That is, the buried member 51 is in contact with the relay portion 53a over the entire circumference of the relay portion 53a. The buried member 51 is manufactured, for example, by filling the mold with a molding material in a state where at least the relay portion 53a of the joint 53 is arranged in the mold. Therefore, the buried member 51 is in close contact with the relay portion 53a, and is sealed between the two.

The material of the buried member 51 and the material of the joint 53 may be selected from various materials that can be molded as described above. For example, the material of the joint 53 may be metal, and the material of the buried member 51 may be resin or ceramic. When the material of the buried member 51 is resin, low-temperature injection using a resin mold may be used in addition to the usual insert molding in which the resin is injected into the mold. Further, the material of the buried member 51 may be metal or vulcanized rubber (rubber in a narrow sense). The material of the joint 53 is rigid from another point of view. Since the joint 53 actually exists, the meaning of the rigid body here means a substance having a large elastic modulus or a substance having a small flexibility. Further, the material of the buried member 51 is also basically a rigid body.

The shape and dimensions of the buried member 51 may be appropriately set. For example, the buried member 51 includes a substantially straight prism-shaped portion (in the illustrated example, all of the buried member 51 has a substantially straight prism shape). The shape of the cross section of the straight pillar-shaped portion is such that the outer edge is geometrically convex (for example, a convex curve). The buried member 51 has, for example, a groove 51a (FIG. 5B) into which the packing 55 for a tube is fitted. The groove 51a extends once around the axis of the columnar portion, for example, with a constant width and a constant depth. The shape of the cross section of the groove 51a may be an appropriate shape such as a rectangle or a semicircle. In addition to or instead of the groove 51a, a groove for accommodating the tube packing 55 may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tube hole 59t. Moreover, it is not impossible not to form any of the grooves.

The shape of the joint 53 may be hollow. Therefore, for example, the joint 53 may extend linearly, or may have a bent portion or a curved portion in a part or all of the joint 53. In the joint 53, one end and the other end may be coaxial, parallel to each other and radially offset, or may extend in different directions. The shape of the cross section (plane orthogonal to the flow path direction) may be an appropriate shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle. The area of the cross section may be constant in the flow path direction or may change in the flow path direction. The thickness (difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter) of the joint 53 may be constant or variable in the flow path direction or the circumferential direction.

In the illustrated example, the joint 53 is a tubular (cylindrical) extending linearly with a constant diameter. In other words, the shape of the cross section is circular, and the area of the cross section is constant in the flow path direction. Further, the thickness of the joint 53 is also constant in the flow path direction and the circumferential direction.

The joint 53 has a relay portion 53a, inner connecting portions 53i on both sides thereof, and an outer connecting portion 53o in the flow path direction thereof. The relay portion 53a is a portion embedded in the buried member 51. The inner connecting portion 53i projects from the embedded member 51 into the housing 27. As a result, the inner tube 57I can be connected to the joint 53 (inner connection portion 53i). Further, the outer connecting portion 53o projects from the embedded member 51 to the outside of the housing 27. As a result, the outer tube 57O can be connected to the joint 53 (outer connecting portion 53o).

The relative lengths of the relay portion 53a, the inner connecting portion 53i, the outer connecting portion 53o, and the like may be appropriately set. Further, in the illustrated example, these three parts have the same shape and dimensions as each other except for the length (or including the length), but may have different shapes and / or different dimensions from each other. ..

The first joint 53A and the second joint 53B form at least two independent flow paths (two flow paths that do not communicate with each other) in the tube unit 31. However, these two flow paths may be connected to each other when considering the flow path in the head body 25 and / or the flow path on the ink cartridge 9 side. The first joint 53A and the second joint 53B may have the same configuration or different configurations from each other. In the illustrated example, the first joint 53A and the second joint 53B differ only in diameter from each other. Specifically, the former has a larger diameter than the latter.

The tube packing 55 is made of an elastic material. Examples of the elastic material include rubber (vulcanized rubber (rubber in a narrow sense) and thermosetting resin-based elastomer; the same applies hereinafter) and thermoplastic elastomer (elastomer in a narrow sense). The same applies to the materials of various packings (66, 71, 73, etc.) described later. However, as will be described later, a resin (excluding elastomer) may be used as the packing material depending on the packing mounting mode and the like.

The tube packing 55 is formed in an annular shape. The shape of the cross section (cross section orthogonal to the tangent of the ring) of the tube packing 55 may be an indistinguishable shape (for example, a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle) such as the inside and the outside of the ring, or a distinctive shape. (For example, the shape may be a combination of a rectangle and a semicircle). The shape of the cross section of various annular packings (66, 71, 73, etc.) described later is also the same.

The tube packing 55 is fitted, for example, into the groove 51a of the embedded member 51 described above. More specifically, for example, in the portion of the buried member 51 other than the groove 51a, the length of one circumference is longer than the length of the packing 55 for tubes (strictly speaking, the inner peripheral surface thereof). Then, the tube packing 55 is fitted into the embedded member 51 up to the position of the groove 51a in a state of being stretched against the restoring force. In other words, the tube packing 55 will not come off the groove 51a unless it is stretched against the restoring force. The length of the groove 51a (strictly speaking, its bottom surface) may be longer than the length of the tube packing 55 (strictly speaking, its inner peripheral surface), or may be equal to or less than the length. In other words, the packing 55 for a tube may or may not be in close contact with the bottom surface of the groove 51a due to a restoring force acting in the tension direction, or may not generate such a restoring force. In the cross section of the tube packing 55, the thickness of the ring in the opening direction is, for example, a size that fits within the width of the groove 51a in the compressed state or the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction. Further, in the cross section of the tube packing 55, the thickness of the ring in the radial direction is larger than the depth of the groove 51a at least in the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction.

The first inner tube 57AI connects the inner connecting portion 53i of the first joint 53A and the head body 25. The first outer tube 57AO is connected to the outer connecting portion 53o of the first joint 53A. As a result, one flow path leading from the outside of the housing 27 to the head body 25 is configured. Similarly, the second inner tube 57BI connects the inner connecting portion 53i of the second joint 53B and the head body 25. The second outer tube 57BO is connected to the outer connecting portion 53o of the second joint 53B. As a result, one flow path leading from the outside of the housing 27 to the head body 25 is configured.

The outer tube 57O may extend to the ink cartridge 9, is connected to the connection portion of the head unit 5, and connects the connection portion and the ink cartridge 9 via the connection portion. It may be connected to a tube.

The tube 57 is a hollow member having flexibility. The material may be an elastic material such as rubber and a thermoplastic elastomer, or a resin material having no such elasticity. The shape of the tube 57 (for example, the state where the stress is the smallest) may be appropriate. For example, the cross section of the tube 57 is circular. When the tube 57 is made of an elastic material, for example, the inner diameter of the tube 57 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the inner connecting portion 53i or the outer connecting portion 53o. Further, the diameters of the first inner tube 57AI and the first outer tube 57AO correspond to the diameter of the first joint 53A being larger than the diameter of the second joint 53B. It is made larger than the diameter of.

The connection of the tube 57 to the inner connecting portion 53i or the outer connecting portion 53o may be made by an appropriate method. For example, when the tube 57 is made of an elastic material as described above, the inner diameter of the tube 57 may be made smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting portion, and the connecting portion may be simply inserted into the tube 57. Further, for example, the tube 57 may be tightened from the outside to the inside with a belt-shaped or handcuff-shaped member wound around the tube 57 after the connection portion is inserted into the tube 57.

The plurality of tube units 31 (two in the illustrated example) may have the same configuration (illustrated example), or may have different configurations from each other. The two tube units 31 are located on both sides of each other in the longitudinal direction of the head 23, for example. Both sides here may be, for example, the range of both sides when the upper surface of the head 23 (housing 27) (the surface on which the tube unit 31 extends) is divided into three or four equal parts in the longitudinal direction. The two tube units 31 having the same configuration as each other may be arranged, for example, in a line-symmetrical arrangement (illustrated example) or in a 180 ° rotationally symmetric arrangement.

The division of roles of the flow path composed of the plurality of tube units 31 may be appropriately set. For example, in the present embodiment, assuming the flow path of the head body 25 illustrated in FIG. 4B, the tube unit 31 on the −y side is connected to the ends 41e and 43e on the −y side, and is connected to the ends 41e and 43e on the −y side, and is on the + y side. The tube unit 31 is connected to the + y side ends 41e and 43e. In each tube unit 31, the first inner tube 57AI is connected to the end 41e of the supply common flow path 41, and the second inner tube 57BI is connected to the end 43e of the recovery common flow path 43.

Therefore, the ink supplied from the first inner tube 57AI of one tube unit 31 to the supply common flow path 41 passes through the pressurizing chamber 10 and the recovery common flow path 43, and is the second tube unit 31 of the other tube unit 31. 2 Collected in the inner tube 57BI. That is, the first inner tube 57AI of one tube unit 31 and the second inner tube 57BI of the other tube unit 31 correspond to one of the two unit flow paths 45 of the head body 25.

[Fixing between tube unit and housing]
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the embedded member 51 of the tube unit 31 is arranged in the tube hole 59t formed in the facing surface portion 59a of the housing body 59. More specifically, it is as follows.

The tube hole 59t has a large-diameter portion 59ta for accommodating the buried member 51 and a small-diameter portion 59tb through which the inner connecting portion 53i and the inner tube 57I of the joint 53 are inserted. The small diameter portion 59tb is smaller than the buried member 51 when viewed in the z direction. That is, the facing surface portion 59a has an engaging portion 59at for the buried member that engages with the buried member 51 from the inside of the housing 27.

Further, the outer connecting portion 53o of the joint 53 and the outer tube 57O are inserted into the tube opening 63t of the locking member 63. The tube opening 63t is smaller than the buried member 51 when viewed in the z direction. That is, the locking member 63 engages with the buried member 51 from the outside of the housing 27.

Therefore, by fixing the locking member 63 to the housing body 59 while the buried member 51 is housed in the large diameter portion 59ta, the buried member 51 is sandwiched between the engaging portion 59at for the buried member and the locking member 63. The tube unit 31 is fixed to the housing 27. The locking member 63 may be fixed to the housing body 59 by, for example, a screw 65 and / or an engaging portion. In the illustrated example, a screw 65 (male screw) inserted through the locking member 63 is screwed into a female screw (not shown here) of the housing body 59.

Each of the engaging portion 59at for the buried member and the locking member 63 is engaged with, for example, the upper and lower surfaces of the buried member 51 over the entire circumference thereof. However, these may be shaped so as to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the buried member 51 with only a part of the outer peripheral portion thereof.

Further, unlike the example shown in the figure, only the joint 53 may be inserted through the small diameter portion 59tb and the tube opening 63t. That is, the inner tube 57I may be connected to the inner connecting portion 53i inside the housing 27 rather than the small diameter portion 59tb. The outer tube 57O may be connected to the outer connecting portion 53o outside the housing 27 with respect to the tube opening 63t.

Although not particularly shown, an elastic member may be arranged between the buried member engaging portion 59at and the buried member 51 and / or between the locking member 63 and the buried member 51. Further, the elastic member interposed between the engagement portion 59at for the buried member and the buried member 51 is added to or instead of the packing 55 for the tube between the outer surface of the buried member 51 and the inner surface of the tube hole 59t. It may be a packing that intervenes in. Such packing is annular and is arranged so as to surround the small diameter portion 59tb.

As can be understood from the above description, the outer surface of the buried member 51 facing each other via the packing and the inner surface of the tube hole 59t are the outer peripheral surfaces of the buried member 51 (the axis around the axis parallel to the insertion direction). Not limited to the outer surface) and the inner peripheral surface of the tube hole 59t (the inner surface around the axis parallel to the insertion direction), the buried member 51 and the tube hole 59t face each other in the insertion direction. It may be a surface.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the buried member 51 is inserted into the tube hole 59t, the tube packing 55 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the buried member 51 (strictly speaking, the bottom surface of the groove 51a) and the tube hole 59t. It is compressed by the inner peripheral surface. That is, the tube packing 55 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the buried member 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the tube hole 59t in a compressed state, and is in close contact with these surfaces. In the illustrated example, the outer peripheral surface of the buried member 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the tube hole 59t face each other with a gap. However, the two may be in contact with each other in a part or all of the regions facing each other.

[connector]
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the connector 29. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIb-VIIb of FIG. 7A.

The connector 29 is arranged in the connector hole 59c formed in the facing surface portion 59a of the housing body 59. A connector packing 66 is interposed between the outer surface of the connector 29 and the inner surface of the connector hole 59c. As a result, the airtightness of the housing 27 is improved. These specific configurations are, for example, as follows.

The connector 29 has, for example, a substantially elongated shape, and is substantially rectangular when viewed in the connection direction (z direction). The connector 29 has, for example, a plurality of terminals 67 and a holding portion 69 for holding the plurality of terminals 67.

The terminal 67 is, for example, roughly a pin-shaped member made of metal, is inserted into a hole of a connector (not shown) connected to the connector 29, and abuts on the terminal in the hole. The number of the plurality of terminals 67 may be appropriately set according to the configuration of the control unit 11, the configuration of the circuit in the head 23, and the like. For example, 50 or more terminals 67 are provided. The plurality of terminals 67 are arranged in one or more rows along the longitudinal direction of the connector 29.

The holding portion 69 is made of an insulating material such as resin, and holds a plurality of terminals 67. Further, the holding portion 69 (holding portion main body 69b) has a shape having a recess (reference numeral omitted) accommodating a plurality of terminals 67. For example, a holding portion of a connector (not shown) connected to the connector 29 is fitted in the recess. On the contrary, the holding portion 69 may have a shape that fits into the recess of the connector of the other party.

The method of holding the terminal 67 of the holding portion 69 may be the same as that of various known ones. For example, the holding portion 69 is formed by filling a mold in which at least an intermediate portion of the terminal 67 is arranged with a resin. Then, one end of the terminal 67 is exposed from the holding portion 69 to the outside (+ z side), and the other end is exposed from the holding portion 69 to the inside side (−z side). According to such a holding method, the holding portion 69 is brought into close contact with the entire circumference of the intermediate portion of the terminal 67, and the airtightness of the connector 29 is improved.

Like the buried member 51, the holding portion 69 is fixed to the housing 27 by being sandwiched between the facing surface portion 59a and the locking member 63, for example. Specifically, for example, it is as follows.

The holding portion 69 has a holding portion main body 69b that holds a plurality of terminals 67, and a flange 69f that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion main body 69b. The flange 69f extends over the entire circumference of the holding portion main body 69b, for example. Further, the flange 69f is located in the middle of the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion main body 69b in the vertical direction. In other words, the holding portion main body 69b projects both upward and downward with respect to the flange 69f.

On the other hand, the connector hole 59c has a large-diameter portion 59ca for accommodating the flange 69f and a small-diameter portion 59cc through which a portion of the holding portion main body 69b below the flange 69f is inserted. The small diameter portion 59cc is smaller than the flange 69f when viewed in the z direction. That is, the facing surface portion 59a has a connector engaging portion 59ac that engages with the flange 69f from the inside of the housing 27.

Further, a portion of the holding portion main body 69b above the flange 69f is inserted into the connector opening 63c of the locking member 63. The connector opening 63c is smaller than the flange 69f when viewed in the z direction. That is, the locking member 63 engages with the flange 69f from the outside of the housing 27.

Therefore, by fixing the locking member 63 to the housing body 59 with the flange 69f housed in the large diameter portion 59ca, the flange 69f is sandwiched between the connector engaging portion 59ac and the locking member 63, and the connector. 29 is fixed to the housing 27.

Each of the connector engaging portion 59ac and the locking member 63 is engaged with the connector 29 over the entire circumference of the connector 29 (flange 69f), for example. However, these may be shaped so as to engage only a part around the connector 29. The holding portion main body 69b may be fitted in the small diameter portion 59cc and / or the connector opening 63c. The holding portion main body 69b does not have to protrude downward from the flange 69f. From another viewpoint, the small diameter portion 59cc may only expose the connector 29 without inserting the holding portion main body 69b. Similarly, the holding portion main body 69b does not have to protrude upward from the flange 69f. From another viewpoint, the connector opening 63c may only expose the connector 29 without inserting the holding portion main body 69b.

The connector packing 66 is formed in an annular shape, for example, and is fitted into the holding portion 69 and is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface thereof. More specifically, the connector packing 66 is fitted into, for example, a groove 69a formed in the holding portion 69. The groove 69a extends once around the axis of the flange 69f, for example, with a constant width and a constant depth. The shape of the cross section of the groove 69a may be an appropriate shape such as a rectangle or a semicircle. In addition to or instead of the groove 69a, a groove for accommodating the connector packing 66 may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 59c. Moreover, it is not impossible not to form any of the grooves.

The length of one circumference of the flange 69f other than the groove 69a is longer than the length of the connector packing 66 (strictly speaking, the inner peripheral surface thereof). Then, the connector packing 66 is fitted into the flange 69f up to the position of the groove 69a in a state of being stretched against the restoring force. In other words, the connector packing 66 does not come off from the groove 69a unless it is stretched against the restoring force. The length of the groove 69a (strictly speaking, the bottom surface thereof) may be longer than the length of the connector packing 66 (strictly speaking, the inner peripheral surface thereof), or may be equal to or less than the length. In other words, the packing 66 for the connector may or may not be in close contact with the bottom surface of the groove 69a due to the restoring force acting in the tension direction, or may not generate such a restoring force. In the cross section of the connector packing 66 (the cross section orthogonal to the tangent of the ring), the thickness of the ring in the opening direction falls within the width of the groove 69a in the compressed state or the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction, for example. It is the size. Further, in the cross section of the packing 66 for the connector, the thickness of the ring in the radial direction is larger than the depth of the groove 69a at least in the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction.

When the connector 29 is inserted into the connector hole 59c, the connector packing 66 is compressed by the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 69 (strictly speaking, the bottom surface of the groove 69a) and the inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 59c. That is, the connector packing 66 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 69 and the inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 59c in a compressed state, and is in close contact with these surfaces. In the illustrated example, the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 69 and the inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 59c face each other with a gap. However, the two may be in contact with each other in a part or all of the regions facing each other.

Although not particularly shown, an elastic member may be arranged between the connector engaging portion 59ac and the holding portion 69 and / or between the locking member 63 and the holding portion 69. Further, the elastic member interposed between the connector engaging portion 59ac and the holding portion 69 is added to or instead of the connector packing 66 between the outer surface of the holding portion 69 and the inner surface of the connector hole 59c. It may be an intervening packing. Such packing is annular and is arranged so as to surround the small diameter portion 59 cc.

As understood from the above description, the outer surface of the connector 29 and the inner surface of the connector hole 59c facing each other via the packing are not limited to the outer peripheral surface of the connector 29 and the inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 59c. The surfaces of the connector 29 and the connector hole 59c may face each other in the insertion direction.

The connector 29 and the head body 25 may be appropriately connected. FIG. 7 shows a rigid printed circuit board 85 on which the connector 29 is mounted and an FPC 87 connected to the printed circuit board 85. The FPC 87 is connected to, for example, the actuator board 37 of the head body 25 or a board connected to the actuator board 37. A drive IC (not shown) for driving the actuator board 37 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 85 and / or the FPC 87.

[Sealing on the side of the housing]
FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a part of the housing body 59 cut off, and corresponds to the region VIIIa of FIG. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIIb-VIIIb of FIG. 8A.

A side packing 71 is interposed between the outer surface of the housing body 59 and the inner surface of the side member 61 (the surface on the side opening 59x side; the same applies hereinafter). As a result, the airtightness between the two (in other words, the airtightness of the side opening 59x) is improved. More specifically, for example, it is as follows.

The side packing 71 is formed in an annular shape, for example, and is arranged in the housing body 59 so as to surround the side opening 59x. More specifically, the side packing 71 is fitted into, for example, a groove 59ba formed on the outer surface of the side portion 59b. The groove 59ba extends, for example, along the edge of the side opening 59x with a certain width and a certain depth (for example, in parallel), and goes around the side opening 59x once. The shape of the cross section of the groove 59ba may be an appropriate shape such as a rectangle or a semicircle. In the cross section of the side packing 71 (the cross section orthogonal to the tangent line of the ring), the thickness in the radial direction of the ring is a size that fits within the width of the groove 59ba in the compressed state or the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction. The thickness of the ring in the opening direction is larger than the depth of the groove 59ba at least in the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction.

The tube packing 55 is fitted to the buried member 51 in a stretched state against the restoring force. The side packing 71 does not need to be stretched as such for mounting. Therefore, the material of the side packing 71 does not have to be an elastic material, and may be, for example, a resin (excluding the elastomer). The same applies to other packings (73, etc.) that do not need to be stretched, which have already been described or will be described later.

When the side member 61 is attached to the side portion 59b, the side packing 71 is compressed by the outer surface of the side portion 59b (strictly speaking, the bottom surface of the groove 59ba) and the inner surface of the side member 61. That is, the side packing 71 is interposed between the side portion 59b and the side member 61 in a compressed state and is in close contact with them. In the illustrated example, the regions of the side portion 59b and the side surface member 61 facing each other are opposed to each other through a gap in a part (the inner track surface 59bn described later and the surface facing the inner track surface 59bn), and the other part (the surface facing the inner track surface 59bn) is opposed to each other. The outer track surface 59 bm and the surface facing the outer track surface (59 bm), which will be described later, are in contact with each other. However, the regions of the side portions 59b and the side surface members 61 facing each other may face each other through a gap in all of them, or may be in contact with each other in all of them.

The side member 61 is attached to the side portion 59b, for example, by screwing a screw 65 (male screw) inserted through the side member 61 into the female screw 59bh of the side member 59b. In addition to or instead of the screw 65, it may be attached by an engaging portion.

The position of the female screw 69bh (screw 65) is outside the area surrounded by the side packing 71. As a result, the possibility that the airtightness of the housing 27 is lowered in the hole (reference numeral omitted) through which the screw 65 of the side member 61 is inserted is reduced. More specifically, the groove 59ba in which the side packing 71 is arranged is formed on the inner track surface 59bn, which will be described later. The female screw 69bh is formed on the outer track surface 59bm, which will be described later.

The outer surface of the side portion 59b and the inner surface of the side surface member 61 have, for example, a step. Such a step contributes to positioning of both in the plane direction, for example. Specifically, the outer surface of the side portion 59b has an inner track surface 59bn surrounding the side opening 59x and an outer track surface 59bm surrounding the side opening 59x on the outside thereof. The inner track surface 59bn is lower toward the inner side of the housing 27 than the outer track surface 59bm. The inner surface of the side member 61 has a step corresponding to the step of the side portion 59b. That is, although the reference numerals are omitted, the inner surface of the side surface member 61 has an outer track surface that makes one round along the outer edge and a surface that is higher than the outer track surface on the side opening 59x side inside the outer track surface. ing.

The inner surface of the side surface member 61 may further have a step that fits into the side surface opening 59x. Further, the outer surface of the side portion 59b and the inner surface of the side surface member 61 may have a shape having no step. Further, contrary to the illustrated example, it is also possible to form a concave portion on the inner surface of the side surface member 61 and fit the convex shape formed on the side portion 59b. In addition to or in place of the groove 59ba, a groove for accommodating the side packing 71 may be formed on the inner surface of the side member 61. In this case, the side packing 71 may be attached to the side member 61 instead of the housing body 59 before the side member 61 is attached to the housing body 59. When one of the side portion 59b and the side surface member 61 has a convex shape that fits into the other, the packing may be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the convex shape as in the embedded member 51.

[Sealing between the head body and the housing]
FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a part of the head body 25 cut off, and corresponds to the region IXa of FIG. 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IXb-IXb of FIG. 9 (a).

A head packing 73 is interposed between the head body 25 and the housing body 59. This improves the airtightness between the two. More specifically, for example, it is as follows.

The head main body 25 has an outer peripheral component 75 that constitutes an outer peripheral side portion (side surface or the like) thereof. The outer peripheral component 75 may be formed of a member separate from the flow path member 35, may hold the flow path member 35, or may be a part of the flow path member 35. In the latter case, for example, the outer peripheral component 75 is composed of plates laminated on each other. The outer peripheral component 75 surrounds all or most (for example, 90% or more) of the area where the flow path of the head body 25 is formed and the area where the actuator substrate 37 is arranged, for example, in a plan view. The area surrounded by the outer peripheral component 75 is referred to as a main area of 25 m. The outer peripheral component 75 may have a recess 25r formed on the main area 25 m (from another viewpoint, for example, on the actuator substrate 37).

The head packing 73 is formed in an annular shape, for example, and is arranged on the head main body 25 so as to surround the main area 25 m. More specifically, the head packing 73 is fitted into, for example, a groove 75a formed on the upper surface of the outer peripheral component 75. The groove 75a extends, for example, along the edge of the recess 25r (for example, in parallel) with a constant width and a constant depth, and goes around the recess 25r once. The shape of the cross section of the groove 75a may be an appropriate shape such as a rectangle or a semicircle. In the cross section of the head packing 73 (the cross section orthogonal to the tangent of the ring), the thickness of the ring in the radial direction falls within the width of the groove 75a in the compressed state or the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction, for example. It is the size. In the cross section of the head packing 73, the thickness of the ring in the opening direction is larger than the depth of the groove 75a at least in the uncompressed state with respect to the compression in the direction.

When the head body 25 and the housing body 59 are fixed, the head packing 73 is compressed by the upper surface of the head body 25 (strictly speaking, the bottom surface of the groove 75a) and the lower surface of the housing body 59. That is, the head packing 73 is interposed between the head main body 25 and the housing main body 59 in a compressed state and is in close contact with them. In the illustrated example, the regions of the head body 25 and the housing body 59 facing each other are opposed to each other through a gap in a part (the inner track surface 75n described later and the surface facing the inner track surface 75n), and the other part (the surface facing the inner track surface 75n) is opposed to each other. The outer track surface 75 m and the surface facing the outer track surface (75 m), which will be described later, are in contact with each other. However, the regions of the head body 25 and the housing body 59 facing each other may face each other through a gap in all of them, or may be in contact with each other in all of them.

The head body 25 and the housing body 59 are fixed, for example, by screwing a screw 65 (male screw) inserted through the housing body 59 into the female screw 75h of the head body 25. More specifically, for example, the housing body 59 has a flange 59f that projects outward from the outer peripheral surface over the entire circumference (may be a part) of the outer peripheral surface, and a screw 65 is provided on the flange 59f. A hole (reference numeral omitted) is formed through which the is inserted. Further, for example, the outer peripheral component 75 of the head main body 25 has a flange 75f protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface over the entire circumference (may be a part) of the outer peripheral surface, and the female screw 75h is provided on the flange 75f. At least part of (all in the illustrated example) is located. Then, the flange 59f and the flange 75f are fixed by the screw 65 in a state of facing each other. Contrary to the illustrated example, the screw 65 inserted through the outer peripheral component 75 may be screwed into the female screw formed on the housing body 59. Further, in addition to or in place of the screw 65, the fixing may be made by an engaging portion.

The position of the female screw 75h (screw 65) is outside the area surrounded by the head packing 73. As a result, the possibility that the airtightness between the head body 25 and the housing 27 is reduced in the hole through which the screw 65 of the housing body 59 (or the head body 25) is inserted is reduced. More specifically, the groove 75a in which the head packing 73 is arranged is formed on the inner track surface 75n described later. The female screw 75h is formed on the outer track surface 75m, which will be described later.

The upper surface of the head body 25 and the lower surface of the housing body 59 have, for example, a step. Such a step contributes to positioning of both in the plane direction, for example. Specifically, the upper surface of the outer peripheral component 75 has an inner track surface 75n surrounding the main area 25m (recessed portion 25r) and an outer track surface 75m surrounding the main area 25m outside the inner track surface 75n. The inner track surface 75n is lower than the outer track surface 75m (on the side opposite to the housing body 59). The lower surface of the housing body 59 has a step corresponding to the step of the outer peripheral component 75. That is, although the reference numerals are omitted, the lower surface of the housing body 59 has an outer track surface that makes one round along the outer edge and a surface that is higher than the outer track surface toward the head body 25 inside the outer track surface. is doing.

The upper surface of the head body 25 and the lower surface of the housing body 59 may have a shape having no step. Further, contrary to the illustrated example, the convex shape of the head main body 25 may be fitted to the concave shape of the housing main body 59. Further, one of the housing body 59 and the head body 25 may have a convex shape that fits into the other inner wall surface (inner wall surface forming the space 26). In addition to or instead of the groove 75a, a groove for accommodating the head packing 73 may be formed on the lower surface of the housing body 59. In this case, the head packing 73 may be attached to the housing body 59 instead of the head body 25 before fixing the head body 25 and the housing body 59. When one of the head body 25 and the housing body 59 has a convex shape that fits into the other, the packing may be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the convex shape like the embedded member 51.

[Tube restraint]
The housing 27 has a guide portion 59e that regulates the movement of the inner tube 57I. Specifically, it is as follows.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inner tube 57I and its peripheral portion. Although only the + y side tube unit 31 is shown here, the same is basically true for the −y side tube unit 31.

The head body 25 has a first head-side connecting portion 77A connected to the first inner tube 57AI and a second head-side connecting portion 77B connected to the second inner tube 57BI. In the following description, these may be simply referred to as "head side connection portion 77" without distinguishing between them.

The head-side connecting portion 77 connects the inner tube 57I to the supply common flow path 41 or the recovery common flow path 43. Specifically, for example, the first head side connection portion 77A is connected to the supply common flow path 41, and the second head side connection portion 77B is connected to the recovery common flow path 43. More specifically, for example, assuming the flow path of the head body 25 illustrated in FIG. 4B, the first head side connecting portion 77A on the + y side is connected to the end portion 41e on the + y side and is connected to the end portion 41e on the + y side. The second head side connecting portion 77B is connected to the end portion 43e on the + y side. The same applies to the −y side.

The configuration of the head-side connecting portion 77 may be substantially the same as the configuration of the inner connecting portion 53i of the joint 53, for example. Further, the head-side connecting portion 77 may be fixed to the flow path member 35 by an appropriate method. For example, both may be fixed to each other by an adhesive and / or may be fixed via a connecting member (not shown) that is fixed to the flow path member 35 by adhesion or screwing.

The arranging directions of the plurality of (two in this case) joints 53 and the arranging directions of the plurality of (two in this case) head side connecting portions 77 intersect with each other. Along with this, the two inner tubes 57I are twisted in an amount of less than half a circumference (1/4 circumference in the illustrated example), for example.

More specifically, for example, the two joints 53 are along (for example, parallel) the direction of movement of the head 23 in the absolute coordinate system (x direction; from another point of view, the direction of relative movement between the head 23 and the recording medium 101). ) Lined up. On the other hand, the two head-side connecting portions 77 are arranged (for example, in parallel) along a direction (y direction) orthogonal to the x direction. The arrangement direction of the joint 53 and the arrangement direction of the head side connecting portion 77 are substantially orthogonal to each other (for example, they intersect at 80 ° or more and 100 ° or less, or 90 °).

The guide portion 59e is provided on the housing body 59, for example, and regulates the movement of a plurality of (two in this case) inner tubes 57I together. The guide portion 59e has, for example, a plate shape that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing body 59 between the head body 25 and the tube hole 59t and faces the head body 25 and the tube hole 59t. In the illustrated example, the guide portion 59e is composed of only one plane. However, the guide portion 59e may include a plurality of planes (may be a curved surface) such as having a portion formed in a stepped shape (also in such a case, the plate-shaped guide referred to in the present embodiment). Included in the section.) The guide portion 59e may be parallel to the head body 25 (in the illustrated example) or may be tilted. Similarly, the guide portion 59e may be orthogonal to the opening direction of the tube hole 59t (illustrated example) or may be inclined.

The guide portion 59e is connected to, for example, three of the four inner surfaces of the housing body 59. For example, the guide portion 59e on the + y side is connected to the inner surface on the + y side, the portion on the + y side of the inner surface on the + x side, and the portion on the + y side of the inner surface on the −x side. However, the guide portion 59e may be connected to one side, two sides or four sides (entire circumference). Further, the position of the guide portion 59e in the z direction may be appropriately set. For example, the guide portion 59e is located on the tube hole 59t side of the intermediate position between the tube hole 59t and the front opening 27z, and / or when the tube hole 59t and the front opening 27z are divided into three equal parts. It may be located in the central range.

The guide portion 59e has a first space 79A through which the first inner tube 57AI is inserted and a second space 79B through which the second inner tube 57BI is inserted. In the following, the two may be simply referred to as "vacant space 79" without distinguishing between them.

FIG. 11A is a plan view showing the joint 53 and the guide portion 59e. FIG. 11B is a plan view showing the head-side connecting portion 77 and the guide portion 59e.

The vacant space 79 is composed of, for example, a notch. Further, the two vacant spaces 79 are connected to each other to form one vacant space (notch). Although not particularly shown, the two vacant spaces 79 may not be connected to each other, or at least one of them may be composed of holes. If the void is a hole, the inner tube 57I is inserted into the hole from its end. When the vacant space 79 is a notch, in addition to the method of inserting the inner tube 57I into the notch from the end thereof as in the case of the hole, from the entrance of the notch (the place where the vacant space 79 is interrupted). The inner tube 57I can also be arranged laterally in the void 79. At this time, since the inner tube 57I may be temporarily crushed in the radial direction at the inlet of the notch, the inlet of the notch does not need to be larger than the outer diameter (when in use) of the inner tube 57I.

The size of the vacant space 79 may be appropriately set. For example, the diameter of the vacant space 79 is 1 times or more and 2 times or less, 1 time or more and 1.5 times or less, or 1 time or more and 1.3 times or less the outer diameter of the corresponding inner tube 57I (or inner connection portion 53i). Is. When the vacant space 79 is not circular, for example, the diameter of the vacant space 79 is a virtual circle (with a two-dot chain line) that most closely matches the concave (arc-shaped) portion corresponding to the inner tube 57I. As shown), the diameter of the virtual circle may be measured.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the center of gravity of the first joint 53A (strictly speaking, the inner connecting portion 53i) when viewed in the axial direction (z direction) of the first joint 53A (strictly speaking, the inner connecting portion 53i). G1 and the center of gravity G11 of the first vacant space 79A are out of alignment. Similarly, when viewed in the axial direction of the second joint 53B, the center of gravity G2 of the second joint 53B and the center of gravity G12 of the second space 79B are deviated from each other. When the center of gravity is deviated in this way, for example, the inner tube 57I tends to come into contact with the edge of the space 79. As a result, the movement of the inner tube 57I is surely regulated.

In addition, to be confirmed, the center of gravity is a point at which the primary cross-sectional moment with respect to an arbitrary axis passing through that point (here, the axis parallel to the inner connecting portion 53i (z-axis)) becomes 0, for example, a circle. Then it is the center. Further, in the illustrated example, since the vacant space 79 is composed of notches and the two vacant spaces 79 are connected to each other, there is a portion where the boundary between the vacant spaces 79 is not clear. In such a case, for example, a virtual circle (indicated by a two-dot chain line) that most closely matches the concave (arc-shaped) portion corresponding to the inner tube 57I is assumed, and the center of gravity of the virtual circle is set. You may use it.

The amount of deviation between the centroids G1 and G11 and the amount of deviation between the centroids G2 and G12 may be appropriately set. For example, the amount of deviation is 1/5 or more and 5 times or less, or 1/3 times or more and 1 time or less of the outer diameter of the corresponding inner tube 57I (or inner connecting portion 53i).

From another point of view, when viewed in the axial direction of the first joint 53A (strictly speaking, the inner connecting portion 53i), the arrangement direction of the first joint 53A and the second joint 53B (strictly speaking, these inner connecting portions 53i). And the arrangement direction of the first vacant space 79A and the second vacant space 79B intersect. In this case, for example, the inner tube 57I tends to come into contact with the edge of the void 79. As a result, the movement of the inner tube 57I is surely regulated.

More specifically, as described above, the first joint 53A and the second joint 53B are arranged in the x direction, whereas the first vacant space 79A and the second vacant space 79B are arranged in the x direction. It is tilted at an angle of less than 90 ° (for example, 30 ° or more and 60 ° or less). From another point of view, the directions from the first space 79A to the second space 79B are the direction from the first joint 53A to the second joint 53B and the direction from the first head side connection portion 77A to the second head side connection portion 77B. It is located between the direction to.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the positional relationship between the head-side connecting portion 77 and the vacant space 79 can be said to be the same as the positional relationship between the joint 53 and the vacant space 79 described above. For example, when viewed in the axial direction (z direction) of the first head side connecting portion 77A, the center of gravity G21 of the first head side connecting portion 77A and the center of gravity G11 of the first vacant space 79A are deviated from each other. When viewed in the axial direction (z direction) of the second head side connecting portion 77B, the center of gravity G22 of the second head side connecting portion 77B and the center of gravity G12 of the second space 79B are deviated from each other. Further, when viewed in the axial direction of the first head-side connecting portion 77A, the arranging direction of the two head-side connecting portions 77 and the arranging direction of the two vacant spaces 79 intersect.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the liquid discharge head 23 has a head main body 25, a housing 27, and a tube unit 31. The head body 25 has a discharge surface 25a in which a plurality of discharge holes 33 are open. The housing 27 is covered on the head body 25 on the side opposite to the discharge surface 25a. The tube unit 31 is connected to the head body 25 inside the housing 27, and extends out of the housing 27 through the tube hole 59t of the housing 27. Further, the tube unit 31 has a buried member 51, a joint 53, a packing 55 for a tube, an inner tube 57I, and an outer tube 57O. The buried member 51 is located in the tube hole 51t. The joint 53 has a relay portion 53a, an inner connecting portion 53i, and an outer connecting portion 53o. The relay portion 53a is a hollow portion embedded in the buried member 51. The inner connecting portion 53i is a hollow portion that protrudes from the buried member 51 into the housing 27 and leads to the relay portion 53a. The outer connecting portion 53o is a hollow portion that protrudes from the buried member 51 to the outside of the housing 27 and leads to the relay portion 53a. The tube packing 55 is interposed between the outer surface of the buried member 51 and the inner surface of the tube hole 59t. The inner tube 57I is a flexible member connected to the inner connecting portion 53i and the head body 25. The outer tube 57O is a flexible member connected to the outer connecting portion 53o.

Therefore, for example, the airtightness at the portion where the tube unit 31 is inserted into the housing 27 (tube hole 59t) is improved. Here, unlike the present embodiment, consider a mode in which a continuous flexible tube extending from the inside to the outside of the housing 27 is inserted into the tube hole 59t. In this aspect, for example, the packing is arranged directly around the middle part of the tube. However, in this case, since the flexible tube can be crushed, the sealing between the tube and the packing is low. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a component (rigid body) composed of a joint 53 and a buried member 51 is used to pass the inside and outside of the housing 27, and the tube packing 55 is arranged around the housing 27, so that the sealing property is high.

Further, since the rigid body component arranged in the tube hole 59t is composed of two members (two materials) of the joint 53 and the buried member 51, the rigid body component is compared with the case where the rigid body component is manufactured from one material. It is easy to realize a shape having an inner connecting portion 53i, an outer connecting portion 53o, a groove 51a, and the like. In the embodiment in which a connected flexible tube is inserted into the housing, it is difficult to embed the middle portion of the flexible tube in the molding material. Further, it is easy to secure the elasticity required as the packing as compared with the case where the embedded member 51 itself made of an elastomer functions as the packing without providing the packing 55 for the tube.

Further, in the above configuration, separate tubes 57 are used inside and outside the housing 27. Therefore, for example, the tube 57 can be easily attached and / or replaced as compared with the embodiment in which a continuous tube extending from the inside to the outside of the housing 27 is used. Further, when the tube 57 is replaced, only a part of the tube 57 is replaced as compared with the case where one long tube is used, so that the cost can be reduced. Further, the usage environment of the tube 57 differs between the inside and the outside of the housing 27. For example, the temperature environment is different between the inside and the outside of the housing 27, and the inertial force acting when the head 23 is driven and / or the deformation due to the wind pressure or the friction with the surrounding members is also different. Therefore, the tube 57 can be made of materials suitable for the inside and the outside of the housing 27.

Further, in the present embodiment, one tube unit 31 has a plurality of combinations (two in the embodiment) of the joint 53, the inner tube 57I, and the outer tube 57O for one buried member 51. That is, one buried member 51 is shared by a plurality of flow paths.

In this case, the length of the outer peripheral surface requiring sealing (packing is required) for the entire flow path as compared with the mode in which the buried member 51 is provided for each flow path (this mode is also included in the technique according to the present disclosure). Length) becomes shorter. Therefore, the airtightness of the housing 27 is improved. Further, since the number of parts is reduced and the number of tube holes 59t is also reduced, the configuration of the housing 27 is also simplified.

Further, in the present embodiment, the housing 27 has a plate-shaped guide portion 59e that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing 27 and faces the tube hole 59t between the tube hole 59t and the head main body 25. is doing. The guide portion 59e has a space 79 through which the inner tube 57I is inserted.

In this case, for example, the guide portion 59e also functions as a member that regulates the flow of ink mist or the like from the tube hole 59t to the head body 25 side while restricting the movement of the inner tube 57I. As a result, the airtightness of the housing 27 is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the center of gravity G1 of the inner connecting portion 53i and the center of gravity G11 of the vacant space 79 are deviated from each other when viewed in the axial direction of the inner connecting portion 53i.

In this case, for example, the inner tube 57I tends to come into contact with the edge of the space 79. As a result, the movement of the inner tube 57I is likely to be restricted. Further, since the inner tube 57I is inserted diagonally into the vacant space 79, it is easier to close the vacant space 79 as compared with the case where the inner tube 57I is inserted in parallel with the opening direction of the vacant space 79. As a result, the airtightness of the guide portion 59e is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, when viewed in the axial direction of the inner connecting portion 53i, the arrangement direction of the inner connecting portion 53i of the first joint 53A and the inner connecting portion 53i of the second joint 53B, and the first vacant space 79A and the second It intersects with the arrangement direction of the vacant space 79B.

In this case, for example, first, the same effect as in the case where the center of gravity is deviated is obtained. Further, since the inner tubes 57I are twisted together, for example, the gap between the inner tubes 57I is not linear, and it becomes difficult for the ink mist to pass through. Further, for example, when two vacant spaces 79 are connected, the inner tubes 57I may be brought into contact with each other immediately above the connected portion to eliminate the gap between the two, or the inner tube 57I may be positioned. Can be done.

Further, in the present embodiment, the housing 27 has a housing body 59 and a locking member 63. The housing body 59 has a tube hole 59t and a buried member engaging portion 59at that is engaged with the buried member 51 located in the tube hole 59t from the inside of the housing 27. It is integrally molded. The locking member 63 is connected to the housing body 59 in a state of being engaged with the buried member 51 from the outside of the housing 27.

In this case, for example, the tube hole 59t is integrally formed over the entire circumference thereof, so that the airtightness is improved. That is, a mode in which the housing is composed of two members that can be separated and combined in the x direction, and a tube hole 59t is formed between the two members (such a mode is also included in the technique according to the present disclosure). The airtightness is improved as compared with (may be acceptable). When the housing is composed of two members, for example, two flanges parallel to each other in the z direction are formed on the buried member, and the portion between them is sandwiched between the two members to sandwich the locking member. There is a merit that 63 can be omitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the head 23 has a connector 29 and a connector packing 66. The connector 29 is located in a connector hole 59c in which the housing body 59 is provided in parallel with the tube hole 59t, and is used to electrically connect the head body 25 and the outside of the housing 27. NS. The connector packing 66 is located between the outer surface of the connector 29 and the inner surface of the connector hole 59c. The housing body 59 has a connector engaging portion 59ac that engages with the connector 29 from the inside of the housing 27. The locking member 63 engages not only the embedded member 51 but also the connector 29 from the outside of the housing 27.

In this case, for example, not only the tube hole 59t but also the connector hole 59c is sealed. Further, since the locking member 63 is also used for fixing both of them, the configuration of the head 23 is simplified.

Further, in the present embodiment, the housing main body 59 has a facing surface portion 59a, a side portion 59b, and a side opening 59x. The facing surface portion 59a faces the head main body 25 from the side opposite to the discharge surface 25a via the space 26, and has a tube hole 59t and an engaging portion 59at for the buried member. The side portion 59b surrounds the space 26 between the head main body 25 and the facing surface portion 59a. The side opening 59x is open at the side portion 59b. The housing 27 further includes a side member 61 that closes the side opening 59x.

In this case, for example, the edge portion of the tube hole 59t is integrally formed over the entire circumference by the facing surface portion 59a to improve the airtightness of the tube hole 59t, and the member in the housing body 59 is formed by the side opening 59x. Workability for (for example, inner tube 57I, etc.) can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the head main body 25 has a plurality of partial flow paths 39b, a plurality of pressurizing chamber main bodies 39a, a supply common flow path 41, and a recovery common flow path 43. The plurality of partial flow paths 39b are individually connected to the plurality of discharge holes 33. The plurality of pressurizing chamber main bodies 39a are individually connected to the plurality of discharge holes 33 via the plurality of partial flow paths 39b. The common supply flow path 41 is common to at least a part of the partial flow paths 39b of the plurality of partial flow paths 39b via at least a part of the pressure chamber main body 39a of the plurality of pressure chamber main bodies 39a. It is connected. The recovery common flow path 43 is common to at least a part of the partial flow paths 39b without passing through at least a part of the pressure chamber main body 39a of the plurality of pressure chamber main bodies 39a. It is connected to. One of the first inner tube 57AI and the second inner tube 57BI (57AI in the embodiment) is connected to the common flow path 41 for supply. The other of the first inner tube 57AI and the second inner tube 57BI (57BI in the embodiment) is connected to the recovery common flow path 43.

In this case, for example, the supply tube 57 and the recovery tube 57 can be combined by the buried member 51, and the configuration is simplified. Further, for example, heat exchange can be performed between the supply tube 57 and the recovery tube 57 in and around the buried member 51.

Further, in the present embodiment, the moving unit 2 (scanning unit 7) moves the head 23 in the absolute coordinate system.

In this case, for example, since the movement of the inner tube 57I is restricted by the guide portion 59e, the movement due to the inertial force of the inner tube 57I is restricted. As a result, wear of the inner tube 57I and its surrounding members is reduced. In particular, this effect is improved when the center of gravity G1 (G2) of the inner connecting portion 53i and the center of gravity G11 (G12) of the vacant space 79 are deviated from each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, the moving portion 2 moves the head 23 in the absolute coordinate system in the alignment direction of the outer connecting portion 53o of the first joint 53A and the outer connecting portion 53o of the second joint 53B.

In this case, for example, only one of the first outer tube 57AO and the second outer tube 57BO receives the wind pressure, and the other is hidden behind the wind pressure. Therefore, the wind pressure received as the two outer tubes 57O is reduced. As a result, the risk of wear of the outer tube 57O and its surrounding members is reduced.

[Modification example]
Hereinafter, a modified example will be described. In the description of the modified example, basically, only the difference from the embodiment will be described. Matters not specifically mentioned may be the same as those in the embodiment. Further, not only the configuration having the same configuration as the configuration of the embodiment but also the configuration having different details may be given a reference numeral used for the configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the tube unit 131 according to the modified example.

Also in this modification, the tube unit 131 has a joint 153 in which the relay portion 153a is embedded in the embedded member 151. However, the joint 153 constitutes a branch flow path. Specifically, in the illustrated example, the joint 153 has one outer connecting portion 153o and a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) inner connecting portions 153i. In the same way that the plurality of joints 53 are buried in one buried member 51 in the embodiment, the plurality of joints 153 may be embedded in one buried member 151.

It is assumed that the tube unit 131 is used for the head main body 25 having a flow path configuration different from that of the head main body 25 having the flow path configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 (b). For example, although not particularly shown, the head body 25 has two unit flow paths 45 corresponding to one color of ink. In the two unit flow paths 45, for example, the flow directions of the supply common flow path 41 are the same as each other (the ends 41e are on the same side (for example, −y side) in the y direction), and the two unit flow paths 45 are for recovery. The flow directions of the common flow path 43 are the same as each other (the end portions 43e are on the same side (for example, + y side) of each other in the y direction). Then, the two inner connecting portions 153i of one tube unit 131 are connected to the end portions 41e of the two common flow paths 41 for supplying ink corresponding to one color of ink. Further, the two inner connecting portions 153i of the other one tube unit 131 are connected to, for example, the end portions 43e of the two collecting common flow paths 43 corresponding to one color of ink.

In such a tube unit 131, for example, when two tubes corresponding to one color must be connected to the head body 25 due to the configuration of the head body 25, the number of tubes outside the housing 27 is reduced. be able to. On the contrary, since the manifold can be configured by the tube unit 131, the configuration of the flow path of the head body 25 can be simplified.

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the configuration of the tube unit 233 according to the modified example and its peripheral portion, and corresponds to FIG. 6B.

In this modification, the buried member 251 has a large diameter portion 251e and a small diameter portion 251f having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 251e. The small diameter portion 251f is located on the inner side of the housing 227 with respect to the large diameter portion 251e. Further, although the reference numeral is omitted, the tube hole 259t of the housing body 259 has a large diameter portion for accommodating the large diameter portion 251e and a small diameter portion for accommodating the small diameter portion 251f. The tube packing 55 is fitted into the small diameter portion 251f of the embedded member 251. Then, the tube packing 55 is compressed in the axial direction (z direction) and / or the radial direction (xy plane direction) of the buried member 251 by the outer surface of the buried member 251 and the inner surface of the tube hole 259t, and these surfaces. It is in close contact with.

Although the buried member has been described as an example, such a packing mounting mode may be applied to other members such as a connector as long as the convex shape is fitted into the concave shape.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing the screw 365 according to the modified example.

The screw 365 has a screw body 81 and a screw packing 83. The screw body 81 is substantially the same as the screw 65, for example. The screw packing 83 is formed in an annular shape, is fitted to the shaft portion 81a of the screw body 81, and is engaged with the screw head 81b. More specifically, for example, the shaft portion 81a is located between the male threaded portion 81aa with the threaded groove and the male threaded portion 81aa and the threaded head 81b, and the body portion 81ab without the threaded groove. It has and is fitted to the body portion 81ab. The screw packing 83 may or may not tighten the shaft portion 81a by the restoring force in the tension direction.

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing a usage example of the screw 365, and corresponds to FIG. 8B.

As shown in this figure, when the screw 365 is used, the screw 365 inserted through the side member 361 may be screwed into the female screw portion of the housing body 359 within the area surrounded by the side packing 71. .. Since the hole through which the screw 365 of the side member 361 is inserted is sealed by the screw packing 83, the airtightness of the side opening 359x is maintained. Although the side opening is taken as an example, the same applies to the front opening 27z.

The technique according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and may be implemented in various embodiments.

For example, the printer is not limited to a serial printer and may be a line printer. In this case, for example, the head according to the present disclosure may constitute a head having a length over the entire width of the recording medium, or a plurality of heads according to the present disclosure may be arranged at different positions in the width direction of the recording medium. Thereby, a head having a length over the entire width of the recording medium may be configured.

As mentioned in the embodiment, the head is not limited to the one corresponding to two colors, and may correspond to one color, or may correspond to three or more colors. Further, the head may not have a flow path for recovery. The head is not limited to the piezoelectric type, and may be, for example, a thermal type that generates bubbles in the liquid by heat and ejects ink droplets. Further, the head may be an on-carriage type to which an ink cartridge is fixed.

The flow path configurations shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are merely examples, and a plurality of discharge holes may be provided in various arrangements, and a pressure chamber and a common flow path may be provided in various shapes. May be provided. For example, the common flow path may be branched into a plurality of manifolds, may be formed in a U shape or an annular shape, and may be vertically connected to a portion connected to the pressurizing chamber and both ends thereof. The position of the direction may be different. Further, the recovery common flow path may or may not be provided in a stacked manner with respect to the supply common flow path. The pressurizing chambers may be arranged on both sides of the common flow path, or may be arranged in two or more rows on one side of the common flow path.

The number of joints included in the tube unit, the division of roles, and the like may be variously set according to the flow path configuration of the head body. For example, when a U-shaped common flow path is provided and supply to the common flow path (or recovery from the common flow path) is performed at both ends thereof, even if the joint 153 shown in FIG. 12A is used. good. Further, for example, in one unit flow path 45 of the embodiment, supply is performed to the supply common flow path 41 at both ends of the supply common flow path 41, and the recovery common flow is performed at both ends of the recovery common flow path 43. When recovery from the road is performed, the two tube units 31 of the embodiment may be used for this one unit flow path 45. From another point of view, the two joints 53 of the tube unit 31 may be used in the same unit flow path 45.

The surface through which the tube unit and / or the connector is inserted is not limited to the surface facing the head body, and may be a side surface. When the tube unit is inserted through the side surface, a joint (for example, an L-shaped joint) in which the inner connection portion and the outer connection portion touched in the embodiment extend in different directions may be used. Further, as understood from the above, the tube holes and the like formed over the entire circumference may be formed on the side surface, and the overall structure of the housing is not limited to that of the embodiment.

Although sealing structures have been illustrated for various parts of the housing, only one of these may be selectively used. From another point of view, the sealing of each part may be performed by a method different from that of the embodiment. For example, the connector may be sealed by resin sealing instead of packing.

23 ... Liquid discharge head, 25 ... Head body, 25a ... Discharge surface, 27 ... Housing, 31 ... Tube unit, 33 ... Discharge hole, 51 ... Buried member, 53A ... First joint, 53a ... Relay part, 53i ... Inside Connection part, 53o ... Outer connection part, 55 ... Tube packing, 57AI ... First inner tube, 57AO ... First outer tube, 59t ... Tube hole.

Claims (13)

A head body having a discharge surface with a plurality of discharge holes,
A housing that covers the head body on the side opposite to the discharge surface,
A tube unit that is connected to the head body in the housing and extends out of the housing through a tube hole that the housing has.
Have and
The tube unit is
The buried member located in the tube hole and
From the hollow first relay portion embedded in the buried member, the hollow first inner connecting portion protruding from the buried member into the housing and communicating with the first relay portion, and the buried member. A first joint that protrudes out of the housing and has a hollow first outer connection portion that leads to the first relay portion.
A tube packing interposed between the outer surface of the buried member and the inner surface of the tube hole,
A flexible first inner tube connected to the first inner connecting portion and the head body,
A liquid discharge head having a flexible first outer tube connected to the first outer connection. The tube unit is
From the hollow second relay portion embedded in the buried member, the hollow second inner connecting portion protruding from the buried member into the housing and communicating with the second relay portion, and the buried member. A second joint that protrudes outside the housing and has a hollow second outer connection portion that leads to the second relay portion.
A flexible second inner tube connected to the second inner connecting portion and the head body,
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible second outer tube connected to the second outer connecting portion. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first joint has a plurality of the first inner connecting portions leading to the first relay portion. The housing has a plate-shaped guide portion between the tube hole and the head body that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing and faces the tube hole.
The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide portion has a space through which the first inner tube is inserted. The liquid discharge head according to claim 4, wherein the center of gravity of the first inner connection portion and the center of gravity of the vacant space are deviated from each other when viewed in the axial direction of the first inner connection portion. The housing has a plate-shaped guide portion that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing and faces the head body between the tube hole and the head body.
The guide portion has a first space through which the first inner tube is inserted and a second space through which the second inner tube is inserted.
When viewed in the axial direction of the first inner connection portion, the arrangement direction of the first inner connection portion and the second inner connection portion intersects with the arrangement direction of the first vacant space and the second vacant space. The liquid discharge head according to claim 2. The housing is
A housing that has a hole for a tube and an engaging portion for a buried member that is engaged with the buried member located in the hole for the tube from the inside of the housing, and is integrally molded. With the main body
The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a locking member connected to the housing body in a state of being engaged with the buried member from the outside of the housing. .. A connector that electrically connects the head body and the outside of the housing, which is located in a connector hole that the housing body has in parallel with the tube hole.
The connector packing located between the outer surface of the connector and the inner surface of the connector hole,
Has more
The housing body further has a connector engaging portion that engages with the connector from the inside of the housing.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 7, wherein the locking member is also engaged with the connector from the outside of the housing. The housing body
A facing surface portion that faces the head body from a side opposite to the discharge surface via a space and has the tube hole and the embedded member engaging portion.
A side portion that surrounds the space between the head body and the facing surface portion, and
It has a side opening that is open on the side.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the housing further includes a side member that closes the side opening. The head body
A plurality of partial flow paths individually connected to the plurality of discharge holes,
A plurality of pressurizing chamber main bodies individually connected to the plurality of discharge holes via the plurality of partial flow paths,
A common flow path for supply that is commonly connected to at least a part of the partial flow paths of the plurality of partial flow paths via at least a part of the main body of the pressurization chamber.
With a common flow path for recovery which is commonly connected to at least a part of the partial flow paths of the plurality of partial flow paths without passing through at least a part of the main body of the pressurization chamber. Have,
One of the first inner tube and the second inner tube is connected to the common flow path for supply.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 2 or 6, wherein the other of the first inner tube and the second inner tube is connected to the common flow path for collection. The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
A moving unit that moves the liquid discharge head and the recording medium relative to each other,
A recording device that has. The recording device according to claim 11, wherein the moving unit is a reference to any one of claims 4 to 6 for moving the liquid discharge head in an absolute coordinate system. The recording device according to claim 11, wherein the moving portion moves the liquid discharge head in an arrangement direction of the first outer connecting portion and the second outer connecting portion in an absolute coordinate system. ..

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