JP7063178B2 - Discharge plate and head - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a discharge plate, a head and a liquid discharge device.

The inkjet printer of Patent Document 1 is known as a device having a conventional ejection plate. In this inkjet printer, four rows of nozzles in which a large number of ejection nozzles are arranged in a row are formed on the ejection surface of the print ejection plate. A plurality of grooves are formed along the nozzle row between two adjacent nozzle rows.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-38917

In the inkjet printer of Patent Document 1, the wiping member is moved in the direction along the nozzle row while being in contact with the ejection surface to remove the ink adhering to the ejection surface. At this time, since the ink that has entered the groove is washed away by the moving wiping member, the ink may overflow at the end of the groove and the ink may remain on the ejection surface.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a discharge plate, a head, and a liquid discharge device capable of reducing residual liquid on a discharge surface.

The discharge plate according to an aspect of the present invention has a discharge surface provided with a plurality of discharge port rows configured by arranging a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid in an array direction, and a discharge plate having the arrangement direction on the discharge surface. A pair of side surfaces extending from each edge portion on one side and the other side in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, and a groove portion extending along the discharge port row at a distance between two adjacent discharge port rows. The groove portion extends to at least one side surface of the pair of the side surfaces, and has a first opening that opens on the discharge surface and a second opening that opens on the one side surface. Has an opening.

According to this configuration, the wiper member is moved along the groove in the direction toward the second opening with the wipe member in contact with the discharge surface. As a result, the liquid that has entered the groove from the first opening is pushed by the wipe member and flows along the groove to the second opening. Since the groove is opened by the second opening, the liquid is sucked from the second opening to the wipe member or another absorber or the like without overflowing from the groove. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the residual liquid on the discharge surface.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has the effect of being able to provide a discharge plate, a head, and a liquid discharge device that have the configuration described above and can reduce the residual liquid on the discharge surface.

The above objectives, other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows schematically the liquid discharge apparatus provided with the discharge plate which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a discharge surface of the discharge plate of FIG. FIG. 2 (b) is a diagram showing a side surface of the discharge plate of FIG. 2 (a). 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the head cut along the line AA of FIG. 2A. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a part of the discharge surface of the discharge plate according to the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 (b) and 4 (c) are views showing a part of the discharge surface of the discharge plate according to the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 (b) is a diagram showing a side surface of the discharge plate of FIG. 6 (a). FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 7 (b) is a view showing the side surface of the discharge plate of FIG. 7 (a). FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 (b) is a diagram showing the side surface of the discharge plate of FIG. 8 (a). 9 (a) and 9 (b) are views showing the discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head according to the modified example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the side surface of the discharge plate of the head which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the side surface of the discharge plate of the head which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the discharge surface of the discharge plate of the head which concerns on Embodiment 9 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and the overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
<Structure of liquid discharge device>
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid discharge device 20 provided with the discharge plate 10 according to the first embodiment is a device that discharges liquid from a discharge port 11, and examples thereof include an inkjet printer. The liquid discharge device 20 includes a head 21, a platen 22, a transfer mechanism 23, a carriage 24, and a maintenance mechanism 25.

The platen 22 is a table on which the paper 26 is placed. The transport mechanism 23 has two transport rollers 23a arranged so as to sandwich the platen 22 in the transport direction, and the paper 26 is transported in the transport direction by the transport rollers 23a.

The carriage 24 is supported by two guide rails 24a in a region facing the platen 22. The carriage 24 reciprocates along the guide rail 24a in the scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction by a drive motor (not shown) or the like.

The head 21 is attached to the carriage 24 and reciprocates in the scanning direction by the carriage 24. The head 21 has a discharge plate 10, and a plurality of discharge ports 11 are opened on the discharge surface 12 of the discharge plate 10, and the plurality of discharge ports 11 are arranged in the arrangement direction. The details of the head 21 will be described later. Further, in this embodiment, the discharge ports 11 are arranged so that the arrangement direction coincides with the scanning direction, but the arrangement direction may be inclined in the scanning direction.

Each discharge port 11 is connected to the tank 28 by a tube 27 via a manifold (not shown) or the like, and a liquid is stored in the tank 28. The tank 28 is provided according to the number of colors of the liquid discharged from the discharge port 11, and for example, four tanks 28 are provided for liquids of four colors (black, yellow, cyan, magenta).

In this way, while the head 21 moves in the scanning direction, the operation of ejecting the liquid from the plurality of ejection ports 11 and the operation of conveying the paper 26 in the conveying direction by a predetermined amount by the conveying mechanism 23 are alternately repeated. As a result, the image is recorded on the paper 26.

The maintenance mechanism 25 includes a cap 25a, a suction pump 25b, and a wipe member 25c. The cap 25a moves so as to approach and separate from the discharge surface 12 of the head 21. The suction pump 25b is connected to the cap 25a and sucks the internal space of the cap 25a.

With the cap 25a in close contact with the discharge surface 12 so as to cover the discharge port 11 of the head 21, the inside of the cap 25a is depressurized by the suction pump 25b. As a result, the liquid is forcibly discharged from the discharge port 11 and purging is executed. As the purge, in addition to the suction purge, a pressure purge can also be performed.

The wipe member 25c is made of a material capable of absorbing a liquid such as a non-woven fabric and an elastic material such as rubber, and is a thin rectangular flat plate having elasticity. The wipe member 25c is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the arrangement direction. For example, after purging, the wipe member 25c moves in the arrangement direction while contacting the discharge surface 12 of the head 21. As a result, the liquid adhering to the discharge surface 12 by purging is wiped off.

The dimension of the wipe member 25c is set longer than the dimension of the discharge surface 12 of the head 21 in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction (parallel arrangement direction). The wipe member 25c is arranged with respect to the discharge surface 12 so that the discharge surface 12 fits within the range of the wipe member 25c in the parallel arrangement direction. As a result, since both ends of the wipe member 25c project from both ends of the discharge surface 12 in the parallel arrangement direction, it is possible to prevent the liquid from being left unwiped on the ends of the wipe member 25c.

<Head configuration>
As shown in FIGS. 2A to 3, the head 21 has a discharge plate 10, a pressure chamber plate 30, a diaphragm 40, and an accommodation plate 50. Each plate is, for example, a rectangular flat plate made of silicon, resin and metal.

These plates are laminated in this order and are bonded to each other with an adhesive. The stacking direction (thickness direction) is orthogonal to the arrangement direction and the parallel arrangement direction. In the thickness direction, the discharge plate 10 side is referred to as the lower side and the opposite side thereof is referred to as the upper side with respect to the accommodating plate 50.

The discharge plate 10 is formed by a plurality of nozzles 13 penetrating in the thickness direction. The lower surface of the discharge plate 10 is a discharge surface 12 through which the nozzle 13 opens, and this opening is a discharge port 11 for discharging the liquid. The plurality of discharge ports 11 are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction to form a discharge port row 14. The details of the discharge plate 10 will be described later.

A plurality of pressure chambers 31 are formed in the pressure chamber plate 30. The pressure chamber 31 is formed so as to penetrate the pressure chamber plate 30 in the thickness direction so as to communicate with the nozzle 13, and extends in the parallel direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction longer than the arrangement direction. The nozzle 13 is arranged in the center of the pressure chamber 31 in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction. The plurality of pressure chambers 31 are arranged in rows in the arrangement direction to form a pressure chamber row 32, and a plurality of pressure chamber rows 32 (eight in this embodiment) are arranged in a parallel direction.

The diaphragm 40 is a plate that covers the side opposite to the nozzle 13 side in the pressure chamber 31, and is, for example, an elastic film 41 arranged on the upper surface of the pressure chamber plate 30 and an elastic film 41 arranged on the upper surface of the elastic film 41. It has an insulating film 42 and the like.

The diaphragm 40 may be formed of a pressure chamber plate 30. In this case, the pressure chamber 31 is formed so as to be recessed from the surface of the pressure chamber plate 30 facing the discharge plate 10. In the pressure chamber plate 30, the portion remaining above the pressure chamber 31 is used as the diaphragm 40.

A plurality of supply flow paths 51 and a plurality of return flow paths 52 are formed in the diaphragm 40 and the accommodating plate 50. The supply flow path 51 and the return flow path 52 are provided for each pressure chamber 31, and are formed by penetrating the diaphragm 40 and the accommodating plate 50 in the thickness direction so as to communicate with the pressure chamber 31.

The supply flow path 51 and the return flow path 52 are provided in parallel with each other at intervals in the parallel direction. The plurality of supply channels 51 and the plurality of return channels 52 are connected to a manifold (not shown) in the head 21. This manifold is connected to the tank 28 (FIG. 1) via a sub tank (not shown) provided on the head 21.

As a result, the liquid flows from the tank 28 into the sub tank, and is supplied from the sub tank to the pressure chamber 31 from the supply flow path 51 via the manifold. Then, a part of the liquid is discharged from the pressure chamber 31 through the nozzle 13. On the other hand, the liquid that has not been discharged is discharged from the pressure chamber 31 to the sub tank via the return flow path 52 via the manifold. In this way, the liquid circulates between the sub tank and the pressure chamber 31.

The accommodating plate 50 is provided with an accommodating chamber 53 for accommodating the piezoelectric element 54, and the accommodating chamber 53 is formed so as to be recessed from a surface facing the diaphragm 40. The accommodation chamber 53 is provided at a distance between the supply flow path 51 and the return flow path 52 in the parallel arrangement direction, and extends long in the arrangement direction so as to cover the plurality of piezoelectric elements 54 arranged in the arrangement direction.

The piezoelectric element 54 has a common electrode 55, a piezoelectric body 56, and an individual electrode 57, which are laminated in this order. The common electrode 55 is an electrode common to a plurality of piezoelectric elements 54, and is laminated on the upper surface of the diaphragm 40 so as to cover the diaphragm 40 as a whole. The piezoelectric body 56 and the individual electrodes 57 are provided for each pressure chamber 31 and are arranged on the pressure chamber 31.

When a voltage is applied to the individual electrodes 57 of the piezoelectric element 54, the piezoelectric body 56 is deformed, and the diaphragm 40 is displaced in the thickness direction accordingly. When the diaphragm 40 is displaced toward the pressure chamber 31, the volume of the pressure chamber 31 is reduced, pressure is applied to the liquid in the pressure chamber 31, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 13 communicating with the pressure chamber 31. To.

<Composition of discharge plate>
The discharge plate 10 is made of, for example, silicon, and has, for example, a flat plate shape and has an upper surface, a lower surface (discharge surface 12), and a side surface 17. The discharge surface 12 is, for example, a rectangular flat surface and has a rectangular outer peripheral edge. In this case, the outer peripheral edge has a pair of edge portions extending in the arrangement direction and a pair of edge portions (first edge portion 15a, second edge portion 15b) extending in the parallel arrangement direction.

The side surface 17 intersects the lower surface (orthogonally in this embodiment), and connects the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface and the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface in the thickness direction. When the upper surface and the lower surface are rectangular, the side surface 17 has a pair of side surfaces 17 orthogonal to the arrangement direction (first side surface 17a and a second side surface 17b) and a pair of side surfaces orthogonal to the parallel direction. There is.

The first side surface 17a extends from one edge portion (first edge portion 15a) in the arrangement direction of the discharge surface 12 in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction (thickness direction). The second side surface 17b extends from the other edge portion (second edge portion 15b) of the discharge surface 12 in the arrangement direction in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction (thickness direction).

The discharge port rows 14 in which a plurality of discharge ports 11 are arranged in the transport direction are arranged in, for example, eight rows in the parallel arrangement direction. With two rows adjacent to each other as one set, four sets of discharge port rows 14 (first discharge port row 14a, second discharge port row 14b, third discharge port row 14c, fourth discharge port row 14d) are one discharge. It is provided on the plate 10. One set of discharge port rows 14 corresponds to a liquid of one color, and four sets of discharge port rows 14 discharge liquids of four colors (for example, black, yellow, cyan, magenta), respectively.

On the discharge surface 12, there is an interval (first interval 12a) between the adjacent first discharge port row 14a and the second discharge port row 14b, and between the adjacent second discharge port row 14b and the third discharge port row 14c. There is an interval (second interval 12b) and an interval (third interval 12c) between the adjacent third discharge port row 14c and the fourth discharge port row 14d. For example, the width of each of the first spacing 12a, the second spacing 12b, and the third spacing 12c in the parallel direction is 1 mm.

A plurality of (for example, three) groove portions 60 are provided on the discharge surface 12, and the groove portions 60 are arranged at intervals of two sets of adjacent discharge port rows 14. The three groove portions 60 are arranged, for example, in the first interval 12a, the second interval 12b, and the third interval 12c, respectively. For example, the distance between the center of the groove portion 60 in the parallel arrangement direction and the discharge port row 14 adjacent to the groove portion 60 is 0.5 mm.

The groove portion 60 is formed by being recessed from the discharge surface 12 in the thickness direction, and has a first opening 61 that opens in the discharge surface 12. For example, the groove portion 60 has a column shape having a rectangular, triangular, and arc-shaped cross section orthogonal to the arrangement direction.

Further, the groove portion 60 extends linearly in the arrangement direction along the discharge port row 14, and one end (first end 63) of the groove portion 60 in the arrangement direction reaches the first edge portion 15a of the discharge surface 12 and the other end (the other end). The second end 64) reaches the second edge portion 15b. The dimension (length) in the arrangement direction of the groove portion 60 is the dimension of the distance between the first end 63 and the second end 64 of the groove portion 60, is equal to the length of the discharge surface 12, and is equal to the length of the discharge surface 12 and is the first side surface 17a and the second. It is equal to the length of the distance from the side surface 17b. For example, the length of the groove portion 60 is 30 mm or more and 40 mm or less.

As a result, the groove portion 60 extends to the side surface 17 of both the first side surface 17a and the second side surface 17b. Therefore, the groove portion 60 has a second opening 62 that opens on the first side surface 17a and the second side surface 17b.

Therefore, when the wipe member 25c comes into contact with the discharge surface 12 during maintenance by the maintenance mechanism 25, the wipe member 25c enters the groove portion 60 from the first opening 61. Then, when the wipe member 25c is moved toward the second opening 62 along the arrangement direction, the liquid on the discharge surface 12 and the liquid in the groove 60 are swept toward the second opening 62.

Here, the first end 63 and the second end 64 of the groove portion 60 are opened by the second opening 62. Therefore, the liquid is sucked from the second opening 62 to the wipe member 25c or another absorber or the like without overflowing from the first end 63 and the second end 64. Therefore, the residual liquid on the discharge surface 12 can be reduced.

Therefore, even when the distance between the discharge port rows 14 is narrow due to the high density of the nozzles 13, it is possible to prevent liquids of different colors from being mixed with each other. Further, even when the nozzle 13 is maintained in the negative pressure state after purging, it is possible to prevent liquids having different colors from entering the pressure chamber 31 from the discharge port 11 through the nozzle 13. As a result, it is possible to reduce the fact that liquids of different colors circulate in the pressure chamber 31, the return flow path 52, the sub tank, and the supply flow path 51 that communicate with the nozzle 13, and the entire liquid is mixed.

The groove portion 60 is arranged at the center of two adjacent discharge port rows 14 in the parallel arrangement direction. Therefore, the groove portion 60 has the same distance from one adjacent discharge port row 14 and the distance from the other adjacent discharge port row 14. For example, the distance between the center of the groove 60 and each discharge port row 14 in the parallel arrangement direction is 0.5 mm. As a result, the liquid from the two adjacent discharge port rows 14 can be equally infiltrated into the groove portion 60.

The surface forming the groove 60 has, for example, a pair of facing surfaces 65 facing in the parallel direction and a bottom surface 66 provided between the pair of facing surfaces 65. The pair of facing surfaces 65 are parallel to each other and extend from the first opening 61 to the bottom surface 66. The dimension of the distance between the pair of facing surfaces 65 (dimension (width) in the parallel direction of the groove 60) and the width of the first opening 61 are so narrow that the liquid on the discharge surface 12 can enter the groove 60 by the capillary phenomenon. For example, the width of the groove portion 60 is 15 μm or more and 25 μm or less.

The dimension between the first opening 61 of the groove 60 and the bottom surface 66 (the depth of the groove 60 from the first opening 61) in the thickness direction orthogonal to the discharge surface 12 is smaller than half the thickness of the discharge plate 10. It is set. For example, the thickness of the discharge plate 10 is 40 μm or more and 60 μm or less, while the depth of the groove portion 60 is 10 μm or more and 20 μm or less. As a result, the wipe member 25c can easily reach the bottom surface 66, and the entire liquid in the groove portion 60 can be washed away to reduce the liquid residue on the discharge surface 12. Moreover, the thickness of the discharge plate 10 can be secured to the extent that damage to the discharge plate 10 due to the groove portion 60 can be reduced.

The surface forming the groove 60 and the discharge surface 12 are covered with a water-repellent film 18. The water-repellent film 18 is made of, for example, a fluororesin such as PTFE. As a result, the liquid in the groove 60 and on the discharge surface 12 can be easily wiped off by the wipe member 25c.

The groove portion 60 is arranged so as not to overlap the pressure chamber 31 in the thickness direction. If the groove 60 overlaps with the pressure chamber 31, the groove 60 becomes a damper of the pressure chamber 31, and the amount of liquid discharged from the pressure chamber 31 through the discharge port 11 may decrease. On the other hand, since the groove portion 60 does not overlap with the pressure chamber 31, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of liquid discharged.

Further, if the groove portion 60 overlaps with the pressure chamber 31, when the discharge plate 10 and the pressure chamber plate 30 are adhered to each other, the force for pressing these plates against each other is insufficient, and there is a possibility that poor adhesion may occur. On the other hand, since the groove portion 60 does not overlap with the pressure chamber 31, it is possible to prevent poor adhesion between the plates.

The groove portion 60 may be extended to either one of the first side surface 17a and the second side surface 17b. In this case, the extended side surface 17 of the first side surface 17a and the second side surface 17b is provided with the second opening 62, but the non-extended side surface 17 is not provided with the second opening 62. .. Also in this case, by moving the wipe member 25c to the second opening 62 side, the liquid can be wiped from the second opening 62 by the wipe member 25c without the liquid overflowing from the end of the groove portion 60.

<Modification 1>
The surface forming the groove 60 may not be covered with the water-repellent film 18. As a result, the liquid on the discharge surface 12 easily penetrates into the groove portion 60.

<Modification 2>
As shown in FIG. 4A, the groove portion 160 may be composed of a plurality of fine grooves 167. The plurality of fine grooves 167 are provided adjacent to each other in parallel. As a result, the width of one fine groove 167 can be narrowed while reducing the reduction in the capacity of the groove portion 160. Therefore, the liquid is prevented from overflowing from the groove portion 160, and is easily infiltrated into the fine groove 167 of the groove portion 160 by the capillary phenomenon.

For example, the groove portion 160 may be formed by three narrow grooves 167. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently secure the capacity of the liquid to be accommodated in the groove 160 while suppressing the width of the first opening 161 of the groove 160 from becoming too wide.

<Modification 3>
As shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c), a plurality of slit portions 268 and 368 may be connected to the groove portions 260 and 360. The slit portions 268 and 368 are elongated recesses recessed from the discharge surface 12, and the width orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slit portions 268 and 368 is narrower than the width orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the groove portions 260 and 360. It is provided between the groove portions 260 and 360 and the discharge port row 14 in the parallel installation direction. The plurality of slit portions 268 and 368 are arranged at equal intervals in the arrangement direction.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the slit portion 268 may extend from both sides of the groove portion 260 in the parallel arrangement direction orthogonal to the groove portion 260. Since the slit portion 268 is arranged closer to the discharge port 11 than the groove portion 260, the liquid discharged from the discharge port 11 and remaining on the discharge surface 12 easily enters the slit portion 268. Therefore, it is easy to collect the liquid in the groove portion 260 through the plurality of slit portions 268.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the slit portion 368 may extend from both sides of the groove portion 360 and may be inclined to the side opposite to the second opening 62 side from the parallel arrangement direction. The wipe member 25c moves toward the second opening 62 side along the groove portion 360 in the arrangement direction. As a result, the slit portion 368 is tilted so as to approach the groove portion 360 with respect to the moving direction of the wipe member 25c. Therefore, the liquid washed away by the wipe member 25c penetrates into the slit portion 368 and easily flows into the groove portion 360.

(Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIG. 5, the discharge plate 10 according to the second embodiment has a groove portion 460 different in shape from the above-described embodiment. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The width of the first opening 461 of the groove portion 460 increases toward the second opening 62 in the interval from the position corresponding to the one-side edge portion in the discharge port row 14 to the one-side edge portion. ..

That is, the discharge port row 14 is the position of the discharge port 11 (first position 11a) closest to the first edge portion 15a of the discharge surface 12 in the arrangement direction, and the discharge port row 14 is closest to the second edge portion 15b of the discharge surface 12. It has the position of the exit 11 (second position 11b). In the arrangement direction, the first position 11a corresponds to (opposes) the edge portion (first edge portion 15a) of the discharge surface 12, and the second position 11b corresponds to the edge portion (second edge portion 15b) of the discharge surface 12. Corresponding (opposing). Therefore, in the arrangement direction, on the discharge surface 12, a discharge port 11 is provided at a distance between the first position 11a and the first edge portion 15a and at a distance between the second position 11b and the second edge portion 15b. There is no room range BS. For example, the dimension (length) of the room range BS in the arrangement direction is 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

In this room range BS, the width of the first opening 461 (wide portion 469) becomes wider toward the second opening 62, and is, for example, trapezoidal. For example, when the groove portion 460 reaches the first edge portion 15a and the second edge portion 15b, the distance between the first position 11a and the first edge portion 15a and the distance between the second position 11b and the second edge portion 15b. The width of the first opening 461 is widened in the room range BS. For example, the spreading angle of the wide portion 469 (the angle formed between one side and the other side of the wide portion 469 in the parallel arrangement direction) θ is 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

According to this, the liquid that has been swept toward the second opening 62 side along the groove portion 460 by the wipe member 25c flows into the wide portion 469 where the width of the groove portion 460 is widened. Due to the large capacity of this wide portion 469, the liquid flushed there is accommodated without overflowing. Since the wipe member 25c easily enters the groove portion 460 from the first opening 461 of the wide portion 469, the liquid in the groove portion 460 can be wiped off more easily.

(Embodiment 3)
As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the discharge plate 10 according to the third embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that it further has a recess 70. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The plurality of groove portions 60 are recesses 70 that open in both the discharge surface 12 and the side surface 17 on one side at a distance from the position corresponding to the edge portion on one side to the edge portion on one side in the discharge port row 14. Are connected to each other via.

That is, the recess 70 is provided in the room range BS between the first position 11a and the first edge portion 15a and the room range BS between the second position 11b and the second edge portion 15b. The recess 70 has a third opening 71 that is recessed from the discharge surface 12 and opens to the discharge surface 12. The recess 70 extends in the parallel direction and overlaps the third opening 71 and the first opening 61 of the groove 60. For example, the recess 70 is connected to the first end 63 or the second end 64 of the three groove portions 60 and communicates with the groove portion 60.

For example, when the groove 60 reaches the first edge 15a and the second edge 15b, the recess 70 extends along the first edge 15a and the second edge 15b. Therefore, the recess 70 opens in each of the first side surface 17a and the second side surface 17b, and this opening (fourth opening 72) overlaps with the second opening 62 of the groove portion 60. As a result, the second opening 62 of the three groove portions 60 is connected by the fourth opening 72.

For example, the cross-sectional shape of the recess 70 orthogonal to the parallel direction is rectangular. The width of the third opening 71 of the recess 70 orthogonal to the extending direction may be wider than the width of the first opening 61 of the groove portion 60 orthogonal to the extending direction. For example, the width of the third opening 71 of the recess 70 is 30 μm or more and 40 μm or less.

The dimension between the third opening 71 and the bottom of the recess 70 in the thickness direction (the depth of the recess 70 from the third opening 71) is equal to the depth of the groove 60 from the first opening 61. Therefore, a step is not provided at the distance between the bottom of the recess 70 and the bottom of the groove 60, and it is possible to prevent liquid from accumulating in the step and the wipe member 25c that has penetrated into the recess 70 and the groove 60 from being caught in the step. To.

According to this configuration, the liquid that has been swept toward the second opening 62 side along the groove 60 by the wipe member 25c flows into the recess 70. Since the capacity is increased by the amount of the recess 70, the flushed liquid is stored in the groove 60 and the recess 70 without overflowing. Further, since the width of the opening in the discharge surface 12 is widened by the concave portion 70, the wipe member 25c easily enters the groove portion 60, and the liquid in the groove portion 60 can be wiped off more easily.

The depth of the recess 70 from the third opening 71 may be deeper than the depth of the groove 60 from the first opening 61. As a result, the capacity of the recess 70 increases, so that it is possible to further prevent the liquid from overflowing to the discharge surface 12.

(Embodiment 4)
As shown in FIGS. 7A to 8B, the shape of the groove portions 560 and 660 of the discharge plate 10 according to the fourth embodiment is different from that of the above-described embodiment. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The cross-sectional area of the grooves 560 and 660 orthogonal to the arrangement direction becomes larger as it gets closer to the second opening 562 and 662 in the arrangement direction. For example, the width of the first openings 561 and 661 of the grooves 560 and 660 becomes wider as it approaches the second openings 562 and 662 in the arrangement direction.

That is, while the depths of the groove portions 560 and 660 are constant in the arrangement direction, the widths of the first openings 561 and 661 become wider as they approach the second openings 562 and 662 in the arrangement direction, so that the groove portions 560 and 660 become wider. The cross-sectional area of is larger as it approaches the second openings 562 and 662.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), when the groove portion 560 does not reach the first edge portion 15a but reaches the second edge portion 15b, the width of the first opening 561 of the groove portion 560 is , From the first end 63 facing the first edge portion 15a toward the second openings 562 and 662 of the second end 64 in the second edge portion 15b. The first opening 561 is, for example, trapezoidal. The pair of facing surfaces 565 of the groove portion 560 are line-symmetrical with respect to the arrangement direction, and are inclined so that the distance between the pair of facing surfaces 565 increases from the first end 63 to the second end 64.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the groove portion 660 reaches the first edge portion 15a and the second edge portion 15b, the width of the first opening 661 of the groove portion 660 is the first. It extends toward each of the second opening 662 of the end 63 and the second opening 662 of the second end 64. Therefore, the width of the first opening 661 is the narrowest at the center position of the first opening 661 in the arrangement direction. It is inclined from this center position toward each of the first end 63 and the second end 64 so that the distance between the pair of facing surfaces 665 is widened.

As a result, as the wipe member 25c moves toward the second openings 562 and 662, the amount of liquid in the grooves 560 and 660 swept away by the wipe member 25c increases. On the other hand, since the cross-sectional area of the grooves 560 and 660 becomes larger as it approaches the second openings 562 and 662, the liquid to be washed away can be accommodated in the grooves 560 and 660 without overflowing. Therefore, the liquid in the grooves 560 and 660 can be wiped off by the wipe member 25c.

Further, since the width of the first openings 561, 661 becomes wider as it approaches the second openings 562, 662, the wipe member 25c easily enters the grooves 560 and 660, and the liquid in the grooves 560 and 660 can be wiped off more easily. ..

<Modification example>
As shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), even if the depths of the grooves 560 and 660 from the first openings 561 and 661 are deeper as they are closer to the second openings 562 and 662 in the arrangement direction. good. As a result, the cross-sectional area of the groove portions 560 and 660 orthogonal to the arrangement direction becomes larger as it gets closer to the second openings 562 and 662 in the arrangement direction. In this case, the width of the groove portions 560 and 660 may be constant in the arrangement direction or widened so as to be closer to the second openings 562 and 662.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the groove portion 560 does not reach the first edge portion 15a but reaches the second edge portion 15b, the depth of the groove portion 560 is from the first end 63 to the second end 64. It becomes deeper toward the second opening 562 of. As a result, the bottom surface 566 of the groove portion 560 is inclined in a direction away from the first opening 561 as it approaches the second opening 562.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the groove portion 660 reaches the first edge portion 15a and the second edge portion 15b, the depth of the groove portion 660 is the second opening 662 and the second opening of the first end 63. It becomes deeper toward each of the second openings 662 of the end 64. As a result, the bottom surface 666 of the groove portion 660 is inclined in a direction away from the first opening 661 as it approaches the second opening 662.

In these cases as well, as the wipe member 25c moves toward the second openings 562 and 662, the liquid in the groove portions 560 and 660 swept away by the wipe member 25c can be accommodated in the groove portions 560 and 660 without overflowing. Therefore, the liquid in the grooves 560 and 660 can be wiped off by the wipe member 25c.

(Embodiment 5)
As shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the groove portion 760 of the discharge plate 10 according to the fifth embodiment is different from that of the above-described embodiment. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

For example, in the plurality of discharge port rows 14, the first discharge port row 14a from which the first liquid is discharged, the second discharge port row 14b from which the second liquid is discharged, and the third discharge port row 14b from which the third liquid is discharged are discharged. It has an exit row 14c and. The first discharge port row 14a, the second discharge port row 14b, and the third discharge port row 14c are arranged side by side in this order. The brightness of the third liquid is higher than that of either the first liquid or the second liquid.

Here, the groove portion 760 provided at the distance between the second discharge port row 14b and the third discharge port row 14c (second gap 12b) is the distance between the second discharge port row 14b and the first discharge port row 14a (the gap between the second discharge port row 14b and the first discharge port row 14a). The cross-sectional area orthogonal to the arrangement direction is larger than that of the groove portion 760 provided in the first interval 12a).

In this embodiment, the plurality of discharge port rows 14 further include a fourth discharge port row 14d from which the fourth liquid is discharged. The fourth discharge port row 14d is arranged side by side on the side opposite to the second discharge port row 14b side of the third discharge port row 14c. The brightness of the fourth liquid is lower than the brightness of the first to third liquids.

In this embodiment, the first liquid is a magenta liquid, the second liquid is a cyan liquid, the third liquid is a yellow liquid, and the fourth liquid is a black liquid. Further, the plurality of groove portions 760 have a first groove portion 760a provided in the first spacing 12a, a second groove portion 760b provided in the second spacing 12b, and a third groove portion 760c provided in the third spacing 12c. The cross-sectional area of each of the second groove portion 760b and the third groove portion 760c is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first groove portion 760a. For example, the width of each first opening 761 of the second groove portion 760b and the third groove portion 760c is wider than the width of the first opening 761 of the first groove portion 760a. For example, the width of the first groove portion 760a of the first interval 12a is 20 μm or more and 30 μm or less, whereas the width of the second groove portion 760b of the second interval 12b is 1.5 times the width of the first groove portion 760a. It is 30 μm or more and 45 μm or less.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the second liquid of the second discharge port row 14b and the fourth liquid of the fourth discharge port row 14d are accommodated in the second groove portion 760b and the third groove portion 760c and reach the third discharge port row 14c. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the mixing of the second liquid and the fourth liquid, which have a lower brightness than the third liquid in the third discharge port row 14c, into the third liquid, and to reduce the discoloration of the third liquid.

(Embodiment 6)
As shown in FIG. 11, the shape of the groove portion 860 of the discharge plate 10 according to the sixth embodiment is different from that of the above-described embodiment. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction (parallel direction), the dimension of the first opening 861 of the groove portion 860 provided in the spacing is set according to the dimension of the spacing between the two adjacent discharge port rows 14. For example, the wider the distance between the two adjacent discharge port rows 14, the wider the width of the first opening 861 provided at the distance is set.

For example, the head 21 further includes a common wiring 858 provided on the diaphragm 40 (FIG. 3). The common wiring 858 is connected to the common electrode 55 of the piezoelectric element 54 (FIG. 3) and the COF (not shown), and imparts a ground potential to the common electrode 55. The common wiring 858 is provided at a distance between two discharge port rows 14 (in this embodiment, a second discharge port row 14b and a third discharge port row 14c) adjacent to each other in the parallel arrangement direction, and is provided in the discharge port row 14. It extends along.

The distance between the second discharge port row 14b and the third discharge port row 14c (second gap 12b) is arranged in the center of the discharge plate 10 in the parallel arrangement direction. The width of the second spacing 12b is wider than the widths of the first spacing 12a and the third spacing 12c provided at the ends thereof. For example, the width of the second interval 12b is 1.2 mm or more and 1.4 mm or less, while the width of the first interval 12a is 0.9 mm or more and 1.1 mm or less.

The width of the first opening 861 of the second groove portion 860b provided in the second interval 12b is formed wider than that of the first groove portion 860a and the third groove portion 860c provided in the first interval 12a and the third interval 12c, respectively. ing. For example, the width of the second groove portion 860b is 30 μm or more and 40 μm or less, and the width of the first groove portion 860a and the third groove portion 860c is 20 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

Further, a common wiring 858 is laid so as to overlap the second interval 12b in the thickness direction. Therefore, in the thickness direction, the width of the second groove portion 860b provided in the second interval 12b overlapping with the common wiring 858 is the width provided in each of the first interval 12a and the third interval 12c not overlapping with the common wiring 858. It is wider than the width of the 1-groove portion 860a and the width of the 3rd groove portion 860c.

According to this configuration, the width of the first opening 861 of the groove portion 860 can be widened while ensuring the distance between the discharge port 11 and the groove portion 860. Therefore, the liquid washed away by the wipe member 25c is accommodated in the groove portion 860 without overflowing, and the wipe member 25c easily enters through the wide first opening 861, so that the liquid can be wiped off more easily.

Further, the width and depth of the second groove portion 860b provided in the center of the discharge plate 10 in the parallel arrangement direction are smaller than the width and depth of the first groove portion 860a and the third groove portion 860c provided at the ends thereof. It may be set. According to this, it is possible to reduce the damage of the discharge plate 10 due to the second groove portion 860b.

(Embodiment 7)
As shown in FIG. 12, the shape of the groove portion 960 of the discharge plate 10 according to the seventh embodiment is different from that of the above-described embodiment. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The surface (groove surface) forming the groove portion 960 is curved so that the width of the groove portion 960 widens in the parallel arrangement direction toward the discharge surface 12 in the thickness direction. That is, the pair of facing surfaces 965 rise from the bottom surface 966 in the thickness direction, and are curved in the direction in which they are separated from each other in the parallel arrangement direction as they approach the discharge surface 12 in the thickness direction.

The curved portion 965a may be provided on a portion of the groove surface connected to the discharge surface 12, and is provided, for example, on the whole or a part in the thickness direction. When provided on a portion of the groove surface, the curved portion 965a may be formed, for example, between the first opening 961 and half the depth of the groove portion 960.

According to this configuration, since the discharge surface 12 and the groove surface are chamfered by the curved portion 965a, it is possible to reduce damage to the wipe member 25c due to sharp corners, burrs, and the like. Therefore, the wipe member 25c can continuously wipe off the liquid and continuously reduce the liquid residue on the discharge surface 12.

(Embodiment 8)
As shown in FIG. 13, the shape of the groove portion 1060 of the discharge plate 10 according to the eighth embodiment is different from that of the above-described embodiment. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The cross-sectional shape of the groove portions 1060 orthogonal to the arrangement direction becomes wider in the parallel arrangement direction as it gets closer to the discharge surface 12 in the thickness direction, and is, for example, a trapezoidal shape. As a result, the pair of facing surfaces 1065 on the groove surface rise from the bottom surface 1066 in the thickness direction, and are inclined in the parallel direction as they approach the discharge surface 12 in the thickness direction. The facing surface 1065 may be a flat surface or a curved surface curved in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction.

According to this configuration, the size of the first opening 1061 in the groove 1060 is larger than the size of the bottom surface 1066. Therefore, the wipe member 25c easily enters the groove portion 1060, and the liquid in the groove portion 1060 can be wiped off more easily.

(Embodiment 9)
As shown in FIG. 14, the discharge plate 10 according to the ninth embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the insertion groove 80 is further provided. Since the other configurations, actions, and effects are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The discharge surface 12 of the discharge plate 10 is provided with an insertion groove 80 in addition to the groove portion 60. The insertion groove 80 is a recess into which the edge of the cap 25a covering all the discharge ports 11 on the discharge surface 12 is inserted when purging.

The insertion groove 80 is arranged between the discharge port 11 and the outer peripheral edge of the discharge surface 12 so as to surround the periphery of all the discharge ports 11, and extends in a rectangular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the discharge surface 12, for example. .. The insertion groove 80 intersects with each of the three groove portions 60 in the parallel arrangement direction (in this embodiment, orthogonal to each other).

The insertion groove 80 is recessed from the discharge surface 12, and the discharge surface 12 is provided with an opening by the insertion groove 80. The depth of the insertion groove 80 in the thickness direction is formed to be the same as or deeper than the depth of the groove portion 60. For example, the depth of the insertion groove 80 is the same as the depth of the groove portion 60, and is 10 μm or more and 20 μm or less, or deeper than this. More preferably, the depth of the insertion groove 80 is deeper than the depth of the groove portion 60.

Therefore, when the edge of the cap 25a is inserted into the insertion groove 80, there is no step between the bottom of the insertion groove 80 and the edge of the cap 25a due to the groove portion 60, and the inside of the cap 25a can be sealed. Therefore, at the time of purging, it is possible to prevent air from leaking from between the bottom of the insertion groove 80 and the edge of the cap 25a, and to suck the liquid from the discharge port 11.

In addition, all the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined with each other as long as the other party is not excluded from each other. For example, the shape of the fine groove 167 and the slit portion 268, 368 of the modified example of the first embodiment, the wide portion 469 of the second embodiment, the concave portion 70 of the third embodiment, and the groove portions 560 and 660 of the fourth embodiment, the embodiment. The shape of the groove portion 760 of the fifth embodiment, the shape of the first opening 861 of the sixth embodiment, the curved portion 965a of the seventh embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 1060 of the eighth embodiment, and the insertion groove 80 of the ninth embodiment. , Embodiments 1 to 9 and variations thereof may be applied.

From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as an example only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best aspects of carrying out the present invention. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The discharge plate, head, and liquid discharge device of the present invention are useful as a discharge plate, head, liquid discharge device, and the like that can reduce liquid residue on the discharge surface.

10: Discharge plate 11: Discharge port 11a: First position (position)
11b: Second position (position)
12: Discharge surface 12a: First interval (interval)
12b: Second interval (interval)
12c: Third interval (interval)
14: Discharge port row 14a: First discharge port row (discharge port row)
14b: Second discharge port row (discharge port row)
14c: Third discharge port row (discharge port row)
14d: 4th discharge port row (discharge port row)
15a: First edge (edge)
15b: Second edge (edge)
17: Side surface 17a: First side surface (side surface)
17b: Second side surface (side surface)
18: Water repellent film 20: Liquid discharge device 21: Head 25c: Wipe member 30: Pressure chamber plate 31: Pressure chamber 54: Piezoelectric element 55: Common electrode 56: Piezoelectric body 57: Individual electrode 60: Groove 61: First opening 62: Second opening 65: Facing surface (surface)
66: Bottom (surface)
70: Recessed portion 160: Groove portion 161: First opening 260: Groove portion 360: Groove portion 460: Groove portion 461: First opening 560: Groove portion 561: First opening 562: Second opening 565: Facing surface (surface)
566: Bottom surface (front surface)
660: Groove 661: First opening 662: Second opening 665: Facing surface (surface)
666: Bottom surface (front surface)
760: Groove 760a: First groove (groove)
760b: Second groove (groove)
760c: Third groove (groove)
761: First opening 858: Common wiring 860: Groove 860a: First groove (groove)
860b: Second groove (groove)
860c: Third groove (groove)
861: First opening 960: Groove 961: First opening 965: Facing surface (surface)
965a: Curved part 966: Bottom surface (surface)
1060: Groove 1061: First opening 1065: Facing surface (surface)
1066: Bottom surface (front surface)

Claims (14)

A discharge surface provided with a plurality of discharge port rows configured by arranging a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid in an array direction, and a discharge surface.
A pair of side surfaces extending in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction from each edge of the discharge surface on one side and the other side in the arrangement direction.
It has a groove extending along the discharge port row at a distance between two adjacent discharge port rows.
The groove portion extends to at least one side surface of the pair of the side surfaces, and has a first opening that opens on the discharge surface and a second opening that opens on the one side surface. Have and
The plurality of discharge port rows include a first discharge port row in which the first liquid is discharged and a second discharge port row in which the second liquid is discharged, and the first discharge port row and the second discharge port row. The discharge port rows are arranged side by side,
The plurality of discharge port rows have a third discharge port row for discharging a third liquid having a higher brightness than any of the first liquid and the second liquid, and the first discharge port row. , The second discharge port row and the third discharge port row are arranged side by side in this order.
The groove provided at the distance between the second discharge port row and the third discharge port row is more than the groove portion provided at the distance between the second discharge port row and the first discharge port row. A discharge plate with a large cross-sectional area orthogonal to the arrangement direction. The width of the first opening is widened toward the second opening from the position corresponding to the edge on one side in the discharge port row to the edge on one side. , The discharge plate according to claim 1. The plurality of grooves are opened on both the discharge surface and the side surface on one side from the position corresponding to the edge portion on one side to the edge portion on one side in the discharge port row. The discharge plate according to claim 1 or 2, which is connected to each other via a recess. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cross-sectional area of the groove portions orthogonal to the arrangement direction becomes larger toward the second opening in the arrangement direction. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the width of the first opening becomes wider toward the second opening in the arrangement direction. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the depth of the groove from the first opening becomes deeper as it gets closer to the second opening in the arrangement direction. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the depth of the groove portion from the first opening is smaller than half the thickness of the discharge plate orthogonal to the discharge surface. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the surface forming the groove is curved so that the width of the groove orthogonal to the arrangement direction widens toward the discharge surface. .. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the groove portions orthogonal to the arrangement direction becomes wider as the groove portion is closer to the discharge surface in the direction orthogonal to the discharge surface. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , further comprising a water-repellent film covering the surface forming the groove. The discharge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the surface forming the groove is not covered with a water-repellent film. Any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the dimension of the first opening provided in the interval is set according to the dimension of the interval between the two adjacent discharge port rows in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction. The discharge plate according to item 1. The discharge surface provided with a plurality of discharge port rows configured by arranging a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid in the arrangement direction, and the edges of the discharge surface on one side and the other side in the arrangement direction. It has a pair of side surfaces extending in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction and a groove portion extending along the discharge port row at a distance between two adjacent discharge port rows, and the groove portion is a pair of the side surfaces. A discharge plate extending to at least one of the side surfaces and having a first opening that opens on the discharge surface and a second opening that opens on the side surface on one side.
A pressure chamber plate laminated on a surface of the discharge plate opposite to the discharge surface in a thickness direction orthogonal to the discharge surface, and having a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with each of the plurality of discharge ports.
A piezoelectric element configured by sandwiching a piezoelectric body between individual electrodes and common electrodes and provided corresponding to each of the plurality of pressure chambers.
The common wiring connected to the common electrode and extending along the discharge port row is provided .
In the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, the width of the first opening of the groove portion at the distance between the two adjacent discharge port rows so as to sandwich the common wiring is adjacent so as not to sandwich the common wiring. Wider than the width of the first opening of the groove in the distance between the two discharge port rows.
head. 13. The head according to claim 13 , wherein the groove portion is arranged so as not to overlap the pressure chamber in the thickness direction.

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