JP2002144576A - Liquid jet head and liquid jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely perform ejection of a liquid by a method wherein a property for removing bubbles in a common liquid chamber is improved to prevent bubbles from entering a nozzle. SOLUTION: A liquid jet head comprises an element substrate 1 having a plurality of ejection nozzles 2 and a plurality of heating elements 3, the common liquid chamber 10 for supplying a liquid to ejection nozzles 2 from the rear face side of the element substrate 1 and liquid supplying holes 13, 14 for supplying the liquid to the common liquid chamber 10. An upper ceiling face 10a of the common liquid chamber 10 is formed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and a bubble passage 20 for allowing bubbles 30 to flow out is connected to the uppermost section or a portion in the vicinity of the uppermost section of the upper ceiling face 10a. When the common liquid chamber 10 is filled with the liquid, the liquid is injected with a pressure through the liquid supplying hole 13 and an air is allowed to flow out through the liquid supplying hole 14 along the inclination of the upper ceiling face 10a. During the filling of the liquid or the printing, the bubbles 30 involved in the liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 are collected into the uppermost section along the inclination of the upper ceiling face 10a to be discharged to the open air from the bubble passage 20 through a dummy ejection nozzle 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid from an ejection port and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Liquid ejecting apparatus (ink jet apparatus)
Is a so-called non-impact recording device, capable of high-speed recording and recording on various recording media, and has the feature that almost no noise is generated during recording. From the printer,
It is widely used as a device that carries a recording mechanism such as a word processor, a facsimile, and a copying machine.

A liquid ejecting apparatus ejects minute liquid droplets from a minute ejection port provided in a liquid ejecting head and attaches the liquid droplets to a recording medium. And the like are known. Such a liquid ejecting apparatus generally includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle for forming liquid droplets and a liquid supply system for supplying a liquid to the ejecting head. In a liquid ejecting head, a heat energy is given to a liquid by providing an electrothermal conversion element in a nozzle and applying an electric pulse serving as a discharge signal to the element.
The bubble pressure at the time of bubbling (boiling) of the liquid caused by the phase change of the liquid at that time is used for discharging the droplet.

In the case of a liquid ejecting head using the above-described electrothermal conversion method, a method (edge shooter) of ejecting liquid droplets in parallel to an element substrate on which electrothermal conversion elements are arranged and an electrothermal conversion method A method of ejecting liquid droplets vertically to the element substrate on which the elements are arranged (side shooter)
There is. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of a conventional liquid ejecting head will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16 taking a side shooter as an example.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional liquid ejecting head of a side shooter as viewed from above a liquid ejecting surface. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting head. 13A is a cross-sectional view along the line XX in the discharge port arrangement direction in FIG. 13, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view along the YY line in the direction orthogonal to the discharge port arrangement direction in FIG. FIG. 16 is a view showing a liquid ejecting head of another conventional side shooter, and FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along a discharge port arrangement direction (XX line). (b) is a cross-sectional view along a direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the discharge port arrangement direction.

In FIGS. 13 to 15, the element substrate 1
A plurality of discharge ports 102 for discharging the liquid are formed on the surface side near the center of 01, and a heating element (an electrothermal conversion element or a heater) for foaming the liquid corresponding to each of the discharge ports 102 ( (Not shown) is formed on the element substrate 101.

[0007] Electric wires from the heating elements on the element substrate 101 are each connected to a transistor circuit for driving the heating elements. For this transistor circuit, there are known a method of forming it on an element substrate and a method of mounting a separately formed element on the element substrate. Usually, in an element substrate having a relatively small number of heating elements, a method of forming a transistor circuit on the element substrate is generally used.
In the case of an element substrate on which a relatively large number of heating elements are provided for the purpose of increasing the printing width, a configuration in which the transistor circuit is formed on the element substrate causes a significant decrease in the yield of the element substrate. A method of mounting the element built in the body on the element substrate is advantageous in yield.
FIGS. 13 to 15 show a conventional example in which a transistor circuit in which a transistor circuit is built in a separate driving element (driver IC) 105 is mounted.

In FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, a driving element 1 on which a transistor circuit for driving a heating element is mounted is shown.
05 is CO by anisotropic conductive film or solder bump
B (chip on board) connection method, the element substrate 10
1 and electrically connected to electric wiring from the heating element. In addition, a logic circuit for driving a transistor is mounted on the driving element 105 in addition to the transistor circuit, and the logic circuit is connected to a flexible film (flexible wiring board) via the element substrate 101.
A signal which is connected to the logic circuit 106 and drives the logic circuit is provided through the flexible film 106. The flexible film 106 is made of C such as an anisotropic conductive film.
The OB connection method connects the element substrate 101 to a circuit board 107 made of a composite material such as glass epoxy, and the circuit board 107 has an electric connector 108 for inputting an external electric signal. Further, the flexible film 106 is bent at a substantially right angle from the end of the element substrate 101 along the side surface of the support member 112, and the circuit board 107 is fixed to the side surface of the support member 112.

The electrical connection between the drive element 105 and the flexible film 106 is such that when the electrode portion is exposed, droplets scattered from the discharge port 102 or droplets rebounding from the recording medium adhere to the electrode, and In order to corrode the metal, it is covered and sealed with a sealing agent (not shown) having an excellent sealing property and ion blocking property such as an epoxy-based, fluorine-based, or silicon-based resin.

On the back side of the element substrate 101, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a common liquid chamber 110 formed by a holding member 111 and a supporting member 112 of the element substrate is provided in a discharge port array. The element substrate 101 is provided with a slit 104 for supplying the liquid from the back side to the front side.

The common liquid chamber 110 holds the liquid and supplies the liquid to the discharge port 102 through the slit 104. The common liquid chamber 110 communicates with the liquid supply port 113 to allow the liquid to be supplied from outside the liquid jet head. It is configured to receive liquid supply. The number of the liquid supply ports 113 may be one when the length (printing width) of the ejection port row of the liquid ejecting head is short, but the length of the ejection port row (printing width) is long, especially the width of the recording medium. In the case of a full-line type liquid ejecting head having a full printing width, a large amount of liquid is used per unit time, and therefore, as shown in FIG.
Usually, 113 is provided.

When the liquid ejecting head constructed as described above is incorporated in a liquid ejecting apparatus (not shown) and the common liquid chamber 110 is filled with the liquid, the liquid is supplied under pressure from the left and right liquid supply ports 113 and 113. And the one liquid supply port 113
From the liquid supply port 113, and at the same time, air or bubbles 1 from the other liquid supply port 113.
There is a method of removing 30. In any case, a method of supplying liquid from the left and right liquid supply ports 113 at the time of normal liquid ejection by the liquid ejecting head is conventionally known.

In supplying the liquid to the common liquid chamber 110, a filter box is provided in the liquid supply passage so that the liquid is filtered and supplied to the common liquid chamber in order to remove dust and the like contained in the liquid. A method of intervening is also known. In a liquid jet head to which this method is applied, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the filter box 150 is connected to a liquid supply flow path from an external liquid supply tank (not shown). The liquid received from the tube joint 154 is filtered and supplied to the common liquid chamber 110 through the liquid tube 155.

The inside of the filter box 150 is shown in FIG.
(A), the filter member 151 separates the chamber into two chambers 152 and 153.
The lower chamber 152 is the tube joint 1
The upper chamber 153 is connected to the common liquid chamber 1 through a liquid tube 155.
In the downstream chamber connected to 10 and downstream of the downstream chamber 153, dust mixed with the liquid flowing from the outside does not flow.

A liquid ejecting head in which a filter box is applied to the liquid supply flow path configured as described above is incorporated in a liquid ejecting apparatus (not shown), and when the common liquid chamber 110 is filled with liquid, a liquid pressure is applied from the outside. 2. Description of the Related Art There is conventionally known a configuration in which a liquid is pressurized and filled by a mechanism, and bubbles in a flow path system in a recording jet head are pushed out.

The method for simultaneously achieving the two purposes of improving the foaming stability of the liquid in the heating element on the element substrate 101 and eliminating the above-mentioned residual bubbles at the time of filling the liquid. It has been conventionally known to use a liquid obtained by degassing a dissolved gas.

[0017]

However, the above-mentioned conventional methods of filling and supplying liquid in the liquid ejecting head have the following two problems.

The first problem is that when the liquid jet head is manufactured and the initial liquid is flowed and filled, the common liquid chamber 110 is formed.
Air bubbles 130 (see FIG. 15A) are mixed in
30 passes through the slit 104 when the liquid is subsequently discharged,
There is a problem that the ink flows into a nozzle (not shown) and causes printing failure. That is, when air bubbles flow into the nozzle, the foaming pressure in the heating element, which is the energy source for liquid ejection, is absorbed by the air bubbles, causing variations in the amount of ejected droplets and the flying speed of the droplets. Also, when the staying bubbles flow into the nozzle, depending on the size of the bubbles flowing into the nozzle,
This causes variations in the amount of ejected droplets, lowers the flying speed of the droplets, and causes poor landing accuracy on the medium.
Further, troubles such as non-ejection occurred, resulting in deterioration of a printed image and printing quality.

The second problem is that the gas previously dissolved in the liquid is vaporized during use of the liquid ejecting head, and becomes a bubble 130 which stays in the common liquid chamber 110. Also in this case, similarly to the first problem, the air bubbles 130 flow into the nozzles through the slits 104, causing printing failure.

Further, in the system in which the filter box is interposed in the liquid supply flow path, the bubbles in the filter box cannot be efficiently and reliably expelled. In addition to the problem of poor printing and deterioration of print quality due to the inflow, there are also the following problems.

One problem is that the filter box 1
The stagnation of the air bubbles 130 in the upstream chamber 152 in 50 reduces the effective area of the filter member 151. As shown in FIG. 16A, the upstream chamber 1
When the large air bubbles 130 stay on the surface of the filter member 151 of 52, the area of the filter member 151 through which liquid can substantially pass is reduced. As a result, when a large amount of liquid is consumed per unit time at the time of discharging liquid (at the time of printing), the amount of liquid supplied to the common liquid chamber 110 is insufficient, and the amount of discharged liquid droplets is reduced. This is a problem that leads to deterioration, or that droplets are not ejected normally, leading to defective printing.

Another problem is that the degree of degassing of the liquid decreases due to the retention of bubbles in the downstream chamber 153 and the common liquid chamber 110. As described above, one of the purposes of using the degassed liquid is foaming stability in the heating element. However, a large amount of air bubbles 130 stay in the downstream chamber 153 and the common liquid chamber 110 and dissolve into the degassed liquid, thereby reducing the degree of degassing and stabilizing foaming in the heating element for discharging liquid. However, there is a problem that a printed image is deteriorated.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned unsolved problems of the prior art, and aims at improving the removability of air bubbles in a common liquid chamber and preventing air bubbles from flowing into a nozzle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus which can perform liquid ejection accurately without the need for a liquid ejecting head.

[0024]

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid jet head according to the present invention is provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid and a plurality of discharge energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid. A liquid jet head having an element substrate, a common liquid chamber for supplying liquid to the plurality of ejection energy generating elements, and a liquid supply port for supplying liquid to the common liquid chamber. An upper ceiling surface of the chamber is formed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and a bubble outlet for allowing bubbles to flow out is provided at an uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface or a portion in the vicinity thereof.

In the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention, a plurality of liquid supply ports for supplying liquid to the common liquid chamber are provided, and among the plurality of liquid supply ports, an uppermost portion of an upper ceiling surface of the common liquid chamber is provided. It is preferable that at least one liquid supply port provided at the upper portion or in the vicinity thereof also serves as a bubble outlet for allowing bubbles to flow out.

In the liquid jet head according to the present invention, it is preferable that the bubble outlet is open to the atmosphere on the same surface or substantially the same surface as the discharge port.

The liquid ejecting head according to the present invention includes an element substrate provided with a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid and ejection energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid; In a liquid ejecting head having a common liquid chamber for supplying liquid to the generating element and a filter box including a filter member for removing dust contained in the liquid supplied to the common liquid chamber, the filter box includes: The filter member is divided into two chambers, an upstream chamber having a flow path communicating with an external liquid supply tank and a downstream chamber having a flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber, and an upper ceiling of the downstream chamber. A surface formed at an inclination relative to a horizontal plane, and a channel communicating with the common liquid chamber at an uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface or a portion in the vicinity thereof. Wherein the connecting another bubble flow path.

The liquid ejecting head according to the present invention includes an element substrate provided with a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting a liquid and ejection energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid, and the plurality of ejection energy generating elements. A liquid jet head having a common liquid chamber for supplying a liquid to the liquid chamber, and a filter box including a filter member for removing dust contained in the liquid supplied to the common liquid chamber. The member includes an upstream chamber having a flow path communicating with an external liquid supply tank and a downstream chamber having a flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber.
Divided into two chambers, the upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber is formed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface or a portion in the vicinity thereof is different from the flow path communicating with the liquid supply tank. It is characterized in that a bubble flow path is connected.

The liquid ejecting head according to the present invention comprises an element substrate provided with a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid and ejection energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid, and the plurality of ejection energy generating elements. A liquid jet head having a common liquid chamber for supplying a liquid to the liquid chamber, and a filter box including a filter member for removing dust contained in the liquid supplied to the common liquid chamber. The member includes an upstream chamber having a flow path communicating with an external liquid supply tank and a downstream chamber having a flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber.
A flow path communicating with the liquid supply tank at an uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber or a portion near the uppermost surface, wherein the upper ceiling surface of each of the two chambers is formed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. Connecting another bubble flow path, and connecting a bubble flow path different from the flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber to the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface of the downstream chamber or a portion in the vicinity thereof. I do.

In the liquid jet head according to the present invention, the common liquid chamber can be used also as the downstream chamber.

In the liquid jet head according to the present invention, it is preferable that the bubble flow path is open to the atmosphere on the same surface or substantially the same surface as the discharge port. It is preferable that the portion to be formed is a dummy ejection port formed in the same step as the ejection port.

[0032] In the liquid jet head according to the present invention, it is preferable that the bubble flow path has a flow resistance adjusting member between the filter box and the atmosphere opening part.

In the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention, it is preferable that the discharge energy generating element is a heating element that converts electric energy into heat energy and discharges the liquid with a bubbling phenomenon of the liquid.

Further, according to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the liquid ejecting head described above and the liquid ejecting head from at least one of the plural liquid supplying ports provided in the liquid ejecting head are supplied to the common liquid chamber. And a liquid pressurizing mechanism for allowing pressure to flow in,
A liquid is pressurized and filled in the common liquid chamber by the liquid pressurizing mechanism.

According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the liquid is ejected from the above-described liquid ejecting head and at least one of a plurality of liquid supply ports provided in the liquid ejecting head into the common liquid chamber under pressure. A liquid pressurizing mechanism that causes the liquid to flow out of the common liquid chamber through at least one of the liquid supply ports, and circulates the liquid to the common liquid chamber. Is filled.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described liquid ejecting head and a liquid pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing and inflowing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head. It is characterized in that the chamber is filled under pressure.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the discharge energy generating element is a heating element that converts electric energy into heat energy and discharges the liquid with a bubbling phenomenon of the liquid.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the liquid is a degassed liquid obtained by previously degassing a dissolved gas.

[0039]

According to the present invention, the common liquid chamber is formed such that the upper ceiling surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and a flow path through which air bubbles escape is provided at the highest position of the upper ceiling surface or in the vicinity thereof. It is possible to efficiently remove air bubbles in a room. As a result, it is possible to improve the removability of air bubbles in the common liquid chamber and further prevent the air bubbles from being mixed into the nozzles, and to provide a liquid jet head and a liquid jet apparatus with high print quality and high reliability. be able to.

Further, the upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber or the downstream chamber in the filter box provided in the flow path for supplying the liquid to the common liquid chamber is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and its uppermost portion or its vicinity. By providing a flow path for removing air bubbles in the part, the air bubbles in the filter box can be efficiently removed, the degree of deaeration of the liquid decreases, the air bubbles flow into the nozzle, and the air bubbles in the filter member are blocked. Thus, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of stably obtaining inexpensive and high print quality.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) A first embodiment of a liquid jet head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a liquid jet head according to the present invention as viewed from above a liquid discharge surface.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3A illustrates the liquid ejecting head according to the present embodiment taken along a line YY in a direction orthogonal to the ejection port arrangement direction. 3 (b) is a partially enlarged sectional view of the liquid ejection unit, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment in the ejection port arrangement direction. It is sectional drawing broken and shown along XX.

FIG. 1 illustrating the liquid jet head of the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2 and FIG. 2, a plurality of ejection ports 2 for ejecting liquid are formed on the surface near the center of the element substrate 1, and recording is performed using liquid droplets ejected from each of these ejection ports 2. It is. On the element substrate 1, a heating element (electrothermal conversion element or heating heater) 3 (see FIG. 2B) is formed as an ejection energy generating element corresponding to each of the ejection ports 2. The element 3 is energized and heated to foam the liquid, and the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 2 by the kinetic energy.

The heating element 3 is connected to a pair of wires (not shown) for supplying electric power from the outside, and these wires respectively drive the heating element 3 mounted on the element substrate 1. (Driver IC) 5 mounted with a transistor circuit for performing the driving, and the driving element 5 is connected to a COB (chipon) through an anisotropic conductive film.
board) It is mounted on the element substrate 1 by a connection method. In addition, a logic circuit for driving a transistor is mounted on the driving element 5 in addition to the transistor circuit, and the logic circuit is connected to a flexible film (flexible wiring board) 6 via the element substrate 1, A signal for driving the logic circuit is provided through the flexible film 6. The flexible film 6
The element substrate 1 and a circuit board (printed board) 7 made of a composite material such as glass epoxy are connected to each other by a COB connection method using an anisotropic conductive film or the like.
Is mounted with an electrical connector 8 for inputting an electrical signal from the outside. The flexible film 6 is bent at a substantially right angle from the end of the element substrate 1 along the support member 12, and the circuit board 7 is fixed to a side surface of the support member 12. 1 to 4, reference numeral 15 denotes a front plate for forming a flat surface, which is attached to the holding member 11 of the element substrate 1 via a spacer 16 and on which the flexible film 6 is arranged. In this example, the flexible film 6 is disposed on the spacer 16 and is mounted on the flexible film 6, and the front plate 15 is provided with the discharge port 2 for preventing the volatile component of the liquid from evaporating during standby of the liquid ejecting head. A region for receiving a cap (not shown) that seals the area is formed.

Although not shown in the figure, the electrical connection between the drive element 5 and the flexible film 6 is such that when the electrode portion is exposed, the droplet scattered from the discharge port 2 or the droplet rebounded from the medium Is attached to the electrode and corrodes the electrode and its underlying metal, so that the electrode connection portion is covered and sealed with a sealing agent such as a silicon resin having excellent sealing properties and ion blocking properties, and is connected by a liquid. The reliability is not reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a common liquid chamber 10 for holding the liquid formed by the holding member 11 and the supporting member 12 is formed on the back side of the element substrate 1. The common liquid chamber 10 is opened with a length substantially equal to the length of the discharge port row, and the element substrate 1 is provided with a slit 4 for supplying the liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 on the back side to the front side. Have been.

As shown in FIG. 4, the common liquid chamber 10 has liquid supply ports 13 and 14 near both ends in the discharge port arrangement direction.
The liquid is supplied from a liquid supply tank (not shown) outside the ejection head through the two liquid supply ports 13 and 14 during normal liquid ejection. Further, the common liquid chamber 10 has an upper ceiling surface 10a formed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and the liquid supply ports 13 and 14 of the common liquid chamber 10 are different in the position in the height direction. In the example, the position of the liquid supply port 14 is higher than the position of the liquid supply port 13.

In the liquid jet head configured as described above, when filling the common liquid chamber 10 with the liquid, the liquid is pressurized by a liquid pressurizing mechanism (not shown) provided in the liquid supply path. As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 4, the liquid is pressurized and flows in from the liquid supply port 13 at the lower position, and the air in the common liquid chamber 10 is removed from the liquid supply port 14 at the higher position. The liquid is filled in the common liquid chamber 10 so that air and bubbles 30 are not left in the liquid chamber 10.
Further, until the liquid is completely filled in the common liquid chamber 10,
The liquid mixed with the bubbles 30 is discharged from the liquid supply port 14, and the liquid is returned to a liquid supply tank (not shown) upstream of the liquid supply port 13 (on the liquid inflow side). And a liquid supply path of a type for circulating the liquid.

As described above, the common liquid chamber 1 of the liquid jet head
When the liquid is filled in 0, the liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 is caused to flow under pressure from the liquid supply port 13 so that
Due to the inclination of the upper ceiling surface 10 a of the common liquid chamber 10, the liquid smoothly flows to the liquid supply port 14 which is higher than the liquid supply port 13, is discharged from the liquid supply port 14, and the air or liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 is discharged. The bubbles 30 mixed in the liquid can be reliably expelled from the liquid supply port 14 (on the liquid outflow side), and the liquid containing no bubbles 30 can be filled in the common liquid chamber 10.

Further, even during use in which the liquid is ejected using the liquid ejecting head filled with the liquid in the common liquid chamber 10, bubbles 30 may be generated in the common liquid chamber 10.
Causes of the generation of the bubbles 30 include, for example, a vaporization phenomenon of the dissolved gas of the liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 and a bubble generation phenomenon of the non-aggregated gas of the liquid foamed and vaporized by the heating element 3. If a large amount of such bubbles 30 remain in the common liquid chamber 10, a part of the bubbles 30 flows into the nozzle, causing a variation in the amount of ejected droplets and a decrease in the flying speed of the droplets. This may lead to a decrease in the quality of the recording medium, resulting in poor landing accuracy on the recording medium, and further a trouble such as non-ejection, which may result in deterioration of print quality.

For this reason, in the liquid ejecting head of this embodiment, when bubbles 30 are generated in the common liquid chamber 10, the liquid is pressurized and flows in from one liquid supply port 13 to cause the bubbles 30 to flow into the other liquid supply port 13. Pull out from the liquid supply port 14. At this time, in the liquid ejecting head according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper ceiling surface 10a of the common liquid chamber 10 is inclined, and the position of the other liquid supply port 14 is supplied to the liquid supply port 14 under pressure. By setting the height higher than the opening 13, the flow of the bubbles 30 can be made smooth, and the bubbles 30 in the common liquid chamber 10 can be reliably expelled.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the removability of air bubbles in the nozzles and provide a liquid jet head with high print quality.

(Embodiment 2) A second embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the liquid jet head of the present invention, which is cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line), and FIG. () Is a plan view of the liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment cut along a direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the ejection port arrangement direction.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the above-described first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a bubble flow path 20 which is open to the atmosphere and can discharge bubbles in the liquid is connected to the common liquid chamber 10. This is different from the first embodiment. In this embodiment,
Members and configurations similar to those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the common liquid chamber 10 has an upper ceiling surface 10a formed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the vicinity of both ends in the discharge port arrangement direction. Are provided with liquid supply ports 13 and 14, respectively, and the position of the liquid supply port 14 is higher than the liquid supply port 13. A bubble flow path 20 is connected to the highest position of the common liquid chamber 10 or in the vicinity thereof, and the bubble flow path 20 penetrates the inside of the support member 12 or the holding member 11. It communicates with a dummy discharge port 21 that is not directly used for liquid discharge that is opened in the substrate 1. This dummy discharge port 21 can be formed simultaneously with the discharge port 2 in the step of producing the discharge port 2 for discharging the liquid.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, when the liquid is filled in the common liquid chamber 10, similarly to the first embodiment described above, a liquid pressure mechanism (not shown) is used. The liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 is caused to flow under pressure from the liquid supply port 13 at a low position, and the air in the common liquid chamber 10 is supplied along the slope of the upper ceiling surface 10a of the common liquid chamber 10 at a high position. It can be withdrawn from the port 14 and can be further discharged through the bubble flow path 20, so that air or bubbles 30 in the common liquid chamber 10 can be removed.
Never leave. In addition, bubbles 3
Also, when removing 0, the liquid is caused to flow under pressure from one liquid supply port 13 and bubbles 30 in the liquid are formed along the inclination of the upper ceiling surface 10a of the common liquid chamber 10 with the other liquid supply port 14 and the bubbles. It can be removed from the flow path 20. As described above, in the present embodiment, by connecting the bubble flow path 20 to the highest position of the common liquid chamber 10, the bubbles 30 in the common liquid chamber 10 are connected.
Can be discharged from the bubble flow path 20 to the atmosphere. As a result, compared to the first embodiment described above, bubbles mixed into the liquid refluxing from the liquid supply port 14 on the liquid outflow side to the liquid supply tank (not shown) via the liquid outflow mechanism (not shown). 30 can be reduced, so that the bubbles 30 that have returned to the liquid supply tank return to the liquid supply port (inflow) 1 again.
3 can be prevented from flowing into the common liquid chamber 10. In addition, since the dummy discharge port 21 on the open side of the bubble flow path 20 is arranged on the same plane as the discharge port 2, the same water head is obtained, so that the bubble 30 flows into the common liquid chamber 10 from the bubble flow path 20 in reverse. There is no danger that the liquid will flow or that the liquid will flow down from the bubble flow path 20.

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention, which is cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line), and FIG. () Is a plan view of the liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment cut along a direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the ejection port arrangement direction. Also in this embodiment, the same members and configurations as those in the above-described first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the common liquid chamber 10 has an upper ceiling surface 10a as shown in FIG.
Are formed in a chevron shape that is highest in a substantially central portion in the discharge port arrangement direction and is lowest at both ends in the discharge port arrangement direction, and near the lowest portions at both ends. Is provided, and the bubble flow path 20 is connected to the highest portion substantially at the center of the upper ceiling surface 10a or in the vicinity thereof. The bubble flow path 20 penetrates through the inside of the support member 12, the holding member 11, and the like, and the other end of the bubble flow path 20 communicates with a dummy discharge port 21 that is not used directly for liquid discharge that is opened in the element substrate 1. .

In the present embodiment, the liquid is filled as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 6A both at the time of initial filling of the liquid and at the time of the operation of removing the bubbles generated during the ordinary liquid discharge. The liquid is supplied under pressure from liquid supply ports 13 and 14 provided near both ends of the common liquid chamber 10. That is, when the liquid is initially filled, the air in the common liquid chamber 10 is caused to flow along the inclination of the upper ceiling surface 10a of the common liquid chamber 10 by causing the liquid to flow under pressure from both the liquid supply ports 13 and 14. To the central portion, and is discharged from the dummy discharge port 21 via the bubble flow path 20 connected to the central portion. As a result, the liquid containing no bubbles 30 is transferred to the common liquid chamber 1.
Can be filled to zero. Also, when removing the air bubbles 30 generated in the common liquid chamber 10 when the liquid ejecting head is used, the liquid is pressurized and inflow from both the liquid supply ports 13 and 14 so that the air bubbles in the common liquid chamber 10 are removed. Numerals 30 are collected at a central portion along the inclination of the upper ceiling surface 10 a of the common liquid chamber 10, and are discharged from the dummy discharge port 21 through the bubble flow path 20.

With the above-described configuration, the present embodiment is configured such that the liquid is supplied under pressure from the liquid supply ports 13 and 14 of the common liquid chamber 10 so that the bubbles 30 in the common liquid chamber 10
Is efficiently removed, and the liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 is not refluxed to the liquid supply tank (not shown).
The bubbles 30 in the common liquid chamber 10 can be prevented from flowing into the liquid supply tank. Therefore, in the liquid supply system in which the liquid circulates between the liquid supply tank and the liquid ejecting head as in the first and second embodiments described above, the deaerated liquid in which the dissolved gas of the liquid is deaerated in advance is used. In this case, there is a possibility that the degree of deaeration of the liquid may be degraded each time the bubble 30 is removed. However, in this embodiment, there is no such danger, and therefore, it is particularly suitable for a liquid supply system using a deaerated liquid. Configuration.

(Embodiment 4) A fourth embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7A shows a fourth embodiment of the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention, in which the X direction shown in FIG.
FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line X-X), and FIG. 2B is an enlarged partial sectional view showing a filter box portion in the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of a liquid ejection surface in the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the liquid supply flow path is different from that of each of the above-described embodiments. However, the liquid discharge mechanism including the discharge port and the heating element is the same as that of each of the above-described embodiments. The same reference numerals are given to members and configurations similar to those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description is omitted.

The structure of the liquid supply flow path in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7A, the common liquid chamber 10 has a holding member 11 and a supporting member 12 on the back side of the element substrate 1. And is opened with a length substantially equal to the length of the ejection port array, communicates with the front surface side of the element substrate 1 through a slit 4 provided in the element substrate 1, and further communicates with each ejection port 2. I have.

In the supply passage for supplying the liquid to the common liquid chamber 10, a filter box 50 for removing dust and the like contained in the liquid is provided.
7 is divided into two upper and lower chambers 52 and 53 by a horizontally disposed filter member 51 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and the lower chamber 52 is connected to a tube joint. An upstream chamber connected to an external liquid supply tank (not shown) through an upper chamber 54, and the upper chamber 53 is connected to the liquid tube 5.
5 is a downstream chamber that is communicated with the common liquid chamber 10 through 5. With this configuration, the liquid flows from the liquid supply tank (not shown) into the upstream chamber 52 of the filter box 50 via the tube joint 54 in a state where the liquid is pressurized by a liquid pressurizing mechanism (not shown). To remove dust contained in the liquid. The liquid that has passed through the filter member 51 is supplied from the downstream chamber 53 through the liquid tube 55 to the common liquid chamber 1.
0 is supplied to the discharge port 2 formed in the element substrate 1.

In the filter box 50 of this embodiment, the upper ceiling surface 53a of the downstream chamber 53 is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane,
The air bubbles 30 flowing into the lower chamber 53 are accumulated along the inclined upper ceiling surface 53a at the uppermost portion of the downstream chamber 53. In addition, at the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface 53a of the downstream chamber 53 or in the vicinity thereof, the accumulated bubbles 30
In order to discharge the liquid from the liquid to the outside, a bubble flow path 56 different from the liquid tube 55 communicating with the common liquid chamber 10 is connected. The bubble flow path 56 penetrates the support member 12 and the holding member 11, communicates with a dummy discharge port 57 provided on the element substrate 1, and is open to the atmosphere. A flow resistance adjusting member 58 is provided in the middle of the bubble flow path 56. The dummy discharge port 57 provided on the element substrate 1 can be formed in the same manner as the discharge port 2 in the step of manufacturing the discharge port 2 for discharging the liquid.

In this embodiment configured as described above, when the liquid is ejected into the liquid jet head,
When the liquid is removed, the liquid pressurized by a liquid pressurizing mechanism (not shown) disposed outside the liquid ejecting head flows into the filter box 50 through the tube joint 54, and is filtered by the filter member 51. When the discharged liquid flows into the downstream chamber 53, the bubbles 30 contained in the liquid are moved to the uppermost part along the inclined upper ceiling surface 53a of the downstream chamber 53, as shown by the arrow in FIG. Through the bubble flow path 56 connected to the uppermost part of the downstream chamber 53.
It is discharged from 7. Therefore, the bubbles 30 can be prevented from remaining in the downstream chamber 53.

Flow resistance adjusting member 5 disposed in bubble flow path 56
Numeral 8 is for balancing the flow resistance of the liquid in the flow path system of the discharge liquid supplied from the liquid tube 55 to the discharge port 2 via the common liquid chamber 10 and the flow resistance of the bubble flow path 56. is there. When the flow resistance of the bubble flow path 56 is extremely low with respect to the flow resistance of the flow path system of the ejection liquid, a large amount of liquid is generated when the liquid is pressurized from outside the liquid ejecting head to remove bubbles. A phenomenon occurs in which bubbles are discharged through the bubble flow path 56, while bubbles remaining in the vicinity of the common liquid chamber 10 and the discharge port 2 are not discharged. Flow resistance adjusting member 58
Is provided to increase the flow resistance of the bubble flow path 56 in order to avoid such a phenomenon. In the present embodiment, a filter similar to the filter member 51 provided inside the filter box 50 is provided. A member is provided inside. The size of the filter member and the mesh opening (size) can be appropriately determined by the balance between the flow resistance of the discharge liquid flow path system and the flow resistance of the bubble flow path 56. When the flow resistance is sufficiently large, the effect of the present embodiment can be sufficiently obtained without providing the flow resistance adjusting member 58.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the common liquid chamber of the liquid ejecting head is filled with liquid and when bubbles are removed, the liquid is pressurized by the liquid pressurizing mechanism (not shown) external to the liquid ejecting head. The bubbles 30 collected at the uppermost part of the downstream chamber 53 can be discharged from the dummy discharge port 57 through the bubble flow path 56 by flowing the compressed liquid through the tube joint 54 under pressure. The bubbles 30 do not remain in the downstream chamber 53.

As a result, the degree of degassing of the liquid is reduced to cause unstable bubble generation on the heating element 3 to cause printing failure, or the bubble 30 to flow into the common liquid chamber 10 to cause ejection failure. No liquid ejecting head can be provided.

(Embodiment 5) A fifth embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8A shows a liquid jet head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in the discharge port arrangement direction (X-direction shown in FIG. 8C).
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line (X-ray), and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a filter box portion in the liquid jet head according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of a liquid ejection surface in the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber in the filter box is also formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane similarly to the downstream chamber, and a bubble flow path is formed from the uppermost portion or the vicinity thereof. In this respect, the fourth embodiment is different from the above-described fourth embodiment, but the other configuration is the same as that of the above-described fourth embodiment. Is omitted.

The filter box 50 in the present embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, is divided into two left and right chambers 52 and 53 by a vertically arranged filter member 51, and the upstream side located on the right side in the figure. The chamber 52 is a tube joint 5
4, is connected to an external liquid supply tank (not shown), and the left downstream chamber 53 is connected to the common liquid chamber 10 through a liquid tube 55.

The upper ceiling surface 53a of the downstream chamber 53
Similarly to the above-described fourth embodiment, the air bubble 30 is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and at the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface 53a of the downstream chamber 53 or in the vicinity thereof, the accumulated bubbles 30 are formed from the liquid. A bubble flow path 56 for discharging to the outside is connected. Then, the bubble flow path 56 passes through the support member 12 and the holding member 11 and the like, and opens to the atmosphere through an opening 59 provided on the front plate 15,
The discharge port 2 on the element substrate 1 is open to the atmosphere on the same surface as the discharge port 2, and a flow resistance adjusting member 58 is provided in the middle of the bubble flow path 56.

The upper ceiling surface 5 of the upstream chamber 52
Similarly to the upper ceiling surface 53a of the downstream chamber 53, the inclined air bubbles 2a are formed at an upper portion of the upper ceiling surface 52a of the upstream chamber 52 or in the vicinity thereof. Is connected to a bubble flow path 60 for discharging liquid from the liquid to the outside.
Similarly to the bubble channel 56 of the downstream chamber 53, the element substrate 1 is opened to the atmosphere through an opening 61 provided on the front plate 15 through the support member 12 and the holding member 11 and the like. It is open to the atmosphere on substantially the same surface as the upper discharge port 2, and a flow resistance adjusting member 6 is provided in the middle of the bubble flow path 60.
2 are provided. The bubble channel 56 in the present embodiment,
The openings 60 and 61 that are open to the atmosphere are different from the configuration of the dummy discharge port 57 provided in the element substrate 1 of the fourth embodiment described above, and are configured to be opened on substantially the same surface as the lower surface of the element substrate 1. And Even with this configuration, the effect of removing bubbles in each chamber is essentially the same.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, in addition to the functions and effects of the fourth embodiment described above, the air bubbles 30 can also be removed from the upstream chamber 52, and the inside of the filter box 52 can be removed. The removal of air bubbles is facilitated, the effect of removing the remaining air bubbles in the liquid ejecting head can be further improved, and it is possible to prevent a large amount of air bubbles from closing the filter member and reducing the effective area of the filter member. It is possible to prevent the degree of deaeration of the liquid from being lowered. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting head that can achieve stable printing quality.

(Embodiment 6) A sixth embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9A shows a liquid jet head according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention in the discharge port arrangement direction (X-direction shown in FIG. 9C).
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line (X-ray), and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a filter box portion in the liquid jet head according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of a liquid ejection surface in the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment.

This embodiment is a modification of the above-described fifth embodiment. Members and configurations similar to those of the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The filter box 50 in the present embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the inside is divided into two upper and lower chambers 52, 53 by a filter member 51 having a horizontally disposed inside, and the lower chamber 52 is defined as an upstream chamber. , The upper chamber 53 as the downstream chamber, and the upper ceiling surface 53 of the downstream chamber 53.
a is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane similarly to the fifth embodiment described above, and the accumulated bubbles 30 are discharged from the liquid to the outside at the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface 53a or in the vicinity thereof. And a filter member 51 serving as an upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber 52 is arranged to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the bubble flow path 60 is connected to the uppermost portion thereof or a portion in the vicinity thereof. Things. That is, the upper ceiling surface 52 of the upstream chamber 52
a may be a part of the member of the filter box 50 as in the fifth embodiment described above, or may be the filter member 51 as in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment having the above-described structure, the same operation and effect as those of the fifth embodiment can be obtained.

(Embodiment 7) A seventh embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10A shows a seventh embodiment of the liquid jet head according to the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X), FIG. 2B is a plan view of a liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment, and FIG. In the direction perpendicular to the ejection port arrangement direction (Y-Y shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view cut along line (line).

This embodiment is different from the above-described fourth to sixth embodiments in that the common liquid chamber 10 is also used as a downstream chamber of the above-mentioned filter box. However, other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and the same reference numerals are given to the same members and configurations as those of the above-described embodiments, and the detailed description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the common liquid chamber 10
As shown in FIG. 2A, the holding member 11 and the supporting member 12 are formed on the back side of the element substrate 1, are opened with a length substantially equal to the length of the ejection port array, and are provided on the element substrate 1. Communicating with the front side of the element substrate 1 through the slit 4,
Furthermore, it communicates with each discharge port 2. And the common liquid chamber 1
0, the upper ceiling surface 10a is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the upper ceiling surface 10a of a lower portion in the height direction is formed.
Is opened, and the filter member 51 of the filter box 50 is attached to the opening. Filter box 50
A tube joint 54 above the filter member 51.
, An upstream chamber 52 connected to an external liquid supply tank (not shown), and the common liquid chamber 10 also serves as a downstream chamber. The upper ceiling surface 52a of the upstream chamber 52 is also formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.
A bubble flow path 65 is connected to the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface 52a of the upstream chamber 52 or a portion in the vicinity thereof, and the bubble flow path 65 is provided on the front plate 15 through the support member 12, the holding member 11, and the like. Opening through the opening 66,
The discharge port 2 on the element substrate 1 is open to the atmosphere on the same surface as the discharge port 2. Further, a bubble flow path 67 is also connected to the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface 10a of the common liquid chamber 10 as a downstream chamber or a portion in the vicinity thereof.
It is opened through an opening 68 provided on the front plate 15 through the housing and the holding member 11 and the like, and is opened to the atmosphere on the substantially same surface as the discharge port 2 on the element substrate 1.

In this embodiment constructed as described above, the common liquid chamber 10 is also used as the downstream chamber of the filter box, so that the number of components is small and the same as in the above-described fifth and sixth embodiments. The operation and effect can be obtained, and the residual air bubbles in the common liquid chamber can be efficiently removed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a liquid jet head that can stably obtain high print quality at low cost.

(Other Embodiments) In each of the above-described embodiments, the element substrate 1 provided with a plurality of discharge ports 2 for discharging liquid and a plurality of heating elements 3 for applying kinetic energy to liquid is provided. The heating element 3 is provided on the back side of the element substrate 1.
A liquid ejecting head in which a common liquid chamber 10 for supplying liquid to the liquid jet head is provided and a printing width can be made relatively long has been described. However, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to configure a full-line type liquid ejecting apparatus in which a plurality of elements are arranged in the arrangement direction to make the entire print width the full width of the recording medium. The liquid chamber can be formed on the holding member 11 and the support member 12 as one common liquid chamber 10 integrated over the plurality of element substrates 1. It goes without saying that the configuration of each of the above-described embodiments can be appropriately applied to the long liquid ejecting head configured as described above.

In the liquid ejecting head shown in FIG. 11, a gap or a step is formed between the plurality of element substrates 1, and when the liquid adhering to the liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting head is wiped off with a blade or the like, the blade is used. The wiped liquid may accumulate in the gaps between the element substrates 1 and cause disturbance or non-ejection of the liquid ejection direction. Further, when the blade passes through a step between the element substrates 1, physical damage may occur. received,
This may cause a decrease in durability. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, a gap filling member 17 having the same thickness as the element substrate 1 can be filled in a gap or a step portion between the plurality of element substrates 1. As a result, the liquid adhering to the liquid ejection surface can be completely wiped off, the accumulation of the liquid in the gap between the element substrates can be eliminated, and the occurrence of a defect in the liquid ejection can be prevented. Further, the step in the operating region of the blade can be reduced, and the wiping function and durability of the blade can be improved.

In each of the embodiments described above, the bubble jet (registered trademark) type liquid ejecting head of the side shooter has been described. However, the present invention relates to an edge shooter liquid ejecting head and a piezo type liquid ejecting head. The operation and effect are the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0094]

【The invention's effect】

As described above, according to the present invention, the upper ceiling surface of the common liquid chamber is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the channel structure through which air bubbles escape at the highest position on the upper ceiling surface or in the vicinity thereof. By doing so, air bubbles in the common liquid chamber can be efficiently removed. As a result, it is possible to improve the removability of air bubbles in the common liquid chamber, prevent the air bubbles from being mixed into the nozzles, and provide a highly reliable liquid jet head with high print quality.

Further, the upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber or the downstream chamber in the filter box provided in the flow path for supplying the liquid to the common liquid chamber is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and its uppermost portion or its vicinity is formed. By providing a bubble flow path for removing bubbles from the part, bubbles in the filter box can be efficiently removed, the degree of deaeration of the liquid decreases, bubbles flow into the common liquid chamber and nozzles, and It is possible to provide a liquid ejecting head that can prevent poor printing due to blockage of bubbles in the filter member, and can stably obtain low-cost and high-quality printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid jet head according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above a liquid discharge surface.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the liquid jet head according to the first embodiment of the present invention, cut along a direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the discharge port arrangement direction, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a liquid discharge unit.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the first embodiment of the liquid ejecting head of the present invention, which is cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line).

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid ejecting head according to the present embodiment cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line). And
(B) is a plan view of the liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment, and (c) is a plan view of the liquid ejection head of the embodiment along the direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the ejection port arrangement direction. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cutaway.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the liquid ejecting head of the present invention, and FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line). And
(B) is a plan view of the liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment, and (c) is a plan view of the liquid ejection head of the embodiment along the direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the ejection port arrangement direction. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cutaway.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the liquid ejecting head of the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line). And
FIG. 2B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a filter box portion of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2C is a partial plan view of a liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment.

8A and 8B show a fifth embodiment of the liquid ejecting head of the present invention, and FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line). And
FIG. 2B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a filter box portion of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2C is a partial plan view of a liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of the liquid ejecting head of the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line). And
FIG. 2B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a filter box portion of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2C is a partial plan view of a liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head of the present embodiment.

10A and 10B are cross-sectional views illustrating a liquid jet head according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the liquid jet head according to the present embodiment cut along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line). And
(B) is a plan view of the liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head of the present embodiment, and (c) is a plan view of the liquid ejection head of the embodiment along the direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the ejection port arrangement direction. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cutaway.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid jet head according to still another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above a liquid discharge surface.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid ejecting head according to still another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above a liquid ejection surface.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional liquid ejecting head viewed from above a liquid ejection surface.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a liquid ejection surface of the conventional liquid ejection head shown in FIG.

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the conventional liquid jet head shown in FIG. 13 along a discharge port arrangement direction (XX line);
FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the conventional liquid ejecting head shown in FIG. 13 taken along a direction (Y-Y line) orthogonal to the discharge port arrangement direction.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of another conventional liquid ejecting head along the ejection port arrangement direction (XX line), and FIG. 16B is a direction (YY) orthogonal to the ejection port arrangement direction. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Element board 2 Discharge port 3 Heating element 4 Slit 5 Drive element 6 Flexible film 7 Circuit board 8 Electric connector 10 Common liquid chamber 10a Upper ceiling surface 11 Holding member 12 Support member 13, 14 Liquid supply port 15 Front plate 16 Spacer 17 Gap Filling member 20 Bubble flow path 21 Dummy discharge port 30 Bubbles 50 Filter box 51 Filter member 52 Upstream chamber 52a Upper ceiling surface 53 Downstream chamber 53a Upper ceiling surface 54 Tube joint 55 Liquid tube 56 Bubble flow path 57 Dummy discharge port 58 Flow Resistance adjusting member 59 Opening 60 Bubble flow path 61 Opening 62 Flow resistance adjusting member 65 Bubble flow path 66 Opening 67 Bubble flow path 68 Opening

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Junji Yasuda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2C056 EA15 EA24 FA03 FA13 HA05 HA52 JB04 KB26 KB31 2C057 AF80 AG12 AG68 AG73 AG77 AG84 AK07 AN05 BA03 BA13

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An element substrate provided with a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid and a plurality of discharge energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid, and for supplying liquid to the plurality of discharge energy generating elements. A liquid jet head having a common liquid chamber and a liquid supply port for supplying liquid to the common liquid chamber, wherein an upper ceiling surface of the common liquid chamber is formed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and the upper ceiling surface A liquid jet head, wherein a bubble outlet for discharging bubbles is provided at the uppermost portion or a portion in the vicinity thereof. 2. A plurality of liquid supply ports for supplying a liquid to the common liquid chamber, and a plurality of liquid supply ports are provided at an uppermost portion of an upper ceiling surface of the common liquid chamber or in a vicinity thereof among the plurality of liquid supply ports. 2. The liquid jet head according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid supply port is also used as a bubble outlet for discharging bubbles. 3. The liquid jet head according to claim 1, wherein the bubble outlet is open to the atmosphere on the same surface or substantially the same surface as the discharge port. 4. An element substrate provided with a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid and discharge energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid, and for supplying liquid to the plurality of discharge energy generating elements. A common liquid chamber, and a filter box including a filter member for removing dust contained in the liquid supplied to the common liquid chamber, the filter box, the filter member, by the filter member,
An upper chamber having a flow path communicating with an external liquid supply tank and a downstream chamber having a flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber are divided into two chambers, and an upper ceiling surface of the downstream chamber is positioned with respect to a horizontal plane. A liquid bubble head connected to the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface or a portion in the vicinity thereof, which is different from a flow passage communicating with the common liquid chamber. 5. An element substrate provided with a plurality of discharge ports for discharging a liquid and a plurality of discharge energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid, and for supplying a liquid to the plurality of discharge energy generating elements. A common liquid chamber, and a filter box including a filter member for removing dust contained in the liquid supplied to the common liquid chamber, the filter box, the filter member, by the filter member,
An upper chamber having a flow path communicating with an external liquid supply tank and a downstream chamber having a flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber are divided into two chambers, and an upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber is positioned with respect to a horizontal plane. The liquid ejecting head is formed so as to have an inclination, and a bubble flow path different from a flow path communicating with the liquid supply tank is connected to an uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface or a portion in the vicinity thereof. 6. An element substrate provided with a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid and a plurality of discharge energy generating elements for applying kinetic energy to the liquid, and for supplying liquid to the plurality of discharge energy generating elements. A common liquid chamber, and a filter box including a filter member for removing dust contained in the liquid supplied to the common liquid chamber, the filter box, the filter member, by the filter member,
The chamber is divided into two chambers, an upstream chamber having a flow path communicating with an external liquid supply tank, and a downstream chamber having a flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber. A bubble flow path different from the flow path communicating with the liquid supply tank is connected to the uppermost portion of the upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber or a portion near the upper ceiling surface of the upstream chamber, and the upper ceiling of the downstream chamber is formed. A liquid jet head, wherein a bubble flow path different from a flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber is connected to an uppermost portion of the surface or a portion in the vicinity thereof. 7. The liquid jet head according to claim 4, wherein the common liquid chamber is also used as the downstream chamber. 8. The liquid jet head according to claim 4, wherein the bubble flow path is open to the atmosphere on the same surface or substantially the same surface as the discharge port. . 9. A part of the bubble channel which is open to the atmosphere,
The liquid ejection head according to claim 4, wherein the ejection port is a dummy ejection port formed in the same process as the ejection port. 10. The liquid jet head according to claim 4, wherein the bubble flow path has a flow resistance adjusting member between the filter box and the atmosphere opening part. . 11. The discharge energy generating element according to claim 1, wherein the discharge energy generating element is a heating element that converts electric energy into heat energy and discharges the liquid with a bubbling phenomenon of the liquid. Item 6. The liquid jet head according to item 1. 12. The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a plurality of liquid supply ports provided in the liquid ejecting head is connected to a common liquid chamber. A liquid pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing and flowing the liquid, wherein the liquid pressurizing mechanism pressurizes and fills the common liquid chamber with the liquid. 13. A liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a plurality of liquid supply ports provided in the liquid ejecting head is connected to a common liquid chamber. A liquid pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing and inflowing the liquid, and a liquid outflow mechanism for flowing out the liquid from the common liquid chamber through at least one of the liquid supply ports,
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid is filled in the common liquid chamber while circulating the liquid. 14. A liquid jet head according to claim 4, further comprising a liquid pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing and inflowing a liquid to be supplied to said liquid jetting head, wherein said liquid pressurizing mechanism comprises: A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a liquid is pressurized and filled in the common liquid chamber. 15. The discharge energy generation element according to claim 12, wherein the discharge energy generation element is a heating element that converts electric energy into heat energy and discharges the liquid with a bubbling phenomenon of the liquid. Item 6. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to item 1. 16. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the liquid is a degassed liquid obtained by previously degassing a dissolved gas.