JPH07125197A - Ink jet recording head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form an image by discharging ink in an ink chamber from a nozzle plate by arranging a material which undergoes a volume change associated with a phase transfer from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic as an actuator in a pressure conveying liquid chamber, causing a phase-transition material to change in volume, making the diaphragm to be displaced by conveying the volume change to the diaphragm through a pressure transfer liquid. CONSTITUTION:A material 23 which changes in volume in association with a phase transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic is placed in a pressure transfer liquid chamber 22 as an actuator, the volume change of the material 23 is conveyed to a diaphragm 24 through the pressure transfer liquid, and the diaphragm 24 is displaced to discharge ink in the ink chamber 25 from a nozzle 27 of a nozzle plate 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording head, and more specifically, as an actuator for ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle, a material that causes a volume change accompanying an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition. The present invention relates to an inkjet recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an ink ejection method for a recording head of an ink jet printer, ink is ejected by utilizing generation of bubbles due to heat, or ink is ejected by a pump to the recording head to eject ink droplets by a piezoelectric material. There are a type of discharging and charging and deflecting the discharged ink droplet, a type of discharging ink by utilizing an electric field attraction force, and a type of discharging ink by simply using a piezoelectric material as an actuator.

An ink jet recording head using a voltage material as an actuator is composed of a nozzle plate, an ink liquid chamber, a vibrating plate, a piezoelectric actuator, etc., and an ink is ejected from the nozzle by the piezoelectric actuator to form an image. This piezoelectric actuator is a phenomenon in which distortion occurs when an electric field is applied to a voltage material, that is,
This utilizes the inverse piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric material.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional ink jet recording head. In the figure, 1 is a substrate, 2 is a piezoelectric material,
3 is a vibrating plate, 4 is a flow path plate, 5 is an ink liquid chamber, 6 is a nozzle plate, 7 is a nozzle, and 8 is an ink drop.
Are arranged so that the piezoelectric constant is displaced at d ₃₁ , that is, the piezoelectric constant is displaced in the direction perpendicular to the electric field direction, and a recording information signal is applied to the piezoelectric material 2 to displace it.
The displacement is transmitted to the ink in the ink liquid chamber 5 through the vibrating plate 3 to pressurize the ink so that the ink droplets 8 are ejected from the nozzles 7 and are recorded on a recording paper (not shown).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the electric field induced strain of the piezoelectric material, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the electric field induced strain characteristic of the piezoelectric material corresponding to FIG. 10, and FIG. FIG. 10B shows the polarization direction before the voltage application and the state after the voltage application is applied. As is well known, when the elastic wave is a longitudinal wave and the piezoelectric effect is a longitudinal effect, the polarization direction is parallel to the electric field direction. When the elastic wave is a longitudinal wave and the piezoelectric effect is a lateral effect, the elastic wave expands and contracts vertically to the electric field direction. The displacement of this piezoelectric material is determined by the piezoelectric constant, and the rate of change in length is about −0.03% in the d ₃₁ direction perpendicular to the electric field and about 0.09% in the d ₃₃ direction parallel to the electric field. %.

In the ink jet recording apparatus, the printing speed can be increased by increasing the ink ejection amount and the ink droplet speed to increase the ink ejection efficiency, and thus the change rate of the length can be further increased. Materials having are desired. Therefore, in the present invention, a material capable of increasing the ink ejection amount and increasing the ink droplet flying speed to increase the printing speed as compared with an inkjet recording head using a voltage material as an actuator. Is used.

FIG. 12 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an example of a conventional ink jet recording head. In FIG.
Is an ink supply path, 11 is hot melt ink, 12 is a groove (ink liquid chamber), 13 is a pressure chamber, 14 is a liquid supply path, 1
Reference numeral 5 is a heater, 16 is an orifice, and 17 is a flying ink droplet. Thus, in this example, the pressure chamber 13 is arranged adjacent to the ink liquid chamber 12, and the pressure chamber 13 is filled with a fluid (for example, water) 17 other than the hot melt ink, and the heater 15 uses the fluid. Is heated to apply pressure to the hot melt ink 11 in the ink supply path 10 to eject the hot melt ink 11. In this ink jet recording head, the pressure chamber 1
Since there is no vibrating plate between the ink supply path of the groove 3 filled with the ink (ink liquid chamber) 12 and the ink, the ink and the fluid are mixed.

FIG. 13 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another example of a conventional ink jet recording head. In this example, the pressure chamber 13 is filled with a fluid other than hot melt ink, and the fluid is heated by a heater 15. The hot melt ink 11 in the ink chamber 12, which is partitioned by the pressure chamber 13 and the thin film 18, is pressurized and ejected.

[0009]

In the ink jet recording head using the piezoelectric element shown in FIG. 9, the vibration plate 3 transmits the displacement and pressure of the voltage material 2 and at the same time the piezoelectric material 2 It is a partition for preventing contact with ink. However, the vibrating plate 3 is made of metal or resin, and in order to displace the vibrating plate 3, an actuator made of a material having a large displacement amount and a large generated force is required.
However, as described above, the displacement due to the strain when an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric material is anisotropic, and it can be said that the energy conversion efficiency with respect to the volume change is not so high. When using an actuator that utilizes volume change,
A material having a high energy conversion efficiency with respect to volume change is required.

Further, in the ink jet recording head using the hot melt ink shown in FIG. 12, since there is no vibrating plate between the pressure chamber 13 and the ink supply path of the groove 12 filled with ink, ink and fluid are mixed. There is a high possibility that it will happen and there is difficulty.

Further, in the ink jet recording head shown in FIG. 13, the heater 15 heats the liquid in the pressure chamber 13 so that the pressure in the liquid in the pressure chamber 13, that is, the fluid other than the hot melt ink is applied to the thin film 18. However, in order to displace the thin film 18 such as a diaphragm, the pressure is not sufficient, and a means for generating a larger pressure is required. Further, it is expected that when the pressure chamber 13 is hermetically closed, ink drips from the nozzle when the fluid expands or contracts due to a change in ambient temperature.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides (1) a nozzle plate, an ink liquid chamber, a vibrating plate,
A pressure transmitting liquid chamber and an actuator are included, and a material that causes a volume change associated with an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is provided as the actuator in the pressure transmitting liquid chamber, and the volume change of the material is applied to the pressure transmitting liquid. Through the vibration plate to displace the vibration plate so that the ink in the ink liquid chamber is ejected from the nozzles of the nozzle plate, and (2) in (1) above, The volume change of the material that causes the volume change accompanying the ferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is
It is caused by a phase transition due to an electric field, and (3) in (1), the material that causes a volume change associated with the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition alternates between a phase transition material and an electrode layer. Is a laminated body laminated on
(4) In (1) above, the material that causes a volume change accompanying the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is a ceramic of a lead-based composite oxide containing at least one of lead zirconate and lead stannate. And (5) In the above (1), the composition of the phase change material is Pb _1-0.5z Nb _z [(Zr _1-x Sn _x ) _1-y T
i _y ] _1-z O ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.02, and (6) In the above (1), the phase transition The composition of the material is: Pb _{1-3 / 2z} La _z [(Zr _1-x Sn _x ) _1-y Ti _y ] O ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.2, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.02, and (7) In the above (1), the composition of the phase change material is Pb _1-x La _x [(Zr _1-y Ti _y ) _{1-x / 4} ] O ₃ 0.08 ≦ x ≦ 0.24, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.85, and (8) In (1), the pressure transfer liquid in the pressure transfer liquid chamber is insulative (specific electrical resistance is 1
Liquid of 0 ⁵ Ω · cm or more, and further (9)
In (1) above, the pressure transfer liquid in the pressure transfer liquid chamber is a liquid having a fluidity at -20 to 150 ° C and a boiling point of 100 ° C or higher, or (10) a nozzle having a large number of nozzles. A plate, a large number of ink liquid chambers, a large number of pressure transmission liquid chambers, a vibration plate interposed between the ink liquid chambers and the pressure transmission liquid chambers, and each of the pressure transmission liquid chambers. An actuator, which has a material that causes a volume change associated with an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition as the actuator, and transmits the volume change of the phase transition material to the diaphragm via the pressure transmitting liquid, In a multi-nozzle type ink jet recording apparatus in which the vibrating plate is displaced so that the ink in the ink liquid chamber is ejected from the nozzles of the nozzle plate, the ink is communicated with each of the pressure transmitting liquid chambers and released to the atmosphere. Common Having a chamber, and further, (11)
In the above (1) to (10), there is a heating element, the heating element liquefies the hot melt ink, and an electric field is applied to the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition material to cause a volume change, It is characterized in that pressure is applied to the atomized ink to eject the ink.

[0013]

Function: A material that causes a volume change associated with an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is arranged as an actuator in the pressure transmitting liquid chamber, an electric field is applied to the phase transition material to change the volume of the phase transition material, and the volume change Is transmitted to the vibrating plate via the pressure transmitting liquid to displace the vibrating plate, and the ink in the ink liquid chamber is ejected from the nozzle plate to form an image.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a principal part for explaining an embodiment of an ink jet recording head according to the present invention, in which 21 is a substrate, 22 is a pressure transmitting liquid chamber, and 23 is a phase change ceramics. Reference numeral 24 is a vibrating plate, 25 is an ink liquid chamber, 26 is a nozzle plate, 27 is a nozzle, 28 is a flying ink droplet, and as shown in the figure, the pressure liquid transmitting chamber 22 is adjacent to the ink liquid chamber 25 via the vibrating plate 24. An actuator made of the phase change material 23 is arranged therein. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet recording head shown in FIG. 1, in which an actuator 23 made of a phase change material is fixed to a side support 29 in a pressure transmission liquid chamber 22. Fluid resistance, 31 indicates a driver IC.

In FIG. 3, an electric field is applied to the phase change material 23,
FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a state in which the volume is changed, and FIG.
The state before the electric field is applied is shown, and the state after the voltage is applied (solid line) is shown in FIG. 3B (note that the dotted line in FIG. 3B is the state before the voltage is applied). Further, FIG. 4 shows electric field induced strain characteristics of the phase change material corresponding to FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink jet recording head of the present invention comprises a nozzle plate 26, an ink liquid chamber 25, a vibrating plate 24, a pressure transmission liquid chamber 22, an actuator 23, etc. A material 23 that causes a volume change associated with an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is arranged as an actuator in the transfer liquid chamber 22, and an electric field is applied to the phase transition material 23 (the phase transition is performed according to an electric signal obtained by converting image information). (A voltage is applied to the material), the volume change of the phase change material 23 is transmitted to the pressure transfer liquid in the pressure transfer liquid chamber 22, the vibration plate 24 is displaced, and the ink in the ink liquid chamber 25 is moved to the nozzle plate 26. The image is formed by discharging from the nozzle 27.

The vibrating plate 24 is also a partition plate which serves as a partition with the ink liquid chamber 25, and is made of plastic, metal or the like, and is subjected to surface treatment or surface thin film coating as required. Further, the vibration plate 24 does not necessarily have to have a plate shape having a uniform thickness, but may have any shape as long as the displacement of the phase change material is efficiently transmitted to the vibration plate and the ink in the ink liquid chamber is ejected.

The nozzle plate 26 and the vibrating plate 24 are members that form a part of the ink liquid chamber 25, and the ink liquid chamber 25 and the pressure transmitting liquid chamber 22 are adjacent to each other via the vibrating plate 24, and the phase transition occurs. The vibrating plate 24 is displaced by the pressure of the pressure transmission liquid due to the volume change of the material 23, and the pressure is applied to the ink in the ink liquid chamber to eject the ink. To form the nozzle 27, the nozzle plate 2
6 and the ink liquid chamber forming member, and a method of forming a nozzle in a part of the ink liquid chamber and integrating the nozzle plate and the ink liquid chamber forming member. The nozzle plate 26 is the vibration plate 2
The ink ejection efficiency is highest when mounted in the displacement direction of No. 4, but the configuration of the print head is not necessarily limited.

Antiferroelectric phase used in actuator
The material 23 that causes a volume change associated with the ferroelectric phase transition has a basic composition of ceramics which is a lead-based composite oxide containing at least one of lead zirconate and lead stannate, and contains a part of lead. It is suitable that a small amount of niobium or lanthanum is replaced with zirconium or tin, and a part of zirconium or tin is replaced with titanium.

Among these, three particularly preferable composition examples are shown below. <Composition example 1> Pb _1-0.5z Nbz [(Zr _1- xSn
x) _1-y Ti _y ] _1- zO ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.02 <Composition example 2> Pb _{1-3 / 2z} Laz [(Zr _1- xSn
x) _1-y Ti _y ] O ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.2, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.02 <Composition example 3> Pb _1- x Lax [(Zr _1- yTiy)
_{1-x / 4} ] O ₃ 0.08 ≦ x ≦ 0.24, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.85

The phase-transition material is a material in which strain is generated due to the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition when an electric field is applied to both ends, and exhibits electric field-induced strain characteristics. A substance having this structure undergoes a phase transition from a high-temperature phase having a high crystal symmetry (cubic paraelectric phase) to an antiferroelectric phase or a ferroelectric phase having no central symmetry as the temperature decreases. Therefore, if a composition in which the antiferroelectric phase is stable in the operating temperature range is selected, it is possible to easily induce the ferroelectric phase by applying an electric field, which causes a large change in strain.

The ferroelectric phase transition of the phase change material includes an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition, a paraelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition, and a paraelectric phase-antiferroelectric phase. A larger strain is obtained by utilizing the ferroelectric phase transition than by using the paraelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition or the paraelectric phase-antiferroelectric phase.

The laminated phase change material in which thin layers of the phase change material and the electrode layers are alternately laminated requires less voltage for each layer than the single plate type, and therefore the phase change material can be applied at a relatively low voltage. It is possible to drive. However, there is an optimum material and composition of the phase change material that can be thinned, and the manufacturing method is especially important in the case of ceramics, and the manufacturing method influences the growth state of polycrystals, and also has a large effect on thinning. give. Thin layers can be laminated by selecting the optimum material, composition, and manufacturing method.

When an electric field is applied to the voltage material, the displacement increases in either the direction parallel to the electric field or the direction perpendicular to the electric field and contracts in one direction, but the phase change material increases in both directions, resulting in a volume change. The volume change rate ΔV / V of the piezoelectric material is about 0.03%, whereas the volume change rate Δ of the phase change material is ΔV / V.
V / V is 0.30 to 1.10%, and the phase change material is 10 to 30 times or more larger. The present invention takes advantage of this advantage of the phase change material and transmits the pressure fluctuation to the ink in the ink liquid chamber by arranging it in the pressure transmission liquid chamber.

If the actuator can be arranged in the ink liquid chamber, it is preferable. However, when the water-based ink is used, the electric resistance of the ink is low, so that the electrodes of the actuator are short-circuited and the electric field is not applied. This is because when the actuator is repeatedly driven by applying an electric field, the dye in the water-based ink is gradually deposited to lower the electric resistance and the electrodes are electrically connected. If a phase change material is placed in the pressure transfer liquid, the vibration plate is displaced by the pressure of the pressure transfer liquid, and the ink in the ink liquid chamber is ejected, this concern is eliminated, and the necessary electric field is applied to the phase change material. Will be possible. It is preferable that the pressure transfer liquid transforms the volume change of the phase change material into displacement or pressure and efficiently transfers it to the diaphragm, so that each pressure transfer liquid chamber can respond to expansion of the pressure transfer liquid due to ambient temperature change. To communicate with the common liquid chamber for pressure transmission liquid.

As the pressure transmitting liquid, a liquid having a fluidity at -20 to 150 ° C., a boiling point of 100 ° C. or more, an insulating property and a large electric resistance is preferable, and an oily material such as silicone oil or isopar A solvent with low viscosity is suitable. It is preferable that the insulating property has a specific electric resistance of 10 ⁵ Ω · cm or more. Evaporative liquid is not suitable because bubbles tend to be generated, resulting in low pressure transmission efficiency. In order to transmit pressure well, it must have fluidity in the operating temperature range, but if the viscosity is too high than that of ink, the ejection efficiency of the ink will decrease, which is not good. Since the phase change material is driven by applying an electric field in the pressure transmitting liquid, it is preferable to use an insulating pressure transmitting liquid in order to efficiently apply the electric field between the electrodes.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an ink jet recording head using a laminated type transition material. In this example,
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 differs from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that a laminated type phase change material 32 is used instead of the phase change ceramics 23. There is.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a main part for explaining another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the ink jet recording head shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressure transmitting liquid chamber 2 is used.
The thin tube 34 is provided so as to communicate with the common liquid chamber 33 released through the atmosphere opening port 35. By doing so, even when the pressure transmitting liquid expands or contracts due to the ambient temperature change, it is always possible. The pressure transmission liquid chamber can be kept filled with the pressure transmission liquid, and ink can be ejected stably according to the input signal.

The present invention can also be applied to the print head of a hot melt type ink jet printer. 7 and 8 are views showing an embodiment of a hot melt type ink jet recording head, in which a heating element 36 is provided and the heating element 3 is provided.
The configuration is the same as that of the inkjet recording head shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the ink and the pressure transmitting liquid are heated by 6. In this embodiment, since the actuator is contained in the pressure transmitting liquid, the ink type may be water-based ink or hot melt ink.
Ink ejection efficiency is not significantly different between water-based ink and hot melt ink. The overall structure of the print head is similar to the case of water-based ink, but it is necessary to dispose a heating element for melting hot melt ink either in the ink supply section, ink flow path, ink liquid chamber, or outside the ink liquid chamber. There is.

As is clear from the above description, the ink jet recording head of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the respective drawings, and the constituent members recited in each claim are satisfied. Just go.

Next, the respective embodiments of claims 5 to 7 will be described. Example 1 In claim 5, the composition of the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition material in claim 1 is Pb _1-0.5z Nbz [(Zr _1- xSnx) _1-y Ti _y ] _1-
An ink jet recording head characterized in that zO ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.02, for example, the composition of the phase change material is Pb _0.99 Nb. _0.02 [(Zr _0.7 Sn _0.3 ) _0.955 T
In the case of i _0.045 ] _0.98 O ₃ , X3 (displacement in the direction parallel to the electric field direction) was 0.34%, and X1 (displacement in the direction perpendicular to the electric field direction) was 0.085%. By arranging the actuator using such a phase change material in the pressure transmitting liquid chamber filled with silicon oil, it was possible to obtain an ink ejection efficiency which has not been available in the past.

[Embodiment 2] Claim 6 and Claim 1
Composition of the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition material in Pb _{1-3 / 2z} Laz [(Zr _1- xSnx) _1-y Ti _y ] O ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0. An ink jet recording head characterized in that 2, 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.02, for example, the composition of the phase change material is Pb _0.97 La _0.02 [(Zr _0.74 Sn _0.26 ) _0.89 T
In the case of i _0.11 ] O ₃ , X3 (displacement in the direction parallel to the electric field direction) was 0.78%, and X1 (displacement in the direction perpendicular to the electric field direction) was 0.15%. By arranging the actuator using such a phase change material in the pressure transmitting liquid chamber filled with isoper, it has been possible to obtain an ink ejection efficiency which has never been obtained.

Example 3 In claim 7, the composition of the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition material in claim 1 is Pb _1- xLax (Zr _1- yTiy) _1-x O ₃ 0.06 ≦ x An ink jet recording head characterized in that ≦ 0.24, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.85, for example, when the composition of the phase change material is Pb _0.92 La _0.08 (Zr _0.7 Sn _0.3 ) _0.98 O ₃ , X3 (Displacement in the direction parallel to the electric field direction) was 0.21%, and X1 (Displacement in the direction perpendicular to the electric field direction) was 0.07%. By arranging the actuator using such a phase change material in the pressure transmitting liquid chamber filled with silicon oil, it was possible to obtain an ink ejection efficiency which has not been available in the past.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. Action and effect corresponding to claims 1 and 2: By arranging a material that causes a volume change associated with an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition as an actuator in the pressure transmission liquid chamber, the ejection amount of ink in the ink liquid chamber is increased However, it is possible to manufacture an ink jet recording head having a high ink ejection speed and a low actuator driving voltage. Action and effect corresponding to claim 3: By carrying out claim 3, the electric field strength applied to the material that causes the volume change associated with the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is reduced, and the design of the drive circuit of the phase transition material. It is possible to reduce the burden on the above. Action and effect corresponding to claims 4 to 7:
By implementing steps 7 to 7, a material that causes a volume change accompanying the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is realized, and by disposing it in the pressure transfer liquid chamber, a displacement and pressure larger than those of an actuator using a piezoelectric material can be realized. It enables the production of inkjet recording heads for actuators that generate. Action and effect corresponding to claim 8: By using an insulating pressure transmitting liquid, even in the case of a laminated type transition material in which thin layer phase transition materials and electrode layers are alternately laminated, the electric field does not leak and the efficiency is improved. It can be applied to the phase change material, and the volume change of the phase change material can be reliably generated. Action and effect corresponding to claim 9: Displacement and pressure generated by the phase change material can be transmitted to the diaphragm with high efficiency because the pressure transmitting liquid exhibits fluidity, has no evaporability, and does not generate bubbles. Become. Action and effect corresponding to claim 10: Even if the pressure transfer liquid expands or contracts due to a temperature change around the pressure transfer liquid by providing a common liquid chamber communicating with the pressure transfer liquid chamber and opened to the atmosphere, pressure or displacement Allows stable transmission of to the diaphragm. Action and effect corresponding to claim 11: By implementing the present invention, the same effects as in claims 1 to 10 can be realized also in the case of a hot melt type ink jet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an inkjet recording head of the present invention, showing that an actuator made of a phase change material is arranged in a pressure transmission liquid chamber that is adjacent to an ink liquid chamber via a vibration plate. .

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ink jet recording head of FIG. 1, showing that an actuator made of a phase change material is fixed to a side support member in a pressure transmission liquid chamber.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where an electric field is applied to a phase change material to change its volume.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing electric field induced strain characteristics of the phase change material corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which an actuator using a laminated type phase change material is arranged in a pressure transmission chamber.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a thin tube is provided so that a pressure transmitting liquid chamber and a common liquid chamber opened to the atmosphere communicate with each other.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a hot-melt type inkjet recording head.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the hot melt inkjet recording head shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional inkjet recording head.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an electric field is applied to a conventional piezoelectric material and the piezoelectric material is displaced in a direction parallel to the electric field.

11 is a diagram showing an electric field induced strain characteristic of the piezoelectric material corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a conventional hot melt inkjet recording head.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of a conventional hot melt type inkjet recording head.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 ... Substrate, 22 ... Pressure transfer liquid chamber, 23 ... Phase change material,
24 ... Vibration plate, 25 ... Ink liquid chamber, 26 ... Nozzle plate, 2
7 ... Nozzle, 28 ... Flying ink drop, 29 ... Actuator support, 30 ... Fluid resistance, 31 ... Driver IC, 3
2 ... Laminated phase change material, 33 ... Common liquid chamber, 34 ... Capillary tube,
35 ... Atmosphere opening port, 36 ... Heating element.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Yasuo Miyoshi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A material comprising a nozzle plate, an ink liquid chamber, a vibrating plate, a pressure transmission liquid chamber, and an actuator, and a material that causes a volume change accompanying the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition as the actuator in the pressure transmission liquid chamber. The volume change of the material is transmitted to the vibrating plate via the pressure transmitting liquid, and the vibrating plate is displaced so that the ink in the ink liquid chamber is ejected from the nozzle of the nozzle plate. An inkjet recording head characterized by: 2. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the volume change of the material that causes a volume change associated with the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is caused by a phase transition due to an electric field. . 3. The material according to claim 1, wherein the material that causes a volume change associated with the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition is a laminated body in which a phase transition material and electrode layers are alternately laminated. Inkjet recording head. 4. The lead-based composite oxide ceramic containing at least one of lead zirconate and lead stannate, wherein the material that undergoes a volume change associated with the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition. The inkjet recording head according to claim 1. 5. The composition of the phase change material is Pb _1-0.5z Nb _z [(Zr _1-x Sn _x ) _1-y Ti _y ] _1-z O ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ The inkjet recording head according to claim 1, wherein y ≦ 0.1 and 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.02. 6. The composition of the phase change material is: Pb _{1-3 / 2z} La _z [(Zr _1-x Sn _x ) _1-y Ti _y ] O ₃ 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ y ≦ 2. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein 0.2 and 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.02. 7. The composition of the phase change material is such that Pb _1-x La _x [(Zr _1-y Ti _y ) _{1-x / 4} ] O ₃ 0.08 ≦ x ≦ 0.24, 0 ≦ y ≦ The inkjet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is 0.85. 8. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the pressure transmitting liquid in the pressure transmitting liquid chamber is an insulating liquid (specific electrical resistance is 10 ⁵ Ω · cm or more). 9. The pressure transfer liquid in the pressure transfer liquid chamber is −20.
The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, which is a liquid having a fluidity at a temperature of 150 ° C to a boiling point of 100 ° C or higher. 10. A nozzle plate having a large number of nozzles, a large number of ink liquid chambers, a large number of pressure transmission liquid chambers, and a vibration plate interposed between the ink liquid chambers and the pressure transmission liquid chambers. The actuator is provided in each of the pressure transmitting liquid chambers, and has a material that causes a volume change associated with an antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition as the actuator, and transmits the volume change of the phase change material to the pressure transmission. In the multi-nozzle type ink jet recording apparatus, the pressure transmitting liquid chamber is transmitted to the vibrating plate via liquid, and the vibrating plate is displaced to eject the ink in the ink liquid chamber from the nozzle of the nozzle plate. And a common liquid chamber that is open to the atmosphere and communicates with each of the above. 11. A heating element is provided, and the hot-melt ink is liquefied by the heating element, an electric field is applied to the antiferroelectric phase-ferroelectric phase transition material to cause a volume change, and pressure is applied to the liquefied ink. The ink jet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ink is ejected by adding the ink.