CN106956511A

CN106956511A - Liquid discharge apparatus and fluid ejection head

Info

Publication number: CN106956511A
Application number: CN201710009897.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山田和弘
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2016-01-08
Filing date: 2017-01-06
Publication date: 2017-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-06
Also published as: JP2017124616A; CN106956511B; JP6794239B2

Abstract

Liquid discharge apparatus and fluid ejection head.The liquid discharge apparatus of the present invention includes：Liquid storage container, it stores liquid；Multiple type element substrates, it includes ejiction opening and balancing gate pit, and the ejiction opening sprays liquid, and the balancing gate pit includes producing the type element for the energy for spraying the liquid in the balancing gate pit；Common feed stream, it supplies liquid to the multiple type element substrate；Supply side filter, it is arranged in the stream between the liquid storage container and the common feed stream, for removing foreign matter from liquid；With supply side pressure regulating mechanism, it is arranged in the stream in the downstream of the common feed stream, for adjusting the pressure in the common feed stream.

Description

Liquid discharge apparatus and fluid ejection head

Technical field

The present invention relates to the liquid discharge apparatus in inkjet printing mode as representative, it by spraying liquid on the print medium Body performs printing.More particularly it relates to be disposed with the page width type liquid of multiple type element substrates throughout page width Ejecting head and the liquid discharge apparatus for being provided with the page width type fluid ejection head.

Background technology

In the presence of the known liquid discharge apparatus for being provided with following page width type fluid ejection head：In the page width type fluid ejection head In, multiple type element substrates are disposed with throughout page width.The elongated fluid ejection head developed for commercial printing is arranged on Corresponding in the liquid discharge apparatus of the example of known liquid discharge apparatus.In addition, corresponding to known liquid discharge apparatus In the liquid discharge apparatus of another example, ink is circulated between accumulator and fluid ejection head.

In the liquid discharge apparatus, being applied in some cases in the black pressure near each ejiction opening to produce Raw pressure differential.For example, substantial amounts of ink is fed into elongated fluid ejection head, thus it is easy in each spray according to the difference of printing duty Pressure differential is produced around outlet.In addition, for example, in circulating liquid discharge apparatus, the pressure produced when circulating pump pulse Change may influence the pressure differential around each ejiction opening in some cases.

In the case of printing being performed in the state of generation pressure differential around each ejiction opening, the ink droplet sprayed from each ejiction opening Volume be uneven, this causes the uneven concentration of print image, so as to reduce picture quality.In order to avoid this is existing As, United States Patent (USP) No.7,922,312 and Japan Patent No.03606282 proposed following liquid discharge apparatus：In the liquid In body discharge apparatus, pressure regulating mechanism is provided with black feed path, is applied to for regulation black near each ejiction opening Pressure, the wherein black feed path allow to connect between accumulator and fluid ejection head.

The content of the invention

According to the first aspect of the invention, liquid discharge apparatus of the invention includes：Liquid storage container, it stores liquid Body；Multiple type element substrates, it includes ejiction opening and balancing gate pit, and the ejiction opening sprays to be included in liquid, the balancing gate pit Produce the type element for the energy for spraying liquid；Common feed stream, it supplies liquid to the multiple type element substrate； Supply side filter, it is arranged in the stream between the liquid storage container and the common feed stream, for from liquid Foreign matter is removed in body；With supply side pressure regulating mechanism, it is arranged in the stream in the downstream of the common feed stream, is used Pressure in the regulation common feed stream.

According to the second aspect of the invention, fluid ejection head of the invention sprays the liquid for the liquid storage container for accommodating liquid Body, the fluid ejection head includes：Multiple type element substrates, it includes ejiction opening and balancing gate pit, and the ejiction opening sprays liquid Include the type element for producing the energy for spraying liquid in body, the balancing gate pit；Common feed stream, it beats to the multiple Printing elements substrate supplies liquid；Supply side filter, its be arranged on the liquid storage container and the common feed stream it Between stream in, for removing foreign matter from liquid；With supply side pressure regulating mechanism, it is arranged on the common feed stream Downstream stream in, for adjusting the pressure in the common feed stream.

By the way that to the explanation (referring to the drawings) of illustrative embodiments, further feature of the invention will be apparent below.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is the figure for showing to spray the schematic configuration of the liquid discharge apparatus of liquid；

Fig. 2 is the signal for showing the looping construct as comparative example suitable for the circulating path of liquid discharge apparatus Figure；

Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram for showing the first circulation construction suitable for the circulating path of liquid discharge apparatus；

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram for showing to flow into the difference of the black influx of fluid ejection head；

Fig. 5 A are the stereograms for showing fluid ejection head；

Fig. 5 B are the stereograms for showing fluid ejection head；

Fig. 6 is the exploded perspective view of fluid ejection head；

Fig. 7 is to show first flow path component to the figure of the front and back of the 3rd channel member；

Fig. 8 is the part α of the reference marker (a) in Fig. 7 perspective view when from module mounting surface is sprayed；

Fig. 9 is the sectional view along Fig. 8 line IX-IX interceptions；

Figure 10 A are the stereograms for showing an ejection module；

Figure 10 B are the exploded views for showing an ejection module；

Figure 11 A are the figures for showing type element substrate；

Figure 11 B are the figures for showing type element substrate；

Figure 11 C are the figures for showing type element substrate；

Figure 12 is the stereogram in the section for showing type element substrate and The lid component；

Figure 13 is the close-up top view of the adjacency section of type element substrate；

Figure 14 is the figure for showing the relation between flow resistance R and valve opening；

Figure 15 A are the figures for showing the pressure regulating mechanism with first circulation construction；

Figure 15 B are the figures for showing the pressure regulating mechanism with first circulation construction；

Figure 15 C are the figures for showing the pressure regulating mechanism with first circulation construction；

Figure 16 is sectional view of the pressure regulating mechanism in ink filling；

Figure 17 is the schematic configuration figure of the liquid discharge apparatus in embodiment 2；

Figure 18 A are the stereograms for showing the fluid ejection head in embodiment 2；

Figure 18 B are the stereograms for showing the fluid ejection head in embodiment 2；

Figure 19 is the strabismus decomposition figure of the fluid ejection head in embodiment 2；

Figure 20 is the figure for showing the first flow path component in embodiment 2；

Figure 21 is the enlarged perspective around the type element substrate in embodiment 2；

Figure 22 is the figure in the section for the XXII-XXII lines interception for being showing along Figure 21；

Figure 23 A are the figures for showing the ejection module in embodiment 2；

Figure 23 B are the figures for showing the ejection module in embodiment 2；

Figure 24 is the figure for showing the type element substrate in embodiment 2；

Figure 25 is the schematic diagram for showing the looping construct in embodiment 3；

Figure 26 A are the figures for the construction for showing the fluid ejection head in embodiment 3；

Figure 26 B are the figures for the construction for showing the fluid ejection head in embodiment 3；

Figure 27 is the in-built figure for showing the fluid ejection head in embodiment 3；

Figure 28 is the figure for showing the type element substrate in embodiment 3；

Figure 29 is the figure in the section for the XXIX-XXIX lines interception for being showing along Figure 28；

Figure 30 is pressure when showing printing duty (printing duty) change in the circulating path of embodiment 3 The figure of the change of distribution；

Figure 31 is the schematic diagram for the looping construct for showing conventional art；

Figure 32 is the figure for showing the pressure distribution in the common flow path in embodiment 3；With

Figure 33 is the figure for showing the pressure distribution in the common flow path in comparative example.

Embodiment

Conventional liquid discharge apparatus sets in the upstream side of the black feed path from accumulator to fluid ejection head and removed The filter of foreign matter, thus prevents that foreign matter from entering fluid ejection head.

However, in United States Patent (USP) No.7,922,312 and Japan Patent No.03606282 liquid discharge apparatus, pressure Governor motion is arranged on the upstream side of fluid ejection head, and filter is also disposed at the upstream side of pressure regulating mechanism.Therefore, attribution The foreign matter produced in the on-off action for the valve being included in pressure regulating mechanism can enter fluid ejection head, in some cases, Some liquid spraying outlets are in non-ejection state.Printing is performed in the case of non-ejection state is continuously in some ejiction openings When, striped can be formed in the image of printing, so as to reduce picture quality.As described above, worrying traditional liquid discharge apparatus May not print high quality images.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention 1 are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.The liquid of the liquid of the ejection ink of the present invention etc. Ejecting head is applicable to such as printer, duplicator, with communication system with the liquid discharge apparatus for being provided with the fluid ejection head The device of the facsimile machine of system, word processor with print unit etc..In addition, fluid ejection head and liquid discharge apparatus can be fitted For with the compound industrial printing devices that combine of ground of various processors.The example of purposes can include the manufacturing of biochip, electricity The printing of sub-circuit, manufacture of semiconductor substrate etc..Specifically show in addition, each following embodiment are the appropriate of the present invention Example, thus it is endowed various technically preferred limitations.However, present embodiment is not by each embodiment party of this specification The limitation of formula and other specific methods, as long as present embodiment meets the technological thought of the present invention.

(embodiment 1)

(explanation of liquid discharge apparatus)

Fig. 1 is that the ejection for showing the present invention records the schematic of the liquid discharge apparatus of liquid (below, also referred to liquid) The figure of construction, especially, is shown by spraying ink come the liquid discharge apparatus (below, also referred to printing device) of print image The figure of 1000 schematic configuration.Liquid discharge apparatus 1000 includes：Supply unit 1, it conveys print media 2；With line style (page Wide type) fluid ejection head 3, it is arranged to substantially vertical with the conveying direction of print media 2.Then, liquid discharge apparatus 1000 be line style printing device, and it by ink while print media 2 are continuously or discontinuously conveyed by being ejected into relative movement Print media 2 on and once by when continuous print image.Fluid ejection head 3 includes：Pressure control unit 230, it is controlled Pressure (negative pressure and malleation) in circulating path processed；Fluid supply unit 220, it is connected with pressure control unit 230 so that flowing Body can flow between fluid supply unit 220 and pressure control unit 230；Fluid connection 111, it is supplied as liquid The black supply mouth of unit 220 and black outlet；With framework 80.Print media 2 is not limited to single-sheet stationery, can also be continuous reel Medium.Fluid ejection head 3 can print full-colour image by the ink of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y and black K, and liquid sprays Lift one's head and 3 be fluidly connected to be used as to supply the liquid supplying member of feed path of liquid, main reservoir to fluid ejection head 3 and ease up Rush reservoir (referring to Fig. 2 described later on).In addition, to the supply electric power of fluid ejection head 3 and transmit spray control signal control Unit processed is electrically connected to fluid ejection head 3.By the liquid path and electrical signal path in fluid ejection head 3 described later on.

Liquid discharge apparatus 1000 is the liquid for making ink etc. between reservoir and fluid ejection head 3 described later on The liquid discharge apparatus of circulation.Looping construct includes：As the looping construct of comparative example, in the looping construct, liquid passes through Circulated positioned at the startup of two circulating pumps (being used for high pressure and low pressure) in the downstream of fluid ejection head 3；With following for the present invention Ring constructs (first circulation construction), in the looping construct, and liquid passes through two circulations positioned at the upstream side of fluid ejection head 3 The startup of pump (be used for high pressure and low pressure) and circulate.Hereinafter, each looping construct of circulation will be illustrated.

(explanation of comparative example)

Fig. 2 be show suitable for the circulating path of the liquid discharge apparatus 1000 of present embodiment as comparative example The schematic diagram of looping construct.Fluid ejection head 3 is fluidly connected to first circulation pump (high-pressure side) 1001, first circulation pump (low pressure Side) 1002 and buffer reservoir 1003.In addition, in fig. 2, for the purpose of simplifying the description, showing for cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y The path flowed through with a kind of ink of color in black K.However, in fact, in fluid ejection head 3 and liquid discharge apparatus main body It is provided with the circulating path of four kinds of colors.

In the looping construct, the ink that be will be stored in by make-up pump 1005 in main reservoir 1006 is supplied to buffering liquid storage In device 1003, then supply liquid of the ink through fluid connection 111 to fluid ejection head 3 by second circulation pump 1004 single Member 220 is supplied.In the present embodiment, main reservoir 1006 and buffer reservoir 1003 correspond to the liquid of storage printing fluid Storage container.Then, two kinds of different pressures will be adjusted to by being connected to the pressure control unit 230 of fluid supply unit 220 The ink of power (high pressure and low pressure) is divided into two streams of high-pressure side and low-pressure side and circulates the ink.In the present embodiment, will Provide the explanation that pressure control unit 230 controls the pattern of two kinds of different negative pressure.However, in the modified example being described below, Pressure control unit 230 will be provided control the explanation of malleation and negative pressure.Ink in fluid ejection head 3 is by positioned at fluid ejection head The first circulation pump (high-pressure side) 1001 in 3 downstream and acting in fluid ejection head for first circulation pump (low-pressure side) 1002 Circulation, and return to buffer reservoir 1003 by being discharged from fluid ejection head 3.

The atmosphere connection port for including being connected to main reservoir 1006 as the buffer reservoir 1003 of secondary reservoir (does not show Go out) so that inside and the ft connection of reservoir, it is thus possible to which the bubble in ink is discharged to the outside.Make-up pump 1005 is set Between buffer reservoir 1003 and main reservoir 1006.In ink due to being sprayed when printing acts and aspirated recovery action from liquid 3 ejiction opening of lifting one's head sprays (discharge) and after being consumed, ink is sent to buffering from main reservoir 1006 and stored up by make-up pump 1005 Liquid device 1003.

Two first circulation pumps 1001 and 1002 draw liquid from the fluid connection 111 of fluid ejection head 3 so that liquid Flow to buffer reservoir 1003.As first circulation pump, the displacement pump with quantitative liquid transfer capability is desired.Specifically Ground, can exemplify tube pump, gear pump, membrane pump and syringe pump.However, for example, can be in the exit arrangement routine of pump Permanent flow valve or conventional safety valve, to ensure predetermined amount of flow (rate).When fluid ejection head 3 is driven, first circulation pump is (high Press side) 1001 and first circulation pump (low-pressure side) 1002 act so that ink with predetermined amount of flow flow through common feed stream 211 and altogether With recovery stream 212.Because ink flows by this way, so the temperature of fluid ejection head 3 is maintained at during printing is acted Optimum temperature.Predetermined amount of flow when expecting to be driven fluid ejection head 3 is set equal to or higher than such as down-off：In the flow Under, the temperature difference between type element substrate 10 in fluid ejection head 3 does not influence print quality.Especially, it is too high when setting Flow when, the Negative Pressure Difference between type element substrate 10 can be because of the shadow of the pressure loss of the stream in liquid spray unit 300 Ring and increase, thus cause uneven concentration.For this reason, it may be desirable to consider that temperature difference and Negative Pressure Difference between type element substrate 10 are come Set flow.

Pressure control unit 230 is arranged in the path between second circulation pump 1004 and liquid spray unit 300.Pressure Even if control unit 230 is manipulated into when the flow of ink changes because of the difference of per unit area spray volume in the circulatory system, Also the pressure (that is, the pressure near liquid spray unit 300) in the downstream of pressure control unit 230 is maintained into pre- level pressure Power.As two pressure control mechanisms for constituting pressure control unit 230, any mechanism can be used, as long as can be by pressure The Stress control in the downstream of control unit 230 is in the preset range for expecting setting pressure or smaller.As an example, energy Enough mechanisms using so-called " pressure-reducing valve and pressure reducing regulator " etc..In the circulation stream of this Application Example, Stress control Pressurizeed by fluid supply unit 220 by second circulation pump 1004 upstream side of unit 230.Using the construction, due to can Suppress influence of the buffer reservoir 1003 relative to the head pressure of fluid ejection head 3, so liquid discharge apparatus can be widened The free degree of the layout of 1000 buffer reservoir 1003.

As second circulation pump 1004, turbine pump or displacement pump can be used, as long as pre- when fluid ejection head 3 is driven Determining head pressure (head pressure) or bigger pressure can be presented in the range of used black circular flow.Tool Body, membrane pump can be used.In addition, having necessarily relative to pressure control unit 230 for example, can also use and be arranged to Head difference head tank replace second circulation pump 1004.As shown in Fig. 2 pressure control unit 230 includes having difference respectively Two pressure regulating mechanisms of control pressure.In two pressure regulating mechanisms, relatively high pressure side (is represented) with " H " in fig. 2 It is connected to respectively by fluid supply unit 220 in liquid spray unit 300 with relatively low pressure side (being represented in fig. 2 with " L ") Common feed stream 211 and share reclaim stream 212.Liquid spray unit 300 is provided with common feed stream 211, shared Reclaim stream 212 and the independent stream 215 connected with each type element substrate (is independently supplied stream 213 and independent recovery stream 214).Pressure regulating mechanism H is connected to common feed stream 211, and pressure regulating mechanism L, which is connected to share, reclaims stream 212, and And form pressure difference between two common flow paths.Then, independent stream 215 is connected to corresponding to one in a pair of common flow paths The common feed stream 211 of common flow path and the shared recovery stream corresponding to another common flow path in a pair of common flow paths 212, and connected with the ejiction opening 13 of type element substrate 10.According to the construction, produce as flowed down (Fig. 2 direction of arrow)： A part for liquid is passed through stream in type element substrate 10 from common feed stream 211 to shared recovery stream 212 flowings.

By this way, liquid spray unit 300 has as flowed down：When liquid flowing is with through common feed stream 211 During with shared recovery stream 212, a part for liquid passes through type element substrate 10.Therefore, can be by flowing through common feed The heat produced by type element substrate 10 is discharged to type element substrate 10 by stream 211 and the shared ink for reclaiming stream 212 It is outside.Using the construction, even in balancing gate pit or the ejiction opening for not spraying liquid when by 3 print image of fluid ejection head In, it can also produce the stream of ink.Therefore, it is possible to suppress the change of ink in the way of the black viscosity of retrogradation in ejiction opening to reduce It is thick.Furthermore it is possible to discharge the foreign matter in the black or ink of retrogradation towards shared recovery stream 212.Therefore, the liquid spray of this Application Example Lifting one's head 3 can be with high speed print high quality images.

(explanation of first circulation construction)

Fig. 3 be show suitable for the circulating path of the liquid discharge apparatus of this Application Example as with above-mentioned looping construct The schematic diagram of the first circulation construction of different looping constructs.The main distinction with above-mentioned looping construct is to constitute pressure control The Stress control of the upstream side of pressure control unit 230 is being expected setting pressure by two pressure control mechanisms of unit 230 processed In the preset range of power.In addition, with looping construct in Fig. 2 another difference is that, second circulation pump 1004 is used as reduction and pressed The negative pressure source of the pressure in the downstream of power control unit 230.In addition, also a difference is, first circulation pump (high-pressure side) 1001 The upstream side of fluid ejection head 3 is arranged on first circulation pump (low-pressure side) 1002, pressure control unit 230 is arranged in liquid spray Lift one's head 3 downstream.

In first circulation construction, the ink in main reservoir 1006 is supplied to by buffer reservoir by make-up pump 1005 1003.Then, ink is divided into two streams, and passes through the effect for the pressure control unit 230 being arranged in fluid ejection head 3 Ink is set to be circulated in two streams positioned at high-pressure side and low-pressure side.Pass through first circulation pump (high-pressure side) 1001 and first circulation The effect of pump (low-pressure side) 1002, the ink being divided into two streams of high-pressure side and low-pressure side passes through fluid connection 111 supply to fluid ejection head 3.Then, made by pressure control unit 230 by first circulation pump (high-pressure side) 1001 and The effect of one circulating pump (low-pressure side) 1002 and fluid ejection head interior circulation ink through fluid connection 111 from liquid spray First 3 discharge.The ink of discharge is set to return to buffer reservoir 1003 by second circulation pump 1004.

In first circulation construction, even if when flow changes because of the change of per unit area spray volume, Stress control Unit 230 can also make the pressure change of the upstream side (that is, the side of liquid spray unit 300) of pressure control unit 230 stable with In certain limit centered on preset pressure., can be with as two pressure regulating mechanisms being included in pressure control unit 230 Using arbitrary pressure regulating mechanism, as long as can be by the Stress control of the upstream side of pressure control unit 230 into expectation Control pressure centered on certain limit below change.As an example, can use be referred to as it is so-called " counterbalance valve/ The back pressure type pressure-regulating valve mechanism of back pressure regulator ".In the circulation stream of present embodiment, pressure control unit 230 Pressurizeed by fluid supply unit 220 by second circulation pump 1004 in downstream.Using the construction, due to buffering storage can be suppressed Liquid device 1003 is set for the influence of the head pressure of fluid ejection head 3 so buffer reservoir 1003 can be made to be sprayed in liquid The range of choice of layout in standby 1000 broadens.Have for example, can also use and be arranged to relative to pressure control unit 230 The head tank of certain head difference replaces second circulation pump 1004.Pressure control unit 230 includes having different control pressures respectively Two pressure regulating mechanisms.In two pressure regulating mechanisms, high-pressure side (being represented in figure 3 with " 230H ") and low-pressure side (being represented in figure 3 with " 230L ") is connected to the common feed in liquid spray unit 300 by fluid supply unit 220 respectively Stream 211 and shared recovery stream 212.The pressure in common feed stream 211 is set when using two pressure regulating mechanisms When sharing the pressure in recovery stream 212 to be relatively higher than, produce from common feed stream 211 and pass through independent stream 215 and shape Flowed into the ink that the stream in each type element substrate 10 flows to shared recovery stream 212.

In first circulation construction, obtained in liquid spray unit 300 and the looping construct identical ink in Fig. 2 Stream, but with two advantages different from the looping construct in Fig. 2.As first advantage, prevent from entering Stress control list The foreign matter or waste of member 230 flow into fluid ejection head 3.In other words, in first circulation construction, pressure control unit 230 is arranged In the downstream of fluid ejection head 3, following filters 221 are arranged in the upstream side of fluid ejection head 3.Therefore, when operation first Circulating pump 1001 and 1002 and second circulation pump 1004 make ink when being circulated in circulating path, can be removed into from liquid The foreign matter of pressure control unit 230, and the foreign matter influent ejecting head 3 can be prevented.In first circulation construction, pressure Adjustment unit is arranged in the downstream of fluid ejection head 3.Therefore, even if when foreign matter is because being included in the valve in pressure regulating mechanism When being opened and closed and entering circulating path, the foreign matter of entrance can also be removed before fluid ejection head 3 is reached by filter 221.As Second advantage, first circulation construction in, to by liquid from buffer reservoir 1003 be supplied to fluid ejection head 3 for must The maximum of the flow needed is less than the maximum in the looping construct in Fig. 2.Reason is as follows.

In the case where being circulated in printing holding state, by common feed stream 211, share and reclaim the and of stream 212 The flow of independent stream 215 and it is set as flow A.Flow A value is defined as minimum discharge：To in printing holding state The temperature of lower regulation fluid ejection head 3 cause the temperature difference in liquid spray unit 300 fall in expected range necessary to most Low discharge.In addition, the ejection flow that will be obtained when spraying black (spraying state entirely) from all ejiction openings of liquid spray unit 300 It is defined as flow F (each ejiction opening spray volume × time per unit sprays the quantity of frequency × ejiction opening).

Fig. 4 is to show that the ink to fluid ejection head 3 between looping construct illustrated in fig. 2 and first circulation construction is flowed into The schematic diagram of the difference of amount.Reference marker (a) shows the holding state of looping construct illustrated in fig. 2, and reference marker (b) shows The full ejection state of looping construct illustrated in fig. 2 is gone out.Reference marker (c) to (f) shows first circulation stream.Here, Reference marker (c) and (d) show a case that flow F is less than flow A, and reference marker (e) and (f) show flow F higher than stream Measure A situation.By this way, the flow under holding state and full ejection state is shown.

The first circulation pump 1001 and first circulation pump 1002 that are respectively provided with quantitative liquid transfer capability in fig. 2 is arranged in In the case of the looping construct (reference marker (a) and (b)) in the downstream of fluid ejection head 3, first circulation pump 1001 and first is followed The total flow of ring pump 1002 is flow A.By flow A, the temperature in liquid spray unit 300 in the standby state can be managed Degree.In addition, in the case of the full ejection state of fluid ejection head 3, first circulation pump 1001 and first circulation pump 1002 it is total Flow be before flow A.However, the negative pressure produced by the ejection in fluid ejection head 3 can work.Therefore, with such as lower section Formula obtains the maximum stream flow for being supplied to fluid ejection head 3：The full flow F for spraying consumption is added with the flow A of total flow.Therefore, Because flow F is added (reference marker (b)) with flow A, so supply to the maximum of the quantity delivered of fluid ejection head 3 meets stream Measure A+ flows F relation.

Here, in Fig. 2 looping construct, it is contemplated that the following full situation for spraying state：In this case, multiple printings Some type element substrates 10 in device substrate 10, which are in, prints holding state, and owning from other type element substrates 10 Ejiction opening 13 sprays ink.The liquid discharge apparatus 1000 of present embodiment is constructed such that under printing holding state to printing Device substrate 10 supplies ink.Will be based on the assumption that providing explanation：As shown in Fig. 2 the type element base of liquid spray unit 300 The type element substrate 10 shown by half tone dot netlist in plate 10 corresponds in the full type element substrate 10 for spraying state, The type element substrate 10 represented by blank in type element substrate 10 corresponds to the type element in printing holding state Substrate 10.In this example, in addition to the ink (direction of empty arrow) from common feed stream 211, also in full spray The type element substrate 10 done well is supplied in a certain amount of black (direction of solid arrow) from shared recovery stream 212.Meanwhile, Continue to supply the ink (side of empty arrow from common feed stream 211 to the type element substrate 10 in printing holding state To).Due to influent spray unit 300 ink amount increase, so common feed stream 211 with share reclaim stream 212 it Between pressure difference slightly change.However, when the cross-sectional area of common flow path can be substantially ensured that, its influence can be ignored.

It is constructed as below as described above, the looping construct in Fig. 2 of present embodiment has：In this configuration, when some are beaten Printing elements substrate 10 is in printing holding state, when other type element substrates 10 are in full ejection state, is treated in printing The type element substrate 10 of machine state supplies ink.According to the construction, the ink supplied to fluid ejection head 3 can be suitably controlled Amount.In other words, the pressure difference between common flow path can be controlled such that through the type element base in printing holding state The black flow of independent stream 215 in plate 10 is less than the black spray sprayed from all ejiction openings 13 in type element substrate 10 Outflow.When controlling common feed stream 211 as described above and sharing to reclaim the pressure difference between stream 212, no matter come from Whether is the black changes in flow rate of the ejiction opening 13 of fluid ejection head 3, can suppress the type element in printing holding state The ink amount circulated in substrate 10.When the ink amount that can suppress to circulate in the type element substrate 10 in printing holding state, The heat extraction from fluid ejection head 3 can be suppressed, and can be simplified for cooling down black cooling body in circulation stream etc..

Meanwhile, the first of the upstream side of fluid ejection head 3 is arranged in first circulation pump 1001 and first circulation pump 1002 It is same with the looping construct in Fig. 2 in the situation (reference marker (c)-(f)) of looping construct, necessary to printing holding state It is flow A to supply to the quantity delivered of fluid ejection head 3.Thus, arranged when in first circulation pump 1001 and first circulation pump 1002 When flow A is higher than flow F (reference marker (c) and (d)) in the first circulation construction of the upstream side of fluid ejection head 3, even if It is also fully flow A to be supplied under full ejection state to the quantity delivered of fluid ejection head 3.Now, the discharge of fluid ejection head 3 Flow meets flow A- flows F relation (reference marker (d)).However, when flow F higher than flow A (reference marker (e) and (f) it is not enough when ejection state down-off entirely can be supplied to the flow of liquid of fluid ejection head 3 for flow A when).For This, when flow F is higher than flow A, it is necessary to which the quantity delivered for being fed to fluid ejection head 3 is set as flow F.Now, due to The meeting of fluid ejection head 3 consumed flow F under full ejection state, so the flow for the liquid discharged from fluid ejection head 3 is almost nil (reference marker (f)).In addition, if liquid then sprays not to spray state ejection entirely from liquid when flow F is higher than flow A The liquid that the amount that first 3 discharge is consumed by flow F ejection is siphoned away.

As described above, being that first circulation pump 1001 and first circulation pump 1002 are set in the case where first circulation is constructed The aggregate value of flow, the maximum of i.e. necessary supply flow rate be larger value in flow A and flow F.As long as therefore, using tool There is the liquid spray unit 300 of same configuration, then maximum (flow A or the flow of quantity delivered necessary to first circulation construction F the maximum (flow A+ flow F) of supply flow rate necessary to) being less than the looping construct in Fig. 2.The first of present embodiment follows Ring construction is constructed such that some proper type element substrates 10 are in printing holding state, and at other type element substrates 10 When state is sprayed entirely, ink is supplied to the type element substrate 10 in printing holding state.In following aspect first circulation structure Make same with looping construct illustrated in fig. 2：By controlling common feed stream 211 and sharing the pressure between recovery stream 212 Difference, no matter the black ejection changes in flow rate of the ejiction opening 13 from fluid ejection head 3 whether, inhibit in printing standby shape The ink amount circulated in the type element substrate 10 of state.

Therefore, in the case where first circulation is constructed, improving the free degree of circulating pump applicatory.For example, can make With the circulating pump with simple structure and low cost, or the cooler (not shown) being arranged in main body side path can be reduced Load.Accordingly, there exist the advantage for the cost that can reduce printing device.In flow A or flow F line with relatively large value In type head, the advantage is significant.Therefore, in line style head, the line style head with long length direction length is benefited.

(explanation of the construction of fluid ejection head)

By construction of the explanation according to the fluid ejection head 3 of first embodiment.Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B are shown according to this implementation The stereogram of the fluid ejection head 3 of mode.Fluid ejection head 3 is page width type fluid ejection head, wherein in a type element base Point-blank configuration (linear configurations) has the ink for the four kinds of colors that can spray cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y and black K on plate 10 15 type element substrates 10.As shown in Figure 5A, fluid ejection head 3 includes：Type element substrate 10；Signal input terminal 91 and power supply terminal 92, it is electrically connected to each other by flexible PCB 40 and electric wiring substrate 90, and electric wiring substrate 90 can be to The supply of electrical energy of type element substrate 10.Signal input terminal 91 and power supply terminal 92 are electrically connected to the control of liquid discharge apparatus 1000 Unit processed, to spray drive signal and electric power necessary to being sprayed to the supply of type element substrate 10.When passing through electric wiring base When circuit in plate 90 is integrated with distribution, compared with the quantity of type element substrate 10, the He of signal input terminal 91 can be reduced The quantity of power supply terminal 92.Therefore, reduce and fluid ejection head 3 is being assembled into liquid discharge apparatus 1000 or liquid spray is changed The quantity of electric connecting part to be separated when lifting one's head.As shown in Figure 5 B, it is arranged on the fluid connection at the two ends of fluid ejection head 3 111 are connected to the liquid-supplying system of liquid discharge apparatus 1000.Therefore, from the feed system of liquid discharge apparatus 1000 to liquid The supply of body ejecting head 3 includes cyan C, magenta M, the ink of four kinds of colors of yellow Y and black K, and passes through liquid discharge apparatus 1000 feed system reclaims the ink through fluid ejection head 3.In this way it is possible to make the ink of different colours be sprayed through liquid Go out the path of equipment 1000 and the path circulation of fluid ejection head 3.

Fig. 6 is to show to constitute the part of fluid ejection head 3 or the exploded perspective view of unit.Liquid spray unit 300, liquid Feed unit 220 and electric wiring substrate 90 are attached to framework 80.It is single that fluid connection 111 (referring to Fig. 3) is arranged on liquid supply In member 220.In addition, in order to remove the foreign matter in supplied ink, different colours are provided in fluid supply unit 220 Filter 221 (referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), while the open communication of filter 221 and fluid connection 111.Correspond respectively to two kinds Two fluid supply units 220 of color are provided with filter 221.Liquid through filter 221 is fed into and is arranged in The pressure control unit 230 of fluid supply unit 220, fluid supply unit 220 is arranged to correspond to each color.Stress control Unit 230 is the unit for the pressure-control valve for including different colours.By the spring member or the function of valve being disposed therein, greatly The feed system for reducing liquid discharge apparatus 1000 caused by the change by fluid flow (is located at fluid ejection head 3 width The feed system of upstream side) in the pressure loss change.Therefore, pressure control unit 230 can make to be located at Stress control list The negative pressure variation in the downstream (liquid spray unit 300) of member 230 is stable within a predetermined range.As described in Figure 2, Stress control list Member 230 is built-in with the pressure-control valve of two different colours.Two pressure-control valves are respectively set at different control pressures. Here, by the common feed stream 211 (referring to Fig. 2) in the high-pressure side of fluid supply unit 220 and liquid spray unit 300 even Logical and low-pressure side is connected with sharing recovery stream 212 (referring to Fig. 2).

Framework 80 includes liquid spray unit supporting part 81 and electric wiring substrate supporting part 82, and framework 80 is in support liquid Ensure the rigidity of fluid ejection head 3 while body spray unit 300 and electric wiring substrate 90.Electric wiring substrate supporting part 82 is used for The electric wiring substrate 90 of support is simultaneously fixed to liquid spray unit supporting part 81 by screw.Liquid spray unit supporting part 81 is used for Warpage or the deformation of liquid spray unit 300 are corrected, to ensure the relative positional accuracy between type element substrate 10.Therefore, Inhibit the striped and inhomogeneities of print media.For this reason, it may be desirable to which liquid spray unit supporting part 81 has enough rigidity.Make For material, the ceramics of the metal or aluminum oxide of SUS or aluminium etc. etc. are contemplated to be.Liquid spray unit supporting part 81 is set It is equipped with the opening 83 and 84 for the insertion of joint rubber 100.The liquid supplied from fluid supply unit 220 is drawn through joint rubber Lead the 3rd channel member 70 for constituting liquid spray unit 300.

Liquid spray unit 300 includes multiple ejection modules 200 and channel member 210, and cover component 130 is attached to liquid spray The face being located near print media gone out in unit 300.Here, cover component 130 be it is as shown in Figure 6 have phase frame-shaped surface and The component of elongated opening 131 is provided with, and is included in the type element substrate 10 and containment member 110 sprayed in module 200 (referring to Figure 10 A described later on) exposes from opening 131.The periphery frame portion of opening 131 is used as covering under printing holding state The contact surface of the cover component of fluid ejection head 3.For this reason, it may be desirable to pass through the periphery coating adhesive along opening 131, encapsulant The bumps come with packing material in the ejection port face of liquid filling body spray unit 300 or gap, are sealed with being formed under the state that covers Close space.

Next, will illustrate to include the construction of the channel member 210 in liquid spray unit 300.As shown in fig. 6, stream Road component 210 is obtained by being laminated first flow path component 50, second flow path component 60 and the 3rd channel member 70, and stream Component 210 distributes the liquid supplied from fluid supply unit 220 to ejection module 200.In addition, channel member 210 is made from spray The liquid for going out the recycling of module 200 returns to the channel member of fluid supply unit 220.Channel member 210 is fixed by screw To liquid spray unit supporting part 81, thus inhibit warpage or the deformation of channel member 210.

Fig. 7 is to show first flow path part to the figure of the front and back of the 3rd channel member.Reference marker (a) is shown In first flow path component 50 for spray module 200 install face, reference marker (f) show in the 3rd channel member 70 with The face that liquid spray unit supporting part 81 is contacted.First flow path component 50 and second flow path component 60 are engaged with each other so that reference Mark the part of contact surface shown in (b) and (c) and corresponding to channel member facing with each other, second flow path component and the 3rd stream Road component is engaged with each other so that the part of reference marker (d) and the contact surface corresponding to channel member shown in (e) face each other It is right.When the channel member 70 of second flow path component 60 and the 3rd is engaged with each other, pass through the common flow path groove 62 and 71 of channel member Formed along channel member length direction extend eight common flow paths (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d, 212a, 212b, 212c、212d).Therefore, common feed stream 211 and the shared group formation for reclaiming stream 212 are interior with correspondence in channel member 210 In each color.Ink is supplied from common feed stream 211 to fluid ejection head 3, and the recovery confession of stream 212 is reclaimed by sharing It is given to the ink of fluid ejection head 3.The connected entrance 72 (referring to reference marker (f)) of 3rd channel member 70 and joint rubber 100 Hole is connected, and is fluidly connected to fluid supply unit 220 (referring to Fig. 6).The common flow path groove 62 of second flow path component 60 Bottom surface is provided with multiple connected entrances 61 and (the connected entrance 61-1 that is connected with shared supply line 211 and connected with shared recovery stream 212 Logical connected entrance 61-2) and connected with one end of the independent flow passage groove 52 of first flow path component 50.First flow path component 50 it is only The other end of vertical flow passage groove 52 is provided with connected entrance 51, and is fluidly connected to ejection module 200 by connected entrance 51.By only Vertical flow passage groove 52, stream can densely be arranged on the center side of channel member.

Expect first flow path component to the 3rd channel member by the corrosion resistance with relative to liquid and with low linear The material of the coefficient of expansion is formed.For example, can be suitably used by the way that the inorganic of fiber or silicon dioxide microparticle etc. is filled out Material is added to aluminum oxide, LCP (liquid crystal polymer), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PSF (polysulfones) or MODIFIED PP E (polyphenylene oxide) etc. Base material and the composite (resin) that obtains as material.Three channel members can be made to be stacked on one another bonding as formation stream The method of road component 210.When selecting resin composite materials as material, the joint method using welding can be used.

Fig. 8 is enlarged fragmentary perspective when from the face for spraying the installation of module 200 in first flow path component 50 Figure, the close up perspective view shows the part α of reference marker (a), and shows by making first flow path component to the Three channel members be engaged with each other formed by stream in channel member 210.To cause common feed stream 211 and share recovery The mode that stream 212 is alternately arranged from the stream at two ends, which forms common feed stream 211 and shared, reclaims stream 212.Here, Annexation between the stream that will illustrate in channel member 210.

Channel member 210 be provided with along fluid ejection head 3 length direction extension common feed stream 211 (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) and share recovery stream 212 (212a, 212b, 212c, 212d) and be arranged for each color. The stream 213 (213a, 213b, 213c, 213d) that is independently supplied formed by independent flow passage groove 52 is connected to not by connected entrance 61 With the common feed stream 211 of color.In addition, by independent flow passage groove 52 formed it is independent reclaim stream 214 (214a, 214b, 214c, 214d) the shared recovery stream 212 of different colours is connected to by connected entrance 61.Using the flow path configuration, ink can be made Passed through from common feed stream 211 and be independently supplied the concentrated supply of stream 213 to the type element of the central portion positioned at channel member Substrate 10.Furthermore it is possible to be reclaimed from type element substrate 10 through the independent shared ground of stream 212 that reclaims of the arrival of stream 214 that reclaims Ink.

Fig. 9 is the sectional view along Fig. 8 line IX-IX interceptions.The independent stream (214a, 214c) that reclaims passes through connected entrance 51 Connected with spraying module 200.In fig .9, independent recovery stream (214a, 214c) is illustrate only, but in different sections, Communicated with each other as shown in figure 8, being independently supplied stream 213 and spraying module 200.It is included in the support structure in each ejection module 200 Part 30 and type element substrate 10 are provided with following stream：Ink is supplied to and is arranged on printing by the stream from first flow path component 50 Type element 15 in device substrate 10.In addition, supporting member 30 and type element substrate 10 are provided with following stream：The stream First flow path component 50 is arrived in the part or all of recovery (recycling) for being fed into the liquid of type element 15.

Here, the common feed stream 211 of each color is connected to the pressure control of corresponding color by fluid supply unit 220 Unit 230 (high-pressure side) processed, it is (low that shared recovery stream 212 is connected to pressure control unit 230 by fluid supply unit 220 Press side).By pressure control unit 230, pressure difference (pressure is produced between common feed stream 211 and shared recovery stream 212 Difference).Therefore, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9, in the fluid ejection head of this Application Example with the stream being connected to each other, with each color Common feed stream 211, be independently supplied stream 213, type element substrate 10, it is independent reclaim stream 214 and share reclaim stream The order on road 212 produces stream.

(explanation for spraying module)

Figure 10 A are the stereograms for showing an ejection module 200, and Figure 10 B are the exploded views of the ejection module 200.As The method that manufacture sprays module 200, type element substrate 10 and flexible PCB 40 first, be adhered to and be provided with fluid connection On the supporting member 30 of mouth 31.Then, by wire bonding by the terminal 16 and flexible PCB 40 on type element substrate 10 On terminal 41 be electrically connected to each other, and pass through the sealing wire junction surface (electrical connection section) of containment member 110.Flexible PCB 40 The terminal 42 opposite with type element substrate 10 be electrically connected to the connection terminal 93 of electric wiring substrate 90 (referring to Fig. 6).Due to Supporting member 30 is used as the supporter of support type element substrate 10 and type element substrate 10 is flowed each other with channel member 210 The channel member of body connection, has high flatness when being engaged to type element substrate and enough it is desirable to supporting member High reliability.For example, it is desirable to which aluminum oxide or resin are used as material.

(explanation of the structure of type element substrate)

Figure 11 A are the top views for showing to be provided with the face of ejiction opening 13 in type element substrate 10, and Figure 11 B are Figure 11 A Part XIB enlarged drawing, Figure 11 C are the top views at the back side for showing Figure 11 A.Here, the type element of this Application Example will be illustrated The construction of substrate 10.As shown in Figure 11 A, the ejiction opening formation component 12 of type element substrate 10 is provided with corresponding to different colours Black four row ejiction openings row.In addition, the bearing of trend that the ejiction opening of ejiction opening 13 is arranged is referred to as " ejiction opening column direction ".As schemed Shown in 11B, the type element 15 as the ejection energy generating element that liquid is sprayed by heat energy is arranged on corresponding to each spray At the position of outlet 13.The balancing gate pit 23 being arranged in type element 15 is divided by partition wall 22.Type element 15 is by setting Electric wire (not shown) in type element substrate 10 is electrically connected to terminal 16.Then, based on via electric wiring substrate 90 (referring to Fig. 6) printed with flexible PCB 40 (referring to Figure 10 B) from the pulse signal of the control circuit input of liquid discharge apparatus 1000 Element 15 makes liquid boiling in the case of heated.Liquid is sprayed by the foaming power produced by boiling from ejiction opening 13.Such as Shown in Figure 11 B, liquid supply path 18 is listed in side along each ejiction opening and extended, and liquids recovery path 19 is arranged along the ejiction opening In opposite side extension.Liquid supply path 18 and liquids recovery path 19 are along the ejiction opening being arranged in type element substrate 10 The stream of column direction extension, and connected by supply mouth 17a and recovery port 17b with ejiction opening 13.

As shown in Figure 11 C, sheet The lid component 20 is layered in the face for being provided with ejiction opening 13 in type element substrate 10 On the back side, and The lid component 20 is provided with the multiple openings 21 connected with liquid supply path 18 and liquids recovery path 19. In this Application Example, The lid component 20 is provided with for three openings 21 of each liquid supply path 18 and for each liquids recovery path 19 two openings 21.As shown in Figure 11 B, the opening 21 of The lid component 20 is connected with the connected entrance 51 shown in reference marker (a).Phase Hope that The lid component 20 has enough corrosion resistances relative to liquid.From the viewpoint of colour mixture is prevented, the opening shape of opening 21 Needed with aperture position with high precision.For this reason, it may be desirable to be made using photoetching process by using photoresist material or silicon plate Opening 21 is formed for the material of The lid component 20.By this way, The lid component 20 changes the pitch of stream by opening 21.This In, it is contemplated that the pressure loss, it is expected that by the membrane-like member formation The lid component with minimal thickness.

Figure 12 is the cutting when the line XII-XII interceptions along Figure 11 A for showing type element substrate 10 and The lid component 20 The stereogram in face.Here, by the stream of the liquid illustrated in type element substrate 10.The lid component 20 is used as forming liquid supply path 18 and liquids recovery path 19 wall a part lid, wherein liquid supply path 18 and liquids recovery path 19, which are formed, is beating In the substrate 11 of printing elements substrate 10.Type element substrate 10 is by being laminated by the Si substrates 11 formed and by photoresist shape Into ejiction opening formation component 12 and formed, The lid component 20 is joined to the back side of substrate 11.One face of substrate 11, which is provided with, to be beaten Printing elements 15 (referring to Figure 11 B), the back side of substrate 11 is provided with the He of liquid supply path 18 to be formed and extension is arranged along ejiction opening The groove in liquids recovery path 19.The liquid supply path 18 and liquids recovery path 19 formed by substrate 11 and The lid component 20 is distinguished The common feed stream 211 and shared recovery stream 212 being connected in each channel member 210, and in liquid supply path 18 Pressure difference is produced between liquids recovery path 19.When liquid is sprayed with print image from ejiction opening 13, made by pressure difference not The liquid inside the liquid supply path 18 in substrate 11 is arranged at the ejiction opening for spraying liquid and passes through supply mouth 17a, pressure Room 23 and recovery port 17b flow (referring to Figure 12 arrow C) towards liquids recovery path 19.By the flowing, liquid can be passed through Body recovery path 19 is reclaimed is produced in the ejiction opening 13 of printing action or balancing gate pit 23 is not related to by being evaporated from ejiction opening 13 The ink and foreign matter, bubble of raw retrogradation.Furthermore it is possible to suppress the black retrogradation of ejiction opening 13 or balancing gate pit 23.It is recovered to liquid The liquid for reclaiming path 19 passes through the opening 21 of The lid component 20 and 31 (referring to Figure 10 B) of fluid connection mouthful of supporting member 30 to flow Connected entrance 51, the independent order for reclaiming stream 214 and sharing recovery stream 212 in road component 210 are recovered.That is, from printing The liquid that equipment body is supplied to fluid ejection head 3 flows to be supplied to and reclaim in the following order.

First, fluid connection 111 influent ejecting head 3 of the liquid from fluid supply unit 220.Then, liquid according to It is secondary to pass through joint rubber 100, the connected entrance 72 being arranged in the 3rd channel member and common flow path groove 71, be arranged on second flow path Common flow path groove 62 and connected entrance 61 in component and independent flow passage groove 52 and the connected entrance being arranged in first flow path component 51 are supplied to.Then, liquid is sequentially passing through the fluid connection mouthful 31 being arranged in supporting member 30, is being arranged in The lid component 20 Opening 21 and the liquid supply path 18 and supply mouth 17a that are arranged in substrate 11 in the case of be fed into balancing gate pit 23.In the liquid for being supplied to balancing gate pit 23, the liquid not sprayed from ejiction opening 13, which is flowed successively through, is arranged on returning in substrate 11 Closing in 17b and liquids recovery path 19, the opening 21 being arranged in The lid component 20 and the liquid being arranged in supporting member 30 connect Port 31.Then, liquid flows successively through the connected entrance 51 being arranged in first flow path component and independent flow passage groove 52, is arranged on Connected entrance 61 and common flow path groove 62 in two channel members, the common flow path groove 71 being arranged in the 3rd channel member 70 and even Port 72 and joint rubber 100.Then, liquid is from the fluid connection 111 being arranged in fluid supply unit 220 to liquid The flows outside of ejecting head 3.

In the looping construct as comparative example shown in Fig. 2, the liquid flowed into from fluid connection 111 passes through pressure control Unit 230 processed is supplied to joint rubber 100.In addition, in the first circulation construction shown in Fig. 3, the liquid reclaimed from balancing gate pit 23 Body passes through joint rubber 100, and the outside stream by pressure control unit 230 from fluid connection 111 to fluid ejection head It is dynamic.It is not passed through being independently supplied stream from whole liquid of one end outflow of the common feed stream 211 of liquid spray unit 300 213 supply to balancing gate pit 23.That is, liquid can flow from the other end of common feed stream 211 to fluid supply unit 220, And the liquid flowed out from one end of common feed stream 211 does not flow into and is independently supplied stream 213.By this way, due to path It is configured to make liquid flow through the path in the case where being not passed through type element substrate 10, so in such as this Application Example Include with small flow resistance big stream type element substrate 10 in, can also suppress the adverse current of the recycle stream of liquid.With this The mode of kind, due to the retrogradation of the liquid near ejiction opening or balancing gate pit 23 can be suppressed in the fluid ejection head 3 of this Application Example, So can suppress to slide or do not spray.As a result, it is possible to print high-quality image.

Figure 13 is the close-up top view for showing two adjacent adjacency sections for spraying the type element substrate in module. In this Application Example, the type element substrate of almost parallel quadrangle is used.Configuration has spray in each type element substrate 10 The ejiction opening row (14a to 14d) of outlet 13 are arranged in the predetermined angular of the length direction with relative to fluid ejection head 3 While tilt.Then, the ejiction opening row at the adjacency section between type element substrate 10 are formed so that at least one sprays Outlet is overlapping on print media conveying direction.As shown in figure 13, two ejiction openings on line D overlap each other.Using the configuration, Even if, can not by the drive control of overlapping ejiction opening when the position of type element substrate 10 is offset slightly from precalculated position See the black streaking or missing of print image.Even if when type element substrate 10 is with rectilinear form (linearity configuration) rather than indentation When shape is arranged, increased by length of the construction shown in Figure 13 on the print media conveying direction for suppressing fluid ejection head 3 Meanwhile, also cope with the black streaking or missing at the connecting portion between type element substrate 10.In addition, in this Application Example, The principal plane of type element substrate has parallelogram shape, but the invention is not restricted to this.Even if for example, having when using , also can be desirably using the construction of the present invention when rectangular shape, trapezoidal shape and other shapes of type element substrate.

(explanation of the construction of pressure control unit)

Figure 15 A and Figure 15 B are the outward appearances for the pressure control unit 230 (counterbalance valve) being shown with first circulation is constructed Stereogram.Figure 15 C are the sectional views of pressure control unit 230.Except control pressure (initial load of spring) difference is with external The pressure regulating mechanism 230L of low-pressure side has identical construction, thus the explanation that will omit pressure regulating mechanism 230L.Figure 15 A The operating principle phase of mechanism of the operating principle of pressure regulating mechanism 230H into Figure 15 C with being commonly referred to as " counterbalance valve " Together.Figure 15 B show the state that compression plate 231 and flexible membrane 232 have been not shown, easily to observe pressure regulating mechanism 230H Inside.Figure 15 C are the figures in the section for the XVC-XVC lines interception for being showing along Figure 15 A.

As shown in Figure 15 B and Figure 15 C, pressure regulating mechanism 230H includes：Compression plate 231；First pressure room 233, it sets Put the upstream side connected in ejecting head 3 for liquid；With flexible membrane 232, its fluidly sealed pressure plate 231 and first pressure room 233.In the present embodiment, compression plate 231 increases according to black in first pressure room or reduces and shift, and is attached to Corresponding to the flexible membrane 232 of flexible member.In addition, first pressure room 233 has：Valve 235, it passes through compression plate 231 and axle 234 Connection；With perforate (orifice) 236, it is fitted to valve 235.The perforate 236 of present embodiment is arranged on first pressure room 233 With the boundary between second pressure room 238.Axle 234, valve 235 and compression plate 231 need integratedly to move, and use bonding Agent, embedded hole etc. link together.In addition, making the direction of the occlusion of valve 235 to compression plate by force application component 237 (spring) edge 231 and valve 235 exert a force.

In figure 15 c, valve 235 is arranged on the upstream side of perforate 236, and when compression plate 231 is moved up, perforate Gap between 236 and valve 235 is opened.The ink entered from pressure regulating mechanism 230H entrance flows into first pressure room 233, And by its pressure transmission to compression plate 231.Hereafter, ink is adjusted by the gap through perforate 236 and valve 235 from pressure Mechanism 230H outlet is discharged to fluid ejection head 3.

Pressure in each balancing gate pit is determined based on relationship below, the relational expression represents to be applied to the flat of the power of each several part Weighing apparatus.P1 can be set as by the power changed corresponding to the spring of force application component 237 by desired control pressure.Change spring normal Number K or its length during change action are to change the power of spring.In order to change its length during action, such as in Figure 15 C In, thus it is possible to vary the depth of force application component 237 and the hollow bulb at housing side contacts place.

P1=P0- (P2Sv+Kx)/Sd... formulas (1)

Here, Sd：The area of compression plate, Sv：The compression area of valve portion

P0：Atmospheric pressure, P1：Pressure in balancing gate pit, P2：The pressure in the downstream of perforate

K：Spring constant, x：Spring displacement

In formula (1), the Section 2 on right side have all the time on the occasion of.Thus, P1 ﹤ P0 inequality is met, and P1 can not It is changed into negative pressure with avoiding.

In addition, will be Q through the flow set of pressure regulating mechanism 230H inside when the flow resistance of valve portion is set as into R When, meet below equation.

P2=P1-QR... formula (2)

Here, for example, the flow resistance R and valve opening of valve portion are designed to have Figure 14 relation.In more detail, flow resistance R with The increase of valve opening and reduce.

When it is determined that valve position causes while when meeting formula (1) and formula (2), what P1 was to determine.When to pressure regulating mechanism When 230H flow increases, the pressure being connected in the buffer reservoir 1003 in pressure regulating mechanism 230H downstream is constant 's.Thus, increasing for flow is attributed to, P2 is because of the increase of the flow resistance between pressure control unit 230 and buffer reservoir 1003 And increase.Therefore, increase for the power P2Sv for opening valve, and by formula (1), P1 instantaneously reduces.

In addition, drawing R=(P1-P2)/Q from formula (2).Here, because P2 increases, P1 reduces, so R reduces.When R reduces When, valve opening increase.Such as knowable to Figure 15 C, when valve opening increases, the length increase of force application component 237.Thus, correspond to Reduce from the x of the displacement of drift.Thus, the power kx of spring reduces.Therefore, from formula (1), P1 instantaneously increases.When P1 is instantaneous During increase, P1 by with it is described above in effect opposite effect and instantaneously reduce.When the phenomenon is instantaneously repeated, opened in valve In the case that degree changes according to flow Q, while meeting formula (1) and formula (2).As a result, P1 is controlled in steady state value.

(explanation during ink filling)

Next, the liquid discharge apparatus 1000 provided to present embodiment to be filled to the explanation of the operation of ink.Figure 16 is Show in present embodiment ink filling when pressure regulating mechanism 230H construction sectional view.In this example, as showing Example illustrates to use the pressure regulating mechanism 230H in second circulation construction.However, being constructed when using using in first circulation In pressure regulating mechanism 230H when, can obtain identical construction.Except control pressure (initial load of spring) it is different with Outside, the pressure regulating mechanism 230L of low-pressure side has identical construction, thus the explanation that will omit pressure regulating mechanism 230L.

In the present embodiment, when the common feed stream 211 to fluid ejection head 3, shared recovery stream 212 and independence During the inside filling ink of stream 215, first, a certain amount of ink is sent to from main reservoir 1006 by driving make-up pump 1005 Buffer reservoir 1003.

Then, as shown in figure 16, adjusting screw 242 is with the position of fixed constraint plate 241 so that one end of restraining plate 241 Contacted with compression plate 231, and close valve 235.The other end of restraining plate 241 is connected to holding member by screw 242 243.Holding member 243 is fixed on pressure regulating mechanism 230H main body, so that fixed constraint plate 241.Restraining plate 241, screw 242 and holding member 243 there is following rigidity：The rigidity reduces deformation of the compression plate 231 relative to the pressure that it is received, The pressure is produced by the pressurization from first circulation pump 1001 and 1002 and second circulation pump 1004.In present embodiment In, screw 242 is used for the position of fixed constraint plate 241.However, it is possible to use hand linkage, motor etc..

Then, by driving first circulation pump 1001 and 1002 and second circulation pump 1004 with to the ink in circulating path Pressurization, ink is filled to the common feed stream 211 of fluid ejection head 3, the shared inside for reclaiming stream 212 and independent stream 215. When driving cycle pump 1001 to 1004, restraining plate 241 makes the pressure regulating mechanism 230H shutoff valve 235 of compression plate 231.Cause And, even if when the pressure rise in pressure regulating mechanism, valve 235 is not also opened.Therefore, the stream in fluid ejection head 3 can To maintain pressurized state and be filled by ink.Stream in fluid ejection head 3 by after ink filling, screw 242 open with Restraining plate 241 is set to be separated with compression plate 231.Then, valve 235 is opened, so that (pressure adjusts machine to pressure control unit 230 Structure 230H and pressure regulating mechanism 230L) and buffer reservoir 1003 circulation stream by ink fill.

When the pressure of restraining plate 241, screw 242, holding member 243 etc., inaccessible mechanism is used for pressure regulating mechanism During 230H, ink is filled to the inside of liquid discharge apparatus 1000 in the case of valve can be not separately provided in black circulating path. According to the construction, when supplementing ink to liquid discharge apparatus 1000, it is not necessary to apply pressure for the inside to fluid ejection head Mechanism, it is thus possible to suppress the increase of cost, and device structure complication can be suppressed.

(embodiment 2)

Hereinafter, illustrate with reference to the accompanying drawings according to the liquid discharge apparatus 2000 of embodiment 2 and fluid ejection head 2003 Construction.In the following description, by the difference of only explanation and embodiment 1, and it will omit and the identical part of embodiment 1 Explanation.

(explanation of liquid discharge apparatus)

Figure 17 is the figure for showing the liquid discharge apparatus 2000 according to present embodiment.The liquid of present embodiment, which sprays, to be set Standby 2000 and the difference of embodiment 1 are to print full-colour image on the print medium by being constructed as below：In this configuration, Black four monochrome for corresponding respectively to cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y and black K is abreast arranged with fluid ejection head 2003. In embodiment 1, the columns that can be used in a kind of ejiction opening row of color is a row.However, in the present embodiment, can The columns that a kind of ejiction opening for color is arranged is 20 row.Therefore, suitably distributing print data when arranging multiple ejiction openings , can be with higher speed print image during with print image.Even if in addition, when exist do not spray liquid ejiction opening when, liquid Body also can from positioned on print media conveying direction corresponding to non-ejiction opening position at other row ejiction opening addedly Spray.Improve reliability, it is thus possible to suitably print commercial graphic.Same, the liquid discharge apparatus 2000 with embodiment 1 Feed system, buffer reservoir 1003 (referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) and main reservoir 1006 (referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) be fluidly connected to Fluid ejection head 2003.In addition, the electric control unit for transmitting electric power and ejection control signal to fluid ejection head 2003 is electrically connected It is connected to fluid ejection head 2003.

(explanation of circulating path)

It is same with embodiment 1, the first circulation shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 can be used to construct and second circulation construction conduct Liquid circulation construction between liquid discharge apparatus 2000 and fluid ejection head 2003.

(explanation of the structure of fluid ejection head)

Figure 18 A and 18B are the stereograms for showing the fluid ejection head 2003 according to present embodiment.Here, root will be illustrated According to the structure of the fluid ejection head 2003 of present embodiment.Fluid ejection head 2003 is ink-jet line style (page width type) printhead, its The 16 type element substrates 2010 linearly arranged on the length direction for being included in fluid ejection head 2003, and can lead to Cross a kind of liquid print image.Same with embodiment 1, fluid ejection head 2003 includes fluid connection 111, signal input part Son 91 and power supply terminal 92.However, because the fluid ejection head 2003 of the present embodiment compared with embodiment 1 includes many sprays Outlet row, so inputting a signal into terminal 91 and power supply terminal 92 is arranged in the both sides of fluid ejection head 2003.Because, need Reduce by voltage reduction or signal transferring lag caused by the wiring part that is arranged in type element substrate 2010.

Figure 23 A and Figure 23 B are the strabismus decomposition figures for showing fluid ejection head 2003, show composition fluid ejection head 2003 By according to the divided part of function or unit.Liquid communication in each unit and the function or fluid ejection head of component is sequentially From embodiment 1 substantially similarly, but ensuring that the rigid function of fluid ejection head is different.It is main in embodiment 1 The rigidity of fluid ejection head is ensured by liquid spray unit supporting part 81, but in the fluid ejection head of embodiment 2 In 2003, the rigidity of fluid ejection head is ensured by the second flow path component 2060 being included in liquid spray unit 2300.This The liquid spray unit supporting part 81 of embodiment is connected to the two ends of second flow path component 2060, and liquid spray unit 2300 are mechanically connected to the balladeur train of liquid discharge apparatus 2000 so that fluid ejection head 2003 is positioned.Electric wiring substrate 90 and bag The fluid supply unit 2220 for including pressure control unit 2230 is connected to liquid spray unit supporting part 81.Two liquid supplies are single Each fluid supply unit 2220 in member 2220 includes built-in filter (not shown).

Two pressure control units 2230 are configured to different and relatively high and low pressure command pressures.In addition, As shown in Figure 18 A and Figure 18 B, when the pressure control unit 2230 of high-pressure side and low-pressure side is arranged on into fluid ejection head 2003 During two ends, the common feed stream and the shared stream for reclaiming the liquid in stream extended along the length direction of fluid ejection head 2003 Toward each other.In this configuration, promote common feed stream and share the heat exchange between recovery stream, thus reduce two Temperature difference in individual common flow path.It therefore reduces the temperature difference of the type element substrate 2010 set along common flow path.Knot Really, have the advantages that not allowing to be also easy to produce by printing uneven caused by temperature difference.

Next, by illustrate liquid spray unit 2300 channel member 2210 detailed configuration.As shown in figure 19, stream Component 2210 is obtained by being laminated first flow path component 2050 and second flow path component 2060, and channel member 2210 will be from The liquid that fluid supply unit 2220 is supplied is assigned to ejection module 2200.Channel member 2210 is used as making from ejection module 2200 The liquid of recycling returns to the channel member of fluid supply unit 2220.The second flow path component 2060 of channel member 2210 is Following channel member：It is formed with common feed stream and shares the rigidity for reclaiming stream and improvement fluid ejection head 2003.For This, expect the material of second flow path component 2060 has enough corrosion resistances and with high mechanical strength relative to liquid. Specifically, SUS, Ti or aluminum oxide can be used.

Reference marker (a) in Figure 20 is to show the face for spraying the installation of module 2200 in first flow path component 2050 Figure, reference marker (b) is the figure in the face for the back side and contact second flow path component 2060 for showing first flow path component 2050.With reality The difference of mode 1 is applied, the first flow path component 2050 of present embodiment, which has, to be constructed as below：In this configuration, multiple components are adjacent Ground connection is arranged to correspond respectively to spray module 2200.By using the segmenting structure, multiple modules can be with corresponding to liquid The mode of the length of ejecting head 2003 is configured.Therefore, the structure can particularly well use with for example with B2 or bigger In the corresponding relatively long fluid ejection head of sheet material of size.As shown in reference marker (a), the connection of first flow path component 2050 Mouth 51 is in fluid communication with spraying module 2200.As shown in reference marker (b), the independent communication mouthful 53 of first flow path component 2050 with The connected entrance 61 of second flow path component 2060 is in fluid communication.Reference marker (c) show second flow path component 60 relative to The contact surface of one channel member 2050, reference marker (d) shows the central portion on the thickness direction of second flow path component 60 Section, reference marker (e) is the figure for the contact surface relative to fluid supply unit 2220 for showing second flow path component 2060.The Each color of the connected entrance of two channel members 2060 or the function of stream and embodiment 1 is same.Second flow path component 2060 common flow path groove 71 is formed so that the side of common flow path groove 71 is the common feed stream 2211 shown in Figure 21, Opposite side is to share to reclaim stream 2212.These streams are set respectively along the length direction of fluid ejection head 2003 so that liquid Body is supplied from one end of these streams to the other end.The difference of present embodiment and embodiment 1 is, common feed stream 2211 is opposite each other with the liquid flow direction shared in recovery stream 2212.

Figure 21 is the perspective view for showing the liquid annexation between type element substrate 2010 and channel member 2210.Edge A pair of common feed streams 2211 of the length direction extension of fluid ejection head 2003 and the shared stream 2212 that reclaims are arranged on stream In road component 2210.The connected entrance 61 of second flow path component 2060 is connected to the independent communication mouthful 53 of first flow path component 2050, So that both positions match each other, connection is passed through so as to form from the common feed stream 2211 of second flow path component 2060 The liquid supply line that mouth 61 is connected with the connected entrance 51 of first flow path component 2050.Similarly, it yet forms both from second flow path The connected entrance 72 of component 2060 reclaims the liquid that stream 2212 is connected with the connected entrance 51 of first flow path component 2050 by sharing Feed path.

Figure 22 is the sectional view of the interception along Figure 21 line XXIII-XXIII.Common feed stream 2211 passes through connection Mouth 61, independent communication mouth 53 and connected entrance 51 are connected to ejection module 2200.Although not shown in fig. 22, it should be apparent that , share recovery stream 2212 and be connected to ejection module 2200 by the same paths in Figure 21 different cross section.With reality Apply mode 1 same, spray module 2200 and type element substrate 2010 is provided with the stream connected with each ejiction opening, thus energy The part or all of of liquid of supply is enough set to be recycled in the case of through the ejiction opening for not performing spray action.This Outside, same with embodiment 1, by fluid supply unit 2220, common feed stream 2211 is connected to pressure control unit 2230 (high-pressure sides), share recovery stream 2212 and are connected to pressure control unit 2230 (low-pressure side).Thus, to be made by pressure difference The side that balancing gate pit of the liquid from common feed stream 2211 through type element substrate 2010 is flowed to shared recovery stream 2212 Formula formation stream.

(explanation for spraying module)

Figure 23 A are the stereograms for showing an ejection module 2200, and Figure 23 B are the decomposition for showing the ejection module 2200 Figure.Difference with embodiment 1 is that terminal 16 is arranged in two on the ejiction opening column direction of type element substrate 2010 Side (long leg of type element substrate 2010).Therefore, two flexible PCBs 40 of type element substrate 2010 are electrically connected to It is arranged to each type element substrate 2010.Because the columns for the ejiction opening row being arranged in type element substrate 2010 is two Ten row, so ejiction opening row are arranged more than eight row ejiction openings of embodiment 1.Here, due to shortening from terminal 16 to printing member The ultimate range of part, so the voltage reduced in the wiring part produced in type element substrate 2010 is reduced or signal prolongs Late.In addition, the fluid connection mouthful 31 of supporting member 2030 is arranged along the whole ejiction opening being arranged in type element substrate 2010 Opening.Other constructions are same with embodiment 1.

Reference marker (a) in Figure 24 is the signal for showing the face for being disposed with ejiction opening 13 in type element substrate 2010 Figure, reference marker (c) is the schematic diagram at the back side in the face for showing reference marker (a).Reference marker (b) is to show to work as to be arranged on ginseng Examine mark (c) in type element substrate 2010 the back side The lid component 2020 be removed in the case of type element substrate 2010 Face schematic diagram.As shown in reference marker (b), liquid supply path 18 and liquids recovery path 19 are in type element substrate It is alternately arranged at 2010 back side along ejiction opening column direction.The ejiction opening that the columns of ejiction opening row is more than embodiment 1 is arranged Columns.However, being that terminal 16 is arranged on the spray of type element substrate as described above with the essential distinction of embodiment 1 Export the both sides on column direction.Essential structure is same with embodiment 1, wherein being respectively provided with liquid supply path in each ejiction opening row 18 and liquids recovery path 19 this to path, and The lid component 2020 is provided with the fluid connection mouthful 31 with supporting member 2030 The opening 21 of connection.

In addition, the explanation of above-mentioned embodiment is not limited the scope of the invention.As an example, in the present embodiment, Through illustrating to produce bubble by heating element heater to spray the heat type fluid ejection head of liquid.However, the present invention can also be applicable In the fluid ejection head that type is sprayed using piezo-electric type and other various liquid.

In the present embodiment, have been described that the liquid of wherein ink etc. is followed between reservoir and fluid ejection head The liquid discharge apparatus (printing device) of ring, it is also possible to use other embodiment.In other embodiments, for example, It can use and be constructed as below：Ink is not circulated, and sets two reservoirs to cause in the upstream side of fluid ejection head and downstream Ink flows from a reservoir to another reservoir.By this way, the ink in balancing gate pit can flow.

In the present embodiment, the so-called page using the length with the width corresponding to print media is had been described that The example of wide type head, but the present invention can also be applied to the scanning and printing medium while print image on the print medium So-called serial type fluid ejection head (serial type liquid ejection head).Sprayed as serial type liquid Head, for example, fluid ejection head can be equipped with the type element substrate and the type element base of ejection color ink for spraying black ink Plate, but the invention is not restricted to this.I.e., it is possible to set it is shorter than the width of print media and including so that ejiction opening ejiction opening arrange The fluid ejection head for multiple type element substrates that the mode overlapped each other on direction is arranged, and can be sprayed by the liquid Head scanning and printing medium.

(embodiment 3)

Hereinafter, the construction that the grade of fluid ejection head 3300 according to embodiment 3 of the present invention is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings is said It is bright.In the following description, by the only main explanation part different with 2 from embodiment 1, and it will omit and embodiment 1 and 2 The explanation of same part.

(explanation of looping construct)

Figure 25 is the schematic diagram for the looping construct for showing the liquid discharge apparatus suitable for present embodiment.With above-mentioned first The main distinction of looping construct is that the construction in fluid ejection head 3300 is different, and supplied from buffer reservoir 1003 Ink reaches fluid ejection head 3300 through independent stream.It is resulting construct with first circulation another difference is that, be located at The filter 3221 and the pressure regulating mechanism positioned at the downstream of fluid ejection head 3300 of the upstream side of fluid ejection head 3300 Each of 3230 are respectively provided with standalone configuration.Although eliminating fluid supply unit 220, second compared with embodiment 1 and 2 Circulating pump 1004 etc., but fluid supply unit 220, second circulation pump 1004 etc. can be included in this looping construct.

It is same with first circulation construction, even if when flow changes because of the change of the spray volume of per unit area, pressure Governor motion 3230 can also make the pressure change of upstream side (that is, the side of fluid ejection head 3300) stable centered on preset pressure Certain limit in.The pressure regulating mechanism 3230 of present embodiment and the pressure regulating mechanism illustrated using Figure 15 A to Figure 15 C 230 similarly act.

(explanation of the construction of fluid ejection head)

Figure 26 A and Figure 26 B are the figures of the construction for the fluid ejection head 3300 for showing present embodiment.Figure 26 A are this implementation The stereogram of the fluid ejection head 3300 of mode, Figure 26 B are the sectional views of the XXVIB-XXVIB lines interception shown in Figure 26 A. In Figure 26 A and Figure 26 B, for the ease of understanding this construction, not shown flexible print circuit and encapsulant.

The fluid ejection head 3300 of present embodiment includes multiple type element substrates 3010 and support type element substrate 3010 basal substrate 3310.As shown in fig. 26b, it is arranged on for supplying the common flow path 3320 of ink to each type element substrate Inside basal substrate.

Figure 27 is the in-built schematic diagram for showing fluid ejection head 3300.As shown in figure 27, along basal substrate The common flow path 3320 of 3310 length direction extension is with meander-like formation inside fluid ejection head 3300.It is fluidly connected to liquid The black entrance 3321 of the grade of buffer reservoir 1003 outside body ejecting head 3300, ink outlet 3322 and for type element substrate The black supply mouth 3323 of 3010 supply ink is formed in common flow path 3320.Multiple tabular components, substrate base are formed by stacking Plate 3310 can form common flow path 3320.Basal substrate 3310 preferably has the rigidity for making the not warpage of fluid ejection head 3300. In addition, basal substrate 3310 needs have enough corrosion resistances relative to ink, and basal substrate 3310 is preferably by with low The material of linear expansion coefficient is made.For example, as the material of basal substrate 3310, following composite can be suitably used： By by the inorganic filler of silicon dioxide microparticle etc. be added to such as aluminum oxide, resin material, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), The composite that the base material of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polysulfones (PSF) etc. is obtained.Although not shown, FPC is arranged in substrate base Plate 3310, and it is electrically connected to the electrode of type element substrate 3010.

Basal substrate 3310 extends (direction of the arrow shown in Figure 26 B) along the direction intersected with paper conveying direction, and Length direction of multiple type element substrates 3010 along basal substrate 3310 is configured with meander-like, while multiple type element bases The position of plate 3010 misses one another on the short side direction of basal substrate 3310.As described above, the liquid of present embodiment sprays First 3300 be page width type fluid ejection head.The configuration of multiple type element substrates 3010 is not limited to meander-like configuration.For example, printing Device substrate 3010 can linearly be configured along the length direction of basal substrate 3310.Alternatively, type element substrate 3010 It may be configured so that each ejiction opening arranges the length direction inclination certain angle relative to basal substrate 3310, and each dozen The center of printing elements substrate 3010 is parallel with the length direction of basal substrate 3310.

(explanation of the construction of type element substrate)

Figure 28 is the schematic diagram of a type element substrate 3010 of present embodiment, and Figure 29 is type element substrate 3010 Along Figure 28 XXIX-XXIX lines intercept sectional view.

As shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29, type element substrate 3010 has arranges to be formed four sprays by configuring multiple row ejiction opening Export department 3011.One ejection port portion 3011 is arranged including two row ejiction openings.That is, eight are each formed with each type element substrate 3010 Row ejiction opening is arranged.

In the present embodiment, length direction (long side direction) extension of the ejection port portion 3011 along basal substrate 3310.So And, embodiment not limited to this.For example, ejection port portion 3011 can obliquely prolong relative to the length direction of basal substrate 3310 Stretch.

Type element substrate 3010 sprays ink using bubble spray mode.Specifically, as shown in figure 29, type element substrate 3010 include stream formation component 3012 and substrate 3013.For making the foaming chamber 3014 and spray for spraying ink droplet that ink foams Outlet 3015 is formed in stream formation component 3012.

Corresponding to energy generating element heating resistance element 3016 be arranged in substrate 3013 correspond to foaming chamber At 3014 position.Heating resistance element 3016 is arranged linearly to arrange along ejiction opening, and ejiction opening 3015 is configured with column-shaped Pre-position, with corresponding to each heating resistance element 3016.In addition, the stream formation component 3012 place side of substrate 3013 The face of opposite side there is the black supply mouth 3017 that is connected with the black supply mouth 3323 of basal substrate 3310.One black supply mouth 3017 connect with multiple ejiction openings 3015.

Live wire (not shown) is formed in substrate 3013.Electric wire is electrically connected to FPC electrode.When being externally controlled circuit (not shown) by electrode to 3013 input pulse voltage of substrate when, heating resistance element 3016 produces heat, and foaming chamber Ink boiling in 3014.Black foaming is made by boiling, and ink sprays from ejiction opening 3015.In the present embodiment, member is printed The principal plane of part substrate 3010 is rectangle.However, the invention is not restricted to this.Even if for example, when type element substrate have it is parallel When quadrangle form, trapezoidal shape or other shapes, the construction of the present invention can also be appropriately carried out.

Figure 30 is the change for showing the pressure distribution in the head when printing duty change in the circulating path of present embodiment The figure of change.

Set the compression area Sv and spring constant K of flow resistance R, the area Sd of compression plate, valve by table 1, and by circulating pump 3001 flow set is 30mL/ minutes.According to the setting, the black flow of the ink outlet 3322 of trickle ejecting head 3300 It is 30mL/ minutes printing when duty is 0%, is 10mL/ minutes printing when duty is 100%.In other words, due to from liquid The upstream side of ejecting head 3300 sends a certain amount of black flow, so by subtracting (maximum 20mL/ points of the ink amount for printing Clock) and the black flow that obtains from the feed pressure governor motion 3230 of fluid ejection head 3300.As a result, pressure regulating mechanism 3230 Flow is in the range of 10mL/ minutes to 30mL/ minutes.

In addition, the internal pressure in buffer reservoir 1003 is fixed and is set to -2000mmAq, by valve opening with Relation between the flow resistance R of valve portion is set as the relation shown in Figure 14.

As can be seen from Figure 30, when black flow changes, the connector portions or bag of connecting portion corresponding to circulating path are attributed to The influence of the pipe in circulating path is included, the pressure loss change between pressure regulating mechanism 3230 and buffer reservoir 1003. Therefore, even if the pressure P2 at the entry position of pressure regulating mechanism 3230 changes, the pressure P1 of exit position is also constant, from And by pressure regulating mechanism 3230 by the Stress control in the downstream of fluid ejection head 3300 in steady state value.

By this way, the pressure regulating mechanism 3230 of present embodiment can be by the entrance of pressure regulating mechanism 3230 The Stress control at (that is, ink outlet 3322) place is in steady state value.In addition, in the circulating path of present embodiment, with above-mentioned implementation Mode 2 is same, and filter 3221 is arranged in the upstream side of fluid ejection head 3300, and pressure regulating mechanism 3230 is arranged in liquid spray Lift one's head 300 downstream.According to the construction, foreign matter is not concerned about possibly into fluid ejection head 3300.

[table 1]

(comparative example)

Figure 31 is the schematic diagram for showing the looping construct in the liquid discharge apparatus of conventional art.In the circulation of conventional art In construction, circulating pump 3001 is arranged in the downstream of fluid ejection head 3300, and pressure regulating mechanism 3230 is arranged in fluid ejection head 3300 upstream side.Pressure regulating mechanism 3230 have with so-called secondary pressure adjuster identical construct, and perform by The pressure in the downstream of pressure regulating mechanism 3230 maintains the action of steady state value.

The flow of circulating pump 3001 is set to 30mL/ minutes.In this example, when it is 0% to print duty, efflux The black flow of the ink outlet 3322 of body ejecting head 3300 is 30mL/ minutes (setting with Figure 30 is identical).Meanwhile, when printing is accounted for When sky is 100%, the black flow of the black entrance 3321 of influent ejecting head 3300 is 50mL/ minutes.In other words, due to one Quantitative black flow is drawn from the downstream of fluid ejection head 3300, so by measuring (maximum 20mL/ with the ink for printing Minute) be added and the black flow inflow pressure regulating mechanism 3230 of acquisition.As a result, the flow of pressure regulating mechanism 3230 exists The scope of 30mL/ minutes to 50mL/ minutes.

The pressure regulating mechanism 3230 of comparative example can be by outlet (that is, black entrance 3321) place of pressure regulating mechanism 3230 Stress control in steady state value.In Figure 31 looping construct, the outlet of pressure regulating mechanism 3230 is inhibited to greatest extent The a range of pressure that is controlled at place changes in the path to black entrance 3321, thus the high filter of the pressure loss 3221 are arranged in the upstream side of pressure regulating mechanism 3230.According to the construction, the foreign matter in pressure regulating mechanism 3230 is produced Fluid ejection head 3300 is reached in the case where being not passed through filter 3221, thus foreign matter enters liquid ejection in some cases First 3300.

(comparison of the pressure change in fluid ejection head)

Figure 32 and Figure 33 are the figures for the pressure distribution being shown respectively in the common flow path 3320 of present embodiment and comparative example. Here, the quantity of the type element substrate (following, can be referred to as " piece (chip) ") in fluid ejection head 3300 is set It is set to 15, the flow resistance that will guide to the black supply mouth 3323 of type element substrate 3010 is set as 0.2mmAqmL/ minutes.Such as It is preceding described, although present embodiment and comparative example have an identical circular flow under printing holding state, but range of flow It is different between present embodiment and comparative example.According to the construction, the maximum pressure variable quantity in fluid ejection head 3300 Create a difference.

As shown in Figure 32 and Figure 33, Δ P=108mmAq in the present embodiment, and Δ P=164mmAq in a comparative example. It is understood that in the present embodiment, can further suppress the pressure change in fluid ejection head 3300.The pressure change is poor Increase with the increase of black viscosity.Thus, in the looping construct of present embodiment, can use it is more types of ink with High speed performs printing to obtain high image quality.

When printing the reduction of the circular flow under holding state, even if when the construction using comparative example, it is also possible to obtain With present embodiment identical pressure change.Notably, however, in the fluid ejection head 3300 with heat type, in many feelings Carry out temperature control to prevent that irregular colour is even using secondary heater under condition.Therefore, when the black recycle stream under printing holding state When amount is set few, the black temperature supplied to the type element substrate 3010 in the downstream in fluid ejection head 3300 Can excessively it increase.As a result, the temperature difference increase in fluid ejection head 3300, and the image change of print media can be output to The problem of obtaining uneven.The power of type element substrate 3010, fluid ejection head 3300 necessary to being attributed to for ejection Interior thermal resistance value etc., the problem is slightly different.However, when the fluid ejection head 3300 using same configuration, under holding state Internal circulating load be designed to identical., can be with the construction of present embodiment therefore, when compared with the construction with comparative example Pressure change is unchangeably suppressed in low value.

When the pressure change in the wide type fluid ejection head 3300 of full page for suppressing longer, except in fluid ejection head 3300 Downstream arrangement pressure regulating mechanism 3230 beyond, further preferably fluid ejection head 3300 upstream side set pressure adjust machine Structure 3230.According to the construction, even if worrying that foreign matter is adjusted possibly into the pressure for the upstream side for being arranged in fluid ejection head 3300 Mechanism 3230, can also be by the Stress control at the black entrance 3321 of fluid ejection head 3300 and ink outlet 3322 in steady state value. Even if therefore, when type fluid ejection head 3300 wide using longer full page, pressure change in common flow path 3320 also can be by Suppress.

The liquid discharge apparatus of the present invention can use page width type fluid ejection head to print high-definition image.

Although illustrating the present invention with reference to illustrative embodiments, but it is to be understood that public the invention is not restricted to institute The illustrative embodiments opened.The scope of claims should meet broadest explanation, with comprising all these modifications, etc. Same 26S Proteasome Structure and Function.

Claims

1. a kind of liquid discharge apparatus, it includes：

Liquid storage container, it stores liquid；

Multiple type element substrates, it includes ejiction opening and balancing gate pit, and the ejiction opening sprays to be included in liquid, the balancing gate pit Produce the type element for the energy for spraying liquid；

Common feed stream, it supplies liquid to the multiple type element substrate；

Supply side filter, it is arranged in the stream between the liquid storage container and the common feed stream, is used for Foreign matter is removed from liquid；With

Supply side pressure regulating mechanism, it is arranged in the stream in the downstream of the common feed stream, described for adjusting Pressure in common feed stream.

2. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the liquid discharge apparatus also includes：

Share and reclaim stream, it is from the multiple type element substrate withdrawal liquid；

Side filter is reclaimed, it is arranged in the liquid storage container and the shared stream reclaimed between stream, is used for Foreign matter is removed from liquid；With

Side pressure regulation mechanism is reclaimed, it is arranged in the stream in the shared downstream for reclaiming stream, described for adjusting Share the pressure reclaimed in stream.

3. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the liquid discharge apparatus also includes：

Multiple to be independently supplied stream, it makes to connect between the common feed stream and the multiple type element substrate；With

Multiple independent recovery streams, it makes to connect between the multiple type element substrate and the shared recovery stream.

4. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the supply side pressure regulating mechanism and the recovery side Pressure regulating mechanism is configured to control pressure different from each other.

5. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the liquid discharge apparatus also includes fluid ejection head, The fluid ejection head includes the multiple type element substrate and the common feed stream.

6. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, the stream in the downstream positioned at the fluid ejection head In, the liquid discharge apparatus also includes liquor charging unit, and the liquor charging unit, which is configured to store liquid from the liquid, to be held Device is sent to the fluid ejection head.

7. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the liquid discharge apparatus also includes fluid ejection head, The fluid ejection head includes the multiple type element substrate, the common feed stream, the common feed stream, described Share and reclaim stream, the supply side pressure regulating mechanism and the recovery side pressure regulation mechanism.

8. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the liquid in the liquid storage container sequentially passes through institute Supply side filter, the common feed stream, the balancing gate pit, the shared recovery stream and the recovery lateral pressure is stated to adjust Section mechanism is recycled to the liquid storage container.

9. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the liquid in the liquid storage container has：

Sequentially pass through the supply side filter, the common feed stream and the supply side pressure regulating mechanism, without wearing It flow to the stream of the liquid storage container with crossing the balancing gate pit；With

Sequentially pass through recovery side filter, shared recovery stream and the recovery side pressure regulation mechanism, without wearing It flow to the stream of the liquid storage container with crossing the balancing gate pit.

10. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, the supply side pressure regulating mechanism and the recovery Side pressure regulation mechanism both corresponds to back pressure type pressure-regulating valve mechanism.

11. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, the back pressure type pressure-regulating valve mechanism includes：

First pressure room,

Second pressure room, it is arranged on the downstream of the first pressure room,

Perforate, it is arranged in the connecting portion between the first pressure room and the second pressure room,

Valve, it is arranged in the first pressure room, for changing between the first pressure room and the second pressure room Flow resistance,

Force application component, it exerts a force along the inaccessible direction in the gap made between the perforate and the valve to the valve, and

Compression plate, it increases according to the liquid in the first pressure room or reduces and shift.

12. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, the compression plate transmits the displacement to the valve, The valve base adjusts the gap between the perforate and the valve in the displacement and changes the first pressure room and described the Flow resistance between two pressure chamber.

13. liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, the liquid discharge apparatus also includes forcing occlusion single Member, the pressure occlusive element is configured to make the pressure regulation machine in the case of to the fluid ejection head liquid filling body The stream occlusion of liquid in structure.

14. a kind of fluid ejection head, it sprays the liquid for the liquid storage container for accommodating liquid, and the fluid ejection head includes：

15. fluid ejection head according to claim 14, wherein, the fluid ejection head also includes：

16. fluid ejection head according to claim 15, wherein, the supply side pressure regulating mechanism and the recovery side Pressure regulating mechanism is configured to control pressure different from each other.

17. fluid ejection head according to claim 15, wherein, the liquid in the liquid storage container has：

18. fluid ejection head according to claim 14, wherein, the fluid ejection head is page width type fluid ejection head, And

The multiple type element substrate is linearly to arrange.

19. fluid ejection head according to claim 14, wherein, the liquid in the balancing gate pit is in the balancing gate pit Circulated between portion and outside.