EP0593040A2 - Flüssigkeitstrahlaufzeichnungskopf und Vorrichtung - Google Patents

Flüssigkeitstrahlaufzeichnungskopf und Vorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0593040A2
EP0593040A2 EP93116573A EP93116573A EP0593040A2 EP 0593040 A2 EP0593040 A2 EP 0593040A2 EP 93116573 A EP93116573 A EP 93116573A EP 93116573 A EP93116573 A EP 93116573A EP 0593040 A2 EP0593040 A2 EP 0593040A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
jet recording
base plate
flow paths
discharging
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93116573A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0593040A3 (en
EP0593040B1 (de
Inventor
Yutaka C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Koizumi
Hiroto C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Matsuda
Toshiaki C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Hirosawa
Jiro C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Moriyama
Torachika C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Osada
Hidemi C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Kubota
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP0593040A2 publication Critical patent/EP0593040A2/de
Publication of EP0593040A3 publication Critical patent/EP0593040A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0593040B1 publication Critical patent/EP0593040B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
    • B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
    • B41J2/1632—Manufacturing processes machining
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14016—Structure of bubble jet print heads
    • B41J2/14024—Assembling head parts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
    • B41J2/1601—Production of bubble jet print heads
    • B41J2/1604—Production of bubble jet print heads of the edge shooter type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
    • B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
    • B41J2/1623—Manufacturing processes bonding and adhesion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
    • B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
    • B41J2/1626—Manufacturing processes etching
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
    • B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
    • B41J2/1632—Manufacturing processes machining
    • B41J2/1634—Manufacturing processes machining laser machining
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
    • B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
    • B41J2/1637—Manufacturing processes molding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/21—Line printing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a liquid jet recording head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a liquid jet recording head wherein a member is firmly connected to a heater board so as to form a plurality of ink flow paths for the liquid jet recording head.
  • ink jet recording heads each adapted to discharge recording liquid droplets from discharging orifices have been hitherto known.
  • one of the conventional ink jet recording heads is constructed such that deformation of a piezoelectric element is transformed into variation of pressure in a liquid flow path, causing recording liquid droplets to be discharged from discharging orifices toward a recording medium.
  • Other one is constructed such that a pair of electrodes are disposed so as to forcibly deviate the direction of discharged recording liquid droplets away from the initial one.
  • Another one is constructed such that recording liquid droplets are discharged from discharging orifices by utilizing thermal energy for the purpose of generating bubbles by quickly heating a heating element disposed in an ink flow path.
  • the conventional ink jet recording head of the type adapted to discharge recording liquid droplets by utilizing the thermal energy has such advantages that the liquid discharging orifices each designed in the form of an orifice or the like can be disposed at a high density for discharging recording liquid droplets therefrom which makes it possible to effect recording with a high resolving power, that the whole ink jet recording head can easily be designed with small dimensions, and that the ink jet recording head can easily be designed with a long length and with a two-dimensional configuration by fully utilizing the advanced technology in the latest semiconductor industry especially in the fields of circuit integration and micro-working engineering of which reliability has been remarkably improved.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view which shows by way of example a conventional ink jet recording head.
  • the ink jet recording head shown in Fig. 4 belongs to a so-called full line type ink jet recording head of which discharging orifices are arranged across a length corresponding to one side of, e.g., an A4-sized recording sheet.
  • reference numeral 1 designates a heater board made of silicon or a similar material.
  • a plurality of electrothermal transducers (not shown) each serving as a discharge energy generating element and a plurality of electrode-like wiring conductors (not shown) for feeding electricity to the electrothermal transducers are arranged on the upper surface of the heater board 1.
  • Reference numeral 2 designates a ceiling plate made of a glass or a metallic material.
  • An ink introduction port through which a recording liquid such as an ink or the like (hereinafter referred to as an ink) is introduced and a cavity serving as a common liquid chamber for the introduced ink while making communication with respective ink flow paths are formed in the ceiling plate 2 by employing a cutting process or an etching process.
  • Reference numeral 9 designates an ink feed tube connected to the ink introduction port.
  • Each ink flow path is formed on a solid layer 8 at the position corresponding to each discharge energy generating element disposed on the heater board 1 (see Fig. 5A).
  • the ceiling plate 2 is adhesively secured to the solid layer 8, and the heater board 1 is adhesively secured to a base plate 5. While electrical connecting pads for the heater board 1 are correctly aligned with electrical connecting pads for a flexible printed circuit (flexible base plate) 3, a retaining member 4 for depressively retaining the flexible base board 3 on the base plate 5 is secured to the base plate 5 by tightening a plurality of screws, whereby the heater board 1 is mechanically connected to the flexible printed circuit 3.
  • a retaining leaf spring 6 is fixed to the upper surface of the retaining member 4, while the other end of the same is brought in close contact with the upper surface of the ceiling plate 2 so as to resiliently depress the latter from above.
  • the ceiling plate 2 is mechanically thrusted against the heater board 1.
  • the present invention has been made in consideration of the aforementioned background.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid jet recording head which assures that a quality of recorded item can be improved without any occurrence of crosstalk while a certain intensity of thrusting force is uniformly applied to a solid layer.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid jet recording apparatus having a liquid jet recording head of the foregoing type mounted thereon.
  • a liquid jet recording head comprises; a substrate, a first base plate, mounted on the substrate, having a plurality of discharging energy generating elements disposed on the first base plate for discharging recording liquid droplets, a second base plate, mounted on the first base plate, having a plurality of liquid flow paths at the positions corresponding to the discharging energy generating elements, and a comb-shaped retaining leaf spring, secured on the substrate, for thrusting the second base plate against the first base plate.
  • a liquid jet recording head may further comprise an elastic member interposed between the second base plate and the retaining leaf spring.
  • a liquid jet recording apparatus for performing a recording operation by discharging recording liquid droplets toward a recording medium having a liquid jet recording head, the recording head comprising; a substrate, a first base plate, mounted on the substrate, having a plurality of discharging energy generating elements disposed on the first base plate for discharging recording liquid droplets, a second base plate, mounted on the first base plate, having a plurality of liquid flow paths at the positions corresponding to the discharging energy generating elements, and a comb-shaped retaining leaf spring, secured on the substrate, for thrusting the second base plate against the first base plate.
  • a liquid jet recording apparatus may further comprise an elastic member interposed between the second base plate and the retaining leaf spring.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus may produce bubbles in the recording liquid by utilizing thermal energy, and recording liquid droplets are discharged therefrom in response to the production of the bubbles.
  • the second base plate may include a ceiling plate, and a plurality of liquid flow paths each including a discharging orifice and a common liquid chamber communicated with the plurality of liquid flow paths are formed integral with the ceiling plate.
  • the second base plate may be composed of a solid layer having a plurality of liquid flow paths each including a discharging orifice formed thereon and a ceiling plate having a common liquid chamber formed therein which communicates with the liquid flow paths.
  • the comb-shaped retaining leaf spring may be divided into plural segments in the longitudinal direction thereof.
  • an ink jet recording head comprises; a base plate, a heater board, disposed on the base plate, having a plurality of discharging energy generating elements for discharging recording liquid droplets disposed on the heater board in the longitudinal direction, a solid layer placed on the heater board, the solid layer being formed a plurality of liquid passages at the positions corresponding to the discharging energy generating elements, respectively, a ceiling plate, mounted on the solid layer and the heater board, having a common liquid chamber formed on the ceiling plate while making communication with the plurality of liquid passages, and a longitudinal extending comb-shaped retaining leaf spring for thrusting the ceiling plate against the heater board.
  • an ink jet recording head may further comprise a flexible printed circuit on the base plate so as to allow electricity and signals to be fed to the discharging energy generating elements via the flexible printed circuit.
  • An ink jet recording head may further comprise a retaining member for firmly securing the flexible printed circuit to the base plate, and wherein the retaining leaf spring is fixedly secured to the retaining member by tightening a plurality of screws.
  • an ink jet recording head comprises; a base plate on which disposed are a plurality of discharging elements for discharging recording liquid droplets, a liquid flow paths forming member having partitions for forming flow paths corresponding to the plurality of discharging elements, and a comb-shaped leaf spring for bringing the partitions of the liquid flow paths forming member into contact with the base plate to form flow paths.
  • the comb-shaped leaf spring may depress the liquid flow paths forming member at a range covering the flow paths.
  • the range covering the flow paths may exist near to discharging orifices.
  • the comb-shaped leaf spring may depress the liquid flow paths forming member against the base plate.
  • An ink jet recording head may further comprise an elastic member interposed between the liquid flow paths forming member and the comb-shaped leaf spring.
  • a liquid jet recording apparatus for performing a recording operation by discharging recording liquid droplets toward a recording medium, comprising; a liquid jet recording head comprising; a base plate on which disposed are a plurality of discharging elements for discharging recording liquid droplets, a liquid flow paths forming member having partitions for forming flow paths corresponding to the plurality of discharging elements, and a comb-shaped leaf spring for bringing the partitions of the liquid flow paths forming member into contact with the base plate to form flow paths, and a mounting portion on which the liquid jet recording head is mounted.
  • the comb-shaped leaf spring may depress the liquid flow paths forming member at a range covering the flow paths.
  • the range covering the flow paths may exist near to discharging orifices.
  • the comb-shaped leaf spring may depress the liquid flow paths forming member against the base plate.
  • a liquid jet recording apparatus may further comprise an elastic member interposed between the liquid flow paths forming member and the comb-shaped leaf spring.
  • the liquid jet recording head may produce bubbles in the recording liquid by utilizing thermal energy, and recording liquid droplets are discharged therefrom in response to the production of the bubbles.
  • the liquid jet recording head may produce bubbles in the recording liquid by utilizing thermal energy, and recording liquid droplets are discharged therefrom in response to the production of the bubbles.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus may produce bubbles in the recording liquid by utilizing thermal energy, and recording liquid droplets are discharged therefrom in response to the production of the bubbles.
  • the ceiling plate has slight ruggedness or warpage
  • uniform thrusting force can be applied to the upper surface of the ceiling plate by the comb-shaped retaining leaf spring in correct conformity with the ruggedness or warpage of the ceiling plate.
  • any pressure wave does not propagate to adjacent liquid flow paths, and thus avoids an occurrence of crosstalk.
  • Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an ink jet recording head constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 1B is a fragmentary enlarged front view of the ink jet recording head shown in Fig. 1A as viewed in the discharging direction.
  • reference numeral 1 designates a heater board (first base plate) made of a silicon substrate.
  • a plurality of electrothermal transducers (discharging heaters) and a plurality of electrode-like wiring conductors made of aluminum or a similar metallic material for feeding electricity to the electrothermal transducers are formed on the heater board 1 by employing a film forming process.
  • Reference numeral 2 designates a ceiling plate in which a cavity 2A serving as a common liquid chamber is formed for the purpose of feeding an ink to a plurality of ink (liquid) flow paths therefrom.
  • a solid layer 8 (molded of, e.g., an epoxy resin or the like) serving as a liquid flow paths forming member is laminated on the upper surface of the heater board 1 to form the liquid flow paths at the positions corresponding to the discharging heaters, respectively.
  • the ceiling plate 2 is adhesively secured to the solid layer 8. To assure that the heater board 1 is firmly held on a base plate (substrate) 5, the heater board 1 and the base plate 5 are adhesively secured to each other while they are correctly aligned with each other.
  • a pattern of positive type dry film is adhesively secured to the heater board 1, and subsequently, a part of the dry film corresponding to the ink flow paths each including a discharging orifice 10 is hardened by irradiating an active energy.
  • a solid layer 8 is formed on the heater board 1 by pouring an epoxy resin or the like thereon, and the ceiling plate 2 is then adhesively secured to the solid layer 8.
  • the solid layer 8 After the solid layer 8 is hardened, a part of the solid layer 8 corresponding to the ink flow paths each including a discharging orifice 10 is dissolved in a strong alkaline solution, whereby desired ink flow paths and discharging orifices 10 are formed in the solid layer 8.
  • the solid layer 8 has a partition 14 between adjacent ink flow paths.
  • a solid layer 8 of negative type dry film is adhesively secured to a heater board 1, and thereafter, a part of the solid layer 8 other than ink flow paths each including a discharging orifice 10 is hardened by irradiating active energy. Subsequently, an unhardened part is removed from the heater board 1 by dissolving it in a developing solution, whereby portions corresponding to ink flow paths are formed on the heater board 1.
  • a ceiling plate 2 is adhesively secured to the solid layer 8 so that finally desired ink flow paths each including a discharging orifice 10 are formed on the heater board 1.
  • a liquid flow paths forming member is constructed by the solid layer 8 and the ceiling plate 2, and the solid layer 8 also has a partition 14 between adjacent ink flow paths.
  • the ceiling plate 2 excluding the heater board 1 serving as a first base plate but including the solid layer 8 is hereinafter referred to as a second base plate.
  • a ceiling plate 2 serving as a second base plate is made of glass, resin or the like, and ink flow paths each including a discharging orifice 10 and a common liquid chamber communicated with the ink flow paths are formed in the ceiling plate 2 by etching, cutting, molding, laser beam machining or the like.
  • the thus formed ceiling plate 2 is adhesively secured to a heater board 1 having discharging heaters and electrode-like wiring conductors formed thereon in the same manner as the preceding cases by employing a film forming process.
  • the ceiling plate 2 itself serves as a liquid flow paths forming member and has a partition 14 between adjacent ink flow paths.
  • reference numeral 7 designates a retaining leaf spring.
  • a plurality of slit-shaped cutouts are formed on the retaining leaf spring 7 in the longitudinal direction so as to allow it to exhibit a comb-shaped contour.
  • a width A and a depth C of each cutout and a distance B between adjacent cutouts may be varied depending on a material of the leaf spring 7. It is preferable that the width A of each cutout is dimensioned to be small as far as possible from the viewpoint of production technique so as to keep effective areas of the leaf spring 7 by which the resilient force are applied.
  • a dimension representing the distance B between adjacent cutouts is preferably small in order for the spring 7 to follow the ruggedness or the deformation of the ceiling plate 2. It is practically preferable that the distance B is set to about 1 to 3 mm considering the warpage or the like of the ceiling plate 2 at the time of its production.
  • a dimension representing the depth C of each cutout can arbitrarily be selected depending on the thickness of the retaining leaf spring 7, the elasticity of the same and a size of the ink jet recording head. It is, however, required that the dimension of the depth C should be selected such that each tooth is not affected by the operational state of adjacent teeth of the comb-shaped leaf spring 7.
  • the slit-shaped cutouts of the retaining leaf spring 7 are formed by employing an etching process, a press-forming process or the like.
  • a material employable for the retaining leaf spring 7 is typically exemplified by a phosphor bronze and a stainless steel.
  • the stainless steel is employed as a material for the retaining leaf spring 7, the dimensions of A, B and C are determined such that A is set to 0.25mm, B is set to 2.5mm and C is set to 8.5mm.
  • the ceiling plate 2, the solid layer 8 and the heater board 1 are firmly placed one above another by fastening one end part of the retaining leaf spring 7 to the retaining member 4 by tightening a plurality of screws 11, and moreover, applying the resilient force of the retaining leaf spring 7 to the upper surface of the ceiling plate 2.
  • the retaining leaf spring 7 Since a plurality of slit-shaped cutout portions are formed on the retaining leaf spring 7 in the longitudinal direction, the retaining leaf spring 7 has excellent conformity to any ruggedness, warpage and deformation of the ceiling plate 2, whereby the resilient force of the retaining leaf spring 7 can uniformly be applied to the substantially whole range of the ceiling plate 2.
  • the resilient force of the retaining leaf spring 7 is applied to the range covering the ink flow paths defined between the heater board 1 and the solid layer 8 as shown for example in Fig. 2, it is more preferable that it is applied to the range covering the ink flow paths nearer to the discharging orifice 10, and it is most preferable that it is applied to the range where the discharging orifices 10 are formed. This is because the configuration of the discharging orifice 10 and the ink flow path mostly affect quality of recorded item, so that it is possible to record with high quality for a long term by inhibiting the deterioration of the configuration of them with age.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the ink jet recording head constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • an elastic member 13 molded of a silicone rubber or the like is interposed between the retaining leaf spring 7 and the ceiling plate 2 so that the resilient force of the retaining leaf spring 7 is applied to the ceiling plate 2 via the elastic member 13.
  • the elastic member 13 serves to alleviate the adverse influence derived from ruggedness, warpage or the like of the ceiling plate 2 so that the resilient force of the retaining leaf spring 7 can more uniformly be applied to the ceiling plate 2.
  • the retaining leaf spring 7 it is preferable for the retaining leaf spring 7 to contact the ceiling plate 2 or the elastic member 13 by lines rather than by areas. This is because it is possible to inhibit the affection to the resilient force which is caused by the deformation of the leaf spring 7 itself.
  • the present invention achieves distinct effect when applied to a recording head or a recording apparatus which has means for generating thermal energy such as electrothermal transducers or laser light, and which causes changes in ink by the thermal energy so as to eject ink. This is because such a system can achieve a high density and high resolution recording.
  • the on-demand type apparatus has electrothermal transducers, each disposed on a sheet or liquid passage that retains liquid (ink), and operates as follows: first, one or more drive signals are applied to the electrothermal transducers to cause thermal energy corresponding to recording information; second, the thermal energy induces sudden temperature rise that exceeds the nucleate boiling so as to cause the film boiling on heating portions of the recording head; and third, bubbles are grown in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signals. By using the growth and collapse of the bubbles, the ink is expelled from at least one of the ink ejection orifices of the head to form one or more ink drops.
  • the drive signal in the form of a pulse is preferable because the growth and collapse of the bubbles can be achieved instantaneously and suitably by this form of drive signal.
  • a drive signal in the form of a pulse those described in U.S. patent Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are preferable.
  • the rate of temperature rise of the heating portions described in U.S. patent No. 4,313,124 be adopted to achieve better recording.
  • U.S. patent Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 disclose the following structure of a recording head, which is incorporated to the present invention: this structure includes heating portions disposed on bent portions in addition to a combination of the ejection orifices, liquid passages and the electrothermal transducers disclosed in the above patents. Moreover, the present invention can be applied to structures disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open Nos. 123670/1984 and 138461/1984 in order to achieve similar effects.
  • the former discloses a structure in which a slit common to all the electrothermal transducers is used as ejection orifices of the electrothermal transducers, and the latter discloses a structure in which openings for absorbing pressure waves caused by thermal energy are formed corresponding to the ejection orifices.
  • the present invention can be effective to a so-called full-line type recording head whose length equals the maximum length across a recording medium as previously discussed.
  • a full-line type recording head may consists of not only one integrally arranged recording head but also a plurality of recording heads combined together.
  • the present invention can be applied to various serial type recording heads: a recording head fixed to the main assembly of a recording apparatus; a conveniently replaceable chip type recording head which, when loaded on the main assembly of a recording apparatus, is electrically connected to the main assembly, and is supplied with ink therefrom; and a cartridge type recording head integrally including an ink reservoir.
  • a recovery system or a preliminary auxiliary system for a recording head as a constituent of the recording apparatus because they serve to make the effect of the present invention more reliable.
  • the recovery system are a capping means and a cleaning means for the recording head, and a pressure or suction means for the recording head.
  • the preliminary auxiliary system are a preliminary heating means utilizing electrothermal transducers or a combination of other heater elements and the electrothermal transducers, and a means for carrying out preliminary ejection of ink independently of the ejection for recording. These systems are effective for reliable recording.
  • the number and type of recording heads to be mounted on a recording apparatus can be also changed. For example, only one recording head corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads corresponding to a plurality of inks different in color or concentration can be used.
  • the present invention can be effectively applied to an apparatus having at least one of the monochromatic, multi-color and full-color modes.
  • the monochromatic mode performs recording by using only one major color such as black.
  • the multi-color mode carries out recording by using different color inks, and the full-color mode performs recording by color mixing.
  • inks that are liquid when the recording signal is applied can be used: for example, inks can be employed that solidify at a temperature lower than the room temperature and are softened or liquefied in the room temperature. This is because in the ink jet system, the ink is generally temperature adjusted in a range of 30°C - 70°C so that the viscosity of the ink is maintained at such a value that the ink can be ejected reliably.
  • the present invention can be applied to such apparatus where the ink is liquefied just before the ejection by the thermal energy as follows so that the ink is expelled from the orifices in the liquid state, and then begins to solidify on hitting the recording medium, thereby preventing the ink evaporation: the ink is transformed from solid to liquid state by positively utilizing the thermal energy which would otherwise cause the temperature rise; or the ink, which is dry when left in air, is liquefied in response to the thermal energy of the recording signal.
  • the present invention is most effective when it uses the film boiling phenomenon to expel the ink.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention can be employed not only as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, but also as an output device of a copying machine including a reader, and as an output device of a facsimile apparatus having a transmission and receiving function.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is very effective for textile printing in which an image is printed onto a fabric or the like.
  • An ink jet printing step is carried out using the ink jet recording apparatus proposed in the present invention. Then, the recording medium is dried in a manner including natural drying. The dried medium is subjected to a step in which the dye on the recording medium is diffused into its fiber, and fixed there upon reaction. This step provides a full color development and the fastness of the fixed dye.
  • This diffusion-fixing step may be performed by a known method, for example, steaming.
  • the recording medium Prior to the printing step, the recording medium may be treated with an alkali.
  • a posttreatment step is performed in which the unreacted dye and the substances used for the pretreatment are removed.
  • a correction-finishing step for defect correction and ironing is performed to complete recording.
  • the fabric for ink jet printing has to fulfill the following requirements:
  • Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 53492/1987 discloses fabrics having an ink receiving layer
  • Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 46589/1991 proposes fabrics containing reduction-preventing agents or alkaline substances.
  • Such pretreatment include the incorporation of substances, selected from alkaline substances, water-soluble polymers, synthetic polymers, water-soluble metal salts, urea and thiourea, into fabrics.
  • alkaline substances examples include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, amines such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine, and alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. They also include organic acid metal salts such as calcium acetate or barium acetate, ammonia, and ammonia compounds. There can also be used sodium trichloroacetate which becomes alkaline upon steaming and under dry heat.
  • Preferred alkaline substances are sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate which are used in dyeing with reactive dyes.
  • water-soluble polymers examples include starches from corn and wheat, celluloses such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose, polysaccharides such as sodium alginate, gum arabic, locust bean gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, or tamarind seeds, proteins such as gelatin or casein, and naturally occurring polymers such as tannin-derived substances or lignin-derived substances.
  • celluloses such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose
  • polysaccharides such as sodium alginate, gum arabic, locust bean gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, or tamarind seeds
  • proteins such as gelatin or casein
  • naturally occurring polymers such as tannin-derived substances or lignin-derived substances.
  • Examples of the synthetic polymers include polyvinyl alcohol compounds, polyethylene oxide compounds, water-soluble polymers derived from acrylic acid, and water-soluble polymers derived from maleic anhydride. Preferred are the polysaccharidal polymers and cellulose derived polymers.
  • water-soluble metal salts include halides of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals which form typical ionic crystals and which have pH of 4-10.
  • alkali metal halides such as NaCl, Na2SO4, KCl or CH3COONa
  • alkaline earth metal halides such as CaCl2 or MgCl2.
  • Na, K and Ca salts are preferred.
  • the method of incorporating the above-described substances into the fabric in the pretreatment is not restricted. However, there can be cited dipping, padding, coating or spraying which is in customary use.
  • the printing ink to be imparted to the fabric for ink jet printing merely adheres to the fabric when it is applied onto the fabric.
  • a subsequent step for reacting the dye with the fiber and fixing it there may be carried out by a known method, such as steaming, HT steaming, thermofixing, or unless the alkali-treated fabric is used, alkali pad steaming, alkali blotch steaming, alkali shocking, or alkali cold fixing.
  • the removal of the unreacted dye and the substances used in the pretreatment can be performed by washing in accordance with a known method, after the reaction-fixing step is carried out.
  • the washing procedure is preferably combined with a known fixing treatment.
  • the recorded material that has undergone the above-mentioned posttreatment step is cut into a desired size.
  • the cut pieces are subjected to a step for obtaining a final processed product, such as sewing, bonding or welding.
  • a final processed product such as sewing, bonding or welding.
  • clothes such as one-piece dresses, outer garments, ties, or swimming suits, quilt covers, sofa covers, handkerchiefs, and curtains.
  • Many methods of processing the fabric by sewing, etc. into clothes and other daily necessities are described, for example, in known books, including the monthly magazine "Soen", published by Bunka Shuppan-Kyoku, a publishing company in Japan.
  • a heater board (1) having a plurality of energy generating elements disposed thereon to discharge recording liquid droplets therefrom is adhesively secured to a base plate (5).
  • a plurality of ink flow paths are formed on a solid layer (8) deposited on the heater board (1).
  • a ceiling plate (2) having a common liquid chamber communicated with the ink flow paths is mounted on the solid layer (8), and the ceiling plate (2) is thrusted against the solid layer by the resilient force of a comb-shaped retaining leaf spring (7).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
EP19930116573 1992-10-15 1993-10-13 Flüssigkeitstrahlaufzeichnungskopf und Vorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0593040B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP277081/92 1992-10-15
JP27708192A JP3190454B2 (ja) 1992-10-15 1992-10-15 インクジェット記録ヘッドおよびインクジェット記録装置
JP27708192 1992-10-15

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0593040A2 true EP0593040A2 (de) 1994-04-20
EP0593040A3 EP0593040A3 (en) 1995-09-27
EP0593040B1 EP0593040B1 (de) 2000-03-22

Family

ID=17578517

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19930116573 Expired - Lifetime EP0593040B1 (de) 1992-10-15 1993-10-13 Flüssigkeitstrahlaufzeichnungskopf und Vorrichtung

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0593040B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3190454B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69328150T2 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0670220A2 (de) * 1994-03-04 1995-09-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Farbstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP0709201A3 (de) * 1994-10-31 1997-05-28 Canon Kk Tintenstrahlkopfherstellungsverfahren, Tintenstrahlkopf und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsgerät
EP0933224A2 (de) * 1998-01-22 1999-08-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4218477B2 (ja) 2003-09-19 2009-02-04 富士ゼロックス株式会社 インクジェット記録装置
JP5009093B2 (ja) * 2007-08-27 2012-08-22 株式会社リコー 圧電アクチュエータ、液体吐出ヘッド、液体吐出装置及び画像形成装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4343013A (en) * 1980-10-14 1982-08-03 Ncr Corporation Nozzle plate for ink jet print head
US4564851A (en) * 1983-02-22 1986-01-14 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Recording device functioning with fluid droplets
US4629926A (en) * 1985-10-21 1986-12-16 Kiwi Coders Corporation Mounting for piezoelectric bender of fluid control device
EP0440469A2 (de) * 1990-02-02 1991-08-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsapparat und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf
US5121225A (en) * 1989-02-21 1992-06-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Photoelectric converter and image reading apparatus mounting the same

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4343013A (en) * 1980-10-14 1982-08-03 Ncr Corporation Nozzle plate for ink jet print head
US4564851A (en) * 1983-02-22 1986-01-14 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Recording device functioning with fluid droplets
US4629926A (en) * 1985-10-21 1986-12-16 Kiwi Coders Corporation Mounting for piezoelectric bender of fluid control device
US5121225A (en) * 1989-02-21 1992-06-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Photoelectric converter and image reading apparatus mounting the same
EP0440469A2 (de) * 1990-02-02 1991-08-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsapparat und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0670220A2 (de) * 1994-03-04 1995-09-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Farbstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP0670220A3 (de) * 1994-03-04 1996-02-21 Canon Kk Farbstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung.
US6168254B1 (en) 1994-03-04 2001-01-02 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet recording apparatus
EP0709201A3 (de) * 1994-10-31 1997-05-28 Canon Kk Tintenstrahlkopfherstellungsverfahren, Tintenstrahlkopf und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsgerät
US5888333A (en) * 1994-10-31 1999-03-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet head production method, ink jet head, and ink jet recording apparatus
EP0933224A2 (de) * 1998-01-22 1999-08-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
EP0933224A3 (de) * 1998-01-22 2000-03-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf und Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsvorrichtung
US6209988B1 (en) 1998-01-22 2001-04-03 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet recording head and ink jet recording apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0593040A3 (en) 1995-09-27
JP3190454B2 (ja) 2001-07-23
EP0593040B1 (de) 2000-03-22
JPH06126943A (ja) 1994-05-10
DE69328150T2 (de) 2000-09-21
DE69328150D1 (de) 2000-04-27

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