EP0670218B1 - Tintenstrahlkopf - Google Patents

Tintenstrahlkopf Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0670218B1
EP0670218B1 EP95301259A EP95301259A EP0670218B1 EP 0670218 B1 EP0670218 B1 EP 0670218B1 EP 95301259 A EP95301259 A EP 95301259A EP 95301259 A EP95301259 A EP 95301259A EP 0670218 B1 EP0670218 B1 EP 0670218B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
plate
ink jet
jet head
pressurizing
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95301259A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0670218A2 (de
EP0670218A3 (de
Inventor
Nobuhiko C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Onda
Tomohisa C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Mikami
Akira C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Nakazawa
Miohinori C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Kutami
Shigeharu C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Suzuki
Fumio C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Yamagishi
Masayuki C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Kato
Shuki C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Koike
Junji C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Kashioka
Shino C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Sakai
Osamu C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Taniguchi
Hiromitsu C/O Fujitsu Ltd. Soneda
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.)
Fujitsu Ltd
Original Assignee
Fujitsu Ltd
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 Fujitsu Ltd filed Critical Fujitsu Ltd
Priority to EP00107972A priority Critical patent/EP1031422B1/de
Publication of EP0670218A2 publication Critical patent/EP0670218A2/de
Publication of EP0670218A3 publication Critical patent/EP0670218A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0670218B1 publication Critical patent/EP0670218B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
    • B41J2/14274—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements of stacked structure type, deformed by compression/extension and disposed on a diaphragm
    • 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
    • B41J2002/14387—Front shooter
    • 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
    • B41J2002/14491—Electrical connection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ink jet head for jetting out ink by applying pressure to a pressure chamber which accommodates the ink.
  • an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile.
  • an ink jet printer is utilized for the reason of having a simple construction. This ink jet printer forms an image on a recording medium by jetting out the ink out of an ink jet head.
  • an ink jet head exists which jets out the ink by applying pressure to the ink within a pressure chamber.
  • a high conversion efficiency into an ink jet with respect to the applied pressure is desirable.
  • FIGS. 43A and 43B are views of assistance in explaining a first such proposal.
  • FIGS. 44A and 44B are views of assistance in explaining a second such proposal.
  • an interior of a pressure chamber 2 is filled with the ink.
  • a nozzle plate 1 has a nozzle 6 for jetting out the ink.
  • a vibration plate 3 is provided in parallel to the nozzle plate 1.
  • a piezo element (piezoelectric actuator) 4 for driving the vibration plate 3 is stuck to one side of this vibration plate 3.
  • Upper and lower surfaces of this piezo element 4 are provided with a pair of electrodes 5 for applying a voltage to the piezo element 4.
  • a wall member 8 for forming the pressure chamber 2 is provided between this nozzle plate 1 and the vibration plate 3.
  • the wall member 8 is formed of a rigid material. Then, a part of the wall member 8 is formed with a supply port 7 for supplying the ink to the pressure chamber 2.
  • FIG. 44A is a view showing another device according to the prior art (Specification of Japanese Patent Application No.3-511685, filed on July 9, 1991, International Patent Application No. PCT JP 91/00916, International Patent Laid-Open No. WO 92/00849 corresponding to EP 491961A).
  • the wall member provided between the nozzle plate 1 having the nozzle 6 and the vibration plate 3 is constructed by laminating a rigid member 8 and an elastic member 11. Then, a wire dot head 12 serving as a driving element is disposed in a face-to-face relationship with the vibration plate 3.
  • the peripheral portion of the vibration plate 3 is fixed to the wall of the pressure chamber 2. For this reason, when the vibration plate 3 is bent, there is generated a large stress at a connecting portion of the vibration plate 3 to the wall of the pressure chamber 2.
  • the vibration plate 3 vibrates at several kHz, and, hence, fatigue breaking is caused by this stress, resulting in the possibility that the connecting portion is ruptured.
  • a force generated by the piezo element is a sum of a force of for pushing out the ink and a force for bending the vibration plate 3.
  • the peripheral portion of the vibration plate 3 is, however, fixed to the wall of the pressure chamber 2, and hence there is required a large force for bending the vibration plate 3. As a result, the force for pushing out the ink is reduced. For this reason, the conversion efficiency of the ink pushing force with respect to the generated force of the piezo element is decreased.
  • the center of the vibration plate 3 be pushed by the piezo element in order to maximize the bend of the vibration plate 3. That is, if the central portion of the vibration plate 3 is not pushed, the bend of the vibration plate 3 assumes an asymmetry with respect to the center, with the result that the ink pushing force is decreased.
  • a size of the vibration plate 3 is on the order of 1 mm x 1 mm, it is required that a head assembling accuracy be restrained down to several-tens ⁇ m or smaller enough to push the central portion thereof. The assembly is therefore difficult.
  • the vibration plate 3 is separated from a pressurizing mechanism of the wire dot head 12, and there is formed a gap therebetween. For this reason, there can not be taken a high-efficiency driving method, viz., a so-called negative polarity driving method by which the vibration plate 3 is driven in a direction opposite to the nozzle-direction; the ink is sucked into the pressure chamber 2; and, thereafter, the vibration plate 3 is driven in the nozzle-direction to jet out the ink.
  • a high-efficiency driving method viz., a so-called negative polarity driving method by which the vibration plate 3 is driven in a direction opposite to the nozzle-direction; the ink is sucked into the pressure chamber 2; and, thereafter, the vibration plate 3 is driven in the nozzle-direction to jet out the ink.
  • An embodiment of the present invention may provide an ink jet head for enhancing a conversion efficiency into an ink pushing force from a generated force of a piezo element.
  • An embodiment of the present invention may also provide an ink jet head for increasing a durability of a head.
  • a further embodiment of the present invention may provide an ink jet head which facilitates the assembly thereof.
  • An embodiment of the present invention may also provide an ink jet head for preventing an occurrence of satellite particles.
  • a yet further embodiment of the present invention may provide an ink jet head for making a negative polarity drive effective.
  • the present invention provides an improvement to an ink jet head disclosed in US-A-4184169, which discloses an ink jet head as set out in the precharacterising part of the attached claim 1.
  • the present invention also improves upon the disclosures of EP-A-0491961 corresponding to the previously-mentioned International Patent Application No. PCT/JP91/00916.
  • an ink jet head for jetting out ink in a pressure chamber by applying pressure to said pressure chamber which is adapted for accommodating the ink, said ink jet head comprising:
  • the wall member of the pressure chamber comprises an elastic material. Then, this wall member is deformed through the pressurizing plate by the piezoelectric actuator fixed to the pressurizing plate. A volume of the pressure chamber is thereby varied, thus pushing out the ink.
  • the pressurizing plate that is hard to bend is employed in place of the vibration plate. Then, the pressurizing plate is driven by the piezoelectric actuator to deform the wall member. The volume of the pressure chamber is thus changed. With this arrangement, because of using no vibration plate, the fatigue breaking due to the vibrations can be prevented. With this prevention, the occurrence of the satellite particles can be also prevented.
  • the pressurizing plate may be extruded without bending the vibration plate, and, therefore, an ink jetting energy can be increased.
  • the piezoelectric actuator is fixed to the pressurizing plate, whereby the negative polarity drive can be carried out. This makes it possible to jet out the ink at a high efficiency.
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating a single pressure chamber of an embodiment to which the present invention can be applied.
  • a wall member 24 is provided between a nozzle plate 21 having a nozzle and a pressurizing plate 22.
  • This wall member 23 exhibits an elasticity. Then, a piezoelectric actuator 23 is fixed to the pressurizing plate 22.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 23 drives the pressurizing plate 22 to stretch and contract the wall member 24.
  • An ink is thereby jetted via the nozzle 21 from within a pressure chamber 26.
  • the pressurizing plate is extruded without bending the vibration plate, and, therefore, an ink jetting energy can be increased.
  • the piezoelectric actuator is fixed to the pressurizing plate, a negative polarity drive can be performed. This makes it possible to jet out the ink at a high efficiency.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a single pressure chamber of an embodiment of the ink jet head, of the present invention.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is provided in parallel to the nozzle plate 20 including the nozzle 21 for jetting out the ink.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is composed of a thin metal sheet or the like. This pressurizing plate 22 has a thickness enough not to be bent when the piezoelectric actuator presses the pressurizing plate 22.
  • An elastic member constituting the wall member 24 is provided between the nozzle plate 20 ad the pressurizing plate 22.
  • This wall member 24 is provided along the periphery of the pressure chamber 26, thus forming the pressure chamber 26.
  • This elastic member 24 is composed of, preferably, a rubber or a resin having a Young's modulus of the order of 9.6 x 10 5 Pa - 1 x 10 9 Pa. In this example, there is employed a silicon rubber having a Young's modulus of 9.6 x 10 5 Pa. Further, the height of his elastic member 24 is approximately 60 ⁇ m.
  • a piezo element (piezoelectric actuator) 23 is fixed to this pressurizing plate 22 with a bonding agent. Electrodes 25 are attached to upper and lower portions of this piezo element 23.
  • the piezo element 23 is of a type in a d 33 mode. Accordingly, the piezo element 23 is stretched and contracted in up-and-down directions in the figure by applying a voltage to the electrodes 25.
  • the wall member 24 is formed with a slit 28 between the adjacent pressure chamber and the wall member 24. With this arrangement, an interference between the pressure chambers is prevented.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 when applying the voltage to the piezo element 23, the pressurizing plate 22 pushes and contracts the wall member 24 by a generated force of the piezo element 23. As a result, the pressurizing plate 22 moves in parallel and extrudes the ink from within the pressure chamber 26.
  • this embodiment gives an example of driving in the d 33 mode.
  • the same effect is, however, obtained in a d 31 mode wherein the electrodes are fitted to right and left side surfaces of the piezo element 23, and the piezo element 23 is stretched and contracted in the up-and-down direction in the Figure.
  • the piezoelectric actuator is structured such that a plurality of units each including a piezo body sandwiched in between a pair of electrodes are laminated, thereby making it possible to increase a displacement and the generated force.
  • the fatigue breaking can be prevented because of involving the bending of the vibration plate.
  • the vibration plate is not bent, and it is therefore permitted that a positioning accuracy of the parts may not be high.
  • the piezo element 23 is closely fitted to the pressurizing plate 22. Consequently, there is no residual vibration, and the production of satellite particles can be prevented.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a first modified example of the ink jet head, not including the inventive slit 28.
  • FIGS. 4A through 4E are views of assistance in explaining a positive polarity drive operation thereof.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5F are views of assistance in explaining a negative polarity drive operation.
  • the whole wall member 24 is composed of the elastic material.
  • the wall member 24 is structured in such a way that a wall 29 having a high rigidity and an elastic member 24 are laminated.
  • the high-rigidity wall 29 is formed on the side of the nozzle plate 20. Then, the high-rigidity wall 29 is made of, preferably, a metal or a resin having its Young modulus on the order of 1 x 10 10 Pa or more. In addition, the high-rigidity wall 29 is 50 ⁇ m in height.
  • the elastic member 24 is formed on the side of the pressurizing plate 22. Then, the elastic member 24 is 10 ⁇ m high. The elastic member 24 involves the use of a silicon rubber having its Young modulus of 9.6 x 10 5 Pa in this example.
  • the laminated structure of the high-rigidity wall 29 and the elastic member 24 is formed in the following manner.
  • a liquid one- or two-pack silicone rubber is formed on the high-rigidity wall 29 by a printing method such as screen printing, etc., and, after positioning the pressurizing plate 22, the silicone rubber is hardened at a normal or high temperature (approximately 120°C), thus forming a plate member.
  • the above high-rigidity wall 29 is formed with an ink supply port 27 for supplying the ink into the pressure chamber 26.
  • the piezo element 23 is fixed to the pressurizing plate 22 with a bonding agent 30.
  • the electrodes 25 are attached to the upper and lower portions of this piezo element 23.
  • the piezo element 23 is of the type in the d 33 mode. Accordingly, the piezo element 23 is stretched and contracted in the up-and-down directions in the Figure by applying the voltage to the electrodes 25.
  • a positive polarity driving method will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4E.
  • a positive polarity pulse as shown in FIG. 4A is applied to the piezo element 23 to push the pressurizing plate 22 in one direction toward the nozzle, thereby jetting out the ink.
  • FIG. 4B shows an initial state where the voltage is not applied.
  • FIG. 4C in consequence of this, an ink surface portion known as a meniscus bulges out of the nozzle 21 due to a displacement of the pressurizing plate 22, and, therefore, an intra-ink pressure is abruptly decreased due to the air along the periphery of the bulged-out ink.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 When further increasing the applied voltage, the pressurizing plate 22 further shifts in parallel, whereby the pressure within the pressure chamber 26 rises. As illustrated in FIG. 4D, at this time, the quantity of the ink from the nozzle 21 increases.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5F a negative polarity driving method will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5F.
  • the piezo element 23 is driven by a triangular wave in a negative direction.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is thereby driven once in a direction opposite to the nozzle-direction, and, after sucking the ink into the pressure chamber, the pressurizing plate 22 is returned in the nozzle-direction, thus jetting out the ink.
  • FIG. 5B shows the initial state where the voltage is not applied.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is displaced by the generated force of the piezo element 23 in the direction opposite to the nozzle. The meniscus is pulled into the nozzle 21 with the displacement of the pressurizing plate 22.
  • the piezo element 23 When the applied voltage to the piezo element 23 is set to zero, the piezo element 23 returns to the original position. At this time, the pressurizing plate 22 also goes back to the original position. As depicted in FIG. 5D, the meniscus also starts shifting. Then, the meniscus is confined into the pipe-like nozzle 21, and, hence, the rise in the pressure of the pressure chamber 26 due to the displacement of the pressurizing plate 22 is transferred the head of the meniscus. The above-described pressure always acts on the ink and the meniscus shifting within the nozzle 21, and consequently the ink is accelerated till the ink reaches the outlet of the nozzle 21.
  • the ink jets out of the nozzle 21 with a kinetic energy obtained within the nozzle 21 As a total sum of the kinetic energy of the ink at the instant of jetting out of the nozzle 21 augments, a velocity of the ink column becomes higher than by the positive polarity drive.
  • This positive polarity drive is compared with the negative polarity drive.
  • the velocity of the ink particles has such a relationship that v 2 > v 1 , where the v 1 is the velocity with the positive polarity, and v 2 is the velocity with the negative polarity.
  • VIA the volume ranging from the meniscus within the nozzle to the outlet of the nozzle when the piezo element 23 starts pushing the ink.
  • VIP the value when converting a displacement volume of the piezo element 23 into a volume of the nozzle portion.
  • V1 VIP
  • VIA 0.
  • V1 VIP - VIA. Accordingly, the volume of the ink particles in the negative polarity drive is smaller than in the positive polarity drive.
  • the negative polarity drive has a mass m slightly smaller than that of the positive polarity drive but has the velocity v considerably higher than that of the positive polarity drive. Hence, the total kinetic energy E is slightly larger than that of the positive polarity drive. Namely, it follows that the negative polarity drive exhibits a higher conversion efficiency from the input energy to the piezoelectric actuator 23 into the kinetic energy of the ink particles than the positive polarity energy.
  • the negative polarity drive in the case of the negative polarity drive, the ink is accelerated within the nozzle 21, and, therefore, a spurting direction of the ink particles is more stable than by the positive polarity drive. Accordingly, in the ink jet, the negative polarity drive is more desirable than the positive polarity drive.
  • the negative polarity drive is practicable. As a matter of course, this does not intend to hinder the application to the positive polarity drive. Note that this embodiment also gives a drive example in the d 33 mode, but the same effect is obtained in a d 31 mode, too.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a second modified example of the ink jet head.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is provided for every pressure chamber 26, and again the inventive slits 28 are not provided. This arrangement prevents an interference of the pressurizing plates 22 with each other.
  • the piezo element 23 is provided corresponding to each pressurizing plate 22.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a third modified example of the ink jet head.
  • a respective pressurizing plate 22 is provided for every pressure chamber 26. This arrangement prevents an interference of the pressurizing plates 22 with each other.
  • a piezo element 23 is provided corresponding to each pressurizing plate 22.
  • the elastic member 24 is formed with a slit 24c. The elastic member 24 is partitioned by this slit 24c into two pieces 24a, 24b of elastic members.
  • a separation from the pressure chamber adjacent to the elastic member can be attained, thereby making it possible to prevent mutual interference between the elastic members.
  • the high-rigidity wall 29 can be shared with the adjacent pressure chamber.
  • the elastic member 24 can be also formed by use of bonding material exhibiting elasticity.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a fourth modified example of the ink jet head, again without the inventive slit.
  • the wall member 24 is constructed of the high rigidity wall 29 and a bellows 31.
  • the bellows 31 is formed of a metal.
  • the elastic member 24 of FIG. 3 is replaced with the bellows 31.
  • the same action and effect as those shown in FIG. 3 are exhibited.
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B are views each showing a configuration of a fifth modified example of the ink jet head.
  • FIG. 9A ia a sectional view thereof
  • FIG. 9B is a top view thereof.
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B the same elements as those shown in FIG. 2 are marked with the like numerals.
  • a pair of piezo elements 23 are disposed outwardly of the side surface of the elastic member 24 constituting the wall member.
  • One end of the piezo elements 23 is connected to the pressurizing plate 22, while the other end thereof is connected to the nozzle plate 20.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is pulled in toward the nozzle plate 20 by contacting the piezo elements 23, thereby increasing the pressure within the pressure chamber 26.
  • the ink is thereby jetted out.
  • This configuration exhibits the same effect as that shown in FIG. 2. Further, the thickness of the head can be reduced.
  • FIGS. 10A and 10B are views each illustrating a configuration of a sixth modified example of the ink jet head.
  • FIG. 10A is a sectional view thereof
  • FIG. 10B is a top view thereof.
  • the piezo element 23 is disposed inwardly of the two elastic members 24 constituting the wall member. One end of the piezo element 23 is connected to the pressurizing plate 22, while the other end thereof is connected to the nozzle plate 20.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is pulled in toward the nozzle plate 20 by contacting the piezo element 23, thereby increasing the pressure within the pressure chamber 26.
  • the ink is thereby jetted out.
  • This configuration exhibits the same effect as that shown in FIG. 2. In addition to this, the thickness of the head can be reduced.
  • FIGS. 11A and 11B are views each illustrating a configuration of a seventh modified example of the ink jet head.
  • FIG. 11A is a sectional view thereof
  • FIG. 11B is a top view thereof.
  • the pair of piezo elements 23 are attached to the side surfaces of the elastic members 24 constituting the wall member.
  • the piezo elements 23 are employed in a d 15 mode (lateral shear mode).
  • One side surfaces of the piezo elements 23 are connected to the pressurizing plate 22, while the other side surfaces thereof are connected via fitting members 32 to the nozzle plate 20.
  • FIGS. 12A and 12B are views each illustrating a configuration of an eighth modified example of the ink jet head.
  • FIG. 12A is a sectional view thereof
  • FIG. 12B is a top view thereof.
  • the piezo elements 23 are employed in the d 15 mode (lateral shear mode). Two pieces of piezo elements 23 are stuck to each other and are fixed to an unillustrated head support member via fitting members 33 provided on the right and left side surfaces.
  • FIGS. 13A and 13B are views each illustrating a configuration of a ninth modified example of the ink jet head.
  • FIG. 13A is a sectional view thereof
  • FIG. 13B is a perspective view thereof.
  • FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are views of assistance in explaining the operation thereof.
  • an ink supply port 27 is formed in the wall member 24 composed of the elastic member.
  • the wall member 24 is stretched. Accordingly, the sectional area of the supply port 27 is expanded, whereas the passageway resistance is reduced. The ink thereby flows into the pressure chamber 26 in a short time.
  • the supply port 27 is formed in the wall member 24, and a valve function can be thereby incorporated into the supply port 27 itself. For this reason, the loss of energy can be reduced, and the ink jetting energy can be increased. Note that a dimension of the section, when narrowed, of the supply port 27 may be set several times or under as large as the displacement quantity (approximately 1 ⁇ m) of the pressurizing plate 22. Further, in the positive polarity drive also, the same operation is to be performed.
  • FIGS. 15A and 15B are views each illustrating a configuration of a tenth modified example of the ink jet head.
  • FIG. 15A is a sectional view thereof, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view thereof.
  • the same elements as those shown in FIG. 3 are marked with the like numerals.
  • the ink supply port 27 is formed in the elastic member 24.
  • the supply port 27 is formed in the elastic member 24, and the valve function can be thereby incorporated into the supply port 27 itself. For this reason, the loss of energy can be reduced, and the ink jetting energy can be increased.
  • FIGS. 16A and 16B are views each illustrating a configuration of an eleventh modified example of the ink jet head.
  • FIG. 16A is a front sectional view thereof.
  • FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view thereof showing an application of the present invention.
  • the same elements as those shown in FIG. 7 are marked with the like numerals.
  • the ink supply port 27 is formed in the elastic member 24.
  • the supply port 27 is formed in the elastic member 24, and the valve function can be thereby incorporated into the supply port 27 itself. For this reason, the loss of energy can be reduced, and the ink jetting energy can be increased.
  • the elastic member 24 can be formed by use of the bonding agent exhibiting elasticity.
  • FIGS. 13A through 16A In addition to the embodiment discussed above, in the modified examples shown in FIGS. 13A through 16A also, the positive and negative polarity drive methods explained in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be utilized. Further, in the modified examples shown in FIGS. 13A through 16A also, the configurations explained referring to FIGS. 8 through 12 are applicable.
  • FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of the multi-nozzle head.
  • FIG. 18 is a sectional view thereof.
  • FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view thereof.
  • the multi-nozzle head includes a nozzle plate 40, a passageway plate 41, an elastic plate 42, a pressurizing plate 43, a holder 44 and a piezoelectric actuator 45.
  • the nozzle plate 40 has a multiplicity of nozzles 40-1. In the illustrative example, there are formed four rows of nozzles, each row consisting of 16 nozzles. Then passageway plate 41 constitutes the above high-rigidity member 29. Each pressure chamber 46 and a common ink chamber 48 are defined by this passageway plate 41.
  • the elastic plate 42 serves as the above-stated elastic member 24.
  • the pressurizing plate 43 forms each pressurizing plate 22.
  • the holder 44 holds the piezoelectric actuator 45, and, at the same time, the nozzle plate 40, the passageway plate 41, the elastic plate 42 and the pressurizing plate 43 are fixed to this holder 44.
  • this passageway plate 41 is formed with an ink supply port 47 through which the pressure chamber 46 communicates with the common ink chamber 48. Accordingly, this multi-nozzle head is constructed such that the head in each of the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 6 is provided with multi-nozzles.
  • FIG. 20 is a view of assistance in explaining the screen printing method of manufacturing the elastic plate.
  • FIG. 21 is a view of assistance in explaining the offset printing method of manufacturing the elastic plate.
  • the elastic plate is formed with.a uniform thickness. Also, in the mass production, it is required that the elastic plate be formed to have a uniform thickness. According to this invention, this elastic plate is manufactured by use of a liquid elastic member.
  • the passageway plate 41 is bonded onto the nozzle plate 40.
  • a mesh 81 for the screen printing is provided on the surface of this passageway plate 41 on the side of the pressurizing plate.
  • an elastic material 82 is traced by a blade (squeegee) 80 through the mesh 81. With this operation, the elastic material 82 is uniformly coated.
  • the elastic material 82 is coated on the periphery of the pressure chamber. Thereafter, the pressurizing plate 43 is positioned with and put on the coating surface, thus effecting pressurization. Further, the elastic material 82 is hardened at a normal or high temperature (approximately 120°C) and thus bonded thereto. The elastic plate 42 is thereby formed.
  • This elastic material 82 is preferably a rubber or a resin having its Young modulus on the order of 1 x 10 5 Pa - 1 x 10 9 Pa after being hardened.
  • a silicon rubber having a Young modulus of 9.6 x 10 5 is employed.
  • a viscosity when coated is 200 cp.
  • the mesh is selected so that the thickness of the elastic layer is 10 ⁇ m.
  • the elastic layer 82 can be formed based on the screen printing.
  • FIG. 21 illustrates an example of forming the elastic layer by the offset printing.
  • a hopper 23 is filled with a liquid elastic material.
  • a liquid layer of the elastic material having a uniform thickness is formed on a coating roller 84-4 through a group of rollers 84-1 to 84-3 exhibiting a high affinity (wettability) with this elastic material.
  • the nozzle plate 40 mounted with the passageway plate 41 is moved in the arrowed direction. With this movement, the liquid elastic layer is formed on the passageway plate 41.
  • the pressurizing plate 43 is positioned with and put on the coating surface, thus performing the pressurization. Further, the liquid elastic layer is hardened at the normal or high temperature (approximately 120°C) and then bonded thereto. In this manner, the elastic layer 82 is formed by the offset printing method.
  • the liquid elastic material is coated on the passageway plate 41, thereby making it feasible to form the elastic layer on the passageway plate 41.
  • the elastic layer having the uniform thickness can be easily formed.
  • the printing-based method is taken, and, hence this is suited to the mass production.
  • the elastic material is in the liquid state and hardened while being mounted with the pressurizing plate 43. If this elastic material remains liquid, however, the thickness of the elastic layer is hard to control. Under such a condition, the liquid elastic material is coated on the passageway plate 41 and is thereafter once hardened. With this hardening, the bonding material is coated on the elastic material after reaching a state where the elastic material does not flow out even by pushing the pressurizing plate 43. Then, the elastic material is hardened while pushing the pressurizing plate 43.
  • the pressurizing plate 43 and the passageway plate 41 are thereby bonded to each other. Then, after releasing the pressurizing plate 43 from being pushed, the elastic layer reverts to the thickness in the initially hardened state. Therefore, the elastic layer having the uniform thickness can be formed.
  • the elastic material available for the elastic layer is also usable as this bonding material.
  • the thickness of the elastic layer can be uniformized by providing a process of once hardening the elastic layer.
  • FIG. 22 is a view of assistance in explaining another method of uniformizing the thickness.
  • particles 42-1 having the maximum particle size equal to a desired film thickness are mixed in the liquid elastic material 42. That is, there are prepared the particles 42-1 filtered beforehand so that the maximum particle size is equal to the desired film thickness.
  • the particles 42-1 are mixed in the liquid elastic material 42 and then sufficiently dispersed.
  • the particles 42-1 are employed as a spacer. This prevents the thickness of the elastic layer from being smaller than the maximum particle size even when pressurized. As a result, the elastic layer which is thin but has the uniform thickness can be formed.
  • the thickness of the elastic layer 42 can be set down to 10 ⁇ m.
  • the particles 42-1 may involve the use of inorganic materials such as SiO 2 , TiO or organic materials such as polystyrene, polycarbonate. Further, a proper particle content is 5 wt% - 60 wt%.
  • This method is suited to the negative polarity drive because of the thickness of the elastic layer 42 being not under 10 ⁇ m.
  • FIG. 23 is a view of assistance in explaining a distribution of the pressure within the pressure chamber.
  • FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of the passageway plate according to this embodiment.
  • a pressure Q is generated in the pressure chamber by dint of a generated pressure of the piezoelectric actuator 45.
  • a flexure of the passageway plate 41 is produced by this pressure Q. This flexure conducts to a volumetric loss of the ink which should spurt out of the nozzle. For this reason, it is difficult to transform the ink into particles at a high efficiency.
  • the loss volume due to the flexure of the passageway plate 41 is indicated by k ⁇ V.
  • This loss volume is defined by the following formula: kV ⁇ 6 ⁇ Qbl 5 / 5 ⁇ Eh 3
  • an ink jet printer capable of printing of 360 dpi.
  • the elasticity modulus E is as high as 4 gigapascal (GPa). Accordingly, a loss on the order of 5.78 pl (pico litre) is produced. For this reason, supposing that the ink particle volume needed for forming one dot on the sheet be 100 pl, a pressure chamber's volumetric variation on the order of 105.78 pl is required. Hence, the energy efficiency is not good.
  • a member having an elasticity modulus of 23 GPa or above is required for setting the volumetric loss to 1 % or under with respect to 100 pl, this volumetric loss being caused by the flexure of the passageway plate 41.
  • a photosensitive glass, metallic materials such as stainless steel and ceramics can be considered as materials having such an elasticity modulus.
  • the elasticity modulus E and the loss volume kV thereof are respectively calculated.
  • This metal member can be worked by an electric casting method, an etching method and a machining method such as a press.
  • the glass can be worked by an ultraviolet ray sensitive glass.
  • the ceramics, before being backed, is worked by machining and thereafter burned, whereby the ceramics can be processed. Patterning at a high accuracy can be attained by applying such a working method.
  • FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing another passageway plate.
  • the passageway plate 41 is partitioned into a plurality of subplates 410 which are in turn laminated. That is, it is because a patterning accuracy is more enhanced when the height thereof is small in the case of effecting the patterning on the plate by the above-described working method.
  • the passageway plate 41 is partitioned into 3-layered subplates 410. Then, these subplates 410 are joined.
  • the subplates 410 are, after being laminated, covered with a plating layer 411, thereby actualizing the multi-layered junction.
  • the respective plates 410 are laminated, and, thereafter, a temporary junction may be conducted by spot welding and bonding. With this processing, a positional deviation in the plating process can be prevented.
  • FIGS. 26A and 26B are explanatory views, and FIGS. 27A and 27B are explanatory views showing the respective pressurizing plates.
  • the pressure chambers and the pressurizing plates are needed corresponding to the number of the nozzles.
  • the pressurizing plate is more capable of independently pressurizing each of the pressure chambers in the case of being divided into the individual nozzles, and hence this is desirable.
  • the method of joining the individual independent pressurizing plates per pressure chamber entails a difficulty in terms of manufacturing. Under such circumstances, in this embodiment, there is provided a pressurizing plate easily manufacture and capable of independently individually pressurizing the pressure chamber.
  • FIG. 26B is a top view of the pressurizing plate 43.
  • FIG. 26A is a sectional view taken along the line X-X' thereof.
  • the individual pressurizing plate 22 is connected, at the center of its short side, to a common holding member 430 through thin ribs 431.
  • FIG. 27A a portion, indicated by a broken line in the Figure, of the individual pressurizing plate 22 is pushed by the piezoelectric actuator.
  • the ribs 431 are deformed enough to apply the pressure on the ink within the pressure chamber 46.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 corresponding to each nozzle is held by the common holding member 430 through at least two pieces of ribs 431 thinner than the pressurizing plate 22, and hence these elements are unified in the form of parts.
  • the joining operation of the pressurizing plate 43 is thereby facilitated.
  • this rib 4331 With the deformation of this rib 431, the stress is concentrated on the rib 431. Therefore, the design is such that the stress is set to a value smaller than a rupture strength of the rib. Further, the rib 431 is tensed in a direction of the long side of the pressurizing plate 22, and this is hard to exert an influence on the displacements of the pressurizing plates 22 above the pressure chambers that are arranged in the short-side direction.
  • the ribs 431 and the common holding member 430 may be composed of the same members.
  • a hard resinous film having a Young modulus of several GPa or greater is employed. This resinous film undergoes the patterning by dies cutting and laser working, etc., whereby the pressurizing plate 43 structured as shown in FIG. 26B can be obtained.
  • PET polyethyleneterephthalate
  • PEN polyethylenenaphthalate
  • a PEN film having a thickness of 0.1 mm is employed.
  • a size of the pressure chamber is set to 1.1 mm x 0.19 mm, and an area (within the broken line in FIG. 27B) with which the piezoelectric actuator pushes the pressurizing plate 22 is set to 1 mm x 0.1 mm.
  • a size of the pressurizing plate 22 is set to 1.2 mm x 0.26 mm;
  • a thickness of the elastic layer 42 is set to 10 ⁇ m; and
  • a Young modulus of the elastic layer is set to 1.5 x 10 6 Pa. Under these conditions, a stress calculation is conducted by a finite element method.
  • a width of the rib 431 is 0.04 mm, and a length thereof is 0.02 mm.
  • the stress becomes 3 x 10 7 Pa.
  • the rupture strength of the rib material is 2 x 10 8 Pa, and hence the rib is sufficiently durable against the stress.
  • the pressurizing plate 43 is allowed to serve as a wall of the common ink chamber 48.
  • the common ink chamber 48 may be, as in the same way with the pressure chamber 46, manufactured in an opened state. That is, the common ink chamber 48 is also sealed together by bonding of the pressurizing plate 43. Accordingly, with the bonding of the pressurizing plate 22, the common ink chamber 48 can be also simultaneously formed.
  • FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing another pressurizing plate.
  • the thickness of the rib 431 is smaller than those of the pressurizing plate 22 and of the common holding member 430.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 be rigid enough not to deform easily. Namely, a displacement efficiency of the piezoelectric actuator for pressurization is required to be increased to spurt a predetermined quantity of ink with an irreducible minimum displacement quantity.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 be rigid and hard to deform. With this arrangement, it follows that mainly the elastic layer between the pressurizing plate 22 and the pressure chamber is deformed. When making the pressurizing plate 22 more rigid, the integrally formed rib 431 also becomes more rigid. Therefore, the rib 431 is not easy to deform.
  • the sectional area is reduced by decreasing the thickness of the rib 431. Consequently, the rib 431 is easy to deform, and the rigid pressurizing plate 22 is obtained.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is composed of, desirably, the insulator.
  • the resinous film is a good insulator and therefore preferable as a material of the pressurizing plate 2.
  • the length of the piezoelectric actuator is elongated, correspondingly. This is disadvantageous in terms of manufacturing.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 is transparent.
  • the thickness of the elastic layer after being hardened be kept to a predetermined value (10 ⁇ m - 20 ⁇ m). Attention is paid to the pressurization when being bonded. An over-pressurization leads to a bulge of the bonding agent, whereas an under-pressurization brings about incomplete bonding. For this reason, when examining the bonding conditions, and if the pressurizing plate 22 is transparent, the bonding state can be monitored.
  • FIGS. 29A and 29B are explanatory views each showing another pressurizing plate.
  • a thin film member 432 is provided on a portion constituting the wall of the common holding member 430 which forms the common ink chamber 48. This thin film member 432 in turn forms a pressure damper.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 pressurizes the ink within the pressure chamber 46, the ink spurts out of the nozzle. Simultaneously with this, a pressure of the ink is generated also in the common ink chamber 48 from the ink supply port 47. At this time, the pressure of the common ink chamber 48 rises enough to induce pressure fluctuations in another pressure chamber 46. This may be a cause for a cross talk.
  • the pressure damper is required to be provided in the common ink chamber 48.
  • a part of the common holding member 430 undergoes laser beam machining or etching machining, thereby forming the pressure damper constructed of the thin film member 432.
  • This pressure damper is designed in the following manner.
  • V 0.151 plw 5 / Et 3
  • the acoustic capacity Cn of the nozzle is on the order of 1/10 16 - 1/10 18 .
  • the acoustic capacity Cd of the pressure damper be on the order of 1/10 13 - 1/10 15 .
  • the Young modulus E, the length l, the width w and the thickness t of the pressure damper are determined so that the acoustic capacity Cd of the pressure damper is on the order of 1/10 13 - 1/10 15 .
  • FIG. 30 is a view illustrating a configuration of another pressure damper.
  • a hole is formed in a part of the wall of the pressurizing plate 43 constituting the common ink chamber 48.
  • a thin film 610 is stuck by use of a one-pack silicon rubber 611 so as to seal this hole.
  • the pressure damper is formed.
  • the film 610 is composed of the PET.
  • the PET has a Young modulus of 4 x 10 9 Pa, a thickness of 6 ⁇ m and a surface size of 3.764 x 0.46 mm 2 .
  • the cross talk is examined.
  • both a velocity fluctuation and a jetting rate fluctuation are of the order of ⁇ 10% or under.
  • This film 610 may involve the use of, in addition to the PET, high polymer materials such as PI (polyimide) and metallic materials such as Ni, Al, SUS, etc..
  • high polymer materials such as PI (polyimide) and metallic materials such as Ni, Al, SUS, etc.
  • FIG. 31 is a view showing a configuration of still another pressure damper.
  • the hole is formed in a part of the wall of the pressurizing plate 43 constituting the common ink chamber 48.
  • the thin film 610 is provided so as to seal this hole.
  • This film 610 is formed such that the PET having a thickness of 10 ⁇ m is coated with a hot-melt bonding agent (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) up to 2 ⁇ m.
  • This film 610 is fused by heating under conditions, i.e., at 150°C, at 5 kg/cm 2 and for 5 sec, thus forming the pressure damper.
  • FIG. 32 is a view illustrating a configuration of yet another pressure damper.
  • the wall of the common ink chamber 48 is fitted with a pressure damper plate 613 provided in the pressurizing plate 43 together with the pressurizing plate 22.
  • the pressurizing plate 43 employed herein is constructed in such a way that a PI film having a thickness of 5 ⁇ m is provided with the SUS pressurizing plate 22, corresponding to the pressure chamber.
  • the film corresponds to the portion, constituting the common ink chamber, of the pressurizing plate 43, and, therefore, the pressure damper can be formed without working the pressurizing plate 43.
  • FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the piezoelectric actuator.
  • FIG. 34 is a plan view illustrating a lead frame for the piezoelectric actuator.
  • FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the lead frame of FIG. 34.
  • FIG. 36 is a constructive view illustrating how the piezoelectric actuator is assembled.
  • FIG. 37 is a view of assistance in explaining a structure of the electrode thereof.
  • the piezoelectric actuator is required to be formed corresponding to each nozzle.
  • this type of piezoelectric actuator is formed of multi-layered piezoelectric bodies laminated on each other.
  • a method of laminating the multi-layered piezoelectric bodies entails high manufacturing costs. This is a problem inherent in this method. Accordingly, it is desirable that the piezoelectric actuator assuming a configuration corresponding to each nozzle be composed of a single-layered piezoelectric body.
  • the displacement quantity of the piezoelectric actuator may be small. Therefore, the single-layered piezoelectric body is usable. As shown in FIG. 33, a single-layered piezoelectric block 45 is formed with a multiplicity of piezoelectric elements 451 corresponding to the individual nozzles.
  • This piezoelectric element 451 is formed as follows. To begin with, a multiplicity of notches are formed in the piezoelectric block 45 from an arrowed direction A by use of a dicing saw, thus forming the respective piezoelectric elements 451. With this arrangement, the piezoelectric elements 451 take a one-row comb-like configuration on the whole. Next, the central portion of the piezoelectric block 45 is notched from an arrowed direction B, thus forming a groove 450. With this formation, a group of two-row piezoelectric elements 451 is formed.
  • the nozzle 2-row piezoelectric elements 451 can be formed by notching the piezoelectric block 45.
  • This piezoelectric actuator 45 can be manufactured at lower costs than the lamination type piezoelectric body because of each piezoelectric element 451 being based on the single-layered structure. Further, the piezoelectric body itself takes the comb-like configuration, and hence it is possible to attain a high strength and a high integration.
  • the thus structured piezoelectric actuator has a structure that is easy to take out the electrodes. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 37, electrodes 451-1, 451-2 are formed on both surfaces of the piezoelectric element 451 by plating. The electrodes are thereby formed on the side surfaces of each piezoelectric element 451, and the drive in the d 31 mode can be performed.
  • a lead frame 50 More specifically, as shown in FIG. 34, a common electrode 500 is provided at the center thereof, and besides, a plurality of individual electrodes 501, 502 extending from the center are provided. As illustrated in FIG. 34, the lead frame 50 is cut in a cut position CUT-1, thus providing an independent lead frame. Thereafter, as depicted in FIG. 35, this lead frame 50 is folded in accordance with a width of the piezoelectric block 45.
  • the lead frame 50 is cut in a position CUT-2.
  • the tips of the common electrode 500 are separated from the tips of the individual electrodes 501.
  • the common electrode 500 of the lead frame 50 is fitted into the central groove 450 of the piezoelectric block 45, and, then, the lead frame 50 is lowered down to the lower edge of the groove 450 and temporarily fixed thereto.
  • the positioning thereof is performed so that the tip of the common electrode 500 contacts a first electrode 451-1 of each piezo electric element 451, and the tip of each individual electrode 501 contacts a second electrode 451-2 of each piezoelectric element 451.
  • the tips of this common electrode 500 and of the individual electrodes 501 are coated with solders beforehand.
  • the piezoelectric block 45 is moved under a near infrared-ray lamp. Then, a focus of the lamp is set on the contact area of the electrode, and this area is irradiated with a beam of light from the near infrared-ray lamp. At this time, the near infrared-ray lamp is desirably of a focus type so as to exert no influence on the piezoelectric element. Also, if irradiated for a long time, the piezoelectric element is deteriorated, and, therefore, an irradiation time is desirably 1 sec - 60 sec.
  • the solder previously coated on the lead frame 50 is melted by the irradiation of the light beam from the near infrared-ray lamp.
  • the tip of the common electrode 500 is bonded to the first electrode 451-1 of each piezoelectric element 451, while the tip of each individual electrode 501 is bonded to the second electrode 451-2 of each piezoelectric element 451.
  • the lead frame 50 shown in FIG. 34 is cut in a position CUT-3. If cut in this way, the lead can be led out by making use of the two side surfaces of the piezoelectric block 45, and down-sizing of the piezoelectric actuator 45 can be thereby attained. Further, the electrodes are bonded by use of the non-contact near infrared-ray lamp, and therefore the bonding can be more easily carried out than by a method using a soldering iron.
  • FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-nozzle head.
  • FIG. 39 is a side view of the multi-nozzle head.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 45 constructed as described above is held by the holder 44. Then, each piezoelectric element 451 of the piezoelectric actuator 45 is bonded to the pressurizing plate 22 of the pressurizing plate 43. Also, as shown in FIG. 39, because of the nozzles arranged in four rows, the two piezoelectric actuators 45 are disposed in parallel.
  • FIG. 40 is an explanatory view showing another lead frame.
  • FIG. 41 is an explanatory view illustrating a connecting state of another lead frame.
  • FIG. 42 is a view illustrating an electrode structure thereof.
  • the lead frame 50 including a common electrode 512 and individual electrodes 513 that are connected to each other.
  • This lead frame 50 is cut in a position CUT.
  • this common electrode 512 and the individual electrodes 513 are fitted into the above-described piezoelectric block 45.
  • the positioning thereof is performed so that the tip of the common electrode 500 contacts the first electrode 451-1 of each piezo electric element 451, and the tip of each individual electrode 501 contacts the second electrode 451-2 of each piezoelectric element 451.
  • the tips of this common electrode 500 and of the individual electrodes 501 are coated with solders beforehand.
  • both of the common electrode 512 and the individual electrodes 512 are taken out on the same surface of the piezoelectric block 45. Then, the common electrode 512 and the individual electrodes 513 are superposed up and down. An insulating material such as plastics is interposed between these two electrodes, thus insulating the two electrodes.
  • the respective lead frames 512, 513 are coated with the solders and temporarily secured in target bonding portions of the piezoelectric block 45. Thereafter, these portions are irradiated with the light beams from the near infrared-ray lamp, thus bonding them. Further, the lead frame 512 of the common electrode is connected via a connecting wire 515 to leads 514. When thus connected, the leads can be led by use of the side surfaces of the piezoelectric block 45.
  • the method of forming the elastic layer explained in FIGS. 20 through 22 is applicable to the head including the wall member explained in FIG. 2 but constructed of only the elastic layer.
  • the pressurizing plate explained with reference to FIG. 26 onward is also applicable to the head including the wall member explained in FIG. 2 but constructed of only the elastic layer.
  • the pressurizing plate 22 which is hard to bend is driven by the piezoelectric actuator 23, and the wall member 24 is deformed. Hence, the fatigue breaking derived from the vibration can be prevented, and, at the same time, the occurrence of the satellite particles can be also prevented. Secondly, the pressurizing plate 22 is extruded without bending the vibration plate, and therefore the ink jetting energy can be enhanced. Thirdly, besides, since the piezoelectric actuator is fixed to the pressurizing plate 22, the negative polarity drive can be effected, thereby making it possible to jet out the ink at high efficiency.

Landscapes

  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Tintenspritzkopf zum Ausspritzen von Tinte in einer Druckkammer (26) durch Aufbringen von Druck auf die Druckkammer (26), die zur Aufnahme von Tinte ausgebildet ist, welcher Tintenspritzkopf umfaßt:
    eine Düsenplatte (20), die eine Düse (21) zum Ausspritzen der Tinte enthält;
    eine Druckplatte (22), die parallel zu der genannten Düsenplatte (20) vorgesehen ist;
    ein Wandglied, das eine Elastizität aufweist, zum Bilden der Druckkammer (26) durch Verbinden der Düsenplatte (20) mit der Druckplatte (22); und
    einen piezoelektrischen Betätiger (23), der mit der Düsenplatte (22) zum Antrieb der Druckplatte (22) verbunden ist, um so das Wandglied zu deformieren;
       dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Tintenspritzkopf ein Mehrfach-Düsenkopf ist, der eine Vielzahl von Druckkammern (26) umfaßt, wobei die Düsenplatte (20) eine entsprechende Vielzahl der Düsen (21) enthält und es eine entsprechende Vielzahl von jeweiligen Druckplatten (22) gibt, wobei jedes Wandglied zwischen zwei angrenzenden Druckkammern (26) ein elastisches Glied (24) umfaßt, das mit einem Schlitz (28, 24c) zur Verhinderung einer Interferenz zwischen den beiden benachbarten Druckkammern (26) versehen ist.
  2. Tintenspritzkopf nach Anspruch 1, bei dem jedes Wandglied im wesentlichen vollständig aus dem genannten elastischen Glied (24) besteht.
  3. Tintenspritzkopf nach Anspruch 1, bei dem jedes Wandglied ein Glied (29) enthält, das an der Seite der Düsenplatte (20) vorgesehen ist und eine hohe Steifigkeit hat, und auch ein genanntes elastisches Glied (24), das an der Seite der Druckplatte (22) vorgesehen ist und eine hohe Steifigkeit hat.
  4. Tintenspritzkopf nach Anspruch 3, bei dem jedes Glied (29) hoher Steifigkeit mit einer Zuführöffnung (27) zum Zuführen der Tinte zu einer genannten Druckkammer (26) versehen ist.
  5. Tintenspritzkopf nach Anspruch 3, bei dem jedes elastische Glied (24) hoher Steifigkeit mit einer Zuführöffnung zum Zuführen der Tinte zu einer genannten Druckkammer (26) vorgesehen ist.
  6. Tintenspritzkopf nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, bei dem der piezoelektrische Betätiger (23) mit negativer Polarität getrieben wird.
  7. Tintenspritzkopf nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei dem jedes elastische Glied (24) aus einem Glied besteht, das einen Elastizitätsmodul hat, der in den Bereich von 1 x 105 Pa - 1 x 109 Pa fällt.
  8. Tintenspritzkopf nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei dem jedes elastische Glied (24) durch Aushärten gebildet ist, nachdem flüssiges elastisches Material auf die Düsenplatte (20) oder auf eine Oberfläche des Gliedes (29) hoher Steifigkeit gedruckt worden ist.
  9. Tintenspritzkopf nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem das elastische Glied (24) aus einem Klebeagens besteht, welches eine niedrige Steifigkeit aufweist.
  10. Tintenspritzkopf nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei dem der piezoelektrische Betätiger (23) zwischen der Düsenplatte (20) und der Druckplatte (22) vorgesehen ist.
  11. Tintenspritzkopf nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, ferner mit einem gemeinsamen Halteglied (430) zum Halten der Druckplatten (22), und Rippen (431) zum Verbinden der Druckplatten mit dem gemeinsamen Haltglied (430).
EP95301259A 1994-03-03 1995-02-27 Tintenstrahlkopf Expired - Lifetime EP0670218B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00107972A EP1031422B1 (de) 1994-03-03 1995-02-27 Tintenstrahlkopf

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP5987294 1994-03-03
JP5987294 1994-03-03
JP59872/94 1994-03-03
JP684595 1995-01-20
JP6845/95 1995-01-20
JP684595A JP2721127B2 (ja) 1994-03-03 1995-01-20 インクジェットヘッド

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00107972A Division EP1031422B1 (de) 1994-03-03 1995-02-27 Tintenstrahlkopf

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0670218A2 EP0670218A2 (de) 1995-09-06
EP0670218A3 EP0670218A3 (de) 1997-01-08
EP0670218B1 true EP0670218B1 (de) 2002-12-11

Family

ID=26341046

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95301259A Expired - Lifetime EP0670218B1 (de) 1994-03-03 1995-02-27 Tintenstrahlkopf
EP00107972A Expired - Lifetime EP1031422B1 (de) 1994-03-03 1995-02-27 Tintenstrahlkopf

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00107972A Expired - Lifetime EP1031422B1 (de) 1994-03-03 1995-02-27 Tintenstrahlkopf

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0670218B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2721127B2 (de)
DE (2) DE69529112T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5963234A (en) * 1995-08-23 1999-10-05 Seiko Epson Corporation Laminated ink jet recording head having flow path unit with recess that confronts but does not communicate with common ink chamber
JP3402349B2 (ja) 1996-01-26 2003-05-06 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット式記録ヘッド
JP3365224B2 (ja) 1996-10-24 2003-01-08 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット式記録ヘッドの製造方法
GB9908686D0 (en) * 1999-04-16 1999-06-09 Denne William A Rubber printhead walls
DE19941871A1 (de) 1999-09-02 2001-04-19 Hahn Schickard Ges Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Aufbringen einer Mehrzahl von Mikrotröpfchen auf ein Substrat
JP4442979B2 (ja) * 2000-02-16 2010-03-31 セイコーインスツル株式会社 ヘッドチップ及びヘッドユニット
DE10041536A1 (de) * 2000-08-24 2002-03-07 Roland Zengerle Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum berührungslosen Aufbringen von Mikrotröpfchen auf ein Substrat
US7264338B2 (en) 2003-03-24 2007-09-04 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Recording head, carriage and image forming apparatus
US7585061B2 (en) 2004-08-27 2009-09-08 Fujifilm Corporation Ejection head and image forming apparatus
JP4706913B2 (ja) * 2004-08-27 2011-06-22 富士フイルム株式会社 吐出ヘッド及び画像形成装置
KR100738102B1 (ko) 2006-02-01 2007-07-12 삼성전자주식회사 압전 방식의 잉크젯 프린트헤드
EP1842676A3 (de) * 2006-04-06 2009-06-17 Océ-Technologies B.V. Druckkopf und Tintenstrahldrucker mit einem derartigen Druckkopf
US7854497B2 (en) * 2007-10-30 2010-12-21 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Fluid ejection device
JP4930390B2 (ja) * 2008-01-29 2012-05-16 ブラザー工業株式会社 液体移送装置
JP5748474B2 (ja) * 2010-12-22 2015-07-15 キヤノン株式会社 液体吐出ヘッドの製造方法
JP5729065B2 (ja) * 2011-03-23 2015-06-03 コニカミノルタ株式会社 薄膜圧電体デバイス

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58108164A (ja) * 1981-12-22 1983-06-28 Seiko Epson Corp インクジエツトヘツド

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1527444A (en) * 1977-03-01 1978-10-04 Itt Creed Ink drop printhead
JPS5715976A (en) * 1980-07-04 1982-01-27 Hitachi Ltd Jetting device for droplet
JPS57208262A (en) * 1981-06-18 1982-12-21 Ibm Drop-on demand type ink jet printing method
JP3041952B2 (ja) * 1990-02-23 2000-05-15 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット式記録ヘッド、圧電振動体、及びこれらの製造方法
JPH0428557A (ja) * 1990-05-25 1992-01-31 Fujitsu Ltd マルチノズルインクジェットヘッド
AU635149B2 (en) * 1990-07-10 1993-03-11 Fujitsu Limited Printing head
JPH04179550A (ja) * 1990-11-14 1992-06-26 Seiko Epson Corp インクジェットヘッド
JP3213861B2 (ja) * 1993-05-21 2001-10-02 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット記録ヘッド
JPH07329292A (ja) * 1994-04-13 1995-12-19 Seiko Epson Corp インクジェット式記録ヘッド
JPH09100916A (ja) 1995-10-02 1997-04-15 Nippon Reinz Co Ltd メタルガスケットとその製造方法

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58108164A (ja) * 1981-12-22 1983-06-28 Seiko Epson Corp インクジエツトヘツド

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69529354D1 (de) 2003-02-13
JP2721127B2 (ja) 1998-03-04
EP0670218A2 (de) 1995-09-06
DE69529112T2 (de) 2003-04-17
EP0670218A3 (de) 1997-01-08
EP1031422A3 (de) 2001-01-10
DE69529112D1 (de) 2003-01-23
JPH07290705A (ja) 1995-11-07
EP1031422B1 (de) 2003-01-08
EP1031422A2 (de) 2000-08-30
DE69529354T2 (de) 2004-04-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0670218B1 (de) Tintenstrahlkopf
US6394363B1 (en) Liquid projection apparatus
JP2000085124A (ja) インクジェットヘッド及びその製造方法
KR960013667A (ko) 잉크제트프린터용 인자헤드 및 그 제조방법
JP4617770B2 (ja) 積層ノズルプレートの製造方法
JP5343610B2 (ja) 圧電アクチュエータ、液体吐出ヘッド、画像形成装置
KR20050046607A (ko) 액체 토출 헤드 및 액체 토출 장치
JP3185829B2 (ja) インクジェット式記録ヘッド
JP2004160941A (ja) 液滴噴射ヘッド、インクジェット記録装置
US20090165300A1 (en) Manufacturing method of a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus with said head
JPH1044398A (ja) 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
JP2870462B2 (ja) インクジェット記録ヘッド
JPH0760960A (ja) インクジェットヘッド
JP3129090B2 (ja) インクジェットヘッド
JP2004351879A (ja) 圧電インクジェットヘッド
JPH06182998A (ja) 圧電アクチュエーター及びインクジェットヘッド及びインクジェットヘッド製造方法
JP2006082393A (ja) インクジェット記録ヘッド及びインクジェットプリンタ
JP6860078B2 (ja) インクジェットヘッド及びインクジェット記録装置
JPH04115951A (ja) インクジェットヘッド
JP3552899B2 (ja) インクジェット式記録ヘッド、及びインクジェット式記録ヘッドの弾性板の製造方法
JP2004142296A (ja) インクジェットヘッドおよびインクジェット式記録装置
JP3454841B2 (ja) インクジェットヘッド
JP3444257B2 (ja) インクジェット記録ヘッド
JPH01235648A (ja) インクジェットヘッド
JP2004188687A (ja) インクジェットヘッドおよびインクジェット式記録装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE GB IT

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE GB IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19970515

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19970611

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69529112

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030123

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20030912

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20100220

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20100224

Year of fee payment: 16

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20100205

Year of fee payment: 16

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20110227

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110227

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69529112

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110901

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110227

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110901