JP2000289191A - Ink jet recording head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently dispose a recording head mounted position adjustably in a limited space. SOLUTION: A locking protruding piece 40 to be locked to a mounting base 6 side is provided at one head side face, and a plurality of contact protruding pieces 45, 46 brought into contact with the base in separating state in a nozzle row setting direction at a head side face of an opposite side and a pressing protruding piece 44 pressed toward the base side are provided. The locking piece and the pressing pieces are disposed at positions near the end side of the head from the contact pieces, low difference in height is set between the locking piece, the pressing and contact pieces, and then positions of nozzle row setting direction of the locking piece and the pressing pieces are shifted and formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording head used in an ink jet recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus of this kind,
The recording head is mounted on the mounting base, and the position of the nozzle opening is adjusted by the position adjusting mechanism while confirming printing. This position adjusting mechanism is composed of, for example, a cam and a lever provided on the carriage. The cam moves by adjusting the lever, and moves the recording head in contact with the cam in the surface direction of the nozzle plate.

[0003] In recent printing apparatuses, there is a strong demand for higher image quality and lower cost. In response to this demand, attempts have been made to construct a head unit having a plurality of printing heads. For example, three or more recording heads are prepared in which the number of colors per head is limited to about one or two colors, and the recording heads are mounted side by side in the main scanning direction. With this configuration, 4
It is easy to properly use colors, six colors or more, and the image quality can be improved. Further, since the number of colors carried by each recording head is small, the yield of the recording head is improved, and as a result, the recording head can be provided at low cost.

It has also been considered that a plurality of recording heads are arranged in the sub-scanning direction to form a line head unit. For example, a plurality of recording heads are arranged side by side so that the position in the sub-scanning direction between the nozzle opening at one end of one recording head and the nozzle opening at the other end of an adjacent recording head is adjusted to the dot pitch. With this configuration, a long head unit can be configured relatively inexpensively.

[0005]

However, the conventional position adjusting mechanism, which is constituted by the cam and the lever provided on the carriage, requires a relatively large mounting space. In particular, when a configuration in which a plurality of recording heads are mounted is adopted, it is necessary to provide a position adjusting mechanism for each of the recording heads, and the space required by the position adjusting mechanism further increases.

When the space occupied by the position adjusting mechanism becomes large, the configuration around the head including the space adjusting mechanism becomes bulky, which leads to an increase in the size of the recording apparatus. Further, when fixing the individual heads to the carriage after the position adjustment, it is necessary to adjust the inclination of the nozzle rows. However, if the distance between the nozzle rows between adjacent heads is long, the inclination adjustment accuracy is extremely small ( That is, it is necessary to perform the process with high accuracy), which leads to a further increase in size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides an ink jet recording head in which a recording head mounted so as to be position-adjustable can be efficiently arranged in a limited space. The purpose is to:

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above-mentioned object, and the present invention is directed to a fuel cell system having a flow path unit having a plurality of nozzle openings arranged in a line. In the ink jet recording head provided with a head case that attaches the base end portion to the attachment base, the head side located on both sides of the row of nozzle openings is fixed to the attachment base side. A plurality of fixing protrusions are provided, and a plurality of contact protrusions are provided on the other side surface of the head at a distance from each other in the direction in which the nozzle openings are arranged and abut against the mounting base, and are pressed toward the base end side. A pressing protruding piece is provided, and the fixing protruding piece and the pressing protruding piece are arranged at a position closer to the head end side than the contact protruding piece, and between the fixing protruding piece and the pressing protruding piece and the contact protruding piece. It is characterized by a height difference.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording head according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of nozzle openings are arranged in a row in the sub-scanning direction.

Here, the "scanning direction" means the direction of relative movement of the recording head with respect to the recording paper. The recording head is configured to be movable in the width direction of the recording paper. In the recording apparatus configured to be movable in the paper feeding direction, the “main scanning direction” corresponds to the moving direction of the recording head,
The “sub-scanning direction” corresponds to the paper feeding direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the fixing projection and the pressing projection are formed within a range of the side of the head case, and the paper feed roller is moved in the sub-scanning direction with the head case interposed therebetween. 3. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording heads are arranged at opposing positions.

Here, "within the range of the side surface of the head case" means a range from one end to the other end in the nozzle opening row arrangement direction on the side surface of the head case main body excluding the flange portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the fastening defining surface of the fastening projection is formed at least from the center of the fastening portion to a position outside the side surface of the head case. An inkjet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the fixing projection and the pressing projection are formed so as to be shifted from each other in the direction in which the nozzle openings are arranged. Or an ink jet recording head.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the base end portion of the head case is extended in the direction in which the nozzle openings are arranged, and a flange is projected, and the contact projection is provided on the flange. The inkjet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that:

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a fixing projection is provided from the surface of the mounting base, and a fixing protruding piece is brought into contact with the fixing projection to define a mounting position of the recording head. The ink jet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ink jet recording head is configured as described above.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a fixing screw receiving portion is formed in which the fixing screw is screwed to the fixing protrusion, and the fixing protrusion is held between the fixing screw and the fixing protrusion. The inkjet recording head according to claim 7, wherein the inkjet recording head is configured.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a pressing screw receiving portion in which a pressing screw is screwed is formed on the mounting base, and the pressing screw screwed to the pressing screw receiving portion is brought into contact with the pressing protrusion to press the pressing screw. The ink jet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the projecting piece is configured to be pressed against the mounting base.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet type recording head according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein a plurality of recording heads are arranged in the sub-scanning direction.

[0020]

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

First, the recording mechanism 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG.
3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the recording mechanism 1 as viewed from a main scanning direction.

The illustrated recording mechanism 1 includes a carriage 3 supported by a guide shaft 2 elongated in the main scanning direction and moving in the main scanning direction, and a head unit attached to the carriage 3 and moving together with the carriage 3. 4 is provided.

The carriage 3 is a member having a cartridge holding section 5 capable of holding an ink cartridge inside.

The head unit 4 is mounted on a mounting base 6, and the mounting base 6 is
It is constituted so that it may be fixed to. This carriage 3
It is connected to a step motor via a timing belt (both are not shown), and is configured to be able to reciprocate along the main scanning direction.

The head unit 4 includes a recording head 10 and
It is roughly composed of a printed board 11, an ink supply path forming member 12, a filter unit 13, and an ink introduction needle 14.

The recording head 10 has a piezoelectric vibrator 15 inside.
(A type of pressure generating element, see FIG. 2), a head case 17 having a flange 16 protruding from a base end portion, and a flow path unit 18 joined to a distal end surface of the head case 17. Be composed. The printed circuit board 11 is a member for supplying an electric signal from the printer controller to the piezoelectric vibrator 15, and is mounted on the base end side of the head case 17. The ink supply path forming member 12 includes a head case 17.
This is a member attached to the surface side of the printed circuit board 11 opposite to the side, and forms an ink supply path inside. The filter unit 13 is a member in which a filter is provided in the middle of the ink flow path. The ink introduction needle 14 is a hollow member inserted into the ink cartridge, and protrudes from the surface of the filter unit 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the channel unit 18 joined to the head case 17 has a nozzle plate 22 on one side and a resilient plate 23 on the other side with the channel forming plate 21 interposed therebetween. And configure.

The nozzle plate 22 is a plate-like member formed by arranging a plurality of nozzle openings 24 in the sub-scanning direction at a pitch corresponding to the dot formation density. Channel forming plate 21
Are a plurality of pressure chambers 25 respectively communicating with the nozzle openings 24, a plurality of ink supply sections 26 communicating with one end of each pressure chamber 25, and each pressure chamber 2
5 is a plate member in which a common ink chamber 27 communicating with the plate 5 is formed.
The common ink chamber 27 is formed to be long along the sub-scanning direction, and a leading end of an ink supply pipe 28 communicates with a substantially center in the longitudinal direction. The elastic plate 23 has a double structure in which an elastic film 30 such as a polymer film is laminated on a stainless plate 29, and the stainless plate 29 corresponding to the pressure chamber 25 is etched to form a piezoelectric vibrator. An island portion 31 with which the fifteen comb tooth tips 15a abut is formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the height H1 from the nozzle plate 22 to the flange 16 is determined by the paper feed roller 32.
It is set slightly longer than the diameter. The paper feed roller 32 includes a paper feed roller 32a and a paper discharge roller 32b. The paper feed roller 32a is disposed at one end in the sub-scanning direction with the head case 17 interposed therebetween, and the paper discharge roller 32b is disposed at the other end. Deploy. The paper feed roller 32 may be configured by arranging a plurality of short rollers in the main scanning direction, or may be configured by one long roller.

In the head unit 4 having the above configuration, when the ink cartridge is held by the cartridge holding portion 5, the ink introduction needle 14 is inserted into the ink cartridge, and the ink in the ink cartridge is inserted through the ink introduction needle 14. Is introduced into the filter unit 13.

The ink introduced into the filter unit 13 is supplied to the ink supply path in the ink supply path forming member 12 after foreign substances are removed by the filter. A base end portion 28a of an ink supply pipe 28 provided in the head case 17 communicates with the ink supply path.
The ink is supplied to eight common ink chambers 27. The ink in the common ink chamber 27 is supplied to the pressure chamber 25,
Meet.

When the piezoelectric vibrator 15 is extended, the elastic plate 23 is deformed toward the nozzle plate 22 to press the ink in the pressure chamber 25. Due to the pressurization of the ink, an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle opening 24.

Next, the recording head 10 will be described.
First, the head case 17 will be described in detail. Here, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the head case 17, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the head case 17 as viewed from the base end face side.

As shown in these figures, the head case 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a block-shaped member in which a distal end surface 35 to which the flow path unit 18 is joined is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the sub-scanning direction and short in the main scanning direction. The flanges 16, 16 protrude by extending the base end portion of the side surface of the head case 17 in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the direction in which the nozzle openings 24 are arranged in a state of being continuous with the base end surface 36. It is set up. This collar 16
Is a part used when attaching the head case 17 to the carriage 3.

In the following description, for convenience, the head case 17 is divided into a flange portion 16 and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion excluding the flange portion 16, and the substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion is referred to as a case body 37. To

The head case 17 is molded of, for example, a synthetic resin.
A storage space 38 for storing the piezoelectric vibrator 15 is formed. The storage space 38 is a space having an elongated opening shape narrow in the main scanning direction and long in the sub-scanning direction.
From the base case 36 to the base end face 36. In this embodiment, the two storage empty portions 3
8, 38 are formed side by side in the main scanning direction.

It should be noted that, as shown in FIG.
The island portion 31 of the flow path unit 18 attached to the head case 17 faces the distal end opening 38 a of the head case 17. The islands 31 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the distal end opening 38a. Therefore, the nozzle openings 24 are also opened in a state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction of the distal end opening 38a.

The storage space 38 is positioned adjacent to the storage space 38.
An ink supply pipe 28 is provided substantially at the center of the opening in the longitudinal direction. The ink supply pipes 28 are formed one by one corresponding to the storage space 38, and are formed outside the storage space 38, that is, between the storage space 38 and the outer surface of the head case.

As described above, the ink supply pipe 28 is an ink passage for supplying the ink of the ink cartridge set in the cartridge holding section 5 to the flow path unit 18, and the base end portion 28a has a head case 28a. 17 protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the base end surface 36, and the leading end communicates with the common ink chamber 27 of the flow path unit 18.

Bar-shaped positioning bosses 39, 39 are projected from the base end surfaces (upper surface in FIG. 3) of the flange portions 16, 16.
The positioning boss 39 serves as a reference when positioning the printed circuit board 11 mounted on the head case 17 and when attaching the ink supply path forming member 12 to the head case 17. The ink supply path forming member 12
Is fixed to the head case 17 by installing a seal rubber (not shown) at the base end 28 a of the ink supply pipe 28 and hanging a hook formed on the ink supply path forming member 12 on the head case 17.

As shown in FIG. 4, the side of one head case 17 across the row of nozzle openings 24, more specifically, the range from one end to the other end of the side of the case body 37 in the nozzle opening row arrangement direction. Inside, a fastening projection 40 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the fastening projection 40 is a column-shaped fastening boss 41 projecting from the mounting base 6 on the side opposite to the cartridge holding portion 5 (corresponding to a fixing screw 42 receiving portion in the present invention). This is a portion which is fixed by a fixing screw 42.

The fixing projection 40 is fixed to the mounting base 6 by being fixed to the fixing boss 41. Then, the side surface of the head on which the fastening projection 40 is provided has a height with respect to the mounting base 6, that is, the head case 1 when the fastening projection 40 and the tip end surface of the fastening boss 41 abut.
7 is positioned in the thickness direction (corresponding to the vertical direction in FIG. 7).

The fixing projection 40 of the present embodiment is
The second shaft portion 42b is a plate-shaped member having a substantially U-shaped groove that can be fitted therein, and is provided at a position close to the front end side of the head case 17. The dimension from the distal end surface 35 of the head case 17 to the fastening projection 40 is defined in relation to the head 42 a of the fixing screw 42. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the fixing projection 42 is fastened and fixed by the fixing screw 42, the top of the head 42 a of the fixing screw 42 faces the outer surface of the nozzle plate 22 (facing the recording paper P). (Surface) and is set at a position not protruding from the outer surface.

In this configuration, the head 42a of the fixing screw 42
Is located very close to the nozzle plate 22,
It is easy to visually recognize the fixing screw 42, and it is easy to align the position when the driver is fitted. For this reason, workability when tightening the fixing screw 42 can be improved.
The tip of the head of the fixing screw 42 is
2 is located a little deeper than the outer surface, so that the nozzle plate 22 is connected to the recording paper P (a type of recording medium, see FIG. 1).
, The fixing screw 42 does not come into contact with the recording paper P, so that recording is not hindered.

In the present embodiment, with respect to the fixing defining surface 40a of the fixing projecting piece 40 shown in FIG. Head case 1 more than shaft center (fastening fixing part center)
The fastening defining surface 40a is provided at a position outside the side surface of the head case 7 (in the direction away from the side surface of the head case 17). With such a configuration, it occurs when the fixing screw 42 is tightened in a state where the edge 40 a ′ of the fastening defining surface 40 a is located inside the axial center of the fixing screw 42, that is, near the side surface of the head case 17. Inconvenience, that is, inconvenience in which the head case 17 is tilted with the edge 40a 'of the fastening defining surface 40a as a fulcrum, can be effectively prevented with a simple configuration.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, two abutting projections 43 (45, 46) and a pressing projection 44 are provided on the side of the head located on the opposite side of the row of nozzle openings 24. To protrude.

The contact protruding piece 43 is a portion that comes into contact with the mounting base 6 and is provided at a position closer to the base end side. Then, the height of the side surface of the head on which the contact protruding piece 43 is formed with respect to the mounting base 6 is regulated by bringing the contact protruding piece 43 into contact with the mounting base 6.

The contact projection 43 is formed by a first contact projection 45 provided on one flange 16 and a sub-scanning direction (a direction in which the nozzle openings 24 are arranged) from the first contact projection 45. And a second contact protruding piece 46 provided at a boundary between the case body 37 and the other flange 16.

The first abutting projection 45 is formed by projecting the tip of the side surface of the flange 16 toward the side (in the main scanning direction). It is formed by a block-like portion projecting sideways. The base end surface 45a of the first contact protrusion 45 and the base end surface 46a of the second contact protrusion 46 serve as a contact surface with the mounting base 6.

The first abutting projection 45 and the second abutting projection 4
6 is preferably located at both poles (both ends) of the head case 17 in the sub-scanning direction.

The pressing protruding piece 44 is connected to the first contact protruding piece 45 and the second contact protruding piece 45.
A protruding portion is formed on the side surface of the case main body 37 between the contact protruding pieces 46. That is, it is provided in the range from one end to the other end in the sub-scanning direction on the side surface of the case body 37. As shown in FIG. 7, the pressing protrusion 44 is provided with a pressing screw 4 screwed to a pressing boss 47 (corresponding to a pressing screw receiving portion in the present invention).
8 is a portion pressed toward the carriage 3 (base end side).

The pressing protrusion 44 of the present embodiment is a plate-like member having a substantially U-shaped groove into which the shaft portion 48b of the pressing screw 48 can be fitted, similarly to the above-described fixing protrusion 40. The head case 17 is provided at a position close to the front end side.

The dimension from the distal end surface 35 of the head case 17 to the pressing projection 44 is defined by the relationship with the head 48 a of the pressing screw 48, similarly to the fastening projection 40. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the pressing protrusion 48 is pressed by the pressing screw 48, the fixing protrusion 40 is positioned such that the tip of the head of the pressing screw 48 is located slightly deeper than the outer surface of the nozzle plate 22. The formation position has been set.

The pressing projection 44 and the fastening projection 40 are both provided within the range of the side surface of the case body 37.
As shown in FIG. 4, the positions of the pressing projection 44 and the fixing projection 40 in the sub-scanning direction are shifted.

Further, as shown in FIG.
7, the distance from the distal end surface 35 to the pressing protruding piece 44 and the distance from the distal end surface 35 to the fastening protruding piece 40 are almost the same, and a height difference is provided between the contact protruding piece 43 and the contact protruding piece 43.

Next, the printed circuit board 11 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the printed board 11 is placed on the base end face side of the head case 17, (a) is a plan view seen from the printed board 11 side,
(B) is a left side view, and (c) is a right side view.

The printed board 11 is a substantially rectangular plate on which a conductor pattern is formed. The length of the printed circuit board 11 is about twice the length of the head case 17 in the sub-scanning direction, and the width thereof is about 1.5 times the width of the case body 37 of the head case 17 (length in the main scanning direction). It is about twice.

Boss openings 51, 51 and 2, through which positioning bosses 39 projecting from the base end surface of the flange 16 penetrate, are provided at one end of the printed circuit board 11 from the longitudinal center.
A rectangular tape opening 52 that is large enough to face the base opening of the storage space 38 in the row, and a supply pipe through which the cylindrical base 28a of the ink supply pipe 28 can penetrate. Openings 53, 53 and the like are opened. Further, a mounting portion 54 for mounting a driver IC, a connector, and the like is provided at a portion on the other end side from the center in the longitudinal direction.

A plurality of connection terminals 55 are arranged on the surface of the printed circuit board 11 opposite to the head unit 4 along the longitudinal edge of the tape opening 52. The connection terminal 55 is a terminal for a flexible tape for electrically connecting the printed board 11 and the piezoelectric vibrator 15, and is also an end of a conductor pattern formed on the printed board 11.

To mount the printed circuit board 11 on the head case 17, the positioning bosses 39, 39 are inserted through the boss openings 51, 51 and the ink supply pipe 2
The printed circuit board 11 is placed on the base end face 36 side of the head case 17 by inserting the cylindrical base ends 28a, 28a of 8, 8 into the supply pipe openings 53, 53. In this mounting state, one end of the flexible tape pulled out through the tape opening 52 is connected to the connection terminals 55 by soldering.
To join.

Next, the mounting of the head unit 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, three recording heads 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) are provided.
Are mounted on the mounting base 6 while being arranged in the main scanning direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the recording head 10 is attached to a fixing boss 41 protruding from the mounting base 6 and a fixing screw 42 screwed to the fixing boss 41.
And a pressing screw 48 screwed onto the pressing boss 47 protruding from the mounting base 6.

The fastening boss 41 is a portion to which the fastening boss 40 is fastened as described above, and the distal end surface of the fastening boss 41 has a female screw (to which the shaft of the fixing screw 42 is screwed). (A type of fixing screw receiving portion) according to the present invention. Then, by fastening the fixing screw 42 in a state where the fixing protrusion 40 is placed on the tip end surface of the fixing boss 41, the fixing protrusion 40 is fixed by the fixing boss 41 and the head of the fixing screw 42. Is done.
By fixing the fastening projection 40, the position in the thickness direction of the head case 17 (that is, the recording head 10) on the fastening projection 40 is defined.

The pressing boss 47 is a portion to which the pressing screw 48 is screwed, and a female screw (a type of pressing screw receiving portion in the present invention) to which the pressing screw 48 is screwed is provided on the tip end surface. With the head of the pressing screw 48 screwed to the female screw, the pressing protrusion 44 is pressed toward the mounting base 6 which is the base end side. Since the pressing protrusion 44 is a portion that simply generates a pressing force and is not involved in the positioning of the head case 17 in the thickness direction, the pressing protrusion 44 is pressed against the base end surface of the pressing protrusion 44 in a state where the pressing protrusion 48 is pressed. A gap is formed between the pressing boss 47 and the tip end surface.

The position in the thickness direction on the pressing protruding piece 44 side is defined by the contact protruding pieces 43 (45, 46). That is, by pressing the pressing protrusion 44 toward the mounting base 6,
The first contact protrusion 45 (see FIG. 7 (b)) and the second contact protrusion 46 (see FIG. 7 (a)) contact the mounting base 6,
The position on the pressing protruding piece 44 side is determined.

As described above, the recording head 10 includes the joining portion between the fastening projection 40 and the fastening boss 41, the abutting portion between the first abutting projection 45 and the mounting base 6, and the second The position of the head case 17 in the thickness direction is defined by three points of the contact protruding piece 46 and the contact part of the mounting base 6. Further, the recording head 10
The fixing protrusion 40 side is attached to the fixing protrusion 40 by the fixing boss 41.
The position is fixed by abutting against the tip of the base member and tightening it with a fixing screw 42, and the position of the abutting protruding piece 43 is fixed by pressing the pressing protruding piece 44 against the mounting base 6 with the pressing screw 48.

Therefore, the screws 42 and 48 and the projections 40 and 44
Thus, the recording head 10 can be fixed, so that the recording head 10 can be fixed using a small area around the recording head 10.
Can be fixed. In this case, in the present embodiment, the first contact protruding piece 45 is provided on the side surface of the flange 16 protruding from the head case 17, so that the first contact protruding piece 45 to the second contact protruding piece 46 are provided. Can be long. Therefore, the recording head 10 can be fixed in a stable state.

Further, the fixing projection 40 and the pressing projection 44 are formed at a position closer to the distal end side of the head case 17 than the contact projection 43, and are brought into contact with the fixing projection 40 and the pressing projection 44. Since there is a difference in height between the projection 43 and the projection 43, the fastening projection 40
The pressing position at which the pressing protrusion 44 is pressed and the fixing position at which the recording head 1 is stopped are greater than the contact position of the contact protrusion 43.
0. As described above, since the height difference is provided between the fixing position, the pressing position, and the contact position, when the recording mechanism 1 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction, the leading end of the recording head 10 due to acceleration is generated. The swing of the part can be reliably prevented.

Further, when adjusting the position of each recording head 10, the fixing screw 42 and the pressing screw 48 are lightly tightened, and the recording head 10 is temporarily assembled so as to be movable in the surface direction of the nozzle plate 22. The precise position of each recording head 10 can be determined by setting the temporary assembly in an alignment device.

For example, the recording head 10 is sandwiched by the jig of the alignment device in the temporarily assembled state, and the position is determined by rotating the recording head 10 about the axis of the fixing screw 42.
At this determined position, the recording head 10 is fixed by strongly tightening the fixing screw 42 and the pressing screw 48.

As described above, in this embodiment, the fixing screw 42
The state of the recording head 10 can be changed between a temporarily assembled state in which the position can be adjusted and a fixed state in which the position is fixed depending on the degree of tightening of the pressing screw 48. In this case, the fixing screw 42 and the pressing screw 4
8 only needs to be tightened, so that the position adjusting operation of the recording head 10 can be easily performed. Further, the position of the recording head 10 determined in the tentatively assembled state can be fixed without shifting.

Furthermore, even after being fixed, the temporary assembly state can be returned to the temporary assembly state. Therefore, even if it is fixed at a position deviated from the normal position, only by loosening the fixing screw 42 and the pressing screw 48, the temporary assembly state is obtained. Can be returned to. Therefore, the position adjustment can be performed again, and the production yield can be improved.

In this embodiment, the recording head 10
The fixing projections 40 and the pressing projections 44 for pressing the head against the carriage 3 are contained within the range of the side surface of the case body 37 of the head case 17. A member that tends to protrude to the side can also be accommodated in the range of the side surface of the case main body 37. Therefore, the contact protruding piece 4 that comes into contact with the mounting base 6 is provided on the flange portion 16.
3 is enough.

With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate a member that protrudes from the surface of the flange 16 to the front end side.
Can be made thin. In addition, since the flange portion 16 of the present embodiment only comes into contact with the mounting base 6, it is sufficient that the flange portion 16 has such a rigidity as to resist this contact force. Also in this regard, the thickness of the flange 16 can be made relatively thin.

As described above, since the flange 16 can be provided relatively thin, it is possible to prevent the flange 16 from contacting the paper feed roller 32. For this reason, the paper feed roller 32 can be arranged immediately near the head case 17, the arrangement interval between the paper feed roller 32a and the paper discharge roller 32b can be shortened, and the recording paper P between the two rollers can be shortened. Flatness can be increased. Therefore, the image quality of the recorded image can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the positions of the fixing projection 40 and the pressing projection 44 in the sub-scanning direction are shifted, when the arrangement interval between the adjacent recording heads 10 is reduced. , Fixing projection 40 (fastening boss 41) and pressing projection 44
(Pressing boss 47) do not interfere with each other.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the recording head 10 is
Can be densely arranged.

Therefore, the width of the recording mechanism 1 in the main scanning direction can be reduced, and the recording mechanism 1 can be compact. Since the width of the recording mechanism 1 in the main scanning direction can be reduced, the moving range of the recording mechanism 1 with respect to the recording range can be shortened, which contributes to an increase in recording speed and a reduction in the size of the recording apparatus. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, two contact protrusions 43 are provided, the first contact protrusion 45 and the second contact protrusion 46. The number of the contact protrusions 43 is as follows. There may be three or more.

In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of recording heads 10 are arranged in the main scanning direction. However, the flange 16 of the recording head 10 has the first contact protrusion 45 It is sufficient if there is an area for providing the boss 39 and the like, so that the protruding length from the case body 37 can be shortened. Focusing on this point, a compact line head can be formed by arranging the recording heads 10 in the sub-scanning direction.

In the line head illustrated in FIG.
6 is less than half the length of the case body 37 in the sub-scanning direction. And three recording heads 1
A first head row in which 0D, 10E, and 10F are arranged in the sub-scanning direction; and a second head row in which two recording heads 10G and 10H are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. , A second head row is disposed adjacent to the second head row.

Further, each of the recording heads 10 constituting the second head row is the same as the recording heads 10 constituting the first head row,
10 and the recording heads 10 in the first head row and the recording heads 10 in the second head row,
The configuration is such that ink droplets (dots) can be formed continuously in the sub-scanning direction.

More specifically, a recording head 10G constituting a second head row is disposed between recording heads 10D and 10E constituting a first head row, and a recording head constituting a first head row. A recording head 10H constituting a second head row is arranged between 10E and 10F.

In this case, since the protrusion length of the flange 16 is less than half the length of the case body 37 in the sub-scanning direction, the flanges 16 do not overlap each other.
Each head row can be constituted by the recording heads 10 arranged in a row. The mounting mechanism for mounting the recording head 10 so that the position thereof can be adjusted includes the fixing projection 40 and the pressing projection 4.
4 and the contact protruding piece 43 (see FIG. 3), the head rows can be densely arranged in a state close to the main scanning direction, and the line head can be downsized.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the fixing projection 40 is fixed by the fixing screw 42. However, the portion is fixed by heat caulking or a metal wedge member. It may be configured to be fixed, or may be fixed with an adhesive. Then, when the fixing method using screws is employed as in the present embodiment, the mounting state of the recording head 10 can be changed between the adjustable state and the fixed state depending on the tightening of the screws as described above. Furthermore, the recording head 10 once fixed can be returned to the adjustable state by loosening the screws 42 and 48, and the position adjustment can be performed again.

In the above description, an example in which a plurality of recording heads 10 are mounted on the carriage 3 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a single recording head.

Although the recording head 10 using the piezoelectric vibrator 15 as the pressure generating source has been exemplified, the present invention can be applied to the recording head 10 using any type of pressure generating source.

[0088]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, one of the side faces of the head is provided with a fixing projection which is fixed to the mounting base, and the other side of the head is provided with a nozzle opening. Since a plurality of contact projections are provided in a state of being spaced apart in the row direction and are in contact with the mounting base, and a pressing projection pressed toward the base end side, a slight area around the recording head is provided. The recording head can be fixed using the area. Therefore, the recording head can be efficiently arranged in a limited space.

Further, the fixing projection and the pressing projection are formed closer to the leading end side of the recording head than the contact projection, and the height difference between the fixing projection and the pressing projection and the contact projection is formed. Therefore, the fastening position at which the fastening projection is fastened and the pressing position at which the pressing projection is pressed are located on the distal end side with respect to the contact position of the contacting projection. Since the height difference is provided between the fixing position and the pressing position, and the contact position, when the recording mechanism is reciprocated in the main scanning direction, the neck of the leading end of the recording head caused by the acceleration. Swinging can be reliably prevented.

Further, the fixing projection and the pressing projection are formed so as to be contained within the range of the side of the head case opposed to the row of the nozzle openings, and the paper feed roller is sandwiched between the head case. Since the fixing projection and the pressing projection are located at positions opposed to each other in the sub-scanning direction, the fixing projection and the pressing projection located at the front end portion of the head case fall within the range of the side surface of the head case. The piece does not become an obstacle, and the paper feed roller can be arranged close to the head case.

Thus, the interval between the paper feed rollers can be reduced, and the flatness of the recording medium located between the rollers can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality of the image. Further, since the interval between the paper feed rollers can be shortened, it contributes to downsizing of the recording apparatus.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fastening defining surface of the fastening projection is formed at least from the center of the fastening portion to the outside of the side surface of the head case. The problem that the head case tilts when fixed by the fixing portion can be effectively prevented with a simple configuration.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the positions of the fixing projection and the pressing projection in the direction in which the nozzle openings are arranged are shifted, the interval between adjacent recording heads is reduced. However, the fastening projection and the pressing projection do not interfere with each other.

Therefore, the fixing projection and the pressing projection can be overlapped in the main scanning direction, and the recording heads can be densely arranged in a state where the distance between the recording heads is reduced.

Therefore, the width of the recording mechanism in the main scanning direction can be reduced, and the recording mechanism can be compact. Since the width of the recording mechanism can be reduced, the amount of movement of the recording mechanism with respect to the recording range can be reduced, which can contribute to an increase in recording speed and a reduction in the size of the recording apparatus.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the base end of the head case is extended in the direction in which the nozzle openings are arranged, and a flange is protruded, and the contact protruding piece is provided on the flange. Therefore, the arrangement interval between the contact protruding pieces can be lengthened. For this reason,
The recording head can be fixed in a stable state.

According to the seventh to ninth aspects of the present invention, a fixing projection formed with a fixing screw receiving portion with which the fixing screw is screwed is provided to project from the surface of the mounting base. The fixing protrusion is brought into contact with the mounting base to form a pressing screw receiving portion into which the pressing screw is screwed, and the pressing screw screwed to the pressing screw receiving portion is brought into contact with the pressing protrusion to press the pressing protrusion. Since it is configured to be pressed against the mounting base, the position in the thickness direction of the recording head on the side of the fixing protrusion can be defined by bringing the fixing protrusion into contact with the fixing protrusion. Therefore, the work of mounting the recording head is easy.

Further, the state of the recording head can be changed between a temporarily assembled state in which the position can be adjusted and a fixed state in which the position is fixed, depending on the degree of tightening of the fixing screw and the pressing screw. In this case, when changing from the temporary assembled state to the fixed state, it is only necessary to tighten the fixing screw and the pressing screw, so that the position adjusting operation can be easily performed. In addition, since it is possible to shift to the fixed state without changing the position determined in the temporary assembly state, it is possible to improve the alignment accuracy.

Further, even after the fixed state, the screw can be returned to the temporary assembled state by loosening the screws. Therefore, even if the fixing is made at a shifted position, the position can be adjusted again, and the recording head is discarded wastefully. Without this, the production yield can be improved.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the mounting mechanism for mounting the recording head so that the position of the recording head can be adjusted has a simple configuration including a fixing projection, a pressing projection, and a contact projection.
When a long line head in the sub-scanning direction is constituted by a plurality of recording heads, each recording head can be densely arranged, and the line head can be downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus viewed from a main scanning direction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a flow channel unit.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a head case.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the head case viewed from a base end surface side.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing a state in which a printed circuit board is mounted on a base end surface side of a head case, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view seen from the printed circuit board side, FIG. 5B is a left side view, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted, as viewed from the mounting base.

7A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a line head configured by arranging a plurality of recording heads in a sub-scanning direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording mechanism 2 Guide shaft 3 Carriage 4 Head unit 5 Cartridge holding part 6 Mounting base 10 Recording head 11 Printed circuit board 12 Ink supply path forming member 13 Filter unit 14 Ink introduction needle 15 Piezoelectric vibrator 16 Flange part 17 Head case 18 Flow path Unit 21 Flow path forming plate 22 Nozzle plate 23 Elastic plate 24 Nozzle opening 25 Pressure chamber 26 Ink supply unit 27 Common ink chamber 28 Ink supply tube 29 Stainless steel plate 30 Elastic film 31 Island unit 32 Paper feed roller 35 Head end of head case Surface 36 Base end face of head case 37 Case body 38 Storage cavity 39 Positioning boss 40 Fastening protrusion 41 Fastening boss 42 Fixing screw 43 Contact protrusion 44 Pressing protrusion 45 First contact protrusion 46 Second contact Projecting piece 47 Pressing boss 48 Pressing screw 51 Use openings 52 tape opening 53 supply pipe opening 54 mounting portion 55 connecting terminal

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording head having a head case in which a flow path unit having a plurality of nozzle openings arranged in a row is attached to a distal end and a base end is attached to an attachment base. On one side of the head located on both sides, fastening projections are provided, which are fastened to the mounting base side. On the other side of the head, a plurality of mounting projections are provided in a state separated from each other in the row direction of the nozzle openings. A contact protruding piece that comes into contact with the base and a pressing protruding piece that is pressed toward the base end side are provided, and the fixing protruding piece and the pressing protruding piece are arranged at a position closer to the head tip side than the contacting protruding piece. An ink jet recording head characterized in that a height difference is provided between the fixing projection and the pressing projection and the contact projection. 2. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of nozzle openings are arranged in a row in the sub-scanning direction. 3. The fixing protruding piece and the pressing protruding piece are formed within a range of a side surface of a head case, and a paper feed roller is disposed at a position facing the sub-scanning direction with the head case interposed therebetween. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The fixing defined surface of the fixing projection piece is formed at least from the center of the fixing fixing portion to a position outside the side of the head case side. The inkjet recording head according to any one of the above. 5. The ink jet type recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein positions of the fixing projection and the pressing projection in the direction in which the nozzle openings are arranged are shifted. head. 6. The head case according to claim 1, wherein the base end portion of the head case extends in the direction in which the nozzle openings are arranged, and a flange is protruded, and the contact protrusion is provided on the flange. To claim 5
The inkjet recording head according to any one of the above. 7. A fixing projection is projected from the surface of the mounting base,
7. The ink jet type recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fixing projection piece is brought into contact with the fixing projection to define a mounting position of the recording head. head. 8. A fixing screw receiving portion in which a fixing screw is screwed to the fixing protrusion is formed, and the fixing screw and the fixing protrusion sandwich a fixing protrusion. Claim 7
3. The ink jet recording head according to item 1. 9. A pressing screw receiving portion, on which a pressing screw is screwed, is formed on the mounting base, and the pressing screw screwed on the pressing screw receiving portion is brought into contact with the pressing protrusion, and the pressing protrusion is moved toward the mounting base. 9. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording head is configured to be pressed. 10. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of recording heads are arranged in the sub-scanning direction.