JP2001260337A - Ink jet head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet head in which an ink jet head is supported movably in the three-dimensional direction by means of a support while simplifying the supporting structure of the ink jet head and reducing the external dimensions thereof as compared with a conventional one. SOLUTION: The ink jet head comprises a part 10a for ejecting supplied ink, a head side connector 10b to be connected electrically and removably with the connector 12c of an external electric apparatus, a part 10c interposed between the ink ejecting part and the head side connector and connecting them electrically, and a support 10d for supporting the ink ejecting part, the head side connector and the electrical connecting part wherein the head side connector is supported movably in the three-dimensional direction by means of the support.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet head is used in an ink jet printer to form a desired image on a print medium by ejecting ink droplets toward a print medium such as a print sheet supplied to the ink jet printer. In an ink jet printer, an ink jet head is detachably supported by a head support member such as a carriage for maintenance and inspection.

[0003] In order to enable detachable support of the ink jet head on the head support member, the ink jet head is mounted at a predetermined position on the head support member, and the ink jet head is connected to the electric equipment in the ink jet printer. The electrical connection between them is made by a detachable connection between a head-side connector provided in the ink jet head and a connector provided in the electric device.

A structure for detachably supporting an ink jet head at a predetermined position in a conventional ink jet printer is widely known, for example, from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-16339, and this structure is enlarged in FIG. Are shown schematically.

As shown in FIG. 10, a conventional ink jet head support structure has a carriage 110 as a head support member in an ink jet printer.
An inkjet head support base 112 having an inkjet head insertion opening 112a is provided.

[0006] The ink jet head 114 removably inserted into the ink jet head insertion opening 112a,
An ink ejecting unit 114a for supplying ink and ejecting the supplied ink, and a head-side connector 114b for detachably electrically connecting to a connector of an external electric device
And the ink ejecting unit 114a and the head-side connector 114b
And an electrical connection portion 1 interposed between the ink ejecting portion 114a and the head-side connector 114b for electrical connection between the
14c. The ink ejecting section 114a, the head-side connector 114b, and the electrical connection section 114c are supported in a predetermined arrangement by a support cover (support) 114d.

More specifically, the ink ejecting unit 11
4a is disposed at one end of the support cover 114d, the head-side connector 114b is disposed at the other end of the support cover 114d, and the electrical connection portion 114c is disposed between one end and the other end of the support cover 114d in the support cover 114d. ing.
The support cover 114d further includes an ink ejection unit 114a.
And an ink supply pipe 114e extending to the other end of the support cover 114d. Support cover 11
At one end of 4d, an ink ejection unit protection unit 114f is further attached so as to surround the periphery of the ink ejection unit 114a. The head side connector 114b is connected to the support cover 11
4d has a plurality of guide projections 114g protruding in a direction opposite to the one end.

A connector 116 for an external electric device is disposed at an end of the ink jet head support base 112 opposite to the entrance of the ink jet head insertion opening 112a. More specifically, in the inkjet head support base 112, an inkjet head insertion opening 112a is formed on an end surface 112b of the opposite end.
Guide projections 1 projecting in the opposite direction to the entrance
12c is provided. The connector 116 has a plurality of insertion holes 116a into which the plurality of guide protrusions 112c are inserted. Each diameter of the plurality of insertion holes 116a is set sufficiently larger than each diameter of the plurality of guide protrusions 112c. For this purpose, the connector 116 is provided at the opposite end of the ink jet head support base 112 with the respective diameters of the plurality of insertion holes 116a and the plurality of guide projections 112.
a plurality of guide projections 112c by the difference from the respective diameters of c.
Can be moved in a direction intersecting with each of.

[0009] A compression coil spring 112d as urging means interposed between each protruding end and an end surface of the connector 116 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of each of the plurality of guide projections 112c. Reference numeral 112d urges the connector 116 toward the end face 112b of the opposite end of the ink jet head support base 112.

In the carriage 110, the operation of the ink ejecting section 114a of the ink jet head 114 and the movement of the carriage 110 are located at a position away from the opposite end of the ink jet head insertion opening 112a of the ink jet head support base 112 in the opposite direction. A circuit board 118 on which an electric circuit for controlling the operation of the above is configured is arranged. A flexible board 120 extends from the circuit board 118 toward the connector 116, and the extending end of the flexible board 120 is connected to the connector 116.

In the carriage 110, an ink tank 122 is further disposed at a position away from the opposite end of the inkjet head insertion opening 112a of the inkjet head support base 112 in the opposite direction. From the ink tank 122, the ink jet head insertion opening 112a of the ink jet head support base 112
An ink outlet pipe 122a extends inward through the opposite end of the inkjet head insertion opening 112a.

The carriage 11 constructed as described above
Inkjet head support base 11 at a predetermined position of 0
When the ink-jet head 114 is inserted into the ink-jet head insertion opening 112a through the entrance with the head-side connector 114b at the head, the plurality of guide projections 114g of the head-side connector 114b
6 is inserted into a plurality of guide holes 116a formed corresponding to the plurality of guide protrusions 114g, and the head-side connector 114b is connected to the connector 116 on the carriage 110 side as shown by the arrow A in FIG. be able to. Further, by the above insertion, the extending end of the ink outlet pipe 122a from the ink tank 122 is inserted into the extending end of the ink supply pipe 114e of the ink jet head 114, and is connected in a watertight manner.

The ink jet head 114 is inserted into the ink jet head insertion opening 112a of the ink jet head support base 112.
The contact surface T facing the ink jet head support base 112 in the ink jet unit protection portion 114f of No. 4 comes into contact with the positioning surface S around the entrance of the ink jet head insertion opening 112a in the ink jet head support base 112. The ink jetting unit protection unit 114f stops in this state, and the
Is releasably fixed around the above. More specifically, the plurality of through-holes 11 are formed in the ink ejecting portion protection portion 114f.
4g are formed, and the fixing is performed by inserting a fixing head bolt (not shown) into these through holes 114g and screwing them around the entrance.

The diameter of each of the plurality of through holes 114g is set to be larger than the diameter of the screw portion of the fixing head bolt (not shown) and smaller than the diameter of the head. Therefore,
While the tightening by the fixing head bolts is eased, the ink ejecting portion protection portion 114f around the entrance of the ink jet head support base 112 is not shown with the diameter of each of the plurality of through holes 114g. By moving the bolt within the range of the gap between the screw portion of the fixing head bolt and the diameter of the screw portion, the position adjustment of a plurality of ink ejection holes (not shown) of the ink ejection portion 114a of the ink jet head 114 on the carriage 110 is performed. Can be executed.

This position adjustment is also performed by the connector 116 at the other end of the ink jet head support base 112.
Is movable in the direction intersecting with each of the plurality of guide protrusions 112c as described above, and the electrical connection between the circuit board 118 of the carriage 110 and the connector 116 is made by the flexible board 120. Is easier. In addition, since the connector 116 on the carriage 110 side can easily subordinate to the movement of the head-side connector 114b during the above-described position adjustment, the electric connection portion 114c of the ink jet head 114 can be easily adjusted during the above-described position adjustment.
The electrical connection between the carriage 110 and the circuit board 118 of the carriage 110 is not released.

[0016]

However, FIG.
The conventional inkjet head support structure configured as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 describes a configuration and space for operation of the connector 116 and the flexible substrate 120 from the other end of the inkjet head support base 112 to the circuit board 118. Need more. Therefore, in the above-described conventional inkjet head support structure, the dimension in the direction in which the inkjet head 114 is inserted into and removed from the inkjet head insertion opening 112a of the inkjet head support base 112 is increased.

The present invention has been made under the circumstances described above.
Despite enabling dimensional movement, the inkjet head support structure can be simpler than before, and the external dimensions of the conventional inkjet head support structure can be made smaller. To provide.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, an ink-jet head according to the present invention is provided with: an ink supply unit, an ink ejecting unit for ejecting the supplied ink; A head-side connector for detachably electrically connecting to a connector of an electric device; interposed between the ink ejecting unit and the head-side connector, and electrically connecting the ink ejecting unit to the head-side connector. An electrical connection portion to be performed; an ink ejecting portion, a head-side connector, and a support for supporting the electrical connection portion; and the head-side connector is supported by the support so as to be movable in a three-dimensional direction. It is characterized by.

In the ink jet head according to the present invention having the above-described structure, the ink jet head includes a biasing means provided on the support for biasing the head-side connector toward the connector of the external electric device. ing,
Is preferred.

The urging means stabilizes the relative initial position of the head-side connector with respect to the support while allowing the three-dimensional movement of the head-side connector with respect to the support.
The head-side connector is easily connected to the connector of the external electric device.

In the ink jet head according to the present invention, which is configured as described above, the electrical connecting portion moves relatively between the ink ejecting portion and the head side connector at least with respect to the head side connector. It is preferable that the head-side connector be disposed so as to allow the three-dimensional movement of the head-side connector.

Such an electrical connection facilitates the three-dimensional movement of the head-side connector with respect to the support.

In the ink jet head according to the present invention, which is configured as described above, it is preferable that at least a part of the electric connection portion has flexibility.

Such an electrical connection facilitates the three-dimensional movement of the head-side connector with respect to the support, and also simplifies the configuration of the electrical connection for providing such an effect.

[0025] In the ink jet head according to the present invention, which is configured as described above, at least a part of the electrical connection portion has elasticity.
It preferably functions as the urging means.

Such an electrical connection makes it possible to dispense with a biasing means formed independently of the electrical connection,
The structure of the ink jet head according to the present invention is further simplified.

Hereinafter, an ink jet head according to an embodiment of the present invention, an ink jet head support structure used in combination with the ink jet head, and various modifications of the ink jet head will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, referring to FIG. 1, an ink jet head 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D according to an embodiment of the present invention and these ink jet heads 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D will be described. The configuration and operation of the main part of the inkjet printer 14 including the inkjet head support structures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D used in combination will be schematically described.

The ink jet printer 14 moves a recording medium source 16a in which a recording medium (for example, recording paper) 16 is wound in a roll shape, and a recording medium 16 drawn from the recording medium source 16a along a predetermined traveling path. Recording medium traveling guide means 18. The recording medium traveling guide means 18 holds the recording medium 16 pulled out from the recording medium source 16a and holds the recording medium 16 in rotation.
A pair of paper feed rollers 18b driven by 18a to feed the recording medium 16 sandwiched as described above in a predetermined direction.
18c, and a plurality of travel guide rollers 18d for guiding the movement of the recording medium 16 sent out by the paper feed roller pairs 18b and 18c along a predetermined travel path. The recording medium traveling guide means 18 further includes a flat platen 18e arranged along the traveling path.

The ink jet printer 14 also has a predetermined moving direction Y of the recording medium 16 on the platen 18e.
The inkjet head supporting structure 12 used in combination with the inkjet heads 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D in directions (main scanning directions) R and L orthogonal to the (sub scanning direction) along the recording medium facing surface of the platen 18e.
A carriage means 20 for reciprocating A, 12B, 12C, and 12D within a predetermined range is provided.

The carriage means 20 includes a pair of carriage guide rods 20a and 20b extending parallel to each other in the main scanning directions R and L, and a pair of carriage guide rods 20.
a, a carriage body 20c supported on the carriage guide rods 20a, 20b so as to be movable along the carriage guide rods 20a, 20b;
A power transmission belt 2 extending along a pair of carriage guide rods 20a and 20b and partially fixed to a carriage body 20c.
0d, and a rotary drive source 20f having an output portion 20e around which one end of the power transmission belt 20d is wound. The rotary drive source 20f is constituted by a step motor, and the output section 20e is constituted by an output pulley fixed to an output shaft of the step motor.

The carriage body 20c is provided with ink jet head support structures 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D. Inkjet heads 10A, 10B,
10C and 10D are inkjet head support structures 12
A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are detachably supported, and while the carriage main body 20c is reciprocated within a predetermined range along the pair of carriage guide rods 20a and 20b by the driving force from the rotary drive source 20f. Platen 18e
It faces the upper recording medium 16.

The inkjet head support structure 12A, 1
2B, 12C, and 12D have ink storage tanks (not shown) that store black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, and the inkjet heads 10A, 10B are attached to the inkjet head support structures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. , 10C, and 10D are detachably supported, an ink storage tank (not shown) is connected to the inkjet heads 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D.

In this embodiment, the four ink jet heads 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D correspond to black, cyan, magenta and yellow, respectively.
One ink jet head can correspond to a plurality of colors.

The ink jet printer 14 further includes an electric control means 22 for electrically controlling the operation of the ink jet printer 14.

The electric control means 22 receives a print original image signal from a print original image signal source (for example, a personal computer) 30 corresponding to an image to be formed on the recording medium 16 on the platen 18e by the ink jet printer 14, and writes it. Circuit 22a and write circuit 2
The print original image signal input to 2a is converted into four inkjet heads 10A, 1A based on the print original image signal.
A bitmap memory 22b for converting and storing bitmap data necessary for recording a desired image corresponding to the print original image signal on the recording medium 16 on the platen 18e using the 0B, 10C, and 10D; 2
A read circuit 22c for reading bitmap data from 2b.

The electric control means 22 further comprises:
Sub-scanning motor 18a for driving the sub scanning motor in the sub-scanning direction Y
Sub-scanning motor driver 22d electrically connected to
And; inkjet head support structures 12A, 12B, 1
Inkjet heads 10A, 1 via 2C, 12D
And a main scanning motor 20f for driving the carriage main body 20c to move in the main scanning directions L and R.
Main scanning motor driver 22f electrically connected to
A writing circuit 22a, a reading circuit 22c, a sub-scanning motor driver 22d, a print head driver 22e,
And a control circuit 22g connected to the main scanning motor driver 22f.

In the electric control means 22, the readout circuit 22c further includes a sub-scanning motor driver 22d, a print head driver 22e, and a main scanning motor driver 2d.
2f.

When a desired image corresponding to the print original image signal input to the writing circuit 22a is recorded on the recording medium 16 on the platen 18e using the four ink jet heads 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D, the control circuit The readout circuit 22c is controlled by 22g to read out bitmap data corresponding to the print original image signal from the bitmap memory 22b, and based on the bitmap data, the sub-scanning motor driver 22d, the print head driver 22e, and the main scanning Motor driver 22
The sub-scanning motor 18a, the inkjet heads 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, and the main scanning motor 20f are driven via f. As a result, the sub-scanning motor 18a causes the recording medium 16 on the platen 18e to run at a predetermined speed at predetermined time intervals in the sub-scanning direction Y.
0f reciprocates the carriage main body 20c within a predetermined range at a predetermined speed at predetermined time intervals along a pair of carriage guide rods 20a and 20b. Further, the ink jet heads 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D move the carriage main body 20c. During this reciprocating operation, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are applied to the platen 18 at a predetermined timing based on the bitmap data.
The recording medium 16 is ejected toward the recording medium 16 above e.

The above-described configuration and operation of the main parts of the ink jet printer 14 are well known in the art, and further description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the ink jet heads 10A, 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention used in the ink jet printer 14 described above with reference to FIG.
0B, 10C, 10D and this inkjet head 1
Inkjet head support structures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12 combined with OA, 10B, 10C, and 10D.
D will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. However, the inkjet heads 10A, 10A
The configurations of B, 10C, and 10D are the same as each other,
Therefore, the inkjet head support structures 12A, 12B,
The respective configurations of 12C and 12D are the same as each other. Accordingly, in the following description, the ink jet head is indicated by reference numeral 10 and the ink jet head support structure is indicated by reference numeral 12.

FIG. 2A is a front view of an ink jet head according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2B is a rear surface of the ink jet head according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2C is a half cross-sectional top view of the inkjet head according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2D is an inkjet head according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a bottom view. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink jet head according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ink jet head according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an inkjet head according to one embodiment; and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an inkjet head support structure combined with the inkjet head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

An ink jet head 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an ink ejecting section 10a including a plurality of ink ejecting means of a predetermined arrangement (not shown) for supplying ink and ejecting the supplied ink. And 1 for detachably electrically connecting to a connector of an external electric device.
A pair of head-side connectors 10b, and a pair of electrical connecting portions 10c interposed between the ink ejecting portion 10a and the head-side connector 10b for electrically connecting the ink ejecting portion 10a and the head-side connector 10b. , Is provided. The ink ejecting section 10a, a pair of head-side connectors 10b, and a pair of electrical connection sections 10c are provided with a support cover (support) 10.
It is supported in a predetermined arrangement by d.

More specifically, the ink jetting unit 10
a is disposed at one end on the + X side of the support cover 10d, a pair of head-side connectors 10b are disposed side by side at the other end on the -X side of the support cover 10d, and the electrical connection portion 10c is provided in the support cover 10d. It is arranged between one end and the other end of the support cover 10d. In the support cover 10d,
An ink supply pipe 10e extending from the ink ejecting unit 10a to the other end of the support cover 10d is provided.
At one end of the support cover 10d, an ink ejection unit protection unit 10f is further attached so as to surround the periphery of the ink ejection unit 10a. The head-side connector 10b has a plurality of connection guide holes 10g.

In the support cover 10d, the ink ejection section 10a
On the -X side, the ink manifold 10h has the ink ejecting section 1
0a. Ink manifold 10
h guides the ink supplied from the ink supply pipe 10e to the ink ejecting section 10a to each of a large number of ink ejecting means (not shown) having a predetermined arrangement of the ink ejecting sections 10a. A nozzle plate 10 in which a large number of nozzles NZ having a predetermined arrangement are formed corresponding to a large number of ink ejecting units (not shown) of the ink ejection unit 10a is provided in the ink ejection unit protection unit 10f.
i is fixed. The surface facing the other end on the −X side of the support cover 10 d in the ink ejection unit protection unit 10 f is configured as a contact surface T.

In this embodiment, each of the pair of electric connection portions 10c is provided with an electronic or electronic device including various electronic or electric components (not shown) for controlling the operation of a number of ink jetting means (not shown) of the ink jetting portion 10a. It is composed of a flexible substrate on which an electric circuit is formed. Each of the pair of electric connection portions 10c in the support cover 10d is connected to the ink ejection portion 10a at one end of the support cover 10d.
And a pair of head-side connectors 1 at the other end of the support cover 10d
0b and the + Z side of the ink manifold 10h and -Z
The + X side end is electrically connected to the ink ejecting section 10a, and the -X side end is electrically connected to the corresponding one in the pair of head side connectors 10b. It is connected to the. Moreover, each of the pair of electrical connection portions 10c is folded on the both side surfaces of the ink manifold 10h so as to allow the pair of head-side connectors 10b to move in the three-dimensional direction.

Each of the pair of head-side connectors 10b is
An engagement projection PR is further provided which protrudes from the end surface in the + Y direction and the end surface in the -Y direction in the + Y direction and the -Y direction. At the other end of the support cover 10d, at the positions corresponding to the respective end surfaces in the + Y direction and the −Y direction of the pair of head-side connectors 10b, the respective + Y direction and −Y of the pair of head-side connectors 10b are located. An engagement recess RH for receiving the engagement projection PR in the direction is formed. Since the size of each engagement recess RH is set to be larger than the size of each engagement protrusion PR, the + X direction, the −X direction, and the −X direction of each engagement protrusion PR in each engagement recess RH are set. The movement in the + Z direction and the −Z direction is permitted, and the + X of each of the pair of head-side connectors 10b at the other end of the support cover 10d is allowed.
Direction, -X direction, + Z direction, and -Z direction are allowed.

In this embodiment, a portion 10d 'including a pair of engaging recesses RH on the -Y side end face of the other end of the support cover 10d is connected to the other end of the support cover 10d. The pair of head-side connectors 10b having the engagement projections PR is configured to be detachable so as to enable the arrangement.

Further, the distance H between the back surface of the end surface in the + Y direction and the back surface of the end surface in the -Y direction of the other end of the support cover 10d.
Is set to be larger than the distance h between the end face in the + Y direction and the end face in the −Y direction of each of the pair of head-side connectors 10b. The distance is set to be smaller than the added distance. By setting such a distance, one end is formed at the other end of the support cover 10d.
Each of the pair of head side connectors 10b is in the + Y direction and -Y
In the other direction, and a pair of head-side connectors 10 at the other end of the support cover 10d.
b are allowed to move in the + Y direction and the −Y direction. The above-mentioned distance H holds the pair of head-side connectors 10b at the other end of the support cover 10d, and allows the pair of head-side connectors 10b to move in a predetermined range in the three-dimensional direction. By setting the three-dimensional direction movement permitting member, the condition can be set independently of the above conditions. Therefore, the pair of head-side connectors 10b
Are allowed to move in the + X direction, the -X direction, the + Z direction, and the -Z direction at the other end of the support cover 10d as described above. It can be seen that a predetermined range of movement in the direction is allowed.

At the other end of the internal space of the support cover 10d, urging means 10j are arranged on the respective ink ejecting portions 10a of the pair of head-side connectors 10b, that is, on the + X side. The urging means 10j urges each of the pair of head-side connectors 10b from the other end of the internal space of the support cover 10d to the outside on the −X side, but each of the pair of head-side connectors 10b. Engages a pair of engagement protrusions PR with the -X side edge of the pair of engagement recesses RH at the other end of the support cover 10d, thereby preventing the inner space of the support cover 10d from being separated from the other end. Shedding is prevented.

In this embodiment, the biasing means 10j is constituted by a leaf spring, and is provided with an ink manifold 10h.
, It is arranged at a predetermined position at the other end of the internal space of the support cover 10d.

An illustration for fixing the ink jet head 10 to a predetermined position of an ink jet head support structure 12 to be described later is provided at the + Y side and the −Y side end of the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10f at one end of the support cover 10d. A screw insertion hole SH through which a non-fixed screw is inserted is formed. The diameter of the screw insertion hole SH is set to be larger than the diameter of the fixing screw (not shown), and as a result, the inkjet head 10 will be described later by the fixing screw (not shown) inserted into the screw insertion hole SH. By fixing the fixing screw (not shown) after fixing the ink jet head 10 at a predetermined position of the ink jet head support structure 12, the ink jet head 10 is moved relative to the predetermined position of the ink jet head support structure 12 in the + Y direction, the −Y direction, the Z direction, It is possible to move two-dimensionally in the −Z direction by the difference between the diameters. This two-dimensional movement is performed by the inkjet head 10.
The above-described multiple ink jet nozzles NZ of the ink jet head 10 necessary for accurately and accurately recording an image on the recording medium 16 on the platen 18e in the ink jet printer 14 as shown in FIG.
(See FIG. 2 (A)).

A V-shaped groove G used for the two-dimensional movement is formed on the end surface on the -Y side of the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10f.

Next, an ink jet head support structure 12 to which the ink jet head 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 is detachably mounted will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the ink jet head support structure 12. As shown in FIG.

This inkjet head support structure 12
Has an inkjet support base 12a fixed on a carriage body 20c as a head support member of the inkjet printer 14 shown in FIG. The inkjet support base 12a has an inkjet head insertion opening 12b into which the inkjet head 10 is removably inserted. In the inkjet head support base 12a, the periphery of the entrance of the inkjet head insertion opening 12b is formed as a positioning surface S that extends in the YZ direction.

A connector 12c for an external electric device is arranged at the end of the ink jet head support base 12a opposite to the entrance of the ink jet head insertion opening 12b. More specifically, a plurality of support projections 12e projecting in the direction opposite to the entrance of the inkjet head insertion opening 12b are provided on the end face 12d of the opposite end of the inkjet head support base 12a.

An electric circuit for controlling the operation of the ink ejecting section 10a of the ink jet head 10 inserted into the ink jet head insertion opening 12b and the operation of the carriage body 20c is formed on the plurality of support projections 12e. The substrate 12f is fixed. And the circuit board 1
A pair of connectors 12c are fixed side by side on 2f. The distance between the pair of connectors 12c in the + Z direction and the -Z direction is set to be the same as the distance between the pair of head-side connectors 10b of the inkjet head 10 in the + Z direction and the -Z direction.

Each of the pair of connectors 12c has a plurality of connection guide projections 12g protruding toward the entrance of the ink jet head insertion opening 12b. One pair of connectors 1
The arrangement of the plurality of connection guide projections 12g in each of 2c is the same as the arrangement of the connection guide holes 10g in each of the pair of head-side connectors 10b.

In the carriage body 20c, an ink tank 12h is further disposed at a position away from the opposite end of the inkjet head insertion opening 12b of the inkjet head support base 12a in the opposite direction. From the ink tank 12h, the ink jet head insertion opening 12b of the ink jet head support base 12a
An ink outlet pipe 12i extends inward through the opposite end of the inkjet head insertion opening 12b.

Next, the operation of inserting the ink jet head 10 into the ink jet head insertion opening 12b of the ink jet head support structure 12 thus configured will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When the inkjet head 10 is inserted into the inkjet head insertion opening 12b of the inkjet head support structure 12 through the inlet on the + X side with the pair of head-side connectors 110b at the top, the pair of inkjet heads 10 Although the head-side connector 10b can move in the predetermined range in the three-dimensional direction at the other end of the support cover 10d as described above, the pair of engaging projections PR are respectively formed by the urging force of the urging means 10j. A pair of heads is stably supported at a predetermined position at the other end by engaging with a corresponding -X side edge of a pair of engagement recesses RH at the other end. The respective connection guide projections 12g of the pair of connectors 12c are easily inserted into the respective plurality of connection guide holes 10g of the side connector 10b. Thereby connecting the head-side connector 110b of as a pair of indicated by mark B on a pair of connector 12c of the inkjet head supporting structure 12. Further, by the above insertion, the extending end of the ink outlet pipe 12i from the ink tank 12h is inserted into the extending end of the ink supply pipe 10e of the ink jet head 10 to be watertightly connected.

When the ink jet head 10 is inserted into the ink jet head insertion opening 12b of the ink jet head support base 12a, the contact surface T facing the ink jet head support base 12 in the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10f of the ink jet head 10 is used. Stops when the ink jet head support base 12 comes into contact with the positioning surface S around the entrance of the ink jet head insertion opening 12b.
Is releasably fixed to the peripheral positioning surface S of the inkjet head support base 12a. More specifically, a plurality of through-holes SH are formed in the ink-ejection-portion protecting portion 10f, and a fixing head bolt (not shown) is inserted into these through-holes SH and screwed around the entrance. Thus, the fixing is performed.

Since the pair of head-side connectors 10b of the ink-jet head 10 can move within a predetermined range in the + X direction and the -X direction, the relative positions of the pair of head-side connectors 10b in the + X direction and the -X direction are increased. Dimensional error between the proper position and the relative position of the pair of connectors 12c in the ink jet head insertion opening 12b of the ink jet head support base 12a in the + X direction and the -X direction is absorbed. Sufficient connection between 10b and a pair of connectors 12c is guaranteed. further,
The urging force of the urging means 10j adjacent to the + X side of the pair of head-side connectors 10b guarantees the above-described sufficient connection continuity.

The diameter of each of the plurality of through holes SH is set to be larger than the diameter of the screw portion of the bolt with a fixing head (not shown) and smaller than the diameter of the head. Therefore, while the tightening by the fixing head bolts is eased, the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10d is formed on each of the plurality of through holes SH on the positioning surface S around the entrance of the ink jet head support base 12a. The ink jet head support base 12 is moved by moving within the range of the gap between the diameter and the diameter of the screw portion of the fixing head bolt (not shown).
The position adjustment of the plurality of inkjet nozzles NZ of the ink ejecting unit 10a of the inkjet head 10 on the carriage body 20c of FIG.

In this position adjustment, a pair of head-side connectors 10b are connected to the + X direction, the -Y direction, and the + Z direction at the -X side end of the support cover 10d of the ink jet head 10.
As described above, the head-side connector 10b of the inkjet head 10 and the one in the inkjet head insertion opening 12b of the inkjet head support base 12a can move in the predetermined range as described above in the -Z direction.
This can be achieved without disconnecting the electrical connection as described above with the pair of connectors 12c.

Next, the structure provided on the ink jet head support base 12a for facilitating the position adjustment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 shows the ink jet head support base 12.
5A is a front view showing the inkjet head 10 inserted into the inkjet head insertion opening 12b of FIG.

Two eccentric cams CM1 and CM2 are rotatably provided on the positioning surface S around the entrance of the ink-jet head insertion opening 12b of the ink-jet head support base 12a. The inkjet head 1 inserted into the inkjet head insertion opening 12b of the support base 12a
The outer peripheral surface of the cam is in contact with the V-shaped groove G on the −Y side end surface of the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10 d of 0, and the other eccentric cam CM 2 is located at + Z of the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10 d of the ink jet head 10. The cam outer peripheral surface is in contact with the + Y side end of the side surface.

Here, the cam outer peripheral surface of one eccentric cam CM1 is moved from the point of contact with both side surfaces of the V-shaped groove G to the eccentric cam C1.
The distance r1 to the rotation center of M1 is the same, and the distance r1 gradually increases while one of the eccentric cams CM1 rotates in one direction around the rotation center. It is composed of two parts that gradually decrease while rotating around the other direction. Therefore, the ink jet head 1 is moved with the rotation of the one eccentric cam CM1 in one direction.
The ink-jet-part protecting portion 10d of 0 (that is, the ink-jet nozzle NZ) moves only in the + Y direction, and the ink-jet head 1 moves with the rotation of one eccentric cam CM1 in the other direction.
The 0 ink ejection unit protection unit 10d (that is, the inkjet nozzle NZ) moves only in the −Y direction.

Further, the cam outer peripheral surface of the other eccentric cam CM2 gradually increases while the other eccentric cam CM2 rotates in one direction around its own rotation center, and the cam eccentric cam CM2 gradually rotates around the rotation center. It is configured to gradually decrease during rotation in the other direction. Accordingly, with the rotation of the other eccentric cam CM2 in one direction, the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10d of the ink jet head 10 (that is, the ink jet nozzle NZ).
Is inclined in the −Z direction around the rotation center of one eccentric cam CM1, and the ink ejection unit protection portion 10d of the inkjet head 10 (that is, the inkjet nozzle NZ) is inclined in the + Z direction around the rotation center of one eccentric cam CM1.

Further, the ink jet head support base 12
a, the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10f which is inserted into the ink jet head insertion opening 12b comes into contact with the intersection area between the −Z side surface and the + Y side end surface of the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10f of the ink jet head 10, and An urging means UM for urging in an intermediate direction between the -Y direction and the + Z direction is also provided.

In such a configuration, when one eccentric cam CM1 is rotated, the cam of the other eccentric cam CM2 is positioned on the positioning surface S around the entrance of the ink jet head insertion opening 12b of the ink jet head support base 12a. While slidingly contacting the outer peripheral surface, the ink ejecting portion protection portion 10f of the ink jet head 10 (that is, the ink jet nozzle NZ) is moved in the + Y direction or the −Y direction to indicate the diameter of each of the plurality of through holes SH of the ink ejection portion protection portion 10d. The bolt can be moved in a range of a gap between the screw head and the diameter of the screw portion of the fixing head bolt which is not formed. When the other eccentric cam CM2 is rotated, the cam outer peripheral surface of one eccentric cam CM1 and the ink of the ink jet head 10 are positioned on the positioning surface S around the entrance of the ink jet head insertion opening 12b of the ink jet head support base 12a. The ink jet unit protection unit 10f (that is, the ink jet nozzle NZ) is protected in the + Z direction or the −Z direction around the contact point with the V-shaped groove G on the −Y side end surface of the jet unit protection unit 10f. It can be rotated in the range of the gap between the diameter of each of the plurality of through holes SH of the portion 10d and the diameter of the screw portion of the fixing head bolt (not shown).

Next, the ink jet head 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Are described, but all of these figures are cross-sectional bottom views showing a large part of the lower surface of the various modifications in cross section. Most of the components of these various modifications are the same as the components of the inkjet head 10 according to the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. Therefore, in the components of these various modifications, the same components as those of the inkjet head 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the corresponding components in the inkjet head 10, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Omitted.

In the first modified example of FIG. 9A, an electrical connection portion insertion hole EH is formed at the end on the -X side on both sides in the + Z direction and the -Z direction of the support case 10d. Then, a part of the electrical connection portion 10c 'formed by the pair of flexible substrates in the support case 10d is inserted into the pair of electrical connection portion insertion holes EH and protrudes outward.
The pair of electric connection portions 10c 'thus arranged in the support case 10d are provided on both sides of the ink manifold 10h in the + Z direction and the -Z direction in the support case 10d and in the + Z direction and the -Z direction of the support case 10d. A relatively large gap is formed between the back surface of each side surface of the first and second surfaces, and an electric or electronic component EP having a relatively large size can be mounted in the relatively large space. Further, a part of the pair of electric connection portions 10c 'protruding outward through the electric connection portion insertion holes EH of the support case 10d also acts as urging means for the pair of head-side connectors 10b, The pair of biasing means 10j adjacent to the + X side of the pair of head-side connectors 10b can be reduced in size. As a result, + X of the support case 10d and, consequently, the ink jet head 10,
It is possible to reduce the size in the direction and the −X direction.

In the second modification shown in FIG. 9B, the difference from the configuration of the ink jet head 10 according to the above-described embodiment is that the support case is provided at each of the pair of electric connection portions 10c ''. + Of ink manifold 10h in 10d
Various electric or electronic components EP 'are mounted on the sides facing both sides in the Z direction and the -Z direction.

In the second modification, it is not possible to mount an electric or electronic component EP having a relatively large size as in the first modification of FIG. 9A.

In the third modification shown in FIG. 9C, a head-side connector is provided at the other end on the -X side of the support case 10d so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the three-dimensional direction as described above. The number of 10b is one, and the electrical connection part 10c '''' in the support case 10d is composed of three members. That is, the electrical connection unit 10c ″ ″ is
0a to + Z direction of ink manifold 10h and -Z
A pair of first flexible substrates FP1 extending along both sides in the direction toward the other end on the −X side of the support case 10d.
And an extension end of a pair of first flexible substrates FP1 disposed between one end on the + X side and the other end on the −X side where the ink ejecting unit 10a is disposed in the support case 10d. Are rigidly connected to a rigid substrate SP, and the extended end is electrically connected to the extended head-side connector 10b while being bent from the rigid substrate SP to one head-side connector 10b. Two second flexible substrates FP2,
It consists of.

In the third modification, the rigid substrate S
P may be fixed in the support case 10d or may not be fixed. 1 if fixed
Only the second flexible board FP2 allows one head-side connector 10b to move in a predetermined range in a three-dimensional direction. In addition, when not fixed, in addition to one second flexible board FP2, a pair of first flexible boards FP1 also includes one head-side connector 10b.
Is allowed to move in a three-dimensional direction within a predetermined range.

In the fourth modification shown in FIG. 9D, a head-side connector is provided at the other end on the -X side of the support case 10d so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the three-dimensional direction as described above. The number of 10b is one, and the electrical connection part 10c "" in the support case 10d is composed of two members. That is, the electrical connection portion 10c ″ ″ ″ is connected to the + Z direction of the ink manifold 10h and −
A pair of first flexible substrates FP extending along both sides in the Z direction toward the other end on the −X side of the support case 10d
1 'and the extended end of a pair of first flexible substrates FP1', which are arranged at the other end on the -X side in the support case 10d and are electrically connected, and one head-side connector And a hard substrate SP 'on which the base 10b is fixed.

In the fourth modification, a rigid substrate SP 'is not fixed in the support case 10d to allow the three-dimensional movement of the head-side connector 10b.

According to the concept of the present invention, the three-dimensional movement-permitting support structure of the head-side connector 10b of the ink-jet head 10 is provided by the carriage means 20 (see FIG. 1).
Can be diverted to the three-dimensional movement permitting support structure of the connector 12c in the inkjet head support structure 12 of the carriage body 20c. In this case, the head-side connector 10b of the inkjet head 10
Even if the support structure of the inkjet head 10 is fixed,
Can be adjusted without interrupting the electrical connection between the head-side connector 10b and the connector 12c of the inkjet head support structure 12.

More specifically, a pair of engaging projections are projected from the + Y side end surface and the −Y side end surface of the connector 12c in the + Y direction and the −Y direction. Connector 1 on circuit board 12f
A connector support member having a connector housing opening for housing 2c is provided. The external dimensions of the connector receiving opening are set larger than the external dimensions of the connector 12c so that the connector 12c can move three-dimensionally in the connector receiving opening. + Y side end face of connector support member and-
A pair of engagement holes for receiving a pair of engagement projections of the connector 12c are formed on the Y-side end surface. + X for each of a pair of engagement holes
Direction, the -X direction, the + Z direction, and the -Z direction are defined as the + X direction, the -X direction, the + Z direction, and the -Z
Set larger than the dimension in the direction. + Y direction and -Y
The distance between the pair of engagement holes in the direction is made larger than the distance between the + Y side end face and the −Y side end face of the connector 12c and the distance between the + Y side end face and the −Y side end face of the connector 12c. One of the pair of engaging projections in the + Y direction and -Y
It is set smaller than the total distance obtained by adding the protruding height in the direction.

In order to facilitate the work of connecting the head side connector 10b of the ink jet head 10 to the connector 12c, the connector 12c is urged in the + X direction so that a pair of engagement projections of the connector 12c are connected to the connector support member. By pressing the pair of engagement holes in the + X direction, the position of the connector 12c in the connector receiving opening of the connector support member can be stabilized.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink ejecting section 10a at one end of the ink jet head 10 is used.
And a pair of head-side connectors 10b at the other end are provided with a pair of electrical connection portions 10c.
The number of 0c may be one or more than one pair or one,
Even if one or more pairs of head-side connectors 10b are provided,
It can be one. That is, the ink ejection units 10a and 1
One or more pairs of the head-side connectors 10b can be electrically connected to one or more pairs of the head-side connectors 10b, and one or more pairs of the ink ejecting unit 10a and the one head-side connector 10b can be connected. Multiple electrical connections 1
0c enables electrical connection. of course,
The ink ejecting section 10a and one or more pairs of head-side connectors 10b can be electrically connected by one or more pairs of plural electrical connecting sections 10c.

[0086] Such an ink jet head support structure can be expressed as follows.

1. An inkjet head support portion (in one embodiment, the inkjet head insertion opening 12b) for detachably supporting the inkjet head;
A connector (connector 12c in the above-described embodiment) that is provided on the inkjet head support and is detachably electrically connected to a head-side connector of the inkjet head supported by the inkjet head support; An electrical connection portion interposed between the electrical device (the print head driver 22e in the above-described embodiment) and making an electrical connection between the connector and the external electrical device; Provided in the head support portion so as to be movable in a three-dimensional direction,
An inkjet head support structure, characterized in that:

2. 2. The ink jet head support structure according to claim 1, further comprising an urging means provided on the ink jet head support portion to urge the connector toward the head side connector of the ink jet head.

3. 3. The electrical connection part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical connection portion is arranged so as to be movable at least relatively to the connector between the connector and the external electrical device, and allows the connector to move in the three-dimensional direction. Item 14. An ink jet head support structure according to item 5.

4. 4. The ink jet head support structure according to any one of the above items 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the electrical connection portion has flexibility.

5. 5. The ink jet head support structure according to any one of items 2 to 4, wherein at least a part of the electrical connection portion has elasticity and functions as the urging means.

[0092]

As is clear from the above description,
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the inkjet head according to this invention, although the inkjet head can be moved in the three-dimensional direction on the support, the configuration of the inkjet head support structure can be simplified as compared with the related art, and the conventional inkjet head can be used. The external dimensions of the head support structure can also be made smaller.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a main part of an inkjet printer having a plurality of inkjet heads according to an embodiment of the present invention and a plurality of inkjet head support structures used in combination with the inkjet heads. FIG.

FIG. 2A is a front view of an inkjet head according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2B is a rear view of the inkjet head according to an embodiment of the present invention;
(C) is a half sectional top view of the inkjet head according to one embodiment of the present invention; and (D) is a bottom view of the inkjet head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink jet head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inkjet head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the inkjet head according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an inkjet head support structure combined with the inkjet head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the inkjet head according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an inkjet head support structure combined with the inkjet head.

FIG. 8 shows a structure for adjusting the position of an inkjet nozzle in the inkjet head support structure after the inkjet head according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the inkjet head support structure combined with the inkjet head. It is a front view of an inkjet head and an inkjet head support structure.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are cross-sectional bottom views showing first to fourth modified examples of the inkjet head according to the embodiment of the present invention; .

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a conventional inkjet head is mounted on a conventional inkjet head support structure combined with the inkjet head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ink jet head 10a Ink ejection part 10b Head side connector 10c Electrical connection part 10d Support case (support) 12 Ink jet head support structure 12c Connector

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Sakurai 1 Konica Sakuracho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Inside the Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Katsuaki 1 Sakuracho 1 Hino-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2C056 EA23 FA10 HA07 HA09 HA11 HA52 2C061 AQ05 BB02 CG03 CG13

Claims (5)

[Claims] An ink ejecting unit for supplying the ink and ejecting the supplied ink; a head-side connector for detachably electrically connecting to a connector of an external electric device; an ink ejecting unit and a head An electrical connecting portion interposed between the ink jetting portion and the head side connector, the electrical connecting portion being interposed between the ink jetting portion and the head side connector; and a support member supporting the ink jetting portion, the head side connector, and the electrical connecting portion; Wherein the head-side connector is supported by a support so as to be movable in a three-dimensional direction. 2. The ink jet head according to claim 1, further comprising an urging means provided on the support, for urging the head-side connector toward the connector of the external electric device. 3. An electric connection part is arranged between the ink ejecting part and the head-side connector so as to be movable at least relative to the head-side connector, and allows the three-dimensional movement of the head-side connector. The inkjet head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the electric connection portion has flexibility. 5. The ink-jet head according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the electric connection portion has elasticity and functions as the urging means. .