JP2002079682A - Ink jet recording head and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a sealing property of a connection section in an ink supply passage of a recording head section. SOLUTION: An elastic member 105 is provided at the connection section 120 between a second substrate 102 and a fluid passage forming member 103. A space 207 formed by the fluid passage forming member 103 and the outer periphery section 121 is filled with an adhesive 106 so that a contact section 122 between the fluid passage forming member 103 and the outer periphery section 121 is sealed. A fluid passage 110 formed on the fluid passage forming member 103 and the ink supply passage 104 formed on the second substrate 102 are allowed to communicate with each other by being sealed against the external section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording head and a method for manufacturing the ink jet recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus is a recording apparatus of a so-called non-impact recording system, capable of high-speed recording and recording on various recording media, and has substantially no noise during recording. It has various features such as From such a point, it has been widely adopted as a device carrying a recording mechanism such as a printer, a word processor, a facsimile, a copying machine, and the like.

As a typical method of the ink jet recording, there is a method using an electrothermal conversion element, in which ink droplets are discharged from minute discharge ports to perform recording on recording paper. In general, the head includes an ink jet recording head for forming droplets and a supply system for supplying a recording liquid to the head. In an ink jet recording head using an electrothermal transducer, an electrothermal transducer is provided in a pressurized chamber, and thermal energy is given to a recording liquid by applying an electric pulse serving as a recording signal to the recording medium, thereby causing a phase change of the recording liquid at that time. The bubble pressure at the time of bubbling (at the time of boiling) of the recording liquid caused by the above is used for discharging the recording liquid droplets.

[0004] Such an ink jet recording head is
An “edge shooter” system in which the recording liquid is discharged in parallel to the substrate on which the electrothermal conversion elements are arranged, depending on the discharge direction of the recording liquid to the electrothermal conversion elements, It is broadly classified into a "side shooter" type in which a recording liquid is ejected vertically.

[0005] In the ink jet recording apparatus, the use of a multi-color / processing liquid or the like is increasing due to a demand for high image quality / high definition recording. On the other hand, the recording apparatus itself is required to be downsized.

For this reason, an ink jet cartridge in which a recording head unit and a liquid storage unit are integrated is used.
Further, as a container used for a cartridge, a container that can store a plurality of types of liquids and is integrated with a plurality of liquid storage units has been used. In such a cartridge, the recording head unit is provided with a plurality of ink supply paths so that a plurality of different types of liquids can be ejected. Further, as a form of the recording head, there is a form having a plurality of ink ejection port arrays.

On the other hand, a cartridge is provided with a recording head unit,
There are also holders that are integrated with the recording head unit and containers that are detachable from the holder. In this case, there are a plurality of types of liquid stored in one holder, but the liquid storage portion is used depending on the usage form, such as being removed for each single color, or a plurality of types being integrally removed.

[0008] As a form of connection of the recording head unit to the container and the holder capable of integrally storing a plurality of types of liquids, a plurality of ink introduction tubes provided in the holder unit are densely arranged. Conventionally, in order to reliably maintain the airtightness of the ink jet head, the recording head portion provided with the electric heat exchange element is aligned with the ink flow path formed in the flow path forming member of the holder portion by using an adhesive or the like. In general, a configuration is used in which sealing is performed using a simple sealing agent, such as laminating and then fixing the flow path forming member, and then pouring and sealing the sealing agent around the ink introduction tube.

On the other hand, as a method of connecting the ink supply path of the recording head section and the flow path forming member of the holder section, in addition to the above-described structure using a sealant, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-119314.
There is also a method of coupling via an elastic member as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-15095.

[0010]

However, these conventional ink jet recording heads have the following problems.

First, in the joining method of using a sealant to couple the ink supply path of the recording head section and the flow path forming member of the holder section, the flow path forming member of the holder section includes:
For example, when formed of a resin material such as Noryl, there is no problem at the beginning, but the sealing strength between the sealing agent and the resin material is insufficient, so that the leakage in the recording inspection process causes the inside of the ink jet recording head to fail. In some cases, an air pocket is generated, and ink is not supplied into the ejection openings, causing ink to drop. Also, it is difficult to control the amount of the sealant applied, and even if the amount of the sealant is slightly reduced, there is no problem at first at the initial stage. In some cases, this may cause ink drop.

On the other hand, when the ink supply path of the recording head section and the flow path forming member of the holder section are connected via an elastic member such as rubber, the ink is not adhered to rubber or the like used as the elastic member. It is difficult to completely remove the contaminated dust, and there is a problem that dust enters the ink discharge ports, nozzles, and ink liquid chambers of the recording head unit, and causes discharge failure. Further, it is difficult to completely remove impurities such as oil adhering to the rubber, and there is a problem that the remaining impurities contaminate the surface of the electrothermal exchange element and cause ejection failure. In addition, when viewed over a long period of time, a part of the elastic member may elute into the ink path to cause aggregation of the ink.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to provide no problem in sealing the ink supply path of the recording head section and the flow path forming member of the holder section, and to remove dust adhering to the elastic member. Without causing discharge failure due to oil or oil,
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording head which has high reliability, stabilizes the foaming of the ink to improve the recording quality, and a method for manufacturing the ink jet recording head.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording head according to the present invention comprises a discharge port for discharging ink and an electrothermal exchange element for discharging ink from the discharge port. A second substrate provided with an ink supply path for sending ink to an ink groove provided on the first substrate corresponding to the electric heat exchange element; A flow path forming member provided with a flow path for sending ink to the ink supply path on the substrate,
An ink jet head having an elastic member provided at a joint between the second substrate and the flow path forming member to seal a communication part where the ink supply path and the flow path communicate with each other; In the recording head, an adhesive is provided in a space formed by the elastic member, the second substrate, and an outer peripheral portion of the flow path of the flow path forming member in order to seal the communication section from the outside. Is filled.

In the ink jet recording head according to the present invention, the space formed by the elastic member, the second substrate, and the outer periphery of the flow path of the flow path forming member is filled with an adhesive. Therefore, the communication portion is sealed from the outside with both the elastic member and the adhesive, and the sealing strength is increased. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink from leaking from the contact portion between the second substrate and the outer peripheral portion of the flow channel of the flow channel forming member, or to prevent air from entering the flow channel from the contact portion. In addition, even if ink is leaked from the contact portion by filling the space with the adhesive, the elastic member does not come into direct contact with the ink because the adhesive is in contact with the ink. Discharge failure due to impurities such as oil attached to the elastic member, or aggregation of ink due to elution of a part of the elastic member into the ink path can be prevented.

Further, the elastic member may be formed with a notch communicating with the space,
The substrate may be provided with a filling groove communicating with the space.

Further, an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for discharging ink may be provided. In particular, a film generated in ink by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter may be provided. The ink may be discharged from the discharge port using boiling.

The method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head for manufacturing the ink jet recording head according to the present invention, wherein the communication portion is sealed to the outside. Board and
The method includes a step of filling an adhesive in a contact portion of the flow path forming member with an outer peripheral portion of the flow path.

According to the method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head of the present invention as described above, the adhesive is filled in the contact portion between the second substrate and the outer periphery of the flow path of the flow path forming member.
Since the communicating portion is sealed to the outside with both the elastic member and the adhesive, an ink jet recording head having high sealing strength can be manufactured, and ink leaks from the contact portion or the ink flows from the contact portion. Air can be prevented from entering the road.

Further, the method may include a step of filling the space with an adhesive.

Further, the method may include a step of filling the space from the cutout of the elastic member with an adhesive,
The method may include a step of filling the space from the filling groove formed in the second substrate with an adhesive.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a recording head cartridge of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the recording head cartridge of the present embodiment with an ink tank mounted. The figures are shown respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, a recording head cartridge 11 which is removably mounted on a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus (not shown) and is reciprocally scanned in the X direction comprises an ink discharge port 16 for discharging ink. An ink jet recording head 516 having a recording element substrate 12 composed of a first substrate 101 and a second substrate 102, on which an ejection port array 108 is formed, is provided. The holder 1001 of the recording head cartridge 11 is
An ink tank 109 for supplying ink to the printer is detachably mounted. Recording head cartridge 1 of the present embodiment
Reference numeral 1 denotes six ink tanks 10 for storing six color inks.
9 can be mounted. In addition, as the colors of the six inks stored in the ink tank 109, a color ink other than black and a black ink may be stored.

The electric wiring tape 31 is connected to the first substrate 101.
An electric signal for discharging ink to the first substrate 101, an opening for incorporating the first substrate 101, an electrode terminal for an element substrate corresponding to the electrode portion of the first substrate 101, An electric contact board 30 having an external signal input terminal 32 for receiving an electric signal from the ink jet recording apparatus, which is located at an end of the electric wiring tape 31.
And a contact board electrode terminal for making electrical connection with the electrode board. The contact board electrode terminal and the element board electrode terminal are connected by a continuous copper foil wiring pattern (not shown).

The first substrate 101 is usually formed by patterning an electrothermal conversion element layer, wiring, and the like on a silicon wafer by photolithography, and forming a nozzle wall, a discharge port 1 and the like.
6, a recording liquid supply port is formed by anisotropic etching, and an outer shape is formed by cutting.

After the first substrate 101 and the electric wiring tape 31 are coated with a thermosetting adhesive resin, the electrode portions of the first substrate 101 and the electrode terminals of the electric wiring tape 31 are collectively heated by a heat tool. By applying pressure and hardening the thermosetting adhesive resin, they are electrically connected collectively.

The second substrate 102 has, for example, a thickness of 0.5
It is formed of an alumina material of about 1.0 mm. In addition,
The material of the second substrate 102 is not limited to alumina, and may be made of a material having a thermal conductivity equal to or higher than the thermal conductivity of the material of the first substrate 101.

In the second substrate 102, six ink supply paths 104 for supplying six colors of ink to the first substrate 101 are formed. Six ink supply ports (not shown) of the first substrate 101 correspond to the second substrate
Is fixed to the substrate 102 with high positional accuracy and communicates with each ink supply path 104. The adhesive used for the bonding is, for example, a thermosetting adhesive mainly composed of an epoxy resin, has an electric heat exchange element shape on the second substrate 102, and does not generate an air path between adjacent ink supply paths. Applied.

The flow path forming member 103 has one end communicating with the six ink tanks 109 and the other end communicating with the ink supply path 104 of the second substrate 102.
10 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic member 105 is provided at a joint 120 between the second substrate 102 and the flow path forming member 103.
It is provided in.

The adhesive 106 is made of the elastic member 105 and the second
Is filled in the space 207 formed by the first substrate 102 and the outer peripheral portion 121 of the flow path forming member 103, so that the contact portion 122 between the second substrate 102 and the outer peripheral portion 121 of the flow path forming member 103 is filled. Is sealed.

The elastic member 105 and the adhesive 106
As a result, the six flow paths 1 formed in the flow path forming member 103
10 and the ink supply path 1 formed in the second substrate 102
04 is sealed and communicated with the outside.

The holder section 1001 is formed by, for example, resin molding. It is desirable to use a resin material mixed with 5 to 40% of a glass filler in order to improve shape rigidity. The channel forming member 103 is desirably made of the same material as the holder 1001, and the channel forming member 103 is bonded to the holder 1001 by ultrasonic welding.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the elastic member of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4A is a top view as seen from the second substrate contact surface side.
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG.
FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along line BB ′ of FIG.

In the elastic member 105, six holes 202 corresponding to the six flow paths 110 and the ink supply paths 104 are independently formed. The hole 202 is formed in the channel forming member 103.
Small diameter portion 209 for positioning with respect to convex portion 111
Notches 201 on all sides that serve as filling ports for adhesive 106
Is formed, for forming a space 207 described later,
The large diameter portion 210 has a larger inner diameter than the small diameter portion 209.

The material of the elastic member 105 may or may not be ink-resistant, but preferably has some rigidity.
The flow path forming member 103 and the elastic member 105 are completely adhered,
Further, it is preferable that the shape of the notch 201 is not deformed even when the second substrate 102 and the flow path forming member 103 are combined.

Next, the connection between the ink jet recording head 516 and the holder section 1001, that is, the second substrate 10
The connection between the second member 2 and the flow path forming member 103 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, each channel 110 of the channel forming member 103
The elastic member 105 is arranged so as to face the first end surface 204, which is the end surface of the small-diameter portion 209, so as to correspond to the six independent convex portions 111 forming the step (step 51).

Next, the elastic member 105 is fitted into the convex portion 111 of the flow path forming member 103 from the first end surface 204 side, and the first end surface 204 of the elastic member 105 is connected to the flow path forming member 103.
(Step 52).

Next, the flow path forming member 103 and the second substrate 1
02 (step 53). At this time, the large diameter portion 210 of the flow path forming member 103 and the elastic member 105
The second end surface 206, which is the end surface of the second substrate 102, is firmly adhered to the second substrate 102.

Next, the elastic member 105 and the flow path forming member 1
As shown in FIG. 6, the adhesive 106 is poured from the notch 201 into the space 207 generated between the second substrate 102 and the second substrate 102 by a dispenser 208 or the like (step 54).
Thereafter, the adhesive 106 is cured (step 55). The adhesive 106 is desirably an ink-resistant, flexible at room temperature, and a flexible adhesive that can withstand a difference in linear expansion between different materials. For example, a moisture-absorbing-curable silicone adhesive or the like is preferable. It is suitable.

The ink from the ink tank 109 passes through a flow path 110 formed in the flow path forming member 103 and an ink supply path 104 formed in the second substrate 102, and is not shown in FIG. Is supplied to the first substrate 101 on which the ink groove is formed.

The ink jet recording head constructed as described above inputs electric energy from the ink jet recording apparatus to each electrothermal converting element formed on the first substrate 101 via the electric wiring tape 31. Then, a state change accompanied by a steep volume change (generation of bubbles) is caused in the ink in contact with each of the electrothermal conversion elements, and the ink is discharged from the discharge port 16 by an action force based on the state change of the liquid, and the ink is discharged. The formed ink is attached to a recording medium (not shown) to form an image.

As described above, in the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment, it is the adhesive 106 having ink resistance that may come into direct contact with the ink that the elastic member 105 comes into contact with the ink. There is no structure. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress ink ejection failure due to elution of dust, impurities, or rubber attached to the elastic member 105. Further, the adhesive 106 and the elastic member 10
5, the communication strength between the flow path 110 and the ink supply path 104 is increased to prevent air from being mixed into the ink supply path. Second Embodiment Next, FIG. 7A is a top view of the elastic member of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of FIG.
Line sectional views are respectively shown.

The structure of the ink jet recording head to which the elastic member of the present embodiment is attached is basically the same as the ink jet recording head described in the first embodiment, except that the arrangement pitch of each ink supply path is narrow. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used except for the reference numerals related to the elastic member 305.

Like the elastic member 105 of the first embodiment, the elastic member 305 of the present embodiment also has a small-diameter portion 309 for positioning with respect to the projection 111 of the flow path forming member 103.
And a large-diameter portion 310 in which a notch 301 for injecting the adhesive is formed and which forms a space in which the adhesive can be filled.

On the other hand, among the wall surfaces constituting each hole 302 of the elastic member 305 of this embodiment, the wall surfaces of adjacent holes are
In order to cope with ink supply paths arranged at a narrow pitch accompanying the downsizing of the ink jet recording head, it is constituted by a common wall 307 which is integrated independently of each other. Also, a common notch 301a formed in the common wall 307
Are used to connect adjacent holes 302 with each other. Therefore, when filling the adhesive with a dispenser or the like,
By filling the adhesive from one notch 301, the adhesive can be distributed to all the holes 302 via the common notch 301a, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

The elastic member 305 of this embodiment has a property other than the structure corresponding to the narrow pitch of the ink supply path of the ink jet recording head, that is, the possibility that the elastic member 305 comes into direct contact with the ink has ink resistance. The adhesive, the material of the elastic member 305, and the like are basically the same as those of the elastic member 105 shown in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment, it is the adhesive having ink resistance that may come into direct contact with the ink, and the elastic member 3
05 does not come into contact with the ink. Thus, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress ink ejection failure due to elution of dust, impurities, or rubber attached to the elastic member 305. Also,
Since the adhesive strength is increased by the adhesive and the elastic member 305 to allow the flow path 110 and the ink supply path 104 to communicate with each other,
It is possible to prevent air from being mixed into the ink supply path.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, not only does the ink supply path have a narrow pitch for downsizing the ink jet recording head, but also the common notch 301a is formed, so that the adhesive The filling step can be simplified. (Third Embodiment) Next, FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional side view of a joint between a flow path formed in a flow path forming member of the present embodiment and an ink supply path formed in a second substrate. FIG. 9 shows a top view of the second substrate shown in FIG.

The elastic member 505 of this embodiment is not formed with the cutouts 201 and 301 like the elastic members 105 and 305 shown in the first and second embodiments. The rest of the configuration is basically the same, and a detailed description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, as an example, an ink jet recording head in which an ink supply path having a narrower pitch is formed and an elastic member corresponding to the same are shown as in the second embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

A filling groove 407 having an injection portion 408 for injecting the adhesive 406 is formed in the second substrate 402. The filling groove 407 is used to transfer the adhesive 406 injected from the injection section 408 to the projection 41 of the flow path forming member 403.
This is a groove that leads to a space formed between the elastic member 505 and the elastic member 505. The filling groove 407 communicates with an adjacent filling groove 407 through a communication groove 409. For this reason, when the adhesive is filled by a dispenser or the like, by filling the adhesive from one injection portion 408, the adhesive can be spread to all the filling grooves 407 via the communication groove 409. As in the second embodiment, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

As shown by hatching in FIG. 9, the elastic member 505 is formed by the second member 402 of the second substrate 402 of the elastic member 505.
The surface facing the substrate-side contact surface 402a of the
Is in close contact with the second substrate-side contact surface 402a.

In this embodiment, the elastic member 505 having no cutout for filling the adhesive has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An elastic member 505 provided with a notch for raising may be used.

As described above, in the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment, it is the adhesive 406 having ink resistance that may come into direct contact with the ink, and the elastic member 505 may come into contact with the ink. No structure. Thus, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, it is possible to suppress ink ejection failure due to elution of dust, impurities, or rubber attached to the elastic member 505. Further, the adhesive strength is increased by the adhesive 406 and the elastic member 305 so that the flow path 410 and the ink supply path 404 are increased.
Are communicated with each other, so that air can be prevented from entering the ink supply path.

Also, like the second embodiment, this embodiment not only corresponds to the narrow pitch of each ink supply path for downsizing the ink jet recording head, but also the communication groove 4.
With the formation of 09, the filling step of the adhesive can be simplified.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In order to fill the contact portion between the second substrate and the outer peripheral portion of the flow path of the flow path forming member with an adhesive, both the elastic member and the adhesive seal the communication portion with the outside, so that the sealing is performed. The stopping strength increases. Further, since the space formed by the elastic member, the second substrate, and the outer peripheral portion of the flow path of the flow path forming member is filled with the adhesive, the elastic member does not come into direct contact with the ink. In addition, it is possible to prevent ejection failure due to impurities such as oil adhered to the elastic member, or to prevent aggregation of ink due to elution of a part of the elastic member into the ink path.

As described above, the reliability of the ink jet recording head can be improved, the foaming of the ink is stabilized, and the recording quality can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a recording head cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 1 in a state where an ink tank is mounted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of a joint between a flow path forming member and a second substrate.

FIG. 4 is a top view, an AA ′ line sectional view, and a BB ′ line sectional view of the elastic member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of coupling a second substrate and a flow path forming member.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of injecting an adhesive by a dispenser.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an elastic member according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a sectional view taken along line AA ′.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side sectional view of a joint between a flow path forming member and a second substrate of an ink jet recording head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a second substrate according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Recording head cartridge 12 Recording element substrate 16 Discharge port 30 Electric contact substrate 31 Electric wiring tape 32 External signal input terminal 101 First substrate 102, 402 Second substrate 102a, 402a Second substrate side contact surface 103, 403 Path forming member 104, 404 Ink supply path 105, 305 Elastic member 106, 406 Adhesive 107 Wiring board 108 Ink ejection port array 109 Ink tank 110, 410 Flow path 111, 411 Convex part 112 Butt surface 120 Joint part 121 Outer part 122 Contact part 201, 301 Notch 202, 302 Hole 204, 304 First end face 206, 306 Second end face 207 Space 208 Dispenser 209, 309 Small diameter part 210, 310 Large diameter part 301a Common notch 307 Common wall 407 Filling Groove 4 8 injection unit 409 communicating groove 516 ink jet recording head 1001 holder portion

Claims (9)

[Claims] A first substrate provided with a discharge port for discharging ink, an electric heat exchange element for discharging ink from the discharge port, and the electric heat exchange element on the first substrate. A second substrate provided with an ink supply path for sending ink to an ink groove provided corresponding to the second substrate;
A flow path forming member provided with a flow path for sending ink to the ink supply path on the substrate, and sealing a communication portion where the ink supply path and the flow path communicate with each other to the outside. An ink jet recording head having an elastic member provided at a joint between the second substrate and the flow path forming member, wherein the elastic member includes: 2. An ink jet recording head, wherein an adhesive is filled in a space formed by the second substrate and an outer peripheral portion of the flow path of the flow path forming member. 2. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein a cutout communicating with the space is formed in the elastic member. 3. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein a filling groove communicating with the space is formed in the second substrate. 4. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, further comprising an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for discharging ink. 5. The ink jet recording head according to claim 4, wherein the ink is ejected from an ejection port using film boiling generated in the ink by the heat energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. 6. A method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein said communication portion is sealed to the outside. Filling a contact portion between the substrate and the outer peripheral portion of the flow path of the flow path forming member with an adhesive. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of filling the space with the adhesive. 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of filling the adhesive from the notch of the elastic member into the space. 9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of filling the adhesive from the filling groove formed in the second substrate into the space. .