JP2003145782A - Ink jet print head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet printer head in which a foreign matter remaining in the nozzle, especially solidified ink sticking rigidly to the inside of the nozzle, can be removed surely at the time of eliminating clogging of nozzle. SOLUTION: An ink jet printer head comprising a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual channels 3 communicating therewith, and nozzles corresponding to respective channels is provided with an ultrasonic oscillator 6 in close proximity to each individual channel, and a pressure detector 8 in each individual channel 3. In the printer head, clogged nozzles are detected by the pressure detector 8 and only the detected nozzles are cleaned. At the time of cleaning, ink is fed as cleaning liquid to the individual channels 3 and heated by means of a heater 4 before being ejected wherein ink in the individual channels 3 is applied with ultrasonic vibration from the ultrasonic oscillator 6 during the process. Since ink is not ejected from a nozzle requiring no cleaning, consumption of cleaning ink can be reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inkjet printer head provided with means for eliminating nozzle clogging.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet printers form an image on a recording medium (paper or the like) by selectively ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles provided in a printer head. However, in such an inkjet printer, when the rest time is long, the ink remaining in the nozzles may be dried and solidified, and the nozzles may be clogged.

As a means for eliminating the nozzle clogging (removing the solidified ink and the like in the nozzle and returning it to a state where normal ink ejection is possible), the ink ejection surface of the printer head (the ink ejection surface of the nozzle). ) Is attached to the head cover, and the solidified material in the nozzle is sucked and removed by evacuation. However, it is difficult to surely remove the solidified ink solidly fixed in the nozzle by such a suction removal method.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2749477 (Title of Invention: Inkjet Printer) proposes an inkjet printer capable of accurately removing foreign matter in a nozzle with a simple structure. This printer is provided with a printer head in which a large number of nozzles (orifices) are arranged in series on an ink ejection surface facing a recording medium, and a head cover is provided to seal the ink ejection surface of the printer head so that the ink ejection surface can be contacted and separated. A pressure accumulator tank provided through a first opening / closing valve is provided, and a variable pressure pump connected through a second opening / closing valve is provided in this pressure accumulation tank, and the printer head is sealed by the head cover, and the pressure accumulation is performed by the variable pressure pump. The first of the sealed state after transforming the tank
The drive control means for opening the open / close valve is provided.

In this ink jet printer, by the operation of the drive control means, the head cover and the accumulator tank, which have different internal pressures, communicate with each other to generate a pressure wave, and the foreign matter adhered in the nozzle is separated by the pressure wave. I have to. However, with this foreign matter removing method, it is difficult to remove the firmly fixed foreign matter because the pressure wave easily escapes to a normal nozzle in which no foreign matter remains.

In the nozzle cleaner disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-205816 (Title of Invention: Nozzle Cleaner and Inkjet Recording Apparatus), the ink on the nozzle surface is cleaned by a wiper blade, and
The ink adhering to this is removed by an ink recovery mechanism. However, since the nozzles have been miniaturized recently, the cleaning method of the present invention may damage the ink ejection port of the nozzle. Further, it is not possible to remove the ink adhered matter generated inside the nozzle.

As another cleaning method, there is known a method in which a head cover is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface of the printer head, foreign matter is peeled off by ultrasonic waves, and the foreign matter is sucked and removed. However, in this method, since ultrasonic waves easily escape to a normal nozzle, it is difficult to remove foreign matter that is firmly fixed.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reliably remove foreign matter remaining inside the nozzle, particularly solidified ink solidly fixed inside the nozzle, when eliminating nozzle clogging. An inkjet printer head is provided.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a means for eliminating clogging is provided in a common liquid chamber of an ink jet printer head or an individual flow path (inside a nozzle). It is configured so that a good recorded image can be stably formed by eliminating nozzle clogging.

The invention according to claim 1 is provided with a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow passages communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow passages, and supplies ink from an ink supply source. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a common liquid chamber and an individual flow path, an ultrasonic transducer is provided inside the cleaning liquid and / or the cleaning fluid supplied to the common liquid chamber. Alternatively, the inkjet printer head is configured such that ultrasonic vibration is applied to the cleaning fluid supplied into the individual flow path. As the cleaning fluid, for example, ink, cleaning solvent, pressurized air, ink / pressurized air mixed fluid, or cleaning solvent / pressurized air mixed fluid is used.

The invention according to claim 2 is the inkjet printer head according to claim 1, characterized in that an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the immediate vicinity of the common liquid chamber.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cleaning solvent introducing passage is communicated with the common liquid chamber, and the cleaning solvent introducing passage is connected to the common liquid chamber.
The inkjet printer head according to claim 2, wherein the inkjet printer head is communicated with a cleaning solvent supply source through a cleaning solvent supply path.

The invention according to claim 4 is the inkjet printer head according to claim 1, characterized in that an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the immediate vicinity of the individual flow path.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning solvent introducing passage is communicated with the individual passage, and the cleaning solvent introducing passage is connected to the individual passage.
The inkjet printer head according to claim 4, wherein the inkjet printer head is communicated with a cleaning solvent supply source through a cleaning solvent supply passage.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the compressed air introducing passage is connected to the individual passage and the compressed air introducing passage is
The inkjet printer head according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inkjet printer head is communicated with a compressed air supply source through a compressed air supply path.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow paths are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium via a common liquid chamber and an individual flow path, the common solvent is connected to a cleaning solvent introduction path, and the cleaning solvent introduction path is The inkjet printer head is characterized in that it is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source through a cleaning solvent supply passage.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow passages communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow passages are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a common liquid chamber and an individual flow path, a cleaning solvent introducing path is connected to the individual flow path and the cleaning solvent introducing path is connected to the cleaning solvent introducing path. The inkjet printer head is characterized in that it is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source through a cleaning solvent supply passage.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the respective individual flow paths are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a common liquid chamber and an individual flow path, a mixed fluid of a cleaning solvent and compressed air is supplied to the common liquid chamber. An inkjet printer head characterized by the above.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning solvent introducing passage is communicated with the common liquid chamber, and the cleaning solvent introducing passage is communicated with the cleaning solvent supply source through the cleaning solvent supplying passage. 10. The ink jet printer head according to claim 9, wherein the compressed air introduction passage is communicated with the compressed air introduction passage, and the compressed air introduction passage is communicated with the compressed air supply source through the compressed air supply passage. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow passages communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow passages are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a common liquid chamber and an individual flow path, a mixed fluid of a cleaning solvent and compressed air is supplied to the common liquid chamber in the individual flow path. The inkjet printer head is characterized in that it is directly supplied without passing through.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning solvent introducing passage is connected to the individual flow passage, and the cleaning solvent introducing passage is connected to the cleaning solvent supply source through the cleaning solvent supplying passage, and the cleaning solvent introducing passage is formed. 12. The ink jet printer head according to claim 11, wherein the compressed air introduction passage is communicated with the compressed air introduction passage, and the compressed air introduction passage is communicated with the compressed air supply source through the compressed air supply passage. .

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow paths are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a common liquid chamber and an individual flow passage, the compressed air introduction passage is connected to the individual passage and the compressed air introduction passage is connected to the compressed air introduction passage. The inkjet printer head is characterized in that the compressed air supply source communicates with a compressed air supply path.

The invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that a pressure detector is provided in the individual flow path.
The inkjet printer head according to item 8, 11, 12 or 13.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow channels communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow channels are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied. , In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a common liquid chamber and an individual flow path, an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the vicinity of the individual flow path, and pressure is detected in the individual flow path. Each has a separate child, and the washing solvent introducing passage is connected to the individual passage, and the compressed air introducing passage is made to communicate in the middle of the washing solvent introducing passage, and the washing solvent introducing passage is connected to the washing solvent supply source through the washing solvent supply passage. The compressed air introduction path is communicated with the compressed air supply source via the compressed air supply path, respectively.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head. The head chip 1 is formed with a large number of nozzles 2 (ink ejection ports) that are open to the outside, and individual channels 3 that correspond to and communicate with each nozzle. A heating element 4 is provided in each individual flow path 3. Each individual flow path 3 is connected to the common liquid chamber 5 on the back side of the head. This common liquid chamber 5
The ultrasonic transducer 6 is provided in the immediate vicinity. Common liquid chamber 5
Has an ink inlet. A heat sink 7 is fixed to the head chip 1.

At the time of image formation, the ink in the individual flow path 3 is heated by the heating element 4, and the ink (ink droplet) is ejected from the nozzle 2 by the pressure of the bubbles generated in the individual flow path 3. As a result, an image is formed on the recording medium (not shown). Excessive heat from the heating element 4 is radiated through the heat sink 7. When removing the clogging of the ink generated in the nozzle 2 and the adhering foreign matter, the ink is supplied to the individual flow path 3 via the common liquid chamber 5. During this period, the vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 6 (and the pressure caused thereby) is
The ink in the common liquid chamber 5 is added to the ink solvent (constituent component of the ink), and the ink in the individual flow path 3 is heated by the heating element 4 to eject the ink from the nozzle.

While the conventional printer head has a structure for eliminating the nozzle clogging by a foreign matter removing mechanism provided outside the head, the printer head of FIG. 1 has a nozzle clogging eliminating mechanism in the printer head. Since it is provided, the foreign matter removing function is significantly improved as compared with the conventional example.

Second Embodiment FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the printer head. This printer head is a modification of the structure of FIG.
That is, in FIG. 1, when normal nozzles and clogged nozzles coexist, when vibration is applied to the common liquid chamber 5, this vibration escapes to the normal nozzles and the clogged nozzles occur. It becomes difficult to join in. In the present embodiment, in order to eliminate this inconvenience, as shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducers 6 are provided in the vicinity of the individual flow paths 3. According to this structure, the vibration of the ink solvent (and the pressure caused thereby) can be directly transmitted to the ink adhered matter or the foreign matter for each nozzle 2, so that the effect of removing the ink adhered matter or the like, that is, the nozzle clogging can be achieved. The effect of eliminating is further enhanced.

Third Embodiment FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the printer head. This printer head is obtained by further modifying the printer head of FIG. 2 and provides an ultrasonic transducer 6 in the immediate vicinity of each individual flow path 3 and a pressure detector 8 in the individual flow path 3. In this printer head, the pressure detector 8 can detect the nozzle in which the nozzle is clogged, and cleaning can be performed only on the nozzle in which the nozzle is detected (that is, selectively), so that the efficiency of the cleaning operation is significantly improved. .
Further, cleaning is performed while ejecting ink from the nozzles, but in this case, since ink is not ejected from nozzles that do not require cleaning, there is also an advantage that the consumption of cleaning ink can be reduced.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head. This printer head is designed to dissolve and remove ink adhered substances and foreign matters that cause nozzle clogging with a cleaning solvent. Therefore, a structure is provided in which a cleaning solvent introducing path 11 for introducing the cleaning solvent into the common liquid chamber 5 is provided, and the introducing path is communicated with a cleaning solvent supply source (neither is shown) through the cleaning solvent supply path. It is what With this structure, ink adhered matter that cannot be removed by ultrasonic vibration or pressure can be dissolved by the cleaning solvent and flowed out from the nozzle.

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure of the printer head. This printer head is provided with a cleaning solvent introducing path 11 for guiding the cleaning solvent directly into each individual flow path 3 (without passing through the common liquid chamber 5), and the introducing path is connected to the cleaning solvent supply path. Cleaning solvent supply source (all not shown)
It has a structure that communicates with. In this printer head, the nozzle cleaning operation efficiency is further improved as compared with that in FIG.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head. In this printer head, a cleaning solvent introducing passage 11 is connected to the individual flow passage 3, the introducing passage is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source (neither is shown) via the cleaning solvent supply passage, and The ultrasonic vibrator 6 is provided in the vicinity of the confluence portion with the cleaning solvent introducing passage 11. In this printer head, the cleaning solvent to which the ultrasonic vibration (and the pressure caused thereby) from the ultrasonic vibrator 6 is applied can be supplied into the individual flow path 3. That is, since the nozzle clogging is removed by the vibrating cleaning liquid, the cleaning effect is significantly enhanced. The ultrasonic transducer 6 may be provided in the immediate vicinity of the individual flow path 3 and at an intermediate portion between the heating element 4 and the confluence portion.

Seventh Embodiment FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head. In this printer head, a pressure detector 8 is provided in the individual flow path 3 of the head shown in FIG. With such a structure, the efficiency of the cleaning operation is significantly improved as in FIG. Further, cleaning is performed while spraying the cleaning solvent from the nozzle, but in this case, since the cleaning solvent is not sprayed from the nozzle that does not require cleaning, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the cleaning solvent. The impact on the environment can be minimized, and the storage tank for the cleaning solvent can be downsized.

Eighth Embodiment FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of the printer head. In the printer head structure shown in FIG. 5 or 6 in which the cleaning solvent is supplied to the individual flow path 3 to clean the nozzle, the cleaning solvent is likely to remain in the individual flow path 3 after cleaning. If the cleaning solvent remains, the cleaning solvent is mixed with newly supplied ink. Therefore, in the image forming process, the ink is applied to the heating element 4
The size and amount of bubbles that are generated when heated at are different from those when normal ink is supplied, and good printing cannot be performed.

Therefore, in the printer head according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the cleaning solvent introducing passage 11 to the individual passage 3 is provided.
The compressed air introducing passage 12 is communicated with the compressed air introducing passage 12 and the compressed air introducing passage 12 is communicated with the compressed air supply source (all are not shown) through the compressed air supplying passage.
In this printer head, after cleaning the nozzles, the individual flow path 3
Compressed air is supplied from the compressed air introduction path 12 to the cleaning solvent remaining in the individual flow path 3 and the air is discharged from the nozzle to the outside. Further, in the printer head of FIG. 8, the nozzle clogging can be eliminated by supplying the mixed fluid of the cleaning solvent and the compressed air to the individual flow path 3.

Ninth Embodiment FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head. In order to reduce the adverse effect on the environment caused by removing clogging of nozzles with a solvent, the inkjet printer head according to the present embodiment has a compressed air introduction path 12 for guiding compressed air into the individual flow path 3. The introduction path is provided so as to communicate with a compressed air supply source (all not shown) via the compressed air supply path. When removing the nozzle clogging, ink and compressed air are simultaneously supplied into the individual flow passages 3 to remove foreign matters and the like, and these are discharged from the nozzle together with the ink / compressed air mixed fluid. In this case, unlike the printer head of FIG. 6, no cleaning solvent is used. Therefore, the printer head of FIG. 9 can eliminate the adverse effect of the solvent on the environment. Further, the solvent tank is not required, and the device can be downsized.

Tenth Embodiment FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head. This printer head is provided with a compressed air introduction path 12 for guiding compressed air into the individual flow path 3, and this introduction path is communicated with a compressed air supply source (neither is shown) through the compressed air supply path. The ultrasonic transducer 6 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the confluence of the flow path 3 and the compressed air introduction path 12. In the configuration of FIG. 10, since ultrasonic vibration is applied to the mixed fluid of ink and compressed air and the mixed fluid is supplied to the individual flow path 3, the nozzle clogging can be eliminated more efficiently.

Eleventh Embodiment A printer head according to the present invention is particularly preferably configured as follows (claim 15). That is,
(1) An ultrasonic transducer is provided in the immediate vicinity of the individual flow path, (2) A pressure detector is provided in the individual flow path, (3) A cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to the individual flow path, and the cleaning solvent is introduced. A compressed air introduction path is communicated in the middle of the path, (4) the cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source via the cleaning solvent supply path, and (5) compressed air introduction path is connected via the compressed air supply path. Communicate with a compressed air source. In addition to the above configuration,
If the ultrasonic vibrator is provided in the vicinity of the nozzle or at the confluence of the individual flow path and the cleaning solvent introduction path, it is possible to eliminate the nozzle clogging extremely efficiently.

In the printer head including the above-mentioned components (1) to (5), the nozzle in which clogging has occurred is detected by the pressure detector. Then, ultrasonic vibration is applied from the ultrasonic vibrator to the mixed fluid of the cleaning solvent and compressed air, and the ultrasonic vibrated mixed fluid is supplied only to the nozzle in which the clogging has occurred. As a result, nozzle clogging can be eliminated extremely efficiently. The supply of the mixed fluid can be performed by supplying the cleaning solvent from the cleaning solvent supply source and the compressed air supply from the compressed air supply source in parallel.
After clearing the nozzle clogging, the cleaning solvent remaining in the individual flow passages and nozzles can be discharged from the nozzles by supplying compressed air to the individual flow passages.

Twelfth Embodiment FIG. 11 relates to a full color ink jet printer using the ink jet head of the present invention.
Is a perspective view showing a main part structure, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a printer head (head cartridge) and a sheet. As shown in FIG. 11A, the carrier 23 is provided so as to face the paper 22 held by the platen 21. The carrier 23 is guided by a guide shaft 24 and is movable in the axial direction of the platen.

That is, a part of the timing belt 27 that is stretched between the feed pulley 25 and the guide pulley 26 is locked to the carrier 23. Therefore, the carrier 23 reciprocates integrally with the timing belt 27. A gear 28 is provided on the rotary shaft of the feed pulley 25, and this gear 28 meshes with a drive gear 30 provided on the output shaft of a drive motor 29.

On the carrier 23, four head cartridges 31a to 31d are arranged in parallel. The head cartridge 31a is for black printing, the head cartridge 3
1b is for cyan printing, head cartridge 31c is for magenta printing, and head cartridge 31d is for yellow printing. Each head cartridge 31a to 31d
Is provided with a drive circuit, an ink tank of a corresponding color, a heating element for discharging the ink toward the paper 22, and the like. When forming an image, an electric signal is input to the drive circuit through the flat cable 32, and ink is selectively ejected from a large number of nozzles in accordance with the electric signal to form an image on the paper 22.

FIG. 11 (b) shows the positional relationship between a large number of nozzles 2 provided in the head cartridge (printer head) and the paper 22, and the head cartridge is located between the reference signs A and B in the image forming process. The paper 22 reciprocates in the direction of the arrow, and the paper 22 travels in the direction of the symbol C.

[0044]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer head capable of easily and surely removing the ink adhered matter and the foreign matter generated inside the nozzle and easily eliminating the nozzle clogging. To be done. Therefore, according to the inkjet printer provided with the inkjet printer head of the present invention, a good recorded image can be stably formed.

The effects of the present invention will be described below according to claims. (1) Effect of the invention of claim 1 In the inkjet printer head according to the invention of claim 1, an ultrasonic vibrator for eliminating nozzle clogging is provided in the printer head, and ink with ultrasonic vibration is supplied to the nozzle. By doing so, the foreign matter and the like are removed, so that the function of eliminating the nozzle clogging is significantly improved as compared with the conventional inkjet printer head.

(2) Effect of the invention of claim 2 Since the ultrasonic vibrator is provided in the immediate vicinity of the common liquid chamber, the ink to which ultrasonic vibration is applied is simultaneously applied to all the individual flow passages, and hence to all the nozzles at the same time. It can be supplied and has a simple structure, and an excellent effect of eliminating nozzle clogging can be obtained. (3) Effect of the invention of claim 3 Since the cleaning solvent to which ultrasonic vibration is applied is supplied to the common liquid chamber to eliminate the nozzle clogging, the cleaning solvent to which ultrasonic vibration is applied is applied to all of the cleaning solvents at the same time. It is possible to supply to individual nozzles, and thus to all nozzles at the same time, and an excellent nozzle clogging effect can be obtained with a simple structure.

(4) Effect of the Invention of Claim 4 Since the ultrasonic vibrator is provided in the vicinity of the individual flow path, the ultrasonic vibration of the ink solvent can be directly transmitted to the ink adhered matter and the foreign matter, so that the nozzle eye The effect of clearing clogging is significantly increased. (5) Effect of the invention of claim 5 Since the cleaning solvent to which ultrasonic vibration is applied is supplied to the individual flow passages to eliminate the nozzle clogging, a more excellent nozzle clogging elimination effect can be obtained.

(6) Effect of the Invention of Claim 6 In the invention according to claim 4 of the invention of claim 6, an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the immediate vicinity of the individual flow path, and compressed air is supplied to the individual flow path. In addition, in the invention according to claim 5 of the invention according to claim 6, the mixed fluid of the cleaning solvent and the compressed air, to which ultrasonic vibration is applied, is supplied to the individual flow passages to supply the nozzle eyes. Since it is configured to eliminate the clogging, a further excellent nozzle clogging elimination effect can be obtained.

(7) Effect of the invention of claim 7 Since the cleaning solvent is simultaneously supplied to all the nozzles through the common liquid chamber to eliminate the nozzle clogging, an excellent effect of eliminating the nozzle clogging can be obtained. . Further, it is possible to accurately remove the ink adhered matter and the like that cannot be removed by ultrasonic vibration or pressure. (8) The effect of the invention of claim 8 Since the cleaning solvent is supplied to the individual flow passages to eliminate the nozzle clogging, it is possible to accurately remove the ink adhered matter that cannot be removed by ultrasonic vibration or pressure. it can.

(9) Effects of the Invention of Claims 9 to 12 Since the mixed fluid of the cleaning solvent and the compressed air is supplied to the common liquid chamber or the individual flow passages to eliminate the nozzle clogging, It is possible to more accurately remove the ink adhered matter and the like that cannot be removed by sonic vibration or pressure. (10) Effect of the invention of claim 13 Since compressed air is supplied to the individual flow passages, the cleaning solvent remaining in the individual flow passages after the nozzle clogging elimination operation by the cleaning solvent can be accurately removed.

(11) Effect of the invention of claim 14 Since the pressure detector is provided in the individual flow path, the nozzle in which the nozzle is clogged can be detected. That is,
The pressure in the individual flow path is detected by the pressure detector, and when the detected pressure becomes abnormally high, it is determined that the corresponding nozzle is clogged. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the clogging elimination operation can be performed only for the clogged nozzle, the efficiency of using the cleaning solvent, the compressed air, or the energy consumed by the ultrasonic transducer is improved. To do.

(12) Effect of the Invention of Claim 15 In the ink jet printer head of the present invention, the nozzle in which clogging has occurred is detected by the pressure detector, and the ultrasonic transducer is added to the mixed fluid of the cleaning solvent and the compressed air. Since ultrasonic vibration is applied and the ultrasonic vibration mixed fluid is supplied only to the nozzles in which clogging has occurred, it is possible to eliminate the nozzle clogging extremely efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a structure of a printer head according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a structure of a printer head according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a structure of a printer head according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head according to the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printer head according to the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 11 relates to the twelfth embodiment and includes (a)
Is a perspective view showing a main part structure of a full-color inkjet printer using the inkjet head of the present invention,
FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the printer head (head cartridge) and the paper.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 head chip 2 nozzles 3 individual channels 4 heating element 5 common liquid chamber 6 Ultrasonic transducer 7 heat sink 8 Pressure detector 11 Cleaning solvent introduction path 12 Compressed air introduction path 21 Platen 22 sheets 23 career 24 Guide shaft 25 feed pulley 26 Guide pulley 27 Timing belt 28 gears 29 Drive motor 30 drive gear 31a to 31d head cartridge 32 flat cable

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Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow passages communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow passages are provided. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium via a flow path, an ultrasonic transducer is provided inside,
An inkjet printer head characterized in that ultrasonic vibration is applied to a cleaning fluid in a common liquid chamber and / or a cleaning fluid in an individual flow path. 2. The ink jet printer head according to claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the immediate vicinity of the common liquid chamber. 3. The cleaning solution introducing passage is connected to the common liquid chamber, and the cleaning solvent introducing passage is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source via a cleaning solvent supply passage. Inkjet printer head. 4. The inkjet printer head according to claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the immediate vicinity of the individual flow path. 5. The cleaning solvent introducing passage is communicated with the individual flow passage, and the cleaning solvent introducing passage is communicated with a cleaning solvent supply source through a cleaning solvent supply passage. Inkjet printer head. 6. The compressed air introducing passage is communicated with the individual passage, and the compressed air introducing passage is communicated with the compressed air supply source through the compressed air supply passage. The inkjet printer head according to item 1. 7. A common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow passages communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the respective individual flow passages are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied to the common liquid chamber and the individual liquid supply chambers. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium via a flow path, a cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to a common liquid chamber, and the cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to a cleaning solvent supply path. An inkjet printer head, characterized in that it is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source through the same. 8. A common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the individual flow paths are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied to the common liquid chamber and the individual liquid flow paths. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a flow path, the cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to the individual flow paths, and the cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to the cleaning solvent supply path. An inkjet printer head, characterized in that it is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source through the same. 9. A common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow passages communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the respective individual flow passages are provided. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium via a flow path, an inkjet characterized in that a mixed fluid of a cleaning solvent and compressed air is supplied to a common liquid chamber. Printer head. 10. A cleaning solvent introducing passage is connected to the common liquid chamber, the cleaning solvent introducing passage is connected to a cleaning solvent supply source via a cleaning solvent supplying passage, and compressed air is introduced in the middle of the cleaning solvent introducing passage. 10. The ink jet printer head according to claim 9, wherein the passages are communicated with each other, and the compressed air introduction passage is communicated with a compressed air supply source through a compressed air supply passage. 11. A common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow passages communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the respective individual flow passages are provided. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium through a flow path, a mixed fluid of a cleaning solvent and compressed air is directly supplied to an individual flow path without passing through a common liquid chamber. Inkjet printer head characterized by the above. 12. A washing solvent introducing passage is connected to the individual passage, and the washing solvent introducing passage is made to communicate with a washing solvent supply source via a washing solvent supplying passage, and compressed air is introduced in the middle of the washing solvent introducing passage. The ink jet printer head according to claim 11, wherein the channels are communicated with each other, and the compressed air introduction channel is communicated with a compressed air supply source through a compressed air supply channel. 13. A common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the respective individual flow paths, wherein ink from an ink supply source is supplied to the common liquid chamber and the individual liquid flow paths. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium via a flow path, the compressed air introduction path is connected to the individual flow path, and the compressed air introduction path is connected to the compressed air supply path. An inkjet printer head characterized in that it is connected to a compressed air supply source via 14. The ink jet printer head according to claim 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, or 13, wherein a pressure detector is provided in each individual flow path. 15. A common liquid chamber, a plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the common liquid chamber, and nozzles corresponding to the respective individual flow paths are provided, and ink from an ink supply source is supplied to the common liquid chamber and the individual liquid flow paths. In an inkjet printer head of an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting from a nozzle to a recording medium via a flow path, an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the immediate vicinity of the individual flow path, and a pressure detector is provided in each individual flow path. The cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to the flow path, and the compressed air introduction path is communicated in the middle of the cleaning solvent introduction path.The cleaning solvent introduction path is connected to the cleaning solvent supply source via the cleaning solvent supply path, and the compressed air introduction path is An inkjet printer head, characterized in that the compressed air supply source communicates with a compressed air supply source.