JP2005254497A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lower the possibility of giving bad effects on a recording head even when ink leaks accidentally from an end of an ink feeding tube. <P>SOLUTION: A connecting part (tube joint 36) between the ink feeding tube and a damper device 14 is set at a leading end of a damper extension part 27a which is a position away from a part where the recording head 11 is loaded. The connecting part is arranged at the outside of a part of a head holder 12 where the recording head 11 is loaded. An ink weir part 12d for obstructing movement of the ink to a holder body 12c side is formed at an upper face side of a holder extension part 12b. On the other hand, a projecting part 27b located nearer to the holder body 12c side than to the ink weir part 12d is formed at a damper extension part 27a to correspond to the ink weir part 12d. Moreover, a second weir part 12e for obstructing movement of the ink to the holder body 12c side is formed nearer to the holder body 12c side of the holder extension part 12b than to the projecting part 27b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer, and more particularly to an ink jet printer that supplies ink from an ink tank to a recording head on a moving head holder through an ink supply pipe.

  In order to ensure thinness as a product, there is a demand to reduce the size of the carriage. That is, there is a demand for a configuration in which an ink tank is not mounted on the carriage. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide an ink tank on the printer frame side and supply the ink in the ink tank to the recording head on the carriage via the ink supply tube.

2. Description of the Related Art A tube supply type ink jet printer that supplies ink to a recording head mounted on a carriage that reciprocally moves from an ink tank fixed in the apparatus main body through a flexible tube is already known (for example, patents). Reference 1).
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-121583 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 3, etc.)

  With the configuration as described above, ink is leaked from the ink supply tube at the time of maintenance inspection, for example, when the recording head is replaced or when the ink supply tube is temporarily removed at the time of assembly at the factory. Ink may fall on the carriage. If the carriage is moved for recording as it is, the recording head may be wetted by the ink, and the original recording function may not be exhibited.

  In view of this, the inventor has arranged the connection portion with the ink supply tube, which is liable to leak ink, at a position away from the portion where the recording head is mounted, so that the ink leaks accidentally from the end of the ink supply tube. However, the present invention has been made based on the idea that the possibility of adversely affecting the recording head is reduced.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ink jet recording head is mounted on a head holder that moves relative to a recording medium, and is mounted on the head holder from an ink tank placed on a printer frame via an ink supply pipe. In the ink jet printer configured to supply ink to the recording head through the damper device, a connection portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device is connected to a portion of the head holder where the recording head is mounted. It is arranged outside. Here, “the connection portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device is disposed outside the portion of the head holder where the recording head is mounted” means that the portion where the recording head is mounted This means that the connection portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device is not arranged above or in the vicinity thereof.

  In this way, the connection part between the ink supply pipe (which tends to cause ink leakage) and the damper device is arranged outside the part of the head holder where the recording head is mounted. Even if ink leaks, the leaked ink does not wet the part where the recording head is mounted, and even if it tries to move to that part, the ink may dry during the movement As a result, the recording head is hardly wetted by the leaked ink. That is, even if ink leaks from the connection portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device, the ink does not hinder the function of the recording head.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, an ink jet recording head is mounted on a head holder that moves relative to a recording medium, and is mounted on the head holder from an ink tank placed on a printer frame via an ink supply pipe. In the ink jet printer configured to supply ink to the recording head via the damper device, the damper device extends outward from the damper device main body, the head holder of the holder main body on which the recording head is mounted. A damper extension portion located outside is formed, and a connection portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device is arranged in the damper extension portion.

  In this way, the connecting portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device is disposed in the damper extension located outside the holder main body on which the recording head is mounted. The connecting portion with the damper device is located away from the recording head. Therefore, even if ink leaks at the connection portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device, the recording head is hardly wetted by the leaked ink.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the second aspect, an ink passage that communicates with a bubble storage chamber of the damper device main body is formed in the damper extension portion, and the ink extension is disposed in the vicinity of a tip portion of the damper extension portion. A supply pipe connector is provided to connect the supply pipe and communicate the ink supply pipe with the ink passage.

  In this case, the ink supply pipe and the damper are provided near the tip of the damper extension portion because the ink supply pipe is connected and the supply pipe connector for connecting the ink supply pipe to the ink passage is provided. The connecting portion with the apparatus can be easily arranged at a position away from the portion where the recording head is mounted. In addition, since an ink passage leading to the bubble storage chamber of the damper device main body is formed in the damper extension portion, the bubble storage chamber in the damper device main body can be smoothly passed through the ink passage in the damper extension portion even if the connection portion is separated. Ink can flow through

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the third aspect, a holder extension portion extending outward from a holder main body is disposed below the damper extension portion so as to correspond to the damper extension portion. The holder extension portion or the damper extension portion is located below the connection portion between the connection port portion of the supply pipe connector and the ink supply pipe.

  In this way, even if ink leaks from the connection between the connection port of the supply pipe connector and the ink supply pipe, the leaked ink is received by the holder extension or the damper extension, and the ink leaks. The risk of adverse effects on other parts can be avoided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the third or fourth aspect, the ink passage is formed by a concave portion formed in the damper extension portion and a flexible film that seals ink in the concave portion. ing. Here, the concave portion may be formed on the lower surface side of the damper extension portion, or may be formed on the upper surface side. Alternatively, it may be partially formed on both sides of the upper and lower surfaces and communicated with each other through a through-hole.

  In this way, by using the flexible film, it is possible to easily form the ink passage by forming the concave portion in the damper extension portion.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the fourth or fifth aspect, an ink weir portion that prevents movement of the ink toward the holder main body is formed on the upper surface side of the holder extension portion. Here, the ink weir portion may be singular or plural.

  In this way, even if the ink drops from the connecting portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device onto the holder extension, and the ink tries to move to the holder main body (recording head) side, Ink movement is prevented.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the sixth aspect, a convex portion located on the holder main body side from the ink dam portion is formed in the damper extension portion corresponding to the ink dam portion. .

  In this way, the holder main body side is caused by the cooperative action of the upward ink weir portion from the holder extension portion toward the damper extension portion and the downward convex portion from the damper extension portion toward the holder extension portion. The function of preventing the movement of the ink to the ink is enhanced.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a second weir portion that prevents the ink from moving toward the holder main body side further toward the holder main body side than the convex portion of the holder extension portion. Is formed.

  In this way, the ink dam portion, the convex portion, and the second dam portion form a labyrinth path for the ink to flow, so that the function of preventing movement of the ink toward the holder body is further enhanced.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet printer according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the ink is supplied to the holder main body side by one or a plurality of convex wall portions or groove portions between the holder extension portion and the damper extension portion. Ink movement blocking means for blocking the movement is provided.

  If it does in this way, it will be prevented that an ink moves to the holder main body side through them by the one or several convex wall part or groove part provided between a holder extension part and a damper extension part.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, according to the present invention, the connecting portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device, which is likely to cause ink leakage, can be arranged at a position away from the portion where the recording head is mounted. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the ink to enter the portion where the recording head is mounted.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing main components of an ink jet printer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the ink jet printer head, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a recording head, a reinforcing frame, a head holder, and a damper device. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an inkjet printer 100 includes, as an inkjet printer head 1, a recording head 11 that is an ink jet type that ejects ink from nozzle holes and has a thin plate shape, and a synthetic resin on which the recording head 11 is mounted. And a head holder 12 formed of a material. The head holder 12 functions as a carriage that moves relative to the paper P (recording medium). The ink is supplied from an ink tank (not shown) via the ink supply tubes 13a to 13d (ink supply tubes) to the damper device 14 mounted on the head holder 12, temporarily stored, and then via the damper device 14. The recording head 11 is configured to supply ink. The ink tank is detachably mounted on a printer frame (not shown) and stores a large amount of ink to be supplied to the recording head 11. Although not specifically shown, a plurality of ink tanks (individual colors, that is, ink tanks for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) are provided in the printer frame for full-color recording.

  The head holder 12 is slidably supported by a rear guide member 2A and a front guide member 2B which are provided in parallel in the front and rear of the printer frame and extend in the left-right direction of the frame. The front guide member 2A has a substantially L-shaped cross section orthogonal to the slide movement direction, and the rear guide member 2B has a horizontal surface extending in the slide movement direction. A part of the endless timing belt 4 wound between the driving pulley 3A and the driven pulley 3B is connected to the head holder 12, and the driving pulley 3A is rotationally driven by the driving motor 5, thereby the head The holder 12 is configured to reciprocate in the horizontal direction of the frame along the guide members 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B via the timing belt 4. The upper part of the head holder 12 is covered with a cover 24. Although not specifically shown, the paper P can be recorded in a direction (arrow A direction in FIG. 1) perpendicular to the moving direction of the head holder 12 on the lower surface side of the recording head 11 by a known paper transport mechanism. It is conveyed by. In addition, an ink receiving part (performs ink discharge (flushing) periodically to prevent nozzle clogging during a recording operation) and a maintenance unit (cleans the nozzle surface and selects ink for each color. Also, a recovery process for suctioning and a removal process for removing bubbles (air) in the damper device 14 to be described later are performed.

  At one end side of the recording head 11, as shown in FIG. 3, ink supply ports 18a to 18d of the cavity unit 17 are opened in rows on the upper surface and provided for each ink color (four colors in this embodiment). It has been. The ink is distributed through the ink supply channels extending from the ink supply ports 18a to 18d, and the ink is ejected from the nozzles 16a to 16d by driving the piezoelectric actuator 19. The ink supply port 18a for black ink (BK) has a larger opening area than the ink supply ports 18b to 18d for cyan ink (C), yellow ink (Y), and magenta ink (M). .

  In the recording head 11, the outer shape of the piezoelectric actuator 19 is made smaller than the outer shape of the cavity unit 17 in a plan view, and the ink supply ports 18 a to 18 d are included when the piezoelectric actuator 19 is stacked on the back surface of the cavity unit 17. The back surface of the cavity unit 17 around the piezoelectric actuator 19 is exposed on the back surface side of the recording head 11.

  A flexible flat cable 20 that applies a voltage to the actuator 19 is fixed to the upper surface of the piezoelectric actuator 19. The flexible flat cable 20 includes a driver IC 21 and is electrically connected to a printed circuit board 22 (see FIG. 5) provided on the upper side of the damper device 14. The printed circuit board 22 is configured to be connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) on the printer main body side via another flexible flat cable. Since the driver IC 21 generates heat, a heat sink 23 made of aluminum alloy is pressed against the driver IC 21 to cool it (see FIG. 7), and the driver IC 21 is naturally cooled via the heat sink 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the damper device 14 divides the interior of the main body case 25 (damper device main body) with a partition wall, thereby allowing a plurality of independent damper chambers (bubble storage chambers) for each ink color. That is, a damper chamber 31a for black ink (BK), a damper chamber 31b for cyan ink (C), a damper chamber 31c for yellow ink (Y), and a damper chamber 31d for magenta ink (M) are provided.

  A main body case 25 of the damper device 14 includes a box-shaped lower case 26 whose upper surface is opened, and an upper case 27 that covers the upper surface of the lower case 26 and is fixed to the lower case 26. Both the lower case 26 and the upper case 27 are injection-molded with a synthetic resin material and are liquid-tightly coupled by ultrasonic welding or the like. The damper chambers 31a to 31d are formed by coupling the two cases 26 and 27 together. The damper chambers 31a to 31d include not only a case where each of the damper chambers 31a to 31d is formed of a single chamber, but also a case where each of the chambers is composed of a plurality of divided chambers. The damper chambers 31a to 31d communicate with the ink outlets 32a to 32d for each ink color at their end portions.

  A bottom plate 12a, which is a bottom wall of the head holder 12, is substantially parallel to the back surface of the recording head 11, and the recording head 11 is bonded to the bottom surface of the bottom plate 12a. Further, on the upper side of the bottom plate 12a of the head holder 12, a damper device 14 for temporarily storing ink and an exhaust valve means 15 for exhausting air in the damper chambers 31a to 31d of the damper device 14 (see FIG. 7). ) And are installed.

  On the lower surface of the recording head 11, two rows of black ink (BK) nozzles 16 a and a row of cyan ink (C) nozzles 16 b from the left side in FIG. 2 (view of the recording head 11 viewed from the lower surface), The row of nozzles 16c for yellow ink (Y) and the row of nozzles 16d for magenta ink (M) are formed long in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the head holder 12. The nozzles 16a to 16d are exposed downward so as to face the upper surface of the paper P.

  The ink outlets 32a to 32d are arranged side by side on the lower surface of the lower case 26, and are opened downward at a position protruding downward from the bottom plate 12a. On the other hand, the cavity unit 17 (recording head 11) has a plurality of ink supply ports 18a to 18d communicating with the end portions of the ink supply channels (manifolds) for the respective ink colors on the upper surface facing the ink outlets 32a to 32d. We are prepared for position. The ink outlets 32a to 32d of the damper chambers 31a to 31d pass through the ink passage holes 33b to 33e provided in the reinforcing frame 33, and the ink supply ports 18a to 18d of the recording head 11 and an elastic seal such as a rubber packing. It communicates via the material 34.

  The recording head 11 is fixed to the lower side of the head holder 12 with a frame-shaped reinforcing frame 33 interposed on the back surface thereof. The reinforcing frame 33 has a flat thin plate shape along the back surface of the recording head 11, and the size in the central opening 33 a of the reinforcing frame 33 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the piezoelectric actuator 19. And it is formed smaller than the outer shape of the cavity unit 17. Therefore, the reinforcing frame 33 is bonded and fixed to the back surface of the cavity unit 17 so that the piezoelectric actuator 19 and the flexible flat cable 20 are positioned in the central opening 33a.

  The reinforcing frame 33 is made of metal (for example, SUS430) and is thicker than the cavity unit 17 and has a large rigidity. The reinforcing frame 33 is disposed at one end side of the reinforcing frame 33 corresponding to the ink supply ports 18 a to 18 d of the cavity unit 17, and the ink outlet ports 32 a to 32 d of the damper device 14 and the ink supply ports 18 a to 18 d of the cavity unit 17. Ink passage holes 33a to 33d are formed in a row.

  In order to eliminate the level difference between the recording head 11 and the reinforcing frame 33 and protect the recording head 11, a U-shaped protective cover 51 located around the recording head 11 is attached to the reinforcing frame 33. Yes.

  A flange-like damper extension portion 27a protrudes laterally from the side surface of the upper case 27 (main body case 25) at a portion opposite to the portion where the ink outlets 32a to 32d are provided. 3 and 4, the ink flow paths for each ink color, that is, the respective inks for black ink (BK), cyan ink (C), yellow ink (Y), and magenta ink (M). Inflow passages 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d are formed independently, and their downstream ends communicate with the damper chambers 31a to 31d, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the upstream portions of the ink flow paths 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d are formed with recesses on the lower surface side of the damper extension 27a, and the recesses are sealed with the first flexible film 52. It is formed by stopping. Further, the downstream portion is an ink passage 35 a ′ to 35 d ′ formed on the upper surface side of the upper case 27 through the through hole 53 in the vicinity of the main body case 25. The ink passages 35 a ′ to 35 d ′ are also formed by sealing the recesses formed on the upper surface side with the second flexible film 54. The second possibility film 54 is extended to an upper side of an exhaust passage 14 which will be described later, and the exhaust passage 41 is defined.

  Further, as shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 11, the upstream ends of the ink flow paths 35a to 35d are four openings 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d opened to the upper surface. A tube joint 36 (supply pipe connector) is provided on the upper side of the damper extension 27 a via an elastic seal material 56. Accordingly, the openings 55a to 55d of the ink flow paths 35a to 35d communicate with the ink flow paths 36a 'to 36d' in the tube joint 36 through the passage holes 56a to 56d of the elastic seal material 56.

  A holder extension portion 12b of the head holder 12 is formed below the damper extension portion 27a of the upper case 27 corresponding to the damper extension portion 27a. This holder extension part 12b is extended from the upper end part of the box-shaped holder main body 12c in which the damper apparatus 14 is accommodated corresponding to the damper extension part 27a.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a tube joint 36 having an ink flow path for each ink color is elastically attached to the distal end portions of the extension portions 27 a and 12 b by springs 37.

  As a result, the connection portion between the ink supply tubes 13a to 13d and the ink flow paths 35a to 35d communicating with the damper device 14, that is, the tube joint 36, is separated from the portion (the holder main body 12c) on which the recording head 11 is mounted. By providing it at the tip of the damper extension 27a, which is the position, the head holder 12 can be disposed outside the portion where the recording head 11 is mounted.

  An ink weir 12d that prevents ink from moving toward the holder body 12c when ink drops on the holder extension 12b is formed on the upper surface of the holder extension 12b, while the damper extension 27a Further, a convex portion 27b that is located closer to the holder body 12c than the ink weir portion 12d and obstructs the movement of the ink is formed corresponding to the ink weir portion 12d. Further, a second dam portion 12e that prevents the ink from moving toward the holder main body 12c is formed on the holder main body 12c side of the holder extension portion 12b further on the holder main body 12c side. That is, a maze that prevents a smooth flow of ink is formed by the two ink weir portions 12d and 12e and the convex portion 27b.

  Further, the ink weir portion 12e is formed integrally with the side wall portions standing on both sides of the holder extension portion 12b so that both ends of the ink are almost completely moved from the holder extension portion 12b to the holder main body 12c side. To stop.

  Instead of the protruding ink dam portions 12d and 12e, a groove portion is formed at a position corresponding to the both dam portions between the side wall portions standing on both sides of the holder extension portion 12b, and the convex portion 27b is formed in the groove portion. Even if it is configured to be inserted at intervals, the same effect can be obtained.

  In this way, the ink that prevents the ink from moving toward the holder main body 12c by the single or plural convex wall portions or groove portions between the holder extension portion 12b and the damper extension portion 27a and in the vicinity of the holder main body 12c. A movement blocking means is configured.

  The tube joint 36 has tube connection ports 36a to 36d communicating with the ink flow paths 36a 'to 36d' inside, and one end portion of the tube connection ports 36a to 36d communicates with the ink tank. The other end portions of the ink supply tubes 13a to 13d are detachably connected. Both extension portions 27a and 12b are positioned below the connection portion between the tube connection port portions 36a to 36d and the ink supply tubes 13a to 13d, and receive ink that has leaked and dropped from the connection portion. Note that only one of the extension portions 27a and 12b may receive ink that has leaked and dropped from the connection portion. The tube joint 36 is integrally provided with a locking portion 36e for locking the flexible flat cable 20 'for connecting the printed circuit board 22 and the printed circuit board on the main body side.

  Further, the recording head 11 is provided below the bottom plate 12a of the holder main body 12c, and the entire periphery (or part thereof) of the openings 12f and 12g formed in the bottom plate 12a of the holder main body 12c. A convex wall portion 12h that prevents ink from entering the openings 12f and 12g is provided.

  Such measures are taken to the plurality of openings 12f for filling the adhesive S for bonding and fixing the upper surface side of the recording head 11 below the bottom plate 12a of the head holder 12 and the recording head 11. A flat flexible cable 20 for electrical wiring is a slit-shaped opening 12g through which the bottom plate 12a of the head holder 12 passes. A sealant F is filled between the slit-shaped opening 12 g and the flexible flat cable 20.

  Further, on the upper surface side of the upper case 27, exhaust passages 41 each having one end communicating with the upper space portions of the damper chambers 31a to 31d are respectively recessed (four) for each ink color. The other end of the exhaust passage 41 extends across the main body case 25 and communicates with the upper end of the exhaust hole 42 for each ink color formed through the lower case 26. The exhaust passages 41 are defined by covering their open upper surfaces with the second flexible film 54.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, screw holes 33 f and 33 g are provided at the corners of the reinforcing frame 33. In correspondence with the screw holes 33f and 33g, flange-like attachment portions 14a projecting in the outer peripheral direction are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the damper device 14, and the attachment holes 14b are formed in the respective attachment portions 14a. Then, the screw 28 as a fastening member is screwed into the screw holes 33f and 33g through the respective mounting holes 14b, whereby the damper device 14 is fixed to the upper surface of the reinforcing frame 33 bonded and fixed to the lower surface of the bottom plate 12a. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, each exhaust hole 42 is slidably provided with a valve body 44 that allows the exhaust hole 42 to communicate with the atmosphere or blocks the communication. The valve body 44 includes a large-diameter valve portion 44a, a small-diameter valve rod 44b integrally connected to the lower end thereof, and a seal member 44c fitted in the valve rod 44b in contact with the valve portion 44a. The communication port 42a in the middle is configured to be opened and closed by the valve portion 57a. A spring member 45 that urges the valve portion 44a in a direction to close the communication port 42a is provided in the exhaust hole 42.

  In the normal state, the valve body 44 is always pressed downward by the spring member 45, and the valve member 44 is closed through the seal member 44c to close the communication port 42a. On the other hand, when the head holder 12 moves to the standby position, the valve rod 44b is pushed upward by a projecting shaft portion of a maintenance unit (not shown), and the valve portion 44a and the seal member 44c are separated from the communication port 42a. The valve is open. In this state, by driving a suction pump (not shown), air (bubbles) accumulated in each damper chamber is sucked together and discharged to the atmosphere.

  In this way, by temporarily storing the ink supplied from the ink tank to the recording head 11 through the ink supply tubes 13a to 13d in the damper chambers 31a to 31d in the middle of the ink flow path, bubbles are generated from the ink. The air (bubbles) separated and floated and accumulated in the upper space of the damper chambers 31a to 31d can be discharged by the suction pump.

  Next, the cavity unit 17 constituting the recording head 11 includes a nozzle plate having a large number of nozzles arranged in a row on the front surface, and a plurality of intermediate plates that are sequentially stacked on the front surface to form an ink flow path. It has a structure in which it is overlapped with an adhesive. Other plates excluding the nozzle fret made of synthetic resin (for example, polyimide resin) are made of nickel alloy steel plates and have a thickness of about 50 to 150 μm. In the nozzle plate, a large number of nozzles 16a to 16d having a minute diameter (about 25 μm in the embodiment) are formed at minute intervals. As described above, the nozzles 16a to 16d are arranged in five rows in a staggered manner along the long side direction of the nozzle plate.

  Then, an adhesive sheet 19 ′ made of an ink non-permeable synthetic resin material as an adhesive is attached in advance to the entire lower surface of the plate-type piezoelectric actuator 19, and then the piezoelectric sheet is applied to the upper side of the cavity unit 17. The actuator 19 is bonded and fixed in a predetermined positional relationship. Further, the flexible flat cable 20 is overlaid on the upper surface of the piezoelectric actuator 19 so that a large number of wiring patterns (not shown) in the flexible flat cable 20 and a large number of electrodes on the piezoelectric actuator are electrically connected. To be joined.

  In order to apply the sealant F between the periphery of the flexible flat cable 20 (opening 12g), the tip of the needle 71 is followed by the flat surface 12k around the opening 12g, as shown in FIG. By making the trunk portion contact and support the corner portion of the convex wall portion 12h, the flat surface 12k and the convex wall portion 12h can function as a guide portion for the needle 71 and can be stably applied. That is, when applying the sealant, it is avoided that the needle (metal needle, hard resin needle, etc.) moves carelessly and damages the flat flexible cable 20.

  Even if ink enters the opening 12g, the sealing agent F prevents the ink from entering the bottom 12a of the head holder 12 through the opening 12g.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the ink jet printer head is replaced, when the ink supply tube is temporarily removed during assembly at the factory, or when the ink supply tube and the tube connection ports 36a to 36e are used. Even if ink leaks from the connection portion, the tube connection ports 36a to 36e are connected to the piezoelectric actuator 19 of the recording head 11, the flexible flat cable 20 connected thereto, and the driver by the damper extension portion 27a and the holder extension portion 12b. Since the electronic component is located away from the electronic component such as the IC 21, the electronic component is not wetted with ink. Further, even if the ink dropped on the holder extension 12b is tilted so that the holder main body 12c side faces down, the ink dams 12d and 12e and the protrusion 27b prevent the ink from moving toward the electronic component. Even if the ink exceeds the ink weir 12e, the convex wall portion 12h prevents the entry into the openings 12f and 12g, and the adhesive and the filler filled in the openings 12f and 12g are affected by the ink. Ink does not enter the connecting portion between the piezoelectric actuator 19 and the flexible flat cable 20.

  Therefore, an electrical short-circuit accident caused by ink adhering to the recording head 11, particularly the electronic component, is solved.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the main components of the inkjet printer which concerns on this invention. It is a bottom view of an inkjet printer head. It is a disassembled perspective view of a recording head, a reinforcing frame, a head holder, and a damper device. 1 is a plan view partially showing a cross section of an inkjet printer head according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing in the VV line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the VI-VI line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the VII-VII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the VIII-VIII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the IX-IX line of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a holder extension part, a damper extension part, an elastic sealing material, a tube joint, and a spring. It is a schematic plan view of a damper extension part. It is explanatory drawing of sealing agent application | coating.

Explanation of symbols

P paper 100 inkjet printer 1 inkjet printer head 2A front guide member 2B rear guide member 3A drive pulley 3B driven pulley 4 timing belt 11 recording head 12 head holder 12a bottom plate 12b holder extension 12c holder body 12d, 12e ink weir 13a to 13d Ink supply tube 14 Damper device 16a to 16d Nozzle 25 Main body case 26 Lower case 27 Upper case 27a Damper extension 27b Convex portion 31a to 31d Damper chamber 35a to 35d, 35a 'to 35d' Ink passage 36 Tube joint 52 First Flexible membrane 54 Second flexible membrane

Claims (9)

An ink jet recording head is mounted on a head holder that moves relative to a recording medium, and the recording is performed from an ink tank mounted on a printer frame via an ink supply pipe and a damper device mounted on the head holder. In an inkjet printer configured to supply ink to a head,
An ink jet printer, wherein a connection portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device is disposed outside a portion of the head holder on which the recording head is mounted. An ink jet recording head is mounted on a head holder that moves relative to a recording medium, and the recording is performed from an ink tank mounted on a printer frame via an ink supply pipe and a damper device mounted on the head holder. In an inkjet printer configured to supply ink to a head,
Formed in the damper device is a damper extension portion that extends outward from the damper device main body and is positioned outside the holder main body of the head holder on which the recording head is mounted,
An ink jet printer characterized in that a connecting portion between the ink supply pipe and the damper device is disposed in the damper extension portion. In the damper extension portion, an ink passage leading to the bubble storage chamber of the damper device main body is formed,
3. An ink jet printer according to claim 2, wherein a supply pipe connecting tool is provided near the tip of the damper extension, and the ink supply pipe is connected to communicate the ink supply pipe with the ink passage. Below the damper extension, a holder extension that extends outward from the holder body is disposed in correspondence with the damper extension,
4. The ink jet printer according to claim 3, wherein the holder extension part or the damper extension part is located below a connection part between the connection port part of the supply pipe connector and the ink supply pipe.   5. The ink jet printer according to claim 3, wherein the ink passage is formed by a concave portion formed in the damper extension portion and a flexible film for sealing ink in the concave portion.   6. The ink jet printer according to claim 4, wherein an ink weir portion that prevents ink from moving toward the holder main body is formed on an upper surface side of the holder extension portion.   7. The ink jet printer according to claim 6, wherein a convex portion located on the holder main body side from the ink dam portion is formed in the damper extension portion corresponding to the ink dam portion.   8. The inkjet according to claim 7, wherein a second dam portion for preventing movement of ink toward the holder main body is formed further on the holder main body side of the holder extension portion than the convex portion. Printer.   Ink movement blocking means for blocking ink movement toward the holder body is provided between the holder extension portion and the damper extension portion by one or a plurality of convex wall portions or groove portions. The ink jet printer according to claim 4 or 5.

Images