JP2006056116A - Liquid jet head and method of thermally insulating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jet head capable of preventing an ejection material existing in a nozzle from being dried, and a method of retaining moisture of the liquid jet head. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid jet head 1 has a gas ejection groove 4 at least at a part of a portion in a periphery of a nozzle array 2 consisting of nozzle opening sections 2a. The gas ejected from the gas ejection groove 4 forms an air curtain for separating an outer air existing in a nozzle-exposed region where the nozzle opening sections 2a are exposed to the atmospheric air from an outer air existing in a region except the nozzle-exposed region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid such as ink toward an object to be ejected such as recording paper based on print data and the like, and a method for moisturizing a nozzle provided in the liquid ejecting head. Relates to a liquid ejecting head capable of preventing nozzle clogging by moisturizing the nozzle and a method of moisturizing the liquid ejecting head.

  An ink jet recording apparatus can perform printing by ejecting droplets from a liquid ejecting head onto an ejected object such as paper or a substrate with high accuracy and high density. For this reason, the ink jet recording apparatus is used not only as a color printer but also for various purposes, such as being used when manufacturing electronic components.

  The jetting material such as ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus is generally a liquid mixture obtained by mixing a recording material to be recorded on a jetted object, such as a pigment or a dye, in a liquid solvent. . For this reason, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the ejecting substance is pressurized in the pressure chamber of the liquid ejecting head, ejected as droplets from the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, and then the liquid solvent evaporates on the ejected object. By doing so, the recording material remains on the ejected object, and desired printing is performed.

  As described above, in the liquid ejecting head, since the ejecting material is ejected from the opening of the nozzle, the opening of the nozzle is in a condition of being exposed to the outside air. Therefore, the propellant at the nozzle opening tends to increase in viscosity and solidify due to evaporation of the liquid solvent due to contact with the outside air. Such an increase in the viscosity of the propellant and solidification of the propellant cause clogging of the nozzle opening, the droplet of the propellant is not ejected from the nozzle, the droplet is not ejected to a predetermined position, Cause poor discharge.

  Therefore, for the purpose of preventing ejection failure in the liquid ejecting head, a capping mechanism for capping the liquid ejecting head is provided so that the liquid in the nozzle opening is not dried when the ejecting material is not ejected. It has been known.

  As an example of the capping mechanism, FIG. 13 shows a liquid ejecting head 301 whose nozzles are capped by the capping mechanism 300. A capping mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 13 generally includes a cap member 302 that covers the liquid ejecting head 301, a pneumatic cylinder 303 that moves up and down to press the cap member 302 against the liquid ejecting head 301, and the cap member 302. And a discharge section 304 for discharging the liquid and solvent accumulated in the container.

  With the above configuration, when the liquid ejecting head 301 is not performing liquid ejecting, the pneumatic cylinder 303 is moved toward the liquid ejecting head 301, and the cap member 302 is pressed against the liquid ejecting head 301, thereby liquid ejecting. Cap the head 301. In this way, the liquid ejecting head 301 is blocked from the outside air, and the blocked space is maintained in a high-concentration solvent atmosphere close to the saturated vapor pressure of the liquid solvent contained in the propellant. As a result, the evaporation amount of the liquid solvent in the propellant is made minute from the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head 301, and drying and solidification of the propellant at the nozzle opening is prevented.

Patent Document 1 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus that keeps the inside of the capping unit moist by discharging the moisturizing liquid into the capping unit immediately before the cap operation, thereby suppressing clogging of the nozzle opening. Is disclosed.
JP 2001-18408 A (published January 23, 2001)

  In the conventional capping mechanism, an effect of preventing the drying of the sprayed material in the nozzle can be expected while the liquid jet head is capped. However, when ejecting the ejected material, it is necessary to remove the liquid ejecting head from the capping mechanism and move it to a predetermined position on the object to be ejected. Therefore, during the movement period of the liquid jet head, the opening of the nozzle is exposed to the outside air, and the liquid solvent evaporates from the jetting material in the opening of the nozzle.

  In particular, when the moving distance from the capping mechanism to a predetermined position on the object to be ejected is long and the nozzle is not capped for a long time, or at the operating temperature of the ink jet recording apparatus, the vapor pressure of the solvent contained in the ejected material is high. When it is large, the viscosity of the propellant increases rapidly, and the propellant tends to solidify. Therefore, there is a problem that the nozzle of the liquid jet head is likely to be clogged.

  As described above, in order to prevent the spray material from being dried at the nozzle that is generated while the liquid ejecting head is away from the capping mechanism and is not ejecting the spray material, for example, the capping mechanism is disposed near the target object. For example, a plurality of capping mechanisms may be provided, or the capping mechanism may be moved together with the liquid ejecting head. However, the change in the arrangement position of the capping mechanism restricts the arrangement position of other members provided in the ink jet recording apparatus, and also restricts the type of solvent used for the propellant, the size of the injection target, and the like. .

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is an injection material at a nozzle which is generated while the liquid injection head is not ejecting the injection material away from the capping mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid jet head capable of preventing the drying and solidification of the liquid and a moisturizing method thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid ejecting head according to the present invention is a liquid ejecting head configured to perform recording with the ejecting material by ejecting the predetermined ejecting material from a nozzle, and at least a predetermined period. And at least a part of the periphery of the nozzle has a barrier for separating the outside air existing in the exposed area where the nozzle is exposed to the outside air and the outside air existing outside the exposed area. It is characterized by being.

  According to said structure, since the barrier is provided in at least one part of the circumference | surroundings of the said nozzle, outside air which exists in the exposed area | region where the nozzle is exposed with respect to outside air, and area | regions (henceforth, hereinafter) It is possible to separate the outside air existing in the outer space. Thereby, the exchange of the outside air between the exposed region and the outside space is suppressed. That is, the outside air in the outside space is difficult to enter the exposed area, and the outside air is difficult to escape from the exposed area to the outside space.

  In general, an ejecting material ejected from a liquid ejecting head is formed by mixing a recording material such as a pigment or a dye or a resin composition in a liquid solvent. As described above, since the nozzle is exposed to the outside air and exposed to the outside air, the liquid solvent contained in the spray material of the nozzle portion is likely to evaporate to the outside air.

  Therefore, as described above, by providing a barrier around the nozzle, it is possible to make it difficult for the liquid solvent evaporated from the spray material of the nozzle to escape from the exposed region. As a result, the vapor of the liquid solvent is confined in the exposed region, and the exposed region becomes a liquid solvent atmosphere. Therefore, evaporation of the liquid solvent from the propellant present in the nozzle is suppressed to a minute amount, and the propellant Can be prevented from drying and solidifying.

  In addition, by providing a barrier around the nozzle, it is possible to suppress the inflow of outside air from the outside space into the exposed area. Therefore, the barrier can also prevent the nozzle from being exposed to the outside air and promoting the drying of the spray material in the nozzle.

  As described above, by using the liquid ejecting head having the barrier, the ejected material from the liquid ejecting head is moved while the liquid ejecting head is moved to the ejecting position or moved to the standby position where the liquid ejecting head is not ejected. During the period when the injection material is not injected and the nozzle injection material is concerned about drying, such as during the creation or transmission of the injection data for injecting the liquid, the nozzle is clogged due to the drying of the injection material. It is possible to prevent a discharge failure from occurring. Therefore, even if the movement of the liquid ejecting head and the creation or transmission of the ejection data are performed in parallel, the ejection material is dried by the nozzle during these operations, and ejection failure of the ejection material occurs. This can prevent the liquid jet head from operating efficiently.

  In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the liquid ejecting head includes a gas ejecting unit that ejects a gas for forming the barrier on at least a part of the periphery of the nozzle.

  According to said structure, the barrier by the gas injected from the gas injection part, ie, an air curtain, can be formed. Therefore, the exposed area and the outer space are separated by the air curtain, so that the exchange of the outside air between the exposed area and the outer space can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vapor of the liquid solvent that fills the exposed area from flowing into the outer space, and to prevent the outside air from flowing into the exposed area, thereby reducing the drying and solidification of the propellant in the nozzle. Thus, clogging of the nozzle can be prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention, in the liquid ejecting head, the gas ejecting unit is connected to an ejecting angle control unit for adjusting an ejecting direction of the gas ejected from the gas ejecting unit. Also good.

  In the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention, in the liquid ejecting head, the gas ejecting unit is connected to an ejecting flow rate control unit for adjusting an ejecting flow rate of the gas ejected from the gas ejecting unit. Also good.

  According to each configuration described above, since the gas injection unit is connected to the injection angle control unit and / or the injection flow rate control unit, the gas injection direction and / or the injection flow rate can be adjusted. Thus, the air curtain can be formed by adjusting the injection direction and / or the injection flow rate of the gas injected from the gas injection unit so that the drying of the injection material present in the nozzle is most suppressed. Therefore, with each of the above-described configurations, it is possible to prevent the ejection material from being dried and solidified at the nozzle and to prevent ejection failure of the liquid ejection head.

  In addition, gas ejection is performed in accordance with changes in the flow of outside air that occurs in the exposed area or in the outer space, changes in the positional relationship between the liquid ejecting head ejecting the ejected material and the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head, and the like. The direction and / or the injection flow rate can be adjusted. Therefore, the air curtain which is a barrier can be formed by each said structure so that the said exposure area | region and outer space may be isolate | separated suitably.

  In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect of the invention, in the liquid ejecting head, a shielding part protruding from the nozzle may be provided on at least a part of the periphery of the nozzle so as to form the barrier. .

  According to said structure, since the shielding part is provided so that it may protrude rather than a nozzle, the effect similar to the said air curtain can be anticipated. That is, by providing the shielding part, it is possible to suppress the movement of the vapor of the liquid solvent and the outside air between the exposed region and the outer space, and to prevent the sprayed material of the nozzle from drying and solidifying. Accordingly, the ejection of the liquid ejecting head can be reduced by preventing the nozzle from being clogged during a period in which the ejection of the ejecting material is not performed and the spraying material of the nozzle is likely to be dried.

  In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect of the invention, in the liquid ejecting head, the protruding amount of the shielding portion may be variable.

  According to the above configuration, even when the positional relationship between the ejection target ejected by the liquid ejecting head and the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head changes, by adjusting the protrusion amount of the shielding portion, The exposed region and the outer space can be preferably separated. Thereby, the movement of the vapor | steam of liquid solvent and external air between the said exposure area | region and external space can be suppressed suitably, and drying and solidification of the injection substance in a nozzle can be prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid ejecting head may further include a moisture retaining member for retaining moisture in the exposed area separated by the barrier.

  According to said structure, it has a moisturizing member for moisturizing the inside of said exposed area. For this reason, since the exposed area is moistened by the moisturizing member, evaporation of the liquid solvent from the propellant in the nozzle can be suppressed, and drying of the propellant can be further reduced.

  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, the liquid ejection head moisturizing method according to the present invention provides a liquid ejection head having a nozzle that ejects a predetermined ejection material when the liquid ejection head waits for ejection of the ejection material. It is characterized by injecting gas from a gas injection unit provided at least at a part around the nozzle.

  According to said method, the above-mentioned exposed area | region and external space can be isolate | separated by the air curtain formed with the gas injected from the gas injection part. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ejection material from being dried from the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head, and to prevent ejection failure of the ejected material from the liquid ejecting head.

  Further, the liquid ejecting head moisturizing method according to the present invention is the above-described liquid ejecting head moisturizing method, wherein the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head is disposed at a position facing the opposing member. Gas may be injected.

  According to the above method, when the liquid ejecting head is opposed to an opposed member such as an ejected object for ejecting the ejected material or a mounting table on which the ejected object is placed, the gas ejecting unit ejects the gas. It has become. Therefore, since the exposed region can be a shielded space surrounded by the air curtain formed by the jetted gas and the opposing member, the nozzle is sealed from the outside air. can do. Thereby, since the inside of the said shielding space can be made into a liquid solvent atmosphere, the evaporation amount of the liquid solvent contained in a propellant can be made into a minute quantity, and the drying and solidification of the propellant in a nozzle can be prevented.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting head moisturizing method, wherein the liquid ejecting head moisturizing method adjusts at least one of a gas ejecting direction and an ejecting flow rate according to a flow of outside air around the liquid ejecting head. And you may inject gas from the said gas injection part.

  According to the above method, it is possible to respond to a change in the flow of outside air that occurs in the exposed area or the outer space, a change in the positional relationship between the ejected material that the liquid ejecting head ejects the ejected material and the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head, Thus, the gas injection direction and / or the injection flow rate can be adjusted. Thus, the air curtain is formed so that the exposed region and the outer space are well separated even during a period when the liquid ejecting head does not eject the ejecting material and there is a concern about drying of the ejecting material of the nozzle. Can do.

  As described above, the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention includes the outside air present in the exposed area where the nozzle is exposed to the outside air at least at a part of the periphery of the nozzle for at least a predetermined period, and the exposed area. It has a barrier to separate the outside air that exists outside.

  Therefore, it is possible to separate the outside air existing in the exposed area and the outside air existing in the outside space other than the exposed area by the barrier. This makes it difficult for outside air to enter the exposed area, makes it difficult for outside air to escape from the exposed area to the outside space, and the exposed area can be filled with the liquid solvent contained in the propellant. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the evaporation of the liquid solvent from the propellant in the exposed region to a minute amount, thereby preventing the propellant from being dried and solidified, and preventing the ejection failure of the liquid ejecting head.

  In addition, as described above, the liquid ejecting head moisturizing method according to the present invention provides a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects a predetermined ejecting substance when the liquid ejecting head is waiting to eject the ejecting substance. A gas is injected from a gas injection unit provided in at least a part of the gas.

  Therefore, the air curtain formed by the gas jetted from the gas jetting unit can separate the exposed area and the outer space, so that the sprayed substance is prevented from drying and solidifying with the nozzle, There is an effect that the ejection failure of the liquid ejecting head can be prevented.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 as follows.

  FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a gas ejecting mechanism connected to the liquid ejecting head and the liquid ejecting mechanism, and FIG. 2 shows a surface of the liquid ejecting head on which a nozzle row is formed.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a liquid ejecting head 1 disposed so as to face an ejected object (opposing member) such as a recording sheet, and each of the ejected object and the liquid ejecting head 1 is moved. By repeating, recording is performed. That is, the liquid ejecting head 1 moves in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the ejected object, and in accordance with this movement, the ejecting substance obtained by mixing a recording substance such as a pigment, a dye, or a resin composition with a liquid solvent. And dots for a predetermined line based on the print data are formed on the ejection target. In this way, when dots for a predetermined line are formed, the ejection target is transported in the transport direction, and dots for the next predetermined line are formed. As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus, printing on the ejection target is performed by repeating the relative movement of the liquid ejection head 1 and the ejection target.

  As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus includes the liquid ejecting head 1 for ejecting the ejected material onto the ejected object. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting head 1 is provided in an ink jet recording apparatus in a state of being fixed to a head base 5.

  The liquid ejecting head 1 includes a liquid ejecting mechanism 13 that performs control for ejecting the ejected material from the liquid ejecting head 1 and an opening portion of the nozzle row 2 from which the ejected material of the liquid ejecting head 1 is ejected. A gas injection mechanism 12 that performs control for injecting gas from around a certain nozzle opening (nozzle) 2a is connected. The gas ejecting mechanism 12 and the liquid ejecting mechanism 13 may be provided in the liquid ejecting head 1 or may be provided in an ink jet recording apparatus separately from the liquid ejecting head 1. Alternatively, a part of the members constituting the gas ejecting mechanism 12 and the liquid ejecting mechanism 13 may be disposed in the liquid ejecting head 1 and the remaining members may be disposed in the ink jet recording apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid jet head 1 includes a rectangular nozzle plate 3 in which a nozzle row 2 including a plurality of nozzle openings 2 a is formed on a surface facing the ejected object. . Further, the liquid ejecting head 1 has a liquid chamber (not shown) for ejecting an ejecting substance on the side opposite to the side facing the object to be ejected, that is, on the rear side of the nozzle plate 3. The nozzle opening 2a is an opening for ejecting the spray material as droplets onto the object to be ejected. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the nozzle openings 2a are arranged in a line in the moving direction of the liquid ejecting head 1. Column 2 is formed.

  The nozzle plate 3 is not necessarily rectangular, and may have various shapes such as an elliptical shape and a circular shape. Further, the nozzle row 2 may be one row as described above, or may be two or more rows. When the nozzle rows are formed in two or more rows, the arrangement of the nozzle openings may be the same in each row, or may be different in each row such that the nozzle openings are provided alternately.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejecting head 1 is provided with a gas ejecting groove (gas ejecting section) 4 so as to surround the nozzle plate 3. The gas injection groove 4 has an opening that opens in the shape of a long hole for injecting gas on the side facing the object to be injected, and on the rear side opposite to the side facing the object to be injected. Has an inlet (not shown) through which gas flows. That is, the gas injection groove 4 is configured such that the gas flowing in from the inflow port passes through the inside and blows from the opening to the injection target.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gas injection groove 4 may be formed so as to surround the entire nozzle row 2, or may be formed in a part of the periphery of the nozzle row 2. Alternatively, a plurality of gas injection grooves may be provided so as to surround each nozzle opening 2a or to collectively surround several nozzle openings 2a. Further, the groove shape of the gas injection groove 4 may be a long hole shape as shown in FIG. 2, or may be a round hole shape, an elliptic hole shape, or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the gas injection groove 4 is fixed to the head base 5 while being attached so as to surround the periphery of the nozzle plate 3. Therefore, when the gas is injected from the gas injection groove 4, a barrier (hereinafter referred to as an air curtain) by the gas injected from the gas injection groove 4 is formed so as to surround the nozzle row 2. By forming the air curtain, a region where the nozzle opening 2a is exposed to the outside air (exposed region), specifically, the nozzle plate 3 provided with the nozzle opening 2a and the injection object or the injection target are mounted. A region (hereinafter referred to as a nozzle exposure region) facing the mounting table (opposing member) to be placed, and a region (hereinafter referred to as outer space) where the nozzle plate 3 and the object to be ejected or the mounting table are not opposed to each other are formed. Thus, the outside air existing in the nozzle exposure area and the outside air existing in the outside space are separated by the air curtain, so that the outside air hardly enters from the outside space into the nozzle exposure area. Drying of the propellant in the part 2a can be prevented.

  Furthermore, by forming the air curtain, the liquid solvent evaporated from the sprayed material in the nozzle opening 2a becomes difficult to escape to the outer space and stays in the nozzle exposure region. In addition, when the liquid ejecting head 1 is positioned so as to face the object to be ejected, the inventors have confirmed that the liquid solvent has condensed on the object to be ejected immediately below the nozzle opening 2a. ing. Therefore, when the condensed liquid solvent evaporates, the inside of the nozzle exposure region can be maintained in a high concentration liquid solvent atmosphere.

  Therefore, by forming the air curtain, the nozzle exposure area can be kept wet with the liquid solvent contained in the propellant. Thereby, evaporation of the liquid solvent from the propellant present in the nozzle opening 2a can be suppressed, and an increase in viscosity and solidification of the propellant in the nozzle opening 2a can be prevented.

  In particular, when the liquid ejecting head 1 is in a state of being opposed to the ejected object or the mounting table, when the gas is blown from the gas ejection groove 4 toward the ejected object or the mounting table, the nozzle exposure region is: It will be surrounded by an air curtain and a to-be-injected object or a mounting base. Therefore, the nozzle exposure region becomes a shielded space that is blocked from the outer space, and the effect of preventing the spray material from drying out at the nozzle opening 2a can be further enhanced.

  As described above, when gas is sprayed from the gas ejection groove 4, the gas diffuses on the ejected object or the mounting table in accordance with the angle sprayed on the injection target or the mounting table. Specifically, for example, when a gas is blown vertically onto the object to be ejected or the mounting table, the gas diffuses in all directions on the object to be ejected. The gas blown to the injection target or the mounting table plays the role of an air curtain as described above, and if it flows to the nozzle row 2 side, the drying of the injection material present in the nozzle openings 2a may be promoted. There is. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the injection direction of the gas from the gas injection groove 4 so that the gas does not flow into the nozzle row 2 side. Specifically, if the injection direction of the gas from the gas injection groove 4 is adjusted so that the gas is injected toward the outer space direction rather than the vertical direction with respect to the injection target or the mounting table. Good.

  The gas ejected from the gas ejection groove 4 is not particularly limited as long as it functions as the air curtain, and a solvent gas obtained by evaporating air, nitrogen, or a liquid solvent is mixed with air or nitrogen. What is necessary is just to use.

  As described above, the liquid ejecting mechanism 13 is connected to the liquid ejecting head 1 in order to eject the ejected material from the liquid ejecting head 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting mechanism 13 includes a liquid suction pump 8, an ejecting substance tank 9, a piezoelectric actuator (not shown), a driver 10, and a control circuit 11.

  The propellant tank 9 stores the propellant and supplies the propellant to a liquid chamber (not shown) provided behind the liquid ejecting head 1. The liquid suction pump 8 is inserted between the jetting substance tank 9 and the liquid chamber, sucks ink from the jetting substance tank 9, and supplies the jetting substance to the liquid chamber. By switching ON / OFF of the liquid suction pump 8, the supply of the injection material to the liquid chamber can be started / stopped.

  The piezoelectric actuator pressurizes the liquid chamber, and ink is ejected from the nozzle openings 2a of the nozzle row 2 by the pressurizing operation of the liquid chamber by the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is driven by the driver 10, and the control circuit 11 controls the piezoelectric actuator and the driver 10.

  On the other hand, a gas ejecting mechanism 12 is connected to the liquid ejecting head 1 in order to eject gas from the gas ejecting groove 4 of the liquid ejecting head 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas injection mechanism 12 includes a gas electromagnetic valve 6 and a gas regulator 7. The gas regulator 7 adjusts the pressure (air pressure) when gas is injected from the gas injection groove 4, and the gas electromagnetic valve 6 switches gas on and off to inject gas from the gas injection groove 4. I have control.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a capping mechanism 50 that caps the liquid jet head 1 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the capping mechanism 50 generally includes a cap member 52, a pneumatic cylinder 53, and a discharge portion 54.

  The cap member 52 covers the nozzle row 2 and blocks the nozzle opening 2a from the outside air when the ejection material is not ejected from the liquid ejecting head 1. The pneumatic cylinder 53 is provided to enable the cap member 52 to advance and retract with respect to the liquid jet head 1. That is, the pneumatic cylinder 53 moves the cap member 52 up and down so as to press the cap member 52 against the liquid jet head 1. Further, the discharge part 53 is provided for discharging the propellant accumulated in the cap member 52 and the liquid solvent contained in the propellant.

  In the capping mechanism 50 having the above configuration, the capping operation of the liquid ejecting head 1 is performed as follows. That is, when the liquid ejecting head 1 is arranged at a cap position to be capped by the cap member 52 of the capping mechanism 50, the cap member 52 is moved to the liquid ejecting head 1 side by the pneumatic cylinder 53. Then, the liquid ejecting head 1 is capped by pressing the cap member 52 against the liquid ejecting head 1 so as to cover the nozzle row 2 (FIG. 1) provided on the nozzle plate 3 of the liquid ejecting head 1.

  As a result, the nozzle row 2 is sealed from the outside air, and the liquid solvent contained in the propellant is moisturized by the liquid solvent evaporated from the propellant present in the nozzle opening 2a or in the cap member 52. By supplying as an agent, a high concentration liquid solvent atmosphere is formed. By forming such a liquid solvent atmosphere, in the cap member 52, the evaporation amount of the liquid solvent contained in the injection material in the nozzle opening 2a of the liquid injection head is set to a minute amount, and the injection material in the nozzle opening 2a Can be prevented from drying and solidifying.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, the cap member 52 is provided with an injection port for injecting a cleaning liquid for cleaning the nozzle row 2 so that the nozzle is cleaned after the cap of the liquid jet head 1. May be. The cleaning liquid may be discharged from the discharge port 53. Alternatively, after a suction pump (not shown) is connected to the cap member 52 and the liquid ejecting head 1 is capped, a suction discharge process for forcibly discharging the ejected substance of the ink opening 2a is performed by the suction pump. Also good. The capping mechanism 50 may be provided with a wiping member made of an elastic member or the like for wiping off the spray material adhering to the nozzle row 2 to clean the nozzle opening 2a.

  On the other hand, when the cap of the liquid ejecting head 1 is removed by the capping mechanism 50, the cap member 52 is moved in the direction away from the liquid ejecting head 1 by the pneumatic cylinder 53. As a result, the cap member 52 is detached from the liquid jet head 1 and the nozzle row 2 is exposed to the outside air.

  The capping mechanism 50 is configured such that the cap member 52 moves so as to cover the liquid ejecting head 1. However, the liquid ejecting head 1 is moved by a pneumatic cylinder or the like so as to be capped by the cap member 52. It may be configured to.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, the moisture retention process is performed on the nozzle row 2 of the liquid ejecting head 1 when the ejection of the ejecting material by the liquid ejecting head 1 is on standby. That is, when the liquid ejecting head 1 is capped by the capping mechanism 50 or when the ejecting material is ejected, the nozzle row 2 is in a wet state, and thus the above moisturizing process is not necessary.

  Further, when gas is ejected from the gas ejection groove 4 in a state where the liquid ejecting head 1 is capped, the pressure in the space in the cap member 52 is increased. Due to such an increase in pressure, the ejected material in the nozzle opening 2 a is pushed back to a liquid chamber (not shown) provided behind the nozzle plate 3 of the liquid ejecting head 1. As a result, a non-ejection phenomenon in which the ejected material is not ejected from the liquid ejecting head 1 is caused, and there is a problem that good recording on the ejected object is prevented.

  Furthermore, when gas is ejected from the gas ejection groove 4 while ejecting material is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 1, there is a problem in that drying of the ejecting material immediately after ejection from the liquid ejecting head 1 is delayed. Arise.

  Therefore, the moisturizing process is performed while the liquid ejecting head 1 moves to the ejection position of the ejected material on the ejected object, or while the liquid ejecting head 1 moves to the cap position by the cap member 52 after the ejection of the ejected substance. Etc., while the liquid ejecting head 1 is away from the capping mechanism 50 and is not ejecting the ejected material.

  The moisturizing operation is performed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating the moisturizing processing operation. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the same step number is attached to the step performing the same processing.

  That is, in the moisturizing process, as shown in FIG. 4, first, in S1, it is determined whether or not the liquid ejecting head 1 is operating the capping mechanism 50 capped by the cap member 52. If so, the operation of S1 is repeated to check whether the capping mechanism 50 is operating. On the other hand, if the capping mechanism 50 is not operating in S1, the process proceeds to S2. In S2, it is determined whether or not the liquid ejecting head 1 is ejecting a spray material. If the spray material is being sprayed, the process returns to S1. On the other hand, if the injection material is not injected in S2, the process proceeds to S3, the gas electromagnetic valve 6 shown in FIG. 1 is turned on, the gas is injected from the gas injection groove 4, and the process returns to S1 again.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a new step S <b> 4 is provided between S <b> 2 and S <b> 3 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the air curtain and the injection target formed by gas injection from the gas injection groove 4. Alternatively, the moisturizing process may be performed by surrounding the above-described nozzle exposed area with a mounting table and closing the nozzle exposed area from the outer space. Thereby, since the said nozzle exposure area turns into the shielding space interrupted | blocked from the outer space, the drying prevention effect of the injection substance in the nozzle opening part 2a can be improved further.

  Specifically, if the liquid ejecting head 1 is not ejecting the ejected material in S2 shown in FIG. 5, the process proceeds to S4. In S4, it is determined whether or not the liquid ejecting head 1 is disposed at a position facing the object to be ejected or the mounting table. If the liquid ejecting head 1 is disposed, the process proceeds to S3, and as described above, the gas Gas is injected from the injection groove 4. On the other hand, if the liquid ejecting head 1 is not disposed at a position facing the ejected object or the mounting table, the process returns from S4 to S1. As a result, when the gas is ejected from the gas ejection groove 4, the nozzle row 2 of the liquid ejection head 1 is surrounded by the air curtain and the object to be ejected or the mounting table, so that ejection at the nozzle opening 2a is performed. Drying of the material can be prevented.

  Thus, by forming the air curtain using the liquid ejecting head 1, even when the liquid ejecting head 1 is away from the capping mechanism 50 and is not ejecting the ejected material, the ejection of the nozzle opening 2 a is performed. The substance can be kept moist. Thereby, when the size of the injection target is large and the distance from the capping mechanism 50 to the injection position of the injection substance becomes large, it is necessary to create and transmit the injection data for injecting the injection substance based on the print data. Even when the time is long, it is possible to prevent the spray material from being dried at the nozzle opening 2a. In addition, since the movement of the liquid ejecting head 1 and the creation and transmission of the ejection data can be performed in parallel, the recording operation by the liquid ejecting head 1 in the ink jet recording apparatus can be performed efficiently.

  Furthermore, the present inventors measured air (outside air) in a direction parallel to the surface of the nozzle plate 3 on the side where the nozzle row 2 of the liquid jet head 1 is arranged in the ink jet recording apparatus by measurement using a flow meter. ) Flow has been confirmed. Therefore, when the gas is ejected from the gas ejection groove 4 in the state where the gas ejection groove 4 is directly opposed to the gas ejection groove 4 and the member to which the gas is sprayed is not provided, the above-described air flow is generated. May be disturbed. If the air flow is disturbed around the nozzle plate 3 of the liquid jet head 1, the gas jetted from the gas jet groove 4 may flow toward the nozzle row 2, and the drying of the jetted material in the nozzle openings 2 a may be accelerated. There is. Therefore, as described above, S4 shown in FIG. 5 is provided, and gas is blown onto the injection target and the mounting table to form a shielding space, thereby effectively drying and solidifying the injection material at the nozzle opening 2a. Can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the gas injection groove 4 in which the gas injection direction is fixed is used has been described as an example, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, instead of the gas injection groove 4 shown in FIG. 1, a gas injection groove (gas injection part) 41 shown in FIG. 6 can be used.

  FIG. 6 shows a gas injection groove 41 connected to an angle adjustment mechanism (injection angle control unit) 25 that adjusts the injection angle. The gas injection groove 41 is not formed as a frame surrounding the four sides of the rectangular nozzle plate 3 like the gas injection groove 4 shown in FIG. It can be attached to the base 5. That is, the gas injection grooves 41 shown in FIG. 6 are attached to each of the four sides of the nozzle plate 3, and the inflow ports 26 through which the gas flows are provided in the gas injection grooves 41.

  Each gas ejection groove 41 is provided with an angle adjustment mechanism 25 for controlling the gas ejection angle from the gas ejection groove 41 in a state of being attached to the head base 5. When the angle adjusting mechanism 25 is arranged around the nozzle plate 3, the control motor 14 is connected to the end located at the corner via the motor rotating shaft 15. The control motor 14 is fixed to the head base 5 shown in FIG. 1, and the motor rotation shaft 15 is rotated by receiving the drive of the control motor 14, whereby the injection angle of the gas injection groove 41, that is, the gas injection groove. The injection direction of the gas from 41 is adjusted.

  The optimum spray angle of the gas spray groove 41 may be set so that the spray material is dried most slowly in the nozzle opening 2a, that is, the shielding effect of the nozzle row 2 is maximized. Specifically, the injection angle at which the drying of the injection material is most suppressed may be determined by measuring the viscosity of the injection material in the nozzle opening 2a while changing the injection angle of the gas injection groove 41.

  Therefore, when injecting gas from the gas injection groove 41, the control motor 14 is driven to rotate the motor rotating shaft 15, and the injection angle of the gas injection groove 41 is adjusted to an optimum injection angle. After performing this adjustment, gas may be ejected from the gas ejection groove 41 to form an air curtain.

  As described above, by controlling the injection angle of the gas injection groove 41, the direction in which the gas injected toward the injection target or the mounting table is diffused can be controlled. Further, even when the liquid ejecting head does not face the object to be ejected or the mounting table in parallel, the optimum ejecting angle can be set according to the positional relationship between the two. Therefore, by providing the gas injection groove 41 and the angle adjusting mechanism 25, it is possible to prevent the gas injected from the gas injection groove 41 from flowing to the nozzle row 2 side.

  Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus, as described above, an air flow is generated in a direction parallel to the surface of the nozzle plate 3 on the side where the nozzle row 2 of the liquid jet head is disposed. Therefore, when the injection direction of the gas from the gas injection groove 41 is fixed, there is a problem that the gas injected toward the nozzle row 2 flows or the shielding space is not formed due to the air flow. There is. Even in such a case, since the injection angle of the gas injection groove 41 can be adjusted to an optimal injection angle, the effect of preventing the drying of the injection material in the nozzle opening 2a can be improved.

  Further, the air flow in the ink jet recording apparatus also occurs when the liquid ejecting head is moved onto the ejected object or when both the liquid ejecting head and the ejected object are moved. 7 and 8 show an air flow generated by the movement of the liquid jet head 31 including the gas jet groove 41. FIG. 7 and 8, members having the same functions as those shown in other drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. For convenience of explanation, FIGS. 7 and 8 show only a part of the gas injection grooves 41 provided on the four sides of the nozzle plate 3.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the liquid ejecting head 31 moves in the direction of the arrow 200 in FIG. 7, the air flows between the liquid ejecting head 31 and the ejected object 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow 201. Occurs. Thereby, the gas injected from the gas injection groove 41 is affected by the air flow indicated by the arrow 201 and may flow in the direction of the arrow 202 which is substantially the same direction as the arrow 201. The flow of the gas injected from the gas injection groove 41 in the direction of the arrow 202 causes inflow of gas to the nozzle row 2 side, poor formation of a shielding space, and the like, and the injection material in the nozzle opening 2a May increase drying.

  Therefore, in order to prevent drying of the ejected material at the nozzle opening 2a due to the influence of the air flow generated when the liquid ejecting head 31 moves, speed information in the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head 31 and the object 22 to be ejected. And the injection angle may be controlled based on the speed information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in the ink jet recording apparatus, a speed detection unit 23 that detects the speed information, and an ejection angle of the gas ejection groove 41 based on a detection result in the speed detection unit 23. What is necessary is just to provide the injection control part 24 which controls these.

  Then, before the gas is ejected from the gas ejection groove 41, the relative speed and the moving direction in the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head 31 and the ejection target 22 are detected as speed information by the speed detecting unit 23 shown in FIG. . Subsequently, when the detected speed information is input to the injection control unit 24, the injection control unit 24 drives the control motor 14 of the angle adjustment mechanism 25 shown in FIG. The injection direction of the gas injected from the groove 41 is adjusted. Specifically, the jet angle of the gas jet groove 41 is such that the gas jetted from the gas jet groove 41 is jetted in the direction of the arrow 204 against the air flow indicated by the arrow 201 in FIG. Can be adjusted.

  Thereby, even when the liquid ejecting head 31 and the ejected object 22 are moving, the air curtain is formed by the gas ejected from the gas ejecting groove 41, and the effect of preventing the sprayed material from being dried in the nozzle opening 2a. Can be obtained.

  In the above description, the relative angle and the moving direction in the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head 31 and the ejected object 22 are detected and the ejecting angle is adjusted, but between the liquid ejecting head 31 and the ejected object 22. The injection angle may be adjusted by detecting the flow of air generated in the flowmeter with a flow meter or the like. The air flow may occur regardless of whether or not the liquid ejecting head 31 and the ejection target 22 are moved. Therefore, if the flow of air is detected, even when the liquid ejecting head 31 and the ejected object 22 are stationary, the ejection angle of the gas from the gas ejection groove 4 is controlled to eject the nozzle opening 2a. Drying of the material can be prevented.

  The speed detection unit 23 and the ejection control unit 24 may be provided in the control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus, or may be provided in the liquid ejection head 31.

  Further, instead of the liquid jet head 1 shown in FIG. 1, a liquid jet head 32 in which a sponge member (moisturizing member) is arranged around the nozzle row 2 may be used. FIG. 9 shows a liquid jet head 32 provided with a sponge member 21. In FIG. 9, members having the same functions as those shown in other drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid jet head 32 includes a sponge member 21 that is disposed along the arrangement direction of the nozzle rows 2 and attached to the nozzle plate 3. The sponge member 21 is formed of a sponge having water absorbency or hygroscopic property capable of holding a liquid component. Therefore, the sponge member 21 can store, for example, a liquid solvent contained in the propellant. Thus, by holding the liquid solvent in the sponge member 21, the periphery of the nozzle row 2 can be kept in a wet state, so that evaporation of the liquid solvent from the propellant present in the nozzle opening 2 a is further suppressed. be able to.

  Further, when the liquid jet head 32 is capped by the cap member 52 of the capping mechanism 50, the liquid solvent stored in the sponge member 21 evaporates to keep the cap member 52 in a highly moist state. Can do. Thereby, even in the state where the liquid ejecting head 32 is capped, it is possible to obtain the effect of preventing drying of the ejected material in the nozzle opening 2a.

  The liquid solvent stored in the sponge member 21 may be injected, for example, when the liquid jet head 32 is covered with the cap member 52. Alternatively, a liquid solvent may be injected into the sponge member 21 from a liquid chamber (not shown) of the liquid ejecting head 32 at regular intervals.

  In the above description, the case where the sponge member 21 is attached to the nozzle plate 3 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the sponge member 21 may be provided in a nozzle exposure region surrounded by an air curtain formed by the gas ejected from the gas ejection groove 4, and may be attached to the gas ejection groove 4, for example. Further, the sponge member 21 may be provided so as to surround the periphery of the nozzle row 2 or may be provided so as to surround at least a part of the periphery of the nozzle row 2. Further, the sponge member 21 may be provided in a liquid jet head 31 (FIG. 8) provided with a gas jet groove 41.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows a liquid ejecting head 33 including a gas ejecting mechanism (ejection flow rate control unit) 27 that adjusts the ejection flow rate of the gas ejected from the gas ejection groove. The liquid jet head 33 according to the present embodiment includes gas jet grooves (gas jet parts) 42, 43, 44, 45 and a gas jet mechanism 27 instead of the gas jet groove 4 and the gas jet mechanism 12 shown in FIG. ing.

  The gas injection grooves 42 to 45 are respectively arranged on the four sides of the rectangular nozzle plate 3, and the gas injection grooves 42 to 45 each independently inject gas.

  The gas injection mechanism 27 includes voltage-controlled pneumatic regulators (hereinafter referred to as electro-pneumatic regulators) 421, 431, 441, and 451, and an electro-pneumatic controller 16. The electropneumatic regulators 421, 431, 441, and 451 are connected to the gas injection grooves 42, 43, 44, and 45, respectively, and independently control the gas injection flow rates when the gas is injected from the gas injection grooves 42 to 45, respectively. The air pressure is adjusted to adjust. The electropneumatic controller 16 is connected to electropneumatic regulators 421, 431, 441, and 451, and controls the air pressure of these four electropneumatic regulators 421, 431, 441, and 451.

  The gas ejecting mechanism 27 may be provided in the liquid ejecting head 33 or may be provided in the ink jet recording apparatus separately from the liquid ejecting head 1. Alternatively, a part of the members constituting the gas ejecting mechanism 27 may be disposed in the liquid ejecting head 33 and the remaining members may be disposed in the ink jet recording apparatus.

  The optimum gas injection flow rate in the gas injection grooves 42 to 45 may be set so that the drying of the injection material at the nozzle opening 2a is the slowest, that is, the shielding effect of the nozzle row 2 is maximized. . Specifically, if the gas injection flow rate in the gas injection grooves 42 to 45 is changed, the viscosity of the injection material in the nozzle opening 2a is measured, and the gas injection flow rate at which the drying of the injection material is most suppressed is determined. Good.

  Therefore, when the gas is injected from the gas injection grooves 42 to 45, the electropneumatic controller 16 causes the air pressures of the four electropneumatic regulators 421, 431, 441, 451 to flow from the gas injection grooves 42 to 45. The gas injection flow rate is adjusted to an optimum gas injection flow rate. After adjusting the air pressure, the air curtain may be formed by injecting gas from the gas injection grooves 42 to 45.

  Thereby, the gas injection flow rate of the gas injection grooves 42 to 45 can be controlled to the optimum gas injection flow rate according to the air flow and the air volume on the side where the nozzle row 2 of the liquid jet head 33 is arranged. As a result, the liquid jet head 1 is separated from the capping mechanism 50 (FIG. 3) to prevent the inflow of gas to the nozzle row 2 or the formation of a shielding space that is generated while the jetting material is not jetted. can do.

  In addition, the liquid ejecting head 33 and the object to be opposed to the liquid ejecting head 33 are used when the ejected object is placed on the placing table and when the ejected object is not placed on the placing table. The distance (gap) from the projectile or the mounting table changes. As described above, even when the distance between the liquid ejecting head 33 and the object to be ejected or the mounting table is changed, the gas ejecting grooves 42 to 45 are ejected by adjusting the gas ejecting flow rate from the gas ejecting grooves 42 to 45. A good shielding space can be formed by the air curtain made of the gas and the object to be ejected or the mounting table.

  In the adjustment of the gas injection flow rate, as described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 8, the velocity information generated by the relative movement of the liquid jet head and the injection target, the air flow, and the like are detected. You may perform based on a detection result. That is, gas is injected in the direction of the arrow 204 from the injection control unit 24 shown in FIG. 8 to the electropneumatic controller 16 shown in FIG. 10 against the air flow indicated by the arrow 201 in FIG. What is necessary is just to request | require to raise the air pressure of the electropneumatic regulators 421,431,441,451. Thereby, since the gas injection flow rate of the gas injection grooves 42 to 45 can be increased, the spray material in the nozzle opening 2 a is dried by the air curtain formed by the gas injected from the gas injection grooves 42 to 45. Can be prevented.

[Embodiment 3]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 11 shows a liquid jet head including a shielding plate (barrier / shielding portion). The liquid jet head 34 according to the present embodiment includes a rectangular shielding plate 17 instead of the gas jet groove 4 provided in the liquid jet head 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, the liquid ejecting head 34 shown in FIG. 11 is not connected to the gas ejecting mechanism 12 connected to the liquid ejecting head 1.

  The shielding plate 17 provided in the liquid ejecting head 34 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the nozzle plate 3 and is formed so as to protrude higher than the tip of the nozzle row 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the shielding plate 17 is arranged such that the height Hw at which the shielding plate 17 protrudes from the head base 5 is larger than the height Hh at which the nozzle row 2 protrudes from the head base 5. Is formed.

  Accordingly, the shielding plate 17 allows the liquid solvent evaporated from the sprayed material in the nozzle opening 2a to remain in the nozzle exposure area, making it difficult to escape to the outer space outside the nozzle exposure area. Thereby, since the inside of the nozzle exposure area can be kept wet with the liquid solvent contained in the propellant, evaporation of the liquid solvent from the propellant present in the nozzle opening 2a can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in viscosity and solidification of the propellant in the nozzle opening 2a.

  In particular, when the liquid ejecting head 34 is in a state of facing the ejected object or the mounting table, the nozzle exposure area is surrounded by the shielding plate 17 and the ejected object or the mounting table. Therefore, since the nozzle exposure area is almost closed from the outer space, it is possible to further enhance the effect of preventing the drying of the spray material in the nozzle opening 2a.

  The shielding plate 17 is not limited to a rectangular shape or a plate shape, and may be formed so as to protrude higher than the tip of the nozzle row 2. For example, the shielding plate 17 may have an elliptical shape. Further, it may be formed as a convex portion. Further, the four sides of the nozzle plate 3 may be bent so as to protrude higher than the tip of the nozzle row 2 to form a shielding plate.

  Further, in the above description, the protruding amount from the head base 5 which is the height of the shielding plate 17 is fixed, but the protruding amount may be variable. FIG. 12 shows a liquid jet head 35 in which the height of the shielding plate is variable.

  The liquid ejecting head 35 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a shielding plate (barrier / shielding portion) 171. In the liquid ejecting head 35, the shielding plate 171 is supported not by the head base 5 but by a guide mechanism 28 attached to the head base 5. The guide mechanism 28 moves the shielding plate 171 by, for example, a so-called linear guide provided with a linear motion type rolling bearing, and includes a shielding amount adjusting motor 18, a ball screw 19, and a motor support base 20. . The guide mechanism 28 is not limited to a linear guide, and a linear motor or the like may be used as a member for moving the shielding plate 171.

  The shielding amount adjusting motor 18 is supported by a motor support base 20 and is fixed to the head base 5 via the motor support base 20. The shielding amount adjusting motor 18 drives the ball screw 19 in order to move the shielding plate 171 according to the distance between the nozzle plate 3 of the liquid ejecting head 35 and the object to be ejected or the mounting table. It has become. The ball screw 19 is attached to the rotating shaft of the shielding amount adjusting motor 18, and the projection amount of the shielding plate 171 is adjusted by the rotation of the ball screw 19. The motor support 20 supports the shielding amount adjusting motor 18.

  In the liquid ejecting head 35 having the above-described configuration, the ball screw 19 is rotationally driven by the shielding amount adjusting motor 18 so that the shielding plate protrudes beyond the nozzle row 2 and does not come into contact with the ejected object or the mounting table. The protrusion amount of 171 can be adjusted. Therefore, when the distance (gap) when the nozzle plate 3 and the injection target or the mounting table face each other changes, the protruding amount of the shielding plate 171 can be optimally adjusted according to the distance.

  Thereby, according to the said distance, the said nozzle exposure area | region can be made into the state closed from outer space. Accordingly, it is possible to suitably prevent the spraying material from being dried and solidified in the nozzle opening 2a, which is generated while the liquid ejecting head 1 is separated from the capping mechanism 50 (FIG. 3) and the spraying material is not sprayed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The liquid jet head of the present invention can be suitably used as an ink jet recording apparatus used as a printer or a manufacturing apparatus used when manufacturing a semiconductor device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a liquid ejecting head, a gas ejecting mechanism connected to the liquid ejecting head, and a liquid ejecting mechanism in the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a surface on the nozzle array side of the liquid ejecting head. It is a front view which shows the principal part structure of the capping mechanism which caps the said liquid ejecting head. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a moisture retention process performed by an inkjet recording apparatus including the liquid ejecting head. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a moisturizing process performed in an inkjet recording apparatus including the liquid ejecting head. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a gas ejection groove provided in the liquid ejection head in the present invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the air which arises with the movement of the said liquid ejecting head. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a mechanism for controlling gas ejection from a gas ejection groove of the liquid ejection head. FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating still another embodiment of the liquid ejecting head according to the invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a liquid ejecting head and a gas ejecting mechanism connected to the liquid ejecting head in the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating still another embodiment of the liquid ejecting head according to the invention. It is a front view which shows the guide mechanism for adjusting the protrusion amount of the shielding board in the said liquid ejecting head. It is a front view which shows the capping mechanism used with respect to the conventional liquid ejecting head.

Explanation of symbols

1 Liquid Ejecting Head 2 Nozzle Row 2a Nozzle Opening (Nozzle)
3 Nozzle plate 4 Gas injection groove (gas injection part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Head stand 6 Gas solenoid valve 7 Gas regulator 8 Liquid suction pump 9 Injection substance tank 10 Driver 11 Control circuit 12 Gas injection mechanism 13 Liquid injection mechanism 14 Control motor 15 Motor rotating shaft 16 Electropneumatic controller 17 Shield plate (barrier / shield) Part)
18 Shielding amount adjusting motor 19 Ball screw 20 Motor support base 21 Sponge member (moisturizing member)
22 Injection target 23 Speed detection unit 24 Injection control unit 25 Angle adjustment mechanism (injection angle control unit)
26 Inlet 27 Gas injection mechanism (injection flow rate control unit)
28 Guide mechanism 31 Liquid ejecting head 32 Liquid ejecting head 33 Liquid ejecting head 34 Liquid ejecting head 35 Liquid ejecting head 41 Gas ejecting groove (gas ejecting section)
42 Gas injection groove (gas injection part)
43 Gas injection groove (gas injection part)
44 Gas injection groove (gas injection part)
45 Gas injection groove (gas injection part)
50 Capping mechanism 52 Cap member 53 Pneumatic cylinder 54 Discharge part 171 Shield plate (barrier / shield part)
421 Voltage controlled pneumatic regulator (electro-pneumatic regulator)
431 Voltage-controlled pneumatic regulator (electro-pneumatic regulator)
441 Voltage-controlled pneumatic regulator (electro-pneumatic regulator)
451 Voltage-controlled pneumatic regulator (electro-pneumatic regulator)

Claims (10)

In a liquid ejecting head adapted to perform recording by ejecting a predetermined ejecting material from a nozzle,
Separating outside air existing in an exposed area where the nozzle is exposed to the outside air and outside air existing in an area other than the exposed area at least at a part of the periphery of the nozzle for at least a predetermined period. A liquid ejecting head having a barrier.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, further comprising a gas ejecting unit that ejects a gas for forming the barrier at least at a part of the periphery of the nozzle.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 2, wherein the gas ejecting unit is connected to an ejecting angle control unit for adjusting an ejecting direction of the gas ejected from the gas ejecting unit.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 2, wherein the gas ejecting unit is connected to an ejecting flow rate control unit for adjusting an ejecting flow rate of the gas ejected from the gas ejecting unit.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein a shielding portion protruding from the nozzle is provided at least at a part of the periphery of the nozzle so as to form the barrier.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 5, wherein the shielding portion has a variable protrusion amount.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, further comprising a moisture retaining member for retaining moisture in the exposed area separated by the barrier.   When a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle for ejecting a predetermined ejecting substance is waiting for ejecting the ejecting substance, the liquid ejecting head ejects gas from a gas ejecting unit provided at least at a part around the nozzle A method of moisturizing a liquid jet head.   The method of moisturizing a liquid ejecting head according to claim 8, wherein when the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head is disposed at a position facing the facing member, the gas is ejected from the gas ejecting section.   The gas is ejected from the gas ejecting section by adjusting at least one of a gas ejecting direction and an ejecting flow rate according to a flow of outside air around the liquid ejecting head. Moisturizing method for liquid jet head.

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