JP2007301808A - Base manufacturing method, base, and head module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet head manufacturing method by which an efficient production of a head base is possible. <P>SOLUTION: This base manufacturing method is equipped with a first process S3, a second process S4, a third process S5 and a fourth process S6. In the first process S3, an inflammable insert is attached to the inside of a die. In the second process S4, after the first process S3, a ceramic non-baked object is injected into the inside of the die, and a molded article in which the insert is embedded is molded. In the third process S5, after the second process S4, the molded article is taken out from the die. In the fourth process S6, after the third process S5, the molded article is baked. Thus, a base body is formed from the section originated from the ceramic non-baked object. At the same time, a flow passage for temperature regulation is formed from the section originated from the insert by incinerating the insert. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a base to which an ink jet head is attached, a base, and a head module including the base.

  For example, as an inkjet head manufacturing method, there is a method of forming a partition pattern of piezoelectric ceramics using an organic paste mask member. In this manufacturing method, convex wall-shaped mask members are previously arranged on a substrate at a predetermined interval, and the gap between the mask members is filled with piezoelectric ceramics. Then, a heat treatment is applied to these to burn out the mask member, and thereafter, baking is performed at a temperature higher than the heat treatment, thereby forming a partition made of piezoelectric ceramics on the substrate. A top plate is joined to the top surface of the partition wall formed in this way, and an ink chamber surrounded by the substrate, the partition wall, and the top plate is formed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Some bases to which the ink jet head is attached are provided with a flow path for adjusting the temperature of the ink jet head. In this conventional example, a flat plate-shaped member and a grooved member in which a groove serving as a runner is formed are bonded together to create a base in which a channel is formed. ing.

In this base, the temperature-adjusted liquid is passed through the flow path, so that the temperature of the ink in the inkjet head is properly maintained and the viscosity of the ink is managed within a predetermined range (for example, , See Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-334947 A JP 2004-338150 A

  Among the above-described conventional examples, in the former method for manufacturing an inkjet head, since it is necessary to form an ink chamber by bonding a top plate to a partition wall on a substrate, only component accuracy is required for each of the substrate and the top plate. In addition, there is a problem that the alignment is necessary at the time of bonding, and the operation becomes complicated. Similarly, the latter conventional example has a structure in which the plate-like member and the grooved member are bonded together, so that not only the component accuracy is required for each of the plate-like member and the grooved member, There is a problem that parts accuracy needs to be obtained also on the base after these are bonded, and the work becomes complicated and the cost is increased.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a base manufacturing method that can easily manage a component accuracy and can efficiently manufacture a base.

  The base manufacturing method of the present invention includes a first step of attaching a flammable insert in a mold, and after the first step, injecting a ceramic unfired body into the mold, A second step of molding the molded product in which the molded product is embedded; a third step of removing the molded product from the mold after the second step; and a step of removing the molded product after the third step. By firing, the base body is formed from the part derived from the ceramic unfired body, and by incinerating the insert of the molded product through this firing, the base body is removed from the part derived from the insert. And a fourth step of forming a temperature control flow channel therein.

  The base of the present invention is formed from a portion derived from the ceramic unsintered body by firing a molded product having the ceramic unsintered body and a combustible insert embedded in the ceramic unsintered body. And a temperature control channel formed inside the base body from a portion derived from the insert by incinerating the insert through the firing.

  The head module of the present invention includes a base and an inkjet head attached to the base and controlled in temperature by the base. The base is embedded in the ceramic unfired body and the ceramic unfired body. A base body formed from a portion derived from the unfired ceramic body and incinerating the insert of the molded product through the firing by firing a molded product having a combustible insert. Thus, the temperature control flow path is formed inside the base body from the portion derived from the insert.

  According to the present invention, since a ceramic molded article in which a flammable insert is embedded is used, even a base having a temperature control channel inside can be manufactured with a single member. For this reason, not only the management of the precision of the parts of the base is facilitated, but there is no need for a process of bonding two members. For this reason, simplification of the manufacturing process and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the incineration of the inserts is also performed collectively by the fourth step of firing, there is no need to provide a separate step for insert incineration, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head module 11 includes a base 12 and an inkjet head 13 mounted on the base 12. The ink jet head 13 is configured to include, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic, as a driving element. The inkjet head 13 is fixed to the first surface 12a and the second surface 12b of the base by bonding one by one.

  The inkjet head 13 includes a head body 16 having a nozzle surface 15 including a plurality of nozzles 14, a driver IC 17 that drives the head body 16, and a PC board 18 to which the driver IC 17 is attached. In the present embodiment, the number of inkjet heads 13 mounted on the base 12 is two, but is not limited to this. That is, the number of inkjet heads 13 may be one, or two or more.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 12 includes a plate-like base body 21, a temperature control channel 22 provided inside the base body 21, and a liquid supply source provided in the ink jet recording apparatus. It has a pair of adapter member 23 used as a connection part, and the groove part for attaching the adapter member 23. FIG. The base body 21 is made of ceramics from the viewpoint of matching the linear expansion coefficient with the piezoelectric ceramics of the inkjet head 13.

  The temperature adjusting flow path 22 includes a liquid supply port 24 opened on the surface of the base body 21, for example, the first surface 12a, a liquid discharge port 25 opened on the surface of the base body 21, for example, the first surface 12a, and a liquid. A flow path body 26 that passes through the inside of the base body 21 is included so as to allow the supply port 24 and the liquid discharge port 25 to communicate with each other. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of adapter members 23 are attached so as to be connected to the liquid supply port 24 and the liquid discharge port 25, respectively. The flow path body 26 is composed of a single body meandering inside the base body 21. The flow path body 26 meanders at a position where the inkjet head 13 is attached so as to be bent a plurality of times so that the temperature can be efficiently transmitted to the inkjet head 13 at the position.

  When the head module 11 of the present embodiment is mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus and printing is performed, the temperature-controlled liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source of the ink jet recording apparatus to the temperature adjusting flow path 22. For example, hot water whose temperature is controlled between 40 ° C. and 60 ° C. is used as the temperature-controlled liquid. Hot water supplied from the liquid supply port 24 of the temperature adjustment flow path 22 passes through the flow path body 26 and maintains the base body 21 at a predetermined temperature, and is discharged from the liquid discharge port 25 to the outside of the base 12. The

  When hot water is passed through the temperature adjusting flow path 22, the heat of the hot water is transmitted to the ink inside the inkjet head 13, and the ink is maintained at a predetermined temperature. Further, when the head module 11 is used, the driver IC 17 generates heat at a temperature of, for example, 70 ° C. to 80 ° C., but this heat is transmitted to the liquid in the temperature adjusting flow path 22. For this reason, the temperature control flow path 22 also plays a role of cooling the driver IC 17. Note that the temperature-controlled liquid is not limited to hot water, and other heat medium may be used.

  Next, the base manufacturing method of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in step S1 of FIG. 4, first, the material to be the base body 21 is kneaded. In the material kneading, a binder composed of a resin or the like is uniformly mixed with the ceramic powder. A paste-like ceramic green body is formed by kneading the materials. Separately from this, in step S <b> 2 of FIG. 4, an insert 31 for forming the temperature adjusting flow path 22 inside the base body 21 is created.

  As the ceramic unsintered body used for forming the base body 21, for example, a ceramic main body made of alumina having excellent thermal conductivity and workability is used. In addition, as a material for forming the base body 21, other ceramics mainly composed of zircon, cordierite, mullite, or the like can be used in addition to alumina.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the insert 31 created in step S <b> 2 in FIG. 4 is composed of a single one that has a shape that is bent a plurality of times so as to meander. The insert 31 has an insert main body 32, a first boss 33 provided at one end, and a second boss 34 provided at the other end. The insert body 32 has a pair of through holes 36 for fitting into a pair of positioning means (for example, pin members) 35 of the second mold 43.

  The insert 31 is made of, for example, a molded product obtained by mixing crushed wood powder with resin. The insert 31 may be any material as long as it is combustible, and may be a paper molded product, a molded product such as a resin, or cardboard. Moreover, you may make it comprise the insert 31 by shape | molding the mixture containing at least 1 or more among crushed wood powder, paper, and resin.

  Subsequently, preparation for insert molding shown in step S4 of FIG. 4 is performed. The insert molding and the material kneading use an injection molding machine 41 shown in FIG. The injection molding machine 41 includes a first mold 42 and a second mold 43 which are molds, and a tie bar 44 for moving the second mold 43 forward and backward with respect to the first mold 42. . The first mold 42 is provided with an inlet 46 connected to the cavity 45 inside the mold 43. The second mold 43 has a cavity 45, an ejector pin 47 provided so as to protrude into the cavity 45, a first positioning hole 48 and a second positioning hole for positioning the insert 31. 49 and a pair of positioning means (for example, pin members) 35 for positioning the insert 31.

  As shown in step S3 of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the insert 31 is attached to the second mold 43 as the first step. With this attachment, as shown in FIG. 7, the insert 31 is fitted into the cavity 45 inside the second mold 43. At this time, the first boss 33 is fitted in alignment with the first positioning hole 48 of the second mold 43. Further, the second boss 34 is fitted in alignment with the second positioning hole 49 of the second mold 43. A pair of positioning pins 35 are fitted in the pair of through holes 36 of the insert body 32.

  As shown in step S <b> 4 of FIG. 4, insert molding, which is the second process, is performed to inject the ceramic unfired body 54 into the cavity 45. After completion of the injection, a molded product 55 in which the insert 31 is embedded in the ceramic unfired body 54 is formed through a cooling process or the like.

  As shown in step S5 of FIG. 4, the molded product is taken out as the third step. In taking out the molded product, the first mold 42 and the second mold 43 are separated from each other, and the ejector pin 47 is operated to take out the molded product 55 from the second mold 43. By this step, a molded product 55 in which the insert 31 is embedded in the ceramic unfired body 54 as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.

  Subsequently, as shown in step S6 of FIG. 4, the molded product 55 is transferred to a firing furnace, and firing is performed as a fourth step. In firing, the temperature is set to around 1200 ° C., and the molded product 55 including the ceramic unfired body 54 is fired. In the present embodiment, before firing, first, the temperature is adjusted to around 1000 ° C., and the molded product 55 is degreased. The resin component contained in the molded product 55 is removed by degreasing, and the molded product 55 is prevented from cracking due to firing. But it is also possible to manufacture the base 12 only by baking without degreasing.

  By this firing, the base body 21 is formed from a portion derived from the ceramic unfired body 54 of the molded product 55. Moreover, the combustible insert 31 is incinerated by baking, and the temperature control flow path 22 is formed from the portion derived from the insert 31. More specifically, the liquid supply port 24 of the temperature adjusting flow path 22 is formed from a portion derived from the first boss 33 of the insert 31. Further, the liquid discharge port 25 of the temperature adjusting flow path 22 is formed from a portion derived from the second boss 34 of the insert 31. A flow path body 26 is formed from a portion derived from the insert body 32. In addition, in this embodiment, since the degreasing process is also performed, the insert 31 is incinerated also in the degreasing process.

  After the completion of firing, as shown in step S7 in FIG. 4, machining such as lapping and grinding is performed. Parts accuracy of the base 12 is ensured by machining. And as shown to step S8 of FIG. 4, the insert removal process which is a 5th process is performed. In the insert removing step, the liquid that is a fluid is caused to flow through the liquid supply port 24 of the temperature adjusting flow path 22 so that the debris derived from the insert 31 is pushed away by the pressure of the liquid. Since the temperature adjusting flow path 22 is configured integrally in a curvature, the burnout is not caught on the way, and the burnout is efficiently removed. In the present embodiment, a liquid is used as the fluid, but a gas may be used. That is, air blow may be performed from the liquid supply port 24 to blow off the scum toward the liquid discharge port 25.

  Next, the assembly process of the head module 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9, the manufactured base 12 and the inkjet head 13 are bonded together via an adhesive 61. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the base 12 has a hole 62 formed by a pair of positioning pins 35. As shown in FIG. 10, since the adhesive 61 is sealed by bonding, the hole 62 prevents hot water from leaking from the hole 62. Similarly, the inkjet head 13 is bonded to the second surface 12b via the adhesive 61, and the assembly process of the head module 11 is completed.

  The above is the embodiment of the base 12. According to the base manufacturing method of the present embodiment, in the first step S3 and the second step S4, the molded product 55 in which the insert 31 is embedded by performing ceramics injection molding using the combustible insert 31 is obtained. Mold. In the fourth step S <b> 6, the base body 21 is formed from a portion derived from the ceramic unfired body 54 by firing the molded product 55. Further, the insert 31 is incinerated by firing the molded product 55, and the temperature control flow path 22 is formed from a portion derived from the insert 31. Thereby, since the insert 31 can be incinerated using the firing of the molded product 55, the manufacturing process of the base 12 can be simplified. In particular, when the base 12 having the temperature control flow path 22 formed therein is created, the base 12 can be manufactured from a single member without the need to bond the two members together. As a result, the number of steps can be reduced, and the component accuracy of the base 12 can be easily managed.

  Further, after the fourth step S6, a fifth step S8 for removing the insert 31 incinerated in the fourth step S6 is performed by flowing a fluid through the temperature adjusting flow path 22. Thereby, the debris of the insert 31 remaining in the temperature control flow path 22 can be removed, and the temperature control flow path 22 can be cleaned.

  The ceramic unfired body is mainly composed of any one of alumina, zircon, cordierite, and mullite. If this kind of ceramic is used, a ceramic unfired body can be formed by injection molding. If alumina is used for the base body 21, the manufacturing cost can be reduced because the alumina itself is relatively inexpensive.

  The insert 31 is formed of a molded product including at least one of crushed wood, paper, and resin. For this reason, the insert 31 can be made flammable. Moreover, if these materials are used, the insert 31 can be configured at a low cost.

  The liquid supply port 24 of the temperature adjusting flow path 22 is formed from a portion derived from the first boss 33 by incineration of the insert 31 through baking. The liquid discharge port 25 of the temperature adjusting channel 22 is formed from a portion derived from the second boss 34 by incineration of the insert 31 through baking. Normally, when insert molding is performed using a positioning pin or the like, a hole is formed at a location corresponding to the pin of the completed molded product. In the present embodiment, the first boss 33 and the second boss 34 are provided. The hole is provided by using the above, and the liquid supply port 24 and the liquid discharge port 25 of the temperature adjusting flow path 22 are formed by this hole. Thereby, the hole formed by the 1st boss | hub 33 for positioning and the 2nd boss | hub 34 can be utilized effectively. Further, it is not necessary to separately form a hole for the liquid supply port 24 and the liquid discharge port 25, and the man-hour for manufacturing the base can be reduced.

  The flow path body 26 is composed of one piece meandering the inside of the base body 21, and there is no place to branch inside the base body 21. For this reason, when cleaning the inside of the temperature adjusting flow path 22 in the fifth step, for example, if the hole 62 is closed and the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply port 24 at a predetermined pressure, the insert 31 can be burned out. In addition to being able to be swept away by the pressure of the liquid, there is no such a situation that the burnout is caught at the branch portion. Therefore, according to this configuration, the burnout of the insert 31 can be efficiently discharged toward the liquid discharge port 25. Further, since the temperature adjusting flow path 22 meanders inside the base body 21, the temperature of the base body 21 can be made uniform.

  The head module 11 includes a base 12 and an inkjet head 13 that is attached to the base 12 and is temperature-controlled by the base 12. For this reason, the ink in the inkjet head 13 can be maintained at an appropriate temperature, and the viscosity thereof can be within a predetermined range. As a result, it is possible to prevent unevenness in the amount of ink ejected from the inkjet head 13.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, when the insert 31 is positioned on the second mold 43, the first boss 33, the second boss 34, and the pair of positioning pins 35 are used. You may use the stand molded by.

  Specifically, this base is interposed between the insert 31 and the second mold 43 to serve as a base for supporting the insert 31, and only the first boss 33 and the second boss 34 are used to insert the base. 31 is positioned on the second mold 43. In this way, a molded product in which the part of the table and the newly injected part are integrated is obtained, so that the ceramic molded product in which the insert 31 is embedded without using the positioning pin 35. It is possible to make

  In the present embodiment, a single die is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the base manufacturing method of the present embodiment can be used even when a plurality of molds are used.

The perspective view which shows the head module which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the head module shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a base of the head module shown in FIG. 1. The flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the base of embodiment. The perspective view which shows a part of injection molding machine which shape | molds the base shown by FIG. The perspective view which shows the 1st process of attaching an insert to the 2nd metal mold | die of the injection molding machine shown by FIG. The perspective view which shows the state which the 1st process was completed about the 2nd metal mold | die shown by FIG. The perspective view which shows the molded product shape | molded with the injection molding machine shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the assembly process of the head module shown by FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the assembly process of the head module shown in FIG. 9 is completed.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Head module, 12 ... Base, 13 ... Inkjet head, 21 ... Base main body, 22 ... Temperature control flow path, 24 ... Liquid supply port, 25 ... Liquid discharge port, 26 ... Flow path main body, 31 ... Insert, 33 ... first boss 34 ... second boss 43 ... second mold 55 ... molded product S3 ... first step S4 ... second step S5 ... third step S6 ... first Step 4, S8 ... Fifth step

Claims (14)

A first step of attaching a flammable insert inside the mold;
After the first step, a second step of injecting a ceramic unsintered body into the mold and molding a molded product in which the insert is embedded;
After the second step, a third step of taking out the molded product from the mold;
After the third step, by firing the molded product, a base body is formed from a portion derived from the ceramic unfired body, and the insert of the molded product is incinerated through this firing. A fourth step of forming a temperature control flow path from the portion derived from the insert into the base body;
A base manufacturing method comprising:   5. The method according to claim 5, further comprising a fifth step of removing the insert burned in the fourth step by flowing a fluid through the temperature adjusting flow path after the fourth step. Item 2. A base manufacturing method according to Item 1.   3. The base manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic unfired body includes any one of alumina, zircon, cordierite, and mullite as a main component.   The base manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insert is formed of a molded product including at least one of pulverized wood, paper, and resin. . A base body formed from a portion derived from the ceramic unfired body by firing a molded product having the ceramic unfired body and a combustible insert embedded in the ceramic unfired body;
By incinerating the insert of the molded product through the firing, a temperature control channel formed in the base body from a portion derived from the insert,
A base comprising: The insert has a first boss for positioning with respect to a mold for molding the molded article, and a second boss for positioning with respect to the mold,
The temperature control flow path is configured to communicate the liquid supply port opened on the surface of the base body, the liquid discharge port opened on the surface of the base body, and the liquid supply port and the liquid discharge port. A flow path body passing through the inside of the base body,
The liquid supply port is formed from a portion derived from the first boss by the incineration,
The base according to claim 5, wherein the liquid discharge port is formed from a portion derived from the second boss by the incineration.   The base according to claim 6, wherein the flow path main body is one that meanders inside the base main body.   The base according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the ceramic non-fired body is mainly composed of any one of alumina, zircon, cordierite, and mullite.   The base according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the insert is formed of a molded product including at least one of crushed wood, paper, and resin. Base and
An ink-jet head attached to the base and controlled by the base; and a head module comprising:
The base is
A base body formed from a portion derived from the ceramic unfired body by firing a molded product having the ceramic unfired body and a combustible insert embedded in the ceramic unfired body;
By incinerating the insert of the molded product through the firing, a temperature control channel formed in the base body from a portion derived from the insert,
A head module comprising: The insert has a first boss for positioning with respect to a mold for molding the molded article, and a second boss for positioning with respect to the mold,
The temperature control flow path is configured to communicate the liquid supply port opened on the surface of the base body, the liquid discharge port opened on the surface of the base body, and the liquid supply port and the liquid discharge port. A flow path body passing through the inside of the base body,
The liquid supply port is formed from a portion derived from the first boss by the incineration,
The head module according to claim 10, wherein the liquid discharge port is formed from a portion derived from the second boss by the incineration.   The head module according to claim 11, wherein the flow path main body is constituted by one that meanders inside the base main body.   The head module according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the ceramic unfired body is mainly composed of any one of alumina, zircon, cordierite, and mullite. .   The head module according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the insert is formed of a molded product including at least one of crushed wood powder, paper, and resin.

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