JP2010018030A - Manufacturing method of liquid-jet recording head - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of a liquid-jet recording head which can quickly and easily assemble the recording head by requiring no management of the applying amount of an adhesive. <P>SOLUTION: The manufacturing method of the liquid-jet recording head includes a step of arranging an elastic seal member having a liquid supply passage of a plate shape member communicating with a liquid supply passage and a communicating passage between one end of the liquid supply passage and one end of the communicating passage of the liquid supply unit, and a step of adhering and fixing the liquid supply unit and the recording element unit by temporarily fixing them in a state that the elastic seal member is compressed and with ultraviolet curing type adhesives cured in a predetermined curing time to a plurality of positions on the connecting surface forming the periphery of the elastic seal member, then with an adhesive curing in a longer time than a prescribed curing time at an ordinary temperature with larger adhesive strength than the adhesive strength of the ultraviolet curing adhesive coated to the other plurality of positions on this connecting surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head formed by bonding a liquid supply unit and a recording element unit to each other by adhesion.

  A recording head 1 as a liquid discharge recording head is composed of, for example, a recording element unit 2 and a tank holder unit 3 as shown in FIG.

  The recording element unit 2 includes a recording element substrate 11 having an ink discharge port forming surface on which a plurality of ink discharge ports are formed, a first plate 12 to which the recording element substrate 11 is bonded, and a recording element in the recording element substrate 11 An electric wiring board 13 for supplying a drive signal to the (heater) is included as a main element.

  The first plate 12 is made of, for example, a thin plate of alumina and has a plurality of ink flow paths that communicate with the ink supply ports of the recording element substrate 11.

  A tank holder unit 3 in which an ink tank unit (not shown) is detachably mounted includes a tank holder 15 having a storage chamber for the ink tank unit, and a flow path forming member 16 as main elements. ing.

  The flow path forming member 16 supplies each ink from the ink tank unit to the recording element substrate 11 via the first plate 12. The flow path forming member 16 is, for example, formed of resin separately from the tank holder 15 and fixed to the lower surface of the tank holder 15. The tank holder 15 has a plurality of communication passages 16r communicating with the respective ink flow paths to which the ink from the ink tank unit is supplied.

  The recording element unit 2 is coupled to the tank holder unit 3 as follows.

  A fourth adhesive is provided so that the ink supply port of the recording element unit 2 (ink supply port of the first plate 12) communicates with the ink supply port of the tank holder unit 3 (the communication path 16r of the flow path forming member 16). B4 is applied around one open end of the communication path 16r in the flow path forming member 16, and the first plate 12 and the flow path forming member 16 are bonded and fixed.

  In addition, the portions where the tank holder unit 3 of the recording element unit 2 abuts also around the area other than the portion of the ink flow path are bonded and fixed to each other with the fifth adhesive B5.

  Desirably, the fourth adhesive B4 and the fifth adhesive B5 are ink-resistant, are hardened at room temperature, and are flexible enough to withstand the difference in linear expansion between different materials. For example, a moisture-absorbing curing type silicone adhesive is used.

  At that time, when the recording element unit 2 is bonded to the tank holder unit 3 with the fourth adhesive B4 and the fifth adhesive B5, the recording element unit 2 is applied to a predetermined position of the flow path forming member 16. It is positioned and fixed by the sixth adhesive B6. The sixth adhesive B6 is preferably an adhesive that cures instantaneously, for example, an ultraviolet curing adhesive.

  The external signal input terminal portion of the recording element unit 2 is positioned on one side surface of the tank holder 15 by the terminal positioning pins P1 (two places) of the tank holder 15 and the terminal positioning holes H1 (two places) of the electric wiring board 13. Fixed. Furthermore, the electrical wiring board 13 includes, for example, terminal coupling pins P2 (six places) provided in the tank holder H1500, and terminal coupling holes H2 (six places) provided around the external signal input terminals of the electrical wiring board 13. And the terminal coupling pin H2 is fixed by heat welding.

  However, as described above, when a moisture-absorbing curing type silicone adhesive is used as an adhesive, the curing of the adhesive proceeds with the passage of time. In order to make the thickness a predetermined thickness, it is necessary to manage so as to reduce the variation in the amount of the adhesive periodically applied. Therefore, from the viewpoint of production efficiency, it is desired that the recording head be assembled quickly and easily without requiring strict management of the amount of adhesive applied.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head formed by bonding a liquid supply unit unit and a recording element unit to each other by bonding. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head that can assemble a recording head quickly and easily without requiring strict management.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head according to the present invention includes a recording element substrate that discharges liquid and performs a recording operation, and a plate-like shape having a liquid supply path that supplies the recording element substrate with liquid A liquid discharge recording head manufacturing method comprising: a recording element unit including a member; and a liquid supply unit portion having a communication path that guides liquid from a liquid supply source that supplies liquid to the recording element unit. Disposing an elastic seal member having a liquid flow path communicating with the liquid supply path and the communication path between one end of the liquid supply path of the member and one end of the communication path of the liquid supply unit When,
The liquid supply unit and the recording element unit are temporarily bonded with an ultraviolet curable adhesive that is cured at a predetermined curing time applied to a plurality of locations on the joint surface that forms the periphery of the elastic seal member in a state where the elastic seal member is compressed. After being fixed, it is applied to a plurality of other locations on the joint surface, and is bonded and fixed with an adhesive that has a stronger adhesive strength than the ultraviolet curable adhesive and cures at room temperature for a longer time than the predetermined curing time; It is characterized by having.

  According to the method for manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head according to the present invention, the liquid supply path and Since an elastic seal member having a liquid flow path communicating with the communication path is included, no adhesive is required between one end of the liquid supply path of the recording element unit and the communication path of the liquid supply unit section. Accordingly, it is possible to assemble the recording head quickly and easily without requiring strict management of the adhesive application amount.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid discharge head to which an example of a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head according to the present invention is applied. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure in the example shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a tank holder unit and a recording element unit are coupled in the example illustrated in FIG. 1. In the example shown by FIG. 1, it is sectional drawing of the packing member distribute | arranged between a flow-path formation member and a 1st plate. (A) is a top view which shows the communicating path of a flow-path formation member in the example shown by FIG. (B) is a fragmentary sectional view in the part shown by (a). It is a characteristic view which shows the characteristic of the packing member shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a holding member used in the example shown in FIG. 1 together with a tank holder unit and a recording element unit. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an inkjet printer to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the exterior member of the printer shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a recording head cartridge used in a printer to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied is assembled. FIG. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the scanner cartridge upside down in order to show the configuration of a scanner cartridge that can be mounted on a printer to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied instead of the recording head cartridge of FIG. 10. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an electrical circuit in a printer to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a main PCB in the electric circuit illustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an ASIC in the main PCB illustrated in FIG. 14. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a printer to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a recording element substrate that constitutes a part of a liquid discharge recording head to which an example of a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a conventional recording head.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to a recording apparatus including a liquid discharge recording head to which an example of a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head according to the invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the embodiments described below, a printer is taken as an example of a recording apparatus using an inkjet recording method.

  In this specification, “print” (sometimes referred to as “recording”) is not only for forming significant information such as characters and figures, but also for human beings visually perceived regardless of significance. Regardless of whether or not it has been manifested, it also refers to a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a print medium or the medium is processed.

  Here, “print medium” refers not only to paper used in general printing apparatuses, but also to materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. Shall also say.

  Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted widely as the definition of “print” above, and it is applied to a print medium so that an image, a pattern, a pattern, etc. It shall refer to a liquid that can be subjected to formation or processing of the print medium, or ink processing (eg, solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the print medium).

[Device main unit]
8 and 9 show a schematic configuration of a printer using the ink jet recording method. In FIG. 8, the outer shell of the printer main body M1000 of this embodiment includes an exterior member including a lower case M1001, an upper case M1002, an access cover M1003, and a discharge tray M1004, and a chassis M3019 ( (See FIG. 9).

  The chassis M3019 is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped metal members having a predetermined rigidity, forms a skeleton of the recording apparatus, and holds each recording operation mechanism described later.

  The lower case M1001 forms a substantially lower half part of the exterior of the apparatus main body M1000, and the upper case M1002 forms a substantially upper half part of the exterior of the apparatus main body M1000. A hollow body structure having a storage space for storing the mechanism is formed. An opening is formed in each of the upper surface portion and the front surface portion of the apparatus main body M1000.

  Further, one end of the discharge tray M1004 is rotatably held by the lower case M1001, and the opening formed on the front surface of the lower case M1001 can be opened and closed by the rotation. For this reason, when executing the recording operation, the discharge tray M1004 is rotated to the front side to open the opening so that the recording sheets can be discharged and the discharged recording sheets P are sequentially stacked. It has come to be able to do. In addition, the discharge tray M1004 contains two auxiliary trays M1004a and M1004b. By pulling out each tray as needed, the sheet support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. It has become.

  One end of the access cover M1003 is rotatably held by the upper case M1002, and can open and close an opening formed on the upper surface. By opening the access cover M1003, the access cover M1003 is housed inside the main body. It is possible to replace the print head cartridge H1000 or the ink tank H1900. Although not specifically shown here, when the access cover M1003 is opened and closed, the protrusion formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening and closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a micro switch or the like. Thus, the open / closed state of the access cover can be detected.

  On the upper surface of the rear part of the upper case M1002, a power key E0018 and a resume key E0019 are provided so that they can be pressed, and an LED E0020 is provided. When the power key E0018 is pressed, the LED E0020 lights up and recording is possible. This is to inform the operator. Further, the LED E0020 has various display functions such as blinking method and color change, and informing the operator of printer troubles. Further, the buzzer E0021 (FIG. 7) can be leveled. When the trouble is solved, the recording is resumed by pressing the resume key E0019.

[Recording mechanism]
Next, the recording operation mechanism in the present embodiment that is housed and held in the printer apparatus main body M1000 will be described.

  As a recording operation mechanism in the present embodiment, an automatic feeding unit M3022 that automatically feeds the recording sheet P into the apparatus main body, and a recording sheet P that is sent one by one from the automatic feeding unit are recorded in a predetermined manner. A conveyance unit M3029 for guiding the recording sheet P from the recording position to the discharge unit M3030, a recording unit for performing desired recording on the recording sheet P conveyed to the recording position, and a recovery process for the recording unit And a recovery unit (M5000).

(Recording part)
Here, the recording unit will be described. The recording unit includes a carriage M4001 that is movably supported by a carriage shaft M4021, and a recording head cartridge H1000 that is detachably mounted on the carriage M4001.

Recording Head Cartridge First, the recording head cartridge used in the recording unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the recording head cartridge H1000 in this embodiment includes an ink tank H1900 that stores ink, and a recording head H1001 that discharges ink supplied from the ink tank H1900 from nozzles according to recording information. . The recording head H1001 adopts a so-called cartridge system that is detachably mounted on a carriage M4001 described later.

  In the recording head cartridge H1000 shown here, for example, black, light cyan, light magenta, cyan, magenta and yellow ink tanks H1900 are prepared as ink tanks in order to enable high-quality color recording with photographic tone. As shown in FIG. 11, each is detachable from the recording head H1001.

  As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, the recording head H1001 includes a recording element substrate H1100, a first plate H1200, an electric wiring substrate H1300, a second plate H1400, a tank holder H1500, a flow path forming member H1600, The filter H1700, a seal rubber H1800, and a packing member H2000 are included.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the recording element substrate H1100 includes a plurality of recording elements (electrothermal conversion elements) H1103 for ejecting ink on one side of the Si substrate, Al that supplies power to each recording element H1103, and the like. Are formed by a film forming technique, a plurality of ink flow paths corresponding to the recording element and a plurality of ejection openings H1100T are formed by a photolithography technique, and ink is supplied to the plurality of ink flow paths. The ink supply port is formed so as to open on the back surface. The recording element substrate H1100 is bonded and fixed to the first plate H1200, and an ink supply port H1201 for supplying ink to the recording element substrate H1100 is formed here. Further, a second plate H1400 having an opening H1400a is bonded and fixed to the first plate H1200, and the electric wiring substrate H1300 is electrically connected to the recording element substrate H1100 via the second plate H1400. Are kept connected. The electrical wiring substrate H1300 applies an electrical signal for ejecting ink to the recording element substrate H1100. The electrical wiring substrate H1300 is located at an end portion of the electrical wiring and corresponds to the electrical wiring from the main body. An external signal input terminal H1301 for receiving a signal is provided, and the external signal input terminal H1301 is positioned and fixed on the back side of a tank holder H1500 described later.

  On the other hand, a flow path forming member H1600 is fixed to the tank holder H1500 that detachably holds the ink tank H1900 by, for example, ultrasonic welding, and a part of the ink flow path extending from the ink tank H1900 to the first plate H1200 is provided. Forming. In addition, a filter H1700 is provided at an end of the ink flow path H1501 that engages with the ink tank H1900 on the ink tank side so that entry of dust from the outside can be prevented. Further, a seal rubber H1800 is attached to the engaging portion with the ink tank H1900 so that ink can be prevented from evaporating from the engaging portion.

  Further, as described above, the tank holder portion composed of the tank holder H1500, the flow path forming member H1600, the filter H1700, and the seal rubber H1800, the recording element substrate H1100, the first plate H1200, the electric wiring substrate H1300, and the second A recording head H1001 is configured by coupling a recording element portion composed of the plate H1400 via a packing member H2000.

(carriage)
Next, a carriage M4001 on which the recording head cartridge H1000 is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the carriage M4001 is engaged with the carriage M4001 and engaged with the carriage cover M4002 for guiding the recording head H1001 to a predetermined mounting position on the carriage M4001, and the tank holder H1500 of the recording head H1001. And a head set lever M4007 that presses the recording head H1001 to set it at a predetermined mounting position.
That is, the head set lever M4007 is provided on the upper portion of the carriage M4001 so as to be rotatable with respect to the head set lever shaft, and a spring-set head set plate (not shown) is engaged with the recording head H1001. And is configured to be mounted on the carriage M4001 while pressing the recording head H1001 by this spring force.

  Further, a contact flexible printed cable (see FIG. 13, hereinafter referred to as a contact FPC) E0011 is provided at another engagement portion of the carriage M4001 with the recording head H1001, and the contact portion on the contact FPC E0011 and the recording head H1001 are provided. The provided contact portion (external signal input terminal) H1301 is in electrical contact so that various information for recording can be exchanged and power can be supplied to the recording head H1001.

  Here, an elastic member such as rubber (not shown) is provided between the contact portion of the contact FPC E0011 and the carriage M4001, and the contact portion and the carriage M4001 are connected by the elastic force of the elastic member and the pressing force by the headset lever spring. It is designed to enable reliable contact. Further, the contact FPC E0011 is connected to a carriage substrate E0013 mounted on the back surface of the carriage M4001 (see FIG. 13).

[Scanner]
The printer in this embodiment can also be used as a reading device by mounting a scanner on the carriage M4001 instead of the recording head cartridge H1000 described above.

  This scanner moves in the main scanning direction together with the carriage M4001 on the printer side, and reads the original image fed instead of the recording medium in the course of movement in the main scanning direction. By alternately performing the reading operation and the document feeding operation in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to read one document image information.

  FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating the scanner M6000 upside down in order to explain the schematic configuration of the scanner M6000.

  As shown in the figure, the scanner holder M6001 has a substantially box shape, and an optical system and a processing circuit necessary for reading are accommodated therein. Further, when the scanner M6000 is mounted on the carriage M4001, a reading unit lens M6006 is provided in a portion facing the document surface, and reflected light from the document surface is converged on the internal reading unit by the lens M6006. Therefore, the original image is read. On the other hand, the illumination unit lens M6005 has a light source (not shown) inside, and light emitted from the light source is irradiated onto the document through the lens M6005.

  A scanner cover M6003 fixed to the bottom of the scanner holder M6001 is fitted so as to shield the inside of the scanner holder M6001, and a louver-shaped grip portion provided on the side surface improves the detachability to the carriage M4001. Yes. The outer shape of the scanner holder M6001 is substantially the same as that of the recording head H1001, and it can be attached to and detached from the carriage M4001 by the same operation as that of the recording head cartridge H1000.

  The scanner holder M6001 accommodates a substrate having a reading processing circuit, and a scanner contact PCB connected to the substrate is exposed to the outside. When the scanner M6000 is mounted on the carriage M4001, The scanner contact PCB M6004 contacts the contact FPC E0011 on the carriage M4001 side, and the substrate is electrically connected to the control system on the main body side via the carriage M4001.

[Configuration of printer electrical circuit]
Next, an electrical circuit configuration in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of the electrical circuit in this embodiment.

The electrical circuit in this embodiment is mainly configured by a carriage substrate (CRPCB) E0013, a main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) E0014, a power supply unit E0015, and the like.
Here, the power supply unit E0015 is connected to the main PCB E0014 and supplies various driving powers.
The carriage substrate E0013 is a printed circuit board unit mounted on the carriage M4001 (FIG. 9). The carriage substrate E0013 functions as an interface for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the recording head through the contact FPC E0011, and an encoder according to the movement of the carriage M4001. Based on the pulse signal output from the sensor E0004, a change in the positional relationship between the encoder scale E0005 and the encoder sensor E0004 is detected, and the output signal is output to the main PCB E0014 through a flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012.

  Further, the main PCBE0014 is a printed circuit board unit that controls driving of each part of the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment, and includes a paper edge detection sensor (PE sensor) E0007, an ASF (automatic paper feeder) sensor E0009, a cover sensor E0022, a parallel sensor. The board has I / O ports for an interface (parallel I / F) E0016, a serial interface (serial I / F) E0017, a resume key E0019, an LED E0020, a power key E0018, a buzzer E0021, and the like. Still further, a motor (CR motor) E0001 that serves as a drive source for main-scanning the carriage M1400, a motor (LF motor) E0002 that serves as a drive source for transporting the recording medium, the rotation operation of the recording head, and the recording medium In addition to being connected to a motor (PG motor) E0003 that is also used for paper feeding operation to control these driving, it has a connection interface with ink empty sensor E0006, GAP sensor E0008, PG sensor E0010, CRFFC E0012, and power supply unit E0015. .

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the main PCB E0014. In the figure, E1001 is a CPU, and this CPU E1001 has a clock generator (PCG) E1002 connected to an oscillation circuit E1005 inside, and generates a system clock by its output signal E1019. Further, it is connected to a ROM E1004 and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) E1006 through a control bus E1014, and controls the ASIC E1006, an input signal E1017 from the power key, and an input signal E1016 from the resume key according to a program stored in the ROM. Ink empty detection signal connected to the built-in A / D converter E1003 by detecting the state of the cover detection signal E1042 and the head detection signal (HSENS) E1013 and further driving the buzzer E0021 by the buzzer signal (BUZ) E1018. (INKS) While detecting the state of temperature detection signal (TH) E1012 by the E1011 and the thermistor, it performs other various logical operations and condition judgments. There, controls driving of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  Here, the head detection signal E1013 is a head mounting detection signal input from the recording head cartridge H1000 via the flexible flat cable E0012, the carriage substrate E0013, and the contact flexible print cable E0011, and the ink empty detection signal E1011 is an ink empty sensor. An analog signal output from E0006 and a temperature detection signal E1012 are analog signals from a thermistor (not shown) provided on the carriage substrate E0013.

  E1008 is a CR motor driver, which uses a motor power source (VM) E1040 as a drive source, generates a CR motor drive signal E1037 in accordance with a CR motor control signal E1036 from the ASIC E1006, and drives the CR motor E0001. E1009 is an LF / PG motor driver, which uses a motor power source E1040 as a drive source, generates an LF motor drive signal E1035 according to a pulse motor control signal (PM control signal) E1033 from the ASIC E1006, and drives the LF motor thereby At the same time, a PG motor drive signal E1034 is generated to drive the PG motor.

  E1010 is a power supply control circuit that controls power supply to each sensor having a light emitting element in accordance with a power supply control signal E1024 from the ASIC E1006. The parallel I / F E0016 transmits the parallel I / F signal E1030 from the ASIC E1006 to the parallel I / F cable E1031 connected to the outside, and transmits the signal of the parallel I / F cable E1031 to the ASIC E1006. The serial I / F E0017 transmits the serial I / F signal E1028 from the ASIC E1006 to the serial I / F cable E1029 connected to the outside, and transmits the signal from the cable E1029 to the ASIC E1006.

  On the other hand, a head power supply (VH) E1039, a motor power supply (VM) E1040, and a logic power supply (VDD) E1041 are supplied from the power supply unit E0015. Also, a head power ON signal (VHON) E1022 and a motor power ON signal (VMOM) E1023 from the ASIC E1006 are input to the power supply unit E0015, and control ON / OFF of the head power E1039 and the motor power E1040, respectively. The logic power supply (VDD) E1041 supplied from the power supply unit E0015 is voltage-converted as necessary, and then supplied to each part inside and outside the main PCB E0014.

The head power signal E1039 is smoothed on the main PCB E0014 and then sent to the flexible flat cable E0011 to be used for driving the recording head cartridge H1000.
E1007 is a reset circuit that detects a decrease in the logic power supply voltage E1041, supplies a reset signal (RESET) E1015 to the CPU E1001 and the ASIC E1006, and performs initialization.

  The ASIC E1006 is a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit and is controlled by the CPU E1001 through the control bus E1014. The above-described CR motor control signal E1036, PM control signal E1033, power supply control signal E1024, head power supply ON signal E1022, and motor power supply The ON signal E1023 and the like are output to exchange signals with the parallel I / F E0016 and the serial I / F E0017, as well as the PE detection signal (PES) E1025 from the PE sensor E0007, and the ASF detection signal from the ASF sensor E0009 ( ASFS) E1026, GAP detection signal (GAPS) E1027 from sensor (GAP) sensor E0008 for detecting the gap between the recording head and the recording medium, PG detection signal (PGS) E10 from PG sensor E0010 Detects the second state, and transmitted to the CPU E1001 through the control bus E1014 data representing the state, CPU E1001 based on the input data performs a flashing LEDE0020 controls the driving of an LED drive signal E1038.

  Further, the state of the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is detected to generate a timing signal, and the head control signal E1021 is used to interface with the printhead cartridge H1000 to control the printing operation. Here, the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is an output signal of the CR encoder sensor E0004 inputted through the flexible flat cable E0012. The head control signal E1021 is supplied to the recording head H1000 via the flexible flat cable E0012, the carriage substrate E0013, and the contact FPC E0011.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the ASIC E1006.

  In the figure, the connection between each block shows only the flow of data related to the control of the head and each mechanism component, such as recording data and motor control data. Such control signals, clocks, and control signals related to DMA control are omitted in order to avoid complications described in the drawings.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral E2002 denotes a PLL controller. As shown in FIG. 9, a clock (CLK) E2031 and a PLL control signal (PLLON) E2033 output from the CPU E1001 are supplied to most of the ASIC E1006. (Not shown).

  Reference numeral E2001 denotes a CPU interface (CPU I / F). The reset signal E1015, a soft reset signal (PDWN) E2032 output from the CPU E1001, a clock signal (CLK) E2031, and a control signal from the control bus E1014 Controls register read / write for each block as described, supplies clocks to some blocks, accepts interrupt signals (not shown), and outputs an interrupt signal (INT) E2034 to the CPU E1001 Then, the occurrence of an interrupt in the ASIC E1006 is notified.

  Reference numeral E2005 denotes a DRAM having areas such as a reception buffer E2010, a work buffer E2011, a print buffer E2014, and a development data buffer E2016 as recording data buffers, and a motor control buffer E2023 for motor control. Furthermore, the buffer used in the scanner operation mode has areas such as a scanner take-in buffer E2024, a scanner data buffer E2026, and a send buffer E2028 that are used in place of the recording data buffers.

  The DRAM E2005 is also used as a work area necessary for the operation of the CPU E1001. That is, E2004 is a DRAM control unit, which switches between access from the CPU E1001 to the DRAM E2005 by the control bus and access from the DMA control unit E2003 to the DRAM E2005, which will be described later, and performs a read / write operation to the DRAM E2005.

  The DMA control unit E2003 receives a request (not shown) from each block, and in the case of a write operation, an address signal or a control signal (not shown), and write data E2038, E2041, E2044, E2053, E2055, E2057. Are output to the DRAM control unit E2004 to access the DRAM. In the case of reading, read data E2040, E2043, E2045, E2051, E2054, E2056, E2058, and E2059 from the DRAM control unit E2004 are transferred to the request source block.

  E2006 is an IEEE 1284 I / F, which performs a bidirectional communication interface with an external host device (not shown) through a parallel I / F E0016 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. Data received from the I / F E0016 (PIF reception data E2036) is transferred to the reception control unit E2008 by DMA processing, and data stored in the transmission buffer E2028 in the DRAM E2005 when reading the scanner (1284 transmission data (RDPIF) E2059) Is transmitted to the parallel I / F by DMA processing.

E2007 is a universal serial bus (USB) I / F, and performs a bidirectional communication interface with an external host device (not shown) through the serial I / F E0017 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. The received data (USB received data E2037) from the serial I / F E0017 is transferred to the reception control unit E2008 by DMA processing at the time of printing, and the data (USB transmitted data (RDUSB) stored in the transmission buffer E2028 in the DRAM E2005 is read by the scanner. E2058) is transmitted to the serial I / F E0017 by DMA processing. The reception control unit E2008 writes the reception data (WDIF) E2038) from the I / F selected from the 1284 I / F E2006 or USB I / F E2007 to the reception buffer write address managed by the reception buffer control unit E2039. Include.
E2009 is a compression / decompression DMA controller, which receives received data (raster data) stored in the receiving buffer E2010 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001, and receives the received buffer read address managed by the received buffer control unit E2039. The data (RDWK) E2040 is compressed / expanded in accordance with the designated mode, and written in the work buffer area as a recording code string (WDWK) E2041.

  E2013 is a recording buffer transfer DMA controller, which reads the recording code (RDWP) E2043 on the work buffer E2011 under the control of the CPU E1007 via the CPU I / F E2001, and sets each recording code in the order of data transfer to the recording head cartridge H1000. The data are rearranged to an appropriate address on the print buffer E2014 and transferred (WDWP E2044). Reference numeral E2012 denotes a work clear DMA controller, which designates work fill data (WDWF) for an area on the work buffer that has been transferred by the recording buffer transfer DMA controller E2013 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. E2042 is repeatedly written.

  E2015 is a recording data expansion DMA controller, and the recording written and rearranged on the print buffer is triggered by the data expansion timing signal E2050 from the head controller E2018 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. The code and the development data written on the development data buffer E2016 are read out, and the development record data (RDHDG) E2045 is written into the column buffer E2017 as column buffer write data (WDHDG) E2047. Here, the column buffer E2017 is an SRAM that temporarily stores transfer data (development recording data) to the recording head cartridge H1000, and a handshake signal (not shown) between the recording data expansion DMA controller E2015 and the head control unit E2018. ) Is shared and managed by both blocks.

  E2018 is a head control unit that controls the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001 to interface with the printhead cartridge H1000 or the scanner via a head control signal, and also a head drive timing signal from the encoder signal processing unit E2019. Based on E2049, a data expansion timing signal E2050 is output to the recording data expansion DMA controller.

  At the time of printing, in accordance with the head drive timing signal E2049, the developed recording data (RDHD) E2048 is read from the column buffer, and the data is output to the recording head cartridge H1000 as the head control signal E1021.

  In the scanner reading mode, the take-in data (WDHD) E2053 input as the head control signal E1021 is DMA-transferred to the scanner take-in buffer E2024 on the DRAM E2005. Reference numeral E2025 denotes a scanner data processing DMA controller. Under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001, the acquisition buffer read data (RDAV) E2054 stored in the scanner acquisition buffer E2024 is read and subjected to processing such as averaging. The processed data (WDAV) E2055 is written into the scanner data buffer E2026 on the DRAM E2005.

  E2027 is a scanner data compression DMA controller. Under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001, the processed data (RDYC) E2056 on the scanner data buffer E2026 is read and compressed, and compressed data (WDYC) E2057 is read. Write and transfer to the send buffer E2028.

  An encoder signal processing unit E2019 receives an encoder signal (ENC) and outputs a head drive timing signal E2049 according to a mode determined by the control of the CPU E1001, and also the position and speed of the carriage M4001 obtained from the encoder signal E1020. Is stored in a register and provided to the CPU E1001. Based on this information, the CPU E1001 determines various parameters in the control of the CR motor E0001. Reference numeral E2020 denotes a CR motor control unit which outputs a CR motor control signal E1036 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001.

  E2022 is a sensor signal processing unit that receives detection signals E1033, E1025, E1026, and E1027 output from the PG sensor E0010, PE sensor E0007, ASF sensor E0009, and GAP sensor E0008, and is determined by the control of the CPU E1001. In addition to transmitting the sensor information to the CPU E1001 according to the selected mode, it outputs a sensor detection signal E2052 to the DMA controller E2021 for LF / PG motor control.

The LF / PG motor control DMA controller E2021 reads a pulse motor drive table (RDPM) E2051 from the motor control buffer E2023 on the DRAM E2005 and outputs a pulse motor control signal E1033 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. In addition to outputting, depending on the operation mode, a pulse motor control signal E1033 is output using the sensor detection signal as a control trigger.
E2030 is an LED control unit that outputs an LED drive signal E1038 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001. Further, E2029 is a port control unit that outputs a head power ON signal E1022, a motor power ON signal E1023, and a power control signal E1024 under the control of the CPU E1001 via the CPU I / F E2001.

[Printer operation]
Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the apparatus main body 1000 is connected to the AC power source, first, in step S1, a first initialization process of the apparatus is performed. In this initialization process, an electrical circuit system check such as a ROM and RAM check of the apparatus is performed to confirm whether or not the apparatus can operate normally.

  Next, in step S2, it is determined whether the power key E0018 provided on the upper case M1002 of the apparatus body M1000 is turned on. If the power key E0018 is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S3. Here, a second initialization process is performed.

  In this second initialization process, various drive mechanisms and recording heads of this apparatus are checked. That is, when initializing various motors and reading head information, it is confirmed whether the apparatus can operate normally.

  In step S4, an event is waited for. That is, the apparatus monitors a command event from the external I / F, a panel key event by a user operation, an internal control event, and the like, and executes processing corresponding to the event when these events occur.

For example, if a print command event is received from the external I / F in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5. If a power key event is generated by a user operation in the same step, the process proceeds to step S10. If another event occurs in the same step, the process proceeds to step S11.
Here, in step S5, the print command from the external I / F is analyzed, the designated paper type, paper size, print quality, paper feed method, etc. are judged, and data representing the judgment result is stored in the apparatus. Store in RAM E2005 and proceed to step S6.
Next, in step S6, paper feeding is started by the paper feeding method specified in step S5, the paper is sent to the recording start position, and the process proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, a recording operation is performed. In this recording operation, the recording data sent from the external I / F is temporarily stored in the recording buffer, and then the CR motor E0001 is driven to start the movement of the carriage M4001 in the main scanning direction, and the print buffer E2014. Is supplied to the recording head H1001 to record one line, and when the recording operation for one line of recording data is completed, the LF motor E0002 is driven and the LF roller M3001 is rotated to make a sheet. Are sent in the sub-scanning direction. Thereafter, the above operation is repeatedly executed, and when the recording of one page of recording data from the external I / F is completed, the process proceeds to step 8.

  In step S8, the LF motor E0002 is driven, the paper discharge roller M2003 is driven, and the paper feeding is repeated until it is determined that the paper is completely sent out from the apparatus. When the paper is finished, the paper is placed on the paper discharge tray M1004a. The paper is completely discharged.

  Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the recording operation for all the pages to be recorded has been completed. If pages to be recorded remain, the process returns to step S5. The above operations are repeated, and when the recording operation for all the pages to be recorded is completed, the recording operation ends, and then the process proceeds to step S4 to wait for the next event.

  On the other hand, in step S10, printer termination processing is performed to stop the operation of the apparatus. In other words, in order to turn off the power of various motors and heads, after shifting to a state where the power can be turned off, the power is turned off and the process proceeds to step S4 to wait for the next event.

  In step S11, event processing other than the above is performed. For example, processing corresponding to a recovery command from various panel keys of this apparatus, an external I / F, or a recovery event that occurs internally is performed. After the process is completed, the process proceeds to step S4 and waits for the next event.

  In addition, one form in which the present invention is effectively used is a form in which bubbles are formed by causing film boiling in a liquid using thermal energy generated by an electrothermal transducer.

  The recording head H1001 will be described in more detail.

  The recording head H1001 is a bubble jet side shooter type recording head that performs recording using an electrothermal transducer that generates thermal energy for causing film boiling to the ink in accordance with an electrical signal. .

  As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, the recording head H1001 includes a recording element unit H1002 and a tank holder unit H1003. Further, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, the recording element unit H1002 includes a recording element substrate H1100, a first plate H1200, an electric wiring substrate H1300, and a second plate H1400, and a tank. The holder unit H1003 includes a tank holder H1500, a flow path forming member H1600, a packing member H200, six filters H1700, and six seal rubbers H1800.

(Recording element unit)
The recording element substrate H1100 is, for example, a side shooter type as shown in FIG. 17, and is composed of a single substrate. In the substrate, the plurality of ejection openings H1100T formed in two rows in a staggered pattern are formed, for example, at about 1200 dpi for each ink color, and each ejects ink of different ink colors.

  The recording element substrate H1100 includes, for example, a Si substrate 1101 having a thin film formed on the surface thereof, and an orifice plate H1112 formed on the substrate 1101.

  The substrate 1101 has, for example, a thickness of 0.5 to 1 (mm), and six rows of ink supply ports H1102 each having a long groove-like through-hole as a six-color ink flow path are integrally formed in parallel with each other. The distance between the adjacent ink supply ports H1102 is set to about 2.5 mm, for example. Since the mutual distance is relatively small as described above, the recording head can be reduced in size. On both sides of each ink supply port H1102, a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements H1103 as recording elements are arranged in a zigzag pattern, for example, approximately 1200 dpi for each ink color.

  A plurality of electrothermal transducers H1103 formed on the substrate 1101 and electrical wiring such as Al for supplying electric power to each electrothermal transducer H1103 (not shown in FIG. 17) are formed by a film forming technique. Yes. Moreover, the electrode part H1104 for supplying electric power to the electric wiring is formed along the end in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the electrothermal conversion elements H1103. The electrode portion H1104 is provided with a plurality of bumps H1105 such as gold corresponding to the electrode terminals H1302 of the electric wiring board H1300 described above. The ink supply port H1102 is formed, for example, by performing anisotropic etching using the crystal orientation of the Si substrate 1101.

  In addition, in the orifice plate H1112 formed on the substrate H1101, an ink flow path wall H1106 and an ejection port 1100T for forming an ink flow path corresponding to each electrothermal conversion element H1103 are formed by a photolithography technique. . Accordingly, the adjacent ejection ports 1100T are partitioned from each other by the ink flow path wall H1106.

  Six rows of ejection ports H1100T corresponding to the six colors of ink supplied from the respective ink supply ports H1102 are integrally formed in one orifice plate H1112. Similar to the arrangement of the electrothermal conversion elements H1103, the discharge port H1100T array is formed in a staggered manner, for example, about 1200 dpi for each ink color. That is, the discharge port H1100T is provided to face the electrothermal conversion element H1103.

The first plate H1200 shown in FIG. 2 is made of, for example, an alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) material having a thickness of 0.5 to 10 mm. The material of the first plate is not limited to alumina, and has a linear expansion coefficient equivalent to that of the material of the recording element substrate H1100 and is equivalent to the thermal conductivity of the material of the recording element substrate H1100. The comb may be made of a material having a thermal conductivity equal to or higher than that. Examples of the material of the first plate H1200 include silicon (Si), aluminum nitride (AlN), zirconia, silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon carbide (SiC), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W). Either may be sufficient. In the first plate H1200, six ink supply ports H1201 for supplying six colors of ink to the recording element substrate H1100 are formed. The six ink supply ports H1102 of the recording element substrate H1100 are positioned corresponding to the six ink supply ports H1201 of the first plate H1200, respectively, and the recording element substrate H1100 has a high positional accuracy with respect to the first plate H1200. Bonded and fixed. The first adhesive H1202 used for bonding is applied on the first plate H1200 in a substantially recording element substrate shape, and so as not to generate an air path between adjacent ink supply ports. The first adhesive H1202, for example, has a relatively low viscosity, a thin adhesive layer formed on the contact surface, a relatively high hardness after curing, and ink resistance. desirable. The first adhesive H1202 is, for example, a thermosetting adhesive mainly composed of an epoxy resin, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is desirably 50 μm or less.

  The first plate H1200 has protrusions H1200A at both ends. The protrusion H1200A has an engagement surface H1200a as a reference surface that is engaged with the reference end surface portions H1502a and 1502b of the tank holder H1500 described above. The protrusion H1200A protrudes substantially perpendicular to the side surface, that is, along the moving direction of the tank holder H1500. Further, a through hole H1200d with which the tip of the positioning pin IP is engaged is formed at a position corresponding to the positioning pin IP of the tank holder H1500.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 17, the electrical wiring board H1300 applies an electrical signal for ejecting ink to the recording element substrate H1100, and has an opening H1300a for incorporating the recording element board H1100. And an electrode terminal H1302 corresponding to the electrode portion H1104 of the recording element substrate H1100 and an external signal input terminal H1301 for receiving an electric signal from the main body device located at the end of the wiring.

  The opening H1300a of the electrical wiring substrate H1300 corresponds to the opening H1400a of the recording element substrate H1100 and the second plate H1400 disposed on the first plate H1200.

  The electrical wiring substrate H1300 and the recording element substrate H1100 are electrically connected. For example, after the thermosetting adhesive resin is applied between the electrode portion H1104 of the recording element substrate H1100 and the electrode terminal H1302 of the electric wiring substrate H1300, the electrode portion H1104 of the recording element substrate H1100 and the electric wiring substrate are connected. The electrode portion H1104 and the electrode terminal H1302 are collectively connected electrically by heating and pressurizing the electrode terminal H1302 of the H1300 at once with a heat tool to cure the thermosetting adhesive resin. The thermosetting adhesive resin can be similarly used when an anisotropic conductive adhesive containing conductive particles is used. In the configuration of this embodiment, for example, an anisotropic conductive adhesive film composed of conductive particles having a single particle diameter of nickel of 2 to 6 μm and an adhesive mainly composed of an epoxy resin is used to form the recording element substrate H1100. When the electrode part H1104 and the electrode terminal H1302 plated with gold on the electric wiring board H1300 were heat-pressed at a temperature of 170 to 250 ° C., electrical connection was suitably made.

  As a material of the electrical wiring board H1300, for example, a flexible wiring board having a two-layer structure is used, and the surface layer is covered with a resist film. In addition, a reinforcing plate H1303 is bonded to the back side of the external signal input terminal H1301 to improve the flatness of the external signal input terminal H1301. As a material of the reinforcing plate H1303, for example, a heat-resistant material such as 0.5 to 2 mm glass epoxy resin or aluminum is used.

The second plate H1400 is made of, for example, an alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) material having a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm. The material of the second plate is not limited to alumina, and has a linear expansion coefficient equivalent to that of the recording element substrate H1100 and the first plate H1200, and is equivalent to or higher than their thermal conductivity. It may be made of a material having thermal conductivity. The second plate H1400 has a shape having an opening larger than the outer dimension of the recording element substrate H1100 bonded and fixed to the first plate H1200. Further, the second plate H1400 is bonded to the first plate H1200 with the second adhesive H1203 so that the recording element substrate H1100 and the electric wiring substrate H1300 can be electrically connected in a plane. On the other hand, the back surface of the electric wiring board H1300 is also bonded and fixed to the second plate H1400 by the third adhesive H1306. In addition, the electric wiring board H1300 is bonded to the second plate H1400, and at the same time, is bent on one side of the first plate H1200 and the second plate H1400, and the third bonding is performed on the side of the first plate H1200. Bonded with agent H1306. As the second adhesive H1203, for example, an adhesive having a low viscosity, a thin adhesive layer formed on the contact surface, and having ink resistance is used. Further, as the third adhesive H1306, for example, a thermosetting adhesive film having a thickness of 10 to 100 μm mainly composed of an epoxy resin is used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical connection portion between the recording element substrate H1100 and the electrical wiring substrate H1300 of the recording element unit H1002 configured as described above includes a first sealing agent (not shown) and a second sealing agent. It is sealed with a sealant H1308 to protect the electrical connection portion from ink corrosion and external impact. The first sealing agent mainly seals the outer peripheral portion of the recording element substrate H1100, and the second sealing agent seals the edge of the opening of the electrical wiring substrate H1300. Further, the folded electric wiring board H1300 is further formed in accordance with the back surface shape of the tank holder H1500.

(Tank holder unit)
The tank holder H1500 is formed by resin molding, for example. As the resin material, it is desirable to use a resin material mixed with 5 to 40% of glass filler in order to improve the shape rigidity. As described above, the tank holder H1500 holds the removable ink tank H1900, and engages the tank positioning pin, the first claw, the second claw, and the third claw of the ink tank H1900. FIG. 1 shows a tank positioning hole 1520, a first hole (not shown), a second hole (not shown), a third hole 1521, and an opening H1506 for a prism used for ink remaining amount detection. Have to be.

  The tank holder H1500 includes a mounting guide H1507 for guiding the recording head cartridge H1000 to the mounting position on the carriage M4001 of the ink jet recording apparatus main body, an engaging portion for mounting and fixing the recording head cartridge to the carriage by a head set lever, And an X abutting portion H1509, a Y abutting portion H1510, and a Z abutting portion H1511 for positioning at a predetermined mounting position of the carriage. The tank holder H1500 has a terminal fixing portion H1512 for positioning and fixing the external signal input terminal H1301 portion of the recording element unit H1002. Since a plurality of ribs are provided around the terminal fixing portion H1512 and its periphery, the rigidity of the surface having the terminal fixing portion H1512 is enhanced. Further, a rib H1516 is provided between the cells in which the ink tanks H1900 are mounted to prevent color mixing. Further, a handle portion H1513 is provided on the side surface of the tank holder H1500, so that the handling performance of the recording head H1001 is improved.

  The tank holder H1500 is a component of a tank holder unit H1003 that forms an ink flow path H1501 for guiding ink from the ink tank H1900 to the recording element unit H1002. An ink flow path H1501 is formed by ultrasonically welding the flow path forming member H1600 to the tank holder H1500. In addition, a filter H1700 for preventing entry of dust from the outside is joined to the joint portion engaged with the ink tank H1900 by heat welding, and further, in order to prevent ink from evaporating from the joint portion H1517. A seal rubber H1800 is attached. The filter H1700 is, for example, a filter obtained by sintering SUS fibers having a pore diameter of 10 μm or less, formed in a dome shape, and fixed to the joint portion H1518 by heat welding. In that case, as the dome-shaped convex amount, a shape having a maximum curvature radius of about 0.1 to 0.5 (mm) is preferable.

  By providing such a filter H1700, not only is it effective against the entry of dust from the outside, but also the connection between each joint portion and the ink tank H1900 is improved.

  In the portion of the tank holder H1500 where the flow path forming member H1600 is inserted and fixed, as shown in FIG. 11, one end communicates with the ink supply hole H1520 and the other end is the ink of the flow path forming member H1600. A groove-like ink flow path H1521 formed corresponding to the open end of the flow path is formed corresponding to each ink tank H1900. Therefore, the other end of each ink flow path H1521 is the opening of the ink flow path of the flow path forming member H1600 so that the mutual distance between the other ends of each ink flow path H1521 is smaller than the mutual distance between the one ends. It gathers corresponding to the edge. Ink supply for supplying each ink from each ink tank H1900 to each ink flow path of the flow path forming member H1600 by joining the contact surface of the flow path forming member H1600 to the fixed portion of the tank holder H1500. A path will be formed.

  Further, positioning pins IP that are engaged with the flow path forming member H1600 and the first plate H1200 are planted in a portion where the flow path forming member H1600 is inserted and fixed.

  Further, the tank holder H1500 has reference end face portions H1502a and 1502b at the lower end portion on the back side where the external signal input terminal H1301 is positioned and fixed. The reference end face portions H1502a and 1502b are formed on the same plane in the wall portion that forms the periphery of the portion where the flow path forming member H1600 is inserted and fixed. Accordingly, since the reference end face portions H1502a and 1502b are formed on the same plane, it becomes easy to form them simultaneously during the forming process.

  Further, the reference end face portions H1502a and 1502b are in communication with the sides through notches H1503a and H1503b formed at the periphery of the portion where the flow path forming member H1600 is inserted and fixed, respectively. Further, a notch H1504 with which the end of the first plate H1200 is engaged is formed at the center of the wall where the reference end face portions H1502a and 1502b are formed.

  The flow path forming member H1600 has projecting pieces H1600a and H1600b that sandwich both end portions of the first plate H1200 on the surface facing the first plate H1200 combined through the packing member H2000.

  At that time, a predetermined gap in which the protrusion H1200A of the first plate H1200 is engaged between the protrusions H1600a and H1600b fixed to the tank holder H1500 and the reference end face portions H1502a and 1502b of the tank holder H1500. Will be formed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (A) and (B), the ink flow paths H2000a and H2000b of the packing member 2000, and the protruding pieces H1600a and H1600b facing each other, Corresponding to the other end of each ink flow path H1521, the communication holes H1600d are formed in a straight line parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. At the open end of each communication hole H1600d, a circular edge H1600e is formed so as to protrude from the other part on the periphery on the side where the packing member H2000 is brought into contact without an adhesive. Each edge H1600e is engaged with each ink flow path H2000b of the packing member H2000 when engaged with the packing member H2000. That is, each communication hole H1600d is communicated with the inside of the first plate H1200 via the packing member H2000.

  The packing member H2000 is made of a rubber material, for example, chlorinated butyl rubber having low gas permeability, and has a hardness (JIS K6301 A scale) of 40 degrees to 50 degrees.

  In the case of this example, the packing member H2000 is made of chlorinated butyl rubber having a hardness of 45 degrees and a thickness of about 2.5 mm. When a predetermined compressive force is applied in the axial direction of the packing member H2000, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the packing member H2000 is displaced.

  FIG. 6 shows the characteristic of the repulsive force σ according to the compression amount δ, with the vertical axis representing the repulsive force σ (N) and the horizontal axis representing the compression amount δ (mm). The repulsive force σ increases in proportion to a predetermined gradient as the compression amount δ increases. When the repulsive force σ is 10 (N) and the compression amount δ exceeds 0.5 mm, the repulsive force σ is It is assumed that it increases with a larger gradient as δ increases. In setting the contact pressure of the packing member H2000 acting between the flow path forming member H1600 and the first plate H1200, the chlorinated butyl rubber having the hardness of 45 degrees, the first plate H1200, and the flow path forming member are set. It was determined by examining the adhesion of H1600.

  As a verification method, after the packing member H2000 is actually assembled as a component of the above-described recording head cartridge H1000, there is a leak test based on a suction operation with a predetermined negative pressure and adhesion between them. It was confirmed visually. An epoxy adhesive (trade name HP-2R / 2H, manufactured by Canon Kasei Co., Ltd.) was used as the adhesive applied to a predetermined position of the flow path forming member H1600 shown in FIG. As a result, in the packing member H2000 having the characteristics shown in FIG. 6, when the contact pressure (repulsive force σ) was in the range of 5 (N) to 10 (N), there was no problem with the leak test and its adhesion. .

  In addition, when the surface treatment described below is performed on the part to be bonded, it has been confirmed that the adhesive force of each adhesive described later has been improved, and bonding is possible even when the repulsive force σ of the packing member H2000 is 30 (N). Met.

  This is because the sum of the elastic force acting in the direction of separating the first plate member H1200 from the flow path forming member H1600 and the elastic force of the electric wiring board H1300 acting in the same direction is based on the adhesive force of the adhesive. Because it becomes small.

  Therefore, the repulsive force σ of the packing member H2000 is set in the range of 5 (N) to 30 (N), preferably 5 (N) to 10 (N).

  In this example, when the packing member H2000 is disposed between the flow path forming member H1600 and the first plate H1200, the contact pressure (repulsive force σ) of the packing member H2000 preferably acts. δ is set to be 0.3 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less.

  Therefore, as is apparent from FIG. 6, the packing member H2000 causes a reaction force of 5 (N) or more and 10 (N) or less to act between the flow path forming member H1600 and the first plate H1200.

  The packing member H2000 has six ink flow paths H2000b into which the respective edges H1600e of the flow path forming member H1600 are fitted. The ink flow path H2000b is connected to and communicates with an ink flow path H2000a having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter. An annular lip portion H2000p that abuts on a flat surface that forms the periphery of each edge H1600e of the flow path forming member H1600 is formed at the periphery of the opening end of the ink flow path H2000b. On the other hand, an annular rib portion H2000r that is in contact with the surface of the first plate H1200 is formed at the periphery of the opening end of the ink flow path H2000a. Accordingly, the packing member H2000 comes into contact with the surface of the first plate H1200 only through the rib portion H2000r.

  For example, the rib portion H2000r has a triangular cross-sectional shape in which the width W and the height H are 0.3 mm and 0.15 mm, respectively.

(Combination of recording head unit and tank holder unit)
As described above, the recording head H1001 is completed by connecting the recording element unit H1002 to the tank holder unit H1003 as shown in FIG. The coupling is performed as follows.

  The ink supply port of the recording element unit H1002 (ink supply port H1201 of the first plate H1200) and the ink supply port of the tank holder unit H1003 (ink supply port of the flow path forming member H1600) are communicated via the packing member H2000. As shown in FIG. 1, the seventh adhesive H1605 is applied to a plurality of locations on the flow path forming member H1600, and the first plate H1200 and the flow path forming member H1600 are bonded and fixed. As the seventh adhesive H1605, for example, the above-described epoxy adhesive (trade name HP-2R / 2H, manufactured by Canon Kasei Co., Ltd.) was used. The adhesive force of the seventh adhesive H1605 is, for example, 30 (N) or more.

  Therefore, as described above, the repulsive force of the packing member H2000 is 5N or more and 10N or less, and the elastic force of the electric wiring board H1300 acting in the same direction is about 15 (N), so the first plate H1200. And the flow path forming member H1600 are securely bonded by the seventh adhesive H1605.

  Further, when the recording element unit H1002 is bonded to the tank holder unit H1003 by the seventh adhesive H1605, the recording element unit H1002 is applied to a predetermined portion of the flow path forming member H1600 shown in FIG. Positioning is temporarily fixed with an adhesive H1604. The sixth adhesive H1604 is desirably an adhesive that cures instantaneously. In this embodiment, for example, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used, but another adhesive may be used.

  The seventh adhesive H1605 may be any adhesive that has ink resistance, is cured at room temperature, and is flexible enough to withstand the difference in linear expansion between different materials.

  The external signal input terminal H1301 portion of the recording element unit H1002 is positioned and fixed to one side surface of the tank holder H1500 by terminal positioning pins H1515 (two places) and terminal positioning holes H1309 (two places). For example, the terminal coupling pins H1516 (six locations) provided in the tank holder H1500 and the terminal coupling holes H1310 (six locations) provided around the external signal input terminal H1301 of the electric wiring board H1300 are fitted together. The terminal coupling pin H1516 is fixed by heat welding, but other fixing means may be used.

  At this time, since the adhesive force of the sixth adhesive H1604 is about 20 (N), which is smaller than the adhesive force of the seventh adhesive H1605, the holding as the leaf spring shown in FIG. The member H2100 holds the first plate H1200 against the flow path forming member H1600 for a predetermined period, for example, about 12 hours.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the holding member H2100 includes a bifurcated first locking portion H1200a that is locked to both sides of the electric wiring board H1300 fixed to the tank holder H1500, and an abbreviation of the tank holder H1500. The second locking portion H2100c inserted into and engaged with two adjacent openings H1506 in the central portion, the first locking portion H1200a, and the second locking portion H2100c are coupled, The wiring board H1300 includes a pressing portion H2100d that presses the periphery of the recording element H1100.

  The holding member H2100 maintains the adhesive state of the first plate H1200 against the urging force acting in the direction in which the first plate H1200 is separated from the flow path forming member H1600, that is, the direction indicated by the arrow. Is done. The holding member H2100 maintains the adhesion state of the first plate H1200 when the urging force is in the range of about 50 or more and 100 (N) or less.

  Accordingly, when the recording element unit H1002 is coupled to the tank holder unit H1003, the ink supply port of the recording element unit H1002 (ink supply port H1201 of the first plate H1200) and the ink supply port of the tank holder unit H1003 (flow path formation). Since the ink supply port of the member H1600 is coupled to the member H1600 via the packing member H2000 without an adhesive, the quality control of managing the coating amount is unnecessary, and the recording head can be assembled quickly and easily.

  In the above-described example, before the surfaces to be bonded of the tank holder H1500 are joined, the surface to be bonded may be subjected to a modification process. As the modification treatment, oxygen plasma or corona discharge treatment is preferable. In this example, it was processed for about 30 seconds with a high-frequency corona surface treatment apparatus (AGI-02S, 300W, manufactured by Kasuga Denki Co., Ltd.). In the corona discharge treatment, an active group is generated on the surface of the work piece placed between the electrodes by colliding the electrons generated by applying high frequency and high voltage between the electrodes installed in the air. This is a process that increases the adhesive strength.

  Thereby, the adhesive force of the sixth adhesive H1604 described above was increased to about 50 (N), and the adhesive force of the seventh adhesive H1605 was increased to about 200 (N).

  Therefore, the above-described holding member H2100 is not required by performing the reforming process before the coupling as described above. As a result, mass productivity is improved in production.

H1000 recording head cartridge H1001 recording head H1100 recording element substrate H1100T discharge port H1200 first plate H1201 ink supply port H1300 electric wiring substrate H1301 external signal input terminal H1400 second plate H1500 tank holder H1501 ink flow path H1600 flow path forming member H1700 Filter H1800 Seal rubber H1900 Ink tank H1600d Communication path H2000 Packing member

Claims (3)

A recording element unit that includes a recording element substrate that discharges liquid and performs a recording operation; a plate-like member having a liquid supply path that supplies liquid to the recording element substrate; and a liquid from a liquid supply source that supplies liquid. A liquid supply recording unit having a communication path leading to the recording element unit;
A liquid flow path communicating with the liquid supply path and the communication path between one end of the liquid supply path of the plate-like member and one end of the communication path of the liquid supply unit; Arranging an elastic seal member having;
An ultraviolet curable type in which the liquid supply unit and the recording element unit are cured in a predetermined curing time applied to a plurality of locations on a joint surface that forms the periphery of the elastic seal member in a state where the elastic seal member is compressed. An adhesive that is temporarily fixed with an adhesive and then applied to a plurality of other locations on the joint surface, and has an adhesive strength stronger than that of the ultraviolet curable adhesive and cures at room temperature for a time longer than the predetermined curing time. Bonding and fixing by,
A method of manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head, comprising:   2. The method of manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head according to claim 1, wherein the elastic seal member has a contact pressure of 5 (N) or more and 30 (N) or less.   3. The method of manufacturing a liquid discharge recording head according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive that cures at room temperature is an epoxy adhesive.

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