JP2010030166A - Head unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent mist from passing through between a head and a plate member. <P>SOLUTION: The head unit includes a member to be attached which includes the head, the plate member with an opening through which a part of the head passes, and a seal member which is prepared in the periphery of the opening to be in touch with the plate member and the member to be attached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a head unit.

Inkjet printers that perform printing by discharging ink from nozzles of a head are used. Some of these printers have a base plate for holding the head. At this time, the base plate is provided with an opening for arranging the head.
JP 2004-322606 A

When the opening is provided in the base plate, a gap may be generated between the base plate and the head. By the way, although the ink ejected from the head may be scattered as mist, if there is a gap as described above, the mist passes through the gap.
When the connection between the base plate and the head is used as a boundary and the upper part of the base plate is viewed as the ink supply side and the lower part as the ink discharge side, the ink supply side may have electrical contacts for control. In such a case, when the mist from the ink ejection side passes through the gap between the head and a plate member such as a base plate, the mist adheres to the electrical contact, which may cause a problem with the head.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent mist from passing between a head and a plate member.

The main invention for achieving the above object is:
A mounted member including a head;
A plate member having an opening through which a part of the head passes;
A seal member provided around the opening and in contact with the plate member and the attached member;
It is a head unit provided with.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A mounted member including a head;
A plate member having an opening through which a part of the head passes;
A seal member provided around the opening and in contact with the plate member and the attached member;
A head unit comprising:
By doing so, it is possible to prevent mist from passing between the head and the plate member.

  In such a head unit, the outer diameter of the attached member is preferably larger than the outer diameter of the opening. The seal member preferably includes an absorbent that absorbs liquid. The attached member preferably includes an adjustment member for moving the head in parallel with the plate surface of the plate member. The attached member preferably includes a fixing member for fixing the head to the adjusting member.

In addition, the fixing member is provided with a groove for providing a further sealing member, the fixing member is installed in contact with the adjustment member, and the additional sealing member provided in the groove is connected to the fixing member and the fixing member. It is desirable to be in contact with the adjustment member. Further, it is desirable that the attached member is disposed on the ink supply side of the head with respect to the plate member. The attached member may be disposed on the ink ejection side of the head with respect to the plate member.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent mist from passing between the head and the plate member.

=== Embodiment ===
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the printer 1, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view for explaining a schematic configuration of the printer 1. The basic configuration of the printer 1 will be described below with reference to these drawings.

  The printer 1 includes a paper transport unit 20, a head unit 40, a detector group 50, a controller 60, an interface 61, and a drive signal generation circuit 70. The printer 1 receives print data from the computer 110 via the interface 61. Based on the received data, the controller 60 of the printer 1 controls each part (the paper transport unit 20, the head unit 40, and the drive signal generation circuit 70) of the printer 1 and prints an image on the paper S.

  The paper transport unit 20 is for transporting a medium (for example, the paper S) in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction). The paper transport unit 20 includes a paper feed roller 21, a transport motor (not shown), an upstream transport roller 23 </ b> A and a downstream transport roller 23 </ b> B, and a belt 24. The paper feed roller 21 is a roller for feeding the paper S inserted into the paper insertion opening into the printer. When a conveyance motor (not shown) rotates, the upstream conveyance roller 23A and the downstream conveyance roller 23B rotate, and the belt 24 rotates. The paper S fed by the paper feed roller 21 is conveyed by the belt 24 to a printable area (area facing the head). As the belt 24 transports the paper S, the paper S moves in the transport direction with respect to the head unit 40. The paper S that has passed through the printable area is discharged to the outside by the belt 24. The sheet S being conveyed is electrostatically attracted or vacuum attracted to the belt 24.

  The head unit 40 is for ejecting ink droplets onto the paper S. The head unit 40 forms dots on the paper S by ejecting ink droplets onto the paper S being conveyed, and prints an image on the paper S. The printer 1 in the present embodiment is a line printer, and the head unit 40 has a plurality of heads as will be described later. The configuration of the head unit 40 will be described in detail later.

  The situation inside the printer 1 is monitored by a detector group 50. The detector group 50 outputs the detection result to the controller 60. Then, the controller 60 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  The controller 60 is a control unit for controlling the printer 1. The controller 60 is connected to the interface unit 61 in the printer 1 and can communicate with the computer 110. The controller 60 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the entire printer. A memory for storing programs and data is also included. And each part is controlled according to the program stored in memory.

  The drive signal generation circuit 70 is a circuit that generates a drive signal applied to the head in order to eject ink droplets from the nozzles. The drive signal generation circuit 70 generates a drive signal based on the waveform data output from the controller 60 and outputs the generated drive signal to the head unit 40.

  FIG. 3 is a top view for explaining the configuration of the head unit 40. The head unit 40 includes an ink tank 43, an ink distributor 45, and a tube 44 that connects the ink tank 43 and the ink distributor 45. The head unit 40 includes ten heads 411 to 425 and a tube 46 for supplying ink from the ink distributor 45 to each head. Each head 411 to 425 is attached to the base plate BP as will be described later.

  The ink tank 43 has four cells so that four colors of ink can be stored. Specifically, a cell 431 for storing black ink, a cell 432 for storing cyan ink, a cell 433 for storing magenta ink, and a yellow ink are stored. It has a cell 434 for storing.

  A hole is provided in the lower part of each cell of the ink tank 43, and a tube 44 is connected thereto. Ink of each color is supplied to each head through the tube 44, the ink distributor 45, and the tube 46.

  Each head of the first head 411 to the tenth head 425 in the present embodiment has four nozzle rows. Each nozzle row is composed of nozzles arranged in a direction (paper width direction) intersecting the transport direction. These nozzle rows are arranged in the order of a nozzle row for discharging yellow ink, a nozzle row for discharging magenta ink, a nozzle row for discharging cyan ink, and a nozzle row for discharging black ink from the upstream side in the transport direction.

  An image can be formed on the medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles of each nozzle row while passing a medium such as the paper S under the head unit 40.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the base plate BP. As described above, each head is attached to the base plate BP. The base plate BP is a rectangular plate and is provided with ten rectangular holes for mounting the head. Shown in the figure is one of the rectangular holes RH for mounting the head. Further, in the figure, the outer diameter of the head when the head is mounted is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining how to attach the head to the base plate BP in the first embodiment. Here, a state in which the second head 412 of the ten heads is attached to the base plate BP will be described. However, the other heads are attached in the same manner. Therefore, the following description will be given as “head 42” as a representative head.

  In the figure, a head 42, an absorbent material AB as a seal member, and a base plate BP are shown. The head 42 is provided with four ink supply ports 47 so that four colors of ink can be supplied. The head 42 is provided with a connector CN which is an electrical contact. A flexible flat cable or the like can be attached to the connector CN. The head 42 is controlled by an electrical signal sent through the flexible flat cable.

  The head 42 has a protruding portion OV that extends outward from the ink discharge surface 48 in the surface direction of the base plate BP. The opening RH of the base plate BP is wider than the ink discharge surface 48 and narrower than the protruding portion OV. Therefore, the ink ejection surface 48 is configured to pass through the opening RH but the protruding portion OV does not hit the base plate BP so that the entire head 42 does not pass through the opening RH.

  By the way, the above-described nozzle row is provided on the lower surface of the head 42. Then, ink is ejected from each nozzle of these nozzle rows. When ink is ejected, fine mist that has not landed on the medium may scatter. The head 42 is attached to the base plate BP. If a gap is formed between the head 42 and the base plate BP, these mists may pass through the gap and enter the upper portion of the base plate BP. As described above, the connector CN, which is an electrical contact, is provided above the base plate BP. For this reason, when the ink mist passes through the gap, the ink mist adheres to an electrical contact or the like, which may cause a problem in the operation of the head 42.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the absorbent AB having a rectangular shape between the protruding portion OV of the head 42 and the base plate BP and having substantially the same opening as the opening RH of the base plate BP is sandwiched. Here, the absorbent material AB is an absorbent material such as a sponge. The absorbent material AB is provided with holes for passing fastening members at four locations. Then, a fastening member 485 such as a screw is fastened so that the absorbent material AB is sandwiched between the protruding portion OV of the head 42 and the base plate BP. By doing so, the protruding portion OV and the base plate BP are in close contact with each other through the absorbent AB, and mist from the ink discharge surface 48 can be prevented from entering the upper portion of the base plate BP.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining an AA cross section in the first embodiment. In the figure, the head 42, the absorbent AB and the base plate BP in the AA cross section shown in FIG. 3 are shown. Moreover, FIG. 6B is a figure for demonstrating the BB cross section in 1st Embodiment. In the drawing, the head 42, the absorbent AB, and the base plate BP in the BB cross section shown in FIG. 3 are shown. In addition, the description of the above-described fastening member 485, the upper portion of the head, and the internal configuration of the head is omitted here.

  As described above, the absorbing material AB having a rectangular shape and having an opening is sandwiched between the protruding portion OV and the base plate BP. The opening of the absorbent AB is also wider than the ink discharge surface 48 and narrower than the protrusion OV. As shown in the figure, the head 42 is attached to the base plate BP, but the inside of the opening of the base plate BP and the absorbent AB is attached so as not to contact the lower wall 49A of the head 42.

  In this manner, since the absorbing material AB is sandwiched between the base plate BP and the protruding portion OV of the head 42, the ink mist from the ink ejection surface 48 is absorbed by the absorbing material AB. And it can prevent passing the clearance gap between the baseplate BP and the head 42. FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the protruding portion OV corresponds to an attached member including a head. Although the seal member has been described as the absorbent material AB here, packing such as non-absorbable rubber may be used as the seal member.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining an AA cross section in the second embodiment. In the figure, the head 42 and the base plate BP in the AA cross section of the second embodiment, and each part sandwiched between them are shown. Moreover, FIG. 7B is a figure for demonstrating the BB cross section in 2nd Embodiment. In the figure, the head 42 and the base plate BP in the BB cross section of the second embodiment, and each part sandwiched between them are shown.

  In the second embodiment, the protruding portion OV of the head 42 and the base plate BP sandwich the three absorbents AB, the fixed plate FP, and the adjustment plate AP. The fixed plate FP is a plate provided to connect the head 42 and the adjustment plate AP. The adjustment plate AP is a plate provided to translate the head 42 in the nozzle row direction so that the position of the head 42 can be adjusted with respect to the base plate BP. The adjustment plate AP may be a plate provided to adjust the angle so as to rotate with respect to the normal line of the base plate BP surface.

  These are attached so as to be stacked on the upper side of the base plate BP (the ink supply side of the head). First, on the base plate BP, the absorbent material AB, the adjustment plate AP, the absorbent material AB, the fixed plate FP, the absorbent material AB, and the protruding portion OB are sequentially stacked. The protruding portion OV and the fixing plate FP are fastened by a fastening member (not shown) so as to sandwich the absorber AB. The fixing plate FP and the adjustment plate AP are also fastened by a fastening member (not shown) so as to sandwich the absorbent material AB. The adjustment plate AP and the base plate BP are also fastened by a fastening member (not shown) so as to sandwich the absorbent material AB.

  The head 42 has a protruding portion OV that extends outward from the ink discharge surface 48 in the surface direction of the base plate BP. Again, the opening RH of the base plate BP is wider than the ink ejection surface 48 and narrower than the protrusion OV. Further, the opening of the absorbent AB, the opening of the fixed plate FP, and the opening of the adjustment plate AP are also wider than the ink discharge surface 48 and narrower than the discharge portion OV. As shown in the figure, the head 42 is attached to the base plate BP, but the base plate BP, the absorbent material AB, the fixing plate FP, and the inner surface of the opening of the adjustment plate AP are attached so as not to contact the lower wall 49 of the head 42. It is done.

  In this way, since the absorbing material AB is sandwiched between the base plate BP and the adjustment plate AP, the adjustment plate AP and the fixed plate FP, and the fixed plate FP and the projecting portion OV, the ink discharge surface 48 is used. The ink mist is absorbed by the absorbent AB. Further, it is possible to prevent the ink mist from passing through the gap between the base plate BP and the head 42.

  In the second embodiment, the fixing plate FP corresponds to a fixing member, and the adjustment plate AP corresponds to an adjustment member. Further, the protruding portion OV, the fixed plate FP, and the adjustment plate AP correspond to the attached members. Also, here, the sealing member has been described as the absorbent material AB, but packing such as non-absorbable rubber may be used as the sealing member.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining an AA cross section in the third embodiment. In the figure, the head 42 and the base plate BP in the AA cross section of the third embodiment, and each part sandwiched between them are shown. Moreover, FIG. 8B is a figure for demonstrating the BB cross section in 3rd Embodiment. In the drawing, the head 42 and the base plate BP in the BB cross section of the third embodiment, and each part sandwiched between them are shown.

  In the third embodiment, the protruding portion OV of the head 42 and the base plate BP sandwich the two absorbents AB, the fixed plate FP, and the adjustment plate AP. The adjustment plate AP is attached so as to be stacked on the base plate BP. The fixing plate FP is attached so as to be stacked on the adjustment plate AP. A groove as shown in the figure is formed on the lower side of the fixed plate FP. A seal member such as an absorbent material AB is provided in this groove. Here, the absorbent material AB is provided, but a rubber packing or a liquid gasket may be provided as a sealing member. Further, another absorbent AB is attached so as to be stacked on the fixed plate FP. And it attaches so that protrusion part OV may be piled up on this absorber AB.

  Also here, the openings of the base plate BP, the absorber AB, the fixed plate FP, and the adjustment plate AP are wider than the ink ejection surface 48 and narrower than the protrusion OV. Further, as shown in the drawing, the inner surfaces of the openings of the base plate BP, the absorbent material AB, the fixed plate FP, and the adjustment plate AP are attached so as not to contact the lower wall 49A of the head 42.

  In this way, since the sealing member such as the absorbent AB is sandwiched between the fixing plate FP, the adjustment plate AP, and the protruding portion OV fixing plate FP, the ink mist from the ink ejection surface 48 is absorbed. Absorbed in material AB. Further, it is possible to prevent the ink mist from passing through the gap between the base plate BP and the head 42.

  In the third embodiment, the fixing plate FP corresponds to a fixing member, and the adjustment plate AP corresponds to an adjustment member. Further, the protruding portion OV, the fixed plate FP, and the adjustment plate AP correspond to the attached members.

  FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining an AA cross section in the fourth embodiment. In the figure, a head 42, an absorbent material AB, and a base plate BP in the AA cross section of the fourth embodiment are shown. Moreover, FIG. 9B is a figure for demonstrating the BB cross section in 4th Embodiment. In the figure, the head 42, the absorbent AB, and the base plate BP in the BB cross section of the fourth embodiment are shown.

  The head 42 in the fourth embodiment is different from the shape of the head in the above-described embodiment. The head described above has a jaw portion in the AA cross-sectional direction, but does not have a jaw portion in the BB cross-sectional direction. The head according to the fourth embodiment has a flange portion protruding from the upper wall 49A and the lower wall 49B in the BB cross-sectional direction. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the protruding portion OV is configured by a jaw portion protruding in any direction in which the base plate BP extends.

  When the head 42 has such a flange as the protruding portion OV, the protruding portion OV of the head 42 can be attached to the lower portion of the base plate BP. An absorbent AB having a rectangular shape and having an opening is sandwiched between the protruding portion OV and the base plate BP. The opening portion of the absorbent AB and the opening portion RH of the base plate BP are wider than the widths WH1 and WH2 of the upper portion of the head and narrower than the protruding portion OV. As shown in the figure, the head 42 is attached to the base plate BP, but the inner surface of the opening of the base plate BP and the absorbent material AB is attached so as not to contact the upper wall 49B of the head 42.

  In this manner, since the sealing member such as the absorbing material AB is sandwiched between the base plate BP and the protruding portion OV of the head 42, the ink mist from the ink discharge surface 48 is absorbed by the absorbing material AB, and the base plate BP. And passing through the gap between the head 42 and the head 42 can be prevented.

  In the third embodiment, the protruding portion OV corresponds to a member to be attached including the head. Also, here, the sealing member has been described as the absorbent material AB, but packing such as non-absorbable rubber may be used as the sealing member.

=== Other Embodiments ===
In the above-described embodiment, the head unit provided in the printer 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other fluids other than ink (a liquid or gel in which particles of liquid or functional material are dispersed) It is also possible to embody the present invention in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects a fluid. For example, color filter manufacturing apparatus, dyeing apparatus, fine processing apparatus, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, surface processing apparatus, three-dimensional modeling machine, gas vaporizer, organic EL manufacturing apparatus (especially polymer EL manufacturing apparatus), display manufacturing apparatus, film formation You may apply the technique similar to the above-mentioned embodiment to the various apparatuses which applied inkjet technology, such as an apparatus and a DNA chip manufacturing apparatus. These methods and manufacturing methods are also within the scope of application.

  The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printer 1. FIG. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the printer 1, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view for explaining a schematic configuration of the paper S of the printer 1. 4 is a top view for explaining the configuration of the head unit 40. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the baseplate BP. It is a perspective view for demonstrating how to attach the head with respect to the baseplate BP in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining an AA section in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining a BB section in the first embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining an AA section in the second embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining a BB section in the second embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining an AA section in the third embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining a BB section in the third embodiment. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining an AA section in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a BB section in the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 printer, 20 paper transport unit, 21 paper feed roller,
23A upstream conveying roller, 23B downstream conveying roller, 24 belt,
40 head units, 42 heads, 43 ink tanks, 44 tubes,
45 Ink distributor, 46 tube, 48 ink ejection surface,
49A Lower wall, 49B Upper wall,
411 1st head, 412 2nd head, 413 3rd head,
414 4th head, 415 5th head,
421 6th head, 422 7th head, 423 8th head,
424 9th head, 425 10th head,
431 Black ink cell, 432 Cyan ink cell,
433 magenta ink cell, 434 yellow ink cell,
485 fastening member,
50 detector groups, 60 controllers, 61 interfaces,
70 drive signal generation circuit, 110 computer,
AB absorber, AP adjustment plate, BP base plate,
CN connector, FP fixing plate, OV protrusion, S paper

Claims (8)

A mounted member including a head;
A plate member having an opening through which a part of the head passes;
A seal member provided around the opening and in contact with the plate member and the attached member;
A head unit comprising:   The head unit according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the attached member is larger than an outer diameter of the opening.   The head unit according to claim 1, wherein the seal member includes an absorbent that absorbs liquid.   The head unit according to claim 1, wherein the attached member includes an adjusting member for moving the head in parallel with respect to the plate surface of the plate member.   The head unit according to claim 4, wherein the attached member includes a fixing member for fixing the head to the adjustment member.   The fixing member is provided with a groove for providing a further sealing member, the fixing member is installed in contact with the adjusting member, and the additional sealing member provided in the groove is provided with the fixing member and the adjusting member. The head unit according to claim 5, wherein the head unit is in contact with the head unit.   The head unit according to claim 1, wherein the attached member is disposed on the ink supply side of the head with respect to the plate member.   The head unit according to claim 1, wherein the attached member is disposed on the ink ejection side of the head with respect to the plate member.

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